Living Well Workshop

Upcoming Retirement Organization Conferences

Two major conferences, one organized by the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and the other by the Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA), will take place this year. The AROHE conference will be held in Florida and the BTRA conference will be hosted by UMRA on the UMN campus.

The AROHE conference invites all interested retirees and university faculty and staff to reimagine retirement. You are invited to register if interested at https://www.arohe.org/2026-Conference.

The BTRA is being hosted by UMRA this year. Leadership of retiree organizations around the US will convene to share competencies. Attendance is restricted.

An advocate for gun violence prevention

UMRA’s Living Well Workshop on May 12 will feature Megan Walsh from the University of Minnesota Law School for a presentation on efforts to prevent gun violence through lawsuits designed to address unlawful practices in selling, manufacturing, or advertising firearms.

Lifetime gardening / Evolving gardens

The satisfaction of eating food that you grow or tending a plant that gives you beauty is nourishing in every way. And, according to Terry Straub, the guest speaker for UMRA’s April 21 workshop, we can have this satisfaction throughout our lives, our changing abilities, and wherever we live. 

Writing our lives

UMRA’S March workshop will explore how to transform your memories, including those that have faded with time, into lively true stories. It will also show you how to reflect on them, how to express how you felt, and how to connect your stories to the values and beliefs you want to pass on.

How the current generation of older Americans is transforming retirement

Well-known Twin Cities-based financial journalist and economics commentator Chris Farrell will be the featured guest for UMRA’s February 17 Living Well Workshop via Zoom. He will discuss why and how the current generation of older Americans is not following the traditional retirement pattern of a relaxed lifestyle. 

Identity development: How memories become selves

Developing a sense of identity is a central psychological task of the lifespan. Memories and stories from our personal past, as well as cultural memories and stories in society play key roles in how we develop our identities. This presentation will discuss psychological theory and research on how memories and stories make us who we are.

The challenges and benefits of downsizing

Starting the process of downsizing can be challenging, both emotionally and physically. It is hard to let go. UMRA’s November workshop will offer us an opportunity to hear from two couples who have recently moved into senior living communities, and from Jay Benedict, an outreach and sales director with Ebenezer Senior Living who has helped many people make this transition.

Enhancing personal wellbeing, mindfully

Mindfulness techniques are a proven way of helping people maintain emotional equilibrium. UMRA’s October 21 workshop will focus on using mindfulness to strengthen personal wellbeing and emotional resilience, including everyday strategies for mitigating the effects of stress as we age. 

Change in retiree health insurance is coming soon

If you obtain your health insurance through the U of M retiree group Medicare options, or are turning 65 and anticipating Medicare enrollment, please take note. The University is transitioning to individual marketplace coverage, effective January 1. To learn more, join UMRA’s Living Well Workshop on Tuesday, September 16. Being well informed will help you to make the best choice for your circumstances. 

Sign in to the new Member Portal

The new UMRA portal launched in late April and members are logging in to renew their memberships and sign up for upcoming events.

If you’re interested in events that require registration, such as the Forums or Living Well Workshops, the portal is where you’ll sign up. 

How to avoid being scammed

Financial scams are a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, and learning how to spot and avoid scams is more important than ever to your financial health. For UMRA’s May workshop, Jay Haapala, leader of AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, will share with us the latest criminal trends in scamming and how to avoid them.

Dealing with differences in a polarized world

For UMRA’s April 15 Living Well Workshop via Zoom, professor emeritus, author, and Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty will share with us what he has learned about overcoming differences in our families and communities in a highly polarized world.

Building a Blue Zones community: Lessons from Albert Lea

In 2009, Albert Lea became the pilot project for adopting Blue Zones strategies to improve a whole community’s well-being. Since then, the project has expanded to more than 70 communities across North America. Cathy Malakowsky, the guest speaker for UMRA’s March 18 workshop, will explain the changes made in Albert Lea and new projects in the works. 

Healthy at home

Many life challenges that get in the way of quality of life and good health at home have little to do with medical issues. Cathy Lauring, our presenter for UMRA’s February 18 workshop, will explore a variety of resources to assist in keeping us healthy at home—including physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial services.

Can better sleep prevent Parkinson's and dementia?

Michael Howell, MD, is director of sleep medicine in the U of M Medical School Department of Neurology. For UMRA’s January 21 Living Well Workshop, he will discuss healthy sleep, brain function, and how sleep research at the University is helping to develop cures for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.