Changing Aging

Interesting and very good news from the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.  It is launching Catholic Senior Services — an “umbrella” organization that will use the network of Catholic senior care organizations and parish programs in the Twin Cities to become a one-stop resource center for seniors and their families.

Catholic Senior Services, which has been in the planning stage for four years, will begin with its four founding organizations:  Catholic Eldercare of Minneapolis, the Franciscan Health Community of St. Paul, St. Therese’s New Hope and St. Therese’s Southwest.  The goal is to have a Catholic Senior Services center in every one of the 12 counties that make up the archdiocese.  This is a coordinated response from teh Archdiocese to prepare for the age wave.

We see a great deal of synergy between senior housing and faith communities.  Baby boomers told us in our Age Wave study, that they want to be close to spiritual opportunities.  We are developing a senior housing development in conjunction with First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint, ID.  Ground breaks next month.  Aging provides a great opportunity for faith communities to expand their ministry and build community.