July2023

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

In this edition

• News from Aging with Gusto: thoughts about emotional health
• About our Aging with Gusto program
• Important Medicaid/Medical Assistance update
• About those pickle ball injuries--tips from Mia Bremer
• Thoughts about safety in the kitchen--using knives
• 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 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 July, we're focusing on Maximizing Emotional Health as a Key Contributor.

Here are some thoughts from AWG facilitator Joann Ellis

Key Contributor- Striving to Maximize Emotional Health

From Aging with Gusto team member Joann Ellis

This month we are highlighting the key contributor Striving to Maximize Emotional Health. There has been a lot written about our emotional health, and its importance these past few years. COVID has definitely brought emotional health to the forefront.

In basic terms, emotional health is about how we think and feel. It’s our sense of well-being. It’s how we acknowledge our own emotions as well as those of others. It is our ability to cope with our positive AND negative emotions.

Emotional health doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time! But it does mean you should be able to recognize your feelings - own them. It’s also just as important that you know what triggers both your positive and negative feelings.

Our emotional health has been something we’ve been conditioned to not talk about or share. We’ve been told to keep our feelings to ourselves- they’re private. Sharing how you feel can be seen as a sign of weakness- but it is just the opposite!

Emotional health is one of positivity- having satisfaction with your life, having a sense of meaning and purpose and, finally, the ability to set and achieve goals.

Just like you have to work to maintain your physical health, it’s the same with emotional health. Here are some ways to maintain emotional health:

- getting enough sleep

- making time to talk and laugh with friends

- exercise

- spend time in nature

Emotional health is a key contributor to living and 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 Aging 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 Aging workshops for your groups.

A key component to aging vitally--maintaining your physical health

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 preventitive 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 Medicare 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.

Pickle ball Injury prevention – shoulders

by Mia Bremer

To misquote Oprah, “YOU get a pickle ball injury, and YOU get a pickleball injury, and YOU get a pickleball injury!” The quote is questionably funny. The actuality of injuries sustained while playing pickleball isn’t. Inevitably, injuries can happen, no matter how

in-shape you are to start with.

Because of the popularity of the sport, I’ve decided to write a series of columns addressing some common injuries and preventative exercises to address these injuries--starting with shoulders.



The shoulder joint is incredibly versatile and complex. The ability of the shoulder to

rotate internally and externally, move laterally and medially (across the body) and raise

and lower in place, is matched only by the super-mobile thumb joint. The reason the

shoulder joint is able to perform these complex movements is because of four small

muscles that make-up the rotator cuff; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and

subscapularis, along with the serratus anterior which secures the shoulder blades to the

ribs.. Read her entire column here.

Some thoughts about using knives safely in your kitchen

From Oakdale Wellness 50+ member Kate Rivard, RDN, LD

When using a knife,

• Know how sharp your knife is! If you have new knives, or have recently had your knives sharpened, make sure that others who use your kitchen are aware of that.
• Start with clean hands and clean, dry utensils and surface.
• Use a flat surface.
• Choose a cutting surface at the level where you stand or sit that allows elbows to bend naturally.
• Use a paring knife to slice smaller items to seed or pare away bruises.
• Cut full cuts of meat against the grain with a larger, longer knife.
• Cut breads with a longer serrated knife (not usually sharpened).
• If using the knife as a pusher to remove slices from a surface, always use the top side rather than the cutting side to reduce dulling of your knife over time.
• For faster chopping using a French knife; hold the knife firmly at the handle and over the food item, while placing the tip end at a point on the cutting surface.
• Always be aware of your situation.

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

-4th Monday, July 24, Biking Harriet Island to the Big Rivers Trailhead 9:45 am 

Join us as we bike a 14 mile loop from Harriet Island in St. Paul to the Big Rivers Trailhead in Mendota Heights. Shorter rides are available by turning around sooner. Register through Meetup (July 24 Biking Harriet Island to Big Rivers Trailhead).  

