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From the
Executive Director:
Making a difference
regardless of age
This month’s
issue of the Spotlight…on Aging focuses on one of
the priorities of the Minnesota Long-Term Care Task
Force, creating strong intergenerational programs
within schools and encouraging middle and high
school students to work and volunteer in health and
long-term care settings. Let me highlight a few of
the valuable contributions being made every day by
our younger generations.
In an effort to
promote intergenerational programs, the Minnesota
Board on Aging has been working with school
districts throughout the state since 1985,
sponsoring the annual Sixth-Grade Essay Contest.
Once again, this year’s winners reflect the
important role that older Minnesotans play in our
lives and the lives of our children. These essays
also provide a glimpse for our younger generation
about the special needs and important role they can
play in the lives of the frail older person in need
of long-term care services.
Another good
example of intergenerational efforts is happening at
Eagle Valley High School, where 12 students work at
care centers throughout Long Prairie, Clarissa and
Parker’s Prairie. These students are learning how
much their special kindness and connection touches
the residents. They are treated like family. It’s
visible by simply observing the rooms in which
graduation photos as well as prom pictures decorate
the walls of residents’ rooms.
A relatively new
program has started in greater Minnesota called
McSenior Computer Mentoring. The program is
sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging in Staples,
the Carnegie Library in Little Falls and the
Morrison County Extension Office. Suzanne Driessen,
University of Minnesota Extension Service, matches
students to Senior Surf Day (a senior computer
training program) participants. The students and
older persons are paired according to personalities,
background, interests and what they want to learn.
The students then spend several hours on Saturday
following the Senior Surf Day presentation working
with the older adults and helping them to refine
their skills.
These are just some
examples of great efforts to link the young and the
old, who then make a measurable difference in the
lives of others, regardless of age.
–Jim Varpness,
Executive Director
Minnesota Board on
Aging
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