August 2023

Visit our website at: https://vital-aging-network.org/

In this edition

• News from Aging with Gusto: thoughts about choice and control over decisions
• About our Aging with Gusto program
• Important Medicaid/Medical Assistance update
• About those pickleball injuries, second in a series--tips from Mia Bremer
• We've updated our Values Statement
• Wellness 50+ news and events
• Opportunities from partner organizations

News from Aging with Gusto

For the last several months Aging with Gusto has been sharing one Key Contributor to Aging with Gusto each month in the VAN e-Bulletin. Those Key Contributors are:

1. Doing things that you find satisfying or fulfilling.
2. Striving to maximize physical health.
3. Striving to maximize cognitive health (thinking).
4. Striving to maximize emotional health (feelings).
5. Learning new things and challenging yourself.
6. Having choice and control over decisions that affect your life.
7. Being connected with family, friends and a broader community.
8. Having a sense of purpose, doing things that are meaningful, and contributing to something greater than yourself.

In August we're focusing on choice and control over decisions.

Key Contributor-Having Choice and Control over Decisions that Affect your Life

From Aging with Gusto team member Rich Kessler

This month’s topic is “Having choice and control over decisions that affect your life”. And doing it with compassion for those you care about, too

Some might say we always have choices, although the choices might not always work out the way we choose or be for the best. As for control, we probably have more than we imagine, but less than we wish.

As we grow older our bodies slow down and age, sometimes our thinking slows down, too. And yet most of us want to stay as independent as possible, for as long as possible. We want choices. We want control over things that affect us. We don’t want others to make choices for us without our permission. 

Aging with Gusto doesn’t mean doing, doing, doing. It has more to do with whatever you do, do it with your whole heart, with full intention, and with joy. But sometimes, worries get in the way. Those worries and fears are lurking around and drain us, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Read the complete article here.

Learn more about our Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism workshops

Aging with Gusto workshops: are designed as a three-part, interactive series of sessions, with each session lasting about 90 minutes. Sessions may be held in person or via an online platform such as Zoom. They are led by trained facilitators.

Learn more about Aging with Gusto by watching this short video.

Download this flyer about the work of Aging with Gusto

Confronting Ageism workshops: are one-session events also led by trained facilitators that guide you and your group through activities that explore the roots and impacts of ageism and create opportunities for you to discover ways to combat them.

Both workshops are available in person or virtually via Zoom.

Jan Cunningham is Aging with Gusto's program coordinator. Contact her at jancunninghamAWG@gmail.com for information about scheduling Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism workshops for your groups.

Get those screenings and preventive care procedures

During the COVID pandemic, many of us delayed regular visits to our doctors and those important screenings, preventative tests, and vaccines that we know are important to our health. It was understandable--access was limited; we were getting conflicting messages about the safety at medical care facilities; and, frankly, we just didn't know what was what!

But things are different now. And if you know you're overdue for an appointment with your primary care doctor, or if you have passed that due date for a preventative test, the best time to make an appointment is today!

You'll have yourself to thank for your continued good health and vitality

And if you're on Medicaid/Medical Assistance, remember this:

By Jetta Wiedemeier Bower of the Senior LinkAge Line and Trellis

from the May VAN e-Bulletin

The pandemic was a health emergency in the United States, so if you received Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota), you could maintain your coverage throughout the pandemic without reapplying. However, as of April 1, 2023, that has changed and when your reapplication date comes up you will need to reapply to maintain your health insurance. You will receive a notification about reapplying in your mail. Don't ignore this notice! If you have moved since you first applied for Medical Assistance, learn how to update your contact information at mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo.

Your Medicaid benefits can help you get access to check-ups, screenings and treatments and help prevent disease. Get the knowledge and support you need for a healthy lifestyle.

If you need more information about Medicaid and the reapplication process, the Administration for Community Living has extensive resources.

