Seniors Feature February 2021

Staying alive at 75

By Lionel Waterson

BACK in the late 1970s the Bee Gees wrote a song Stayin’

Alive which was used in the movie Saturday Night Fever.

I am now in the privileged position of ‘stayin’ alive’ at 75 and loving it. It’s not Old Age to me, but a whole New Age! I have never been here before. What’s so great about it? Every breath I take.

Some are not as fortunate as me. My younger brother did not make it, so I am making the most of it.

Still working? Part time. Why? Because I was asked to stay on. How nice is that?

Enjoying it? Sure am. There is a clue - keep busy, it gives you something to wake up for.

When you look in the mirror each morning, see if you can find a new wrinkle (great eyesight exercise). Then put

your hands on both cheeks and pull back till they disappear, then let go. Young folk cannot do that. Give them a name or a number, they will all be there tomorrow, so introduce the newcomer to the regulars.

Now you are up, keep moving, see if you can find all the bits you took off the night before: Glasses, hearing aids, false teeth and your...what was the other thing? Ah, never mind.

Go for a walk - best part of the day and say ‘Morning’ to all you meet. Try touching your toes, use a stick if needs be. If you bend over, you might not be able to get up again.

Keep up to date with what is happening by reading the paper, but resist going to the Death Notices and Funerals first.

Make sure before 8am you have a good laugh. It keeps the

wrinkles at bay.

Suggestion: Stand naked in front of a mirror and smile. You are looking at your New Age body. That should do the trick.

Before lunch time, talk to a young person - they will need it as much as you. Be nice to anyone who serves you at the supermarket, corner shop, or just walks past your house if you are out the front.

Do something special each week. Mine’s Parkrun, you are always welcome there.

It is part of life this New Age bit, you will have to make some adjustments, that goes with the birth certificate and your health.

Remember the Bee Gees: “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.’

PART OF IT... Lionel Waterson, 75, runs the Saturday morning Shepparton Parkrun every week. Photo: Struan Jones

Resort living, at your fingertips

IMAGINE a day that starts off with a trip to the hairdressers, followed by dining in a quaint courtyard before an afternoon spent socialising with friends, enjoying games by the bar and perhaps watching a movie.

Sounds like a day spent on a holiday cruise ship, right?

Living in a place where all these wonderful activities and facilities are at your doorstep is possible when you are a resident at Shepparton Villages.

Residents are settling into their new home at Mooroopna Place after Shepparton Villages opened 60 of the new 100 beds at the new $20M redeveloped residential care facility.

Campbell Court, which is the newly refurbished 60 bed wing at Mooroopna Place, houses a huge open dining area, outdoor courtyard, garden, a games and bar area, small lounge and mutli-purpose rooms as well as a private dining room and visitor room.

Residents from Acacia House, and some from Hakea Lodge and Maculata Place, moved in on February 2 and 3, with one resident describing it as “heaven” and another saying he felt like he was living at a resort. Residents are thrilled with the bright open design, with many taking advantage of the outdoor gardens and sheltered areas.

Varapodio Way has its own kitchen

and dining area, two internal courtyards, lounges and reading nooks, a large activities space and a huge lounge and gathering area for games, socialisation and movie nights.

Residents will be able to move freely between both wings and access the central hairdressers, café area, wellness centre and visiting consulting suites.

The 40 bed Varapodio Way wing – a completely new building - will open on April 13, with a waiting list already well established. Inquiries can be made by calling Helen on 5832 0800.

ALL FUN AND GAMES... Shepparton Villages’ residents, Olga McDonald and Anne Gooiker, enjoying a spot of scrabble. Photo: Supplied

A GOOD YARN... Wilma White and Helen Mulcahy enjoy some knitting in Campbell Court. Photo: Supplied

Keeping your mind sharp

WE’VE all had the occasional ‘senior’s moment’. Maybe you've gone into the kitchen and can't remember why, or can't recall a familiar name during a conversation. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but ageing alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline. When significant memory loss occurs among older people, it’s generally not due to ageing but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness.

Studies have shown that you can help

prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits:

• Staying physically active and eating well

• Getting enough sleep

• Having good social connections

• Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day

Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active.

