Sue, a DARTS home helper, has been helping Barb with household chores for more than five years. Sue vacuums, dusts, helps with laundry and makes sure Barb’s house is always tidy. “She is a lifeline to me,” says Barb. “I can take care of myself, but she keeps the house clean.”
DARTS is a nonprofit organization that provides personalized and professional services for older adults like Barb and those caring for older adults. Their services foster independent aging in the home of their choice and support caregivers. DARTS helps older adults with transportation, indoor and outdoor chores, home repairs, caregiver services, volunteer opportunities, and healthy aging services. DARTS serves Dakota County, southern Washington County and southern Ramsey County.
Trellis funding from the Older Americans Act helps support indoor and outdoor chores, transportation, Spanish-speaking client needs, caregiver services and respite, and programs including PEARLS, which provides mental health support for older adults living with depression. In 2023, DARTS served over 2,000 people with their programs. Of these, almost 25% received more than one service. DARTS also worked with over 700 volunteers to provide services, chores, and support. Funding for services comes from a variety of sources, including the Older Americans Act.
“DARTS’ mission is to create connections that enrich aging. Juniper programs and Older Americans Act funding help us all age well and help us advance our mission,” says DARTS President Ann Bailey. “Increasing funding for services is required to fulfill the needs as more older adults experience poverty.”
DARTS supports the Juniper Community Care Hub as a means to extend their impact and more fully help older adults. The Juniper Community Care Hub, a program of Trellis, is a statewide network of 40+ organizations that connects aging adults with services such as grocery delivery, transportation, wellness education and more. By connecting community organizations, healthcare providers, public health organizations and health insurers, the community care hub helps older Minnesotans take charge of their health and bridges the gap between medical and social care.
Community care hubs are a national model championed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Administration for Community Living that aim to build the infrastructure necessary to align clinical care and social care because they believe integrating social support can improve the experience of accessing healthcare services while reducing costs for those services. These hubs combine healthcare with the social supports we all need to thrive—healthy food, access to transportation and socialization to name a few.
“The community care hub model has the potential to transform health and social care systems to better serve our aging population,” says Mark Cullen, Trellis vice president of strategy and business development. “Think of it as a one-stop shop for your healthcare needs and other supports that help you live a healthy life.”
Juniper and its partners are seeking a one-time appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature to bring the community care hub to scale so all Minnesotans can benefit from the unique approach to health and social care. DARTS is one of more than 40 organizations that have signed on in support of the Juniper Community Care Hub.
“While one agency can make a difference, it takes a dedicated network of organizations working together to truly meet the evolving needs of older adults, ensuring they receive the support, care, and respect they deserve at every stage,” says Tabatha Barrett, Senior Director of Social Services & Innovation at DARTS.
“We are grateful for DARTS and our growing list of partners who recognize the value of the community care hub as we work to bring the model to older adults throughout Minnesota,” says Mark.
Barb is already looking forward to the next time Sue comes to help with chores. “She’s a great friend,” says Barb. “I look forward to a nice little visit when she comes.”
For more information about the Juniper Community Care Hub, visit yourjuniper.org/community-care-hub.
For more information about DARTS, visit dartsconnects.org.
