50 Plus

A guide to good living in the Brazos Valley

Inside...

Acid reflux Natural cures

Pg. 8

Mental health

Finding meaning in pain and illness

Pg. 9

May 2014 • Vol. 11, Issue 2 • A monthly publication of the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Seniors EXPO

Event will feature entertainment and information for seniors

PAGE 6

What to do about urinary incontinence PAGE 4

Are you disinheriting your heirs?

Your will does not cover everything.

It doesn’t govern your 401(k), 403(b), IRAs or other inve in stment vehicles with their own beneficiary designations.

This is a painful lesson learned by three grown children last month when their wealthy father willed everything to them, but failed to name them as beneficiaries on his largest single asset: TraCy STewar ewarT ewar arT his 401(k). iTer FiNaNcial liTeracy Two months after his honeymoon, he suddenly died. Had he asked his bride to sign a waiver to include his children as beneficiaries, he would have ha avoided effecti effective fectively disinheriting those children.

You can save sa for a lifetime, socking a lot of money into retirement accounts only to have ha the wrong person become your wealthy heir. This can happen if you forget to change your beneficiaries after a major life event, such as a marriage or divo di rce.

As local family law and estate planning attorney Randy Michel explains, “The law will take care of a will that you executed befor bef e di rce, but not contracts. You must divo take affi af rmative steps to change those beneficiary designations after a divo di rce (and befor bef e you pass away).”

If you are in a divo di rce process, ask your attorney if you are allowed to update your life insurance and retirement account beneficiaries. In 2010 Hollywood rebel Dennis Hopper was simultaneously dying of cancer and divo di rcing his fifth wife. As he lay on his deathbed, Hopper asked the di rce judge for permission to change divo his life insurance policy to remove his wife as beneficiary. Request denied.

He would have ha to wait for trial. He died first and his life insurance was never changed, leaving lea his wife as beneficiary.

Beneficiary designations are tied to only part of the wealth you leave lea behind. How about getting your soon-to-be-ex-spouse written out of your will? What if the distraction and stress of your divo di rce keeps you from attending to this detail? Michel explains there is some relief in the case of divo di rce: for a will in Texas, the law will interpret the will as if the now-ex-spouse predeceases you. So if Guinnevere executed a will in 2009

2 | May 6, 2014

50 Plus is a monthly publication of Bryan-College Station Communications Inc. 1729 Briarcrest Drive Bryan, Texas

while married, and then divo di rces Lance in 2014, her will is still valid. Upon her death, it will be interpreted as if Lance died befor bef e her, her even if he is named in the will. All other provisions of her will are intact.

“So don’t worry if you are hit and run over by a car an hour after the judge signs your divo di rce decree. The Probate Code says that your will will be interpreted as if a car ran over your spouse first!” Michel said.

You need not be invo in lved in a divo di rce to bequeath a bureaucratic nightmare.

A woman in Hawaii named her live li -in boyfriend as a beneficiary of her IRA. Years later she was married to another man. As she lay dying of cancer, cancer her husband tried to get the beneficiary form updated, but she was no longer mentally competent to make that change. The ex-boyfriend receive cei d the ceive funds from her IRA. Once a year, ar get verification of your ar, beneficiaries on all your relevant accounts and contracts. Custodian companies that manage your accounts can be acquired, records can be lost and mistakes happen. Protect your intentions by regularly gular monitoring gularly your beneficiary designations on your applicable accounts and inve in stments.

PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre

SPECIAL PROJECT PR S EDITOR/ PUBLICA PUBLICATION DESIGNER

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Shauna Lewis shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Ron Prince

SP SPECIAL PROJECTS/ PROJECT OJECTS/ MARKETING COORDINATO ORDINA R ORDINATO

DISPL ADVER DISPLAY ADVERTISING VERTISING MANA MANAGER Linda Brinkman

Erika Liesman

CONTENTS

Physical therapy: Urinary incontinence Feature: Seniors EXPO event Health : Alleviate acid reflux naturally Mental: Find meaning in pain and illness

In addition to inheritance issues, if you are in a divo di rce, do you want your soon-to-be-ex making decisions about your health care?

