NewsPress • Spring 2007

Senior LifestyleSenior Lifestyle

By Spencer Gee

The question is this:When is it appropriate toenter an assisted living facil-ity and how do you go aboutpreparing for it?

This is a complex andsometimes sensitive ques-tion that everyone will facesooner or later. It is com-plex because there are manyfactors to consider beforeentering assisted living, bothpractical and financial. It issensitive because for manyof us, we would very muchprefer to be capable of car-ing for ourselves indepen-dent of our age.

While often there arehealth concerns that put aperson into the position ofrequiring help, one does notneed to have a serious healthcondition before making thedecision to enter assistedliving.

“A person doesn’t needto have a health condition,they could just be wanting asafe place to live,” saysGinny Rahme, administratorand part owner of TheRenaissance of Stillwater.Though there are some earlywarning signs that could be

indicative of a need forassisted living they are notdefinitive and definitely donot mean a person mustenter assisted living imme-diately. If nothing else, see-ing such watch signs likeweight loss from not eating,or confusion due to dehydra-tion or failure to take med-ications can be a means ofopening the discussion ofassisted living.

According to the AARPwebsite, “an AARP surveyfound that most parents feelbetter about having this dis-cussion when they are well,as part of planning for theirfuture.” Which is soundadvice. Have the discussionbefore a crisis.

This raises another ques-tion: How do you pick theone that’s right for you?“The best way is to eithervisit the facility yourself orsend a family member,”Rahme says. Each facilityoperates differently andreally, the best way to findthe right one is to go and see

for yourself. The Renaissance of

Stillwater, like most assistedliving facilities, is preparedfor a wide variety of healthconditions. They have twofacilities, one for those whoare independent and anotherfor patients withAlzheimer’s or dementia.

How does someone goabout preparing for assistedliving? The most obvious isthe financial aspect. Long-term care costs money. Anynumber of professionals inthe financial trade can offerstrategies to help prepare forthis expense.

There are lots ofresources available to findout more about assisted liv-ing. The Oklahoma AssistedLiving Association atwww.okala.org has a list ofmember facilities.

The Assisted LivingFederation of America atwww.alfa.org also has awealth of information thatwill help prepare for thisstep when it comes.

Spring, the season ofnew beginnings, is an idealtime to take stock of yourhealth.

For women, particularlythose age 45 and older, ahealth inventory will likelyinclude menopause. Sideeffects that may occur dur-ing this natural stage of lifecan be uncomfortable andembarrassing. More impor-tant, the physical changesbehind those symptomsmay leave you at risk oflong-term negative healtheffects.

As you tackle springcleaning and begin theyear's house projects, don'tneglect your own "preven-tive maintenance." Explorethe different menopausetreatment options that areavailable today. The infor-mation you have and thechoices you make can haveimportant effects on currentsymptoms and future healthoutcomes.

HOW DO I KNOW IFMENOPAUSE HASBEGUN?

More than 5,000 womena day enter menopause,according to SusanWysocki, RNC, NP,FAANP, president andCEO, National Associationof Nurse Practitioners inWomen's Health.Menopause is a processresulting from the gradualdecrease in your body'sestrogen production. Theentire process may take twoor more years and has offi-cially occurred when youhaven't had a period for 12consecutive months.Recognizing changes inyour period and the wayyour body feels are the bestindicators that menopausehas begun - more accurate

than a blood test, since hor-mone levels can go up anddown very often during thisprocess.

WHAT ARE THESYMPTOMS?

Many women have beenregaled with tales of others'menopause misfortune. Thetruth is, every woman isdifferent in the scope ofsymptoms felt. In manycases hot flashes, nightsweats, sleeplessness andirritability can occur.However, without takingaction to alleviate and takecare of your body properlyduring this time of change,more critical and potentiallong-term effects ofmenopause may begin totake hold, including boneloss and increased risk ofcardiovascular disease.

CHANGE YOURLIFESTYLE

To combat the symp-toms of menopause and toimprove general wellbeing, there are severalsteps you can take.Together with a group ofphysicians, Wysocki hasdeveloped a medical algo-rithm, which is a step-by-step methodology to help

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doctors, nurse practitionersand women to considertreatment of menopausesymptoms in a way thatmeets individual needs.

