In 2019 and 2020, DHS and the Minnesota Board on Aging developed Resident Quality of Life Surveys and Family Satisfaction Surveys for assisted living communities. In 2025, facilities with an assisted living license through the Minnesota Department of Health and a capacity to serve seven or more residents will be invited to participate in statewide data collection using these surveys.

Vital Research

DHS contracts with Vital Research, an independent survey firm, to conduct the surveys and ensure the confidentiality of all resident and family responses. Vital Research's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Training field staff
• Scheduling interviews
• Providing ongoing support
• Quality assurance monitoring

Vital Research works collaboratively with DHS throughout the entire length of the project.

Survey Schedules

Vital Research will reach out to all assisted living facilities that have a capacity to serve seven or more residents between March 2025 and September 2025 to schedule interview dates and answer questions that the facilities, residents, and family members have. Family surveys will be simultaneously mailed to residents' representatives between May 2025 and October 2025, depending on when your facility was visited.

Results

Annual resident and family survey results will support facility star ratings, which will be shared on the public Minnesota Assisted Living Report Card website by early 2026. Vital Research will email facilities their preliminary resident results within a few months after their resident visit. Family data collection may take longer to complete, but Vital Research will also email preliminary family results to facilities. Preliminary results may differ from final Report Card ratings as star ratings are calculated differently (e.g., peer grouping, etc.). For more information on how the star ratings and how they are calculated, please refer to the Assisted Living Facility Ratings Guide.

Questions?

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to commonly asked questions about the project.