Active Seniors

active seniors September 2015

INSIDE THIS EDTION: Age Discrimination Senior Nutrition Benefits of Reading Hydration

active aging week September 27 through October 3 A Publication of Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Active Aging Week Changing the Way We Age!

2 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has identified older adults as a key service area and spearheaded the formation of a local Active Aging Committee in 2013 to address programming for this ever growing segment of our community.

This year the committee planned a wonderful array of activities to celebrate Active Aging Week and invites you to join in the fun September 27th thru October 3rd.

Active Aging Week was started in 2003 by the International Council on Active Aging as an event celebrating aging and active living by engaging older adults in wellness activities in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere. It is a call to action to

adults 50 years and older to really challenge themselves to break their routine and try something new.

No matter what your age, staying active can improve your quality of life and you don’t have to spend a lot of time doing it to see and feel improvement.

In addition to Active Aging Week, the committee invites you to the Active Aging Section of the Autumn Arts Festival on Saturday, October 3rd from 12 to 6 p.m. to learn more about how you can make the choice to get active and live your best life after 50 and beyond! For more information, call 925-0951, ext. 349.

Fight Age Discrimination

Age discrimination in the employment world is real. Companies may think that senior-level employees will be too costly to on-board or may be too stuck in their ways to integrate into a workplace. It’s up to you to prove them wrong.

Fortunately there are ways to get around the age discrimination challenge during your job search.

Many job-seekers may consider hiding their age on their resumes by omitting the dates of employment for past employers. Although this will hide your age from hiring managers and recruiters, it also can serve as a red flag.

Reviewers want to know if you’ve held steady employment over the years or if your resume contains many job gaps.

Try listing start and end dates for the past 15 years of employment and create an “Early Career History” section for previous employment without any dates.

This gives hiring managers a detailed look of your most recent experience and provides good interview material should you make it past the initial hiring process.

When it’s time to dust off the resume and find a new career opportunity, it’s also time to rely on previous connections. Many job-seekers will update their resume, post it on a highly visible job board and wait for results to come to them.

This is not an effective job search strategy. Candidates of all ages must be proactive in their search, and this starts with reaching out to previous employers and peers to let them know you’re back on the employment market.

Even if you’re not interested in rejoining a previous company, you never know what kinds of connections your colleagues may have fostered along the way.

Make a gift that provides income.

Did you know charitable giving isn’t just a one-way proposition? It’s true!

With the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Charitable Gift Annuity Program, you can make a meaningful donation and in return receive a steady income stream—all while generating valuable income-tax benefits.

A gift annuity to Marian Regional Medical Center pays you fixed, annual payments for life. Benefit from your generosity today while supporting vital hospital programs and services!

For more information, please contact the Marian Foundation at (805) 739-3595.

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LIVE EASY.

HURRY! ONLY 4 HOMES REMAIN!

Quality homes by Williams Homes in a low maintenance community near the places and people you love. Get where you’re going easily, and then come home to a modern, walkable neighborhood. That’s easy living. Smart. Relaxed. All you.

Single-Story Detached Homes 1,450 to 1,505 SqFt 2 & 3 Bedrooms Low-Maintenance Living • Gated Entry

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Prices effective date of publication, subject to prior sale and availability. Square footage is approximate.

Williams Homes, Inc. is a California Broker, License no. 01449126.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Active Seniors / September 2015

• • • •

Single-Story Detached Homes priced from the $300,000s

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Parkland Cottages in Santa Maria: Hurry Only 4 Homes Remain!

4 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Time is of the essence for those who wish to live at Parkland Cottages, one of the best new home values in Santa Maria. The final residences have generated such strong sales activity that homebuyers who have been waiting and watching the market simply cannot afford to miss this incredible opportunity. With only four homes remaining, this weekend is the time to visit Parkland Cottages and claim one as your own!

“This collection continues to impress buyers who want quality craftsmanship, more for their money and a desirable location,” explains Daniel Faina, sales and marketing director for Williams Homes. “In addition to the incredible, low-

maintenance homes, buyers can look forward to living within a gated community that offers an exclusively private and serene setting. The enduring appeal of Parkland Cottages and the chance to buy one of the last homes should inspire homebuyers to act now.”

