Aging Well - For the Young at Heart

HOW TO TURN VOLUNTEER WORK INTO A SECOND CAREER MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERS MORE THAN FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY FITNESS AND RECREATION TIPS FOR THE ACTIVE SENIOR

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aging well | FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

s there a better place to age well than South Orange County? If there is, it’d have to have recreational opportunities, perfect weather, vibrant community centers, entertainment options and leading medical care and assisted living facilities—all of which the tri-city area has in abundance.

Almost 45 percent of residents in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano—almost 60,000 people—are over the age of 45, which means it’s no secret the area attracts those looking to live well as they age. In this inaugural edition of Aging Well, we’ve assembled features that highlight what the area offers seniors, and how seniors in the area are finding their own sources of entertainment and exploration.

In Aging Well, you’ll find several stories about how to stay active in the community with fellow seniors. Check out an article on our local community centers, page 6, a look at senior fitness, page 7, and find local hotspots from local themselves on page 12.

We’ve also assembled profiles of all the places seniors can go to live within a like-minded, and like-aged, community. Flip to page 4 for a feature on San Clemente Villas by the Sea, with a rundown of all the senior communities in the tri-city area. And look on page 11 for a profile of the San Clemente Village nonprofit, a group that is seeking to help seniors stay independent as they age.

For practical advice on aging well, we’ve included a story on senior nutrition, page14, ways to protect against falls and other common injuries, page 8, and expert advice on Medicare and similar packages on page 10.

Lastly, we’ve included stories for those who are looking to give back. Read about the local Meals on Wheels program, page 14, and find ways to stay active via volunteering on page 13.

There’s a lot to do in South Orange County for seniors, and there’s a lot to read about in this issue—so start reading, and start aging well.

WHAT LOCALS ARE SAYING

We asked local seniors in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano: How are you aging well in South Orange County?

Rene Cortez, Dana Point

“I was born and raised in this town.

I volunteer at the senior center. I do Meals on Wheels.

I’m a docent up at the Dana Point Headlands. And I just started a nonprofit up there.”

Evie Love, Dana Point “I volunteer (as events coordinator at the Beach Cities Senior’s Club). We go to musicals, we go to casinos, we go to luncheons.

We just do a lot of activities here.” page 3

Pat Burkholder, San Juan Capistrano “Being a senior, I joined about five senior places and they go on the trips.

At the end of this month, we’re going to Laughlin and they’re very inexpensive. You get the busride, two nights at a motel and meals for under $200.

You can’t beat that.”

George Ruiz, San Clemente “The nature trails, some of those. I like coming to the community center, walking along the beach. Any one of the city’s activities is fun to walk around and see.”

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

HOME AWAY FROM, BUT NEARBY, HOME

SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA OFFERS A LOCAL SPIN ON RETIREMENT LIVING

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here are a lot of perks that come from a locally run retirement and assisted living facility. You’re never too far away from your friends and family, nor your favorite restaurants. And it means the folks taking care of you have an investment in making your life as comfortable as possible—you’re neighbors after all.

Paul and Aileen Brazeau built the San Clemente Villas by the Sea in 2002 after they noticed a need for senior care and community growing in San Clemente.

“I thought there was a need for assisted living,” Aileen said. “Did you know that the baby boomer generation after World War II is aging? There’s a lot of elderly people and we wanted to provide a space in San Clemente (for them).”

Immediately, the Brazeaus felt like there was an opportunity to provide more intimate, localized care than some of the larger chains that provide a “formula” to senior living.

“We’re kind of different. We’re a familyfriendly operation, and we’re about fun living and enjoying life,” Aileen said. “People are herd animals, and we like to be in groups and we like to be social.”

Part of that community aspect extends to the resources available to seniors at the Villas. Aileen says they go out of their way to provide unique experiences for their residents and guests.

“My husband and I, this is our only community so we spend extra money on activities, more money on food. It’s all about fun,” Aileen said.

Activities offered by the Villas include a creative writing and watercolor paint-

ing class; dancing and singing activities; a book of the month club; brain activities; movie nights (mostly musicals and comedies); trips to the casino; wine dinners; cruises—“It’s like this Club Med sort of thing,” Aileen said.

The Villas are home to about 160 residents and 127 employees. The residents include people from all walks of life from beach bums to doctors and professors.

