ACTIVE LIFE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE GLOBE
AUGUST 2021
Tim Middagh / The Globe
The Center for Active Living’s Bike Club met up for a ride around Lake Okabena Aug. 13. Participants included Terry Schissel (from left), Cindy Swart, Terry and Jerry Perkins, Marcia Basche, group leader Janet Cuperus, Roxane Koster and Elaine Hay.
Pedal power
New CAL bike club welcomes all pedal-pushers By Jane Turpin Moore The Globe WORTHINGTON — After some initial wheel-spinning, a local bike club for seniors is officially rolling. Sponsored by Worthington’s Center for Active Living (CAL), the group is a relatively informal collection of bicycling enthusiasts, ages 55+, who seek to combine outdoor activity and exercise with relaxed social contact. “My wife Terry and I enjoy the social aspect of biking,” said Jerry Perkins, Worthington, one of the club’s participants. “I’d say we’re casual bikers; our first priority is enjoyment, and our second priority is exercise.” Armed with a list of over two dozen wouldbe cyclists, volunteer biking club coordinator Janet Cuperus of rural Reading is enthusiastic
Some of these people have been biking for a long time already, but we welcome more people to join us. - JANET CUPERUS about the promise this fledgling group has for wheeling further down the road. “We set two times a week for rides,” said Cuperus, mentioning 9 a.m. Tuesday and 2 p.m. Thursday as the touch points, with the starting point being the Centennial Park pavilion. The Tuesday morning time slot has proven slightly more popular, possibly due to the numerous hot afternoons the region has experienced this summer. “It varies as to who shows up, but we typically have six to seven
riders,” said Cuperus. “Some of these people have been biking for a long time already, but we welcome more people to join us.” The senior cyclists typically chart a course around Lake Okabena, using the existing walking/bike path where it makes sense for their route. They log about seven miles on a normal outing. “I’m just thrilled with the path here,” said regular biker Marcia Basche, 85. She takes full advantage of the local trail system, often fitting in a previous round of travel with two other dedicated biking friends before joining the CAL group at 9 a.m. most Tuesdays. However, with the frequency these wheelers traverse the paths, they can’t help but notice occasional bumps and flaws, too. “These trails need
maintenance and improvement,” urged Perkins. “That would be very helpful to the bikers.” The CAL bike club’s origins were churning behind the scenes for some time. Previous CAL director Mary Luke had made efforts to initiate a bike group, as several CAL members requested one, but the pandemic shutdown hindered its development. “Jan (Cuperus) was the regular element we needed,” said Luke, who passed the CAL directorship torch to Jill Cuperus a couple of months ago. “Jan was willing to find days people could meet and kept reaching out by group text to firm up plans.” With CAL’s ongoing support and sponsorship, Cuperus is pleased with the direction the bike group, though still green, is headed. “We want to take a trip
somewhere,” said Cuperus, mentioning possible destinations such as Luverne, Sioux Falls and Spirit Lake before more ambitious, further-afield bike-friendly locales are attempted. A retired Early Childhood Special Education teacher who was a long-time runner and 5k race contestant, Cuperus became more enthusiastic about bicycling after observing a group of cycling seniors in southwest Wisconsin, where one of her four children lives. “I was impressed with the ladies there, all in their 70s or older, because they bike for miles and miles on hilly routes,” said Cuperus. Already equipped with a bike rack on her vehicle, Cuperus is happy to throw her bike on it twice a week and head into Worthington for the CAL group bike rides. “It’s a social activity,
and that’s what I was wanting,” said Cuperus. “And I enjoy being physically active in all seasons.” Perkins affirms that the CAL bike club accommodates varying capabilities among its riders. “The social piece is an incentive,” he said. “Some people need to slow up while others bike ahead, but even when there’s some separation during the ride, we all meet up at the start and end.” Basche is vigilant about safety protocols when biking; she always carries her cell phone and wears a helmet, though she says not everyone chooses to, and she has adopted the habit of donning a reflective vest to alert motorists to her presence.
PEDAL POWER: Page 2
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ACTIVE LIFE
| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021
| THE GLOBE, WORTHINGTON, MINN.
