2720 Superior Dr. NW, Suite 102, Rochester, MN 55901

July, 2016

Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha & Winona Counties

The Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency

on Aging (SEMAAA) strives to improve

seniors’ quality of life through

engagement in evidence-based health

promotion programming.

Our Goal: To provide seniors the tools they need to continue to live and thrive as productive members of their community.

Our Vision: To support seniors in the areas of wellness and health promotion, enabling them to live their best life during their senior years.

Healthy Living Update

A special thank you to our funders:

See www.mnhealthyaging.org for more information on Evidence Based

Programs in Minnesota and a schedule of upcoming classes statewide.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions is a workshop for adults with one or more

chronic conditions. A wide range of topics are covered, such as dealing with pain and

fatigue, communication skills, medication management, exercise and nutrition.

A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase

activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make

changes to reduce fall risk at home and exercise to increase strength and balance.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers provides caregivers with tools and strategies to better

handle the unique challenges they face. The curriculum has been shown to reduce guilt,

anger and depression, increase confidence coping with caregiving demands, and increase

utilization of community resources.

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a low-impact physical activity program

proven to reduce pain and decrease stiffness. Studies show participants have experi-

enced increased strength, confidence, and social activity, less pain, and decreased emer-

gency room visits.

Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance helps older adults improve their balance

and reduce the likelihood of falling. Research has shown that participants are half as like-

ly to fall and are less fearful of falling. Participants demonstrate improvements in muscle

strength, flexibility, mobility, and mental health.

Stepping On focuses on improving strength and balance, home hazards and modifica-

tions, safe footwear, vision and falls, community safety, and medication review. The goal

is to gain confidence in the ability to manage health behaviors that reduce the risk of

falling to maintain a healthy, independent life.

EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS OFFERED IN SE MN

See www.semaaarochestermn.org

for a schedule of upcoming classes

We are always looking to expand implementation of our Evidence Based

Health Promotion Program offerings. If your organization would like to

learn more about hosting a workshop at your facility or having staff

trained to lead programs, please contact Lori Christiansen at

507-288-6944 or lori@semaaarochestermn.org.

Living Well With Chronic Conditions

See www.semaaarochestermn.org for a schedule of all upcoming classes.

CDSMP Leader Training

Sept 29, 30, Oct 6, 7, 2016

Oronoco, MN

Registration Deadline is

August 31

The CDSMP / Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop Leader Training is a

4-day leader training for staff and/or volunteer lay leaders.

The ideal candidate has personal experience living with an on-going health condition

and is comfortable with public speaking and presenting as a co-leader.

20 new CDSMP Leaders were trained in April 2016

CLICK HERE To view a short video that

highlights the importance of

these programs in rural

communities and features

some of our male partici-

pants in an effort to encour-

age more men to participate.

Classes take place 2x/

week for 30-40 minutes.

Click here to view

class schedules and

location details.

There are 15 Arthritis Foundation

Exercise Program Sites in SE MN:

Caledonia: United Methodist Church

Harmony: Harmony Community Center

Houston: Houston Community Center

Lake City: Lake Pepin Plaza

Lanesboro: Coffee Street Fitness

LeRoy: Leroy Community Center

Mabel: Mabel Fire Hall

Medford: Whistle Stop Diner

Plainview: Community & Youth Center

Rochester: Bethel Lutheran Church

Church of the Nazarene

Spring Valley: Community Center

Wanamingo: City Hall

Winona: Winona Friendship Center

Zumbrota: Zumbrota Tower

September 25 - October 1, 2016

2016 Active Aging Week:

Explore the Possibilities

Led by the International Council on

Active Aging. Active Aging Week celebrates

aging and active living. Each year event

organizers engage participants in wellness

activities in a safe, friendly and fun atmos-

phere. See www.activeagingweek.com to

access resources and learn how to

become a host organization.

SEMAAA Intern Mariah Mariano Gets

Seniors Moving in Houston

SEMAAA recently hosting Winona State University Exercise Science Intern

Mariah Mariano, and the seniors in Houston, MN couldn’t be happier.

