Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Good News for AC/EW Services
The Alternative Care(AC) and Elderly Waiver(EW) programs will be available to current and newly eligible recipients during a government shutdown. Lead agency allocations for Alternative Care are available to pay any claims that come into the system for service delivery in fiscal year 2011 and after July 1st. The Elderly Waiver program may still be accessed as well and is available to all current and newly eligible recipients. Payments will be made to providers for all AC and EW services that have been properly authorized and delivered. Please continue to assess program eligibility, authorize services and monitor the delivery and payment of services during a government shutdown. If you have difficulty accessing AC allocations or authorizing services for an individual please leave a message for Lynn Glockner at 651 431-2572. Lynn will return part time to handle critical issues after July 11th if the shutdown continues past that date. For more information regarding the shutdown see our website at www.dhs.state.mn.us.
Lisa Rotegard
651 431 2564
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Senior Helpers celebrates Spudfest 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Planners have thrown seniors under the bus...Wait...There's no bus to throw them under!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011
SAINT PAUL , MN
The report, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options, ranks metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation and presents other data on aging and transportation.
The analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows that in just four years, 47% – or 190,000 seniors in the Twin Cities – will live in neighborhoods with poor access to options other than driving.Minneapolis St. Louis , Cincinnati and Milwaukee ; with Kansas City , MO
In 2000, 10 percent of Twin Cities seniors age 65 and older faced poor transit access, while 64 percent of suburban and exurban seniors had poor transit access. The percentage of urban seniors age 65-79 with poor transit access is projected to increase slightly to 11 percent by 2015, while the suburban and exurban seniors with poor transit increases to 69 percent. Washington, Wright and Isanti counties will be particularly hard hit. Overall, the number of seniors with poor access is projected to increase by 84,800.
“Our recent analysis confirms this trend in the Twin Cities. InHennepin County Anoka County
MetroAtlanta Kansas City tops the list for metros of 1-3 million, followed by Oklahoma City , Fort Worth , Nashville Hamilton , OH
“The baby boom generation grew up and reared their children in communities that, for the first time in human history, were built on the assumption that everyone would be able to drive an automobile,” said John Robert Smith, president and CEO of Reconnecting America and co-chair of Transportation forAmerica
Such a small percentage of older American actually relocate that researchers already are seeing the emergence of so-called “naturally occurring retirement communities.” That phenomenon is growing as baby boomers begin to turn 65. Today, 79 percent of seniors age 65 and older live in suburban or rural communities that are largely car-dependent. “The vast majority of people age 50-plus want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, according to our research,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “When they do move, they most often want to stay in their communities.”“As my staff and I traveled around Minnesota Minnesota
Without access to affordable travel options, seniors age 65 and older who no longer drive make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59 percent fewer trips to shop or eat out, and 65 percent fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age, research shows. As the cost of owning and fuelling a vehicle rises, many older Americans who can still drive nonetheless will be looking for lower-cost options.
“We need to plan now for an aging population, said Tony Kellen, President of Minnesota Public Transit Association. “The number of Minnesotans aged 65 or older will grow dramatically in the next decade. Our transportation system must keep up with these changing demographics. For older Americans, many with limited incomes, affordable, reliable transportation options are essential. Transit service is a lifeline to the most basic of necessities for living independently.”
“The transportation issues of an agingAmerica
· Increase funding support for communities looking to improve service such as buses, trains, vanpools, paratransit and ridesharing; · Provide funding and incentives for transit operators, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to engage in innovative practices; · Encourage state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit operators to involve seniors and the community stakeholders in developing plans for meeting the mobility needs of older adults;· Ensure that state departments of transportation retain their authority to “flex” a portion of highway funds for transit projects and programs;· Include a “complete streets” policy to ensure that streets and intersections around transit stops are safe and inviting for seniors.
For the full report and extended rankings: http://t4america.org/resources/SeniorsMobilityCrisis2011
Metropolitan Areas (MN) Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit Access in 2015 Percentage of Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit Access in 2015
Metropolitan Areas 1 to 3 Million:
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI 190,633 47
Metropolitan Areas with Less Than 250,000:
Duluth-Superior, MN-WI 25,042 64
La Crosse, WI-MN 11,079 63
Grand Forks, ND-MN 6,858 56
Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN 8,902 41
Rochester, MN 5,967 34
Andrea Kiepe
Minnesota Field Organizer
Transportation ForAmerica
612.991.9497 [c]
651.767.0298 x143 [o]
626 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul , MN 55104
http://www.t4america.org/ <http://www.t4america.org/>
"What you don't do can be a destructive force." Eleanor Roosevelt
CONTACT:Andrea Kiepe, Transportation for America
Tony Kellen, President, MPTA & Director of Operations for St. Cloud Metro Bus
320-761-8540 ï outbind://9-000000008AE85ADF0E2FA544A6C17F2E605EFF6D245C2000/tkellen@stcloudmtc.com
Bill Neuendorf, Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) ï 952-920-9255 ï outbind://9-000000008AE85ADF0E2FA544A6C17F2E605EFF6D245C2000/billn@tlcminnesota.org
Tony Kellen, President, MPTA & Director of Operations for St. Cloud Metro Bus
320-761-8540 ï outbind://9-000000008AE85ADF0E2FA544A6C17F2E605EFF6D245C2000/tkellen@stcloudmtc.com
Bill Neuendorf, Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) ï 952-920-9255 ï outbind://9-000000008AE85ADF0E2FA544A6C17F2E605EFF6D245C2000/billn@tlcminnesota.org
NEW REPORT: AS BOOMERS AGE IN PLACE, MOBILITY OPTIONS INADEQUATE 190,000 Twin Cities Metro area seniors will have Poor Transit Access in 2015
The report, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options, ranks metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation and presents other data on aging and transportation.
The analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows that in just four years, 47% – or 190,000 seniors in the Twin Cities – will live in neighborhoods with poor access to options other than driving.
In 2000, 10 percent of Twin Cities seniors age 65 and older faced poor transit access, while 64 percent of suburban and exurban seniors had poor transit access. The percentage of urban seniors age 65-79 with poor transit access is projected to increase slightly to 11 percent by 2015, while the suburban and exurban seniors with poor transit increases to 69 percent. Washington, Wright and Isanti counties will be particularly hard hit. Overall, the number of seniors with poor access is projected to increase by 84,800.
“Our recent analysis confirms this trend in the Twin Cities. In
Metro
“The baby boom generation grew up and reared their children in communities that, for the first time in human history, were built on the assumption that everyone would be able to drive an automobile,” said John Robert Smith, president and CEO of Reconnecting America and co-chair of Transportation for
Such a small percentage of older American actually relocate that researchers already are seeing the emergence of so-called “naturally occurring retirement communities.” That phenomenon is growing as baby boomers begin to turn 65. Today, 79 percent of seniors age 65 and older live in suburban or rural communities that are largely car-dependent. “The vast majority of people age 50-plus want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, according to our research,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “When they do move, they most often want to stay in their communities.”
Without access to affordable travel options, seniors age 65 and older who no longer drive make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59 percent fewer trips to shop or eat out, and 65 percent fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age, research shows. As the cost of owning and fuelling a vehicle rises, many older Americans who can still drive nonetheless will be looking for lower-cost options.
“We need to plan now for an aging population, said Tony Kellen, President of Minnesota Public Transit Association. “The number of Minnesotans aged 65 or older will grow dramatically in the next decade. Our transportation system must keep up with these changing demographics. For older Americans, many with limited incomes, affordable, reliable transportation options are essential. Transit service is a lifeline to the most basic of necessities for living independently.”
“The transportation issues of an aging
· Increase funding support for communities looking to improve service such as buses, trains, vanpools, paratransit and ridesharing; · Provide funding and incentives for transit operators, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to engage in innovative practices; · Encourage state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit operators to involve seniors and the community stakeholders in developing plans for meeting the mobility needs of older adults;· Ensure that state departments of transportation retain their authority to “flex” a portion of highway funds for transit projects and programs;· Include a “complete streets” policy to ensure that streets and intersections around transit stops are safe and inviting for seniors.
For the full report and extended rankings: http://t4america.org/resources/SeniorsMobilityCrisis2011
Metropolitan Areas (MN) Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit Access in 2015 Percentage of Population 65 to 79 with Poor Transit Access in 2015
Metropolitan Areas 1 to 3 Million:
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI 190,633 47
Metropolitan Areas with Less Than 250,000:
Duluth-Superior, MN-WI 25,042 64
La Crosse, WI-MN 11,079 63
Grand Forks, ND-MN 6,858 56
Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN 8,902 41
Rochester, MN 5,967 34
###
TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA <http://www.t4america.org/> (T4) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision — transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment, and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. http://www.t4america.org/ <http://www.t4america.org/> Andrea Kiepe
Minnesota Field Organizer
Transportation For
612.991.9497 [c]
651.767.0298 x143 [o]
626 Selby Avenue
http://www.t4america.org/ <http://www.t4america.org/>
"What you don't do can be a destructive force." Eleanor Roosevelt
Friday, May 27, 2011
Allina launches community wellness initiative
It seems that whenever the topic of health care surfaces in this country the main points are the problems associated with it. Whether it's the seemingly intractable problem of obesity in America or the politics surrounding health care reform, the discourse generally makes people feel bad about what's going on, and even worse about what the future holds. That was not the case at the Wright County Senior Providers Network meeting held at Buffalo City Hall earlier this week.
Janna Anderson, Wellness Program Specialist for Allina, was on hand to discuss a new program aimed at improving the overall health of the people living in the regions Allina serves. Still in its pilot stage, the program titled, "Let's Talk Wellness," was derived from a community survey conducted by Allina last year. The results of the survey exposed some of the roadblocks residents experience related to obtaining information that would help them develop healthier lifestyle habits. One of the main themes that came out of the survey told Allina that in order to be effective, they would need to send health facilitators out into the community to meet people where they are. Let's Talk Wellness does just that.
Instead of taking a doomsday approach to wellness in our communities, Janna puts a positive outlook on what can be accomplished, and more importantly, what can be sustained over a long period of time; quite possibly offering life saving solutions to some participants in the program.
With so much negativity surrounding the issue of health and wellness, Janna was a breath of fresh air. Her motivational style and coaching techniques are an asset to the Wright County area. For more information about the Let's Talk Wellness program contact:
Janna Anderson
Wellness Program Specialist
Community Engagement & Wellness
Mail Route 55000
303 Catlin Street
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 684-7568
janna.anderson@allina.com
Janna Anderson, Wellness Program Specialist for Allina, was on hand to discuss a new program aimed at improving the overall health of the people living in the regions Allina serves. Still in its pilot stage, the program titled, "Let's Talk Wellness," was derived from a community survey conducted by Allina last year. The results of the survey exposed some of the roadblocks residents experience related to obtaining information that would help them develop healthier lifestyle habits. One of the main themes that came out of the survey told Allina that in order to be effective, they would need to send health facilitators out into the community to meet people where they are. Let's Talk Wellness does just that.
Instead of taking a doomsday approach to wellness in our communities, Janna puts a positive outlook on what can be accomplished, and more importantly, what can be sustained over a long period of time; quite possibly offering life saving solutions to some participants in the program.
With so much negativity surrounding the issue of health and wellness, Janna was a breath of fresh air. Her motivational style and coaching techniques are an asset to the Wright County area. For more information about the Let's Talk Wellness program contact:
Janna Anderson
Wellness Program Specialist
Community Engagement & Wellness
Mail Route 55000
303 Catlin Street
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 684-7568
janna.anderson@allina.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
True Story
The other day my friend told me about a coworker who's mother suffered from a fall at home. My friend wanted to know what advice I would give her coworker related to getting in-home medical care for his mother. As it turned out, his mother suffered a broken elbow and a broken hip and will require months of rehab before she is back on her feet. As my friend and I were talking I said to her, "Wouldn't it have been nice if your co-worker's mom had the help she needed at home before she got hurt?" My friend just said, "Yes, but hindsight is always 20/20."
While that may be the case, her co-worker's mother is still laid up and will wind up spending a great deal of time and money getting back to where she was before she fell. It's likely an ounce of prevention would have gone a long way to keeping her on her feet and I am positive it would have been less expensive. This notion seems easy to understand when it comes to pulling preventative maintenance on things like our vehicles, lawn mowers, and outboard motors. Why does it seem to escape us when the same notion applies to our bodies?
It's not hard for me to understand that Americans are a proud group of folks; we're not accustom to relying on someone else for our daily needs. Baby boomers literally built this country from the ground up and have endured a great deal of tumult in their collective lives. This is why the most difficult message to land is that if you wait until you need help you've probably waited too long to ask for help. If you have read this post and are thinking about someone you know that could use some help around the house please let them know our agency is here to help. Better yet, give them our phone number and tell them to call us. We'll take it from there.
While that may be the case, her co-worker's mother is still laid up and will wind up spending a great deal of time and money getting back to where she was before she fell. It's likely an ounce of prevention would have gone a long way to keeping her on her feet and I am positive it would have been less expensive. This notion seems easy to understand when it comes to pulling preventative maintenance on things like our vehicles, lawn mowers, and outboard motors. Why does it seem to escape us when the same notion applies to our bodies?
It's not hard for me to understand that Americans are a proud group of folks; we're not accustom to relying on someone else for our daily needs. Baby boomers literally built this country from the ground up and have endured a great deal of tumult in their collective lives. This is why the most difficult message to land is that if you wait until you need help you've probably waited too long to ask for help. If you have read this post and are thinking about someone you know that could use some help around the house please let them know our agency is here to help. Better yet, give them our phone number and tell them to call us. We'll take it from there.
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