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Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Monthly Resource Updates

Meals on Wheels Resource Update April 2025

    State Services for the Blind Announcement

    Good news for those with vision loss!  A new Minnesota law requires pharmacies to provide Braille and Large Print labels on prescription bottles upon request. While all pharmacies must offer these options by 2026, many have already started.

    Additional Free Accessible Prescription Options-–Ask Your Pharmacist!

      *   ScripTalk – A device or smartphone app that reads medication information aloud. Participating pharmacies place an RFID sticker on prescription bottles, which the ScripTalk device or app reads.

      *   CVS SpokenRX – Uses an RFID sticker that can be scanned with the free app. To sign up, visit or call your local CVS pharmacy.

      *   Walgreens Talking Pill Reminder – Talking prescription device that attaches to prescription bottles. Contact Walgreens Customer Service at 1-800-925-4733 ext. 4.

      *   Accessible Pharmacy – A mail-order pharmacy based in Pennsylvania that delivers medications and supplies to most states. To check eligibility, visit their website or call 215-799-9900.

    For more info. on State Services for the Blind Services for Seniors, call 651-539-2300 or go to: https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/seniors/


    REMINDERS!

    National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16th

    A health care directive, otherwise known as an advance directive or living will, is a document that contains instructions pertaining to your desired medical treatment in the event you can't make decisions on your own.  It can express your values and preferences and serves as a guide for your health care agent/decision maker, loved ones, and care providers. It provides crucial information about the type of care you desire and treatments you wish to avoid when circumstances prevent you from expressing your preferences directly. 


    You can find resources to help complete your Healthcare Directive at Honoring Choices. Their mission is to educate, empower, and inspire individuals to engage in comprehensive advance care planning so their healthcare preferences for the future will be expressed and honored. Despite how critical this resource is, 2 out of 3 U.S. adults have not completed one. There is no better time than now to create your healthcare directive!



    Nutrition & Physical Activity Resources for Older Adults


    Dementia Friends

    Join a one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session to increase your understanding of dementia and help make your community dementia friendly.  Learn five key messages about dementia, what it’s like to live with the disease and how to turn your understanding into action that supports people living with dementia.

    • You can find an upcoming free, one-hour Dementia Friends information session near you here. 

    • Don't see one that works? You can always contact us to host a session for your community here. 


    We hope you will join us for our second Dementia Champions (virtual) Meet Up of 2025 on Wednesday, April 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. We have a lot in store for 2025, and we hope you'll join us to share your success and learn about the exciting upcoming work. 


    And save the dates for the 2025 Meet Ups:  

    Every other second Wednesday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bring your lunch!  2025 dates: February 12, April 9, June 11, August 13, October 8, December 9.

    For the Zoom link email info@actonalz.org.


    The Gathering (Group Respite in St. Paul and Lion Lakes)

    The Gathering is a group respite program that provides four hours of activities and social engagement to adults experiencing early- to mid-stage memory loss, allowing their family members and/or friends to take a much-needed break from caregiving. 


    Contact Lyngblomsten Community Services at 651.632.5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

    Click here to learn more about The Gathering.

    Click here to learn more about volunteering with The Gathering.


    Meals on Wheels Resource Update March 2025

      NEW!

      Public Health in Public Places

      A pilot project from Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health placing public health nurses and community health workers on-site at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood, Frogtown Community Center and Rice Street Library to help individuals and communities with health information, screenings, referrals and scheduling appointments. Learn more about services, dates and times.


      MnCHOICES Information: New Intake Phone Number

      As part of efforts to streamline communication and improve access to services, Ramsey County is transitioning from using a direct MnCHOICES Intake number, 651-266-3613, to a centralized Social Services number, 651-266-4500. 


      Starting Friday, February 21st, Aging and Disability Services and MnCHOICES will have a new call menu structure that will include:


      • New language explaining the programs each area supports on the main Social Services line: 651-266-4500.

      • A clear, direct path for community members to reach the right team without needing to be transferred or given contact information.

      • All recorded call greetings and messaging will be available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen.


      Healthy Aging Initiative at St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health

      The Initiative convenes, connects, and coordinates efforts in Ramsey County to maintain and increase the health and well-being of Ramsey County residents as they age. It is based in partnership with older adults, organizations, and governments to enable healthy aging in equitable and culturally relevant ways. The Healthy Aging Initiative offers information through:


      • Weekly resources newsletters: Tools and Information for Healthy Aging includes grants available, events and other resources.

      • Monthly digests: Includes links to articles, upcoming conferences and non-urgent information.



      REMINDERS!

      Income eligible renters and homeowners can still apply to receive assistance for energy costs. Contact Community Action of Ramsey and Washington County to see if you may be eligible for energy assistance and two additional programs to help with heating costs, repair or replacement:


      Energy Conservation & Weatherization Assistance

      Call us today at 651-482-8260 to discuss if an energy audit and insulation, or water heater evaluation are right for you. Click here for more information and to see if you are eligible for weatherization services.


      Emergency Furnace and Boiler Services

      If you are without heat or have an unsafe heating system during the coldest months of the year we can assist. All homeowners who qualify for Energy Assistance support also qualify for a free system evaluation by a trained technician to determine if repair or replacement is necessary. In some cases, we make referrals to other agencies who may be able to help. 

