DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Proclamation Of May 2026 As Older Americans Month In Dakota County
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Every May, the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults. This year the theme is: “Champion Your Health," promoting wellness, prevention, and personal responsibility for healthy aging.
OUTCOMES
Public Health’s Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) Initiative:
• The Fall Prevention Project works with fire departments in West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Burnsville, Eagan, and recently added Hastings and Rosemount to lower lift assists and falls for older adults, educating aging residents about fall prevention and available resources, programs, and services. In 2025, there were 110 referrals made from three fire departments and 73 clients contacted by Community Health Workers and the CFL Program Manager.
• In partnership with the GoDakota travel training program, CFL offered rideshare trainings for older adults in 2025: 73 people attended three rideshare trainings in Dakota County. The trainings are designed to teach older adults how to use Lyft/Uber as a transportation option.
Community Services and Supports for Older Adults:
These programs are designed to support people living in their homes to remain as independent as possible. The programs are: Alternative Care, Elderly Waiver, Essential Community Supports.
• The programs serve people who are age 65 and over (single or married), who are living in their own home/apartment or in assisted living. All programs include the service of case management.
• The person must have a physical or medical need for services and meet the person’s assessed needs.
• Available services in Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver programs: skilled nurse visits, home health aide, personal care attendant/Community First services and supports, caregiver education and training, homemaker, home delivered meals/congregate dining, Senior Companion, medical supplies and equipment.
• If someone does not meet service level of care for Alternative Care or Elderly Waiver, they may qualify for Essential Community Supports (ECS): Adult Day Program, caregiver training and education, chore services, community living assistance, home delivered meals, homemaking services, personal emergency response system.
• In 2025, there were 663 initial assessments completed for over age 65 programs.
• In 2025, there were 165 individuals who opened Elderly Waiver within Dakota County and then were transferred to managed care plans. A Dakota County assessor completes the initial assessment, and Dakota County case managers initiate services for an individual prior to them going to a managed care plan.
• In 2026, for individuals open for ongoing support, there are currently 290 individuals open to Alternative Care case management, 255 open to Elderly Waiver case management, and 8 open to Essential Community Supports case management within Dakota County.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
To encourage residents to observe Older Americans Month and recognize older Americans' contributions to the county, staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaim the month of May 2026, as Older Americans Month in Dakota County.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, every May, the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 theme is: “Champion Your Health," promoting wellness, prevention, and personal responsibility for healthy aging.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2026 Older Americans Month as a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Gina Pistulka
Author: Jess Luce