Quite the Pickle
Our physical capabilities fade as we age, but pickleball seems to be the remedy many are turning to
By Charles Jeffries
When my son moved back from California last fall, he introduced me to pickleball. It’s not that I didn’t know about the sport, but I thought it was too the 2020s what the Hula-Hoop had been to the 1960s. I told him I’d give it a try anyway.
Alex took me to Marty Snook Park one afternoon when no one was around and showed me how to dink. As an athlete whose tastes in his younger days ran more toward sports that involved collisions, or at least participants moving at a very fast pace, this dinking seemed like nonsense.
“OK, this is fun,” I told him in a tone laced with sarcasm. He convinced me to continue.
Why Play Pickleball?
Live Longer: A study in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology found pickleball a feasible alternative to traditional exercise for older adults. Regular participation improves cardiorespiratory fitness and moderates key cardiovascular disease risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Perk Up: Any exercise is a proven mood booster, and pickleball is no exception. An article in Leisure Studies reported that older adults who played pickleball had a lower risk of depression.
Just Give it a Try: Many older adults start playing pickleball because a friend or partner suggested they join them. Often skeptical, these people more often than not end up enjoying the game enough to come back for more.
Make Friends: Pickleball is a great social outlet. And that desire to connect with friends helps improve your overall mental status.
Avoid Assisted Living: Older adults who play pickleball regularly may improve their reflexes and balance, which can help them live independently for longer.
We moved on to the drop shot (only slightly more exciting). Then the serve; under-handed and with a little pace, but still humdrum as physical activity goes.
“Think of the serving motion like cornhole. You’re good at cornhole,” he said, trying to hold my interest. I am good at cornhole, but I don’t consider it a sport. It’s a way to pass time while having a beer at a picnic or family gathering.
OK, so pickleball may not be the Hula-Hoop, but so far it’s not much more than cornhole.
Alex explained the kitchen. Well, that seems silly. Then he told me the return serve must bounce before it can be hit it back, which seemed to me to eliminate the advantage of having the serve. So, at this point it seemed to me we are basically paddling a Whiffle ball back and forth over a net. Exciting.
“That’s where strategy comes in,” he said. “Remember this: third shot drop shot. If you can drop the third shot into the kitchen they’ll have to dink it back over the net.”
Oh, great, the dink shot again. “Why wouldn’t the opponent just rush the net and slam it back?”
“Don’t you remember what I told you about the kitchen? You can only go in there if the ball bounces first. Think of the kitchen as out of bounds.”
“But it’s in the middle of the court. How can it be out of bounds?”
Clearly frustrated with me, he simply said, “You’ll see.”
I hung with him and got the hang of the serve and the volley, but the dink simply didn’t suit my athletic taste. I could do it once or twice, but I was always anxious to hit the ball hard, which usually resulted in it sailing out of bounds because the court is so damn small.
I told him pickleball was silly—a game designed to neutralize athletic ability, and therefore an activity for folks of the three O’s persuasion—old, overweight, and out of shape. I fit only the old category. I long to go back to playing basketball, the game I played through high school, college, and well into my 40s before a medical issue forced me into retirement.
My son told me we’d come back in the evening and play when others were on the courts. In the twilight of a fall evening, the lights illuminating the courts at Marty Snook, I had my official introduction to pickleball. And I loved it.
Everything together, the serve, the volley, the dropshot, the strategy, the slam (still my favorite part of the game)—even the dink— captivated me the way basketball had done in my younger years. As a senior somewhat limited in what my exercise regime can include, pickleball renewed my athletic interest. The court is small enough that you only have to
run a few steps at a time, and in the proper position with the correct strategy, the game can be well executed from a nearly stationary position. I play two to four times a week, which still leaves plenty of time for golf and all the other semi-retirement things I enjoy.
In the beginning, pickleball is a frustrating game for an athlete. It took me a month to keep from smashing the return serve back without letting it bounce. It took another few weeks to keep my momentum from carrying me into the kitchen.
