How Prepared Are We for a Permanently Older Society?

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The Minnesota Board on Aging, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is looking ahead to the year 2030, and here’s why:

  • In the years between 2010 and 2030, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day!
  • Only 5% of the older adult population lives in long-term care facilities. The other 95% are either living independently or are being cared for by family members, neighbors or community-based agencies.
  • 2030 marks the year baby boomers begin turning 85!

Based on this reality, NOW is the time for communities to begin a new conversation about what our future can be so all older adults and their families are supported and communities can thrive. It is truly a transformative time in our communities!

As a partner in this process, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) has hosted eight 2030 Community Conversations throughout our twenty-seven-county service area. Using a small group process, older adults, family members, service providers, and elected officials provided input about in-home services available today that are working well or not working so well, envisioned service needs of an 85-year-old in 2030 and provided suggestions for the type of resources needed to implement the ideas proposed. The information gathered at the Conversations is being reported to the state and will be used to identify the policy issues individuals believe are most important to our future as an older society.

To learn more about MN 2030, visit their website at mn.gov/dhs/mn2030. You are also encouraged to provide input at surveys.dhs.state.mn.us/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=149581989669.

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“Exciting” and “Fast-Paced” Summertime

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Many of you are probably familiar with the lyrics from the song Summertime, composed by George Gershwin in 1934 for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The first line of the song is Summertime and the livin’ is easy. Well, it’s summertime, but I’m not sure I’d describe the “livin” at MNRAAA as “easy” – “exciting” and “fast-paced” would be more appropriate.

Since our last newsletter, staff and board members participated in two Strategic Planning Retreats, facilitated by Aurora Consulting. Stay tuned for an upcoming issue of MNRAAA news to learn about our new mission statement, vision and strategic directions.

Staff is busy with launching age-friendly community projects in Porter and Kerkhoven. For additional information and community pictures, check out the Age-Friendly article.

MNRAAA participated in the launch of Juniper, previously known as the “Healthy Living As You Age” initiative. More information is included on here.

And, MNRAAA is in the process of hiring several new staff in response to the Return to Community Expansion, approved by the Minnesota legislature. Effective July 1, 2017, Return to Community expanded to include several new targeted groups at risk of spending down to Medical Assistance. We will be highlighting our new staff in the next issue of MNRAAA news.

I hope you will enjoy reading about the exciting happenings at MNRAAA. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like additional information about any of the articles in our latest issue of MNRAAA news.

To read the latest issue of MNRAAA news, visit: MNRAAA news

  • Linda
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Legislature Expands Return to Community Initiative

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Effective July 1, 2017, the Return to Community Initiative expanded to include new targeted groups of individuals at risk of spend down to Medical Assistance. The expansion also includes a new self-directed caregiver support grant for family caregivers, administered through the Minnesota Board on Aging and its Area Agencies on Aging, effective July 1, 2019.

Stay tuned for the next issue of MNRAAA news to learn about the additional Community Living Specialists we are bring on board to work with the new targeted groups.

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City of Kerkhoven Awarded $10,000 Age-Friendly Community Grant

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Mankato, MN, July 11, 2017 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) will be working with the City of Kerkhoven to identify their age-friendly assets and desired assets through community-wide surveys and focus groups.  Data from the surveys and focus groups will be used to develop and implement initiatives that will result in new and/or enhanced assets that have a positive impact on the age-friendliness of Kerkhoven and its livability for all ages.  Kerkhoven will receive $10,000 to implement one of the identified initiatives.

The kick-off will be held at the Farmer’s Market located at Pillsbury Park in Kerkhoven, MN on August 1 at 2:30 p.m.

This project is made possible through a grant from the Southwest Initiative Foundation and staff support from the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging.

Linda Giersdorf and Kim Harkema signing grant award letter

 

Kim Harkema, City Clerk-Treasurer and Linda Giersdorf, Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging Executive Director, sign the Kerkhoven Age-Friendly Community Grant Award Letter.

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