Boone County Shopper Senior Living May 2024

HAPPY

Mother’s Day

May

12th

Tips To Revitalize A Garden This Spring

Gardening is a

because it allows them to spend time outdoors, & that simple pleasure is indeed a notable benefit of working in a garden. But the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture notes that gardening provides a host of additional benefits, including helping people get sufficient levels of exercise, reduce stress & improve mood. With so much to gain from gardening, it’s no wonder people look forward to getting their hands dirty in the garden each spring. As the weather warms up, consider these tips to help bring a garden back to life.

• Discard the dead weight. Winter can take its toll on a garden, even in regions where the weather between December & early spring is not especially harsh. Discard dead plants that have lingered into spring & prune any perennials that need it. Branches that fell during winter storms also should be removed at this point if they have not previously been discarded.

• Test the soil. Soil testing kits can be purchased at local garden centers & home improvement retailers. Such tests are inexpensive & can reveal if the soil needs to be amended to help plants thrive in the months to come.

• Mulch garden beds. Mulching benefits a garden by helping soil retain moisture & preventing the growth of weeds. Various garden experts note that mulching in spring can prevent weed seeds from germinating over the course of spring & summer. That means plants won’t have to fight with weeds for water when the temperature warms up. It also means gardeners won’t have to spend time pulling weeds this summer.

• Inspect your irrigation system. Homeowners with in-ground irrigation systems or above-ground systems that utilize a drip or soaker function can inspect the systems before plants begin to bloom. Damaged sprinkler heads or torn lines can deprive plants of water they will need to bloom & ultimately thrive once the weather warms up.

• Tune up your tools. Gardening tools have likely been sitting around gathering dust since fall. Serious gardeners know that tools can be expensive, so it pays to protect that investment by maintaining the tools. Sharpened pruners help make plants less vulnerable to infestation & infection. Well-maintained tools like shovels & hoes also make more demanding gardening jobs a little bit easier, so don’t forget to tune up your tools before the weather warms up.

It’s almost gardening season, which means gardeners can start on the necessary prep work to ensure their gardens grow in strong and beautiful this spring.

Memorial Day, May 27, 2024

Memorial Day is celebrated annually on the last Monday of May across the United States. The proximity of Memorial Day to the summer solstice has led many to view the weekend preceding the holiday as the unofficial kickoff to summer. However, Memorial Day is about more than backyard barbecues and weekend getaways. Memorial Day honors service personnel who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday’s inspiration & lengthy history merits consideration as the nation prepares to commemorate countless soldiers’ sacrifices once more.

The Belvidere VFW Post 1461 will commemorate Memorial Day with a parade at 10 AM. The parade route will begin on Main Street at the parking lot by Belvidere City Hall & continue down Main Street toward Big Thunder Park where a ceremony will be held. The VFW will be serving dogs and brats at the Post that evening at 5 PM. The VFW is located at 1310 W. Lincoln, Belvidere.

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

Tips To Prevent Pickleball Injuries

Pickleball has inspired millions of devotees. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, roughly 36.5 million individuals played pickleball in 2022, & 45% of players who participated in a YouGov study conducted between August 2021 & August 2022 indicated they planned to play more pickleball in the coming six months than they had in the previous six months. Pickleball is thriving, & that’s great news for those who love the game. Unfortunately, pickleball also has proven beneficial to orthopedic practices. A 2023 analysis from UBS estimated pickleball injuries could cost Americans nearly $400 million in 2023. Seniors are especially vulnerable to pickleball injuries, as a 2021 study published in the journal Injury Epidemiology found that 86% of emergency room visits related to pickleball injuries affected individuals 60 & older.

Injuries are a part of any sport, and pickleball is no different. Though there’s no foolproof method to guarantee pickleball players don’t get hurt playing the game they love, the following are some tips that can reduce injury risk.

• Gear up. Pickleball is a competitive sport, but there’s a tendency among some players, particularly novices, to take a casual approach to the game. Veteran players may know better, but anyone new to the game should be sure to wear the appropriate gear when playing. Athletic shoes with ample traction can reduce the likelihood that players will slip or fall. The right racket also can reduce risk for elbow injuries. The sporting goods experts at Dick’s Sporting Goods note that paddles should feature a light to medium weight, comfortable grip & a large sweet spot. The right paddle will be different for everyone, so novices are urged to speak to veteran players for advice on which paddle might be best for them.

