10 Best Nursing Homes in Minneapolis, MN

Securing skilled care from a nursing home, assisted living community, or memory care facility requires significant resources from seniors and their loved ones. In this section, learn more about common payment choices for senior care, such as through private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicare, and/or Medicaid.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) licenses and regulates senior living facilities through its Office of Health Facility Complaints. To get a license to operate a nursing home in Minnesota, the facility must follow state and federal regulations, such as minimum staffing standards, medication administration, infection control, and resident rights. The institution must also pass a stringent inspection process, including an MDH survey, to verify compliance with state and federal requirements.

The Minnesota Administrative Rules: Chapter 4658 regulates nursing homes in Minnesota, covering licensure and operation requirements, staffing, resident care, facility safety, resident rights (privacy, dignity, and access to medical care), and prevention of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The law ensures high-quality care for nursing home residents and provides that they should be treated with decency and respect. Minnesota outlines specific staffing regulations for nursing home facilities, including requiring a registered nurse to always be on duty. The state also mandates minimum staffing ratios for nursing homes based on the number of residents. For full details on Minnesota’s laws regarding nursing homes, refer to the 2022 Minnesota Statutes: Chapter 144A.

Federally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services oversees nursing home care. CMS establishes minimum standards for all nursing homes to meet in order to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Minnesota nursing homes must also follow state laws and undergo regular inspections by the MDH to ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations. These inspections cover resident care, medication administration, personnel, infection control, and facility cleaning. Inspection reports and licenses are available on the MDH website.

Assisted living and memory care facilities

Chapter 144G of Minnesota’s legislation, “Assisted Living Services and Home Care Licensing,” outlines the rules for registering and operating assisted living facilities in the state, including the obligations of residents and providers. The Minnesota Rules governing assisted living licensure, found in Chapter 4659, detail the licensing criteria for these facilities, including specifications for the physical plant, resident care, staffing, and food service.

Assisted living facilities in Minnesota are subject to a number of regulations, such as the requirement that a licensed assisted living director is in charge at all times and that at least one clinical nurse supervisor be employed by the facility, which may be the same person as the director. While there are no mandated staff-to-resident ratios, facilities must ensure that they have enough staff members to meet the needs of all residents and must review staffing plans at least twice per year. Additionally, assisted living facilities must comply with all safety and fire codes, provide three nutritious meals daily plus snacks, and make food menus available to residents a week in advance.

In Minnesota, memory care facilities must adhere to certain standards in addition to the regulations for assisted living facilities, which cover areas such as staff training, staffing levels, and resident care and safety procedures. Specifically, Section 144G.83 of the state’s assisted living statutes requires that personnel at memory care facilities receive additional training.

Furthermore, Minnesota’s assisted living and memory care facilities must comply with the Bill of Rights for Assisted Living Residents.

A minimum of one inspection every two years will be conducted without prior notice to ensure compliance with all regulations and laws. Assisted living facilities’ inspection reports and licenses are available for public viewing at Minnesota’s Health Department’s website.

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 nursing homes

In Minneapolis, there are no COVID restrictions in place specifically for nursing homes. However, the local Health Department outlines best practices that assisted living and memory care facilities and other long-term care facilities can implement to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some senior living homes may have additional policies in place, so inquire with prospective communities. In general, the COVID-19 best practices in Minneapolis are aligned to these Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines:

Moving into a senior care facility can be challenging for seniors and their loved ones. Luckily, there are numerous senior living facility choices available in the Twin Cities, including 66 A Place for Mom partner assisted living and memory care communities.

Seniors and their families looking for nursing home care are typically looking for assisted living, memory care, or some combination of the two. These facilities don’t offer skilled nursing exclusively, but constant medical care is not always what someone needs.

Multiple types of senior and long-term care options available

Minneapolis offers a highly desirable variety of care options for seniors. Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Minneapolis, A Place for Mom’s network includes 66 senior living facilities

A variety of care options

Of these, six are assisted living facilities; two are standalone memory care facilities; six are combination assisted living and independent living facilities; and 20 are combined assisted living and memory care facilities. Additionally, 21 facilities offer a combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Another is a combined assisted living, adult day care, and memory care facility. There are also seven group homes and three combination group homes and memory care facilities. Many care seekers favor locations that combine assisted living and memory care so that their senior loved ones can stay in place even if their care needs change.

