Living Longer, Living Well - March 2019

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

A Resource Guide For 55+ March 2019

Your g n i r B s& d n e i r F y!

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Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

A Pretty Good Life

A collaborative partnership of the Daily News-Record and the Aging Well Consortium

Editorial Committee Beth Bland, Co-Chair

By Leigh-Anne Lees, Co-chair, Aging Well Consortium

Director of Senior Services, Harrisonburg/Rockingham VPAS

Leigh-Anne Lees, Co-Chair Community Relations Manager, VPAS

Lavenia “Lev” Norford Director of Communications, Bridgewater Retirement Community

Glennette Poland Intergenerational Activities Coordinator, Generations Crossing

Susan Ribelin Coordinator, Sentara RMH Lifeline and Senior Advantage

Annie Shaffer Wellness Director, Sunnyside Retirement Community

Cristin Sprenger Extension Agent,Virginia Cooperative Extension

Jeannette Suter Marketing Director, Home Instead Senior Care

Rodney Wolfenbarger Director, JMU Lifelong Learning Institute MISSION: The Aging Well Consortium mission is to develop and promote education and public awareness programs to enhance the health and well-being of older persons, care providers and families.

Living Longer, Living Well is published quarterly and focuses on issues and topics pertinent to aging.

Aging Well Consortium – Living Longer, Living Well 975 South High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 ON THE COVER: Jim Arrington, a Sunnyside resident, prunes one of his 100 rose plants in his yard on the Sunnyside campus.

No statement or advertisement in this publication is to be construed as an endorsement of any person / business / organization or as a recommendation to buy advertised products / services.

The Aging Well Consortium welcomes the submission of articles to be considered for use in Living Longer, Living Well. The Living Longer, Living Well Editorial Committee reviews all submitted material and reserves the right to decide which selections will be included in the newsletter.

Please Note: This publication contains educational and illustrative materials, narratives, and ideas of an informative nature ONLY. Neither the author, the publisher, nor this organization is engaged in rendering medical, legal, or tax advisory services. For advice and assistance in specific cases, the services of physician, attorney, or other professional advisor should be acquired.

The Aging Well Consortium is very interested in any comments or suggestions you might have. Please email your ideas for stories or feature articles, suggestions, or “pet peeves” to the editor at leighanne@vpas.info, or mail them to Living Longer, Living Well, 975 South High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

W

hen my youngest child was three years old, we had a moment I hope I never forget. As we sat on the beach together in the early morning sun, he

squinted up at me and said, “You and me mom, we got a pretty good life.”

After a self-congratulatory second or two, I asked what he liked about it. After all,

our lives weren’t completely free from adversity. There were temper tantrums, sleepless nights, and older siblings who weren’t always nice to him. And I wasn’t exactly Mary Poppins, flitting around the house in sunshine and song all day.

If I expected to hear about Scooby Doo and cartoons, I was wrong. What he told me, using his preschool vocabulary, was that relationships with family and friends were really important to him. He also liked learning, making stuff, and being outside. He had purpose and felt engaged.

When we begin “adulting” (yes, it’s a verb now!), we can gradually lose those initial longings as we navigate work responsibilities, societal pressures, damaged relationships – perhaps even disappointment in the direction of our lives or the loss of vitality we once took for granted.

The Administration for Community Living, which leads the Older Americans Month observance each May, wants us to get those longings back. Their theme this year encourages older adults to connect, create, and contribute. I hope you find ways to do that tucked into the pages of this issue. Whether it’s through gardening, painting, having coffee with neighbors in your front yard, or helping someone less fortunate, there are simple ways to feel as good at 83 as we did when we were three.

Of course, back then staying healthy was probably easier. So be sure to check out the article on polypharmacy - what the Washington Post called “the other prescription drug epidemic” – featuring ways to take a more active role in our medication management.

And, for the meat lovers among us, there are tips on page 10 that might help us live a longer life.

I learned something else from my wise child that morning on the beach. Practicing gratitude for the goodness in life often seems to make more of it show up. It is in that spirit that I express my appreciation for the many ways you connect, create, and contribute in our community. On behalf of the Living Longer Living Well crew, I wish you all the ingredients you need for both a happy spring and a pretty good life.

