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Aging

Minnesotans are living longer and that trend is expected to continue. According to Minnesota State Demographic Center projections, the number of adults 65 years and older is anticipated to double between 2010 and 2030. That means 1 in 5 Minnesotans will be an older adult.

MPR News is looking at this shift and what it means to all of us.

Related: End in Mind delves into how our culture engages with loss, dying and death and offers resources to live more and fear less.

Choosing death on one's own terms

Choosing death on one's own terms

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer speaks with end-of-life doula Wendy Longacre Brown about her mother’s life and death. Her mother, Cheryl Hauser, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019 and publicly discussed a specific exit strategy known as V-SED. It was a decision that resulted in Hauser’s recent passing.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

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Liquid cremation provides greener alternative to traditional methods

Liquid cremation provides greener alternative to traditional methods

What will happen to your body after you die? Whether you pre-plan your own arrangements or it’s a decision made by your loved ones, a growing number of people are considering this choice’s impact on the environment.
by Phil Picardi and Lukas Levin

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A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer’s more prevalent in Black Americans

A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer’s more prevalent in Black Americans

Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are less likely to be diagnosed and get treatment. The reasons are many and systemic and can be traced to American health inequities that follow Black people from birth to death.
by The Associated Press

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Rep. Dean Phillips: Sen. Feinstein 'clearly losing mental acuity,' should resign

Rep. Dean Phillips: Sen. Feinstein 'clearly losing mental acuity,' should resign

When Sen. Feinstein returned to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room earlier this month, the 89-year-old got a standing ovation. But Rep. Dean Phillips shared concerns about the Democrat’s physical and mental fitness.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gretchen Brown

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Proposed shift in funding for older adult services worries rural providers

Proposed shift in funding for older adult services worries rural providers

Rural Minnesota agencies that serve seniors are concerned a revised funding formula will mean fewer dollars to serve growing demand. The Minnesota Board on Aging says the update reflects changing demographics.
by Dan Gunderson

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‘It’s a struggle right now’: Nursing homes press Minnesota lawmakers for help

‘It’s a struggle right now’: Nursing homes press Minnesota lawmakers for help

The pandemic, inflation and the state’s broader workforce shortage have caused a unique strain for nursing homes around the state. And they say they need urgent financial help from the state to stay afloat.
by Dana Ferguson

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Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds

Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds

Socially isolated older adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins. The findings suggest that simple interventions could be meaningful.
by Kaitlyn Radde

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What to do if you notice signs of memory loss in your older relatives

What to do if you notice signs of memory loss in your older relatives

As families gather for the holidays, you may notice worrying signs of memory problems in your older relatives. Karla Hult, the founder of So Many Goodbyes, joined host Cathy Wurzer this time last year with advice on how to take action to support the older adults in your family.
by Cathy Wurzer, Lindsay Guentzel and Alex Cheng

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