November is National Native American Heritage Month, and we are honored to be joined by Collette Pederson from Grand Portage. Collette will share her reflections on aging informed by a cultural perspective that values care for Elders in the home as well as Elder-supportive community programs. We hope you will join us for this last Lunch & Learn of 2024!

Register online here.

Caregiver Book Group

First Wednesday of the month | Begins November 6

12-1:30pm | At Cook County Higher Education

Learn with others who are caring for a friend or family member, near or far, and share insights, experiences, and friendships along the caregiving journey. Discussion will be led by Care Partners volunteers Kathy Reeves and Kay Costello, who have their own experiences of caregiving. Our first book will be "The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself” by Linda Abbit. Linda is a caregiving expert who draws on her decades of experience to help readers navigate the caregiving journey with confidence. Using mindfulness techniques, she helps caregivers respond to challenges in a calm and clear way that is beneficial to both themselves and their loved ones. Order or purchase the book selection from our friends at Drury Lane Books and receive a 15% discount – contact Care Partners for details!

Call Care Partners to register for the Caregiver Book Group

Reframe Aging Book Group

First Thursday of the month | Begins December 5

4:30-6pm | At Cook County Higher Education

Join in as we learn to identify and resist misconceptions about aging, as well as foster a future perspective that includes both challenge and promise! Discussion will be led by Care Partners staff members Julie Wilson and Christie John. Our first book will be "Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live” by Yale professor Dr. Becca Levy, a leading expert on the psychology of successful aging. Dr. Levy draws on her own ground-breaking research to show how age beliefs can impact all aspects of the aging process (even how genes operate!) - and how a positive view on aging may extend life expectancy by up to 7.5 years! The group is open to all, and you are welcome to join in as your interest and schedule allow. No need to read the entire book before the first session; if you can read the first chapter, that would be great! Order or purchase the book selection from our friends at Drury Lane Books and receive a 15% discount – contact Care Partners for details!

Register for the Reframe Aging Book Group

The Memory Café meets on the third Thursdays of each month from 1-2:30pm 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. 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 when we re-open in 2025!! A big THANK YOU to all the wonderful guests we've welcomed in 2024 who have generously shared their time and stories with us!  

Care Partner’s annual Light Up a Life ceremony offers community members the opportunity to remember the life of a loved one during the holiday season. Each donation helps light up our memory tree, which will be located downtown in front of the Johnson Heritage Post. Donation forms are available at area businesses and in the November and December issues of Northern Wilds. Or, or use the links below to download a mail-in form, or make an online donation.

The Tree Lighting will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post on Thursday, December 12th at 5:30 pm.  The evening will begin indoors with a brief ceremony of remembrance and connection, followed by the lighting of the Memory Tree. A short reflection will be shared by Mary Ellen Ashcroft, and special music will be provided by Erik Torch. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

Donations to Light Up a Life help Care Partners support older adults in Cook County on the journey of aging and end-of-life.

Download a mail-in donation form

Donate online to Light Up a Life

Our friends at AARP - in partnership with Senior Planet - will present a series of FREE virtual tech workshops in November from 2-3pm. Click the session titles below to register or for more information.

Thursday, November 7 - Saving Money with Tech

Explore ways that tech can help you save money and manage your finances!

Wednesday, November 13 - Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps

From splitting the bill at dinner to sending a friend money, learn what payment apps can do for you.

Monday, November 18 - Mobile Health Apps

Come learn how your phone can count your steps and check your heart rate!

Thursday, November 21 - Everyday Uses of AI

Everyone is talking about AI. Come to this class to be a part of the conversation!

Get involved and make a difference!  Our volunteers assist Cook County older adults with light housekeeping and outdoor chores, transportation, companionship and more! Choose the activities, time, level of commitment and circumstances that meet your needs. For more information, call us 218-387-3788 or use this link.