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TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
RESOURCES TO PLAN FOR AGING IN FREDERICK COUNTY
BY EMILY HOLLAND
As with any other life transition, establishing comfort and security as a senior requires some planning. Just as young adults encounter a whole new life in going off to college, or parents’ lives change overnight after welcoming a baby, a new world of considerations opens up as we age.
Sometimes it happens more quickly than we’d like, or sometimes it slowly creeps up on us. New needs emerge that suddenly must be met. What happens when we need help managing medications? How will we get to doctors’ appointments when we can no longer drive?
When questions about planning for aging arise, it’s hard to know where to start. Some people have just a few questions or concerns, and others need more substantial solutions and help. Let’s walk through some of the best available resources for seniors to support their needs for aging in Frederick County.
A CONCIERGE FOR SENIORS
Whether you have one concern or 50, a great place to start is the Department of Aging and Independence itself. There is one easy-to-remember phone number for seniors (and caregivers) to call—301-600-1234—and the department is fully equipped to answer individual seniors’ questions on a case-by-case basis. Once you call into the department, a staff member will field your questions and transfer you to their Maryland Access Point (MAPS) agency. MAPS— knowledgeable about all local resources for seniors—will connect you with people and organizations who can help. Carolyn True, acting division director for the Department of Aging and Independence, is also keen for seniors to know about the department’s service coordination program. This public service program, available to Frederick County seniors 65 and older at no cost, helps residents manage logistics like medication refills, bills, and doctor’s office appointments. Service coordination representatives can be flexible with involvement depending on seniors’ needs—scheduling overthe-phone check-ins or in-home visits to make sure that seniors are provided for. This is another program that can be
easily enrolled in via the department’s central phone line.
Another valuable resource available through the Department of Aging and Independence is the department’s “Blue Book.” This resource directory, updated regularly, contains information about the variety of organizations and options for seniors seeking aging support, as well as how to get in touch.
The Blue Book is available online through the department’s webpage at frederickcountymd.gov and can also be ordered as a free hard copy by calling the Department of Aging and Independence phone. The Blue Book will soon be available translated into Spanish, and a new edition will be published later this year.
SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE
Most senior living professionals and resource advocates across the county will tell you what we already know: living costs are high and getting higher. This is why Frederick County organizations and leadership have put significant effort into making it more feasible than ever to age in place.
According to Advocates for the Aging of Frederick County, about 82 percent of Frederick County seniors own their place of residence, and it’s certainly easier financially to stay on your own property rather than uproot to a facility to obtain certain services. There are a variety of different means and supports available to keep home life safe and comfortable for as long as you can.
Many times, especially earlier on in aging, damaging common accidents such as falls can be prevented with a few simple home modifications. Advocates for Aging sponsors a program for low-income seniors and disabled adults to install grab bars and other assistive devices in places like bathrooms and showers.
It may seem negligible, but preventing early falls is one of the most important ways to prolong aging in place. Falls are a key culprit in causing seniors to develop conditions which necessitate hospital stays and institutional placement. You can reach the Advocates for Aging assistive devices program by calling Sherry Fulton at 240-741-9853, or emailing grabbarsproject@gmail.com.
Another option which can serve as a key support in allowing seniors to age in place are adult day centers. Day centers, such as Frederick’s Daybreak Adult Day Services, provide seniors with socialization, recreational activities, and
skilled nursing care during daytime hours for up to five days per week, in addition to center transportation and meals.
A day center, along with providing valuable relationships and community, can also take pressure off family caregivers or lessen the need to hire more expensive in-home care. Christina Forbes, director of Daybreak, says the center works with seniors at all income levels to identify opportunities for subsidies and make day care affordable. She also underscores how transformative regular social connection can be for often-isolated seniors, to the point that it prolongs and significantly enhances life.
When it does come time to look into assisted living or a long-term care facility, the Department of Aging and Independence can help with some of those financial decisions. The department’s MAPS agency can point seniors to local, state, and federal subsidy programs that they may qualify for to assist with housing costs.
A SUPPORTIVE CARE NETWORK
One of the best resources seniors can draw on to support their healthcare needs in Frederick is the Frederick Health network. Frederick Health is anchored by Frederick Health Hospital, in Downtown Frederick, but the network also includes a number of primary care doctors, specialists, and other health amenities in the city and county.
One of Frederick Health’s main benefits to seniors is providing in-home services as needed. For seniors who are recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, Frederick Health can send in-home nurses, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social workers, and other related types of care. Frederick Health offers outpatient rehab at its clinics. Where transportation is a barrier, they will bring rehab to seniors in their homes. A key priority of Frederick Health is care accessibility.