The algorithm representsthe first time that scientistshave agreed that, for manywomen, nutritional supple-ments like Promensil andchanges in lifestyle shouldbe among the first lines ofdefense in treating thesymptoms of menopause. Inaddition, numerous clinicalstudies have demonstratedPromensil is safe and effec-tive in not only alleviatingthe number and severity ofmenopause symptoms, butalso in promoting bone, car-diovascular and even breasthealth, all critical areas ofhealth at this stage of life.

NUTRTIONAL ANDLIFESTYLE CHANGES

· Supplements: Calciumis essential for healthy bonesand preventing osteoporosis.The recommended dailyintake is 800 to 1000 mg forwomen. This equates to 2 to3 servings of dairy food perday or supplementing with acalcium product. For womenover 45, consider taking asupplement like Promensilor Promensil Post-Menopause, both of whichcontain isoflavones derivedfrom the Red Clover plant.

· Exercise: Aim for atleast 20 minutes of moderateweight-bearing exerciseeach day. This not only isgood for the body - strength-ening muscles and improv-ing bone health - but it canbe a way to beat stress anduplift your mood. Takeadvantage of the warmerweather and exercise out-doors.

· Relax: Make some timefor yourself, whether that'senjoying a good book whilelying in a hammock, engag-ing in a hobby or sharing abackyard barbecue withfriends.

· Limit hot flash triggers:Hot flashes are a feeling ofintense heat, sweating and arapid heart beat. Hot flashesmay cause a visible blush tothe skin, typically on theneck and face. Avoid com-mon triggers such as over-heated rooms, spicy foods,alcohol and caffeine. Youcan also dress in layers toquickly cool down if youfeel a hot flash coming on.

Amid the bustle of springclean up and repair work,make time to also renewyour health - now and for thelong term. For more infor-mation on a menopausetreatment program that'sright for you, speak withyour doctor or nurse practi-tioner.

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Continued from page 2HEAT

Part of menopause treat-ment is finding time to relaxand nurture your body.

By Emily Fultz

Are you a senior with nothing to do? If you are lookingfor a way to meet new people The Stillwater Parks, Eventsand Recreation Senior Activity Center on 1015 E. 12th inStillwater is a great place to start. Not only is it a popularplace for seniors, but it also hosts a variety of activities andevents geared toward the senior age group. Best of all, themajority of activities are free of charge.

If you are looking to get in shape this spring, the SeniorCenter hosts their “SHAPING UP at Senior ActivitiesCenter.” With classes held throughout the week you arebound to find the perfect class for your fitness level. Themajority of classes are free and open to the public. All class-es are instructed by certified professionals.

Because there are classes at different times throughoutthe week you can sign up for anything from Low ImpactAerobics, Pilates and Lite Weights to Line Dancing andYoga--whatever seems fun to you! “We want people toknow that the seniors who come here do more than just playcards,” says the Center Director Valerie Breedlove, “We arealso committed to helping our seniors stay active and havesome fun!”

If you enjoy doing arts and crafts there are many classesthat you can participate in. The Center offers everythingfrom Ceramics, Chinese Painters and Tole Painting classesto Music Night at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Games are also a fun pastime at the Senior Center. Youcan play Bingo on Thursdays at 2 p.m. or participate inWomen’s Pool on Monday’s and Friday’s at 9:00 a.m. Orplay cards and Social Bridge every afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

You can stop in at the Senior Activities Center to pick upan Activity Calendar and a Fitness Flyer that describesupcoming news in detail, has the month’s highlights and aBrain Teaser. There is also the Movie Night schedule witha brief description of each film and the date it will beshown. Movie Nights are every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The seniors at the Senior Center also participate in com-munity activities such as Special Olympics Volunteer work.Call the Center for more information regarding how youcan help or to find out about all these activities and more at(405) 747-8080.

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Photo by Emily FultzThere are plenty people to meet at the Parks and RecreationSenior Activity Center. Afternoon games are held every after-noon starting at 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays are also SocialBridge days, also at 1:00 p.m.

(MS) - No matter what your age, keeping your brainsharp and staying on top of things is a concern for many.For parents of young children, finding ways to stimulatechildren's intellect while keeping them interested can provedifficult. On the opposite end of the spectrum, senior citi-zens often face similar hurdles as they seek to stay involvedin their world in spite of changes such as retirement and adecline in daily responsibilities. For active adults, thosewith or without children, staying sharp mentally can be away to increase productivity at work and in life.

Fortunately, there are a number of methods you canemploy to boost your brainpower and gain both immediateas well as long-term benefits.

· Diet. While many people associate diet with anincrease in one's physical health, the right diet can also dowonders for your mental health. Since the time of youryouth, you've no doubt been told that breakfast is the mostimportant meal of the day. Is it? Quite simply, yes it is.Studies have shown that skipping breakfast greatly reducesindividual performance at both work and school becausethe body simply does not have the fuel it needs to keep upwith mental functions. Breakfasts high in protein have beenshown to help students perform better on advanced tests,while breakfasts high in fiber also led to positive cognitiveresults.

A Boston University study revealed the positive effectsof eggs on memory. This is because eggs are high incholine, which is used by your body to produce the neuro-transmitter acetylcholine, low levels of which have beenlinked to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease.

However, breakfast is not enough. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet throughout the day to maintain peak mentalcapability. For times when energy and cognitive ability arewaning, try a snack of pretzels, a handful of nuts or somewhole-wheat crackers with cheese to keep you motivated.

· Puzzles. For decades, puzzles have played an integralrole in the cognitive development of children, who learnmany applicable life lessons from simply working at andcompleting a puzzle.

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But puzzles are also ben-eficial to adults, who cankeep their mind sharp inways they might not neces-sarily need to while at work.AARP, for instance, recom-mends puzzles for anyonelooking to break up theirroutine and work on theirspatial intelligence. Logicpuzzles such as crosswords,the new and popular Sudokuand b. dazzle's beautiful andintriguing ScrambleSquares® (www.b-dazzle.com) have beenshown to boost brain powerin the very way AARP sug-gests.

Scramble Squares, forexample, which are recom-mended by StevanneAuerbach, Ph.D. ("Dr.Toy"), director of theInstitute for ChildhoodResources in San Francisco,as a fun game for all agesthat boosts brain power, areeasy to play but hard tosolve. Players must arrangethe nine 4-inch by 4-inchsquare puzzle pieces to per-fectly match the squares'edges printed with brilliantand stimulating illustrationson nature, sports, history,culture, occupations, fanta-sy, science, technology, hob-bies and activities, whileforming a 12-inch by 12-inch square. The puzzles arepackaged in a handy reseal-able traveling pouch for play

on the go. Plus, trivia ques-tions and answers are alsoincluded in the package, fur-ther challenging the brain tokick into high gear.

"While home forChristmas I enjoyed theScramble Squares puzzlesmy daughter had pur-chased," said Mary AnnHanvey of Big Springs,Texas. "I purchased someand showed them to resi-dents of the retirement cen-ter. Over half of the resi-dents wanted these puzzles."

Puzzles can also be ameans for adults, who areoften subject to a dullingroutine both at work andhome and can fall into dis-tinct cognitive patterns as aresult, to force the brain towork at things from a newand fresh perspective that isoutside of their daily routineexperiences.

· Music. Many people, inparticular high school stu-dents preparing to take col-lege board exams, haveheard of the benefits ofMozart on cognitive abili-ties. That's the result of

Frances Rauscher, a psy-chologist now working atthe University of Wisconsinat Oshkosh, who released astudy over a decade ago thatshowed how listening toMozart improved mathemat-ical and spatial reasoning.

While the Mozart theorydid not apply to everyone,many scientists do feelmusic boosts brain powerjust by the way it makes lis-teners feel, which is oftenmore relaxed yet more stim-ulated at the same time.

Where music has shownto consistently increasebrain power is in youngerchildren who receive musiclessons. One of Rauscher'sown findings was thatpreschool children givenmusic lessons saw a 2- to 3-point boost in IQ scores overchildren given dramalessons or no extra lessons atall.

Boosting brain powercan be a simple as making afew enjoyable lifestylechanges and by having funchallenging your brain withlogic puzzles.

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Housing OptionsAbound for Seniors

The topic of senior housing is a confusing one at best.Today, there are many residence options available forseniors who are living longer, more independent lives.The trouble can be deciding upon the type of housingthat's right for you and your family, and overcoming the"nursing home" stigma.

While the home inwhich you've raised yourfamily may be close toyour heart, by retirementage, many seniors beginto feel that their currentresidence is either toolarge or too much of aburden to continue tomaintain. As such, thesearch is on for a place tospend their "goldenyears." There are severaloptions available to youdepending upon your level of independence and health.Here's a brief rundown on the choices to consider:

· Mother/daughter homes - For those seeking the secu-rity and familiarity of being around family,mother/daughter homes, or ones that boast an "in-law"suite, are a viable option. Typically, these homes are char-acterized by a main living area for the family and a smallapartment, which may have a bedroom, living area, bath-

See HOUSING on page 9

It's important for peopleof all ages, especiallyseniors, to stay active.According to the Centers forDisease Control, beingphysically active can reduceyour risk of dying fromheart disease and decreasesthe risk for colon cancer,diabetes and high bloodpressure. Physical activityalso helps control weight;contributes to healthy bones,muscles and joints; relieves

the pain of arthritis; reducessymptoms of anxiety anddepression; and candecrease the need for hospi-talizations, physician visitsand medications. Indeed,there's a lot riding on incor-porating exercise into yourlifestyle.

There's no better timethan now to start exercising.Be sure to check with yourdoctor before increasingyour physical activity, espe-

cially if you have a chronicdisease or family history ofchronic disease, chest pain,shortness of breath, highblood pressure, asthma, dia-betes, blood clots, infectionsor fever, joint swelling, hipsurgery or a hernia.

Here are some tips tohelp you get started:

· Don't just jump into afitness routine. First, stretchyour arms, legs and back.Start off slowly, graduallyincreasing the pace of yourexercise. Don't do too muchtoo soon or you will hurtyourself. For example, theAARP suggests startingwith 10 minutes of walkingbefore going to 20 and then30 minutes. For a strength-training program usingweights and machines, talkto a fitness instructor onhow much weight to lift andhow to use the machinesproperly.

· Exercise should makeyou feel better, not worse. Alittle soreness, discomfort orfatigue is normal. Listen toyour body - if you feel light-headed, a shortness ofbreath, a sudden, severeheadache, are sweatingexcessively, or have pains inthe chest, stomach or any-

where else, you should stopexercising. If symptoms per-sist, contact your doctor.

· If you are on medicationor have a condition thatalters your heart rate, don'tuse your pulse as a judge ofhow fast your heart is orshould be beating.

· Wear the proper protec-tive equipment for youractivity. If you are biking,wear a helmet. If you are in-line skating, wear a helmetas well as knee and elbowpads. Protective gear shouldbe of good quality and fitproperly. It may be expen-sive, but it's an expense thatis well worth it.

· Watch out for the ele-ments. If it's hot, exercise inthe early morning or earlyevening when it's cooler, orstay in the shade and wearlightweight clothing. If it'scold, dress in layers, and becareful of ice and snow.

· It's especially importantto stay hydrated when youare engaging in exercise thatmakes you sweat. Drinkbefore, during and afterexercise to prevent dehydra-tion.

· A cool down is just asimportant as a warm up.Stretch your arms, legs andback to bring your heart rateback to its normal level.

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Stillwater is your hometown, it’s ours too! At Grace Living Center, we

believe in hometown people caring for each other. Grace Living Center

has a long history here in Stillwater and Oklahoma. Our goal is to always

be there for our families whatever their needs may be. Because we are your

friends and neighbors, we strive to make sure your family members get the

care you want and they deserve - all here at home.

Call or come by today to visit with us about your loved one’s needs. We

have rooms available right now and we’d love the opportunity to welcome

you to our home.

Wanda Earnest and Brady Walker Bigheart share a moment of friendship. Grace Living Center embraces the Eden Alternative Lifestyle which encourages chil-

dren to visit often and interact with their elders.

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Exercise Tips for Health-Minded Seniors

Is the quality of yourhealth care as good as itcould be? According to theU.S. Department of Healthand Human Services'Agency for HealthcareResearch and Quality(AHRQ), millions ofAmericans receive high-quality health care, yet thereare times when somethinggoes wrong. Some peoplemay receive health care ser-vices they don't need, ormay be unable get carewhen they need it, whileothers are affected by med-ical errors that could havebeen prevented. TheInstitute of Medicine (IOM)reports that between 44,000and 98,000 hospitalizedAmericans die each year asa result of preventable med-ical errors.

The fact is, health-carequality varies and dependson many things, such aswhere you live, who youare, and how much is knownabout treating your condi-tion. Despite these findings,there are steps you can taketo improve the quality ofyour own health care. Themore involved you are inyour own health care, thebetter results you will get.Here's what you can do toget the most from yourhealth care.

1. Become an activemember of your health-careteam. Know your doctors.Developing positive rela-tionships with your health-care providers and becom-ing a full partner in makingdecisions about your carecan help with proper diagno-sis and treatment.

