Partners in Care was designed as a collaborative project to is support older adults, their familite and caregivers. The focus of the initiative was to reach out to 100+ seniors in the community and their family caregivers, and “walk with them” on their care journeys for at least one year. The Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness wrote the grant proposal and was the lead organization on implementation and program evaluation working with 10 orginaizational partners.

Who Participated
Over 200 individuals elected to join in the project. Senior participants ranged in age from 65 to 94 years, with an overall average age of 81. Family members helping their parents or aunts/uncles range in age from 39 to 60 years. Seventy-two percent of the participants were women, and 28 percent were men.

Services Provided
Support provided to seniors and caregivers included:

• A personalized one-on-one comprehensive senior assessment of care needs and goals

• Resource coordination and referral to services with follow-up regarding access and use

• A resource binder – a set of materials designed for seniors/caregivers residing in the west Metro area

• Matched volunteer support – providing respite care, help with errands, rides to appointments and shopping, and friendly visiting

• Transition guidance and support (guidance and reassurance during care setting transitions or living arrangement changes, by a nurse or staff member)

• Health education, screenings, and prevention around targeted conditions: diabetes, stroke, and falls

• Caregiver training, education, and support

• Balance and wellness classes

• A quarterly newsletter featuring project activities, upcoming events, and other information

In turn, seniors and family caregivers made a commitment to participate in the project. There was also a research component to the project.