Aging Well: For the Young at Heart - Spring 2018

aging well

For the Young at Heart

An Alternative Method More senior patients turn to medical cannabis instead of opioids come to me with years of using opioids,

By Emily Rasmussen and I’ll take them off and onto using efore cannabis was legalized in marijuana and (many) feel like they have California, many people were using their life back. the plant for medical purposes.

Why does medical cannabis create From traditionally smoking the plant, to that response? ingesting it via edibles or using cannabiEveryone knows we’re in an opioid cridiol, medical cannabis continues to push sis, there’s a lot of reasons: lack of theraback its negative stigma and is reaching pies, over marketing of pharmaceuticals, more patients than ever before. etc. But in the early 90s we started using As South Orange County, along with more opioids and I started observing that the rest of California, battles the opioid patients would use an opioid but need epidemic—including San Clemente City a higher dosage to get the same effect Council’s vote on April 3 to hire a law firm (from when they started). They want that to file litigation against companies that pain relief from the beginning so they take they claim are directly responsible for more and more. Then their pain scales contributing to the opioid crisis, joining would increase to nine or 10 (on a scale other statewide attorneys on the same of 1-10) because of low pain cause—many people are tolerance and high dosages. ready for a change.

How many of the patients In Orange County, Dana you recommend medical canPoint has the highest 5-year nabis to are seniors? average (2011-2015) rate of I would say at least oneemergency department visits, third of them are over the age at 120.2 per 100,000. San of 60. It’s becoming more and Clemente came in second more common now. Before, highest at 92.4 per 100,000; the geriatric population and San Juan Capistrano Dr. Mark Wallace wasn’t open to this. Now, it’s came in seventh at 72.8 per becoming common, but 20 or 100,000, according to “Opioid 30 years ago they wouldn’t.

Overdose & Death in Orange County,” a Are seniors at a higher risk for opioid 2017 report by the Orange County Health addiction or overdose?

Care Agency (OCHCA).

The elderly population are at risk for The majority of overdose deaths (opioid) overdose because they might be were non-Hispanic whites at 81 percent, on more medications, they may not mefollowed by Hispanics. Orange County tabolize opioids as fast, some might have residents between the ages of 45 to 54 lung disease or heart disease, and so had the highest overdose death rates, they probably are at risk with overdoses and nearly half of all deaths occurred for for opioids. But cannabis is a much safer those between the ages of 45 to 64, acalternative. We have never seen a death cording to the OCHCA report. directly related to cannabis, but there are Mark Wallace, M.D., the pain manageopioid-related deaths. ment specialist chair and head of the What would you say to people who are University of California, San Diego Health’s considering using medical cannabis?

Center for Pain Medicine, has been There’s a growing geriatric population researching cannabis as an alternative to using medical cannabis and using it sucopioids for decades. Throughout Wallace’s cessfully. I would look at the risks and years of research, he believes that medical benefits, the harmful effects of medical cannabis is a safer alternative to opioids, cannabis are quite low; we base that on especially for seniors, although he added thousands of years of it being integrated that more research needs to be done. into society. In historical literature it’s refHere’s what Wallace told Picket Fence erenced for thousands of years. It would Media: be no different than prescribing any other Picket Fence Media: What type of remedication, other than it doesn’t come search have you done regarding medical from a pharmacist and insurance doesn’t cannabis and opioid use? pay for it, there’s also less quality control.

Dr. Wallace: I’m taking this approach of However, with those risks, cannabis isn’t patients on opioids, and I’m taking them for everybody, some people try it and it off of opioids, so I’ve been significantly doesn’t work, then they move on. • reducing their dosage. A lot of patients

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aging well

For the Young at Heart

Don't Ever Stop Dana Point resident, 72, follows national icon’s footsteps, one at a time

By Daniel Ritz ears ago, during a high-altitude fishing excursion in the Eastern Sierras, Dana Point resident Russell Kerr encountered an elderly mountaineer.

During that chance meeting, Kerr asked the older man what his secret to summiting the region’s abundant high peaks was. The man’s answer set a precedent for the remainder of Kerr’s life.

“You never stop, you can absolutely never stop moving,” the man responded.

Now 72, the New Zealand-born Kerr has followed that mantra to a number of the highest peaks in the Sierras, across Africa, and throughout his homeland of New Zealand.