Frederick Health also has a chronic care management program—seniors can be referred by a physician for oversight in the case of chronic disease. Nurses will provide patients with remote monitoring devices that measure vitals like blood pressure and weight and send data to a Frederick Health facility. Nurses will check in and consult with a patient’s doctor if data gives cause for concern.
Finally, if it comes time to consider palliative or end-oflife care, Frederick Health also offers a hospice program which operates in-care facilities, at patients’ homes, and at the network’s Kline Hospice House. It’s important to note
that not only does hospice focus on providing the best quality of life for patients during this transition, but also serves as a major support and resource for families coping with grief and loss.
The goal of Frederick Health is to provide a comprehensive network of healthcare services for seniors and enable them to keep as much of their care within Frederick County as possible.
All Frederick Health practitioners are able to accept Medicare and Medicaid insurance, and Frederick Health is committed to healthcare access for low-income seniors and other socially vulnerable groups.
GETTING AROUND
A major concern and hurdle for seniors arises when it becomes more difficult to drive. Transit Services of Frederick County provides several programs that can provide alternative options for seniors who either don’t have a car or who no longer feel comfortable in the driver’s seat.
Transit-Plus, Transit’s main support for seniors, is a curbto-curb accessible shuttle bus service for Frederick County residents 60 and older (as well as people with disabilities) who would otherwise have trouble using fixed-route bus service. Transit-Plus allows seniors to schedule drop-off and pickup times and locations for a single trip up to two weeks in advance. The advance scheduling can be completed over the phone or online.
In order to use Transit-Plus, seniors will need to fill out an application to register. Applications can
be requested by phone, at 301-600-2065, by email at transit@frederickcountymd.gov, or online at frederickcountymd.gov/transit. Transit-Plus operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For frequent riders of the Transit-Plus program, supplemental transportation is available in the form of Transit’s Taxi Access Program (TAP). Once you’ve scheduled or attempted to schedule three Transit-Plus rides over the course of one month, you become eligible for the program, which provides a subsidy for cab services in the county.
TAP users will receive a debit-style card loaded with an amount of funds based on zip code. The funds can be applied for trips with participating county cab services, and the funds roll over from month to month. For seniors thinking about their budgets, payments can be made in smaller increments, as well. TAP users can travel during any time period that the taxi companies operate.
Transit’s fixed-route buses can offer seniors more flexibility in scheduling travel but could seem intimidating to first-time users. Transit also has a Travel Training program where Transit staff will personally ride along with seniors and teach them how to read bus schedules, learn bus stops, and develop the skills needed for independent travel via the Transit system. Set up a Travel Training session by calling Transit at 301-600-2065 or by email at transit@ frederickcountymd.gov
When navigating all the choices and concerns that come with aging, it’s easy to feel apprehensive and alone. However, there are many agencies and resources to help Frederick County seniors with the details of daily life, beyond the typical long-term care and assisted living facilities. It’s important to know that no matter what you face, you have options. And Frederick has rallied around a goal of keeping local seniors as fulfilled and independent as possible during this special time of life.
SENIOR RESOURCES
ADVOCATES FOR THE AGING OF FREDERICK COUNTY
Devoted to advocacy on behalf of the poorest and frailest older adults in the community. www.advocatesforaging.org
ELDER SERVICES PROVIDER COUNCIL OF FREDERICK
The ESPC consists of individuals from the Frederick community, including government agencies, local businesses and corporations, sharing information and resources on meeting the needs of seniors, their families and caregivers. www.espcfrederick.com
ENCORE CREATIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Choral organization for those over 55. www.encorecreativity.org
FREDERICK COUNTY DIVISION OF AGING AND INDEPENDENCE
1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-1234
MEALS ON WHEELS
1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-1234
Meals on Wheels provides two meals a day to homebound adults age 60 or older, or adults of any age with a chronic health condition or disability who meet program eligibility guidelines, and live in Frederick County. A hot meal is delivered at midday, accompanied by a cold meal that can be refrigerated and eaten later. Participants must be homebound due to illness or physical limitations, not able to prepare meals, and have no caregiver to assist with food shopping and preparation, or cannot safely prepare food due to physical, mental, or emotional impairment.
SENIOR CENTERS
Brunswick 12 E. A St. Emmitsburg 300 S. Seton Ave.
Frederick 1440 Taney Ave. Urbana 9020 Amelung St.
