McHarrie Place LifeTimes Spring/Summer 2013

SPRING /SUMMER 2013

A Health and Wellness Magazine of McHarrie Life Senior Community

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

It's Never Too Late To Start Exercising How to Stay Young Forever Try the Flexitarian Diet Right From Your Garden

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very year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions and achievements. It is a proud tradition that shows our nation’s commitment to honor the value that elders continue to contribute to our communities.

This year’s Older American’s Month theme— “Unleash the Power of Age!”—emphasizes the important role of older adults. This May, communities across the nation will recognize older Americans as productive, active, and influential members of society.

Older American’s Month celebrations will acknowledge the value that older adults continue to bring to our communities by making an effort to applaud recent achievements of local elders and inviting them to share the activities they do to unleash the power of age.

While McHarrie Life Senior Community provides programs, services, support, and resources to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month is a great opportunity to show special appreciation. We will continue to provide opportunities for our residents to come together and share their experiences with one another, as well as with individuals of other generations.

Making a difference in the lives of those we serve is still our every day…then, now and always.

Admissions: 315-638-2521

Admissions: 315-638-2525

Admissions: 315-638-2525

Admissions: 315-638-1172

To request information about our programs, please call 315-638-2521 or visit our website at www.mcharrielife.org

“Three Decades and Beyond: Employee Milestones”

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ongratulations to our team members who have celebrated three or more decades of dedicated service to McHarrie Life. We gratefully acknowledge their many years of devoted service to our organization.

Anna Marie Cizenski

38 years

Georgia Migliorisi:

35 years

Carol DeBarr:

35 years

Kathy Denhaese:

33 years

Colleen Montague:

32 years

Joann Hoalcraft:

31 years

Rita Nadzan:

30 years

Pictured: Colleen Montague, Administrative Assistant, Rita Nadzan, Activities Director, Georgia Migliorisi, Dietary Supervisor, Kathy Denhaese, Physical Therapy Aide, Carol DeBarr, nursing administrative assistant. (Not pictured: Anna Marie Cizenski, Food Service Manager, and Joann Hoalcraft, LPN).

LifeTimes is a publication of McHarrie Life Senior Community 7740 Meigs Road Baldwinsville, New York 13027 315-638-2521 LifeTimes Editor: Kelly O’Neill-Rossi Director, Development & Marketing If you would like to add/remove your mailing address information, please email krossi@mcharrielife.org.

McHarrie Life Senior Community is a not-for-profit organization that offers a continuum of healthcare programs and services for older adults including; independent living at McHarrie Towne, assisted living and memory care at McHarrie Pointe, and short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care at McHarrie Place. All programs and services are conveniently located at 7740 Meigs Road in Baldwinsville, New York.

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SPRING /SUMMER 2013

Welcome Summer!

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fter a long, cold winter, McHarrie Life is bustling with activity. Our residents are looking forward to basking in the warm sunshine, planting their vegetable gardens, enjoying walks along our nature trails, and spending time with family and friends.

McHarrie Place resident Jesse Virkler enjoys a successful day of fishing.

McHarrie Place resident Alta Clark (center) celebrates her birthday with her daughters, left: Cindy Mayfield, Carole Clark, and Candy Burtch.

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A Zest for Adventure:

Bob LaBelle proves you can start exercising at any age

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How to Stay Young Forever

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A few small changes at home can reduce your chances of a fall

A special salute to the Mary Maltbie Legacy Society

Fall Prevention:

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Healthy Heart: Happy Life

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Meatless Meals Benefit Your Health:

Less meat in your diet can add years to your life

McHarrie Life Foundation:

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McHarrie Life Volunteers: An exciting array of activities planned for the spring and summer

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The Best of Both Worlds—Taking Online Classes from Home

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Get Fit While You Sit: The benefits of chair yoga

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Planning for the Road Ahead: Helpful Dementia tips

Inside Back Cover McHarrie Life Staff Appreciation

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SPRING/SUMMER 2013

A Zest for Adventure

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ob LaBelle proves that it’s never too late to start exercising. As a busy father of four children, and college professor of Food Science at Cornell University, Bob and his wife, Mary, had very little time to exercise while raising their children during the 1950’s in Phelps, New York.

It wasn’t until Bob had the opportunity to take his family on sabbatical with him to California that a new chapter in his life began. “This experience changed our lives,” says LaBelle. As they journeyed across the country, the family enjoyed hiking and camping for the first time. They especially loved hiking in California.

For the next five years, Bob evolved from hiking to mountain climbing. Several of his children also accompanied him on these adventures. At age 45, he learned about a man who had recently won a marathon. What stood out to him the most about the story was that the man had gray hair. In other words, he wasn’t a young 20 year-old who won the marathon. Bob’s first thought was, “If he can do it, I can do it, too!”

On a whim, Bob laced up his sneakers, went out into his neighborhood and ran two miles.

Much to his surprise, he not only enjoyed running, but it was also a lot easier than he expected. He continued to run and went on to participate in 13 marathons throughout the next several decades, including the 26-mile Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon and Marine Reserve Marathon. His peak year of running was at the age of 53. “Running gave me such a great feeling after. I loved it,” he says.

With a love for exercising that he never knew existed before, he purchased his first bike in 1979.

Over 30 years later, his trusty bike has trekked over 30,000 miles throughout our community and beyond!

Now, at the young age of 88, Bob’s current annual bicycling goal is 600 miles a year. His wife, Mary, also developed a love of bicycling while on

SPRING /SUMMER 2013

sabbatical with Bob in Oregon, and she went on to compete in bicycling races. Sadly, Mary died in a car accident several months after Bob retired from Cornell University in 1981.

For the past 10 years, as a resident of McHarrie Towne independent living @ McHarrie Life, Bob often rides from his home to Onondaga Lake Parkway or the Erie Canal. “I enjoy the outside world, and nature. There is so much to be thankful for,” he says.

Last August, while clocking miles towards his 600-mile goal, he was crossing the Long Branch Bridge when his handlebars hit the guard rail and knocked him off his bike. The resulting injury was a fractured hip. The next day, he had a total hip replacement, and credits his successful, rapid recovery to his team of dedicated doctors, physical therapists, and decades of faithful exercise.

As part of McHarrie Life’s continuum of care community, Bob received physical therapy at McHarrie Place. “I am so thankful for short-term rehabilitation on campus. I was so relieved that I could ‘come home’ for rehab. The staff was so good to me. I was very well cared for,” says LaBelle. “The therapists are unrelenting but I was determined. They are very good at their jobs.” In

Although his four children live in different states throughout the country, Bob enjoys spending time with his companion, and neighbor, Joan Procopio. “At least five to six times a year, beginning in early May, we go camping at various state parks throughout New York State,” says LaBelle.

As the proud owner of a travel trailer, they have everything they need to go camping, and enjoy the great outdoors. In particular, they are active participants in letterboxing—an outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle solving. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box in printed catalogs, on one of several websites, or by word-of-mouth. Individual letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox’s stamp, either on their personal notebook or on a postcard, and leave an impression of their personal stamp on the letterbox’s “visitors’ book” or “logbook” — as proof of having found the box and letting other letterboxers know who has visited. Many lettercontinued on next page

“I never started exercising until I was 40 years old!”

—Bob LaBelle, resident of McHarrie Towne, Independent Living just two weeks, Bob returned home, and one of the first things he did was purchase a stationary bike!

When he isn’t bicycling in the warmer weather months, he also enjoys cross-country skiing. Along with marathons, biking, hiking and mountain climbing throughout the years, he also developed a passion for skiing, and has, in the past, participated in the 50 kilometer Tug Hill Tour-a-thon!

In his “down” time, Bob enjoys listening to music, and reading books related to his hobbies of collecting stamps, coins, and trains. He also plays the piano, violin and cello.

Bob participated in the 1997 U.S. National Senior Sports Classic VI in Tucson, Arizona.

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The Health Benefits of Hiking

A Zest for Adventure continued from page 3

boxers keep careful track of their “find count.” or those committed to “Sometimes we have to hike exercising seven hours a 2-3 miles to find it, but we have week or more, the health the time,” says LaBelle. benefits of hiking include; Although Bob doesn’t travel much out of state these days, he n Improved cardio-respiratory fitness would like to take a trip to Sacramento, California to meet his two n Increased muscular strength great-grandchildren. “I have eight n Lower risk of high blood grandchildren, and two are medipressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke cal doctors,” he says proudly.

When asked, “What is your n Lower risk of certain types of cancer secret to living a long and healthy life?” Bob responds, “I’ve always n Less likely to experience depression eaten a very well-balanced diet.

I love to eat, but I eat the right n Improved sleeping things, and avoid too much fat.” n Burns 400-800+ calories He is a firm believer in less meat per hour (depending on your weight) and a daily consumption of fruits and vegetables is very important n Can potentially add years to your life to your health. “Aside from genetics, a good diet is tremendously important to longevity,” he says.

After a trip to Napa Valley in 1973, he started making his own wine at home. “I get the juice from a Finger Lakes winery and ferment it myself,” he says. He most definitely prefers red wine to white wine, which scientific studies proved long ago, can add years to your life when consumed in moderation.

Along with exercise, eating well, stimulating your mind with meaningful activities, and spending time with someone you love, there is one last piece of advice Bob shares. Forever an optimist his whole life, he feels that a positive mindset can only help, not hinder, longevity. “I tend to always see the good things, and do not worry a lot. I’ve always thought…things are going to work out all right…” n

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McHarrie Towne residents enjoy a day at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Pictured Left: Delos and Dorothy Matteson, Mary Follett, Jody Pike and Ralph Bratt.

