November Prime Times Part 1

Prime Times Newsletter

November 2024

Newsletter for Active Newsletter for Active Newsletter for

Older Adults Older Adults Older Adults

Upcoming Events

Senior Bingo

Tuesday, November 6th

@ 12:15 PM

Senior Lunch & Learn: “A Lifetime in the Arena: An Afternoon with Theodore Roosevelt”

Thursday, November 7th

@ 12:15 PM

Senior AARP Smart Driving Class

Friday, November 8th

@ 8:30 AM - 1:30pm

Senior Lunch & Learn: Letter’s Home

Tuesday, November 12th

@ 12:15 PM

Senior Hearing Screenings

Wednesday, November 13th

@ 1 PM - 4 PM

Senior Euchre Tournament

Friday, November 15th

@ 1 PM - 4 PM

Senior Sock Pumpkin Class

Tuesday, November 19th

@ 1:00 PM

Senior Lunch & Learn: Fall Preventiion & Basic Stregthening Exercises

Wednesday, November 20th

@ 12:00 PM

Senior Thanksgiving Potluck

Thursday, November 21st

@ 1:00 PM

Oh my! October was jam packed with fun here at the Lake Community YMCA! I hope you had as much fun as I did! I want to send out a huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the 2024 Lake Community YMCA a huge success! We couldn’t have done it without you! Now we are on to November. We start to slowdown the events a little at the Y. We are getting into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season! November is always a great time to reflect on your blessings in the life. It’s easy to get busy and possibly a little stressed and lose focus on the good things in life. In the back of this newsletter you will find a what I am Thankful page. Take a moment to think about all the good and write down what you are Grateful for.

If you would like to share it with us hand it in to the front desk and we will post them around the Y. I am grateful to be a small part of this awesome team of employees here at the Lake Community YMCA! I am blessed to be able to meet and get to know all of you everyday! We have such a wonderful community of people here at the Lake Y. It truly is a joy to be a small part of that community! I wish you a Blessed, November filled with good health and happy memories!

Coming Soon

December:

12/5 Holiday Trivia

12/10 Lunch & Learn: The Making of a Wonderful Life 12/18 Christmas Cookie decorating class

(Date in works) Christmas Social featuring the Lake Jazz Band

Older Adults

Newsletter fo Active Older Adults Senior Pumpkin Painting

Older Adults

Active Older Adults

for Active Older Adults

Vision Loss and Fall Risk: What You Need to Know

By Marygrace Taylor | September 9, 2024

Even slight changes to your eyesight can greatly increase your fall risk. Eye doctors explain how you can lower your odds of that happening.

You may have accepted that squinting is simply a part of getting older. Or that you need to stash a pair of reading glasses in every room. But you may not realize that age-related vision changes can more than double your risk for slips and trips.

“Vision plays a crucial role in balance, mobility and environmental navigation,” says Catherine Heyman, O.D. She is the founding dean of the School of Optometry at High Point University in North Carolina. “When it is impaired, it can greatly increase the risk of falls.”

Knowing how your vision is related to fall risk is an important first step toward staying steady on your feet. Here’s a closer look at how vision changes can lead to tumbles, plus what you can do to protect yourself both at home and on the go.

Your Eyesight and Fall Risk

Sometimes normal, age-related vision changes can make you more prone to falling. Here’s why:

Duller sight can make it harder for you to spot stumbling blocks. Think lamp cords or a bunched-up bathroom rug.

You might have a harder time with depth perception, which is your ability to see objects in three dimensions, including how big or far away they are. That can lead to missteps on stairs or uneven surfaces.

If you have trouble seeing contrasting colors, poor night vision or need time to adjust to low lighting, that can cause problems too, Dr. Heyman explains.

Keeping your glasses or contact lenses updated can help combat these issues. But bifocals or multifocal glasses may also pose hidden hazards.

“They can affect spatial awareness and depth perception,” says Dr. Heyman, “especially when you ’ re looking through different parts of the glasses while moving.”

Older Adults

Vision Loss and Fall Risk: What You Need to Know

By Marygrace Taylor | September 9, 2024

Certain common age-related eye conditions can factor in, too. These include:

Cataracts: These are cloudy areas of the eye ’ s lens that can make your vision blurry or hazy. They’re a normal part of aging, affecting nearly 50% of adults 75 and older.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): This is a disease that affects central, or straight-ahead, vision. It may make it harder to see details clearly, impacting your ability to read, drive or recognize faces.

Glaucoma: This is a problem marked by increased pressure in the eye. It can cause peripheral (side) vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy: This happens when blood vessels in the eyes are damaged, potentially leading to vision loss and blindness. It can develop if diabetes is not managed properly. Having age-related vision loss also raises your risk for other serious health problems that can make you more likely to fall. These include heart disease, stroke and diabetes — even if you haven’t developed retinopathy.

“Chronic conditions can lead to mobility and balance issues and loss of muscle tone and strength,” says James Dello Russo, O.D, an optometrist with offices in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. “These physical limitations can lead to falls.”

Many of the prescriptions used to treat these conditions can also cause side effects like muscle weakness or dizziness, which can cause you to feel more unstable.

Staying Steady if You Have Vision Loss

Being proactive about your eye health and your home environment can help you stave off falls. Try these five tips for staying on your feet. See your eye doctor regularly. A yearly eye exam helps you manage existing eye problems and catch new ones sooner, possibly even before they cause symptoms or develop into serious issues. It’s also a chance to make sure your glasses or contact lens prescription is up to date, says Dr. Dello Russo.

1. Enhance your home’s lighting. Brighten up dark areas to help you get around easier. “Night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways can help,” Dr. Heyman says. Consider installing motion-sensor lights that automatically turn on when you enter a room.

2. Use contrast and color in your home. Put brightly colored tape on steps, doorways and floor transitions to make them easier to see, Dr. Heyman recommends. Another tip is to install dark light switches if you have light-colored walls, so they stand out more and are easier to find.

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3. Do balance and strengthening exercises. Staying strong improves your balance and mobility. Yoga, Pilates and lifting weights can all help you stay steady on your feet.

Older Adults

Vision Loss and Fall Risk: What You Need to Know

By Marygrace Taylor | September 9, 2024

5. Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. Comfy, well-fitting sneakers offer traction and stability, so they’re a smart choice for all older adults. They can be especially good for people with visual changes who may have trouble spotting fall hazards, says Dr. Dello Russo.

When to Seek Help

There are many steps you can take to stay independent if your vision is impaired. But severe vision loss can make it difficult to safely live alone. Deciding when you — or a loved one — has reached that point isn’t easy. It may be worth seeking expert input from your primary care physician and eye doctor. Together, you can find the solution that works best for you.