The Most Important Thing in any Relationship

Unless you want your ex-spouse or soon-to-be-ex-spouse to have ha the power to pull the plug as you lay in a coma, ask your attorney about updating your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, as well as other adva ad nce directive ecti s. Also consider removing ective your ex-spouse as executor of your will or the trustee of your children’s inheritance.

I meet many people who want to shortcut legal matters with do-ityourself forms. That might work for insanely simple affa af irs, but if you have ha li d a full life, you will have live ha a variety of assets and accounts to leave lea to your heirs. You can pay an attorney now or leave lea it to your heirs to pay for an even more expensive expensi clean up. Get an inheritance check-up while you are still able to execute documents and control who gets what.

Contac nt t Trac ntac Tracy acy B. Stewart, CPA, CP PFS, PFS CF CDFA, CFF, CDF CFP® CF through ug her blog at ugh www.Texas www.T .TexasDi exasDivorceFin eF ance.com. eFin

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of the

Winner

2012

Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com

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Memory athlete trick: imagine locations

In my last article, I promised to create a column series to explain five gimmicks that memory athletes use.

These can be accomplished even by memory wimps, though perhaps not at a competitive level. Most people don’t want to be memory athletes, but they would like to remember things more easily and reliably. These techniques can accomplish that. Besides, they are fun.

Several thousand years ago, ancient Greek orators were noted for their ability to give hours-long speeches from memory.

How did they pull off such astonishing feats?

They invented a visual imagining technique where thoughts were mentally captured as dr. BILL KLeMM images in the mind’s The MeMory MeDic eye and mentally attached to familiar locations. This imagining technique is known as a method of location (MoL) (also called “Memory Palaces.” The idea is to use objects in a familiar area as anchor points or pegs for hanging the mental images of what you are trying to remember.

Here is a simple example. Consider the living room of your apartment or house. You are very familiar with each

object and its location in the room.

You use these as mental pegs, which is easy to do, because you already know their location. You just mentally walk about the room and mentally see each familiar object. In turn, one at a time, you attach a mental image of what you are trying to remember on the object peg in the room. For example, suppose you identify the front door as a starting point. The first object encountered might be a recliner chair, then a lamp, then a sofa, then a coffee table, then the TV set and so on. Now suppose you want to remember a daily “to do” list.

You might remember the trip to the post office by imagining the mailman at your door, the doctor’s appointment by seeing a stethoscope lying in the recliner, the grocery store by seeing the lamp making a stalk of celery sprout, the bookstore trip by seeing books stacked on your sofa, the kids’ soccer practice by seeing them kick the ball into the sofa, the evening PTA meeting by seeing a TV film crew filming you there and so on.

You can use other locations, such as body parts, specific places in your car or highly familiar routes in the yard or at work. To recall these stored items, simply retrace your steps. Like fishing lines, each memory is hooked to a location and you just reel them in.

A survey of people with superior memory revealed that nine of 10 employ MoL spontaneously. These techniques work even in older people.

A recent survey of seniors showed that MoL improved their memory capability. The MoL has also been used in people with depression to successfully store bits and pieces of happy autobiographical memories that they can easily retrieve in times of stress.

Modernizing the mnemonic In early 2012, a team of Canadian researchers gave the ancient MoL mnemonic a 21st century facelift.

They constructed several detailed virtual reality environments to serve as loci, rather than letting MoL learners generate their own.

One MoL test group used a familiar environment, while another used a virtual one. Both MoL groups outperformed the controls. In a related study, Kasper Bormans described using a virtual reality replica of their home to help patients with Alzheimer’s disease “store” the memory of their loved one’s faces using the MoL. The main point is that people can improve their memory ability by using MoL. Many studies show that MoL successfully slows memory

decline in the normal aging population, but why this happens is a complete mystery. That is, until recently.

Any time the brain learns something, physical and chemical changes occur in the brain, even in the elderly. Thus MoL should be able to change the brain for the better.

MRI brain maps have identified a surprisingly large structural change in the cerebral cortex of the MoLtrained volunteers. The amount of improvement in memory performance correlated with the amount of increased cortical thickening.

Similarly, a later study by this group showed that learning MoL increased the integrity of elderly participants’ white matter compared to controls.

Other researchers have determined that MoL training alters brain activity patterns in seniors. I know from experience that practicing MoL improves one’s imagination, and that, in turn, improves the ability to get more benefit from any method of memorizing. Besides, this is a more fun way to learn.

Bill Klemm is author of two books on improving memory, Memory Power 101 and Better Grades, Less Effort.. His blog is at thankyoubrain.blogspot.com.

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Medical professionals often warn that snack foods can be unhealthy, upsetting dieting plans and causing a person to consume more calories than is recommended. While a number of snack foods, particularly snacks that are laden with saturated fats, sodium and many calories, can be detrimental to your health, there are plenty of healthy snacks available to men and women who know where to look.

“Self” magazine reports Americans consume 26 percent of their calories at times other than breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many fitness plans actually recommend regular snacking as part of a “grazing” mentality. Grazing, or eating several small T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

meals per day rather than three large ones, can help keep metabolism primed and ready to burn calories.

Grazing also enables a person to avoid overeating at any particular meal. But grazing on the wrong foods can be counterproductive. That’s why selecting the right snacks is important.

• Aim for snacks that are 100 calories or less. One-hundred calorie snacks can help you fill you up and stave off hunger pangs. While there are plenty of prepackaged 100-calorie snacks available, you can easily make your own snack packs by being

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Urinary incontinence: What you can do and how a physical therapist can help I am a 50 year old who has an embarrassing problem. I leak urine whenever I sneeze, cough or laugh. Although I’ve had the problem for a few years, it is getting worse. If this wasn’t bad enough, I am now leaking before I make it to the toilet. I used to play tennis three days a week, but have stopped because I am embarrassed by the leakage that occurs whenever I play. I’m embarrassed to go out and visit friends.

My social life is shrinking. My doctor prescribed medication and told me to “do Kegel exercises,” but I don’t like taking medication and I’m not sure if I’m doing the exercises correctly. Is this just a normal part of aging that I have to learn to live with? If so, this is very depressing. S.H., Bryan Thank you for the question; you are not alone. In fact, more than 13,000,000 people in the United States have some form of urinary incontinence.

A careful evaluation of these individuals often reveals weakness in the pelvic floor muscles (the muscles located at the base of the abdominal cavity). Fortunately, the majority of these people can find significant relief from Leon Bradway incontinence with noninvasive techniques used by a physical Physical TheraPy therapist who has specialized training.

In general, incontinence refers to the leakage of urine at inappropriate times. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including stress, urge, mixed and functional incontinence. Stress incontinence is defined as involuntary leaking of urine during effort or exertion, such as during coughing, laughing, sneezing and lifting. It usually results from weakness and lack of support in the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Urge incontinence is defined as leaking urine associated with a strong urge to urinate. The underlying cause of urge incontinence is often unclear, but may be caused by urinary tract infections, bladder irritants, bowel problems, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, injury or nervous system damage associated with multiple sclerosis. Urge incontinence is also sometimes called overactive bladder. It is suspected that poor bladder habits (especially going to the bathroom too frequently) and bladder irritants (such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol) contribute to the condition. Pelvic floor muscle weakness with impaired muscle performance is often found in patients with urge incontinence.

Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence symptoms. It is often reported that leakage occurs with increases in pressure in

4 | May 6, 2014

the abdomen and with a strong urge to urinate.

Functional incontinence is defined as the loss of urine because of gait and locomotion impairment — an inability to get to the toilet quickly enough. It is not unusual for an elderly or disabled person to require 5 to 10 minutes to rise from a chair, walk with a walker to the toilet, maneuver in front of the toilet, lower his or her clothes and sit down.

It is a very distressing situation to lose bladder function. Knowing what is normal and what is not is the first step to getting the help you need. Answer these questions to help you decide whether you should see your primary care provider or a physical therapist trained in treating urinary incontinence.

1. Do you urinate more than eight times during an average day?

2. Do you wake up to urinate more than once after going to sleep?

3. Do you rush to get to the bathroom for fear of losing urine?

4. Do you worry about finding a bathroom quickly when you are away from home?

5. Do you leak urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze or lift something?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it may indicate a bladder condition that can be addressed by a physical therapist trained in this area.

A physical therapist can provide skilled training in exercises for the pelvic floor and the urinary sphincter muscles. Impaired muscle performance (impairment in strength, power or endurance) is the most commonly treated impairment of the pelvic floor muscles.

