August 2021

In this edition
  • Poison Prevention Prompts from the Pros
  • Find a Convenient Aging with Gusto Session for Fall
  • Wellness 50+ Events
  • In the News
  • Volunteer Opportunities
Some practical advice
about poison prevention
Mandy Slag is a poison control educator with Hennepin County Medical Center
Rebecca Lange is a pharmacist and specialist in poison information with Hennepin county Medical Center.

Poison prevention Is for everyone
By Mandy Slag, RN, MPH and Rebecca Lange, PharmD, BCPS, CSPI

A poison is any substance which may cause harm, illness or death if it gets into your body.

Why are people poisoned?
  • Young children are curious and cannot read or a caregiver could make a mistake while giving a medicine.

  • In teens and adults there are mistakes from look-alike products, medicine errors, self-harm attempts or intentionally using a product or medicine differently than it was intended to be used.

  • The leading cause of poisoning for all ages is medicine. Medicine helps us feel better when we are sick or if it isneeded to treat disease. Medicine (both prescription and over-the-counter) can be poisonous if used in the wrong amount by the wrong person at the wrong time. 

Here are some ways you can help prevent poisoning:
  • Never mix cleaning products or chemicals such as bleach and ammonia.
  • Keep medicine, household products and chemicals up, out of sight and locked up from children.
  • Keep all pills, cleaning supplies, household items and garage products in their original containers.
  • Read the label each time you take your medicine to ensure it is for you and not someone else or your pet. 
  • Take the amount listed on the directions for prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
  • Take medicine at the right time. Taking medicines too close together could be potentially harmful or cause side effects.
  • Read and follow directions exactly as written on prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine to prevent potential problems.
  • Only take medicine that is prescribed for you. You might be unaware of possible side effects of a medicine. There might be interactions with a medicine that you are already taking. 

If you, a family member, or friend took something they shouldn’t have, call the Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. If someone is unconscious, having seizures or not breathing, call 911. The Poison Control Center has trained professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to answer your call. Poison Control is a free and confidential service. 
Notes from Aging with Gusto

Fall Aging with Gusto sessions are on the calendar!

Aging with Gusto is gearing up for fall.

If you've been waiting for the opportunity to take part in one of VAN's Aging with Gusto series, there are several opportunities--both in person and virtual--on the calendar for fall.

In Chanhassen: The Chanhassen Senior Center has scheduled two sets of AWG series.

  • The first is Tuesdays, September 29, October 6, and October 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at Chaska Lodge, 1661 Park Ridge Drive, Chaska

  • The second is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, November 1, 3, and 5 from 10 a.m. to noon either in person or hybrid via Zoom.

In Stillwater: The Thrive program of Community Thread in Stillwater is sponsoring a series on Thursdays, October 14, 21 and 28 from 2-4 p.m. at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W. Stillwater.

Watch your September VAN e-Bulletin for registration details.

What is Aging with Gusto?
Aging with Gusto is one of the programs of the Vital Aging Network. Aging with Gusto works to ignite a more positive view of aging.

Aging with Gusto offers a three-session discussion series, in person and online. The discussions are led by trained facilitators and offer plenty of time for participants to engage and to learn from one another.

The purpose of these sessions is to:
  • Encourage more positive views of aging.
  • Heighten appreciation for the capacity of people of all ages to contribute in their families and communities.
  • Increase awareness of ideas, behaviors and practices that are based on misconceptions and biases about older people.
  • Develop ideas for how to “age with gusto.”

It’s no secret: our society favors youth and shies away from aging. Prejudice against people as they age comes with a twist: It is discrimination against our future selves.

Whether we’re 6, 60 or 106, aging is happening to all of us…if we’re lucky. That’s not going to change. But what can change is how we view aging and how we treat one another and ourselves as we age.
Cottage Grove - Forest Lake - Oakdale - Stillwater - Woodbury
Phillips Neighborhood

What is Wellness 50+?

Wellness 50+ has active teams in Washington County (Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, Oakdale, Stillwater and Woodbury). It also has a team in the Minneapolis Phillips neighborhood. Its purpose is to promote health and wellness in those communities. Wellness 50+ teams plan and facilitate activities that include walking groups, healthy cooking classes, book clubs, recipe sharing and more.

Click here to learn more about Wellness 50+ goals and strategies.

More ways to enjoy summer:
Participate in one of these Wellness 50+ events
Wellness 50+ in Washington County and its Washington County partners have some very special events planned for the remainder of the summer.

You're invited--whether or not you're a Washington County resident. Here's the rundown:
Monthly kayaking outing--August 23
Join us as we paddle the Manitou Island area of White Bear Lake. We'll watch loons muskrats, eagles and more as we paddle past historic 19th century homes. For more information about time and gathering spot email wellness50mn@gmail.com
Cottage Grove events
Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ encourages you to learn more about events in the community this summer--including free dinners, a performance of Frog and Toad, bingo at the Park Grove Library, coffee and goodies at Basic Needs in St. Paul Park and more. To get details, e-mail wellness50mn@gmail.com
Oakdale events
Oakdale Wellness 50+ is extending its 9 a.m., Wednesday, nature walks at the Oakdale Nature Center (4444 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale) through September. The group walks about 40 minutes through a beautiful forest on paved trails. Join them for exercise and fellowship.

Oakdale Wellness 50+ is also cooperating with the city and Walgreens to sponsor a flu shot clinic on Monday, September 13, from 11:30 .m. to 2 p.m. at 4444 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale. Appointments are suggested but not required. Call 651-747-3860 to make an appointment.

Celebrate National Yoga month with Zoom classes on September 9 (chair yoga) and September 16 (mat yoga) from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Register at
oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com
In the news:
Artificial intelligence as a caregiving tool? Here's a story that ran in the US edition of the Guardian sometime back about the potential for using artificial intelligence as a tool to help with the care of elders. There are positive aspects to this technology, and, of course, there are concerns and ethical questions as well. Read the story here.
...

Staying independent as you age. Independence is something we all value and want to hold on to as we age. Here are some recommendations about maintaining independence from a recent nextavenue.org story. Read the story here.
Looking for volunteer opportunities?
Consider AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps announces opportunities to serve
During these challenging times, join AmeriCorps as we work to close community gaps in education, affordable housing and other areas. We’re now recruiting AmeriCorps members for several programs including K-third grade Math Corps and a new Heading Home Corps to help people find affordable housing. We offer part-time or full-time positions with start dates in September, October or January. Benefits include a small stipend every two weeks, up to $6,000 in an education award (or gift to children or grandchildren), health insurance, etc. Here are some highlights:
     
  •  Math Corps: Make an impact by tutoring K-third grade school students to help them thrive in math. Whatever your experience or background, we’ll train and coach you in proven strategies that help your students succeed. Details at: https://readingandmath.org/math-corps/

  • We’re offering a new Heading Home Corps program in September to help Minnesotans experiencing homelessness get safe and affordable housing. Our members will work directly with individuals and families to help them navigate resources and find affordable housing. Additional details are here: https://www.servetogrow.org/headinghome

 
If you have questions, contact: michelle@serveminnesota.org
For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com