Photos from the Mardi Gras Potluck

Thanks to Peter Musso, Bonnie Pooley and Kathleen DeVore for taking these photos at last week's Potluck supper.

Jan Stowell brought the masks and beads.

Bonnie Pooley registering for spring classes.

... and good food!

Good company ...

Jan Stowell, Marvin Ouwinga, Norman Milliard and Marilyn Sahlberg.

 Diane McMahon

Kathleen DeVore, Marilyn Sahlberg, Jan Stowell and Marvin Ouwinga

Lee and Steve Smith

Photos from "It's a Pasta Party!"

Enjoy these photos from Cathi Dicocco's To Your Health presentation on making pasta.  As you can see, she put us to work! Thank you for the photos, Peter Musso.

Cathi and crew

Rolling the pasta

 

Putting the dough through the pasta machine

Getting thinner...

Nicely stretched!

The recipe. (Cathi says she rarely measures anything!)

Atrial Fibrillation Revisited

On Thursday, February 7, Dr. Daniel van Buren spoke to a To Your Health audience on Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and the most recent developments in treatment. 

Individuals with AF have a problem with the heart's electrical system. Very simply, disorganized electrical activity in the upper chambers causes the lower chambers to beat erratically. Blood is not pumped properly, which results in the formation of clots, hence the greatly increased risk of stroke.
 
Because of the increased risk of stroke, medication that inhibits clot formation is usually prescribed. Traditionally, that drug has been Warfarin, but Warfarin requires a great deal of tweaking and monitoring, which has led to under treatment. Newer drugs are now available that have proven to be at least as effective as Warfarin, at least as safe, and do not require constant monitoring, and the price is coming down. The downside with any blood thinner is the risk of bleeding, but in the case of preventing stroke the benefits outweigh the risks. 

Peter Musso thanks Dr. van Buren for his presentation.

A really encouraging new development is the Watchman Device. Most clots form in the left atrial appendage. The Watchman Device is inserted over the opening to the appendage to prevent blood from entering and clots from forming. Dr. van Buren says it’s almost too good to be true; except for the need for and the cost of a procedure, so far there are no negatives.
 
The next To Your Health presentation, “It’s a Pasta Party!”, will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 4:30 – 6:00 at the West Parish Congregational Church. It is free and open to the public.

Photocopying Policy Change

by Jim Bebko

Teachers, facilitators, and those producing promotional materials, please take notice. With the changes taking place at the Bethel Citizen office, we will no longer use them for black and white 8.5x11 inch photocopying. We have made an arrangement with the Telstar Adult Education Office to use their copier. For larger size copies, posters etc. we will continue to use the Bethel Citizen, but be prepared to pay for the copies up front and get reimbursed.

As always, please respect environmental concerns and our budget limitations:

• Plan to use double-sided paper wherever possible.
• Instead of photocopying, consider forwarding some information to class members by email.
• Try to minimize quantity as much as possible.

Senior College Players Dedicate Shows to Tineke Ouwinga

by Jack Kuchta

The Senior Players are dedicating this year’s performance to Tineke Ouwinga, one of the original members of the group. Tineke was always willing to take on any role, no matter how difficult or silly the part. Her creativity extended to directorial advice, costume design and even finding appropriate plays for the group. We all miss her, as will the audience members who watched her over the past twelve years.

Now about this year's plays. Lorrie Hoeh and Melinda Remington star as two charming Southern ladies in Griddle Cakes by Mark Rigney. Not to be outdone, Jim McClean and Ray Leghart face off across the checker board in Who’s Turn Is It by Philip Potak. Mariann Goff and Tim LeConey show what happens when government agencies collide in Spies by David J. LeMasters. And then Tim LeConey, Lorrie Hoeh, Ray Leghart, Jim McClean and Jack Kuchta show us what a great mystery writer Arthur Conan Doyle was in his The Dying Detective.

Performances are on November 16 and 17 at 7:00 pm in the McLauglin Science Center, Gould Academy, Bethel. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Come and enjoy the show!

Thanks from the Bethel House

Karen Mills sends out a big thank you to all those who responded to her request for donations of puzzles and craft materials to use at the Bethel House. The response has been overwhelming! They now have as much as they can use, as storage at the Bethel House is tight. Your donations are greatly appreciated by the residents - we certainly do have a great group of senior college members.  Thank you all, and Karen says she is sure you will hear from her again!

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