The muscles’ performance may be impaired by trauma during vaginal delivery, nervous system dysfunction, surgical procedures, decreased awareness of pelvic floor muscles, disuse, prolonged increased pressure in the abdomen and back or pelvic pain.

A physical therapist can

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determine if you are contracting the right muscles or use biofeedback techniques to help you identify and contract the right muscles. The physical therapist may also suggest using vaginal cones, which are weights that help strengthen the pelvic floor. These interventions can be effective for both stress and urge incontinence.

If you are embarrassed about having a bladder control problem, you may try to cope on your own by wearing absorbent pads, carrying extra clothes, frequently staying at home or avoiding exercise.

You may even cut back on drinking liquids and risk dehydration to avoid incontinent episodes.

However, there are better ways to manage urinary incontinence, and new treatments are continually being developed. It is important to visit with your doctor and ask about all your options. You’ll be on your way to regaining an active and confident life — and control of your bladder.

Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports Back and Pain Management Clinic.

See www.bvphysicaltherapy.com.

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Senior Circle is out to expand your horizons with an exciting calendar of better events scheduled around town and around the world. If you’re 50 or better, want to meet new people, learn more about your health, travel and just have f un, then Senior Circle is for you. Dues are just $15 a year. To join or for more information, call Mandy Williams at 979-764-5107 or visit CSMedCenter.com. Become part of the Circle.

Come play with someone your own age!

Trains, Wineries and Treasures of Northern California April 13-21, 2015 Tour California! From the historical Gold Rush to the awe-inspiring wilderness of Yosemite National Park, experience the countless hidden treasures among the most popular cities of Northern California. The tour begins in San Francisco where we will explore the beautiful “City by the Bay”, which highlights the famous cable cars, extensive Golden Gate Bridge, and the view from Twin Peaks.

The guided adventure will take you through the historic Gold Rush towns including Sonora and Sacramento with an opportunity to visit the California State Railroad Museum and unique shops along the way. Then, experience the popular vineyards of Sonoma and Napa. Sonoma County is home to one of California’s most fertile wine-growing regions. The elegant Napa Valley Wine Train encourages you to relax and enjoy the luxurious atmosphere combined with famous vineyard scenery.

To learn more about this scenic adventure, please attend the travel show on June 5, 2014 at 2:00pm located at 1651 Rock Prairie Road, directly across the street from the Med. S p o n s o re d b y

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A day for seniors

Seniors EXPO on May 21: entertainment and resources for elderly and their caretakers

By STAC ST Y CANTU Special to The Eagl Ea e

The 13th annual Seniors EXPO, which of offers inf mation that impacts seniors and infor their caretakers, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21 at the Brazos Center in Bryan.

This event will have ha an Olympics theme, and will feature entertainment, educational seminars, more than 95 vendor booths and door prizes.

“Seniors EXPO provides an opportunity for Brazos Valley seniors to enjoy live li ly entertainment, beneficial seminars and browse over 95 vendor booths,” said Mandy Williams, Senior Circle advisor ad . “Please join us and take adva ad ntage of the wealth of resources and infor inf mation available at this free event.”

The event, which is underwritten by H-E-B and sponsored by The Eagle, is planned each year by a committee comprised of various business representative ti s, primarily in the tive senior industry, industry Williams said.

“Seniors Expo is designed to showcase how businesses, organizations and activities acti in the Brazos Valley make our community a ‘senior friendly’ place to live, li as well as provide valuable resources to the seniors,” Williams said.

Entertainment includes the Rhythm Rockers (local senior line dancing team), Sweet Strings on the Brazos, The New Notes, Macee Martin (young, local talent) and Ray Sanders, Williams said.

There will be differ dif ent seminars every hour beginning

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at 10 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. Seminars will include “Give “Gi Dance a Chance for Better Health,” “Financial Planning” and “Crime Stoppers: Protecting Yourself Financially, Legally and Against Scammers.” Door prizes will be give gi n at the end of each session. Door prize winners will pick up their prize at the vendor’s booth.

As a grand prize for the event, Oldies 107.3 is providing a five-day Western Caribbean cruise for two from Galveston, on Carniva ni l niva Cruise Lines. The grand prize drawing will take place at 2:30 p.m., and the winner must be present to win.

The Seniors EXPO committee is in need of volunteers for the event, said Joanne Patranella, Seniors EXPO committee member.

“V “Volunteer shifts range from two hours to six hours, and duties range from greeting attendees to delive deli ring lunches to handing out door prizes,” Patranella said. “We “W would like to have ha all volunteer names submitted by May 15.”

To volunteer, lunteer or for more infor lunteer, inf mation, email seniorsexpo@gmail.com or call 2293578.

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Seminars schedule

10 a.m.: Jim Gerhardt - Competed on the USA Olympic Team in 1952 11 a.m.: Susan Quiring, Susan’s Ballroom Dance - “Give “Gi Dance a Chance for Better Health” Noon: Hays Glover, Warwick Partners - “Financial Self-Defense for Seniors” 1 p.m.: Cal McNeil, The Bank & Trust ; Bryan Police Department; Bill McGuire, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau; Maria Rodriguez, Rodgers, Miller & Rodriguez P.C. - “Crime Stoppers: Protecting Yourself Financially, Legally & Against Scammers” Note: Door pr prizes will be gi given away at the conclusion lusion of each session. Winners nner nners will collect door prize at vendor’s booth.

Entertainment schedule

9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Suzanne Woolard - piano, old gospel songs 10 a.m. - 1-:30 p.m.: Macee Martin country 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Ray Sanders tur y baster/trombone turke 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Macee Martin country 11:30 a.m. - noon: Robert and Vicki guitar/singing Noon - 12:30 p.m.: Sweet Strings on the Brazos - variety/ old-time/ folk music 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Rhythm Rockers line dancing 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: The New Notes Quartet - barber shop 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Keel Wheless classic country (‘60s and ‘70s) 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.: grand prize drawing T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Photos by JimBob McKown

Participants and visitors enjoy last year’s Seniors EXPO in Bryan. The annual event features seminars, entertainment, information on local resources for seniors and door prizes.

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May 6, 2014 | 7

Natural ways to alleviate acid reflux Metro Creative Connection

Acid reflux is one of the more common, not to mention painful, side effects of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The Florida Hospital estimates that more than 60 million adults in the United States suffer from symptoms of acid reflux each month, and almost half experience symptoms every day. Finding relief can be challenging, but there are a variety of treatments available, including some drug-free alternatives.

There is no cure for acid reflux, but there are ways to manage the condition and prevent permanent damage to the esophagus.

Many people rely on protonpump inhibitors, or PPIs, to keep acid reflux at bay.

PPIs are one of the more

commonly prescribed medications for acid reflux, and while they may be beneficial for short-term treatment of acid reflux, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently cautioned against prolonged use of PPIs. Many acidstopping medications can inhibit nutrient absorption, reduce resistance to infection and may cause vitamin deficiencies. They also have been shown to increase the risk of bone fractures and dementia.

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Rather than taking medication, some people might be able to make certain lifestyle changes to relieve acid reflux.

• Pay attention to the foods you eat. Acidic foods, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and even raisins, can increase the amount of acid in the stomach. Choose

foods that are less likely to aggravate symptoms and can alleviate pain and flare-ups.

Foods that will absorb acid are safe bets. For example,

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Finding meaning in pain and illness

My joints don’t work the way they used to. When I get up in the morning, it takes me a while to straighten up. I snap, crackle and pop.

Throughout the day my body reminds me I’m not 20 anymore – or 30, or 40 or 50. Like my high mileage 1994 Toyota, I need extra maintenance and care.

I sigh about such things, but they’re minor compared to chronic pain and illness - those consistent health struggles can take over our world and make it difficult to think about anything else.

Many battle with this. Some are so used to pain and physical suffering that they have a hard time imagining life without its grinding, oppressive influence.

Sandra and Stephen Gary roe are two such people. hosPice Sandra has been battling multiple sclerosis for three decades. She has managed her disease remarkably well, but it hasn’t been easy.

“It has been exhausting,” she said.

“There were times I had to put my life and dreams on hold, and it was so frustrating. It crushed me when I had to stop what I loved doing just to remain somewhat functional.”

As her disease process continued, it began to wear on Sandra emotionally.

