January 2023

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

In this edition

• The Journey toward joy
• Choosing health---VAN works to get out the word on healthy habits
• A review of VAN in 2022
• About Aging with Gusto
• Wellness 50+ news and events
• Resources from other agencies

The journey toward joy

By Warren Wolfe

You probably already know the value of a positive approach to life – better health, longer life, stronger friendships, less depression and physical pain, resistance to cancer, heart disease, even flu and COVID. In addition to a strengthened immune system, a positive approach often leads to better decision making.

OK, but how do you get there? It can’t be as easy as flicking the on/off switch, can it – simply deciding to replace sadness with joy?

Well, it turns out that growing research findings indicate it may not be that difficult. There are things you can do that start replacing old negative ideas–often learned in childhood–with new thoughts that open the door to a positive outlook.

See Warren's 10 steps on the "journey toward joy" here.

Choosing health-

VAN works to provide good health messaging for older adults

You may have noticed that Warren Wolfe listed "choose health" as one of the pathways in his Journey to Joy column.. VAN has received support to help get the word out to older adults that it's important to participate in preventative health care strategies like getting regular health checks, managing chronic health issues, staying current on shots and vaccines, and participating in other strategies---like eating well and being active.

Why? In a 2018 report focusing on fitness for older adults in rural Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health said, "Strategies for healthy aging improve health outcomes of older adults and enhance economic outcomes for Minnesota communities. Staying healthy improves the ability of older adults to age in their own homes, have less reliance on home care and nursing facilities, and ultimately have higher quality of life with less public cost."

In the coming months, watch for messages from VAN (via this newsletter, the VAN website, social media, and print communication) focusing on preventative care strategies that have the benefit of helping older adults maintain quality of life, get illness diagnosis and treatment early for better outcomes, and manage medical costs.

A brief look at VAN in 2022

2022 was a year of transition--with some stops and starts along the way. Just when we thought COVID was in the rear-view mirror, a new outbreak would occur, and many people were still, understandably hesitant to participate in in-person events.

Aging with Gusto: Despite the fact that the public health environment was still uncertain, our Aging with Gusto (AWG) program found ways to provide meaningful programing for older aduts.

Aging with Gusto facilitators led a combination of three in-person and virtual workshops serving a total of 43 participants.

The team also introduced a new program, a virtual "Train the Facilitator" series to prepare participants to facilitate Aging with Gusto workshops in-person to community members. The first newly trained facilitators are in Northern Minnesota, and they are now able to bring AWG to communities in that region.

AWG, in partnership with the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, also initiated a new program focused on Combating Ageism. The collaboration hosted two two-hour workshops with at total of 344 attending.

About our Aging with Gusto program

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.

Confronting Aging workshops: are one-session events, again 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 it.

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 Aging workshops for your groups.

Just a note: The Aging with Gusto series scheduled for January in West St. Paul has been postponed and will be re-scheduled in the spring.

"Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength."

Betty Friedan, shared by VAN's Sally Brown.

Wellness 50+ community-wide events

Wellness 50+ hosts a series of community-wide events in addition to events organized and led by our four 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

TO BE RESCHEDULED--1st Tuesday, January 3, Yoga at the Oakdale Discovery Center* 12 pm --This event was cancelled due to weather and will be rescheduled.

Tatjana Zemcuznikov, Holistic Health Educator, will lead us in a one-hour yoga class indoors at the Oakdale Discovery Center. She teaches an integrated blend of Yoga and ChiGong moves and meditation. Come relax and rejuvenate yourself to begin a new year!   Registration will be through Meetup when the event has been rescheduled.  

--1st Tuesday, February 7, Snowshoeing at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Come join us outside as we snowshoe the trails of Lake Elmo Park. All abilities welcome. No snowshoes? No problem. Washington County Parks will have snowshoes for use. Have snowshoes? You are welcome to bring your own for a longer hike around Eagle Point Lake.  Register through Meetup (Feb 7 Snowshoe at Lake Elmo Park).  

Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

The Wellness Book Club will discuss The End of Your Life Book Club, January 24, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library.**

The Oakdale Wellness Movie Club will discuss the movie Lion, Tuesday, February 28, at 1 pm at the Oakdale Library.**

Wednesday Walks continue through the winter at 10 am. Meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center* to walk the paths of the beautiful Oakdale Nature Preserve.

Classical Stretch Thursdays, from 10:30 - 11:30 am, at the Oakdale Discovery Center.*

Come strengthen and stretch your muscles through the gentle, relaxing "Classical Stretch" program. Free, drop in sessions will be held on Thursdays through the end of January. Then sessions will be moved to Tuesdays at 10:30 am through the end of April. As a group we watch two 24 minute beginner sessions on a DVD. The program is based on the book "Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day" by Miranda Esmonde-White.

Reducing Your Waste Stream Series

This series will educate you on how you can reduce your household waste stream. Join us for an informative presentation and two tours to learn what you can do for a healthier you and planet by reducing the amount of garbage you throw out.

The first session is Thursday, February 16, at 6 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center.* Register by calling 651-747-3860 or online at  www.oakdalefun.com. (See a larger version of the flyer by clicking on the image.)

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

**The Oakdale Library is located at 1010 Heron Avenue North, Oakdale

Cottage Grove Wellness 50+events

Snowshoe experience--Wedness, February 15 Come enjoy a showshoe experience at Woodridge Park in Cottage Grove (9000 90th St. W.) on February 15 at 11 a.m. You must register if you need snowshoes. Call 651-666-8408 for more information

Stillwater Wellness 50+ events

Line Dance Class--Saturday, January 26 at 11 am Come and learn country line dancing in this 50 minute class. 5880 Omaha Avenue N, Stillwater. Register at 651-666-8408 or emailing Wellness50mn@gmail.com. Max of 20 participants. Please arrive at 10:45 am.

"You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety."

Abraham Maslow, American psychologist from inspiringquotes.com

Resources from other agencies

Online classes from the River Market Co-op

Curious about composting? Made a New Year's resolution to be a more efficient recycler? Wondering what "microgreens" are? Now you can register for a series of online classes offered by the River Market in Stillwater. There's no cost to attend. Register here: https://rivermarket.coop/classesevents/

Ramsey County-St. Paul Public Heath provides information about a variety of services and opportunities to benefit older adults. If you would like regular information, add your name to the e-mail list by contacting Julia Wolfe at julia.wolfe@ramseycounty.us .

Click here to see the January Healthy Aging Digest newsletter The newsletter will download as an icon on the bottom of your screen. (Thanks to Ramsey County Public Health.) This month's edition is a rich resource for health information regarding topics like the impact of drugs and alcohol on the health of older adults, mental health equity, the importance of social connection, and information and health resources for Black and Native older adults.