Category Archives: Aging Well in the Gorge

Welcome to Aging Well in the Gorge, the Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s article series by former director Scott McKay.

Aging Well November 12th 2013

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After retiring, many folks spend their extra time volunteering – which provides the flexibility to travel and engage in other personal pursuits, while making meaningful contributions such as mentoring young children, serving on church councils or delivering Meals-on-Wheels.

The unselfish work of volunteers is the backbone of strong, healthy communities. You can find a list of over fifty different volunteer opportunities at the Center’s website: midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com. And there is probably at least one that fits your interests and skills. But if you ever start singing the old age blues, there is nothing better to help change that tune than by making a difference volunteering.

The Center and Meals-on-Wheels are currently looking for volunteers for the Thursday and Saturday Night Bingo – specifically bingo callers, cashiers and concession workers. The time commitment is between two and five hours for only one night a month. If you are interested you can call the Center at 541-296-4788 or MOW at 541-298-8333.

The Center’s next Tuesday lecture will be presented by Rashed Al-Qarra, an AFS Student from Jordan, who he is attending Dufur High School. AFS-USA is a non-profit organization that has been a leader in intercultural learning and international exchange programs for over 65 years. As part their learning experience, AFS students are encouraged to share their culture and customs with their new community. If you want to learn more about Jordan and the Middle East, Rashed’s presentation starts at 11:00 on November 19th.

And if you are interested in experiencing different cultures, here’s one more volunteer opportunity. Rymmel Lovell, The Dalles AFS Chapter Chair, is always looking for host families or liaisons for the exchange students. You can contact her at 541-296-6546 or tlovell@netcnct.net.

Friday, November 15th from 7:00 – 9:00, there will be a Veterans Concert and Dance at the Center. The entertainment will be provided by Nehemiah Brown – a popular Pacific NW vocalist in the style of Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Tony Bennett. Nehemiah is himself a veteran and during the evening he will include a military anthems medley. The musical evening is sponsored cooperatively by Flagstone Senior Living, Cherry Heights Retirement Community and The Springs at Mill Creek. Admission is $3,00 and all proceeds benefit the Center.

Saturday Breakfast is just down the hall and around the corner on the 16th from 8:00 – 9:30 am. The menu will include Texas French Toast, sausage, scrambled eggs and fruit as well as your favorite morning beverage. Cost is $5.00 for the general public and $4.00 for members.

So have you learned how to read backwards yet? Is it getting any easier? Or do you still have to ask your wife to read it for you? No matter. Here is one more chance to read the Center’s music announcement – backwards.

.selpuoc rof 00.3$ dna selgnis rof srallod owt si noitanod detseggus ehT .emoclew si ydobyreve dna 00:7 ta strats cisum ;00:6 ta nepo srood ehT .tnemyojne gninetsil dna gnicnad ruoy rof retneC eht ta gniyalp eb lliw ”namurT“ ,ht91 eht no thgin yadseuT txeN

Krazy Kat is the name of the comic strip published between 1913 and 1944 featuring the slapstick antics of Krazy Kat and his nemesis – the brick throwing Ignatz Mouse. (And this week’s winner of a free Saturday Breakfast on November 16th is Alex Currie.)

But this week instead of asking another “Remember When” question, I going to reverse the flow and ask you to send me any suggestions because, well, the lake is getting a little dry. And besides my memories are limited – a middle class boy growing up in Indianapolis in the 50’s and 60’s. One of the most popular questions was about Bag Balm which was suggested to me since I had never heard of it. (I now use it on my dry feet and would probably use it everywhere if it wasn’t for its unique aroma. I don’t want people to see me and the first thing they think of is a cow’s udder.)

But the best questions are more than just trivia. They are about an event, a person or an object – from history to popular culture – that trigger long lost memories. E-mail your question to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with the first episode of “This is Your Life” hosted by Ralph Edwards.

Well, it has been another week trying to stay upright while putting my pants on – one leg at a time. Until we meet again, at some point in life the destination no longer matters – as long as you keep moving.

“Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.´ George Burns 

Aging Well November 5th 2013

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Whether it is painting a sunset illuminating the Columbia Gorge, writing a poem expressing the indescribable joys of grandchildren, or creating a walking stick out of a hand carved handle attached to a discarded monopod, these are all creative acts: fashioning something unique and personal out of the ordinary.

 As part of the human race we are meant to create – evident by young children building forts out of discarded boxes or our prehistoric ancestors drawing on cave walls. It is who we are. But many of us have been told verbally and silently – we aren’t good enough. And we got the message. We lost interest in the creative arts and the creative process and spent our time pursuing careers, raising families and rooting for our favorite football teams – Go Ducks!