Great Local Spots for Hiking: BEAVER LAKE NATURE CENTER: A peaceful, serene place for hiking. There are over 9 miles of well-maintained walking trails in the woods as well as open fields of tall grass. Trails are suitable for beginners and experienced hikers.

GREEN LAKES STATE PARK: Two beautiful aqua-blue glacier lakes are surrounded by an upland forest. Total distance around both lakes is 3.1 miles but there are also 20 miles of other trails to explore in the park. This is an absolutely perfect place for beginners, and experienced hikers.

HIGHLAND FOREST: Definitely for experienced hikers, the main trail is 9 miles long.

The terrain is challenging, but the forest is quite beautiful, and the views from the mountaintop are spectacular. There are easier trails available for novice hikers. Make sure to check in at the lodge before you set out on your hike, and keep in mind cell phone coverage on the mountain is scanty.

WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK: Highly recommended—this is a perfect day trip beginning in the morning with a scenic drive through Seneca Lake Wine Country. You will not be disappointed with the 1.5 mile gorge trail located in the heart of the village of Watkins Glen. Expect a strenuous hike with many stairs to climb but the awe-inspiring beauty of 19 waterfalls, stone bridges and tunnels is well worth the exercise. Bring your camera, you won’t be disappointed!

FOR MORE INFORMATION about all of the wonderful hiking spots in New York State, visit www.cnyhiking.com.

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How to Stay Young Forever

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ome people believe that aging is inevitable and that to stay young forever is impossible. But, the science of aging is continually advancing and we are gradually learning what can be done to stay young—or at least a little younger—forever.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: CHALLENGING INSTRUCTIONS: n Don’t smoke. Period. It increases free radicals, which lead to cell death, it wrecks your lungs so you can’t exercise and it affects your social life. n Eat your essential fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends you eat fish twice a week to get enough omega-3, omega-6 and DHA into the body. It helps cells remain flexible and permeable and has been shown to be an important part of the cells of the nervous system, blood vessels and skin. That means they help with wrinkles and brain function, isn’t that perfect? Oily fish is the best, but not because it’s deep fried with chips. n Maintain a healthy weight. Overweight is hard on the joints and it’s hard on the heart that has to work overtime to carry the extra weight.

Not only that, but fat can sit in nasty places like artery walls where it stops blood from getting where it needs to go. Heart attacks are not very youthful. Underweight isn’t much better. Bones and muscles get robbed of building material to give the rest of the body energy. It wrecks your kidneys and can lead to early menopause and osteoporosis. n Include lots of colorful vegetables in your diet, especially orange and yellow ones, which are a high source of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant which means it can fight free radicals in the body. It helps the body’s cells stay on a normal healthy path rather than wander off and die or become cancerous. Beta carotene also is converted into vitamin A, which helps keep your skin young and your eyes working. n Work your heart. Cardiovascular exercise, also known as aerobic exercise, is a workout that makes your heart muscle pump a little harder for a period of time. By keeping the heart muscle in shape, it is less likely to deteriorate.

By keeping the heart muscle strong and pumping, blood pressure is lowered and blood flows to more places in the body. Blood flow to the skin, the brain and the digestive system, are healthy, youthful body attributes. n Stay strong. Do weight training at least twice a week. Strong muscles lead to strong bones, which don’t break as easily. Broken hips make you feel old. Strong muscles give you independence to do simple things like opening jars and chopping wood. n Balance. Balance deteriorates with age, but it can be trained and maintained. Practicing balance by doing yoga or dancing or even standing on one leg in the kitchen is great neuromuscular exercise. In other words, it keeps the body and brain in touch. If you have balance, you reduce your chances of falling and testing your bones for strength. n Think. Use your brain to learn, do crossword puzzles, math problems or simply read stimulating material. If you don’t use it, you lose it.

Research has consistently shown that older adults who are regularly stimulating their brains are less prone to mental deterioration. n Be young. Laugh, dance, visit, and explore new things. Attitude is everything. n Courtesy of eHow.co.uk

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Fall Prevention So you can continue to do what you love most . . .

Lori Crawford, PTA, Director of Rehabilitative Services, McHarrie Place

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lthough we often feel that an accidental fall will not happen to us, we should be aware that when and if it does happen, it can alter so many things in our lives. We are all at risk of having a fall, but falls by the elderly or those in poor health are much more likely to occur and often have life changing consequences. Why are the elderly more likely to fall? There are many intrinsic factors including; poor vision, reduced hearing, vestibular changes, postural instability, musculoskeletal disorders, use of medications, and decreased strength, pain, and sensation. To help prevent falls, implement some simple measures to ensure that your home and surroundings are safe.

The following is a list of measures/changes that can easily be made at home for increased safety. n Remove throw rugs or secure them to the floor. n Be aware of thresholds and other uneven areas on floors. n Remove obstacles, such as electrical cords, shoes, clothes, papers, books, pet dishes from floors — especially in walking paths.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention: n One-third of Americans aged 65+ falls each year n Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall. n Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries in emergency departments annually, including over 650,000 hospitalizations and more than 20,000 deaths. n In 2000, the direct medical cost of fatal and nonfatal fall injuries totaled over $19 billion, $28.2 billion in 2010 dollars. n The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $54.9 billion by 2020. n Falls with or without injury also carry a heavy quality of life impact.

A growing number of older adults fear falling, and, as a result, self-limit activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

n Clear sidewalks of any obstacles and provide good lighting. n Turn lights on in rooms, hallways and stairwells. n Keep frequently used items in cabinets or on surfaces within your reach. n Avoid stepping on stools, chairs, etc. to retrieve an item from a higher surface. n Use sturdy grab bars in tubs/showers/toilets.

Do not use a towel bar for support. n Use non-slip mats in tubs/showers. n Handrails should be installed for all stairs. n Wear appropriate, supportive shoes with non-slip soles. Do not walk on floors in stocking feet or bare feet. n Bed should be an appropriate height. n Use an appropriate walking device, if needed. n Use a tray, basket or bag on a walker to carry items. n Carry a cordless phone or have an emergency response system installed. n

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Healthy Heart, Happy Life Sue Brady, RD, CSG, CDN-Registered Dietitian, McHarrie Place

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eart disease remains the #1 killer of both men and women in the United States. What we eat is important. Age, heredity, lack of exercise, extra weight and too much fat in our diets are some of the risk factors that may cause heart problems. Healthy food habits can help reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Exercise daily; talk to your doctor about an exercise program that is safe for you. If you are overweight; try to lose weight. Losing just 5% of your total body weight can improve your overall health significantly.

We all know the changes recommended; but putting it into place is the greatest challenge. Concentrate on adding healthy foods to your diet. Add these riskreducing foods, one at a time, until they eventually crowd out less healthy foods.

CINNAMON SPICED NUTS AND A LITTLE INSPIRATION Ingredients: 1 cup walnuts; unsalted 1 cup pecan halves; unsalted 1 cup almonds; unsalted 1 cup pistachios; unsalted 1 cup of pine or hazelnuts 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon Chili Powder 1 Tablespoon Stevia sweetener or other artificial sweetener ¼ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 Tablespoon fresh orange zest

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. In a small bowl, combine all spices, zest and sweetener. Set aside.

3. Place all nuts on a cookie sheet and roast 8 minutes until fragrant.

4. Remove toasted nuts from oven and transfer into large bowl.

Drizzle with olive oil and spice mixture; gently toss to combine.

5. Transfer to a serving dish.

6. Serve warm Serving = 1/3 cup: Calories- 284 calories; Protein 5.5 grams; Fiber 3.6 grams; Sodium 30.6 milligrams.

HEALTHY HEART GUIDELINES: n Eat a diet lower in fat and cholesterol n Eat more fruit and vegetables. The USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends 3½ - 5 cups per day. n Eat grains that contain fiber. At least half of all grains consumed should be whole grains such as whole wheat, oats, rye, barley and corn. n Watch your portion sizes and eat foods from all food groups. n Shake the salt in your diet. Stop adding salt to food while cooking and at the table. n Include fish in your diet (8 oz per week); such as salmon, sardines and halibut. n Choose lean meats. n Make beans, lentils and soy protein a regular part of your diet.

Soy protein foods are low in saturated fats and an excellent source of protein and calcium. n Snack on nuts on most days. Several studies have found that including nuts on a daily basis can reduce heart disease risk factors. Tree nuts contain fiber and a combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a Qualified Health claim that states: Eating 1½ ounces of most nuts daily may reduce the risk factor for heart disease. Choose from almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts or pistachios. n Include three servings of low-fat milk or equivalent low-fat dairy products. n Choose olive oil over other fats. A diet rich in olive oil has been shown to increase HDL levels (healthy cholesterol levels).

Bottom line; you don’t have to make big changes to reap the benefits. Focus on one change at a time. A change in diet may include adding healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables. Try adding nuts to your plan most days in place of other snacks. If you don’t eat breakfast; start there. If exercise is where you want to start; then just move. Try walking 2-3 times per week. Don’t focus on how far or how fast you walk; just get moving. Did you know that if you get up and walk or march in place during TV commercials you will add 15-20 minutes of exercise to your routine daily?

Every step you take really does make a difference!

If you have a smart phone, there is a free app called, “Map My Fitness.” It keeps track of your distance, walking routes, daily food intake, and enables you to log other exercise routines. This app also offers opportunities to join local walking groups, or train for a marathon. It’s simple, fun and easy to use. It is also a GREAT tool for keeping track of all of your workouts, and calculates the calories you burn. n

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Meatless Meals Benefit Your Health A ‘’Flexitarian’’ Diet Meets in the Middle by Liza Barnes, Health Educator

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hat do you eat?!” may be the question most often heard by vegetarians, as if meat is the only food group available.

