If you live long enough, you have a story to tell and a lifetime of experience to share. This July, you'll have a chance to bring your story to life in a fun, interactive way by exercising your creativity.

"Part of older adult life is letting your creativity out of the closet," says Pat Samples, coordinator of Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN), which will run fun, interactive arts demonstrations during the upcoming Fall 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo, October 4-5 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel (www.101expos.com). Expo attendees will get to try something new – ranging from drawing and creative writing to music or improvisational theatre. This will be a place to share their story with others while learning artistic skills.

"Even if you don't think of yourself as being particularly creative, we're going to show you that there are lots of ways to express yourself and capture your life's headline," says Samples. "Whether or not you have done it before, you are creative! Now is the time to discover and work within your passion!"

Benefits of Creative Aging and Creative Fitness

MnCAAN is a network of older adults, artists, professionals, community volunteers and others committed to expanding opportunities for creative expression by older adults through the arts. Samples lists just a few reasons why, in addition to being a lot of fun, having a creative outlet is so important:

• Older adults who take part in the arts have fewer falls and tend to take fewer medications
• They are less depressed
• They have fewer doctor's visits
• They experience an overall improvement in their health
• There is a huge social benefit. There is less loneliness and boredom because the arts bring people together for meaningful activities.
• Their artistic expression brings a lot of joy to people's lives

"Best of all, there's a sense of satisfaction in leaving a legacy: your imprint on the world that says 'This is who I was. This is my story,'" says Samples, who adds that the arts are a meaningful way to contribute to the cultural wealth of the community.

Two full days of fun and inspiration

In addition to the interactive MnCAAN activities, the fall 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo will be two days of nonstop action with everything from information on this year's Medicare changes to a very entertaining 50+ Strut Your Stuff talent contest. Attendees will also be able to shop aisle after aisle of products and services geared directly toward them.

For half price tickets (regularly $6) visit www.101expos.com. Or call the expo hotline at 612-798-7256. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

This year's fall 50+ PrimeTime Living Expo is made possible in part by Humana, Sun Country Airlines, 5 Eyewitness News, KLBB, KSTC Channel 45, MNCAAN, Best of Times, Minnesota Good Age and Natural Solutions magazine.

Media Note: For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel® is a trademarked name.

About MnCAAN

Founded in 2003, MnCAAN is a Minnesota citizen-led organization, with ties to the Vital Aging Network. Among its accomplishments have been holding three conferences on arts and aging, sponsoring a visual arts "Art of Aging" project at eight sites around the state, and creating an interactive website as an ongoing information and communication center on arts and aging for Minnesotans. It has also co-produced a film, "The Creative Power of Aging," with Twin Cities Public Television and other partners, and for two years MnCAAN carried out a statewide campaign, Creativity Matters for Older Minnesotans. A music celebration was held with MacPhail in March 2009 and a senior theatre conference was held in October 2009. MnCAAN also provides training and consulting services, and currently is conducting artist residencies in 24 senior housing sites. Frequent "Creative Aging Around Town" meetings in the metro area are open to the public for mutual learning, idea-sharing, and networking.