      To discuss Emergency Furnace and Boiler Services, please call 651-645-6470.

      Click here for more information about Emergency Furnace and Boiler Services.



      DATA AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT OUR WORK!

      Minnesota Housing Partnership Publishes 2024 State Profile with Key Findings and Trends

      MHP’s statewide housing research shows that more than a quarter of Minnesota families, including half of all families who rent, pay more than they can afford for housing—and that number is growing. First produced in 2017, MHP's State of the State’s Housing bi-yearly report contains statewide housing data providing an important baseline of the housing climate and its impacts on everyday Minnesotans. Today’s release includes the 2024 State of the State’s Housing Profile with Key Minnesota Findings and Trends, and will be followed by profiles of the state’s legislative districts and regions. Read the Report Here



      ACTION ITEM!

      As you are likely aware, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget plan that significantly reduces spending – likely targeting programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and funding for the Older Americans Act (OAA). Over the next few weeks, legislators will be negotiating the specifics about which programs will be cut. It is important that they hear from constituents about the devastating impacts of cutting crucial services that millions of the most vulnerable depend on.


      Medicaid provides critical health coverage for 1 in 5 people living in America, including millions of low-income families and individuals, including older adults, people with disabilities, pregnant women and more. SNAP provides life-saving access to nutrition for more than 40 million people across the country, 40% of whom are under the age of 18. The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides $21 million in funding across Minnesota for services that support older adults and caregivers.


      Now is the time to contact Minnesota’s congressional delegation (at their Washington DC offices) to urge them to maintain funding for these important programs. It is vital that members of Congress hear how a reduction in funding will impact you, people you know and love and our community.  



      Sample Script: Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent from [your city] writing/calling to urge you to protect funding for the Medicaid, SNAP and the Older Americans Act. [If you have a specific personal example to share about a program or service that you or someone you care about receives, please share that as well.]


      Thank you for your support of the most vulnerable, including older adults, children, people with disabilities and more in our community.


      Meals on Wheels Resource Update February 2025


        ACTION ALERT!

        Federal Older Americans Act Rule Changes for Nutrition Services and Request for Public Comment 

        The Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) has published Older Americans Act (OAA) policies

        for public comment, which will impact the work of area agencies on aging and OAA direct

        service providers (such as Meals on Wheels) in the near future. Public comments are due to the MBA by February 7. 


        In short, at the state level, these policies articulate how the MBA will develop priorities for over $20 million in federal funding for older Minnesotans, and how they contract with and monitor area agencies on aging (Trellis in the Twin Cities 7-county service area) These policies shape how Trellis meets the requirements for planning, advocacy, development, and service delivery of the $10 million of OAA funds awarded to the Twin Cities’ region.


        This is your time to communicate directly to the MBA and share how these policies will

        impact our work and those that are served through Title III funded services such as Meals on Wheels. Click here for information about how to comment on the regulations. This is your opportunity to share the impact of these policies directly with the Minnesota Board on Aging.


        NEW!

        Find out if you may be eligible for SNAP and an estimated amount of benefits you could receive. This tool is not an application, but a quick screen to see if you might be eligible for SNAP. It is available on the Hunger Solutions website in several languages: https://www.hungersolutions.org/SNAP-screener/


        REMINDER!

        Ramsey County provides a food resource page on their website. It includes guides to finding food by neighborhood, including help in locating meals, groceries, and other food-related assistance. https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/assistance-support/assistance/food-resources


        DATA AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT OUR WORK!

        From The Food Group Blog January, 2025

        As we enter a new year, our team at The Food Group has been taking a look at current trends and data to inform and educate our upcoming anti-hunger work. Here’s what we’re seeing when it comes to food access across our state as we kick off 2025, as well as some insights into the innovative partnerships we’ll be expanding upon in the year ahead.

        Food shelf visits continue to rise in Minnesota. We don’t yet have final 2024 data but are on pace to hit nearly 9 million visits … which is an increase of more than 1 million visits from 2023 … which was an increase from the number of visits we saw in 2022. Since 2021, monthly visits to food shelves across our state have more than doubled.

        And no demographic is left untouched by this troubling trend. Food shelf visits among all age groups are up, including seniors and children. Last year, senior food shelf visits increased by an estimated 12% for a total of 978,000 visits; compared to 2021-2023 data, this is an increase of 74% in total visits. Visits from children have also more than doubled, making up more than 2.6 million visits to food shelves in Minnesota in 2024, which is a 22% increase from 2023 numbers. 

        There are many reasons for these increases, including the end of pandemic support programs and high food prices due to inflation with income levels remaining stagnant, and food shelves across the state have done an incredible job responding to the changing needs of our communities. Here at The Food Group, we have responded by continuing our holistic food systems approach to anti-hunger initiatives, including advocacy work as well as affordable grocery and sustainable farming programs. We’ve also continued our crucial food distribution programs, making sure food shelves and meal program partners have what they need to serve our neighbors.

        We also recognize that our core work is not enough to eliminate hunger in Minnesota, and we are innovating and thinking outside the box in our search for both short-term and long-term solutions – food for today and change for tomorrow. In 2025, we will continue to lean into our community of partners and cross-sector partnerships beyond traditional hunger relief…. 

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