 But as older adults, we are finally able to free ourselves from those internalized constraints learned over so many years and start exploring new forms of self-expression and start enjoying the process that was once loss of stumbling toward new personal discoveries by trying, testing, and trying again. It can start today or next week, in the art class or the garage and whether you are 65 or 85.

 And just maybe, as an added bonus, while absorbed in these new creative pursuits, the aches and pains and daily challenges we all face, might just be forgotten – at least for a little while.

 A great place to start or continue your creative journey is the Open Arts Studio that will be held at the Center on Wednesday November 13th from 10:00 to 4:00 with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 – even starving artists have to eat. The Open Art Studio, organized by Debra Jones, is an opportunity to explore different art mediums such as watercolors, glass painting, card making, Christmas ornaments, stamped recipe cards, creative writing and much more – although I can’t think of anything else. Supplies are provided or you can bring your own stuff and join the fun. Everyone is welcome especially all you folks who don’t see yourselves as the “creative or artsy” types. And just to get you salivating between now and February, there will be a six week drawing class for budding artists in different mixed medias starting February 4th. The class will be led by Carla Sonheim and will include creative and fun exercises to discover and nurture your creative self. More information will be available after the coming holiday seasons.

 Just a reminder. You no longer have to wait for a Drug Take Back event to safely dispose of your unwanted medications. Inside the front entrance of The Dalles City Police station, there is a drop box for unwanted medications – thanks to the efforts of YOUTHTHINK, MCMC and the City of The Dalles Police Department. But they don’t accept everything. Don’t bring your thermometers, sharps, medical waste, combustibles or inhalers.

 Before you start learning to walk and talk backwards, here is another chance to practice your newly acquired ability to read backwards. .si taht elpoep dna srallod – owt rof eerht dna eno rof owt si noitanod detseggus ehT .emoclew era nooccar tep rieht tpecxe ydobyreve dna 00:7 ta strats cisum ;00:6 ta nepo srood ehT .tnemyojne gninetsil dna gnicnad ruoy rof gniwaj dna gnimmaj eb lliw sdneirF dna nitraM ,retneC eht ta thgin yadseuT txeN

The Mercury Theater’s Halloween radio broadcast in 1938 that simulated news bulletins of a Martian invasion was adapted from the book War of The Worlds written by H.G. (Herbert George) Wells – who also wrote The Time Machine, and The Invisible Man and has often been called the father of Science Fiction. (And this week’s winner of a free Saturday Breakfast on November 16th is Ted Mahoney.)

Now that the spooks and goblins are off the streets, this week’s “Remember When” question returns to the category of famous comic strips. What was the name of the comic strip (published between 1913 and 1944) considered by many as one the best comic strips of all time and featured the slapstick antics between a carefree and simple-minded cat, the brick throwing Ignatz Mouse, and the “Limb of Law and Arm of Order” police dog, Offissa Bull Pupp? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with one of the fifty animated cartoons based on the comic strip produced by King Features from 1962–1964.

Well, it has been another week zigzagging from one distraction to another. Until we meet again, don’t turn the lights off until you fall asleep.

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” Frank Lloyd Wright

Aging Well October 29th 2013

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November is a couple of steps away. And if you live in the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District, you know November is more than falling leaves and cooler temperatures. It is your chance to vote on the proposed pool bond which will replace the current pool – first built in 1938 and substantially rebuilt in 1990-91.

 And if common voting patterns hold true, those of us 65 and older will vote at the highest rate of any age group. According to a Census Bureau report, the turnout rate in the 2012 national election for adults 65 and over rose to 71.9% from 70.3% in 2008. In comparison, the rates among 18-to 24-year olds actually fell to 41.2% from 48.5% in 2008

 There are many reasons given for why older adults 65+ vote at such higher rates.Some suggest it is basically self-interest: protecting government benefits such as Social Security and Medicare. But more recent analysis suggests several other reasons.

 Older adults generally have more time to vote (although that is not as much an issue with mail-in ballots), and believe voting is their civic duty (How often have you heard “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain”.). But the key factor may be older adults are less mobile. They stay in one place longer and consequently are more connected to the local issues and candidates

 But what about measure 33-80 to build a new pool in The Dalles? There is no question that the pool structure needs to be replaced. (You can find pictures and a video on The Dalles Public Pool and Splash Park Facebook page.) But do you replace a ‘38 Chevy with another ’38 Chevy? Or do you buy something affordable, but with newer features that will save money and provide a better driving experience. (I personally don’t want to go back to the days without power steering and air conditioning!)

 That is why I am voting for the new pool. The new pool is affordable (just over $5.00 a month for a house accessed at $175,000); and will include several practical improvements that will increase the use of the pool including a moveable bulkhead and a water slide. Plus a new Parks and Rec office will be built at the pool to eliminate the cost of renting office space, and provide better oversight of the pool and the adjacent skate park.

 I may be a little biased. I coached the summer swim team for several years and my two children swam. But that experience has also shown me how important swimming is – especially in a community that sits along the Columbia River.

I encourage you to thoughtfully consider this bond measure – because I know you are going to vote. It is our civic duty.

 Last week I said I would step it up a notch. So this week’s music announcement for the Center is backwards – by letter this time. And then before you give your brain a rest, try counting backwards from one hundred – by 3’s and then 7’s.

.elbuod a rof 3$ ro elgnis a rof 2$ si noitanod detseggus eht dna 00:7 ta strats cisum ,00:6 ta nepo srood ehT .yojne ot lla rof gnicnad dna cisum thgiN yadseuT fo htnom rehtona rof ffo gnidael “dnaB niatnuoM yrrebwartS” eht htiw redro gnittab eht fo pot eht ta ffo trats lliw retneC eht ,rebmevoN fo ht5 eht no yadseuT txeN

The often controversial author of the satirical comic strip Lil’ Abner, featuring the Yokums from Dogpatch, was Al Capp. (And this week’s winner of a free Saturday Breakfast on November 16th is Charlotte Adkisson.)

 But this is Halloween week, with the spooks and goblins visiting the neighborhoods on Thursday. And even if you may not have been around in 1938, most of us have heard about the excitement generated by the Mercury Theater’s Halloween radio broadcast that simulated news bulletins of a Martian invasion at Grover’s Mill, New Jersey. The episode was directed and narrated by Orson Welles, but who was the author of the science fiction novel it was adapted from.

E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with the original radio script for “The War of the Worlds” sold in 1988 for $143,000.

 Well, it has been another week trying to catch the lost thought before it escapes the room. Until we meet again, “Live life as long as you live”. “Never take someone for granted.

“Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.” Unknown

Aging Well October 22nd 2013

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Loneliness has been described as “when one door is closed, but the ‘other one’ has yet to open”. Or “an ‘inner worm’ that gnaws at the heart”. It can visit at any time in our lives. But circumstances and events we encounter as we get older: the loss of a life partner or difficulties with our hearing, seeing or walking,create incentives that make it easier to be more withdrawn, alone and less likely to be involved in social activities and organizations.

But we are social beings – meant to be with others. And although it may feel more comfortable just talking to ourselves (at least that person knows us), research has found that social engagement is better for both our physical and mental health. (Maybe because there is someone there to kick us out of our funk and encourage us to keep moving; or be that cheerleader who believes in us when we start losing confidence in ourselves.)

But if you are one of many who doesn’t find socializing easy or natural; and who reacts to a large group of strangers (meaning two or more) the same as a dentist’s drill, you might find these suggestions helpful.

First, social encounters can be tricky, but don’t interpret them as rejection or hostility – and then blame yourself. Focus on the positive and not on what you may have thought went wrong. 
 .  
Second, it may be easier to meet new friends while attending a class or lecture – something you can talk about with others instead of having to start a conversation from scratch.

And last, but most important, give it a chance. Whether attending Meals-on-Wheels lunch or a church service for the first time, most groups have established social relationships built over time. And although they are open to new friendships, don’t expect them to welcome you like the prodigal son. Give yourself time to establish your own relationships. And as a rule of thumb, try it for at least six times before you decide that it doesn’t work for you.

Life has much to offer during all stages of our lives. But you have to keep your eyes open and your antennas up. Get out, engage in conversations and develop new friendships. And then because you have the emotional connections with others, when the grandkids are gone and you are alone, you can enjoy the peaceful solitude that provides comfort and offers a time for reflection.

Ten percent of all health care spending comes from fraud and abuse; while Medicare and Medicaid loses $65 billion each year to criminals. Those are just a few figures highlighting the importance of catching and preventing healthcare fraud and abuse. The next Tuesday lecture will present a Webinar produced by AARP called “Protect Yourself from Healthcare Scams and Frauds”. The presentation starts at 11:00 at the Center and is open to everyone.

Here is another opportunity to confuse your brain with what it doesn’t expect: the Center’s music announcement for October 29th – from back to front. (But be forewarned, next week I will step it up a notch.)

