Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging

10/30/2026

Missed our October 21 webinar, or want to watch it again? The recording is now on our YouTube channel, with ASL interpretation and captions.

“Age-Related Hearing Loss: Hidden Impacts of an Invisible Disability” featured Anne Janckila, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services Division.

Anne shared that hearing loss affects about half of adults in their 60s and more than 84% of those age 80 and older. She covered the signs of hearing loss, the risks of leaving it untreated, how it is diagnosed and treated, assistive technology, and practical communication strategies. She also explained the rights people have to request communication accommodations.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/ikEt8CThh-A

Please share it with a family member, a coworker, or a friend who might find it useful.

Our next webinars are:
• November 18: Veterans Services
• December 16: Aging and Safe Driving
• January 20: Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in the Older Adult Population
• February 17: Grandparents Raising Younger Children
Registration links are on our website at arrowheadaging.org and on our page.

As we age, hearing loss can affect much more than our ability to he...

10/29/2026

Need a ride to your local polling place to cast your vote next Tuesday? 📮

National Council on Aging has partnered with Lyft to help older adults access affordable transportation to the polls. Eligible riders can access up to $50 in Lyft ride credits per person to help cover transportation to and from the polls during early voting and on Election Day, this coming Tuesday, November 3.

How to access the ride credits:
Ride code: NCOAELECTION26
Get started: Access Lyft ride credits
Credit amount: Up to $50 per person
Deadline: Credits are valid through November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., while funding lasts.

More information can be found here: https://www.ncoa.org/article/need-a-ride-to-vote-lyft-offers-free-rides-to-polls-for-older-adults/

Transportation shouldn’t stand in the way of voting! Older adults can access up to $50 in Lyft ride credits to help get to the polls during early voting and on Election Day. Learn how to claim your ride credits and make a plan to vote.

10/27/2026

Know a business that makes the Arrowhead more age-friendly? 🏆

The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging is accepting nominations for the fifth annual Aging Impact Awards through November 13.

New this year, winners receive $1,000 and a certificate, thanks to funding from Duluth Aging Support!

These awards recognize businesses and organizations that improve accessibility and customer experiences for people of all ages. Age-friendly can be simple:
- Clear signage and well-shoveled sidewalks
- Staff trained to serve customers with hearing, vision, mobility, or sensory needs
- Flexible schedules and respect for the experience of older workers

Who’s eligible? Businesses and organizations in or serving Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties. Past winners and self-nominations are welcome. Organizations funded by the AAAA are not eligible.

👉 Nominate here: https://bit.ly/2026AIA
📧 [email protected] | 📞 218-529-7520

10/20/2026

Last month, Age-Friendly Virginia MN took the next step in the process of becoming an Age-Friendly Community and presented their Action Plan to the City Council. 🌟

Congrats to the team that made this happen!

View the action plan: https://bit.ly/AFVirginiaActionPlan

To learn more about Age-Friendly Communities: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Ecolibrium3 for being awarded a Dementia grant to expand and "[,,,] strengthen the local dementia “ecosystem” by embedding dementia awareness and education, community memory screening and caregiving support in its community hub model of outreach and programming." 🎉

Community partners for this grant include: Duluth Age-Friendly Essentia Health

Minnesota Board on Aging grants will support people with dementia, those who care for them Eight organizations across Minnesota will use state grant funds to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis and connect caregivers to resources. Nearly $750,000 in grants will go out this fall from the Minnesota Board on Aging.

“These funds support not only people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but their family and friends, who play such a critical role in caregiving,” said Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Alzheimer’s alone impacts some 120,000 Minnesotans over age 65. And of the family and friends caring for them, 25 percent are ‘sandwich caregivers’ who balance caring for an aging friend or relative with raising children.” https://mn.gov/board-on-aging/news-and-events/news-stories.jsp?id=1141-770419

10/14/2026

📋Join Justice North and Koochiching Aging Options later this month at the International Falls Public Library for a FREE Advance Planning Community Workshop!

Have you been putting off creating your healthcare directive or power of attorney? Now's your chance to get it done with expert help!

