Start by calling the Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433), operated by Trellis, for care navigation and options counseling. If a memory care community is eventually needed, confirm it holds MDH's 'assisted living facility with dementia care' license (Minn. Stat. 144G.10, subd. 2(b)) — verify this directly through the MDH Health Care Provider Directory rather than relying on marketing materials.
How families here handle this
A new dementia diagnosis often triggers a flood of decisions all at once — legal planning like powers of attorney, medical management, home safety modifications, and eventually a conversation about whether in-home care or a move to a secured memory care community makes sense. It's rarely necessary to make all of these decisions immediately after diagnosis; many Twin Cities families spend months or longer supporting a parent at home with the Elderly Waiver's in-home services before a move becomes necessary. When that time does come, the licensing distinction matters specifically for safety and legal accountability — a facility not holding the dementia-care license category isn't legally permitted to market itself as memory care, and lacks the mandatory dementia-specific staff training that license requires.
Related questions
- My parent keeps wandering — what safety and licensing questions should I ask a facility?
- I'm burning out as a caregiver for my spouse or parent — what help is available in the Twin Cities?
- My parent's money is running out — what are our options in Minnesota?
- My spouse needs more care than I can provide at home — how do I protect our finances?
- My parent fell and can no longer live alone — what should we do first?