Obviously, as the five million thriving vegetarians in America have shown, there’s a lot to eat, without choosing meat—and they’re healthier as a result.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, vegetarians have lower rates of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

While simple recipes abound for tasty meatless fare, vegetarianism is a leap that many aren’t prepared to take. But you can still have many of the health benefits of a vegetarian diet without trading your turkey for Tofurkey by trying “flexitarianism” on for size. Flexitarians, or semivegetarians, are “sometimes” vegetarians, meaning people who reduce some of their meat consumption and fill the gap with other plant-based food groups—eating a mostly vegetarian diet, yet remaining flexible.

Although the name is new, the idea is not. In fact, a few generations ago, meat was most often eaten in side-dish portions, while other food groups took center stage. Beans, vegetables, and grains supplied the bulk of a meal, while the meat supplied the flavor. This might sound backward, but many nutrition experts agree that our health would benefit if we took this “old-fashioned” approach to eating.

Eating less meat and more grains, beans, fruits and veggies means you’ll be consuming fewer calories, less saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. And that adds up to a lot of health benefits.

On average, people who eat less meat are leaner, less apt to gain weight than people

A national health campaign known as “Meatless Monday” promotes cutting out meat one day each week, but you could try meatless lunches during the week for the same effect. who eat the most meat, less prone to cancer, especially colorectal cancer, and suffer from fewer heart problems.

Another benefit is that you’ll save money. Meat costs more per pound than most foods. You can use that extra cash you save to get a gym membership, new running shoes, or an iPod for your workouts.

Committing to a 100% vegetarian diet isn’t necessary to achieve the health benefits that vegetarians enjoy. There aren’t specific guidelines to exactly how much meat to cut out to achieve these benefits, but cutting back even slightly is a positive change. A national health campaign known as “Meatless Monday” promotes cutting out meat one day each week, but you could try meatless lunches during the week for the same effect.

Now, replacing a sirloin steak with a can of pinto beans might not appeal to you. But how does roasted tomatoeggplant ratatouille with rice, or spicy black bean chili and cheesy cornbread sound? There are many meals like these that taste so good you won’t even think

to ask “where’s the beef?” Eggplant parmesan, pasta salad, bean burritos, and vegetable fajitas are some good examples.

Admittedly, a flexitarian diet will call on your creativity. Here are some tips to get you started: n Stock up on vegetarian cookbooks.

Some good ones to try include; Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, by Deborah Madison and The New Moosewood Cookbook, by Molly Katzen. These and many other titles are available at your local library, so you can check them out before you commit. Also visit SparkRecipes.com for a wide selection of vegetarian recipes. n If you’re cooking at home, make your main course meatless and serve meat on the side. You could have vegetarian lasagna and a salad topped with cubed chicken, roasted eggplant and zucchini sandwiches with antipasto, or spinach frittata and a side of organic sausage. n Pick a meatless day each week. Or go vegetarian during the week and omnivore on the weekends. This will give your body a break from processing all that cholesterol and saturated fat, and balance your overall caloric and fat intake. n Try some meat substitutes. Most vegetarians enjoy cold-cuts as much as anyone, but theirs are made from soy, and are lower in fat and cholesterolfree. n When dining out, scour the menu for vegetarian options—restaurants usually offer at least one. If not, choose an entrée that is served with veggies and grains—like pasta, or stir-fry. n Fill up in the garden. Imagine your dinner plate is divided in quarters. Fill

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two quarters with veggies, one quarter with grains, and the last quarter with meat. n Eat your veggies first. Along with vitamins, they’re also loaded with fiber, which will begin to satiate you before you dig into the meat. n Bank your meals for the future. If you go to a restaurant and order a steak, order a takeaway container along with it. Cut off a section about the size of a deck of playing cards, and that’s your dinner. The rest will make a great lunch tomorrow and maybe even more—all for the price of one meal. n Skimp on cheese. There is a common pitfall for anyone attempting a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet— substituting one saturated fat (meat) for another (cheese). Remember that cheese is high in saturated fat too, and can contribute to health problems if over-consumed. Rely on vegetables and whole grains to fill in the gap instead. n Check out www.MeatlessMonday. com for more ideas and recipes.

What it all boils down to is balance and moderation. Although moderation never sounds exciting, the benefits to your health, your waistline, and your wallet can be very exciting indeed! n Source: www.sparkpeople.com

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ince 1851, our organization has been steadfastly committed to quality, compassionate healthcare. Founded by courageous, humanitarian women over 160 years ago as a place of refuge and basic needs assistance to the disadvantaged, today we are a leading nonprofit healthcare continuum for older adults, supported by a growing foundation.

