Under Minnesota law, there is no standard definition for an assisted living facility. According to Minnesota legislature, an establishment may only be associated with the phrase “assisted living” if the residence provides but is not limited to the following services: staff access to an on-call registered nurse, room, board, meal services, housekeeping services, health services, assistance with daily living activities, 24/7 staff supervision to respond to health and safety needs.
Keep in mind that assisted living services may also be called residential home care, adult congregate care, and personal care homes. The best way to make sure a community is right for you is by scheduling a personal visit today!
There are currently 298 assisted senior living communities operating in Minnesota.
| City | Monthly Minimum | Monthly Maximum | Monthly Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $1,460 | $7,500 | $4,600 |
| Duluth | $2,438 | $5,550 | $3,650 |
| Mankato | $2,073 | $3,990 | $3,003 |
| Minneapolis | $1,460 | $7,500 | $4,600 |
| Rochester | $1,878 | $6,100 | $3,395 |
| Saint Paul | $1,460 | $7,500 | $4,600 |
The average cost of assisted living in Minnesota is $3,468 per month. Falling in the middle of the cost spectrum, Minnesota’s average long term care cost falls approximately $100 lower than the national long-term care cost of $3,600 per month. Within the state, average cost between areas fluxgate depending on the area. In the larger metropolis areas, costs rise above the national cost average.
For more information about assisted living costs in Minnesota, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.
Bordering Lake Superior and Canada, Minnesota offers an array of unique outdoor and indoor activities to enjoy. The Boundary Waters Canoe area located inside of Superior National Forest offers beautiful waterways to canoe between the two countries! For those looking for a more personal view of the great lakes, Lake Superior Helicopter Tours offer a highflying aerial view of the environmental treasure. Containing the headwaters of the most famous river in America, the Mississippi River, Itasca State Park offers a collection of walking trials featuring the headwaters.
For those who love scenic views, but not being outdoors; the North Shore Drive is an easily navigated 151-mile drive, which showcase’s Minnesota’s natural wonders such as indigenous wildlife. To protect the indigenous animals, the International Wolf Center located in Minnesota is a unique animal learning experience. Visitors can learn about all aspects of the nature of the wolf through interactive activities and observe the pack living at the center.
The countless wonders of Minnesota also include many inventions of residents of Minnesota. Built in 1901, the Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. It currently resides in the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Included on the National Register of Historic Places, the Aerial Life Bridge in Minnesota was created at the turn of the 20th century primarily used as transportation bridge view an attached gondola. The Aerial Lift Bridge is one of only two built.
Minnesota is known as a farming community and finds their economic success from cutting timber and milling wood. Minnesota is a full of culture and diversity with many different types of transplants moving to the area. The residents are some of the healthiest and most educated people in the United States. They are also some of the friendliest.
Situated on the most northern board of the United States, Minnesota experiences four distinct climates with added weather phenomena. Beginning in November, Minnesota winters last through April bringing heavy snowfall with average snow accumulation between 30-70 inches depending on the location. Winter temperatures consistently fall below freezing and occasionally below 0 degrees. As Minnesota transitions into spring, late winter, and early spring blizzards are common, along with frequent thunderstorms during late spring. Threats of thunderstorm decreases as Summer sets in bringing average temperatures ranging from 60 – 70 degrees depending on the area. The average accumulation of rainfall in Minnesota is 27 inches annually.
Assisted Living Homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living. The Minnesota Department of Health is responsible for the creation, the distribution, and the oversight of the official regulations for senior care homes in Minnesota. These regulations also cover communities associated with the terms 'personal care homes' and 'residential care homes.'
When looking for a new place to live, it is always important to consider the safety of the community you are in. Minnesota has crime rates nearly 20 percent lower than the national average. If you are not sure where to start your search, look at some the safest communities in Minnesota:
| Location | Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents | Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | 0.00 | 2.99 |
| Winona | 0.91 | 2.61 |
| West Hennepin | 1.09 | 6.00 |
| Minnetrista | 0.22 | 7.36 |
(Source: safewise.com)
For those looking for financial assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid offers the Elderly Waiver elderly Medicaid, eligible residents. This program pays for home and community-based services to those who are 65 years or older and qualify for nursing home care but opt for an alternate residence. To find if you are eligible to apply for this waiver, please visit the official Elderly Waiver page on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.
For those who are not Medicaid eligible, Minnesota offers the Group Residential Housing Program to elderly and disabled residents who cannot live independently but are not qualified for nursing home care. The Department of Human Services has partnered with over 6,000 long-term care residences including assisted living communities. This program will pay for room and board directly to the participating assisted senior living home. Services within the home can be paid for through a special allowance for uniquely qualified participants. To find if you are eligible for this program, please visit the official Group Residential Housing Program page on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.
Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.
While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. A complete list of resident rights as guaranteed by the state of Minnesota can be viewed and printed via an online PDF file.
Minnesota assisted living homes are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be readily accessible upon request and should be kept for a period no less than 5 years from death or discharge date.
Residents in Minnesota assisted living centers have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard.
