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Senior Life

Enjoying the Golden Years in the Adirondack Region • Fall 2016

INSIDE:

Looking for

memories

Local historians want to know more about ‘Doc Goff’ courts, Page 6

Jim Bullard, RSVP Literacy Volunteer, standing outside the Literacy Volunteers building in Port Henry. See more on page 3. (photo provided)

Happy Clown

Sprague fights against stereotype hurting her profession Page 7 Saturday, November 5, 2016

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RSVPÊ NewsÊ &Ê Notes:Ê VolunteersÊ bringÊ joyÊ toÊ others

A

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salute to a Literacy Volunteer: Jim Bullard has been an RSVP Literacy Volunteer since 2013, but started his volunteering service for Literacy Volunteers of Essex County 14 years ago. In a letter to our office, he shared his passion for serving our community through literacy. Bullard said as a child, his home was always filled with books and he had a grandmother who would read to him and his brother by the hour. After college and at the end of the Korean War, he was drafted and sent to Germany. During his tour of duty, he was told by a young officer that he was going to become a school teacher to soldiers who did not have a sixth grade diploma and would not be able to get a “decent retirement” without one.

“In early February 1956, I found myself in a classroom with about 30 men, sergeants, corporals, and even some privates,” he wrote. “With all their diversity of experience, they had in common impoverished origins in rural Depression America, the response to Pearl Harbor, and lack of civilian alternative opportunity to account for their educational deficiencies and Regular Army career choice.”

Bullard said they had sixty days before the necessary exam.

“Those thirty men coalesced into a marvelous mix of learning... Better readers found themselves tutoring poor readers…There were long hours of correcting each other’s grammar and spelling. We took the Stars and Stripes apart and put it back together again… Leaders emerged from former followers.” Bullard wrote he “learned what time, patience and motivation could do for those who wanted to make the effort.” He later found out all but one or two of the men passed the exam.

Bullard said when he moved to Westport in 1999, he learned about Moriah Shock, and also met the then director of Literacy Volunteers. “Memories flickered,” he wrote.

“I like to think LVA has helped young people deal positively with some of the same problems of poverty and official insensitivity my Army guys faced fifty years ago.”

Bullard said as a volunteer, he finds he can “really, really help people.”

“I’m told, together with the other Literacy Volunteers at Moriah Shock, we’re really making a difference and helping to raise the literacy scores of Moriah Shock,” he added.

We salute Jim’s dedicated service. If you’d like to join Jim in the rewarding work of literacy, phone 546-3565 to find out how.”

New Volunteer Coordinator: Essex County RSVP welcomes their new Volunteer Coordinator, Mikaela Foster. She began working for RSVP in August and holds office hours in Port Henry, Monday – Friday. Originally from Central New York, she served in the United States Marine Corps and following active duty, earned a Bachelors and Master’s Degree from SUNY Potsdam. She began her Adirondack experience working for the Times of Ti and then transitioned to RSVP. Foster said she’s excited to be on board and looks forward to serving the community in this capacity for years to come.

New Growing Stronger Exercise Classes: RSVP is happy to announce two new Growing Stronger exercise classes. In Minerva, Sue Crouse is leading a class Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 10:00am at the Minerva Town Hall. In Elizabethtown, Judy Cross is teaching an additional class on Thursdays, at Boquet River from 11:30am-12:30pm. Other classes are available in Essex County. In Willsboro- at the Willsboro Congregational Church. In Port Henry- at St. Patrick’s. In Elizabethtownat the Hand House. In Ticonderoga- at the Armory.

Tax Aide Recruitment: RSVP is looking for volunteers for an Essex County VITA Tax Prep Site. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve as an IRS certified tax preparer!

And it’s a great seasonal opportunity! No experience is needed and FREE training is offered! If you like flexible hours and working in a fun, fast-paced environment, call RSVP at 546-3565 today!

An update on “The Community Friendship Volunteer Program”: As mentioned in previous Senior Life, RSVP is partnering with: Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network, Mercy Care of the Adirondacks and Essex County Office for the Aging to start the new The Community Friendship Volunteer Program, which will help elders stay connected to their communities and grow older at home.

It extends friendship, companionship and reassurance to older adults living in their own homes by pairing up a volunteer with a senior in need. The Community Friendship Volunteer Program will begin serving the southern Lake Champlain region, then branch out to other areas of the county. The communities of Ticonderoga, Crown

Point. Mineville, Witherbee, Moriah and Port Henry will be the first to enjoy the new Community Friendship Volunteer Program. Friendship volunteers will get to attend a training provided by Mercy Care of the Adirondacks, Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network and Office for the Aging free of charge in Ticonderoga.

