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Communities for a Lifetime Legislation Enacted
On May 11, 2009 Governor Pawlenty signed into law the Communities for a Lifetime legislation designed to support municipal planning for an increasingly older population.
The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging developed the Communities for a Lifetime legislation and publicly launched it at its January 2009 Aging Summit. The legislation emerged from the concept of "caring communities" -- communities that care for children, that care for the environment -- and addresses the question of what does it look like when a community cares for its elders.
The legislation provides 17 characteristics of a Community for a Lifetime such as the availability of a range of accessible housing along with home- and community-based services that support the ability of older adults to live independently.
Recognizing that these factors need more extensive debate and refinement, the legislation calls on the Minnesota Board on Aging to lead a discussion with older adults, municipalities, counties, businesses, service providers and others. Along with refining the characteristics, stakeholders will recommend to the next Legislature a process for individual communities to voluntarily seek the designation of a Community for a Lifetime.
Download the text of the bill
Download “Envisioning the Future: Communities for a Lifetime Belong Here” letter to the editor published by the Star Tribune
The Vital Aging Network organized a forum entitled “Communities for a Lifetime: Helping people live well and age well in their communities” for June 9, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rondo Community Outreach Library, 461 N. Dale St, Saint Paul, MN. Presenters will highlight innovative models of community planning and aging in place initiatives. More information can be obtained from http://www.vital-aging-network.org (off site).
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Learn about the MNLCOA's 2009 Summit
Learn about the MNLCOA's 2008 Summit
Learn about the MNLCOA's first Aging
Policy Exchange
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The
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging (MNLCOA) coalesces the resources and
power of consumer, advocacy, social and health service organizations, to
advocate boldly for and achieve positive system changes for older adults and
their families in Minnesota.
The Leadership Council formed in 2004 around its key organizing agenda to
advocate for the strengthening of home and community-based services. The
Council was actively involved in shaping policy at the state level during
the 2005 legislative session supporting efforts to develop an adequately
funded, cost-effective, community care system that ensures quality of care
and quality of life for older adults.
In addition to working with policy makers the Council is meeting with
community leaders outside of aging services to raise awareness of and
discuss the demographic, social and economic issues related to the aging of
the Baby Boom generation. Through a series of Listening to Leaders
dialogue
sessions, the Council is gathering information about community aging issues
as viewed by foundations, housing and community developers, civic groups,
education officials, transportation representatives, faith communities,
disability organizations, business and industry, and others.
Sixteen
leading nonprofit organizations that help older adults live independently at
home formed the Council. The Council is an informal collaborative and
governs itself through an initial organizing structure. Current members are:
AARP Minnesota, Alzheimer's Association - Minnesota North Dakota, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Care Providers of Minnesota, DARTS, Elderberry Institute/Living at Home
Block Nurse Programs, ElderCare Rights Alliance, Hospice Minnesota, Lutheran
Social Services of MN, MN Association of
Area Agencies on Aging, MN Health and Housing Alliance, MN Home Care
Association, MN Medical Directors Association, MN Senior Federation, Senior Community Services, and Volunteers
of America of MN.
Together these organizations serve more than 300,000
seniors and family caregivers and represent more than 120,000 older persons
interested in aging issues.
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