Creating Communities for a Lifetime: Minnesota Success Stories

Overview

By 2030, older adults age 65+ will account for nearly 25 percent of Minnesota’s state population. According to the most recent Survey of Older Minnesotans, most Boomers want to remain in their homes for as long as possible as they age. They are much more likely to be able to age in place if they live in a community that supports its residents. The Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging produced this report to highlight success stories of communities in Minnesota that have made progress in allowing for successful aging in place by fostering communities for a lifetime.

Key Points

Success stories from communities throughout Minnesota were compiled for this report to discuss how their aging in place efforts got started, who was involved, what issues were addressed, and how these efforts are being maintained and evaluated. Essential elements of communities for a lifetime are addressed in the report and tools and resources to help communities establish such communities are also provided.

Featured success stories include:

1. Master Plan to Create a Community for a Lifetime in Carver County: This comprehensive plan addressed nine focus areas to create a community for a lifetime in this metro region of Minnesota, including housing and adaptive reuse of housing, transportation and mobility, long-term care, parks and recreation, and civic engagement, among other things.
2. The Cold Spring Walk n’ Wheel Club: This program pairs middle school student volunteers with older residents at Assumption Home, a continuum of care community in Cold Spring, to promote walking together around the community.

How to Use

The success stories presented in this report provide ideas and insight for planners and local officials seeking to improve community livability and allow for healthy aging in place. The successful plans and initiatives discussed in the report are worthwhile for planners, local officials, and community leaders to take a look at when creating community programs to get older adults more involved and engaged in their communities.

View the full report: Creating Communities for a Lifetime: Minnesota Success Stories (PDF – 7.6 MB)