The 50-plus Community Centers offers a variety of fitness classes such as strength training, yoga, Zumba, and line dance. In addition, social, recreational, and educational programs are scheduled. These include discussion groups, book clubs, film club, drawing class and health and nutrition programs.
SOAR (SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS THROUGH RESOURCES)
SOAR supports qualifying seniors with the financial resources and services they need to live healthier, safer more comfortable lives. They welcome requests from seniors who qualify, and strive to find the solutions that will improve their quality of life.
www.soarfrederick.org
IT PAYS TO BE A SENIOR CITIZEN
55-PLUS DISCOUNTS
ARBYS
10% off
CHICK-FIL-A
10% off or free small drink or coffee
CHILI’S GRILL & BAR 10% off
DRESS BARN
10% off Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays
DUNKIN’ DONUTS
10% off or free coffee
GABES
10% off on Mondays
GOODWILL
10%-20% on Tuesdays
IHOP
10% off, daily specials from 3 p.m.6 p.m., special senior menu
KFC
Free small drink with any meal
KRISPY KREME
10% off (50+) & free donut with coffee purchase
MCDONALD’S Discounts on coffee everyday
MOUNTAIN VIEW DINER 10% off
POPEYE’S 10% off
ROCKY POINT CREAMERY
Senior Day on Thursdays, 10% off
ROSS STORES
10% off on Tuesdays
TJMAXX
10% off on certain days of the month
UNO PIZZERIA & GRILL
Wednesday discount
WENDY’S 10% off
60-PLUS DISCOUNTS
APPLEBEE’S GRILL & BAR
15% off with Golden Apple Card
BURGER KING
10% off
CICIS
10% off
COMMON MARKET
5% off on Wednesdays
DAIRY QUEEN
10% off
GOLDEN CORRAL 10% off
KOHLS
15% off on Wednesdays
ROCKY POINT CREAMERY
Senior Day on Thursdays, 10% off
ROY ROGERS
10% off
SONIC
10% off or free beverage
SUBWAY 10% off
THE COMMON MARKET
5% off on Wednesdays; free coffee
WAFFLE HOUSE 10% off on Mondays
65-PLUS DISCOUNTS
GIANT EAGLE
5% off on Tuesdays with courtesy card and proof of birthday
gLEAF MEDICAL CANNABIS 10% off
TROUT’S MARKET, WOODSBORO
5% off on Tuesdays
WALGREEN’S “SENIOR DAY” with 20% off once a month
WE HELP-U-MOVE 10% off
WEIS MARKETS
10% off on Tuesdays
This list is provided by www.house wivesoffrederickcounty.com and is subject to change by the participating businesses.
a House is Challenging
by Jeff Thoreson
DOWN SIZING DONE
Iam homeless. I am not houseless, but I am homeless. There’s a difference. A couple of months ago I accidentally sold my home; just sort of stumbled into a deal.
I had finally come to the realization that it was time to downsize, 12 years after the last of three children left for college. I initiated some projects to get the place ready to sell at some as-yet-undefined point in the future and mentioned that to a Realtor who lives up the street. Mine is a desirable house on a desirable lot in a desirable neighborhood, but the place wasn’t ready to sell being that the main bath was in the midst of a total re-do.
A few days later, the Realtor texted and asked if he could bring a client by.
I figured there wouldn’t be any harm in that. They could envision what the finished product would be and maybe come back later if they were really interested. But they made an offer and said they would finish the bathroom themselves and wanted the place as is, without me ticking off the punch list of projects that, in my estimation, needed to be accomplished before selling.
In that light, their number looked quite good, so the next day I was clicking and docu-signing. There is time built into the contract for the new owners to sell their house and, therefore, plenty of time for me to excavate my accumulated detritus. Content with the decision,
I spent a couple of days thinking about what the next phase of life might be like and then set to the formidable task of assessing the contents of my house item-by-item as to what can be sold, given away, scraped for any cash value it might contain, or simply be junked all together, the latter forcing me
But it Can Be
to the realization that for some number of years I have found it necessary to keep something that I now determine that neither myself nor any other human could possibly use.
As one day of this project faded to the next, then one weekend to its successor, I found myself at once astonished, awed and dismayed at the sheer volume of things collected over the years. And I am impressed by the staying power of junk— the once-pitched tent from that era when the kids thought camping might be a good idea; the orange life preservers from years ago when we owned a boat; parts to lawn mowers and garden tools I once thought I could salvage something from; long-hardened bags of asphalt patch leftover from a driveway project so far back that it again is in need of repair.
