Vital Aging Network

Growing and Nurturing the Vital Aging Network

Though I'm happy to think about gardening as the shadows fall on this mid-February day, right now I am more preoccupied with growing and nurturing VAN.

Successful Aging in Place Takes Planning

Despite the savings that more use of community-based services provide, the future costs of long-term care still threaten to overwhelm states' budgets.

Proposed Healthcare Reform and Medicare

I am pleased and honored to be the new chair of the Vital Aging Network. In keeping with the theme of this bulletin, I will comment on a topic related to national healthcare reform. These thoughts represent my own views. VAN has not taken a position.

Talking about VAN

At the November 2009 Leadership Group meeting, members answered the question: How do you describe VAN?

Ending a Productive Year

For me personally, the new year marks the start of a whole new chapter. On January 1st, the Vital Aging Network will have a new chair, Nancy Eustis, PhD and professor at the Humphrey Institute.

Six-Word Autobiographies for VAN Leadership Group

During the November 2009 Leadership Group get together, Leadership Group members shared six-word autobiographies.

Share your ALVA Six-Word Autobiography

This challenge was put to Earnest Hemingway: Write a memoir in six words. According to SMITH Magazine, his response was "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Strength in Diversity

Whether we are Native Americans or have arrived recently from Southeast Asia, we are people of one nation.

What do you think?

We want to hear your insight, questions, musings.

ALVA from the Rear View Mirror

Joy Gordon, a 2009 ALVA grad, shared insights from her ALVA project at the October 9th class. "The class is such an intense experience, and it takes time to step back and process the "shake it all about"experiences and the "turn yourself around"

Be the Change: Innovative Models for an Aging Population

Save the date for the only conference in Minnesota that brings together researchers and practitioners in aging. The 2010 MGS Annual Conference, Be the Change: Innovations in Aging Services, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Harry (Rick) Moody, PhD, Director of Academic Affairs for AARP in Washington, DC. Special guest Gayle Alston, Director of Community Initiatives and Caregiver Support at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving also will present. MGS will hold the conference at the Earle Brown Conference Center in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. E-mail mgs@mngero.org for more information.

2010 National Healthcare Decisions Day

The third annual National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) will be held on Friday, April 16, in various locations. NHDD is a nationwide program committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. NHDD provides people with the opportunity to learn more about and to complete a Health Care Directive. In 2009, hospitals, hospices, law firms, senior centers, churches, community centers, insurers, and law schools sponsored more than 30 NHDD events around Minnesota. For more information contact one of the following members of the planning group for Minnesota: Kristine Mullmann, Esq., at 763-560-4000 or kmullmann@estatecrafters.com or Jonathan Lips, Esq., at 952-926-3300 or jon@lipslawfirm.com.

A MEETING OF THE MINDS

A Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference 2010 is the premiere dementia conference for persons with early dementia and their families and friends, as well as professionals. The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota and the Mayo Clinic invite you to join them on March 20 at the St. Paul RiverCentre to participate in a day of educational information and support provided by locally and nationally recognized experts. Learn about strategies for family caregiving, legal and financial planning, brain fitness, and cutting-edge research.

Education Program from the ElderCare Rights Alliance

The ElderCare Rights Alliance is offering a two-day education program at the Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington on Thursday and Friday, March 18 and 19, 2010. Participants may choose to attend both days or elect to attend only those programs that are of interest to them. Topics include: Dealing with Ethical Issues in Long-Term Care, Elder Abuse: Intervention and Prevention, Communication Techniques for Elders Living with Dementia, and Resident and Family Council Advisor Workshop. For more information or to register, call
the ElderCare Rights Alliance at 952-854-7304.

Communicate at the Capitol

Join the Courage Center and AXIS Healthcare for an exciting day of advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. You'll learn more about hte issues and have a chance to meet personally with your legislators to let them know how important disability issues are to you.