Once, before I understood this rule, I was moving toward the net and my opponent’s soft lob of a volley was floating there like an eephus pitch. I moved faster, kept my feet behind the kitchen line
and slammed it back, only to be told it was an illegal shot because my momentum carried me into the kitchen. I was enraged—stupid game, stupid rules.
When a wide receiver catches a pass, taps his feet in bounds, and his momentum carries him out of bounds, it’s still a catch. When I used to shoot three-pointers they counted three points even if my momentum carried me across the arc. But, no. In pickleball that kind of display of athletic ability can’t be tolerated.
It took me months to accept that pickleball is an activity, not a sport—much like my other favorite pastime of golf. I created ways adapt, like realizing maybe it’s called the kitchen in honor of our mothers and their constant demand: “STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN.” And understanding that pickleball needs to be played at 80 percent because the Whiffle ball doesn’t move as quickly as a baseball or tennis ball.
My gradual understanding and acceptance of these non-athletic pickleball principles brought me to the proper understanding of the game. Pickleball is not a sport, but it’s also not the Hula-Hoop or cornhole—it’s better. The game challenges seniors to stay in shape and have fun while mingling with folks of similar age and background—and if you get good enough (I did) you can beat people a lot younger than you.
It’s far from a physically taxing sport (occasionally I break a sweat), but it burns calories. I’ve lost 15 pounds since I started playing, and I feel like I’m in the best shape since my basketball days. Yeah, my knees, Achilles tendons, and, as a southpaw, my left elbow and shoulder ache the morning after I play, but it’s a good ache; a rewarding ache that comes not from aging, as so many pains do, but from fighting off aging.
Pickleball? I’m all in. Thanks, Alex.
Where
to
Play Pickleball in Frederick County
Indoor Facilities
Dill Dinkers
A premier indoor facility with dedicated courts, offering open play, lessons, and events at 3950 Dartmouth Court, Frederick.
YMCA of Frederick County (Y Sports Warehouse)
Features indoor courts for members and non-members through punch cards, along with leagues and lessons at 26 E. 9th St., Frederick.
Trinity Recreation Center
Offers indoor courts for play at 6040 New Design Road, Frederick.
Sugarloaf Recreation Center
Provides a Sunday evening drop-in program for all skill levels at 3400 Stone Barn Drive, Frederick.
Walkersville Recreation Center
Has indoor courts available for use at 83 W. Frederick St., Walkersville.
Outdoor Parks and Courts
Monocacy Village Park
Has dedicated pickleball courts at 1207 N. East St., Frederick.
Urbana Community Park
Offers outdoor pickleball courts at 3636 Urbana Pike, Frederick.
Thurmont Community Park
Has dedicated outdoor courts at 19 Frederick Road, Thurmont.
PARK FOR SENIORS
Most senior citizens are familiar with taking their children, and later their grandchildren, to public parks, realizing the benefits of engaging in the outdoors through exercise and simply feeling the sun on their faces. Parks, they may have realized, also afford the opportunity for socializing.
All the positive facets seen for youngsters are now being bestowed on seniors themselves through Asbury SeniorScapes at Monocacy Village Park, a public park space off East Street designed specifically to meet the unique needs of older adults.
This pioneering park’s design features walking paths, equipment for cardiovascular health, stairs and ramps for improved mobility, as well as balance beams, steppingstones and stability exercises to enhance balance and prevent falls.
The project is the brainchild of Sue Paul, senior director of well-being and brain health for Asbury, a not-for-profit system of continuing care retirement communities. SeniorScapes reflects her passion for senior wellness and draws on her extensive experience as an occupational therapist and commitment to healthy aging and brain function. Paul hopes to make seniorand dementia-friendly parks part of society’s fabric.
“For older adults, having access to social support and opportunities for inter -
action in park settings is essential for cognitive health and overall well-being,” says Paul.