Pickleball injury prevention: Part 2 – lower body strength

by Mia Bremer

Last year my 59-year old husband found both “his sport” and a community when he started attending a weekly drop in indoor pickleball game at NE Park Recreation Center. He took a two-hour lesson at Lucky Shots and shortly thereafter was at the park twice a week advancing his game. All was going well for six months until a shoulder tweak left him sore after games (see last month’s column). While he took a break, I continued to see his friends once a week after teaching my exercises class which meets in the same gym where pickleball takes place. When I mentioned Clark’s shoulder issue, I started hearing other complaints from players. Their concerns had to do with knee or hip pain, either during the game or afterwards. Hip and knee issues are, like shoulders, complex, which is why I have decided to divide this topic into two sections: lower body strength this month and lower body flexibility next month. .. Read her entire column here.

Taking a look at our mission, principles, and values

Recently, the VAN leadership took some time to review its mission, core principles, and especially its values statements with and emphasis on clearly delineating what VAN is about and what it hopes to accomplish.

See VAN's updated mission, core principles and values statements here. (This link will open as a document icon at the bottom of your screen. Click on that to see the content.)

News from Wellness 50+

Wellness 50+ community-wide events

Wellness 50+ hosts a series of community-wide events in addition to events organized and led by our community groups (Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and Phillips neighborhood). All of our community-wide events are listed in this newsletter AND are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar (https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50). Registration for community-wide events is via our Meetup Group "Wellness 50+ Twin Cities". Join the group (Wellness 50+ Twin Cities Meetup Group). You will receive email notifications when an event is ready for registration.

Upcoming community-wide events

-3rd Monday, August 21, Evening Kayak on Square Lake, 5:30 pm 

Join us for a relaxing evening paddle on Square Lake in northern Washington County. New or inexperienced kayaker? Come try it out on beautiful Square Lake. Kayak rental is $30. Register through Meetup (Aug. 21 Kayak on Square Lake).  

-4th Monday, August 28, Biking Cannon Valley Trail, 9:45 am 

We will bike a 20 mile loop from Welch Village Trailhead to Red Wing and back. Shorter rides are available by turning around sooner. Register through Meetup (Aug. 28 Biking Cannon Valley Trail).  

-1st Tuesday, September 5, Evening History Walk at Pt. Douglas Park, 5:45 pm 

Herb Reckinger, a local historian, will lead us on a 2 mile walk. He will discuss the history and sites on the important Point Douglas area at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Register through Meetup. (Sept. 5 History Walk at Pt. Douglas Park). 

-4th Monday, September 25, Biking Brown's Creek & St. Croix River Loop Trails, 9:45 am 

Join us as we bike 18 miles from downtown Stillwater to Duluth Junction along the Brown's Creek Trail and then the St. Croix River Loop trail. Shorter rides are available by turning around sooner. Register through Meetup (Sept. 25 Biking St Croix River Loop ).  

-4th Tuesday, September 26, Mississippi River Kayak, St. Paul Park 9:45 am 

Wahoo Adventures will lead us on a paddle down a channel of the Mississippi River. Kayak rental is $30. Register through Meetup (Sept 26 Mississippi River Kayak).  

NOTE: This will be our last kayak event of 2023.

Community-wide activities we've enjoyed recently

-3rd Monday, St. Croix River Kayak, July 17

We kayaked the St. Croix River from Interstate Park in Wisconsin to Osceola. Besides a few fishermen near the beginning we had the river to ourselves for an enjoyable morning paddle. The river was lower so there was a bit of "white water" that provided some excitement but everyone navigated through it without any issues. Lunch was enjoyed at Tippy Canoes afterwards.

-4th Monday, Biking Harriet Island to the Big Rivers Trailhead July 24

From Harriet Island in St. Paul we biked 14 miles along the Big Rivers Regional Trail to the Big Rivers Trailhead. This trail takes you along the Mississippi River, Pike Island and the Minnesota River to Mendota Heights and is very scenic, overlooking the river valleys.The Trailhead has picnic tables and a nice overview of the river and lakes. Lunch was enjoyed afterwards at Joseph's.

