Care Partners and Cook County Higher Education are pleased to present a Lunch & Learn series designed to support aging well in Cook County! Presented on the fourth Wednesday of the month from noon to 1pm at Cook County Higher Education, these free Lunch & Learn classes feature speakers from area organizations like Age-Friendly Cook County, AARP, North Shore Health, The MN Aging Eyes Initiative, and more!
For many years Care Partners has provided support and companionship along the journey of aging in Cook County. With this initiative, we hope to help our friends and neighbors proactively address the joys and challenges of growing older with dignity, purpose – and perhaps a gentle dose of humor and camaraderie besides!
Join us online OR in person at Cook County Higher Education! Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and granting organizations, a light lunch is provided free of charge for those who are able to attend in person.
Upcoming Lunch & Learn Classes
June 24 – When We’re Dreading the Conversation
It’s all too easy to put off important conversations with our loved ones – especially when we worry those discussions might result in conflict or misunderstanding. Yet there are moments when we also know that like it or not, it’s time to talk. In June we’re excited to welcome Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Erika Figueira-Basheer as our guest presenter. Erika will give us tips for figuring out why we might be avoiding a conversation, thinking through what we want to say (and how we want to say it), and stepping beyond our fear to invite healthy, honest dialogue with the people we love. Register here!
July 22 – Gentle Hikes of Minnesota’s North Shore
Just in time to enjoy our area’s famous summer weather, we’re excited to welcome authors and educators Ladona Tornabene, PhD, MCHES and Lisa Vogelsang, PhD! They are passionate about helping people feel better on the inside by spending more time outside – regardless of age or physical ability level. They along with another co-author have written a wonderful guide to short walks all along the north shore, some familiar, others not so well known. Come and be encouraged to “take a hike” for fun and wellness! Register here!
August 26 – Advance Planning
We are happy to welcome Care Partners volunteer, Advance Care Planning Navigator, and retired emergency RN Kathy Reeves as our special guest! Kathy will tell us about the Advance Planning process, including Healthcare Directives and Health Care Agents. She’ll cover questions to consider as we make our choices, provide a brief overview of common end-of-life medical terms, and help us know when to review or revise our advance planning documents. Register here!
September 23 – Supporting Independence for Those with Dementia
In this session, our friend Jenna Pogorels from the Alzheimer’s Association will provide tips for helping people with dementia participate in daily activities. We’ll learn about providing the right amount of support, and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations. This class is especially geared toward those who are caring for a loved one with dementia, but the ideas shared can be helpful for friends, neighbors, and those who are living with memory loss. Register here!
October 28 – work in progress
November 18 – Cook County Veterans: Honoring & Supporting Those Who Serve
For National Veterans & Military Families Month we are honored to welcome Cook County Veterans Service Officer Karen Christiansen. Karen will help us learn about Cook County veterans and better understand the needs and challenges they may face. We’ll also find out about how to access veterans services and celebrate the ways in which veterans continue to serve and enrich our community. Register here!