The park received over $500,000 in funding through a grant from the Delaplaine Foundation, an AARP Community Challenge Grant and a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Frederick. The park’s name reflects seed money from Asbury Communities and the fundraising support and guidance of Asbury Communities’ philanthropic arm, The Asbury Foundation. Asbury Communities is among the nation’s 20 largest not-for-profit systems of continuing care retirement communities with award-winning senior wellness.
“Asbury SeniorScapes at Monocacy Village will provide exercise equipment for seniors that enhances quality of life by promoting healthy habits in accessible public spaces,” says Mayor Michael C. O’Connor. “By creating environments that encourage physical activity, we encourage our seniors to stay active, engaged and connected with their community.”
TIPS FOR GETTING AND STAYING ACTIVE
It’s never too late to begin or expand physical activity so that you can walk to the mailbox, reach for the box of cereal on the top shelf or open that stubborn jar of peanut butter. Making the effort may even keep you dancing throughout your golden years.
According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults should include a combination of exercise types. Even small amounts of activity throughout the day count toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activities recommended each week.
Starting and maintaining a change in your routine can be hard. Fortunately, there are strategies to help you increase your physical activity levels. Use these tips for getting and staying active.
TAKE IT SLOW
It’s important to increase your physical activity gradually over a period of weeks to months, say the folks at NIA. To reduce the risk of injury, start with lower-intensity activities that are appropriate for your current fitness level. Then increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities over time.
Working your way up slowly and steadily can also help to build confidence, motivation, and a regular routine. When there is a break in your routine, perhaps due to illness or travel, work back up gradually.
Older adults who do not have an existing injury or chronic condition, and who plan to gradually increase their amounts of physical activity, generally do not need to talk with a doctor before becoming physically active. However, for people with or without chronic conditions, doctors and exercise professionals can:
• Assess current physical activity levels
• Provide advice on appropriate types of activities and ways to progress at a safe and steady pace
• Offer continued support through followup appointments
As with increasing physical activity, it is also important to be gradual with the exercises themselves. Warming up before exercise and cooling down after exercise is recommended to help prevent injuries and other negative health events, such as heart attack or stroke. A warm-up prepares the muscles for exercise and allows the heart rate and breathing to increase gradually. A cool-down after activity allows a gradual decrease at the end.
SET GOALS AND MONITOR PROGRESS
The NIA says that setting goals for your physical activity can encourage you to achieve increased physical activity levels, starting from your current level. Goals are most useful when they are specific and realistic.
This type of goal setting can help update a general goal, such as to increase physical activity, into a measurable and actionable goal, such as to go for a 10-minute walk three times per week. Be sure to review your goals regularly as you make progress.
To help meet your goals, you can track and record your physical activity. Doing so daily can provide valuable information about progress toward achieving weekly physical activity goals. You can use a device (for example, a step counter) or keep a written log. Some people choose to share their activity with a friend, doctor or exercise professional for further accountability and feedback. Remember to also celebrate successes.
Frederick County’s seniors are the largest growing population, currently out numbering children in the local school system. Realizing there was a great need for senior support, Leslie Schultz founded SOAR (Supporting Older Adult Resources) in 2013 to make a difference in the lives of low-income seniors. The group began serving seniors on March 1, 2015.
“Having spent the last 25 years of my career working on behalf of seniors, both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, I saw a disparity between those who could afford to pay for needed services
and those who could not,” Schultz says. “It was disheartening to hear the seniors struggling each month to pay for their basic essential needs.”
Schultz was inspired to work in the elder care field by her grandmother.
“As a child, my grandmother frequently took me to visit shut-ins (as they were called back then) and friends and family in nursing homes,” she says. “My grandmother instilled in me the importance of not forgetting those who are often forgotten and overlooked.”
Schultz raised her four children before beginning a career working for several decades in many areas of senior care. “I have held roles in human resources, sales and marketing, and operations in a variety of senior-service organizations, all have helped me to gain a greater understanding of the needs of our senior population,” she said. “I consider myself blessed to be able to do this work.”
