Living Longer, Living Well - December 2018

LIVING Longer, Living Well

A resource guide for 55+

December 2018

Volunteer Together Page 3

50 Ways To Give Page 6

Eat Less Sugar Page 9

The Journey Of Life Page 10

2

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Living Longer, Living Well

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

Editorial Committee

Harrisonburg, Va.

Comfort And Joy

Beth Bland, Co-Chair Director of Senior Services, Harrisonburg/Rockingham VPAS

Leigh-Anne Lees, Co-Chair

By Leigh-Anne Lees,

Community Relations Manager, VPAS

Co-chair, Aging Well Consortium

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

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: Jeannette Suter, Marketing Director of Home Instead Senior Care, and Bob Hess, retired of Massanutten, along with other community volunteers, wrap gifts for the Be A Santa to a Senior program.

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

What do you think of when you read the words “comfort and joy”? Do you hear the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” in your head? Do you picture yourself curled up watching the Hallmark Channel and drinking hot chocolate?

Do you feel comfort and joy hunting with your son on a brisk, sunny morning?

Maybe it’s making cookies with your grandchild or playing cards with friends.

But, what if you could find more joy by getting out of your comfort zone?

Drive time with my teens often includes some version of a push-yourself pep talk. “Try something new because it might be really fun,” I tell them. “Don’t worry about making mistakes; nobody is really paying that much attention to you anyway. Shrug it off and move on.”

You know what’s funny? All of the “wisdom” I impart at red lights is sometimes the nudge I need in my own life. Research shows that getting out of your comfort zone can bring great fulfillment. New challenges and experiences can even rewire your brain – making it more adaptable, stronger, and healthier.

So what’s stopping us?

In this issue, we explore new ways of giving and growing. Hosting a party or volunteering to deliver meals to homebound neighbors might feel hard for the introverts among us. If you love to be around people, the thought of journaling or meditating might be overwhelming. Maybe you’ve decided to leave technology to the teenagers and then your niece invites you to FaceTime her.

The truth is that all of these activities, however much they may startle our sensitivities, might unleash feelings of joy we never expected and open up meaningful opportunities in the new year.

Speaking of the new year, if you have a resolution to get healthier, check out some tips about sugar and health care on pages 8 and 9. And don’t miss the calendar of events on page 11, which offers a variety of ways to connect with your community.

If you’re open to the possibility of trying something new this winter, take a baby step. You never know where it might lead. Then send me a note at leighanne@vpas.info or to the address at the left so we can share your experience and inspire others. In the meantime, the Living Longer Living Well team wishes you both comfort and joy all winter long.

Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Grand Idea: Volunteer Together

By Laura Toni-Holsinger, Executive Director, United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

I

feel so lucky to have grown up in the same town as all of my living grandparents. I have many fond memories of spending time together, joining them on local trips to things that were important to them. As an adult, I now appreciate so much more that they allowed me to tag along.

One particularly fond memory is joining my Grandma Toni at the local synagogue. Grandma Toni was everything a kid wants in an Italian grandma and more! She cooked wonderful food (that I didn’t appreciate as a kid!) and demonstrated the importance of connection to family.

My aunt Judy, Grandma’s oldest daughter, converted to Judaism as an adult and moved to Israel. Grandma craved connection to this new part of her daughter’s life and made a point for all of us to understand and respect her new culture. One of these ways was through both working and volunteering in a place that was meaningful to her daughter.

Grandma cooked meals at the local synagogue and would often bring my sister and me along. I remember being really curious about a place of worship that I wasn’t familiar with

Hear What You’ve Been Missing

and being excited to talk to aunt Judy about it the next time she visited the states. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure.

Volunteering with your grandchildren can provide many layers of connection.

Is there something that was meaningful to you in your youth that you’d like to introduce them to? Or is there something you’ve never done before that would be a new experience for both of you? These are great questions to think about as you come up with ideas.

One local opportunity that is fun to do with a buddy is delivering Meals on Wheels for Valley Program for Aging Services. What a great way to show your grandchild that not everyone has readily available meals or can get out of the house to shop for food.

If you don’t have or live close to your grandchildren, there’s a local opportunity that allows you to volunteer with children in a similar fashion. Our local Big Brothers Big Sisters has developed a Grand Bigs program where they pair older adults

Robert R. Hinkle, Ph.D. Audiologist Hearing Aid Specialist

36 339 Lucy Drive, Harrisonburg, VA • 540-434-3977 • www.harrisonburghearing.com

with “littles” as mentors. What a fun opportunity to bring joy to a child’s life once a week!

Whatever you choose, know that quality time with grandchildren where they see you modeling the importance of giving back to the community is something they will remember for a long time. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season full of giving and learning together!

Doris Bomberger and Lilian participate in the GrandBigs program.

3

4

Living Longer, Living Well

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Harrisonburg, Va.

Staying Safe Online

By Kurt Plowman, Chief Technology OfďŹ cer, City of Staunton

T

he beneďŹ ts of being online and engaged with social media are huge for seniors. These include a feeling of connectedness, an ability to stay in touch with friends and family, and even lower rates of depression. Social media is a fantastic resource that can allow you to reconnect with long-lost friends, stay in touch with children and grandchildren, and even explore new hobbies.

However, there are risks with being online. Whether you are a “newbie� or experienced internet user, there

are a couple of precautions you should take.

Keep It Private – Avoid oversharing personal information on your social media pages.

Most sites have options to only share details with your friends, or even lock down so no one can access these details. Don’t announce on social media that you’re on vacation until you are back. And never share personal information about other people – especially children and grandchildren - such as name, age, school or address.

AUGUSTA AUDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES, PC 3PJLUZLK (UK *LY[PĂ„ LK *SPUPJHS (\KPVSVNPZ[Z Julie Farrar-Hersch, PhD Kathleen Culbertson, AuD STATE-OF-THE-ART HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY We Follow You Every Step of the Way to Ensure Your Hearing Aids HYL *VTMVY[HISL )LULĂ„ JPHS HUK 4LL[ @V\Y *VTT\UPJH[PVU 5LLKZ During and After Your Trial Period.

OUR SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE (ZZPZ[P]L ;LJOUVSVN` MVY 7LYZVUHS listening, T.V., And Telephone

:7,*0(30A,+ ,(9463+: -69 4\ZPJPHUZ ‹ 4VIPSL +L]PJLZ /\U[LYZ ‹ :^PTTLYZ ‹ 5HZJHY -HUZ 0UK\Z[YPHS ,TWSV`LLZ HUK 4VYL

Augusta Health 4LKPJHS 6Ɉ )SK :\P[L 4LKPJHS *LU[LY *PYJSL -PZOLYZ]PSSL =PYNPUPH

Over 35 Years of Experience ^^^ (\N\Z[H(\KPVSVN` JVT 540-332-5790

Beware of Scam Messages – Email messages from banks or other businesses may not be what they seem to be. It is easy for hackers to send very real looking email messages. If an email is asking for personal information or provides a link to your account, beware! Pick up the phone and call the company or log into your account - not through the link - to contact them directly.

Trust your Instinct – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Promises of money, great deals, rewards – even if they come from friends – should be ignored. Assume the worst and skip the post.

Don’t be Too Friendly – Just like in real life, you don’t need to be friends with everyone. Just because someone sends you a friend request does not mean you need to accept it, especially if you don’t know the person or understand why they are trying to friend you. It’s more

meaningful to have close friends that you interact with than a large number of followers you don’t know.

Comment Carefully – The idea of not discussing religion and politics with friends is often forgotten when online. The anonymity of the internet lets people feel they can say things they may not in person. But ďŹ rst think about what you say and how it will be perceived. Subtleties and sarcasm can be easily lost in a post.

The Internet is Permanent – Everything you post is permanent.

Even if you delete something after it has been posted, there are still records of it and it may appear in search engines or as a screen capture image forever. Many graduates are now regretting posts they made while in school that are still showing up to potential employers.

Some minor changes to behavior in using social media can make it more enjoyable and safer.

Harrisonburg, Va.

Living Longer, Living Well

Has Tech Changed Us?

By Ron Doyle, DoubleClicksLive.com

A

s a kid back in the very early ‘60s I pick up the phone and start to spin the dial. Before I dial, I hear Mrs. Long talking to Betty down the street. I softly interrupt saying, “Mrs. Long, how long before I can call Teresa and see if she can come out and play?” She says, “Hi, Ronny, I’ll be off the phone in five minutes. Call back then.” “OK, sorry to bother you. Thanks, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Crocker.” I know you remember those party lines, too. It worked for us back then.

Has technology changed? You bet! My dad’s “remote control” for TV started when I learned to walk.

He would say, “Hey, change that to channel 13.” I would jump up and do it. Then he would add, “While you are there, move the right rabbit-ear back a little; it will give me a better picture.” Of course, with only 3 channels in total, I did not have to change the channel too often. It was a modern console TV, 22”, black and white with knobs.

At one time, my older brother was away in the Coast Guard and my mom would handwrite a letter to him once a week or so to check on him.

She would put it in an envelope and go to the post office to mail it at the unreasonably high price of a $0.04 stamp.

Speaking of prices, I forgot to

mention my dad having the highend TV repaired once or twice. The TV repair guy would come out to the house for 20 minutes, take out six screws, replace a tube, and charge my dad five dollars total. What a horrible world.

Today, things have changed.

What’s an antenna? Now we can watch hundreds of channels from all over the world - in many languages - all streamed to a 65-inch highdefinition screen with full vibrant 3-D color and fantastic stereo supersonic sound bars.

We now have three or four remote controls laying around. The problem is figuring out which one controls what. No wonder kids are considered lazy today.

As far as fixing the TV, if you get a service contract when you buy it, it may be fixed for free. Or unfortunately, in my opinion, they get you to toss it out and buy a new one. Is that a step up?

My nephew is currently in the Navy in Japan. We play a golf game on our phones together occasionally, although the time zones are restrictive.

I can also call him on that same phone and not only talk but look at him as we speak.

Today, I am sitting in my recliner

and can say aloud, “Hey Google, call Teresa.” The Google Home device begins to dial and I am talking to my childhood friend 300 miles away… and did I mention it asks me if I want to call her cell or home number? And no more long distance? Oh, and I did not even get out of the recliner.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

5

6

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

50 Ways to Give Some gifts create more joy than a perfectly wrapped Amazon box under the tree. Consider the following new ways to share some love this holiday season (and beyond)!

1. Visit a homebound neighbor.

2. Send a handwritten note.

3. At the drive-thru, pay the bill for the person behind you.

4. Take a meal to a family experiencing illness.

5. Practice random acts of kindness.

6. Donate stuffed animals to police and fire departments to use during emergencies.

7. Donate coloring books and new crayons to the pediatric wing of a hospital.

8. Sign up to ring the Salvation Army bell.

9. Give a sincere and unexpected compliment.

10. Offer pet-sitting services so a neighbor can get away.

11. Visit someone living with dementia and provide a break for a caregiver.

12. Mentor a younger colleague at work.

13. Increase your restaurant tip to 50 or 100 percent and leave a merry note for the server.

14. Make a donation to a loved one’s favorite charity in his or her name.

15. Write letters to deployed military members.

16. Make homemade cards to send to those who need to know someone is thinking of them.

17. Make dedicated phone calls to a friend or neighbor who lives alone.

18. Drive someone to a needed appointment, grocery store or church.

19. Read to someone who can no longer see well.

20. Clean or do laundry for someone in need.

21. Help someone pay bills who has difficulty writing.

22. Read to children through a library program or at a daycare center.

23. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry.

24. Give cards and stamps to a senior and offer to address and mail them.

25. Leave a treat or gift card for your postal delivery person.

26. Give coupons for yard work to relatives who have a disability.

27. Take care of the kids so a tired young mom can nap.

28. Give blood.

29. Join a support group and share your insight with others.

30. Offer to review resumes or help conduct job training at a local nonprofit.

31. Donate books to the library.

32. Give a stressed-out cashier a smile and kind word.

33. Deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound older adults.

34. Walk dogs at the animal shelter.

35. Become an organ donor.

36. Rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbor.

Take a friend on a beautiful drive to see a free concert. Maury River Senior Center Kickers, Pickers and Singers perform their Christmas favorites on Dec. 21 at noon at Maury River Senior Center.

Shopping For An Older Adult With Health Problems?

Consider these suggestions: • A collection of health care staples (Neosporin, Mylanta, Ace bandages, Q-Tips, Cotton balls, Kleenex, Cold remedies, Chapstick, Acetomenephin or Ibuprofen as allowed, shampoo & conditioner, body wash, mouthw ash) • Non-slip socks or slippers • Paper towels and dish soap • Matching dish towels & pot holder sets • Baby wipes • Envelopes & stamps • Nice ink pens, note pads • Attraction & Dining Guide • Large print word search, crosswo rd, Suduko books Submitted by: Sherrie Holloway, Gro ttoes

Harrisonburg, Va.

Living Longer, Living Well

“My siblings and I decided years ago that we did not need more “things.” For a while, we made contributions to each others’ charities, but we missed the shopping and wrapping. So now: • My brother buys jackets and snowpants for the kids at the preschool operated by his inner city church in Grand Rapids.

• My sister buys “girly” soaps, lotions, bath salts, loofahs, etc. for the women at the domestic violence shelter where she volunteers.

• My other brother’s widow cooks, freezes and delivers tons of meals and pies for the group homes where two of their 8 adopted special needs children live.

• I pick 3 “Santa to a Senior” tags that aren’t likely to be picked by others.

It makes us all more satisfied that our efforts have made a difference, brought a smile, and filled a real need.”

-Jeri Schaff, Executive Director, Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS)

37. Call retirement homes to see if anyone might enjoy a visit with your pet.

38. Volunteer to drive a homebound older adult to a medical appointment.

39. Offer up your building skills to Habitat for Humanity or Build United.

40. Donate art supplies to an afterschool program.

41. Plant a little free library in your neighborhood.

42. Knit booties or hats for at-risk newborns.

43. Organize a diaper drive for lowincome parents.

44. Send a care package to a college student.

45. Become a literacy volunteer.

46. Chaperone a field trip.

47. Start planning a community garden with neighbors.

48. Gather kids and decorate paper lunch bags for Meals on Wheels recipients.

49. Rock a fussy baby.

50. Participate in a weekend backpack food program at your grandchild’s school.

VPAS volunteers from Pendelton Community Bank decorated these Meals on Wheels bags for homebound older adults.

BB&T Employees package meals at VPAS’ Harrisonburg Senior Center for delivery to homebound older adults in the community.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

7

8

Living Longer, Living Well

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Harrisonburg, Va.

Physicians and Advanced Practice Clinicians Their Role in Your Care

By Angie Alford, RN, MBA, Director of Primary Care Operations, Sentara RMH Medical Group

I

n recent years, I’m sure you have noticed changes in the healthcare structure. More care and patient contact is being handled by Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. These professional, licensed healthcare providers work closely with physicians in an effort to improve patient access and expand care to our growing, aging communities. This is especially true in our primary care clinics as fewer and fewer physicians are choosing to practice family medicine while the demand for primary care increases.

It’s important for you, the patient, to understand the roles of the people on your healthcare team.

Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) are a vital part of our care teams. APCs consist of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Both PAs and NPs provide high-quality primary and specialty care for our patients. Similar to physicians, APCs require advanced training and education beyond their initial medical training. Our APCs are focused on health promotion, disease prevention and health education to guide patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices.

What is the difference between a physician assistant (PA) and a nurse practitioner (NP)?

The most significant difference between a PA and a NP is in their educational preparation.

A PA attends an intense, threeyear graduate-level program with many of the same courses taken by physicians, and receives a master’s degree.

A NP is a registered nurse who attends graduate-level, advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. NPs either have a master’s or doctoral degree.

Are PAs and NPs boardcertified?

PAs and NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the state and are board-certified licensed healthcare professionals. PAs are board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. NPs are certified through one or more certifying bodies, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Both PAs and NPs must participate in ongoing continuing education, maintain a minimum number of hours in clinical practice and re-certify on a regular basis.

(PAs every 10 years and NPs every 5 years).

What level of care can an APC provide for a patient?

Both PAs and NPs may examine, diagnose, treat and

manage acute and chronic illness, order and interpret tests and prescribe medications. They work in collaboration with physicians to provide a variety of services to our patients, including patientcentered care with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling.

Would there ever be a situation where I may see an APC for ongoing care instead of a physician?

A patient may be seen by an APC for follow-up care after surgery or a procedure. The patient’s physician will continue to be involved in their overall care, but an APC may be the patient’s primary provider for followup monitoring and treatment.

All PAs and NPs work under

the supervision of a physician and collaborate with them on patient cases to ensure that comprehensive and personalized care is provided to all patients.

Can an APC serve as my primary care provider?

Yes! APCs provide quality primary and specialty care services similar to those of a physician. Both PAs and NPs can diagnose, treat and prescribe for acute and chronic health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, and are prepared to deliver primary care with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion. Also, with increasing demands upon our physicians to provide complex and advanced medical and surgical care, you may find that a PA or NP is able to see you more quickly.

Do you have Medicare?

Have you had your eyes checked yet this year?

Come on in to ELKTON EYECARE and let us help you.

In most cases your exam will be mostly, if not fully covered!

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 204 W Spotswood Trail, Elkton, VA

CALL 540.298.1671

Harrisonburg, Va.

Living Longer, Living Well

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Need to Eat Less Sugar?Â

By Mary Albert, RD, CertiďŹ ed Diabetes Educator, Sentara RMH Medical Center

A

mericans eat too much sugar!

That is what the American Heart Association, World Health Organization, and American Diabetes Association are telling us.

We should be limiting the amount of sugar, particularly the added sugar we eat, since it increases our risk for weight gain, heart disease, and chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.

In the U.S., about 13% of daily calories comes from added sugar.

That’s about 19.5 teaspoons a day adding up to 66 pounds of added sugar per year! The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say added sugar should be less than 10% of total calories or about 6-12 teaspoons per day. Most of that added sugar is from regular soda and sports drinks. One 12-ounce soda, for example, can contain 11 teaspoons of sugar and no nutrition.

Sugar is added to many foods, too. It is added to ketchup, salad dressings, bread, pasta sauce, and even healthy choices like yogurt or granola bars. Figuring out if a food has added sugar can be tricky since there are over 61 different added sugars. Added sugar can

be “hidden� in foods unless you know that high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, dextrin, caramel, barley malt, sorghum syrup, invert sugar, panocha, treacle, turbinado sugar, and agave nectar are added sugars!

you ďŹ nd diabetes educator.

If you have prediabetes, you can also talk to your health care provider about ďŹ nding a Diabetes Prevention Program near you. These programs were developed by the Center for

Watching sugar is really important if you have diabetes or are at risk for diabetes, but it can be a real challenge. People with diabetes know regular sodas and sweets can make blood sugars skyrocket and difďŹ cult to manage. They also know that it is not easy to avoid or limit sugar and how difďŹ cult is it to read a food label.

A CertiďŹ ed Diabetes Educator can be a lifesaver when it comes to managing your diabetes. Meeting with a diabetes educator for Diabetes self-management education and support can be as effective for blood sugar management as adding a new medication but without the side effects! A diabetes educator can help you ďŹ nd those hidden sugars that may be wrecking your blood sugar results. And he or she can work with you to ďŹ nd simple ways to cut down on added sugars in your diet as part of a management plan. Talk to your health care provider about helping

Disease Control and Prevention and have been successful in helping many people at risk for diabetes to delay or prevent diabetes by teaching them to adopt a healthy lifestyle, get active, and lose weight.

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE ÂŽ

Home Instead Senior CareÂŽ would like to thank the many individuals whose generosity helped bring Christmas cheer and much needed basic necessities to seniors in our community.

To learn more about this program, please call:

540.213.7800 HomeInstead.com/319

Each Home Instead Senior CareÂŽ JVERGLMWI SJ½ GI MW MRHITIRHIRXP] S[RIH ERH STIVEXIH ÂŒ ,SQI -RWXIEH -RG

9

10

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

A New Journey of Faith

By Steve Landis, Residential Living Chaplain, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community

L

ife is a journey with joys and sorrow, mountain tops and valleys.

If one lives long, most face a number of transitions.

Retirement brings both new opportunities and challenges.

More time is available for family, volunteering, travel and hobbies.

In this season, some struggle with depression, lack of self-worth, or loneliness.

Choices to downsize or move to a retirement community means letting go of things that may be precious to us. Moving to a new town means saying goodbye to what was familiar, like neighbors and long-time friends.

Loss of independence and giving up driving are not easy. As we age, over and over one says “farewell” to close family and friends. For many, the loss of a beloved spouse is the most painful of griefs. Declining health and/or memory loss are very difficult.

Some experience each transition as a loss to be grieved and may slip into sadness, depression or despair.

Others face transitions with courage, a positive attitude, eager to meet new challenges and learn new things.

Some actually find joy in “letting go” of material possessions!

How does faith in God assist us in the changes and challenges that come with aging? I have observed that many with a deep personal relationship with God draw courage and strength from God as they

navigate changes and experience loss. They face the latter season of life as a time to slow down and focus on the most important things in life – family, friendships, enduring values and one’s relationship with God. It’s a time to grow deeper in one’s spirituality, spending more time in prayer, reading of Scripture, and worship and fellowship with other believers. Many, even with memory loss, find that beloved hymns and Scriptures continue to nurture their souls.

A significant final task in life is to embrace one’s own mortality. I believe that we don’t really learn to live until we face our own death.

It’s a time to be sure we’re at peace with God and ready to transition into eternity. It’s a time to be sure broken relationships are healed and past hurts are forgiven. It’s deeply meaningful to observe persons move to the end of their earthly journey, with deep gratitude for the life God has given them, knowing they are at peace with family and friends, and looking forward to spending eternity with their Lord.

Recommendations for further reading: • Aging: The Fulfillment of Life, by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Walter J. Gaffney • Aging Matters – Finding Your Calling for the Rest of Your Life,

by R. Paul Stevens

• Heart Paths for Hard Times – Bridges for Coping with Loss and Change, by Rhoda Moyer Searcy • Living Thoughtfully, Dying Well,

by Glen E. Miller

• Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well, by Billy Graham • Winter Grace – Spirituality and Aging, by Kathleen Fischer

Nurture Your Spirit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French idealist philosopher and Jesuit priest, once said “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience.”

Exploring your spiritual side can help you find more fulfillment in your later years, and formal religion is not the only path to that fulfillment.

For alternatives, try these activities.

1. Get out in nature. Hike through a forest. Stroll by the sea. Walk barefoot in the grass.

2. Try simple meditation techniques or even a guided meditation class.

3. Do that thing you used to love to do. Chop wood. Decorate a cake. Doing something you love feeds your spirit.

4. Volunteer. Doing good for others is good for you, too.

5. Say no to constant activity. When you slow down, you can rediscover your deepest longings.

6. Say yes to something new. Try some community theater, a quirky restaurant, or glass etching lessons. A break from your routine can rejuvenate your spirit.

