Vital Aging Network e-Bulletin
JUNE 2015

FROM THE CHAIR

A Positive Legislative
Year for an Aging Minnesota
By Pam Hayle, Chair, Vital Aging Network

Minnesota politics often seem to be in chaos at this time of year. Hopefully a special session will deliver an equitable budget with good outcomes for all Minnesotans.

This was a good legislative year, in fact some would say an amazing year, for senior care. The Senior Care Reimbursement Reform bill received bipartisan support from the beginning and it was one of the first bills signed by Governor Dayton. The legislation creates a new system for reimbursing long-term care based on the actual costs. It will have a positive impact on services provided by nursing homes, group residential housing and organizations that serve seniors living at home.

Other highlights include the Let's Talk Now grant program to encourage individuals to have conversations regarding their end-of-life choices and advance care planning. The Care Act allows patients to select an aftercare caregiver when they are admitted to a hospital. Hospitals will provide the designated caregiver instructions and training on aftercare needs. A workgroup was also established to study and make recommendations for a Silver Alert system that would help find people who are missing and have a diagnosis of dementia, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's Disease and other mental disorders. Read more about outcomes for older adults from the 2015 session.

For those of us concerned with aging issues this is a very supportive and positive tone our state is taking to meet the needs of an aging society. It is proactive and has far-reaching impact for all older adults regardless of their physical, mental or economic status. Minnesota cares about, and when needed, cares for seniors---something we can all be proud of and appreciate.

Enjoy your summer in beautiful Minnesota!

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VAN FORUM

Exploring Minnesota's Natural History
An exhibit of the natural wonders of our state

Join us for this talk and exhibit tour of Minnesota's natural environment as documented at the turn of the 20th century.

In 1872 the Minnesota Legislature charged the University of Minnesota to establish the Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey. What emerged from the survey was a written and photographic documentation of Minnesota's natural wonders.

The survey became the foundation of the departments of botany, geology, zoology at the University, and what would become the Bell Museum of Natural History.
 
 
Presenter: Erik Moore, University Archivist

Thursday, June 18, 2015

10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Elmer L. Andersen Library
West Bank, University of Minnesota
222 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455 [ map]

Register now


Take the Green Line or use the parking facilities near the Elmer L. Andersen Library. The University is not is session so parking is easy. 

Download the flyer. 
Vital Aging Network Night at the Guthrie
The Music Man poster
Thursday, July 9, 2015

7:30 PM - performance time
Guthrie Theater
818 South 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Join the Vital Aging Network for a performance of The Music Man, Meredith Millson's play about the fast-talking salesman and his money-making scheme to form a boys band in small-town Iowa.

Overflowing with heart and a parade of toe-tapping songs including "Goodnight, My Someone," "Gary, Indiana," "Till There Was You" and "Seventy-Six Trombones," this Tony-winning classic is family entertainment at its best.

In partnership with the Guthrie Theater, the Vital Aging Network is excited to offer excellent seating at a reduced price of $38.00 (value $56). $10 supports the Vital Aging Network.

Limited number of tickets available. Order by July 3!
 Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends.

Download a flyer.
 
Buy Tickets

VAN FORUM

In Search of "Goldilocks" Health Care
Not too much, not too little---but just right!

 

Bill Doherty, Ph.D., and Georgia Duncan
Members of Baby Boomers for Balanced Health Care 


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

1:00 to 3:00 PM

Ramsey County Library - Roseville

2180 North Hamline Avenue

Roseville, MN 55113 [map

 

Medical symbols Come share your perspective and experiences on health care. Learn how to get just-right health care.

Until recently, most people were concerned about getting too little health care. But a new problem has crept upon us in recent decades: too much health care. This means too many tests, procedures, and services that don't help and can harm. We are overdosing on health care.  

 

A recent article by Atul Gawande entitled "Overkill" in The New Yorker (published May 2015) addresses this same subject.  

 

Overuse and overspending in health care affect our personal well-being and the larger economy. They deprive our country of resources for other priorities like education, transportation, research, community safety, and human services.

 

Register now  

 



Workshop leaders:
Bill Doherty is a professor and director of the Citizen Professional Center in the Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota.
Georgia Duncan is an engaged citizen who lives in St. Paul. They are part of
Baby Boomers for Balanced Health Care: www.boomers4balancedcare.org.
 
In the News

The Fountain of Youth
National Public Radio, May 22, 2015
Aging is inevitable. We can slow it down a little, but could we ever bring it to a grinding halt? In this episode, TED speakers explore how we all might live longer and even better lives.

The number of seniors threatened by hunger has doubled since 2001, and its going to get worse
PBS NewsHour, May 22, 2015, by Sarah Varney
Nearly one in six senior citizens face the threat of hunger in the United States. Charity and food stamps reach some of these vulnerable Americans, but limited resources and isolation mean many are struggling without receiving help.

