Southeast News, December 2006
Articles:
* Helen is 100 Years Young!
* Welcome New Board
* Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis
* Tips for a Healthy Brain
* 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
* What is Southeast Seniors?
* Upcoming Community Events
Helen is 100 Years Young!
Helen Lawler was born on August 24, 1906. That’s right she is 100 years young. She lives with her son Edward in Southeast. Mrs. Lawler is a delightful person. She said she really doesn’t have any secrets to share for a long life. Her son, piped up by saying, “Mom has lived such a long life because she is such a good hearted and kind person. “
Helen grew up on 33rd and Pillsbury in South Minneapolis. There were five siblings in the family. Her surviving sister lives in Richfield and is still quite active at 89. Her sister still volunteers at Abbott Northwestern hospital and with Catholic Charities. Helen has been a member of St. Lawrence church for 75 years and really appreciates the friends she has there. Helen was honored to receive an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI on her 100th birthday.
Nancy McCoy has been a volunteer with Mrs. Lawler for eight years. Helen said Nancy is so kind and helpful, she doesn’t know what she would do without her. Ed and Helen both said, “Nancy is a lifesaver.” Nancy takes Helen to doctor appointments and hair appointments as well as providing transportation for other errands.
Nancy has been a volunteer with Southeast seniors for twelve years. When asked why she volunteers with Southeast Seniors, Nancy said, “It is very gratifying to be appreciated. There is not a single senior that doesn’t have something to offer. I always get more from knowing them than what I give in return.”
If you are interested in being a volunteer visitor, provide transportation for a senior, or help in some other way, please call Southeast Seniors at 612-331-2302.
Welcome New Board
Southeast Seniors held its Annual Meeting / Potluck on September 14. Over 40 people gathered to celebrate a year of service to seniors in the Southeast community and to recognize the many people who help make our program successful. Special guests included: Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner; State Representative Phyllis Kahn; Gretchen Musicant—City of Minneapolis Commissioner of the Dept. of Health and Family Support; and Former City of Minneapolis Council Member Paul Zerby. We thanked the many visiting volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of seniors and the other agencies we collaborate with in providing services for seniors in Southeast.
We also recognized our outgoing Board Members: Joan Campbell, Bill Dane, Brian Muldoon, and Meredith Poppele.
At the October board meeting, the board elected new officers: Wanda Alexander, Chair; Dave Johnson, Vice-Chair; Walter Johnson, Treasurer; and Charlotte Herman, Secretary. The board approved the nomination of Jim Drake, Ardes Johnson, Terrie Peterson, Dick Poppele, Lois Schardin and Jane Hanger Seeley to the board. We also thanked Sally Godfrey and Meredith Poppele for serving as Co-Chairs for the past year.
Thank you to all of our board members for their service to Southeast Seniors and community. They are: Wanda Alexander, Martha Ballard, Joanne Cyr, Bob Distad, Jim Drake, Tony and Greta Garmers, Sally Godfrey, Charlotte Herman, Anne Hibbard, Ardes Johnson, Dave Johnson, Walter Johnson, Bob Kriel, Cris Nelson, Mary Anne Page, Terrie Peterson, Dick Poppele, Jere Purple, Leona Reyelts, Sally Sawyer, Lois Schardin, Jane Hanger Seeley, Steve Sorensen, Tom Weist, and Nancy Werner-Azarski.
Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis
Kay Jones, retired Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, gave an excellent talk on Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis to a group at Pratt Community School. Did you know that about 10 million Americans have osteoporosis? And that approximately another 13-17 million people have low bone mass?
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by a reduction in bone mass; bones thin and are prone to fracture. There are no symptoms until a fracture occurs.
The most common risk factors for developing Osteoporosis are being skinny, sedentary, being fair skinned, a smoker and having early menopause.
To prevent Osteoporosis, you should be getting 1500 MG of calcium per day and 800 IU of Vitamin D per day. Weight training twice a week is also a good prevention tool.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that leads to the breakdown of cartilage. Pain, stiffness following inactivity, and loss of function in the affected joints are some of the symptoms. It most often affects the hip, knees, fingers, feet or spine.
There is no known treatment available to stop or reverse the effects of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine Chondrotin has been shown to be helpful for some people. Glucosamine is most effective on knee osteoarthritis, probably due to the large bodies of fibrous cartilage in the knee joint.
Kay ended her talk with these two words of advice for those with Osteoporosis or Osteoarthritis— KEEP MOVING!
Tips for a Healthy Brain
Mary Ann Schoenberger, Director of the Volunteers of America Southwest Senior Center will be speaking on Keeping Your Brain Healthy on January 30 at Pratt. Mary Ann has developed The Brain Game which they are using at The Southwest Senior Center and will guide us through some lively and stimulating brain games.
There are many ways you can maintain your brain:
* Get mental exercise—read, write, take up a new hobby, join a book club, do a crossword puzzle every day.
* Get physical exercise—this helps to maintain good blood flow to the brain.
* Adopt a brain healthy diet—more fresh foods, fruits and vegetables.
* Incorporate DHA into your diet—the omega-3 fatty acid is critical for ongoing brain function in adults.
* Be aware of toxins—avoid exposure to environmental toxins, including tobacco smoke and stress.
* Make sure you get enough antioxidants—eat your fruits and veggies.
* Monitor your homocysteine level—this is an amino acid that can negatively affect your cognitive functioning.
* Prevent diabetes—according to the Alzheimer’s Association, there is overwhelming evidence linking high blood pressure and diabetes with dementia.
* Protect your head—wear a helmet.
* Seek out positive emotional experiences— laughter is the best medicine.
Join us on January 30 to learn more about how to keep your brain healthy!
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties in communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s are:
* Memory Loss
* Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks
* Problems with Language
* Disorientation to Time and Place
* Poor or Decreased Judgment
* Problems with Abstract Thinking
* Misplacing Things
* Changes in Mood or Behavior
* Changes in Personality
* Loss of Initiative
If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, The Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician.
For more information on Alzheimer’s, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-232-0851 or www.alzmndak.org.
What is Southeast Seniors?
Many people prefer to continue living in their own homes. Southeast Seniors is a group of neighbors in Como, Marcy-Holmes, and Prospect Park organized to help people 65 and older remain independent, living safely in their homes.
Through a contract with the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency we provide nursing services: care after hospitalization, care in chronic illness, management of medications, care of feet and nails, nutritional advice, blood pressure checks; and home health aides: bathing, shampooing, skin care, changing bed linens, meal preparation, light housework, and laundry. We work with all insurance companies in providing these services and also have a sliding fee scale available.
Other services provided include: visiting volunteers; connecting seniors with services such as Lifeline, Vision Loss Resources, Meals on Wheels and support for hearing loss; intergenerational activities; assistance with chore services and transportation. There are no fees for volunteer services or service coordination.
Call us if you, a relative or a friend would like more information, 612-331-2302.
Upcoming Community Events
All classes are offered at Pratt Community School. Please call 612-668-1122 to register.
* Tuesday, January 30, 11:00 a.m.—Noon
Keeping Your Brain Healthy with Mary Ann Schoenberger, Director of VOA Southwest Senior Center
* Tuesday, February 6, 11:00 a.m.—Noon
“It’s All in Your Head” - Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat with Kay Jones, retired Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
* Tuesday, March 6, 11:00 a.m.—Noon
Demystifying Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids with Mary Bauer, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Consultant, State of Minnesota.
Thank you to Autographics for providing financial support for the Southeast Seniors newsletter.