Seasoned

seasoned M ay 2016

Over 50 & living the good life!

Mental health

How to leave a meaningful legacy

Investing tips

How to be fearless in a fickle market

A day for seniors

Seniors EXPO highlights area services, products for seniors

seasoned A monthly publication of The Eagle, 729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802 PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Sean Lewis

Photo by Sam Craft Attendees visit a booth at last year’s Seniors EXPO event at the Brazos Center in Bryan. See story on the 2016 Seniors EXPO, page 6.

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DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER Linda Brinkman SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR/ PUBLICATION DESIGNER Shauna Lewis

shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Contents

How to leave a meaningful legacy 11 tips on how to be fearless in a fickle market The Fountain of Youth is not in Florida Feature story: Seniors EXPO event Causes of neck pain and getting help Calendar: Local events for seniors Making new friends after a move or other life event

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How to leave a meaningful legacy

We all have more influence than we realize.

When I was a kid, I loved Six Flags over Texas in Arlington. Twice a year we made the trek to this mecca of fun and excitement. I could hardly sleep the night before.

When we arrived, I made a beeline for a familiar landmark. Just inside the entrance was a large, upright wooden map. It was colorful and kid-friendly, with pictorial displays of all the rides and attractions. I rapidly checked for any new adventures constructed in the last year.

Gary Roe Next, I looked for Hospice the big red dot. You know the one – the YOU-ARE-HERE dot. Once I knew where I was in relation to where I wanted to go, look out. “Six Flags Flash” became my nickname.

Six Flags had these maps in every area of the park. They were always surrounded by throngs of people trying to get their bearings. Everyone was asking some form of “Where do I want to go?” and “Where am I now?”

Where do we want to go?

“Where do we want to go?” When we apply this question to life, it tends to be less about location and more about purpose. Why are we here? What were we placed on the planet to be and do?

When we depart this place, what do we want to leave behind?

Most of us want to make a positive difference. I believe this is a natural desire lodged deep in our hearts. We were designed for meaning and impact.

As we age, however, we tend to lose sight of this. Perhaps we associate meaning with stellar health, sharp abilities and high productivity. In some minds, “older and slower” becomes synonymous with “less important and less meaningful.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, with age often comes experience and perspective that can fine tune our purpose and make us more effective than ever. But that depends on what our purpose is. What are we shooting for? What legacy do we want to leave?

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comfort anyway. Instead, they slowly anesthetize our hearts.

What legacy do we want to leave?

Whatever legacy we want to leave behind us, chances are it has to do with some or all of the following: • Showing love for those we care about.

• Making the world around us better.

• Preserving something of great value that enhances lives and relationships.

• Passing on wisdom and positive character qualities.

Most of us want to be remembered, but our influence lingers far longer than the memory of our physical presence. Good people are often forgotten, but their influence - the trickle-down results of decades of their thoughts, words and actions - can be found everywhere.

We’re in this together. What can we leave future generations that will help? What can we think, say and do now - and in the days to come - that can impact posterity for good?

Yes, I like to think big. I don’t believe we can afford to think small.

Each of us is of incredible, priceless value. The significance of each person is more than any of us can fully grasp.

We must have a purpose to match.

Meaningful legacies don’t simply happen. They are the result of thoughtful, intentional living. Which way we lean has impact on which way we go. Drifting hardly ever amounts to much. Floating along with the current is easy, but often takes us where we don’t want to be.

Our abilities may shrink with time, but our purpose doesn’t have to. In fact, those coming behind us desperately need us to stay the course, maintain our focus, and resolutely live out our convictions and beliefs.

Ultimately, you are your legacy, and I am mine. The best we have to give is ourselves. And that’s far more important and impactful than any of us realize. What legacy would you like to leave? What impact would you like to have?

Go ahead, dream a little. Try reaching beyond what you’ve settled into. Growth never happens by staying the same. Comfort zones exist to be stretched and challenged.

Comfort zones don’t actually provide

You are here Once you know more where you want to go (what legacy you want to leave), it’s time to look at the map for the big red YOU-ARE-HERE dot.

