Mission Statement
The mission of St. Anthony Park Area Seniors is to maintain levels of independence and interdependence for seniors and their caregivers in the St. Anthony Park area through collaborative efforts of professional staff, volunteer staff and contracted nursing services working together to integrate health services, social services, community activities, education and advocacy.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
During 2015-2016, the St. Anthony Park Area Seniors board and staff concentrated on the quality of continuing services: home visits and home chore help, physical and social health promotion, caregiver support, and health services coordination.
Office and volunteer staff accomplished all of this in several ways. Staff provided 52 home visits and volunteers provided another 393 home visits to seniors. Volunteers also provided 149 hours of home assistance with leaf raking, snow shoveling, computer help, window washing and recycling. To promote physical and social health promotion, staff offered daily weekday exercise at three locations for 88 different people with an average attendance of ten. The program promoted healthy eating by providing drivers who delivered approximately 2600 meals for Meals on Wheels. The program also maintained a list of volunteer drivers who transported seniors to health-related appointments and program activities and events. Last year 48 seniors took advantage of this service for a total of 1563 one-way rides. The program provided 41 blood pressure clinics using volunteer nurses; and sponsored a monthly nutrition group, led by a semi-retired dietitian. This group focused on issues such a food labels, portioning and cholesterol. The participants shared that they "had a brighter and more positive outlook on life after attending these nutrition groups". The program offered 12 outings for an average of 11 seniors to places such as neighborhood restaurants and the Como conservatory. The program partnered with the local library to show a movie once per moth, and the average attendance was 15. The program offered coffee & games days twice per month so that seniors can play board games and get to know each other. The program also provided caregiver support including respite care and support groups. The program also coordinated nursing services and made referrals for other services that clients requested.
Current Goals
Program Goals 2016
Expand fundraising (Fundraising Committee)
Systematize service evaluation (Strategic Planning Committee, Grant Writing Subcommittee, and Executive Committee)
Reach out to South St. Anthony Park
Strengthen sustainability
Keep eyes on opportunities and challenges for collaboration in the neighborhood
Community or Constituency Served
St. Anthony Park Area Seniors assists seniors 60 and older, and their caregivers, living in Lauderdale, Falcon Heights west of Cleveland Avenue, and the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul.
Geographic Area Served
St. Anthony Park Area Seniors serves Lauderdale, Falcon Heights west of Cleveland Avenue, and the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul.
