December 2024

Why We Recently Invested $1.8 Million In the Health and Well-Being of Seniors in Rural Minnesota

On December 4, 2024 by Gina DiMaggio

The holiday season provides a unique time for reflection. This year, as we gather with loved ones and reflect on all we’re grateful for, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is thankful for our elders and excited to help tackle challenges they face in rural areas of the state.

Supporting Rural Communities

With a recent $1.8 million dollar investment, dispersed among three distinct rural communities, the “Connected Communities” project will help improve the lives of older adults in rural Minnesota. This transformative funding will empower Guardian Angels Senior Living (Elk River), Bethesda (Willmar), and St. John’s Lutheran Community (Albert Lea) to further their respective missions to serve seniors by helping those outside of their communities age in place with enhanced well-being, connectivity, and support.

These three new communities join Vivie (Alexandria) and Perham Health (Perham) in developing more coordinated and holistic systems of support for older adults. Check out the map below to see where Connected Communities work is happening across Minnesota.

Unique Challenges

Aging in rural areas presents unique challenges, but the Connected Communities project seeks to transform this experience by creating cohesive community ecosystems that support older adults in every aspect of their lives—physically, emotionally, and socially. With this grant, each of these providers are poised to bridge gaps in healthcare, reducing social isolation, and streamlining communication across rural care services.

Each has developed innovative projects that will build a stronger, more supportive environment for seniors and their families, enabling them to enjoy a vibrant, fulfilling life surrounded by the community that values and appreciates them.

Kari Thurlow, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota, expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is committed to honoring and supporting older adults, especially in rural communities where resources can be scarce. We’re grateful for our members’ pioneering leadership in collaborating with their community to create meaningful, systemic improvements for older adults, their families, and the community as a whole.”

Learn More

While the three recent grant recipients are pilot projects that are just getting underway, you can learn more about the Connected Communities work happening in Alexandria and Perham here. We’re excited to share more Connected Communities updates in forthcoming editions of the Aging Forward newsletter.