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Donated Dental Services Program
February 2020 PRIME TIME Donated Dental Services Program Provides Extensive Dental Work For Low-Income Seniors
By Lauren Consuelo Tussing, BCBSNM
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Joseph Murphy says he has struggled with dental problems throughout his life. “It was an inevitability that I was going to lose all my teeth at some point,” Murphy said.
Eventually, he needed dentures, but the dental work wasn’t covered by Murphy’s insurance. On average, full dentures can cost around $3,200. “I live on social security, and that’s my only income,” Murphy said.
Unable to get the dental work on his own, Murphy applied for the New Mexico Dental Association Foundation’s (NMDAF) Donated Dental Services (DDS), a program that provides extensive dental work at no cost for low-income New Mexicans who are seniors, veterans, or disabled. In 2019 and 2020, NMDAF received a $10,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBSNM) Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative to support DDS. Thanks to the program, Murphy was able to get the dental work he needed, a lengthy process that included extractions, surgery, impressions and fittings. “I can’t express my gratitude enough,” Murphy said. “My life has changed.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 1 in 5 adults 65 years old and above have lost all their natural teeth, and nearly 2 in 3 adults ages 65 and older have gum disease. Dental problems can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating and reduced quality of life. Gum disease is also associated with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. DDS works to provide needed treatment for patients who could not otherwise afford it. In turn, this helps patients with the ability to smile, eat nutritious foods, and live a life free from the pain associated with oral conditions. “We’re able to give people this new quality of life that they couldn’t have otherwise,” said Amy Alexander, DDS program manager. “We are the only program in New Mexico that does this kind of free extensive dental work.”
More than 170 dentists throughout the state volunteer their time for DDS to perform dental work. Participating labs provide donated or discounted services for crowns, dentures, bridges and dental appliances. In the last fiscal year alone, 112 patients received a new smile through DDS. Since 2001, DDS has donated nearly $6 million worth of dental care to more than 1,400 patients. In addition to
supporting DDS, BCBSNM has also supported NMDAF’s Mission of Mercy events, which provide dental clinics for low-income New Mexicans.
TAKE IT TO HEART Senior Health Summit
WHEN: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Marriott Pyramid North 5151 San Francisco Rd. NE | Albuquerque, NM 87109
FREE admission! Call 898-3030 to register today.
Participants will be entered to win raffle prizes including an Air Purifier and a 50” Ultra HD TV. Must be present to win. • Resource fair and health screenings • Lifestyle intervention for cardiovascular well-being • Atrial Fibrillation management and prevention strategies • Grand prize drawing
Love
February 2020 8 Sticking To Fitness And Diet Resolutions
By Beverly Custer
Mid-February is when experts say most people give up on their wellintentioned New Year’s resolutions, about 60 percent of which are health-related, according to market research company YouGov. Reasons for throwing in the not-yet sweaty towel include lack of time and funds, feeling overwhelmed and lack of patience for results.
However, those who stick with a regimen may not only see positive physical changes but experience cognitive benefits as well. Multiple studies, including some by the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago and by the National Institutes of Health, found that older persons who experience a sense of accomplishment and purpose – such as that felt after a workout - are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Debbie Thomas, the 55+ owner of DebTfitness in Albuquerque, has been instructing fitness classes since 1994, and says that the reasons folks give up on a fitness routine are valid.
“There’s a lot out there to get intimidated about - a lot of demanding, hour-long classes that really exert people beyond the point of what they’re capable of doing initially,” Thomas said. “People need to be given permission to modify a workout or pull back, and even regress if they need to.
Kathy Nielson, a registered nurse who works out regularly, compares attending fitness classes to “attending physical therapy three, four times a week, but much cheaper and great for your mental health, also. There isn’t any reason anyone 50 or older shouldn’t be able to do some level. Even if you’re in a wheelchair, you can exercise.”
