Senior Citizens can find ‘Healing Rhythms’ through music therapy By Hannah Yang
hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com
Simply put, music helps people heal. That’s the mission of Healing Rhythms Music Therapy, a business based in Rochester since 2013. Music therapy is the clinical use of music interventions by a board-certified music therapists to support cognitive, emotional, physical and psychosocial needs, according to The American Music Therapy Association. Through this type of treatment, patients can find ways to enhance coping and support quality of life through group and individual sessions. Although it works primarily in caring for individuals with disabilities, music therapy has the ability to reach people of all ages and improve their quality of life. Since 2017, the Rochester business has been a clinic that services patients from all over the region and has over 30 community partners ranging from assisted living centers, hospitals, hospices, schools and more. “We take care of patients from birth, to really, end of life,” said Christina Wood, founder and director of Healing Rhythms. “Music therapists use music as a tool to help people regard-
“We take care of patients from birth, to really, end of life. Music therapists use music as a tool to help people regardless of age or ability.” Christina Wood Founder, director of Healing Rhythms less of age or ability.” Hosting a variety of different types of sessions, such as adaptive music classes and drum circles, patients of all ages can experience the healing effects of the therapy that’s given.
The clinic has also spread its roots into Austin, having partnered with Mayo Clinic Hospice and Heartland Hospice. Wood said that licensed music therapists would head out to Austin a few days a week to work
with patients in assisted living centers, hospitals and even in the patients’ homes. The accessibility remained one of the most important aspects of the clinic. During those vulnerable
moments, Wood said that their clients receive the best care possible by being able to help them cope with pain, and sometimes their loved ones also heal through the music therapy session as well.
“Our music therapists are entrusted to be witness and hold sacred space through music,” she said. “They do this for our patients who are going through some of life’s most fragile moments.”
There’s help for the dreaded ‘too old to drive’ moment By Peter Cox MPR News/90.1 FM
It’s not clear whether age played a role in the recent bus stop crash of a van with an 83-year-old man behind the wheel. But advancing age can erode driving skills, and there comes a time when it’s no longer safe to drive. Coming to terms with that moment can inspire dread all around. Elizabeth Andress’ father was diagnosed with early stage dementia in 1992. He was 71. He was still capable of doing most things and continued to drive, limiting himself to nearby drives and day driving. Then he had a couple of close calls and called a family meeting. “My dad pulled the car keys out of his pocket and placed them on the coffee table and announced he was done driving and then he just cried,” she said. Andress said it was emotional for the entire family. “Of course, for him it was an admission of the
like Andress’ father, make the decision themselves. In some cases, family members or friends convince a person to turn over the car keys. Families can ask Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services to test someone. Doctors can recommend cancelling a license. There are also programs that help people to assess their driving ability. At the HealthPartners Rehabilitation-Neuroscience Center, occupational therapist Kathleen Kiefer stood in front of a black screen hitting buttons in front of her when they lit up, and watched a screen that showed a number every few seconds. The system approximates the multitasking demands of driving “ We k n ow wh e n we Kathleen Kiefer, an occupational therapist with Health Partners, shows one of the driving drive, we have more than a simulators used in the clinic’s Driving Ability Program on Tuesday. The program helps peoneed to take a look at numple dealing with a variety of health issues assess their driving ability.Peter Cox/MPR News bers and lights,” she said. “We have many things to cognitive losses that come also one more loss of roles ing can worsen — at a cer- look at — our speed, where with dementia,” she said. that he could take in the tain point, driving is no we are in the lane.” “And then it was the loss family to be helpful.” longer safe. There are a series of of so much freedom in our As we age, our reactions How people reach those tests like this and actual car-dependent culture and slow, our vision and hear- decisions varies. Some, on-the-road tests, which
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help Kiefer and her colleagues determine if someone should stop or limit their driving. Kiefer works in HealthPartners’ Driving Ability Program. Her job means she’s often playing the heavy, telling someone it’s time to quit driving. “Driving retirement is not easy, she said. Physicians often refer people to the program. But family members refer loved ones, too. “Oftentimes family members want somebody else to be the bad guy,” Kiefer said. “They want to maintain the respect and their loving relationship with their father or mother or whoever it is.” Kiefer said there are times when a family member thinks it is time to for a relative to stop driving, and the HealthPartners assessment finds them to be a fine driver.
