Community Story: Moorhead
Rural Health Use Case Story: Moorhead
Problem Statement: Recent retiree needs education around long-term care planning and managing finances. Also struggles to find social engagements and resources that suit his interests.
Main Character: “Larry,” man in his 70s
Circumstances: Lives alone in Rollag, about 30 miles from Moorhead. Health issues and a hospital visit have underscored his need to plan for the future.
Supporting Characters: Larry’s friend, doctor, Matter of Balance class, financial advisor
Story: Larry was still getting used to retirement when health issues landed him in the hospital. During his stay, the doctor told Larry that long-term care could be in his future. Larry was surprised to learn that Medicare doesn’t pay for those services. He hadn’t planned for such circumstances and didn’t know where to start. His doctor lacks awareness of resources that could aid in Larry’s care planning process.
After Larry is discharged from the hospital, his friend suggests they try out the Matter of Balance class at the community center. Since it doesn’t have the words “silver” or “senior” in the title, Larry agrees to attend. He and his friend would like to be more engaged with the community – perhaps by doing volunteer work or taking classes – but everything seems geared toward “seniors.” Larry feels young and doesn’t want to associate with places and activities branded for old people. He passes up events at the senior center and spends more time alone than he would like.
Future Alternative: Thanks to training and resources from the Moorhead Silos to Circles initiative, hospital staff are more aware of Larry’s options for long-term care planning. During his hospital stay, he is referred to services that will help him navigate the process of finding and paying for care, should he need it. He learns about different levels of assisted living in Rollag and nearby towns. Larry is referred to a financial advisor who discusses the possibility of a reverse mortgage to pay for long-term care and draws up preliminary paperwork so that there are fewer steps to take in light of another medical event.
Community spaces in Rollag have been rebranded so that there is less emphasis on age. The former senior center is now the Rollag Education and Activity Hub, and Larry and his friend attend classes on finance, beginner’s Spanish, and line dancing. Larry even applies to teach a woodworking class in the fall. “The Hub” becomes their new hangout, and they spend time with community members from across generations.
Problem Statement: Recent retiree needs education around long-term care planning and managing finances. Also struggles to find social engagements and resources that suit his interests.
Main Character: “Larry,” man in his 70s
Circumstances: Lives alone in Rollag, about 30 miles from Moorhead. Health issues and a hospital visit have underscored his need to plan for the future.
Supporting Characters: Larry’s friend, doctor, Matter of Balance class, financial advisor
Story: Larry was still getting used to retirement when health issues landed him in the hospital. During his stay, the doctor told Larry that long-term care could be in his future. Larry was surprised to learn that Medicare doesn’t pay for those services. He hadn’t planned for such circumstances and didn’t know where to start. His doctor lacks awareness of resources that could aid in Larry’s care planning process.
After Larry is discharged from the hospital, his friend suggests they try out the Matter of Balance class at the community center. Since it doesn’t have the words “silver” or “senior” in the title, Larry agrees to attend. He and his friend would like to be more engaged with the community – perhaps by doing volunteer work or taking classes – but everything seems geared toward “seniors.” Larry feels young and doesn’t want to associate with places and activities branded for old people. He passes up events at the senior center and spends more time alone than he would like.
Future Alternative: Thanks to training and resources from the Moorhead Silos to Circles initiative, hospital staff are more aware of Larry’s options for long-term care planning. During his hospital stay, he is referred to services that will help him navigate the process of finding and paying for care, should he need it. He learns about different levels of assisted living in Rollag and nearby towns. Larry is referred to a financial advisor who discusses the possibility of a reverse mortgage to pay for long-term care and draws up preliminary paperwork so that there are fewer steps to take in light of another medical event.
Community spaces in Rollag have been rebranded so that there is less emphasis on age. The former senior center is now the Rollag Education and Activity Hub, and Larry and his friend attend classes on finance, beginner’s Spanish, and line dancing. Larry even applies to teach a woodworking class in the fall. “The Hub” becomes their new hangout, and they spend time with community members from across generations.