Vital Living Classes

Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance Beginner Class

Mondays & Thursdays |10:30-11:30 AM

September 22 - December 18

Via Zoom

Tai Ji Quan uses fluid, mindful movements to help participants reduce the risk of falls by improving balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility. These one-hour beginner sessions meet twice a week over Zoom for 24 sessions. If you're not familiar with Zoom, don't worry! We will help you by going over popular Zoom features. We will also have technical support available during each session.

All participants must have a computer or tablet (with a camera and microphone) or a smartphone. Registered participants will receive class information prior to the class start date.

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!

November 3: Spotify

November 10: Is That AI?

November 17: Getting Started with Venmo

November 24: Saving Money with Tech

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.

November 8th: The Maid by Nita Prose 

December 13th: Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey 

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.

Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor the millions of individuals who care for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other related conditions.

Being a caregiver can take many forms. Sometimes it’s easy to see, and other times it’s less obvious. You might be a caregiver if you bring groceries to a neighbor, help a parent manage bills and appointments, stop by to check in a few times a week, or provide daily, around-the-clock care for someone living with you.

Many people don’t think of themselves as caregivers-they simply see themselves as family, friends, or neighbors helping someone they care about. Yet every act of support, big or small, plays a vital role in the well-being of someone living with memory loss.

Vital Living is here to walk beside caregivers. We offer consultation, education, support gatherings, and respite care to help lighten the load.

This month, we celebrate your compassion, your strength, and your dedication, recognizing you're not on an easy journey. You are not alone, and your care makes a lasting difference every single day.

NE Day Spot

In-Person Respite

Fridays Weekly|10:00 AM-1:00 PM

4th Saturday of the Month|10:00AM-1:00PM

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 and

possible solutions.

• Talk through issues and ways of coping.

• Share feelings, needs and concerns.

• Learn about community resources.

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:

Using Facebook Marketplace Demo

Monday| November 10th|2:00 PM-3:00 PM (CDT)

Click here for more info and to register

Digital Vaults

Thursday |November 13th|9:30 PM-10:30 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.

Tracy Thoraldson, ESNS Transportation Director of 19 years, had these words to share with you:

"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

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| November 11th and

Friday| November 28th - Thanksgiving Luncheon - 11:30am to 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 is made possible by Queermunity, FamilyMeans and Friends & Co.

Let’s Do Coffee!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday| November 3rd| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with Queermunity

Friday| November 7th| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with Pillars of Prospect Park

Wednesday| November 12th| 9:30-11am| in partnership with FamilyMeans

Thursday| November 20th| 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.