Take stock of where you are now.

Look around you and see what (and who) you have to work with. Now look ahead to that purposeful legacy you want to leave.

Ask yourself these questions: • How are you going to get from the big red dot to that legacy you’re dreaming about?

• What needs to happen? What needs to change? What needs to stay the same?

• What is the next immediate step?

• Who do you know has the wisdom and skill set you need to assist you on this quest?

Our most fundamental legacies

aren’t about money, property or possessions (although it might include some of these). Our most powerful hand-me-downs come in the form of beliefs, convictions and character qualities. In other words, lasting legacies come from the heart.

Here’s some good news. If your legacy so far isn’t what you want it to be, you can change it. Alter your course. Dare to think, speak and act differently. Bring your life in line with a greater, larger purpose, and set your sights on leaving a lasting influence for good.

It’s never too late to change direction. As long as we’re drawing breath, relational healing and positive legacies are possible.

Memorial Day is approaching Memorial Day is approaching.

The men and women we celebrate

See Serving page 4

2015

May 3, 2016 | 3

11 tips on how to be fearless in a fickle market

Has the volatility of the stock market got you bummed? Is the light you see at the end of the tunnel just the notorious headlights headed right at you?

“When your mood gets worse, so does your brain’s negative bias.

Feeling down means you’re more likely to notice negative things about the world,” says Alex Korb, PhD, the author of “The Upward Spiral,” a book about the neuroscience behind depression. Our brains are wired to react more strongly to troubling news than to encouraging news. When negative emotions dominate positive emotions, we can get into a downward spiral that TracY Stewart results in abandoning Financial Literacy our sound investment plan.

If your sound investment plan back in 1986 had included buying and holding 100 shares of Microsoft’s IPO, you could have paid $21 per share for an initial investment of $2,100. Had you adhered to your plan and held on to those shares through the market crash of 1987, the dot-com bubble, the 9/11 events, the financial crisis of 2008 and the flash crash of 2010, your holding would now be worth close to $1,470,000.

Adhering to your investment plan is a good idea, providing your portfolio is soundly designed and balanced in accordance with your capacity and readiness to experience the risks. So how do you find the resolve to hang

Serving

from page 3 have left us a profound and powerful legacy. They made a choice to serve.

Their service led to the giving of their lives for our sake. We live in and enjoy the freedom they paid for. From them we learned the valuable lesson that freedom is never free. It must be defended, protected and fought for.

We honor them. They are heroes - our heroes. How can we possibly express proper gratitude for such great commitment and sacrifice?

We can honor their legacy by living it. Service. Commitment. Courage.

Honor. Sacrifice for the greater good.

tough during a fickle market?

Have a financial plan - In addition to having an investment plan, have a financial plan that focuses on your short- and long-term goals. According to research by HSBC (one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations), people with financial plans amassed nearly two and a half times more retirement savings than those without a financial plan.

Stay focused on that plan Memorize your short- and long-term goals. Block out negative news and stay focused on those goals and the choices you made when you designed them.

Know what you own and why you own it – When the market takes a dive, understanding how a specific holding fits into your plan can help you decide whether to buy more at a lower price. This knowledge can also help you understand whether to replace a holding with another investment.

Learn from your mistakes - As Peter Lynch said, “In this business if you’re good, you’re right six times out of 10. You’re never going to be right nine times out of 10.” If you own something that now feels like an impulsive buy, consider taking a tax loss, learn a lesson and remember it during future investment decisions.

Focus on what you can control - You cannot control the volatility in the market, but you can control your investment behavior. Stick to your plan.

Continue to save - If your losses are partially offset by growing savings, your total net worth might not look

We have a war to fight today against hopelessness, discouragement, bitterness and evil. We must battle with courage and diligence, first in our own hearts, and then in the world around us.

Love will win out. I want to be a part of that. Don’t you? Here’s to leaving an even better legacy.

Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley.

