Support Funding for Aging Services in Greater Minnesota

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Local services funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA) through the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) are at risk of losing funding. The OAA funds critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent, including meals, homemaker assistance, chores, caregiver support, transportation, and more. The Minnesota Board on Aging is tasked to create an equitable funding formula across the State. The outcome of the proposed formula, the Intrastate Funding Formula (IFF), would cut funds to greater Minnesota. The existing formula is heavily weighted on population. We need a formula that works for rural Minnesota.

Paramount to the successful leveraging of OAA funds is the requirement that these funds be the payer of last resort. States and regions must exhaust all other funding options first. The OAA services are often the only services available in our greater Minnesota communities. Rural Minnesota lacks robust philanthropic funding or a booming network of non-profits to step in and fill gaps when needed. This is why it is imperative that OAA funding is allocated equitably between rural Minnesotans and urban Minnesota. Equitable funding would assure the same opportunities for all Minnesotans.

According to the State Demographers Office and information from the 2020 Census, Minnesota’s rural aging population is growing, and older adults comprise 20% of the population in rural Minnesota counties. While this number is higher than in urban areas, rural areas are also experiencing a greater decline in the working-age population. We are also facing a critical stage of providing care for older adults in our area. Older adults in rural Minnesota are facing obstacles. These include closed hospitals or unreachable healthcare services, fewer transportation options, limited broadband access, a dispersed population, larger distances to food and healthcare access, and greater food insecurity for older adults. Since 2011, forty-two nursing homes have closed in Minnesota, and 73% occurred in greater Minnesota.

The proposed IFF would decrease several services in our region, including home-delivered meals, grocery delivery, trips to medical appointments, adult day programs, counseling and respite for caregivers, snow removal, lawn care, and legal assistance. Without your voice, greater Minnesota stands to lose critical support for community-based services.

Elderly father and son walking.

You can help by submitting a public comment that supports funding for aging services in Greater Minnesota. The public comment period is open through May 3, 2023, and can be found here: https://mn.gov/board-on-aging/. For more information on the IFF and rural needs, visit www.GreaterMinnesotaAging.org.

 

Jason W. Swanson

Executive Director

MNRAAA

507-387-1256

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April is National Volunteer Month

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“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.” This quote, attributed to Elizabeth Andrew, is one of my favorites about volunteerism. MNRAAA’s ability to fulfill our vision and mission relies on not only our staff, but also our volunteers.

In the post-pandemic world, volunteering looks different. Over the past year, MNRAAA has prioritized growing our volunteer network and partnered with Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) to assist in growing this network. MAVA works on advancing communities through excellence in the leadership of volunteers and identifying best practices around organizational volunteerism. One of the programs that they offer is the Service Enterprise Initiative (SEI), a program sponsored by Points of Light. This holistic change management approach helps organizations position volunteers as a strategic resource to build capacity, increase volunteer investment return and better achieve their social mission.

Through this process, MNRAAA has identified ways to engage volunteers, such as serving on the Board of Directors or a committee. A volunteer could assist staff in presentations on topics for older adults and caregivers, or they could assist in spreading the good word about the services MNRAAA offers.

There are opportunities for volunteering. If you are unable to volunteer with an organization, we encourage you to do things to help your neighbors, friends, and family. You could pick up mail, offer to walk a pet if someone does not feel well, check in with people via telephone or prepare or deliver meals for others. This month of April, we show our appreciation to everyone who volunteers their time and gifts.

All you volunteers, thank you!

If you have a penchant for volunteering or want to give back to your community, go to mnraaa.org and click on volunteer opportunities. Staff will be happy to assist you with any questions.

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Visit by President Biden Highlights Programs Helping Older Adults in Minnesota

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MNRAAA Executive Director Jason W. Swanson was invited to attend President Biden’s “Investing in America” tour at the Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley on April 3, 2023. While the focus today was on “The Build Back Better Framework,” the invitation came after Swanson attended meetings held at the White House in March. Those meetings were held for the White House to hear community viewpoints from elected officials and other community leaders from each state on their agenda to strengthen communities. The Investing in America tour aligns with that purpose.

Dawn Simonson, the Executive Director of Trellis, joined Swanson at the White House in March and at the “Investing in America” event on April 3.

“While it’s an honor to be invited to both meetings, what is so tremendously interesting and positive is that this is due to our leadership on aging in Minnesota and our strong relationship with the federal Administration for Community Living,” said Simonson. “Their staff provided our names and organizations to the White House Office on Public Engagement to be included in conversations and events.”

Governor Tim Walz, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and many other stakeholders from Minnesota are ensuring the voices of older adults and caregivers living in Minnesota are heard by the Biden-Harris administration.

“The Area Agencies on Aging in Minnesota have been working with the Biden-Harris administration to promote our mission so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice,” said Swanson. “Efforts like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will allow older adults and their caregivers better access to high-speed internet and public transportation.”

Other portions of the Investing in America tour include the American Rescue Plan (ARP), President Biden’s plan to provide direct relief to Americans, contain COVID-19, and rescue the economy. State, local, and Tribal governments have put ARP funds to work to protect public health. In the first nine months, reporting from the largest recipients shows that most states, cities and counties are using funds to respond to the public health impacts of the pandemic.

A project to promote getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster during flu season was launched by MNRAAA, which partnered with Pioneer PBS to create the campaign. The work was funded through a grant from the federal Older Americans Act through a grant with the Northwest Regional Development Commission under an area plan approved by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Viewers can watch these videos by visiting https://bit.ly/3BMpnNF.

 

Read more about the positive impact of the Biden-Harris agenda in Minnesota here.

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