Join us for a free Get Your Ducks in a Row workshop in Grand Marais, where you'll receive personal guidance on completing your advance planning documents — and walk out with them finished.

📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
🕑 2:30 – 4:30 PM
📍 International Falls Public Library, 750 4th Street, International Falls, MN

Led by elder law experts from Justice North, this workshop covers healthcare directives, power of attorney, and other essential planning documents. All forms provided. Space is limited — registration is required.

🔗 Register at: https://bit.ly/DucksIntFalls

Visit https://ducksinarowmn.org to access free recorded webinars, downloadable resources, and information on advance planning for all ages.

Advance planning is one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself and the people you love. Please share with your friends and family in the area!

10/13/2026

📅 Make your plan to vote in Minnesota’s General Election on November 3, 2026.

Go to mnvotes.gov today. Cast your ballot and help keep Minnesota #1 in voter turnout.

Voting is easier when you make a plan. In Minnesota that means knowing:
📅 when you’ll vote
🗳 where you’ll vote
✉ if vote early or by mail.

Take two minutes to plan your vote at mnvotes.gov, your future self will thank you.

✅ A plan turns good intentions into action. Minnesota voters can choose Election Day, early voting, or voting by mail. Whatever works best for you! Make your voting plan today. Get the details at mnvotes.gov and help keep Minnesota #1 in voter turnout!

10/12/2026

What a day! Over 100 community members, older adults, and professionals from various sectors joined us for Nature As We Age, and the energy in the room was inspiring. 🌲

Our keynote speaker, naturalist and author Larry Weber, shared how he found nature, how his connection to it has changed over the years, and how it has stayed the same.

We also heard from Joelle Hoeft, author of “A Field Scan of Older Adults and Nature in Minnesota,” who walked us through the benefits of nature for older adults and the barriers we need to consider. A few of our key takeaways:
- Outdoor activities can be a great way for older adults to socialize
- Many older adults appreciate the physical health benefits of spending time in nature
- Address transportation as a barrier
- Ensure access to accessible bathrooms in all seasons
- Ask older adults what is meaningful to them

📖 Read the full report: https://bit.ly/OlderAdultsAndNature-FieldScan

In the afternoon, a panel of regional organizations shared how they champion age-inclusive, nature-based programs and Georgia Lane, Director of Aging Initiatives at Ecolibrium3, led us through a collective action exercise focused on finding ways our communities can make nature more welcoming for older adults.

Thank you to our panelists: Taylor Holm, Northland Foundation AGE to age, Wendy Larrivy, University for Seniors, University of Minnesota Duluth, Charlie Miller, Superior Hiking Trail Association, Carol Christenson, Master Gardener's Houseplants for Seniors, Rebeka Ndosi, Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary, and Lisa Porthan, Northwoods Partners

A special thank you to our partners at Age Friendly Minnesota, Duluth Age-Friendly, Northland Foundation, Ecolibrium3, and Duluth Aging Support for your support in making this event a success!

10/10/2026

Meet the EDP team! 👋

Our October newsletter features an article detailing the work of the Eldercare Development Partnership program (EDP). Working across systems that shape older adults’ lives—local government, human services, healthcare, community development, and the nonprofit sector— the EDP team brings an aging lens to decisions that might otherwise overlook them.

Lori Kangas Olson, Community Development Lead; Jess Langer, Outreach and Advocacy Specialist; and Brenda Shafer-Pellinen, Program Development Specialist work together across seven counties in northeastern Minnesota to strengthen the system itself rather than serving individuals one-on-one. You’ll find them out in the community—in classrooms, libraries, senior centers, and Tribal communities across the region—convening partners, delivering trainings, and building the local capacity communities need to support older adults well.

📩To read the full newsletter and find upcoming events and webinars, visit: https://mailchi.mp/ardc/aaaa-newsletter-october-2026-update

🔗To subscribe to our newsletter, visit: https://arrowheadaging.org/contact/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page

10/10/2026

🧠According to research, older individuals with more positive attitudes about aging can live up to 7.5 years longer than those with less positive attitudes.

This , we encourage you to share one thing you're excited about when it comes to aging in the comments below!.

It’s time to tell a new story about aging!