2. Ask questions at everydoctor's visit. All patientsdeserve thorough and clearexplanations and informa-tion about their condition.Pay attention to the care youreceive. If something doesn'tmake sense to you or if youhave concerns, speak up.Ask for clarification or foradditional information onthe topic. Some areas to payclose attention to include:

a) Diagnosis - Ask yourdoctor to write down yourdiagnosis and explain howhe or she determined it.

b) Testing - Ask what

additional tests you mayneed, what they are for, whatthey are measuring and why,and what they will cost.How will the results affect

your condition, medicationsand future testing? Whenyou receive the test results,ask for an explanation orinterpretation of what the

letters or numbers stand for.Be aware of routine medicaltests and how often youneed them. Make sure youare getting these tests asneeded.

c) Treatment options -Ask about all your options.It is likely there is more thanone way to manage or treatthe condition. What are thebenefits, risks and sideeffects of treatment? Howlong will you need to contin-ue this treatment, and howwill you know if the treat-ment is working? What willthese treatments cost you?

d) Medications - Beforegetting any new prescriptionfilled, make sure your doc-tors know about everythingyou are taking, includingprescription and over-the-counter medicines anddietary supplements. Thatway, they can advise youabout any possible druginteractions or side effectsyou may experience. (Theymay even recommend an

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room and kitchenette for a couple or single person. Theapartment may be accessed through the main house or haveits own entry. While advantageous, this living arrangementcan pose problems for younger family members notequipped to handle the health or care issues required bytheir senior tenant. Many family members, in an effort tostave off a nursing home, take in an ailing mother, father orgrandparent without realizing it can be a full-time job.

· Active lifestyle - Active adult communities, alsoreferred to as resort communities, attract both retired per-sons and those nearing retirement age who wish to get astart on owning a place where they will eventually retire.Many are gated communities and offer amenities typical ofa resort, such as a pool, golf club, exercise rooms and more.

· Independent/congregate living - If you're an activesenior in good health, then an independent living alsoknown as congregate living community or residence maybe the ideal situation. These homes range from age-restrict-ed housing communities where you own your own condo-minium or patio home to residences that are more likehotels, complete with housekeeping services, meals, andactivities. In most cases, buses are available to transportyou to area shopping and other planned retreats. Some com-munities have their own bank, supermarket, hair salon andhouses of worship on the grounds so that residents can haveeasy access. In addition, depending upon the setup of theresidence, there may be living quarters and then a central-ized dining area where meals are served or company ishosted.

· Assisted living - For those who are still relatively inde-pendent but may require a visiting nurse or need minimalassistance, like bathing or dressing, assisted living facilitiescan provide the care you need. Health-care services are pro-vided on the grounds or may be from a neighboring hospi-tal or medical center.

· Nursing homes - Seniors who require round-the-clockmedical care may seek out nursing home situations. This ispretty much the only option for those who have deteriorat-ing mental or physical capabilities or great difficulty withdaily activities.

· Continuing care - These facilities marry independent,assisted and nursing care living. They are often large com-munities over acres of land that offer different sectors ofcare, dependent upon qualifying factors. As you age orbecome unable to care for yourself, you simply move fromindependent living to assisted living to nursing scenarios.Most even have specialized care for Alzheimer's sufferers.This presents the best option for seniors who want the secu-rity of knowing they'll be cared for as they move throughthe years without having to relocate to different facilities.

Private care facilities have several benefits, but alsocome with pricey monthly fees. Depending upon the levelof care, facilities may charge upwards of several thousandsof dollars per month. It is wise to consult with a financialplanner or accountant to see how much, if any, of thesecosts can be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other gov-ernment assistance. In addition, some facilities may havewaiting lists, so be sure to call ahead and inquire about theapplication process and wait time for entering one of theseresidences.

Continued from page 6HOUSING

www.stwnewspress.com

Photo by Spencer GeeThursday night is Music Night at the Senior Center. Some come to play, others come to listen,but no doubt everyone has a good time.

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Continued from page 8HEALTH

entirely different drug.) You should askwhat your prescribed medications are, whatthey do, and what their side effects are.When you get prescriptions filled, makesure you understand what you are takingand why you are taking it.

3. Create a health journal. This is ahandy way to record your questions, keeprecords of your medical history, such as testdates and results, medications you are tak-ing and their doses, dates of doctor visits,immunizations you have received, and anyallergies you may have. You can take thejournal with you to every doctor's appoint-ment to avoid unnecessary calls and repeatvisits.