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Grand Idea: Terrariums – Create A Tropical World Together

By Tamara Gibson, Tamara’s Design

The terrarium is complete and ready to grow.

T

errariums are a perfect project for children of all ages. It offers an opportunity for fun for each stage of the process…picking the container, plants, rocks and–if imaginations run wild–figurines of animals or creatures that might live in your newly created Lilliputian world.

vapor hits the side of the enclosed container, it condenses. Once enough water accumulates or the temperature decreases, the condensation will then precipitate down the sides of the container back into the soil. Easily explained to the youngest of gardeners as rain.

A terrarium is a miniature garden grown inside a covered glass or plastic container. It is a low maintenance way to incorporate plants into your home and an excellent tool for teaching children about the water cycle as it demonstrates evaporation, condensation and precipitation. With light and heat, water evaporates from the plants through transpiration and from the soil. When the water

MATERIALS: an enclosed container (clean and large enough to reach hand into for planting) pea gravel or small rock potting soil small indoor or tropical plants charcoal (can be found at pet store or garden center)

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Cover the bottom of the container with inch (for small containers) to 1-1/2 inch (for large containers) of pea gravel for drainage. This mimics the bedrock found under our soils and allows excess water to drain from the soil. Add about a tablespoon of filtering charcoal to the top of the gravel to help remove odors and prevent algae growth.

Next fill the container to approximately one-third to one-half full with moist potting mix, making sure you have enough for the plants’ roots. You should use a sterilized potting soil mix to avoid problems with molds and fungi. The soil should be moist enough to form a ball in your hands but not dripping water when squeezed.

Add your plants. Select plants that like a tropical environment such as ferns, moss, peperomia, false aralia, and pilea. Succulents are not a good choice.

Add decorative rock and figurines if desired. Put lid on terrarium and place in a location where it receives

Glenna Graves guides Windsor Graves in building a terrarium. bright indirect sunlight. Watch for adequate moisture levels for the first few days. There should only be fine droplets of water; if moisture is excessive remove lid and allow to dry out for a bit. If there is no condensation, add water.

Enjoy watching your terrarium grow with your grandchild.

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CCN: A Canvas Of Intergenerational Caring

By Kathy Guisewite, Caregivers Community Network Coordinator

S

tudents who participate in the Caregivers Community Network – a collaboration between Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) and James Madison University (JMU) - are finding that art is a fun way to ‘connect, create, and contribute’ to their weekly home visits in our local community. In this one credit course at JMU, students train to offer respite to caregivers of those sixty years old and older, working hard to get to know the care recipients and offer them experiences that lift their spirits and stimulate their minds.

Participating in art activities taps into many aspects of well-being, and offering arts and crafts has evoked newfound self-confidence, excitement, and imaginative fun for Caregivers Community Network participants. Thanks to

the Harrisonburg Pilot Club, CCN was awarded funding that enabled the purchase of canvases, paint, and brushes. Students take these supplies on home visits and explore creative options with the care recipients.

There are times when older adults are apprehensive about art activities. Self-doubt might surface or remembrances of childhood when they felt or were made to feel that they were not artists and therefore there was no need to invest in such.

Sometimes, the students encounter eagerness and people with a real thirst for such measures of selfexpression. And sometimes, the students themselves question how well such artistic endeavors might go when they, themselves, claim to have no artistic abilities.

Vincent Van Gogh said, “Great

Bart Smith, center and JMU students Abby Gilg, left and Shay Hagerty, right, pose with Bart’s artwork. things are done by a series of small things brought together.” When the words, “Let’s try this as a team effort” surface, art in these circumstances can take on a beautiful life of its own. Planning begins to happen.

Colors are chosen. Stories are told.

Laughter spills over. And something magical begins to take place as art inhabits the dining room table and the minds and hearts of those gathered there.

While CCN is addressing the tangible needs of caregivers and

those they care for, it seems the unspoken lines across the canvas are always about the relationships being built and the lovely gifts being discovered between generations.

It is fitting that Van Gogh also recognized the merit of such. He said, “The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

To learn more about Caregivers Community Network, visit vpas.info/ caregiver or contact Kathy Guisewite at 540.830.8445.

