Our
Time February 2012
jg-tc com dot
JOURNAL GAZETTE & TIMES-COURIER
Our Time
FEB 2012 • 2
Your One Stop Battery Shop Mobility Cart, Wheelchair, Hearing Aid, Cell Phone, Cordless Phone, Watch Batteries, etc. No Battery’s Too Big or Small!
Coles County’s ONLY Battery Specialist Since 1990
1519 Madison Ave. • Charleston 345-VOLT (8658) 309 N. 15th • Mattoon 258-VOLT (8658)
3
IS ASSISTED LIVING THE RIGHT CHOICE?
4
PRECAUTIONARY MEASUERES OLDER TRAVELERS MUST CONSIDER
5
REDUCING THE RISK FOR HEART DISEASE MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE
jg-tc
Articles Index
6
8
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR TICKER TICKING
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER RETIREMENT?
7
9
ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN ELDER CARE FACILITY
7
10
GLAUCOMA DOES NOT ALWAYS VITAM I N D M IG HT H E LP EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS FIGHT DEPRESSION
Let us clean your carpets, rugs, and furniture so you can spend your time building memories.
Call Patty! The Floor Show, Inc. 235-3161 - 345-3309 342-2740 1-800-926-1082
Douglas Rehabilitation and Care Center is located at the west edge of Mattoon. We are a 79 bed facility that specializes in long and short term placement for your loved one, we also offer:
Hospice services Respite Care Daycare stays 24 hour skilled nursing care Private and Semi- private rooms Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory and speech therapy Specialized wound care team Recreational Therapy and special events by certified Activity Director Beauty and barber services Buffet style dining Facility transportation Family lounge for private parties or settings
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, self pay, and private insurance. We are currently under going renovations to update our facility for an even more home like stay for you and your loved one. Our renovation target date is late summer. Call or stop by for a tour today:
Douglas
Rehabilitation & Care Center 3516 Powell Lane Mattoon
217-234-6401
Our Time
jg-tc
OurTime
FEB 2012 • 3
Is Assisted Living the Right Choice? 1. Safety and Security
PUBLISHER Carl Walworth
ADVERTISING ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tammy Jordan SALES CONSULTANT SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT Charleston/Arthur Mattoon Alicia Roberts Shannon Davis SALES CONSULTANT SALES CONSULTANT Classifieds Mattoon/Sullivan Connie Anderson Melody Parks SALES CONSULTANT SALES CONSULTANT Classifieds Auto & Real Estate Karen Collier Patti Phillips SALES CONSULTANT Effingham Kim Nunamaker
ART AND DESIGN GRAPHICS SUPERVISOR Susan Young PRINT ADVERTISING DESIGNER Our Time Section Designer Alexandra Meyer
ONLINE SPECIALIST Graphic Artist Marcus Zeal
700 Broadway Ave East Suite 9A Mattoon, IL 61938 (217) 235-5656 Advertising: To place a display advertisement, call (217) 238-6835 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or email advertising@jg-tc.com. To place classified advertising, call 238-6828 or 238-6821 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Assisted living facilities provide a safe and secure environment for older adults. Emergency call systems to summon help. Grab bars and walk-in showers in the bathrooms. Handrails in the halls. Staff on duty 24-hours per day.
2. Nutrition Many older adults living alone don’t enjoy cooking for themselves. They may skip meals, just “graze”, or eat convenience foods instead of preparing more nutritious meals. Assisted living facilities offer healthy, delicious meals every day in a gracious, restaurant-like setting.
3. Improved Quality of Life Assisted living enables you or your loved one to renew lifelong acquaintances, and to build new friendships. Meaningful activities and opportunities to spend time with other seniors with similar interests. An excellent antidote to loneliness and isolation.
4. Less to worry about. In assisted living, seniors don’t have the worry of home repairs or maintenance; lawn care, or snow removal; meal preparation or house cleaning. There are staff members to help with all of that. Less worry for older adults, and their families.
5. Transportation For whatever reason, many older adults have to give up driving. Most assisted living facilities provide group transportation to and from shopping, community events, and more. They may also arrange individual transportation for doctor’s appointments.
“Simplify and Improve” Quality of Life Options in Retirement.
