NUTRITION NEWSAugust 2017

Phone (515) 255-1310 Fax (515) 255-9442 Email info@agingresources.com 5835 Grand Ave., Suite 106 Web www.agingresources.com Des Moines, Iowa 50312-1444

Tips to Promote Healthy EatingEating habits can change over time, particularly as people get older. Here are some of the challenges that can make eating a healthy diet more di� cult along with some tips to overcome them.

Dental or Swallowing Problems

■ Practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular dental checkups.

■ If you wear dentures, the dentist can check how they � t.

■ If trouble swallowing is an issue, ask your doctor for a referral to a speech pathologist.

■ Before meals, brush your teeth to help moisturize your mouth. This helps make swallowing easier.

■ Switch o� between bites of something cold and tart, like lemon ice, with something warm and bland, like mashed potatoes.

■ During meals, and for 45 to 60 minutes after eating, aim for a 90-degree posture with your head tilted slightly forward.

■ If water or other thin liquids cause you to cough, use an over-the-counter liquid thickener. These thicken without changing the taste or appearance of your drink.

■ Try rinsing your mouth with water after meals.

■ If you have dry mouth, sugarless hard candy or gum that is a little tart may help.

Special Diet Requirements Dueto a Chronic Condition or Illness

■ Be a self-manager, take charge of your health. To help make sure you stick to the changes you make, begin by taking small steps.

■ Communicate with your doctor about any concerns and ask if you are susceptible to any nutritional de� ciencies.

■ Talk to a registered dietitian about how your special diet can be adapted to include the foods you most enjoy.

■ Join a support group or class to meet other people experiencing similar challenges and learn from their experiences.

■ Consume a wide variety of foods to ensure a balance of nutrients.

Poor Appetite

■ If food has lost its appeal, try new recipes or enhance the � avor of old favorites with spices and herbs.

■ Consider eating smaller meals more frequently, instead of large meals.

■ Try to be active every day, if possible. This will help increase your appetite.

■ Drink beverages that increase calorie or nutrient intake, such as milk, soup, or hot chocolate.

■ Ask family/friends to join you for meals.

■ If medications are the culprit, ask your doctor if there are changes that can be made to your medications to help stimulate appetite and help with digestion.

If you’d like one-on-one assistance with any nutrition concerns you might have, Aging Resources o� ers FREE nutrition counseling from a Licensed, Registered Dietitian. Please call (515) 633-9518 to learn more.

Iowa StateFair Facts

The � rst Iowa State Fair washeld in Fair� eld in 1854 and

had a budget of $323.

In 2002, Fair attendance was 1,008,174. Since then, the Fair's attendance has

passed the million marks 11 additional times. The largest attendance in Fair

history was 1,117,398 set in 2015.

More than 40,000 ribbons,rosettes and banners are

awarded annually at the fair.

The hottest temperature recordedat the fair was 108 degrees on

August 16, 1983. It just happenedto be Older Iowans' Day.

Who holds the record for attracting the largest Grandstand crowd?

In 1972, Sonny and Cherattracted 26,200 in two shows.

In 1975, the Beach Boys drew25,400 in one show.

In 1970, Johnny Cash attracted25,300 in two shows.

Which United States presidentshave visited the State Fair?

Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower attended in 1954, Gerald

Ford in 1975, Jimmy Carter in 1976(as a candidate), George W. Bushin 2002, Barack Obama in 2007

(as a candidate) and in 2012as President, and Donald Trump in

2015 (as a candidate). Ronald Reaganbroadcast from the Fair as sports

director for WHO radio in the 1930s.

This year the fair runs fromAugust 10-20, 2017.

SudokuPlace the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so thateach row, each column and each 3x3 box contains thesame number only once.

9 5 6 1

3 6 8 2

6 5 8 1

2 3

8 9 5

7 2 1 3

1 3 2

Good Clean JokesI told my girlfriend she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised.

My wife told me I had to stop acting like a � amingo.So I had to put my foot down.

My friend said to me, "What rhymes with orange?"I said, "No it doesn't."

How many opticians does it take to changea lightbulb? Is it one or two? One... or two?

I bought the world's worst thesaurusyesterday. Not only is it terrible, it's terrible.

What did the pirate say when heturned 80 years old? Aye matey.

Two men meet on opposite sides of a river.One shouts to the other"Help me get to the other side!"The other guy replies"You are on the other side!”

8 2 4 7 9 3 1 6 5

9 5 6 1 8 2 3 4 7

1 7 3 5 6 4 9 8 2

5 8 1 9 4 6 2 7 3

4 6 7 3 2 5 8 9 1

2 3 9 8 1 7 6 5 4

3 4 8 2 7 9 5 1 6

7 9 2 6 5 1 4 3 8

6 1 5 4 3 8 7 2 9

Meds ThatMake the CutKnowing what pills are safeto split or crush – and whichare not is important.