“I got so depressed and anxious,” she said. “I started to hibernate and isolate myself from others. I couldn’t stand seeing happy, healthy people. I cried all the time.”

“Then one day I realized I was grieving,” she noted. “I had suffered a massive loss. I had lost myself, or who I thought I was.”

When we hear the word grief, we usually think of death. But death isn’t the only loss we encounter. We grieve when we lose our health, our independence or life as we’ve known it (or hoped it would be).

Stephen suffers from an autoimmune disorder.

“Life has been a challenge. The constant pain has been frustrating. It started when I was 17, and nobody had any answers. I got so angry. I struggled with ‘Why me?’ a lot,” he said.

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“There were times I wanted to quit – to give up, crawl into a hole somewhere and hide,” he added. “It was depressing, and sometimes still is.”

Amazingly, Sandra and Stephen are two of the most inspiring people I know. Even though their illnesses continue to progress, their hearts seem to be expanding. How is that possible?

Here are four key things I heard from both of them: 1. “I learned to accept what is.”

Stephen said, “As bad as it was, I knew the only way to deal with the pain was to rise to the occasion. If these were the cards dealt to me, I had to find a way to play them, giving me a fighting chance at a productive, happy life. I didn’t have to like it, but eventually I had to accept reality.”

Sandra agreed.

“One day I made a decision. I chose to deal with what was, rather than whining over how I wanted life to be. I accepted my illness as a handicap, and set out on a mission to live the best life possible in spite of it. That changed everything,” she said.

By accepting what is, we give ourselves a chance to grow even in debilitating circumstances.

2. “I learned to be thankful.”

Life has been called a series of losses. How we respond to loss when it occurs often determines our emotional quality of life.

Stephen decided to battle anger and frustration by learning to be thankful.

“I started focusing on what I could do instead of what I couldn’t.

I deliberately looked for things to be thankful for. I began each day by expressing thanks for five specific things, and then added five more at the end of the day. Over time, that’s had a big impact on my attitude. ” Sandra added, “I discovered that gratitude is a state of mind. What I dwell on mentally has great influence on my quality of life. I’m choosing to think on the good, to count my blessings, and make thankfulness a moment-by-moment habit.”

3. “I found a way to serve.”

Chronic limitations can dupe us into feeling worthless. That’s a lie we can’t afford to believe.

take life as it is, rather than as we wish “Just because I can’t do what I want it would be. Accepting where we are doesn’t mean I’m useless. Far from it!” isn’t the same as giving up. We accept Sandra shared. “I focused on others where we are at the moment, and deal and put an emphasis on serving. That with it. Hopefully, we don’t have to stay was huge for me.” there.

Stephen began volunteering.

And if we deal with reality as it is, “I served at a homeless mission. we can become genuinely thankful.

That put things into perspective,” The ability to practice gratitude in the he said. “I got involved in the prayer midst of suffering is powerful. That’s ministry at church because I knew I could always pray. I know my condition the stuff heroes and heroines are made of. will get worse and further limit what I Serving others is a way of turning can do, but I’m going to keep serving. illness on its head. Not only do we My heart can’t survive without it.” refuse to quit, we can actually use 4. “I learned to cultivate hope.” our trials as motivation to propel us Hope is like a plant that needs forward in making a difference in a cultivating. Without nurturing, world that desperately needs us. eventually it will wither.

And finally, dealing with what is, “There are times when hope seems practicing thankfulness, and serving far away and all is doom and gloom,” others in the midst of our pain Stephen related. “That’s OK. Those generates hope. Perhaps it’s hope that days may come. But we can’t afford to we’ll get better. Or maybe it’s the hope stay there.” that says, “Take that, suffering. You Friends, family and other may trouble me greatly, but you will supporters can play a vital role in not win. You cannot have my heart.” enriching our quality of life. Left to ourselves and our circumstances, hope Gary Roe is an author, speaker, can take a nosedive quickly. and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Sandra joined a support group for Valley. Visit him at www.garyroe. those with serious illnesses. com or contact him at groe@ “It was amazing to get to know hospicebrazosvalley.org. people like me. Suddenly I wasn’t alone,” she said.

We don’t need pat answers or attempts to help us feel better. We need safe people who will walk with us through this painful valley. Safe, nurturing relationships can stoke the fires of hope like nothing else.

