Comments sought for support of critical services for older, rural Minnesotans
News | Published on April 10, 2023 at 1:28pm CDT
Without residents’ voices greater Minnesota stands to lose critical support for community-based services, according to a news release fro the Minnesota Board on Aging.
The Minnesota Board on Aging is tasked to create an equitable funding formula. The outcome of the proposed formula would mean funding cuts to outstate Minnesota; this includes 21 counties in Northwest Minnesota. The existing formula is heavily weighted on population and not need. We need a formula that works for rural Minnesota. Locally, the cuts would affect programs such as nutritious senior meals, transportation support, homemaker, chore, caregiver respite, evidence-based classes and other senior programs. We need your help to prevent these cuts. Protecting aging in our communities assures that our neighbors, families, and friends can age well at home. When aging in place is supported, the entire community benefits. Beyond the health and wellness benefits, community members can benefit from the wisdom older adults share through their life experiences.
The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds critical services that keep our nation’s seniors healthy and independent, including meals, homemaker assistance, chores, caregiver support, transportation and more. Paramount to the successful leveraging of OAA funds is the requirement that these funds be the payer of last resort. States and regions have the duty of exhausting all other funding options first. OAA services are often the only services available in greater Minnesota communities. Additionally, rural Minnesota lacks robust philanthropic funding or a booming network of non-profits to step in and fill gaps when needed. Therefore, the group says it is imperative that OAA funding is allocated to afford rural Minnesotans the same opportunities as the Metro area population.
As a community that values older adults, we are tasked with the charge to voice our concern for the decrease in funding, the news release stated.
Public commenting will be open from April 3 to May 3. For easy access to resources go to www.GreaterMinnesotaAging.org.