His latest book, “Please Be Patient, I’m Grieving,” a No. 1 Amazon bestseller, is available on Amazon and at Hospice Brazos Valley. Visit Gary at www. garyroe.com or contact him at 979-8212266 or groe@hospicebrazosvalley.org.

4 | May 3, 2016

so bad. Your increasing savings may buffer your negative emotional impact from the market decline.

Use cash to help manage your fears - Having a cash cushion can help you with the patience to stay the course. It can position you to take advantage of bargains in the down market. It can assure you that you do not have to sell investments to cover living expenses.

Avoid catastrophizing - Dr. Korb explains that anxiety can be “exacerbated by envisioning the worst possible scenario. It usually starts with a perfectly reasonable worry, and then, through incorrect assumptions, it snowballs out of control.”

Imagine optimistic outcomes You don’t have to believe the outcomes.

All you have to do is believe that they could happen. This will activate the part of your brain that helps control negative slant. The market has recovered after every single bear market since the Great Depression.

Investors who bailed out during the March 2009 dip missed out on the fourth longest bull market in U.S.

history.

Look in the rear-view mirror Retain records of prior years’ portfolio balance and your total net worth. If you are investing for the long-term, you can look back and see the progress you have made. Odds are that you made that progress with patience and strength. Use those attributes to get through a bear market.

Exercise - Dr. Korb explains that regular exercise “makes you mentally sharper and better at planning and decision making.” I have personally found that to be true, plus it improves my mood, reduces worry and lowers stress.

To get through strong market swings relatively unscathed, stay focused, watch your emotions and get regular exercise. Gee, that advice could also help you live long enough to enjoy your investment rewards.

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The Fountain of Youth is not in Florida while the longest expected lifespan (8084) exists in the California coast, south Florida, southern Minnesota, central Colorado, western Wyoming, urban Texas, Washington D.C. and the New York metro area, and Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In a Harvard Health blog, Dr. Srini Pillay points out that the real problem in adopting rational lifestyle is not lack of knowledge. We all know that exercise is important for health and longevity, but one study found that about 3/4 of people do not exercise at all or only minimally. We all know that obesity is unhealthy, but 1/3 of American adults are obese.

Among the recommendations to reduce aging that Pillay gives is to reduce stress and be aware of unhealthy choices becoming bad habits. Our reactions to stress often involve forming unhealthy habits, like uncontrolled emotions, smoking, overeating and becoming lethargic.

Unhealthy behavior gets magnified and perpetuated by stress. Pillay cites two studies showing that helping others significantly reduces the bad effects

senescence. That’s why skin gets Humans have been looking for thinner as we age, but neurons, which a “fountain of youth” ever since generally do not divide, can remain Herodotus in the fifth century, B.C. normal as long as we keep the brain Most Americans know about the properly nourished and protected from legend of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who searched for the Fountain circulatory problems. Some research aims at genetic manipulations or of Youth when he traveled in 1513 to drugs that slow cell division, but even what is now Florida, and was told by natives that the fountain was in Bimini. without unexpected side effects, aging would still be affected by lifestyle, But in the modern era, we know that diet, exercises, disease, toxins, etc. youthfulness will not come from The drug rapamycin shows promise taking a bath in certain on the lifespan and healthy aging of water. It will come from middle aged marmoset monkeys, and research and personal the NIA has awarded a new grant to discipline in healthy Texas A&M University-San Antonio to lifestyles. continue this research.

Biological research is We also know that access to health now focusing on aging, particularly on finding Dr. Bill Klemm care and individual healthy practices reduce the ravages of aging. This ways to extend lifespan The Memory Medic may relate to the geographical effect and to improve the that has recently been reported. A quality of life as one ages. NIH now recently available map of expected life grants considerable funding for aging expectancy based on where in the U.S. research by its National Institute of someone is born reveals some amazing Aging. The new emphasis is indicated regional differences. Not surprisingly, by an approximately 33 percent life expectancy is tied to socioeconomic increase over NIA’s fiscal year 2015 budget, which in large measure reflects status, and such status varies with geography. In 2013, the shortest life some $350 million specifically directed expectancy (61-71 years) occurs in to research of Alzheimer’s disease. places like East Texas, Louisiana, Philanthropists have joined the race Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, to find ways to reduce the ravages Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. A of age. In 2014 Joon Yun announced next level (77-80 years) exists in places a “Palo Alto Longevity Prize” of $1 like central Texas and most of the U.S., million. The first half of the prize will go to whoever discovers a way to restore the body’s ability to stabilize after stress, which deteriorates GASTROENTEROLOGY markedly after mid-life.

