February 2024

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

In this edition:

• Learn about Aging with Gusto
• Upcoming Aging with Gusto sessions
• Embracing the word "Old"
• Help for hurting hips -by Mia Bremer
• What is Trellis?
• Wellness 50+ activities
• An update from Age-Friendly Oakdale
• Notes from our partner organizations

News from Aging with Gusto

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.

Contact AWG facilitator Donna Comer at donnajmcomer@gmail.com for more information about Aging with Gusto.

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Participate in an in-person Aging with Gusto Series

Here's an opportunity to participate in an in-person Aging with Gusto Series in March. We are offering the series along with Do Good Roseville and Roseville Community Education on March 4, 11, 18 from 1-2:30 pm at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center (Roseville's Community Education Center) at 1910 County Rd B W, Roseville, MN 55113. There is no cost to participate

Join us for facilitated discussions on how to ignite a positive perception of aging and to help develop pathways to create a more accurate narrative about what it means to age.

Each of the three discussions in the Aging with Gusto series is interactive and engaging, with a combination of large and small group activities that help participants examine their views and actions around aging. 

Each discussion will focus on a specific topic:

1. What contributes to your aging with gusto?

2. How can you recognize and respond to ageism?

3. How can you use your values and goals to live a life with gusto?

The three-week program will be facilitated by Joann Ellis and Donna Comer, trained facilitators from the Vital Aging Network, whose goal is to promote self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age.  Register here.

Embracing the word "Old"

by Aging with Gusto Task-Force Member Susan Maples

Last month Donna Comer wrote an article on age, questioning whether it was a feeling or an action. As a follow-up to her thought-provoking article, I’d like to share some excerpts from an article recently published in Next Avenue written by Vanessa Nirode, entitled, “Ruminations on the Word 'Old.'"

To introduce the article, it’s helpful for you to know that we often open our Aging with Gusto Task Force meetings with the question; Have you recently experienced any ageist comments and, if so, how did you respond? I remember sharing one of my experiences at a local fast food restaurant when, at the age of 77 or 78, I was asked, “And what would you like young lady?” My response was, “Thanks for asking but actually I’m an old lady.” His response was, “No, you’re not!” to which I said, “Yes, it’s true. I am and proud of it!” He wanted to argue the point; I, instead, placed my order.

Recently in meeting a new doctor, he came through the door and said, “Oh, wow, you look great!” Since I had recently turned 80, I got up, bent over a bit, pretended I had a cane and said, “Were you expecting someone who could hardly walk and looked like they were essentially ready to keel over?” He said, “Actually, yes, I was but here you are looking so healthy, and look at those sneakers!” That’s one reflection of ageism and the assumption that if someone is over a certain age it is to be assumed that they will be decrepit, “less than” or unable to function as those chronologically younger humans.

Has that ever happened to you? If so, how did you deal with it? What did you feel about it? Did you react as if it were a compliment? Did you get frustrated or angry by the ageist negative assumption? Or did you not really notice it?

Read her complete thoughts here.

Help for hurting hips

by Mia Bremer

A few years ago, my husband who designs timber-framed homes, was building a lakeshore cabin in Ely, Minnesota. I drove up to see the construction and spent the evening barbequing and talking with the homeowners and their friends. One friend was a fellow in his mid-70s named Chuck. I remarked how easily he kept up with physical demands of the job. Not knowing I was a personal trainer, he told me how he had discovered that if he took the time to stretch his legs for about 15-20 minutes twice a day, it helped his back and hips tremendously. If he did not take the time to do his self-devised routine he could not keep up with the younger fellows and by the end of the day had a tough time walking and standing up straight. I smiled to myself knowing that Chuck had figured out exactly what to do without knowing the reason behind it. Here is what he instinctively knew:

Muscular imbalances can cause hip pain – especially as we get older and can lose both mobility and stability around joints. Tight muscles in the back of the leg, along with weak quadriceps and gluteal muscles are often the culprits when a hip joint is out of alignment. And a joint that is out of alignment can be damaged and aggravated as you move through your daily activities. Add to that the wear and tear of osteoarthritis and the need for increased stretching, strengthening and range of motion exercises is even more important as we age. 

See her exercise suggestions here. (The document will appear as a download at the bottom or top of your computer screen.)

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Michael Jordan, from Brainyquotes.com

What is Trellis?

You may have heard the word "Trellis" in the past few years but not be aware of what the organization does or how it might be important to you. Trellis was previously known as the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging. Trellis provides services, connections and innovations to help people thrive as they age.

Here's some background byTrellis communication representative Andy Brown:

We are the area agency on aging for the seven-county metro area — including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. Many Trellis initiatives and activities, including our Juniper health promotion programs and social care provider network, have a broad geographic reach across Minnesota and, in some cases, across the nation.

As an area agency on aging, we ensure services and policies are tailored to the needs of local communities. We award federal Older Americans Act funding to organizations that provide services to older adults and caregivers. Through our work with the Senior LinkAge Line — a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s area agencies on aging — We help Minnesotans access information and resources they need to age well. We host dementia friendly initiatives to help make communities safe, welcoming spaces for people living with memory loss, and offer legal support to older adults through our pension and retirement rights program.

