ST. PAUL – State Reps. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, and Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, invite area citizens to attend a public meeting March 14 in Glenwood to discuss an issue significantly impacting the citizens of District 12B: Long-term care.
Minnesota faces substantial challenges as its population ages. Reports show as many citizens will reach retirement age this decade than in the four previous decades combined. Efforts are underway at the state Capitol to help the state manage this demographic shift. Anderson and Schomacker are looking to speak with local citizens during the Glenwood meeting to explain what is being proposed in the House and to receive feedback from citizens on the matter.
"This is a very important issue in our area," Anderson said. "Projections indicate the number of adults reaching age 65 is expected to double between 2010 and 2030, yet nursing homes are struggling to stay open and others in our area have closed. There is no simple solution, but we need to take a wide-ranging look at how we can better meet the rising needs in long-term care."
Schomacker chairs the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee in the House. He is the chief author of H.F. 3, a package of initiatives to help address some of the issues in long-term care. Anderson is a co-author of that bill.
"Ignoring these problems can no longer be an option," Schomacker said. "We are in desperate need of new strategies, greater responsibility, and better options as our senior citizens grow older and are in need of long-term care."
The meeting will take place 10 a.m. March 14 at Glenwood Retirement Village (719 Second St. S.E., Glenwood). Area care workers and citizens in general are invited to attend. Call Anderson's legislative office at
(651) 296-4317 for additional information.
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