Northfield Retirement Community (NRC) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Mardag Foundation of St. Paul, Minn., to facilitate the development and launch of family caregiver support groups. It’s NRC’s hope that these groups will provide family caregivers with a safe place to share emotions and voice needs, and offer education and information about caregiving and relating to an aging family member.

Kyle Nordine, president and CEO of NRC, said, “We’re very grateful for the monies from the Mardag Foundation – they’ll go a long way in helping us launch this much-needed program. In an era where more and more adult children find themselves offering support and guidance to their aging parents, it’s increasingly important to have a support system in place to help them navigate their care options. NRC has a long history as an educational resource for the community and this is no exception.”

Though the program details are not yet finalized, NRC plans to offer guidance and ongoing support to citizens setting up groups, as well as educational materials to help direct the peer-facilitated groups. The materials supplied will be co-authored by Kari Berit, author of The Unexpected Caregiver, a book that explores the issues facing adult children who are caring for their aging parents.

Tina Sears, vice president of community health services at NRC, said, “We’ve seen firsthand the good that comes from open communication and proactive discussion surrounding aging issues. With appropriate preparation, seniors are able to make housing and living transitions with more comfort and confidence, and caregivers are much happier with their relationships with their aging parents. Support groups such as those made possible by the Mardag grant will supply the resources necessary to sustain and promote this proactive approach.”

The Mardag Foundation of St. Paul, Minn., makes grants to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in Minnesota for children, seniors and other at-risk populations, and for programs in education and arts. Specifically, the Mardag Foundation builds the capacity of arts and humanities organizations to benefit their communities; improves the lives of at-risk families, children, youth and young adults; and supports seniors to live independently.

Northfield Retirement Community has a 40-year history of providing quality housing and services specifically designed to meet the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of older adults. The organization currently operates or manages eight senior living facilities across the community: Northfield Parkview, Southview Suites, Cannon Valley Suites, Northwood Pines, Northfield Manor (subsidized housing), Evergreen Lodge (memory care facility), Care Center and Kildahl Park Pointe (managed cooperative). Providing a range of services – from round-the-clock care to minimal home-care assistance – the housing options available focus on giving adults, age 55 or older, the assistance they need to lead healthy, meaningful lives.