Ex-Viking Get’s Early Start on Giving Back
Thirty-one months after his last snap for the Vikings and about nine months after brain surgery, Mike Harris is living a full life.
After spending four NFL seasons throwing behemoths to the ground, the 29-year-old former offensive lineman is now focused on picking up people. Harris stays busy volunteering at Let’s Go Fishing in Eden Prairie, dabbling in jiujitsu and, as of this summer, coaching offensive linemen at Hopkins High School.
Let’s Go Fishing Serves More Than 10,000
Let’s Go Fishing- Itasca was formed in the fall of 2007. Thanks to donations and grants, the organization we were able to raise monies to purchase the first pontoon in the spring of 2008 and began to offer this program to our seniors, handicapped, veterans and youth at no charge. They schedule fishing trips and cruises 5-6 days per week in the morning, afternoon and evenings providing all equipment needed June through September on our handicapped accessible 25-foot pontoon. The month of May schedules are reserved for youth groups. All this at no charge to the participant.
The mission of Let’s Go Fishing Itasca is to continue to serve older adults, youth, veterans and disabled throughout Itasca County. Let’s Go Fishing has always had its core the desire to serve older adults in our community. Whether they are part of a housing community or individuals still living in their residences, older adults benefit greatly from joining with others and taking a morning or afternoon trip on the Let’s Go Fishing pontoon. We have had families taking out senior family members. A granddaughter who wanted to take grandpa fishing. Seniors doing what they remember doing and thought they would never be able to do it again. Read more at Herald Review….
Outdoor Elderly Activities
As written by Elder OneStop — People ask about the outdoors when we have nice weather, and no matter what season. Whether playing outdoor games, gardening, trying metal detecting, or visiting a park, there is always an activity to do outdoors, for almost anyone. Some ideas here are group outdoor activities, but some can be done solo as well.And many senior activities that were done inside during challenging weather can now simply be brought outside, such as clubs and crafts. You can get kids involved in several of these activities as well.
Boat rides – The water makes a great backdrop for outdoor elderly activities. Do you, or does anyone in your church or organization have a pontoon boat? If they are willing to assist for an afternoon, this is the manner of boating for seniors. Pontoons can also be rented. With a proper plank, even those in wheelchairs can access this type of boat. It would ideally have a covering. But there are also mini yachts and a variety of motor boats too.
Just about anything can be rented. Including a river boat excursion. Boats rides are wonderful outdoor elderly activities. All participants should also wear sunglasses and sunscreen, appropriate attire, and perhaps bring a water bottle. Snacks and beverages can be included. Depending on the size of the boat, other activities can be included, as well as…
Fishing – So many seniors enjoy and perhaps are skilled at fishing. And they love to share their fishing tips (and stories). Whether on a pier or pontoon, fishing boat, or from shore, this is a relaxing way to get outdoors and socialize. Bring along some food and drink. And make sure there is someone who knows how to handle the gear, hooks, and fish! And what about a fish fry afterwards? Bring your picnic gear too! Or get all the details, crafts, decor, activities for one of our most popular parties — a Gone Fishing party! (You can have it indoors too, in cold or gloomy weather).
We have lots more things to do outdoors on our pages for Spring Senior Activities, and also Summer Senior Activities — with special events and specific calendar dates too.
Read the full article at… ElderOneStop.com
Wellness and lifestyle activities build resident satisfaction
Residents in independent living, assisted living and continuing care retirement communities* are highly satisfied with the quality of life at their communities in part because of their participation in a wellness program (fitness, activities and recreation), according to a new report. The research also found that these residents tend to stay in their communities for an average two years longer than other residents.
“These benchmark results are consistent with other large-scale studies ProMatura has completed,” said Margaret Wylde, Ph.D., CEO of ProMatura Group, which conducted the study with the International Council on Active Aging. “The data confirm that customers (residents) who continue to actively maintain their fitness, flexibility and interaction with others are happier with their lives and the community in which they live.”
The perceptions of nearly 3,000 residents surveyed about life at their communities in relation to their participation in a wellness program are included in the first ICAA/ProMatura Wellness National Benchmarks Report. Key points:
- In continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), 77% of the residents who have participated in a wellness program said they are satisfied/very satisfied with the program.
- 84% of the wellness participants in CCRCs said they are very satisfied/satisfied with their overall quality of life at the community. Forty-five percent of participating residents said that taking part in a wellness program has made them much more satisfied with their overall quality of life at the community.
- In communities offering independent living or a combination of independent plus assisted living, 84% of residents who participate in a wellness program said they are satisfied/very satisfied with it.
- 94% of the participating residents in independent living or independent plus assisted living properties said they are satisfied/very satisfied with their overall quality of life at the community, and 44% said that they are much more satisfied with their quality of life because of the community’s wellness program.
- Forty-eight percent of CCRC participants and 43% of participants in independent living or independent plus assisted living communities said they agree/strongly agree that the wellness program was one of the primary reasons they selected the particular community in which they live.
New data collected by benchmark communities found that wellness participants have lived an average of almost two years longer in independent living and assisted living and one year longer in memory care when compared with the average length of stay of all residents (both participants and nonparticipants).
“Communities that facilitate their customers’ desires to live well through fitness and health programs, equipment, experts and encouragement also engender greater loyalty and an enduring relationship with the customer,” Wylde said.
“Their findings have shown, and continue to support, the need for older adults to remain engaged in all aspects of life,” said Colin Milner, CEO of the ICAA. “Communities that allow their residents to stay engaged are well-positioned to be home for consumers who seek to live their lives, as best they can, no matter their abilities, situation or socioeconomic status.”
The ICAA/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks National Report results are the aggregate of input from 62 CCRCs and 24 independent living or independent and assisted living communities. Included is a profile of the amenities offered in benchmark communities, average length of stay of wellness participants compared with the entire resident population, staffing ratios, residents’ self-rated health and resident’s perception of the value of the entire community. The 34-page national report is available by contacting the ICAA at (866) 335-9777, (604) 734-4466 or info@icaa.cc.
Eden Prairie LGF Chapter Success
Published on June 26, 2017 by Andy Stavast
Eden Prairie is home to many great civic organizations where residents come together as individuals and as groups to improve the wonderful experience of living here. Certainly, this collective experience of “giving back” contributes to the high quality of life ranking that Eden Prairie regularly enjoys in the national press. This is the story of one such organization that is a shining signature of who we are as residents of Eden Prairie and as Minnesotans.
The Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie Chapter touches many lives each summer with a Minnesota tradition, Fishing! As Minnesotans, we celebrate the sport of fishing as a way of life – and as a symbol of who we are. Fishing is a sport – a pastime that embodies our culture, connects us to family and friends, and provides us long lasting memories from early childhood to our senior years. Memories of fishing are personal to each of us bringing back weekends at the cabin, that special time with our grandparent, and for me, the fun experience with my favorite uncle. These are moments and memories never to be forgotten.
The Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie Chapter was formed by its Founder, Joe Holm, and his wife Carolyn of Willmar, MN, who presented their organization, its purpose, and potentials to the local Lions Club. Post presentation the Lions were hooked! A Lions board was formed that included Mike Smith, Terry Eggan, Mike Gruidl, Steve Olson, Richard Smith along with Lioness Peggy Muller and Gwen Wildermuth. The plan was devised along with an initial $15,000 donation to get the ball rolling.
Read the full story at http://www.edenprairielifestyle.com/2017/06/26/lets-go-fishing/