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All Things Considered
Tom Crann, Ngoc Bui and Lukas Levin

As Minnesota's population grows older, some push for new state department on aging

Pill bottles are shown, with a health care provider talking to a client.
Minnesota's older population is aging quickly. Some are calling on a new state department for aging.
John Moore | Getty Images

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A quickly-aging Minnesota population has some calling for a new state department on aging. But not everyone is on board.

Jessie Van Berkel, who covers social services for the Minnesota Star Tribune, has been following the debate over who should oversee the coordination of services and advocacy for the state’s older adults — people aged 65 or older — which is projected to make up 20 percent by 2050.

Those pushing for a new department say a separate agency would “elevate” the needs of older Minnesotans, she said, but the Board of Aging, which was created almost 50 years ago is composed of 25 volunteer members, argues it could do the work if it had more resources and authority.

The board presented their recommendations to a legislative task force Tuesday. The task force is set to present its final report to lawmakers in January after the legislative session begins.

To hear the conversation about aging services, click the player above.