June 2015
Food That Can Improve Your Mood BY ELLEN SCHMEDING DIRECTOR, AGING & INDEPENDENCE SERVICES
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hen Vicky Newman, 69, was growAnd not just any calories. She says it’s ing up, meals were special occaimportant to eat nutrient-dense foods to sions, not pre-made dishes taken out of give our bodies what they need for optiboxes and warmed in a microwave. Her mal functioning. father was a gourmet chef, who owned There’s no “magic bullet,” no one pera restaurant in Altadena. Her mother’s fect food, she says, but she has a basic mother “really appreciated that food made guide: choose food that is minimally processed, local and seasonal. a difference in health and taught that to her “You choose local and seasonal because four kids,” Vicky says. the nutrition composition is maximal, So there was “no rushing our meals and plus you’re supporting local agriculture. we were mindful of what we were eating. We want to make sure that our food supWe learned to cook from scratch.” ply is not too far away. Her healthy respect for the value of food “Food we’re getting now is much more became a 40 year-plus career as a registered dietitian/nutritionist and author. NUTRITIONIST VICKY NEWMAN refined than it used to be. Refined foods lack the natural flavor of fresh, whole Vicky will be presenting on the topic of foods grown in healthy soil. The sugar, “Food for Your Mood” at the Liberty Station location for our June 17 Vital Aging Conference: fat, salt and artificial flavors and colors added to processed foods are never quite as satisfying, delicious and Boosting Your Brainpower. She emphasizes that as we get older, we tend to eat less health-promoting.” “My mom had a vegetable garden, so we enjoyed fresh so what we eat becomes even more important. “We need at least 1,600 calories a day, but some inactive seasonal vegetables. We were lucky. Folks seem busier older people get far less than that,” she says. (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
REGISTER NOW FOR THE JUNE 17 VITAL AGING CONFERENCE: BOOSTING YOUR BRAINPOWER 8:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. (CHECK-IN AT 8 A.M.) AT TWO LOCATIONS: MCMILLIN CENTER IN LIBERTY STATION, 2875 DEWEY, SAN DIEGO 92106 CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 340 N. ESCONDIDO BLVD., ESCONDIDO 92025 TO RSVP, VISIT WWWAISEVENTS.ORG OR CALL SHARP AT (800) 827-4277
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE) today with both parents working and more living in cities without land for a garden. But I still know folks who grow herbs and some vegetables in pots on their patio.” She is encouraged that there is a growing movement to make our food supply more natural and sustainable, “but we have a long way to go.” Vicky’s presentation at the Vital Aging Conference will target ways that food can impact someone’s mood. She’ll discuss such issues as blood sugar imbalances and the importance of choosing foods rich in B vitamins, choline and magnesium. She’ll discuss the value of lean protein to provide essential amino acids needed to make the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine that affect our mood. “We need enough, but not too much protein.” She’ll emphasize that physical activity is a key part of the food equation, too. “In addition to helping protect against anxiety and depression, activity promotes good circulation – helping to deliver nutrients to the tissues and to remove toxins. “It’s hard to get our bodies to work properly if we don’t eat properly and exercise. Talk about stressing the body...” Vicky will be presenting at Vital Aging from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the Liberty Station site, as part of a Food and Mood Track. To learn more about Vicky Newman and her recommendations, visit www.mindfulnutritionsolutions.com
ACTIVITIES AT JUNE 17 VITAL AGING
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esides a fun and motivating talk by keynote speaker and author Dr. Paul Nussbaum, the June 17 Vital Aging Conference: Boosting Your Brainpower will include other avenues to improve your mind. The free conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at two locations: McMillin Center in Liberty Station, 2875 Dewey, San Diego 92106; and at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido 92025. Sign-in will begin at 8 a.m. at both locations. At the Liberty Station site, there will be a Fitness Track including Tai Chi, Feeling Fit and wheelchair dancing; a Food and Mood Track with nutrition experts and stress-busting tips; Music, Mindfulness and Memory with ways to stimulate your brain; and an Alzheimer’s track with updates on The Alzheimer’s Project and help for caregivers. Activities at the North County site will include the same tracks with slightly different variations, such as Laughter Yoga and an opera-singing chef. There will also be an interactive brain fitness activity involving music and movement. Vital Aging sponsors include Sharp HealthCare, HHSA/AIS, NorCAN, KGTV-Channel 10 and AARP. To register, visit www.AISevents.org, or call Sharp at (800) 827-4277.
