2024 News Archive
December 2024
RELEASE: MN Multisector Blueprint for Aging
12/17/24 - Adam Suomala
In under an hour, get up to speed on the exciting release of Minnesota's first iteration of our ten-year Multisector Blueprint for Aging!
Earlier today, I sat down with the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council's new interim director Mike Saindon as well as the two consultants working most closely with the project - Lydia Morken and Farah Baig - for a conversation about this powerful new tool for change in our state.
Together, they walked through the background and offered a look at the major components of the Blueprint. For more details, download an accessible copy of the full Blueprint. Then, sign-up to join or lead an Action Team on topics you care about starting in early 2025.
A Message from MN Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
12/13/24 - Adam Suomala
Hundreds of leaders across Minnesota's aging sector gathered this week for a series of powerful virtual and in-person discussions, including:
- A Call to Action: A Minnesota Free of Ageism
- A Fireside Chat: Diverse Perspectives on Caregiving
- Rural Aging Panel: Insights and Ingenuity
- A Framer's Challenge: Reframing Aging Minnesota
- Does Division Have to Lead to Disfunction: A Look at Politics Entering the 2025 Legislative Session
- Policy Panel: Minnesota's Priorities for Aging
- Release: Minnesota's Multisector Blueprint for Aging
Our New Strategic Framework!
12/13/24 - Julie Manworren
I’m excited to share that our Delegates just approved a new strategic framework designed to strengthen the aging sector in the years ahead, including a refresh of our values, a new mission statement and three key organizing strategies. Together, we'll bring forward voices and expertise not historically at our table and build on core competencies you will come to see when working with us. We also just approved invitations to four new full voting member organizations and we look forward to announcing and welcoming these additions in the New Year.
Does Division Have to Lead to Disfunction: A Look at Politics Entering the 2025 Legislative Session
12/3/24 - Adam Suomala
We are excited to welcome Todd Rapp, CEO of Rapp Strategies as a keynote speaker for the 2024 Summit on December 12, 2024.
Join us for a dynamic look back at what really happened on Election Day 2024, a discussion on what we need to know about the 2025-26 Legislature, and how leaders in the aging sector can make a difference.
"I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change... I'm changing the things I cannot accept."
Angela Davis
November 2024
Leadership Transition for Age-Friendly Minnesota
11/24/24 - Adam Suomala
It is with deep apprecition we recognize Kirsten Olson for her time as Interim Director of the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council. As she returns to her permanent role as Legal Services Developer, it is important to note that despite many challenges - including a stunning ability at one point being the only staff member for the Council - she was successful in building a strong new team, overseeing grants and contracting, as well as engaging multiple sectors in Age-Friendly convenings with grace and humor. Olson transitions the helm to another trusted leader from DHS, known to many in the aging field, Michael Saindon. Mike can be reached at michael.saindon@state.mn.us or 651-356-4147.
Age-Friendly Action Teams
11/21/24 - Adam Suomala
Yesterday concluded the final session in the series of four Action Team convenings, helping to prioritize the hundreds of ideas generated from Minnesotans into a compelling first iteration of the forthcoming Multisector Blueprint for Aging. Over the course of the past few years, over 3,500 Minnesotans have helped to shape the four domains, developed and refined the key strategies and objectives and step forward to serve as subject matter experts and conveners of the work ahead. Watch for a release planned for the 2024 Summit as well as a free, virtual launch on December 17, from 1-2 p.m.
Follow us on Bluesky
11/21/24 - Adam Suomala
In addition to finding the latest MN Leadership Council on Aging happenings here on our News page, you can often be the first to know about important updates and engage with leaders in our commuity by following us on our social media channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and now we've joined Bluesky!
What Do the 2024 Election Outcomes Mean for Minnesota's Aging Sector?
11/8/24 - Adam Suomala
You're not alone in wondering what older Minnesotans can expect following the elections this week. Like you, hundreds of leaders across our state are actively discussing what to anticipate next for the aging field, and we want your voice at the table! Whether your personal candidates won or lost, and whether you're logging-in for the virtual day or joining us at the Plymouth Community Center for the in-person day, we hope to see you at the 2024 Summit. Together, we'll explore how we mobilize our collective expertise and networks to advance policy solutions and transformational initiatives in aging.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill
Free Catalyst Conversation Recording
11/13/24 - Adam Suomala
You can watch our most recent Catalyst Conversation featuring our Zachary Hylton.
In this session, we discussed how in today’s social systems, DEI has become normalized as a function that reinforces rather than challenges the bottom line. While we celebrate the progress made thus far, we explored how organizations can begin to understand widening inequality gaps and prepare to contribute to oppression elimination. This session discussed how organizations across the aging sector may venture into the next epoch of anti-oppression work and the practical considerations to get there.
October 2024
Healthy Brain Community Grants
10/14/24 - Adam Suomala
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council has posted details about their second round of powerful community grants designed to expand the reach and impact of age-friendly efforts statewide.
Applications are due by November 8, 2024.
Healthy Brain Community Grants
10/14/24 - Adam Suomala
The Minnesota Department of Health's Aging and Healthy Communities Unit has released an RFP for the second round of their Healthy Brain Community Grants, designed to engage communities impacted by Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
Applications are due by November 12, 2024.
"Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work."
Seth Godin
Catalyst Conversation: How Do We Eleminate Systemic Oppression and Encourage Transformation?
10/9/24 - Adam Suomala
Join Zachary Hylton in our next Catalyst Conversation on November 12, from 10-11 a.m. for a discussion how in today’s social systems, DEI has become normalized as a function that reinforces rather than challenges the bottom line. While we celebrate the progress made thus far, how do organizations understand widening inequality gaps and prepare to contribute to oppression elimination? This session will discuss how organizations may venture into the next epoch of anti-oppression work and the practical considerations to get there.
Join a Multisector Blueprint for Aging Action Team
10/9/24 - Adam Suomala
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council invites you to move the draft Multisector Blueprint for Aging work forward. With the hundreds of ideas generated by the public over the past year, we need subject matter experts, older Minnestotans, and key decision-makers from state agencies and community organizations to select a free convening of interest. Help us explore, vet, and priorize the ideas as well as capture any missing ideas.
2024 Call for Sponsorships
10/9/24 - Adam Suomala
Each year, the MN Leadership Council on Aging hosts a high-powered gathering of leaders from across the aging sector. All are welcome to attend this statewide convening.
Explore how your organization can be a champion in advancing our shared work in advance of our 2024 Summit. Sponsorship packages start at just $500.
Catalyst Conversation: How Do We Stay True To DEI Values When Funding Is Involved?
10/9/24 - Adam Suomala
Catalyst Conversations are an opportunity to explore a powerful question in community. Next month, join Prepare + Propser Executive Director Suyapa Miranda as she explores how to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices into donor engagement, while promoting respectful relationships and ensuring organizational alignment. She will highlight how it involves understanding how organizations should ensure diverse leadership and provide DEI training for development and fundraising efforts. Suyapa will also talk about community-centric fundraising practices as a bridge to innovative development strategies.
Get Ready for Ageism Awareness Day 2024
10/3/24 - Adam Suomala
One of our core strategies is to champion a Minnesota free of ageism. This year, we hope on Ageism Awareness Day (October 9, 2024) you'll join us in bringing attention to the impacts of ageism.
We hope to see you use the hashtags #AgeismAwarenessDay and #TalkAboutAgeism as you share resources available on our website.
September 2024
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge."
Simon Sinek
Call for Policy Endorsements
9/26/24 - Adam Suomala
With the Minnesota Legislature convening in just 110 days, the MN Leadership Council on Aging is now issuing our annual Call for 2025 Policy Endorsements. We invite interested individuals or organizations to now submit your policy proposal(s) for consideration. Please submit your request by November 8, 2024 and hold 1-4 p.m. on November 19 for a 15-minute window of questions with our Policy Committe.
Special Thanks
9/24/24 - Adam Suomala
We appreciate the Minnesota Department of Health's Healthy Brain Partnership for joining the MN Leadership Council on Aging in co-hosting a powerful community conversation about the our state's draft Dementia Strategic Plan. Guests included: Elsa Vega Perez, Kwangja Kwon, Antonia Wilcoxon, Nancy Lor, Paulete Baukol, Mazel "May" McCoy-Anderson, Bharati Mehta, Rik Kutcher, Vera Ndumbe, Alana Wright, and Jonathan Palmer, with staff support from Chao Yang, Adam Suomala, Maiyia Kasouaher, Patricia Takawira and Hannah Broadbent.
You're Invited: All Are Welcome
9/24/24 - Adam Suomala
This year, we'll have an amazing lineup of both virtual and in-person networking, learning, and empowering experiences planned. Summit guests will enjoy active learning and sharing across an unparalled network of statewide leaders, with chances to build on the collective power and momentum of our members and allies by:
- engaging with a diverse community of leaders
- mobilizing for action in the 2025 Session
- shaping statewide efforts to improve aging
Reframing Your Advocacy on Aging Issues
9/24/24 - Adam Suomala
The National Center to Reframe Aging is excited to share this Advocacy Quick Start Guide, offering key principles specifically tailored for advocacy efforts. Find practical examples of themes to avoid and alternative approaches to strengthen your advocacy communications in the 2025 Legislative Session.
Caring Careers Start Here
9/24/24 - Adam Suomala
To help connect interested caregivers in the aging sector with the employers, scholarships, resources and jobs in every Minnesota community, check out this new website and statewide campaign today.
Livable Communities Virtual Workshop
9/24/24 - Adam Suomala
AARP's annual workshop is back with a theme of "Designing for People of All Ages." Registration is now open to join the virtual sessions Oct. 16-17, 2024 from (12-4 p.m.). Last year, Minnesotans attended more than anywhere in the world; join in!
Free Catalyst Conversation Recording
9/18/24 - Adam Suomala
You can watch our most recent Catalyst Conversation featuring our Director of Equity and Engagement, Chao Yang.
In this session, we discussed the inherent limitations of systems, which are often impersonal, cold, and static - making them poorly equipped to address the human and emotional needs that are crucial in advancing DEI work. To effectively engage and serve older adults, it is essential to humanize our systems by building trust. Trust enables collaborative discovery and leads to nuanced, comprehensive solutions. Together, we explored the critical step of reconcilitation in problem-solving practices.
MN Multisector Blueprint for Aging Action Teams
9/10/24 - Adam Suomala
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council is requesting subject matter experts, older adults with lived experience, and key leaders across state agencies and community organizations gather for the first Action Team convenings this fall, designed to review and prioritize the hundreds of ideas generated by the community for inclusion in the Multisector Blueprint for Aging. Sign-up today for sessions that run from 9 a.m. - 12 noon at the Elmer L Anderson Human Services building in St. Paul on October 5 and 28 as well as November 6 and 20.
August 2024
Research Brief
8/27/24 - Adam Suomala
The Univeristy of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center issued a look at risk factors for health among US older adults in rural and urban areas, including injury, food insecurity, and lack of social supports.
We encourage you to read the policy brief document today to learn more about this important segment of our state.
Catalyst Conversation: How Do We Practice Trust-Driven, Human-Ccentered System Change?
10/9/24 - Adam Suomala
Don't miss our next free session on September 17, 2024 from 10-11 a.m. featuring our Director of Equity and Engagement, Chao Yang. She will be exploring the inherent limitations of systems, which are often impersonal, cold, and static - making them poorly equipped to address the human and emotional needs that are crucial in advancing DEI work. Together, we'll discuss how to effectively engage and serve older adults, it is essential to humanize our systems by building trust. Trust enables collaborative discovery and leads to nuanced, comprehensive solutions. Join us, as we explore the critical step of reconcilitation in problem-solving practices. Registration is required.
SAVE THE DATE: 2024 Summit
8/27/24 - Adam Suomala
Leaders from across Minnesota's aging sector are again preparing to convene for powerful virtual and in-person opportunities to learn, share, and take action as part of this dynamic annual tradition. Mark your calendar now for December 10 (virtual) and December 12 (in-person) and watch for additional details coming soon!
Also, consider sponsoring this annual gathering and help support the most comprehensive policy conference focused on aging issues in our state for leaders across the state of Minnesota.
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Reimagine Aging Conference:
8/27/24 - Adam Suomala
Our members at Senior Community Services are hosting their annual conference on September 27, 2024.
The event will highlight current technology trends, products, and information to support older adults and caregivers in making technology work for them.
July 2024
Key State Post Announced: Reena Shetty
7/16/24 - Adam Suomala
We are pleased to share that Reena Shetty will lead the Minnesota Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services Division and serve as Executive Director for the Minnesota Board on Aging. Having served in an interim capacity since last December, Shetty bring rich experience and knowledge about services and supports for older adults in both Medicaid and through the Older Americans Act as well as national and state efforts to help us advance age-friendly systems.
Shetty holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and a Masters in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. She also has experience working on aging issues in several different roles across Greater Minnesota, Oklahoma and North Carolina. She can be reached at reena.shetty@state.mn.us.
Take a Journey Though the Blueprint
7/11/24 - Adam Suomala
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council has launched a new framework for the 10-year multi-sector Blueprint for aging. Grounded in feedback from thousands of Minnesotans, a draft of the Blueprint domains and strategies are now open for your feedback. Be sure to "Share Your Feedback" after reviewing it to help Minnesota move forward. All ideas are welcome and will be reviewed.
Delegate Profile: Benny Roberts
7/7/24 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is pleased to welcome Benny Roberts as the incoming Delegate for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Effective July 8, Roberts will begin bringing his distinguished career in community service and nonprofit leadership as Executive Director, overseeing the strategic direction of the organization.
Roberts holds a B.A. in Sociology from Webster University and most recently served as Vice President of Youth and Career Programs at Urban Ventures, where he had a track record of fostering community engagement and implementing innovative programs.
Benny can be reached at broberts@hallieqbrown.org
Reframe Aging Minnesota Resources & Recordings
7/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Access all the Reframe Aging recordings and links to resources online. Over 1,300 leaders across the state have been trained and are starting to shift how we collectively talk about aging issues. Minnesotans are living longer and healthier lives, but the way we think about aging has not changed. Ageism and implicit bias toward age continues to impact our state. Everyone can learn about the power of using research-based framing strategies to improve how you talk about aging.
New Leadership Announced
7/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Today marks the new term for our officers and committee chairs at the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging.
Please join us in welcoming our newly elected leadership, including Chair Julie Manworren, Vice Chair Kristin Rigg, DEI Committee Chair Katey Zanotelli-Wade, and At-Large Board Directors Robert Freeman and Kimelyn Knight. These are some of the latest updates to our top leadership posts. Learn more about all of our members on our website.
June 2024
Free Catalyst Conversation Recording
6/3/24 - Adam Suomala
You can watch our most recent Catalyst Conversation featuring Deqa Sayid, Director of Equity and Inclusion at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as she explored how leaders in the aging sector can apply intentional practices to minimize disparities by using an equity toolkit in decision making. While you can't access the small group discussions where the growth and sharing are greatest, you still hear her tee-up presentation on how to include historically marginalized communities through a look at tools and frameworks that mitigate unintended disparities and promote equitable opportunities for all.
Strategic Planning Feedback Sought
5/3/24 - Adam Suomala
Each of us contributes to the forward motion and progress of our state, and we want to hear from YOU before we build our next strategic plan. Inform the next MN Leadership Council on Aging strategy by sharing your insights on six questions in our community survey this month.
Understanding Our Diversity
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
To better understand the makeup of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, our Delegates self-identify themselves through an array of demographic questions. Instead of a simple quantitative set of pie charts, we use an open-ended narrative approach based on these insights from Team Dynamics and biannually publish a more complete profile of the changing face of our leadership.
Legislative Task Force on Aging
5/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Positive outcomes are possible, but aren't guaranteed; we will need legislative leadership to change policies, practices and infrastructure. We invite you to review prior testimony recordings, read through the draft report, and submit your own story to influence the state investments and infrastructure changes needed.
May 2024
Minnesota Compass: Older Adults
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
Our members at Wilder Research have issued their 2024 Minnesota Compass Points, offering us an update on quality of life indicators and pulling data from many trusted sources.
You can learn more about how older Minnesotans are faring across several areas, including demographics, regions of residence, sex, race and ethnicity, countries of origin, languages spoken, disability, residence changes, household income, poverty rates, health insurance coverage, housing, and workforce.
Intentional Practices to Minimize Disparities
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
In this one-hour Catalyst Conversation Deqa Sayid, Director of Equity and Inclusion at the Minnesota Department of Human Services will help us explore how we might we apply intentional practices to minimize disparities. Together, we will explore the utilization of an equity toolkit in decision making to ensure a holistic inclusion of historically marginalized communities. We will discuss and provide tools and frameworks to mitigate unintended disparities and promote equitable opportunities for all.
Generations Work:
An Introduction to Reframe Aging
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
If you've been thinking about signing-up for a Reframe Aging Minnesota training, now is the time! With one more free virtual introductory session on May 22, don't want you to miss this powerful opportunity to join over a thousand of your fellow leaders who have already been trained and are starting to shift how we collectively talk about aging issues. Minnesotans are living longer and healthier lives, but the way we think about aging has not changed. Ageism and implicit bias toward age continues to impact our state. Everyone can learn about the power of using research-based framing strategies to improve how you talk about aging in this free, one-hour, virtual introductory session.
Fundamentals: A One-Day Immersive
Reframe Aging Workshop
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
Next, take your training to a new level with a team from the National Center to Reframe Aging. This four-hour, in-person workshop helps advance your understanding of how to communicate about aging and offers tools and strategies to immediately begin practicing for more effective framing of your messages in an applied and supportive environment. A $50 registration fee covers 4 CEUs, lunch and materials at the University of Minnesota.
Internalized Ageism and Suicidal Ideation
5/2/24 - Adam Suomala
A recent look at the influence of ageism on suicidal ideation among older adults was just published. Results from the logistic regression demonstrated that older adults with higher age and higher internalized ageism had a higher risk of suicidal ideation. Examining the development clinical guidelines and policies that address ageism as a risk factor for suicide is warranted.
A total of 454 individuals from over 30 states participated in the study. Twelve percent of respondents reported that they had experienced suicidal ideation in the past month. The findings appeared in Aging & Mental Health, an international peer-reviewed journal focused on the biological, psychological and social effects of aging on mental health.
#OlderAmericansMonth #PoweredByConnection
May is Older Americans Month
5/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. We will explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues.
April 2024
Demographics on Older Minnesotans
4/22/24 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota State Demographer Susan Brower shared the latest demographic profile of our state's older adults at the recent Minnesota Gerontological Society 48th Annual Conference, held at the University of Minnesota. If you missed her keynote, you can access her slide deck now to stay up to date on our state's changing and aging profile.
Minnesota's 2024 Gerontologist of the Year
4/19/24 - Adam Suomala
Tetyana Shippee, PhD has been awarded the 2024 Dutch Kastenbaum Gerontologist of the Year Award by the
Minnesota Gerontological Society. Shippee, a social gerontologist of state and national acclaim serves as a Professor and Associate Director for Research at the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation at the
University of Minnesota. We congratulate Shippee on this coveted honor and thank her for her continued work and leadership for our state and sector.
Delegate Profile: Xavier Vazquez
4/15/24 - Adam Suomala
Our member Centro Tyrone Guzman has announced their new Executive Director, Xavier Vazquez starts today. Xavier is an accomplished leader in nonprofit management and advocacy, where he has made significant strides in fostering inclusive and impactful community programs. He is a dynamic leader whose diverse skill set encompasses strategic fundraising, program development, and inclusive community engagement - making him a formidable force in the non-profit sector and a welcome new Delegate to our Leadership Council.
Key State Post Now Open for Applications
4/10/24 - Adam Suomala
We are pleased to share today's announcement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the permanent position of Aging and Adult Services Division/ Minnesota Board on Aging Director. This opening was a result of Kari Benson's departure to be the new Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Administration for Community Living. The position posting will close on May 1, 2024. Current state employees not in the class or seniority unit or are on probation may apply via self-service by searching for job ID: 75710. Applicants who are not current state employees can apply through the state career site with this link: Aging & Adult Services Division Director; Executive Director, MN Board on Aging.
Age-Friendly Council Seeks Ideas for Blueprint
4/10/24 - Adam Suomala
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council is actively working on the development of a 10-year multi-sector Blueprint for aging. Grounded in the feedback from thousands of Minnesotans, the work is starting to move into a draft phase and all are invited to review the four domains taking shape, then click on the corresponding "Share Your Ideas" button to review emerging strategies, objectives, and offer tactics to help Minnesota move forward. All ideas are welcome and will be reviewed.
Older Minnesotans and Nature
4/9/24 - Adam Suomala
As one of the many new resources emerging from the Age-Friendly Minnesota community grants, Joelle Hoeft has produced this Field Scan of Older Adults in Nature in Minnesota - a beginning point to start conversations with policymakers, funders, community leaders, friends, families, neighbors, and anyone who can imagine taking steps to strengthen access to nature for older people. You can access the electronic report on the Age-Friendly Minnesota Resources page.
Welcome Kate Seng
4/3/24 - Adam Suomala
Kate joined the staff team in April 2024 to serve as Co-Convener of the Finish Strong Funders Network. In this role, she provides support and technical assistance to Minnesota’s public and private funders of aging services and works to ensure vibrant communities in Minnesota support and recognize the assets and needs of older adults.
Seng has a BA in Political Science from St. Catherine University and a Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Number of Unhoused Older Minnesotans Grows
4/2/24 - Adam Suomala
Our members at Wilder Research released their 2023 homeless study, which while finding a decrease in Minnesota homelessness since 2018, also showed serious concerns remain. In particular, older adults (age 55+) were the only age group that saw an increase from 2018 (7%).
Learn more about their most recent one-day statewide study held on October 26, 2023 to better understand the prevalence and circumstances of those experiencing homelessness. Additional details linked below or you can access a fact sheet here.
Reframe Aging Minnesota
4/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Minnesotans are living longer and healthier lives, but the way we think about aging has not changed. Ageism and implicit bias toward age continues to impact our state. Join the Reframe Aging Minnesota effort, featuring Trish D'Antonio, Executive Director of the National Center to Reframe Aging - the trusted source for communication strategies and tools to effectively frame aging issues. All are welcome for this a special free introduction session where everyone can learn more about the power of research-based framing strategies.
Welcome Kate Grathwol
4/1/24 - Adam Suomala
A former Delegate and Board member for the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, Kate Grathwol joined the staff team in March 2024 to lead efforts related to Age-Friendly Minnesota grantmaking. In her role as a consultant, she will help to ensure as streamlined and equitable a process as possible for Technical Assistance Providers and community grantees.
Grathwol has a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, an MS in Vision Rehabilitation from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and a Ph.D from Walden University.
March 2024
Transportation and Aging: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Communities
3/25/24 - Adam Suomala
Join our members at the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, in partnership with the Center for Transportation Studies, for a free interactive webinar exploring transportation and aging, with a focus on challenges and opportunities in rural areas. Join Lisa D'Ambrosio, a Research Scientist at the MIT Age Lab for this first in this two-part Spring Speaker Series. This event will also feature three panelists of diverse professional backgrounds from Minnesota sharing experiences and recommendations on transportation for older adults in rural areas.
DARTS celebrates 50 Years
3/25/24 - Adam Suomala
Since 1974, DARTS has served older adults, their families, and caregivers in the southeast metro. Their mission to create connections that enrich aging works to empower independence as we age. This year, DARTS celebrates 50 years of creating connections. We invite you to celebrate by sharing your stories, and staying tuned for upcoming events and activities to celebrate half a century making a difference in the community.
Green House Nursing Homes:
More Than a Promising Innovation
3/25/24 - Adam Suomala
The 2024 Robert L. Kane Memorial Lecture in Long-Term Care offers a look into the 380 Green House homes across 33 states and research related to care and outcomes with Sheryl Zimmerman, a Distinguished Professor of Social Work and Public Health at the University of North Carolina. Attendees can select from the free virtual session or in-person at the University of Minnesota Campus Club in Minneapolis. The event also features Susan Ryan, CEO of the Center for Innovation - the parent organization of the Green House Project and Pioneer Network.
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
John F. Kennedy
Serving Culturally Diverse Populations
3/22/24 - Adam Suomala
In this one-hour Catalyst Conversation Andrew Savitz helped tee up a discussion on research, barriers, and solutions to meeting a diversity of person-directed needs, including discussions about cultural, religious and spiritual diversity across Minnesota. Together, we dug into the changing role of technology, partnerships, and other enabling resources to help aging services providers serve Minnesota’s increasingly diverse older adult population.
Changing How We Think and Talk About Aging
3/20/24 - Adam Suomala
Yesterday on The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, I stopped by for a brief conversation about how Minnesota is changing our lens on what it means to have older people working in a variety of roles. From understanding trends in the workforce to getting beyond ageist stereotypes in our everyday conversations, we're using the #agefriendlymn domains to start shifting our understanding and approach to building a state where we can thrive at every age.
Age-Friendly Arrowhead
3/18/24 - Adam Suomala
Hear Georgia Lane from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging lead this look at the regional and statewide progress being made towards an age-friendly blueprint, plus several examples of regional grantees and projects now underway.
WEAAD Conference Coming June 13
3/15/24 - Adam Suomala
Join our members at the Minnesota Elder Justice Center for the 18th Annual Minnesota World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Conference in Brooklyn Center, where 400+ aging, criminal justice and victim service professionals working with older and vulnerable victims will elevate the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation by sharing best practices for prevention and intervention. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Justin Ramsdell, a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at George Mason University.
MASS Conference Coming May 2-3
3/11/24 - Adam Suomala
Join our members at the Minnesota Association of Senior Services for their Annual Conference in Hinkley, where leaders from across the state will gather to network, elect leadership and explore best practices in having difficult conversations. Featured presentations also include Colleen Frisch on Dementia Friends and Paul Blom on understanding the older LGBT community.
HIV and Aging
3/8/24 - Adam Suomala
Life expectancy for people living with HIV now mirrors a normal life expectancy, creating a need to foster a deeper understanding on the experiences, concerns, and triumphs of those aging with HIV. Hear Bill Tiedeman from Trellis and friends explore the experiences of those aging with HIV, featuring community members with lived experience as well as state and national experts outlining the needed policies and programs to age well.
MNHPC Conference Coming April 8-9
3/8/24 - Adam Suomala
Join our members at the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care for their exciting return to an in-person Annual Conference at the Radisson Blu - Mall of America, where just like bees, who work together to create something much greater than themselves, we too are at our best coming together to collaborate.
MGS Conference Coming April 18-19
3/4/24 - Adam Suomala
Join our members at the Minnesota Gerontological Society for their 48th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, where 350+ aging service providers, researchers, faculty, students, and more convene under the "Building Bridges" with tracks focused on leadership, clinical, social supports, research and innovation.
February 2024
Register Today: Reframe Aging Minnesota
2/19/24 - Adam Suomala
Minnesotans are living longer and healthier lives, but the way we think about aging has not changed. Ageism and implicit bias towards age continues to negatively impact our efforts.
After a successful first session on February 15 with over 440 attendees, you won't want to miss this March 15 session. Be one of the first leaders in the state to apply powerful research-based framing strategies in your work and help people think differently about aging. Register now!
Delegate Profile: Briana Joyner
2/19/24 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is pleased to welcome Briana Joyner as the incoming Delegate for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.
Joyner is stepping from her role as Board Chair into an Interim Executive Director role for the organization as they conduct a search for their next leader. This comes following the departure of our outgoing MN Leadership Council on Aging Chair, Jonathan Palmer.
Briana can be reached at bjoyner@hallieqbrown.org
Reframe Aging Minnesota
2/1/24 - Adam Suomala
Co-led by the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation at the University of Minnesota and MN Leadership Council on Aging thanks to the support of several leading organizations, Minnesota is bringing in experts from the National Center to Reframe Aging for a series of sessions to help us learn how to effectively communicate and change how people think about aging.
All are welcome! These programs are no-cost or low-cost and the audience includes many people who regularly communicate about aging in healthcare, public health, government, the media, social services, etc. For questions, contact
adam@mnlcoa.org or
moon0060@umn.edu.
January 2024
What Vulnerability Isn't
1/6/24 - Adam Suomala
People often ask me, "what are you listening to right now" or "are you reading anything good?" Today, I'm sharing a fun and profound conversation between two of my favorite researchers, thinkers and translators in this ongoing journey to understand leadership.
If you aren't familiar with Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, I suggest starting at the beginning with this interview with Brené Brown on what it looks like for us to have armor at work and how to shed it. While you may be familiar with her work around the power of vulnerability at work or how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, this conversation dives into a key insight that many leaders forget: boundaries.
Coming Soon: Reframing Aging
1/1/24 - Adam Suomala
As we age, each of us is redefining norms for what it means to live fully. Yet all too often, the way people think and talk about aging remains stuck in outdated narratives and ageist messages that effectively keep obsolete policies, practices, and programs in place. The research-based principles of Reframing Aging are an antidote to this toxic thinking.
Work ahead this year represents a major undertaking, with a budget of more than $65,000 to fully execute all events, and would not be possible without leading organizations stepping up to show support. In partnership with the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation at the University of Minnesota, we still have more funds to raise, so contact adam@mnlcoa.org today to explore sponsorship.
"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded, it is a relationship between equals. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity."
Pema Chödrön
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