Hello and Welcome!
I am proud to say that we are once again able to start our newsletter and will publish it every 3 months We have worked very hard to put together an informative, interesting and fun, newsletter for you Please enjoy the information that each area of our center has shared If you have any questions about any of these areas, don’t hesitate to contact either Amanda or myself. We can assist you and/or point you to the staff member or the volunteer that takes care of any specific area.
With age comes multiple health issues that we have to deal with everyday. One of these in particular that resonates with me is forgetfulness, dementia and the dreaded Alzheimer’s Disease There are many studies and medications that are supposed to decrease the effects of brain related issues Some “slow down “ the process while others basically cover up the symptoms but never actually address the issues I am in the process of researching ideas that can be used to assist you in exercising your brain, methods to enhance your memory and improve your overall brain health. I will be announcing classes soon, sharing printed material and having guest speakers when available. My goal is to keep you informed and to help you improve brain related health issues. More to follow as I progress with my research and get ready for classes .
The Role of Humor and Laughter in Healthy Aging
Aging comes with a series of challenges, both physical and emotional However, there’s one powerful tool available to seniors that’s often-overlooked humor Humor and laughter has long been considered the best medicine to improve mental and physical health, educe stress, foster social connections, and provide a positive outlook on life They are essential for maintaining mental health, especially as we age Seniors often face challenges such as oneliness, depression, and anxiety, which can negatively impact overall well-being. Laughter provides a natural antidote to these emotional struggles, offering a positive, uplifting experience.
It has been proven scientifically that laughter triggers the release of the body’s natural “feel-good chemicals.” These “chemicals” promote feelings of happiness and well-being, reducing the negative effects of stress and anxiety by reducing the levels of the stress hormones further helping relaxation and happiness. When you laugh whether it’s reading a funny story or sharing a joke, it all involves cognitive processing, which helps keep the brain sharp and stimulated This mental stimulation improves memory, focus, and overall cognitive function, making humor a valuable tool for healthy aging.
Many seniors experience loneliness, but humor provides a great way to connect with others. Sharing laughter can act as a bridge to help create bonds, connect with people and foster positive relationships by reducing feelings of isolation, and encouraging social interaction and community engagement. For seniors, socialization is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional health Incorporating humor and laughter into daily life is easier than it may seem Here are some simple ways seniors can infuse more laughter and humor into their routine: Watch comedy TV or movies, attend social events and game nights, engage in lighthearted conversations with people you know and maybe even people you don’t know well (a new connection might be formed.)
A Chinese proverb says laughter is: "Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be entertained. The ability to find amusement in one ' s own foibles and imperfections, as well as all things in life that those who can laugh are happier and healthier ” (hbrhc com)
Meet Our Dedicated Staff
Angie Dees (Program Director)
Amanda Bronniman (Site Manager)
Scot Davis (Head Cook)
Don Henry (Cook II)
Tommie Perez (Cook I)
Blanca Garcia (Cook/Driver)
Chema Martinez, Tina Ibarra,
Leland Holmes & Weldon Chaney (Home Delivery Meal Drivers)
We are very proud to have many ongoing activities at our cent ryone!
If shooting pool is you down and join us at the Brownwood Senior Citizens Center in our little corner of the building that we call our “Pool Hall”.
We have 2 excellent regulation pool tables and players at all levels willing to challenge each other.
We have a great time shooting pool, sharing stories and remembering the old days
Did You Say, Exercise?
Monday through Friday from 1pm to 1:45 pm….we have FREE low impact exercise classes for men and women, You can attend as your schedule allows, just drop in
Many exercises can be done by sitting in a chair, using hand weights. Pilate circles. Therapy bars, exercise sticks and more. Our volunteer instructors, Annalee Allen, Linda Weiss, Lorrie Crawford, Offie Fuentes and Robin Black are happy to help if you need to modify an exercise due to surgery or an injury. We have loads of fun and manage to improve our health and mobility along the way We frequently hear testimony from many of our seniors that when they see their doctors , they hear comments about remarkable improvement in breathing, movement, and even in some cases, cognitive status. Did you ever think that low impact exercise could do so much good? COME SEE US.!!!
We also have a small weight room with several exercise machines available for our registered seniors Zazz machines, treadmills and stationary bicycles Our seniors can use any of the exercise equipment at their own pace. No extra financial charges are required.
Music is a powerful way to communicate and express your emotions.
Have you ever thought you wanted to learn to play guitar but didn't think you were creative enough?
Have you ever played guitar and just haven’t played in a very long time? Well, come join us here at Brownwood Senior Citizen’s Center
We have instructors to help you get back into it or to teach you guitar if you have never tried it before. These instructors teach free guitar lessons several times a week. We learn and play a variety of music which includes, but is not limited to: Gospel, Country and Western, Rock, Blues, Jazz, new school and old school music
Get ready to jump in and join the fun. Take time out of your errands and couch sitting to get your mind activated. The Senior Citizen’s Center provides a great environment to challenge individuals by expressing themselves through music Practicing music in any form can help in multiple ways physically and emotionally
ok at this article from Healthline.com: “Activating the brain’s d system and releasing dopamine, which may help reduce d cognitive and motor function decline Reactivating areas of n associated with memory, reasoning, speech, emotion, and Helping to write autobiographical memory. Increasing the rain’s gray matter in some areas, which increases its sticity the brain’s ability to rewire itself, which is crucial for g, and forming memories Slowing the decline of cognitive function in older people ”
isit with us and meet new friends and possibly rekindle old ps. We look forward to meeting you! The first step is to check endar online or come in the door and get a copy Be sure to our activity calendar for days and times of the classes for Intermediate and Advanced. Sometimes you will catch us in ming session. If the weather is nice, we may sit out front on and chairs, otherwise, we are inside enjoying the comfortable ditioned or heated rooms See Nolan Davis or Robin for info
More Activities & Fun
Dominoes: A popular pastime of our seniors…Twice a month (the 2nd and 4th Weds) we have a 42 tournament at 10AM Don’t let the word “tournament” discourage or scare you. We are simply a group of people who like to play 42. We draw for partners and winners at each table win 2 out of 3 games Winners advance to the next level. At the end of the tournament first and second place receives a small gift/reward. There is always a page on the front cabinet in the lobby for players to sign up. It is a requirement that players must sign up prior to playing. Talk to Judy Steel for more info, COME JOIN US!!!
Cards: Our “ Bridge Group” plays every Monday and Wednesday at 10AM in the closed room, just off the game room. If you have played Bridge before and would like to be put on the “Substitute” list, please give your name and number to any of the bridge players.
Bingo: We have sponsors who come throughout the month for bingo games. They come from Home Health agencies, Hospice, Nursing Facilities and other places Bingo starts at 10AM and ends at 11AM, No charge to play and prizes are provided by our sponsors. Check your monthly calendar for Bingo Days.
Crafts: Monthly and sometimes twice a month, we have crafts and painting We do everything from wreaths , flower pots, canvases, wall décor, outdoor décor, Christmas and other Holiday decorations, Everyone has a great time and their artistic side comes shining through, Talk to Robin, Offie, Patti or Debbie if you have a craft idea to share or want to participate in any of our craft/art classes.
JUST FOR FUN
All other Activities
We have not covered every activity that we do at the center. As you can see, we generally always have at least one jigsaw puzzle started in the game room. We also have a down home, clean movie with popcorn and drinks once a month There's always paper copies of word search, seek and find and other brain puzzles in the hallway bins just outside the ladies restroom.
Help Yourself… However, if you check the basket on the wall just outside the front offices, there is always a monthly calendar It has the menu on one side of the page and activities are listed on the other side. You will be up to date for a month at a time and can plan to attend your choice of activities .
The Senior Citizens Homebound Pantry serves as a means to meet the need for a population in our community that sometimes falls through the cracks.
That is our homebound elderly citizens.
