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.

October 12, 2023 8:49 AM

Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2 percent in 2024 as inflation moderates

The acting Social Security commissioner says a 3.2 percent increase in benefits next year “will help millions of people keep up with expenses."

by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

September 21, 2023 1:22 PM

The connection between hearing loss and dementia: Minnesota audiologist explains

Hearing aids may reduce the risk of developing dementia for older people by nearly 50 percent, adding to a growing body of research on the issue.

by Gracie Stockton and Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

September 20, 2023 3:35 PM

A 96-year-old federal judge was barred from hearing cases in a fight over her fitness

The unusually public and bitter fight over whether a judge should continue to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has sparked a lawsuit and turned judges against one another.

by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

September 12, 2023 11:04 AM

Already battling staffing shortages, nursing homes brace for Biden's potential mandatory minimums

Despite receiving more than $9 billion in COVID-19 emergency funding, nursing homes across the country remain chronically understaffed. The Biden Administration is working to fulfill a State of the Union Address promise to require nursing homes to have more staffing along with 24/7 care which means more hiring nationwide from a strained pool of workers.

by Cathy Wurzer, Gracie Stockton and Lukas Levin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

September 7, 2023 11:50 AM

Push begins in Minnesota to let terminally ill patients end their own lives

Supporters of what’s called the End-of-Life Options Act launched a campaign this week to pass the legislation in 2024. It would give people with terminal illnesses access to medication to end their lives.

by Dana Ferguson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

September 5, 2023 7:45 AM

Minnesota 'Blue Zones' creator launches Netflix docuseries on quest for long life

Minnesota native Dan Buettner has launched a four-part docuseries on Netflix — “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” — learning about longevity from cultures and communities around the world. Buettner was a guest on Morning Edition with Cathy Wurzer to talk about his latest project.

by Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

August 31, 2023 8:50 AM

Some U.S. airports strive to make flying more inclusive for those with dementia

Advocates say nearly a dozen airports in the last few years have modified their facilities and operations to be more dementia-friendly, some at the urging of advocates.

by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

August 31, 2023 5:05 AM

Why Biden is now routinely taking the short stairs up to Air Force One

The built-in stairs lead to the belly of the plane. They're less photogenic than the tall, outdoor steps. But the sturdier stairs pose less of a health and political risk to the 80-year-old president.

by Tamara Keith

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

August 30, 2023 11:13 AM

Out-of-pocket prescription costs for Minnesotans to decrease in next few years

In a historic precedent set by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare now has a seat at the bargaining table. The law allows the government to engage in price negotiation for prescription drugs, primarily used by the elderly.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

August 14, 2023 1:24 PM

Clarence Avant, a major power broker in music, sports and politics, has died at 92

Clarence Avant boosted the careers of a vast array of influential figures, including Michael Jackson, Jim Brown and Barack Obama. He came back into the news after his wife was murdered in 2021.

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!