10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Minneapolis, MN

Using this guide, you can learn how to pay for an assisted living stay using private funds, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid. Information regarding each payment method has been included here.

The Minnesota Department of Health issues licenses and regulates assisted living facilities in Minnesota. To obtain licensure in Minnesota, facilities must submit to an application process, comply with state laws, and have ongoing inspections. Inspections cover several facets of assisted living services, such as resident rights, medicine administration, resident care, and food service.

Minnesota laws and regulations

The rules for registering and running assisted living facilities in Minnesota, and the obligations of both residents and providers, are outlined in Chapter 144G of the state’s legislation titled Assisted Living Services and Home Care Licensing. The licensing criteria for assisted living facilities in Minnesota are outlined in Chapter 4659 of the Minnesota Rules regarding assisted living licensure, along with specifications for the physical plant, resident care, staffing, and food service.

Some of the regulations that assisted living facilities must meet are as follows:

• A licensed assisted living director must be in charge at all facilities.
• At least one clinical nurse supervisor must be employed by the facility. This is allowed to be the same person as the director.
• While no staff-to-resident ratios are required, facilities must have enough staff members to meet the needs of all residents at all times.
• Staffing plans must be reviewed at least two times per year.
• Assisted living facilities must adhere to all safety and fire codes.
• Three nutritious daily meals, as well as snacks, must be provided.
• Food menus must be made available to residents a week in advance.

The assisted living facilities must also comply with the Minnesota Bill of Rights for Assisted Living Residents.

Inspections and reports

Inspections will take place a minimum of once every two years. These visits will not be announced and can happen at any time of day to make sure all regulations and laws are being correctly followed.

Minnesota’s Health Department allows the public to view inspection reports and licenses for assisted living facilities. The website also offers a searchable directory of authorized assisted living facilities, which includes details like the facility’s name, address, and licensed bed capacity.

Minnesota Department of Health contact information

Minnesota Department of Health
625 Robert St. N
St Paul, MN 55164
Phone: 651-201-5000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Minneapolis assisted living facilities

No COVID laws are in effect specifically for assisted living complexes in Minneapolis. The city’s Health Department promotes information sharing about COVID testing sites, guidelines, community spread, treatments, and more. In general, assisted living communities in Minneapolis follow these guidelines:^[02]

Minneapolis offers diverse elder care options, particularly assisted living, which provides seniors with long-term housing and care that supports them through activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal prep. Seniors in assisted living in Minneapolis can expect personalized care, nutritious meals, a wide range of social activities to cater to a variety of interests, and a sense of community in safe residential settings.

Available facilities and combinations of care

Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Minneapolis, A Place for Mom partners with 61 assisted living facilities. Thirteen of these are standalone assisted living centers or homes; six are combination assisted living and independent living facilities; 20 are combination assisted living and memory care facilities; and 21 are a combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care. One facility combines assisted living, adult day care, and memory care services.

Looking within a 25-mile radius of downtown, which includes even more of St. Paul, seniors and their families can find additional possibilities, including nineteen more standalone assisted living facilities and homes; four additional assisted living and independent living combination facilities; 27 assisted living/memory care places; 27 combination assisted living, and independent living, memory care communities.

Life in Minneapolis assisted living

Even within urban Minneapolis, and in proximity to big-city amenities, assisted living communities often take care to create more tranquil, wooded settings that take full advantage of Minnesota’s lake-effect weather and mild summers to encourage residents to relax outdoors. Many communities design their environments, from architecture to programming, to promote social engagement and life enrichment. Pastimes at many locations include bingo games, fun outings, book club meetings, religious services, movie nights, and more.

Around-the-clock health care services in-house and nearby

Nearly all assisted living communities in Minneapolis have staff awake and available 24/7. Nearly 80% of communities within A Place for Mom’s assisted living network offer some form of memory care, and 83% offer hospice services on-site.^[01] Additionally, 73% of facilities bring in occupational, physical, or speech therapists and podiatrists to visit and treat residents with specific care needs. Staff members typically also manage medication (at 82% of locations), and many specialize in diabetic care and incontinence care for residents.

Convenient living and transportation arrangements

Two-thirds of communities offer complimentary transportation, and nearly half offer at-cost transportation, so seniors can easily run errands and visit doctors. Options are also available for those with mobility challenges.

Health care for seniors in Minneapolis

Minneapolis offers various health care options for seniors, including a nationally recognized hospital and numerous other well-known ones. There is also a VA clinic nearby for veterans. Learn more about the best hospitals in Minneapolis by going through the resources below.

Transportation for seniors in Minneapolis

A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living communities make life a little easier by offering transportation options. Nearly half of our partner facilities offer at-cost transportation, while 67% provide it for free. There are, of course, many other options for getting around the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis is set up to allow flexibility in transportation. Although half of Minneapolis residents drive to get around, 36% prefer biking, and 22% choose public transportation. For shorter distances, residents tend to prefer walking, cycling, and public transportation to get from point A to point B.^[07] The city features a bike-sharing scheme with 100 kiosks, and it’s home to plentiful public transportation choices, including buses, light rail, and commuter trains.

The city’s natural setting provides numerous pathways for walking and running. Moreover, there are approximately 34 miles of approved bike lanes, which explains why Walk Score ranks it as a top bikeable city in the United States. Walk Score also ranks Minneapolis 71 out of 100, taking into account walking routes and public density. Metro Transportation, Minneapolis’ public transit system, supports environmentally friendly commuting options like carpooling, vanpooling, walking, and biking to work.

Seniors 65 and over can use the Metro Transit reduced rate for seniors to access cheaper bus and train fares. Metro Transit’s high-frequency network serves 14 popular routes with such frequent service that it offers no timetable. In addition, the Northeast Seniors Rides program arranges for volunteer drivers to transport seniors aged 60 and up to appointments around Northeast Minneapolis.

Senior activities in Minneapolis

Minneapolis offers vibrant city life with blue lakes, tall buildings, an active art scene, and upscale entertainment options.

Outdoor excursions are plentiful. Lake Harriet features scenic trails for biking, running, and strolling, while the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is famous for its famous California sea lion show, big cats, gorillas, and giraffes. There’s on-site and street parking and public transportation nearby as well.

Art and history lovers have plenty to see in the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) offers free tours, classes, and events for all ages. The Walker Art Center is another gem that provides an immersive experience ranging from modern art installations to community-building programs.

Catch contemporary dance, experimental theater, and new classical music performances there at a reduced ticket rate for seniors. To learn more about Minneapolis, check out the Mill City Museum, a great place to learn about the city’s history through activities designed for all ages. It’s open on Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. until early evening; admission is discounted for veterans and those over 65.

Seniors who enjoy classical music can visit the Minnesota Orchestra, which has a Grammy Award-winning ensemble and a reputation for delivering world-class performances. The Orchestra Hall is accessible for people with impairments, with special parking places, ramps, and elevators serving all levels on the lobby’s east and west sides. Those who love modern music might attend a concert at the historic First Avenue venue, which is also wheelchair accessible. Or head to U.S. Bank Stadium to see your favorite singer perform or catch a Minnesota Vikings football game. The stadium also has ramps, elevators, and wheelchair-accessible seating on all levels. Before purchasing a ticket, inquire about additional ADA accommodations.

Seniors can also find community and senior centers to help fill their dance cards. The Shorewood Community & Event Center hosts activities like knitting, beading, quilting, and support groups. The Nokomis Healthy Seniors Center also offers social meetings, reasonably priced health and wellness programs, transportation, support groups, and exercise classes. Find other senior-specific materials on the Minnesota Association for Senior Services’ website.