NDN-SS-07-22-2022

SENIOR

Lifestyles

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 2

Summer fun for active seniors There are plenty of ways for active seniors to meet their exercise goals and have some fun along the way

Congratulations to Park Centre, Newton’s Premier Choice for Senior Living!

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has rated Park Centre 5 stars – the agency’s highest rating!

– for care and services. A rating of 5 stars is given only to those communities that demonstrate “much above average” quality in a trio of key ratings:

• Resident care • Health inspections • Staffing Seniors may have more time for leisure and recreation than working adults, and the summer months provide ample opportunities to get active. After months of chilly temperatures, seniors in various parts of the country may be eager to get outdoors and enjoy some fun in the sun.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults age 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. There are plenty of ways for active seniors to meet this exercise goal and have some fun along the way. The following are some good starting points.

• Join or start a walking club.

Walking is a great way to stay in shape and work the mind as well.

View new sights along the way by changing the route each time you go. Walking with friends can pass the time and provide the motivation to keep going.

• Catch a sporting event. Attending a sporting event can be an entertaining way to spend several hours, and that includes amateur and recreational sports. Catch a grandchild’s swim meet or a baseball game for an action-packed way to connect with loved ones and get out.

That means you, or someone you love, can trust Park Centre’s skilled, compassionate team to work tirelessly to help ensure your health, safety, and satisfaction.

Call Margot today at (641) 791-4508 to schedule your private tour!

500 First St., Newton | (641) 791-4549 wesleylife.org | mvoshell@wesleylife.org

cont. page 8 SM-NE364488-0722

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 3

RACE TO THE FINISH Jim Jenkins is such a natural competitor he can’t go a normal bike ride without making it race. If he sees another cyclist on his route, what could have been a leisurely warm-up or scenic ride turns into an impromptu competition that neither himself nor the other rider had planned for in the first place.

Which is why the only way Jenkins can enjoy a bicycle ride is if he leaves his odometer and his watch at home.

“Because I know the routes I ride and where all the miles are. So I eventually start timing myself.

If I leave my odometer and my watch at home

72-year-old Jasper County cyclist can’t afford to tire out in Race Across America

then I can’t time myself,” Jenkins said. “Unless you see somebody in front of you. Then you have to pass ‘em. You cannot let someone be in front of you.”

The 72-year-old Newton man will get to put his competitive spirit to good use this summer as he and three other cyclists compete in the annual Race Across America (RAAM), a transcontinental bicycle race starting in mid-June. The 3,220mile race starts at Oceanside, Calif., and ends at Annapolis, Md. By the time this issue of Jasper County Living hits shelves, Jenkins will be on the road with his

team. Jenkins participated in a similar coast-tocoast race with a tour group in 2013. It was considered a “casual ride” that was completed in 30 days. The group traveled an average of 117 miles per day on their bicycles.

However, RAAM is considered a “nonstop” race for competitors, Jenkins said. Solo racers have a maximum of 12 days to finish starting June 14, whereas team racers have a maximum of nine days to finish the route starting June 18. Solo racers average 250-350 miles a day; teams average

cont. page 9

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 4

How mentoring benefits mentors Professionals thinking of becoming a mentor can consider the many ways the experience could be as beneficial for them as it is for the people they will help Mentors tend to be unsung heroes.

If asked to explain their success, many who have reached the pinnacle of their professions would cite the influence of a valuable mentor among the many factors that helped them achieve their goals.

Mentoring is often discussed in terms that note its value to those being mentored, but mentors also gain much from the experience of helping the people they advise. That’s worth noting for successful individuals over 50 who are looking to make the most of their professional experience by giving back to others. Professionals thinking of becoming a mentor can consider the many ways the experience could be as beneficial for them as it is for the people they will help.

• Mentoring provides a sense of satisfaction. An analysis by the human resources department at Sun Microsystems found that mentees are promoted five times more often than colleagues who do not have mentors.

Many mentors gain significant satisfaction from watching someone they helped advance through the professional ranks.

• Mentoring is effective. Professionals over 50 who are hesitant to become a mentor because they suspect it might not be effective can rest easy knowing that it has a profound and positive impact on mentees. According to a recent CNBC/SurveyMonkey Workplace Happiness Survey, nine in 10 workers who have a mentor reported being satisfied with their jobs. In fact, 57 percent of such individuals reported being “very satisfied.” The percentage of individuals without a mentor who report being satisfied or very satisfied is significantly lower. The impli-

cation of that disparity is significant, suggesting that mentoring has a very real and positive effect on mentees.

Professionals on the fence about mentoring due to doubts about its efficacy can rest easy knowing that it is highly beneficial to young workers.

• Mentoring helps a diverse group of professionals. Professionals hoping for more diversity and inclusion in the workforce should know that workers in groups that have historically been adversely affected by a lack of diversity are more likely to have mentors.