Members of our Foundation’s Mary Maltbie Legacy Society have (and continue to) support McHarrie Life with transformational gifts. Their giving transforms the lives of our residents today, and those of the future. It is with extreme gratitude that we acknowledge and thank these donors for their magnificent generosity and vision for the future.

The Mary Maltbie LEGACY SOCIETY

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$500,000 Dedication of McHarrie Life Rehabilitation Center Arlene & Elizabeth Walter In Loving Memory of the Walter Family

$100,000 & Above Robert & Janice Bitz In Loving Memory of their parents Homer & Ilda Abbott and Harry & Metta Bitz A Legacy of Stewardship from the Estate of Ursula P. Pettengill Outstanding Friend and Dedicated Volunteer In Loving Memory of Angela Marie Roefaro In Memory of the W. Jay Moyer Family From the Estate of Edna Catherine Moyer admired teacher and friend to children Doris B. Rowell

Bronze sculpture of Syracuse Home founders, Mary Maltbie (right) and Clara Hibbard

$50,000 to $99,999 In Memory of Mildred C. Becker From her children Doris A. Hildebrandt & Robert W. Becker In Loving Memory of my Beloved Husband Herbert J. Hildebrandt Doris A. Hildebrandt Richard & Carol Manville In Memory of Loved Ones Virginia M. Weidig, Frederick S. & Virginia R. Marty In Loving Memory of Bertha L. Marty & Frederick Marty, Jr. Thomas & Susan McKee In Memory of Barbara M. Falck Virginia Marty Weidig In Loving Memory of VanWyck Weidig

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$25,000 to $49,999

Linda & Donald Colon In Loving Memory of Freda K. Colon & Dorothy Rizzuto

The Boyd Family In Memory of Agnes Elizabeth Flynn

Shirley M. Eisenhauer In Loving Memory of Leslie G. Eisenhauer

Rosemary E. Bucci In Loving Memory of Agostino & Marie G. Bucci

Natalie J. Andreassi Fadden In Honor of My Wonderful Children

Fern Roberts Butler In Loving Memory of Norman R. Butler & Pearl A. Reckerd

From All Who Loved Her In Loving Memory of Dorothy Fedrizzi

Charles & Rose Calligaris In Honor of the Calligaris Family

Thomas & Doris Ingham In Loving Memory of Marian Frances Whitmore & Edith Daggett Ingham

Mary Ann Cenci In Loving Memory of Dominic & Mary Cenci

Horace & Judy Ivey In Loving Memory of our Grandmothers

J. Roland Craner & Family In Loving Memory of Louise Cameron Craner

Richard & Angela Kowalski In Loving Memory of Frank & Hattie Kowalski

Julius & Mary Deuble In Loving Memory of Otto & Helene Deuble and Lloyd & Alice Host

Frederick & Karen Miller In Loving Memory of Ingrid Marie Olson

Falardeau Funeral Home, Inc.

Laugh Often, Play Hard, Dream In Loving Memory of Brian J. Murphy

In Loving Memory of Winona Schellings Farrell By her children Charles Farrell, Mary Schmutz & Lea Ann VanWinkle

Omnicare Proud to Support the Great Work of Syracuse Home

Dr. Frederick W. Fuess, III & Mary Eleanor Gates Slye In Memory of Frederick & Winifred Fuess, Jr. and Rufus & Alice Gates Dave & Ann Horan In Memory of Everett & Lois Sprague Delos S. & Dorothy Matteson In Memory of Delos & Alma Matteson and J Bowman & Ada Crego

Lois Rhebergen and Family John R. Sturtz In Memory of Margaret D. Sturtz In Loving Memory of Harry & Christine Sutton and Daniel & Kathleen Hilbert Phyllis A. Tipper In Memory of Gertrude L. Tipper

Mary A. Melnick In Loving Memory of Serge N. Gorbatsevich

In Loving Memory of Donna Ward Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Volunteer

Edward William Schoenheit, Jr. and Marian Beauchamp Schoenheit

In Honor of the great work of Syracuse Home Chuck Wolfe

Joanne W. Zinsmeister-Yarwood & Dr. Edwin H. Yarwood In honor of the legacy of yesterday and hope for the future of tomorrow

In honor of all those who provide and appreciate this wonderful care From the Wilcox Zinsmeister Yarwood Families

$5,000 to $24,999 Robert E. & Gail L. Burns In Honor of Milton G. & Irma L. Bilyeu Walter N. & Marilynn Butcher In Loving Memory of our Baldwinsville Friends Mary Ann Cenci In Loving Memory of the Cenci & Nierotka Families In Loving Memory of Annette & Nicholas Consroe From Their Family

Your life leaves a trail for others to follow.

Call Audrey Gibbs, 638-2521, for a confidential meeting.

