New Midway group takes aim at senior health

On Sat., Oct. 3, the Hamline Midway Health Movement (HMHM) will partner with Hamline Elementary School’s Fall Festival in a local scavenger hunt. Participants will walk from Hamline Elementary south on Snelling Ave., visiting local businesses and then return to the school. ‘Hunters’ will be given a Bingo game card with a listing of the participating local businesses noted on the card.

The goal of the scavenger hunt is for participants to walk into the businesses named on the card and receive a sticker from that business. Once the card is filled, the participants will return to Hamline Elementary and enter their completed card in a drawing for a grand prize. The Fall Festival will take place between noon and 4pm on the Hamline Elementary School grounds.

HMHM hopes the event will benefit the community in several ways. Participants will receive the benefit of exercise, fun, socialization, and getting to know neighborhood businesses. Local business will benefit from the prospect of new customers. Participating businesses are encouraged to provide the ‘hunters’ with a business card or flyer; perhaps a coupon or some other incentive to encourage our hunters to purchase from that store. This event wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of the local businesses along Snelling Ave.

Together with our community partners, we hope to improve the health of Hamline Midway adults over the age of fifty and have the Hamline Midway community be known as a “wellness district.”

HMHM is a volunteer, community-based, “grass roots” initiative whose goal is to inspire and engage seniors in the Hamline Midway area to incorporate healthier lifestyle choices into their daily lives.

Within the Hamline Midway senior community, the HMHM will host monthly educational and informative seminars, as well as provide physical and social activities with the goal of increasing the awareness and importance of self-care and prevention strategies. The larger intent is to reduce chronic health issues and the subsequent unsustainable dependency on healthcare services and a diminished lifestyle. Most importantly they hope to address the physical, mental, social and emotional concerns seniors experience and help them live their lives more fully and continue to be contributing and integral members of our community.

HMHM is in the early planning stages, but already there is synergy between this group and the community. The goal is to host a free, once-a-month gathering for Hamline Midway seniors. It could be followed by the educational programs on such topics  as Alzheimer’s and dementia, resources for caregivers, end-of-life planning, managing limited finances, teaching basic computer skills, gardening tips etc. Attendees will receive a light, healthy dinner, followed by activities such as educational speakers, exercise programs teaching yoga and Tai Chi, organized walking groups, ballroom dancing, board games, and yes, Bingo.