-1st Tuesday, Disc Golf at Pine Point Park, August 1 

Both new and returning golfers enjoyed a round of disc golf in the prairie and woods of Pine Point Park. The group played "best disc" similar to "best ball" in golf.  Good conversations were had between the holes. Playing styles were varied and the group had fun. After completing play we joined together for a fun picture.

Disc golf.

Kayaking on the St. Croix.

Biking at Harriet Island.

Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

The Wellness Movie Club will meet on Tuesday, August 22, at 1 pm at the Oakdale Library*. The movie to discuss will be The Hundred Foot Journey.

Getting a Good Night's Rest presentation by Audrey Wells, MD will be on Thursday, September 21, at 6 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

The Wellness Book Club will discuss Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova on Tuesday, September 26, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

Greeting Card Design and Construction will be on Thursday, September 28, at 5:30 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Lolita Cox will teach new card-making skills. Bring your own scissors, pencils and rulers. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

Flu Shot Clinic provided by Walgreens will be Saturday, September 30, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Bring your insurance card and photo ID. No registration necessary.

Wednesday Walks continue weekly at 9 am and run through November. (During the winter months, walks begin at 10 am.) Meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center** to walk the paths of the beautiful Oakdale Nature Preserve. 

*The Oakdale Library is located at 1010 Heron Ave. North, Oakdale

**The Oakdale Discovery Center is located at 4444 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale

Stillwater Wellness 50+ events

• August 23-- 9 am; Enjoy a one-hour hike at the-St Croix Savannah Park located on Osprey Blvd, Bayport, MN 55003. Please register to attend. If no attendees register, the event will be cancelled.  Register here:  

• Live 2 B Healthy--September 13 at 1 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd St. N., Stillwater. This month we focus on Falls Prevention. (You can see a larger version of this poster by clicking on the image at right.) There is no registration required for this event.

• Sept 14-- 10:30 am to noon: Stillwater Police Present Theft and Porch Pirates. Join the Stillwater Police at the Stillwater Public Library for a conversation about Theft and Porch Pirates. Officers will share advice to prevent porch piracy and protect you from theft. Registration is encouraged but not required. Call 651-275-4338, or stop by the Library! The Stillwater Public Library is located at 224 3rd St. N., Stillwater. (Click on the poster image to see a larger version.)

Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ events

• August 24-- 5:30-? Beginning Kayak We'll meet at Hazen P. Mooers Park and paddle out to Settlers Island with a light dinner salad/water. Cost is $27 and includes the meal. Only $5 if you already have a kayak. Register here:   Mooers Park is located at 10865 Grey Cloud Trail S., Cottage Grove.

• September 11--1-2 pm. Falls Prevention and Awarenes Located at the Park Grove Library. All are welcome, no registration or charge. Each session lasts 45 minutes with a 15 minute Q&A session. The Park Grove Library is located at 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove.

• Social Shenanigans: Laughter and Connections, September 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. South Washington County District Program Center, 8400 East Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove Have you ever heard of “Speed Dating”? Well, we’re planning a speed “get-to-know-new-people” event! It’s for anyone with a little sense of adventure and a willingness to get outside their comfort zone. Connections come from shared stories, so we’ve assembled a list of 20 fun questions designed to make it easy for everyone to connect one-on-one. We guarantee you’ll meet new people, share a few laughs, and find at least a few interesting things in common. Regular and specialty coffees and fruit smoothies will be available for purchase. This is a partnership program with South Washington County Community Education and costs $10 per person. Reservations can be made at: https://sowashco.ce.eleyo.com/ for program number SA10661. 

Opportunities from partner organizations

From Ramsey County Public Health

Here's the August Healthy Aging Digest from Ramsey County Public Health. You'll find information about the new Alzheimer's drug that's been in the news, funding available for broadband, and more. (This link will open as a document icon at the bottom of your screen. Click on that to see the content.)

From River Market Co-op Community in Stillwater

River Market offers a series of classes from Intro to Hooping to climate friendly gardens, to becoming a pest detective. Check them out and register here.

https://rivermarket.coop/classesevents/