Preventing Falls and Fires

Western Mountains Senior College member Jacqueline Cressy, from the Age-Friendly Community Initiative, reminded us how to stay safe in our homes at a recent To Your Health presentation. Older adults represent the population most likely to be injured from a fall or in a fire, and many of these injuries are preventable. Here are some of the points Jackie made.

How to Prevent Falls:

• Exercise regularly to improve strength and balance.Take your time getting out of bed or out of a chair. Stand and get your balance before walking.
• Keep stairs and walking areas clear of electrical wires, shoes, books, etc.
• Improve lighting and get yearly vision checkups.
• Use non-slips mats in the tub or shower and install grab bars.
• Be aware of uneven surfaces, indoors and out.
• Stairways should be well lit, with easy to grab handrails on both sides.
• Wear sturdy, well-fitting, low heel shoes with non-slip soles – even in the house.

How to Prevent Fires:

• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that will burn. Shut off heaters when you leave or go to bed.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking – especially when frying food.
• Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire – Do Not Run.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home. Local fire departments are available to do this for us – just call and ask.
• Plan and practice your fire escape route.
• Know your emergency number – for us it is 911.
• Plan your escape around your abilities - keep your phone, glasses, medication, walker etc. by your bed so you can grab them in an emergency.

For more information on the Age-Friendly Community Initiative visit their website http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/

Elder Abuse Is a Bigger Problem Than You May Think

Did you know that one in nine Mainers over the age of 60 experiences some form of neglect or abuse? And that in the majority of cases the perpetrator is a family member or spouse?

Betty Balderson (Elder Abuse Prevention Advocate at Legal Services for the Elderly) spoke to a small but appreciative group at To Your Health’s presentation on elder abuse last Thursday, September 21.  Abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, and may involve neglect and abandonment, but by far the most common type of abuse is financial exploitation.

What’s financial exploitation? Perhaps a grandmother gives her credit card to her grandson to pick up a prescription, but the grandson also uses that card to pay his bills. Or a daughter convinces her mother to withdraw money from the bank and “give” it to her.

Why do family members do this?  Some may rationalize that they’re going to get the money anyway, why not take it now when they need it. Why does the senior not report it? They may feel they are dependent on the family for care, they may be in denial, or think that it is just a “family problem.”

Friends and neighbors can learn to recognize the red flags of elder abuse:

• Changes in appearance and personality
• Change in routine -- no longer participating in events enjoyed in the past
• Social isolation or family not allowing visitors
• Sudden loss of ability to meet financial obligations
• Senior states or implies problems/conflicts with caregiver

Watch, Listen, Do Something!

• If worried about immediate danger, call 911.  Or try talking with the senior about your concerns.
• Report your concerns to Adult Protective Services -- it’s confidential.  800-624-8404
• Help the senior call Legal Services for the Elderly (free to everyone over 60). 800-750-5353
• Contact Oxford County’s Area Agency on Aging -- Seniors Plus.  800-427-1241

Betty Balderson says there is no wrong choice in who to contact -- all of these agencies know about the others and will help you find the right person to talk to. If you do something, you’re doing the right thing!

Age-Friendly Community Has a Website

The Age-Friendly Community Initiative has launched their new Website:   http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/   Take a look - you will see a lot of familiar faces!  The website is still under construction, but when the resources link is active there will be a link to Western Mountains Senior College.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Minimizing the Risk of Heart Disease

Ever-popular cardiologist Dr. Daniel van Buren recently spoke to a To Your Health audience on the risk and prevention of heart disease. Some risks (age, race, sex, and family history) are non-modifiable; but others, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and lack of physical activity can be modified.

Dr. van Buren divided prevention of heart disease into two types – primary prevention (lifestyle changes) and secondary prevention (medication prescribed after disease has been diagnosed). This presentation focused on primary prevention.

Inactivity, obesity, and diabetes are among the greatest risks for developing heart disease. The good news is that there IS a magic pill – it's called 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. (Examples of moderate exercise: a brisk walk, snowshoeing, or using a treadmill). Regular exercise coupled with eating a healthy variety of foods in moderation can work wonders in reversing the risk associated with inactivity, obesity and diabetes.

