Older Americans Month: May 2024

May 15, 2024

History of Older Americans Month

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About 1/3 of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as ‘Senior Citizens Month.’

 

Two years later, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Older Americans Act of 1965 and formally declared May as Older Americans Month.

 

This act did much more than raise awareness or encourage community involvement – although it did both things well. Johnson took Kennedy’s proclamation and intentions a step further by taking action that resulted in positive change, financial assistance, and federal support for older Americans.

 

The Older Americans Act:

  • established the Administration on Agency, the first federal agency designed to address the struggles of older Americans.
  • introduced nutrition programs, transportation assistance, federally funded adult day care, legal assistance, and other services for seniors.
  • paved the way to passing the Medicare program to offer health care to seniors.

 

7 things to know about Minnesota's older adults


1. Minnesota's older adult population is growing

 

In 2022, there were almost 950,000 adults age 65+ in Minnesota, making up almost 17% of the population. By 2038, that population is projected to top 1.26 million, and more than 1 out of every 5 Minnesotans will be an older adult. 

 

2. Greater Minnesota is "greyer" than the Twin Cities

 

Most greater Minnesota counties have a larger share of older residents than the Twin Cities metro area counties have. For many rural counties, more than 1 in 4 residents is over age 65. Communities in greater Minnesota face unique challenges in meeting the needs of aging populations, including infrastructure maintenance, access to broadband, shifts in traditional industries, and stagnating or declining working-age populations.

3. Older adults are less racially and ethnically diverse than younger Minnesotans

4. Health care needs increase with age

 

Older adults are much more likely to have a health condition that makes it difficult to live independently without help. While about 1 in 14 Minnesotans under 65 have a disability, that figure rises to 1 in 5 for Minnesotans ages 65-74, 1 in 3 for those 75-84, and 2 in 3 for those 85 and older. Ensuring that our health care system can meet this growing need is one of the biggest challenges Minnesota faces as its population ages.

 

5. Most older adults live independently

 

90% of older adults in Minnesota live independently in their own homes, with another 6% living with relatives or roommates, and 4% living in group facilities. Among older adult heads of household in Minnesota, 3 in 4 own their homes. However, about a third of older adult-headed households are paying an unaffordable amount for housing. That includes about 1 in 5 older homeowners, and more than half of older adult renters.

6. Many older adults work beyond traditional retirement age

 

Traditional retirement age is 65 years, but we know that many older adults continue working for years or decades after their 65th birthday. Today, more than a quarter of 65-74-year-olds are still in the workforce, along with 7% of adults 75 and older.


Projections show that Minnesota will have 3.4 million jobs in 2030, but only about 2.8 million working-age adults employed. Older adults could help fill about 40% of the shortfall if current employment levels continue.

7. Older adults are engaged in their communities

 

Minnesota adults age 65+ have one of the highest rates of volunteering in the nation. Minnesota’s older adults are also the most likely of any age group to vote, and 2 out of 3 Minnesota’s aging population brings challenges for our state’s workforce, housing, and health care systems, but we start out with the advantages of an independent and civically engaged older adult community.

 

Speaking of amazing older Minnesotans who volunteer… check out this great video from the St. Cloud area school district about volunteerism featuring Grandma Bonnie, one of our own Foster Grandparent volunteers!

Our Recent News

Rebecca and Daniel's Story

By Brittany Hoversten • July 26, 2025
In 2024, Rebecca and Daniel were facing a difficult reality: their home was in the foreclosure process. With Daniel recently diagnosed with a serious, terminal illness, Rebecca had become the primary financial provider while also caring for her husband and their disabled daughter. What began as a hopeful purchase of a home in 2022 quickly became a financial burden as life’s unexpected challenges took a heavy toll on their family. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward, Rebecca and Daniel turned to Catholic Charities’ Financial and Housing Counseling program for help. After meeting with one of our experienced counselors, they gained a clear understanding of the foreclosure process in Minnesota, including available options and timelines. The first step was to assess their hardship and review their home’s affordability. Despite Rebecca’s best efforts to contact the mortgage company, the stress of managing multiple responsibilities made it difficult to complete the required paperwork. Our counselor worked directly with the mortgage company, helping Rebecca and Daniel fill out the necessary forms. As a result, they were offered a partial claim mortgage assistance program that allowed them to bring their mortgage current and stop the foreclosure. “I don’t have to worry about losing our home while dealing with Daniel’s healthcare needs,” Rebecca shared with relief. Our team also helped the family apply for energy assistance and connected them with additional social security resources, further supporting their financial recovery. Catholic Charities’ Financial and Housing Counseling program, available since 1982, has no income limits and provides expert guidance to anyone looking for assistance. As a licensed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provider, we are committed to helping individuals make informed financial decisions and build a secure future. Rebecca’s heartfelt gratitude says it best: “Many thanks to you, Lois, for everything you do for us!! God Bless You!”

Catholic Charities receives grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Stearns Bank

By Jenna Pettit • July 7, 2025
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud receives $10,000 grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Stearns Bank through the Member Impact Fund Grant program supports affordable housing and community development

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge

By Brittany Hoversten • July 1, 2025
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge