Vital Living Classes

Practice Tai Ji

Mondays | 9:30-10:30 AM

January 12, 26 & February 2, 9, 16, 23

Via Zoom

Join us for a 6-week Practice Tai Ji class that meets on Mondays! These one-hour sessions will help you practice the fluid, mindful movements you learned in Tai Ji Quan. These movements focus on reducing the risk of falls by improving balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility.

All participants must have a computer or tablet (with a camera and microphone) or a smartphone. Registered participants will receive Zoom information prior to the class start date. If you need any support with Zoom, we can help you!

Questions or interested in joining? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.

Senior Planet Tech Classes

Mondays

11:00 AM-12:30 PM

In-person

The Vital Living Program at East Side Neighborhood Services is partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends. We hope you can join us!

January 5: Intro to AI

January 12: Understanding Fraud and Scams

January 19: NO CLASS

January 26: Discovering Browser Extensions

For all tech classes, we will be gathering in our Tech Lounge on the second level of East Side Neighborhood Services. All materials needed will be provided. No cost for these classes. Please register in advance.

For questions and to register, contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.

Drop-In Tech Time

Wednesdays

11:00 AM-12:30 PM

In-person

If you have a specific tech question and want 1:1 support, please consider stopping by for our Drop-In Tech Time!

We can help with day-to-day questions regarding things like how to search the internet, app functions, making text bigger, etc. We appreciate if you let us know in advance when you plan on stopping by. If you need support and Wednesdays do not work for you, please feel free to call and we can try to find a different day that works better.

For all drop-in tech support sessions, we will be gathering in our Tech Lounge at East Side Neighborhood Services. No cost for this service but donations are welcome.

For questions and to register, contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.

Vital Fitness

Thursdays Weekly|10:30-11:30 AM

In-person

All abilities are encouraged to come. Movements can be done seated or standing.

A wide variety of balance, strength, and flexibility movements will be incorporated into this fun and social group class. No cost. Pre-registration is helpful for planning purposes but not required. 

Questions? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.

Vital Living Events

Vital Living Book Club

2nd Saturday of the Month | 9:00-10:00 AM  

Via Zoom     

Enjoy reading and looking for a friendly group to be a part of? Bring your coffee and join our statewide book club online.

As we are all living more days, we explore reframing the idea of aging as opportunity — the opportunity to reach out to other generations, share wisdom, and learn new ways of living in the world — through the discussion of engaging books.

January 10th: The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce

February 14th: Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

March 14th: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

To register, click here.



Questions? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org

Haven't read the book? Still come and meet us. New to Zoom? We can help you get connected.

NE Day Spot

In-Person Respite

Fridays Weekly|10 AM-1PM

Experiencing dementia doesn't have to mean a loss of connection. This is a place for you.

NE Day Spot is a gathering place for those with mild to moderate memory loss or other chronic health conditions to be in community while caregivers have a reliable break each week. Enjoy gathering together with art, music, conversation, and movement alongside volunteers, participants, and Vital Living staff.

Every Friday, this event aims to be a welcoming space for:

• Persons 65+ receiving care from others
• Those living with memory loss or other chronic conditions

Requirements: Pre-assessment necessary to determine eligibility.

Cost: Suggested donation based on sliding fee scale, $0-$45 per day. Space is limited.

Contact Vital Living at 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org for more information.

LGBTQ+ Caregiver Group

2nd Thursday of the Month | 3:30-4:30 PM  

Via Zoom  

Build a support system with people who understand.

This group is specifically designed for LGBTQ+ caregivers who are supporting someone diagnosed with any type of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Association® caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to: develop a support system, exchange practical information on caregiving challenges & possible solutions, learn about community resources, and talk through issues & ways of coping. We encourage those who attend to share feelings, needs, and concerns.

Contact Vital Living at 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org for more information.

Click here to learn more about Alzheimer's Association caregiver programs and resources.

Resources for Vital Living

Senior Planet Online Classes

Senior Planet, at www.seniorplanet.org, has daily online classes via Zoom covering a wide variety of topics and activities for older adults. A couple of highlights for this month include:

Safe & Savvy Smartphone Habits

Monday| January 12th|9:30 AM-10:30 AM (CDT)

Click here for more info and to register

Is It a Scam?

Wednesday |January 22nd|3:30-4:00 PM (CDT)

Click here for more info and to register

Accessible Transportation No Longer Available

The Transportation team at East Side Neighborhood Services provided transportation for people 60+ living in North, Northeast, and Southeast Minneapolis and St. Anthony Village for over three decades.

"It has been my honor to serve all of you for nearly 2 decades. I have met so many wonderful people in my time with this community. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I am saddened that this time with you is ending and know it is a big change. Please know Vital Living will gladly help find you some resources for transportation if you need. Wishing you all well and thank you!" -Tracy Thoraldson (ESNS Transportation Director for 19 years)

Please call Vital Living at 612-787-4023 or email vitalliving@esns.org if you need additional resources.

Friends & Co. Coffee Talk

Did you know that just one phone call can make your day? Give it a try!

Coffee Talk is a free drop-in phone line from Friends & Co. It offers you an easy and instant way to engage with a caring Coffee Talkers in conversation.

With words of encouragement and an understanding ear, we are ready to meet you wherever you are on your unique journey. Using Coffee Talk is as easy as dialing your telephone. It’s completely free, and there is no need to worry about giving any personal information or feeling embarrassed about calling. Your privacy is our priority.

If this sounds like you, we invite you to join us at “the table” with your favorite morning beverage to start your day. We guarantee good company and an engaging conversation! Interested in being a Coffee Talker? We’re always looking for volunteers to join our team!

Hours of Service: Monday – Friday, 8 am-Noon

Contact Emma with Friends & Co at 612-746-0746.

Let’s Do Lunch Café

Tuesday| January 13th| 11:30AM-1:30PM|in partnership with Prime Timers MSP

Tuesday| January 27th| 11:30AM-1:30PM|in partnership with Prime Timers MSP

Let’s Do Coffee & Let’s Do Lunch Café bring together older LGBTQ+ community members for coffee/lunch and connection “on the house.” These gatherings offer an excellent opportunity for social interactions and educational programs, all in a warm and welcoming environment.



NO RSVP is required. Let's Do Lunch Café is made possible by Prime Timers MSP and Friends & Co.

In order to create safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ community, Friends & Co. does not post the venues for any of these events on our website. They encourage people to click here to visit their website and sign up to receive the specific details of each event. 

Let’s Do Coffee!

Upcoming Dates:

Friday| January 2nd| 9:30-11:00AM|in partnership with Pillars of Prospect Park

Monday| January 5th| 9:30-11:00AM|in partnership with Queermunity

Wednesday| January 14th| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with FamilyMeans 

Thursday| January 15th| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with Queermunity 



In order to create safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ community, Friends & Co does not post the venues for any of these events on our website. We encourage people to click here to visit their website and sign up to receive the specific details of each event. Let’s Do Coffee is made possible by Queermunity, FamilyMeans and Friends & Co.



For more information, call 612-721-1400.

Vital Living Guided Meditation

Take a moment to relax with a guided audio meditation! During high-stress times, it's too easy to let self-care fall by the wayside.

If caregiving for a relative, partner, neighbor, friend, or child is causing difficult emotions, contact our Vital Living team at VitalLiving@esns.org for support and resources.