Program Development

Our Program Development staff work in partnership with communities, providers and others to deliver services, build programs, and engage older adults. We also offer technical assistance such as proposal development, connecting to partner organizations, marketing support and promotional strategies.

MNRAAA staff are experts in a range of issues and services related to older adults:

Caregiver support
Communities for a Lifetime
Dementia Friendly Communities
Evidence-based health promotion
Live Well at Home
Technical assistance to develop and/or sustain programming, including grant resource information
Transportation

Contact Betty Christensen

Program Developer

Contact Molly Peterson

Program Developer

Contact Kelly McDonough

Program Developer

Please do not send ANY confidential information over email. This is not a secure form of communication.

Juniper is a network of community organizations delivering evidence-based programs to help people manage chronic health conditions, prevent falls and foster well-being. Learn more at yourjuniper.com.

Contact Krista Eichhorst

Program Developer

Program Development Presentations and Classes

The classes listed below are instructed by the MNRAAA Program Development team. To learn more about each class or presentation, click on the title and a description will appear.

If you are interested in attending or your organization is interested in hosting one of these classes or presentations,
please contact MNRAAA at 507-387-1256.

Aging Mastery Program

MNRAAA offers a ten-week health and wellness package to residents 55 and over. The Aging Mastery Program® was developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

This is a wonderful opportunity for older adults to participate in, and reap the benefits of, this cutting edge wellness program.

The goal of this program is to empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes. The classes will explore navigating longer lives, physical activity, sleep, healthy eating and hydration, financial fitness, medication management, advanced planning, healthy relationships, falls prevention, and community engagement. For each of these classes, we will provide basic educational materials developed from highly trusted sources, a checklist of potential next steps, and a system for tracking behaviors. Participants will earn points for positive actions and rewards.

Upcoming Aging Mastery Programs

There are no trainings planned at this time.

Family Meeting Training

Family Meeting Advanced Training

Aging is a family affair and working within the family circle of today’s complex families during times of transition can be daunting. Take this training to master the art and science of family meeting facilitation. Participants will build upon skills learned at the Caregiver Coaching Basic Training to integrate theoretical frameworks, best practice strategies, and family meeting practice sessions.

Before you attend this training:

Must complete Caregiver Coaching Basic Training

Training requirements:

Trained in Caregiver Coaching Basic Training
One day in-person training

Session Objectives

Review how illness impacts the family
Understand commonly used theoretical frameworks when approaching work with family
Deepen knowledge of the obstacles experienced by families in the caregiving context
Expand professional skills and strategies needed in family meetings
Demonstrate ability to facilitate a family meeting as a Caregiver Consultant

Upcoming Family Meeting Training

There are no trainings planned at this time.

Caregiver Coaching Training

Service Definition

Personalized service that equips family caregivers with knowledge, skills and tools to achieve a balanced lifestyle while caring for another person.
The caregiver consultant assists caregivers in identifying needs and values…facilitates goal-setting and development of person-centered plan….provides ongoing coaching and support to assist caregivers in reaching established goals.

Assumptions about professionals who take this training caregivercoaching-icon

Trainees have professional experience and training in ethics, interviewing and understanding how to maintain confidentiality. They must also have excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of basic medical conditions/diseases common among older adults, family caregiving, principles of adult education, and familiarity with home and community-based services, some knowledge of family systems.
Trainers are teaching foundation of coaching skills for the caregiver consultant to use.
This Training provides necessary background, context, and handouts for easy reference.
Training will create an atmosphere in which to “practice” using skills within a coaching/consulting framework.
Trainees will be knowledgeable about the history and background of MN Caregiving Services and knowledge of when and how to add in additional relevant skills and services.

Before you attend the in-person class

There is an online training that is mandatory and must be completed before the beginning of the in-person class.
The online training can take between 4-6 hours to complete.
A link to the online training will be emailed to you after you have registered.

Upcoming Caregiver Coach Training:

There are no trainings planned at this time.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Training

Caring for an older relative or friend can be stressful and isolating, often leading to depression and negative health impacts. Caregivers have been found to neglect their own health and self-care as they focus their energies and concerns on the person receiving care.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an education program for family caregivers of older adults. Based on a self-efficacy model, the program empowers family caregivers to reduce negative effects of caregiving and to practice self-care.

Caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to:

reduce personal stress
change negative self-talk
communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers
communicate more effectively in challenging situations
recognize the messages in their emotions
deal with difficult feelings
make tough caregiving decisions

Classes are 90 minutes/week during for six weeks.
Meetings are led by 2 trained coaches.
Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class.
Hosted in a community setting.

Data from class participant evaluations indicates the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program improves:

Self-Care Behaviors (increased exercise, use of relaxation techniques and medical check ups).
Management of Emotions (reduced guilt, anger, and depression).
Self-efficacy (increased confidence in coping with caregiving demands).
Use of Community Resources (increased utilization of community services).

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a nationwide program with a detailed, scripted curriculum. Class Leaders will help caregivers develop self-care tools to: reduce personal stress; change negative self-talk; communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers; communicate more effectively in challenging situations; recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings; and make tough caregiving decisions.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Leader Requirements

A co-leader with whom to teach the 6-week caregiver class
Group facilitation skills
A sponsoring organization
Experience working with family caregivers
Attend two full-day Class Leader Training
Teach at least two caregiver classes within the first year

If you would like to offer the 6-week class for caregivers in your community, register below to become a trained PTC Class Leader.

Live Well at Home Training

Live Well at Home is a framework of practice utilized by community-based organizations, for supporting at-risk older adults living in the community. Live Well at Home continues to grow statewide with more and more older Minnesotans now participating. Use of Live Well at Home tools has flourished not only in Minnesota, but globally. Join this session to learn more about Live Well at Home.

There are 2 parts to the workshop – Part 1 is dedicated to reviewing the core tools for risk screening including the mobile app and a review of the Live Well at Home website. Part 2 will offer providers a deeper dive into risk management by examining several case studies and working in small groups to develop risk action plans.

Throughout both sessions you will have an opportunity to give input on the various curriculum components. This workshop is intended for providers who are interested in learning more about how to incorporate the Live Well at Home tools and resources into their agency practices.

Training Competencies/Objectives

Effectively provide basic information about Live Well at Home.
Be familiar with Live Well at Home tools and materials.
Provide quality risk screen and basic risk consultation.
Know key community resources and referral process.

Learn more about Live Well at Home by visiting www.mnlivewellathome.org

Caregiver Support

(can be tailored to allotted time)

Every day caregivers provide a range of support from chores and errands to personal care and transportation. This support is critical for keeping older adults safe and in their own homes. Staff can provide information on how to access caregiver resources

Communities for a Lifetime

(can be tailored to allotted time)

Cities and local leaders are critical in setting a vision for age-friendly communities and creating effective policies, planning initiatives and citizen engagement opportunities. Staff can provide technical assistance to communities so they can prepare for a thedemographic shift through intentional planning initiatives referred to as “Communities for a Lifetime”.

ACT on Alzheimer’s Community Engagement

(presentation can be tailored to allotted time)

ACT on Alzheimer’s is a statewide, volunteer-driven collaboration preparing Minnesota for the personal, social and budgetary impacts of Alzheimer’s disease. Passionate and committed partners, supporters, action communities, and Minnesotans are taking part in the work and making a difference. Learn how this four-phase process brings people together to help a community create a supportive environment for people with dementia.

Program Development

Program Development Presentations and Classes

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Program Development

Program Development Presentations and Classes

MINNESOTA RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING

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MINNESOTA RIVER
AREA AGENCY ON AGING