Specialization in Diagnosis & Treating The second half will go to whoever can extend the life of a mammal •Abdominal Pain by 50 percent. So far, • Gallstones 30 research teams have formally entered the • Ulcers contest. Google’s Calico • Diarrhea program is the big player, having pledged up to $1.5 • Constipation billion for aging research • Pancreatitis (I gather their young geeks realize they are • Hepatitis getting older).

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of stress. Having purpose and setting goals also help. And the goals should be specific, like specifying time and place when exercise workouts will occur or deciding how many times a week you will eat fish or reject dessert. Also, as I have explained in previous columns, there is overwhelming evidence that exercise and meditation help to reduce stress. So the point is, you have a lot to say about how long and how well you will live.

Sources: www.popsci.com/who-will-be-firstto-hack-code-aging www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ neuroscience-can-help-you-live-ahealthier-life-201602299210 http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/ Aging/2016/20160212_Successful-studyof-anti-aging-drug-with-monkeys-winsnew-grant.htm#331JIyhIQDBwfzMy.99 Readers wanting to know more about how the brain works may be interested in Dr. Bill’s recent book, “Mental Biology (Prometheus).”

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May 3, 2016 | 5

A day for

Seniors EXPO on May 18 highlight

By STACY CANTU Special to The Eagle

The 15th Annual Seniors EXPO, which will showcase services and merchants available to serve Brazos Valley area seniors, will be held May 18 in Bryan.

Seniors EXPO will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brazos County Expo Complex, at 5827 Leonard Road. Admission is free, and the event has a circus theme of “Let the Show Begin.” The event will feature vendors, entertainment, educational seminars, free health screenings and door prizes.

“Vendors at Seniors EXPO will not only showcase the incredible quality of the products and services they can offer local seniors; they will also decorate their booths to match our theme and help us turn the Expo Complex into an incredible circus,” said Tricia Von Gonten, Seniors Expo chairwoman, adding that winners of the annual booth decorating content will be announced at 10:30 a.m.

Health screenings will include bone density screenings, glucose testing and blood pressure checks.

For the seminar portion, the Area Agency on Aging will have a panel discussing various senior resources that it offers. There will also be a panel discussing “A Journey through Healthcare in the Brazos Valley.” This panel will highlight the various senior services and how the average senior goes through the steps of the

aging process within the community.

Entertainment at the expo will be provided by the Rhythm Rockers for one session and the Sweet Strings on the Brazos for the second session.

The expo will begin with the posting of the colors in a special ceremony led by the American Legion Post 159. Concession stands will be open throughout the day.

“While Seniors EXPO brings lots of fun and entertainment, we

6 | May 3, 2016

also bring informative programs,” will have multiple speakers that w in topics relevant to seniors. Our g on subjects that will help them lea smart decisions about their health Both entertainment and seminars full day of activities. Door prizes w entertainment and seminars prese miss one.”

B h y

t m o “ b p t

Visitors check out booths at the 2015 Seniors EXPO event at the Brazos C T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

r seniors

ts area services, products for seniors

” Von Gonten said. “This year we will bring knowledge and expertise goal is to educate local seniors ave the expo prepared to make h, lifestyle, finances and more. will be on stage to bring you a will be drawn and given out at the entations, so don’t worry if you

The event, formerly held at the Brazos Center in Bryan, will be held at a new, bigger location this year.

“We chose to change the venue to the Expo Complex to allow for more space and a larger variety of vendors,” Von Gonten said.

