At the printing of this column, 20 Elders are off to Grand Casino Hinckley to attend the Wisdom Steps conference. This conference is an annual event for Elders who have successfully participated in the Wisdom Steps Health program.
Conference attendees have had annual health screenings, walked or exercised, attended a health fair and a Medicine Talk session. We have fun and learn many things at the conference. A highlight of this year will be a 10-minute play that has been translated into Ojibwe and a traditional dress fashion show. We learn a lot, visit old friends and come home energized and ready to enjoy a healthy, active summer.
Miigwech to the Grand Portage Clinic for sponsoring two visits from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Medical Bus. Elders and community members were able to receive dental, vision, nutrition and mammogram screenings during these visits. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to maintain our good health and easily complete requirements for participation in the Wisdom Steps program.
Above: Students from Grand Portage’s summer camp placing a scarecrow they made for the Elders’ garden area. Camp Counselor Richard Vondall and Amy Schmidt, of SNAP food program, helped erect it. Left: Local Elders Ted and Elsie Smith celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with friends and family. They enjoyed a beautiful cake provided by their daughter, Lori. When they married, they did not have a cake—in fact Elsie said she cooked the meal for their guests after the ceremony!
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Day. Elder abuse happens everywhere. It can be found in institutions, nursing homes, individual’s homes, adult day care centers, anywhere Elders are. It can be perpetrated by family members, care givers, nursing staff, anyone who works with Elders. Seven of the most common types of abuse are physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, financial, neglect, self neglect and abandonment. If you suspect Elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation may have occurred, assess the gravity of the situation and connect the Elder with the appropriate resource or services. These can be the local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services or if immediate danger 911. More information can be had by contacting the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433.
Elder Nutrition Program (ENP) lunch participants are enjoying the fresh rhubarb and daily greens from our hoop house. Miigwech Andy for supplying us with this delicious food. We also want to give a Chi Miigwech to the Trust Lands staff who have supplied us with wonderful fresh fish the last couple of weeks. We so appreciate this after a long winter not having local fish. It is good to be an Elder in Grand Portage!
Marjori Bottila will be at the ENP on Friday, June 17 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to answer Medicare questions and assist in enrollment for Medicare programs. Please call the ENP at 475-2655 to sign up for a time or just walk in. Marjori will be at the Health Fair the next day too. Hope to see everyone at the Annual Health Fair Saturday, June 18 at the Grand Portage Community Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cook County has a vibrant and active community of elders. Each week we will offer Senior News to highlight our senior citizens. This week’s submission is about the Grand Portage Elder Nutrition Program courtesy of Patty Winchell-Dahl.
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