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Opportunities and challenges
As we finalize the board’s legislative agenda
for the upcoming session, we are mindful of the realities of the significant
budget shortfall and the various ramifications this presents. This is
particularly true regarding funding of new and existing services and programs.
For some time now, the Minnesota Board on Aging has been stressing the
importance of personal responsibility. This philosophy has never been more
relevant than in our current economic climate.
We have done our homework to discern what the
priorities and preferences are for our older population. The 2001 Survey of
Older Minnesotans provides concrete data to draw a more accurate picture of the
needs and concerns of our older citizens. We recently completed a gaps analysis
to determine where we need to focus our attention to provide more equitable and
affordable services statewide. Information and assistance continues to be a high
priority through our Senior LinkAge Line® and 2-1-1. Another area that was
highlighted is caregiver support. More information on the Survey of Older
Minnesotans and the gaps analysis can be found on the board’s Web site at
www.mnaging.org.
Communities are also taking more responsibility
for building the supports necessary to help older residents remain a part of
their community. Examples of these efforts include the living at home/block
nurse programs, volunteer driver and chore programs and the availability of
supportive and affordable housing.
The future is going to revolve around
technology, innovation and making critical choices. In August, the Department of
Human Services and the board presented several awards for innovation in offering
long-term care consultation, enhancing consumer choice, increasing community
capacity, providing culturally sensitive support systems and for innovations in
quality. We heartily encourage such development.
The board has in the past and continues to
welcome opportunities to work with various partners to provide more innovative
services and outreach. These include such organizations as the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation that you can read about on page 1 in this newsletter.
In the past few years the Long-Term Care Task
Force, along with the legislature, has taken steps to rebalance our system of
caring for frail older adults by developing more choices of home- and community-
based services as well as integrated care settings.
We are optimistic that we will continue to
build on these successes.
– Jeanette Metz and David Janovy
MBA public policy co-chairs
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