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17 <br />it <br />Minnesota Department of Human services <br />Contact: Kelsey Gorsen <br />Communications <br />651-431-2448 <br />News <br />Aug. 1, 2012 <br />Projects funded to help older Minnesotans stay at home <br />Home-based care options help older Minnesotans remain vital members of community; Less costly than <br />more service -intensive nursing homes <br />Strategies to help Minnesotans stay in their homes and remain vital members of their communities as <br />they grow old will be employed this year with a total of $2,296,787 in funding appropriated by the <br />Minnesota Legislature. Helping Minnesotans stay in their homes and communities also saves the state <br />dollars by making sure that nursing home care is reserved for those who need more intensive services. <br />Among projects being awarded through the Minnesota Department of Human Services Community <br />Service/Community Services Development Grants are several that support informal caregivers, friends <br />and family members whose help is critical to supporting people 65 and older to remain in their homes <br />and communities. <br />"Providing older Minnesotans the support they need to stay in their homes and communities is good <br />all-around for the state," said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. "It enhances freedom of <br />choice for individuals, strengthens communities and saves taxpayer dollars." <br />The 14 projects being funded are the following: <br />Knute Nelson Home Care, based in Alexandria, is receiving $59,311 to introduce in-home <br />monitoring and sensor technology to promote aging in place for older adults in Douglas, <br />Traverse, Grant and Stevens counties. <br />• Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind is receiving $160,000 to provide services and assistive <br />technology to help older Minnesotans with vision loss who are at higher risk for nursing home <br />placement remain safe and independent in their own homes. <br />• The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, based in Mankato, is awarded $177,634 to <br />improve access to transportation for veterans, older adults and people with disabilities by <br />connecting consumers to rides and other transportation options from a variety of providers and <br />programs in a 27 -county area in southwestern Minnesota. <br />hItp://n in. gov/dhs <br />