Joel Mahoney, supervisor of the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs’ 50+ Sports and Fitness Program, agreed that “exercise isn’t just on a treadmill or lifting weights.” The City program, which has various locations, offers multiple fitness opportunities, including a walking program, aerobic and gentle exercise classes, aquatics and an outdoor recreation program, in addition to traditional gym amenities. A 2020 Sports and Fitness Catalog produced by the Department of Senior Affairs can be viewed at https://www.cabq.gov/ seniors, or call 505-764-6400 for more details. The comprehensive publication contains a calendar of events, membership information, details about fitness competitions and even group trips.
Research shows that working with a group or partner helps to keep you accountable. Often, fitness resolutions go by the wayside when someone tries to “go it alone.”
“Working out with someone also has a social aspect to it. It can really help motivate you,” Thomas said.
Here are a few popular workouts that almost anyone can do, but that are still challenging and therapeutic to both mind and body:
• TRX Suspension Training. These gentle resistance exercises incorporate straps that work to resist body weight. “It’s ‘the silent workout,’ meaning that you might not think you’re working out very hard,” Thomas said. Most of the time you are holding onto the handles, so the straps add support to the hips, knees and ankles. You begin with basic exercises... and determine your own level by changing foot position and adjusting strap length.”
• Dumbbell classes. These workouts incorporate strength, balance and even cardiovascular fitness.
• Pound. This rock-out workout uses movement with sticks similar to drum sticks, to the beat of music. “Drumming therapy builds confidence and focus, reduces fatigue and decreases anxiety,” Thomas said.
Mary Trump, a 65-year-old retired electrician with osteoporosis, says she works out six days a week, with a focus on balance and strength training. She belongs to a couple of gyms for variety and says her Social Security income helps her pay for memberships.
Prices for fitness classes vary around Albuquerque. To work with a personal trainer, you could pay up to $65 an hour. Gym memberships
can range from $20 - $80 a month. However, some insurance carriers will cover or contribute to wellness programs. Through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Silver Sneakers program, ages 65 and older can get a free gym membership.
Keep in mind that exercise is only half of the fitness picture. Many people forget or ignore that healthful eating is also a requirement to see physical changes.
Albuquerque nutrition counselor Patrick West offers these tips when committing to a healthier lifestyle:
• As with exercise, accountability is key. “Find a place or situation where you can share a meal with others, as we tend to eat better with others. Also, eat your biggest meal in the middle of the day rather than in the evening.”
• Slow down, and be present while you are eating. Pay attention to your senses - not only to the food’s taste but also to how it looks, how it feels in your mouth, its aroma and even its sound as you chew.
• Choose whole foods that are nutrient dense - healthy protein and fats, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. “Fiber is your friend,” West said. Choose fruits and veggies like kale, broccoli, leafy greens, okra, nopales (cactus), blueberries, cherries, and pomegranates, and grains like brown rice, oats, buckwheat, beans, lentils, and quinoa. “Cooked veggies are a great way to get the minerals we need. Steam, boil, or sautee your favorites.”
FREE MEMORY ASSESSMENT
For more information please contact us at: Phone: 505-848-3773
101 Hospital Loop N.E., Suite 209, Albuqueruqe, NM 87109 Email: albneuro@albneuro.com Website: www.albneuro.com
• Downsizing? • Fixed Income? • Don’t want to live alone?
Rent a room and share a house, the living room, dining, kitchen, laundry and yard. We provide all utilities and Wi-Fi. Close to bus lines, restaurants and shopping. No smoking and No pets
If you have a home and want to sell, talk to us before you list and we may be able to get you more.
505-234-1150 2921 Carlisle NE Suite 200B Alb., NM 87110
Do You or Someone You Love Have Alzheimer’s Disease?
Consider Participating in the GAIN Trial
GAIN is a clinical trial evaluating whether an investigational oral drug is safe and can halt the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease by reducing the damage caused by bacteria in the brain. Eligible study participants are being recruited at study sites around the country.
The safety and effectiveness of COR388 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease have not been established
Study participation, testing and medication are free to all subjects. Some people may receive stipends to cover meals and travel related to study visits.
You or a loved one may be eligible for the study if you:
Are 55 to 80 years old
Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Have a caregiver or family member who will attend study visits, report on daily activities and oversee you taking medication
