Beginning in September, the numerous organizations across Lake County that comprise the Age Friendly Lake County coalition have been holding programming inspired by the book Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast, a graphic memoir about Chast and the last few years of her aging parents’ lives. The programming is made possible through a grant from the Victory Fund. Age Friendly Lake County is part of a larger statewide and global “network of age friendly work”, said Silver Bay Public Library Director Shannon Walz.
According to an article by North Shore Area Partners, “Age-Friendly Communities promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages through eight connected domains of liveability.” These eight domains are civic participation and enjoyment; health services and community support; communication and information; transportation; outdoor spaces and buildings; housing; social participation; and respect and social inclusion. North Shore Area Partners continues that an age-friendly community is important because “We need to adjust to our changing demographics: there are more Minnesotans age 65+ than school-age children for the first time in Minnesota’s history.”
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? was chosen as a Big Read book in 2023. “We thought that doing programming around this book to shine a spotlight on aging, intergenerational connection and caregiving would be a way to generate community conversation and action around these important topics. We were also excited to collaborate to have a county wide reach,” Walz shared. “People in the community have really enjoyed the book and have appreciated the opportunity to have conversations around aging and caregiving for aging people that is open, humorous and intentional.”
Multiple programs and some book discussions have been held so far. The Silver Bay Public Library and the Two Harbors Public Library have hosted virtual downsizing webinars, and will be hosting two more on October 17 and 24. A virtual financial planning webinar can be registered for through the Silver Bay Public Library. In-person book discussions hosted by the Silver Bay library and North Shore Area Partners will continue, as well as a virtual book discussion hosted by the Two Harbors library. A music therapy program for caregivers will be held at the Silver Bay library October 22, as well as other programming and events to be announced.
Shannon Walz said, “It has been great to work together with other organizations dedicated to engaging the community around aging, caregiving and intergenerational connection. We are all doing good work and it is fun to amplify our impact through collaboration.”
A few free copies of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? are still available at partnering organizations such as the Silver Bay Public Library. Be sure to stop by and get a free copy of your own! And while you’re out, stop by North Shore Area Partners to see ways you can get involved in your community and stay connected through the upcoming winter.
