WASHINGTON — Lutheran Services in America is expanding its work to address the increasing number of older adults in rural Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota experiencing social isolation and difficulty accessing services and supports to successfully age at home. The expansion is made possible by a grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Over 4,000 underserved and isolated older adults and their caregivers in more than 100 rural communities have benefited from the work this grant supports.

Lutheran Services in America leads a nationwide network of 300 health and human services organizations that lifts up one in 50 people in America each year. This three-year grant leverages the long-standing commitment and community presence of Lutheran social ministries in rural communities. Our approach expands services for older adults and family caregivers by tapping into the unique resources in focal communities to provide services to surrounding rural areas.

“This investment in our work capitalizes on the collective knowledge, expertise and established trust and presence of our network organizations in rural communities and — together, through this collaboration — create a stronger community of care for rural aging,” said Charlotte Haberaecker, president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Lutheran Services in America selected the following organizations to receive funding under this grant: Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, St. John’s United and Immanuel Lutheran Communities in Montana, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, and Missouri Slope in North Dakota. These trusted nonprofit providers of services will mobilize their community partners, utilize the distinctive assets in their communities and address key barriers to care that older adults and caregivers face in rural communities.

The launch of this grant coincides with the release of the video, “Lived Voices: Aging in Rural America,” which amplifies the personal stories of strength and resilience characteristic of older adults and caregivers aging in rural America. The video is accompanied by the report, “Lived Voices: Aging in Rural America – Cultivating a Thriving Community of Care,” which highlights the findings from a qualitative research study of older adults and caregivers in rural communities commissioned by Lutheran Services in America and conducted by ATI Advisory. The video and report capture the voices of older adults and caregivers with lived experience in the joys and challenges of aging in rural communities.

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About Lutheran Services in America

Lutheran Services in America is a national network of 300 Lutheran health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in America each year. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $23 billion in combined annual revenue. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Lutheran Services in America leads innovative collaborations with partners in philanthropy, academia, healthcare and others to address the most critical challenges in our communities and empower people to lead their best lives.

To learn more, visit lutheranservices.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.