Minnesota Government Shutdown Hits Senior Services

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A state hotline that helps seniors is one of many casualties in Minnesota's state government shutdown.

The Senior Linkage Line is a resource for older people and their caregivers on things like finding housing options and untangling health insurance and drug plans. But callers now get a recording that invites them to leave a message but warns there's no telling when it will be returned.

Dawn Simonson, director of the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, says it's a popular service that helped about 30,000 people and their caregivers last year. She said the agency was hustling to publicize a local number, but would get fewer calls.

Simonson's agency is also laying off three specialists who help seniors transition back home after temporary stays in nursing homes.