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Bart Smith paints on a canvas while JMU student Abby Gilg watches.

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Bring your family & friends (of any age)!

Harrisonburg, Va.

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Community Needs A Turquoise Table

By Cristin L. Sprenger, Senior Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences

I

n today’s world of technology it is so easy to be busy and only communicate with people you know by text or social media.

One woman felt that her “crazy” life needed something. She felt disconnected from others around her. And that “something” turned into “The Turquoise Table.”

When Kristin Schell painted an ordinary picnic table a bright turquoise color and placed it under the tree in her family’s front yard, the Front Yard People movement was created. Not only was the table welcoming to her neighbors, but it became a place of quiet and peace for everyone. Kristin started taking her morning coffee to the table and before long others in her neighborhood joined her. The table became a place for her family to enjoy a meal, a place for kids to do craft projects, for lemonade stands, and for impromptu gatherings of neighbors. It’s not just idle chitchat;

friendships were formed. The kind of friendships that are meaningful and last a lifetime. Friends who share the joys and the sorrows together.

One of the things that Kristin asked herself was what would happen if people started taking backyard barbeques and other activities into the front yard. Imagine inviting friends and neighbors over without worrying about how clean your house is or what meal to serve.

Focusing on the hospitality instead of the entertainment. “Hospitality is always about the people, not the presentation,” Schell says. Being present for your family and others in the community. Spend your energy on the relationships with those around you.

The Turquoise Table gives us another opportunity that may not be obvious to everyone. How we communicate with each other matters. When we sit down to talk to

others, keep in mind that one of the best things we can do is truly listen to what people are saying. Many times we are listening to respond instead of listening to hear what the other person is saying. This is true of communication between friends, spouses, neighbors, and strangers.

Use this time to practice listening to what others are truly saying.

Ms. Schell also points out that we can use the table to see the similarities in others rather than the differences.

In opening up to others and truly listening when they talk, you may find that there are other people struggling with some of the same things you are right now. It could open up an entirely new support system you didn’t even realize existed before. She says they often start their mornings passing “the bucket” around so that everyone gets the chance to “purge” the worries and stress that they have in their lives.

She uses her book to tell the story of her table, but also the efforts of others across the world.

An important point is that you don’t have to put a picnic table in your front yard. You might not even have a yard! The challenge she presents to the readers of her book and on her blog (www.theturquoisetable.com) is to take the spirit of her table and do something in your neighborhood or community to help connect others.

Imagine the change with the effort of just one person: you.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Connect, Create And Contribute

M

ay is Older Americans Month, an observance led each year by the Administration for Community Living. This year’s theme encourages older adults to connect with friends, family and services, create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment, and contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.

Here are ways you can celebrate Older Americans Month: • Solve the health problems that have been holding you back.

Register for free workshops at vpas.info/health or call 540-615-5341.

• Peruse the Community Calendar on page 19 and choose an event to attend.

• Volunteer. To get started, visit getconnected.uwhr.org, an interactive site that matches your interests with community needs.

• Become a student again at James Madison University’s Lifelong Learning Institute. Call 540-568-2923 to learn more.

• Offer to share about your career or hobby in your grandchild’s classroom.

• Be a “locavore” (See page 9.)

• Visit a senior center near you (vpas.info/senior-centers) or sign up for a new activity through your local parks and recreation department.

• Tune into the Issues in Aging Radio Show the 4th Monday of each month at WSVA 550 AM or 92.1 FM at 9:15 AM. Busy then? Listen to the podcast later.

• Participate in an oral history project with your younger relatives or create a family cookbook with favorite recipes.

• Take in the night sky or hike amidst the wildflowers at Shenandoah National Park. Upcoming free fee days are April 20 and June 15.

• Learn more about Older Americans Month at acl.gov

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Locavores Are Growing A Stronger Community

By Leigh-Anne Lees, VPAS Community Relations Manager

I

t’s hard to scan any restaurant menu these days without spotting the word “local” in front of one or more items. The ubiquitous farm to table movement, a concept which not long ago might have invoked strange mental images of mooing cows and haystacks amid candelight and linen tablecloths, now seems a permanent fixture on the dining scene.

