As summer begins its graceful descent, August arrives with a quiet intensity—a time of warmth, ripening gardens, and golden sunsets that invite both movement and stillness. For those of us on the path of healthy aging, this month is a reminder that vitality doesn’t belong to the young—it belongs to the engaged, the curious, the intentional.
In this issue, we explore how small changes can yield big dividends: from gentle mobility exercises that protect joints to seasonal foods that boost brain health. You’ll meet individuals who are redefining what it means to thrive later in life—people who see age not as a finish line, but as fertile ground for reinvention and resilience.
August is also a perfect moment to pause and realign. What habits are serving your well-being? Which ones deserve to be rewritten? With nature offering both abundance and transition, we’re invited to do the same within ourselves.
Whether you’re harvesting tomatoes, taking morning walks, or finally picking up that creative project you set aside in June, know this: your time, your health, and your joy matter—now more than ever.
Exciting News! I’m honored to share that I’ve been named Co-Chair of the Designer Collective for the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse (WBCS). This incredible organization has raised over $8 million to support breast and prostate cancer research—an effort I’m deeply proud to be part of.
As Co-Chair, I’ll be helping lead new initiatives, events, and creative collaborations alongside an amazing team of designers and volunteers. I’m especially excited for what’s ahead as we blend timeless design with a meaningful mission.
Thank you for your continued support—and stay tuned for updates on upcoming projects and ways to get involved!
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Disclaimer
POSITIVE AGING is published on the first of each month . The articles in this publication are in no way intended to replace the knowledge or diagnosis of your doctor. We advise seeing a physician whenever a health problem arises requiring an expert’s care.
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Positive Aging is distributed throughout the Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozauakee and Washington county.
Active Living In Nature: A Wellness Boost
As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly vital to preserving both physical health and emotional well-being. For older adults, one of the most enriching and sustainable ways to stay active is by spending time in nature. Whether it’s walking through a shaded park, tending to a garden, or joining a fitness class in a scenic outdoor setting, nature offers more than just a beautiful backdrop — it provides powerful wellness benefits that support a longer, happier life.
Movement Made Enjoyable
Engaging in regular physical activity helps improve balance, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health — all critical for aging gracefully. But traditional exercise routines can feel like a chore. Nature transforms that experience. Walking on a forest trail or practicing gentle yoga beside a pond turns movement into a sensory-rich, enjoyable activity. The sights, sounds, and scents of the outdoors help reduce stress, making it easier to stay consistent with a fitness routine.
Mental Clarity and Mood Boosting
Spending time in green spaces is linked to improved cognitive function and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research shows that natural environments can lower cortisol levels, improve attention span, and elevate mood. For older adults, this is especially meaningful. Nature can act as a
mental reset button, offering peace, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Social and Emotional Connection
Outdoor activities often foster community. Group walks, nature-based wellness classes, or community garden projects provide opportunities for connection and companionship — essential ingredients for emotional wellbeing. Being outdoors can help reduce feelings of isolation, especially for those living in senior communities or adjusting to a new phase of life.
Accessible and Restorative
Nature doesn’t require expensive equipment or gym memberships. It’s accessible, adaptable, and forgiving. From paved walking paths in local parks to tranquil community courtyards filled with flowers and benches, there are many ways older adults can integrate the outdoors into their daily lives. Even sitting in a garden, watching birds or enjoying the sunshine, can have restorative effects.
A Path to Lifelong Vitality
Active living surrounded by nature isn’t just a lifestyle — it’s a wellness prescription. By embracing the natural world, older adults can boost their physical health, sharpen their minds, lift their spirits, and strengthen their social ties. Whether it’s a morning stroll, a sunset stretch, or a day spent planting flowers, nature offers the perfect partner for aging vibrantly and joyfully.
Live beyond the ordinary
Cedar Community is woven into the prairies, waterways, and forests of Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine—just 40 minutes north of Milwaukee and 10 minutes from downtown West Bend—the natural beauty surrounding Cedar Community makes their campuses unique. Over its 70+ year history, Cedar Community has grown to include three campuses on over 535 total acres, with more than 900 residents, nearly 400 employees, and over 300 volunteers.
Residents enjoy miles of wooded trails and paths as well as access to the shores of Big Cedar Lake on Cedar Community’s 245-acre Cedar Lake Campus. This private, serene setting affords many opportunities for unique senior living and life-enriching activities, including pontoon boat and golf cart rides to explore the lake and nature.
Cedar Community offers a variety of benefits that enhance wellbeing from physical and spiritual wellness to improved mental health, socialization, and life-long learning opportunities. As people age, their social circles often shrink—friends pass away or move, access to activities becomes more challenging, and making friends becomes less of a priority. However, living in a senior community provides a built-in network of people in similar life stages, which can lead to new connections through shared interests and life experiences. This supportive environment helps residents build meaningful relationships.
To learn more, visit their website at cedarcommunity.org or call Abby to schedule a tour, 262.338.4617.
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How Can Hiking Improve Your Health?
adobe.stock.com/luengo_ua
By: KURU Footwear
Hiking is one of the best forms of exercise for both the body and mind. Whether you’re scaling mountain trails or taking a leisurely walk through the woods, hiking offers unique health benefits that many other exercises simply don’t. Unlike running on a treadmill or lifting weights at the gym, hiking immerses you in nature, challenges your endurance with varied terrain, and offers a much-needed escape from everyday stress.
If you’re looking for a way to boost your fitness, strengthen your muscles, improve your mental well-being, and connect with nature, hiking might be the perfect activity for you.
Physical Benefits of Hiking
1. Cardiovascular Fitness
Hiking is an excellent cardiovascular workout that helps strengthen your heart and lungs. Unlike walking on a flat surface, hiking involves elevation changes that make your heart work harder, improving circulation and overall cardiovascular health. Regular hikes can:
Lower blood pressure
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Improve lung capacity
Enhance endurance
Interval training is another great way to improve your fitness levels, and you can read more about it in our guide on interval training for faster fitness.
2. Strengthens Muscles and Joints
Hiking engages multiple muscle groups, including your legs, core, and even your arms if you use trekking poles. The constant adjustments your body makes while walking on uneven terrain help:
Strengthen stabilizing muscles
Improve joint flexibility
Reduce the risk of osteoporosis by building bone density
Additionally, being mindful of workout fashion mistakes can ensure you’re wearing the right gear to maximize muscle engagement and support.
3. Burns Calories and Supports Weight Loss
If you’re looking for a fun way to burn calories, hiking is one of the best options. A one-hour hike can burn anywhere from 400 to 700 calories, depending on your weight, the difficulty of the trail, and your pace. The natural inclines and declines of trails require more effort than walking on flat ground, making it an effective workout for weight management.
To see how hiking compares with other workouts, check out our insights on when workouts start showing results.
Feel confident in your style and in your footing, then do more thanks to allday comfort and consistent support. QUEST was built for spending qual
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4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Spending time in nature has been shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), helping you feel more relaxed and at peace. Studies indicate that hiking can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, thanks to:
Exposure to fresh air and sunlight
The calming effects of natural sounds
The meditative rhythm of walking
If you’re looking for additional ways to ease stress, try these simple exercises for stress relief.
5. Boosts Mood and Mental Clarity
Being surrounded by nature can have a powerful impact on your mood and cognitive function. Hiking helps increase dopamine and serotonin levels, neurotransmitters that contribute to happiness and emotional stability. Additionally, hiking has been linked to improved memory and concentration, making it an excellent activity for those looking to boost productivity and mental clarity.
6. Enhances Creativity
Feeling stuck on a project or struggling with problem-solving? Taking a hike can provide a fresh perspective. A study from Stanford University found that walking in nature can boost creative thinking by up to 50%, making it a perfect activity for writers, artists, and entrepreneurs looking to generate new ideas.
The Unique Advantages of Hiking Over Other Exercises
7. A Breath of Fresh Air
Unlike running on a treadmill in an enclosed space or jogging through a crowded city, hiking takes you into areas with clean, oxygen-rich air. Being in forests, mountains, or near bodies of water exposes you to increased oxygen levels, which can:
Improve lung function
Strengthen the immune system
Increase energy levels
For more outdoor exercise inspiration, explore outdoor activities to ener-
gize your adventure.
8. Improves Balance and Reflexes
The uneven terrain of hiking trails forces your body to make micro-adjustments with every step, improving:
Coordination
Reflexes
Balance and stability
These benefits are particularly important as we age, as they can help prevent falls and improve overall mobility. Additionally, practicing yoga poses for better posture can complement hiking by strengthening your core and improving stability.
9. Boosts Vitamin D Levels
Spending time outdoors exposes your body to natural sunlight, which helps produce vitamin D. This essential nutrient:
Strengthens bones
Supports the immune system
Enhances mood
Just 15-30 minutes of sun exposure while hiking can provide a significant vitamin D boost, helping combat deficiencies that are common in people who spend most of their time indoors.
10. Improves Sleep Quality
Spending time in natural light and engaging in physical activity can improve sleep patterns. Exposure to sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Additionally, the physical exertion of hiking reduces restlessness, allowing for deeper, more restorative sleep.
11. Provides a Sense of Adventure
Unlike monotonous workouts at the gym, hiking offers a sense of adventure and discovery. Each trail presents new scenery, wildlife, and terrain, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. Exploring new hiking spots can become a rewarding hobby that encourages consistent physical activity and exploration.
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NOURISHING YOUR HEART:
Top 5 Foods for Effective Blood Pressure Management
Hypertension, a common cardiovascular concern affecting 1.3 billion people worldwide, is also called high blood pressure. It’s a condition that requires a multifaceted approach to management with a focus on preventive care. While medication plays a crucial role, dietary choices can significantly impact your blood pressure levels and should be a first line treatment.
Grace O is the founder of FoodTrients, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and information on food as medicine that can help everyone age better. What drives Grace’s program of healthy aging are nine elements she calls FoodTrients®: Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Beauty, Detox, Disease Prevention, Gut Health, Immune Boosters, Mind, and Strength.
To manage healthy blood pressure, FoodTrients nutrition expert Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO, outlines five essential FoodTrients® foods that provide benefits that you can start incorporating today.
Berries pack a potent punch of antioxidants known as flavonoids. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to blood vessel dilation (expansion), positively influencing blood pressure and possibly helping reduce it.
Fatty Fish – The type of fish richest in anti-inflammatory, heart healthy fats include those from cold waters like salmon. Omega-3 fats found in these species of fish help manage blood pressure, reduce inflammation in the body, and improve overall heart health long-term.
Leafy Greens are powerful nutrient-dense options that help fight hypertension. Packed with potassium, greens help the body balance sodium levels, a key factor in blood pressure regulation. They also contain high levels of natural nitrates, which convert into nitric oxide — a ‘vasodilator’ that relaxes blood vessels and promotes easier blood flow.
Oats can contribute to blood pressure management. Oats contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that has been linked to lower blood pressure levels. Fiber helps reduce cholesterol absorption, promoting heart health and artery health.
Watermelon contains citrulline, a compound that can be converted into arginine, promoting the production of nitric oxide. All melons are rich in potassium so including a variety of melons in your diet adds a delicious element to your blood pressure management plan.
Making mindful choices in the kitchen can have a profound impact on
FOOD continued on page 38
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The 6 Keys to Healthy Aging
WANT TO AGE WELL? DO THE YOGA SQUAT FOR BETTER LOWER-BODY MOBILITY
By Brierley Horton MS, RD
There are six lifestyle components for healthy aging, says David Katz, MD, MPH, CEO of Diet ID, Inc., author and founder and former director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.
“There’s massive global consensus among public health and preventive medicine experts about the importance of sleep, physical activity, managing stress, avoiding toxins, building social connections and diet,” Dr. Katz tells LIVESTRONG.com.
And the scientific literature backs this up: Studies that look at so-called “all-cause mortality” (death, in other words) show that exercise, sleep, stress, socialization (or lack thereof), what you put into your body and what you don’t all play a role in how long we might live. Put another way, being active, not isolating socially, reducing stress, and eating and sleeping well all may add years to your life. And they make those extra years good years.
“But they’re not siloed,” Dr. Katz says. In other words, they act collectively rather than independently.
With that said, does one habit trump the others?
Maybe.
Why Sleep May Be the Most Important Key to Aging Well
Dr. Katz explains it like this: If you sleep well, you have more energy. If you have more energy, you exercise. If you sleep well and exercise, you have better self-esteem and you care about what you put into your body. When you’re feeling good about yourself, eating and sleeping well and exercising, you’re much more interested in socializing.
Still, as a nation, even though we know sleep is important, we don’t exactly do it well: Over the past few decades, research suggests that more and more people are sleeping seven or fewer hours a night, per a September 2017 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association
“Sleep is typically the habit we’re most dismissive of,” Dr. Katz says.
Maybe it’s because sleep feels like downtime, or time where we can’t do anything productive. Yet sleep is so monumentally important.
As Dr. Katz explains, sleep is when we restore ourselves and a lot of body repair happens. Indeed, the microbiome is reconstituted when we sleep, and cells all around the body replenish themselves. “So much of what the body needs to do for the next day happens when we sleep,” Dr. Katz says.
We’ve all had nights when we slept well and nights when we slept poorly. The difference is stunning. When you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you confront the stresses of the day with a lot more strength and resilience, Dr. Katz says.
“If you sleep well, you do a better job of choosing the right foods and you have better self-restraint,” he says.
Conversely, after a lousy night’s sleep, daily stresses feel overwhelming and there’s a snowball effect that’s set in motion. Sleep is the proverbial snowball at the top of the hill.
So, if you’re concerned about aging well, make it your first goal to get seven to nine hours of good quality shut-eye every night. Then tackle the rest of the longevity habits.
Want to Age Well? Do the Yoga Squat for Better Lower-Body Mobility
By Kim Grundy, PT
As we get older, staying flexible and strong becomes super important. A regular yoga practice can help, and there’s one simple move that may also help improve digestion and anxiety — the yogi/yoga squat, also called Malasana or garland pose.
“Yogi squat pose or Malasana is an excellent balancing and grounding pose,” says registered yoga instructor, stretch therapist and author Claire Grieve, founder of EVE. “It enhances both strength and flexibility, along with providing a release of tension in the muscles and stuck energy and stress in your lower body.”
It focuses on mobility in your hips and knees, but doing the yogi squat also helps with mobility in the rest of your body. That means you’ll be able to do everyday activities, such as sitting, standing and bending, more easily.
In fact, a July 2014 study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that older adults who had difficulty getting up off of the floor (called the sitting-rising test) did not live as long as those who could get up off of the floor without difficulty.
The bottom line: Mobility is important — and the yogi squat is one simple move that can help maintain your mobility and strength. Need more convincing? Here are seven reasons to do the yoga squat every day.
7 Benefits of the Yoga Squat
There’s been a lot of research on all the benefits of yoga, though, as with other individual yoga poses, there’s not much specifically on the yogi squat.
However, unlike most exercises that just work one part of your body, the yoga squat works several areas at the same time. You can do it on its own or as part of a longer yoga routine.
1. Improves Flexibility
When done correctly, the yogi squat improves flexibility in your entire body, which is important as we get older.
“This pose stretches the arches of your feet, ankles, groin, hamstrings and lower back,” says Grieve. It also improves mobility in your spine, including your thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) spine. It also helps open up your chest and shoulders and promotes full range of motion of your knees and hips.
2. Strengthens the Lower Body and Core
Getting into this low squatting pose and holding strengthens your entire lower body, including your glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings. It also strengthens your core muscles and your pelvic floor, as well as working the muscles in your feet and ankles.
3. Improves Balance
Maintaining balance is important as we get older, as it helps to prevent falls. Holding this pose helps improve all the neuromuscular (brain-muscle connection) pathways that help improve and maintain balance.
4. Can Improve Digestive Health
Feeling constipated? The yoga squat may help. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) reports that the yogi squat helps improve the function of the colon to help relieve constipation. Additionally, a July 2021 study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that daily yoga in an older population helped relieve constipation.
Researchers from a March 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology believe those with chronic constipation may have a tight pelvic floor, which squatting helps relax (see point 5 below).
5. May Improve Pelvic Health
YOGA continued on page 39
The Specialized Realtors You Need.
As Certified Senior Real Estate Specialists, we are dedicated to providing the best possible customer experience, whether you are buying or selling a home!(or both). With a combined 35+ years of experience in the real estate industry, we understand that this is more than a transaction it’s personal.
If you are contemplating if the time is right to make a move, give us a call and lets have a conversation.
Summer is sizzling, which means your pet will need extra care to stay cool and hydrated. In the same way that you can overheat in high temperatures and humidity, your pets can also suffer dangerous symptoms of heatstroke. If left untreated, heatstroke can result in loss of consciousness, failure of vital organs, and death.
You might think animals can endure the heat better than humans, but the truth is that dogs and cats begin to experience heatstroke at the same internal body temperature as humans (104° F). Gauging your pet’s temperature can be difficult, especially with smaller pets, but the heat index can help. Meteorologists use the heat index to determine the true temperature once humidity
is applied. The balance of heat and humidity is what becomes dangerous to your pet’s health, as well as your own.
Take heat precautions as soon as the heat index reaches 90° F, and remember that animals’ bodies function differently than ours. For instance, cats and dogs only sweat through the pads on their feet, and other animals, such as rabbits, disperse heat through their ears. This means that what keeps you cool may not keep your pets cool! If you’re ever hesitant about how to care for your pet, please reach out to our expert veterinary team.
How to Help Your Pet Avoid Heatstroke:
Never leave your pet in the car unattended. No matter how quick the errand or how shady the parking spot is, cracked windows are not enough to ensure the safety of your pet. Leaving pets in vehicles is a leading cause of hyperthermia-related pet deaths.
Keep your pet in air conditioning as much as possible. A fan alone will not be enough to help them release body heat because of how animals sweat. If you have a basement, consider leaving your pet there when you aren’t home. Since it’s underground, it will be naturally cooler.
Give your pets cold treats such as homemade peanut butter popsicles or chilled wet food. However, ice cubes can injure teeth and should be avoided.
Provide plenty of shade and ventilation indoors as well as outdoors. Always avoid keeping your pet on surfaces that will retain heat, such as asphalt and sand.
Experiment with ice packs or similar DIY options (e.g., frozen water bottles) to help your pet cool itself. You can put these in your pet’s cages for them to play with or lay against.
Apply water to your pets to keep them cool by misting them, letting them take a dip in the pool, or setting up sprinklers in the yard.
Make sure your pet has easy access to fresh water. Consider using a pet fountain that will prevent spillage and provide a constant flow of water. Adding a few ice cubes – especially for older or impaired animals who typically
PET continued on page 39
Get local help with your Medicare questions
I’m Gina Ensslin, a licensed sales agent in Southeastern Wisconsin. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs. Make the most of my knowledge and experience to:
• Take the confusion out of Medicare
• Get help comparing plans
• Receive one-on-one service
• Make enrolling in a plan easier
I look forward to helping you explore your Medicare options so you can enroll in a plan with confidence.
If you have older family members or loved ones, you may worry about their health as they age. Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and dementia. The good news is that adopting and maintaining a few key behaviors can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. As a family member, it’s important to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in your loved ones — it’s never too late to start!
Healthy behavior changes can help older adults live more independently later in life. That’s important both for their quality of life and for yours. If a family member loses independence — whether it’s due to disability or chronic disease — you may find yourself in a caregiving role earlier than expected, which can affect family dynamics as well as finances.
So what can you do to help the older adults in your life manage their health, live as independently as possible, and maintain quality of life as they age? Read on to learn about four ways to help support and promote healthy habits in your older loved ones’ lives.
Prevent social isolation and loneliness
As people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Poor health, the death of a partner, caring for a loved one, and other situations that are more likely as people age can all lead to being socially isolated or feeling lonely.
Although they sound similar, social isolation and loneliness are different. Loneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated, while social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. Increased social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher risks for health problems, such as depression; heart disease; and cognitive decline, which is a decrease in the ability to think, learn, and remember.
As a family member, you can play an important role in helping the older adults in your life to stay socially connected. Here are some ways you can help:
Schedule daily, weekly, or biweekly phone calls or video chats. Encourage them to seek out others with shared interests, such as through a garden club, volunteer organization, or walking group.
Gina Ennslin enjoys working with seniors in her community. “I have over 22 years of experience in Financial services industry focusing on Senior Health Care. I am passionate about helping Seniors with their Medicare decisions and health care topics. For more info call Gina 414-840-5419
Visit Gina at UHC Table event/ walk in: Burlington Farmers Market Thursday’s 8/7/2025 & 8/14/2025 3pm-6pm
UHC Resource Center: Briscoe Family YMCA Franklin WI Wednesday8/6/2025 9am-11am
Cardio Drum fit class: Sponsored by United Healthcare Kelly Senior Center -Cudahy WI
8/7/2025 @12:30
8/14/2025 @ 12:30
8/21/2025@12:30
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Your Own Lake House: 6 Cabins on Wisconsin Waters
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Have you ever wished you had your very own Wisconsin lake house? Luckily, you can feel like you do with these Wisconsin cabins and cottages on the water!
There are plenty of cozy resorts and privately owned rental cabins that offer private shoreline, serene sunset views and plenty to do like swimming, fishing, boating and more. Read on to discover your own little slice of Wisconsin’s beautiful lakes to enjoy with your favorite people this summer.
Thunderbird Log Home – Hatfield
Though this resort offers camping and a lodge, staying in the authentic Thunderbird Log Home will have you feeling at home in your own lake house. This spacious 5-bedroom log cabin is the perfect mixture of rustic charm and
new amenities and sleeps up to 14 people, making it perfect for a family or friends’ retreat.
While you can still enjoy the comforts of home with a large-screen TV and fully equipped kitchen, you’ll also be one with nature as you kayak or fish on beautiful Lake Arbutus and hike (or bike) on the numerous trails surrounding the area.
End the night around a crackling campfire amidst the trees bordering the Black River State Forest and embrace an unforgettable Northwoods getaway with your favorite people.
Crown Point Resort – Stoughton
You don’t have to travel to the Northwoods to enjoy a stunning lake view— there’s everything you need at Crown Point Resort in Stoughton. Six cedar cottages nestled on a hillside offer an inviting atmosphere overlooking the serene Lake Kegonsa, just minutes from Wisconsin’s capital city.
Charming downtown Stoughton and nearby attractions like Lake Kegonsa State Park and Eugster’s Farm Market and Petting Farm will keep your whole group entertained, while cabin views of the shimmering lake offer muchneeded vacation relaxation.
DePerry’s on the Lake – Bayfield
Lake Superior has never looked better than from the deck of a Wisconsin cabin like DePerry’s on the Lake. With a breathtaking view of the water and the nearby Basswood Island, this is one of the best ways to experience northwestern Wisconsin with your favorite people.
Highlights include modern accommodations, a sprawling yard and beach, but the best part is the peace and seclusion that DePerry’s has to offer. The two suites each have a private deck with an incredible view.
If you’re up for a journey beyond your little oasis, visit the nearby worldrenowned music venue Big Top Chautauqaua, or take a trip to experience the natural wonders of the Apostle Islands.
A-Frame on the Bay – Sturgeon Bay
This stunning A-Frame on the Bay sits atop the limestone cliffs of the Ni-
agara Escarpment overlooking sparkling Green Bay. Stay with your special someone and enjoy the waterfront views, take out the boats and bikes provided and create lasting memories that will stay with you for years to come.
Take the short drive to Potawatomi State Park and downtown Sturgeon Bay to explore more fun in the form of scenic hiking trails, tasty restaurants, unique shops and much more. There’s so much to enjoy in Door County and having this special spot as a home base will guarantee your trip is one to remember.
Serenity Bay Resort – St. Germain
Staying in a cabin at Serenity Bay Resort gives you and your crew access to 600 feet of shoreline on Little St. Germain Lake, stand-up paddle boards and kayaks and a private deck perfect for lounging. Bring the family along to enjoy the playground near the water and explore the area around the resort for go-cart racing, ice cream shops, water ski shows and everything that makes for a quintessential “Up North” Wisconsin summer.
Jackson’s Lakeside Cottages - St. Germain
Choose from 11 charming lakeside cottages at this resort in St. Germain that’s been run by the same family for over 100 years. With two, three, four and five-bedroom units, you can curate your vacation on the water to be a romantic getaway or time spent with the whole family.
Travel Back in Time at these Wisconsin Cabins and Hotels
When you escape to a vacation in Wisconsin, you’ll feel a wave of serenity wash over you. Between the refreshing scenery and welcoming residents, you and your traveling companions will wonder if you’ve slipped back into a simpler time. And many of the cabins and hotels here capture this throwback feel. From summer camp nostalgia to neon-sign motels brimming with midcentury flair, you and your group are sure to love the vintage vibes at these destinations that make spending quality time together even sweeter.
Camp Wandawega – Elkhorn [wandawega]
Tucked away in Elkhorn, north of Lake Geneva, Camp Wandawega is a true blast from the past; one can easily sense the history here. Since the 1920s, it’s operated as a hotel, speakeasy, resort and church camp. Today, it’s a stylish
homage to summer camps of yore, with cabins, tents and even a treehouse outfitted with the owners’ flea market treasures.
The camp doesn’t mince words when it proclaims itself as rustic (no air conditioning, communal bathrooms) and daytime activities stay true to the summer camp theme: archery, canoeing, swimming, biking and more. At the end of the day, gather around the campfire with your crew for s’mores and stargazing.
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Holiday Music Motel – Sturgeon Bay
Feel like the star of your own indie movie by staying in this stylish midcentury motel in Door County. Originally opened in 1952, it was bought and restored by a group of musicians in 2009. Eclectic rooms showcase real-deal 1950s décor, down to the funky furniture and retro curtains.
There’s something else that makes this motel stand out: It’s the world’s only fully operational motel with live music, collaborative songwriting retreats and a radio station exclusively broadcasting the music created within its own walls. Whether you’re a traveling musician or just looking for a unique stay in Sturgeon Bay, the Holiday Music Motel makes for a great launching point for all your group’s adventures.
Maxwell Mansion - Lake Geneva
maxwell mansion
The charming spirit of Lake Geneva is alive and well at Maxwell Mansion, the first of its kind built on the scenic shore. The renovated historic mansion, carriage house and stables display carefully curated antique décor alongside modern amenities like whirlpool tubs and chromotherapy lighting.
You and your group can play croquet or bocce ball on the lawn for a classy afternoon spent together. Then, head to the property’s libation destinations: The Apothecary Bar, where barkeeps dressed in period clothing serve swanky cocktails and The Speakeasy, an underground bar that requires a password. The covert word is only shared with hotel guests and Facebook followers.
For more information visti travelwisconsin.com. Explore Wisconsin’s quiet and cozy cabins, or find more charming places to stay with our directory!
Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community
Home Care Services!
Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community, a trusted name in the Muskego area for over 40 years, is now offering Home Care Services to area residents! Tudor Oaks Home Care Services provide a variety of supportive options to assist seniors who wish to remain in their own home.
Preparing to Move
Start Early - Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your move. 6 months to 1 year before your move is the best time to start the process. If you don’t have that much time, don’t be discouraged, it’s never too late to begin.
Create a Timeline - A timeline will help you plan and prepare for your move regardless of when and how far away you are moving. Start with your move date and work backward to set a schedule for getting everything done in time. Also, create a detailed checklist of things to complete including canceling and transferring utilities & services and making all the necessary address changes.
Downsizing - If you are moving into a smaller space, it is essential to downsize your belongings. A floor plan can help determine which furniture pieces will fit in your new home. Additionally, sorting through your kitchen, bathroom, and closets can greatly impact your move’s success. As you are editing your things, consider your new space as well as your current & future lifestyle. Focus on what you use, need, love, AND most importantly, what will fit in your new home. Considering the storage and cabinet space in your new kitchen and bathrooms can be especially helpful as you sort through your things. You can even measure how many feet of hanging clothing your new closets will accommodate.
Packing - To ensure your items are safely moved to your new home, it’s important to use appropriate size boxes for your belongings. Books, glassware, canned goods, and other small, heavy items should be packed into a 1.5 cubic foot box. Small appliances and larger items can be packed into a medium 3.0 box. Large 5.0 cubic foot boxes are great for bedding, linens, pillows, and towels. Avoid using trash bags, open-top boxes, and newspapers for packing. As you pack, consider where items will go in your new home. Boxes should be labeled with the room in which they will be unpacked and a few details of the contents. You will want to be able to quickly identify which boxes contain your coffee pot or other essential items to be able to open right away and save the decor for unpacking later.
Moving Day - A well-thought-out plan and thorough preparation can contribute to a smooth move day. Identify a box or suitcase of essentials for your first night in your new home. This should include items you would typically pack as if you were staying in a hotel. You’ll also want quick access to a set of clean sheets for your bed. If you’ve hired a reputable moving company to do the heavy lifting, still be available for questions as they arise. Share your floor plan with the movers or plan to direct them on furniture placement in your new space. Remember to take breaks throughout the day and take care of your needs.
Unpacking & Set up - The kitchen is often one of the most used rooms of a home and should therefore be one of the first rooms to unpack and set up. You will inevitably find items you don’t need or want as you unpack boxes. Be prepared to donate, recycle, or discard these things, as appropriate. Give yourself plenty of time to unpack and settle into your new home.
FINDING FREEDOM IN SENIOR LIVING:
How Communities Promote Independence
For seniors, moving into a community can be a considerable change. Sometimes, they’re afraid it will take away their independence and freedom. However, the purpose of senior living is to keep its residents active while respecting their autonomy.
How Senior Living Promotes Independence
Maintenance-Free Living
What seniors can do and what they want to do aren’t always the same. If they can maintain their home, that doesn’t mean they want to spend their retirement doing household chores. In senior living, they’re free to spend their days as they’d like without being responsible for upkeep. A community team is there for maintenance, housekeeping, and repairs when needed.
Social Opportunities
As seniors age, sometimes their social circles shrink. Friendships with colleagues may fade once they enter retirement, and opportunities to make new friends happen less often. Loneliness is common among older adults, especially those who live alone. Loneliness can lead to anxiety and depression and contribute to feeling less independent. In a community, seniors are around others their age. Arts & crafts activities, aerobics, local outings, and game nights promote connecting and socializing.
Wellness Programs
Staying active is critical for seniors to support their mobility and independence, but living alone is not always easy. In senior living, wellness programs designed to help the mind, body, and spirit are offered with attention to residents’ well-being. Those can be group exercises, yoga, meditation, or any activity prioritizing health. Trained professionals ensure safety and support for everyone.
Amenities
When seniors live alone, there’s a chance they may give up activities they once enjoyed and become inactive. Communities encourage participating in activities. Senior living homes can have outdoor gardens, fitness centers, and salon and spa services. Local transportation for day trips, appointments, and convenience store runs may be offered. Amenities help seniors live an active, fulfilling lifestyle with proper support.
Security for the Future
No matter your seniors’ needs, senior living offers the care and support they’ll need, even in the future. If their needs change over time, a community adjusts how to care for your loved ones’ health and well-being.
Celebrating Independence Every Day
In senior living, independence isn’t just encouraged – it’s celebrated. Senior living offers a balance between assistance and autonomy. With compassionate support available, seniors can confidently embrace each day with the assurance that their well-being is a top priority.
For more information on how senior living promotes independence, visit www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com.
istock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen
What is Low Vision?
By Cheryl L. Dejewski
Next to arthritis and heart disease, low vision is the most common handicap among Americans age 65 and older. An estimated six million people in the U.S. do not have normal vision, even with corrective eyewear,” states Michael Raciti, MD, a partner at Eye Care Specialists, an ophthalmology practice that has overseen the care of more than 200,000 Wisconsinites since 1985.
His partner and Head of Ophthalmology at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Brett Rhode, MD, explains, “A person is said to have low vision when eye disease or injury impairs their vision to the point that medication, surgery,
eyeglasses or contact lenses cannot correct it. Low vision may affect sight in a number of different ways. The most common and significant types are loss of central (reading) vision and/or peripheral (side) vision. Reduction of focusing power, reduction or loss of color vision, and difficulty adapting to light and dark are other ways sight may be affected.”
Types of Low Vision
Federal regulations define various degrees of visual impairment for legal and government purposes.
An eye surgeon who treats nearly every eye condition on a weekly basis, Daniel Ferguson, MD, explains, “A person is ‘legally blind’ if, even with corrective lenses, the vision in his or her ‘good’ eye is still 20/200 or worse. This means that he or she is only able to identify at 20 feet (or less) what a person with normal vision can identify at 200 feet. A person may also be declared legally blind if their field of vision is so narrow that they can only see an area a diameter of 20 degrees or less at one time (normal side vision spans at least 140 degrees—nearly half a circle).
“Legal blindness, however, does not necessarily mean total blindness. In fact, more than 90 percent of the estimated 1.4 million legally blind Americans have some residual vision, and this remaining vision can and should be used to its greatest possible potential,” says Daniel Paskowitz, MD, PhD, a local ophthalmologist with credentials from Harvard and Johns Hopkins.
A person may be defined as “visually impaired” if neither eye can see better than 20/60 (even with corrective lenses) or if they have abnormal color, night or side vision; double vision; or loss of vision in one eye.
A person who is unable to perform certain tasks because of visual impairment is usually defined as “visually disabled.” This disability is expressed in percentages, which are used by insurers, government agencies and courts to determine how much the person is disabled by the handicap. For example, total loss of vision in both eyes is a 100% disability of the visual system and 85% disability of the whole person. This quantification is necessary to receive
EYE continued on page 31
HEALTH
WHAT
Distock.com/ChayTee
Fine Tune Your Fitness Tracker Usage
YOU PURCHASE DEPENDS ON WHAT DATA YOU ARE SEEKING.
evices that collect fitness metrics aren’t just for Olympic athletes and marathoners. Activity trackers like Fitbits, Apple Watches, and Garmin Smartwatches have become more commonplace over the last decade.
But how helpful are fitness trackers when trying to take off a few
pounds? The following are a few tips to help you use your smartwatch or Fitbit to your advantage:
Choose the right fitness tracker
When it comes to smartwatches or other activity trackers, there are hundreds of options from which to choose. What you purchase depends on what data you are seeking.
The most popular measurements include how many steps you’ve taken and how many minutes you’ve been active. If you want to increase your activity level, these two metrics are useful, and you can probably opt for a low-cost device. Top-of-the-line trackers report more specific data like heart rate and stride length but are more expensive.
istock.com/Ilija Erceg
Once you choose an activity tracker, accurately enter user information like weight, height, and age. This information impacts the numbers you’ll see. Whenever your weight changes or you have a birthday, update your settings.
Set realistic goals
A new smartwatch or Fitbit is exciting, and its purpose is to help you achieve certain goals. However, avoid setting too many goals at once or goals that may be too difficult to achieve.
Wear the watch for a week without any expectations in mind. See how it feels, and pay attention to how many steps you take daily and how many minutes of activity you partake in. Then, set goals based on those numbers.
Most activity trackers give you a goal of 10,000 steps a day. But if you’re only averaging about 1,000, adding 9,000 more steps daily is not an immediately achievable goal. Check your progress throughout the day and spend a few minutes before bed reviewing your goals. Adjust accordingly. Remember to set yourself up to succeed and increase your goals as time goes on.
Be kind to yourself
It can be easy to get caught up in the data and take drastic actions to close your Apple Watch rings or get to 10,000 steps a day on your Fitbit. Remember that your numbers today, tomorrow, or yesterday have no bearing on who you are.
Life events like vacations, illnesses, and work deadlines can throw us off balance. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet your goals on a particular day. Forgive yourself and start anew tomorrow.
Get social
Exercising and establishing healthy habits is more fun with friends. Many trackers allow you to add your exercise buddies and compare weekly progress. If you find competition motivating, some devices even offer a way to compete against your friends to complete certain challenges.
So, grab your friends, family members, or peers at a TOPS chapter near you and socialize while improving your health!
About TOPS®
TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded in 1948, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.®” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information.
Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. Membership is affordable, starting at USD 70 per year, plus nominal chapter fees. The longer you’re a TOPS member, the more you save through reduced renewal rates. Visit www.tops.org or call 800932-8677 to learn more about TOPS and to find a local chapter. Photo credit: istock.com/Prostock-Studio.
Senior Living: It’s in The Eye of the Beholder
You’ve probably driven past one or more of these shiny, new-construction senior living communities that have been popping up in recent years and thought to yourself, “Wow, those sure don’t look like they used to.”
It’s true; they don’t. And in fact, today’s senior living communities simply aren’t like they used to be.
They’re modern and luxurious, with amenities and designer touches, amazing food and service and the grandeur we’d expect from a high-end resort hotel. You’re almost amazed to the point where you have to remind yourself
that it’s not a hotel—it’s home.
Indeed, so nice are these new senior communities that it’s easy to get caught up in all the marble and chandeliers and somehow lose track of what may be the most critical feature of all, and the question every senior and their families should be asking:
Can this community give me or my loved one the ability to age in place?
Aging in place is the ability for seniors to remain in their residence of choice—without sacrificing quality of life—well into their late or even final years. But recent data suggests millions of seniors may be going about it the wrong way.
The Institute on Aging reports that some 43.5 million U.S. adults are sole caregivers for an aging parent. And while that’s both noble and selfless, rising life expectancies mean today’s seniors are living long enough to experience multiple, simultaneous health issues and depend even more on their relatives for care that, let’s face it, they aren’t able to nor qualified to give.
It’s a Matter of Lifestyle Quality for Both Seniors & Families
Pleasing aesthetics and all the modern luxuries convey exceptional lifestyle quality. But you mustn’t be so enamored with them that you neglect to consider the future and how aging may escalate any chronic conditions or otherwise weigh on mobility or the ability to perform daily activities.
Plenty of senior living communities offer only an exquisite independent senior living option, which means that the emergence of memory-related impairments or worsening health issues would likely necessitate a move to an entirely different community that offers assisted living, memory care or other specialized services.
In that case, you and your family would be left to figure out the logistics, plan and execute a move to a more care-driven senior living community, one you probably would’ve considered in the first place had you foreseen the road
EYES continued on page 34
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Visit our state-of-the-art, beautifully renovated Assistive Technology Center and meet at no charge with technology experts to determine your needs for the latest assistive devices. Appointment is preferred. Walk-ins Welcome!
Call or visit us today or get more information at hearwi.org We are conveniently located on 102nd and National Ave. Address: 10243 W. National Avenue, West Allis, WI 53227 Phone: 414-604-2200 • Email: info@hearwi.org
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istock.com/:Jacob Wackerhausen
Aquatic Exercises to Try This Summer
Take a dive into fitness with these easy, low-impact workouts. Trying these aquatic exercises this summer is a great way to get a workout in on warm days.
As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to dive into the world of aquatic exercises. Whether you’re new to water workouts or a seasoned enthusiast, the benefits of exercising in the pool are numerous and well-suited to those looking for a gentle yet effective way to stay fit. Trying a new workout routine with low joint stress, great muscle toning, light cardio, and great opportunities to meet new people can be a great activity for the hot summer months. Before trying any new workouts, make sure to talk with your doctor.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of aquatic workouts and some simple exercises for you to try in the pool this summer.
Water Walking or Jogging
First on your list should be water walking. It’s as simple as it sounds, yet in-
credibly effective. Walking in water adds resistance without the harsh impact on your joints that you might experience on land. The water provides natural resistance, which helps in strengthening your muscles, especially in your legs and core. It’s also an excellent way to improve balance and stability. Plus, it’s an activity you can easily do with friends, making it a social experience. For those who enjoy a bit of a challenge, water jogging can be an excellent way to build endurance and muscle tone. Unlike water walking, water jogging involves a more vigorous pace, which helps to elevate your heart rate and provide a more intense cardiovascular workout. The resistance of the water ensures that you’re working your muscles harder than you would on land, but without the impact on your knees and hips. It’s an effective way to maintain your fitness levels and improve your overall stamina.
Water Aerobics
Next, consider water aerobics. These classes are a fun way to get your heart pumping while enjoying the buoyancy of the water. Water aerobics routines typically include a variety of exercises such as leg lifts, arm curls, and jogging in place, all performed in the pool. These exercises are designed to boost your cardiovascular health while minimizing stress on your bones and joints. The group setting of a water aerobics class also provides a supportive environment where you can connect with others, making exercise a more enjoyable and motivating experience.
Water Yoga
If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing yet equally beneficial, water yoga might be the perfect choice. Just like traditional yoga, water yoga involves a series of stretches and poses designed to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. The added benefit of doing yoga in the water is the support and resistance the water provides, which can help you achieve poses with less strain and a lower risk of injury. It’s a wonderful way to enhance your mind-body connection while enjoying the soothing properties of the water.
Swimming Laps
Swimming laps is another fantastic option for a full-body workout. Swimming engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making it an efficient
The CapTel® Captioned Telephone shows word-for-word captions of everything a caller says, letting you read anything you cannot hear over the phone. CapTel is a NO-COST, federally funded technology available under the Americans with Disabilities Act To qualify, users need: • Hearing loss
• Internet connection
• Landline telephone service
Jacob Wackerhausen
way to build strength and improve cardiovascular health. Whether you prefer freestyle, breaststroke, or backstroke, each swimming style offers unique benefits. Freestyle and backstroke are great for improving shoulder and arm strength, while breaststroke provides an excellent workout for your legs and core. Swimming also promotes better lung capacity and overall respiratory health.
Games
For a more playful approach to aquatic exercise, or to work various muscle groups, consider trying games like water volleyball or basketball. These activities are not only great for getting your heart rate up but also add a fun, competitive element to your workout routine. Playing these games in the water reduces the risk of injury while providing a good mix of aerobic and muscletoning benefits. Plus, the team aspect of these sports fosters a sense of community and camaraderie, making exercise something you look forward to.
Don’t underestimate the benefits of simply playing and moving around in the water. Activities like water polo, floating, or even just splashing around can provide excellent low-impact exercise and contribute to your overall fitness. The key is to stay active and enjoy your time in the water.
Dancing
Another enjoyable activity to try is aqua Zumba. Combining the lively beats and rhythms of Zumba with the resistance of water, aqua Zumba offers a dynamic and exciting workout. The water adds an extra layer of challenge to the dance moves, helping to tone your muscles and improve your cardiovascular fitness. It’s a high-energy workout that’s also easy on your joints, making it accessible and fun for everyone.
Incorporating aquatic exercises into your summer routine offers numerous benefits
This summer, take advantage of the warm weather and head to the nearest pool or fitness center (if you’re indoors, this is a great year-long activity to try!). Whether you’re walking, jogging, stretching, swimming, or playing, there’s an aquatic exercise that’s perfect for you. For more fitness tips, take a look at the CapTel blog at www.captel.com
Here are 3 powerful rewards you’ll get by doing your Miracle Morning practice and you’ll also be transforming it from a concept that you may be excited to “try” into a lifelong habit, one that will continue to develop you into the person you need to be to create the life you’ve always wanted.
1. Discipline
The crucial ability to get yourself to follow through with your commitments. The crucial ability to get yourself to follow through with your commitments. If you have objectives and goals that you want to meet, you will have realized how important it is to be disciplined to achieve them. Self-discipline is what allows you to act, in every moment, despite your emotional state of the mo-
ment. That is, do not let yourself be carried away by your emotions and do what you know you have to do even though it is not what you most want
2. Clarity
The power you’ll generate from focusing on what’s most important in your life. Going through life with clarity gives you a lot of security. When you have the clarity you may doubt how you are going to get what you want, but you do not doubt exactly what you want to bring into your life. And this is very very powerful.
3. Personal development
Perhaps the single most significant determining factor in your success. The importance of personal development lies in changing from within, modifying beliefs, and focusing on who we are, in order to exploit all our abilities and capacities, opening ourselves to possibilities.
With love & gratitude,
Hal Elrod
Meditation has a history that goes back thousands of years, and many meditative techniques began in Eastern traditions. The term “meditation” refers to a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being. Some types of meditation involve maintaining mental focus on a particular sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a mantra, which is a repeated word or phrase. Other forms of meditation include the practice of mindfulness, which involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
What are the health benefits of meditation and mindfulness?
Meditation and mindfulness practices may have a variety of health benefits and may help people improve the quality of their lives. Recent studies have investigated if meditation or mindfulness helps people manage anxiety, stress, depression, pain, or symptoms related to withdrawal from nicotine, alcohol, or opioids.
Other studies have looked at the effects of meditation or mindfulness on weight control or sleep quality.
Living A Wellness Lifestyle Without Thinking About It
Research has found that individuals who experience a well lived life report a more positive attitude toward aging. Later life can offer greater freedom to be who one is, express oneself and choose what is personally meaningful.
This search for personal meaning is at the heart of a well lived life. Living well means searching for and discovering our unique gifts and interests. It’s traveling that long, sometimes tangled path to develop those gifts and realize our full potential. Living well and aging well is about leaving our unique mark on this world and contributing to other’s well-being.
Making a positive impact, helping others, sharing one’s experiences, mak-
ing a difference in one’s environment, shows a person that their own life matters. Living well is discovering and understanding that what we do, even the small, everyday things, really matter and add up to a life that is personally meaningful.
Creating a positive impact, creates a positive outlook on life. Past research has always found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.
Even though research had suggested an association between positive emotions and health, it didn’t reveal the underlying mechanisms. Now, by using brain imaging, neuroscientists have found that positive emotions can trigger “reward” pathways located deep within the brain, including an area known as the ventral striatum.
In contrast, negative emotions, light up the brain region known as the amygdala, which plays a role in fear and anxiety. Research showed that there was a big difference among people in how quickly or slowly the amygdala recovered following a threat. Those that recovered more slowly were more at risk for a variety of health conditions compared to those who recovered more quickly.
, 2025
Among those who appear more resilient and better able to hold on to positive emotions were people who have practiced various forms of meditation and mindfulness and self-reflection (thinking about the things you find important, that make your life meaningful), which suggests that people can develop the skills needed to make positive, healthful changes.
This is tremendously important. Typically, when given health advice, such as telling couch potatoes to get more active, inactive adults become defensive and come up with reasons why the message doesn’t apply to them. Brain imaging found that if people reflect on things they value before they receive the health message, then their brain’s reward pathways are activated and they are more receptive to the message, i.e. the couch potatoes were much more likely to get moving! This research has shown that we can open the brain to
istock.com/ Mariia Vitkovska
positive change and help people achieve their health goals.
Being open to positive change is a key to emotional wellness. It’s easy to feel that emotions just happen, kind of like the weather. But now research suggests that we can have some control over which emotions we experience. And research has shown that having a positive mindset can help improve our physical health.
As we grow older and gain life experience, it’s helpful to focus on what is important to us to help motivate us to change our daily habits.
No Matter Our Age: Eat Better, Move Better, Feel Better
Most people have heard about the study that came out last year from the Center for Disease control and Prevention. Only 1 in 10 adults are eating enough fruits and vegetables. The report highlights that very few Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, putting them at risk for chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity and other conditions. Several of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are from chronic diseases.
The Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services advise that adults eat 2-3 cups of vegetables and 1 ½-2 cups of fruit per day. (A serving is ½ cup of fruit or vegetables or 1 cup of salad.)
Simply put, eating a daily diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death.
To help us increase our fruits and vegetable intake, Mayo Clinic recommends starting with the 1-2-3 approach:
Get six servings a day by eating:
1 serving with breakfast
2 servings with lunch
3 servings with dinner and snacks
Back to the couch potatoes. It’s never too late to start moving. Take a daily walk or join a mindfulness yoga class. Make sure to find a class that is safe and suited to your current physical condition so that you can safely and mindfully improve your strength and flexibility., regardless of your age.
Susan Goulet and her partner, Lars Schloemer, own Blooming Lotus Bakery, a one-of-a-kind Vegan, Grain-free, Gluten-free bakery. Susan also owns and teaches several classes at Milwaukee Yoga Center in Shorewood.
EYE from page 21
workman’s compensation, insurance benefits, legal claims or government aid.
What Causes Low Vision?
Low vision may be the result of diseases, injuries, birth defects and other disorders that affect the eye and the visual system. The following are short descriptions of some of the more common conditions that cause low vision:
Cataracts: “A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye which thus interferes with the passage of light to the retina in the back of the eye. Most commonly caused by the aging process, symptoms include hazy, fuzzy and blurred vision; sensitivity to light and glare; frequent changing of eyeglass prescriptions; and other visual complaints. Treatment involves surgically removing the cloudy lens (cataract), and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL) to once again focus light rays onto the retina for crisp vision,” explains Raciti, who performs cataract surgery several days a week and has helped train local doctors in surgery techniques.
The Benefits Are Worth the Effort
“Patients often become frustrated and discard a low vision aid because they have unrealistic expectations. It is important to realize that no product can restore vision to a normal level. FREE BOOKLETS & INFORMATION
Eye Care Specialists’ doctors are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. They frequently lecture to the public and fellow physicians and have written their own series of booklets on these conditions. Call 414-321-7520 ext. 207 for FREE copies or to schedule an appointment for a thorough eye screening (usually covered by insurance or Medicare) at their offices on 7th & Wisconsin Avenue, Mayfair Road across from the mall, or 102nd & National. They also offer detailed information at www.eyecarespecialists.net.
Memory Care at Tudor Oaks
Ospecially trained staff will ensure your loved one is treated with dignity and care, AND as a family member you can look forward to your visits because of all the fun things you can do together right here on our campus!
Complete Care specializes in short term rehabilitation to get you back home safely, and long term care. Be at peace knowing your loved one is receiving outstanding care with the amenities of home in a serene setting.
Complete Care specializes in short term rehabilitation to get you back home safely, and long term care. Be at peace knowing your loved one is receiving outstanding care with the amenities of home in a serene setting.
Find a Complete Care center near you to learn more and schedule a tour!
Find a Complete Care center near you to learn more and schedule a tour!
GLENDALE CARE AND REHAB CENTER
6263 N Green Bay Avenue, Glendale, WI 53209
414.351.0543 | glendalecrc.com
GRANDE PRAIRIE CARE AND REHAB CENTER
GLENDALE CARE AND REHAB CENTER
10330 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
HALES CORNERS CARE CENTER
262.612.2800 | grandeprairiecrc.com
OUR CARE SERVICES
• Inpatient Dialysis
OUR CARE SERVICES
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
• Inpatient Dialysis
• Wound Care
• Behavioral Health
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
• Respite Care
• Wound Care
• VA Contracting
• And Much More
• Behavioral Health
• Respite Care
• VA Contracting
RIDGEWOOD CARE CENTER
3205 Wood Road, Racine, WI 53406 262.554.6440 | ridgewoodcarecenter.com
SOUTHPOINTE CARE AND REHAB CENTER 4500 West Loomis Road, Green�ield, WI 53220
RIDGEWOOD CARE CENTER
414.325.5300 | southpointecrc.com
6263 N Green Bay Avenue, Glendale, WI 53209
9449 W Forest Home Ave, Hales Corners, WI 53130
3205 Wood Road, Racine, WI 53406
414.351.0543 | glendalecrc.com
GRANDE PRAIRIE CARE AND REHAB CENTER
KENSINGTON CARE AND REHAB CENTER 1810 Kensington Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188 262.548.1400 | kensingtoncareandrehab.com
414.529-6888 | www.halescornerscarecenter.com
10330 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
262.612.2800 | grandeprairiecrc.com
KENSINGTON CARE AND REHAB CENTER
1810 Kensington Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188
262.548.1400 | kensingtoncareandrehab.com
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS CARE AND REHAB CENTER W173 N 10915 Bernie’s Way, Germantown, WI 53022 262.509.3300 | virginiahighlandscrc.com
262.554.6440 | ridgewoodcarecenter.com
SOUTHPOINTE CARE AND REHAB CENTER 4500 West Loomis Road, Green�ield, WI 53220 414.325.5300 | southpointecrc.com
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS CARE AND REHAB CENTER W173 N 10915 Bernie’s Way, Germantown, WI 53022 262.509.3300 | virginiahighlandscrc.com
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• And Much More Scan to Learn More
PRESERVING WHAT NATURE GAVE YOU:
A Look into Hip Preservation Surgery
By Demetrios J. Douros, MD, and Caitlin A. Orner, MD
Hip pain in young, active individuals is more than just a nuisance -- it can be the first sign of deeper joint issues that, if left untreated, could lead to chronic discomfort and early osteoarthritis. For those facing persistent hip discomfort and limited mobility, hip preservation surgery offers a powerful alternative to future hip replacement, aiming to correct the problem at its source and preserve the natural joint.
What Is Hip Preservation?
Hip preservation is a specialized branch of orthopedic surgery focused on treating structural abnormalities of the hip in a way that spares the joint rather than replacing it. This approach is particularly valuable in younger patients whose joints show damage but are not yet severely arthritic. Using advanced techniques, surgeons can repair or reconstruct damaged tissues and correct underlying bone structure, helping patients avoid -- or at least delay -- the need for total hip replacement.
Over the past few decades, medical understanding of hip anatomy and mechanics has advanced dramatically. This has led to the development of cutting-edge procedures that are now helping patients maintain active, pain-free lives. The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network offers surgical innovation for hip preservation. Our team of highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons performs a high volume of periacetabular osteotomies (PAO) and surgical hip dislocations (SHD) each year.
Who Benefits from Hip Preservation?
Patients who benefit most from hip preservation procedures are usually younger and still active but experiencing hip pain, motion limitations or mechanical symptoms like clicking or catching. Many conditions can lead to these issues:
• Hip Dysplasia: A condition where there is a shallow or deficient hip socket. Some people are born with hip dysplasia. It can also develop during If left untreated, it can lead to pain and early arthritis.
• Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): A condition where abnormal contact between the ball and socket causes joint damage and pain. Often found in athletes, it is a key contributor to early arthritis.
• Labral Tears: Damage to the ring of cartilage (labrum) around the hip socket can cause pain and joint instability.
• Residual Pediatric Hip Disorders: Conditions like slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) or Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, though typically seen in childhood, can cause lasting problems in adulthood.
• Hip Abductor Dysfunction, Hamstring Conditions: These soft tissue issues can also be addressed through preservation techniques.
When Is the Right Time?
EYES from page 24 ahead. The availability of expertise in developing personalized care plans and services like medication management may have impacted that initial decision.
It Doesn’t Require a Crystal Ball to Plan Ahead
When evaluating today’s broad spectrum of available senior living solutions, remember the ultimate value and sustainability of a community isn’t determined in the here and now. You began your search thinking of the future and what’s best for you and your loved ones. Remember to keep that top of mind. Fancy chandeliers and marble countertops are nice, but knowing your loved ones have the opportunity to age in place and be properly cared for, without the added stress of moving into another senior living community and losing that day-to-day consistency, is really what your search is all about. For information visit www.charterofmequon.com, www.charterofhasmerlake.com www.charterofwestbend.com.
HIP from page 33
Timing is critical. Hip preservation surgery is most effective before moderate to severe arthritis develops. Early intervention allows for the correction of structural problems while the cartilage and joint surfaces are still healthy. Often, X-rays appear normal in the early stages, so persistent symptoms may warrant more detailed imaging, such as an MRI.
Why Choose Hip Preservation?
The benefits are clear:
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Faster recovery times
• Reduced pain
• Preservation of the natural hip joint
• Improved long-term function and joint health Investing in Your Future Mobility
Hip preservation isn’t just a temporary fix. For the right patient, it’s a lifechanging intervention that offers lasting relief and the ability to stay active without the limitations of chronic hip pain. With expert care and state-ofthe-art techniques, patients at the Froedtert & MCW health network can take confident steps toward long-term joint health and improved quality of life -- without giving up the joints they were born with.
Demetrios J. Douros, MD, and Caitlin A. Orner, MD, are assistant professors at the Medical College of Wisconsin and specialize in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine at the Froedtert & MCW health network. Dr. Orner is the only hip preservation surgeon in Wisconsin to be dual fellowship trained in pediatrics and sports medicine. To schedule an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist, call 414-805-6655.
What is the True Measure of Our Worth?
By Kalpana (Rose) Kumar, M.D.
If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
~The Gospel According to Thomas We are all products of our imprinting. We are imprinted by our family systems as well as society at large. If our parents accepted society’s values and lived from them, our sense of worth becomes aligned with those values. Society’s definition of success is based on the degree of money and social status a person has (extrinsic worth), rather than who they are (intrinsic worth). If our relationship with our self is defined by extrinsic worth, based on how
productive, popular, and rich we are; who we are does not hold as much value relative to how much we have. According to this perspective of worth we can easily fall prey to compromising our intrinsic worth in favor of our extrinsic worth. Pretty soon, we find ourselves sacrificing time with our loved ones, our health, as well as what gives us meaning. Society considers this a worthy sacrifice.
The vast majority of people I see in my medical practice have experienced this. They tell me they are unable to find time to exercise, cook meals, attend to the needs of their bodies as well as their inner life. After a while, these compromises begin to erode our relationship to ourselves. As meaning is lost, symptoms of depression and anxiety begin to surface. Loss of meaning is bad for our immune system. It is the worst kind of stress. If our symptoms are medicated and suppressed, we grow numb to them and lose the incentive to attend to their cause. A feeling of emptiness ensues and life takes on what I call “an auto-pilot existence.” Our alignment with external values usurps our sense of self-worth. This erodes our relationship to the deep Self.
This is an example of Pavlovian conditioning. Pavlov discovered that when a bell was rung as dogs were given food, they associated the sound of the bell with food. After a while, when the bell was rung, although food was not given, they began to salivate. The dogs associated the sound of the bell with food. Like Pavlov’s dogs, we are imprinted with external values when we are rewarded for our performance that offers a promise of money or social status. By the time we leave home, we associate success and self-worth with external values. A majority of people live out this Pavlovian life track only to discover a deep emptiness within by mid-life. Our inner self is unimpressed with money and status. The only values that satisfies it are those which honor who we are, our authentic self. The rewards for this are meaning and integrity, which always tops this list.
Midlife brings powerful shifts in the tectonic plates between extrinsic and intrinsic values and worth. The physiological and biochemical changes underway in the body also herald major shifts in the deep psyche. Our instinct begins to tell us that something in our life is amiss. Through these shifts, we
are offered a chance to redirect our focus from external to internal. If the inner stirring required for realignment to the deep self is not heeded, we risk learning through a crisis, in the form of an illness, a failed relationship, or some form of loss. This is meant to be the wake-up call that facilitates the possibility for correcting our relationship with ourselves by aligning with authenticity. Common symptoms in midlife such as anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep, and a feeling of emptiness evoke a call for an alignment with intrinsic worth, one based on meaning and integrity.
I have seen tens of thousands of patients who have shared their inner knowing that the deepest cause of their symptoms is a lack of meaning. They have achieved success by society’s standards, only to find that they have compromised their connection to their authentic Self to accomplish this. Many have stayed in abusive relationships both personally and professionally, to uphold a façade, the value system they are entrained to live from. No matter how many accolades they receive, the emptiness continues to surface. External validation is merely a weak substitute for intrinsic worth. This must be attended to, especially in midlife.
Society’s definitions of success and worth promote patriarchal values. These are attained through competition, compromise, and a sacrifice of what really matters. Health, balance, self-care, and authenticity are all aligned with the Feminine Principle. The collective is caught up in achieving recognition from patriarchy at the cost of the Feminine. Fortunately during midlife we have the opportunity to shift priorities from the former to the latter.
During this midlife passage, our inner life takes precedence over the outer, no matter how much material success we may have. We must leave our early imprints behind and live from the call of the deep Self. There is a feeling of comfort here, even though the journey is difficult, as we find ourselves leaving family and people behind who we adapted to in order to belong. What we belonged to is the collective normalization of patriarchal values. What we are returning to is our deep authentic Self. The intent to live in this manner reorganizes the platform of our value system. We begin to detach from what is
impermanent and shallow and connect with what is authentic and eternal.
If we are lucky, our life will not cooperate with external definitions. When we begin to listen to the inner call, life shifts tracks leaving the outer for the inner. What may be lacking in externally defined value, we gain in a sense of meaning. Living from meaning requires us to sacrifice extrinsic value for intrinsic worth. At the end of the day, our alignment with meaning is all that matters. This reflects our alignment with our authentic self. Living this way restores our feeling of self-worth, even when society rejects our movement into authenticity.
When we align with the Feminine Principle in midlife, we can reclaim health and balance. This brings a level of integrity and contentment that no amount of external validation can provide. This process requires courage and consciousness and is a form of transformation that Carl Jung termed individuation. Individuation is a responsibility and a journey we must all accept. It is only then that we can live from a place of true worth.
Over time, the individual has gone through a variety of experiences that have shaped their perspective and strengthened their character. Through moments of both joy and difficulty, they have learned valuable lessons about resilience, patience, and self-awareness. Each challenge brought an opportunity to grow, and each success served as a reminder of their capabilities. Relationships, routines, and personal choices all played a role in helping them better understand what matters most. Looking back, it becomes clear how much change has occurred—not just externally, but within—and how those changes have laid the foundation for continued growth moving forward. With a clearer sense of purpose, they now approach life with more intention and confidence. The journey hasn’t been perfect, but it has been meaningful—and it’s far from over.
A Senior Living Community with a Continuum of Care
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan on the East Side of Milwaukee, Ovation Communities offers independent and assisted living apartments as well as skilled-nursing, rehabilitation, and a new state-of-the-art memory care community, allowing residents to age in place while living every day to the fullest!
FOOD from page 9
blood pressure management. Incorporating fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, oats, fatty fish, and melon into your diet not only enhances the flavors of your meals but also supports heart health and blood pressure management. As always, consult with healthcare professionals like your doctor and registered dietitian for personalized advice on managing blood pressure through dietary changes, ensuring a holistic approach to cardiovascular health.
Try Grace O’s delicious spring salad from her latest cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World, that contains the FoodTrients for healthy blood pressure.
Roasted Veggies and Greens Salad
Serves 5
Roasted veggies aren’t just for fall anymore! They can fit into the diet yearround when mixed with other fresh, seasonal choices. Root vegetables such as beets and carrots can be combined with a variety of greens and a light, lemony vinaigrette to make the perfect warm-weather salad. Quick and easy to make, try this roasted vegetable salad with summer greens this week. The veggies and greens are full of detoxifying fiber and chlorophyll.
Ingredients
4 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium purple beets, peeled and diced
¼ cup plus 2 Tbs. olive oil (divided)
2 Tbs. honey
Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
5 cups arugula
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Roast carrots, onion, and beets tossed in 2 Tbs. of olive oil for 40 minutes, covered with foil for the first 20 minutes.
While vegetables are roasting, whisk ¼ cup olive oil, the honey, lemon zest and juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Once vegetables have cooled slightly, coat in dressing and serve on top of 5 divided plates of fresh arugula.
FoodTrients Elements:
Anthocyanindins Betalain (antioxidants in beets)
B-Vitamins Copper
Iron
Vitamin C
About FoodTrients
Potassium
Vitamin K
Biotin
Fiber
Vitamin A
FoodTrients® is a philosophy and a resource dedicated to the foods and rejuvenating nutrients that help us fight the diseases of aging and promote longevity. All of the recipes combine modern scientific research and medicinal herbs and ingredients from cultures around the world. They’re loaded with flavor and superfoods, which promote wellness, increase energy and vitality, improve skin, and help people look and feel younger.
Grace portrait 2About Grace O
Over a span of 30 years, Grace O has built an impressive record of business achievement, community building, philanthropy, and community service in California. Guided by her spirit of entrepreneurship and building on a model of generosity learned from her family, Grace has spent a lifetime helping people heal through food and medicine. Grace launched FoodTrients. com in 2010 where she shares age-defying superfoods from around the world and creates delicious recipes with them. Grace is the author of three awardwinning cookbooks—The Age GRACEfully Cookbook: The Power of FOODTRIENTS to Promote Health and Well-being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life; The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, and the multi-award-winning Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World.
For more information and recipes visit www.FoodTrients.com.
The yogi squat helps stretch the groin and pelvic floor muscles — and the FOGSI says that this pose also increases circulation and blood flow to the pelvis, which may improve sexual functioning, bladder control and digestive health.
6. Helps Relieve Stress and Anxiety
An August 2018 study in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journalfound a connection between a healthy gut and stress, as 95 percent of serotonin (a hormone that affects mood and emotion) is found in your gut.
As this pose helps promote normal function of your digestive system, it may also help promote a feeling of calmness. Take time to breathe deeply and center yourself while in this pose.
7. Can Help During Pregnancy and Delivery
The yoga squat may be helpful in reducing anxiety and depression during pregnancy, according to a small December 2015 study in Obstetrics and Gynecology. And as with any squat variation, the yoga squat can help make delivery go more smoothly (barring any complications).
However, if you’re pregnant, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to get their approval, as ligaments and joints tend to get looser during pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How to Do the Yoga Squat
“Malasana is a great beginner’s pose,” Grieve says. “It can still take some time to get used to, but once you find your alignment and breath, it will be easier.”
Grieve says to start by holding the pose for 30 seconds. If you’re new to yoga, then work your way up to a minute. “Listen to your body and do what feels good to you. You can also hold the pose for 5 minutes in yin yoga practices,” she says. This aritcle origanally appeared on livestrong.com.
PET from page 12
drink less water – can help keep internal temperatures down.
Heatstroke Symptoms
The early stages of overheating can be treated at home. However, you should always call your veterinarian to make sure your pet isn’t suffering serious side effects. If you catch these symptoms quickly, you will likely prevent heatstroke from progressing. Once the condition of your pet has moved to heatstroke, immediate action must be taken. Bring your pet to your veterinarian or emergency clinic as quickly as possible.
If your dog experiences heatstroke, you might notice some or many of these symptoms:
Excessive panting and drooling
Red gums or tongue’
Increased heart rate
Dry nose
Being unusually quiet
Not wanting to or not being able to get up
Vomiting Treatment
The first thing you should do if your pet is suffering from heatstroke is to contact your veterinarian immediately. Next, you will need to handle your pet with extreme care. For instance, making them too cold, or too cold too quickly, can trigger problems like an increased risk of shock or hypothermia. The latter will cause the blood vessels to tighten, decreasing blood flow and preventing your pet from being able to cool down.
For small pets, wet their paws and ears with cool water. Next, wet the fur as it will mimic the process of sweating. For larger pets, the process is similar. Saturate their fur with cool water or use wet cloths to place at the back of the head and armpits to bring their body temperature down to a safe level of about 103° F. Let them drink water or lick ice if they are thirsty. However, don’t give them cold water or try to force them to drink. A good trick is to try a children’s rehydration drink or add a little salt to their water. This will help restore electrolytes and minerals lost from overheating Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center is ready to give your pet the highest level of veterinary care. Schedule your appointment today at (414) 228-7655.
Stair Crest – Opened May 2023
S67W14765 Janesville Road Muskego, WI
414-367-2400 StairCrest.org
Fairway Knoll N112W17500 Mequon Road Germantown, WI
262-735-7900 FairwayKnoll.org
Avalon Square 222 Park Place Waukesha, WI
262-446-9300 AvalonSquare.org
Kirkland Crossings* 700 Quinlan Drive Pewaukee, WI
262-695-5800
KirklandCrossings.org
Dickson Hollow W156N4881Pilgrim Road Menomonee Falls, WI
