Living Well Workshop

* CANCELED * Memoir and memory: writing life stories

CANCELED. Our April workshop presenter has had to cancel her presentation for health reasons. We wish Professor Madelon Sprengnether a speedy recovery and look forward to rescheduling her memoir writing workshop in the 2019-20 program year. The regular April meeting will proceed as scheduled in the West Wing, beginning at 4 p.m.

How to get a good night's sleep

Neurologist Michael Howell, M.D., an associate professor and vice chair of education in the Department of Neurology, will be the presenter for our March workshop on how sleep patterns are affected by aging. 

Meditation and mindfulness

How to start practicing meditation and mindfulness will be the subject of a panel discussion for our January workshop. The panel will include poet Michael Dennis Browne and two other members of UMRA.

Come and share your own experiences as well as your questions about meditation.

Changes in U of M Retirement Plans

Representatives from the Office of Human Resources will present and discuss with us changes being made to the University’s Faculty Retirement Plan. These changes will be rolled out during 2019 and should be of interest to all persons with funds in the Faculty Retirement Plan.

Please attend the workshop to hear about the changes and ask questions.

Change, loss, and resiliency

Maintaining resiliency and honest hope for self and others can be challenging. For our November workshop, family and grief educator Ted Bowman will share his extensive experience teaching about life transition decisions and coping with grief.

2019 U of M health plan options for retirees

A representative from the U’s Office of Human Resources will provide an overview of the new health plan options available to retirees, including rates for 2019. There will be more changes in the coming year than usual because Medicare Cost plans will no longer be available in certain areas of Minnesota due to the implementation of a federal law. A representative from the U’s Office of Human Resources (OHR) will provide an overview and comparison of the new benefit plans, including rates for 2019.

Caregiving for Alzheimer's and related diseases

Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., a gerontologist and professor of long-term care, will give an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases (ADRD).

With his team of a dozen researchers, Professor Gaugler simultaneously runs a variety of studies to learn both the quality of care provided to those with ADRD but also the effectiveness of existing programs and new tools for family caregivers. In addition to his very busy research and teaching schedule, he also holds an annual event called “Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference.”

April 24 Workshop: Alzheimer's disease, what can be done?

Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., an applied gerontologist and long-term care professor in the School of Nursing, will lead a discussion aimed at increasing our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease—what it is and what can be done about it. 

March 27 Workshop: Keeping up with technology tools

Lisa Larson, training consultant with the U’s Office of Information Technology, will provide an overview of the technology tools and services available to all U of M retirees. And, UMRA’s webmaster and website design leader will demonstrate the features of the new UMRA website

February 27 Workshop: Falls are dangerous and preventable

Our February workshop will feature two experts in fall prevention from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Drs. Jean Wyman and Siobhan McMahon, discussing common myths about falls and what can be done to reduce the risk of falling as one ages. They will also connect us with an opportunity to volunteer for a fall-prevention study at the U of M. 

November 28 Workshop: challenges of caregiving among older adults

Greg Owen, consulting scientist and principal investigator with the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, will share insights into the role and stresses of informal or family caregiving among older adults and provide types of caregiving services that are available. UMRA workshops are free and open to everyone.

January 23 Workshop: Meaning and purpose in retirement

Due to longer life expectancy, many of us could live for 10 to 30 years after retiring, which means we could live through several major changes in interests, activities, and identities in later life. This workshop, led by UMRA Cares Committee Chair Ron Anderson, is designed to help guide our thinking about assessing and reassessing the primary meaning and purpose in our lives. 

October 24 Workshop: Health plans for University Retirees

Retirees who purchase supplemental health insurance from the University of Minnesota, and any new U of M retirees who are considering doing so, will surely want to attend the Health Benefits Workshop following the UMRA luncheon on October 24. Come learn about the benefits offered by the U for the coming year, and encourage your fellow U of M retirees to attend, also. UMRA workshops are free and open to everyone. 

September 26 Workshop: How to Avoid fraud, scams, and identity theft

Con artists don’t care how hard you worked for your money, and they steal billions from people like you every year. 

February workshop leader will discuss non-drug practices in managing pain

Following the luncheon on February 28, UMRA will present a workshop focused on understanding and discussing the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) a program in the practice of managing pain without drugs.