Currently, Kerr is embarking on his largest, and lengthiest adventure yet as he attempts to reach Mt. Everest base camp, more than 17,500 feet in altitude, in honor of the 65th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s first summit.

Over eight days, Kerr and his group, supported by a team of Sherpa’s and yaks to carry a majority of their gear, look to reach base camp on Tuesday, May 29 after eight days of climbing six to eight hours a day.

Despite being an experienced climber

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and outdoorsman, Kerr said he never imagined undertaking such a challenging journey.

“I’ve done some serious climbing, but nothing like this,” Kerr clarified through a smirk, explaining that the thing he expects to be most challenging is the duration of the climb.

Kerr’s shared that he was talked into this adventure by his sister and brotherin-law only a month ago, while on a trip visiting them in New Zealand. The couple were the last New Zealander’s to manage the hospital built by Hillary in the valley.

Hillary’s history of assisting the native Sherpa of the region dates back to the 1960s when Hillary asked a Sherpa, “If there was anything I could do for the Sherpa people, what do you think that would be?”

To which, the Sherpa replied: “Our children have eyes, but they are blind and cannot see. We would like you to open their eyes by building a school in our village.”

This touched Hillary’s heart and he immediately set about building the first school in Khumjung. He went on to build schools, hospitals and health clinics across the Solukhumbu region in the foothills of Everest.

Dana Point resident Russell Kerr, 72, is attempting to climb to Mt. Everest base camp.

Photo: Courtesy

Kerr and the approximately 30 other climbers taking part of the group climb honoring Hillary’s initial ascent will be continuing to support the hundreds of thousands of Sherpa that live along the valley where Everest ascents begin.

Kerr explained that before, and after their excursion, the group will be taking part in social and reconstruction efforts within the valley. In 2015, the valley region, including many of the schools built by Hillary and the Himalayan Trust, were ravaged by a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake leading to towns being leveled and buried in landslides.

A former emergency relief worker for World Vision, Kerr has spent countless years abroad, and said the humanitarian aspects of this climb resonated with him.

“Hillary is a national hero in New Zealand,” Kerr shared. “He’s on the fivedollar note!”

Kerr shared that he remembers being seven years old when he first learned of Hillary’s ascent to Everest, but more recently had a serendipitous moment of connection with him, the only man to set foot at both of the earth’s poles as well as it’s tallest peak.

A few years ago, while sitting on the balcony of his hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, overlooking the pier, Kerr said

he looked down and saw a boat spreading something into the waters of the Auckland harbor below.

Those “something” were ashes. Sir Hillary’s.

“That was such a special moment of connection for me,” Kerr said, reflecting.

Regarding his health, Kerr said since he is more than 70 years old, he had to be cleared by a World Expedition physician before embarking on this journey.

Kerr said that he has been training for the hike by spending extensive time in the mountains in addition to his regular active lifestyle routine.

“I have never had acute altitude sickness before,” Kerr said, voicing his gratitude for the team of Sherpa’s and physicians that will accompany the group.

“My best friend just died, 70 years old, and this is the sort of thing that you do when you can, while you can, for those that would be there to do it with you, but didn’t have the good fortune or good health,” Kerr remarked.

“I’ve lived a life full of challenges, and opportunities,” Kerr said, two days before leaving for Asia.”

More information can be read about Himalayan Trust at www.himalayantrust.org. More information can be found on World Expeditions at www. worldexpeditions.com. •

aging well

For the Young at Heart

Karen Rottmann holds two of her pups, Noel and Gizmo. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

Furry Friends Local seniors find benefits in owning pets

By Emily Rasmussen hether you’re a dog person who can’t get enough of your pup’s adorably-dopey smile, or a cat person who enjoys a relaxing cuddle on the couch, many people find having a pet to be a rewarding and loving experience.

Sandra Ackerman, one of the founders of San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter, has been volunteering with the shelter for 35 years. Ackerman, a clear animal lover, said that she’s personally seen the benefits of owning a pet, in addition to seeing others adopt.

Ackerman said that she is extremely healthy at 77, slender with low cholesterol, and although she doesn’t wholly credit her animals to her health, they do give her a sense of purpose.

“I have had many dogs over the years.