Monday, March 26, 2012 A free seminar sponsored by Eberhardt Senior Community Arthur, Illinois Presentation Beginning at 9:00 a.m. With Brunch Immediately Following Featured Speaker: Jennifer Hayes, MBA Vice President of Marketing & Development Greencroft Communities Goshen, Indiana Kaskaskia Country Club 450 East County Road 300 North Arcola, Illinois
423 South Eberhardt Drive Arthur, IL 61911 217-543-3705 www.eberhardtvillage.org
Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, March 22, 2012. For reservations, please contact: Marianna Taylor Phone: 217-369-8442 E-mail: mtaylor@arthurhome.com
Our Time
FEB 2012 • 4
jg-tc
Precautionary Measures Older Travelers Must Consider Whether retired or simply an empty nester, older men and women often love their increased opportunities to travel and see the world. Without kids to cater to or college tuition to pay, men and women approaching retirement age, or those who have already passed it by, find
themselves with more free time to take to the highways and skyways and experience other cultures. While traveling is a great way to make the most of one's golden years, traveling as an older adult isn't the same as it might have been back when you
were a carefree teenager or twenty-something backpacking through Europe. Before setting out to see the world, older travelers should consider a host of factors. Documentation Older travelers tend to travel
Traveling as an older adult might require more caution and planning than it does for young jetsetters, but such measures won't diminish the joy of your travels..
abroad more than they do domestically, so be sure all documentation, including passports for each traveler, is up-to-date. If you're traveling for an especially long period of time, be sure your passport is valid beyond the length of the trip. The United States Department of State also notes travelers must determine if the country they plan to visit requires a visa to enter. In addition to passports and any visas you might need, make sure your driver's licenses and auto insurance policies are current and will remain so through the trip. This is important for travelers who plan on renting a car during their vacation. Don't forget to bring your driver's license and proof of auto insurance (as well as contact information for your insurance company should an accident occur) on your trip. Climate & Geography It's also important to consider geographical conditions before establishing any travel plans. Older men and women tend to have more health issues and might even be on prescriptions that can make it challenging to travel to certain areas. Before committing to a trip, consult your physician about the possible effects a certain climate might have on you personally. Some people might be sensitive to altitude and therefore unable to travel to high-altitude locations without putting themselves at serious risk. Luggage & Wardrobe When traveling, it might be comforting to overpack because it can give you the feeling you're
prepared for any situation that might arise. But don't pack so heavily that your luggage becomes a nuisance to take from place to place. If you're traveling to especially tourist-friendly regions, keep in mind such locales often have all a traveler needs should he or she have forgotten something or experiences an emergency. When packing your clothes for a trip, keep your wardrobe as conservative as possible. Anything too flashy could draw the attention of con artists or thieves, as tourists often make for easy marks. But don't forget to pack some formal attire as well, as clothing that is too casual might make it hard for you to gain access to certain tourist destinations or restaurants. Contact Information While a vacation is an escape for many people, you don't want to escape from the world entirely. Make sure loved ones back home have your itinerary and know where you will be staying should an emergency occur. If traveling abroad where you won't have cell phone service, choose resorts or hotels with Internet access and ensure friends or family members you will check in periodically via email. While staying in touch might not be reminiscent of the carefree travels of your youth, doing so will help your loved ones rest easy and will prove invaluable should something unexpected occur. When traveling, older men and women should consider a host of factors before making plans and always make safety a priority.
Our Time
jg-tc
Reducing Heart Disease
Could Save Your Life Heart disease doesn't discriminate, affecting men and women regardless of their age or where they live. In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death, according to the American Heart Association. North of the border, one Canadian dies from heart disease or stroke every 7 minutes. So says the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, a charity that annually spends millions of dollars researching heart disease and promoting healthier lifestyles. For most men and women, the prevalence of heart disease is no great surprise. Nearly every adult can point to a loved one who has dealt with heart disease. Many men and women can even point to a friend or family member who lost their battle with heart disease. That
familiarity should make people even more willing to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, something the AHA admits is the best defense against heart disease and stroke. Though not all risk factors for heart disease can be controlled, there are ways to reduce that risk considerably. Control your blood pressure High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk for heart disease. Blood pressure measures the pressure or force of blood against the walls if your blood vessels, also known as arteries. Having your blood pressure taken is a routine on most doctor visits, but many people are unaware what the number actually measures. The top number measures the pressure when the heart contracts and pushes
Limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks per day is one way to reduce risk for heart disease.
FEB 2012 • 5 blood out, while the bottom number is the lowest pressure when the heart relaxes and beats. Blood pressure that is consistently above 140/90 is considered high. A normal blood pressure is one between 120/80 and 129/84. Because of the relation between blood pressure and heart disease and stroke, men and women must take steps to control their blood pressure. Having your blood pressure checked regularly is a good start. Once you get checked, reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, replacing high-sodium snacks with healthier fare and monitoring sodium intake during the day. The Heart & Stroke Foundation recommends eating less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, and that includes salt added when making meals or eating at the table. Maintaining a healthy body weight and successfully managing stress are additional ways to control blood pressure.
Limit alcohol consumption The AHA notes that excessive consumption of alcohol can contribute to high triglycerides, produce irregular heartbeats and eventually lead to heart failure or stroke. There is some evidence that people who drink moderately have a lower risk of heart disease than nondrinkers. But it's also important to note that people who drink moderately also have a lower risk of heart disease than people who drink excessively. So when it comes to alcohol, moderation reigns supreme. One or two standard drinks per day is enough depending on gender. The Heart & Stroke Foundation suggests that women who drink should not drink more than nine drinks a week, while men should not exceed 14 drinks in a single week. Of course, if there are extenuating circumstances then all bets are off. Men and women with liver disease, mental
SEE Page 11
FEB 2012 • 6
Our Time
jg-tc
Tips to Keep Your Ticker Ticking Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony’s offers Advanced Heart Care Close to Home According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 785,000 Americans will have their first heart attack this year. The good news is that you can take steps to avoid being one of them. Talk with a physician about your risk, and try these simple tips to help significantly reduce your chance of a heart attack: • Avoid drinking more than two alcoholic drinks per day. • Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible. • Limit fat, cholesterol and salt in your diet. • Eat plenty of fish, fruits and vegetables. • Exercise regularly 30 minutes a day. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Manage your stress levels. • Monitor your cholesterol with your physician. Advanced Heart Care, Close to Home If you do have cardiac issues, you can be sure you will have advanced heart care, close to home at Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. St. Anthony’s has partnered with nationally recognized Prairie Heart Institute for more than 30 years. Since Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois at St. Anthony’s opened a new cardiac catheterization lab in May 2008, area residents have had a quality local care option. More than 20 Prairie Cardiovascular specialists serve the community with advanced technology and innovative treatments. The quality of care provided by the Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois at St. Anthony’s team is only surpassed by their compassion and concern for patients.
“We know being ill is scary, and we do everything we can to make patients feel comfortable and secure,” says Jami Davis, RN, BSN, cardiovascular services nurse at St. Anthony’s. “We care for each patient emotionally and physically as if he or she were a member of our own family.” Speak with your physician about Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois at St. Anthony’s should you require cardiac services. For more information, visit www.stanthonyshospital.org/heart.
Our Time
jg-tc
Glaucoma Does Not
FEB 2012 • 7
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Does Not Need to Ruin Your Life
Parc has trained professionals to Always Exhibit Symptoms Gowin work with you to make your life easier. As the human body ages, certain things might not work as well as they used to. Though no two individuals are the same, there are certain things people expect to deal with as they age. Changes in vision are one thing many people associate with aging. Some people maintain perfect vision throughout their lives, while others' vision deteriorates and conditions begin to develop. Though not exclusive to the elderly, glaucoma is one such condition many seniors must deal with. But even though risk for glaucoma increases as a person ages, that doesn't mean younger men and women should not familiarize themselves with this condition and learn its symptoms and characteristics. In fact, glaucoma can be present for years before it's recognized. This only further highlights the importance of understanding this condition so, should it appear, it can be effectively treated as soon as possible. What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a term used to refer to a group of conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying visual information from the eye to the brain, and oftentimes optic nerve damage is a result of increased pressure in the eye. In the United States, glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness. In Canada, the Glaucoma Research Society of
Canada reports that more than 400,000 Canadians have glaucoma today. What role does intra-ocular pressure play? The eyes are filled with fluids that help maintain pressure in the eye. That pressure is called intra-ocular pressure, or IOP. IOP is not a bad thing, but high IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma. Measuring IOP is fairly easy. Doctors will use a tonometer to measure IOP, but men and women should know that normal IOP does not necessarily mean a person does not have glaucoma, nor does high IOP mean a person does have glaucoma. While high IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma and controlling IOP is a focus of glaucoma therapy, there is more to diagnosing and treating glaucoma than just focusing on IOP.
What causes high IOP? The eye produces a fluid called the aqueous humor which is used to bathe and nourish the various parts of the eye. This fluid typically flows out of the eye through channels in the front of the eye in an area called the anterior chamber angle. When the flow of the aqueous humor is blocked or slowed, the fluid gets trapped in the eye and then IOP builds, at which point damage to the optic nerve can occur. Are all cases of glaucoma the same? Not all cases of glaucoma are the same. In fact, there are four major types of glaucoma. • Open-angle, or chronic, glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. The cause is unknown, but an increase in eye pressure occurs slowly over time as the pressure starts to push on the optic nerve and the retina at the back of the eye. This type of glaucoma tends to run in families, so men and women who have a parent or grandparent who has had open-angle glaucoma should not miss appointments with his or her eye doctor, even if vision seems normal. This is especially important because most people with openangle glaucoma have no symptoms until they begin to lose vis-
When looking into an Assisted Living facility for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia there are some key questions to ask and important aspects of a home in which you should take notice. • 24 Hour Nursing- At Gowin Parc we have a nurse on site 24 hours a day. When looking for a home it is important to ask specifically if a nurse is on call or actually on site, since this is a major difference. • Staffing Ratio- Gowin Parc has a Direct Care ratio of 6 residents to 1 staffing member. The more staff per residents is always important to ensure person centered care. It is important to differentiate between the staff that is working directly with the residents in your ratio since they are who care for your loved one. • Alzheimer’s Specialist & Nursing Home- As
Alzheimer’s Specialists we developed our homes from the ground up only for those with Alzheimer’s & dementia. Staff is trained specifically for Alzheimer’s residents and not generalized care. • Fall Hazards- Many aspects of a home are important to look for when attributing fall hazards. Ledges on showers are hazardous as well as non-carpeted floors. Carpet provides a cushioned landing when falls occur. A limited number of bathrooms are important as well since 90% of residents need bathing assistance and showers in rooms provide slick surfaces. Gowin Parc has all of these amenities and more. Our belief is to treat everyone with respect and to tell them every day that they DO matter. We hope this information is helpful to you and your family during your search for the perfect home for your loved one.
Your Premiere Memory Care Community
SEE Page 11
Trouble Driving? Headaches? Dizziness? Vision problems may be to blame. An eye exam could help you get to the root of the problem. Annual eye exams for seniors are also important in the early detection of eye disease, an important part of preventing vision loss. If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, call us to schedule your consultation and comprehensive vision check.
Most Insurance Plans & Medicare Accepted
Mattoon Eye Center 220 Richmond Ave E.| Mattoon, IL 217-234-3937 | mattooneye.com
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Specialists
300 Lerna Rd., Mattoon, IL 217.234.3003 340 Rt. 29, Pana, IL 217.562.3004
Shelby 217-459-2620 Home Care Provides 12-24 hour care in your home. All counties. Licensed
jg-tc
Our Time
FEB 2012 • 8
What's Next After Retirement? Scores of people spend their working days dreaming of the moment they are eligible for retirement. They may have retirement counted down to the minutes and seconds, particularly if they've been in a job that hasn't been the most enjoyable. But many people find that once they retire they do not know what to do to fill their time. Boredom actually may be a side effect of retirement, and some people actually want to go back to work. Much of the focus when planning for retirement concerns finances. All other factors take a backseat. Therefore, there may be emotional issues that arise during retirement, and retirees are not always prepared to deal with such issues. Having a postretirement plan in place can mean the difference between happiness and having a hard time adjusting, according to experts. Here are some tips that can help anyone ease into the golden years. * Establish goals. After working for years, the idea of setting goals can seem counterintuitive. But goals can give life direction and have you looking forward to things in the future. Goals also motivate retirees to get up in the morning now that a com-
mute to work isn't part of the daily schedule. * Donate time or money. Giving back to others, whether to the community or to a charitable organization, can feel good and give retirees some structure. Volunteering your time at a place can give life some sort of
retire. Now may be the opportunity to start a business venture you have always dreamed about, whether that is something hands-on or just serving as a consultant. * Try new things. Part of goal-setting is to add things to the list you've never done
you have time to explore new hobbies, they might prove more rewarding. * Meet with people. Part of what makes work fulfilling is the opportunity to get out of the house and interact with others who are not members of your family. It's easy to fall into a rut when you are not being mentally stimulated by conversation from different people. * Realize it's alright not to love retirement. Just because the grass seemed greener in someone else's yard, doesn't mean it always turns out to be that way. It is OK to accept that maybe retirement isn't entirely what you expected and to make changes that can enable the experience to be better.
Leisure Reading • Relaxing • Improve your memory • Renew your mind & spirit
Pick up a book today!
1821 Broadway Mattoon • 234-2277
Getting out with friends or former coworkers can help banish boredom associated with retirement.
purpose outside of a job. * Start a home-based business.Just because you retire doesn't mean you have to fully
before, which can boost feelings of excitement. You may discover a new interest that becomes a passion. Now that
Call Today For Room Availability!
Advanced Funeral Planning
Also commonly known as pre-planning or pre-arranging, is simply taking care of funeral service details before the need arises. This can save loved ones untold stress and hardship during difficult times and allows people to get exactly what they want.
SWENGEL-O’DELL FUNERAL HOME, INC.
520 Oak Avenue • Neoga, Illinois • 217-895-2214 Established 1894
Fellowship Center Sponsored by Odd Fellow-Rebekah Housing, Inc.
• Coin operated laundry facilities • On-site Grocery store • On-site Beauty salon • 9-Passenger Van with Wheelchair Lift
Enjoy Your Retirement
• Community Rooms including • Library, Recreation Rooms, Dining • Room and Meeting Room • Emergency Alarm System with • 24-hour On-site Personnel
217.235.5414 • TTY: 800-526-0844 301 Lafayette Ave. East • Mattoon, IL 61938-4661 or visit us online at www.mattoonfellowshipcenter.org
Play Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon, Illinois. It’s only a chipshot away!
MEADOWVIEW GOLF COURSE
217-258-7888 www.meadowviewgolf@consolidated.net
jg-tc
Our Time
FEB 2012 • 9
What To Look For In An Elder Care Facility As men and women enter their golden years, many decide they can no longer maintain their homes and choose to downgrade to something smaller, be it an apartment or a condominium. For millions of others, health plays a significant role when deciding where to move when it's time to sell their homes. According to the AARP, slightly more than five percent of people 65 years and older reside in nursing homes, congregate care, assisted living, and board-and-care homes. Statistics Canada notes that by 2004-05, the
most recent year for which statistics are available, one in 30 Canadians over the age of 65 were living in homes for the aged. Though no one plans to live in a nursing home, seniors and their families should at least know what to look for just in case.
Determine Individual Needs Men and women researching potential living facilities might find it difficult to determine their specific needs. Unforeseen health conditions, for instance, might dictate
which option is the best fit. Men and women who have a medical condition that requires routine monitoring will almost certainly want a skilled nursing facility. But those without medical conditions who need help with simpler tasks of everyday life are likely to have those needs met by an intermediate facility. Some facilities provide both types of care, which can make transitioning from one to another much easier if or when that need arises. Facilities typically have intake planners on staff who evaluate each individual and deter-
First Month’s Rent is On Us. Restrictions apply.
The Villas of Holly Brook Offers:
Actual Residents
Violet: I love the people that work here. They all go the extra mile to be helpful to see we have everything we need. My apartment feels like home and we can come and go as we please. It’s home without the responsibility of keeping everything up yourself.
Harry: Everyone is kind to us, the food is very good and it is very comfortable. Violet and Harry Cook Marshall
• Full Size One and Two Bedroom Apartments • All Utilities Paid • Walk-In Closets • Weekly Housekeeping • Pet Friendly Environment • Weekly Personal Laundry and Linen Service • Free Local Scheduled Transportation • Staff Available 24 hours, Every Day • Landscaping and Lawn Care • Complete Maintenance • Spacious Bathroom with Security Bar
The Villas of Holly Brook
mine which level of care is the best fit.
Research Policies and Procedures Each facility should be ready and willing to share and discuss its policies and procedures with regards to residents. What is the procedure when a resident has a medical emergency? What if a resident finds a living situation unpleasant? What is the facility's philosophy regarding staff and resident interaction? What are the facility's hiring practices, including certification requirements, for its personnel? What is the ratio of staff to residents? Each facility should be able to answer these questions promptly and adequately. Those who can't should be checked off the list of residences to consider.
Facility Ratings Men and women researching facilities can visit Caring.com, an online resource for men and women caring for aging relatives. The Web site enables adults to compare nursing homes in their areas, including if a home is for profit or nonprofit, and the home's capacity. U.S. residents can even learn each facility's Medicare ratings, which are determined by examining the safety of the facility and its overall quality of care and a host of other factors.
Get a Firsthand Account of the Facility
(217)826-5600 – Marshall (618)783-4181 – Newton (217)508-3764 – Effingham (217)259-0383 – Shelbyville
Before choosing a facility for themselves or an elderly relative, individuals should spend some time at the facilities they're considering to get a firsthand account of what life at that facility is like. Observe the staff interactions with residents, including if they address residents with respect and patience. How do the current residents look? Are they unkempt and left to their own devices, or do they appear well groomed and are
villasofhollybrook.com
SEE Page 11
Your Life. Your Home. Your Way.
Senior community living with exceptional benefits.
jg-tc
Our Time
FEB 2012 • 10
Vitamin D
Pre-Planning Arrangements At Markwell & Son, our combined years of experience and training provide us with the knowledge required to assist you in making informed decisions about your funeral pre-planning requirements. By planning in advance, you can ensure that the decisions you make are satisfying to everyone involved.
might help fight symptoms of depression
People experiencing the blues, feelings of depression and other mood disorders might be able to use vitamin D to allevi-
ate symptoms of depression. New studies point to low blood levels of vitamin D as a culprit in depression. Simply increasing
these levels offers marked improvement. A study conducted by VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam found that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to depression and other psychiatric illnesses. The Amsterdam research, which tracked over 1,200 people aged 65 to 95, showed that blood vitamin D levels were 14 percent lower in individuals with major and minor depression compared with non-depressed participants. A study in the United States indicated that vitamin D deficiency occurred more often in certain people, including African-Americans, city dwellers, the obese, and those suffering from depression. People with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL had an 85 percent increased risk of depression compared to those with vitamin D levels greater than 30 ng/mL. Vitamin D has long been recognized as a nutrient essential to the development and maintenance of strong bones. It has
Continued...
200 North Central PO Box 175 • Casey, IL 217-932-2131 • 888-932-2630 www.markwellfuneralhome.com
At Paap Auto Body, setting the new standard for excellence isn’t just a slogan it’s our company culture! Tim Paap and Crew are dedicated to continuous training and recer tification in all aspects of auto body repair. Every year brings new automotive models which may require new updated repair procedures. It’s Paap Auto Body’s commitment to stay current with these changes to provide all our customers the new standard of excellence!
Certified
Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Mattoon and Charleston.
On the corner of Rt. 316 and Loxa Road.
w w w. p a a p a u t o b o d y. c o m – ( 2 1 7 ) 3 4 5 - 5 3 0 1
The Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home is open to both members and non-members and is certified to accept Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances. In addition to offering rooms for residents who need long-term placement, we also offer fully furnished private rooms for patients who need physical, occupational or speech therapy for a short-term stay. These private Rehab To Home rooms have private washrooms, electric beds, and private dining available. Our Rehab To Home unit has a large therapy room and separate room for patients to work on their activities of daily living. The Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home also offers outpatient therapy for patients who are returning back home, or for individuals already living in the community. Like our inpatient therapy, our outpatient therapy can provide physical, occupational or speech therapy.
ODD FELLOW-REBEKAH HOME HARMONY CENTER 201 Lafayette Ave. East • Mattoon, Illinois
217-235-5449
jg-tc also recently been discovered to be of crucial importance to sev-eral aspects of overall health. Being deficient in vitamin D has been linked to a number of disorders, including cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes, and now depression. Vitamin D, also known as the "sunshine vitamin," is one of the few vitamins the body can produce. The body can get all the vitamin D it needs simply by being out in the sun with ample skin showing to absorb the rays. However, increased awareness about skin cancer, the importance of sunblock and wearing clothes that protect skin from harmful UV rays has decreased many people's production of vitamin D considerably. In the United States, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that nearly three-quarters of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Although there are some food sources of vitamin D (salmon, tuna, mackerel and vitamin D-fortified dairy products, such as milk), the best way to get the vitamin is through moderate sun exposure. According to an article in U.S News and World Report, it's impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun during the winter if you live north of Atlanta because the sun never gets high enough in the sky for its ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the atmosphere. But during the summer, when UV-B rays hit the skin, a reaction takes place that enables skin cells to manufacture vitamin D. If you're fair skinned, experts say going outside for 10 minutes in the midday sun -- in shorts and a tank top with no sunscreen -- will give you enough radiation to produce about 10,000 I.U. Darker-skinned individuals may need a little more time. During the winter and for an extra boost, you will need to take an oral supplement. A doctor can help determine how much you need based on a simple blood test. With anxiety, depression, risk for heart attacks and a number of other health problems associated with low levels of vitamin D, it may be in your best interest to supplement with the vitamin.
Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease Continuted from Page 5 illness or a personal or family history of alcohol problems should avoid alcohol entirely. In addition, those taking certain medications should avoid alcohol consumption as well. For the latter group, discuss alcohol consumption with your physician when he or she writes you a prescription. Quit smoking The decision to smoke tobacco is the decision to invite a host of potential physical ailments, not the least of which is heart disease. Smoking contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and increases blood pressure. As if that's not enough, smoking also harms those around you. According to the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke is responsible for 3,400 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the United States each year. In Canada, nearly 8,000 nonsmokers lose their lives each year from exposure to secondhand smoke. What might surprise some people, however, is how quickly quitting smoking can reduce a person's risk for heart disease. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, within 48 hours of quitting a person's chances of having heart disease have already started to go down. For those who successfully avoid smoking for one year, the risk of a suffering a smoking-related heart attack has been cut in half. After 15 years, the risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked at all. Embrace physical activity People who are physically inactive are twice as likely to be at risk for heart disease or stroke than people who are physically active. The AHA notes that research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol while helping to
Our Time
maintain a healthy weight. If starting from scratch, even light physical activity can provide some health benefits. Gradually work your way up to more demanding activities, and make physical activity a routine part of your daily life. More information on heart disease and stroke is available online at www.heart.org and www.heartandstroke.ca. ion, though gradual loss of peripheral vision may occur.
Glaucoma Continuted from Page 7 • Angle-closure, or acute, glaucoma: Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the aqueous humor is suddenly blocked. This is very noticeable, as it causes instant and severe pain as the IOPquickly increases. Risk for angle-closure glaucoma increases for those who have already had it one eye. Symptoms include decreased or cloudy vision, nausea and vomiting, seeing rainbow-like halos around lights, and reddening of the eye. • Congenital glaucoma: Congenital glaucoma is present at birth and results from an abnormal development of the fluid outflow channels in the eye. Symptoms are typically noticed when the child is a few months old. These can include cloudiness of the front of the eye, enlargement of one or both eyes, sensitivity to light, tearing, and reddening of the eye. • Secondary glaucoma: Secondary glaucoma results from other conditions, including uveitis, a condition where the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea, swells and causes irritation. Secondary glaucoma can also result from systemic diseases and drugs such as corticosteroids. More information about glaucoma is available at the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada Web site at www.glaucomaresearch.ca.
FEB 2012 • 11
577
Men’s Walking Shoe Velcro Black in 4E Width Mon - Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-4
M
ack oore
S
hoes
305 W. Lincoln Charleston, IL 345-3479
WE PROVIDE CARE GIVERS IN HOMES
Specializing in 24/hrs.
Hands Across Illinois Call 217-562-7119
What to Look For in an Elder Care Facility Continuted from Page 9 they encouraged to interact with other residents? Does the facility seem warm and welcoming, or is it antiseptic? The move to an elderly care facility is often difficult and sometimes depressing, so each of the above conditions can carry significant weight when choosing a facility. Finding a nursing home or a similar facility for yourself or an aging relative is not necessarily easy. Men and women facing such a difficult decision should begin the process as early as possible to ensure they find the facility that is the best fit.
Affordable Assisted Lifestyle Community for Seniors 65 & Older of All Incomes
For more information, call 217.345.4900 480 West Polk St. • Charleston Managed by BMA Management, Ltd. • www.hw-charleston-slf.com
February 20th - February 29th Battery Sale
40 Batteries $19.80
Call us today: 321 Lakeland Blvd • Mattoon • 234-6426