Do you like to chat and get to know another senior?

Would you like to share of yourself and the outside world with someone who may not have any company?

Do you have an hour a week to play cards, have a cup of coffee, or take a stroll?

Do you believe kindness and companionship are important as we grow older?

Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life?

If you’re interested in becoming a friendship volunteer, call 546-3565 to sign up for The Community Friendship Program training, which will be coming soon.

Essex County RSVP operates throughout Essex County. We serve the communities of Schroon Lake, Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Moriah, Westport, Elizabethtown, Essex, Lewis, Willsboro, Jay, St. Armand, Keene and more. We have a diverse group of volunteers and some wonderful volunteer opportunities throughout the county. It is our mission to engage men and women age 55 and older in meaningful volunteer service that strengthens the well-being of both self and community.

To contact us about any RSVP volunteer opportunities please call Mikaela at 5463565 or email: rsvp@logical.net. We value all our volunteers and hope to hear from you soon.

Mikaela Foster at recent RSVP Recognition luncheon in Plattsburgh. (Photo taken by Barb Brassard, retired RSVP Director)

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ChurchÊ setsÊ fundraisingÊ goalsÊ forÊ elevator WILLSBORO — The road to salvation can be steep.

Literally.

A tall flight of stairs grants access to St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro. Navigating them is becoming increasingly difficult for the flock who attends Sunday mass.

Nowhere is the problem more critical than for the dozen-or-so parishioners from the Champlain Valley Senior Community, located just a few hundred yards down Main Street.

Each Sunday, a van pulls up and the elderly residents disembark. One by one, they must utilize the chair lift, a long and cumbersome process that sees bottlenecks at either end as lines build and staffers and volunteer carry medical equipment up and down the stairs.

The process is taxing on the parishioners, many of whom are frail, and medical emergencies are not uncommon at services, said Father Francis Flynn.

“Every Sunday, something happens,” Flynn said, ticking off a series of recent incidents (none of which were fatal).

“As many people as we have been helping, something always happens,” he said. “When you have 10 to 15 every Sunday, it’s overwhelming.”

The incidents also tend to delay services, which are already on a tight schedule.

Flynn administers to four parishes, including St. Philip Neri in Westport, where he presides over an 8:30 a.m.

Mass. Once the last wafer is distributed and hand shook, he zips over to Willsboro for the 10:30 a.m. service.

An aluminum ramp along the side of the imposing stone building provides an alternative, but the winding structure is seldom used, Flynn said, particularly in the winter, when it is iced over and hazardous.

“Between the ramp and the chair, there are accidents waiting to happen,” said Paul White, a deacon.

Still others have stopped attending services due to the lack of access, he said.

St. Philip’s occupies a tight space on Main Street, and

The installation of an elevator at St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church in Willsboro is critical for the safety of elderly parishioners, said Father Francis Flynn. The church has launched a capital campaign to fund the project. solutions are scant.

The best-care scenario to safeguard against mishaps is the installation of an enclosed elevator at the front of building, which would allow ground-level access and transport attendees up one story to the main worship area.

“We’ll wheel them in, they’ll go up, and wheel them out,” Flynn said.

Initial specs by Architectural & Engineering Design Associates put the project at $100,000.

The parish has already raised $50,000, and have launched a capital campaign for the remainder.

“We have to raise all the money before we get permission from the [Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg]

to do it,” Flynn said. “It has to be all pledges, donations of one form or another, or grants.”

Flynn said he has already spoke with state Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury), who dialed the parish into possible grant funding. Additional options are also available through the diocese.

Flynn and White said the lift is simply good planning.

The easier access may appeal to young families, including those with strollers. And aging is inevitable.

“It’s an aging parish, and most people are going to need it,” Flynn said.

For more information, contact St. Philip of Jesus at 518-963-4524 or the Diocese of Ogdensburg at 315393-2920 ext. 1210.

WhatÊ WasÊ IÊ Saying?Ê

By Craig W. Armstrong

A

s we age, things change. This is not news to anyone, but many of these changes can be frustrating. Take your memory for instance.

Have you ever heard someone say that children are like sponges, because they absorb everything? That’s because their little brains haven’t been filled with things yet. By the time we hit our mid 50’s, our brains are crammed with things. In scientific terms our brains have developed millions of neural pathways. These well-worn paths allow us to do many things without even thinking, so to speak. But they make our brains complacent.