4. Educate yourself about health-relatedissues. If you have Internet access, takeadvantage of the multitude of health infor-mation Web sites available. However, becautious, because not all sites provide themost accurate information. Generally, themost reliable sites are those that are spon-sored by the government or by universities.If you don't have access to the Internet, visityour local library or bookstore. Learning asmuch as you can about your disease or con-dition, or your health in general, mayimprove the success of your treatment and

help you make more informed decisions.5. Choose doctors and hospitals wisely

and seek expert advice when needed.a) Choosing a doctor - The AHRQ advis-

es health care consumers to look for a doc-tor who: has received high ratings for qual-ity of care; has the training and experienceto meet your needs; takes steps to preventillness (i.e., will talk to you about gettingthe screening tests that are right for you);can get you admitted to or treat you at thehospital of your choice; is part of yourhealth plan (unless you are willing to payextra); and will work with you to makedecisions about your health care.

b) Choosing a hospital - According to theAHRQ, you should make sure the hospital:is accredited by the Joint Commission onAccreditation of Healthcare Organizations(JCAHO); is rated highly by the state andby consumer groups or other organizations;is one where your doctor can treat you; iscovered by your health plan; has a lot ofexperience and success with your condition;and monitors the quality of care and worksto improve it.

7. Understand your health insuranceplan. Know what is covered and what is notcovered.

Buses & Boats andCars, Oh My!By Emily Fultz

If you’re retired it’s time to think about enjoying life.Traveling options have never been better for seniorslooking for a getaway. You can plan that special tripwithout emptying your bank account. Consider a fewpopular destinations.

Taking a cruise is a hassle-free way to visit exoticplaces. You can see the Caribbean, Hawaii, theMediterranean, Alaska and many other areas worldwide.The great thing about a cruise is that you simply packone suitcase, pay your ticket and step aboard. Yourmeals, activities and entertainment are often taken careof by the cruise line. When the ship pulls into port youcan explore the local town and go shopping, visit histor-ical sights, see the wildlife, and enjoy the local cuisine.

Because cruises take all the worry and trouble out oftraveling long distances, they are extremely popular forretirees, couples and families who want to make themost of their vacation time.

Many retirees also venture across the pond to sight-see in Europe. The British Isles and especially Irelandare extremely popular destinations because of their fas-cinating history and culture. Making plans for a trip likethis may seem a little daunting, so it’s a good idea to find

See TRIP on page 13

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Senior Lifestyles Sale

723 Eastgate Street • Stillwater, OK • 377-9735 or 1-800-368-1346East Hwy. 51, Turn South at John Deere on Eastgate St.

Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.www.cimarronmedical.com

• Medicare, Medicaid • Most Insurances Accepted

HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY SERVICESOXYGEN & RESPIRATORY SERVICES

REHABILITATIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICESPOST MASTECTOMY SERVICES

WHEELCHAIRS • SCOOTERS • WALKERS

Scooter and Power ChairsFREE assessment

and billing services15% Off

Walkers

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All Bath Safety Items

Homefi ll Oxygen

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Helios Liquid Oxygen System

Personal oxygen system that is

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Finger Oximeter

This is just a sample of our equipment. To consult with our Respiratory Therapist please call for an appointment - 405.377.9735.

Oxygen/Respiratory CareCimarron Medical Services offers the latest oxygen equipment for you or

your loved one. We have a Respiratory Therapist and trained staff to provide proper education for a safe and healthy outcome.

Sale good through May 12, 2007

Lifeline can not only protect a life . . . it can preserve a cher-ished way of life by giving seniors the confi dence to continue living in their own homes.

24 hours a day / 365 days a year:Help at the push of a button.

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Cimarron Medical ServicesAnother quality service of Stillwater Medical Center

To reduce falls in your own home, consider doing thefollowing:

The surface you are walking or standing on makes a bigdifference in preventing falls. Carpeted areas are generallyeasier to walk on than wood or tiled floors. Also make surethere are non-slip strips in your bathtub.

Use the tools you have to your advantage each time youneed to move somewhere. Always use your cane or walkerno matter how far you need to go and if there are handrailson stair cases and in bathrooms, use them to steady yourselfwhile walking or getting up.

