Healthy Aging

May is Older Americans Month. Learn more.
Aging doesn’t start at a specific time or age in life. It’s a normal, life-long process. Abilities, strengths and needs change as people reach the age 55 and older.
- The current population of people who have now reached 55 years of age is growing rapidly. For the first time in the county’s history, there are now more older adults in the county than school-age children.
- At the same time this population shift is happening, the current generation of older adults is changing what aging looks like. They are more diverse and active. They want to stay in their homes and communities and contribute to society.
- To have vital, healthy communities, society will need to adapt to these new realities.
- Learn how Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health's Healthy Aging Initiative is working to maintain and increase the health and wellbeing of Ramsey County residents as they age.
Healthy aging
Healthy aging means keeping and developing the abilities that make health and wellbeing possible in older age, so people can age in the way they want to. Learn more about healthy aging from the World Health Organization.
Aging in place/aging in community
A growing number of older adults want to age in their homes, which has been described as “aging in place.” That idea is evolving into “aging in community,” which recognizes that healthy aging is not an individual process. Government systems, organizational practices, environments and programs impact the ability of older adults to stay in their homes and have choices as they age. Those elements affect some communities inequitably and don’t always recognize the strengths of elders. Communities are stronger when they are more equitable and view older adults as assets.
Livable communities
Livable communities contribute to healthy aging. They are equitable places where residents can thrive as they age. Older adults feel valued, safe and have affordable and accessible housing and transportation options. Livable communities recognize and celebrate the strengths and contributions of older adults. They increase engagement through connections with others.
People of all ages and abilities benefit when communities enable healthy aging. Sidewalks that are smooth help people who walk with a cane; they also make life easier for someone pushing a stroller. Learn more about livable communities from AARP.
Ramsey County Healthy Aging Initiative
The mission of the Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health’s Healthy Aging Initiative is to maintain and increase the health and wellbeing of Ramsey County residents as they age. The initiative’s goal is to enable all older residents to thrive in our county. The primary focus of the initiative is ensuring that resources and opportunities for older adults are equitable, inclusive, and accessible.
Age-friendly and Equity Alliance, Ramsey County
In partnership with communities and organizations, the Age-friendly and Equity Alliance, Ramsey County has started a thorough, multi-year process to increase Ramsey County’s age friendliness. The Alliance is a collaboration that includes residents, local organizations, service providers and Ramsey County government to enhance the county’s livability and age friendliness through community engagement.
Alliance’s goal is to impact programs, policies and systems that impact older adults to create a more livable, age-friendly county. The result of the Alliances’ work will be concrete, measurable steps that community members and the county can take. It will result in recommendations to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the empowerment of community members to create a more livable county.
State of Minnesota
In 2019, Governor Walz created a team to develop recommendations for policies and legislation to make Minnesota an age-friendly state. Their work will be a resource for the Age-friendly and Equity Alliance, Ramsey County.
Resources
Senior LinkAge Line
Ramsey County Senior Services
Older adults and caregivers can find out about eligibility for other senior services by submitting an online MnCHOICES assessment request.
- Intake line: 651-266-3613
- More information
- MnCHOICES assessment request