Strengthening rural Cass roots

Strengthening rural Cass roots

Community of Care celebrates 20 years of helping older adults remain in the communities they love

Bill Kent has lived in Casselton, N.D., since he was 7 years old. The community has always been home. It’s the place he returned after eight years with the U.S. Navy and the place that supported him and his family through love and loss. Now, proudly living on his own at 93 years old, Kent is still able to call Casselton home because of the folks at Community of Care.

“If I need a ride into Fargo, I’m sure they’ll give it to me,” Kent said, laughing and sitting with the employees of Community of Care’s Casselton office. “They’re always here for me if I have any trouble or anything. I just come over. They’re like family.”

Community of Care is a nonprofit organization that serves older adults across the 1,700 square miles of rural Cass County, many of whom are members of Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC). Whether it’s a ride to a medical appointment, help with a Medicare Part D plan, or an opportunity to socialize, Community of Care is there to help at no charge to the client.

When the nonprofit started as a pilot project in Arthur, N.D., two decades ago, a then-younger Kent was one of the first volunteer drivers. The program has evolved and grown since then, now with six employees and two offices in Arthur and Casselton.

“At that time, 20 years ago, Dr. Judy Ryan was the CEO of Good Samaritan. She had this vision for starting a co-op model, just like the electric co-ops,” said Myrna Hanson, Community of Care Executive Director. Hanson explained that gerontology specialists from across the state came together to develop the program, which now includes four legs: Care Coordination, Faith Community Nursing, Volunteer Program and Education.

Community of Care is the only program of its kind in North Dakota, but Hanson is working with North Dakota State University Extension to help develop pilots in other communities.

“We would love to see it expanded. We’re fortunate that we’ve received some funding through the state, because they recognize that keeping people in their homes is more cost effective,” Hanson said. “But we’d love to see legislators recognize that this is a great model – not only for the individual, but for the small towns. For example, if you keep somebody living in Arthur, that benefits Arthur.”