Locavores, a term of endearment for local food consumers, know this movement has gone from fad to force for a reason. Local foods are fresher, healthier and taste better, since they spend less time in transit to you. But there’s another reason to love local food: it’s bringing neighbors closer together. Here’s how some popular local food sources are helping to grow a stronger community for all of us.

COMMUNITY GARDENS You love the feeling of your hands in the dirt and the taste of vegetables plucked out of the ground. But you don’t have the space, energy, or resources to manage a garden on your own.

Community gardens allow you to share the work and the product - offering all of the perks of homegrown goodness plus a

connection to like-minded neighbors.

Even apartment dwellers can help beautify a vacant lot and put unused space to work in cities and suburbs. You can contact municipal planners about possible sites, or gather other interested gardeners and start scouting for space. See a spot in need of some attention? Contact the owner to discuss a purchase, lease, or barter arrangement.

Turning unproductive space into a community garden is good for the environment, encourages a healthy lifestyle, beautifies the space, combats food insecurity, and can even help increase property values.

Community gardens can also provide a fun way to get to know people from different backgrounds by bringing together neighbors of all ages, races, and cultures.

FOOD CO-OPS Typically, when we purchase food, we choose from offerings made available to us at grocery stores or wholesale clubs. Because food cooperatives are generally member-owned, you get a vote in the production and distribution of the food. Co-ops are not a new concept.

Early societies collaborated and shared food for survival. Coops also

served as hubs that empowered people to learn, share ideas, and affect social change. The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers launched the modern cooperative movement in 1844. It has been evolving and growing in popularity ever since, gaining momentum during the Great Depression and in the 1970s.

According to National Coop Grocers, there are now more than 29,000 co-ops in the United States with Americans holding 350 million co-op memberships. People shop at coops for a variety of reasons, but typically to support local farmers, create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and support sustainability.

Many, including the Friendly City Food Co-op in Harrisonburg, value member-to-member communication and education. You can take tours, cooking or yarn-making classes, and even rent the community room for social functions.

FARMERS MARKETS We’re used to farmers markets dotting our landscape, but nationwide, they’re also sprouting up everywhere. According to the USDA, the number of farmers markets has grown more than 75% since 2008.

There are now 8,761 in the USDA National Farmers Market Directory, including markets in Harrisonburg, Dayton, Broadway, Shenandoah, Verona, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Luray.

Farmers markets connect local farmers with the community, developing relationships that can span generations.

Harrisonburg resident and VPAS case manager Ada Longenecker visits the Harrisonburg Farmers Market every week. She drops off her compostables and recycling while she’s there to choose local produce and meats. “Folks begin to recognize you after a while and you get to know them,” Ada said, adding it’s a treat meeting the young families there.

Farmers markets offer a special venue for bonding with grandkids, as you encourage them to try a new fruit or vegetable and pick up recipes from farmers to make at home. The addition of local musicians and artisans sharing their talents on market days turns a shopping trip into an event for the whole community.

And for both seasoned locavores and new local foodies, that makes everything taste a little sweeter.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Plant Based Diets Impact Health

By Sarah Jochem, Sunnyside Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

A

plant-based diet is an eating pattern based on foods derived from plants; including vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits, with little or no animal products. Plant-based diets include a spectrum of traditional diets such as Vegan (no animal products), Vegetarian (excludes meat and seafood), Pescetarian (includes eggs, dairy, seafood), Flexitarian (includes small amounts of meat and seafood), and Mediterranean (includes small amounts of fish).

Scientific evidence continues to show that what we choose to eat does, in fact, impact life span and disease management. Studies have found that plant-based diets are linked to lower blood pressure, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, lower LDL cholesterol, and lower risk for certain types of cancers, kidney

stones, and gout. Plant-based eating patterns offer higher nutrient intake and may increase longevity and life expectancy.

Some find that weight management becomes easier once they adopt a plant-based diet. Those that follow a plant-based diet tend to be leaner than those who do not.

Counting calories is not typically indicated when consuming primarily plant-based foods since these foods are naturally lower in calories and high in fiber. Coming from an environmental standpoint regarding greenhouse gas emissions, plantbased eating patterns leave a lighter environmental footprint compared to meat and dairy-centered diets.

