EPPIA Update

Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging is starting a new column focused on the welfare of seniors in Eden Prairie. For more information about the group, visit www.edenprairieaging.org.

Group offers options for shoveling snow

By Joyce Konczyk, Lisa Schmidtke and Joanne Bartel

Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging (EPPIA) is a professional networking organization made up of representatives of diverse organizations all committed to the welfare of seniors in our community.

We represent nonprofit and for-profit organizations, senior care facilities, social service and community service organizations. Our organization also includes members who serve persons with disabilities, youth and family groups and low-income residents of Eden Prairie.

We are advocates, senior housing communities, day activity providers, educators, elder law attorneys, funeral pre-planners, geriatric care managers, home health care and hospice agencies, librarians, medical specialists, movers, therapists and nurses, home managers, resource specialists, senior center workers, senior companions and medical products retailers.

We are here to assist Eden Prairie residents and their families navigate the wealth of services that are available in our community. We recognize that finding the solution to your family’s problem may be right here and you may not know where to start looking. We invite you to call on us to assist you in finding resources for your loved ones.

Snow removal ordinance

Meanwhile, there’s winter upon us, and it looks like we’re going to get more snow this year!

The city of Eden Prairie has adopted a new snow removal ordinance, effective Oct. 25, 2007, requiring some property owners to remove snow from public sidewalks and trails adjoining their property. The purpose of this ordinance is to expand the network of sidewalks and trails available for public use in the winter months and ensure the safety of pedestrians utilizing them. Here are a few ideas for help with snow removal for those in our community who are not able to shovel the white stuff.

For persons over 60 who have concerns about shoveling, contact the City Center at 952-949-8300 or communications@edenprairie.org.

The HOME (Home Outside Maintenance for the Elderly) program provides snow removal assistance for the elderly on a sliding fee basis, call 952-888-5530.

For people with MS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter is providing limited assistance to purchase services, such as snow removal, through their Chore Services Grant. For more information, call 800-582-5296.

Elders, talk to your neighbors. Neighbors, talk to your elder neighbors. Talk to your able-bodied children about assisting their elder neighbors with this task. Use it as a teachable moment regarding giving. Do it as a gift. Commit random acts of kindness. There is no more meaningful gift than your time and labor. Happy holidays from EPPIA.

 For more information on EPPIA, please visit our Web site: www.edenprairieaging.org.

 Joyce M. Konczyk is a geriatric care manager; Lisa Schmidtke is from the Housecalls Network and Joanne Bartel is director of Prairie Adult Care.