Right now, in Minnesota, families are hitting a breaking point trying to find care for their parents and grandparents- and honestly, the worst is yet to come.  
As our seniors live longer, the need for help is skyrocketing, but the reality on the ground is that we have fewer beds and not enough staff to fill the shifts.
Instead of supporting those of us in the trenches, the state is making things harder. We’ve seen billions in cuts over the last few years, and more are on the table right now.  These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are real-life crises. It means families are driving hours to visit a loved one because local facilities are full, and hospitals are backed up because there’s no place for patients to go.  
What hurts the most is that these decisions are being made by people who haven’t stepped foot in a facility like ours. For seven years, the voices of the people actually doing the work haven’t been heard by the governor’s office. You can’t solve a crisis by ignoring the experts on the front lines.  
Minnesota families — and the people who care for them — deserve leadership that actually listens and acts. As we head into the 2026 election, we need a governor who understands that long-term care isn’t just a budget line item: it’s a lifeline for our community.  
We pray that our voices are heard, and that things change for the better. Our residents, families, staff, and community deserve better than this. 
Stephanie Gould, ALD
Vermilion Senior Living
Tower