Grant helps Adrian offer services for older residences

Ryan McGaughey, The Daily Globe, Worthington, Minn.
·3 min read

May 22—ADRIAN — The city of Adrian has received a grant through the Minnesota Area Agency on Aging that will help provide multiple services for community residents aged 60 and older.

City Administrator Jill Wolf explained that the city recently received a Chore and Housekeeping Grant from the agency in the amount of $25,000.

"The city applied for it and the grant was made possible through CARES Act funding that was given to the agency, and they granted it out to entities such as municipalities or other non-profit organizations," Wolf said. "We will provide laundry, housekeeping and lawn care services.

"When I say 'we,' the city doesn't actually provide it," she continued. "We have private contractors who do the work and then turn their bills into the city, and the city pays those contractors with the grant money."

Wolf noted that the city has made an arrangement with Rock County Opportunities in Luverne, which has a laundry service that puts its clients to work. Adrian residents aged 60 and older who want to receive such service will initially receive a laundry bag from the city that they will fill on a weekly basis and leave outside of their front door on their designated day.

Mariah Aggen, who operates Essential Senior Services, also received a similar grant to provide services to older adults, Wolf said. Money from her grant pays for the transportation of the laundry back and forth between Adrian and Luverne.

Once the laundry arrives at Rock County Opportunities, it's sorted, and a written inventory of all items is taken. The laundry is washed, dried, ironed and folded, and then all inventoried items are returned to the bag for its transport back to Adrian. Like the other services made possible by the city's grant, it's free of charge to the participating residents.

Wolf said the city welcomes more contractors to take part in the program.

"We have one so far — a grandpa and grandson — mowing lawns," she said. "We can also offer two hours a week of housekeeping per household over the age of 60. We contract that out, too ... that seems to be the most popular service so far."

In 2019, the city of Adrian successfully applied for a $10,000 Age Friendly Grant from the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, with a portion of that funding utilized to pay an intergenerational coordinator. That led to the organization of an array of activities and programs through the city and its Community Leadership Team.

The new grant doesn't have the same purpose, but will also benefit what's seen as an important component of Adrian's population.

"People were very receptive to that first grant and we had a lot of positive feedback, especially from our residents over the age of 60," Wolf shared. "They really appreciated the programs and activities, and wanted to see more in the community.

"This grant will help residents to age in place by offering assistance with housekeeping, lawn care and laundry — some of that more physical labor — and that will help them remain in their homes longer."

Any resident of Adrian aged 60 or older, or anyone interested in contracting their labor, may contact Megan at Adrian City Hall, (507) 483-2849, to receive more information.