Something else people are fond of saying is that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” In essence they are saying you can’t create new neural pathways. Science has proven that this is not true. With the right stimulus, the brain can create new neural pathways. This ability is called neuroplasticity.

So how do you create new neuro pathways and thus improve your memory and brain function? There are many ways, both physical and mental. Let’s start with the obvious. Your brain needs to be stimulated. There are millions of brain games available and with the advent of smart phones; they can be right at your fingertips. There are just a few things that these games need to include.

First, make sure that it is a challenge. It needs to be something that requires your full attention, not something that you can do halfheartedly. It should also be something that teaches you something new. Learning is stimulating to your brain. Make sure it is something with levels. You need to keep the challenge alive. Make it something where you can work your way up and advance. Finally make sure you are enjoying it. If you’re not having fun, you probably won’t stick with it.

Along with exercising your brain, you need to exer-

cise your body. They are connected and physical health has a direct effect on mental health. Exercise wards off disease, keeps your heart healthy, reduces stress, aids in digestion and helps with sleep. There is no downside to exercise.

Of course along with exercise goes a healthy diet.

Make sure you are getting your omega-3s. Research has shown that they are very beneficial to brain health.

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. As we grow older, we don’t sleep as well. But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Get on a regular sleep schedule and stick with it.

Being social can also improve brain function. This means getting off the couch and spending time with friends and attending social events. The more interaction with people, the more your brain is forced to function and adapt.

What was I saying? Oh yeah, not being as mentally sharp as you once were, is a normal part of aging. But with the right stimulus and maintaining your body, you can improve your brain function and create new neuro pathways. We have to age, but we can put up a fight.

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FunÊ &

Games

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AreaÊ residentsÊ rememberÊ DocÊ Goff,Ê hisÊ livelyÊ presenceÊ andÊ practice Historians collecting stories, memories and funds to place commemorative plaque at Marcy Field in Keene Valley

By Kim Dedam

kim@suncommunitynews.com

to his dying father.

In those days, Bartley pointed out, being a single mother and a working mom was unusual.

And Bartley does have notes from an oral interview done years ago that might provide a clue, drawing from a conversation with centenarian of the Coonrod family, Celia Cross Coonrod, who lived to be 104.

Coonrod told Bartley that her elders had been caretakers of the ailing Mrs. Hanna Felt Goff (Doc’s grandmother) at Poke-O-Moonshine.

And Hanna had tuberculosis, Bartley said.

After the marriage dissolved, little Alphonzo Goff and his mother had lived with his grandmother, Sophronia Garland Rand, in Willsboro before moving to Keene where she worked at a hat maker and later at the Keene Post Office.

And Alice Rand Goff also lived for a while with her brother, Dr. Hannibal Rand, who practiced medicine in Keene.

Bartley suggests this may have provided the early role model for Doc, even through her research uncovered some news records, one describing how “Belva Otis, of Keene, said her mother took care of Alphonzo when he was young. He was a sad, lonely little boy, very thin and plain,” the story said.

Bartley has also obtained rare images from the Rand family of the doctor as a young lad. Several photos document his pre-medical occupation as a schoolteacher at the East Hill school in Keene, where he worked for a few years until 1912.

There are also photos now in the Dr. Goff Collection of the U.S. Army medic contingent he served with at the Mexican border.

Goff had enrolled at the University of Vermont Medical College at the age of 22, participating in what was then an early ROTC program. His Army medical service helped cover the cost of medical school. He graduated in 1919.

So far, Bartley and Austin have very few actual photos of Goff on the job as physician.

But voices of many in these towns are filling that void

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ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County and Keene historians are gathering recollections of the life and work of longtime country doctor, Dr. Alphonzo “Doc” Goff.

Reminiscence filled the boardroom at University of Vermont Health Network, Elizabethtown Community Hospital for hours on a recent Sunday afternoon.

Historian Maggie Bartley, a trustee of the Adirondack History Center Museum, shared research she’s completed on Doc Goff ’s upbringing, early education, adventures and the vivid — if not downright colorful — presence he brought for more than 60 years to homes, hospitals and clinics around the county.

In Keene, local historian (and former patient) Donna Reed Austin is collecting important papers and memorabilia from Dr. Goff ’s life. The items, kept at Keene Valley Library, already include the skull cap he wore while flying airplanes and his black doctor’s bag, complete with pill and prescription bottles.

“His territory was all around Essex County,” Austin said.

“And he always had a gun in his Jeep, in case he saw a deer.”

Many of the 20 or so residents attending the lecture chuckled, nodding at mention of this fact.

“Well, I don’t believe that, do you?” one gentleman said, turning a sly grin to Lew “Bud” Egglefield.

“I do,” Bud said, raising a wise eyebrow.

Of course Goff ’s all-season hunting wasn’t “jacking deer” then.

Others remember the doctor firing at game from an airplane and his racetrack-worthy driving style.

Egglefield recalled a story about how once Goff was stopped for driving fast by a state trooper, who asked if he had a pilot’s license.

At that point, Egglefield said, the country doctor presented the officer with the document.

Bartley created a slideshow presentation touching on important facts she’s found about Goff ’s life and she shared the show for the first time at ECH. The genealogical and documented research scrolled through his birth, education and military records. Written and oral documents are being gathered to complete the record.

Bartley has unearthed several old photographs of the doctor’s father’s (Goff) family homestead at the foot of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in Lewis.

His grandfather, Orin Goff, built the farm there, which was destroyed by fire in 1946.

Doc Goff ’s parents met soon after his mother, Alice Rand, started working as a schoolteacher at Poke-OMoonshine, Bartley said.

But his father, William Goff, separated and divorced his mother not long soon after their only child was born.

“We do not know what happened,” Bartley said.

Doc’s father, according to historic records, only saw his son twice: once while peering through a window soon after he was born; the second time as Doc attended

with living memory.

Egglefield remembered family stories about his late brother Spencer Egglefield being born on a really cold day, Jan. 19, 1923. Doc Goff traveled through subzero temperatures wearing a thick coonskin coat.

“He (Doc Goff) left the coonskin coat to wrap my brother in,” Egglefield said.

Longtime Elizabethtown Pharmacist John Bottiroli recalled the early collection of prescriptions written down on envelopes and scraps of paper.

State authorities questioned the makeshift medical records, Bottiroli said, adding that making do was sometimes a necessary part of rural medical practice.

No one at the ECH lecture recalled the doctor taking any monetary payment for his services.

In fact, his words after delivering remedies or babies or splinting a broken bone were, “That’s it. You don’t owe me anything.”

The collection of stories and items is ongoing, likely to have a permanent residence in Keene.

MEMORIES WANTED...

Anyone who wishes to write down or add their stories to the ongoing Doc Goff research collection can contact the Adirondack History Center by mail, phone or email: Adirondack History Museum PO Box 428, 7590 Court Street Elizabethtown, NY 12932 Phone: (518) 873-6466 Email: echs@adkhistorymuseum.org People can also call Donna Austin in Keene at (518) 576-9565.

Historians are accepting donations to purchase place a bronze plaque at Marcy Field in Doc Goff’s memory.

The field between Hamlets of Keene and Keene Valley was dedicated to the doctor in 1974.

Lew “Bud” Egglefield wrote down some of his memories at a recent history lecture, presented by Maggie Bartley, on the life and work of Dr. Alphonzo “Doc” Goff, who practiced through the 1970s and founded the hospital in Keene, now the Neighborhood House.

ABOVE:

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Senior Life • Fall 2016 | 7

MoriahÊ clownÊ justÊ wantsÊ toÊ entertain

“It’s evil,” local clown says of creepy clown sighting epidemic

By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

MORIAH – There are good clowns and now there are bad clowns.

A national phenomenon of sinister-looking clowns popping up briefly to frighten children is worrisome to Cathy Sprague, who’s appeared as Penelope the Clown for 38 years.

The Moriah resident is speaking out to alert people that the bad clowns are not representative of the clown community at-large.

In Vermont, two reports have been made of clowns scaring children. Reports have also surfaced in the Capital District and across upstate New York.

Sprague said the threatening clowns are copying each other and it has to stop.

“Everybody feels the same way,” she said. “In Williston, the creepy clown was scaring kids at an elementary school. The children were terrified.”

Williston Police cited a juvenile for disorderly conduct on Oct. 5 for menacing children dressed as a clown at the Howard Center’s Jean Garvin School.

“The serious part is, it’s affected my business,” Sprague said. “I’ve lost jobs. Someone cancelled out.”

Sprague said she’s a professional clown who abides by the clown code of ethics.

“Clowns do not scare people,” she said. “It’s against the clown ethics.

