The Evolving Nature of Social Connections: Promoting Well-Being in Times of Crisis

Session two of three: Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness Series

This session will address programs designed to make connections between and among individuals and organizations to promote well-being in the aging population.

• Social Connect: Mindful Stress Management is a six-session program delivered virtually through a Zoom platform or telephonically. The program was revised during the early stages of the current pandemic to address the concern of increasing isolation among the elderly population. Social Connect draws on mind-body stress management strategies, in particular, Mindfulness-Based Stress Management. The session will provide the overview of the program, conceptual foundation, program elements, and lessons learned from the first pilot offerings.
• Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA) is a non-profit organization designated by the Minnesota Board on Aging as the Area Agency on Aging for the 14 county Central Minnesota region. In partnership with public and private organizations, CMCOA helps older adults age successfully by building community capacity, advocating for aging issues, maximizing service effectiveness, and linking people with information. 
• Chisago Age Well is one of four Silos to Circles communities whose mission is to increase awareness of, access to, and satisfaction with, existing services and health resources in the community. 

Trainers 

Natalie Matthewson, MA, LPC

Natalie is the Community Development Supervisor with Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA). Prior to her work with CMCOA, Natalie worked as an Adult Mental Health Initiative Planner. She moved to Minnesota seven years ago from Colorado. Prior to moving to Minnesota Natalie was the Executive Director for a Long-term Care Case Management Agency. She has worked in the human services field for 24 years. 

Rebecca Hostetler

During her work career, Rebecca Hostetler served as public librarian, parish pastor, and advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Allied communities as well as an advocate for older adults in the community-at-large. She has served on the Advisory Board of Central Minnesota Council on Aging since 2014 representing Chisago County, Minnesota. Rebecca has been part of the collaborative efforts of Chisago Age Well since the initial discussions held in 2016. Rebecca has served as one of the Volunteer Community Connectors for Chisago Age Well since 2018. She has played a significant role in strategic planning and education the community about Chisago Age Well and the activities and services available for older adults and their caregivers.

Darcy Rylander, BS, RYT, NBC-HWC

Darcy has been facilitating evidence-based health promotion classes since 2013. She is an experienced yoga and meditation teacher and has taught mindful stress management skills to participants of all ages.  

Steve Hoover, PhD

Steve recently retired recently from St. Cloud State University and currently works part-time as the Healthy Aging Coordinator for the Central Minnesota Council on Aging. Steve has taught stress management and Mindfulness-Based Stress Management for over 15 years in numerous settings.

Session Three

Rural but Reachable: How to Build Grief Support by Creating Community

July 28, 2020

11:00 am - 12:00 pm MT

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