Following a plant-based diet does require you to be conscious of the types of foods you consume.

There are many processed foods

that are considered vegetarian that are not nutritionally beneficial.

Choose whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds instead of processed foods such as fruit gummies, sugary baked goods, and chips. Eating meat, dairy products, eggs, and processed foods should be kept to a minimum.

implementing a plant-based eating pattern.

For the general population, following a well-balanced, plantbased eating pattern is unlikely to lead to nutritional deficiencies; however, this may vary based on preexisting chronic conditions. A supplement of vitamin B12 may be necessary for strict Vegans who exclude all animal products from their diet. Check with your medical provider before starting any over the counter supplements. Talk with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to create an individualized approach to

You may try adding a cup of diced mushrooms into ground meat on your next taco night. Have a “Meatless Monday” (or any day of the week) and only eat plant-based foods for the entire day. Be creative and experiment with new recipes.

Spices and herbs can enhance meatless meals to make them more flavorful and enjoyable. Keep in mind, any small changes made to incorporate plant-based foods into your daily eating habits may benefit your overall health.

Successfully transitioning to a plant-based diet may require gradual changes. Take baby steps, such as, replacing bacon or sausage at breakfast with a serving of spinach added to baked breakfast potatoes.

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Join Us This Sunday!

Are You Or Your Parents 50+?

You’re Invited!

Our Senior Expo brings the latest products, services, resources and special offers for older adults from local vendors. Bring your family and friends (of any age) and join us for: • Free Health Screenings • Giveaways • Door Prizes • 1:00 PM Presentation “Live at Home for a

9 1 0 2 r o i n Se O P X E

Sunday, March 17 Noon–3 PM at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds • FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING

Lifetime: Home Modifications to Age in Place” Speaker Charles Hendricks with Gaines Group Architects

• Live Music by Mr. Ed & Winnie Playing hits from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s & 70’s

• & More THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS

HOSTED BY

THANKS TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

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VENDOR BOOTHS

9 1 0 2 r o i n Se O P X E

1

Door Prize Table

Sunday, March 17

2 3

Info/Welcome Daily News-Record

4

Smiles for Life Dental Care

Noon–3 PM

5

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC

at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds Main Exhibit Hall

RESTROOMS

n a l P Floor 29

Blue Ridge Hearing Center Sentara RMH Medical Center

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Sentara RMH Medical Center

10 11

Marketplace Agency & Eldercare Associates Marketplace Agency & Eldercare Associates

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Marketplace Agency & Eldercare Associates

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Sentara Wound Healing Center

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Sentara Home Health Sentara Behavorial Health Loss awareness assement, Beck’s depression screening

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Bridgewater Retirement Community The Wishing Well

18 19 20

Clark & Bradshaw, P.C. Augusta Health First Choice Home Health & Hospice Blood pressure screenings

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22

17

18

19

20

21

16

15

14

13

12

7

8

9

10

11

4

3

DNR INFO 1 2

ENTRANCE

STAGE

24

SEATING

25

5

7 8

15

26

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Valley Care Management

Free diabetic foot screenings

REFRESHMENTS

28

6

Free blood pressure screenings

TABLES & CHAIRS

27

Financial reviews

21 22

Everence VMRC

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Home Instead Senior Care Primary Residential Mortgage Sunnyside Cardinal Care, LLC Cancer Screen Advocates Hearing Life Earman & Travel Associates JMU Dept of Kinesology

STAGE 12:00 PM Live Music by Mr. Ed & Winne 1:00 PM Presentation “Live at Home for a Lifetime: Home Modifications to Age in Place” Speaker Charles Hendricks with Gaines Group Architects 1:45 PM Live Music by Mr. Ed & Winne Door prize winners will be annouced throughout the Expo.

(You do not need to be present to win.)

REFRESHMENTS Cinnamon Bear

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Polypharmacy

By Stephanie Farrell, Pharm. D, Pharmacy Clinical Services Manager, Walmart

I

t is estimated that 30-40% of elderly patients take five or more medications. These medications may treat heart disease, diabetes, depression or hundreds of conditions. Chances are you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions.