What brings them all together to the Villas is a love of San Clemente and the shared passion for the things that make the city, and the area, so special.

“We have nonstop activities and you can be as active as you want to be,” Aileen said. “I think the sunshine and good food and getting vitamins and medication on time, you just feel great. We have residents who have lived here for over 10 years just because they love it.”

She added that her office is always open to residents and guests looking to suggest new activities or just to talk. In that way, and in so many others, San Clemente Villas by the Sea is a real, caring community.

The edifice and reception area of San Clemente Villas by the Sea. Photo: Courtesy

Bedrooms are characteristic and fun, like the Villas and their members. Photo: Courtesy

Movies are screened every night at the Villas. Photo: Courtesy

Owner Aileen Brazeau stands in a common area of the facility. Photo: Courtesy

The facility is home to a heated pool for year-round enjoyment. Photo: Courtesy

The tri-cities are home to a number of senior living and assisted care facilities, as well as seniors-only communities.

The broad range of options ensures that seniors have choices when it comes to the quality and style of life they want to lead. Check out the facilities and communities in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano and visit their websites to see all they have to offer.

Dana Point: Aegis Living of Dana Point, The Fountains at Sea Bluff San Clemente: AMADA Senior Care, Cottons Point, Rosehaven Care Homes, SC Villas by the Sea, Vintage Shores San Juan Capistrano: Atria San Juan, Brookdale Senior Living, Del Obispo Terrace, Silverado San Juan Capistrano, Seasons Senior Apartments, Villa Paloma Senior Apartments

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aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

CENTER OF ACTION Local community centers offer myriad entertainment opportunities for seniors

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BY MATT CORTINA

ommunity centers in South Orange County provide locals of all age groups the opportunity to connect, exercise, dine and, more than anything, enjoy their neighbors. The centers are keys to truly aging well, both for the mind and body. In addition to regular events like yoga and bridge, senior centers also offer holiday events and special celebrations throughout the year. There’s also excursions lead by the Beach Cities Senior’s Club to concert venues, casinos, museums and more. Take a look at what these community centers have to offer.

Senior Center Director Vanna Murphy addresses a Dana Point Senior Center luncheon. Photo: Matt Cortina

Local Dana Point seniors enjoy the lunch, one of many activities at the center. Photo: Matt Cortina

Dana Point Community Center

34052 Del Obispo Street. 949.496.4252. www.danapoint.org/department/community-services-and-parks/seniors The activities for seniors rotate every month at the Dana Point Community Center, but there are a few staples to set your watch to. Bingo runs every weekday, and card games take place on Thursday and Friday. Lunch is served every day at the Center at 11:45 a.m., and is available with the recommended $4.50 donation.

Special lunches range from chili dogs to luau-inspired fare. Special events include Western Day, where attendees can dress in Western garb; Halloween dinner, where prizes go to the best costume; and Thanksgiving Day feasts. There’s also valuable resources like driver safety courses, legal counsel, transportation services and health care management.

Dorothy Visser Senior Center (San Clemente)

117 Avenida Victoria. 949.498.3322. http://san-clemente.org/recreation-community/recreation/classes-programs/senior-activities Look out for lunches, exercise groups, art classes and more at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente. The center usually has two exercise groups every morning—yoga, pilates, tai chi, strength training, balance work and aerobic exercise are all offered.

Later in the day, folks can get their crafting muscles moving with knitting workshops, watercolor and oil painting classes, and jewelry making. The Center also has a computer lab and community dining available to all patrons.

There are also resources like healthcare counseling, visual aid consultations, health advisors and more. And there’s plenty of opportunities for fun with bridge, bingo and holiday-specific celebrations.

San Juan Capistrano Community Center

25925 Camino Del Avion. 949.493.5911. https://www.sanjuancapistrano.org/Index.aspx?page=299 The opportunities for seniors in San Juan Capistrano are limitless. It starts with a senior lounge open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, where guests can shoot pool, play cards, watch TV and socialize.

There are yoga, balance, hula and other exercise classes available at the Center and nearby. The San Juan Senior Club also offers dozens of one-day and overnight excursions for the senior traveler.

The Center also provides resources like legal aid, estate planning, tax help, a driving safety program and more. Seniors can stop by for meals on weekdays at 11:45 a.m., and stick around for the camaraderie. page 6

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FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

OVER 50? JOIN THE BOOMERS FITNESS MOVEMENT AND GET ACTIVE

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BY JEANNIE MCCORMACK

hen we’re in our 20s, 30s and 40s, we get the feeling that our bodies are invincible. But then the 50s hit, and our bodies start to call time. I’ve heard countless clients tell me that they looked at themselves in the mirror at age 50 and thought, “Who are you?” The good news is, it’s not too late. Committing to a routine of regular exercises is one of the healthiest decisions you can make.

The benefits of exercise at any age are well documented, but for those over 50, exercise can be lifesaving. Studies show that exercise reduces the impact of illness and chronic disease. Benefits of exercise for adults over 50 include: • improved immune function • better heart health and blood pressure • better bone density • improved sleep • improved mental clarity • boosted mood • better focus • enhanced self esteem • enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance, and better-looking skin

Those that exercise also have lower risk of chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis, even if you already have the symptoms.

Thanks to the boomers, who began turning 65 in 2011, the population of older Americans is expanding. By 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior, nearly double the 12 percent mark of 2000.

We can age better than our ancestors to be sure. I flash back to my own ’60s iconic childhood. I fondly remember my mother turning on Jack LaLane in the morning.

She would encourage my sister and I, both preschoolers, to follow along. My lovely mother with the frosted beehive hairstyle would swing her pedal pushered legs over the side of an armchair and smoke a cigarette. She never actually did the exercises herself but she did most definitely encourage myself and my six siblings to live an active lifestyle. The decision to exercise has to be a lifestyle choice.

The biggest single reason given for not exercising on a regular basis is not having enough time for the recommended 30 minutes a day to maintain health. It is vital that you find this time as it has a direct bearing on future well-being. It can be as little as

three 10-minute walks a day, a 30-minute walk, an exercise class, a swim, a bike ride, a friendly game of golf or tennis. Exercise can be as effective as medication in combatting depression. Walking, jogging, weightlifting and stationary bike have all been found to make an impact on mood.

Pilates and yoga are my favorite modality with the over-50 crowd. If you had an active lifestyle growing up, chances are good you well have no trouble picking up yoga or pilates practice and you will see rapid results in improved physical condition. You can practice both pilates and yoga well into your advanced senior years. The last class I took from renowned pilates master Ron Fletcher is proof in the pudding. At the age of 86, he was climbing onto a reformer and demonstrating most all of the moves. If that weren’t telling enough, both yoga and pilates are a mind-body tradition, meaning that you must concentrate on form and breath. It therefore becomes a moving meditation.

Recent studies at University of California, Irvine showed that 20-40 minutes of daily meditation reduced cortisol levels by 27 percent. And we know what happens when cortisol levels spike: belly fat. And belly fat is deadly, literally.

Seniors exercise at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. Photo: Matt Cortina

My AARP card recently came in the mail. My husband held it up with a wink. I didn’t find it so funny. In fact, I was horrified. But while aging is inevitable, we don’t have to get old now, do we? Just get out there and get active.

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FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

PREVENTING FALLS… beyond the obvious

BY DR. MARY SONDAG, PHYSICAL THERAPIST

asked my mother, 85, if she’d fallen recently. “Well, yes,” she admitted.

How did it happen? “Well, I was trapping the chipmunks in the live trap so I could take it over to the forest preserve. I don’t really know what happened, I guess I tripped over a high spot on the patio.

I didn’t think to say anything—I wasn’t hurt.” I shook my head— most people just say they fell over a rug, or tripped over a curb. Not my mom—she was out trapping chipmunks!

You’ve heard it all before: the fall risks, the statistics for falls in people over 65, the tips and tricks for avoiding falls, making your home safer by picking up throw rugs.

And yet, down you went. You didn’t even bother to mention it to anyone—you didn’t get hurt, no broken bones, no harm done.

This is exactly the time you should take notice and start asking questions. Why did I fall? What were the circumstances?

Should I start using a cane in certain circumstances? Did it happen cleaning the

garage? Trapping chipmunks? What could I have done that would have decreased my chances of falling?

I’ve been a physical therapist for almost 35 years and if I had one piece of advice to give to people over age 65 it would be that: be proactive. It is so much easier to prevent an injury due to falling than to undergo the rehab required to resume normal life after such an injury. It breaks my heart when someone loses their independence when it could have been prevented.

There is no guarantee that we will never fall. From the moment we are upright on two legs, we are at risk. From a 10-monthold taking her first steps to a 45-year-old who was texting while walking to the 85-year-old checking her chipmunk trap, we are at risk of falling and, no matter how in shape or nimble we are, many of us still fall.

However, if we understand the reasons that gravity sometimes wins this battle of the upright, it can help us make better decisions as we move about and limit our chances of falling when we least expect it.

“I haven’t fallen, I don’t have an injury, I don’t need physical therapy.” Well, maybe, maybe not. Medicare Part B is happy to pay for an evaluation and comprehensive balance screening, which is really the

Physical therapy is a valuable resource for seniors looking to prevent falls. Photo: istock

only way to assess your risk. When I perform a standardized balance test, it is not surprising to learn that what I have initially observed when the person walked in is not the whole story. Someone may walk in and look perfectly fine, but when their balance is challenged, it is obvious they need therapy due to lack of strength, balance reactions or other factors such as diminished sensation. On the other hand, someone may walk in and look as if they

are about to fall over, but testing reveals they have strength and balance reactions in their trunk and extremities that serve them well and keep them off the ground.

So be proactive. Make an appointment with a physical therapist and find out where you are in the spectrum of fall risk.

That baseline information can be used at future checkups to assure you that you can still trap chipmunks safely and without falling.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

For Your Health

TURNING 65? MEDICARE ADVICE FROM A HEALTH INSURANCE EXPERT

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BY STEPHANIE FRISCH

o matter their level of understanding of health insurance, many people are served well by a quick refresher course on Medicare. Advertisements on TV and in magazines indicate as much— ‘Are you confused about when to enroll for Medicare?’ and variations thereof is a common line on the airwaves.

So here’s a basic overview of what to expect as you approach 65.

Once you enroll in Original Medicare, you’ll have a choice of using Medicare as your primary medical insurance and purchasing a supplemental to Medicare to cover medical and hospital costs. You will then also need to purchase a prescription drug plan (whether you need it or not at the time, or face a penalty). Another option would be to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan—this is a health plan offered by private health insurance companies that contract with Medicare to provide the same benefits that Medicare offers, but they go further in coverage and generally include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits at no cost. These plans are mostly an HMO, and there are a few PPO plans left in Orange County, but they may change for 2017.

Medicare is broken into two parts—Part A covers hospitalization, skilled nursing and hospice to some degree, and Part

the gaps of Original Medicare coverage).

You won’t be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B unless you took your Social Security early at age 62 or at an earlier age because of a disability. Part A enrollment happens automatically when you turn 65 (and is at no cost to you if you or your spouse paid into it for 40 quarters while working).

The reason this is the case now versus a few years ago or when your parents turned 65 is because the age that someone gets fully vested into social security is increasing. It used to be age 65, so when someone applied for their Social Security benefits, Medicare would be notified that they were turning 65 and mail out a card with both Part A and B activated. If someone didn’t want Part B at that time (because of group coverage most likely) they’d sign the attachment refusing that coverage.

What I find is happening now is that people expect their Medicare card to arrive with Part A and B activated automatically and both aren’t; their card arrives with only Part A activated. They may not look at it closely, they just tuck it away, and when the time comes to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, there is a “uh-oh” moment because they assumed they were all set to go and now they have to scramble to get to the Social Security office and get the Part B portion activated.

The protocol now for Part B to be activated is either going online to www. medicare.gov to do that, or going in to the closest Social Security office. The earliest you can activate Part B is three months

The key is that you must have both Part A and Part B active in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) or a Medicare Supplemental plan (which fills in the gaps of Original Medicare coverage).

B covers 80 percent of outpatient and all physician services. There’s also Part C and Part D, but let’s focus on A and B. The key is that you must have both Part A and Part B active in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) or a Medicare Supplemental plan (which fills in page 10

prior to your 65th birthday.

There is a lot of financial exposure having only Original Medicare and nothing else to fill in the gaps. Medicare doesn’t cover outpatient prescription drug coverage either, you have to enroll in a plan offered by a private insurance company.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

Seniors with the San Clemente Village celebrate the nonprofits launch in Hawaiian-style at the Outlets.

