Supporting Positive Aging

VINE Faith in Action: Supporting the Health and Well-being of Older Adults

Many of VINE Faith in Action’s programs specifically support the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties in Southern Minnesota.

VINE programs and services for older adults are modeled around the Six Areas of Personal Wellness model (physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, and vocational) that encourages healthy aging throughout the life span. VINE emphasizes four goals:

1. Encouraging good health and positive well-being -- VINE’s professional staff coordinates a variety of physical fitness, health education and wellness programs at the Summit Senior Center and other community sites. VINE regularly serves seniors who are facing issues of grief, multiple losses, chemical dependency, chronic or seasonal depression, physical limitations, post-traumatic stress disorder, caregiver issues or other situations that present
emotional challenges. Our Peer Mentor program matches highly trained volunteers with older adults whose mental wellbeing is challenged by their life circumstances. Support groups and presentations on the proper use of medications are also coordinated throughout our service area.

2. Helping to meet everyday needs -- VINE offers many opportunities for community members to assist their neighbors by providing non-professional services. Trained and insured volunteers give more than 40,000 hours of service each year through our transportation, chore, respite, nursing home and hospital transition, meals on wheels, and tax-preparation programs. In 2010, 3,641 people benefited from the caring assistance of a VINE volunteer.

3. Promoting social engagement -- We offer a wide array of educational opportunities and outings, and provide a safe place for people to connect with friends and neighbors so they can continue to learn, cultivate relationships, and have fun in their later years. Since 2006, average Summit Center participation has grown from 50 to 485 people per week under VINE’s management.

4. Supporting independence -- VINE is committed to helping older adults remain healthy and living in their own homes for as long as it’s safe and reasonable to do so. With the annual cost of long-term care now approaching $70,000, VINE will continue to offer services and develop programs that empower older friends and neighbors to enjoy the greatest possible level of independence.

VINE at a Glance (PDF, 470 KB)

Supporting the Coming Age Wave

After American soldiers returned home from World War II, the United States experienced an "explosion" of births.
About 77 million babies were born in the U.S. during this time.

The Baby Boomer Generation

  • Is generally defined as those born between the years of 1946 and 1964.
  • In 2011, the first watve of baby boomers will reach retirement age.
  • Betweenn 2011 and 2030, ten thousand new retirees each day will be added to Social Security and Medicare programs.
  • By 2030, 25% of Minnesota's population will be age 65+.

The Coming Age Wave (PDF, 72 KB)

New Models for Adult Community Centers

National Institue of Senior CentersThe National Institute of Senior Centers outlines the following components of successful adult community centers: 

  • Alternative names instead of ‘Senior Center’
  • Diverse and comprehensive programming
  • Programming to be offered at multiple sites through partnerships, e.g. ‘Centers Beyond Walls’
  • Provide inclusive programming, activities and services for a variety of ages and abilities
  • A state-of-the-art health and fitness center
  • Programs that encompass health, recreational, educational, cultural, nutritional and social service needs