Of course, pain isn’t only physical. Emotional pain is real, and many times more severe than its physical counterpart.

Depression and anxiety can be haunting. Fear Bryan, Texas and worry are common.

Who knows how much of our physical pain might Sunday nda Church School - 9:20am nday be related to unresolved hurts in our past or Sunday nda Worship Services - 10:45am nday stresses in our present?

In any case, Sandra 1100 Carter Creek Pkwy • 979-823-8073 and Stephen’s four www cbryan.org www.fp suggestions can still make a difference.

We must somehow

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May 6, 2014 | 9

CALENDAR Ongoing

Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Get a workout while sitting in a chair. Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. For more details, contact the center at 979-764-6351 or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx. gov.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact the center at 979-764-6351 or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels welcome to participate. Bring string instruments and a friend. For more details, contact the center at 979-764-6351 or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors every Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Southwood Community Center at 979-7646351 or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or

Fruits and veggies from page 3

conscious of nutrition labels. Measure serving sizes of healthy foods into separate containers so you’re less likely to eat more than is necessary.

• Fill up on fruits and vegetables.

Produce can make a healthy snack because it is generally low in calories, which means portion sizes will be larger than other high-calorie foods.

Many fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and other nutrients, which are needed to keep a body healthy. Many also make good sources of fiber, which can help you feel satiated longer between meals.

• Choose foods with healthy fats.

Not all fats are bad. Monounsaturated

10 | May 6, 2014

mrodgers@cstx.gov.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

New players welcome. For more details, contact Southwood Community Center at 979-7646351 or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact Annie Williams at Lincoln Center at 979-764-3779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

Exercising with Arthritis - Join other seniors every Thursday at 10:15 a.m. at Lincoln Center and learn how to exercise with arthritis. Contact Annie Williams at Lincoln Center at 979-764-3779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

May 7

Computer Club for Seniors - David Strawn will discuss digital photography and computers.

Meetings are held at the Carter’s Creek Training Room, 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Free and no preregistration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

May 12

Beginning Computer Class 101 - This class is designed for seniors who would like to learn how to use the Internet and email. Class meets

and polyunsaturated fats lower total cholesterol and bad cholesterol in the blood. Sources of good fats include nuts, olive oil, avocado, salmon, soy and sunflower oil. Skip foods that have high levels of saturated fats, which are mainly found in animal products.

Trans fats are perhaps the worst fats to eat, as they are produced by hydrogenation to give them a longer shelf life. Avoid foods that contain hydrogenated oils.

• Opt for snacks that mimic the texture of unhealthy snacks.

Sometimes you may crave something crunchy or a particular comfort food.

Choose a crunchy whole grain cereal over potato chips. If you desire a cool, creamy treat, frozen yogurt has much fewer calories than ice cream.

• Pack on the lean protein. Lean

for two weeks on Monday and Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road. Cost is $45. To register visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call 979-764-3486 for more information.

May 12

Intermediate Computer Class 102 - Basic computer skills required. Move to the next level and learn more tips on creating and storing documents. Class meets on Monday and Wednesday for two weeks from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road. Cost is $45. Register online at rectrac.cstx.gov or call College Station Parks and Recreation Department at 979-7643486.

May 15

Movie and Popcorn: “Gravity” - Seniors are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road. Movie starts at 1 p.m. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

May 19

Senior Advisory Committee meeting - The Senior Advisory Committee meets on the last Monday of each month at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road, at 10 a.m. For more information call 979-764-6371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

sources of protein, such as slices of turkey, egg whites and

soybeans, fill you will fill up and keep you feeling full longer than many

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May 21

Thirteenth annual Seniors EXPO – Will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brazos Center.

The free event will have more than 100 distributing information on services and programs available for seniors and lots of giveaways. Speakers are scheduled on the hour starting at 10 a.m., and include tips on how to avoid being scammed, benefits of dancing, expert financial advice and more. Local entertainers are scheduled throughout the day. For more information call 979-764-6371 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Exploring History Luncheon - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community. Jim Olson, former CIAagent, will present information on the Bush School of Public Service at Texas A&M University. The luncheon is held at Aldersgate Church, 2201 Earl Rudder Freeway S. in College Station. A reservation is necessary for lunch by the Friday before. Cost is $5. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will begin at noon. Reserve by calling 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

May 30

Bingo & Birthday Celebration - Seniors are invited to join on the last Friday of each month to celebrate birthdays for that month with cake and bingo. Prizes provided. Will be at 1 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road. For more details, contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

carbohydrates. A snack of sushi can fill you up quickly. One piece of fill a California roll is just 30 calories and has less than a gram of fat.

