Asset Presentation in Big Falls

On Thursday Nov. 13, Koochiching Aging Options will sponsor a free public informational presentation on financial planning for older adults and family caregivers. “Your Assets, Your Choices” will feature Kim Literovich of the Shermoen and Jaksa law firm and Rob Raplinger of Legal Aid Service’s Senior Law Project. Registration begins at 11 a.m. for the 11:30 presentation at the Big Falls Community Building in downtown Big Falls. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Call 283-7030 with questions.

Save the Date for Logging Camp Christmas

Reserve the date and get out your plaids, it’s time again for the Logging Camp Christmas. This fourth annual event – to raise funds to support the efforts of Koochiching Aging Options – is scheduled for Friday December 5. The evening will include new and traditional entertainments, inventive décor by No Place Like Home Again, a new menu, a cash bar and loads of auction items. Be the first on your road to get your tickets – supplies are limited.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class this fall

A class for family caregivers is to be offered in International Falls this autumn. 

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-session course designed to teach skills to enhance caregivers’ own well being as they care for an older family member or friend. The class will be open to all family caregivers and will meet Mondays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. from October 6 to November 10 at the Forestland Annex in International Falls. A $30.00 donation is recommended to cover the cost of a help book. Call Koochiching Aging Options with questions or to register at (218) 283-7030. Registration is due by September 30, 2014.

ACT on Alzheimer's Surveys Community

Volunteers of the Greater International Falls ACT on Alzheimer’s initiative are currently calling on community members to ask them about their knowledge of dementia and the supports available to those who suffer from a loss of cognitive ability due to a dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The goal of the Greater International Falls ACT on Alzheimer’s initiative, part of a statewide volunteer collaborative, is to help the community become more dementia friendly.

Here Pastor Irv Arnquist, a member of the Greater International Falls ACT on Alzheimer’s action team, interviews community member Elaine Beach. Nearly 70 individuals have been interviewed about their knowledge of dementia and the community’s support of those affected by it. Surveys will be used to set priorities of action towards becoming a dementia friendly community.”

The local project, one of 32 participating communities in Minnesota, has been following a community toolkit divided into four stages. First, an action team of interested individuals was convened early this summer. That team is now surveying representatives of various sectors of the community. The results of those surveys will be analyzed later this year to determine priorities for action. Finally, steps will be taken to address one or more of the identified priorities.

 “We are anxious to see what our survey of community members reveals. And we hope to be setting goals for action by the end of the year,” said Meadows. “We invite anyone interested to join the effort.”   Meadows can be reached at 286-5622 or meadows@midco.net.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class in Littlefork

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-session course designed to teach skills to enhance caregivers’ own well being as they care for an older family member or friend. The class will be open to all family caregivers and will meet on Monday afternoons from June 2 to July 7 at Littlefork Lutheran Church in Littlefork. A $25.00 donation is recommended to cover the cost of a help book. Call Koochiching Aging Options with questions or to register at (218) 283-7030. Registration is due by May 27, 2014.

Elders Living At Home Longer Presentation May 21

Staying independent in old age, with a little help, is the topic of a free public presentation the afternoon of May 21 at the Backus Community Center sponsored by Koochiching Aging Options.

Two presentations will be offered. Cindy Conkins of the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging will talk about ways to increase your chances of being able to remain at home as you age. A second presentation by Shantel Jaszcak and Becky Voller of Consumer Directions, a fiscal support entity, will introduce the concept of enlisting a service agency to help with hiring of trusted individuals to support extended life at home.

“Elders Living at Home Longer: With a Little Help” will be held at Backus Community Center at 900 Fifth Street in the Falls. Registration begins at 1 p.m. for the 1:30 program. Light refreshments will be served. Call Koochiching Aging Options with questions at 283-7030 or email KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com.

Your Assets, Your Choices Presentation May 14

What do you own, what do you want to do with it, and what will happen to it when you die? These are some of the questions to be addressed at “Your Assets, Your Choices,” a free public presentation on the evening of May 14 sponsored by Koochiching Aging Options.

Two featured guest speakers will share their expertise, Kim Literovich, attorney with Shermoen & Jaksa, PLLP, and Rob Raplinger from the Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota.

The presentation will be held at Backus Community Center at 900 Fifth Street in the Falls. Registration begins at 6 p.m. for the 6:30 program. Light refreshments will be served. Call Koochiching Aging Options with questions at 283-7030 or email KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com.

ACT on Alzheimer's Introduced to Community

The public is invited to learn about the Greater International Falls ACT on Alzheimer’s initiative and join the action team at a community meeting on May 15 at 7 p.m. at Backus Community Center, 900 Fifth Street, the Falls.

In addition to raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s, the action team will be trained to survey key sectors of the community, including employers, health care providers, legal and financial planners and others, helping to identify changes that can make Greater International Falls safe, informed and respectful of all those affected by dementia, explained project coordinator Myrna Meadows.

More than 60 organizations in Minnesota are partners in ACT on Alzheimer’s, dedicated to preparing Minnesota for the future and to creating supportive communities for persons and families touched by Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Call Douglas Skrief at Koochiching Aging Options at 283-7084 with questions.

Logging Camp Christmas 2013

The third annual Logging Camp Christmas fundraiser for Koochiching Aging Options tickled many hearts. The sold-out event on December 6 brought together 140 guests, many wearing plaids and suspenders. The stage of Backus Auditorium was turned into a logging camp by the talented co-owners of No Place Like Home Again. Local collector of logging memorabilia Graham Keeney added to the decorations. Waiters included members of the Rainy River Community College baseball team who helped to serve Camp Cook Cynthia Warren’s delicious logging camp fare. Actors and singers entertained. The northwood’s own Sloughgrass family band played throughout the evening, adding to music by Jessie Laurion and friends. Area businesses and individuals provided dozens of items for the live and silent auctions and raffles. Surprise visitors included members of Darcie’s Dancers and Canadian bagpiper Jordan Manty.