For a while I was taking in the older dogs that were not going to get adopted, so rather than having them sit in their cage for the rest of their life, which is depressing to the volunteers including me, I took them into my home and they gave me purpose,” Ackerman said. “I’m a widow, I lost my husband 13 years ago, and dogs being in my house gave me a sense of purpose.”

In a study on the use of animals in patients with dementia, demented subjects in the presence of a pet or animal had more social behaviors such as smiling or speaking, had reduction in the amount of behavioral disturbance and agitation, and held longer conversations, according to “The enefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals,” a 201 study by E. Paul Cherniack and Ariella R. Cherniack.

San Juan Capistrano resident Karen Rottmann, 66, said that her three dogs make life better in every way.

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Rottmann, who retired two years ago, said that although she has had her three dogs for years, she’s come to realize the importance of having their companionship now that she is at home more. She said the canines reduce stress, give companionship, encourage exercise and provide unconditional love, Rottmann said.

Since retirement, the first time that Rottmann realized the importance of their company was when the first rainy season came around, when she couldn’t leave the house. So, she got hooked on Hallmark movies, popcorn and snuggling with her three dogs.

“They aren’t just pets, they’re a part of the family,” she said. “They’re like extra kids but they don’t talk back.”

Ackerman said she encourages all ages to adopt a pet, but notes that she encourages seniors to adopt an older, calmer pet for companionship; not only because they are easier to handle and are often already trained, but also because if a senior adopts a young pet, they could live past the owner.

The feedback that Ackerman sees from people who adopt pets from the shelter brings her to tears.

“To see a child walk out with their first animal, or a young couple, or a senior citizen coming in and coming out with a dog that’s going to keep them company, is just so heartwarming,” Ackerman said.

“People who adopt animals will see me there, so I’ll see them on the street or the store, and I’ll have people come up and kiss my hand because they’re so overjoyed at having an animal.”

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, call the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter at 9 9. 92.1617 or go to 221 Avenida abricante, San Clemente. •

aging well

For the Young at Heart

Table for One How single seniors cope with loneliness

By Tom Blake he effects of loneliness on single seniors is a growing concern.

Studies indicate that loneliness has been linked with a higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. A May 1 Cigna study stated, “There is growing evidence that loneliness can kill.”

Those are scary thoughts for single seniors, many of whom acknowledge being lonely. Last month (April 13), I wrote an article on how seniors combat loneliness.

Today, I share responses to that article from four aging-well, single seniors, who discuss how they cope with it.

Les Jones, 92, of San Clemente, said, “In 1944, while serving in the Navy on a destroyer escort during the Normandy invasion, a German U-boat torpedoed my ship. My lower back was damaged. I received a Purple Heart.

I have lived with that damaged back for 74 years.

This Memorial Day, I won’t be lonely; I’ve been invited to represent the United States at the WW II Memorial for the Presentation of Wreaths ceremony in Washington, D.C. Plus, I will be an honorary grand marshal in the National Memorial Day Parade. I also had this honor in 2017.

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If I had not been active and forced myself to keep moving through the pain, I’d be in a wheelchair now and would not be out interacting with people.

I was widowed two years ago, losing my best friend and wife of 49 years and nine months. I look at the empty chair where she sat in our living room and it tears my heart to pieces.

To combat loneliness, I surround myself with positive people and force myself to keep moving, although at times, the back pain is debilitating.

It’s important when you are single and alone, to have a good place to go where you know people. I go to the Dana Point Yacht Club for friendship.”

Stella, in her 70s, of Newport Beach, said, “Years ago, a man I met from Czechoslovakia told me: ‘Loneliness is an emotion. It can be overcome. You don’t have to be lonely. Do something else.

Distract yourself. Pick up the phone, take a walk, sing! Don’t choose loneliness.’”

In April, Stella left loneliness behind when she walked the famous El Camino Santiago de Compostela trail, which crosses northern Spain. She met many interesting people from all over the world.

Sandy Watts, in her late 60s, from

Sonoma County, lives alone in a small uninsulated cottage surrounded by grapevines.

She said, “The ‘disadvantage’ of being at peace with being alone is that I sometimes like my own company more than the prospect of dating.’ I try to find mixed groups where I can get to know people of all ages and backgrounds naturally.

