Kathy Gilbride and Well Connected: Helping Seniors Across Minnesota
One of the top wishes of older adults is to stay in their own homes as long as possible. This is also a key goal of healthcare professionals in order to accommodate the growing elderly population.
The goal is not just to live at home, it is to thrive in that environment, despite whatever health limitations that individual might have. One of the resources working to enrich the lives of older adults in our community is called Well Connected.
What is Well Connected?
Well Connected is a program that offers activities, education, support groups, and friendly conversation over the telephone or online at no cost! Classes convene all year round and are typically one hour long. They cover a range of topics from art to zoology, music to meditation, arm-chair travel to museum tours. It is a way for elderly to connect with others in a similar situation and stay active in their communities! Programs even accommodate people experiencing vision, hearing, speech or mobility difficulties.
How Can It Benefit Seniors?
The power of connectedness affects us all. It can get lonely for elderly living at home, especially for those in rural areas. The Well Connected program offers the chance to meet new folks and share your wisdom and expertise. You can even connect with people across the country! The opportunity to make new friendships and learn something new fulfills the lives of everyone involved. Some say it can even combat diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Special thanks to Kathy Gilbride, the Community Development Coordinator at Central MN Council on Aging located in Sartell. With her knowledge and advocacy, she takes great care of older adults in our local area! She also promotes the newsletter We ACTdedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of Alzheimer’s and its impact on our senior community. Thank you Kathy for helping us reach more folks about the wonderful resources like Well Connected that are available to enjoy!
