Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

Minnesota’s Age Wave: The Vision

Combine longer life expectancies with the size of the baby boom generation, and it shouldn’t be surprising that the next several years promise historic changes in Minnesota.

Here in St. James and throughout southwestern Minnesota we’re already seeing that future. People over now make up about 20% of the region’s population. The rest of Minnesota is not far behind.

In the next quarter century, Minnesota’s over-65 population will expand nearly twice as much as all other age categories combined. There’s never been anything like this in the history of our state or anywhere else.

When we think about our future, we tend to overlook this seismic demographic shift. And we simply can’t afford to do that. We’ve got to innovate on health care, on housing, on transportation, on building communities where older Minnesotans can stay in their homes, live dignified lives close to their loved ones whenever possible, and contribute for as long as they can in their own neighborhoods.

As your next governor I will move aggressively to make that vision a reality. In the Legislature, I’ve already been at work preparing for the age wave, leading the way with creative solutions to support family caregivers, encourage more saving for retirement and long term care, and empower communities like St. James to develop tailored local solutions to an aging population.

We can’t get caught flatfooted by the age wave. It will demand our next governor’s energy and focused attention. It already has mine.