Dr. van Buren left us with a prevention list of seven things to do:

• Get regular medical checkups.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Check your cholesterol.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Manage stress.

And one thing not to do:

Don't smoke.

Dr. Daniel van Buren with To Your Health committee members Jan Stowell, Ellen Crocker, Rosabelle Tifft and Judy Whitman.

 

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

On Arthritis

At To Your Health on April 6, Christopher P. FitzMorris, D.O., M.P.A. introduced the causes and symptoms of arthritis to an interested group. There are several types of arthritis, but Dr. FitzMorris concentrated on osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type, resulting mostly from wear and tear or injury. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints, which may be worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for awhile. Anti-inflammatories can help, but for severe arthritic pain, you should see your physician. Injections and drugs can relieve the symptoms.

More debilitating is rheumatoid arthritis, which usually presents between the ages of 30 and 50. Diagnosis and treatment by a physician are required.  While the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still under investigation, there are drugs which can alter the disease, not just treat the symptoms.

Whatever kind of arthritis you may have, take control of the situation! Discuss self-management strategies with your primary care provider. Research credible sites, such as the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).  Manage your weight. Eat a healthy diet. Remain active as much as possible. If you are not active, begin a gentle exercise program, remembering that small increments provide the most benefit.  Use assistive devices (cane or walker) when necessary.  And perhaps most important, form a support team of your medical professional, your friends, and family.  But remember, you are the captain!

To Your Health team members shown with speaker:  Linda McDonough, Judy Whitman, Jan Stowell, Dr. Christopher FitzMorris, Donna Coe and Rosabelle Tifft.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

The "What's New?" Tab

We now have a “What’s New?” tab at the top of the blog. As new information becomes available, we'll announce it in this new tab. For example, two Brown Bag Lunch discussions have recently been planned, and they’ve been added to the Public Events listings. But you wouldn’t know about these new events unless we announced them somewhere. That’s where the new tab comes in. Whenever you click on “What’s New?” you’ll see the latest updates. It’s up at the top between the “Home” and “Membership/Registration Form” tabs. Give it a try! (To get back here click on the "Home" tab.)
 

 

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Takeaways from “Ask the Pharmacist”

On Thursday, March 23 two local pharmacists, Scott Fraser, RPh and Retief Orffer, RPh spoke at To Your Health’s “Ask the Pharmacist” presentation. More than 30 people attended. Following are several points that they made:

• A varied diet will supply most necessary vitamins and minerals, and it is better to get them from food. It is difficult to get enough Vitamin D and calcium, so supplementing these is beneficial. But avoid megadoses!
• Ask your doctor for a printout of all the medications you are on and take this to your pharmacist. Your doctor and your pharmacist commonly discuss issues of drug interaction, but your pharmacist is not usually notified when you are taken off a drug. This list will keep him or her up to date. 
• When you visit your doctor, take a list of questions so you don’t forget. Bring a friend or family member with you - two sets of ears are better than one. Ask how long you will be on a medication, if you are starting at the lowest dose, and if there is a lower-priced generic equivalent available.
• Your pharmacist is the only health care professional you can see and speak with without an appointment!

Scott Fraser and Retief Orffer offered three handouts - “Patient Guide for Food and Drug Interactions,” “Vitamins and Minerals” and “How to Interact with Your Pharmacist.” If you were unable to attend, copies are available in the Adult Education office at Telstar High School.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

From the Brown Bag Lunch Discussion on Civil Discourse

by Brendon Bass

Following our country's long and contentious campaign season, November 16th's Brown Bag Lunch discussion focused on civil discourse. The 14 participants shared constructive and creative responses they'd heard or thought over the previous week, noted local community-building opportunities, and shared ideas on what steps could be taken next. They also contributed to a list of online resources to be shared via email. If you missed the program but would like to receive or contribute to this list, please contact Nancy Davis (nancydavis.bethel@gmail.com or 381-1110). Let her know, also, if you have ideas for related Brown Bag Lunch discussions.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Senior College Players Celebrate 10th Anniversary This Weekend

by Rosabelle Tifft

Ross Timberlake, well-known for his acting and playwriting, wrote and is directing a play in a unique format to highlight and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the players. Jack Kuchta assists as facilitator. The play, “Thank You and Good Night,” introduces you to the Senior College Players as they've never been seen before.

