REGIONAL- At a time when there are more Minnesotans aged 65 or older than there are school-aged children, lawmakers in St. Paul are taking a serious look at how to position state government to best deal with the many issues this growing group presents.
Last Thursday, a House committee heard testimony on HF2725, a bill authored by Rep. Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Plymouth, that would establish a Healthy Aging Subcabinet within Minnesota Management and Budget to assist with the design of a statewide planning process to identify opportunities to improve the quality of life for older adults.
“Minnesota is one of the healthiest states in the country, evident through the high rates of civic participation, volunteerism and other health metrics,” Klevorn told the committee. “That success, coupled with the falling birth rate, will create a permanent demographic transition to an older state, which requires rethinking as to how our state and its communities plan to address issues associated with the growing numbers of adults living longer.”
The bill grew out of a bipartisan legislative task force that met from August 2023 to December 2024, when it published a detailed 60-page report presenting the scope of the need for a coordinated approach to services and policies focused on older adults, as well as an outline for the proposed Healthy Aging Subcabinet.
Report findings
Through a series of 20 meetings held in St. Paul and virtually, task force members heard from a wide gamut of service providers and advocacy organizations about the characteristics and needs of older Minnesotans, both now and into the future. A summary of their findings follows.
The gray wave
Minnesota has entered the “super-aged” era, with more than 1 million residents aged 65 or older, a figure that is expected to reach 1.16 million and remain steady through mid-century. Greater Minnesota is aging even faster than the metro, partly due to youth outmigration. Women dominate the state’s senior ranks, especially at the oldest ages – there are 25 percent more women than men at 65-plus and nearly 80 percent more at age 85 or older. Most in that group live alone, and 70 percent of women 65 and older reside in rural areas.
Economic drivers
Despite outdated notions of dependency, Minnesota’s older adults fuel the economy. Those 50 and older account for 57 cents of every dollar spent statewide, with that share projected to rise to 62 cents by 2050. They contribute $154 billion to the state’s GDP and hold about 1.7 million jobs. Seniors also anchor the state’s largest volunteer workforce and are key caregivers – offering child care, staffing food shelves, and helping run elections and community groups.
Growing health needs
Behind the longevity statistics lie serious health concerns. About 307,000 older Minnesotans live with a disability, and more than 100,000 have difficulty with daily activities. Chronic illness is widespread, with 84 percent living with at least one major condition. Dementia diagnoses are rising – nearly 100,000 residents live with Alzheimer’s or a related illness, a number expected to jump more than 20 percent by the end of 2025. Medicaid spending on Alzheimer’s alone could top $1 billion in the state within two years.
Caregiving needs
Minnesota’s elderly care system depends on its 640,000 family caregivers, who provide an estimated $8.6 billion in unpaid support annually. Most are women, many balancing caregiving with paid work. Dementia care is especially demanding – 225 million unpaid hours were recorded in 2022, and nearly 40 percent of those caregivers experience depression. The emotional toll is high, and burnout is one of the leading reasons families turn to institutional care.
Barriers to staying at home
Roughly 96 percent of older Minnesotans live independently, but many do so in homes that need repairs they can’t afford. Nearly 16,000 low-income seniors require major fixes just to remain safely housed. Affordable, accessible housing is limited – especially in rural towns. Transportation is another major hurdle – about 20 percent of older adults no longer drive, and public transit options are sparse outside metro areas. Volunteer driver programs, once vital, are increasingly strained.
Rise of older workers
Older workers are reshaping Minnesota’s labor force. Those 55-plus now hold nearly one-quarter of all jobs, and the number of workers aged 75-plus is expected to double by 2030. Yet, age discrimination persists – two-thirds of older employees report facing bias, and many can’t find comparable work after job loss. For many, work is a necessity, not a choice. Social Security is their main source of income, particularly for women, who tend to earn less and live longer.
Hidden costs
More than 110,000 older Minnesotans live on less than $25,000 a year, with nearly a third spending over 30 percent of their income on housing. In 2023, food insecurity hit record levels, with over 47,000 seniors turning to food banks. The high cost of car ownership – around $11,000 annually – adds to the burden. Nursing home care is out of reach for most, and many family caregivers spend a quarter of their income on support that’s often invisible in public policy.
New office
With a budget request of only $1.7 million, the Healthy Aging Subcabinet won’t be implementing any of the state’s supports for older adults— rather, it’s purpose is to serve as a focal point for coordinating those services and initiatives to be sure the huge financial investment necessary will be spent in an efficient and coordinated manner.
“This would ensure the voices and perspectives of older adults in the planning process can result in recommendations,” said Kathleen Kelso, a public policy advisor for Elder Voice Advocates. “It is time for the state to lead the way in planning with us, not just for us.”
Sustainable resources
A key function of the proposed Department of Community Aging would be ensuring that older adults can age in place with the right mix of community supports and information. That includes collaborating closely with Area Agencies on Aging to coordinate services under the Statewide Plan on Aging, building out robust tools like the Senior LinkAge Line, and securing partnerships with private organizations for funding opportunities. The department would promote caregiving education for families and friends, work with local governments on public communication around protective services, and tackle age discrimination in employment by pushing for inclusive hiring practices across sectors. At its core, this role is about strengthening the infrastructure that allows seniors to stay active, informed, and supported where they live.
Long-term services
The department would also take on oversight of long-term services and supports – everything from licensed senior care facilities to the broader network of publicly financed support systems. It would coordinate across local, state, and federal funding streams, track care quality and life outcomes in long-term care settings, and make sure that public evaluations are available to families making care decisions. The department would also be tasked with forecasting future care needs based on population trends and local conditions, with a clear acknowledgment of the crucial role that family and informal caregivers already play in the long-term care system. This is about more than maintaining regulation – it’s about guiding the system toward better care and greater accountability.
Community development
The third pillar of the proposal focuses on building a healthier, more age-friendly state through strategic planning and data-driven policymaking. The department would lead the charge on a Statewide Plan on Aging, coordinating with public and private partners to define goals and measure progress. That includes conducting analyses of health care delivery and caregiving systems, assessing workforce training needs, and ensuring that aging policy reflects values of equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Tribal Nations and historically underrepresented communities would be part of ongoing planning conversations. The department would also work with the state’s economic development agency to create pathways for older adults to remain engaged in the workforce, particularly in caregiving roles where shortages are acute. Policies put in place to address aging today position our state to do be better aligned with future populations.
“This bill is a step forward in addressing that call to prepare our state to promote healthy aging and help Minnesotans age with dignity and live in the community of their choice,” Klevorn said.
The bill did not require additional action by the committee. A companion bill in the Senate has not yet received a hearing.