LEARN HOW TO JOIN OMBUDSMAN TEAM
only six participants; this program may be offered again, so a waiting list would be created. Participants must have ant to make a difference in the lives of residents of their own computer and basic computer skills. For more nursing homes and residential care facilities? Be- information, contact Pat Mosteller at pmostell@sdccd. come a certified Ombudsman and join a dedicated group edu or (619) 818-3955. of volunteers who advocate for these residents. An orientation will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, APPLY FOR VETERAN BENEFITS AT LIBRARY at the County Operations Center, 5560 Overland Ave., Room 171, San Diego 92123. our East County libraries are now sites for veterans to If you are interested in learning more about what it takes apply for benefits: to become a certified Ombudsman volunteer, call (800) Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San 640-4661 to obtain an application and to register for the Diego, El Cajon 92019, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the informational orientation. third Wednesday of each month. El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas, El Cajon 92020, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., second and fourth Mondays. BRAIN FITNESS CLASS ONLINE Pine Valley Library, 28804 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley 91963, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Thursday free online 12-week program using a brain-training of each month. program called BrainHQ with persons who have mild Julian Library, 1850 Highway 78, Julian 92036, from cognitive impairment will be offered June 8 through Aug. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Thursday (tele-video counseling). 14. There will be one face-to-face meeting each week from Call the Veterans Service Office to schedule: (858) 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the College Avenue Center, 4855 Col694-3222 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). lege Ave., San Diego 92115. The class will be limited to
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Honoring RSVP: LEAD WITH EXPERIENCE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Dan Topuzes was nominated by Bill O’Hara of the San Diego California Highway Patrol (CHP) as the RSVP Volunteer of the Month. Dan is a newer member of the CHP Senior Volunteers, starting just 8 months ago. Although he is fairly new, Dan is off to a strong start. In the month of March alone, he went above and beyond expectations by volunteering 91 hours. Dan patrols three four-hour shifts per week. His duties include assisting officers DAN TOPUZES with traffic control, auto impounds and ride-alongs. He also participates in the “Every 15 Minutes” program, a powerful two-day program focusing on high school juniors and seniors. The program brings together a broad coalition of local agencies, emergency medical responders, law enforcement, businesses and service clubs, for the goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents among youth. The program reminds teens how others are affected by their decisions. Dan not only sets up the program, but also coordinates and acts as a representative for the CHP. Dan is also active with the school safety patrol, watching over the students at their school’s duty stations and chaperoning their field trips. If parents or other adults are driving in an unsafe manner in the school zone, Dan may request an officer to handle the issue. When Dan is not out in the community, he can be found assisting clerical staff. Dan’s flexibility and willingness to help wherever he is needed makes him an outstanding volunteer. CHP San Diego Volunteer Administrator Bill O’Hara says, “Dan is an invaluable member of the San Diego CHP Senior Volunteers.” Congratulations Dan and thank you for the positive impact you make in your community!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR HONORED James E. Weir, San Diego Air & Space Museum volun-
teer since 1984, was recently honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors as RSVP Volunteer of the Year. The following information was submitted by the Air & Space Museum for his nomination: Some cultural institution volunteers do hard work purely out of love - love of the work, love of the patrons, love of the institution itself - and there’s no better example of that sort of volunteer than James Weir. Jim, a Navy veteran and worker with Ryan and Consolidated aircraft companies, has more than 40 years of experience in aircraft instrumentation. Jim immediately became the museum’s recognized expert for aircraft instruments. Museum aircraft, whether original or reproduction, require authentic flight instruments. Jim has always been proud of his work in this regard and all of our museum aircraft are beautifully detailed, with particular attention to instrumentation. Jim Weir knows that a “traditional” museum can seem cold and boring, and he’ll have none of it. When he occasionally finds little to do in the basement Restoration shop, he’ll join the visitors on the museum main gallery floor, offering them technical information and anecdotes about the various aircraft they happen to be near. Jim’s genial manner and obvious subject matter expertise are always welcome and disarming, and make the visitor experience at the Air and Space Museum more human and genuine. Cheerful and active at nearly 95, Jim has given a lot of himself to the San Diego Air & Space Museum and to the community as a whole. He does it out of love - and we love him right back.
