Newsletter of the Vital Aging Network--
celebrating more than 20 years of service and education!
|
|
In this edition
- Words matter!
- Plan to attend our October Ageism workshop sponsored with the Minnesota Leadership Council
- Confronting Ageism through Aging with Gusto
- Aging with Gusto Coordinator sought
- Wellness 50+ news and events
|
|
When it comes to ageism...
....words matter!
By Donna Comer, Aging with Gusto coordinator
I turned 65 this past year. Friends and relatives said, " You look good for 65." Or, "You don't act or look like you're 65." I, like many, appreciate positive comments and affirmations. I believe they intended to compliment me, but their words held an unintended impact. I viewed them more as a back-handed compliment. How does a 65-year-old act or look? If I look good for 65, how does a typical 65-year-old look?
Conversely, many friends have said, "When I get up in the morning, I feel so old. When I look in the mirror, I don't recognize me; I've gotten so old." Mind you, they know I facilitate discussions about aging and understand I will likely challenge them. (Yes, I am fun at parties!) I'll say, "What does old "feel" like? Or "Who do you see if you don't see you?"
When I was 25, no one said, "You look good for your age." They said, "You look good," or depending on the day, "You look tired." When I was younger, people would more likely say, "Act your age", rather than complimenting me on not acting my age! Yes, some mornings, I wake up, and my joints ache; part of that is aging. It could also be because I slept wrong or overextended myself the day before.
The words we use matter and have an impact on us and others. Feeling happy, sad, worried, and excited are experienced by older people and younger people alike. Feeling old, looking old, and acting old are all based on assumptions and stereotypes. Implied is the idea that “young” is good and “old” is not. Try using descriptive language that disconnects age or the word "old" from the statement. Try “I feel great”; “You look good”; “You’re so active.” They deliver a positive message, not a back-handed compliment.
|
|
Save the date for this workshop!
The Vital Aging Network and the Minnesota Leadership Council are teaming up to sponsor an online, two-hour "Combatting Ageism" workshop on Tuesday, October 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mark your calendars and watch for more detail in coming editions of this newsletter. Find more information here.
|
|
News from Aging with Gusto |
|
About VAN's Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism programs
Positive views on aging matter. 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. How we think about our own aging and how we treat others as they age takes on added significance as America and the world age at an unprecedented rate. VAN's Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism efforts work ignite a more positive view of aging.
Would you like to bring the Aging with Gusto series or a Confronting Ageism workshop to your organization or community? Contact Donna Comer, Aging with Gusto Coordinator, donnajmcomer@gmail.com or call 763-226-4729 to schedule a series at a time that works for you.
|
|
VAN seeks Aging with Gusto Coordinator candidates |
|
Current Aging with Gusto Coordinator Donna Comer is stepping away from that position at the end of August. She will remain active in VAN as an Aging with Gusto Task Force member, in her role leading AWG and Ageism workshops, and as a member of the VAN Board.
As a result, the Vital Aging Network is seeking applicants for its Aging with Gusto Coordinator position. This position includes a monthly stipend.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Promote Aging with Gusto in collaboration with the Aging with Gusto Task Force members
- Conduct outreach, recruit and engage organizations to sponsor AWG
- Respond to requests from interested organizations, including providing information about AWG program
- Ensure the delivery of Aging with Gusto sessions by communicating with the host organization, communicating with facilitators, confirming dates and time, and scheduling facilitators
- Document AWG activities
- Communicate and keep current with Aging with Gusto Task Force plans and projects.
To learn more or to apply, contact Mark Skeie at info@vital-aging-network.org .
|
|
What is Wellness 50+ all about?
Cottage Grove - Forest Lake - Oakdale - Stillwater - Woodbury
Phillips Neighborhood
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.
|
|
Wellness 50+ Community-wide events
|
|
Everyone was all smiles during a Wellness 50+ bird-watching outing at Pine Point Park recently. Shelly Bowman, who offers free bird hikes in several Washington County Parks, was the leader. |
|
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 upcoming community-wide events( i.e. 1st Tuesday, Biking, and Kayaking) are listed below AND are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar. Use this link ( https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50) to see the calendar and to add upcoming events to your personal calendar.
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 Events
--3rd Monday Kayaking, July, 18, at Willow River, Wisconsin, State Park 9:45 am
Wahoo Adventures will lead us on a paddle on Little Falls Lake then up the Willow River to the falls. We will go ashore and walk the last 100 feet to the bridge to see the falls. You can rent a kayak ($25) or bring your own ($10). Register through Meetup (July 18 Rent a Kayak) or (July 18 Bring Your Own Kayak).