-1st Tuesday, August 1, Disc Golf at Pine Point Park 10 am 

Come and try Disc Golf with us. Equipment is provided by Washington County Parks. Register through Meetup (August 1 Disc Golf at Pine Point Park). Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray. Pine Point Park is located at 11900 Norell Avenue N. Stillwater.

Community-wide activities we've enjoyed recently

--3rd Monday Lake Rebecca Kayak June 19

We had a wonderful morning paddling on Lake Rebecca in Hastings. Many bald eagles, turtles and a beaver were spotted along the shore. Lunch was enjoyed by some on the patio overlooking the river at the American Legion.

--4th Monday Gateway to Lake Phalen Bike Ride, June 26

As in past years this was a great ride from the Oakdale Discovery Center taking the Gateway/Bruce Vento trails to Lake Phalen. One group returned after Phalen and another group rode further to Keller and Spoon Lake.

Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

Blood Drive:The Oakdale Wellness team is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive on Friday, July 21, from 9 am-3 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center**. Sign up to give blood at redcrossblood.org.

The Wellness Book Club will discuss What We Hunger for: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family edited by Sun Yung Shin on Tuesday, July 25, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

A Summer Social will be held on August 13, from 1 - 3 pm, at the Oakdale Discovery Center**. Bring the family for an afternoon of fresh air, games and fruit popsicles (no charge).

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.

Wednesday Walks begin at 9 am and run through November. 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, Oakdal

Oakdale activities we've enjoyed recently

Lake Elmo Sunfish Lake Park Walk/Tour June 16

Chase Davies, Environmental Educator, led us on a guided walk where we observed plants and animals, and learned a lot about what insects can do to leaves!

We also toured the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center and enjoyed their hospitality . The Center has many exhibits including an indoor bee hive. Bring your grandkids for a fun time learning about nature and what can be seen in the park.  Tony Manzara and Connie Kirk operate the Center independent of the city of Lake Elmo. Volunteers staff the front desk and all are welcome to visit. For more information see their webpage: https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/

Stillwater Wellness 50+ events

A hike in Valley View Park--Join Stillwater Wellness 50+ on July 25 at 9 a.m. for a hike in Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082

Live 2 B Healthy--August 9 at 1 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd St. N., Stillwater. This month we focus on Healthy and Hydrated, the importance of staying hydrated as you age. There is no registration fee for this event. (You can see a larger version of this poster by clicking on the image at right.)

Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ events

Archery in Cottage Grove--July 19, 3 pm – 4 pm

Did you know Cottage Grove has an archery range that is free and open to the public? Join Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ to learn proper techniques in target shooting at Pine Tree Pond Park, 8300 Isleton Ct. Equipment is provided. The event is free. Sign up here

It's a walk in the park!--July 27, 6:30-7:30 pm

Join us after dinner for a walk in local parks around Cottage Grove. We'll visit a different park each walk and enjoy each other's company and being outdoors. All walker levels are welcome. July 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Oakwood Park, 7851 Harkness Ave. S. Sign up here

Balanced Wellness Series: Healthy and Hydrated--August 7 from 1-2 pm

Join Live 2 B Healthy®️ Fitness Professional, Melissa Bailey at Park Grove Library for Balanced Wellness, a series of monthly educational wellness talks for adults ages 55+. The topic for August is “Healthy and Hydrated,” and will focus on how adequate hydration benefits the body. Register at: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/10739753

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Walk in Highlands Park --August 7 from 6:30-7:30 pm

Join Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ in Highlands Park for an evening walk. Meet some new folks and enjoy the outdoors in a local city park. Register here: https://summerhikesinCG.eventbrite.com

Highlands Park, 6975 Idsen Ave. S., Cottage Grove 

Opportunities from partner organizations

From Ramsey County Public Health

Here's this month's Healthy Aging Digest from Ramsey County Public Health. You'll find information about: events and trainings available to you, medication costs, the rising incidence of fatal falls, the health costs of being Black, and more.

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/