Ross said, “Over the past ten years we’ve appeared as various characters in plays, but we’ve never played ourselves. We not only face the challenge of playing ourselves, but we face another challenge as we get into character in a number of “skits.” These skits, or vignettes, taken from a number of favorite plays, are interwoven throughout the play.

Here are the remaining skits not previously mentioned in previous posts:

“Cornbread and Beans” finds Tineke Ouwinga and Norman Milliard as two very different persons on a blind date.

Tineke Ouwinga & Norman Milliard  photo Bob McCartney

Two ditsy women, played by Carole Timberlake and Tineke Ouwinga, hold up a bank so they can get a date with the bank manager, played by Tim LeConey, in “Creative Dating.” Caught in the confusion are bank teller, Pat McCartney, and customers Mark Antell, Barb Dion and Arita Zitoli.

Carole Timberlake, Tim LeConey,  Tineke Ouwinga in front;  Mark Antell,  Pat McCartney in back.  photo Bob McCartney

“The Trial of Goldilocks” presents a different twist to this traditional story and features Norman Milliard as Goldilocks who steals the show from Mama Bear, Carole Timberlake; Papa Bear, Jack Kuchta; and Baby Bear, Arita Zioli. Tineke Ouwinga plays the narrator.
 

Carole Timberlake, Arita Zitoli, Jack Kuchta, Tineke Ouwinga and Norman Milliard.  photo Bob McCartney

In the closing scene, the entire cast members are still debating TV live screening versus radio and arrive at an unexpected conclusion.

First row from left:  Carol Timberlake, Jim McLean, Rosabelle Tifft and Tineke Ouwinga.

Standing (from left)  Arita Zitoli, Jack Kuchta, Norman Milliard, Roberta Taylor, Mark Antell, Tim LeConey, Carol Campbell, Pat McCartney, Ross Timberlake, Lorrie Hoeh and Barb Dion.  photo Bob McCartney

Don’t miss the performance, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19, at the Gould Academy McLaughlin Auditorium beginning at 7 pm.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Senior College Players Present Unique Anniversary Play

by Rosabelle Tifft 

Be ready for some surprises as the Senior College Players present their 10th Anniversary play, written and directed by Ross Timberlake, on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19, at the McLaughlin Auditorium beginning at 7 pm.

You’ll see all cast members participating as their Radio Theater (WMSC) is given the mandate to become a live TV show and the Readers will have to act. Then the fun begins. Narrators, soon to be TV anchors, Jim McLean and Rosabelle Tifft, announce vignettes in the midst of humorous banter as cast members slip in, and possibly out of character.

Rosabelle Tifft and Jim Mclean. photo Bob McCartney

Here are a few of the vignettes you’ll see:

• “What’s on TV” finds narrator Jim McLean challenged by the TV remote, and changing channels to the delight of the audience as Roberta Taylor, Arita Zitolli, Barb Dion and Rosabelle Tifft turn their commentary into a hilarious show.
  
  

  

  Roberta Taylor, Arita Zitolli, Barb Dion and Rosabelle Tifft. photo Bob McCartney

  
  
  

• “A  Little Something for the Ducks” features Mark Antell as a depressed elderly gentleman who thinks he has nothing to live for. A caring elderly woman, played by Lorrie Hoeh, offers hope that better days are coming.
  
  

  

  Lorrie Hoeh and Mark Antell.   photo Bob McCartney

   

• “The Challenge of Bureaucracy” shows a frustrated elderly woman, played by Rosabelle Tifft, dealing with three government officials over her lost Social Security check. Officials are played by Pat McCartney, Barb Dion and Mark Antell.
  
  

  

  Mark Antell, Pat McCartney, Barb Dion and Rosabelle Tifft.   photo Bob McCartney
  

Be sure to watch next week’s blog for more details on this special Anniversary Play.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college