With this new diagnosis, doctors then prescribe a medication to help treat, prevent or cure your disease state and you go to your pharmacy to obtain your new prescription.

You may be scared, nervous or even relieved that you have a new medication that can help alleviate what you are experiencing. However, with each medication you take, it invites a potential for side effects.

Now you have this new medication for your health condition but you start to experience side effects. These side effects might be nervousness, weight changes,

muscle aches or pains - the laundry list goes on.

You tell your doctor about the side effects. The doctor reviews this and adds another medication to treat the side effects. As you experience more side effects, the doctor prescribes more medications.

This is called polypharmacy - when one single patient is simultaneously taking multiple drugs for one or more conditions.

Adding multiple medications to one individual increases the risk of side effects, makes it harder to keep track of everything they are taking, and could increase the risk of falling or even death.

The good news is you can educate yourself to try to minimize these risks by knowing how to prevent polypharmacy in your healthcare.

It

is

important

to

have

a

relationship with your physicians and your pharmacists. You should be able to ask them questions, express your concerns and have an open dialogue with them.

It is best to pick one pharmacy so that all your information is in one place. Pharmacists can screen for drug interactions or increased risk of side effects by having all your medications on file.

When you use more than one pharmacy, the pharmacist may not realize you are on another medication that is on file elsewhere.

Review all of your medications, including prescription, over the counter medications, and any supplements, at least once a year with your pharmacist. Often, we do not think of over the counter medications or herbal supplements as potential risks to our conditions.

They might interact with prescriptions

or you could even be taking too many supplements.

When picking up your medication, always accept counseling from your pharmacist.

The pharmacist is knowledgeable on the medicine and can review any risks or concerns that you may have. Keep a list of all your medications with you, including over the counter medicine and supplements. This list should also include any allergies that you have to medication.

Never be afraid to ask questions about your health. Be open with your concerns. Know that your physician and pharmacist are here as part of your healthcare team. However, always remember you are the center of that team. You oversee your health and the outcomes you receive.

Polypharmacy is not going away, but you as an individual can take charge of your health today.

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Serving the legal needs of families and businesses in the Shenandoah Valley for generations

92 N. Liberty Street, Harrisonburg

(540) 433-2601 clark-bradshaw.com

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The Bridgewater Retirement Community Loads of Love Team gather for a photo.

It’s As Simple As One Quarter

By Laura Ipock, Director of Volunteer Services, Bridgewater Retirement Community

M

any communities have identified permanent supportive housing programs as a need across the nation. Open Doors (formerly HARTS: Harrisonburg and Rockingham Thermal Shelter) is a community-based program that provides emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. They operate from NovemberApril annually. Faith Communities and their volunteers host the shelter for one week at a time. Each night of their week commitment they provide a warm place to sleep for 40

people, dinner, breakfast, showers, a compassionate ear and much, much more.

As an outreach program, Loads of Love was created by shelter volunteers to help provide clean clothes to the guests of Open Doors.

One evening each week guests are able to give their clothing to Loads of Love volunteers at dinnertime.

The volunteers take the laundry to a laundromat closest to the shelter and have it back for bedtime. This is a great comfort to guests who might be reluctant to part with their few possessions for a long period of time.

What if one workout each time you ate a fatty meal could help decrease your risk of developing Heart Disease?

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This means volunteers need detergent, fabric softener and LOTS OF QUARTERS! Community Connections is a program at Bridgewater Retirement Community that encourages team members and residents to give back to the greater community, Recently, they agreed to sponsor a fund raiser for Loads of Love. Five employees participated in a “Polar Challenge” in which donors voted for participants to see who would win the honor of being dunked in a tank of icy water.

A total of $675.00 was raised for Loads of Love and the top three

participants took an icy bath. One group of Community Connections participants provided and served a meal to over 50 guests at an Open Doors shelter. Another group did 20 loads of laundry for guests of Open Doors. Each guest we did laundry for received a handwritten card from BRC Assisted Living residents, along with a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich card.