• Embrace physical activity. Pickleball can be a great workout, & players can reduce their injury risk by embracing physical activity even when they are not playing. Leg exercises can help build lower body strength, but strength exercises that focus on the upper body also can reduce injury risk.

• Loosen up before playing. Taking the court right after getting out of the car is a recipe for injury. Arrive five to 10 minutes before a game & use that time to loosen up. A short walk & some subsequent stretches can help players make sure their bodies are not too tight to play. Some brief warm-up exercises & stretching can reduce muscle tension & make the body less vulnerable to injury.

• Hydrate before, during & after a game. The experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine note that water cushions the joints, which helps athletes maintain their flexibility. Flexibility can reduce injury risk, particularly in a sport like pickleball. The 2021 study published in Injury Epidemiology noted that 60% of pickleball injuries are sprains, strains or fractures. Remaining flexible can reduce athletes’ risk for sprains & strains. Johns Hopkins recommends adults consume between six & 12 ounces of water for every 20 minutes of sports play & to drink between 16 & 24 ounces afterward.

Pickleball is wildly popular, even though pickleball injuries are common. Players can embrace various strategies to reduce their injury risk.

Join The Belvidere Park District For Some Pickleball

The Belvidere Park District will host their Pickleball on the Path Tournament on June 1st. This is a fun-filled, single day double elimination tournament for all level players! Two players allowed per team, and you will sign up and compete with that team! Divisions will be split into beginner, intermediate, and expert depending on the number registered. Champions will be crowned with bragging rights & medals! The cost per team is $30.

If you are interested in signing up as an individual to be placed with a teammate of your skill level, please contact tkuchenreuther@belviderepark.org. Please register by May 24th at www.belviderepark.org or in person at Rivers Edge Recreation Center, 1151 W. Locust Street, Belvidere Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM. The tournament will take place at the Pickleball Courts in Belvidere Park.

The Park District also offers open pickleball at Rivers Edge on Friday nights from 6-9 PM. The drop-in fee is $3. You may purchase a Pickleball Pass that is good for one year from the date of purchase for just $60.

Boone County Museum of History Lecture Series

The Boone County Museum of History will continue their lecture series on May 16th at 6 PM in the Grand Gallery of the Museum. The program will be The History, Mission & Purpose of Boone County Conservation District with BCCD Executive Director, Joshua Sage. The lectures are free to sustaining members, $5 for regular members and $10 for non-members.

The Museum is located at 314 S. State Street in Belvidere. For more information about the Museum and their lecture series, please call 815-544-8391. Mark your calendars for the next lecture: June 20th - Neighborhood Grocery Stores with Historical Society Board President and historian, Carol Rowe.

Live Your Best Life

Our

I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

The Significance Of Cinco De Mayo

Contrary to one popular misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexican independence. A ccording to History.com, Mexico’s Día de la Independencia is commemorated on September 16. So what does Cinco de Mayo commemorate? Cinco de Mayo commemorates an improbable Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Though Cinco de Mayo is now celebrated across the United States, it remains a minor holiday in Mexico that is primarily observed in the state of Puebla. Knowledge of the holiday’s origins may or may not be widespread among American celebrants, many of whom view Cinco de Mayo as a celebration of Mexican culture.

Family Celebration For Cinco De Mayo

Do you like to learn about different cultures while having fun? If so, come & join the Ida Public Library for their Cinco De Mayo Family Celebration on Friday, May 3rd at 3 PM. The afternoon will include fun games, activities, music & crafts. Space is limited so sign up to reserve your spot. Visit the Ida Public Library at 320 N. State Street, Belvidere Monday-Thursday 10 AM - 8 PM, Friday & Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM. They are closed on Sundays. For more information about the library or the Cinco de Mayo Celebration call 815-544-3838.

Directions 1. Wash hands with soap & water. Gently rub produce under cool running water. 2. Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl & refrigerate. Use within four days.

Note: Recipe make about 3 cups of Pico de Gallo.

Tips To Find A Home Health Aide

A desire to live independently seems to be part of human nature. Though that desire may continue to burn as individuals approach retirement age, unforeseen circumstances like medical issues or the death of a partner may result in a need to work with a professional caregiver.

Home health aides (HHAs) can help aging individuals or those with certain physical or cognitive limitations live full lives without requiring them to move into assisted living facilities or seek alternative housing arrangements. HHAs provide a host of services, & individuals living in well-populated areas may have no shortage of options as they seek to hire a professional to help themselves or a loved one with the tasks of daily life. Individuals or families beginning their search for a home health aide can keep these tips in mind.