I found it hard to believe that my life once found necessity for this impressive pile of detritus, but apparently a home comes equipped with some sort of check valve or diaphragm that allows things to slide in quite easily but getting them back out requires surgical rerouting.
As I attacked the 20 years of accumulated papers and records in my home office, and then the storage room clutter left behind by three kids who are off on their own lives and accumulating their own stuff that will one day be their very own flotsam. Then I would attack the workshop with tools I will never need again.
It seemed a simple and easy plan to attack it one room at a time. But then I delved into the papers and records in my downstairs office and realized the dreadful extent to which mere stuff can grow. Things, possessions are like ivy—left untended they
take over in such a subtle manner that the next thing you know your nice brick façade is dripping with greenness.
On the surface, my task should have been no problem. As I look around my 200-square-foot-home office, there are two short bookshelves and one full-length bookshelf. There is a two-drawer file cabinet and one of those L-shaped desks where I can work in front of me or to the side. It has a few drawers and cubbies that I now realize hold more than they would appear to hold.
So, the task at hand was simple—pack the books neatly in boxes, go through the shelves and drawers and discard what is no longer needed and pack only what really, truly needs to continue on with me.
But like every other project I have done in this house in the last two decades, this became much more complex than what I envisioned. There is material in all these places that date back to a previous century. Probably more than 90 percent of it can be chucked, but in going through the first drawer I found a newspaper from when my son made the all-county golf team, and then some high school graduation programs, and then college graduation programs, and then a coupon book given me by my kids for some long-past Father’s Day. The crayon-drawn coupons are good for things like one breakfast in bed, one car wash, or one golf club cleaning. (Hey guys, I don’t see any expiration date on these coupons.)
Now my quick-and-easy plan to shed and move was bogged down in a wave of sentimentality. Each thing I came across that was not easily discarded with a “why the heck did I ever need this” became a flood of memories—good memories. I wanted to sit there and dwell upon them and smile and chuckle to myself about all the things that happened in this house—this home where I have lived across two centuries.
Now an evening has gone by and I’ve been through only one drawer and part of a second.
I am not second-guessing my decision to sell. It is time. I understand that. This is a great family home, and a nice young family is taking over. I am—sort of—looking forward to a smaller place where I don’t have to clean bedrooms that are rarely slept in; where I don’t have to walk through a game room where not a single game of billiards or ping-pong has been played in a half a decade or so; where each memory becomes a short film in my head, like those old 8-mm snippets of kids growing up and doing the silly things kids do.
Maybe I’m just trying to convince myself that selling is the right thing to do by telling myself I’m looking forward to a new start. Or maybe I am anxious to walk through a new front door. But I’m not looking forward to walking out of this one for the last time because from that point on I may be living in a nice condo, but it won’t be my home.
TIPS FOR DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME
START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
You don’t accumulate a house full of stuff overnight, so you can’t expect to figure out how to downsize in a day either.
TAKE A FULL INVENTORY
It’s helpful to have a list or spreadsheet you can look at to help you decide what’s important.
DETERMINE YOUR ESSENTIALS
Even though you’ll be shedding a lot of items, you can’t let go of everything. You’ll need a core set of belongings that helps you live a comfortable life. So, before you get rid of everything, make a checklist of essential items that must go to your new home.
CONSIDER YOUR SENTIMENTAL ITEMS
You’ll probably want to keep some sentimental items, such as family photo albums or an heirloom from your late grandparent. While these keepsakes may not serve a functional role in your day-to-day life, they’re still important and valuable.
TAKE IT ONE ROOM AT A TIME
Just the thought of decluttering and downsizing your entire house will likely cause your stress levels to rise, but here’s an approach to reducing it: Don’t think of it as downsizing your entire house. Look at it one room at a time.
GET
RID OF DUPLICATES
Many of us probably have a few items in our homes that are duplicates or even triplicates. For example, do you have three slow cookers in your pantry? Have you ever used all three at the same time? You likely use one regularly, so it’s probably safe to get rid of the extras.
DIGITIZE WHEN POSSIBLE
If you’re like most people, you have stacks of photos and important documents stored in different places in your home. As you prepare to downsize, consider ditching the hard copies by digitizing them. Consider enlisting the help of a digitization service that can handle it for you.
MEASURE YOUR FURNITURE
Before hauling all your belongings to your new home, make sure they fit. It’s important to measure any furniture you plan to bring to see where and whether it would fit in your new home.
