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Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Monthly Resource Updates

September 2023 Resource Update


Before You Throw Out "Expired" COVID-19 Tests:

Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

COVID cases have been increasing across the nation with a 12% increase in hospitalization rates over the last couple weeks.


REMINDER: 1 in 4 Minnesotans will need to renew their healthcare coverage: Learn what it means for you or someone you know

https://mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/

DHS is encouraging everyone enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare to use this website to determine how to update their contact information so that they receive their re-enrollment materials when their time comes. You can also opt in to receive a text message to let you know your enrollment paperwork has been sent. Be sure that your contact information is up-to-date.


RainbowHealth.org: Slow Flow Yoga with Val

Sundays, starting September 3 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am Virtual

We'll do some meditation, gentle yoga, and light vinyasa to help you wind down from the week! ALL levels are welcome. Tune into this event page to watch via Facebook Live. Val will go live at 10:00, and hold a few minutes for any technical difficulties.


FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION WEBINARS

Lifeway Mobility: Hospital to Home Webinars

Wednesday, September 27th, 1 pm Bathroom Safety and Transfer Solutions Wednesday, October 25th, 1 pm Modifications for Home Accessibility

American Society on Aging: Exploring Ways to Pay for In-Home Care

Sponsored by Right at Home

Thursday, October 12, 12 pm Virtual



HOUSING RELATED RESOURCES Fresh Rights for Minnesota Renters: Here's a Guide Newly passed legislation evens the playing field between landlords and tenants, housing advocates say. Some of the new landlord-tenant laws are highly technical, and most won’t be in effect until next year. Sahan Journal has a roundup of some of the new laws. https://sahanjournal.com/housing/new-minnesota-laws-on-renters-rights/?mc_cid=8af3623912 HUD Minnesota Affordable Housing Guide This is a (2020) list of various resources, including lists of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and other subsidized housing and miscellaneous resources. English Version Press.indd (hud.gov)

Minnesota Homeownership Center

Whether you’re looking for rehab and repair programs, guidance around mortgage refinancing, entering into a reverse mortgage or avoiding foreclosure, our advisors can help you keep your home safe and move forward from a foundation designed for long-term success.

Guide To Foreclosure Prevention (hocmn.org)

Homeowners who need immediate assistance should contact your loan servicer or a foreclosure prevention counselor here.

Foreclosure counseling is available for Minnesota homeowners free of charge.

August 2023 Resource Update

Senior Services Consortium of Ramsey County

UPCOMING CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

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Adult Children Caregivers Virtual Support Group

The Wilder Foundation is offering a caregiver support group for anyone caring for a parent, grandparent or other parental figure with any condition. This group meets virtually.

Group Dates: Third Wednesday of the month, 6:00-7:30 pm.

Link to more information: Support Groups for Caregivers, Wilder Foundation, or contact 651-280-2273.

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Caregiver Support Group in Roseville

Caregiver Support Group offered at the Roseville Area Senior Program provides information, resources, and valuable emotional support.

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Caregiver Crash Course via Zoom

Everyone searching for help with their caregiver journey is welcome to the new Caregiver Crash Course, an educational series hosted by Jewish Family Services of St. Paul on different aspects of caregiving. These classes will be part educational and part participatory with an opportunity for caregivers to learn from and share with each other. Register for one or more of the classes, all free and open to the public. Contact Tara at tburns@jfssp.org (763) 300-3146 or Bonnie at bjaffe@jfssp.org (651) 497-8248 for more information and to register and receive the Zoom link. Sessions will include:

  • Caregiver Grief and Loss Thursday, August 17, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Learn about different kinds of grief and loss caregivers and care receivers may experience and how to move through those experiences.

  • Improving Communication Skills Thursday, September 7, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Improve identification and communication of feelings, needs and concerns and how to best express yourself in a variety of caregiving situations. Learn skillful ways to communicate with the care receiver including listening, processing, and responding.

  • Quality Caregiving in the Home Thursday, October 19, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Hear thought-provoking questions that can help you identify quality care, resources and recommendations for in-home caregiving.

  • Quality Caregiving in a Facility Thursday, November 9, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Hear thought-provoking questions that can help you identify quality care, resources and recommendations for caregiving in a facility.