JIM WEIR, CENTER, WITH ARMIDA MARTINEZ; AIS DIRECTOR ELLEN SCHMEDING; RSVP MANAGER LINDA HOPKINS; AND JAMES KIDRICK, CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM.
COOL ZONES FOR HOT DAYS
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ach summer, older adults and others are encouraged to beat the heat by visiting Cool Zones throughout the hotter areas of the county. As people get older, the effects of heat can be greater on them, but their bodies may not provide the same warning signs of trouble as they used to. The temperature does not need to hit 100 degrees for an older adult to be at risk, especially if that person has an underlying medical condition or is taking certain medications that impair his/her ability to perspire. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob will officially kick off the Cool Zone program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15, at the El Cajon Salvation Army Nutrition Center, 1011 E. Main St., El Cajon 92021. To locate a Cool Zone near you, visit www.CoolZones. org or call the AIS Call Center at (800) 510-2020 and press “6.”
ONLINE SEMINARS FOR CAREGIVERS
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series of live streaming seminars about caring for loved ones are offered free by the San Diego Caregiver Coalition at noon on selected Fridays. These webinars benefit adult children of aging parents, caregiving spouses and professionals in the field of health and aging. Each interactive seminar lasts half an hour. All you need to participate is Internet access and email: June 5: “Long-Term Care and Medi-Cal Benefits” with Philip Lindsley of San Diego Elder Law. June 12: “Alzheimer’s Research Programs” with Brent Mausbach from UCSD. June 19: “My Loved One Has Limitations; What Do I Do in an Emergency?” with Kim McDermott from the County Office of Emergency Services. To register, visit www.caregivercoalitionsd.org, or for questions, email martin.dare@sdcounty.ca.gov.
PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
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he AIS Health Promotion Unit coordinates programs that have been shown to improve health and wellbeing. Consider joining the fun! Feeling Fit: These free classes include four core components: strength (upper body, lower body, and core), balance, aerobic endurance, and flexibility. All moves and exercises can be performed from a seated or standing position. Participants say they have better balance, greater strength and flexibility, enhanced sleep, improved mood,
better digestion, more relief from arthritis and more resistance to chronic illnesses. The Feeling Fit Club is also broadcast on County Television Network at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Cox Ch. 19 or 24; Time Warner Ch. 85 and Uverse Ch. 99 and scroll. Tai Chi: Prevent falls and attend free Tai Chi: Moving For Better Balance classes. Older adults learn and practice a form of Tai Chi that is slow, flowing and controlled. The hourlong classes are ongoing and held twice a week. For current Feeling Fit and Tai Chi schedules, visit www.ais-sd.com and click “Health Promotion.” Or call (858) 495-5500, ext. 3 and leave your name, number and address. Healthier Living: The County coordinates interactive and goal-oriented workshops developed by Stanford University called “Healthier Living” for people with chronic health conditions. Caregivers are also welcome to attend. The program consists of a workshop that meets 2 ½ hours per week for six weeks, led by two trained peer educators who also have a chronic condition. The Healthier Living workshops are available at sites throughout the County. One upcoming class will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays from June 19 to July 31 at the South Chula Vista Library, 389, Orange Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. To register, call (858) 495-5500, ext. 3 and leave your name, number and address. For a current schedule of Healthier Living workshops, visit www.HealthierLivingSD.org.