Clear the floor of all obstacles that may be tripped over.Don’t leave any clothes, magazines, bags or other objectslying around on the floor. Place loose electrical cords andtelephone wires out of walking areas. Remove or secure anyloose rugs or mats.

Be sure hallways and staircases are well-lighted. (If thehallway or staircase in your building is not well-lighted,call the superintendent.) Place lamps in dark areas. If youwalk into a dark area let your eyes adjust first to the darkbefore moving forward.

Keep the items near you that you will need when gettingup including your glasses, cane and walker. This is espe-cially important before going to bed and when sitting downin a chair or at a table.

Be especially careful if your bathroom floor becomeswet. Clean up all kitchen and other spills immediately toavoid creating a dangerous environment to move around in.

Sit in higher chairs or chairs with arm rests – they areeasier to get out of. Get out of your bed or chair slowly. Sitcompletely upright before standing.

Be sure all clothing is the appropriate size and length.For example, long nightgowns or bathrobes can create atripping hazard.

All footwear should have non-slip soles and wearingonly socks should be avoided especially when walking onnon-carpeted areas.

If you do fall, DON’T PANIC! Try using a stable chairor some other piece of furniture to help you get up. If youcan, slide or crawl to the telephone or front door and call forhelp. If you cannot get up, try calling out for help.

~ Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan

Fall Prevention Tips

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Health and Fitness Opportunities are Abundant for Stillwater SeniorsBy Emily Fultz

Spring is here! It is timeto get in shape, enjoy theoutdoors and meet new peo-ple. There are a lot places inStillwater that can help youget fit and stay healthy.

Consider the YMCA. Fora monthly membership feeyou can use all of the facili-ties which include a basket-ball court, weight and exer-cise rooms, racquetballcourts, pool and sauna. TheYMCA offers several class-es such as Sunrise Cardio,Pilates, Yoga, Sweat-N-Sculpt and several othersthroughout week includingSaturdays. They also offerseveral Water Aerobicsclasses for low-impactworkouts that are also a lotof fun. Classes are held atdifferent times throughoutthe day so you can pick onethat fits your schedule.

The Seretean Wellness

Center also offers a widevariety of classes andequipment and is open tothe public. If you are inter-ested in taking a groupexercise class, the WellnessCenter has sessions sched-uled throughout the day.Joining the Wellness Centerwill give you access to anyavailable class as well asthe individual workoutequipment. If you are inter-ested in working with a per-sonal trainer they also offerindividualized programs bycertified trainers. Theseprograms can be designedto fit your schedule and fit-ness level.

If you enjoy being out-doors consider golfing atCimarron Trails in Perkins,OK. Every Monday theyoffer a senior special. Youmust be 60+ years old toqualify. Contact CimarronTrails for more details.

Photo by Emily FultzThe YMCA is a great place to get in shape. You can join one of their water aerobics classesheld throughout the week.See FITNESS on page 13

a travel agency that can helpyou sort out the details.

Planning your tripthrough a travel agencysuch as Carlson WagonlitTravel International Toursat 404 S. Main in Stillwaterhas its benefits. They canhelp you book flights andmake hotel reservations aswell as give you some greatideas for sightseeing. Theycan help you take advantageof the senior discountsavailable with many airlinesand hotels. CarlsonWagonlit Travel also offers

special senior rates of theirown. No appointment isnecessary, just stop in any-time and chat with an agentor pick up a travel brochure.

Finally, if boat rides andleaving the country aren’tquite your speed you cantake a bus tour with a group

of friends and family to anearby destination. “Manyseniors are opting to take abus tour to Branson,Missouri,” says CarlsonWagonlit Travel’s ownerand travel agent JimBolding. “A place likeBranson has so much to

offer without the hassle oflong distance traveling.” Infact, there are so manyshows, museums andrestaurants in Branson it isimpossible to see every-thing in one trip.

Taking smaller trips suchas this also means that you

can afford to travel moreoften. An annual trip toBranson could be fun for agroup of people. CarlsonWagonlit Travel Agency canalso help you plan one ofthese bus tours to Branson,including hotel accommo-dations and show times.

The Stillwater Parks,Events and RecreationSenior Center offers activi-ties especially for the seniorcommunity. You can stop inanytime and pick up a copyof their monthly event calen-dar. The Senior Center offerseverything from art classes,movie nights and afternoongames to women’s pool andexercise classes. These exer-cise classes are instructed bycertified trainers and eachsession is geared to the par-ticular needs of the group.The classes are usually smallgroups and are a great placeto meet new people. Themajority of the activities arefree of charge and there areno membership fees. Callthe Senior Center for moreinformation.