.couple a for $3.00 or person per $2.00 is donation suggested the and PM 7:00 at starts music,  PM 6:00 at open Doors .enjoyment dancing and listening your  for favorites pleasing crowd playing be will “Boys Dufur The” the ,October of 29th the on night Tuesday next Center the At

The brand of O-gauge model trains popular in the 50’s was made by Lionel – which Bill Van Nice remembers Bill Schonley, Portland Trail Blazer Radio Announcer, using to nickname Lionel Hollins “The Train”. (And this week’s winner of a free Saturday Breakfast on November 16th is Jerry Phillips.)

For this week’s “Remember When” question, who wrote the satirical comic strip described by John Updike as “a comic strip with fire in its belly and a brain in its head” that ran for 43 years from 1934 to 1977 featuring the Yokum clan of hillbillies; as well as colorful characters Marryin’ Sam, Moonbeam McSwine and Senator Jack S Phogbound? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with an original copy of “The Life and Times of a Shmoo” published in 1948.

Well, it has been another week with my nose pressed to the glass looking to see all that can be seen. Until we meet again, as the old cowboy Mike once said, “Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.”

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” Lois Lowry

Aging Well October 15 2013

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Last week I discussed one option for thousand older Americans who want to stay in their homes, and are “house” rich but income poor: a reverse mortgage.  But income may not be the only reason someone feels they can no longer live independently in their own home.  
Another reason may be the inability to handle all the necessary daily living activities and personal care needs. But fortunately there are many resources available including in-home care agencies such as Hearts of Gold Caregivers who have trained staff to provide assistance to meet your individual needs. Or you can personally hire a private care giver who is generally less expensive than in home agencies. But you should be aware, in many cases when you hire someone, you are responsible for paying unemployment taxes. (For more information, contact The Dalles Employment Department at (541) 296-5435.)
You can learn more about personal care services at this month’s Passport to Happiness Event on Wednesday October 16th starting at 3:00 PM at the Center.
Whether we are ready or not, we live in a digital age where information is at your fingertips – or at least at your nearest computer, tablet or smartphone. And medicine is no exception. (When is the last time you saw a paper patient chart when visiting your medical provider?) But this transition to digital records has also given hospitals the ability to give you more control over your health and wellness by making your medical records available on line: your doctor appointments, test results, immunization records and your prescribed medications. To access your MCMC medical records online, go to your provider’s office and they will get you set up in the MCMC system and give you your Activation Code which you can use to activate your account online at myMCMC.
Or you can attend the Tuesday Lecture on October 22nd in the basement of the Center. Alison Adams and Susan Pincock from MCMC will explain the benefits of myMCMC as well as assist you in setting up your own Activation Code.
Once again it is that time for the Center’s Saturday Breakfast – and once again sponsored by Wasco County’s own county treasurer Chad Krause. This month the menu includes hotcakes with blueberries, scrambled eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage as well as fruit and your favorite morning beverage – all for only $5.00 per person. And as Jack always said, “Breakfast always tastes better when someone else cooks it!”
Sometimes it seems like the whole world is moving backwards. So in the spirit of the times, see how well you can cope by reading this week’s music announcement.
Four for $3.00 or leg per $1.00 is donation suggested the and PM 7:00 at starts music,  PM 6:00 at open doors The .arms your in partner your with music the to moving than there is exercise better what And .to dance and listen to classics western country playing be will “Times Good the For” ,Center the at night Tuesday Next
The 1958 horror/science fiction movie classic that starred Steve McQueen and depicted a growing amoeba-like alien from outer space that terrorized the small community was “The Blob”. (And the winner of a free breakfast on October 19th is Don McAllister.)
You may think of the “Remember When” questions as a fun and easy – or sometimes challenging – trivia contest or even at test of your long term memory (which I hope is operating on all eight cylinders – or at least seven!). But I hope it is more: reminding you of events or experiences hidden away in your vast reservoir of memories: the screaming fans at the 1965 Beatles concert in Portland, the pain of Merthiolate when your mother painted your scrapes orange after one of your falls, or the sound of a model electric train whistling through tunnels and over bridges on a piece of old plywood set up in the garage.
That last memory is the subject for this week’s “Remember When” question. What was the name of the brand of O-gauge model trains which in the 1950’s outsold its closest competitor American Flyer nearly 2:1 until the HO scale model trains became popular in 1956? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with a paper train set, made out of heavy cardstock, sold in 1943 (by the same company) when the US government restricted the use of various materials during WWII.
Well, it has been another week trying to keep my mouth shut and my eyes open. Until we meet again, it was the wise cowboy who said “When your head is in the bear’s mouth, it is not the time to be smacking him on the nose”.