There are various strategies we can use to help maintain cognitive fitness:

1. KEEP LEARNING

Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them. Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active. Pursuing a hobby, learning a new skill, volunteering or mentoring are additional ways to keep your mind sharp.

2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Myths about ageing can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do worse on memory tasks when they're exposed to negative stereotypes about ageing and memory, and better when the messages are positive about memory preservation into old age. People who believe that they are not in control of their memory function are less likely to work at maintaining or improving their memory skills and therefore are more likely to experience cognitive decline. If you believe you can improve and you translate that belief into practice, you have a better chance of keeping your mind sharp.

3. PRIORITISE YOUR BRAIN USE

If you don't need to use mental energy

remembering where you put your keys or the time of your granddaughter's birthday party, you'll be better able to concentrate on learning and remembering new and important things. Take advantage of smart phone reminders, calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and address books to keep routine information accessible. Designate a place at home for your glasses, purse, keys, and other items you use often.

4. REPEAT WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW

When you want to remember something you've just heard, read, or thought about, repeat it out loud or write it down. That way, you reinforce the memory or connection. For example, if you've just been told someone's name, use it when you speak with them.

5. SPACE IT OUT

Repetition is most potent as a learning tool when it's properly timed. It's best not to repeat something many times in a short period, as if you were cramming for an exam. Spacing out periods of study helps improve memory and is particularly valuable when you are trying to master complicated information, such as the details of a new work assignment.

A little louder please

HEARING loss is when your ability to hear is reduced, making it more difficult for you to hear speech and all the other sounds in life you love.

The smooth sounds of your favourite crooner, Dan Andrew’s latest press conference and the sweet laughter of your grandchildren are all important sounds that we wish to hear to the fullest.

A loss of hearing can be caused by many factors, but age and exposure to loud noise are the most common causes.

The incidence of hearing loss increases as we get older. Over half the population aged between 60 and 70 have a hearing loss. This increases to more than 70 per cent of those over the age of 70, and 80 per cent of those over the age of 80.

“As rule of thumb it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked every two years or in between times if you notice a significant

change in your hearing," Hearing Australia principal audiologist, Emma Scanlan, said.

"Many people wait 7-10 years after they first notice a hearing problem to get their hearing checked and during this time might start to avoid occasions or situations that they previously enjoyed. The earlier you do something about it, the sooner you can start to benefit from receiving hearing help and can continue to enjoy the sounds you love.”

It's important to keep on top of hearing checks, and keep an eye (or ear) out for signs of hearing loss.

Signs of hearing loss include:

• Asking people to repeat themselves

• Your family complaining the TV volume is up too loud

• A ringing or buzzing sound in your ears

• Straining to hear in many situations

• Missing out on everyday sounds

If you have a question about your foot health or need to make an appointment, call us today!

Alex Goodwin Podiatrist

Nicky Pummeroy Administration

Bessie Hammond Podiatrist

Michelle Teague Podiatrist Steve Goodwin Podiatrist

Marissa Nicolacopoulos Podiatrist

Quality paints and expert advice

WHAT'S the first thing you notice about a car? For most people, it's the colour. Whether it's a sleek black, elegant pearl white or a custom, bright or pastel shade, the colour of a vehicle is of tremendous importance.

The qualified and expert team at Darby's Paints Shepparton deal with the professionals in panel shops and engineering manufacturers around Victoria on a daily basis to bring your colour vision to life.

"Darby's Paints Shepparton has solid insight into the industry, and in particular, what our customers' needs are," store manager, Megan Brown, said.

"With our three stores which service hundreds of panel shops right across

Victoria, we are up-to-date with the latest and best products. We have screw compressors, scroll compressors, piston compressors and petrol (mobile) compressors on hand in addition to the expertise and information to help you find the compressor that best suits your needs."

Darby's Paints Shepparton are excited to now be stockists of Anest Iwata, an extensive compressor range that covers the hobby market right through to the commercial industry, supplementing panel shops, truck and trailer painting, industrial and farming paint needs.

Visit their store at 12 Campbell Street, Shepparton or call 5821 0111 for more information about this new product range.

HIGH DEFINITION… Darby’s Paints Shepparton store manager, Megan Brown and Damian Racioppo. Photo: Stephanie Holliday