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Network News SE MN Area Agency on Aging

Helping older adults and their families age successfully

2720 Superior Drive NW

Suite 102

Rochester, MN 55901

Phone: 507-288-6944

FAX: 507-288-4823

In this Issue In the Loop – with Laurie……………………..….2

Memory Café/Dementia Friends……………...3

Aging Mastery…..……..……………………………..4

The Remember Project..…………………………..4

Fall Prevention Awareness Day…….……...…5

Provider Highlight…………………………………...5

REST Companion Training…………….…...…..6

Staff Pics………………………………………………...7

Board & Staff ………………………….………..8

2019 SEMAAA Board of Directors

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With Laurie

I want to share a personal reflection in this issue of SEMAAA’s Network News. The thought of not having control over my words and actions is something that is frightening for me. What if the words coming out of my mouth, the gestures I make, and the impression I leave on others was not within my control? I would hope for patience, understanding, and respect from those close to me and others I barely know.

My mother-in-law, Mary Helen (Kennedy) Brownell was a vibrant woman who loved to tease, had an undying passion for St. Patty’s Day, and was a loyal caregiver to her mother for many years. My first memory of Mary involves a family dinner that I was invited to. She was busy making sure everyone had everything they needed and I wondered if she would ever sit down. It was quickly explained to me that she was doing her best “Great-Aunt Kate” impression (a family member who she had learned this trait from) and that she would not be sitting down anytime soon or at least until everyone was taken care of. I politely said, “Thanks for explaining this. Is there anything else I should know... and by the way, what is with that random plate of lettuce in the middle of the table?”

Mary was diagnosed with dementia when she was in her early 70’s. She would nod and say, “Oh yes, that’s right” when her version of reality was adjusted by family and friends. She learned to compensate for her failing memory really well. One evening, my husband and I received a call from the senior living community where she lived to say that Mary was wandering the hallway. She appeared to be agitated and confused and emergency responders had been called. I arrived in time to travel with her to the hospital by ambulance which was quite interesting. I wasn’t aware Mary knew all of those colorful words. The patience and understanding exhibited by the paramedics and ER staff was absolutely amazing.

The level of respect shown to Mary by those who cared for her was such a blessing. Caregivers learned how important it was for her to celebrate the little thing - like starting the day with a blueberry muffin and every day was a good day to talk about her Irish heritage, even if you had heard the stories a time or two before.

If you have some time, please stop by the Rochester Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, August 24th at the University Center Rochester, Regional Sports Center. Registration is at 9 am, with a ceremony at 10 am and the walk is at 10:20 am. This is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. SEMAAA will be one of the providers represented at the “Ask the Expert” booths.

Finding Ways to Engage at Every Age,

Laurie

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How to Host a Memory Café

Memory Cafés are one component of a dementia

friendly community! They offer people with dementia

and their care partners the opportunity to enjoy a

social interaction and connect with others who are in

similar circumstances. If you’ve been curious

about how to start one or would like to learn more

about programming or promoting it, sign up

for this workshop!

SEMAAA is partnering with regional Memory Café

facilitators from Winona, Pine Island and Faribault

to bring you the latest content, thoughts and lessons

on how to successfully start and sustain a Memory

Café. This free workshop is open to anyone wondering

how to start a Memory Café or simply looking

for best practices in programming, promotion,

funding and collaboration.

Please join us on September 23rd from 1-4 at

People’s Energy Cooperative

1775 Lake Shady Ave S

Oronoco, MN 55960

Please RSVP by emailing Chersten at

Chersten@semaaarochestermn.org or calling

507-288-6944.

Dementia Friends Information sessions and

other dementia friendly efforts continue

around our region. To find out about upcoming

Dementia Friends Information Sessions near you

click on this link:

http://actonalz.org/dementia-friends-information-sessions

In June seven new Champions were trained and

another Dementia Champion training will be held in

August. If interested call to sign up at the number

below or contact Chersten for more information-

507-288-6944

Dementia Champion Training

August 21st 10:30-12:30

Wabasha County Public Health

Wabasha, MN

Call 651-565-3131 to register.

New Dementia Champions in Winona

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Live Well– Do Well– Age Well

SEMAAA will soon be offering the Aging Mastery Program® in our region as part of a 3-year

partnership between the National Council on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging in the state. The

Aging Mastery Program® is a comprehensive, interactive approach to aging well that includes topics

like exercise, nutrition, finances, advance care planning, healthy relationships and more. It is

typically held over the course of 10 weeks covering a different topic each week, allowing time for

goal setting, peer support and positive actions in between sessions and beyond. Behavior change is

an important component of the program and surveys show that a majority of participants take

positive steps to change habits and improve their lives. The central philosophy of the program is

the belief that even modest lifestyle changes can produce impactful results. As life expectancy has

increased over the past 50 years it’s even more important to focus on living better as we age, as

well as take steps to remain independent for as long as possible.

