Here's the scoop on April news and events from Care Partners!

April Round-Up Will Benefit Care Partners! 

Each month our friends at Cook County Whole Foods Co-op invite their customers to "round up" their purchase totals to the nearest dollar. This money is in turn donated to a local non-profit organization. In April, Care Partners has been chosen as the round-up recipient! We are so grateful for the generosity of the Co-op and their customers for all they do to support us and the work of other wonderful non-profits in our community!  

 Memory Cafe 2024 Season Begins!

Thursday, April 18 | 1-2:30pm | The Hub

We are excited to resume our Memory Cafe on the third Thursdays of each month from 1-2:30 beginning April 18 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. Each month we also welcome a guest from the community who stops by and visits about their hobby, art, or area of interest or expertise. No pre-registration is required - feel free to just drop in! 

We're happy to participate in the 3rd Annual Cook County Earth Day Fair! The day will include a series of speakers, interactive booths, games, and local food + goods!  Stop by the Care Partners booth where we'll gather environmental wisdom from those who have been hanging out on this planet for - ahem - more than a few turns around the sun. What are the lessons that you've learned about sustainable, environmentally-friendly living? We'd love to hear your favorite sayings, hacks, habits, stories - and perhaps wisdom that was handed down from YOUR parents or grandparents! 

Check out this class from a local author!
Last Words: A Creative Approach to Writing Your Own Obituary 
Wednesday, April 10th | 6-7pm | Cook County Higher Education or online

Our lives are made up of stories: The tales we tell about ourselves and the stories we swap with others. Using the obituary as a structure, we'll reflect on significant moments, core beliefs, and the legacy we hope to leave behind. We'll explore the process of crafting your own obituary, which empowers you to authentically convey your personality, notable accomplishments, values, history, family, and life story. Regardless of age, it is thoughtful to start drafting your obituary document to ensure it is readily available for your family and loved ones if and when necessary. This workshop will include a template, writing prompts, peer sharing, and group discussion. Participants will leave with a draft of their own "last words" and a deepened appreciation of their life story. No prior writing experience is needed. This workshop is led by author, storyteller, and educator, Rose Arrowsmith.   Click here to register. 

Lunch & Learn - Enjoying the Great Outdoors as We Age
Wednesday, April 24 | noon - 1pm | Cook County Higher Education or online

April will bring the return of our Lunch & Learn series with an in-person option at Cook County Higher Education and free lunch!!! One of the best things about living in Cook County is the natural beauty that surrounds us!  Hiking, kayaking, fishing, skiing...there so many ways to get out and explore one of the loveliest places on earth. Yet as we age, we may find it more difficult to enjoy these activities in quite the same way we did when we were younger. Tregg Axtell, a Physical Therapist from North Shore Health, will be on hand to give us some tips for safely continuing to pursue the outdoor adventures we love...at any age! Free lunch will be available for the first 20 people who register for the in-person class!  Click here to register.