Program areas at Central Minnesota Council on Aging
Senior linkage: the senior linkage line is a service of the Minnesota board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota's area agencies on Aging. The senior linkage line provides free help to older adults who may need support remaining in or returning to their home. Senior linkage line staff work with individuals and/or caregivers to understand the person's needs and preferences, help connect them with services in their community and follow-up to support long-term success. In 2022, 32,699 information and assistance sessions were conducted over the telephone or in person when requested to fully assist a consumer.
Grant making: Central mn Council on Aging is a pivotal link between community supports for seniors, state and federal funding for those services in its 14 county planning and service area. Cmcoa awards contracts for services to help ensure that vast arrays of options are in place to match the needs of the community and allow seniors to remain living independently in their community for as long as possible. In 2022, $3.963 million services were purchased with these dollars which included 32,699 sessions of information and assistance, 696 hours of comprehensive health assessment, 3,061 hours of legal assistance, 1 legal education session, 11,728 rides of assisted transportation, 2,793 hours of chore services, 7,925 hours of homemaker services, 64 series of evidenced based health promotion programs, 1,685 hours of caregiver respite, 1,695 hours of caregiver counseling services, 73 support group sessions, 296 hours of caregiver telephone reassurance, 87,548 congregate meals and 430,495 home delivered meals. A total of $639,989 was utilized as in-kind match by the service providers in the delivery of the aforementioned services.
Cmcoa 2022 development goals/strategies:development of a men's sheds in st. Cloud area, the group includes several male caregivers. The group is working on intergenerational birdhouse activity. A men's shed is a community-based, non-commercial organization that is open to men. Men's sheds provide a place where men can feel included and safe. The aim of men's sheds is to improve the health and wellbeing of their members. Robotic pet distribution-delivered robotic pets to older adults who are isolated and or living with a cognitive related illness. Presentation of social isolation loneliness, mental health, well-being to various groups/events across the regional, state, and national presentations. - mental health and wellness: participated in and/or led various mental health related coalition throughout the region.- development and expansion of home and community based services- respite-caregiving focused outreach to gain interest from new caregiver support providers and provided technical assistance and guidance for understanding the older americans act title iii-e application and grantee progress. - hosted Central mn Aging & wellness advocates quarterly discussions: 2022 topics focused on wellness and caregiver support. - dementia related initiatives and education - two members of the development team became master trainers to train new dementia friends champion training. - three staff trained to offer dementia friendly dental practice training- law enforcement first responders training: development of partnership with law enforcement/first responder agencies to train staff on Aging services, and issues that affect our older adults including dementia. - worked with seven dementia friendly communities as they re-engage community members and reignite their work to educate communities on dementia to support those impacted by the disease. Grant technical assistance: provided technical assistance to agencies/communities applying for or receiving grant funds from various state and federal agencies including: engagement with community health workers, health plans, health systems and public health outreach to learn about agencies who staffed community health workers within the region and gain knowledge of their target groups, their understanding of needs and services of older adults and learn the interest and need to convene with other cohorts. Helped to prepare for a community health worker convening in 2023. - intergenerational tech classes: assisted to build connections between school systems, community education, and senior services to offer intergenerational technology classes for older adults. - expansion of evidence based classes including mental health/wellness. Health Aging coordinator lead and/or coordinated the following classes: - mindful presence: compassionate care for self and others - guided autobiography- tai ji quan moving for better balance- partnership with nursing program with st. john's and st. ben's: trained students on health coaching for hypertension to offer to the community - overall evidence based training-classes: served 275