2019 Annual Report: Aging Mastery Program Helps Older Adults Thrive

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In 2019, MNRAAA successfully introduced the Aging Mastery Program®, an evidence-based program designed to inform, encourage, and support older adults as they take steps to improve their lives and engage with their communities. With the support of three communities in our planning and service area, the Aging Mastery Program was facilitated in Gibbon, Graceville and Worthington.

Class sessions included lectures provided by individuals with expertise on each topic as well as videos, group discussion and development of action steps unique to each participant.

The goal of the 10 core classes is to provide participants with an overview of the challenges encountered while navigating life as we age and offer support to master new skills.

The ten topics are:

  • Navigating Longer Lives: The Basics of Aging Mastery
  • Exercise and You
  • Sleep
  • Healthy Eating and Hydration
  • Financial Fitness
  • Advance Planning
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Medication Management
  • Community Engagement
  • Falls Prevention

For more information regarding the ten topics, visit the National Council on Aging website at ncoa.org/healthy-aging/aging-mastery-program.

Participants chose to engage in this program with the outcome being empowerment to improve their well-being and increase their quality of life as they age, in a self-directed and purposeful manner. This was an experience that participants, facilitators and speakers collectively identified as engaging, fun and educational.

Participant satisfaction survey results identified improved health as a positive outcome, and there was a consensus that they would recommend the Aging Mastery Program to others.

We are grateful to have received grant funding to help with the expense of this program and look forward to continuing collaboration with community partners to offer this program. Future programs have been scheduled to occur in Le Sueur, Madelia and Ortonville and additional program sites are in the process of being scheduled.

Those who are interested in participating in the program can find more information on the Aging Mastery Program on the MNRAAA website, including specific dates, times and locations of scheduled programs.

If you are interested in partnering with MNRAAA to bring the Aging Mastery Program to your community, please call 507-387-1256 for additional information.

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2019 Annual Report: Executive Director’s Report

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Greetings and Salutations from all of us here at the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA), and welcome to our 2019 Annual Report. I want to take some time to review some highlights of our activities from 2019.

If you follow us on social media (Facebook and Twitter) or through our newsletter, you know that I started with MNRAAA in March 2019 following Linda Giersdorf’s retirement in 2018. The first goal I had was to get to know the staff, providers and volunteers through the twenty-seven-county area which we work. During my travels, meetings and appointments, I was tremendously delighted with the warm wishes and the positive feelings between the organizations. Meeting new people, discussing new ideas, reviewing opportunities from the past and looking towards the future really energized me within the first couple of months. I want to share with you some of those ideas we have been working on, but first, let’s take a quick look back to 2019.

In Saint Peter, the East African Meal Program began in the Fall of 2019. MNRAAA welcomed nine new staff to our organization and three new Board Members. We had a retirement from our longtime employee and dear friend, Elaine Spain and two departures from the Board, Mary Perry and Rose Schlieman. MNRAAA hosted three roadshows throughout the area and began posting videos onto our Facebook page. MNRAAA expanded our outreach program to allow us to cover more of our area. You may have seen us at a health fair, county fair, Farm Fest or at Bandwagon. We look forward to continuing those outreach events and look to include more with employers in 2020.

Many people asked me what my vision is at MNRAAA. Simple, collaboration. We face an unprecedented opportunity, and we are living longer and healthier lives (which is a good thing!). However, our workforce demographics are shrinking at an alarming rate. We need new solutions to these new opportunities and not one agency can work on this; however, working together, we can accomplish a lot. Together we can find innovative, technology-driven solutions. I end with a proverb; many hands make light work.

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How is Your Loved One/Caregiver Doing?

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The holidays are over, the celebrations have ceased and things, for the most part, have returned to normal. People resume their jobs and their daily activities. However brief the respite that was the holidays, for some, has left too soon.

In our area of rural Minnesota, families reunite during the holidays. During these visits, they may see Mom or Dad struggling to take care, not only of themselves but also their spouse. For those that have traveled back home, they may feel an urge to help their parents in cleaning, cooking or other tasks.

Often, the focus is on the ailing parents and how they are doing. But, do they ask the family member(s) that are helping Mom and Dad on a regular basis how they are doing? Do they ask if there is anything they may need help with? When everyone leaves, are Mom and Dad able to care for themselves, is the caregiver able to provide the care needed, or does the caregiver need more assistance? Do they make sure the caregiver is taking care of themselves?

As a family and as a society, how do we help caregivers avoid burn out? How do we prevent further health issues for the caregiver, let alone more potential health issues with the one they are caring for? We need to do a better job of recognizing and assisting the caregiver.

According to AARP’s most recent Valuing the Invaluable: 2019 Update, providing support, training and respite improve health outcomes for all and are shown to reduce hospital re-admissions. Therefore, I challenge those who may live a distance away to be a support to not only the care recipient but also to the caregiver. Reach out, offer assistance, respite and let them know you are there to help when needed. Happy 2020!

Sincerely,
Jason W. Swanson, HSE
Executive Director
MNRAAA

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