DONATE, SELL OR GIVE AWAY ITEMS
Once you’ve decided which items won’t make the trip to your smaller home, it’s time to say goodbye. Rather than banish your belongings to a trash can, consider: Gifting to friends or family members; donating to charity; selling on an online marketplace; hosting a garage sale.
CONSIDER
STORAGE OPTIONS
Once your furniture and appliances have a place in your new home, think about storage for the rest of your belongings. Do you have adequate cabinetry and closet space? If you need more storage in your new home, don’t worry. There are lots of creative ways to stow away your stuff.
Source: Rocket Homes
WHEN TO GIVE UP THE CAR KEYS
This may have been the person who sat in the passenger seat next to you, patiently teaching you how to drive when you were a teenager. Move ahead through the years and now you’re the one cringing and tramping down on an imaginary brake when your parent is holding the steer ing wheel. When is it time for them to give up driving?
Experts say that age isn’t the deciding factor; there are seniors in their 80s and 90s who are safe and competent drivers. Rather, other factors should be taken into consideration and the conversation should include empathy because for many, driv ing is about more than a way to get around, it’s also a part of their independence and freedom.
The Times-Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., reports that a study conducted by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, found that for many respondents “the hardest conversation to have with elderly parents is telling them to stop driving and hand over their car keys.”
According to Liz Craven, who writes an elder care guide that appears on the internet, the following are some common red flags that may inform a decision to “have the talk.”
• Vision changes, including the ability to read traffic signs and judge distance.
• Decreased mobility, is it a struggle turning the steering wheel, or reacting quickly to unexpected situations?
• Increased forgetfulness, is the person struggling with remembering familiar routes?
• Near misses or accidents, is the person having frequent fender-benders or close calls on the roadway?
• Traffic violations, are there instances of speeding, running red lights or other infractions?
Craven suggests that you choose the right time and place to have an honest discussion, acknowledging that this might be a difficult change for them to make. Let them know you are supportive and offer alternatives such as ride-sharing services, public transportation, home care services and volunteer transportation programs.
Temperatures in the 90s on a summer evening didn’t deter members of the Senior Recreation Council Softball League from practicing their pitches, hits and throwing skills—but probably not sliding into bases—at Pinecliff Park. Seventeen players between the ages of 45 and 82 gathered to work out the kinks before their regular Friday night game.
With sweat running down their faces, team members were eager to play, support each other’s efforts, and, of course, chat and catch up on the week’s news. The SRC is a non-profit volunteer organization under the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation.
Seniors passionate about softball are not only keeping the sport alive later in life but the sport’s athleticism is beneficial to keeping seniors healthier, more mobile and even keeps their minds sharp. Adrian Winpigler coordinates the Senior Softball League whose motto is “fitness, fun,
friendship.” The SRC’s softball program certainly exemplifies those objectives.
A Frederick native, Winpigler has played softball with the senior league since its inception in 1994. It was founded by athletic enthusiast Ed Murray, who also started a senior basketball league the same year. Now, 30 years later, there are three senior softball teams with a total of 40 participants. According to Winpigler, women can play on the senior team as early as 40 years old and men when they are 50.
“We have some folks in their
80s playing in our senior league,” Winpigler says. “I retired from playing when I was 79 years old. Now, I’m 82 and coordinate the program and coach one of the teams. When I started playing in 1994, I played infield, then I pitched and finally was the catcher. You end up catching when you can’t run fast anymore.”
Players practice every Wednesday at Pinecliff at 6 p.m., Field 2, and games are played every Friday evening with each team getting a bye every other Friday.
“The health benefits of playing softball at our age
Players with the Senior Recreation Council Softball League discuss some game strategy recently at a Wednesday night practice. Participants from left, are Adrian Winpigler, 82, league coordinator from Frederick; Gerry Blessing, 81, SRC board member, from Frederick; Bill Etzler, 72, of Walkersville; and Jerry Warren, 77, from Frederick.
are good,” Winpigler points out. “It keeps me in shape and is good for mental health. It keeps you mentally alert.”
According to the softball veteran, participants play for fun and for their health.
“The biggest thing I enjoy is the people I meet and the friends I make while playing,” Winpigler adds. “They are the nicest bunch of people to spend time with. Some have had surgeries, recovered, and come back to play. Years ago, when we were younger, we’d talk about our girlfriends, now we talk about our surgeries
and other ailments.”
There is a core group of senior softball participants who return to play every year with a few new people signing up every season. Although, the league is just for fun, Winpigler says it is still competitive, noting that softball and baseball have played an important role in his life.
“I played first played for the National Little League in Frederick and we were the state championship team in 1956,” Winpigler says. “Then I played for St. John’s High School in Frederick. I also played in the Babe Ruth League and the American Legion League. We were the 1961 State Champion American Legion Team. I got drafted for the service in 1966 and I was stationed in South Korea. I played first base for the 8th Army Support Command
Pete Pinkham, left, and Frank Scotto decide which bat is best at the Senior Recreation Council Softball League practice. Scotto, 77, has been playing in the local league since 2005, and was inducted into the Maryland Senior Softball Hall of Fame.
Baseball Team.”
You might say baseball or softball have been in Winpigler’s blood for decades. The love of the sport has also resonated with several other players in the local league. They enjoy the games, the fun competitiveness, the friendships made, and fitness benefits of playing.
“I enjoy the camaraderie, the people who support my longevity, and the friends I make,” says Gerry Blessing, who has been playing in the local senior league since its founding year. “Most people start playing softball for fun and continue to play for the health benefits.”
Eighty-one-year-old Paul Welsh swings during a practice recently at Pinecliff Park. He is a designated hitter on his team as well as the coach of the A Team.
Blessing, 82, usually plays right field or can be found catching. When asked about concerns for his health or being injured, he says, “I’m not worried about getting hurt, but I do worry about getting a hit and making a contribution to my team.”
He also credits his continued participation in softball for the positive impact on his body and overall health. “I think softball all these years has helped keep my joints and muscles in good shape,” says Blessing, who has lived in Frederick since 1980.
Paul Welsh is another seasoned player and at
81, not only leads the A Team, but is the designated hitter for his team. Players cheer each other on and support one another no matter their age or their ability level. While men
outnumber women 10 to 1 in the senior league with only one or two women playing on each of the three teams, everyone is made to feel included.
Frank Scotto has been playing in the senior league since 2005. At 77, he’s humbled when others talk about his induction into the Maryland Senior Softball Hall of Fame.
The Senior Recreation Council not only promotes softball but also has numerous programs for all levels of fitness and interest. Some of these programs include playing cards, hiking, book groups, bowling duckpins, exercise classes, bocce ball, basketball and bicycling. For seniors interested in any of these programs email SRCFrederick@gmail.com or visit their website at www.srcfrederick.org.
VOLUNTEERING BENEFITS OLDER ADULTS
Volunteers strengthen communities, but did you know that volunteer opportunities for seniors also have many benefits to a person who serves? According to www.vantageaging.org, this is especially true for older adults who spend time giving back. Volunteerism can improve your health, relationships and skillsets. Take a look at the benefits of volunteering for older adults.
IT’S GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Volunteering keeps the brain active, which contributes to mental health. Meaningful and productive activities can help you feel happier and have a positive outlook on life.
IT HELPS PREVENT LONELINESS AND ISOLATION
The feeling of loneliness and few interactions with others can negatively impact a person’s health. Getting out into the community and volunteering promotes socialization.
IT GIVES A FEELING OF PURPOSE
As we grow older, our sense of purpose might begin to fade. Children grow up and move out of the house, we retire from our jobs, and some physical activities may become more difficult. Regaining a feeling of purpose through volunteering can help older adults feel recharged with a new zest for life.
IT HELPS YOU MEET NEW FRIENDS
Life changes, such as moving to a new neighborhood or retiring from a career, can make finding friends to spend time with difficult. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people with common interests.
IT PROVIDES CONNECTION TO LOVED ONES
Do you struggle to find new activities to do with your spouse or grandchildren? Volunteering is a great way to reconnect and strengthen your relationships. Together, you can learn, help others, and make meaningful memories to share with family members and friends.
IT INCREASES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Physical activity is highly important when it comes to staying healthy and independent as we age. Volunteering keeps you moving, whether serving meals at a shelter, helping to clean up local parks, or walking around the neighborhood with someone as a companion.
IT BRIDGES THE GENERATION GAP
By interacting with younger generations, older adults are able to share important life lessons. On the other hand, younger generations can teach seniors new ways of looking at life. By building a connection with each other, both generations can offer respect and affirmation.
IT HELPS YOU ENGAGE WITH OLD INTERESTS
Do you have an old hobby that has slipped to the wayside? It might be time to revisit it. Volunteer activities can align with almost any interest, including art, building, cooking, business and exercise. Do some research to find the one that best fits your interests.
IT HELPS YOU LEARN NEW SKILLS
Sometimes, monotony can make life a little dull. If you find yourself bored or with too much time on your hands, volunteering might be just what you need to spice things up. Take a look at opportunities that are a little outside of your comfort zone. You may develop a passion you never knew you had.
