Over $9.5 million in new state grants will help aging Minnesotans stay in their homes longer through services such as caregiver support, housekeeping, retrofitting to prevent falls and other assistance.

Live Well at Home grants will go to 45 organizations to support aging Minnesotans. Research shows that people are happier and have better health outcomes when they can live in their homes longer, rather than moving into institutionalized care like nursing homes.

Projects funded in the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ latest round of grants include:

• Updating multiple assisted living units in Crookston to provide better accessibility and safety features for memory care residents.
• Reducing the racial gap in homeownership by preserving homeownership and generational wealth among older adults in Indigenous communities and communities of color.
• Expanding caregiver services in five west metro counties, including underserved Scott and Carver counties, with additional support in Hennepin, Sherburne and Wright counties.

“These grants are critical to the well-being of aging Minnesotans and the organizations that support them,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “Not only do most people prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible, but the services funded by the grants are also cost-effective and deliver better health outcomes.”

Grantees are listed below, grouped by region.

Northern Minnesota

• Access North Center for Independent Living, Hibbing, $271,000. The project will help older adults with accessible entrances and improved accessibility throughout their homes. Access North also facilitates tub cuts, grab bars and other accessibility accommodations.
• Age Well Arrowhead, Duluth, $160,000. This project will address disparities in access to home and community-based services by expanding access to rural locations and closing service gaps. Services include homemaker, in-home respite care and transportation.
• Aitkin County CARE, Aitkin, $54,000. The grant will help older and disabled adults stay in their homes by assessing their need for help. Funds will also go toward emergency respite care, a chore program and food delivery, among other types of assistance.
• ANGELS, McGregor, $27,000. The grant will fund repairs to the administrative office, activity center and community-supported thrift shop. The facility enables older adults to gather, learn, socialize and share meals.
• Cook County Public Health, Grand Marais, $39,000. The project will address a current transportation gap by purchasing a lift-equipped, mobility accessible vehicle to share with other agencies. The vehicle will help older residents access care for physical, mental and chemical health needs by offering transportation to appointments.
• ElderCircle, Grand Rapids, $138,000. ElderCircle will expand a resource and referral network to increase access to supportive services for older adults. In partnership with the YMCA, ElderCircle will facilitate activities to encourage older adults to participate. One activity uses technology to create games that help the cognitively impaired.
• Interfaith Volunteers, Deerwood, $59,000. Interfaith will expand current services that help older residents who are lonely or isolated, providing access to transportation and home modification services needed in rural Minnesota.
• North Shore Area Partners, Silver Bay, $110,000. North Shore Area Partners will expand their licensed home care program, which provides homemaking and personal care assistance. They will add integrated support services for the caregivers of older adults.
• Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Carlton, $192,000. The grant will help rebuild programs closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will go toward restoring assisted transportation, DayBreak Group Respite, caregiver counseling and education, chore services, and health and wellness programs back to their pre-COVID status.