Aging Affects Us All

The number of Minnesotans turning 65 in this decade (about 285,000) will be greater than the past four decades combined, and by 2030 more than 1 in 5 Minnesotans will be 65 or older.

Whether we're students, educators, researchers, or caregivers, there is no doubt that aging affects us all. Across the health sciences, we're training a workforce, as well as community members, to care for older individuals and communities through:

• The MN Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (MN GWEP), which has created a comprehensive repository of educational resources to teach age-friendly care.
• The Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism conducts collaborative and transdisciplinary aging research and teaches the next generation of experts in the biology of aging.
• Dementia Resources from MN GWEP, including Dementia Educational Experience Roadshow (DEER), an educational program that offers critical skills training and education for caregivers, families, communities and health professionals; dementia Q&A webinars, and Dementia Friends, which offers interprofessional learning opportunities for students and opportunities for community outreach.
• The Caring for People with Memory Loss Conference on June 4, a lively, informative discussion related to memory loss, caregiving tips, and what you can do to help. This event is free and open to the public.
• Age-Friendly University Day on June 20, a day filled with discussions on finding purpose in life, age-friendly communities, and dementia.
• The Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition, a unique opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students from multiple disciplines and schools at the University to come together as a team to develop a comprehensive, interprofessional plan of care for an older adult.

We are all confronted with learning to care for older loved ones and considering our own futures as we age. It is important for Minnesota that this University has many experts, programs, and resources ready to help.