  • Caregiver Resources Thursday, December 14, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Part of taking care of ourselves is knowing about community resources we can turn to for support and assistance. We will explore and discuss known resources and direct and indirect support to assist caregivers. Bring the resources and experiences you’ve found helpful to share with others.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

In-home Respite Resource:

BrightPath In-Home Respite Service Now Available


American Society on Aging FREE Webinar:

Geriatric Care Ethics: Understanding Autonomy, Capacity and Personal Bias

Sponsored by Right at Home. August 23 | 12:00 pm Central Time


American Society on Aging Article:

Key Financial Planning Considerations for Solo Agers


July 2023 Resource Update

How Much Does a Wheelchair Ramp Cost in 2023?

It depends! There are several factors that influence the price of a home accessibility wheelchair ramp. To explore further, check out Lifeway Mobility’s latest blog post: How Much Does a Wheelchair Ramp Cost? Or call Lifeway Mobility (888) 714-1930 to set up a free quote.

There are nonprofits that help to pay for and install wheelchair ramps and other accessibility features for those who qualify. Among them are:


Gibbs Farm Public Hours & Tours

Visit Gibbs Farm Fridays (12:00-3:00) and Saturdays (10:00-4:00). Take a guided tour, visit the farm animals or snap some pictures in the prairie. Guided tours are offered on the hour.


Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children 4-16, free for children 3 and under. RCHS Members visit Gibbs Farm for free! Credit & debit card purchases preferred.


Gibbs Farm is located at 2097 Larpenteur Ave W, Falcon Heights, MN 55113. Parking is free in our lot off Cleveland Avenue. Enter Gibbs Farm through the small white building just south of the parking lot.


For more information: (651) 646-8629, https://rchs.com/events/

Telephone Equipment Distribution Program

The Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program provides wireless or landline devices free to eligible Minnesotans who have difficulty using the phone due to a hearing loss, speech difficulties or other disability making it difficult to use a telephone. Contact by Voice or your preferred relay service: (651) 431-5945 or (800) 657-3663.


Who qualifies? There are four qualifications.

  • Live in Minnesota.

  • Have a hearing loss, speech or physical disability that limits your use of a standard phone.

  • Have a landline or wireless phone service or have applied for phone service.

  • Have family income within the following guidelines (effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023). Income guidelines are updated each year in October.

To apply, go to the website for more information and the application: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-4005-ENG

Please note on the applications the referral came from Meals on Wheels.


Equipment is provided to eligible Minnesotans though not the phone service itself. There are programs that can help defray costs for phone service. Please view the MN Department of Commerce phone/internet discounts information at:

https://mn.gov/commerce/consumer/telecom/phone-discounts/



UCare Medicare Value & Value Plus Members

Starting July 1, you may be eligible for 60 hours of companion services per calendar year. These services include:

  • Household chores: light cleaning, laundry and pet care

  • Cooking: meal preparation and clean up

  • Companionship: board games, cards and conversation

  • Grocery shopping: shopping with you or for you

  • Transportation: rides to and from medical appointments, stores and other locations

If you are a UCare Medicare Value or Value Plus member and want to join the companion program, call 1-833-951-3193, or UCare Customer Service at 612-676-3600.


Minnesota Non-Emergency Transportation

MNET provides transportation to medical appointments for people on Medical Assistance, some pregnant women, and children on MinnesotaCare who have no other transportation available.

If you are enrolled in a managed health care plan, call your plan for transportation assistance.

  • Medica: 952-992-2292

  • Health Partners: 952-883-7400

  • UCare: 612-676-6830

  • Blue Plus: 651-662-8648­­­­

Resources and reimbursement

If you need reimbursement for mileage and parking expenses even if you are in a health plan, or if you receive your care "fee for service" and need assistance with medical transportation, call MTM at 1-866-467-1724.


White Bear Area Guide to Senior Services

2023 Update Now Available

The White Bear Area Senior Program just published their updated Guide to Senior Services - a directory of programs serving residents in the communities of the White Bear Area School District. Most of these programs also serve the wider Ramsey County area.


To access the guide online: https://communityservices.isd624.org/adults-seniors/programs

or pick up a printed copy at:

White Bear Area Senior Program at

Normandy Park Education Center, 2484 E County Rd. F, White Bear Lake

Call (651) 653-3121 for more information


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