Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging

10/20/2026

Last month, Age-Friendly Virginia MN took the next step in the process of becoming an Age-Friendly Community and presented their Action Plan to the City Council. 🌟

Congrats to the team that made this happen!

View the action plan: https://bit.ly/AFVirginiaActionPlan

To learn more about Age-Friendly Communities: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Ecolibrium3 for being awarded a Dementia grant to expand and "[,,,] strengthen the local dementia “ecosystem” by embedding dementia awareness and education, community memory screening and caregiving support in its community hub model of outreach and programming." 🎉

Community partners for this grant include: Duluth Age-Friendly Essentia Health

Minnesota Board on Aging grants will support people with dementia, those who care for them Eight organizations across Minnesota will use state grant funds to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis and connect caregivers to resources. Nearly $750,000 in grants will go out this fall from the Minnesota Board on Aging.

“These funds support not only people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but their family and friends, who play such a critical role in caregiving,” said Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Alzheimer’s alone impacts some 120,000 Minnesotans over age 65. And of the family and friends caring for them, 25 percent are ‘sandwich caregivers’ who balance caring for an aging friend or relative with raising children.” https://mn.gov/board-on-aging/news-and-events/news-stories.jsp?id=1141-770419

10/14/2026

📋Join Justice North and Koochiching Aging Options later this month at the International Falls Public Library for a FREE Advance Planning Community Workshop!

Have you been putting off creating your healthcare directive or power of attorney? Now's your chance to get it done with expert help!

Join us for a free Get Your Ducks in a Row workshop in Grand Marais, where you'll receive personal guidance on completing your advance planning documents — and walk out with them finished.

📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
🕑 2:30 – 4:30 PM
📍 International Falls Public Library, 750 4th Street, International Falls, MN

Led by elder law experts from Justice North, this workshop covers healthcare directives, power of attorney, and other essential planning documents. All forms provided. Space is limited — registration is required.

🔗 Register at: https://bit.ly/DucksIntFalls

Visit https://ducksinarowmn.org to access free recorded webinars, downloadable resources, and information on advance planning for all ages.

Advance planning is one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself and the people you love. Please share with your friends and family in the area!

10/13/2026

📅 Make your plan to vote in Minnesota’s General Election on November 3, 2026.

Go to mnvotes.gov today. Cast your ballot and help keep Minnesota #1 in voter turnout.

Voting is easier when you make a plan. In Minnesota that means knowing:
📅 when you’ll vote
🗳 where you’ll vote
✉ if vote early or by mail.

Take two minutes to plan your vote at mnvotes.gov, your future self will thank you.

✅ A plan turns good intentions into action. Minnesota voters can choose Election Day, early voting, or voting by mail. Whatever works best for you! Make your voting plan today. Get the details at mnvotes.gov and help keep Minnesota #1 in voter turnout!

10/12/2026

What a day! Over 100 community members, older adults, and professionals from various sectors joined us for Nature As We Age, and the energy in the room was inspiring. 🌲

Our keynote speaker, naturalist and author Larry Weber, shared how he found nature, how his connection to it has changed over the years, and how it has stayed the same.

We also heard from Joelle Hoeft, author of “A Field Scan of Older Adults and Nature in Minnesota,” who walked us through the benefits of nature for older adults and the barriers we need to consider. A few of our key takeaways:
- Outdoor activities can be a great way for older adults to socialize
- Many older adults appreciate the physical health benefits of spending time in nature
- Address transportation as a barrier
- Ensure access to accessible bathrooms in all seasons
- Ask older adults what is meaningful to them

📖 Read the full report: https://bit.ly/OlderAdultsAndNature-FieldScan

In the afternoon, a panel of regional organizations shared how they champion age-inclusive, nature-based programs and Georgia Lane, Director of Aging Initiatives at Ecolibrium3, led us through a collective action exercise focused on finding ways our communities can make nature more welcoming for older adults.

Thank you to our panelists: Taylor Holm, Northland Foundation AGE to age, Wendy Larrivy, University for Seniors, University of Minnesota Duluth, Charlie Miller, Superior Hiking Trail Association, Carol Christenson, Master Gardener's Houseplants for Seniors, Rebeka Ndosi, Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary, and Lisa Porthan, Northwoods Partners

A special thank you to our partners at Age Friendly Minnesota, Duluth Age-Friendly, Northland Foundation, Ecolibrium3, and Duluth Aging Support for your support in making this event a success!

10/10/2026

Meet the EDP team! 👋

Our October newsletter features an article detailing the work of the Eldercare Development Partnership program (EDP). Working across systems that shape older adults’ lives—local government, human services, healthcare, community development, and the nonprofit sector— the EDP team brings an aging lens to decisions that might otherwise overlook them.

Lori Kangas Olson, Community Development Lead; Jess Langer, Outreach and Advocacy Specialist; and Brenda Shafer-Pellinen, Program Development Specialist work together across seven counties in northeastern Minnesota to strengthen the system itself rather than serving individuals one-on-one. You’ll find them out in the community—in classrooms, libraries, senior centers, and Tribal communities across the region—convening partners, delivering trainings, and building the local capacity communities need to support older adults well.

📩To read the full newsletter and find upcoming events and webinars, visit: https://mailchi.mp/ardc/aaaa-newsletter-october-2026-update

🔗To subscribe to our newsletter, visit: https://arrowheadaging.org/contact/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page

10/10/2026

🧠According to research, older individuals with more positive attitudes about aging can live up to 7.5 years longer than those with less positive attitudes.

This , we encourage you to share one thing you're excited about when it comes to aging in the comments below!.

It’s time to tell a new story about aging!

10/07/2026

👂 Join us in TWO WEEKS for, "Understanding Hearing Loss in Later Life," on October 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

As we age, hearing loss can affect much more than our ability to hear conversations. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a range of health and quality-of-life challenges, making early awareness and support important.

This webinar covers the impacts of age-related hearing loss, its connection to other health conditions, and practical tools for staying connected, including assistive technology, communication strategies, resources, and accommodations.

🔗 Register at: https://bit.ly/AAAAOct2026webinar

❓ With questions or for help registering contact Jess at [email protected] or 218-529-7520.

09/30/2026

👂Join us in TWO WEEKS for, "Understanding Hearing Loss in Later Life," on October 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

As we age, hearing loss can affect much more than our ability to hear conversations. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a range of health and quality-of-life challenges, making early awareness and support important.

This webinar covers the impacts of age-related hearing loss, its connection to other health conditions, and practical tools for staying connected, including assistive technology, communication strategies, resources, and accommodations.

🔗Register at: https://bit.ly/AAAAOct2026webinar

❓With questions or for help registering contact Jess at [email protected] or 218-529-7520.

09/29/2026

Volunteer Drivers Needed in the Hibbing Area! 🚗

Retired? Semi-retired? Looking for a way to make a difference?
A few hours a month can provide transportation to older adults to medical appointments!

As a volunteer, you'll enjoy...

- A Flexible Schedule
-Mileage reimbursement of $.70 per mile to/from the volunteer’s home and to/from the medical appointment
-Volunteer 55+ who are enrolled in ElderCircle’s Volunteer Services (AmeriCorps) are exempt from claiming mileage reimbursement as income

Call Jennine at 218-999-9233 EXT 284 to get started today! 🌟