Transportation Options for Seniors: What the Future Holds
Finding dependable transportation is a major challenge for older adults, and a panel of experts gathered recently to discuss how innovations may help address the problem.
Millennial Entrepreneurs Move into Senior Community to Develop Wearable Technology for Older Adults
Two young Twin Cities entrepreneurs recently moved into a senior living community to get firsthand feedback on a smart watch app they are developing specifically for seniors.
Ecumen Receives Shavlik Family Foundation Grant for Technology at New Detroit Lakes Center
The Shavlik Family Foundation has awarded Ecumen an $11,750 grant to bring the latest digital technology to seniors at its new aging services hub in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Construction currently is underway for an addition to Ecumen Detroit Lakes designed to transform how senior support services are provided in the area. The project, called The Commons, is envisioned as an innovative "one-stop aging services hub” that integrates technology, socialization, fitness, nutrition and health care to help keep seniors in rural Becker County healthy and independent.
The new addition, expected to open in late summer or early fall, will include a therapy center with a hydrotherapy pool, a wellness center with a bistro, a telehealth center and a business center. The Shavlik Family Foundation grant will help equip the business center.
The business center will offer seniors in the community access to user-friendly technology including high-speed Internet service and other digital and electronic resources such as email access and Skype, iPads, touch-screen computers, wireless printers, as well as faxing, scanning and copying equipment. The center will serve the entire Detroit Lakes and surrounding area, not just residents of the campus.
“We view The Commons approach as a prototype for how senior services will be delivered in rural areas in the future,” said Janet Green, executive director of Ecumen Detroit Lakes. “We are so grateful to the Shavlik Family Foundation for understanding the critical importance of technology in helping seniors age in place and stay connected to the community.”
The Shavlik Family Foundation, of White Bear Lake, Minn., was started by Rebecca and Mark Shavlik with part of the proceeds from the acquisition of their company Shavlik Technologies in 2011, and “recognizes that access to information and technology is a basic need in our modern society and created the Foundation to provide grants to Minnesota-based non-profits to enhance access to and knowledge of technology for non-profits and the people they serve.”
Green said the hub will be a place for people in the community “to learn and have fun,” as well as a place to come for healthcare services. Although seniors are expected to be the primary users, she said the hub will have programs that cross generations.
“We have to reinvent how we care for seniors, especially in rural communities,” Green said. “Using the hub concept and the latest technology we plan to create an environment where seniors can find all the services they need to stay healthy and live independently in their homes — and stay connected to the community.”
Suddenly the Tech World Loves People Over 50
The AgePower Tech Search, which will take submissions until October 31st, was recently featured in this article at PBS' NextAvenue.org and Forbes. (Dig NextAvenue's tagline: Where Grown-Ups Keep Growing)
Honoring Centenarians Muriel and Tillie at Union Central
Muriel Swenson (picture on the left) was the first resident at Union Central Senior Living, an Ecumen managed community in Detroit Lakes, when it opened in 2010. She is also the oldest at 101. But not by much. Tillie Dybing (right), who lives down the hall, just turned 100.
Muriel and Tillie had birthdays a week apart in August. Both had very special birthday parties, with family coming in from all over the country to celebrate.
Both women are active and live independently and frequently socialize with each other at Union Central.
Muriel and her now-deceased husband of 75 years, ran a dairy farm near Hawley and raised two children.
Tillie grew up in a sod house in Manford, N.D., and later lived in Harvey. She spent most of her adult life in Minot, where she and her husband raised two children. Tillie worked a Bader’s Department Store in Minot for 27 years.
We honor centenarians Muriel Swenson and Tillie Dybing.
Ecumen and MOJO Minnesota Launch AgePower Tech Search
AgePower’s intent is to locate, reward and help launch new high- and low-tech technology and innovation that have a positive, near-term impact on the aging experience.