Free senior care guidance for Twin Cities families. No cost to you, ever.
Call (651) 390-4719
Minneapolis Senior AdvisorTwin Cities • Trusted • Free

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.

Get matched freeCall (651) 390-4719
Home›By Situation›My spouse needs more care than I can give

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

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.

What counts as financial exploitation of a senior in Minnesota, and where do I report it?

Financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult — including undue influence over finances, theft, or misuse of a power of attorney — should be reported to MAARC at 1-844-880-1574, the same statewide line used for other forms of suspected abuse or neglect. If a specific licensed facility is involved and the concern also touches on regulatory compliance, MDH's Office of Health Facility Complaints (651-201-4200) can be contacted separately.

Am I a mandated reporter if I suspect a neighbor or relative in senior care is being neglected?

Minnesota law designates certain professionals — including facility staff, health care providers, social workers, and others working with vulnerable adults — as mandated reporters required to report suspected maltreatment to MAARC (1-844-880-1574). Family members and concerned neighbors are not legally mandated but are strongly encouraged to report suspected abuse or neglect through the same statewide line.

Not sure where to start?

Answer five questions and a local advisor will come back with senior care options in your area that actually fit your situation and budget. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Find care options
Find senior care — free