Photo courtesy of the Marshall Adult Community Center Local community members partake in floral arrangements at the Adult Community Center.

Transitioning into older age can come with challenges in many ways personally, mentally, physically, spiritually and other aspects. But, an ample amount of resources in the southwest Minnesota region and advice from fellow community members can help to make a change of life easier. 

Avera Home Services, the Adult Community Center, United Community Action Partners (UCAP), A.C.E. programs, Meals on Wheels, the YMCA, and Southwest Health and Human Services are a handful of available resources for seniors and the older community in and around Marshall. 

Advice from community members 

Frank and Marie Moorse, Bonnie Tubbs and Marilyn Gannot all live at Hill Street Place in Marshall, which is an independent living senior congregated housing facility for those 55 years of age or older.

The Moorses, who spent several years living between Marshall and Minneota, moved into Hill Street in February of 2023. 

“You have to get to the place where you’re not as independent as you used to be, and you need to start looking for a place,” Frank said. “This (moving to congregated living) was a year-and-a-half to two year process. It wasn’t something we needed to do immediately, but was planned out.” 

With the stress that can come with moving, the Moorses assured the transition can be smooth. 

“I’d say the big thing that got us acquainted the most was coming down for coffee and socializing with others,” Marie said. “It took a little adjusting to a smaller living (space) than what we were used to, but I think we adapted to that pretty fast.” 

For Tubbs and Gannot, the decision to move took more time to make, but both said they’re content with doing so. 

“It took me a long time to decide to come, because we lived in that house for 50 years, and it was hard to leave it,” Tubbs said. “One night, I started going down the basement, I went downstairs two steps, and I turned around and said, ‘I’m not doing that anymore.'” 

Tubbs moved to Hill Street in May 2023. Her husband died in 1992, and taking another step in moving forward came with emotion, yet reassurance. 

“This was my decision. It wasn’t forced on me … The first night I moved in, I sat on my couch and I looked over the whole apartment, and I said, ‘I’m home,'” Tubbs said. “I’ve made new friends, and renewed old friendships … I just feel at home. I feel like I should have been here a few years back.” 

Moving into the facility didn’t mean a loss of freedom, which Tubbs affirmed. 

“You can do anything you want … I do my own cooking, do my own laundry,” Tubbs said. “My kids have told me they see a difference in me.”  

Gannot’s transition into congregated living came at a difficult time while her late husband was going through cancer treatment, but she feels comfort now in knowing the community she has around her.

“The best part about being here is the built in support system. Many people have gone through similar experiences,” Gannot said. “It’s been a good move. It was definitely right, because I probably would have either stayed at home and been by myself a lot.” 

Gannot, who moved to Hill Street in March 2022, said advice she would give to others looking to move, is acknowledging that, “It’s not easy. But, once you get in there, you get comfortable.” 

The Moorses, Gannot and Tubbs all said the easiest way to transition, into any sort of living facility, is to get acquainted with others by getting coffee, playing games or engaging in conversation. 

“Everybody has stories,” Frank said. “It was easy to meet people. Everybody’s very friendly and very easy to visit with.” 

Gannot echoed the same idea. 

“There’s connections with everybody, if you look deep enough,” Gannot said. “Otherwise, you make new connections.” 

Avera offers an option 

Avera at Home Services is a home health care option that helps with a variety of services such as medication management, wound and dressings, IVs and injections, post-operative care, diabetic teaching, and customized care plans. 

Avera at Home services 16 counties in the southwest Minnesota region. There has to be an order from a primary care physician to get set up with the service, which works with Medicare, Medicaid, private pay and other payor sources. 

“We have skilled nursing services that can come in to help with medication management, an overall assessment, checking your blood pressure if you’re a diabetic, making sure the blood sugars are within range, helping with with insulin, blood pressure, listen to your lungs, pulse,” Agency Manager Melissa Maranell said. “Just an overall assessment to check you’re doing okay with the goal of being able to keep you at home.” 

Maranell said the home services also offer aid, like bathing, activities of daily living, getting dressed and more. 