If you would like to support Open Doors in their mission, please see their website. Donations are tax deductible; a donation to Loads of Love should be earmarked.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

17

Does My Loved One Have Dementia?

By Laura Hotinger, Regional Director of Senior Services in Buena Vista, Lexington, Rockbridge County, and Bath County, Valley Program for Aging Services

D

ementia is a broad term used for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, a fatal disorder that results in the loss of brain cells and function. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease currently affects 5 million Americans and the number is expected to increase to 16 million by 2050.

Many people live with dementia very successfully in the community for a long time but the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is key to being able to seek treatment and plan for the future.

2. Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems - Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop a plan or work numbers. They may have problems following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks at Home or Work - People with Alzheimer’s Disease may find it difficult driving to a familiar place, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules to a favorite game.

Some of the telltale signs of dementia are included in this list of signs produced by the Alzheimer’s Association©.

4. Confusion to Time or Place - People with Alzheimer’s Disease can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may not understand things unless they happen immediately. Sometimes they forget where they are or how they got there.

1. Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life - One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in the early stage is forgetting recently learned information such as dates or events and asking for the same information over and over.

5. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing - People with Alzheimer’s Disease may have trouble following or joining in the conversation. They often have a problem finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.

People who suffer from the terrible disease called Alzheimer’s Dementia are just the same as you and me, but are often unable to communicate verbally like the rest of us. We need to learn how to read their body language as much as possible to be able to communicate with them.

They understand what we do much more that what we say.

If your group would like more information on how to become dementia friendly or participate in a virtual dementia tour to build

understanding of what a person living with dementia may experience, please contact Valley Program for Aging Services at 540-615-5341 or email Beth Bland at beth@vpas.info.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease and early detection, contact the Alzheimer’s Association© atwww.alz.org/ education or 1-800-272-3900.

753 S Main St Woodstock, VA 22664

243A Neff Avenue Harrisonburg, VA 22801

• Personal hearing aid fitting & care tailored to your needs

THE GATEWAY TO YOUR GETAWAY

• Hearing Aids for every lifestyle, personality & budget Regina S. Driver MEd, CCC-A, Audiologist Woody W. Driver, HIS

6. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retracee Steps - A person with dementia may put things in unusual places or lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes theyy may accuse others of stealing.

• The best hearing & understanding with the best hearing technology

540-432-0071

540-459-3277 (Woodstock)

Vicki Burner, MEd, CCC-A Audiologist

1587 Port Republic Rd, Suite 4 Harrisonburg VA 22801 540-442-1111/540-442-1222 (fax) www.earmantravel.com

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Thursday, March 14, 2019

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

New Day, New Place, New Life In The Valley

By Donna Werstler, Harrisonburg Resident

I

n 2015, at the age of sixty-nine, I created a new life for myself in the Shenandoah Valley. My husband of almost thirty years had recently died and my children suggested I move, from Indiana, nearer to them. I then began the year-long process of selling our home.

I’d always loved visiting, but felt I should spend some time here to be certain Harrisonburg would fit me. During one such trip, I signed

up for Sentara Senior Advantage and decided to try Breakfast Club. I experienced a very sheltered life as a child and am still rather timid as an adult, so having my daughter-in-law simply drop me off at the restaurant was a huge step for me. But, I immediately loved the directors and met some of the folks who attend.

With Sentara, I also participate in Book Club, Aging Gracefully and In the Loop.

Before closing on my house, I leased my apartment at The Reserve sight unseen. But, my family, having seen and liked it, knew I would also. I love our monthly parties, the management and maintenance teams, and all the delightful residents I’ve encountered.

Unfortunately, after I moved, I still knew very few people and realized I’d have to meet folks to make friends.

I wanted to feel part of this growing community. First, I needed a place of worship. My daughter-in-law took me to Grace Covenant and I knew this would be my church!

While gradually stepping out of my comfort zone, I discovered other groups. I joined 50 & Wiser through Westover Park; began line dancing at Bridgewater Retirement; took non-credit courses through James Madison University’s Lifelong Learning Institute; joined Valley Fitness, Silver Sneakers; and attended musicals, plays, concerts, and dinners with FOCAS (Fellowship of Christian Adult Singles). It seemed

there was no shortage of activities if I was willing to step in. I soon began to feel connected to this lovely city.