7. Push past the Facebook post for some real quality time. Social media puts us in touch with more people than ever, but we may be sharing less of the best parts of ourselves. Cultivate the relationships that matter most.

8. Start a journal. What are you thinking, feeling, hearing, seeing?

Is there something bothering you? What are your goals for the future? What risks are you taking? Write anything that comes to mind, and don’t edit.

9. Make some music. Pull out songs from your childhood. Dance, hum, sing.

10. Participate in cooperative group activities like a potluck dinner or party prep at a community center.

Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

11

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 Suter at jsuter@homeinstead.com or call 540-213-7800.

New Year’s Eve Glow Run 5K Sponsored by: Generations Crossing & VA Momentum

Location: Downtown Harrisonburg Mon., Dec. 31 Kids countdown run begins at 5:00 pm, 5K begins at 5:30 pm. Kids countdown run is $15, 5K run is $30 for adults, $20 kids 17 yrs. and younger Register online at https://www. vamomentum.com/glow-run-sign-up. html or call Generations Crossing for further details 540-434-4901

Your Health Now

GrandPEAS – Support Group For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Medical Center

Feb. 21–April 11, 10 am—12 pm

at John C Myers Elementary School, Broadway

To register call 1-800-Sentara

Jan. 9 & Feb. 13, 6:00 pm at South River Elementary School, Grottoes Free, dinner and childcare provided Contact Olivia at 540-564-7148 or ofhaiman@sentara.com for more information

How to become a Safety Ninja!

Wed., Jan 2:

Wed., Jan. 9, 10 am—11:30 am

Guest presenter Harrisonburg Police Department Sgt. Charles Grubbs, Supervisor Community Services Unit VPAS Presents sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care and DuPont Community Credit Union Location: Braithwaite Studios & Cafe

Wed., Feb 6:

$10.00 per person, includes a beverage and a sweet treat For registration or more information, contact vpas.info/upcoming-events or call (540) 615-5341

Why Is Oral Health Important?

Presented by Pamela Blankenship, Virginia Dept of Health

Polar Bear Walk – Blue Stone Trail

Wed., April 3: The Importance of Communicating Your Wishes Presented by Natalie Rinaca, Sentara RMH Patient Advocate Registration is required, call Sentara @ 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272) or go to sentara.com

Sponsored by: SRMH Senior Advantage, VPAS, and VMRC Location: SRMH Funkhouser Women’s Center

Jan. 8 & Feb. 5, 6:00 pm

Doors open @ 10:30 am Presentations begin @ 11 am Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Sentara RMH Medical Center’s Hahn Building 2006 Health Campus Dr, Harrisonburg Topics: The Power of Your Power of Attorney Presented by Karen L. Rowell, Esq, Associate Attorney, Clark & Bradshaw, PC

A Matter of Balance

Live Well! Chronic Pain SelfManagement workshop Sponsored by: VPAS and SRMH Location: Plains District Community Center, Timberville

Tuesdays: March 5—April 9, 9:30 am—noon To register call 1-800-Sentara

Live Well! Chronic Pain SelfManagement workshop Sponsored by: VPAS and SRMH Location: Sentara RMH Atrium, Harrisonburg

Thursdays: March 7—April 11, 1:00—3:30 pm To register call 1-800-Sentara

Book Club – Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Sentara RMH Atrium, 2000 Beery Rd, Harrisonburg

Thursday, March 12, 2:00 pm Registration is required, call Sentara @ 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272) or go to sentara.com

Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Sentara RMH Atrium, 2000 Beery Rd, Harrisonburg, meet in the corner of the parking lot

Thursday, Jan 10, 1:00 pm Registration is required, call Sentara @ 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272) or go to sentara.com

Live Well! Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop Sponsored by: VMRC and VPAS Location: VMRC Wellness Center Activity Studio

Jan. 28—March 4, 1:30—4:00 pm To register call VMRC Wellness Center 540-574-3850

A Great Gift Idea!