“We do skilled home care, and with that, the goal is to get better. But, we also do hospice care,” Maranell said. “We have nursing a few times a week, aid services a few times a week. Somebody in there Monday through Friday at least, and a nurse on call 24/7.” 

The home services also partners with Big Stone to offer physical and occupational therapy, along with family and caregiver support. 

Avera has home medical equipment that can be rented or bought. Home services and medical equipment can be reached at 507-537-7070. 

More opportunities at the Adult Community Center 

There are plenty of opportunities for older adults to get out and partake in some fun as well to reduce isolation and socialize.

The Adult Community Center in Marshall, which is free to attend, creates community engagement with a variety of exercise opportunities, speakers, games, day trips, book club, crafts and other activities. 

“If we’re getting a new store in town, we’ll be like, ‘Let’s schedule a tour of the new store,’ because as a senior, you might not feel comfortable going someplace new by yourself,'” coordinator Katie Brusven said. “We try to really get a variety of programs as far as history, education, what’s going on in the community, chats with the chiefs and sit down with the sheriff.” 

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. aside from holiday or weather closures. There also is an on-site Meals on Wheels dining option, which requires a 24 hour in advance reservation. 

Marshall Area Senior Citizens Incorporated (MASC) is also housed in the center, which is a membership that costs $15 a year and mails monthly newsletters and has a few member-only events. 

“We like to think we’re a pretty reasonable resource for the seniors,” Brusven said. “If they’re willing to come down, we can usually find something for them to do.” 

The center can be reached at 507-537-6109 and is located at 107 S 4th St. in Marshall. 

Meals on Wheels 

goes to the homes

Lutheran Social Service (LSS) offers a plethora of services to older adults across Minnesota, including Meals on Wheels. 

“LSS Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals and perform a safety check for older adults, age 60 and older, who might be unable to leave their homes,” said Jacqueline Nelson, senior manager of public relations and marketing of LSS. “Family members gain peace of mind in knowing that someone is checking on their loved one daily. If the delivery volunteer notices anything of concern, with the older adult’s permission, we can notify family members.” 

Deliveries are made throughout the week, and can be serviced on weekends as well. LSS provides frozen meal services in all 87 Minnesota counties, but also serves hot meals in the southwest Minnesota region. For the Marshall area, meals are prepared at the LSS kitchen in Luverne. 

LSS also offers caregiver support and respite, a senior companion program, a foster grandparent program, veterans support, financial counseling and more. 

“Our vision is that all people have opportunity to live and work in a community with full and abundant lives,” Nelson said. “For older adults, fostering well-being and strong relationships is central to our services. Whether it’s volunteering, enjoying a meal with friends or making financial or care decisions for the future.” 

Meals on Wheels can be contacted at 800-488-4146 or 507-537-6124 for the Marshall senior dining option at the Adult Community Center. Other LSS services can be reached at 800-582-5260. 

Turn to UCAP for assistance

United Community Action Partners (UCAP) offers a handful of services to address education, employment training, affordable housing solutions, weatherization, nutrition assistance, energy and utility assistance, taxes, health care enrollment and more. 

Serving Lyon, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Nobles, Renville and Redwood counties, UCAP helps with transportation services. It costs $80 a month for anyone for an unlimited monthly ride pass, but there is financial assistance for seniors. 

“For our seniors who are 60 or over, we have a program called Assisting Seniors On The Go … They’re going to be able to access that assisted transportation at a contribution rate,” mobility administrator Shelly Pflaum said. “Basically, they can pay what they can afford for that transportation … As part of the registration, we do ask them for some self-declared income information, but we don’t ask for anything official.” 

After getting registered, UCAP will offer a suggested contribution rate, but it is not required. 

“Everything that gets contributed under that program goes right back into the program, so we can continue to run it,” Pflaum said. “It’s definitely appreciated … Our goal has always been to expand, to be able to cover any bus transportation that people may request if they need additional assistance.” 