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Volunteers

McHarrie

Auxiliary volunteer and gift shop chairperson Georgia Sanderson (left) helps McHarrie Place resident Peg Clancy shop for the perfect necklace.

Volunteer Marge Ingalls, (left) enjoys her role as mani­ curist for resident Janet King of McHarrie Place.

Volunteers Swing Into Spring!

Auxiliary volunteer Maryann Cenci contributed the most volunteer hours in 2012.

Thank you, Maryann for your many hours of dedicated service.

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inally! The days are longer, brighter, and warmer, and our residents and volunteers are looking forward to the many activities and wonderful trips planned throughout the upcoming months including; shopping, fishing, baseball games, casino, zoo, regional market, state fair, and much more.

“It is with much gratitude and appreciation of our volunteers that our organization is able to provide outstanding lifestyle choices and social activities for every resident living on our campus. We have over 75 active volunteers who volunteered over 5,500 hours last year,” says Teri Tarolli, volunteer coordinator at McHarrie Life.

Volunteers help transport residents to activities and outings, assist with special events and luncheons, and play cards and games with residents.

“We welcome new volunteers to join our outstanding volunteer team,” says Tarolli.

Nearly 200 residents live in McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living, Sage Court memory care and skilled nursing care. Residents living at Sage Court are in the early stages of memory loss, and benefit greatly from companionship and camaraderie with volunteers. “Our activities program at Sage Court includes; daily exercise, walking group, manicures, Yahtzee, happy hour, trivia, dancing, and movie nights, so there is something for everyone to enjoy,” says Tarolli.

To learn more about the many wonderful volunteer opportunities at McHarrie Life, please contact Teri Tarolli, volunteer coordinator, at 638-2521 x 1400. n

Congratulations to the Top Ten Volunteers who contributed the most volunteer hours in 2012.

Maryann Cenci

256.87

Rosaleen Dugan

251.00

Maggie Tubbert

206.33

Arlene Rode

170.50

Mark Besser

165.00

Stephen Dreher

144.33

Bob Sevak

144.10

Doreen McLane

132.00

Dom Carfagna

128.67

Georgia Sanderson

125.30

SPRING /SUMMER 2013

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The Best of Both Worlds-Taking Online Classes from Home

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fter a long, hot summer day, instead of settling down in front of the television, why not pour yourself a cold drink, settle into your favorite outdoor chair with your iPad or laptop, and embark upon the opportunity to take a free online class?

Without the worries of tests, homework, or attending lectures, online classes are a fantastic way to learn something new, expand your skills, or freshen up on subjects you learned years ago.

If you are new to the world of computers and online learning, www.GCFLearnFree.org is a great user-friendly website offering quality, innovative online learning opportunities to anyone who wants to improve their computer technology, literacy and math skills.

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Several other more advanced, outstanding websites include: www. saylor.org, and www.academicearth. org. Both websites include hundreds of classes and subjects of interest including; communications, business, literature, biology, art history, education, psychology, math, professional development and much more.

Saylor.org offers the experience of a full curriculum of higher education. Each course, if completed in full, offers a certificate of completion. Although the website cannot offer accredited degrees, it does offer free online learning and the unique opportunity to explore potential careers and curriculums for free.

So give it a try! It’s never too late to learn something new! n

he McHarrie Life Auxiliary is a group of dedicated volunteers who use their talents and abilities to advance the comfort, joy and welfare of McHarrie

Life residents. New members are always welcome.

For more information about the auxiliary, please call 315-638-2521 or visit our website at www.mcharrielife.org/ volunteeropportunities.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2013

Get Fit While You Sit Clare Murray Volo, Resident Services Associate, McHarrie Towne Independent Living

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ooking for an opportunity to clear your mind? Want to feel more relaxed?

Hoping to catch a few moments to recharge your energy?

You, most likely, replied “Yes!” to one or all of the above questions. Well, what if I told you that it’s as easy as taking five minutes without leaving the chair that you are sitting on?!

Welcome to the world of chair yoga. Over 4,000 years ago, the yoga gurus manifested and created yoga. I’m sure they never dreamt that one day, yoga would be done sitting on an upright chair.

Fast forward to 2013. If you put the words “chair yoga” into a search engine like Google, there are over 13 million results! So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, it’s many things.

One to mention is more occupations are having workers stay seated in a chair for 40+ hours a week.

There’s a number of people looking for quick and easy ways to keep stretching their bodies without taking too much time away from their work.

Another is more people with many different levels of physical abilities are living longer. From the 90-something WWII vet who may be wheelchair bound to the 50-something baby boomer still actively working.

Both of these populations (and everyone in between!) would be able to participate in chair yoga. All you need is a few minutes, an upright chair (preferably with no wheels) and the willingness to try something new.