Photo: Courtesy

IT TAKES A VILLAGE SC Village helps local seniors lead independent lives

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BY AMANDA GIANNELLI

t is hard to define what you need, and sometimes, even harder to ask for it.

Sherry Reams is a San Clemente local who worked as a stock broker and traveled around the country for her entire career. Though her work ethic and determination had her striving to work until her 70th birthday, she reluctantly retired at 69 years old. Still living on her own, Reams would say, “I don’t need help, because who wants to think of themselves as old?”

Reams is one of many with this mentality, and that is why the nonprofit San Clemente Village isn’t here just to help, but to enhance the lives of seniors in the community.

Reams founded San Clemente Village about a year ago and has now become the vice chairperson of the organization.

It’s part of the Village to Village Network, which started in Beacon Hill, Boston.

After receiving television recognition, City Councilman Bob Baker, and Nancy Sutherland, a member of San Clemente’s Human Affairs Committee, both got involved and started to promote this “neighbors helping neighbors” organization.

Today, there are close to 300 villages in the country. San Clemente has now joined that list with a Village launched this September at The Outlets in San Clemente.

San Clemente Village offers not only transportation for members, but along

with assistance with simple maintenance or technical problems, the membership can include the ability to go to social outings with like-minded people like going wine tasting or taking a day to see San Diego or the Julian Trails. There are volunteer opportunities all around San Clemente for which members can easily sign up. Members must be 55 or older and live in San Clemente. All the vendors that are available to the members are prescreened and all the volunteers helping the organization are interviewed to ensure both safety and comfort. Those who purchase a one year’s membership by Sept. 30 will also receive an extra three months free, along with a free additional membership of the same value for another person living in the same residence.

Reams said that any “members who are interested in the community should know their community is interested in them.” As a small Spanish beach town, the surfers are seen, the youth is always heard, but we seem to forget to ask the question “What about the seniors?”

The future for San Clemente Village is bright, “As we grow, we want potential members to look forward to joining with us.” Sherry said. “Let’s make each decade wonderful. Let’s enhance their lives.”

For more information on becoming a member, a volunteer or joining the referral network, visit www.scvillage.org or call 949.441.1348. page 11

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FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

AGING WELL… as told by locals

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BY TOM BLAKE

My life partner, Greta Cohn, who retired in 2007 after 31 years of being a special education teacher at RH Dana Exceptional Needs Facility in Dana Point, believes that exercise is critical to aging well. Three mornings a week Greta does water aerobics with a group of 37 women and four men. And, on Tuesday mornings, she does Tai Chi at the Doris Walker Memorial Area in Heritage Park with a group of men and women. And on Thursday morning, she attends a Tai Chi class at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center next to the Marco Forster Middle School. Greta also volunteers in the Ocean Institute Gift Shop.

rowing older doesn’t have to be something to dread. In fact, most of the retired and senior people I encounter are “aging well.” Our tri-city area provides a plethora of activities and opportunities for getting out, getting involved and enjoying life.

Here is how some of our local citizens are embracing life while growing older.

One of the reasons that John Bates is aging well is he gave up his car even

Brad and Judy Brandmeier are aging well. The former owners of Beacon

Printing in Dana Point are now retired.

They were enjoying the free outdoor concert at Dana Point’s Sea Terrace Park on Sunday, Aug. 7, while sitting in a nice shady spot with friends, grooving to the sounds of Hot August Night, a Neil Diamond tribute band. They looked relaxed and were having an enjoyable time. Judy and Brad do a great amount of volunteer work for the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

before he retired a few years back and rides his bicycle from his San Juan Capistrano home to Dana Point Harbor and other destinations around South Orange County. John admits that his wife, Judy, still owns her car and once in a while he’ll ride in that when they are going to out-of-the-way destinations. Pumping that bicycle keeps John in good shape.

Four to five times a week— Russell Kerr, the past Chairman of the

Carole Kelly says, “I believe it is very important as we age to stay both physically and mentally active.” She teaches swimming at the San Clemente Sports Park on Vista Hermosa, Aqua Exercise for 24-Hour Fitness, and gives private swimming lessons for children. She walks in Dana Point Harbor daily and volunteers one day a week at Doheny Beach as a docent in the Visitor’s/Interpretive Center. Need to learn how to swim? Go see Carole.

Chris Anastasio, San Clemente, lets no grass grow under his feet. At

Ron and Lee Cohan, Dana Point,

former owners of Zia Jewelry, San Juan Capistrano, exercise nearly every day of the week whether it be swimming, walking, doing Tai Chi or ballroom dancing. I saw them on the dance floor on a recent Saturday night at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, swinging to the sounds of True Willie, a Willie Nelson tribute band, along with hundreds of other country music fans. Exercise is their top priority in retirement.

age 81, he still travels the world half of the year with his girlfriend Tina, who lives in England. An email I recently sent to Chris came back with this message: “I am on the road again. I’ll be gone until the Fourth of September.”

And the email had this sign-off: “Life is like a book. If you haven’t traveled, you have only read the first page; but if you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might as well stay home.”

Chris volunteers as a dance host at the San Clemente Villas and always dresses up as Santa Claus for the Christmas parties there. page 12

Board of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, who just turned 70 and is retired from the Edward Jones Company—and I do stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) together at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor.

We aren’t the only old-timers doing SUP at Baby Beach, there are probably a couple hundred men and women paddling each day, even more on weekends. It’s almost like a fraternity the people are so friendly.

All it takes to age well in the tri-city area is a little initiative to find out what is best for each person and to make an effort to get out there. Saddleback College Emeritus Institute lists 26 tuition-free classes for older adults for this fall www. saddleback.edu/emeritus. That’s a good place to start.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

SECOND CALLING SENIOR VOLUNTEERS CONNECT WITH OC NONPROFITS FOR NEW CAREERS

Members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) were honored among other volunteers at the OneOC Senior Symposium. Photo: Courtesy OneOC

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BY MATT CORTINA

here are a myriad of ways for seniors to stay active and busy during their retirement years. Some pick up new hobbies (or ones of which they’ve dreamed for years), others work part-time at local businesses. But many seniors are increasingly turning to volunteering as a rewarding and satisfying way to stay busy and help their communities.

There is local support for seniors looking to volunteer in Orange County.

OneOC is a nonprofit organization that matches volunteers with groups looking for help—it’s everything from seasonal work to prominent board positions.

Maria Lemus, volunteer services coordinator at OneOC, said the relationship between senior volunteers and nonprofits is mutually beneficial.

“A lot of nonprofits are very excited to know that we have a pool of individuals who have experience, they have the time commitment and have a passion about serving,” Lemus said. “What we’ve heard from our volunteers is that they are very excited to volunteer because it gives them something to do. They’re able to socialize, so they get to meet individuals … with the same interests as themselves.”

Many volunteers come equipped with a lifetime of career skills and knowledge, which equates to a productive volunteering experience. OneOC matches seniors with nonprofits looking for help based not only on interest, but on skill level.

“We do emphasize having (our program) be very skill-based, so it’s not just sending out our volunteers,” said Floridel Martinez, communications specialist at OneOC. “I know a lot of our volunteers … say the work they’re doing really does mean something because they’re using their skills and page 13

being able to apply it more directly.”

OneOC does offer training to volunteers, particularly those who want to serve as board members at nonprofits. The range of opportunities for all seniors interested in volunteering is vast—and searchable via their website—but can be categorized into several main groups.

“A lot of our nonprofit partners that are part of this program, they focus on education, disaster preparedness, health and wellness and public safety programs,” Lemus said.

Lemus added that OneOC runs the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), with more than 400 volunteers serving in those specific areas. Members of RSVP who reach certain landmarks (like 4,000 hours volunteered, for instance) are honored annually at a celebration.

OneOC, through all their volunteer connections, worked with more than 43,000 volunteers last year, who logged more than one million volunteer hours.

Lemus said the volunteer opportunities in Orange County also allow seniors to either pivot from their previous interests, or double down and find new outlets for their lives’ work.

“I think a lot of the time, seniors are very committed to (their volunteer responsibilities), because they’re looking for something very different from their first career,” Lemus said. “Individuals working in an office setting with very little social interaction, now they’re looking for the exact opposite. People in education, for instance, either they’re very passionate and keep with it or they decide they want something different, they want to build something. It’s the next career in life.”

Those interested in volunteering can browse www.oneoc.org for opportunities in the county.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

NUTRITION AND DAILY CALORIE INTAKE for adults over 50

DAILY CALORIE LEVELS FOR WOMEN OVER 50 Common sense tells us that the number of calories needed to maintain health is related to the amount of activity a person is willing, or able, to undertake. The chart below illustrates some basic guidelines.

1,600

Lower physical activity: only performs activities associated with typical day-to-day life

1,800

Lower physical activity: walks the equivalent of 1.5 to 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

2,100

Active lifetstyle: walks the equivalent of more than 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

CALORIES CALORIES CALORIES

DAILY CALORIE LEVELS FOR MEN OVER 50

2,100

Lower physical activity: only performs activities associated with typical day-to-day life

2,300

Lower physical activity: walks the equivalent of 1.5 to 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

CALORIES CALORIES

2,600

CALORIES

Active lifestyle: walks the equivalent of more than 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

Source: National Institutes of Health

Fresh or frozen, vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients, as well a healthy dose of fiber.

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally wellbalanced vegetables—high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, and C. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Along with citrus fruits and other berries, they also contain phytochemicals, whose health benefits are beginning to be researched.

Grains are a staple of any healthy diet. Those who eat whole grains may enjoy a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Grains are packed with elements of good nutritional value such as iron, magnesium, fiber, B vitamins and more. The USDA suggests making half your grain intake whole grains.

Protein is an essential nutrient, made up of 20 amino acids, or building blocks, that our bodies need. The USDA says our best sources of protein come from meat, poultry, seafood, beens and peas, eggs, processed soy, nuts and seeds.

VEGETABLES

creating a

FRUITS

HEALTHY

plate

WHOLE GRAINS

PROTEIN, DAIRY & HEALTHY OILS

ORDER IN

MEALS ON WHEELS BRINGS FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP TO SENIORS’ DOORSTEPS

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BY MATT CORTINA

pinach cannelloni. Pineapple glazed ham. A harvest vegetable plate. Those are just some of the 300,000 meals delivered annually to Orange County seniors via the Age Well Senior Services Meals on Wheels program. And in South Orange County, about 400 people depend on the food preparation and delivery program for their three square meals every day.

The process by which the meals are delivered to residents involves a lot of moving parts—including a cadre of volunteers to help deliver the meals and meet with senior residents. It starts when a senior over the age of 60 in South Orange County contacts Age Well and signs up for the service.

Though the program receives federal funding, a $7.50 per day donation is suggested— though no senior is ever turned away.

The meals are prepared by Langlois in

Meals on Wheels delivers three meals a day from a rotating menu to over 400 residents in South Orange County.

Photo: Courtesy Age Well.

Laguna Beach, a company that specializes in frozen and specialty meals for groups like seniors. Lisa Gibson, the nutrition director at Age Well, designs the menus every month to meet key health goals for the service’s recipients.

“We base the nutrient requirement on a sedentary 70-year-old woman,” Gibson

said. “1,600 calories per day. The sodium is under 2,300 milligrams a day. And we have to get all the vitamins and minerals.”

The meals are portion-controlled and are generally not catered to specific therapeutic diets, like blood pressure or diabetic diets. That’s because all meals possess a healthy level of calories, sodium and other

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elements, and specific diets can leave out valuable nutrients for seniors like protein.

Once the meals are prepared, the real magic of the Meals on Wheels program begins. An all-volunteer staff of delivery drivers are tasked with making stops for lunch and dinner, with breakfast included in the last delivery of the day. Volunteers are asked to perform home checks on the recipients, to ensure that people involved in the program are healthy and living in a relatively good situation. That said, the state of many seniors who are on the program might surprise their neighbors.

“You have no idea how some people are living. People have the perception of all of South Orange County being very wealthy and it’s not,” Gibson said, adding that the home checks are important because many seniors will say they’re doing fine on the phone when their reality is slightly different.

For many of the program’s clients, the highlight is the interaction with volunteers.

“Some of the clients, they don’t want to talk so they just take the meal and go inside, but others you can hardly say goodbye,” Gibson said. “Our volunteers will be an extra hour on the route because they develop relationships with the client.

They’ll take trips and send postcards back.”

Gibson said the program generally has enough volunteers, but that the size of the group ebbs and flows. Many volunteers are seniors themselves, and transition into recipients of the meals.