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My spouse needs more care than I can give

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

Quick answer

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

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Caring for a spouse is different from caring for a parent, financially and otherwise. Minnesota spousal Medicaid protections can shield a meaningful amount of the couple's assets and income for the spouse who stays home.

Short answer

Options that keep a couple together, and the spousal protections Medicaid provides.

What to do, in order

  1. Understand the spousal protections. The 2026 Community Spouse Asset Allowance for Minnesota ranges from $32,532 to $162,660, and the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance ranges from $2,705 to $4,066.50 a month -- confirm current figures with DHS before relying on them.
  2. Look at communities that keep couples together. Several campuses offer more than one level of care on one site.
  3. Be honest about your own health. Spousal caregivers routinely under-report their own decline.
  4. Get an objective assessment. The Area Agency on Aging serving your county can assess both of you at no cost.

Questions families ask

Does a resident need a lawyer to file an ombudsman complaint in Minnesota?

No. Contacting the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591 is free and does not require an attorney — the office exists specifically to provide free advocacy and complaint resolution for long-term care residents and their families.

How do I report abuse or neglect at a Twin Cities facility?

Call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574, a statewide line staffed 24/7, to report suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult anywhere in Minnesota, including all seven metro counties. MAARC routes the report to the correct county or Tribal agency for investigation. Call 911 first if someone is in immediate danger.

Is MAARC the same everywhere in Minnesota, or does each Twin Cities county have its own abuse hotline?

MAARC is a single statewide intake line — 1-844-880-1574 — used by every county in Minnesota, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, and Washington. There is no separate county-specific abuse hotline; MAARC itself routes each report to the appropriate county or Tribal social services agency for investigation after intake.

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