Aging Well October 8th 2013

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If you are struggling to pay your bills – as the cost of living constantly increases, and yet you have paid off your house – which you purchased for $35,000 forty years ago and is now worth four times that much, you are one of thousands of American older adults who are income poor but “house” rich. To help older adults in this kind of situation, reverse mortgages, also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), were created to allow homeowners aged 62+ to convert a portion of their home equity into cash while they continue to live at home for as long as they want.

According to the National Council on Aging,reverse mortgages can be a useful financial tool for older homeowners and have become increasingly popular in recent years – but they’re not for everyone. And because there are unscrupulous people and companies that sometimes use reverse mortgages to exploit consumers, counseling is critical in providing unbiased information to equip the borrower with the knowledge needed to make an informed choice.
There is more information on the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Home Equity Advisor website, (http://www.homeequityadvisor.org/)  including other  options for saving money and remaining in your home, as well as additional questions and answers about reverse mortgages.
In addition, at the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on October 15th at the 11:00, Jim Bishop, from Westcorp Mortgage, will discuss the pros and cons of reverse mortgages to help you can better understand whether a reverse mortgage is a good option for you.
Thanks to everyone who attended the Back Rib Dinner fundraiser to support Meals-on Wheels and the Senior Center. Once again the attendance was great, the ribs were excellent and Hardshell Harmony entertained everyone with their “foot tapping, knee slapping, good time” music. Thanks to all the volunteers, businesses that donated to the silent auction, and especially The Springs at Mill Creek which with their sponsorship made it all possible.
But the success of the dinner is just one example of how so many folks support the numerous local civic groups that make our communities so healthy and strong. And you can find out what else is going on at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce’s “Community Calendar” website including other great fundraisers such as the “Book Lover’s Ball” at the Sunshine Mill on Friday the 11th and The Dalles Art Association’s “Art-a-ritaville Auction” on Saturday November 2nd.
Last month I mentioned to reduce your risk of falling, you should try activities that improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. To help you better understand the importance of balance, there will be a Balance and Falls Awareness Event at The Dalles Fitness and Court Club on October 30th from 9:30 – 11:00 presented by the therapists at Gorge Spine and Sports Medicine. There will be tests for postural alignment, functional reach, standing balance, and the ability to go from sitting to standing to walking. For more information call 541-386-9511.
On Tuesday nights, the Center pulls up the carpet and pushes back the tables, so you can dance and listen to some fine local talent – which on the 15th will be Truman playing his County Gold. And whether you come as a single, couple or as an entire family, everyone is welcome. The doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and the suggested donation is $2.00 per person.
Many remembered “Easy Rider” – the 1969 film starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson that depicted the societal tensions of the 1960’s as two bikers travelled through the American southwest and south. (And the randomly selecterd winner of a free breakfast on October 19th is Sandy Haechrel.) But for this week’s “Remember When” question, I’ll stick with movies but change to brand new genre: science fiction movies of the 50’s.
If you were like me when you were younger, you were scared silly by the science fiction thrillers of the time: Godzilla, The Fly, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. What was the name of this 1958 horror/science fiction movie classic that was Steve McQueen’s debut as a leading man and depicted a growing amoeba-like alien from outer space that terrorized the small community of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail with a 45 of the title song (which has the same name as the movie) written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David. 
Well, it has been another week trying to avoid turning on the heat in a drafty house. Until we meet again, don’t waste your time looking in a dark room for a black cat – when there isn’t one.

Aging Well October 1st 2013

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This Friday night from 4:30 – 7:30 Meals-on-Wheels and the Mid-Columbia Senor Center invite you to their 3rd Annual Baby Back Rib Dinner sponsored by their neighbors to the west – The Springs at Mill Creek. With their support and with several other small and large donations, all the expenses are covered, so every penny from every ticket sold goes directly to the Meals-on-Wheels and the Senior Center – split evenly. For only $15 per person you can enjoy a great meal, music by local bluegrass favorites “Hard Shell Harmony and help support Meals-on-Wheels and the Senior Center.

 And for the second year there will be a silent auction – but bigger and better. There will be many fantastic items generously donated by local businesses plus some special ones: a Trailblazer pennant signed by all the players, and for football fans there are two tickets to the OSU-Washington football game on November 23rd including a tailgate party. And with both Washington (4-0) and OSU (4-1) off to great starts, it should be a pivotal game.

 The Open Enrollment Period for Medicare, when you have the opportunity to review and make changes to your health coverage, occurs once again between October 15th and December 7th. In the meantime, you should be receiving in the mail your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your current plan. Because the plan can change how they cover your care each year, take time to review it, even if you are satisfied with your current Medicare coverage. Check to see if there are any changes in the plan’s provider network, the drugs that are covered and increases in the costs for the coverage.

 But don’t confuse the Medicare Enrollment Period with the enrollment period for the new Health Insurance Marketplaces or Exchanges (in Oregon called Cover Oregon) created by the Affordable Care Act. If you are enrolled in Medicare, the Marketplaces do not affect you. But the Affordable Care Act does create several new benefits for Medicare enrollees: the percentage you pay for drugs in the “donut hole” is gradually reduced; and Medicare now covers certain preventive services, mammograms or colonoscopies, without charging you for the Part B coinsurance or deductible.

 Unlike Trix cereal, vaccines are not just for kids – or silly rabbits. Each year thousands of older adults die or have serious complications from vaccine preventable diseases. Consequently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults receive the following vaccines: Shingles, Pneumococcal, Influenza (flu), and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap). At the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday lecture on October 8th Jenny Tran, a pharmacist at Rite-Aid, will explain and answer any questions about these “Vaccines for Older Adults”.

 And since the Flu season is unpredictable and can start as early as October, Jenny Tran will also be offering Flu Shots at the Center before and during lunch on Thursday October 10th.

 Dennis Davis, the volunteer instructor for the AARP Driver Safety Class, wants me to remind everyone that the Driver Safety Class is offered EVERY month on the third Monday and Tuesday. (The next class is from 9:00 – 12:00 on October 21 and 22nd.) The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. You can sign up by calling the Center.

Three quick reminders in chronological order: Tuesday, October 1st starting at 7:00 PM, The Strawberry Mountain Band will be performing; the monthly iPad Users Group will meet on Wednesday the 2nd at 1:00 to discuss the new iOS 7.0 operating system; and Sandy Haechrel, AARP Money Management volunteer, will be at the Center on Thursday Oct 3rd at 1:30 to help anyone balance their checkbooks or answer simple financial questions.

 Last week’s “Remember When” question was a tough one but the controversial cartoonist who created such countercultural characters as “Fritz the Cat” and “Mr. Natural” was Robert Crumb or more widely known as R. Crumb. (And the winner and only entry was Bill Van Nice.)

 Sticking with a counterculture theme of the ‘60’s, what was the name of the third highest grossing film of 1969, starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson that depicted many of the societal tensions of the 1960’s as two bikers travelled through the American southwest and south? E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or deliver it to the Center while riding the “Captain America” Harley Davidson specially designed and built for the movie.

 Well, it has been another week waiting to sink my teeth into some Baby Back Ribs. Until we meet again, remember the advice of Robert Heinlein “Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig”.

Aging Well September 24th 2013

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Falls can be more than an inconvenience – when you could just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one out of three adults aged 65 or older falls each year, adding up to a cost of $30 billion in 2010.  
So you can see why fall prevention awareness is a big deal. Fortunately there are steps you can take to prevent falls including this list of actions suggested by NIHSeniorHealth. I shortened the descriptions, but you can learn more by going to http://nihseniorhealth.gov/ and searching for fall prevention.
1. Make an appointment with your doctor and be prepared to answer the following questions. What medications are you taking? Have you fallen before? Do you feel any dizziness, joint pain, numbness or shortness of breath when you walk?

2. Keep moving. Try activities that improve your strength, balance, coordination and flexibility such as walking, water workouts, yoga or Tai Chi. And there are exercises where you don’t even have to leave the house such as  a) standing on one foot, b) walking heel to toe, c) balance walk, d) back leg raises, and e) side leg raises.

3. Wear sensible shoes. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your stocking feet.

4. Remove home hazards: boxes, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways. Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas; and loose rugs from your home. Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.

5. Light up your living space. Keep your home brightly lit and place a lamp within reach of your bed for middle-of-the-night needs. Consider trading traditional switches for glow-in-the-dark or illuminated switches. Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs. (That was my mistake when I missed the bottom step while taking out the recycling in the dark and breaking my hip.)

6. Use assistive devices. A cane or walker can help keep you steady. In addition install hand rails for BOTH sides of stairways, add grab bars for the shower or tub, or install a sturdy plastic seat for the shower or tub.

These are all relatively simple steps you can take to prevent falls and maintain your independence while avoiding the fine young doctors in the emergency room.

