About us
Our mission
As a faith-in-action non-profit, we renew hope for seniors and caregivers, strengthen families and make our communities better places to live. Through planning, advocacy and education, we help older adults manage and resolve ongoing crises and empower them to reduce the risk of future crises. We support our clients for as long as they need us and treat them with compassion every step of the way.
Our urgency
As we age, managing our health, medical costs and basic needs can become more difficult. A single crisis, such as a fall or a diagnosis of dementia, can lead to life-changing decisions that are stressful and complex.
Nearly a million Minnesotans are age 65 and over. In 2015, about 20 percent lived alone. Today, 18,000 Minnesota dementia patients live alone.* Many older adults and their caregivers have nowhere to turn for help overcoming the challenges of aging and catastrophic events. * Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota Department of Health
Our work
START has served more than 3,000 clients and put more than $1 million in benefits in the hands of struggling seniors. We are a recent recipient of Community Partner Award from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and continue supporting aging research as a member of the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation team.
In addition to our work with seniors and caregivers, our team has devoted years working to solve the systemic problems that lead to the gaps in care and services we help bridge. Team members have served on the Minnesota Board of Aging, the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, the Long-Term Care ReThink Tank and in direct care.
Our staff
Tracy Keibler, Founding Director
Tracy holds a master's degree in gerontology and has decades of experience working with older adults. She has contributed to the aging field through her service as vice-chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging, her work at the National Council on Aging in Washington, D.C., and as a direct care provider. Tracy is a Medicare advocate and a sought-after speaker on Medicare coverage issues. She champions initiatives for older adults including access to home and community-based services, criminal penalties for the neglect of vulnerable adults and reducing the use of anti-psychotic medications for patients in long-term care settings. She has a passion for nutrition and has contributed to two New York Times bestselling books on the subject: The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren and The Blood Sugar Solution Cookbook by Dr. Mark Hyman.
Lynn Bergren, RN, Outreach Nurse
Lynn has 40 years of nursing experience focused on behavioral health, most recently as a nurse case manager at an insurance company and as a behavioral clinical consultant solving complex problems.
“I’m happy to represent START as a champion for whole person care — to take care of needs that are not being met and fill in the gaps,” Lynn says. “I love the strong advocacy I’ve seen at START, and I‘m proud to be part of that commitment to our clients.”
Judy Hamerlinck, RN, Outreach Nurse
Denice Gibson, Program Director
James Dostal, Senior Advocate
Jim holds a master’s degree in gerontology and has 20 years’ experience helping caregivers and patients navigate the toughest care crises. A former long-term care ombudsman, Jim is known for his razor-sharp knowledge of rules and regulations, his fierce advocacy for seniors and others who are vulnerable, and his ability to work with all parties to get the best results for clients.
Ann Holme, Senior Advocate
Wendy Weidner, Senior Advocate
Chuck Keibler, Finance and Operations Director
Board of Directors
Ann Johnson, Board Chair
Thomas Roffers, Treasurer
Eric Koch, Secretary
George Schoephoerster, MD
Mary Rempfer
Val Walker
START Senior Solutions is funded in part by a Minnesota Department of Human Services Live Well at Home grant.