SOAR provides financial and tangible resources to seniors aged 65 or older residing in Frederick County whose income does not exceed $2,100 per month for an individual or $3,000
per month for a couple. “We also always emphasize the importance of dignity and respect,” Schultz says.
Volunteers assist seniors with on-going support for food, transportation, medical equipment and sometimes with rent or
housing. SOAR serves more than 500 seniors each year, some for one-time assistance and others in the program who require on-going help. They also provide transportation to more than 75 clients and remain with them during their appointments.
“We are never sure when the phone calls arrive of what will be needed, and we work hard to ensure that our seniors are heard and supported,” Schultz points out. “We partner with other organizations where it is possible to provide a collaborative, collective impact. Unfortunately, there are few organizations supporting the lower-income aging population, so this is very limiting.”
SOAR has been a 501(c)3 non-profit since 2013 and for the first eight years operated 100 percent as a volunteer organization until the needs became too great, according to the founder. Schultz had to quit her full-time job in senior living and devote her time to running SOAR full time. “I became the first and only employee in September of 2021,” she says.
It is very important for SOAR to be a part of their lives and help them not to feel so alone.
—Leslie Schultz
As of this year there are now three part-time employees. “We currently have 86 active volunteers and an additional 35 who help when needed,” Schultz says. “We are always looking for volunteers to help with our programs, one-time deliveries, transportation, and assisting in the office with administrative duties. We have a wide range of ages who volunteer from college students to retirees.”
Making a Difference
Schultz knows SOAR is making a difference in the community. “I am motivated and passionate to continue this important work because the needs are so great and the numbers of seniors
who are struggling are staggering,” she says. “The work, while challenging, is also the most rewarding in my career. To help someone during their time of need is so impactful to us as an organization and to the senior receiving the help, it truly inspires me every day.”
Currently, SOAR serves 62 seniors on a bi-monthly basis with grocery shopping. “We shop their grocery list, and we pay for and deliver the groceries,” Schulz says. “We serve 30-to-35 seniors on a weekly basis by delivering produce in partnership with the YMCA of Frederick who provides us with free produce. We also serve 25 seniors with monthly shelf stable food in partnership with St. Joseph’s at Carrollton Manor.”
SOAR Volunteers also look forward to delivering over 250 holiday meals for seniors for Thanksgiving and Christmas who otherwise would not celebrate. “Approximately 33 percent of our seniors have no family support at all,” Schulz says. “Government entitled programs often have long wait lists and
even with those programs, there are many gaps that exist for our low-income seniors.”
With many challenges for the elderly in Frederick County, Schultz believes it’s more important than ever to continue their work with SOAR and partner with other agencies, businesses and supporters when possible.
“Our medical equipment center operates with a partnership with Frederick Health Hospital, and we accept most medical equipment and provide it free of charge to those in the community in need,” she says. “We provide hospital beds, electric wheelchairs, scooters, Hoyer lifts, rollators, and more.”
SOAR is completely operated on community support, grants, and fundraising. Their two big fundraisers each year include a golf tournament in May and SOAR’s annual gala in November — A Toast to the Holidays. Fundraising makes up 35 percent, grants represent 40 percent, and general donations are 25 percent.
“There is no cost to any client for any service needed if they meet our criteria for assistance,” Schultz says. “Our goal is to develop more partnerships in helping them have better outcomes through collaborative efforts with other businesses and non-profits.”
Schultz says they are blessed by the generosity of Mark and Judy Lancaster and Dan Ryan and are moving forward with a project at the former Spring Bank property, a 10,000-plus square feet house, which was once a bed and breakfast. “This historical building has been donated for the purpose of a non-profit center dedicated to serving seniors in our community.”
The Senior Resource Center is a collaborative effort for non-profits to be able to share office space, volunteers, and other resources. “The Spring Bank Senior Resource Center will allow non-profits serving seniors to work together for greater outcomes and impact,” Schultz says. “The project should be completed in late 2026. This will be a long-term legacy offering support and commitment to the aging population of Frederick County for years to come.”
According to Schultz, the future goal for SOAR includes outreach into the community so that more seniors are aware that there is help for them. They also hope to develop more partnerships in helping SOAR have better outcomes through collaborative efforts with other businesses and non-profits. “We are looking forward to the Spring Bank project as we hope to be a part of a much greater impact on our seniors in Frederick County,” Schultz says.
“So many of our seniors live alone and experience isolation,” she adds. “They are often unseen and can be easily overlooked, so it is very important for SOAR to be a part of their lives and help them not to feel so alone.”
Downsizers
Stress Free Solutions Removes the Clutter from Homes, Lives
By Guy Fletcher Photography by Mark Youngblood
Each day, some 10,000 Americans reach the age of 65 and many are considering their next move. Maybe it’s into an in-law suite at one of their adult children’s homes or into a retirement community or other elder care situation.
“The American Dream was to have a house and fill it with stuff,” says Ryan Burns, owner of Stress Free Solutions. “And now there’s all these people who are empty-nesters and they want to live at a [retirement community] and enjoy all the amenities and have the lock-and-leave lifestyle.”
But, first, they must make tough decisions and get rid of their stuff—at least some of it.
Burn’s business is a turnkey service that works with people seeking to declutter their living spaces. Stress Free Solutions will work with anyone over 18, but 90 percent of its clients are older adults, nearly all of them moving into a space that is smaller than their current home.
“There’s no sense in taking an item to the new home, unpack it and say, ‘Why did we bring it? It doesn’t fit.” All that extra work,” he says.
His company meets with people to carefully plan out what can be taken with them, using measurements of their furniture and the new living space. It can be an emotional experience for many people, who must choose between needs versus wants. “What do you need in the new place to make you feel like it’s home and it’s safe?” he often asks clients.
From there, a detailed plan is put together that dictates where each item goes if it is being kept. “If they have a china cabinet that does fit [in the new home], we will unpack everything in that china cabinet the way that it was,” he says.
The cost of the service ranges based on the size of the job, the moving distance and time required for completion.
Stress Free also offers clients the opportunity to sell items via weekly online auctions through its UseTwo service. (A link to the auctions can be found at www.stressfreesolutions.com.) Items range from furniture to vinyl record albums. “Sometimes it’s Hummels and sometimes it’s very nice gold and silver. … It’s just another way of getting rid of stuff.”
Stress Free Solutions empties everything from the former house so it can be prepared for sale. What isn’t transported to the new residence or children’s homes and not sold at auction will be donated to charity or, if need be, disposed. “Nothing is junk,” he says. “It is all precious memories, but we will do the trash removal and recycling, as well.”
Burns started the business a little more than a decade ago. “I just started helping people that
Ryan Burns needed to de-clutter and downsize, and started adding services,” he says. Now, the business, which occupies a bustling warehouse on Grove Road, employs 23 people. He is also a licensed real estate agent. “Now, when they need that option, as well, I can help them sell their house,” he says.
His best tip for decluttering novices? Start early, even if retirement is many years away. Begin with storage lockers, backyard sheds and other non-livable spaces that you sporadically visit. Decide what you think you will keep in your next phase of life and honestly assess what your children might want. Then, work on a plan for getting rid of the rest.
“Starting early and starting often is such a key,” he says. “You can be de-cluttering even if you just need an extra three people to show up and get this stuff gone. We can do that, as well.”
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EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest oils on earth. It’s rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage caused by an imbalance of free radicals in the body.
GREEN TEA
Green tea is high in antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body.
FATTY FISH
Fatty fish is a highly nutritious food that can promote healthy skin. Salmon and other fatty fish are high in protein, necessary in collagen and elastin production.
DARK CHOCOLATE OR COCOA
Dark chocolate is a rich source of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body. In particular, it contains flavanols, which are linked to a lower risk of heart diseae, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
VEGETABLES
Most vegetables are extremely nutrient-dense and low in calories. Beta carotene is especially important and can be found in carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
FLAX SEEDS
Flex seeds contain lignans that may lower the risk of developing a chronic disease such as heart disease and breast cancer.
POMEGRANATES
They are high in fiber, potassium and Vitamin K, which help support a healthy heart,
AVOCADOS
They are rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber and several vitamins and minerals essential for good health.
TOMATOES
Contain lycopene that acts as an antioxidant.
COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein. Protein-rich foods include chicken, tofu, fish and eggs.
(Source: www.healthline.com)
SENIOR RESOURCES
ADVOCATES FOR THE AGING OF FREDERICK COUNTY
Devoted to advocacy on behalf of the poorest and frailest older adults in the community. www.advocatesforaging.org
ELDER SERVICES PROVIDER COUNCIL OF FREDERICK
The ESPC consists of individuals from the Frederick community, including government agencies, local businesses and corporations, sharing information and resources on meeting the needs of seniors, their families and caregivers. www.espcfrederick.com
ENCORE CREATIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Choral organization for those over 55. www.encorecreativity.org
FREDERICK COUNTY DIVISION OF AGING AND INDEPENDENCE
1440 Taney Ave., Frederick
301-600-1234
MEALS ON WHEELS
Meals on Wheels provides two meals a day to homebound adults age 60 or older, or adults of any age with a chronic health condition or disability who meet program eligibility guidelines, and live in Frederick
County. A hot meal is delivered at midday, accompanied by a cold meal that can be refrigerated and eaten later. Participants must be homebound due to illness or physical limitations, not able to prepare meals, and have no caregiver to assist with food shopping and preparation, or cannot safely prepare food due to physical, mental, or emotional impairment.
1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-1234
SENIOR CENTERS
The 50-plus Community Centers offers a variety of fitness classes such as strength training, yoga, Zumba, and line dance. In addition, social, recreational, and educational programs are scheduled. These include discussion groups, book clubs, film club, drawing class and health and nutrition programs.
Brunswick 12 E. A St.
Emmitsburg
300 S. Seton Ave.
Frederick 1440 Taney Ave.
Middletown 101 Prospect St.
Urbana 9020 Amelung St.
SOAR (SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS THROUGH RESOURCES)
SOAR supports qualifying seniors with the financial resources and services they need to live healthier, safer more comfortable lives. They welcome requests from seniors who qualify and strive to find the solutions that will improve their quality of life. www.soarfrederick.org
Therapy Tails
Pets Provide Comfort, Friendship and Health Benefits to Older Adults
By Naomi Pearson
At a nursing home, a woman in a wheelchair smiles, reaching out to gently pet the silky coat of the golden retriever who sits at her feet. Elsewhere, a patient in hospice care softly strokes a small dog snuggling closely on a small blanket and radiating warm canine contentment, looking affectionately at the person peacefully providing pets and scritches.
Visits from therapy pet teams take place throughout the county and can brighten moods, jumpstart social interaction and improve health.
“It sparks conversation,” says Michaila Sprites, Connections Memory Care director at Village Crossing of Worman’s Mill. “The residents get excited and talk to everyone, each other, staff and the handler.”
Locally, nonprofit organizations like Wags For Hope, Go Team Therapy Dogs Frederick and Pets on Wheels provide therapy pet visits to local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement communities, Frederick Health Hospital and Frederick Health Hospice.
“Therapy animals can provide physical, psychological and emotional benefits
to those they interact with,” according to Pet Partners, a national nonprofit “globally recognized as the industry gold standard” among therapy pet organizations, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Primarily, therapy animals bring happiness to those they visit. “Everybody perks up, including the staff,” says Lisa Ambrose, Life Enhancement director at Edenton Frederick. “They light up! You can just see the joy.”
Therapy animals are not service animals. They receive special training for animal-assisted interventions, the industry-preferred term for pet therapy. The consistency of behavior among therapy pets increases the benefit and protects the humans and animals involved.
“Even persons who are non-verbal can and do engage,” says Nisa Pegler, Wags For Hope coordinator for Northampton Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, citing the multi-sensory
stimulation from pet therapy visit. “It can pull them out of themselves. It’s not always a sensational reaction, but there’s always some response.”
“Even the most reserved people come to observe the visit,” says Maggie Hanrahan, Life Enrichment director at Village Crossing.
Laura Schwartz, a longtime Wags For Hope volunteer, tells the story of one resident refusing pet therapy interaction for two years, only watching from a distance, until one day the resident exclaimed, “Bring him over here already!” and began petting and talking to the therapy dog like an old friend.
Therapy pet visits can stimulate recollections among memory care residents. “They might not remember it’s dog day, but they do remember the dog,” Ambrose says.
Therapy animal teams that visit hospitals and hospice patients must undergo additional hospital- and hospice-specific training and certification. Dianne Elizabeth, volunteer service coordinator for Frederick Health Hospice, says the human part of the team must go through onboarding the same as hospice staff, and comply with health privacy regulations. The certified “HosPets,” as they are nicknamed, provide a special comfort and peace for those in hospice and their families.
Regular visits with therapy pet teams can also help provide some relief from fear. Petting animals triggers relaxation, promotes the release of mood-lifting hormones and lowers blood pressure, according to studies referenced by UCLA Health.
Some therapy pets have personal talents that enhance their visits. Coco, a mini labradoodle, can recognize and obey the written words “down,” “sit” and “spin,” according to Connie Barnes, her teammate and Wags For Hope president.
“We have two deaf boxers on the team and they respond to sign language commands,” says Rachel Manwill, regional coordinator for Go Team Therapy Dogs Frederick. “One of our dogs, Layla, has a trading card with images of the signs she knows on the back so that people know how to communicate with her.”
VOLUNTEERING BENEFITS OLDER ADULTS
Volunteers strengthen communities, but did you know that volunteer opportunities for seniors also have many benefits to a person who serves? According to www. vantageaging.org, this is especially true for older adults who spend time giving back. Volunteerism can improve your health, relationships and skillsets. Take a look at the benefits of volunteering for older adults.
IT’S GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Volunteering keeps the brain active, which contributes to mental health. Meaningful and productive activities can help you feel happier and have a positive outlook on life.
IT HELPS PREVENT LONELINESS AND ISOLATION
The feeling of loneliness and few interactions with others can negatively impact a person’s health. Getting out into the community and volunteering promotes socialization.
IT GIVES A FEELING OF PURPOSE
As we grow older, our sense of purpose might begin to fade. Children grow up and move out of the house, we retire from our jobs, and some physical activities may become more difficult. Regaining a feeling of purpose through volunteering can help older adults feel recharged with a new zest for life.
IT HELPS YOU MEET NEW FRIENDS
Life changes, such as moving to a new neighborhood or retiring from a career, can make finding friends to spend time with difficult. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people with common interests.
IT PROVIDES CONNECTION TO LOVED ONES
Do you struggle to find new activities to do with your spouse or grandchildren? Volunteering is a great way to reconnect and strengthen your relationships. Together, you can learn, help others, and make meaningful memories to share with family members and friends.
IT INCREASES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Physical activity is highly important when it comes to staying healthy and independent as we age. Volunteering keeps you moving, whether serving meals at a shelter, helping to clean up local parks, or walking around the neighborhood with someone as a companion.
IT BRIDGES THE GENERATION GAP
By interacting with younger generations, older adults are able to share important life lessons. On the other hand, younger generations can teach seniors new ways of looking at life. By building a connection with each other, both generations can offer respect and affirmation.
IT HELPS YOU ENGAGE WITH OLD INTERESTS
Do you have an old hobby that has slipped to the wayside? It might be time to revisit it. Volunteer activities can align with almost any interest, including art, building, cooking, business and exercise. Do some research to find the one that best fits your interests.
IT HELPS YOU LEARN NEW SKILLS
Sometimes, monotony can make life a little dull. If you find yourself bored or with too much time on your hands, volunteering might be just what you need to spice things up. Take a look at opportunities that are a little outside of your comfort zone. You may develop a passion you never knew you had.
PLACES TO VOLUNTEER AND ENGAGE
AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCES CULTURAL AND HERITAGE SOCIETY (AARCH)
Working to establish a permanent center at the corner of Carroll and All Saints Streets. www.aarchsociety.org
AMERICAN RED CROSS
141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick | 800-448-3543
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
Feeds school children who are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. www.biabfrederickmd.org
CELEBRATE FREDERICK
Works in partnership with the City of Frederick to nurture a strong sense of community through the coordination of special events.
121 N. Bentz St., Frederick | 301-600-1450 | www.celebratefrederick.com
ENCORE CREATIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Choral organization for those over 55. www.encorecreativity.org
FREDERICK COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
Provides food, shelter, medical care, housing and other forms of assistance to the low-income or homeless.
100 S. Market St., Frederick | 301-600-1506 | www.cityoffrederick.com
FREDERICK COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Through education, advocacy, empowerment and treatment, MHA helps everyone face their challenges and make lasting positive changes.
226 S. Jefferson St., Frederick | 301-663-0011 | www.fcmha.org
FREDERICK OPTIMIST CLUB
A worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local clubs. www.frederickoptimistclub.org
FREDERICK COUNTY PROMENADERS SQUARE
DANCE CLUB
www.frederickcountypromenaers.com
FREDERICK SCHOOL OF RELIGION
An ecumenical organization providing religious education. 1011 N. Market St., Frederick | www.frederickschoolofreligion.org
FREDERICK WOMAN’S CIVIC CLUB 368 W. Patrick St. | www.fwccinc.org
KIWANIS CLUB OF SUBURBAN FREDERICK 1612 Shookstown Road, Frederick | 301-228-2279 | www.suburbanfrederickkiwanis.org
LIONS CLUBS
Visit www.lionsclubs.org for specific contact and meeting information.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY
Teaching adults the English language skills needed to provide for their families and contribute to the well-being of the community.
110 E. Patrick St., Frederick | 301-600-2066 | www.frederickliteracy.org
PROJECT LINUS, FREDERICK CHAPTER
Making, collecting, distributing blankets to children in need of comfort. www.projectlinusfrederickmd.org
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
Works to assure that children have a bed to sleep in. www.shpbeds.org/chapter/md-frederick-co
TOASTMASTERS CARROLL CREEK CLUB
An international group to promote communication and public speaking. www.carrollcreektoastmasters.org
FREDERICK CLUB www.frederick.toastmastersclubs.org
UNITED WAY OF FREDERICK COUNTY
A group dedicated to foster the health, education and financial stability of residents. 629 N. Market St., Frederick | 301-663-4231
WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE OF FREDERICK COUNTY
Cultivates philanthropy among women in the area to support local nonprofits serving the needs of women. www.frederickwgc.org
ZONTA CLUB OF FREDERICK www.zontafrederick.com
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT AGING
“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”
—MARK TWAIN
“We are always the same age inside.”
—GERTRUDE STEIN
“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.”
—WALT DISNEY
“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.”
“Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
—BETTY FRIEDAN
“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.”
“Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough.”
—GROUCHO MARX
—LUCILLE BALL
“I’m at an age when my back goes out more than I do.”
—PHYLLIS DILLER
“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
—GEORGE BURNS
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
—JOHN LENNON
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”
—ROBERT BROWNING
“Old age is always 15 years older than I am.”
—OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
“Age is something that doesn’t matter—unless you are a cheese.”
—BILLIE BURKE
“It’s not how old you are. It’s how you are old.”
—JULES RENARD
“The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.”
—FRANZ KAF’KA
“One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming.”
—MORGAN
HARPER NICHOLS
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
—SACHEL PAIGE
—STANISLAW JERZY LEC