Last week I mentioned the AARP Money Management program offered by the Area Agency on Aging (541-298-4101). But Sandy Haechrel, who volunteers for the program, reminded me that she will be available at the Center on Thursday Oct 3rd at 1:30 to help anyone balance their checkbooks or answer simple financial questions. She has been tested, stamped and certified by the Money Management program, so she knows her stuff.

At the Tuesday Lecture on October 1st at 11:00, I will show a Webinar produced by AARP on The Health Law: How it works for you and your family. Then on the 8th Jenny Tran will discuss Vaccines for Older Adults and on the 15th Jim Bishop will discuss the pros and cons of Reverse Mortgages.

And two quick reminders. At the Center on Saturday the 28th there is a Community Parking Lot sale from 8:00 until 1:00. And on Tuesday, October 1st starting at 7:00 PM, The Strawberry Mountain Band will be performing.
The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question is Lucky Strikes Means Fine Tobacco (and the winner of a free breakfast on October 19th is Janet Mabrey.) But Bill Van Nice also remembers from fifty or so years ago, L.S.M.F.T. was used on the local radio stations and stood for “Les Schwab Means Fine Tires”. And Don McAllister had a junior high flashback remembering “Loose straps mean …”   Well, I better stop there – this is a family newspaper.
But this week’s question may be a tough one, unless you were a comix aficionado during the late ‘60’s. Who was the controversial cartoonist that created such countercultural characters as “Fritz the Cat” and “Mr. Natural” and the famous images from his “Keep on Truckin’” strip? E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the first edition of Zap Comix #1 published in 1968.

Well, it has been another week when someone keeps raising the bar before I can get a drink. Until we meet again, as Will Rogers described the male condition “There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence.” 

Aging Well September 17th 2013

Aging Well in the Gorge No Comments
Senior Living September 17th 2013 Gary Grossman at BiCoastal Media reminded me that “Brevity is the soul of Clarity” (I wonder what he was trying to tell me?).But that is good advice – particularly this week when there is so much to mention. So let’s turn off the lights and get the show started. 
 This month’s Passport to Happiness event is on Wednesday the 18th starting at 3:00 at the Center. The focus is on the many faces of elderly abuse: physical, financial and emotional. If you are a victim of abuse or know someone who may be, contact the Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) office (1-800-452-2333) or the Area Agency on Aging (541-298-4101) to report your concerns. I have referred several people to APD and they have been both discrete and respectful in their investigations. 
 What has become an annual event, the TDHS class of ’63 (and I am told the best TDHS class ever!) is sponsoring the Center’s September “Back to School” breakfast on the 21st. Because of their warm appreciation for all the teachers that instructed, scolded and dragged them through high school, they will pay for breakfast for all current and retired teachers who want to enjoy a menu of Texas French Toast, sausage, and scrambled eggs. Otherwise breakfast is $5.00 and $4.00 for Center members. Breakfast is served from 8:00 – 9:30 (which may be a little early for some classmates who will be “reunionizing” Friday night).
Watch your step! National Fall Prevention Day is Sunday, September 22nd (the first day of fall). And for the 11:00 Tuesday Lecture at the Center on the 24th, MCMC will present “Falls and Osteoporosis”. 
 No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced “hoofer” you are invited to join the Center’s “Trilogy Dancers” who are in the process of re-forming for the 2013-2014 season. This group of women gathers each Thursday morning from 10:00-11:30 to enjoy and practice three types of dancing: tap, clog and line dancing, as well as the fellowship. And since Ardyce Edling has retired, there is an opportunity for a volunteer to lead the tap section. 
 The Creative Arts class led by Debra Jones is returning after a summer break. This fall there will be four individual classes beginning with Chinese watercolor on Thursday September 24th from 1:00 – 2:30. You will learn basic brush strokes and why this quiet reflective method of painting is more about connecting to nature and your inner self. All supplies are provided and the cost is $2.00. But there is only room for eight, so sign up now by calling the Center at 541-296-4788. 
The local Money Management Program is available to help anyone who needs assistance managing their finances: from balancing a check book – to bill paying – to money coaching. If you know someone who needs help, or would like to volunteer, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 541-298-4101 ext 202.
David Lee shared with me a project he and others are working on at the Oregon Veterans Home. They hope to construct a garden adjacent to the facility – worthy of the veterans who reside there. But to move forward, they must convince the Oregon Department of Veteran’s Affairs it is a viable project. So far they have the Master Gardeners designing the garden, but they need to show they have the necessary volunteers when it is time to construct the garden. If you would like to support the project by signing up as a volunteer, or would like more information, call David Lee at 541-993-9862. 
On September 24th starting at 7:00 PM, “For the Good Times” will be playing at the Center for your dancing and listening enjoyment. All ages are welcome and the suggested donation is $2.00 per person and $3.00 per couple. “Look” magazine was the bi-weekly general interest magazine published from 1937 – 1971that emphasized photographs more than articles. (And the winner of a “Back to School” Breakfast on the 21st is Alex Currie.) 
This week’s “Remember When” question goes back to the days when doctors and even Santa Claus were used to sell cigarettes. First introduced on a pack of popular cigarettes in 1945, what do the letters L.S.M.F.T. stand for? E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a video clip of Eddie “Rochester” Anderson singing the praises of this cigarette on the Jack Benny show.  
Well, it has been another week moving sideways while trying to decide which way is up. Until we meet again, as they use to say in the old west, “Poor is having to sell the horse to buy the saddle.”