See DRIVING, Page 2
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Senior Living
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2019
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
Technology, temporary help keeps farmers on job longer The Associated Press
Courtesy of Cigna
Ted Danson shares tips for healthy aging By State Point Media
In his distinguished career, actor Ted Danson has played many iconic roles, including a cantankerous but caring doctor. In real life, the 70-year-old says good relationships with health care providers are critical for healthy aging. “I like the personal relationship with a fellow human being who has compassion, and offers a solid plan to fix whatever is going on with both body and mind,” says Danson. “If something is going on with me, or I’m afraid something is, usually just knowing the facts not only relaxes me, but empowers me, because the doctor will tell me what to do to make it better.” Danson is cur rently promoting whole person health with Cigna, which serves older adults in 16 states through its Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. He’s encouraging people to talk to their health care
providers about emotional and physical health, including preventive care, as well as common issues like stress, anxiety, loneliness and sleeplessness, which can impact overall health, according to experts. “Preventive care plays an important role in longterm wellness. Issues like stress can lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to have annual wellness exams, and make that time meaningful by being open about everything you’re feeling,” says Dr. Dirk Wales, chief medical director with Cigna Medicare. For healthy aging, Dr. Wales recommends the following preventive measures: • Annual health risk assessment (HRA): Your physician or insurer will likely ask you to take an annual HRA —a quick series of questions designed to help flag issues early, so
Driving: Finding a way behind the wheel From Page 1 There isn’t a single age when everyone should stop driving. Kiefer said there are clues, though, such as troubles with routine tasks. “Money management, paying their bills, taking their medication — just managing their life. They’re not tracking appointments, they’re not as organized, they’re not taking care of their personal self as they used to,” Kiefer said. “Another big concern is when they start to have accidents or near-misses, or they start to get lost when they are driving to familiar places that they’ve been to before.” Elizabeth Andress’ mother, Shelby Andress, said her husband’s and friends’ experiences made her vigilant about her driving ability. She’s 86 and still driving — but not far, not at night and not on freeways. “Two years ago I was entering Interstate 94 on a ramp off Hennepin, and I’ve driven that, I think, hundreds of times. And
“Another big concern is when they start to have accidents or near misses ...” Kathleen Kiefer, occupational therapist, Health Partners
all of the sudden, I was unnerved by the speed and the cars moving in and out of lanes. And I thought I can’t do this again,” she said. Andress has passed a driving ability course, but she’s also turning, more and more, to alternatives like her family, Uber and mobility nonprofits. She’s had to give up a bit of her cherished independence, and it has increased her dependence on her family, but she said preparing for the transition has made it easier.
you can access the right benefits and resources for you. • Colorectal cancer screenings: Too few older adults get screened for colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. When caught early, the disease is curable. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends starting screening at age 50. MA plans, like those offered by Cigna, cover screening costs at various intervals depending on risk. • Breast cancer screenings: Breast cancer, the most common cancer in American women outside of skin cancer, affects one in eight women in their lifetimes. USPSTF recommends women ages 50 to 74 years old with average risk get a mammogram every two years. Screenings can help detect breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. • Eye exams, if you
have diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of blindness, but early detection and treatment can help protect against vision loss. Getting an annual eye exam — which Medicare covers if you have diabetes —is critical. Certain MA plans may offer additional coverage. • Annual flu shots: Between 70 and 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people 65 years old and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best defense, an annual flu shot, is covered fully by Medicare and MA plans when you visit a participating provider. • Discuss mind and body: Depression isn’t a normal part of aging and it’s treatable. Be open with your health care provider about everything you’re feeling —body and mind. To learn about Cigna’s Medicare products, visit www.cigna.com/medicare.