“In past years we have had many businesses from healthcare providers. We also wanted to attract other businesses

that cater to or benefit seniors. We have financial institutions, healthcare providers, and H-E-B as the signature sponsor has 14 booths that are promoting their vendors and food/drink products. In the past we have had approximately 100 vendors and have had a waiting list. Our new location will allow us the opportunity for approximately 140 vendor booths and a more centralized entertainment/seminar area.

The move has allowed us to invite a larger crowd of vendors and participants to include an RV provider, local travel agencies, gardening providers and many other companies that would be of interest to our local seniors.”

This year’s grand prize is a weekend getaway stay at the Gaylord Texan Resort on Lake Grapevine provided by The Eagle. The prize will include a two-night stay with breakfast. The winner must be present to win.

For more information on the expo, contact Von Gonten at outreach696@gmail.com.

Seniors EXPO schedule 9 a.m. - Doors open 9:15 a.m. - Color guard 9:30 a.m. - Area Agency on Aging - “Programs and Benefits for Seniors” 10:30 a.m. - Announce booth decorating contest winners 10:45 a.m. - Rhythm Rockers 11:15 a.m. - “Navigating the Healthcare Continuum” 12:15 p.m. - Sweet Strings on the Brazos 1:30 p.m. - Grand prize drawing

Photos by Sam Craft

Center in Bryan. This year’s event will be held May 18 at the Brazos County EXPO Complex, also in Bryan.

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May 3, 2016 | 7

Causes of neck pain and getting help from a physical therapist

Dr. Bradway, can you talk about neck pain and headache problems? I’m 55 years old, a professional with a highlevel job. I manage people and make high-level decisions. I work behind a desk, meet and greet clients, and travel for business several times a year. There are times when my neck and headache pain gets so bad that all I can do is take pain medicine and pray it goes away. I do take pain medicine weekly and have had trigger point injections from my physician.

The injections have helped, but it is only temporary. I have Leon Bradway an important job Physical Therapy with lots of things going on both in and outside of work. When my neck pain gets real bad, I get horrible headaches. I have adjusted my desk. I do exercises a couple of days a week, but probably not enough. Why is my neck and headache pain so bad at times - is there something a doctor of physical therapy can do to help me get rid of my neck and headache pain? I don’t want to keep taking pain medications or injections. I don’t like taking pain medicine. I need better solutions.

Neck pain in your job description can be due to long work hours and high stress. I’m not trying to isolate women, but they are three to four times more likely to have neck pain and headache problems due to increased stress from home and their professional job. It doesn’t get any better for older professionals, either. It’s not unusual to have both a neck and headache problem at the same time. First, I will talk about neck pain, then briefly about headaches.

I will end my neck and headache article with why it’s important to see a pain management physical therapist that can heal your neck and headache pain.

Neck pain for any short or long period of time can be very stressful and debilitating. Research tells us that 40 percent of individuals with neck

pain never fully recover. Why? I have also read that only 60 percent of all individuals with whiplash injuries fully recover four months after their accident. Neck and headache pain problems require a hands-on evaluation approach to determine what is going on, with surrounding soft tissue and joints, and why your pain is not improving. Painful soft tissue structures can be overlooked or never investigated by your primary care provider or a physician specialist. This type of hands-off approach will lead to prolonged care, over-used diagnostics and unwanted use of pain medications.

What are causes for neck pain?

•Muscle tightness both in the upper back and neck area.

•Pinching nerves from the cervical vertebrae. (Cervical Radiculopathy can be resolved without surgery or longterm pain medications).

•Joint pain (facets, vertebral joints, prolonged head and neck positions ).

•Support of head and neck (this happens as we get older in life; our neck muscles become weak – the bowling ball gets real heavy causing neck pain).

•Posture ( a professional conundrum on how should I sit, stand, tilt my head right or left).

•Stress (a real downer that has to

8 | May 3, 2016

be addressed with positive proactive solutions).

•Motor vehicle accidents.

