Health & Wellbeing

The latest release of AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard depicts a worsening crisis from coast to coast, including Minnesota. In the four-week period ending December 20, 62.2% of nursing homes in Minnesota reported residents with confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 92.4% with at least one staff member diagnosed.

Gifts for Seniors - Twin Cities is hosting their Annual Holiday Gift Drive for isolated seniors. Learn more about how you can brighten the holiday season for an isolated older adult in need.

New AARP Public Policy Institute paper outlines recommendations for long-term care quality improvements 

In-person visits in jeopardy for many as holidays approach.

Earlier this year, AARP Minnesota sent out a survey across the state for input to help create a Minnesota that is a better place to grow up and grow old.

To ensure that families can reach their relatives when in-person visits aren’t possible during the coronavirus pandemic, AARP Minnesota is pressing state officials to require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to improve communication.

Whether you’re working full-time, part-time or as a volunteer, already retired or just beginning to think about it, you’re likely spending a lot more time at home thanks to the coronavirus. While not having to get showered and dressed to impress may be a positive, spending time at your computer can be tough on your body, especially if you don’t have a dedicated workspace.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released new visitation guidance for long-term care facilities to address social isolation. Residents in Minnesota’s long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, are highly vulnerable to COVID-19. The new guidelines are consistent with new federal guidance in nursing homes, which eases the restrictions on in-person visitations for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

In March, AARP Minnesota conducted a survey to understand Minnesotan's top concerns when it comes to COVID-19 and the current pandemic. AARP Minnesota received 371 responses from e-activists who answered questions related to health, finances and community.

Authors: Ken Zaiken & Kate Schaefers, AARP MN Executive Council Members