For example, data from the CNBC survey indicates that women are more likely than men to have a mentor, while members of various minority groups, including Hispanics and African Americans, are more likely to have mentors than whites. Prospective mentors who want to create a more inclusive workplace can utilize mentoring as a tool to help various minority groups further their careers.

• Mentoring can benefit your bottom line. Mentors typically pursue mentoring to give back. However,

becoming a mentor can benefit your bottom line. The Sun Microsystems analysis found that 28 percent of managers who took on the role of mentor received a raise, while just 5 percent of those who did not mentor anyone received a bump in pay.

Mentoring can help young professionals in myriad ways. But experienced professionals also benefit in some surprising ways from advising younger colleagues.

— Metro Creative

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 5

How to stay mentally sharp after retirement Individuals can embrace some strategies to stay mentally sharp in retirement If asked to describe how they envision retirement, many professionals might reference travel, time spent with grandchildren and various recreational pursuits.

Few, if any, would mention cognitive decline. However, cognitive decline poses a significant threat to aging men and women, especially during retirement.

Researchers have long since recognized that certain cognitive abilities begin to decline with advanced age, even among elderly individuals who are healthy.

However, despite that decline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that dementias like Alzheimer’s disease are not an inevitable part of aging.

In fact, the CDC estimates that as many as 40 percent of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed. In addition, the CDC reports that it’s not uncommon for

routine memory, skills and knowledge to stabilize or even improve as the brain ages.

That’s good news for retirees who want to spend their post-work life pursuing their passions and hobbies. Individuals also can embrace some strategies to stay mentally sharp in retirement.

• Consider delaying re-

tirement. Even if early retirement is a dream, it might be better to work a little longer than you had planned.

A 2021 study published in the journal SSM - Population Health found that postponed retirement is beneficial to cognitive function for all genders, races/ethnicities, educational levels, and professional status. The study reported that individ-

uals who waited until age 67 to retire experienced less cognitive decline than those who retired prior to turning 67.

• Make exercise part of your retirement routine. A lack of structure may seem enticing to individuals who have spent decades working. However, many retirees find that little structure loses it appeal quickly after

calling it quits. When creating a new routine in retirement, include regular exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies indicate that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function. So daily exercise not only gives retirees something to do, but also benefits their brains.

• Enroll in an adult education course. A 2014 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology examined the association between lifetime intellectual enrichment and cognitive decline in the older population.

The study’s authors found that higher levels of late-life cognitive activity were associated with higher levels of cognition. The study’s authors concluded that lifetime intellectual enrichment might delay the onset of cognitive impairment.

Retirees can look into adult learning programs at local colleges and universities to see if anything piques their interest.

Retirement can be everything professionals hope it will be, especially for those who make a concerted effort to maintain optimal cognitive function after they call it a career.

— Metro Creative

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 6

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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 8

cont. page 2 • Take a fishing charter. Casting a rod from a dock or pier is perfectly acceptable, but securing a spot on a fishing charter is a great way to spend hours out on the water enjoying the scenery and the sport of fishing. Plus, there’s the added benefit of enjoying the fruits of your labors by cooking the day’s catch for dinner once you arrive home.

• Be a tourist. Many cities and towns have their own tourism boards and showcase interesting spots that have historical significance or appeal to other interests.

Be a tourist for the day — even in an area with which you are familiar. Hop on a trolley or sightseeing bus to view the town as an outsider.

• Spend time swimming. Swimming is a low-impact activity that can work the body in many different ways. Devote time to doing a few laps in the pool. Or make a day of going to a lake or another body of water to wade out and enjoy some strokes

in nature. Stick to swimming areas that are monitored by lifeguards for optimal safety.

• Tend to a garden. Gardening is a great form of light exercise that can produce rewarding results. If you don’t have a garden or enough space for one at home, many neighborhoods have community gardens in which you can secure a plot.

• Visit a fair or farmer’s market. The warm weather months are a peak time for outdoor activities, including various community fairs and farmer’s markets.

Chances are you can find a farmer’s market nearby most days of the week, but especially on the weekend. A town market or state fair is a great way to get out and walk, play games of chance or enjoy some live entertainment. Check your community calendar for local events.

Active seniors can embrace long, warm summer days to enjoy plenty of time away from home.

— Metro Creative

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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 9

cont. page 3 350-500 miles per day.

Two team members at a time will be traveling in 12-hour shifts, Jenkins said.

“We will never quit moving,” he said. “Somebody will be going at all times. I’ve done a lot of biking and races, but these three I’m with are very experienced in the ultradistance and ultramarathons type of thing. They’re experienced and are actually in RAAM record books already.”

But they have their eyes on another record, too.

Jenkins said the team wants to set the RAAM record for mixed teams cyclists in their 70s. But the three had a tough time finding “a 73-year-old stupid enough to say yes.” That is how Jenkins got involved.

Through friends of friends, Jenkins joined the team.

Why wouldn’t he? Jenkins is already well-acquainted with cycling competitions and multi-day adventure racing. They’re already difficult enough, but RAAM is going to be Jenkins’ biggest challenge yet. Even more so with teammates hellbent on breaking records.

In order to set the record, Jenkins and his teammates must finish RAAM in eight days and 16 hours. Which means the team needs to average a minimum of 380 miles a day. It is a true and gritty endurance test, even rivaling that of the Tour de France, which allows resting every day.

“It’s the toughest bicycle race in the world because of the lack of sleep. It is an endurance test both physically and mentally,” Jenkins said. “The first two days will probably be a lot of adrenaline … We’re going to start out in the desert and by the fourth day we’ll be going across the Rocky Mountains, probably in snow.”

When the team reaches its sixth and seventh days, racers should feel like they’re in the homestretch. Weather can prove to be a major obstacle in the race, too. If there are major storms blocking their path, cyclists will probably have to stop, Jenkins said. To make matters more difficult, racers cannot change course.

All racers are equipped with GPS trackers to make sure they’re on course. Their team will also have a number of support staff on hand in trailing vehicles at all times for safety purposes. Crew members will also direct the path of cyclists so, as Jenkins put it, “we don’t have to think about anything, we just ride.”

TO DO SOMETHING ‘VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE DONE’ When Jenkins and his fellow teammate are trading shifts they will rest in a trailing vehicle. It is going to be a grueling race. And Jenkins knows it, too.

For the past few months he has hooked up his bike

to a trainer and spent hours pedaling. Of course Jenkins is eager to be in the action, so the trainer “is zero fun.”

“But I have made myself sit there for four nonstop hours without getting off,” he said. “I had food and water sitting beside me so I didn’t even get off for food and water. It’s just about getting a lot of miles. And you have to get your mindset ready before you get there. Before you get there you have to decide.”

Jenkins knows full well he wants to do this, and he surrounds himself with people who foster his natural competitiveness. Training partners keep Jenkins in check and in shape. To them, there’s no such thing as a casual ride. Every hill is a race. An “unspoken” race. Of course, Jenkins wants to be the first one up there.

The competitive spark has always been inside Jenkins. He was an avid participant in sports in high school and had even coached a bit. When he was in his 30s and 40s, Jenkins’ sport of choice was running. But eventually his knees began to wear down.

For the past 30 years he has been biking seriously.

Jenkins liked the idea of a sport he could do all times of the year, particularly one that was a bit easier on the knees.

“With the rotation of biking you don’t have the pounding of the pavement with your knees,” he

said. “I think (biking) is something you either have or you don’t. There have been numerous times the thought of quitting has entered my mind on all kinds of different events. But I’ve never quit. It’s just not going to happen.”

Several years ago Jenkins entered into a team triathlon where he planned to only swim and bike and leave the running up to another teammate. He swam. He biked. He was doing well. But when it got time for the running to finish the contest, the guy didn’t show up. So Jenkins wouldn’t let good time go to waste.

“All I had were my swim trunks and my biking shoes, which you can’t run in because they’re stiff.

So I just did the 10K barefoot,” Jenkins said. “So it turns out if I had done it as an individual I’d have taken third in my age group. But they wouldn’t let me do that because I entered it as a team. But there was no team.”

His feet were beat to hell, he said. Luckily for Jenkins there’s no chance his RAAM teammates will leave him to finish the record all on his own. Although I’m sure he would consider doing it himself if that unlikely possibility were to happen. I mean, the guy has already biked coast-to-coast once before.

Participating in that tour guided race over 30 days in 2013 was a great experience for Jenkins. He said it was one of the best non-family vacations he ever had. Back then he could take in the scenery with his 23 other riders, all of whom were complete strangers to each other. He knows 2022 will feel differently.

With his feet constantly pedaling away for hours on end every day, Jenkins will put his body to the test and push himself to his limits. Taking in the scenery comes secondary to the competition. Through the aches and pains Jenkins will undoubtedly feel, what keeps him going is that fiery desire to finish.

Or perhaps it’s that willingness to answer “yes” when Jenkins is asked the question: Want to do something insane?

But Jenkins knows he won’t be able to say “yes” forever. RAAM will be a “one-and-done” contest, he said. He has spent almost all of his spare time training. Jenkins acknowledged there are probably very few people his age in the area who are willing to subject themselves to this trial.

“My personal goal is to finish it and to say I did the best I could do, whether I was below the average or above the average that we need,” Jenkins said. “I just want to make sure when I get done that that was the best I could do. I’d like to look back and said I did something very few people have done.”

— Christopher Braunschweig

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 10

Safety upgrades for seniors’ homes Certain adaptations may be necessary if seniors want to stay in their homes

Many seniors want to spend as long as possible residing in the comforts of their own homes. According to AARP’s 2021 “Home and Community Preferences Survey,” more than three-quarters of U.S. adults age 50 and older prefer living at home.

But getting older often comes with certain deficits that may not make current living situations the safest for seniors.

Retirement Living reports that an older person is treated

in an emergency room for a fall-related injury nearly once every 10 seconds. Falls cause millions of injuries and 32,000 deaths a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seniors may be affected by low vision, mobility limitations, cognitive decline, balance issues, and loss of muscle strength.

Certain adaptations may be necessary if seniors want to stay in their homes, particularly in older homes that have

not recently been renovated.

Change knobs to levers This is an easy modification. Levers are much easier for individuals with arthritis or persons who lack dexterity in their hands. Everything from doorknobs to faucet knobs can be replaced with levers.

Create zero-threshold entryways Zero-threshold entryways, also known as flush entries, do not require crossing a lip

or any raised barrier. They can appear on doorways and showers and make it easy for people who have mobility issues, as well as those using scooters, walkers and wheelchairs, to move about unencumbered.

Clear clutter/move obstructions One inexpensive modification is to remove extraneous furniture and accessories. Such a change widens walking spaces in a room

and accommodates walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, furniture can be pushed to the room’s perimeter to make moving around easier. It’s also important to remove area rugs, as they’re often tripping hazards.

Install grab rails and supports Minimizing falls could come down to providing support in key rooms of a home.

Adding grab rails in the bathroom near the toilet and in the shower can help a person use those facilities without assistance. Install a grab rail close to seating in the kitchen to add support.

Consider smart lighting Motion-activated or darkness-activated lighting switches and fixtures can automatically turn on lights, thereby improving visibility.

Also, rocker light switches are easier to maneuver than standard toggles.

Invest in a stairlift Single-story homes are preferable for growing older gracefully, but many seniors live in multi-story homes. A stairlift makes a multi-floor home more accessible, according to Elder, an eldercare service provider. Stairlifts make it easier to traverse staircases and reduce the risk for falls.

These suggestions are just a few of the many home modifications that can help seniors safely age in place.

— Metro Creative

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 11

What to do about wellness after 50 Once individuals cross the threshold and enter their 50s, they can look to some additional strategies to maintain their physical and mental well-being for decades to come Reaching one’s fiftieth birthday in optimal health is an accomplishment to be proud of. The hard work required to be healthy in midlife includes adhering to a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Once individuals cross the threshold and enter their 50s, they can look to some additional strategies to maintain their physical and mental well-being for decades to come.

• Get a pet. Many people 50 and older qualify as “empty nesters,” a term applied to adults whose children have grown up and moved out of their homes. Some empty nesters experience a phenomenon known as “empty nest syndrome,” which the Mayo Clinic notes can be marked by feelings of sadness or loss. Pets can help people over 50 with no children at home overcomefeelings linked to empty nest syndrome. In 2018, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 86 percent of pet owners felt their pets make them feel loved while 73 percent said their pets provided a sense of purpose. Pets also can ensure individuals over 50 stay physically active and provide opportunities to connect with other people.

• Prioritize learning. Whether it’s taking music lessons, going back to school or mastering a new hobby, learning has a profound effect on aging brains. For example, a 2013 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that memory function is improved by engagement in demanding everyday tasks. That study reported that people who learned new skills experienced greater memory improvement than people who only socialized or participated in activities that were not as cognitively engaging.

• Make an effort to improve balance. Various factors contribute to a

decline in balance as adults age. For example, a decline in muscle mass that begins when people are in their 30s is a normal part of aging. Over time, that natural decline affects strength and agility. Balance exercises can be a valuable component of a fitness regimen that help individuals reduce their risk for falling as they advance through their 50s and into their 60s and 70s. That’s a significant benefit, as the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention reports that one out of every three adults age 65 and older experiences a fall each year, and as many as 30 percent of those falls lead to serious injury.

• Embrace your inner socialite. Socialization is important for people of all ages, including individuals 50 and over. A 2017 study from researchers at Michigan State found that valuing friendships was a strong predictor of health and happiness among older

adults. Opportunities to socialize with friends may increase as people navigate their 50s and children move out or become more independent. Individuals can take advantage of opportunities to socialize whenever possible.

Various strategies can help people maintain mental and physical wellness as they make their way through their 50s and beyond.

— Metro Creative

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2022 –Page 12

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We want to make you better when you are sick, keep you healthy when you are well, help you grow your family when a little one is on the way, and help you say goodbye in peace when your journey is done.

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Whether you want a male provider or a female one, a new graduate or a veteran doc, we have the right health-care provider for you.

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