Did you know that approximately 90 percent of all headaches, including migraines, are called tension-type headaches? The cause(s) for headaches can result from many different daily activities, but are not limited to poor posture, forward neck flexion, typing, studying, driving long hours in a car, carrying heavy objects or briefcases on your shoulders or falling asleep in a chair with your head bent forward.

Headache pains can occur around the eyes, front of your head, temporal areas and even in the back of your head. Headache tension can even cause jaw pain. When should you ask to see a physical therapist for neck and headache pain?

If you are having constant neck pain for greater than seven to 10 days, you need to see your family physician. If you are having more than two to three headaches every week, then you need to see your family physician to ruleout something more serious. Request from your physician a referral to a pain management physical therapist.

Request a physical therapist from your physician as your next level of care. A physical therapist can improve your chances of getting better by 80 percent.

Approximately 90 percent of headache problems come from a tension-stressed muscle system.

The muscle system is intimately intertwined with our nervous system that reports to the brain that there is a pain problem. Fatigued, injured and overworked muscles and joints have to be identified to begin the healing process for long-term relief and painfree days.

Here are my suggestions on how you can get 80 percent relief of your pain problem(s): First, see your family physician, and ask for a referral to your physical therapist who understands and specializes in pain, especially if you have had persistent pain greater than three months. Try to minimize taking pain medication. Secondly, if you have not had a thorough hands-on evaluation approach for movements and soft tissue palpation, then your

See Bradway page 9

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Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com

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CALENDAR

Ongoing Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. Gentle workout while sitting in a chair. Features fat-burning aerobics and weight lifting. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Line dance workshop for beginners – Seniors are invited to a free line dance workshop for beginners, held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first, second and third Monday of each month, at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Learn the steps and terminology. No registration necessary.

Contact 764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx. gov for more information.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Low impact workout, to the hottest tunes. For more information, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Classic Country and Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels welcome.

Bring string instruments and a friend.

Open to all who like to listen to or play this kind of music. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Learn how to play 42 dominoes Learn the game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood

Bradway

from page 8 real pain problem(s) may continue to go unnoticed. Thirdly, be persistent in your request for a referral to a pain T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact 979-7643779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

Maj Jongg - Seniors interested in learning the game will meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Game Night - Seniors are invited to Game Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Table games and dominoes provided or bring your own favorite game. Meet friends and enjoy a fun game night.

For more information contact 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Forevercise - Forevercise is a free exercise class for seniors offered on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Class offers individuals healthy lifestyle practices with helpful tips on nutrition and exercise. Exercises are mainly done while sitting in a chair. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Dominoes - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays dominoes all day on Tuesdays and Fridays and from

noon to closing Wednesdays. Sack lunch for those playing dominoes from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Bridge – Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bridge from 12:30 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays; noon to closing on Thursdays; and 12:20 p.m. to closing Fridays. Partner needed Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Games - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays board games, Scrabble and other card games on Tuesdays.

For more details: 979-822-6873/www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Bible study - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds Bible study 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Exercise class - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds exercise class 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Bingo - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bingo 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

Canasta - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Canasta from 11:30 a.m. to closing on Thursdays. For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly. com.

management physical therapist. A pain management physical therapist is highly skilled and credentialed in muscle/nerve systems. And finally, there is nothing more comforting and a good feeling to a patient than when a physical therapist examines you

thoroughly to correctly identify and heal your pain. A pain management treatment plan should include handson manual therapy techniques, dry needling, postural fault corrections, and then begin slow resistant exercises to shore up weak muscle areas. An

Potluck luncheon - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, has a potluck luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Fridays. For more, call 979-822-6873 or visit www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

One-on-one computer help - 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S. in College Station.

Contact the Reference Desk to schedule a 30-minute session, at 979764-3416. For more information, visit www.bcslibrary.org.

May 4 Computer Club for Seniors: “Digital Photography” The Computer Club is open to ages 55 and up interested in learning more about computers. Held at Carter Creek Training Room, 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station at 9:30 a.m. No pre-registration needed. For more information contact 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

May 14 Big Boys Big Toys Expo – Held 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. May 14 and 10 a.m.4 p.m. May 15 at the Brazos County Expo Complex, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. For more information, contact advertising@theeagle.com or 979731-4719.

