October 2020 MNRAAA news is Available

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

MNRAAA news  Volume XI – Issue III

Read the MNRAAA news in it’s entirety…(Read the PDF)

Share on:

Scammers Excelling During COVID-19 Pandemic

/in , /by

The pandemic has forced everyone into a new normal. It has changed the way we do things and has negatively impacted numerous businesses and organizations. However, one business that seems to be thriving, sadly, is scammers.

As we began to shift to a working from home model, sending the kids home to complete distant learning, and older adults began to shelter in place; some people ramped up their efforts to cash in by completing more unsolicited phone calls. According to a recent AARP and US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau study, the average financial loss to a victim of a scam was approximately $34,200. In 2017 alone there were more than 63,500 cases of scams reported! The fear is that many victims do not report when they have been scammed.

To avoid being a victim of a scam, the Minnesota Attorney General’s office has some good information (www.ag.state.mn.us), which includes:

  • Don’t be afraid to say no;
  • Ask a friend, family member or neighbor (trusted) for their opinion;
  • Don’t be rushed;
  • When in doubt, don’t give it out; and
  • Research the offer

A couple of other reminders out there, government entities do not cold call you. They will contact you via letter or return a call to you. If you receive a letter from a government entity, you can call them to validate or talk with a trusted individual.

Finally, if you receive a letter in the mail that is a scam, please report it. You can report this to your local Adult Protection Services or the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison at 800-657-3787. The Senior LinkAge Line is also available to assist if you have questions at 800-333-2433. Stay safe.

Share on:

Grants and Funding Opportunities

/in , /by

Did you know that MNRAAA currently has three Request for Proposals to assist older adults and/or their caregivers during these trying times?

Mini-Grant – Title III-D

This grant allows an organization to host evidenced based health promotion classes to older adults and/or caregivers. Programs include Matter of Balance, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program or Diabetes Self-Management Program, to name a few. If your organization is interested in this $5,000 grant, please contact MNRAAA staff.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Grant

MNRAAA is focusing the CARES grant on providing Supportive Services and/or Caregiver Services.
Supportive Services are defined as: Chore, Homemaker, Technology, Transportation, Assisted Transportation, Visiting, Telephone Reassurance, Special Access, Education/Training and Outreach.

Caregiver Services are defined as; Respite, Caregiver Counseling – Individual, Caregiver Counseling – Support Groups, Supplemental Services-Technology and Information Services.

MNRAAA will make awards in amounts of up to $25,000. Funds will be accepted on an on-going basis through December 31, 2020 or until all available funds have been expended, whichever comes first. Awarded funds must be expended and project activities completed by September 30, 2021.

Enhanced Home Care

MNRAAA is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to address the service needs of older adults due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services must meet requirements outlined in the Request for Grant Applications for Enhanced Home Care. This funding is for organizations that can provide Chore and/or Homemaker services.

MNRAAA will be accepting application on an on-going basis through November 30, 2020 or until all available funds have been expended, whichever comes first. Awarded funds must be expended and project activities completed by December 31, 2020.

For more information or to apply for these grants please visit mnraaa.org/grants-management/#toggle-id-1, contact Joyce Prahm at [email protected], 507.387.1256, ext. 108 or Rhonda Hiller Fjeldberg at [email protected], 507.387.1256, ext. 105.

Share on:

Working with Senator Klobuchar to Prevent Isolation and Food Shortages

/in /by

On October 2, MNRAAA staff participated on a conference call with Senator Amy Klobuchar. Senator Klobuchar asked how we are working with older adults in Southwest Minnesota to ensure that they have adequate food, care and also how we are working to prevent social isolation. To do this we also invited some of our partners to participate. They included Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Central Community Transit, Wellspring Faith in Action and A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota.

Each organization was able to discuss how they were able to shift their work to meet the new demands created by the pandemic.

Share on: