PROTECT AGING IN NORTH WEST MINNESOTA
PREVENT CUTS
Your comments directly inform
the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA).
Help MBA create an equitable
Intrastate Funding Formula
for rural Minnesota.
The intrastate funding formula (IFF), or allocation formula, is used to allocate federal Older American Action (OAA) funds to Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). That funding is distributed to local communities to support older adults.
Heather Pender, Director of Dancing Sky, asks you to provide your comments during the Minnesota Board on Aging’s (MBA) public comment period.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ENDED MAY 3RD.
ENCOURAGE YOUR STATE AND COUNTY LEADERS TO PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS.
ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO PROVIDE COMMENT.
TAKE ACTION!
Rural communities are facing closed hospitals or unreachable health care services, a deepened digital divide, lost jobs at industries economically anchoring rural communities, and greater food insecurity for older adults. The need for a conversation around rural service funding seems more important than ever. How do we value and support aging in rural communities? Reach out to your state and county elected officials regarding the intrastate funding formula.
THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT:
THE PAYER OF LAST RESORT
The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds critical services that keep our nation's seniors healthy and independent-critical services like meals, homemaker, chore, 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 our rural communities. Additionally, rural Minnesota does not have robust philanthropic funding or a booming network of non-profits to step in and fill gaps when needed. Therefore, it is imperative that Older Americans Act funding is allocated in a way that affords rural Minnesotans the same opportunities, such as timely access to needed services, as the Metro area population.
CHALLENGES
TO PROVIDING SERVICES
IN RURAL ENVIRONMENT
Limited Infrastructure
Few transportation options and poorly maintained roads
Older housing in need of repairs, limited affordable senior housing
Limited technology in some areas, including broadband
Dispersed Population
Distance between sparse populations and disincentives for providers to serve rural area
Distance hampers older adults' access to services in the community.
Demographic and Economic Trends
Working-age adults leaving rural areas
Smaller workforce pool for providers.
Fewer family members and volunteers to help older adults
Growing aging population eligible for services, including some high-need older adults
SOURCE: GAO.GOV
WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CUTS?
Nutrition: Meals on Wheels, Congregate Dining
Homemaker: Grocery & Medication Delivery, In-home Help
Chore: Snow removal, Lawn care
Transportation: Free Trips to Doctor's Visits, Shopping, and Social Gatherings
Caregiver Services: Adult Day Programs, Respite
