Caregiving

No matter where you are in the caregiver journey, these local agencies and organizations can help make the process easier

For the first time since AARP began publishing the Scorecard in 2011, more than half of Medicaid long-term care dollars nationwide for older adults and people with physical disabilities went to home- and community-based services instead of nursing homes and other institutions.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which seeks to shine a bright light on the more than 48 million American heroes, including 530,000 here in Minnesota, helping care for their loved ones independently at home – where they want to be.

Sara Barsel has been awarded the 2023 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service for Minnesota. The annual award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award. It recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP’s purpose and vision. Their commitment to volunteer service embodies AARP's founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, belief in the power of ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Paths to Emotional Wellness

In Minnesota, nearly 450,000 residents 50-plus live on their own, up from more than 383,000 in 2012, U.S. census data shows. AARP Minnesota is working to help these solo agers develop support networks.

Caregiving may be one of the most important and challenging roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

AARP research attaches $10 billion value to the estimated 5 million hours of unpaid care that family caregivers provided in 2021. 

Chances are, if you aren’t a family caregiver yourself, you know someone who is. Every day, nearly 640,000 Minnesotans help their parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and other loved ones to live independently at home – where they want to be.

Caregivers at the Polls: What's at Stake for Caregivers and their Families this Election Year