2017 Pacesetter Prize Winner

Minnesota Is Recognized for Support for Family Caregivers

Why a Pacesetter Prize for Minnesota?

Minnesota has an exemplary history of providing services and supports for people who are caregiving, including personalized assessments, dementia-capable coaching, respite care support, and consultations through the state’s Senior LinkAge Line.

Building on these initiatives, Minnesota continues to innovate and create a more robust LTSS system, improving in three of four measures and ranking No. 6 in the country in the Support for Family Caregivers dimension.

Success Highlights

  • The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act  was passed and requires health care facilities to notify people who are caregiving when an older adult is being discharged and instruct them on how to provide the best care.
  • Minnesota expanded sick leave benefits for absences associated with caring for a relative, such as a spouse, parent, or sibling.
  • The Working Caregiver Initiative educates employers about caregiving issues and promotes workplace flexibility and resource sharing with employees.
  • With bipartisan support, Minnesota now allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to work at the top of their education and training, increasing access to affordable care.

What’s next for Minnesota?

Minnesota’s strong commitment to people who are caring for family, friends, and neighbors is evident in several areas. First, it is expanding the Return to Community Initiative to provide a stipend to people who are caregiving to pay for respite or other needed help. Also, Minnesota is leveraging its National Family Caregiver Support Program to implement evidence-based support interventions, including REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health) and REST (Respite Education and Support Tools).

To guide its future, Minnesota has set a clear vision and strategy for what LTSS investments are needed in the decades ahead, regardless of evolving federal or state leadership interests.

Resources