Arrowhead Changemakers wanted to help make the Cook County and Grand Portage area a better place to grow old

Feb 23, 2023 11:29AM ● By Content Editor

Photo: Johnny Cohen

From the Area Arrowhead Agency on Aging - February 22, 2023

Minnesota is experiencing an unprecedented demographic shift related to a population that

grows older and more diverse each day.

In 2020, for the first time, the number of Minnesotans 65 and older exceeded the number of children 18 and under, and rural Minnesota is aging faster than urban areas.

This unprecedented demographic shift calls for us to reframe how we think about aging; it presents several opportunities and challenges for decision-makers to consider in areas including financial security, housing, transportation, health care, employment, and social service needs.

An age-friendly community enables people of all ages to participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of age. But what does it mean to be "age-friendly," and how does this look in your state, community, or organization?

Lasting change takes a multifaceted approach; Minnesota is embarking on shared efforts to implement age-friendly policies, programs, and practices on state, regional, and local levels.

Become an Arrowhead Changemaker

Arrowhead Changemakers serve as ambassadors to make meaningful, lasting change that

helps their community become a better place to grow up and grow old. Changes can be made

in big or small ways.
Changemakers are critical in bringing localized issues and experiences to inform the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, the Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly MN, and other local leaders working on age-friendly policies and practices that prioritize longevity and quality of life for all community members.

Composition

• Up to two representatives per county: Aitkin, Cook, Carlton, Itasca, Lake, Koochiching,

Northern St. Louis County, and Southern St. Louis County, and representation from tribal

nations. Additional members considered upon request.

• We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will seek representation from

BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disability communities.

Time Commitment

• Commit to serving on this collaborative for one year.

• Meet every other month, virtually five times, two hours each meeting.

• Meet once in person to provide training and education to equip Changemakers with the

tools needed to be effective.

• Individual community engagement and outreach activities in your community at your

discretion (recommend a minimum of one monthly activity).

General Expectations

• Serve as an Arrowhead Changemaker, aging ambassador, in local communities.

• Learn and maintain a general understanding of the basic concepts and framework for

aging demographics, Age-Friendly Communities and Age-Friendly Minnesota and

participate in relevant learning opportunities as requested. (It is not a requirement to be

an officially designated AARP Age-Friendly Community or County) Training and ongoing

information sharing will be provided!

• Individual communication monthly between each Changemaker and one of the co-chairs.

• Engage in community in ways that work for each Changemaker, examples include:

▪ Connect with faith communities, businesses, local government or community groups

to share information on aging demographics and tools for community sectors to

become more Age-Friendly

▪ Write a letter to the editor or identify other public communication platforms to share

facts, messaging, and calls to action.

▪ Advocate for older community members and caregivers within personal and

professional networks

▪ Intentionally convene older community members and caregivers to learn from their

experiences and report back to the Arrowhead Changemakers group

▪ Assist with developing regional age-friendly messaging to inform stakeholder groups

Stipend

Mileage reimbursement and a $500 stipend is available upon request.

For more information about the Arrowhead Changemakers, please contact:
Georgia Lane, Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 218-529-7525

Learn more via the PDF linked below.