If you are 60 y/o or above and are homebound, and are a part of our homebound food delivery program, you qualify to use our non-food pantry of much needed items once a month. We depend on donations to keep our pantry stocked Any individual, business, church or service organization can help with these needs by donating pantry items. Our most frequently requested items are listed below:
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Dish Soap
Mouthwash
Kleenex
Shampoo
Trash Bags
Denture Adhesive
Denture Cleaner
Laundry Detergent (powder or liquid)
You can donate one or multiples of these items during regular center hours of 8 AM to 2:45 PM Monday thru Friday.
The Senior Center Garden Club
The Garden Club at Brownwood Senior Citizen’s Center showcases 12 flourishing raised garden beds and 6 round plastic tubs replete with vegetables, fruits, and herbs. At least 28 individuals have played a role in the garden’s development Gathering food from the garden is satisfying and it tastes amazing We are constantly learning new things. Learning how to gather the bounty has been fun and is a good thing to talk about. The tomatoes are a lovely color of red, the jalapeños are really hot and beautiful to look at.
Learning to grow and gather herbs has been educational. The garden provides a serene and inspirational environment for those in the Seniors who tend it. Interacting with the natural world through gardening is an excellent way to begin or end one’s day
We try to meet as a group every Friday at 11:30 AM for a quick 10-15 minute rundown on the care of our garden, spend a few minutes assessing the plants, soil and production of product We ask that anyone who is a part of the “Garden Club” that would like to assist with watering our garden, to please contact Felicia or Robin so that you can get added to the garden care team.
Birthday Celebrations
We have the joy of a monthly birthday cake and a drawing for a nice gift for 1 lucky winner each month. Everyone celebrates their birthday on the same day. Listed are the first names of our birthdays for July/August/ and September. Happy Birthday in advance to each and every one of you!
July Birthdays
Warren H Apolinar T Hazel S
Wanda F Bonnie L Edgar J
Maria C Sun K Blanca G
Nancy A Lana H Del S
Helen E David W Sara R
George S Deborah H
David A Laura H
August Birthdays
Ray B Nihla T Helen C
Sue M Harold D Lynda D
James R Coyce R Mansel C
Margie C Joanne M Ronald P
David F Ada B Ofie F Richard H
Eric K Carolyn D Roy F
Bobby S Debbie F Ramon F Enrique P Reba S Aaron H
September Birthdays
Betty S Elizabeth W Jackie S
Arthur H Maria I David P
Rebecca M Gloria R Cathy S
Lorrie C Teenie S Robert S
Robert S Rhonda G Clifford H
Robert R Karen B Roselina S Deanne M Martha I
We certainly don’t want to forget our staff birthdays!
Angie 08/26 Blanca 11/12 Tommie 11/12
Amanda 10/27 Chema 03/23 Weldon 06/14
Scot 01/19 Leland 02/08 Don 12/15 Tina 11/20
Mrs. Beth is our go to volunteer for sending cards to our seniors who are sick, in the hospital, have a death in the family or a multitude of other reasons. If you know of some one that is in need of a card signed by all the seniors, just let her know and she will get one started and get the office to mail it as soon as we get everyone to sign it.
From the Editor, Debbie Fielding:
Last but certainly not least is the never ending need for volunteers. If you are interested in any one of the many ways to volunteer just go to the front office and speak with either Angie or Amanda. They will put you on the calendar.
Besides all of our featured activities where our seniors volunteer, we also have those that hand out the name tags that we use for a headcount of who ate lunch, the door monitor for the lunch line, the indoor plant watering volunteer, those that help serve lunch, the coffee monitor, the prayer and pledge person and the table # caller at lunch and numerous other areas that you can volunteer, even occasionally in the office.
My sincere hope for all of you, is that we have published an informative and fun newsletter, loaded with information and ideas. It has been a joint effort for staff members and volunteers to put this together. My deepest thanks to all of you for your timely responses, your support of our seniors and the programs that are offered. We look forward to getting the Fall issue out for you on October 1 st .
Until next time, May God Bless and Keep all of you …
