Minnesota Assisted Living Information

Minnesota defines an assisted living facility slightly different from most states. They actually separate the residential piece from the services part calling it Housing with Services, which applies to residential programs for adult residents with one more health-related or two or more supportive services. The health care services are then provided through a licensed home care agency. Assisted living facilities must provide all of these services listed below, but may add additional services as well: · staff access to an on-call registered nurse · a system to check on each assisted living client daily, · a means for assisted living clients to request assistance, · staff to respond to health or safety needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, · two meals per day, · weekly housekeeping and laundry, · health services including assistance with medication administration · assistance with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs), · and health-related services from a Minnesota-licensed home care agency.

Minnesota Assisted Living Facilities Scope of Care

Any services that a home health care agency can provide may be available through an assisted living facility, but the minimum requirements say that the facility must administer medication, or assist in self-medicating, as well as provide assistance with at least three ADL’s. A person can decide to become a resident and contract all health care services through another provider.

Minnesota Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Upon admission, am RN must perform an intake assessment.

Minnesota Assisted Living Care Plan Requirements

Whichever agency is meeting the health care needs of the resident, it must follow the care plan as defined by the RN during the intake assessment, or as updated.

Minnesota Assisted Living Medication Management Requirements

Assisted living facilities must provide assistance with medication management and administration.

Minnesota Assisted Living Facility Requirements

A facility must comply with state and local building codes, fire codes, and be registered with Minnesota Department of Health.

Minnesota Assisted Living Staffing Requirements

Direct care staff must be awake and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide for the health and safety needs of the residents. However, there may be some exemptions to the awake-staff policy, depending on the needs of the residents at the time. Orientation is required for all staff and unlicensed staff people must pass competency testing.

Minnesota Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Medicaid home and community-based waivers will pay for customized health care services.

Minnesota Alzheimer’s Unit Regulations

If an assisted living facility operates a care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s, then staff members who work in the unit must receive appropriate training and direct care staff must be present in the unit at all times.

Minnesota Department of Health