Long Term Care Programs
Health Services Management Bachelor's Degree

As Americans live longer and healthier lives, the demand for nursing care is increasing, yet the capacity to provide that care is shrinking, especially in rural areas. Experts across the University of Minnesota (U of M) system are working to find creative solutions to ensure the state's population can thrive as it ages.

Rajean Moone and Lacey Loomer

This includes a (relatively) new partnership between the Long Term Care Administration (LTC) program in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies at the U of M Twin Cities, and the Health Care Management (HCM) program in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the U of M Duluth. 

In this Q and A, Rajean Moone, director of LTC Administration, and Lacey Loomer, associate professor of HCM, answer questions about the future of long-term care in Minnesota, as well as how the programs' partnership is boosting opportunities for Duluth's HCM students to graduate with both a HCM bachelor’s degree and a specialized focus in LTC administration. (Note: This same opportunity is available to students on the Twin Cities campus through the Health Services Management program.) 

Topics include: 
 

  • Minnesota's significant demographic shift: "Today a 10-year-old has a 50% chance of living to at least 104 years old!"
  • Challenges in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce: "The same demographic shift showing an increase in the number of older adults, shows a decrease in working-age Minnesotans."
  • Differences in impact based on community: "Due to rapidly aging rural populations, the demand for nursing home beds is predicted to peak sooner in rural communities than urban communities."
  • Consideration of additional business communities that interact with older adults: "Ensuring our businesses and communities are age-friendly is important for ensuring equitable access for the aging population." 

Moone and Loomer also offer sound advice on what we, as individuals, can do now to develop the resources and support we will need as we age.

Read the complete interview in Talking Care for Older Minnesotans with U of M.