May 17 Nutrition Education - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s monthly cooking demo with new recipes and food choices for healthy living. Join other seniors 60 and up at Lincoln Center, at 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station, from 10-11 a.m. For more information, contact 979-764-3779.

See Calendar page 11 effective pain management plan will always involve you, your physical therapist and family physician.

Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports, Back and Pain Management Clinic. See www. bvphysicaltherapy.com.

May 3, 2016 | 9

Making new friends after a move or other life event Metro Creative Connection

Downsizing and other life changes often find seniors leaving their comfort zones to move to new neighborhoods or regions of the country. It can be difficult to leave those comfort zones behind, especially when it means saying goodbye to close friends or family members.

Establishing new social circles as a senior can be challenging. But with a little effort and the right attitude, seniors can meet new people and enjoy the excitement that comes with new friendships.

Join a club. If you have a particular hobby or interest, rekindle it in your new location. Find a local gardening club, church-sponsored organization or fitness center where you can meet like-minded men and women. Ask the real estate agent who helped you relocate to make suggestions on where to find community

information and read community notices in the local newspaper.

Get a dog. Dogs make great companions inside of the house and also serve as an ice breaker when you are outdoors. Take plenty of walks and take advantage of opportunities for conversation when people come up to you to inquire about your dog. Explain your situation and you may make some new friends along the way.

Volunteer your time. Many people make new friends through volunteering.

Volunteer and you’re likely to meet people who share the same interests as you. Sign up with a favorite charity or volunteer at nonprofit events and look for familiar faces. Start talking to those people you meet again and again.

Participate in church events.

Places of religious worship are often cornerstones of a community, and they frequently host different events to get parishioners or members together. Read the bulletin and get involved in pot lucks, retreats, movie nights, and other churchsponsored events.

Work at a school. Schools also serve as hubs of community activity. Volunteer or work for a local school and you will soon find yourself immersed in your

community’s weekday hustle and bustle.

This is a great way to meet people and learn more about your new neighborhood in the process.

Host your own party. Go out on a limb and plan a “new to the neighborhood” party. Put invitations in neighbors’ mailboxes and invite everyone over for snacks and cocktails. Remember,

Alzheimer’s researchers hopeful Metro Creative Connection

Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, and its progression cannot be radically slowed. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s, and around 5 million people in the country currently have the disease.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are continuing to work on both drug and non-drug treatments to combat both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

According to information from the 2015 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, there is reason for optimism regarding Alzheimer’s treatments.

Researchers now have a better understanding of how the brain changes with Alzheimer’s and can fine tune medications to react with certain areas of the brain responsible for certain symptoms. For example, drug companies Eli Lilly and Biogen have been testing drugs that block beta amyloid, a protein that can cause toxic brain plaques in people, which are often associated

with progressive brain disease.

Another abnormality associated with Alzheimer’s is caused when a protein called tau twists into microscopic tangles, says the Mayo Clinic.

Tangles collapse vital brain cell transport systems.

Researchers are looking into medicines that may prevent tau from forming tangles.

In addition, researchers continue to look at anti-inflammatory drugs to help delay

1 0 | May 3, 2016

the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as how other conditions and diseases, including high blood pressure or diabetes, may impact the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

neighbors may be just as nervous about new faces as you are, and a party is a great way to break the ice.

Change can be hard for seniors starting out in new communities. With some gumption and a few strategies to get started, anyone can expand their circle of friends.

IN-HOME SENIOR CARE SERVICES

Interactive Caregiving

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Makes Every Moment Matter Interactive Caregiving® is the unique way our Comfort Keepers® deliver care to our clients. It centers on four interrelated aspects – engagement of the mind, an active body, proper nutrition, and safety. A plan of Care which addresses these aspects, together, will enhance quality of life and ultimately, independence.

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244 Southwest Parkway East • College Station, TX 77840

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Calendar

from page 9 May 18 Seniors EXPO – Held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Brazos County Expo Complex, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. Free.

