East Side Neighborhood Services classes and events

East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE, is hosting the following classes and events:

Living Well with Chronic Pain classes, free six-week online classes: live virtual classroom experience, Mondays, March 15–April 19, 5-7 pm; Tuesdays, March 16–April 20, 12:30-3 pm; Wednesdays, March 17–April 21, 9-11:30 am; Wednesdays, March 17–April 21, 4-6:30 pm; Thursdays, March 18–April 22, 4-6:30 pm. Topics include techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep, appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition, pacing activity and rest, and how to evaluate new treatments. Participants receive a resource book. Every week the group learns, brainstorms, and completes activities together. Free six-week telephone classes: self-study format with weekly 1-hour group phone calls. Participants receive a toolkit of materials including a resource book, tip sheets, and relaxation CD. In the weekly group phone calls participants learn and receive support for personal goals: Thursdays, March 18–April, 1-2 pm; and Fridays, March 19-April 23, 10-11 am. Info and registration: yourjuniper.org or 855-215-2174. Participants will receive an email with a link to join the class.

Joyful Moments, Thursdays, April 8-May 20, 2-3 pm, via Zoom, a seven-week series that uses wellness activities to help reconnect older adults to what brings them purpose, joy, and meaning in life. Activities were created by eldercare and therapeutic activity experts at The Hummingbird Project to promote quality of life in older adults, no matter their physical or cognitive limitations. All caregivers and those that they care for are invited. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and receive a 30-minute call with an activity specialist. Pre-registration is required: Liz at 612-787-4076 or LFlavin@esns.org. There is no fee to participate in this series.

Reimagining Aging Book Club, second Saturday of the month, 9-10 am, via Zoom, join the Vital Living team for a monthly book discussion on books about aging and what it means to live a vital life today. Upcoming book selection: March 13, “Our Souls at Night” by Kent Haruf; April 10, “The Life We Bury” by Allen Eskens; May 8, “A Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir” by Kao Kalia Yang,” and June 12 (tentative), “Shopping with Clara: A Memoir of Letting Go” by Beth Krietzman, include a live chat with the author. First time participants are warmly invited. Registration: https://www.esns.org/calendar. Questions: 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.

Caregiver Support Group, Tuesday, March 16, 2-3 pm, via Zoom, for those who are looking for a safe and welcoming place to discuss the challenges, the frustrations and the joys of caregiving. Participants can get connected to the community resources, meet and support other people with similar experiences, learn easy self-care strategies and coping techniques, vent, and share personal experiences. Open to any adult 18+ who is a caregiver for an older adult. To ensure a safe and confidential setting, first time participants will need to request a link and password to enter the call. Info: Liz at LFlavin@esns.org or 612-787-4076.

NE Day Spot (Home Version), Fridays, March 12, 10-11 am, and March 26, 1:30-2:30 pm, via Zoom. Are you looking for creative ways to engage the person you care for while staying home? The NE Day Spot: Caregiver Respite (Home Version) is designed to enrich the lives of people with mild to moderate memory loss or other health conditions. Each gathering is an opportunity to share a virtual cup of coffee (or tea), our lives, and our stories with each other. There may be live music on the calls from the Mid-Morning Music Makers. There is no fee to participate and newcomers are always welcome. Info: Liz at 612-787-4076 or LFlavin@esns.org.

Mind, Body, Community, every Thursday, 1-2 pm, call-in each week to move with gentle movements, practice mindfulness activities and enjoy the company of others. Each participant receives a goodie bag to use during the call and on their own. There is no cost to participate. The only equipment needed is a phone with the “speakerphone” feature to participate hands-free. If you are not sure whether your phone has this feature, call to find out. Registration: VitalLiving@esns.org. Info: 612-787-4086 or esns.org.