Build Connections to Make an Impact

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Kari Thurlow

LeadingAge Minnesota is more than an association. It’s a community built on a foundation of meaningful relationships and a common understanding of what it means to be an aging services professional. Our shared experiences help us know deeply the profound impact chronic underfunding of senior care services has on the well-being of professional caregivers, their families, and the people we serve.

And the data confirm what senior care professionals already know:

• 11,000—that’s the number of times seniors and their families were denied admissions in one month. 
• 20%—that's the percentage of open positions in Minnesota’s senior care sector.
• 50,000 – that’s the number of older adults who will turn 80 over the next five years. Our state is aging, and we are not prepared.

Action begins with connection

So, what are we going to do about it? We will redouble our efforts to call on lawmakers to fully fund senior care. We are asking them to refocus their priorities to include seniors in their vision for the future of this state and recall our shared values to make Minnesota a great place to grow old.

We will do it by leveraging a skill that you inherently possess as a senior care professional by making meaningful connections with the people around you. Because we come together with others who share our values and passion for serving older adults, we can accomplish much more than we ever could on our own.

When all of us take small steps to share the story of Minnesota’s aging population and the dedicated and compassionate caregivers working day in and day out to provide care, our collective voices will make a change for today’s seniors and those who will follow them

Start with a small step – contact your lawmaker

We encourage you to start with a small step. Use your voice to email your lawmakers so they know that seniors and their caregivers must be a priority. This simple action is the start of a conversation that will help those at the Capitol understand who we are, what we do, and the power we have.

Taking advocacy to the next level

When you’re ready to take your advocacy a step further, we’re here to help. Here are ways you can engage during this legislative session to make sure your voice is heard:

• Join the Champions Network: Contact Dan Nelson to learn about the Champions Network
• Attend the LeadingAge Minnesota's Day at the Capitol: Register and join us on March 13
• Host decision-makers into your setting: Use our worksheet to plan a visit or reach out for assistance
• Share your story in the media: contact Libbie Chapuran if you’d like to author an opinion piece
• Donate to the LeadingAge Minnesota Political Action Committee: visit our website for more information about the power of our PAC

These connections allow us to achieve so much more than we ever could on our own. Together, we can build a brighter future for all Minnesota’s seniors, their families, and the dedicated professional caregivers who serve them daily.