Stillwater Parks, Eventsand Recreation also offers aSenior Softball League. Theseason begins on April 10thand they practice onTuesday evenings at 6:30p.m. To find out more infor-mation log on to www.still-water.org/parksandrec. Orcall the Parks andRecreation office at (405)747-8070.

These are just a few ofthe things going on in theStillwater area for seniors.No matter what your indi-vidual health and fitnessneeds are, you can find theperfect program to get you inshape for the summer!

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Call Diana today at 1-800-965-2683

11 Palm Avenue in Yukon, OK

Continued from page 12FITNESS

Continued from page 10TRIP

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Golden Oaks Assisted

Living Center of

Stillwater offers the

dignity and privacy

your parents deserve in

a beautiful, comfortable

environment.

We cater to adults

who still enjoy an

independent, active

lifestyle, but may

need assistance from

time to time.

Rest assured our

friendly professional

staff will provide that

personal touch when

their special needs

arise.

APARTMENT FEATURES• Large one and two bedroom fl oor plans (up to 1006 sq.ft.)• Month-to-month rental (includes utilities, linens, maintenance)• Private baths, handicap accessible• Free transportation to bank, pharmacy, grocery store• Housekeeping and laundry services• Three delicious meals served daily

HEALTH CARE SERVICES• Four levels of care• Licensed professional staff• Medication and health care assistance

FREE VIDEO!Call for a

Complimentary Videoor visit

www.goldenoaks.net

Preserving their independence. Safeguarding their care.

Become part of the Golden Oaks family!

Call 377-1114

5505 West 19th • Stillwater, OK 74074

Village of Stillwater

ONLY THE

&MOM DADinestF FOR

A Lot ofH.E.A.R.T.

Photo by Spencer GeeThe women behind Project H.E.A.R.T. in Stillwater are (left to right) Brenda Sanders – Staff,Janet Verner – Manager, Sondra Coe – Outreach, and Wanda Wright – Staff.

By Spencer Gee

Project H.E.A.R.T.’smission is just what theirname stands for: HelpingElderly Americans ReachTomorrow. With their staffand resources, they help theelderly of our communitykeep in contact and stayactive and healthy.

Manager Janet Vernershed some insight into thevolunteer system ProjectH.E.A.R.T. has in place todeliver meals to the elderly.There is a lot more to ProjectH.E.A.R.T. than just meals.

“We do congregate mealshere at the community cen-ter as well as the home-delivered meals,” Vernersaid. And they are always

looking for people interestedin signing up for either one.Since the meals are preparedbased on the number of peo-ple they need to feed, it isimportant that if you wouldlike to participate that yousign up. Keep in mind,though that the servicesProject H.E.A.R.T. offersare only available to personsage 60 and over.

In addition to the congre-gate meals at the communitycenter, there is the ProjectH.E.A.R.T. Homeboundprogram which brings mealsto you in your home. Thishappens one of two ways.With the daily deliveries,volunteers pick up the meals

See HEART on page 15

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Continued from page 14HEART

and take them to the elderlyin their homes. Meals canalso be delivered frozen andare a full week’s worth offood.

Also available to partici-pants is nutrition counselingand education. Verner says,“We have a dietician comein to do counseling with ourseniors, and we also offerfree eye exams.” Theirmonthly itinerary is full ofevents like lunches, bingo,and a country/western band.

“Project H.E.A.R.T. isfunded both by state and fed-eral funds, but also throughdonations that are taxdeductible,” Verner says.Donations are always appre-ciated.

According to Verner,recently one of the area vet-erinarians began donatingpet food when it came tolight that some of the seniorswould split their meals withtheir pets. “Rather than hav-ing to share their meals withtheir pets, she started givingpet food to us to distribute,”Verner said.

There is a lot of heart atProject H.E.A.R.T. It isamazing how much is avail-able to the seniors in thecommunity through thisoperation. If you would liketo know more about ProjectH.E.A.R.T. you can callthem at 372-1201 or stop by.They are located at theCommunity Center at 9thand Duck.

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8 MAIN PLACE • SUITE 2 • STILLWATER

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Photos by Emily FultzMayra Harms (left) volunteers at Project H.E.A.R.T in Stillwater. Many seniors (right) visit over lunch at Project H.E.A.R.T. in Stillwater.