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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA AGENCY ON AGING
______
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 3, 2019
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th
anniversary of the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA). For 25
years, this nonprofit organization has served as a trusted advocate and
resource for older adults and caregivers in the Twin Cities seven-
county metropolitan area, helping seniors age well in their homes and
communities.
As part of the history of the Older Americans Act, in 1972, the
Metropolitan Council was designated the first Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) for the Twin Cities metro area. MAAA was founded in 1994 as an
independent, nonprofit organization and designated the AAA to carry out
Older Americans Act services and programs. In 1997, Senior LinkAge Line
call centers were established at MAAA and AAAs across Minnesota. In
2000, the National Family Caregiver Support was enacted by Congress and
in 2001, MAAA established the Metropolitan Caregiver Service
Collaborative. In 2004, it launched Sustaining Minority Elders in Their
Communities--an initiative to provide technical assistance and funding
for organizations serving minority elders. The Upper Midwest Pension
Rights Project became part of MAAA in 2009. It provides free legal
counseling to residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota,
and South Dakota who have questions or problems related to their
pensions. In 2011, MAAA became the fiscal sponsor for ACT on
Alzheimer's--a statewide collaboration that began in Minnesota and led
to the creation of a national initiative--Dementia Friendly America. In
2015, MAAA hosted the regional White House Conference on Aging.
Over the years, MAAA continues to adapt and expand the connections,
services, and programs it oversees to better meet the needs of our
aging communities. In 2015, MAAA founded Innovations for Aging, a
wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary to expand its health promotion and
wellness work. In 2016, Juniper was started in partnership with AAAs
across Minnesota, and with Innovations for Aging as the managing
partner. It provides evidence-based programming to help adults manage
chronic health conditions, prevent falls, and be fit. Today, MAAA has
grown from a staff of eight to employing 108 staff and is located in
Arden Hills. In 2018, with Older Americans Act funding, MAAA and its
community-based partners served 24,366 older adults and caregivers with
critical service including chore and homemaking services, meals, rides,
and caregiver consultation. More than 35 percent of those served were
minority or Native elders. Through the Senior LinkAge Line and the help
of its volunteers, MAAA served 66,673 people and answered 43,000
Medicare Open Enrollment calls last year.
Madam Speaker, the steadfast leadership, unbiased information, and
assistance that MAAA provides to the aging communities in the Twin
Cities metro are commendable and deserve to be celebrated. Please join
me in honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Area Agency on
Aging.
____________________