JOIN A COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
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our regional Community Action Networks focus on the issues and needs of older adults and persons with disabilities. They welcome your participation. The San Diego Community Action Network (SanDiCAN) meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the last Tuesday of each month at the War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., San Diego. For more information, contact Brian Rollins: (858) 505-6305. The East County Action Network (ECAN) meets from 1 to 3 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Renette Recreation Center, 935 S. Emerald Ave., El Cajon. For more information, call Kathy Holmes-Hardy: (619) 401-3994. The South County Action Network (SoCAN) meets from 1 to 3 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the San Diego County Library, Bonita-Sunnyside Branch, 4375 Bonita Rd., Bonita. Contact Anabel Kuykendall: (619) 476-6223. The North County Action Network (NorCAN) meets from 1 to 3 pm. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the San Marcos Senior Center, 111 Richmar Ave., San Marcos. For details, call Marty Dare: (858) 505-6300.
SEND IN YOUR ITEMS This monthly calendar welcomes your contributions. Just send items by the 10th of each month preceding the issue date to: Denise G. Nelesen, editor, Aging & Independence Services, PO Box 23217, San Diego, CA 921933217. Or you can e-mail to: denise. nelesen@sdcounty.ca.gov.
JUNE 3 TO JULY 8 12:30 TO 2:30 P.M. “Basic Computer Skills for Seniors” will be offered Wednesdays at the College Avenue Center, 4855 College Ave., San Diego 92115. For more information: (858) 637-3217.
JUNE 3, WEDNESDAY 3 TO 4 P.M. “An Orientation to Dementia & Memory Loss” will be offered by the Alzheimer’s Association at the Crest Library, 105 Juanita Lane, El Cajon 92021. For details: (800) 272-3900.
JUNE 4, THURSDAY 10 TO 11:30 A.M.
JUNE 9, TUESDAY 1 TO 2 P.M.
JUNE 17, WEDNESDAY 8:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.
“How to Maintain a Healthy Voice” will be presented by a Sharp speech therapist at the Peninsula Family YMCA, 4390 Valeta St., San Diego. A similar talk will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. To RSVP for either talk, call (800) 827-4277.
“Vital Aging: Boosting Your Brainpower” will be held at two locations: McMillin Center, Liberty Station, 2875 Dewey Rd., San Diego 92106; and the California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido 92025. RSVP: (800) 8274277 or visit www.AISevents.org.
JUNE 9, TUESDAY 2:30 TO 3:45 P.M. Stroke and Brain Injury Support and Education Group is offered free on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Conference Center, 354 Santa Fe Dr., Encinitas 92024. To RSVP or for more information: (760) 633-6709.
JUNE 14, SUNDAY 2 TO 5 P.M.
A support group for families of veterans with PTSD will be held the first Thursday of each month at the Holiday Inn Oceanside Board Room, 1401 Carmelo Dr., Oceanside 92054. Call (858) 268-4432 for details.
Country Western Hoe Down will be held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Dr., UTC area. Includes dancing, entertainment, refreshments and prizes. Cost: $15. RSVP by June 5 to receive a discount. RSVP to Melanie Rubin at (858) 362-1141.
JUNE 6, SATURDAY 11 A.M. TO NOON
JUNE 15, MONDAY 11:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.
Peggy Snyder will discuss her book “The Ten Minute Cognitive Workout: Manage Your Mood and Change Your Life” at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Rd., Poway 92064. For details: (858) 513-2900.
The annual Cool Zone Kickoff will be held at the El Cajon Salvation Army Nutrition Center, 1011 E. Main St., El Cajon 92021. To participate in the 11:30 a.m. lunch, contact the center at (619) 440-3579.
JUNE 24, WEDNESDAY 11 A.M. TO NOON “I’m a Caregiver; Now What?” will be presented at Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Rd., Poway 92064. The event is part of a free educational caregiver series. To RSVP and for details: (858) 674-1123.
JUNE 25, THURSDAY 6 P.M. A free ukulele workshop with instruments provided will be held at the Alpine Library, 2130 Arnold Way, Alpine. For details: (619) 445-4221.
JUNE 26, FRIDAY 9:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. “Batter Up!: Getting into the Game of Caregiving,” a free symposium for men who are family caregivers, will be held at First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego 92108. To RSVP or for details: (800) 827-4277.
ADVISORY COUNCIL The AIS Advisory Council will meet at noon Monday, June 8, at St. Paul’s Plaza, 1420 E. Palomar St., Chula Vista 91913. These meetings are open to the public.
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