Entertainment, educational seminars, health screenings, door prizes and giveaways. Visit over 100 information booths. For more details, call 979-7646371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Family History Computer Group: “Creating a timeline for your favorite ancestor” - Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at Carter Creek Training Room, at 2200 N. Forest Parkway from 9:30-11 a.m.

No registration is required. Open to adults 55 and up. For more information contact 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Exploring History Luncheon: “Spanish Cowboys Influence on Texas Cowboys” - College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures on the history of the community, with lunch. Held at Aldersgate Church, at 2201 Earl Rudder Freeway S. in College Station. RSVP for lunch; cost is $5. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Speaker will begin at noon.

RSVP by May 13 by contacting 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

May 19 Free Movie and Popcorn: “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”- Adults 55 and up are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Movie begins at 1 p.m. Contact 979764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Free help for IPad users - Class is offered to adults 55 and up who would like to learn how to get the most out of technology. Bring iPad to class at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, 9-10 a.m. Must register by calling 979764-6351.

Free help for Tablet users - Class offered to adults 55 and up who would like to learn how to get the most out of technology. Bring tablet to class at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

from 9-10 a.m. Register by calling 979764-6351.

May 23 Senior Advisory Committee meeting - Senior Advisory Committee meets monthly to discuss programs and activities for adults 55 and up. At Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station at 10 a.m. For more information contact 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

15th ANNUAL Sponsored by

May 24 Computer 101 Class - Learn basic computer skills and how to use the internet and email. Held Tuesdays and Thursdays for two weeks, May 24-June 2, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, , 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Cost is $45.

To register, visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call College Station Parks & Recreation Department at 979-764-3486.

Computer 102 Class - Basic computer skills required. Instruction on tool bar functions, formatting documents, use of picture tools and printers. Meets on Tuesday and Thursdays for two weeks, May 24June 2, from 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Cost is $45. To register visit rectrac. cstx.gov or call 979-764-3486.

LET THE SHOW

begin

N!

EW LOCATIO NBRAZOS COUNTY EXPO COMPLEX Wednesday

May 25 National Issues Public Forum – Held 1:30-4 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. National Issues Forums (NIF) is about encouraging public deliberation around national issues of concern. Adults 55 and older are invited to join the first NIF offering open to the Brazos County community by a local representative. The topic of discussion will be “America’s Future: What Should Our Budget Priorities Be?” Register by contacting 979-7646351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

May 18th • 9AM - 2PM

FREEADMISSION FREE ENTERTAINMENT!

Educational Seminars Free Health Screenings Lots of Door Prizes!

May 27 Bingo & Birthday Celebration – Join on the last Friday of each month from 1:30–3 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, for bingo and cake to celebrate February birthdays. Call 979-764-6351 for more information.

BRAZOS COUNTY EXPO COMPLEX Signature Sponsor:

@ 5827 Leonard Road, Bryan

May 3, 2016 | 11

N E W A D VA N C E D E M E R G E N C Y & T R AU M A C E N T E R

With less waiting time, spacious private rooms and the highest-level of care, we’re always ready.

Everything about our new Emergency & Trauma Center has been specially designed to optimize patient care and comfort.

Spacious private treatment rooms are large enough for loved ones to stay right by your side. New advanced facilities and systems streamline every aspect of treatment, and we’ve even added enhancements for the unique needs of seniors and those with special needs. You can feel confident you are in the hands of an emergency and trauma team that is the most experienced and highly trained in the region.

It all adds up to a better, more private and more comfortable patient experience from the leader in emergency care you’ve trusted for years.

Always here, always ready, always giving you our best.

Advanced Emergency and Trauma Services Highest-level Trauma Center in 9 counties (Level II) Highest-level Certified Primary Stroke Center since 2007 Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI and Resuscitation Shorter wait times Private, spacious rooms Better access for seniors and those with special needs

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Regional Hospital 1 2 | May 3, 2016

2801 Franciscan Drive Bryan, Texas 77802

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E