The rules on drinking in nursing homes or assisting living facilities are decided state by state and many facilities across the US actively promote Happy Hours and other events to encourage socialisation.
Residents at the care home LeBrun lives in have always been allowed to imbibe in their rooms, and to bring their own alcohol to community functions, said Amira Choice’s Sara Luehmann.
She added that, due to older people being at greater risk of such things as falls, alcohol consumption has been limited to two drinks at social events.
Speaking at the signing of the legislation, Governor Walz said “growing older shouldn’t mean giving up the traditions and freedoms you’ve enjoyed your whole life.”
“This law cuts unnecessary red tape so senior living communities can spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time creating opportunities for residents to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Happy Hours, and everyday moments together,” he said at Tuesday’s ceremony.
LeBrun’s quest for change began after Amira Choice was contacted by local government saying it had broken the rules by serving champagne at an event in April 2025 following renovations.
The facility reached out to LeadingAge Minnesota, a nonprofit that helps senior care providers, saying that the cost of an alcohol licence and the conditions that go with it were prohibitive.
But financial concerns weren’t the only motivating factor, LeadingAge’s Erin Huppert said.
“This is their home,” she said of Amira Choice’s residents. “They should be allowed to take part in legal consumption of alcohol, just like they could if they lived in a single-family home in the community of their choice.”
Huppert said other providers are already planning to follow suit.