Cutting certain pills can save you money, giving you two doses of medication for the price of one. And crushing some pills can make them a little easier to swallow. But a variety of pills are meant to be taken whole, and cutting or crushing them a� ects the way the medication is released and/or absorbed. In general, pills can be cut or crushed if they are scored (have a line) down the middle. But sometimes the safety of splitting or crushing tablets is not so clear. Here’s a quick guide.

Read the Fine PrintFor over-the-counter medications, read the Drug Facts Label. If a medication should not be cut, crushed or chewed, the label will state that. For prescription drugs, read the information insert that comes with your prescription.

Take Note of the NameProducts containing the following words in their names should not becut, crushed or otherwise altered because they are formulated to be released over time or digested in the small intestine to protect the stomach: extended release (ER), time release, long-acting, time-delayed, safety coated, comfort coated, entericcoated and controlled dose.

Ask Your PharmacistIf in doubt, goto the expert.Your pharmacistcan tell youif a medicationmay be crushedor cut or if itmust be taken inits original form.

SOURCE: ARTHRITIS TODAY

Around Central Iowa“Fresh to Go” Free

Fresh Produce StandThursday, August 3rd from 2 to 3 pm andThursday, August 10th from 2 to 3 pmPolk County River Place2309 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310“Fresh to Go” features a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, all free to receive. Broadlawns Medical Center will be providing bottled water to individuals as they wait and will be administering free blood pressure checks and general health information. Thursday, August 10th is the last “Fresh to Go” free fresh produce stand of the summer. For more information, contact DMARC at (515) 277-6969.

Senior Farmers MarketNutrition Program UpdateThe Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides eligible individuals with $30 that can be spent at local farmers markets for Iowa grown produce. All of the checks have been distributed for 2017, with over 4,500 people in Aging Resources’ 8 county service area receiving bene� ts. For those who received checks, please be sure to spend them before October 31st, 2017. If you missed out this year, look for applications for next summers’ SFMNP in April, 2018.

Polk County Wii Bowling TournamentThe North Senior Center held its 3rd annual Wii Bowling Tournament on July 8th. Up to 28 teams were able to sign up for the tournament and prizes and trophies were given. Lunch was served for $5.00 with proceeds going to the seniors’ fund. Come join us next year! The picture shown is from the 2016 Wii Bowling Tournament.

Thursday, August 3rd from 2 to 3 pm and

Forgetfulness: Normal or Not?We've all misplaced keys, blanked on an acquaintance's name, or forgotten a phone number. When we’re young, we don’t tend to pay much mind to these lapses, but as we grow older, sometimes we worry about what they mean. While it’s true that certain brain changes are inevitable when it comes to aging, major memory problems are not one of them. That’s why it’s important to know the di� erence between normal age-related forgetfulness and the symptoms that may indicate a developing cognitive problem.

The following types of memory lapses are normal among older adults and generally are not considered warning signs of serious memory problems:

■ Occasionally forgetting where you left things you use regularly, such as glasses or keys

■ Forgetting names of acquaintances or mixing one memory with a similar one, such as calling a grandson by your son’s name

■ Occasionally forgetting an appointment or walking into a room and forgetting why

you entered■ Having trouble remembering what you’ve

just read or the details of a conversation■ Not quite being able to retrieve information

you have “on the tip of your tongue”

Serious memory problems such as Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia make it hard to do everyday things. Signs of serious memory problems may include:

■ Challenges in planning or solving problems■ Di� culty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure■ Confusion with time or place■ New problems with words in speaking or writing■ Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps■ Decreased or poor judgement■ Withdrawal from work or social activities■ Changes in mood and personality

When to see a doctor for memory loss

It’s time to consult a doctor when memory lapses become frequent enough or su� ciently noticeable to concern you or a family member. Your doctor can assess your personal risk factors, evaluate your symptoms, and help you obtain appropriate care. Early diagnosis can treat reversible causes of memory loss, lessen decline in vascular dementia, or improve the quality of life in Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.

Reversible causes of memory loss

It’s important to go to a doctor to get an o� cial diagnosis if you’re experiencing memory problems. Sometimes, even what looks like signi� cant memory loss can be caused by treatable conditions and reversible external factors, such as:

■ Depression ■ Alcohol abuse■ Vitamin de� ciency ■ Dehydration■ Thyroid problems ■ Medication side e� ects

Here are some ways boost your memory:

■ Learn a new skill■ Volunteer in your community, at a school, or at your place of worship■ Spend time with friends and family■ Use memory tools such as big calendars, to-do lists, and notes to yourself■ Put your wallet or purse, keys, and glasses in the same place each day■ Get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet■ Don’t drink alcohol in excess ■ Get help if you feel depressed

SOURCES:NATIONAL INSTITUTEON AGINGand WWW.ALZ.ORG