There are currently 10,832 Aging Mastery participants in the country with over 262 sites and it

continues to grow. Aging Mastery Home Kits are also available for those who are not able to get to

a class. Call 507-288-6944 to receive a free kit and check our website for more information about

class times and dates– semaaarochestermn.org

The Remember Project

The Remember Project is coming to SE MN. Seven sites were recently

selected to be a part of the tour targeting greater MN. Pine Island and

Winona are two of the 7 sites selected for the 2020/2021 Remember

Project tour. The Remember Project helps family members, caregivers,

local businesses and the broader community engage in conversation

around dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It uses art and theater to

stimulate community dialogue and meaningful conversation about memory loss and it’s effects on

all of us. Short plays will be performed by a small traveling theater group with minimal props and

set-up, followed by a facilitated conversation as the audience explores ways to become more

dementia friendly. There are three different plays that will rotate over the course of several

months. The goal is to address the stigma, isolation and fear that impact families dealing with the

effects of dementia. One of the actors and facilitator for the project says, “our ultimate goal is to

assist community members and leaders to consider new ways to think about memory loss and to

become aware of local resources that support families who are dealing with a diagnosis of dementia

or Alzheimer's.” Look for more details about this project on our website in the future.

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Falls Prevention Awareness Day

The 12th Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day is

September 23rd. The National Council on Aging campaign works to raise awareness about the impact of

falls among older adults, share strategies for reducing falls and advocates for expanding evidence-based fall

prevention programs. Each year in September and October the Olmsted County Falls Coalition organizes

multiple events to educate older adults, provide balance screenings, home safety assessments, class

resources and other support to families.

Join us on September 27th from 1-3 at Bethel Lutheran Church for an

interactive presentation on fall prevention. Learn more about:

Provider Highlight

Elder Network has multiple support groups for caregivers. Check out

these options if you are caring for an older adult such as a spouse,

partner, family member or friend. The groups are a place to meet others, exchange tips, give and receive

support and learn about new resources.

Care Partner Support Group-Rochester - 1130 1/2 7th St. NW Ste. 205

1st Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:30pm

3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:00-11:00am

Care Partner Support Group-Winona - 51 W Fourth St.

1st Wednesday of each month from 2:00-3:00pm

Partners of People Living With Memory Loss– Winona- 51 W Fourth St.

1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:30-2:30

Elder Network also has 2 Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshops scheduled this fall.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Tuesday 1-2:30 September 10-October 15, Church of the Resurrection, Room D

1600 11th Ave SE

Wednesday 1-2:30 September 11-October 16, Christ United Methodist Church, Room 145

400 5th Ave SW

To Register for any of these support groups or workshops call 507-285-5272

Falls Data

Risk Factors

Prevention Strategies

Lift Assists

Keeping Your Home Safe

Home Adaptation

Balance Screenings

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SEMAAA Snapshots

Volunteering for Family Service Rochester

Advocates learning Tai Ji Quan

Laurie Brownell and SEMAAA board member Marti Riley speak at a meeting for Mental Health Awareness

SEMAAA Staff working on a team building exercise

Jay and Sarah meet with a client

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2019 SEMAAA BOARD

Marti Riley, Chair, Olmsted

Rita Fox, Vice-Chair, Wabasha

Brad Lohrbach, Treasurer, Dodge

Jim Hanesworth, Secretary, Houston

Lloyd Swalve, Fillmore

Jake Gillen, Rice

Dave Vandergon, Steele

Jean Eaton, Freeborn

Jenelle Cummings, Mower

Emma Onawa, Goodhue

Karen Hanson, Winona

Mike Hancock, Member at Large

Marie Hlava, Member at Large

Dr. Dwight Jennings, Member at Large

Margaret Cook, Member at Large

2019 SEMAAA STAFF

Laurie Brownell – Executive Director

Karen Toussel – Administrative Assistant

Kim Voth – Grant Manager/Financial Officer

Annie Avery – Senior LinkAge Line® Coordinator

Phil Haskins – Grants Administrator

Patti Schad– Finance Assistant

Jerry Roberts – Senior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Starla Inman – Senior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Chad Wojchik – Senior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Jone Trapp – Senior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Tambi Eversman – Senior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Laurie Magnus – Senior Linkage Line® Specialist

Dan Conway – Lead Eldercare Development Program Dev.

Chersten Keillor– Eldercare Development Program Dev.

Lori Wacek – Community Living Coordinator

Jen McLaughlin – Community Living Case Aide

Emily Krowiorz – Community Living Specialist

Sarah Benson – Community Living Specialist

Jay Hall –Community Living Specialist

Chris Johnson – Community Living Specialist

Camille Bruns – Preadmission Screening Specialist

Pam Speltz – Preadmission Screening Specialist

Katie Shimek – Preadmission Screening Specialist

Board Holiday Brunch

Read SEMAAA’s 2018 Annual Report

Follow this link to SEMAAA’s Facebook

Page-https://www.facebook.com/Southeastern-

Minnesota-Area-Agency-on-Aging-Inc-

263688490502719/

SEMAAA Welcomes New Staff

Jay is our newest Community Living Specialist. Originally from the island of Gloucester, Massachusetts 35 miles NE of Boston, and then moved to MN in 2006. He followed the footsteps of family into healthcare at the age of 19 and worked in various roles in Long term Care over the last 10 years. He has worked in the role of social services for the last 4 years. He enjoys traveling and hopes to visit every state, and major US city in his life time.

We are excited to have Jay join our team here at SEMAAA!