Past Special Projects
MAAA has participated in special projects in the past.
Below are listed past initiatives and partnerships.
Return to current
special projects.
Elder Refugee Initiative
Pam
Zimmerman, Project Manager
Implementation of the Elder Refugee Project began in April, 2006. This
initiative is a two-year grant project funded by the Office of Refugee
Resettlement and designed to increase effectiveness of the information,
referral, and assistance systems for refugee elders, families, and
service providers. Thus far, the project has focused on identifying
unmet needs and trends within various communities including the Hmong,
Laotian, Vietnamese, Karen, Oromo, Somali, and Burmese. An advisory
committee with representation from refugee elders, caregivers, and
service providers will further guide project activities and advise on
the development of a web-based tool kit which will contain
Minnesota-specific information about services, rights, benefits, and
community long-term care options available to refugee elders. Upcoming
activities will include continued relationship building and information
gathering via focus groups, participating in community outreach events
to increase visibility of the project and service options among refugee
populations, and encouraging collaboration and resource sharing to
increase accessibility to mainstream services.
Encompass Project
The Encompass Project is a new model of health care for seniors in the
east metro. Health services are coordinated and delivered through the
clinic’s own staff in collaboration with a broad array of community
service providers. Home and community-based services are coordinated by
experienced care managers and by the community resource specialist (CRS)
at the clinic, in close cooperation with the physicians. A CRS from MAAA
is stationed at the clinic and works directly with senior patients and
caregivers. MAAA is assisting in project development and implementation.
Golden Tracks (2006-2007)
The focus of the Golden Tracks project is to build on the foundation of
the Aging & Disability Resource Center grant that Hennepin County
received through the Minnesota Board on Aging. This grant is directed at
providing people with information and tools to make informed choices
about long-term care as well as streamlining access to resources and
services. The information can be obtained in multiple ways: by telephone
(Senior LinkAge LineŽ), online (www.MinnesotaHelp.info)
(Off Site), in written form, and face-to-face.
Supporting Seniors Across Systems (2004-2005)
Leveraging the networks of health care professionals, area agencies
on aging, counties, and faith-based organizations the Supporting Seniors
project, funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Medica
Foundation, worked to:
- Inventory parish nurse and faith-based services in a 23 county
area.
- Create linkages between parish nurses, Living at Home Block Nurse
programs, counties, area agencies on aging, social service providers and
health care professionals through technology, referral tools, training
and other venues.
- Conduct information exchanges, mentoring and training in key
subjects such as risk management for faith-based
services.
- Provide a virtual learning center for faith-based service
development through the North Central Region Health Ministries Network (Off Site).
- Offer information about faith-based supports for seniors and
caregivers utilizing MinnesotaHelp.info (Off Site).
- Demonstrate the effectiveness of parish nursing to reduce
acute health care and long-term
care costs.
Vital Aging Network Technical Administration & Coordination (2003-2006)
The Vital Aging Network (Off Site) is a
network affiliated with the University of
Minnesota’s College of Continuing Education. VAN works to promote the
sharing of the strengths of individuals and organizations, which in turn
promotes and supports the self-sufficiency, community participation, and
quality of life of older adults. MAAA provides website
administration, distributes monthly Bulletin and Forum notes, provides
website planning and email and listserv administration as well as
coordination of VAN business meetings and forums. MAAA partnered with
VAN, Twin Cities Public Television and, Evercare to welcome Dr. Bill
Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative to speak at the
February 2006 VAN Forum.
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