It’s bad for the children. It’s evil.”

She said as a result of the problem, some communities have banned clown costumes for Halloween.

Sprague posted a message on her Facebook page about the creepy clowns, in which she wrote: ”I am so sick and tired about everyone trying to make clowns look bad.

“I have a passion for making people laugh and be happy.”

She received calls from reporters for WCAX TV 3 and WVNY/WFFF TV 22/44, both of Burlington, Vt., who soon showed up to interview her.

“It’s (the post) gone viral,” she said. “Last time I looked, 216 people had shared it, and their friends shared it. Then the TV crews were here.

“That’s good. I want people to know clowns are not bad.”

Cathy Sprague talks with children on the streets of Port Henry dressed as Penelope the Clown. Sprague is denouncing the bad press clowns are getting because of the nationwide surge in people dressed as creepy clowns.

Photo by Lohr McKinstry

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FacingÊ theÊ challengesÊ of Ê DatingÊ AfterÊ 50

By Tresa Erickson ike all good things, marriage must come to an end. In the case of widowers, it is bittersweet. In the case of divorcees, it may be more bitter than sweet. Either way, a number of seniors are now single and looking to date. One of the most popular ways for seniors to meet others is through the Internet. Various online dating sites are available, some geared toward people age 50 and up. If you are interested, read on for more information.

Before you do anything, consider whether you are ready to date. Have you been single for a while? Are you in a good place? If you are feeling sad, angry or disappointed because of a past relationship, now may not be the time to date. You need to be in a good frame of mind in order to open yourself up to others and develop a healthy relationship in the future. f you are ready, make sure you do your homework. Check out as many online dating sites as possible. Ask friends and family for referrals. Learn everything you can about sites of interest, from specialty to security. Some sites are free, while others charge fees. Some sites are open to anyone age 18 and up, while others cater to people of a certain age, faith or interest. Some sites are more secure than others. Know what you are getting into before you launch a profile.

When you have selected a few sites of interest, you can get to work on your profile. Select a good photo of yourself, preferably a recent photo that reflects your appearance now, age spots, wrinkles and all. Discuss your choices, values

L

I

and goals in life, but don’t go overboard. You don’t want to come off as self-involved.

When you have finished writing your profile, have a trusted friend look it over and give you some feedback. Take their suggestions seriously. You want to be true to yourself and set the right tone.

Act with caution after posting your profile. Talk to responders by cell phone or online.

Keep the conversation casual, making sure not to reveal any personal details that could identify where you live or work.

Should you decide to meet with someone, arrange to do so in public where there will be a lot of people. Drive yourself to and from the meeting spot. Take the time to get to know the person before you divulge a lot about your life. You never know when someone may be fudging the truth or have ulterior motives.

Be realistic about your prospects. Most

people do not meet “the one” right away.

It may take months for you to meet a person you really like and want to date long term. Be patient, go slow and be forthcoming. When it comes to online dating, honesty really is the best policy. If you go on a date with someone who doesn’t interest you, let them know. Don’t continue to go out with them just to spare their

feelings. Eventually, they will catch on, and it could get ugly. Don’t waste your time or theirs. Let them down easily and move on.

Online dating is not easy, whether you’re 20 or 60. Take your time, stick with it, and someday, you may find the one. At the very least, you will widen your social circle and make new friends.

TakeÊ advantageÊ of Ê theÊ goldenÊ opportunitiesÊ of Ê goldenÊ years

By Tresa Erickson

S

ome seniors turn 65 and retire. Some don’t.

They may not be able to afford to retire or simply want to keep working. Either way, they stay in the workforce, perhaps in the position they have always been, perhaps in a new position altogether. Some jobs, of course, are better for seniors than others. If you plan to stay in the workforce and are looking for a new opportunity, consider the following.

Focus on fields that are growing, like computer science and health care, and look for positions at agefriendly companies. If you’re interested in part-time work, consider the job you already have and ask your employer if you can cut back your hours. Many will say yes just to keep experienced employees on staff. If that won’t work, look for part-time work in a field that appeals to you, whether as a sales associate at a store, a substitute teacher at a school or a research assistant at

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a university.

If you are looking for new employment, consider looking for a job that will allow you to work on your own terms and hours. You might work as a freelance designer or writer, a handyman or a babysitter or a pet sitter. You might even be able to work from home. Many companies hire people to work at home and handle tasks, like data entry, file transcription or customer service calls.

You must have your own equipment, of course, but, in many cases, you will have more flexible hours.

Look around and see what is available to you. You never know what opportunities you might come across.

Just make sure they are legitimate. There are scams, especially regarding work-from-home jobs. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable company. Should you be asked for money or personal identification informa-

tion, like your Social Security number, look elsewhere.

Legitimate employers will ask for personal information only after hiring you and will never ask for money. They may ask you for a lot of paperwork, including a resume and a list of references, but never anything monetary in nature. Don’t be fooled. Deal with companies that have a good reputation and treat their employees well.

For more information in finding a job, seek the help of recruitment services that specialize in senior employment. There are many available that help companies find the experienced employees they seek. Look for some in your area to secure the right opportunity for you.

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MajorityÊ of Ê todayÕ sÊ seniorsÊ comeÊ fromÊ BabyÊ BoomerÊ generation

By Tresa Erickson

A

ccording to statistics, there are over 40 million seniors in the United States.

A sliver of these comes from the G.I. Generation, some from the Silent Generation and most from the Baby Boomer Generation.

Know anyone in their 90s? Chances are they come from the G.I. Generation, those who lived through and perhaps even fought in WWII. They were born anytime from 1901 to 1924 or so and came of age during the Great Depression. These so-called “good kids” sacrificed a lot to get where they are, experiencing many innovations in their lifetime, from cars to vaccines to space rockets. They are hardworking, loyal, self-reliant, conservative men and women.

Know anyone age 70 to 90? Then you know someone from the Silent Generation.

These “lucky few,” as they have become known, were born from approximately 1925 to 1945 and came of age during a time of peace and prosperity. They experienced a lot of stability early on, obtaining good educations, securing good jobs, earning good incomes, developing good marriages and so forth. These hardworking individuals also got a taste of war, as many served in the Korean or Vietnam War. The younger seniors in your life are probably Baby Boomers, those born after WWII from 1946 to 1964. Unlike the generations before them, they rejected the traditional values of their parents. They were active advocates of change, though many are now conservatives. Most have done well for themselves and are either retired or looking to retire soon. Some are continuing to work, while others intend to work for as long as possible.

These are the generations that currently make up the senior population in the United States. There are more Boomers than anyone else, and many are striving to age in place, working hard to maintain their good health and live at home independently for as long as possible.

MaintainingÊ aÊ healthyÊ lifestyleÊ atÊ anyÊ age

By Craig W. Armstrong

W

hether you have spent your life exercising or it’s something new to you, getting fit is never a bad idea, at any age. As we age, things change. We slow down, our minds are less sharp and our bodies begin to show wear and tear. But there is one thing that can help, exercise. They say a body in motion tends to stay in motion and this is absolutely true. If you are over fifty, it’s a good time to start exercising. It’s okay to be old and it’s okay to be out of shape, but it’s not good to be old AND out of shape.

So what are the benefits of exercising for older adults? First, it helps you lose and control your weight. Have you ever seen a young person pig out on pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream or all of the above, while you eat sensibly? They can do this because they are young and their metabolism is high. So was yours, once.

But alas, it isn’t anymore. Thus you gain weight more easily. Exercising will help you shed those pounds or at least keep

you from gaining more.

Next, exercise increases your mobility and flexibility. By building muscle, you are enhancing your balance and reducing your risk of falls. Some conditions such as arthritis can have their symptoms alleviated by strength training. In the same respect, exercise can reduce the impact of many other illnesses and reduce the risk of some diseases. People who exercise regularly are at a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and some forms of cancer.

It’s clear what exercise can do for your body, but it can also do great things for your mind and your mood. Exercise reduces stress and can reduce depression and anxiety. It can also help prevent memory loss and dementia.

Exercise can also be a great way to socialize. If you are retired, you are not surrounded by people all day and it can be lonely. By joining a gym and exercise group you will be around people. It’s also a great way to share time with your

spouse or significant other.

Before beginning any exercise program, see your doctor and this applies to any age. Make sure you are healthy enough to exercise and don’t have any problems that have not been detected.

While you’re there, talk to your doctor about your plans and get their advice.

Your doctor will have information on exercise and diet.

Once you are medically cleared, start slow. It isn’t about how much you exercise; it’s about how consistent you are.

Exercise is a great idea at any age, but as you get older it becomes more about feeling good than looking good.

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Senior Life • Fall 2016 | 15

16 | Fall 2016 • Senior Life

www.suncommunitynews.com

Published by Denton Publications, Inc.