ALEXANDRIA, Ind. — At 79 years old, Art McManus says he’s still able to hop on the tractor and maintain the 160 acres of cherry trees at his orchard in Traverse City, Michigan. His children have gone on to start lives of their own, though he gets some help running his farmers market from his daughter-in-law. But he hires seasonal help to keep the cherry operation moving. “I’ve been at it all my life,” he says. “I enjoy it.” For McManus and many far mers across the country, assistive technology, help from seasonal hires and family members, and a general improvement in the health of U.S. seniors in recent decades have helped them remain productive well into their 60s, 70s and beyond. Farmers staying on the job longer can restrict land options of younger farmers, making it harder for beginners to crack into the industry, experts say. They worry that without the older far mers, there might not be enough younger people interested in agriculture to support America’s food production needs. “It’s a problem,” says Milt McGiffen, an agronomist, plant physiologist and researcher at the University of California, Riverside. “There isn’t a magic bullet to fix it. And the other problem is you have less people going into ag and you need more food coming out the other end” with a growing U.S. population. In the U.S. last year, the median age for domestic far mers, ranchers and other agricultural managers was 56.4 years old. That’s the highest median age of any major occupation tracked by the gover nment’s Current Population Survey for which data was available. The age has ticked up by
half a year since 2012, despite the median age of the entire labor force falling slightly over the same period. Nearly 29 percent of farmers were at least 65 years of age last year, and less than 13 percent were under the age of 35. Experts say steep equipment costs, limited land availability and competition from older farmers are among the reasons younger workers struggle to establish themselves. “With the cost of land and equipment, I don’t know how you can make it work (as a young farmer). It’ll cost $1 million to get into it,” McManus says. Agriculture’s age imbalance and the barriers to entry for young farmers have not gone unnoticed by U.S. lawmakers. A House panel plans a hearing Thursday to start addressing the challenges faced by new farmers. “It’s important and it’s my job to ensure Congress and this administration hear these stories loud and clear,” said Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Iowa, who leads the House Small Business subcommittee that deals with rural development and agriculture. With time and money invested in land and equipment, some older farmers are reluctant to cede their operations to younger workers. Technological advancements have made it easier for them to work longer, according to agriculture workers and experts. “When it comes to machine work, climbing in and out of the (tractor) is about as much energy as it requires to do things. And in terms of steering, auto guidance has just been a freaking game changer,” says John Phipps, 71, a commentator for “Farm Journal” and “Top Producer” magazines who maintains more than 2,000 acres of farmland with his son in eastern Illinois.
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Senior Living
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2019
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Americans still paying the price of cold war with health problems By State Point Media
For many Americans, the Cold War is a distant memory or something read about in history books. But for thousands of workers who supported the war effort as an integral part of the nation’s nuclear defense system, it continues to be a bitter reality, as many are battling serious radiation-induced health problems from working in or near nuclear plants or uranium mines. According to experts, newly implemented reductions in benefits are making it harder for workers to get treatment for related conditions. The push to develop superior nuclear capabilities —what would ultimately become the key to America’s success in winning the Cold War —took place throughout much of the 1950-1980s. During this time, thousands of workers, as well as residents in towns nearby nuclear plants and uranium mines, were invol-
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untarily exposed to radiation, leaving many vulnerable to such life-threatening radiation-induced health problems as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. By the collapse of the Soviet Union and the easing of the arms race, it was too
late to reverse the damage inflicted on workers’ health. Numerous health studies conducted over the past 20 years document the full cost of this radiation exposure in terms of human life and adverse health effects, which include premature deaths for
many, while others continue to endure painful symptoms. Not only are they battling the fallout of exposure to confirmed toxins (of which the adverse effects were not fully understood until more
recently), but experts say they’re also facing an uphill battle with the US Department of Labor (DOL), which has implemented multiple health benefit reductions since April 2019. “An act of Congress created the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, which promised protection and health benefits to those who became ill after working in nuclear facilities and uranium mines,” said Greg Austin, president of Professional Case Management, the first and largest provider of home health care services to nuclear defense and uranium workers. “Many of these patients —patriots who served the country honorably —are gravely ill and cannot afford any delays or restrictions.” The recent changes by the DOL include a reduction of what experts say is medically
necessary case management nursing care from up to 15 hours per month to just 15 minutes per week, as well as increasing a preauthorization process from nine steps to 36 steps. To stop the implementation of various DOL rule changes, Professional Case Management filed a lawsuit in March 2019, which is ongoing. The company also spearheads a number of educational and advocacy initiatives through its Cold War Patriots division. More information, as well as resources for the nuclear and uranium mine worker community, can be found at coldwarpatriots.org. Experts say that while it may be too late to reverse the health effects of radiation exposure, it is not too late to provide the workers impacted by the Cold War with the benefits they need to manage their resulting conditions.
