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Press Releases
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11.15.2011
Safe Disposal of Needles and Other Sharps
Outside of Health Care Settings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
gives
tips for safely disposing (getting rid of) needles
and other sharp devices that are used outside
of health care settings. Patients and caregivers
should keep these tips in mind when at home, at
work, and while traveling.
Used needles and other sharps are dangerous to
people and pets if not disposed of safely because
they can injure people and spread infections that
cause serious health conditions. The most common
infections are:
- Hepatitis B (HBV),
- Hepatitis C (HCV), and
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Safe sharps disposal is important whether you
are at home, at work, at school, traveling, or in
other public places such as hotels, parks, and
restaurants.
Never place
loose needles and other sharps (those that are not
placed in a sharps disposal container) in the
household or public trash cans or recycling bins,
and never flush them down the toilet.
This puts trash and sewage workers, janitors,
housekeepers, household members, and children at
risk of being harmed.
Pet owners who use needles to give medicine to
their pets should follow the same sharps disposal
guidelines used for humans.
More from the FDA
The FDA is an agency within the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
10.20.11
Governor Dayton Proclaims November as Family
Caregivers Month
November is
recognized as National Family Caregivers Month in
Minnesota. Minnesota’s 679,000 family and
informal caregivers are the foundation of our
health and long-term care system. It is a time to
celebrate the important contributions of family
caregivers and to recognize the impact of services
and support for Minnesota’s caregivers.
See the Caregiver page for information and
resources, as well as the Caregiver Communications
Kit.
Read Governor Dayton's Proclamation
09.02.11
Senior LinkAge Line:
A One Stop
Shop for Minnesota Seniors Launched
Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon and DHS
Commissioner Lucinda Jesson announced an expanded
Senior LinkAge Line® service as a “One Stop Shop
for Seniors” Thursday during Seniors Day at the
Minnesota State Fair.

(Left to right Jean Wood,
Executive Director Minnesota Board on Aging,
Yvonne Prettner Solon, Lt. Governor, and Lucinda
Jesson, DHS Commissioner, at the Minnesota State
Fair Education building.)
The expansion is a significant change for the
Senior LinkAge Line®, which is operated by the
Minnesota Board on Aging and the six Area Agencies
on Aging.
The service primarily assisted people
with health insurance and long-term care
services-related questions. Now when Minnesota
seniors call the Senior LinkAge Line®, they will
be connected to a live person who will help them
with any government service-related
questions. Staff use a secure chat system,
connecting them to representatives from many state
agencies and providing instant access to answers
for callers. In the near future, the service will
provide connections to volunteer and employment
opportunities that tap the talents of older
Minnesotans.
“Throughout the campaign, Governor Mark Dayton and
I heard a need from seniors and their families for
a better way to connect with government and
receive answers to critical issues,” said Prettner
Solon. With the expansion, she said, Senior
LinkAge Line® will become a true-one stop shop,
helping to ensure the right supports are in place
so Minnesota will continue to be a great place to
age and live well.
In introducing the lieutenant governor, Jesson
noted the long partnership between DHS and the
Board on Aging to help Minnesota seniors get the
help and the resources they need to remain
independent in their homes and communities.
“Today we are excited to announce a substantial
expansion of a service the Board on Aging provides
that I think will really make a difference in the
lives of older Minnesotans,” she said.
The launch at the Minnesota Board on Aging booth
in the fair’s Education Building, included
demonstrations by Minnesota Board on Aging
volunteers and staff, including Tom Gossett, who
developed and led the demonstration.
The Senior LinkAge Line®, 1-800-333-2433, covers
all 87 Minnesota counties. The
service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
The service can also be accessed via a chat line
at
www.MinnesotaHelp.info.
Demonstration
by Senior LinkAge Line®
staff Chad Wojchik (far right) and Metropolitan
Area Agency on Aging Certified Health Insurance
Counselor volunteer Marilyn Olson (second on the
right) while DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson
(left) and Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon
(second on the left) look on.
Read press release from the Office of the Governor
Minnesota Board
on Aging at the Great Minnesota Get Together, 2011

08.23.11
Long Term Care Consultation Expansion
Learn about a 2011 Legislative
initiative that is being implemented through the
MinnesotaHelp Network™, the Department of Human
Services, the Minnesota Board on Aging and its six
area agencies on aging. Changes to the Long Term
Care Consultation (LTCC) statutes were made during
the Legislative Special Session in July 2011. This
initiative is an expansion of long term care
consultation and long term care options counseling
and is available to people of all ages who want to
move into a Registered housing with services
establishment. The expanded LTCC service will
offer long-term care options counseling services
to people who are considering a move to Registered
housing with services which is estimated to be
30,000 Minnesotans per year. The service is being
implemented through the Senior LinkAge Line® and
the MinnesotaHelp Network™. An update about the
Return to Community initiative will also be
provided.
Who:
Housing with
service providers, Adult Foster Care providers,
Nursing Home Social Workers, Home and Community
Based Service providers, County Social Workers, LTC Consultants, Health Plans, Hospital Discharge
Planners, County Directors, General Public
What :
The purpose of these presentations will be to
learn more about this effort. The objectives of
the training are:
- Overview of changes made to the Long Term
Care Consultation (LTCC) statutes ;
- Acknowledge audience as key players in these
initiative;
- Why we are here and how we are in this
together;
- Focus on new requirements and opportunities
for housing with services providers, counties,
providers, and the Senior LinkAge Line® to work
together;
- Receive an update on the Return to Community
initiative which was implemented in April 2010.
Where:
Date :
Thursday, August 18, 2011
City:
Marshall
Time:
8:30am-10:30am
Location:
Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center
300 S. Bruce Street
3rd
Floor
Education Room
Marshall, MN 56258
507-537-9131
Date :
Thursday, August 18, 2011
City:
Mankato
Time:
2:30pm-4:30pm
Location:
Old Main Village Retirement Community
301 South 5th
Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-4200
Date :
Thursday, August 25, 2011
City:
St Cloud
Time:
2:30pm-4:30pm
Location:
St Benedicts Center
Woodlawn Hall
1810 Minnesota Blvd SE
St Cloud, MN 56304
320-203-2708
Date :
Friday, August 26, 2011
City:
Brainerd
Time:
9:00am-11:00am
Location:
Good Samaritan Chapel-Bethany Campus
804 Wright St.
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-825-0913
Date: Monday, August 29, 2011
City:
Rochester
Time:
9:00am-11:00am
Location:
Ramada Hotel and Conference Center
1517 SW 16th
Street
Rochester, MN 55902
507-529-7331
Date :
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
City:
Duluth
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Location:
Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center
2501 Rice Lake Road
Duluth, MN 55811
218-625-6400
Date :
Thursday, September 1, 2011
City:
Fergus Falls
Time:
2:30pm-4:30pm
Location:
Broen Memorial Home
Light and Life Auditorium
824 S. Sheridan
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
218-998-7300
Date :
Friday, September 2, 2011
City:
Crookston
Time:
9:00am-11:00am
Location:
Mount Saint Benedict Monastery
620 Summit Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-3441
Date :
Thursday, September 8, 2011
City:
Metro
Time:
9:00am-11:00am
Location:
Augustana Health Care Center- Mpls
1007 E. 14th
Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-333-1551
Date :
Thursday, September 8, 2011
City:
Metro
Time:
2:00pm-4:00pm
Location:
Shirley Chapman
Sholom Home East
740 Kay Avenue
St Paul, MN 55102
651-328-2000
Registration at information sessions is NOT
needed.
If unable to make any of the sessions below, a
videoconference will be held through the
Aging and
Adult Services Division of DHS on September 22,
2011 from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.
07.27.11
Love of
Car: Transportation As We Age Wins Bronze from
Mature Media
The National Mature Media Awards
recently announced its 2011 award winners. Among
the Bronze Award winners was
Love of Car:
Transportation As We Age.
The
National Mature Media Awards is the nation’s
largest awards program that annually recognizes
the best marketing, communications, educational
materials and programs for adults age 50 and
older.
Additional
broadcasts of
Love of Car:
Transportation As We Age
will
occur on the statewide MN Channel. It is seen
statewide via all six Minnesota public television
stations (MPTA), over the air free for viewers, as
well as on cable services. Broadcast on the MN
Channel are simultaneous - dates and times for the
Twin Cities are the same for all other Minnesota
stations.
Love of Car:
Transportation As We Age
will be repeated many times in the coming year and statewide on the MN Channel. To receive
over-the-air broadcasts, viewers will need a
digital TV or a digital conversion box. It will
also be generally available to all cable and
DirecTV households.
The next
statewide digital MN Channel showing is scheduled
for:
Friday, August
12, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, August
13, 2011 at 2:00 AM
Saturday, August
13, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Saturday, August
13, 2011 at 2:00 PM
For information
on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing
programs online, visit
Love of Car:
Transportation As We Age at
http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs#19811.
Order a copy of Love of Car DVD from
the National Center on Senior Transportation.
Love of Car discussion guide (pdf)
Major partners in the project
to bring Love
of Car to Minnesotans included
MN Board on Aging (MBA), AAA (Auto),
MN Department of Transportation (MnDOT),
and the MN Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Additional partners were
MN Department of Health (MDH), MN
State Council on Disability (MSCOD), MN
Public Transit Association (MPTA), MN
Partnership for Safe Mobility (MPSM), MN
Association of Area Agencies on Aging (M4A),
National Center for Senior Transportation (NCST),
and the Kirby Puckett Education Center at the
Phillips Eye Institute.
07.25.11
How To Live Forever Documentary Film
Opening
What does
it mean to grow old and what could it mean to live
forever? Director Mark Wexler travels the world to
try to answer the questions. Wexler interviews a
94-year-old exercise guru, a 101-year-old
chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner as well as
futurist Ray Kurzweil, a laughter yoga expert, and
an elder porn star.
How To Live
Forever is showing at the
Lagoon Cinema in Minneapolis for one week only
starting July 29.
Visit
How To Live Forever website to read more
about Wexler and the people he interviewed.
05.20.11
US Senator Al Franken Conducts Forum in
Brainerd
US Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) conducted
a forum at Edgewood Brainerd Senior Living on the
challenges facing seniors in retirement years.
Ross Hutten, chief operations officer of Edgewood
in Minnesota, welcomed Senator Franken,
indicating, “We are thrilled to host this
important forum on issues affecting our residents
and residents of the surrounding community.” Ross
also provided Senator Franken with a tour of the
98-bed assisted living establishment prior to the
start of the forum. Approximately 50 citizens came
to the afternoon forum focused on the unique
challenges facing Minnesotans in the Brainerd
lakes and surrounding communities.
The Central Minnesota Council on
Aging, ably led by Lori Vrolson, arranged for the
following panelists to speak at the forum: Joy
Nerdby, Gloria
Sawyer, and
Bruce Winder.
Joy Nerdby, is a parish nurse
with Good Samaritan Society – Woodland Campus in
Brainerd. Good Samaritan is receiving federal
Administration on Aging dollars through the
Central MN Council on Aging to offer Living Well
with Chronic Conditions and the matter of Balance
workshops. These two evidence-based workshops have
been shown to be effective in helping people with
chronic conditions change their behaviors, improve
their health status, and reduce their use of
hospital care.
Gloria Sawyer from Pine River
spoke on behalf of her husband, who has
Alzheimer’s and stayed at home for years with the
help of family and community services. Gloria
attends the caregiver discussion group each month
in Pine River. When her husband was at home, Cass
Faith in Action provided volunteer-based respite
care so she could attend the support group. Cass
Faith in Action receives federal Older Americans
Act funding from the Central MN Council on Aging
to provide respite and facilitate support groups
in Cass County.
Bruce Winder from Pine River is a
certified State Health Insurance Program volunteer
through the Senior LinkAge Line. Medicare Part D
Open enrollment is just one thing he assists
seniors from his community with and he understands
the reforms needed under Medicare.
Dorothy Wash is a senior companion
with Lutheran Social Services. She has eight
clients that she volunteers with for up to 20
hours a week, taking them grocery shopping, to
medical appointments, on errands and visiting.
After the panelists spoke, Senator Franken took
questions from the audience, including one from an
assisted living administrator who warned of the
dire and unintended consequences of the proposed
cuts to the elderly waiver program being discussed
by the Minnesota Legislature. Senator Franken is a
member of the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions, which is working on
the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
(OAA) that funds many of the local services used
by seniors. In 2010, Senator Franken conducted a
series of meetings in 17 communities across the
state to gather input on the effectiveness of the
OAA and discuss possible changes.
Article written by Phil Manz,
Care Providers of Minnesota.
05.01.11
Older Americans Month, 2011
This year's Older Americans Month theme is "Older Americans: Connecting the Community". The month long celebration reminds
us of the many ways older adults inspire and bring continuity to our communities. Activities during the month also show us the ways technology is being used
to help older people live longer and healthier lives.
Every May since 1963, people in towns and cities across the country have come together to celebrate the enormous contributions of older Americans—borne of wisdom, experience, and the will to realize their dreams and speak their minds. Older Americans Month is our chance to show our appreciation and support our seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities.
Older Americans are more active in community life than ever before, thanks in part to advances in health care, education, technology, and financial stability over the last several decades that have greatly increased their vitality and standard of living. Older adults are out and about giving back and making a difference in their community.
Our seniors are mentoring the leaders of tomorrow, taking to heart the need for intergenerational learning to guide and inspire young minds. They offer a take on times gone by not discussed in any history class—a unique perspective that sheds new light on contemporary issues.
Older Americans step up to help one another as well. Across the country, seniors connect with other seniors by delivering meals, helping with home repair, assisting with shopping, and offering companionship, counseling, and care. Their efforts remind us that when older adults are active and engaged in their communities, everyone benefits.
Help us celebrate Older Americans Month! Join your neighbors not only to recognize what older citizens bring to our communities, but also to help them continue playing a vital role in weaving a unique and lasting community fabric.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out about volunteer opportunities with programs that provide services for seniors to improve health literacy, increase access to quality health services, deliver food and nutrition services, provide financial and housing counseling, sponsor social and civic activities, and more. We think you will discover that when you help seniors thrive in your community, you gain far more than you give.
Read Governor Dayton's proclamation (pdf)
Read President Obama's proclamation
09.09.10
Alzheimer’s Plan Meeting to be rescheduled
The September 14, 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease
Working Group meeting previously announced in the
State Register has been cancelled, and the
rescheduled date will be announced here and in the
State Register by October 10, 2010.
07.09.10
Senator Franken's Staff To Meet With Seniors
Across Minnesota
The Older Americans Act is set to be reauthorized
in 2011. Because Senator Franken serves on the
Senate’s Special Committee on Aging as well as the
Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging of the Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
(HELP), he will be actively involved in the
reauthorization.
Beginning July 12, Senator Franken’s staff will be
meeting with seniors across Minnesota to seek
input for the upcoming debate on the Older
Americans Act. His staff will hold meetings in 17
cities across Minnesota between July 12 and July
23. The locations and dates are listed below for
people who might be interested in attending.
Moorhead Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Monday, July 12
Eventide Senior Living Communities
1405 7th St. S, Moorhead
East Grand
Forks Meeting
1:30 p.m. CST, Monday, July 12
Good Samaritan Heritage Grove
2122 River Rd. NW, East Grand Forks
Roseau Meeting
10:30 a.m. CST, Tuesday, July 13
Four Seasons Senior Center
114 West Center St., Roseau
Warroad
Meeting
1:30 p.m. CST, Tuesday, July 13
Warroad Senior Living Center
1401 Lake St. NW, Warroad
Bemidji Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Wednesday, July 14
Bemidji Public Library
509 America Ave. Bemidji
St. Cloud
Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Thursday, July 15
Whitney Senior Center, Olson Room
1527 Northway Dr., St. Cloud
Willmar Meeting
2:00 p.m. CST, Thursday, July 15
Willmar Community Center, Sunshine Room
624 Hwy. 71 NE, Willmar
Alexandria Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Friday, July 16
Nelson Gables, Governor's Room
1220 Nokomis St., Alexandria
Brainerd Meeting
2:00 p.m. CST, Friday, July 16
Lakes Area Senior Center
803 Kingwood St., Brainerd
Winona Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Monday, July 19
Winona City Hall
207 Lafayette St., Winona
Austin Meeting
2:30 p.m. CST, Monday, July 19
Mower County Senior Center
403 3rd Ave. NE, Austin
Worthington Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Tuesday, July 20
Nobles County Government Center
315 10th St., Worthington
Marshall
Meeting
2:00 p.m. CST, Tuesday, July 20
Marshall City Hall
344 West Main St., Marshall
Duluth Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST, Thursday, July 22
St. Ann's Senior Living
300 East Third St., Duluth
Grand Rapids
Meeting
1:30 p.m. CST, Thursday, July 22
Bruce Bauer Senior Center
400 River Rd., Grand Rapids
Two Harbors
Meeting
9:30 a.m. CST, Friday, July 23
Two Harbors City Hall, Meeting Room
522 1st Ave., Two Harbors
North Branch
Meeting
1:00 p.m. CST, Friday, July 23
Chisago County Senior Center
38790 6th Ave., North Branch
06.08.10
Governor Appoints New MBA Board Members
Governor Pawlenty appointed Leonard Axelrod,
Norby Blake, Sylvia C. Garcia, Larry K. Houk, and
Jeanne Lukas to the board of the Minnesota Board
on Aging. The governor also announced the
reappointment of Susan E. Humphers-Ginther, Ph.D.,
Michael R. Klatt, and Mary Jane Thompson.
Read the governor's press release
05.21.10
May is Older Americans Month
For 47 years, our nation has set aside the
month of May to honor older Americans and
acknowledge their continued contributions to our
nation. The theme for this year is "Age Strong!
Live Long!" which recognizes the diversity and
vitality of today's older Americans and highlights
the importance of staying healthy throughout our
lives. They have lived through wars
and hard times, as well as periods of
unprecedented prosperity. They pioneered new
technologies in medicine, communications, and
industry while spearheading a cultural revolution
that won equal rights for minorities, women, and
disabled Americans.
These remarkable achievements
demonstrate the strength and character of older
Americans, and underscore the debt of gratitude we
owe to the generations that have given our society
so much. But the contributions of older Americans
are not only in the past.
Older Americans are
living longer and are more active than ever
before. And with the aging of the baby boomer
generation—the largest in our nation’s
history—America’s senior population is expected to
number 71.5 million by 2030.
While keeping the growing population of older
Americans healthy and active will increase the
demand for senior services, what is remarkable is
the extent to which older Americans themselves are
supporting each other. As the new generations of
seniors become better educated and more
financially secure than their predecessors, they
are spending more time making significant
contributions in their communities through civic
and volunteer opportunities.
In fact, older Americans are a
core component of service delivery to
seniors—embodying and modeling the drive to
Age Strong! Live
Long! They volunteer at
group meal sites and deliver food to homebound
seniors; they act as escorts and provide
transportation for older adults who cannot drive;
they help seniors with home repair, shopping and
errands; and they provide vital counseling,
information and referral services. Their energy
and commitment reminds all Americans—not just
senior citizens and their caregivers—to do their
part to enhance the quality of life for older
generations.
The annual commemoration of Older Americans
Month is our opportunity to recognize the
contributions of older citizens and join them in
providing services and support that empower the
elderly. Americans of all ages and backgrounds can
volunteer with programs that improve health
literacy, increase access to quality health
services, offer food and nutrition services,
provide financial and housing counseling, sponsor
social activities and community engagement, and
more. Contact the Senior LinkAge Line®,
1-800-333-2433, to find out what you can do to
strengthen services for older Americans, this
month and all year round.
Read Governor Pawlenty's proclamation (pdf)
Read President Obama's proclamation
05.19.10
Senior LinkAge Line® Volunteer Larry Rivers
Receives National Honor
Larry Rivers of Apple Valley may be retired, but
he still keeps a daily calendar.
He
golfs, plays tennis, enjoys the grandkids and
travels with his wife. He's president of his
condominium association. He works with people who
want to start up their own small businesses. One
of his most rewarding experiences has been helping
Minnesota senior citizens unravel the complexities
of the Medicare drug program.
"I
like to solve people's problems," Rivers said. "I
can help them by building a little strategy."
Rivers, 67, was honored in Washington, D.C., on
May 7 for his volunteer work through the Senior
LinkAge Line®. Rivers is among 26 people older
than 50 who received MetLife Foundation Older
Volunteers Enrich America awards.
When Rivers retired in 2004, he knew he wanted to
give back and help others. In 2005, he read about
a volunteer opening with the Senior LinkAge Line®
at the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging in
Minnesota. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the
federally designated State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare
Patrol (SMP) for Minnesota. Volunteers trained by
the Senior LinkAge Line® provide objective,
comprehensive health insurance counseling
statewide. The posting for a "health insurance
counselor" in the Twin Cities area to provide SHIP
and SMP assistance, seemed a good match for
Rivers, who had worked in information technology
in the health care industry.
"It
all fit," Rivers said. "It was fortuitous."
Rivers applied for the position, was accepted and
received three days of training. He learned the
basics but knew the agency had other knowledgeable
staff — "real experts" — that could back him up.
Rivers began
working with clients at senior centers in
Burnsville, Prior Lake and Lakeville. He later
began training new volunteers and giving
presentations on Medicare. He also works with
low-income clients. In a typical month, Rivers
volunteers 15 to 20 hours with Senior LinkAge
Line®.
"I
enjoy it all," Rivers said. "When people come in,
they seem very confused and frustrated. I tell
them it's not tough, but they just have to get
down to the two or three choices that fit them."
Joy
Vliem, volunteer coordinator for the Metropolitan
Area Agency on Aging, said Rivers' warmth and
approachability helped him excel as a volunteer.
"He
comes across as without judgment," Vliem said.
"He's open and receptive. People feel very
comfortable working with him."
"Every client has a little different need with
Medicare," Rivers said.
When Rivers first retired, he figured he'd find
activities with two- to three-year time frames and
then move on to his next project. He said he
enjoys health care counseling so much that he's
stuck with it beyond his self-imposed deadline.
"If
you come up with a solution ... that's a good
feeling," he said. "Which lets me continue on."
The award winners in the eighth year of the
Metlife Foundation
Older Volunteers
Enrich America Award are recognized in
one of three categories:
-
Community Champion,
which honors those who use their time and talent
to make their community a better place to live;
-
Mentor, which
recognizes older volunteers who are devoted to
working with young people and their families;
and
-
Team Spirit, which
pays tribute to older volunteers who assist
older adults.
More on the award from n4a (National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging)
For more information about becoming a Senior
LinkAge Line® volunteer, call the Senior
LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433. Volunteers are
needed in all 87 counties of Minnesota.
03.22.10
More Broadcasts of Love
of Car: Transportation As We Age
The tpt (Twin Cities Public Television)
production about the driving issue of older adults
and families. The documentary focuses on solutions
including:
How to determine if you are
a safe driver
Strategies for driving
safer longer
Finding and using alternate
transportation
Demonstrations of solutions,
expert interviews, and stories of urban and rural
seniors are included in the show.
Initial show times:
Friday, March 26, 8:00pm,
tpt-MN
Friday, April 2, 8:00pm,
tpt-MN
Friday, April 9, 8:00pm,
tpt-MN
Friday, April 16, 8:00pm,
tpt-MN
Search tpt
schedule for
more dates/times
03.11.10
Respite Care Summit is March 12
A Minnesota Lifespan
Respite Care Summit will be held on Friday, March
12, 2010, at the Wilder Center, 451 Lexington
Parkway North, St. Paul. The day-long workshop
will be held to explore possibilities for
enhancing respite care services in Minnesota,
learn about the Federal Lifespan Respite Care Act
and develop a plan to prepare Minnesota to apply
for federal funding.
Workshop participants will include
home and community-based service providers, those
who are caregivers and those who provide respite
to caregivers. Special guest at the workshop will
be Jill Kagan, chair, ARCH National Respite
Network and Resources Center, Washington, D.C.
The workshop
is cosponsored by the Minnesota Board on Aging,
the Minnesota Department of Human Services –
Transform 2010, National Multiple Sclerosis
Society - Minnesota Chapter, and AARP. For more
information, contact Diane Mangan at 651-431-2590
or
diane.mangan@state.mn.us.
02.03.10
Minnesota Board on Aging Releasing Its First
Annual Health Care Choices for Minnesota
The Minnesota Board on Aging is releasing its
first annual Health Care Choices for Minnesota.
The Board stepped forward to continue publishing
this guide, which was initiated by the Minnesota
Senior Federation. The Federation ended its
operations last summer and approached the Board to
continue its publishing.
In its effort, the Board has significantly
expanded the information and is now including
quick tips and suggestions for readers on various
options that will allow people to remain
independent and in their homes by aging well and
living well in the
community. Questions and comments
about the publication should be forwarded to the
Senior LinkAge Line® by calling 1-800-333-2433.
2010
Health Care Choices (39mb) (pdf)
2010 Health Care Choices
by section
11.13.09
President Obama & Assistant Secretary for Aging
celebrate National Family Caregivers Month
The true strength of the American family finds its
roots in an unwavering commitment to care for one
another. In difficult times, Americans come
together to ensure our loved ones are comfortable
and safe. Whether caring for a parent, relative,
or child, our Nation's caregivers selflessly
devote their time and energy to the well-being of
those they look after. During National Family
Caregivers Month, we honor the individuals
providing essential services to family members who
could not otherwise look after themselves.
View President Obama's Proclamation for National
Family Caregivers Month
Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee:
Every day, in every state and community caregivers
assist friends, relatives, and loved ones with
daily tasks, including personal care and
homemaking as well as more complex health-related
interventions like medication administration and
wound care. These selfless, dedicated individuals
are the backbone of America’s long term care
system.
Read Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy
Greenlee's statement
11.05.09
Minnesota Board on Aging Partners to Present Love
of Car: Transportation As We Age
The tpt (Twin Cities Public Television)
production about the driving issue of older adults
and families. The documentary focuses on solutions
including:
How to determine if you are
a safe driver
Strategies for driving
safer longer
Finding and using alternate
transportation
Demonstrations of solutions,
expert interviews, and stories of urban and rural
seniors are included in the show.
Initial show times (see
www.tpt.org for
more times):
November 8, 8:00pm,
tpt-MN
November 15, 12:00pm,
tpt-LIFE
08.24.09
Alzheimer's Disease Working Group to Meet
The
Minnesota Board on Aging will convene the first
meeting of the Alzheimer's Disease Working Group
(established by M.S. 2009, Chapter 159, Section
110) on August 27, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the
Department of Human Services Building at 444
Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN, 55155, in room
L3148. (Visitor
Parking Locations.) Questions about the
working group can be directed to John Selstad at
(651) 431-2558 or
john.selstad@state.mn.us.
07.17.09
Getting There
Getting There looks at issues,
opportunities and community resources for vital
living. Getting There is aimed at those 50
plus. The series is running on Sundays on tpt's
LIFE channel and statewide on the Minnesota
Channel.
The program is hosted by Jan Smaby and is a
partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging and
AARP Minnesota. Watch one of these
online videos:
|
Relevance |
Independence |
|
Fitness & Nutrition |
Medicare |
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Finances |
Civic Engagement |
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Housing |
Technology |
07.08.09
Legislative Update Meetings Scheduled Across the
State in July
Human services
consumers, providers and program administrators
are invited to attend legislative update meetings
across the state in July. Ten face-to-face forums
and two videoconferences are being held to address
changes in home and community-based services
following the 2009 Minnesota Legislative session.
Schedule and location information contained in the
links below.
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