Aging Well September 10th 2013

Aging Well in the Gorge No Comments

It is often said, “If you’ve seen one Senior Center, you’ve seen one Senior Center”. That’s because every Senior Center is unique: in how they are structured and operated; and how they reflect their community. And that’s true of every Senior Center and the many meal sites in the Mid-Columbia from Sherman County to Hood River and Klickitat Counties.

 But what they do have in common is offering a place where older adults can stay active, engaged and empowered to contribute to their own health and well-being; and where the experiences, skills, and knowledge of older adults are valued and their dignity, self-worth, and independence affirmed.

 Because of the valuable role of Senior Centers and meal sites, September has been designated National Senior Center Month to recognize both the senior center and meal site participants and the staff and volunteers who work every day to enhance the well-being of older citizens.

If you haven’t already visited your local Senior Center or meal site, take time and stop it. You will find helpful programs and activities, but most importantly you’ll find wonderful, caring and active folks.

 To kick off National Senior Center Month at the Center in The Dalles, two work teams of committed, energetic and slightly nuts volunteers decided to put words into action and added a little lipstick to the Center – which is showing some wear and tear of middle age. Because of their efforts, the Center’s downstairs concrete floor was brightly painted – after removing the carpet which Laura Comini remembers Shilo Inn donating twenty plus years ago. And then over the Labor Day weekend – believing you should never waste a good three day weekend – the Center’s dining room was repainted. (The most difficult task was choosing the paint colors – but so far the reviews have been good.) Thanks to everyone who helped plus Discover Rentals, Brace Brothers – and Sawyers True Value for having their Labor Day Paint Sale just for us!

 Did you know when older adults were asked what was most important to maintaining a high quality of life, staying connected to friends and family was the top choice – ahead of financial means? And that 71% of older adults feel the community they live in is responsive to their needs, but just 49% believe their community is doing enough to prepare for the future needs of the growing older population? These are some of the key findings from the National Council on Aging’s report called ”The United States of Aging” which will be discussed at the Center’s next Tuesday Lecture at 11:00 on the 17th.

 One of the benefits of having children home is they are always showing you some new technological device or program – to add even more distractions to your life. The latest example is Twitter. But even though I can waste hours reading the “tweets”, Twitter has allowed me to follow Oregon Scam Alert. The most recent scam has been reported by the Better Business Bureau, They are asking folks to keep an eye on their magazine renewal subscriptions, and avoid payment to Associated Publishers Network (APN). There have been a flood of complaints about this renewal subscription “business” mailing out phony renewal invoices. So beware. For more information and additional scam alerts check out the Center’s blog/website at midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com.

 Every Tuesday night there is music and dancing at the Center starting at 7:00 PM including Truman who will be playing his Country Gold on the 17th. The suggested donation is $2.00 per person and $3.00 per couple.
Several folks remembered the Seattle Pilots professional baseball team that played just one season in 1969 (including Jess Birge winner of a September 21st Saturday Breakfast). But I wasn’t one of them. I was in Indiana packing up my VW van for the wild, wild west called Oregon and the Wil-uh-Met Valley.

And for this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the bi-weekly, general-interest magazine that emphasized photos more than articles; and was published from 1937 to 1971 – peaking in 1969 with 7.75 million subscriptions, second to only Life magazine? E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with a limited edition photo taken by film director Stanley Kubrick when he was a staff photographer for this magazine.

 Well, it has been another week trying to keep my marbles from rolling off the table. Until we meet again, as the Oklahoma sage, Will Rogers once said “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging”.

 “Worry is like a rockin’ horse. It’s something to do that don’t get you nowhere.” Old West Proverb