What do you see Changing in an Aging America? Add your thoughts and ideas to Kathryn Robert’s blog post: Amidst today’s horrible economic news is a growing, bright light called aging. It is a driving, transformational force in America that isn’t business as usual.People over 50 represent 43% of all U.S. households. By 2020 the senior population will number 115 million. I and…

Many of you have been watching the flood news in the Red River Valley. Ecumen operates two communities - The Evergreens - in Fargo/Moorhead, where the Red River is still rising and is expected to crest this weekend at a record 41 feet. We have begun evacuation of our customers there to Ecumen’s Emmanuel Community in Detroit Lakes.Thank you to the many family members who have been working…

'We had a compelling story to tell about the nation’s shifting demographics and the significant need to change how services are delivered to an aging population. It wasn’t a story of doom and gloom. It was a story of opportunity and solutions. Aging services technologies represent hope and a different way of thinking about how to support independence, choice and aging in place. To…

If you’re interested in creating senior cohousing, this experiential Colorado conference, April 20-24, at Silver Sage Village cohousing (photos from Silver Sage above) in Boulder is for you. Participants will be limited to 20. Cost is $1250. To sign up for the conference or learn more go here.The conference will be led by:Chuck Durrett: n architect, who pioneered the first cohousing…

I came across this article the other day from the LeRoy, Minn., newspaper. It’s about a meeting that Mary Leber, Ecumen’s director of long-term care consulting services recently had with the city’s Economic Development Authority.At the meeting, she was outlining plans she helped their local senior housing community to develop to serve people with Alzheimer’s and…

The message on needing to make long-term care financing reform part of health care reform is starting to get some traction on Capitol Hill. Thank you to all of you who made calls last week in front of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.Committee chair Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) opened the hearing by saying:“Our message is a simple one: any serious health reform proposal must address…