When I’ve attended functions and singles’ dances alone, I’ve pretended that someone was meeting me there. Standing alone is the first challenge. ut, then it is good to ‘get over oneself’ – and think of the others, who are likely as uncomfortable as I. Learn about others, ask questions, invite someone to get a drink, or food, or whatever. Sort of like finding one’s own ‘Cheers Bar.’” Cliff Gross, 65, a widower, of Laguna Hills, has a unique way of dealing with loneliness. Cliff is the volunteer commissioner of a 12-team NFL fantasy football league to which I belong. Most team owners have been in Cliff’s league for 25 years; we are all close friends.

Cliff hosts a pre-draft meeting, the actual 14-round draft and the post season banquet at his home. From early September to the Super Bowl, he is in contact

with the 11 other teams by email at least twice a week and often by telephone as well. On Sundays, team members can gather at his home to watch NFL games.

During the off-season, he organizes frequent “beach parties” at Hole-In-The Fence in Capistrano Beach for team members and their significant others. He organizes camping trips to the Sierras.

And, almost every Friday afternoon, he and five or six of us play bocce ball at Doheny Beach.

“This is my passion,” Cliff said. “Our league members are the greatest group of guys on the planet. With them in my life, I don’t have time to be lonely.”

The Cigna survey also revealed: “Respondents who said they have more in-person social interaction on a daily basis reported being less lonely.”

That theory is reinforced by the comments from the single seniors included here. Frequent contact with friends and acquaintances is a critical step toward combatting loneliness. • Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com. Email: tompblake@gmail.com.

By May Yacoob, Ph.D. or more than a decade I have watched yoga studios open and close. I have also encountered seniors who have told me they’ve hurt themselves at yoga or how they felt that yoga was for the young and athletic.

As a mature practitioner, I can vouch for the fact that yoga is much more than standing on your head or doing numerous repetitions of ‘up dog’ and ‘down dog.’

Recent studies have demonstrated that yoga helps with back pain and other health challenges such as heart disease, insomnia and arthritis. A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that yoga classes for the boomer-age group can be as safe and as effective as physical therapy in easing chronic pain.

As a result, more and more people of all ages are turning to yoga to enhance their health. For those new to the practice, however, it is essential to recognize that yoga classes vary widely in style— from vigorous and athletic to relaxing and restorative—and in substance—from “yoga flavored” exercise to “meditation in motion.”

Over the past 15 years, I’ve trained in numerous styles and philosophies of yoga, as well as how to teach yoga to more mature groups, specifically, to boomer-age students. One of the classes I lead—Yoga for Boomers—is hosted at St. Andrews by-the-Sea on Calle Frontera in San Clemente.

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Yoga for Boomers Strategies for a safe, effective practice

Photo: Eric Heinz

Even yoga instructors who are ade uately trained to teach able and fit students typically have a limited understanding of the important safety considerations that are vital when working with older adults. In an article about back pain, Robert Saper, a physician and director of Integrative Medicine at Boston Medical Center, noted on National Public

Radio, that the practice of yoga has to be adapted to the audience practicing it and must include breathing and relaxation.

To find the appropriate class and instructor for seniors, here are a few tips to consider: • Talk to your care provider: This is particularly important if you have a serious health condition, so get guidance about

aging well

For the Young at Heart

any specific movement precautions. or example, people with glaucoma may be advised to avoid head-down positions which increase pressure in the eye. Recognize, however, that many physicians don’t know much about yoga and might assume that you are planning to stand on your head. Be sure to let your physician know that you are interested in starting with a gentle class consisting of simple movements, stretches and breathing practice.

• Find a well-trained and experienced yoga teacher: Don’t be shy; ask your prospective instructors how long they have taught yoga and whether they have any training in working with special populations such as older adults or people with health challenges.

• Consider beginning with some individual sessions: Work one-on-one with a ualified yoga instructor who will tailor a practice specifically designed to address your health goals.

• Be sure to share with your instructor any new health issues that crop up. A good instructor will consult a physician to find out exactly what a diagnosis means and how it affects the practitioner’s yoga practice. • May Yacoob, Ph.D., is a yoga instructor in San Clemente and is a professor of health sciences at Chapman University. She is currently teaching a course in health and aging. Dr. Yacoob can be reached at www.drmayyacoob.com. Yoga for Boomers is held every Tuesday and Friday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews by-the-Sea, located at 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente.