Prime Times Newsletter
August 2024
Newsletter for Active Newsletter for Active Newsletter for Older Adults Older Adults Older Adults
Upcoming Events
Senior Bingo
Tuesday, August 13th
@ 121:15 PM
Senior Lunch & Learn: Skin Cancer: SIgns & Symptoms
Thursday, August 15th
@ 12:15 PM
Senior Lunch & Learn: WIldlife Resue Program
Tuesday, August 20th @ 12:15 PM
Senior Walking Series: Tam O’Shanter Park
Thursday, August 22nd @ 10:30 AM
Senior Lunch & Learn:
M.A.R.S Essential Transport
Friday, August 23rd
@ 12:15 PM
Senior Jewelry Making w/Veronica Miller
Tuesday, August 27th
@ 1 2:30PM
Senior Sip & Paint
Wednesday, August 28th
@ 2:00 PM
Senior Outing:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad/ Luigi’s Restaurant/ Northside Marketplace
Friday, August 30th
@ 1 0:00 AM
Thursday, May 23rd @ 1 PM
Happy August! August snuck up on me wit vengeance! I am sorry for the newsletter coming out later than expected! I took a vacation and have been hard at work putting together the 2024 Senior Health Fair. I also have been working on a talent show that we will have next year! I am SOOOO excited for this event! I expect it to be so very cool. We will have open auditions that you can also come watch, rehearsals, and finally a show at the Lake Middle High School Performing Arts Hall. We will be launching it at the health fair and will also have a sneak peak performance that day of some senior talent from the agency helping me with the event! Start working on your hidden talents today! I can’t wait to see all this wonderful community has to offer! I know it will be great!
Tuesday, May 28th @ 1 PM Friday, May 31st @ 1 PM
I hope everyone takes time to enjoy the end of summer because before you know it Fall with have taken over!
Have a blessed August filled with fun and good health! Hope to see you at the Y soon!
Coming Soon
September:
9/3 Senior Lunch & Learn: Meyers Lake Revisited with Kim Kenny
9/5 Walking Series: Tam O”Shanter 2nd Walk
9/6 Senior Lunch & Learn: Caregiver Burnout & Respite Stay
9/17 & 9/24 Senior Leaf Casting 2 part Class 9/18 Medicare 101
8/20 Senior An Afternoon of Music
w/Bill and Barb Tuttle and Bill Moriarty
8/22 Senior Walking Series: Tam O’Shanter
9/26 Senior Lunch outing: A1 Japan Steakhouse
We have updated our website! It is the same web address as before, www.ymcastark.org, just with a little more user friendly and fresh new look! I have included some screenshots below to help you navigate to our new AOA webpage. I have not added all events yet but it will be up to date very soon. You can also find the Senior Prime Times Newsletter on there! I appreciate your patience as I am learning how to utilize the new website and app.
First step go to www.ymcastark.org This is what it will look like:
Next you are going to go to the 3 lines at the top right hand corner.It will open a screen that looks like below:
Next you clink on locations and find Lake Community YMCA. Click on Lake Community YMCA
It will look like the picture below.
Continued on the next page
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
You will then scroll down until you see Lake Active Older Adults. See below to see what it looks like. It will be just past Schedules.
Click learn more and it will open up Lake Active Adults website which will look simular to the picture below. It will eventually have differnet events listed soon.
This webpage will have the events as well as the Prime Times Newsletter. If you have any problems, questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. The lovely front desk staff is always there to help also.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Ripple Health & Wellness Coordinator: jripple@ymcastark.org
Active Older Adults
I have been working hard on our 2024 Lake Community YMCA
I have been working hard on our 2024 Lake Community YMCA
Senior Health fair! Senior Health fair!
This years health fair will be This years health fair will be Friday, October 11th from 11-2pm. Friday, October 11th from 11-2pm. It is always a fun event but quite the undertaking. It is always a fun event but quite the undertaking.
I am searching for a team of volunteers to help make this I am searching for a team of volunteers to help make this year just as great if not even better than last year. year just as great if not even better than last year.
All volunteers will receive a Chick-fil-a Box lunch. All volunteers will receive a Chick-fil-a Box lunch.
You can also decide which volunteer opportunity works best
You can also decide which volunteer opportunity works best for you. Example some check people in, others hand out for you. Example some check people in, others hand out lunches, etc. lunches, etc.
I also split the time frame into two shifts so volunteers have I also split the time frame into two shifts so volunteers have time to enjoy the event either before their shift or after. time to enjoy the event either before their shift or after. If you are able and willing to help out please reach out to If you are able and willing to help out please reach out to me...Jenn Ripple. me...Jenn Ripple.
Older Adults
Older Adults
Adults
Tea Time with The Wellness Duo Tea Time with The Wellness Duo
We had a lovely time at Senior Tea Time with The Wellness Duo. The food was delicious! The tea was delightful! Everyone looked beautiful and there were smiles all around! If you missed out there may be another one in the works... stay tuned! A special thank to Susan for allowing us to borrow her tea cups!
Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Dos and Don’ts Dos and Don’ts
Older Adults
of the Mediterranean Diet of the Mediterranean Diet for
Older Adults for Older Adults
By Joy Manning | August 5, 2024
This highly rated eating plan has been shown to protect your heart health and help you live longer. Here’s how to make it work for you.
Following the Mediterranean diet can be a gateway to health at any age. But it’s especially beneficial for older adults. Inspired by the traditional cuisine of the Mediterranean region, it emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans, while limiting red meat and sweets.
Research from Havard School of Public Health has shown that people who follow this eating pattern live longer than those who don’t. They also have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s understandable why this famously tasty way of eating might appeal to the 95% of Americans ages 65 and older who have at least one chronic health condition.
If you ’ re thinking about trying the Mediterranean diet for yourself, consider these dos and don’ts from Jessica Sylvester, a registered dietitian based in Florida who specializes in older adult nutrition. These tips can help you make a shift that’s as sustainable as it is healthy.
Don’t: Fall into a Diet Mindset
The first step in adopting the Mediterranean diet? Stop viewing it as a weight-loss diet, says Sylvester. It’s not a quick fix to drop a few pounds. Instead, see it as a lifelong approach to eating. “It’s a lifestyle change to embrace. There is no specified time frame,” she says. The Mediterranean diet is all about making consistent, healthy eating choices that can be maintained over time.
Do:
Pay Attention to Portions
While the Mediterranean diet emphasizes healthy whole foods, portion control still matters. “Red wine, cheese, and even desserts are all allowed, but that’s mostly because of how they are enjoyed in the areas where this diet originated from,” says Sylvester. “These are foods that are relished, eaten slowly, and in small amounts.”
It’s also important to know that many of the marquee foods of the Mediterranean diet are higher in calories and fat. Think: extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. These foods contain healthy unsaturated fats, but if you ’ re also trying to slim down, be sure to take note of the calories and serving size information on nutrition labels.
Older Adults
Dos and Don’ts Dos and Don’ts of the Mediterranean Diet of the Mediterranean Diet for
Older Adults for Older Adults
By Joy Manning | August 5, 2024
Don’t: Assume You Already Understand the Diet
The Mediterranean diet is more nuanced than it might appear. It’s not just about eating more fish and using olive oil. Take time to research and understand the diet’s principles, such as the importance of plant-based foods and whole grains. “Understand why there are so many health benefits,” says Sylvester.
Some of the best evidence for this diet came from the PREDIMED study, a randomized clinical trial that ran for more than five years. It included 7,000 people with type 2 diabetes or elevated risk of heart disease. Study participants on the Mediterranean diet had a 30% lower risk of heart events compared to the control group. Knowing the benefits of this eating pattern can help keep you motivated to stay on track.
Do: Read Menus in Advance
When you do eat in restaurants, it’s a good idea to scope out the menu beforehand, says Sylvester. Look for dishes that align with the Mediterranean diet’s principles, such as those rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Examples might include grilled vegetables with whole wheat cous cous, broiled salmon, or a Greek salad.
Don’t: Rely Too Much on Takeout
A big part of the Mediterranean diet is its focus on fresh, homemade food. Cooking for yourself means you control the ingredients, portions, and preparation methods of your meals. Though home cooking is rewarding, it can be a challenge, too. “Not everyone is eager or able to do this,” says Sylvester. But if you can spend some time in the kitchen, you’ll reap even more benefits.
Do: Personalize the Diet
The Mediterranean diet is flexible, allowing for personalization based on dietary needs, preferences, and any health conditions. “It’s always best to check with a registered dietitian who will review your medical conditions and medications before implementing any dietary changes,” says Sylvester. They can help you tailor the diet to suit your specific situation.
Don’t: Overdo Red Meat
Consumption of red meat is limited in the Mediterranean region. That’s a good thing — red meat is linked with heart disease and other health issues. A 2023 meta-analysis published in the European Heart Journal found that both unprocessed and processed red meat consumption are lined with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Older Adults
Dos and Don’ts Dos and Don’ts of the Mediterranean Diet of the Mediterranean Diet for
Older Adults for Older Adults
By Joy Manning | August 5, 2024
“I recommend limiting red meat consumption to once a week,” says Sylvester. “A portion size of red meat is about the size of your closed palm. That’s about three ounces. ” Focus instead on lean proteins like fish, poultry, beans, and legumes, which are central to the diet and provide a variety of health benefits.
Do: Create a List of Go-To Foods
Simplifying your meals and prepping them ahead of time can make it even easier to follow the Mediterranean diet. Having a few go-to meals and snacks can reduce the temptation to choose less healthy foods. Some options Sylvester recommends:
Hummus with carrot, cucumber, or bell pepper sticks. Applesauce pouches without added sugar.
A handful of mixed nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios with a piece of fruit. Tuna pouches with whole grain crackers and veggies. Fill a whole-grain wrap with hummus, veggies, olives, and a source of lean protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Don’t: Reintroduce Red Wine
Though red wine is technically part of the Mediterranean diet, Sylvester advises older adults to leave it out. “We know that there are health consequences of wine consumption, especially for people with diabetes,” says Sylvester. If you ’ re taking the diabetes drug Metformin, it’s essential that you avoid wine and all types of alcohol. “You cannot drink while on Metformin because of the risk of lactic acidosis, which can lead to death.”
Do: Experiment with New Foods
The Mediterranean diet is one of the least restrictive eating plans out there. Enjoy it by experimenting with new foods. “My patient population is mostly older adults. Oftentimes, they start trying foods they’ve never considered before. They’re most surprised at how delectable the foods and meals on this diet are, ” says Sylvester.
Keeping these expert-approved dos and don’ts top of mind can help you make a successful shift to the Mediterranean way of eating. Your heart and your taste buds will thank you.