--4th Monday Biking, July 25, on the Gateway Trail East to Pine Point Park 9:45 am
Join us for a ride on the Gateway Trail from the Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Avenue N., to Pine Point Park. The route is 20 miles, however shorter distances are available by turning around prior to the park. Register through Meetup (July 25 Biking the Gateway East to Pine Point Park).
--1st Tuesday in the Parks, August 2, Disc Golf at Pine Point Park 10 am
Do you play golf? Come try your hand at disc golf. Washington County Parks will provide the equipment for us to play disc golf- the holes, a driver, a chipper and a putter! Register through Meetup (August 2 Disc Golf at Pine Point Park).
|
|
Activities we've enjoyed recently
-1st Tuesday Bird Watching, June 7
We had a wonderful hike at Pine Point Park hearing or seeing 19 different birds. If you missed our hike, Shelly Bowman leads free bird hikes on Saturdays in different Washington County Parks. Registration is available on the County Parks Events. She informed us about a free bird identification app (Merlin) from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It has a Sound ID option that records and then identifies the bird. It is a wonderful option if you are out for a hike, walk or even sitting on your deck and ever wonder what bird is making that sound.
-3rd Monday Kayak on the St. Croix, June 20
We spent the morning of a day that reached 100 degrees (upper 80's in the morning) paddling on the St. Croix River. We put in at William O'Brien State Park paddling down the river to Marine on St Croix. We hiked a shady ravine to a waterfall and a spring-fed stream where we cooled our feet. We further cooled ourselves by having an ice cream break in town.
|
|
-4th Monday Biking the Gateway West, June 27
Nineteen bikers joined us for the Gateway trail west to Lake Phalen then on to Keller and Spoon Lake. With many break opportunities we pedaled around Lake Phalen stopping at the Changsha China Friendship Garden pavilion then on to the boardwalk at Keller Lake to Spoon Lake. We biked past the kayak water trail that we attempted to paddle during the May 16 event, thus seeing perspectives from both land and water.
-1st Tuesday Yoga at Square Lake Park, July 5
A group of 15 joined together for a yoga practice on the grass and sand of Square Lake Park.
Did you know that Washington County Parks has paddle boards and kayak rentals from lockers at Square Lake and Cottage Grove Ravine Parks?Visit iPaddleports Rentals where you can make online payment and gain access code to the locker. Square Lake is a beautiful park for swimming, kayaking or SUP (Stand-up Paddleboards). Washington County Parks also has SUP and Yoga SUP classes available. Registration is available on the County Parks Events.
|
|
Oakdale Wellness 50+ events
Sunday, July 24, 1-3 pm, Oakdale Wellness 50+ is hosting an ice cream social at the Oakdale Nature Preserve Shelter, 4444 Hadley Avenue N. All are welcome for treats and fun. No registration necessary!
Tuesday, July 26, 6:30 pm Oakdale Wellness Book Club will meet at the Oakdale Library, 1010 Heron Avenue N., to discuss The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. If you wish to join in, contact oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com
Thursday, August 18, 6 to 7:30 pm--Be Safe and Be Well, a series on safety and awareness begins with a presentation on fire prevention at the Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Avenue N. The Oakdale Fire Department will demonstrate kitchen fire safety, in-home detectors and fall prevention. Future events in the series include self defense and crime prevention, Sept 15 and Sept 29, all at the same times at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Register by calling 651-747-3860
Wednesday, August 24, 2 pm, the Oakdale Wellness Movie Club will discuss the book and the movie, Eat, Pray, Love at the Oakdale Library, 1010 Heron Avenue N. Sign up at oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com.
Wednesdays, August 3 and 31 from 2-4 pm Find us at the Oakdale Farmers Market, 1584 Hadley Avenue, next to the Oakdale City Hall.
Oakdale Wellness 50+ has a booth to promote our work and to administer an Age-Friendly Survey created by the Age-Friendly Task Force to find out what citizens suggest we do to make Oakdale better for folks. If you live in Oakdale, are a caregiver for someone in Oakdale, or have a business in Oakdale, please take our survey. A link is on our Facebook page: Oakdale Wellness 50+
|
|
Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ events |
|
Thursday, July 28, 5:30 pm--Join us for a hike at Grey Cloud Dunes Park in Cottage Grove. We'll follow the hike with dinner for those who are interested. Contact Vickie Snyder at vtssnyder@comcast.net if you would like to attend.
|
|
|
|
Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ participants enjoyed a Taco Tuesday/Johnny No Cash Band event on July 12 at the VFW in Cottage Grove. It was a popular evening and will mostly likely become a monthly event. |
|
|
|
From inspiringquotes.com
Life's meaning has always eluded me and I guess it always will. But I love it just the same.--E. B. White
|
|
For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com
|
|
Would you like to receive the Vital Aging Network e-Bulletin? Subscribe now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