Convenient living for Twin City seniors

Senior living facilities in Minneapolis combine the best of both worlds when it comes to urban and natural environments. Though they tend to have easy access to all the amenities of city living, they mirror Minnesota’s gorgeous, lake-dotted landscape by providing pockets of solace within a busy environment. Situated in a northern latitude and benefiting from lake effect weather from Lake Superior, seniors who retire in Minneapolis can enjoy mild summers that allow for outdoor activities, even midday. None of the facilities are too far from parks and nature centers or shopping malls; no matter a senior’s lifestyle, they can find communities that meet their needs.

Various enrichment activities and amenities

Senior living facilities in Minneapolis offer social and mental enrichment, with indoor and outdoor common areas for socializing and visiting loved ones and activities planned for their senior residents. Of the 66 senior living facilities in A Place for Mom’s network, 74% have activity directors who orchestrate activities and excursions for their residents, and 65% of facilities feature planned day trips and outings. Many communities offer stretching classes (60%) and yoga or chair yoga (54%); trivia games (59%) and happy hours (66%); and birthday and holiday parties (74%). These activities serve to maintain residents’ minds, bodies, and spirits.

Even more options a little farther out

The Minneapolis area offers even more possibilities within a 25-mile radius of downtown. Including more of the suburban landscape in the search, you’ll find nine more independent assisted living facilities; 12 additional standalone memory care facilities; 10 group homes; four assisted living and independent living combination communities; 27 assisted living and memory care facilities; 27 combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities, and three combination group homes and memory care facilities.

Health care for seniors in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is home to several well-known hospitals and a nationally recognized hospital for seniors. There is also a VA clinic nearby for veterans. Learn more about the best hospitals in Minneapolis by exploring the resources listed below.

Transportation for seniors in Minneapolis

While services vary from facility to facility, almost all our partner Minneapolis assisted living and memory care residences provide some degree of transportation to its residents. About 65% of Place for Mom’s partner communities offer complimentary transportation services, and 51% offer at-cost options.

At many locations, the staff members arrange transport services for medical appointments, social outings, and other events, provide wheelchair-accessible vans and medical transport vehicles, and can accommodate specific transportation requests.

Seniors 65 and older can save money on bus and train tickets using Metro Transit’s reduced rate for seniors program. This offers 14 popular routes that have frequent service but no schedule. Furthermore, the Northeast Senior Rides program coordinates volunteer drivers to transport seniors aged 60 and up to appointments around Northeast Minneapolis.

Senior activities in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a vibrant city with beautiful lakes, impressive architecture, and a thriving arts scene. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as strolling around natural lakes like the Lake of the Isles and Lake Harriet. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a great place to watch and interact with animals, with on-site and street parking and public transportation nearby. For seniors with dementia, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum provides a peaceful environment and guided tours.

Art-loving seniors can also visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The former has a diverse art collection, and the latter offers immersive experiences ranging from modern art installations to community-building initiatives, contemporary dance, and experimental theater. The Mill City Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays and offers a great opportunity to learn about the city’s history, and admission for veterans and those over 65 is a reduced fee of $10.

The Twin Cities are havens for music lovers. The Minnesota Orchestra, known for exceptional classical music performances, can evoke memories and emotions in seniors and dementia patients through the power of its music and acoustics. Orchestra Hall is accessible for disabled visitors, with dedicated parking, ramps, and elevators on the east and west sides of the foyer. Additionally, consider seeking music therapy sessions for the seniors in your life, as this form of therapy can effectively engage seniors with dementia, aiding in memory recall and creating a peaceful environment.

For more modern music lovers, try First Avenue, a historic venue hosting contemporary concerts that is accessible to seniors with disabilities. For even more popular shows, residents can enjoy concerts or an NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The stadium is also wheelchair-accessible; remember to request ADA accommodations before purchasing tickets.

Minneapolis also offers specialized services for seniors with dementia, including memory cafes and support groups at senior centers. Find a comprehensive list of senior-specific resources on the Minnesota Association for Senior Services website.