"What did we do twice a week before Mariah came to teach us how to stretch, strength-

en and get moving?! This class and our talented instructor has brought humor and fun in-

to the drab winter days! " -Lynn (68)

"Our exercise group is a great workout and a fun group! It has decreased much of my

aches and pains." - Sonja (75)

“My favorite part about my internship through SEMAAA would be the relationships I

made with the participants of my class and knowing that I am impacting their lives in a

positive way. I now feel like I have 18 different mothers in Houston County alone. I loved

knowing that they took the time to practice their exercises at home and that they looked

forward for our next session.

The biggest lesson I learned during my time with the Agency on Aging would be how im-

portant these evidence-based programs are for older adults. Not only is it good for their

physical health, but also their mental health so they can communicate and socialize with

others their age, and stimulate their brains. I am so thankful that I got to have such a

wonderful experience as an intern. It will be incredibly helpful for me as I enter my future

career path in the health and sciences field, especially when dealing with older adults.”

-Mariah Mariano

What do you need to be a coach? Good communication and interpersonal skills

Enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of

older adults

Ability to lead low to moderate level exercise

Registration deadline is August 19

You could be a Coach!

Coaches help participants

become more confident

about managing falls, help

to identify ways to reduce

falls, and lead exercises to

help increase strength and

balance.

Click Here to Access the

Falls Prevention Awareness

Day Website

Click here to view

the Tai Ji Quan

website

Tai Ji Quan is continuing to grow in SE MN. New classes are already

happening, or will be starting this year, in the following communities:

Harmony * Spring Valley * Byron * Mantorville * Albert Lea

Rochester * Wabasha * Wanamingo

Contact Chersten at Chersten@semaaarochestsermn.org to learn about upcoming

classes in these communities, or go to www.semaaarochestermn.org

to find class schedules and locations.

Hi, I’m Chersten and am excited to be

working with Lori and others here at the

Area Agency on Aging. I am passionate

about promoting health and wellness and

am happy to be able to connect people

to classes and resources so they can live

well at any age. I will be the coordinator

for setting up Tai Ji Quan classes in SE

MN so please let me know if you have

questions or need assistance with sched-

uling a class.

Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a

graceful, slow moving exercise. The 8 forms

are linked together using gentle movements,

focused attention and deep breathing.

Forms can be easily modified and practiced

seated in a chair or standing behind a chair

for those that need the extra support.

Benefits of Tai Ji Quan include:

Improved balance, flexibility and agility

Improved muscle strength and definition

Increased energy and stamina

Decreased stress, anxiety and depression

Funding Application for New ACT Communities

A grant from the Otto Bremer Trust is providing ACT on Alzheimer's funding to support up

to six new Minnesota communities that are interested in engaging in a dementia readiness

process and are new in using ACT's Dementia Friendly Communities Toolkit process.

Download the Request for Applications and Application Form on the ACT Website

Powerful Tools for

Caregivers

Workshop Training Opportunities

Increasing implementation of evidence-based programs is a growing statewide initiative.

As part of a state-wide initiative, SEMAAA is looking to obtain Master Trainers in the

Diabetes Self-Management Program and the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity please contact

Lori Christiansen

Click here to view the

Powerful Tools website

Caregiver Connections Expo For Familly and Professional Caregivers of all ages

Events at Kahler Apache, Rochester

Tues, Aug 23, 5:30pm

Dinner and Keynote Speaker

Wed, Aug 24, 9am - 3pm

Community Resources, vendor exhibits

and informational presentations

See www.elder-network.org/

for more information

www.semaaarochestermn.org

for a schedule of upcoming

classes

The Southeast Minnesota Partnership for Community-Based Health Promotion

The SE MN Partnership for Community-Based Health Promotion is a partnership of over

20 Community Organizations and Health Systems in SE MN who are working together

towards a common goal of facilitating and maintaining sustainable clinic-community

linkages to evidence-based health promotion programs.

View a short video about WellConnect

WellConnect envisions a Community System that owns the activities of disease self-

management and prevention and integrates with provider systems, who own the activities

of disease detection and treatment. Distinguishing features of WellConnect include:

1) A regional focus and oversight

2) A community-owned approach that is flexible and responsive to local needs

3) The ability to engage existing partners in new ways and promote a neighborly culture of

Health

Would your organization like to schedule a presentation about WellConnect and how it can

help link you to Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs in the area? Please contact

Lori Christiansen or Dr. Aaron Leppin.

Over 50 stakeholders gathered for

WellConnect’s 2nd Regional Meeting in

March. It was an exciting opportunity to

highlight the progress that has been made

and serve as a catalyst going forward.