MinnEESI Legislative Tracking

The Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative tracks a large number of bills with the help of experts in several organizations for elders. Three important bills were recently brought to our attention.

HF 528, SF 489: Reverse mortgage provisions modifications

HF 618, SF 412: Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act

HF 818, SF 758: Vulnerable Adult Justice Act

By Marie Nelson

Thank you to our new endorsers!

Financial Wellness for You, LLC and Pelican Rapids OAKS Living At Home/Block Nurse Program adopted the following language to endorse the Minnesota Elder Index: "We support the use of the Elder Economic Security Index as a new tool to ensure that future planning and policies are based on the true costs of shelter, food, transportation and health care, so that Minnesota elders can continue to live with dignity in their own homes and communities."

Thank you for endorsing this new cost-of-living tool!

By Marie Nelson

Alzheimer's cost triple that of other elderly

The Associated Press recently ran an article on the cost of caregiving for elders with Alzheimer's Disease.

The article states: "The health care costs of Alzheimer's disease patients are more than triple those of other older people, and that doesn't even include the billions of hours of unpaid care from family members, a new report suggests." For the full article, click here.

One of the Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative's goals is to increase support for family caregivers. One of our policy recommendations states: "Reform and redefine health care and 'long-term care' to increase emphasis on wellness and prevention. Increase access to care provided in the elder's own home and community and increase support for family caregivers." For more information on our policy recommendations, visit the Wider Opportunities for Women website.

Approximately 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's, with another half million expected to be diagnosed next year according to the Alzheimer's Association.

By Marie Nelson

As the oldest can't retire, the newest can't get hired.

An article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press highlighted a unique economic situation: many of our oldest workers cannot retire and many of our newest workers cannot get hired. These two groups of employees do not typically face similar economic challenges. One economist featured in the article suggested: "With unemployment at a 26-year high and many older workers chasing entry-level jobs like those they held a half-century ago, 70 has become the new 20."

Some of the elders featured in the article are facing a difficult job search due to their advanced age. It is the position of the Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative that we should "encourage elders who choose to improve their economic status by remaining in the workforce after age 65. Encourage employers to provide flexible, non-traditional work configurations and other features helpful to all employees." For more information on that policy position, and others, click here.

By Marie Nelson

We're on Facebook!

Join MinnEESI's Facebook group! You can find us by searching "Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative" in the search feature within Facebook. You can join our group if you're a Facebook member, but cannot view or join unless you are a member. Please "friend" us and invite others!

By Marie Nelson

Be a leader: Endorse the Elder Index

The following organizations have endorsed MinnEESI's Elder Index. They have adopted the following language: "We support the use of the Elder Economic Security Index as a new tool to ensure that future planning and policies are based on the true cost of shelter, food, transportation, and health care, so that Minnesotans can continue to live with dignity in their own homes and communities."

• DARTS
• Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership
• Mary Browning
• Rothsay Partners Living at Home/Block Nurse Program
• North End-South Como Block Nurse Program
• Conway/Battle Creek Living at Home/Block Nurse Program
• AccountAbility Minnesota
• Older Women's League
• Golden Girls Homes, Inc.
• Office on the Economic Status of Women
• Representative Paul Thissen (DFL-63A)
• Western Community Action, Inc.
• ElderCare Rights Alliance
• Vital Aging Network
• Store to Door
• Open Circle Adult Day Center
• Living Longer and Stronger in Dakota County
• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota
• Minnesota Community Action Partnership
• Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato)
• McGregor's Living at Home/Block Nurse Program
• HSI Resources for Elder Care
• Wellington Adult Care
• Meta-5 Displaced Homemaker Program
• Heritage Home Health and Hospice
• Financial Wellness For You
• Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Don't miss your opportunity to be a leader in the aging community be endorsing the Elder Index. To endorse or for more information on how your endorsement might be used, please contact Marie Nelson, project coordinator, at eesi@mnwomen.org or 651-228-0338.

By Marie Nelson

Stimulus money released to aid Minnesota seniors

The following article was published on the KARE-11 website.

WASHINGTON - Many Minnesota seniors should benefit from the latest rollout of federal economic stimulus money, which includes more than $1.5 million for nutrition programs in the state.

Vice President Joe Biden announced the funding Wednesday on the eve of his visit to St. Cloud to preside over a town hall meeting by the Middle Class Task Force.

The money is part of $100 million that the Department of Health and Human Services is handing out for nutrition services at senior centers and community centers, home delivered meals to seniors and Native American nutrition programs.

"Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down," Biden said in a statement. "The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, applauded the funding. She said it will bolster the Meals on Wheels program, which is important to seniors hard hit by the recession. "Shrinking budgets and rising transportation costs are making it hard for seniors to get the nutritious meals they need," Klobuchar said. "These funds will help our senior citizens by preventing drastic cuts to essential programs."

By Marie Nelson