• Identify the services required. There are several main areas to assess when identifying which services individuals may need help with. Personal care consists of bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, & grooming. Household care involves cooking, cleaning, laundry, & shopping. HHAs who provide medical care may help clients manage medications, provide physical therapy & help clients get to their doctor’s appointments. Companionship is a component of emotional care, which also may entail engaging clients in meaningful activities & conversation. Identifying services required can help individuals & their families find professionals who can help.

• Seek recommendations from trusted doctors & confidantes. An individual who needs daily assistance at home can ask his or her physician for recommendations (family members can ask as well). Physicians undoubtedly have had previous patients who have benefited from the services of HHAs, so they can likely recommend local professionals. Trusted confidantes, such as neighbors, relatives & friends, who have been in similar situations, or have family members who have required HHAs, also can be an invaluable resource.

• Contact a local agency. Various agencies are likely in operation within a reasonable distance of a person’s home, though, far fewer agencies serve rural areas. Contacting a local Home Care Agency can put individuals & their families in contact with professionals who can help match people with particular needs with HHAs who specialize in such care or have extensive experience providing a range of home care services.

• Look into a direct-hire group. AARP® notes that direct-hire agencies maintain networks of independent caregivers & facilitate connections between those professionals & individuals & families seeking help. When working with a direct-hire group, inquire about their fees & ask if they can share any information regarding how to pay independent contactors who can be found through their agencies. It’s also important to ask if direct-hire groups formally vet professionals that can be found through them or if individuals & families must conduct their own background checks.

Individuals who need some assistance with daily living can employ various strategies to find home health aides who can provide such services.

Pico de Gallo

& deliver it as quickly as overnight. Call to schedule your private, in-person or virtual consultation. 815-544-6629

3rd Annual Jack Wolf Memorial Golf Outing

Submitted By: Kelly Hillan, Exec. Director of The Keen Age Center

Join Boone County Council on Aging (BCCA) for the 3rd Annual Jack Wolf Memorial Golf Outing on May 17, 2024, at the beautiful Timber Pointe Golf Club. Get ready for an exciting day of golf with a noon tee time. This event is a great opportunity to enjoy a day on the greens while supporting BCCA and Keen Age Center.

Don’t miss out on this chance to help BCCA make a difference in the lives of Boone County’s older adults. Essential services provided include skillful information and assistance, loving non-medical in-home care, convenient public transportation, along with Keen Age Center’s recreation and well-being programs.

If you are interested in participating in the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Steve at (779) 552-7246 or visit our website at www.keenage.org. We are looking forward to a beautiful day & a fantastic time on the golf course!

Presented by:

Hosted by:

3rd Annual

5 Common Mental Health Conditions

Mental health disorders are more common than one may think. Despite dramatic strides in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, there are some who remain hesitant to bring up mental health issues. However, the World Health Organization says one out of every eight people around the world lives with a mental disorder. Considering there are nearly eight billion people in the world, that equates to one billion with a mental health condition.

Mental disorders affect thinking, feeling, mood, & behavior. Some mental health conditions can be chronic, while others are temporary, indicates MedlinePlus. Mental illness can result from life experiences, traumatic brain injury, genes, family history, & other biological factors. The following are some of the common mental health conditions people may experience.

1. Anxiety disorders - Anxiety disorders are a group of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, social phobias, specific phobias, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are characterized by feelings of worry, fear and nervousness that are strong enough to interfere with daily activities.

2. Depression - Depression involves feeling sad, irritable or empty. Loss of pleasure or interest in activities, including ones that were once enjoyed, can occur. These feelings need to occur every day, for most of the day for at least two weeks to be classified as depression, says the WHO. People with depression often feel hopeless about the future, may have changes in sleeping patterns, may have changes in appetite, & may feature low energy.

3. Eating disorders - WebMD indicates eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors involving weight, body image and food. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are the most common eating disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder also is a mental health condition, and it involves worry about flaws in appearance, which can be related to eating disorders.

4. Addiction and impulse control disorders - Individuals with impulse control & addiction disorders are unable to resist the urges to perform acts that can be harmful to themselves or others. These behaviors can include using drugs or alcohol, gambling, sexual addictions, kleptomania, and others.

5. Bipolar affective disorder - This is a type of mood disorder previously known as “manic depression.” Someone with this condition experiences episodes of mania (elation) and depression, says Better Health Victoria, an Australian health resource.

Speaking with a doctor about mental health conditions is the first step to getting help. There are many different treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, medication, meditation, & other options.