• Keep healthy snacks handy.

Always have a bag of healthy snacks handy in the event you get hungry.

This way you avoid a trip through the drive-thru or a pit stop for a doughnut or another snack.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Enhancers from page pa 8

food that can combat acid problems.

Stick to lean poultry that is baked, broiled or grilled. Remove the fatty skin, as it may cause digestive issues.

• Use natural digestion enhancers. Remember those homespun remedies Mom used to whip up when you had an upset stomach?

They can be equally effective for acid reflux.

Ginger root has long been used to calm the stomach.

Ginger can be made into

tea or added to recipes and smoothies.

Fennel, a licoriceflavored vegetable, may improve stomach function.

Some people like to eat it after a meal to aid digestion.

Parsley has been used as a medicinal herb to settle the stomach for thousands of years. Parsley can add flavor to meals and serve as an attractive garnish.

• Stock up on apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has uses beyond flavoring in favorite recipes. It also can soothe acid reflux symptoms.

It’s believed the vinegar plays a role in maintaining healthy bacteria in the stomach, and that this bacteria eases digestion. Try mixing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into four ounces

of water to drink before, during or after a meal.

Apple cider vinegar also can be spread on salad.

• Practice portion control at mealtime.

Overindulging at mealtime can cause intestinal discomfort, which may contribute reflux. Opt for to acid reflux. more frequent and smaller meals instead of larger infrequent ones.

Also, remain upright for two to three hours after eating to promote good digestion.

Celebrating 25 years of caring for patients with Clinical Excellence and Unwavering Compassion.

Bryan: 979-821-2266 Brenham: 979-277-9525 La Grange: 979-968-6913 Inpatient Facility: 979-821-5030 www.hospicebrazosvalley.org

• Elevate your head.

If acid reflux symptoms tend to strike at night or while you are lying down, elevating your head in bed can help. Use pillows to prop yourself up or find another way to keep your head elevated until symptoms subside.

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can decrease pressure on the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter,

• Shed some pounds. Many doctors recommend weight loss to alleviate acid reflux. Losing 10 to 15 pounds

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No tabacco from page pa 11

which is the muscle at the band of the stomach and esophagus.

• Quit tobacco products. Smokers have a higher incidence of GERD than nonsmokers, so quitting smoking may help alleviate acid reflux symptoms.

Even if stopping smoking has minimal effect on your acid reflux, it will still improve your overall health.

• Drink more water between meals. Water hydrates the body and

Did You Know?

P

flushes out toxins that can build up in the digestive tract. Water also may help dilute stomach acid. However, do not drink tons of water with a meal, as this may stimulate the stomach to produce more acid to maintain digestion. Chewing gum when water is not available can stimulate saliva production. Saliva is naturally alkaline and can counteract the overproduction of acid.

Acid reflux can be a nuisance or downright painful. Before reaching for medication, consider a few lifestyle changes to alleviate acid reflux.

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eople with diabetes know they must monitor their blood sugar levels on a daily basis. It’s vital to maintain a healthy level of blood sugar, and doing so often comes down to making smart dietary choices. Those who have diabetes should be careful when choosing sweeteners and foods that may cause rapid changes in their blood sugar. Agave syrup, a derivative of the agave plant, may provide a solution for diabetics. Agave has long been used in Mexico and other parts of Latin America as part of a traditional diet. Its recent introduction to the American market is likely a byproduct of increased interest in diabetic-friendly foods. Agave syrup has a low glycemic index, which is used to determine a food’s ability to raise blood sugar to a particular level within a given period of time. However, not all agave nectar and syrup is produced in the same way, so products often differ with regard to how they affect blood sugar levels.

Individuals with diabetes should exercise caution when introducing new foods into their diets and should continue to carefully monitor their blood sugar levels.

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