Mindfulness and Sun Breaths Exercise: Find an upright chair in a quiet setting. Try to face away from any technological device such as a computer, cell phone, iPad, etc. Better yet, turn everything off! Find a way to sit up very tall while putting feet flat on the ground. You may need a cushion behind the small of your back or a phone book to put your feet on. If possible, remove shoes to really feel yourself grounded. Rest the palms on your knees, thighs or in your lap. Having the palms face up towards the ceiling is not only a gentle shoulder opener but a great reminder to be open to receiving the gifts of your practice. With your legs hip width apart and your chin parallel to the ground,

close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Inhale and exhale through the nose. Feel the breath start to deepen as you inhale and exhale with ease. Start adding a mindful thought to your breath. As you breathe in, think to yourself — Inhaling, I calm my body. As you breathe out, think to yourself — Exhaling, I smile. Repeat these thoughts silently to yourself for 10 rounds of breath. When done, bring arms down by the sides of the body with palms facing up. On the inhale, raise the arms and your chin up towards the ceiling. On the exhale, turn the palms out and lower your arms down and the chin towards the chest. Allow 3-5 rounds of what

With each inhale, lift arms as if the sun is rising. With each exhale, lower arms as if the sun was setting.

SPRING /SUMMER 2013

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Planning for the Road Ahead Helpful Dementia Tips by Jackie Mullen, RN Wellness Coordinator at McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living Residence are called sun breaths. With each inhale, lift arms as if the sun is rising. With each exhale, lower arms as if the sun was setting. When done, bring palms together in front of the center of your chest, your heart center. With eyes closed check in with your mind, body and breath, acknowledge and appreciate if there’s been any changes within. Open your eyes and move forward with your day.

Clare is a certified 350-hour level Kripalu Yoga Instructor, and has taught chair yoga to residents of McHarrie Towne for over six years. She also teaches at Canton Woods Senior Center. n

Left to right: M cHarrie Towne residents Peggy Boyd, Jacquie Olmsted, Jane Sutton, and Joan Procopio enjoy chair yoga.

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n our community, there are many men and women who are living vital and active lives well into their 90’s and 100’s. Most have risen above many hardships and continue to embrace life with a sense of sound mind, body and spirit. However, for those in our community who are currently struggling with the challenging journey of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, this can be overwhelming for the individual diagnosed and the families assisting them.

Although the road ahead can be long and uncertain, there are many supportive networks within the community to assist and guide caregivers and their loved ones through this journey. This article is intended to assist families and caregivers by offering helpful tips to ease those "bumps in the road" as we care for our loved ones. It is our goal to offer these individuals every opportunity to live an active and fulfilling life.

The first of this segment will include various communication tips to assist in meeting the needs of our loved ones. As a person progresses with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, you will notice many changes in the way they communicate.

They will find it hard to communicate the correct words when speaking. They will start to increase their hand gestures in an attempt to get the words out.

As they become more frustrated, you may see them become more confused and even outbursts of frustration may result. This is normal in our Alzheimer’s and Dementia populations. There are ways we can make communication less stressful for not only the person struggling with it but also the person attempting to communicate with the individual.

HERE ARE A FEW COMMUNICATION TIPS: 1. Keep your communication simple. Call them by name. Only ask one question at a time, keeping the question short and to the point. Allow the person ample time to answer. If the person doesn’t respond, try again.

2. Encourage your loved one to point and gesture if they are unable to express with their voice a certain object they are referring to.

3. Validate that they have been heard by nodding and smiling as appropriate.

This can give them reassurance as they are struggling to make their needs known.

4. The person who is communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia needs to be aware of their body language. Visual cues can make or break good communication. Make good eye contact, getting within eye level to them when speaking is important. If you are getting tense or irritated, your loved one will sense this and may become more flustered. It is okay to take a short break if you feel your fuse getting short. Try again when the dust has settled and you are feeling a little bit calmer.

Hopefully, these tips will assist with some of the many bumps in the road that remain as our loved one progresses with this disease. By understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, together, we can make the journey a smooth road to travel.

For more information about Sage Court memory care at McHarrie Pointe, please contact Maggie Reap, Director of Residential Services at 315-638-2525.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2013

In Grateful Ap M

cHarrie Life would like to recognize each and every one of our 239 employees who provide exceptional, compassionate care to every resident our organization is privileged to serve.

From our maintenance and housekeeping teams, to dietary aides, therapists, social workers, activities departments, pastoral care, beauticians, doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, every person is a valuable member of our team…

It is with much thanks to our professional staff that McHarrie Life is a premier senior living community in Central New York.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Unleash the Power of Age” during Older American’s month, we are especially thankful for our staff’s commitment to helping our residents’ stay healthy, social, active and happy.

Every month, we receive letters of thanks and appreciation from family members, former short-term rehabilitation residents, local businesses, and volunteers who are grateful for the care of their loved ones, or themselves.

We could not provide this wonderful, warm and inviting “home” without our amazing staff.

Thank you for truly making a difference in the lives of our residents….

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