Set behind private entry gates, Bungalow, Traditional and Farmhouse exterior architecture combine to create timeless curb appeal with private cul-de-sac street orientation, two-car garages and welcoming covered front porches. Easy-living interiors present open floorplans from approximately 1,450 to 1,505 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, and up to two and one-half bathrooms. Highlights

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include great room living, distinct dining areas, private master suites with walk-in closets and dual vanities, linen storage, and a den option (Residence 2). Well-equipped kitchens feature island workstations with bar seating, preferred granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

Williams Homes has designed the residences of Parkland Cottages for today’s energy-conscious consumers.

Homebuyers will discover an array of standard features that boost energy efficiency, help reduce water consumption and improve indoor air quality.

Everyday convenience adds to Parkland Cottage’s desirability.

Homeowners will enjoy gated living and their own neighborhood outdoor gathering area. In addition to nearby shops and services, Parkland Cottages is also located in close proximity to Santa Maria Country Club.

Parkland Cottage’s Sales Center is located at 2437 Parkland Way in Santa Maria. To visit from Highway 101, exit West Betteravia Road and head west, turn left on South Broadway, then right on McCoy Lane.

Parkland Cottages will be on the left.

For additional information phone 800.859.8793 or visit online at www.

WILLIAMSHOMES.com.

Williams Homes is fast establishing itself as the area’s new premier

homebuilder. Currently, Williams Homes is now selling Harvest Glen in Santa Maria and Falcon Heights in Vandenberg Village.

Harvest Glen presents one- and two-story single family homes ranging from 1,623 to 2,639 approximate square feet, with three to five bedrooms, and filled with impressive price-included amenities. Pricing is from the mid $300,000s with no costly Mello-Roos special taxes. The decorated model homes are open daily. Phone 805.922.5552 for further information.

Falcon Heights is an exclusive community of 48 single-story homes overlooking the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve near the Village Country Club in Vandenberg Village.

Floorplans range from approximately 2,779 to 3,494 square feet, with three and four bedrooms, and fifteen exterior elevations to provide for a unique streetscape. Large homesites range from approximately 10,000 square feet to more than an acre. Pricing is from the $600,000s. The decorated model home is open Thursday through Monday. Phone 805.741.7302 for further information.

Prices effective date of publication, subject to prior sale and available.

Williams Homes, Inc. is a California Broker, License number 01449126.

About Williams Homes Under the leadership of Lance Williams, Williams Homes has built a reputation with new homeowners throughout Southern and Central California by providing homes of quality and distinction. During the last decade, Williams Homes has built and delivered hundreds of new homes and earned a respected reputation as a builder of exceptional quality homes and communities. The Williams Homes team has established a relationship with its family of homebuyers as a builder who stands behind its product and continues to provide a level of customer service that exceeds expectations. www.WILLIAMSHOMES.com

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utrition is important to all age groups, especially to the elderly. Seniors need specific nutritional regimens to stay in optimal health.

As people age, their diets generally need to change.

Physicians recommend balance in the diet of seniors that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains to maintain and improve overall health.

According to the American Dietetic Association, in addition to eating a healthful variety of foods, there are specific things a caregiver can incorporate into their loved one’s diet to boost health.

Add the Right Nutrients

Some of the most important

Senior Nutrition

nutrients to incorporate into your diet are Omega 3 fatty acids. These inflammation-reducing nutrients have been proven to help prevent heart disease, cancer and arthritis.

So where do you find them?

They are in flaxseed and flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil and different types of fish. Physicians recommend eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids at least twice a week. There also are supplements on the market that may be beneficial.

As always, check with your physician for the best plan of action.

Boost Calcium

It’s no secret that as people age, calcium becomes a critical necessity of their diets. Calcium helps preserve bone health and lower blood pressure — two health benefits specifically important to senior citizens.

The World Health Organization recommends that adults over the age of 50 get at least 1,200 milligrams per day of calcium. This amount is equal to about 4 cups of fortified orange juice, dairy milk, or fortified non-dairy milks such as almond or soy, says the WHO.

Limit Sodium

Many seniors suffer from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Overcoming this condition requires a reduction of sodium in the diet.

This can’t be achieved solely by reducing the amount of table salt added to food.

Processed and restaurant foods are typically extremely high in sodium, and should be only a small part of a senior’s diet. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts and grains to help meet dietary needs without the risks of added salt.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Active Seniors / September 2015

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Benefits of Reading

ow do you like to pass the time? Recent research shows that reading may be your best bet for improving your cognition, memory and overall health.

Take a seat and flip open your favorite book, magazine or newspaper. Your body and mind will thank you.

Memory Benefits

A recent study of 294 seniors published in Neurology magazine uncovered slower rates of memory decline for people who engaged in mentally simulating activities such as reading.

The study found that later-inlife reading can reduce the rate of memory loss by about 32 percent.

Why the connection between reading and memory health?

Experts say that reading exercises

your memory, which helps boost your short-term recall of everyday events.

6 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

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important to cognition in late life.

The Mayo Clinic states that Better Decisioncreating a bedtime ritual, such as reading, signals the body that sleep Making In an article published by USA Today, the Alzheimer’s Association is near. Sleep experts recommend Reading also can improve the reading a book before bed instead analytical abilities in seniors, which reported that brain-challenging can lead to better decision-making activities build a reserve of neuronal of watching TV or looking at connections. This can lengthen the electronic devices. processes in stressful situations.

These activities have been proven time it takes for Alzheimer’s to The last thing you want to to either keep people awake longer emerge. happen when facing a problem or disrupt sleep patterns. So the A recent study from the Rush is to be unable to come up with next time you lay your head down University Aging and Memory an effective solution. Regular to rest, opt for a new book instead Project found that more frequent reading can strengthen the mental activities, including reading, of the remote control or your cognitive functioning that goes help preserve brain structures into identifying, analyzing and mobile device.

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Join Radiology Associates in the Fight Against Breast Cancer!

Screening Mammograms are Only $95 (cash price) All Month Long in October Plus, We’ll be Having our Pink Parties with Raffle Prizes and Giveaways!

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Volunteer as a Tax Aide

ave you been looking for ways to get more involved with your community? The AARP offers the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service for people just like you.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to help community members file their 2015 taxes.

AARP Foundation Background

The Tax-Aide foundation started in 1968 with just four volunteers, according to the AARP. The organization now involves more than 35,000 volunteers and serves 2.6 million taxpayers annually at more than 5,000 sites nationwide.

Tax aide is available free to

taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention given to those 60 and older. Through a base of trained volunteers, the foundation has helped individuals in every state and the District of Columbia.

You can take an active role in recruiting, on-boarding, coordinating and leading volunteer efforts to help grow the foundation.

The AARP also has a large demand for bilingual speakers.

Dedicated translators who can assist volunteers and tax clients are What Will You Do? Volunteers work with taxpayers in welcome. a variety of functions. If you’re good No matter your skill set, you can make a difference with the AARP with numbers, you my actually be Foundation Tax-Aide. preparing taxpayer returns. Other The Benefits volunteers can serve in greeting or If you decide to join the AARP administrative support roles. tax initiative, you’ll be helping Volunteers also need managers.

people in your own community with a free tax service.

AARP reports that four out of five people who turn to the foundation are 60 and older with low household incomes. By helping these community members with free tax preparation services, you can help free up more money for simple, essential items such as groceries and medicines.

Join today by visiting the AARP website at aarp.org and meet your volunteering goals.

A reverse mortgage 8 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

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Stay Hydrated

veryone knows the importance of staying hydrated. For seniors, it is vitally important. Water helps keep your temperature normal, lubricates your joints and helps you get rid of waste through perspiration and urination.

Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, a major issue that can lead to falls or even more serious issues for seniors.

We have a harder time retaining water as we age. In fact, seniors have 10 percent less fluid in their bodies compared to younger adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s why staying ahead of dehydration can be so important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here are the most common

symptoms of dehydration: • Confusion; • Rapid heart rate; • Decreased urine output; • Irritability; • Dry skin; • Constipation; and • Dizziness.

Dehydration-Related Issues

Dehydration is a major issue because it can be brought on more commonly in people already suffering from other health issues.

Influenza, digestive problems and high blood sugar can all cause dehydration.

Senior populations are more susceptible to these issues, underscoring the importance of practicing regular hydration.

Here are some ideas from the CDC on how to incorporate more water into your daily intake: • Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles and take one with you for ice-cold water all day long; • Choose water instead of sugarsweetened beverages; Get More Water • Choose water when eating Especially during the hot summer months, it is vital to keep out to help you save money and calories; and water nearby at all times. Even if • Identify and incorporate wateryou’re not outside for the majority rich foods into your diet, such as of the day, be sure to include as much water as possible in your diet, broth soups, celery, tomatoes or melons. even if you’re not thirsty.

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Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Active Seniors / September 2015

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It’s Happening at the OASIS! OASIS Where health, education, and community meet.

There is much to be excited about at the Luis Oasis Senior Center! We have reached the 1,000 member milestone, and our calendar has every spot filled. Besides the wonderful groups of all genres meeting from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, our evenings have been creating quite a stir as well.

Active Aging Week 2015 The Active Aging Committee is strategic partnership, comprised of the top senior advocacy organizations in the Santa Maria Valley, on a mission to make this area a haven for healthy aging. Each year, our committee plans a full week of activities that cater to just about every level of physical ability and sense of adventure. In

fact, the list of activities for Active Aging Week (Sunday, September 27th - Saturday, October 3rd) was recently recognized and commended by the City Council of Santa Maria. Whether you play poker, like photography, or enjoy zip-lining through the trees: we’ve got you covered.

How can you participate? You pick up a free Active Aging Week Passport at the OASIS or Elwin Mussell Center. These booklets have a page for each activity. You get them stamped by the instructor or staff member on duty. There are 20 opportunities to get a stamp at 9 different locations throughout the valley during the week. If you get your passport stamped at 5 activities or more, you are eligible for some really great prizes.

To be entered in the drawing, bring your passport, with 5 or more stamps, to the Active Aging Committee booth at the Autumn Grapes and Grains Festival between noon and 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 3rd. The festival is located at

the Civic Center & McClelland Street Corridor, 400-600 S. McClelland Street.

Evening Dancing Fun OASIS is now recognized as the “Dancing Hub” of the Central Coast! We have the best instructors here during the evenings every week.

Different styles of Dance. Open to everyone. We have it all!

Mondays: 6:30 ~ Line Dance with Vanessa Robertson Thursday: 6:30 ~ Country with Lee Anne Edie Thursday: 6:30 ~ Hula Dance with Pauline Plan And more…

LUIS OASIS CENTER CURRENT SERVICES TRAVEL Abroad

10 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Domestic Local

ARTS & CRAFTS

SOCIAL SUPPORT

Knitting & Crocheting Club

New Grievers Support

Ceramics

Faceting & Silversmithing Painting

EXERCISE ACTIVITIES Intermediate Senior Exercise Arthritis Exercise Evening Dancing Yoga for Older Adults Tai Chi HOLISTIC HEALTH Reflexology Chair Massage Nutrition Counseling

Card Making Creative Arts

CARDS & GAMES Oasis Bridge Club Loteria

Hand & Foot Pinochle Bingo

HOBBIES

HAM Radio Operators Ukulele Band

OASIS Book Club Computer Lab

USDA Food Distribution Bereavement Phase II Braille Institute

OASIS Pancake Breakfast OASIS Member Farmers Market Tradewinds Newsletter

KinCares “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” Al-Anon Family Group Narcotics Anonymous HICAP Counseling Special Events

Cultural Enrichment Programs FACILITY RENTAL Special Events

Community Club Meetings

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Some Frequently asked Questions: Do you offer hearing protection services? Yes. HSSB offers noise protection devices, commercial sound monitors for musicians or performers, swim molds and custom ear pieces for individuals in aviation or law enforcement.

What if I’ve noticed a recent or sudden change in my hearing? Patients with tinnitus, pain, recent or sudden hearing loss, imbalance, or drainage should consult with an Ear, Nose and Throat physician to determine the cause of this recent change in hearing.

When you meet with Ann Burre, or Jacqueline Wiley, our licensed dispensing Audiologists, you will learn more about your hearing loss in an environment 100% committed to hearing aid education and care. HSSB offers a wide range of styles, prices and products from quality manufacturers. Prices are competitive and options exist for any budget.

If you have a hearing loss, or someone you know might benefit from our expertise, please call Hearing Services of Santa Barbara.

(805) 688-3100 in Solvang or email hearingsb@cox.net We look forward to hearing from you.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Active Seniors / September 2015

How often should I get my hearing tested? By the age 45, you should have a baseline hearing test. Annual hearing tests (audiograms) are recommended, especially if hearing loss runs in your family or you have been exposed to loud noises through work or recreation.

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12 September 2015 / Active Seniors / Lee Central Coast Newspapers