DGLOBE.COM
How to help senior loved ones protect themselves from financial abuse Brandpoint An often-overlooked aspect of elder abuse is cybercrime, and it’s a problem that’s getting worse. In 2020, the FBI reported a record amount of cybercrime complaints — nearly 800,000 — adding up to over $4.1 billion in losses. More than half of those losses were suffered by people aged 50 and older. “The financial consequences are staggering,” said DJ Johnson, senior vice president of financial crimes risk management at Charles Schwab. “It’s something we all need to prioritize, dedicate resources to address and work closely on to prevent.” The FBI data shows that, on average, Americans aged 50 and over lost nearly $5 million every single day, or nearly $3,500 per minute, to cybercriminals.
PEDAL POWER From Page 1
Biking, she notes, is slower than driving but zippier than walking. “And I love seeing all the familiar people
What are the scams?
To protect your loved ones from financial cybercrime, the first step is awareness. While fraud can come in many forms, some criminal schemes are targeted at the senior population, including: Romance scam: Fraudsters present themselves as potential romantic partners online to exploit their targets’ desire for companionship — a desire that has grown for many who have felt isolated through the coronavirus pandemic — and eventually get access to their money. Person in need scam: Criminals pretend to be a loved one (e.g., a grandchild) in immediate trouble and need of money right away. Investment scam: Outreach with phony investment opportunities. Fraud investigation scam: Criminals pose
around town when I pass by and through the parks,” said Basche. “It feels so good to see all the recreational activity around Worthington.” Cuperus is committed to continuing her efforts to build the CAL bike club. She texts the group the night before
as law enforcement officials, asking for personal information or even money to help with their investigation. Technology scam: Fraudsters appear to be a technology support team member or someone from a trusted financial institution asking for remote access to fix a fabricated technical or account issue.
Who are the perpetrators?
When we think of fraudsters, we tend to think of nameless, faceless people sitting in the dark, halfway around the world. In reality, a report by the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans found that in 36% of cases, the victim knows the perpetrator personally. This is why caregiving should be a group effort. Bring other loved ones into the conversation, instead of leaving
each ride, mentions the weather, takes an informal tally of who is expecting to appear and does her best to keep the tires in motion. “The CAL assists us with contact points and getting the information out there,” credited Cuperus, adding that
For caregivers, if you’re worried about your loved ones, start with this checklist to protect them: Ź Talk about it. Have a conversation about common scams. Discuss your loved ones’ investment goals and
attitudes toward money so that you can recognize irregular behavior. Ź Designate trusted contacts. Make sure financial institution reps know who to contact on your loved one’s behalf in the event of suspected exploitation, fraud or health issues. Ź Get organized. Locate and safely store important financial documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, account statements, insurance policies and beneficiary designations.
Even after you put things in place for your loved ones, be vigilant: Ź Check in. Regularly review and update important financial documents. Ź Listen. Pay attention to what your loved ones are saying and listen for worrying key phrases, such as “people are asking me for money,” “my bills are confusing to me” and “I don’t understand financial decisions that someone else is making for me.” Ź Watch. Look out for red-flag behaviors, including unusual or unexplained financial activity, abrupt changes to documents, unpaid bills or mail piling up, new friends or sweethearts or confused behavior. For more information on ways to educate and protect yourself and senior family members from fraudsters, visit schwab.com/schwabsafe/security-knowledge-center.
bike club details usually show up in the CAL’s monthly newsletter. “We’re starting small here and seeing what we can work up to.” Meanwhile, the early-70s Cuperus draws inspiration from her fellow bikers, several of whom — though older than her — have been gearing up and notching miles for some time now.
“Marcia (Basche) is my hero,” said Cuperus, pinpointing one of her local idols. “I’m so impressed with her.” Cuperus also sneaks peeks every so often at a picture from a Parade magazine article featuring a centenarian female who continues running 5ks with vigor. Reminded Basche, whom Cuperus praises as a cycling role model,
“You have to remember that age is just a number.” The Center for Active Living bike club welcomes all interested participants ages 55+. The group meets for rides at the Centennial Park pavilion each Tuesday at 9 a.m. and Thursday at 2 p.m. For more information, visit the CAL (211 11 th St., Worthington) or call 376-6457.
it in the hands of just one person. Lean on the financial institutions you keep your money with to be an extra set of eyes and ears for you.
How can caregivers protect senior loved ones?
“We’re very happy here & we love our view!” -Bernard & Diane Thier
Tim Middagh / The Globe
Members of the CAL Bike Club cruise through Olson Park on an outing earlier this month. Terry Schissel (from left), Jerry Perkins and Marcia Basche lead the pack.
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By Jane Turpin Moore The Globe REGIONAL — Grants from the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) are boosting efforts to support seniors. With the cooperation of a trio of partners — the City of Adrian, Rock County Opportunities of Luverne and Marriah Aggen, proprietor of the Rushmore-based Essential Senior Services — a few dozen residents aged 60 and above are getting the help they need to remain in their own homes, longer and safer. “It’s a circle of mutual support,” said Elizabeth Schear, executive director of Rock County Opportunities (RCO). “Not only do our clients have jobs they can perform in our building but elderly folks who want to live in their homes longer receive the services they need to stay there. This is an example of how entities can cooperate and benefit their greater communities. “It’s a win-win.” Aggen had roughly a decade of experience in the elder care sector when she decided last December to open Essential Senior Services, a business dedicated to shopping and running personal errands for seniors living within a 50-mile radius of Rushmore. “I’d worked in the human resources aspect of senior care prior to starting this business,” Aggen said. “I just saw this need firsthand and realized it would allow me to serve people and give seniors and their loved ones more quality time with each other.” Working via MNRAAA, Aggen obtained funding from the Cares Act as she initiated ESS. “My grant runs from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30,
2021, and it allows me to be paid for the work I’m doing without having to charge any of my clients for my services,” explained Aggen. Whether it’s shopping for groceries, picking up prescriptions, mailing items at the post office or visiting the bank, Aggen is up for doing it. She also assists with collecting laundry and dropping it off at RCO, which employs differently abled individuals. Laundry, Aggen explained, is something that can be tough for some seniors to do. “In some homes, the washer and dryer are in the basement,” said Aggen. “Or maybe they can’t lift their laundry baskets anymore, or reach into their washers and dryers. “The act of doing laundry can be very physical.” Meanwhile, Adrian city administrator and clerk-treasurer Jill Wolf was seeking ways to support Adrian-centered seniors. Wolf obtained a separate $25,000 Cares Act through a MNRAAA grant to help with four major needs: laundry, lawn care, housekeeping and snow removal. “We budgeted for 10 residents to receive each of the services so some may be duplicates, but it could benefit up to 40 residents of Adrian over the age of 60,” said Wolf. Looking forward, Wolf suggested she, Schear and Aggen meet to discuss how they could collaborate to serve the maximum number of people. “Marriah (Aggen) filled the need RCO had as an employer — the transportation piece,” said Schear. “It was perfect to work her in because without that, it limited the amount we could do.”
CIRCLE: Page 4
Photo courtesy Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
Photo courtesy Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
Marriah Aggen, owner of Rushmore-based Essential Senior Services, looks through varieties of yogurt while picking up groceries for area seniors she works with.
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ACTIVE LIFE
| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021
| THE GLOBE, WORTHINGTON, MINN.
DGLOBE.COM
Sky dreams fulfilled Dream Flights program takes two Bemidji area WWII vets for a ride Sommars said. “We were able to do a few early in 2020, in FebBEMIDJI, Minn. — A ruary, but then we were pair of World War II vetshut down. Since this erans in their 90s from year, we were still hamthe Bemidji, Minnesota, pered with it, we decidarea were given flights ed to do just the World Tuesday, Aug. 17, on the War II veterans. We now very planes where pilots have a little over 1,000 would earn their wings. veterans signed up and Veterans Tom Tolman, we’ve done more than 95, and Norris Stran200 so far.” dlien, 94, were given Since the program rides on open-cockstarted, 4,200 veterpit, Boeing Stearman ans and seniors living biplanes by the nonprofin retirement and longit Dream Flights. Origiterm care communities nally known as Ageless have been honored by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer Aviation Dreams FounDream Flights. Locally, dation, the program 9HWHUDQ 7RP 7ROPDQ OHIW DQG -Hႇ .ORWVNL RI 'UHDP )OLJKWV SUHSDUH WR WDNH though, Sommars said offers flights to veter- ÀLJKW LQ DQ RSHQ FRFNSLW ELSODQH RQ 7XHVGD\ DW WKH %HPLGML 5HJLRQDO $LUSRUW this was the first time ans across the country 7ROPDQ LV D IRUPHU %HOWUDPL &RXQW\ VKHULႇ the program has been in restored airplanes. al effort has a goal of der, which effective- in Bemidji. “We’ve been doing tially, it was just three “I’m originally from this since 2011 and it planes and three pilots. honoring as many WWII ly ended WWII,” said Minnesota, so I’ve been veterans as possiNow, we have six planes Darryl Fisher, founder started with partnering wanting to come up with retirement facili- on tour, another we use ble with free flights in and president of Dream here but we didn’t have ties,” said Mike Som- as a trainer in San Anto- restored airplanes from Flights. “We’re asking facilities reaching out,” all Americans to join our Sommars said. “Moving mars, a volunteer pilot nio and another plane is Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. “OSF may be our effort to locate members forward, we will need for Dream Flights. “We being rebuilt.” The flights on Tues- nation’s last opportu- of the Greatest Gener- some facilities to reach would let them conday, taking off and nity to recognize and ation so we can thank out to us and get on the tact us and they would reserve six to eight landing at the Bemidji honor the men and them one last time for schedule, they drive the spots throughout the Regional Airport, were women whose sacrifice their services.” entire program.” “Last year we were year for flights. We’d part of Dream Flights’ led to the Sept. 2, 1945, Tolman was the first come in and fly their Operation September signing of the Japanese kind of shut down local veteran to get a residents for free. Ini- Freedom. The nation- Instrument of Surren- because of COVID,” flight. Along with being By Matthew Liedke The Bemidji Pioneer
CIRCLE
dry) to a much wider geographical service From Page 3 area,” said Schear, who With Aggen in place was able to assign more to transport the laun- RCO clients to laundry work as a result. dry between Adrian Wolf is also sold on (and other locations) the cooperation that and RCO in Luverne, truly aids those served. the three found their “The City of Adrian city/non-profit/private benefits from this grant business triangle to be by providing a better even more effective. quality of life to its cur“It totally mush- rent residents as well roomed due to Marriah’s as offering opportuniflexibility and willing- ties for people to grow ness to go (with laun- old in our community,”
said Wolf. “We would like to offer a continuum of living that begins with young families and allows others to age well in our community.” Although Aggen’s ESS hasn’t yet marked its first anniversary, she can see how her services and the complementary efforts in Adrian are assisting everyone being touched by their work. “I never dreamed this is what it could become,” said Aggen. “I
like to operate strategically, but this has happened organically. “What’s been rewarding is that most of the people who are benefiting might not have the means to pay privately, so it’s been really great for me to be able to give to people who aren’t as fortunate.” Currently, Wolf, Aggen and Schear are trying to find additional funding to bridge the gap between the
end of the Cares Act grant (it expires Sept. 30) and the start of the Title III funding for which they are cooperatively applying. “That will kick in on Jan. 1, 2022, if we get it,” said Aggen. The three are hoping their collaboration will pay off in that the Title III funds would let them keep serving those already benefiting and even expand to assist more seniors.
a WWII veteran, Tolman also served as Beltrami County Sheriff from 1967 to 1982. Strandlien, meanwhile, was the owner of the Ford dealership in Bagley, Minnesota. The plane they rode on was yellow, which Sommars said was the primary color for Navy aircraft. “They were predominantly yellow, while the Army’s were a fusion of blue fuselage with yellow wings,” Sommars said. “These were the primary trainers for Navy cadets and Army Air Corps when they were training pilots for WWII. These are how they’d earn their wings, this was the big hurdle.” Sommars, and the other Dream Flights representative Jeff Klotski, both have flying experience. Sommars is retired from American Airlines while Klotski still flies for the company today. Readers can reach reporter Matthew Liedke at (218) 333-9791 or mliedke@bemidjipioneer.com
“We hope to be able to receive additional Title III funding through MNRAAA that would allow us to continue the program, and our partnership with Essential Senior Services and Rock County Opportunities, for many years to come,” said Wolf. Added Aggen, “This is about helping people have their needs met — and about building relationships with my clients.”
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