ACCOMPLISHED SENIORS PROVE AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
In 2021, actor William Shatner, known as Star Trek’s Captain Kirk, became the first 90-year-old to go into space. The entire flight lasted only 10 minutes, but Shatner says it changed his life.
Gladys Burrill made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female to compete in a marathon. She was 92.
In 1932, Audrey Crabtree was injured, which caused her to drop out of high school one credit short of graduation. She took care of her sick grandmother, got married, had a large family and started a flower business. She still longed for a high school diploma, which she received at age 99.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie book series, was 64 when she published her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, in 1932.
Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he signed the Declaration of Independence. He did not retire from public service until he was 82.
At age 87, artist Pablo Picasso created 347 engravings in a year.
Harland Sanders, AKA Colonel Sanders, was in his 70s when he sold his interest in Kentucky Fried Chicken for $2 million. He franchised the company in 1952 at age 62.
Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as “Grandma Moses,” didn’t start painting until she was 76 years old, after her arthritis made it too hard to hold an embroidery needle. Even though she had no formal training, she
painted every day for 25 years and produced thousands of paintings.
Julia Child, chef and television personality, published her first cookbook at age 50, going on to have her own TV show for years and becoming the first woman inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Hall of Fame.
Keiko Fukuda was still teaching judo and self-defense classes at age 98, despite having bad knees and Parkinson’s disease. In 2011, she became the first woman to ever attain a 10th-degree black belt, judo’s highest honor.
At age 75, cancer survivor Barbara Hillary became one of the oldest people, and the first black wom an, to reach the North Pole.
In 1994, when he was almost 76, Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned with a life sentence during the era of apartheid, was elected president of South Africa.
Frank McCourt, Pulitzer Prize winning author for his memoir, Angela’s Ashes, was 65 years old when he decided to start writing.
Although she had been acting since the late 1950s, Judi Dench first rose to prominence with her role in the James Bond series at age 61.
(Sources: Taylor French, for Amada Senior Care; www. vantageaging.org and www.theladders.com)
Creative Aging Involves the Arts
by eric looney
Every August, the Delaplaine Arts Center opens its doors to show off the work of talented senior artists in a program called Creative Aging Month. In addition to exhibits, they work to feature one of their year-round partner organizations working creatively with seniors, such as the Senior Center and the Alzheimer’s Association.
The main focus of Creative Aging Month is the Over 70 Show that includes traditional landscapes, abstracts, self-portraits and wooden sculptures, plus a chainmail armor dress crafted from upcycled materials. The show contains art in just about every medium and style. A cat portrait made of rug and wool, a gigantic sculpture of a dragonfly fashioned
Artist Sheryl Massaro, whose work is part of the Over 70 Show at the Delaplaine Arts Center, created a painting of the Ukrainian flag.
from found materials, a stone bust of Gandhi—the creativity highlights the effortlessly skillful techniques of the artists involved.
One of the participants, Sheryl Massaro, who displayed a painting of the Ukrainian flag with a striking red line in the center, showed great enthusiasm for the event. “I think it’s a great opportunity for people because there are so many good artists in Frederick of all ages. And it’s the first year I’ve been able to participate in it, so it’s another opportunity to get things out there and it’s just wonderful.”
Artist Jóh Ricci has a solo show called Eclectic Expressions as part of Creative Aging Month. Ricci works with the medium of fiber, as well as paint. Her pieces range from acrylic or oil landscapes and fiber-based abstracts, to three dimensional carvings made with fiber and mixed materials. “I challenge myself to experiment with different materials, different subject matter, shapes, forms, I like to experiment and to see where a project may go.” In addition to her show, Ricci participates with a creative aging program at an arts center in her hometown of Gettysburg, Pa., and further assists the Delaplaine by teaching art classes. “In my workshops the students actually make their own weaving loom, a very simple frame loom. And they learn a variety of weaving techniques based on tapestry.”
Kristin Butler, director of programs at the Delaplaine, says that many of the weekday art classes are populated by seniors. The Art Center also spearheads the M&T Scholarship program, which allows those over 65 to attend a free art class every semester. Butler is a strong believer in the program. “What we see in those classes is a lot of social connection,” she says. “They’re building relationships with the other students… and there’s a ton of camaraderie. There’s camaraderie with the instructors as well.”
Ricci also emphasizes togetherness. “When I teach my weaving classes I see the camaraderie between people, the energy, there’s that ‘Oh, I didn’t think about using that color,’ so they learn from each other as well, and I learn a lot from my students.”