Before long, I decided I needed to contribute more since I was so enjoying myself in the Valley. I now help with a clothing ministry, Garments of Grace; push a cart through Bellaire Retirement selling snacks to the residents; and do monthly Inventory work for New Creation, a shop that combats human trafficking.

So, shortly after moving to the Valley, I learned Harrisonburg truly is the “Friendly City.” The people here are very willing to befriend others.

But, I had to apply myself so I could create a new life, connect, and contribute to the community. I am so pleased that I relocated here. Even after losing my husband, it’s been a delight to live in this lovely area with such pleasant people and participate in many gratifying activities. Now, no matter where I go, I meet people I know and feel right at home.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

19

Community Calendar of Events Any reader interested in attending an event is asked to call the contact person for that event to determine if registration and fees are applicable. To contribute information to the Living Longer, Living Well Community Calendar, please e-mail Jeannette eannette Suter at jsuter@homeinstead.com or call 540-213-7800.

Cask for a Cause to Benefit Valley Program for Aging Services

Your Health Now-The Importance of Communicating Your Wishes

Location: Brothers Craft Brewing Friday, March 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

Special event brew, live music, food trucks, silent auction.

For more information, call 540-6155341 or visit vpas.info/news-andupcoming-events

Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Sentara RMH Medical Center’s Hahn Building, 2006 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg Wednesday, April 3, Doors open at 10:30 a.m., presentation begins at 11 a.m.

Registration required by calling 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272)

2019 Senior Expo Sponsored by: Daily News-Record Location: Rockingham County Fairgrounds, 4808 S. Valley Pike Harrisonburg, Virginia Sunday, March 17, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Senior Expo brings the latest products, services, resources and special offers for older adults from local vendors. Bring your family and friends (of any age) and join us!

Free Admission! Free Health Screenings, Giveaways, Door Prizes, 1:00 PM Presentation “Live at Home for a Lifetime: Home Modifications to Age in Place” Speaker Charles Hendricks with Gaines Group Architects, Live Music by Mr. Ed & Winnie.

Live Well! Chronic Pain SelfManagement workshop Location: Sentara RMH Atrium, Harrisonburg, Virginia Thursdays, March 21 - April 25 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

To register call 1-800-Sentara.

(736-8272)

Women in Focus 2019/ Take Care: Stories, Songs & Prose for Caretakers Presented by the Arts Council of the Valley and Court Square Theater; sponsored by VMRC Location: Court Square Theater Sunday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Free Event For more information, contact Britney Mongold of Court Square Theater at 540-433-9189 or visit valleyarts.org

“Landscapes of the Valley” First Friday Reception Sponsored by: VMRC Location: Park Gables Gallery, 1491 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg April 5, 5—8:00 p.m.

Call 540-564-3400 for more information. Enjoy the art exhibit coordinated and curated by Bridgewater College art students.

CarFitSM Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Parking Area of Sentara RMH Orthopedic Center, 2509 Pleasant Run Dr, Harrisonburg Saturday, April 6, 9-11:30 a.m.

Registration required, call 540-5647001.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program Location: Hess Orthopedic Center, Harrisonburg Virginia Mondays, Apr 8 - May 13 from 5:30 p.m.

- 8:00 p.m.

To register, call 1-800 SENTARA (736-8272)

Staunton Senior Health Expo Sponsored by: Staunton Parks and Recreation Location: Gypsy Hill Park Gym Friday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Ken Jacobson at 540-332-3945 x4186

2019 Aging Gracefully Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1871 Boyers Rd, Harrisonburg Wednesday, May 8, 8 a.m.—12 p.m.

Free to Senior Advantage members: $10 per person or $15 per couple, Lifetime Membership. All others $5.

Registration required, call 540-564-7001

What’s New in Alzheimer’s Research: Putting the Pieces Together Sponsored by: Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western Virginia Chapter Location: James Madison University, Festival Center Thursday, June 6, 8 a.m.—4 p.m.

Registration will open in March For more information, contact Annie Marrs, amarrs@alz.org, or 800-272-3900

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Thursday, March 14, 2019

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.