Who We Are
We provide compassionate and confidential support for older adults age 60+ living in the heart of Minnesota's North Shore, who wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Each year, North Shore Area Partners coordinates over 60 volunteers to assist over 500 individual participants with a wide variety of services. As an Enrolled Provider for Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver, we provide the only access to chore, homemaking, and home health care for many clients in our service area.
The Need
“How can I get to my doctor appointment in Duluth?”
“Is there someone who could help me shovel my sidewalk?”
“How do I use the new computer tablet my son gave me?”
“How can I get a break from caring for my wife with dementia?”
These are the type of requests North Shore Area Partners receives daily. We connect older adults 60+ with resources and information to help them navigate their changing needs as they age, enabling them to live safely in their homes within our community for as long as possible.
The Challenge
Communities in the heart of the North Shore are at the forefront of the wave of an aging population. The local transportation, health and social service structures are not prepared for this demographic shift. Serving such a remote area is challenging, and this is compounded by the fact that one-third of our area residents are low income. Many young people move away for better employment opportunities, and the local workforce shortage makes it difficult to find affordable help for those without traditional family networks. North Shore Area Partners is striving to address these gaps in services and support.
Our Service Area
We provide services to the Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Finland, Isabella, Little Marais communities and surrounding area. We also provide private pay and waivered home care services outside of our regular service area—up the shore to Lutsen and down the shore to Knife River.
Living at Home Network Member
NSAP is a member of the Living at Home Network, which is a resource hub and advocate, an advisor on operations, and a connector among all members. Each year Minnesotans continue to live independently at home with the help of 32 non-profit, community-held programs. Learn more here.
Partnership Programs
NSAP works closely with Americorps Seniors and the North Shore Mental Health Group as a fiscal agent and collaborator, to organize and implement a variety of intergenerational and mental health programs, including several outdoor movie showings, Reading Pals, outings to Bentleyville and geocaching events.