The county, covering over 1,450 square miles and home to approximately 5,800 residents, is seeing a demographic shift with older adults now constituting about one-third of the population. This trend is expected to continue as more retirees move to the area and current residents age in place. The Board highlighted several issues impacting this demographic, including extreme weather, long distances between communities, and limited public transportation, all of which complicate access to essential services.

Housing emerged as a critical area of concern, with a noted gap between existing housing stock and the needs of older adults seeking to age in place. The Board discussed the need for accessible and affordable housing options, emphasizing the importance of one-level living, accessible design, and modifications such as grab bars to ensure safety and stability. Strategies were put forth to advocate for these housing changes and to provide healthy home assessments to facilitate age-friendly modifications.

Transportation was another major focus, with the Board acknowledging the increasing demand for non-emergency medical transportation. Proposed strategies included the recruitment of volunteer drivers and assessing the viability of the Boreal Transit project. The Board stressed the necessity for stable transportation resources and partnerships with regional transit efforts to meet the needs of the older adult community.

Efforts to improve communication and information accessibility for older adults were also discussed. The Board recognized the importance of ensuring that older adults receive timely and accurate information about available resources. An online guide, “Aging Well Resources,” developed by Care Partners, was cited as a tool to help older adults navigate the resources available to them. The Board agreed on the significance of including older adults in planning and communications related to severe weather and emergencies, highlighting the need for enhanced disaster preparedness.

The meeting also addressed the interconnectedness of health services, communication, and community support. The Board recognized the challenges older adults face in accessing specialty medical appointments and the need for transportation solutions. Efforts were made to identify and support community-based services that facilitate aging in place, with an emphasis on promoting existing resources such as elder outreach programs and care coordination services.

Social isolation and ageism were identified as additional challenges, and the Board discussed community programming aimed at enhancing social connections for older adults. The creation of a community event calendar was proposed to track engagement and assess unmet service needs within the community, including assisted living and hospice care.

Disaster preparedness was presented as a componet of the Board’s efforts. The integration of an age-friendly perspective into public health emergency planning was called for.

The meeting also provided an update on ongoing grant funding for age-friendly initiatives, which began in 2023 and will conclude in 2026. The Board discussed the structure of the grant, which supports local communities in pursuing age-friendly certification. While there is uncertainty about additional funding cycles, the Board was encouraged by the integration of age-friendly considerations into the public health assessment and planning processes.

Finally, the Board addressed items requiring action, including a mutual aid agreement among counties and tribal communities for emergency support and a biennial service agreement with the Department of Human Services for the Minnesota Family Investment Program. Both agreements were reviewed and approved unanimously.