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Get the drift!
Seasonal thoughts slide across our minds as the
Minnesota winter finally arrives. Whether referring
to weather or economics, not noting the direction of
a drift can be very dangerous. In as much as
meteorology was not my major at the university, I’ll
address my remarks to the economic side.
Unless we simultaneously analyze senior needs in
conjunction with economic realities, progress during
the next few years will be slow or non-existent.
The slogan "More for Less" is not a
Madison Avenue work product forged by Yuppies. It is
the result of many hours of study by dedicated pros
flavored with input from multiple community forums.
These efforts have produced new answers for the new millennium.
As we continue to encounter a growing older
population, the need for long-term care reform is
high on the must-do list. Shifting from high-cost
nursing homes to preferred in-home services
augmented by community programs, properly moves us
in the direction spelled out in our slogan.
The early advent of affordable prescription drugs
will be a major cost saver. When all ailing seniors
can afford their prescription medications, the
substantial funds currently spent on costly
emergency hospital care will fall precipitously.
The state-wide availability of the Senior LinkAge
Line®, giving all seniors and their families access
to services currently waiting to aid them, will save
both dollars and time. Professional advice on
nutritional services, legal aid, insurance
counseling and tax preparation are a few of the many
ways this lifeline can help.
Increasing the promotion of volunteerism to
utilize the substantial senior resources laying
fallow throughout the state will give a lift to
overburdened and undermanned facilities which
currently can not extend needed services due to
budget restraints.
In summary, your Minnesota Board on Aging will
continue to push for the programs noted above. This
will not add to budget expenses but rather produce
"More for Less."
We Got the Drift.
– Kenneth Moritz, chair,
Minnesota Board on Aging
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