Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
Edina hospital volunteer interacts with patients, visitors. Page 3
Senior Involvement
July 22, 2016
July Issue
BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER In the last year, two Dakota County retirees have become co-facilitators of a Public Health Department program for senior citizens called “A Matter of Balance.” Don Mittlestaedt of Rosemount and Bill Turner of Apple Valley are teaching the series of eight, two-hour weekly classes. Using a set of 26 exercises, the program is designed to teach older residents how to prevent falls and how to take better care of themselves around the house. Bill Turner Turner started volunteering for Dakota County in the spring of 2015. “I decided to retire in August 2014, and I had to decide what I was going to be doing,” he said. “I like working outside in my own yard. So I worked for the parks department in Lebanon Hills and White Tail Woods from spring through October,” Turner said. “I worked at removing invasive species. You see them everywhere you turn, from Asia and Europe.” Since the summer of 2015 he also has worked for Friends of the Mississippi (FMR). Then, in September 2015, Turner and Don Mittlestaedt received emails from
Garrett Zaffke, Dakota County’s volunteer coordinator, telling them about the new class on balance. Both men took the class. “This is the second class I’ve helped lead,” Turner said. “We give them at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities and churches. We have about 14 people in each class. That’s about the most we can handle.” “I’ve met some very interesting people. Some have problems with balance because of their age, or because of physical disabilities. But they’re willing to try to keep busy and maintain muscle tone.” Prior to retiring, Turner was in retail merchandising sales. “Everybody says you’ve got to have a plan for retirement, but I didn’t have one,” he said. “I was doing various things for the county and FMR, and I exercise at the YMCA three times a week,” he said. “It’s important that we exercise once we get into the senior area.” Turner says the two men make a good team. “Don’s background is in making presentations,” Turner said. “He’s very good about talking in front of a crowd about the program. I talk to people individually. We get along just fine.” A native of Mobile, Alabama, Turner moved to Apple Valley 40 years ago. “I just BALANCE - TO PAGE 3
Bill Turner, a resident of Apple Valley, has worked at removing invasive species, and is a member of Friends of the Mississippi. (Submitted photo)