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Five great ways to keep your mind sharp By State Point Media
When you think about exercise, you likely envision using the treadmill or lifting weights. But every bit as important to your long-term health and wellness are activities that keep your mind sharp and your cognitive abilities strong and limber. Here are several things you can do to help keep your mind sharp: • Solve a Crossword Puzzle: A crossword puzzle asks you to reach into your longterm memory bank to solve clues. You may be filling in boxes, but wellconstructed crossword puzzles will require you to think outside the box, as sometimes clues are a bit trickier than they seem at first glance, relying on word play or double meanings to work. A relaxing way to unwind and concentrate, consider adding this ritual into your morning. • Get More from Nature: On your next nature hike, don’t check out mentally. Set goals and keep your senses alert, paying attention to sounds, sights and smells. New tech, such as Casio WSD-F30 Pro Trek
Smart Outdoor Watch, can help. The watch features apps to support your hike, including Location Memory to record information on trails and viewpoints along the way, as well as Moment Setter to notify you when you reach your targeted altitude. • Learn a Language: A multilingual brain works more efficiently, and it is never too late to pick up a new language. There are many languages apps available to help, some of them free, as well as more traditional taped audio lessons you can pop on while commuting to work or doing chores around the house. • Make Math Fun: Want to build your critical thinking skills and improve your ability to problem solve? Delve into mathematics with fun math puzzles found online. Free
online software, such as ClassPad.net, includes resources to help you solve problems, from simple calculations to statistics, graphing and more. • Get Sleep: Sufficient high-quality sleep is one of the most fundamental ways to maintain a sharp mind and keep your brain healthy through the years. Between 7-9 hours a night is ideal for adults, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you aren’t sleeping well, or feel foggy during the day, consider how to shift your evening routine to get more and better quality sleep. From math puzzles to crossword puzzles to nature walks, prioritizing workouts for the mind will help you stay sharp.
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Senior Living
Fancy a good read? In each issue of Austin Living Magazine, Austin’s resident book club, The Austin Page Turners, reviews a book members have read. The following includes a list of suggested reads from the group’s members.
“The Shrouding Woman” This novel is centered on the little-known practice of shrouding – helping families to put their dead to rest. Eleven-year-old Evie, whose mother has recently died, is suddenly thrust into the life of a shrouder and in doing so touches on the healing process of life.
“In a Heartbeat” Eagan loses her life in a figure-skating competition and her still-beating heart was given to Amelia who needed a transplant. Their feelings and thoughts start to mysteriously overlap and Amelia searches for Eagan’s family to help them all move on.
“Future Home of the Living God” By Louise Erdrich, another Minnesota author, this book is a bit unsettling but very intriguing and describes a rumor of martial law with a registry of pregnant women. It is definitely a page turner.
A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD