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Agency on aging a source for seniors, caregivers
Published 12:00 p.m., November 10, 2008
Tysver
The dramatic rise in the numbers of older adults, particularly from the babyboomer generation, will impact Otter Tail County for many years to come. With this in mind, the West Central Area Agency on Aging, Fergus Falls, serves as an information source for seniors and their caregivers.
“All communities and rural areas in Otter Tail County will be affected by the increase in the number of older Americans,” said Program Manager Mark Tysver. “Decisions will affect the social, physical and fiscal fabric of our towns.”
The bulk of the funds come from the federal government’s Older Americans Act Title III dollars. The West Central Area Agency Aging is part of the 21-county Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging network.
“Our agency helps guide communities in developing new programs and services in response to area demands,” Tysver said. “We also serve as an information source for seniors and their caregivers.”
Tysver and his agency work in association with Senior Link Age that connects people with Medicare, prescription drug assistance, health insurance counseling, help with forms for medical assistance and Medicare options and long-term care insurance.
“It’s important that we develop a long-term care partnership,” Tysver said, “along with long-term care planning options, caregiver planning and support and grandparents raising grandchildren.”
The agency takes pride in connecting seniors and caregivers to services that help seniors make good decisions in order to maintain an independent quality of life. Those services include financial assistance, home care, housekeeping and chore services, Indian elder program, legal assistance, long-term care ombudsman, meal delivery and nutrition and transportation, to name a few.
In order to help plan for the future, the Land of Dancing Sky organization — including West Central Area Agency on Aging — is taking part in a statewide program called Transform 2010, preparing for Minnesota’s older age wave.
“We’re redefining work and retirement and supporting caregivers of all ages,” Tysver said, “while at the same time fostering communities for improving health and long-term care and maximizing use of technology.”
The agency partners with Otter Tail County Public Health. The senior coordinator is Lyle Hoxtell.
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For more information, contact the Senior Link Line at 1-800-333-2433.
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