Art and creativity can be a powerful motivator for all ages and provide anyone who participates with a strong purpose. “I’m a historian by training,” says Butler. “The arts can tell the truth sometimes more than a historical text can. It gets to something deeper and something richer.” Along the same lines, Massaro says, “One thing I think is very important in life no matter what age you are is that you never stop creative problem solving. For me personally, that’s mainly what art is.” The artworks at the Over 70 Show represent all those aspects and celebrating inspiration, and the arts, amplifies the power of connection for everyone.
www.delaplaine.org
The Over 70 Show is an annual event at the Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., which celebrates Creative Aging Month every August.
and creativity can be a powerful motivator for all ages and can provide a strong purpose for anyone who practices.
BENEFITS OF ART FOR SENIORS
Improved Cognitive Function
Art therapy challenges seniors to make art and stimulate the senses to become sharper. Learning new art forms can enhance thinking skills and make it easier to make quick neural connections that may have been lost due to aging.
Improved Mood
Art therapy can reduce the feelings of anxiety, depression and stress in seniors. Studies show that seniors who participated in creative arts experienced lower levels of depression and loneliness and were more positive in general. Aging can lead to hearing and vision loss that often cause negative feelings and stress for seniors. Focusing on drawing objects using pencils or paint work to help those who are struggling relax and focus on positive feelings. Engaging in art therapy can help seniors better cope with these issues and provide positive outlets for their frustration.
Enhanced Motor Skills
When people practice skills like painting and drawing in an art therapy, they are physically exercising their hands and arms through movement. In doing so, they can improve muscle coordination, enhance blood flow and build better dexterity over time.
Increased Social Interaction
During art therapy sessions, seniors have an opportunity to meet like-minded people to interact and connect with on a regular basis. These connections can combat loneliness and isolation while improving their emotional health.
Greater Self-Expression
Seniors may have challenges with verbal communication due to mental or physical deterioration. Art therapy provides an alternative method of expression for their feelings and thoughts.
In addition, self-expression through art may help seniors better communicate with their loved ones or caregivers. Art therapy can help people deal with grief or serious medical issues and unlock a previously hidden passion in the process.
Pain Relief
Art therapy may also help with disorders associated with chronic pain. Those suffering from joint conditions like arthritis may relieve the pain from inflammation with art therapy because it allows them to focus more on their creativity and less on their pain. Art therapy also encourages relaxation which can help ease emotional pain.
New Thought Processes
Art therapy can also help people think differently about life by allowing them to engage parts of their body and brain that they do not use frequently. Exploring new movement and thoughts can help to reframe their perspectives and find new joys.
Improved Memory
Practicing creative arts can help seniors who suffer from memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s or dementia. Painting and music may even help to uncover forgotten memories about loved ones and old times. It can also present those living with memory loss with a moment of clarity and the ability to function optimally.
Art therapy can be very rewarding for seniors—it can promote healthy and positive feelings, enhance physical ability, and have a calming effect. Through the fun of creating, seniors will enjoy a better quality of life.
Source: www.americareinfo.com
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EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest oils on earth. It’s rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage caused by an imbalance of free radicals in the body.
GREEN TEA
Green tea is high in antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body.
FATTY FISH
Fatty fish is a highly nutritious food that can promote healthy skin. Salmon and other fatty fish are high in protein, necessary in collagen and elastin production.
DARK CHOCOLATE OR COCOA
Dark chocolate is a rich source of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body. In particular, it contains flavanols, which are linked to a lower risk of heart diseae, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
VEGETABLES
Most vegetables are extremely nutrient-dense and low in calories. Beta carotene is especially important and can be found in carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
FLAX SEEDS
Flax seeds contain lignans that may lower the risk of developing a chronic disease such as heart disease and breast cancer.
POMEGRANATES
They are high in fiber, potassium and Vitamin K, which help support a healthy heart.
AVOCADOS
They are rich in heart-healthy fts, fiber and several vitamins and minerals essential for good health.
TOMATOES
Contain lycopene that acts as an antioxidant.
COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein. Protein-rich foods include chicken, tofu, fish and eggs.
(Source: www.healthline.com)
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Grandparents these days are having fun with the names they use for themselves, whether it’s actor Martin Sheen answering to Peach or former President George W. Bush being called Jefe by his grandkids. In families where there are great-grandparents, different monikers are essential just to keep it all straight. Here are some of the replacements people are using for grandma and grandpa.
Gramps
