Here’s the scoop on September news and events from Care Partners…

First, thanks to everyone who came to Sydney’s downtown location on Sunday, August 27th to say hello, eat yummy frozen custard and support Care Partners at our Annual Ice Cream Social!!!! Special thanks to Bruce Block of Sydney’s; Nancy Backlund and Carol Morgen, creators of this year’s raffle quilt; and Drury Lane Books for displaying the quilt and selling raffle tickets. The winner of this year’s quilt is Nancy Giguere, a Grand Marais resident and Care Partners Companion volunteer! Congrats, Nancy…and thanks so much to EVERYONE who purchased a raffle ticket!!  We are so grateful for our beautiful, supportive community!

Walk to End Alzheimer’s -  Grand Portage (September 9) or Grand Marais (September 23)

This year there are two opportunities to join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Cook County!  The Grand Portage Walk will take place on September 9th starting at the Grand Portage Community Center – registration begins at 9am and the Walk starts at 10am. Click here to register or get more info about the Grand Portage Walk.  Care Partners and The Hub are also sponsoring the first annual Grand Marais Team!!!!!  We’ll meet at the Hub on September 23 starting at 2:30pm. You’re invited to register as a team member and walk in memory or honor of a loved one with dementia, as an advocate for a dementia-friendly community, or to show your support for a dementia-free world.  If you'd like, you can also set a personal fundraising goal, and encourage your friends and family to help you reach your target. OR, help our Team meet our fundraising goal of $2,000 and make a financial gift to the Alzheimer's Association through our Team page OR volunteer to be a walk-day volunteer! To register as a team member, make a donation, or volunteer, visit the Grand Marais team page:  http://act.alz.org/goto/grandmarais.

Aging With Gusto – Monday, September 11, 18 & 25, 1-2:30pm at The Hub

Having a positive view of aging and living our lives "with gusto" make it a lot easier to have healthier, happier years ahead. Let’s talk together about which values and key contributors we want to draw on to lead the most meaningful, satisfying lives we can.  We’ll also look at how ageism impacts us - sometimes in surprising ways - and how we can respond wisely. Brenda Shafer-Pellinen from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging will facilitate, offering thought-provoking ideas and questions to stimulate personal discoveries and small-group conversations. This three-part course is free and will meet in person at the Hub; light refreshments will be provided. Please pre-register online at https://bit.ly/agingwithgustograndmarais  or by calling Care Partners at 218-387-3788.

Memory Café – Thursday, September 21, 1:00-2:30pm at The Hub

A Memory Café is a free, casual gathering where people with memory loss and the family or friends who care for them can come together in a safe, supportive, relaxed environment. In September we will have fun with herbs! We'll learn about the variety of their uses from ancient times to present, and talk about how to take care of them as we harvest their leaves or blossoms to use especially in our kitchens. We’ll end our time together choosing an herb to plant (via seeds) and nurture over winter to enjoy in our homes. Supplies will be provided. Instructors will be Candace Gislason and Gine Meissner, both Master Gardeners! The Cook County Memory Café meets at The Hub the third Thursday of each month from 1:00pm-2:30pm

Lunch & Learn - Safe at Home: Find and Fix Fall Hazards - Wednesday, September 27, noon-1pm at Cook County Higher Education

Many people think falls are a normal part of aging. But the truth is, they’re not. Most falls can be prevented—and we have the power to reduce the risk. Becky Stoner, local Physical Therapist, will help us discover how even small changes in our personal habits, health care routines, and living spaces can make a big difference in keeping us safe. Andrea Tofte from Cook County Public Health & Human Services will also share about our county’s Healthy Homes Assessment initiative and other programs that may help address safety issues in and around the home. The class is free and can be attended in person, or online via Zoom.  The first 25 people who sign up for the in-person class can also enjoy a free meal provided by The Hub – your choice of a delicious BLT Wrap or BLT Salad (gluten-free) lunch that will include fresh fruit! Click here to register!

North Shore Health Falls Prevention Event - Thursday, September 28, 9am-3pm at the Cook County Community Center

At this free event, licensed physical therapists will be on hand to provide a mini balance assessment/screening and offer personalized recommendations for you based on the results. You can then visit booths from area businesses and organizations (including Care Partners!!!) and learn about local resources for helping you stay healthy and feel more confident about balance safety!  For more information, contact Kelsey Saladin, PT, DPT from North Shore Health at 218-387-3797.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers – six weeks, beginning October 11

It is said that all of us will be caregivers at some point in our lives—some of us, many times over. This powerful, free class is for you, whether you were a caregiver in the past, and need some help finding your way forward; are currently caregiving and need some respite and tools to take care of you in the process; or anticipate being a caregiver in the future. Learn skills to take care of yourself while caring for someone else, so that by tending to your own health and well-being you can become a better caregiver. Class participants are given The Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and provide additional caregiver resources. On-site respite care is also available for those who need it to attend the class. Our Fall 2023 Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes will be led by trained facilitators Julie Wilson and Kathy Reeves and we’ll meet in person on Wednesdays from 10-11:30am, October 11 – November 15 at the Surfside Resort ballroom in Tofte. Call Care Partners or click here to request more information or to register.   

Don't hesitate to call Care Partners if you'd like more info about any of our services, classes or events. Thanks so much!

Christie John

Program & Volunteer Coordinator

Care Partners of Cook County

(218) 387-3788