A Post by Kathy Bakkenist, COO and Sr. VP of Strategy, Ecumen, and public policy chair of The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST): The Center for Aging Services Technology’s (CAST) federal policy agenda took a tremendous step forward with the passing of the American Recovery and Revitalization Act, also known as the Stimulus Bill.Having served as CAST’s policy chair since…

Friendship is such an incredible, satisfying part of living fully.Today I received a pleasant surprise in my inbox. It’s a tribute from one civic giant to another and from one longtime friend to another.Verne Johnson is a founder of the Twin Cities-based Civic Caucus, which demonstrates new ways to stimulate and maintain involvement of people in public affairs. Their valuable work and…

Please join us and other callers like those from Ecumen above today in urging your U.S. Senators and U.S. Reps. to support transforming how we pay for aging services so everyone can live as independently as possible, where they most want to call home: Today Ecumen is joining with the American Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Council on…

Words are interesting. Society often uses the word long term care to mean nursing homes or some type of care that is “done” to someone. But it seems long term care is also the care we provide ourselves from childhood to the end of life. It’s long term, and it’s care.With this in mind, we bring you the newest Successful Aging Profile, or Profiles if you will. We’d…

Jeremy Olson, health writer at the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, did a