Vigorous Exercise at Middle-age Linked to Longer Life, Study Says
MinnPost, April 8, 2015, by Susan Perry

We've long known---with excellent evidence---that regular physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits, including longer life. What's been less clear is whether vigorous exercise confers more benefits than moderate-intensity activity. 


Healthy Aging: Preserving Your Bones and Joints
US News and World Report, May 13, 2015, by Lisa Esposito
As aging conspires to chip away at your bone and joint health, experts explain what you can do to maintain these through every phase of life.

There's More to Retirement Planning than Saving Money
MarketWatch.com. May 15, 2015, by Henry K. Hebeler It's relatively easy to find money-related topics to discuss because so many boomers are poorly prepared financially and desperately seek ways to offset their savings shortfalls. But there is another retirement area where the preparation is equally bad. That's what retired people will do with the time they otherwise used for working.

MarketWatch.com, May 17, 2015, by Elizabeth O'Brien

The aging of the 76 million boomers represents a "huge market opportunity," especially for goods that avoid the "big, beige and boring" aesthetic that has traditionally characterized products for older adults, said Katy Fike, co-founder of Aging2.0, an organization that promotes innovation in elder care, and a founding partner of Generator Ventures, a firm that funds and nurtures companies in the industry. So far, however, the promise of social technology remains under-tapped among older adults.

Volunteer Opportunities

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
Lead for Beginner Computer Classes 
The internet can be a complicated maze, and many seniors are getting lost. Become a Senior Surf Day instructor and teach a two hour, basic, hands-on computer and internet class to older adults who have little or no experience with computers. You can empower seniors to access information on the internet on their own, and open up a whole new world to them.  For more information, please contact Colleen Fritsch at the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging 651-917-4638 or [email protected] or visit metroaging.org/volunteer/.

2015 National Senior Games

Volunteer Opportunities for Individuals and Groups

The Vital Aging Network is partnering with the  2015 National Senior Games to help recruit volunteers for events, July 3 through July 16. Visit teammnvolunteer.com to learn more about the opportunities. This is a great opportunity to volunteer as a group. Use the event as a way to create visibility, and to build camaraderie and friendship within your group or organization. Questions or invitations for presentations on the Senior Games can be sent to [email protected].


Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness
Dementia Friend
Attend a free information session to learn what it's like to live with dementia.  Then turn that learning into action.  Each friend chooses what action they will take. Training sessions are available in June, July, and August. ACT on Alzheimer's is an organization with an Edina team. To register for a free training session, call 952-848-3952 or go to Edina Community Education.

 

AARP Experience Corps

Literacy Tutors for the 2015-16 school year

Volunteer as an in-school literacy tutor. Volunteers are placed in Kindergarten through Grade 3 classrooms in 13 schools across Minneapolis and St. Paul to work one-on-one with students who are not yet reading at grade-level. Tutors help to close the achievement gap by providing literacy support and serving as another caring adult students see at school. Stipends available for an 8-10 hour/week commitment throughout the school year. For more information, contact Erin Simon, Volunteer Coordinator at 612-708-5933 or [email protected]. For more information visit: http://www.aarp.org/experience-corps/.   

     

More on Volunteer Opportunities

The following calendar items are presented as information only. They are not Vital Aging Network events.

For Your Calendar

June and July 2015 - various dates
AARP TEK events
Brooklyn Center, North Minneapolis, Golden Valley and Woodbury
AARP TEK will present fun, free, hands-on technology workshops in your area to help you get the most out of your tablet. Friendly TEK guides will answer all of your questions and an iPad tablet will be provided for your hands-on practice while attending the workshop. In addition to hands-on experience, all participants will also receive a free touchscreen stylus pen and take-home guidebook. Find a location near you with courses that meet your needs and interests!

 

July 7 through August 11, 2015

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

7500 York Avenue South, Edina, MN

This 6-week small group education program is designed to provide you with a wealth of self-care tools that will help you take care of yourself while taking care of others. The $60 suggested contribution includes a $30 workbook. Register by calling Mary Cordell at 952-929-1697 ext 28. Download the flyer. 

 

September 25 and 26, 2015

The Arts Access Chautauqua

The Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts

528 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 

VSA Minnesota is conducting this two-day gathering to celebrate artists with disabilities and advancements in accessibility to the arts in light of civil rights provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became law 25 years ago on July 26, 1990. In showcases and a public performance, Minnesota artists with disabilities will perform as musicians, actors, storytellers, dancers, and writers. Visual artists with disabilities, identified partly through our Emerging Artist Grant program (funded for 18 years by the Jerome Foundation), will also have their work exhibited. For further information, contact Shelia Bland, [email protected].  

 
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