To sign up for a ride, Lincoln, Lyon and Redwood counties will call dispatch at 507-537-7628. Cottonwood, Murray and Jackson counties will call 507-847-2632, while Pipestone and Rock counties will call 507-283-5058. All other UCAP services can be reached at 800-992-1710. 

A.C.E. and Marshall Area Dementia good sources

Advocate, Connect and Educate (A.C.E.) of southwest Minnesota also is a good source to promote education, offers caregiver services and respite, fitness, dementia support and volunteer placements. 

A.C.E. has a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) that finds volunteer placements for those 55 years and older. It gives an opportunity for people to share skills and share life experiences with others. 

There also is Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a nutritional assistance program, that works with Second Harvest out of the cities. Seniors have to be at least 60 years old, and meet some income guidelines. A.C.E. receives a shipment of shelf-stable food and cheese that people can pick up once a month. 

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength and balance program that is hosted at Marshall’s YMCA. 

A.C.E. also actively partners with the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network, which raises awareness, holds support groups and connects those experiencing memory loss with health, social and spiritual services in the community. 

A.C.E. has an office located at the Government Center in Marshall, and can be reached at 507-829-1143. The Marshall Area Dementia Network can be reached at 507-828-8891. 

SWMHHS offers personal

care services

Southwest Health and Human Services (SWMHHS) helps with an array of home and personal care services while staying at home like chores, emergency call systems, homemaking, caregiver respite, personal hygiene, housing options and more. It services Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood or Rock counties, and begins with an MnChoices Assessment to first establish what services are needed. 

SWMHHS can be reached at 888-837-6713. 

Many activities at YMCA 

The local YMCA is a fun resource the older community can get involved with to engage in healthy lifestyles, alleviate isolation and activate one’s mind and body. 

The YMCA offers ForeverWell, which is a wellness program for older adults 55 years and older. Anyone can participate in any of the group fitness classes offered, but ForeverWell offers designed older adult classes like aqua fitness, strength training, chair yoga, dance, tai chi, balance and more. 

Aqua fitness is one of the most popular classes that is gentle on joints while working flexibility and muscular strength. 

“There’s a wonderful, wonderful following of people in there (aqua fitness),” Marshall YMCA Interim CEO Jamie Nauman said. “It’s a large group of people, and they are there every single morning at 8 a.m.” 

There also is a Y Reads Book Club, which meets on the fourth Friday every month at 9:30 a.m. to socialize over a specific book. A book kit can be picked up at the YMCA, while books are at the responsibility of the reader and can be found at the library. 

The YMCA also occasionally hosts doctor discussions with Dr. Vince LaPorte, a doctor at Avera. The schedule varies, but there is usually one session a month. 

“He puts on these doctor discussions where he talks about topics related to typically older 55 plus people on ways to prevent falls, talk about different health conditions, just various things like that,” Nauman said. 

Another popular event that can become a new hobby is pickleball. 

“There are tons of seniors that play pickleball … It has a huge following,” Nauman said. “Beginners are welcomed anytime, and people are super friendly about including the newcomers and teaching them how to play … They’ll take time to tell everybody the rules of the game and how to play.” 

The YMCA partners with a handful of health insurance companies to offer a $20 reimbursement from the monthly membership costs. There’s also a few membership plans that partner with Medicare for adults 65 years or older, which can allow full access to the facility. 

Otherwise, there is a senior citizen discount where members 60 years or older can receive a discounted join fee of $20, and a reduced membership rate of $57 for an individual or $78 for a family plan. 

The YMCA is open every day of the week. 

“We have a really good community here … You really get to know the people that come at both times, and you’re constantly seeing them,” Nauman said. “You create your own smaller community within a larger community.”  

The Marshall YMCA is located at 200 South A Street or can be reached at 507-532-9622. 

Staying connected 

Through the multiple resources and services available, leaning on one another and creating a support group is an impactful way to transition in life. Tubbs, the Moorses and Gannot all spoke about the importance of maintaining long-lasting relationships. 

“Everybody looks out for everybody else,” Tubbs said. “I don’t know how many times I’ve had people check on me … I’ve never had so many hugs in all my life.”