Trellis is proud to lead the charge to integrate social care with medical care to produce better life and health outcomes for older adults. Learn more about the ways we support healthy aging at trellisconnects.org.

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

-2nd Tuesday, March 12, Zumba Dance at Oakdale Discovery Center, 11:30 am

We are having Sara Thompson back once again to lead us in an energetic and enjoyable Zumba dance session. Come out of the cold and move your body to the warm rock and roll beats of her Zumba Gold dances. Zumba Gold is for active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.  Register on Meetup. Note: The 1st Tuesday in March is election day so this event will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

(Mar 12 Zumba Dance at Oakdale Discovery).

-3rd Tuesday, Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes, 12 - 2 pm

Cost is $10 including shoes!

Register on Meetup: 

(Feb 20 Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes)

(Mar 19 Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes)

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Community-wide events we've enjoyed recently

-1st Tuesday, Hike at Lake Elmo Park, February 6

Unfortunately, due to the lack of snow, we could not snowshoe as we typically do in February. We switched the event and had a nice walk/hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Some walked on the paved path through the park. And some hiked the Eagle Point Lake trail. Swans were spotted from the boardwalk on Eagle Point Lake. We enjoyed an optional lunch afterwards to continue socializing.

Upcoming Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ evemts

Succession Planning for Digital Assets

Friday, Feb. 23 from 2-3 pm 

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove 

Technology has changed the way we store our data, communications, activities, and memories. Even if you aren't aware of it, most of us have digital assets of some kind. Digital assets include email accounts, computing devices, physical and cloud storage devices, digital photos, social media and more.

So what happens to these assets if we're incapacitated or we pass away? How can we make sure that appropriate people like our loved ones or an executor can access what they need to? What about things you don't want to share like email or a dating profile or certain accounts or documents?

This session at Park Grove Library is designed to clarify the kinds of information worth protecting, how to protect it appropriately, and how to ensure that a designated recipient can have the kind of access you wish. 

Register today at: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/11424239

Playing the Paintings: Todd Harper and Friends

Saturday, Feb. 24 from 2:30-3:30 pm

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove 

Todd Harper is a local Cottage Grove artist who has been capturing wildlife in watercolors for the last few years. A musician at heart (and by profession), Todd has written music to correspond to several of his paintings. Come enjoy his art with your eyes and ears in the Park Grove Library meeting room from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. This is an open house type of event. Todd will be present to discuss his work and answer questions. All ages are welcome. No registration required. 

For more information visit: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/11763949

Art Cart for Adults: Yarn Painting

Saturday, March 2 from 10 am to noon

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove 

Come experience the Art Cart at Park Grove Library. Programs with these carts will not be instructor led, but there will be some helpful information. Participants are welcome to interact with art materials on the cart. This month we'll be doing yarn painting. This is a great opportunity to use your imagination and meet someone new. No registration is needed. For this activity, children over 8 years of age are welcome as long as they are supervised by an adult. This program is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. 

Upcoming Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

Wellness Movie Club will discuss Nomadland on Tuesday, February 27, at 12:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*. 

Downsizing and Organizing will be presented by Valerie Cady, a professional organizer, on March 4 from 1 - 2:30 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center Community Room**. Learn to simplify your surroundings to feel happier and healthier. Register by calling Oakdale Recreation at 651-747-3860.

American Mahjongg, introductory session, will be given by Mary Boss, a professional trainer on March 16 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center Community Room**. Mary will cover the basics of Mahjongg before participants will play a game with assistance from experienced players.  Register by calling Oakdale Recreation at 651-747-3860.

The Wellness Book Club will discuss This Chair Rocks by Ashton Applewhite on Tuesday, March 26, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

Essentrics Classical Stretch sessions will be held weekly January through March on Thursdays from 10 to 11 am at the Oakdale Discovery Center Community Room**. Join us for a free, drop-in session, no registration required. We stretch and strengthen using two 22-minute sessions from a DVD by Miranda Esmonde-White. Her program is designed to increase flexibility, loosen joints, strengthen and stretch with relaxing, gentle movement. Cheryl Gysbers, a certified Essentrics instructor, is scheduled to lead us in a live session on March 21.

Wednesday Walks will continue at 10 am through the month of March. Meet in front of the Discovery Center** and we will walk the paths of the Oakdale Nature Preserve.

We had a large group walking on January 31 in warm temperatures. A caterpillar was spotted crossing the path that day! This has been an unusual non-winter: We hope that everyone is taking advantage of the nice walking conditions and getting outside.



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

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

Oakdale Wellness helps lead Age-Friendly Oakdale study related to transportation

from the Age-Friendly Oakdale Task Force

Age-Friendly Oakdale received a grant to prepare a report related to finding solutions for people who no longer wish to drive. A full printed report is available at the Library and the Discovery Center.

Here is a summary of that report.

The conclusions will be presented to the Oakdale City Council in March.

We hope you find some good ideas here. We love to hear from you.

From our partner organizations....