Greater Midland Travel offer trips to help build a community of people. “Day trips are a great way to get out and about with ease. Everything is planned for the day; travelers get to sit back and enjoy a new adventure. “New groups of friends form on these trips. It’s a really great opportunity for all,” says Amanda Ewald, 50+ Coordinator of the Greater Midland Community Center. These trips are an easy way to see beautiful Michigan and discover things that you may have not had the chance to see otherwise.
“These trips give me the opportunity to explore Michigan without the stress of driving and planning them,”
says a senior, who regularly attends trips.
“I went out of my comfort zone to attend a Motorcoach trip for the first time and it was one of the best experiences I have had. I can’t wait for the next year of trips!” says a first-time group traveler.
All trips are fully escorted, taken on a Motorcoach bus, which leaves right from Midland. 2023 trips are full to end the travel season, but the planning has begun for our next year. Sign-up to be on our email list or inquire about future trips call (989) 832-7937 ext. 2270 or aewald@greatermidland. org.
Greater Midland Community Center holds a Senior Pancake Breakfast every-other month. This event is open to all seniors and is a fun and sociable time. This event is a good way to get out and enjoy great food. Come join us for the next pancake breakfast on Monday, November 27th at 11am. The event cost is $3 for a member and $5
for a guest. Please pay with cash at the time of the breakfast. There will be prize drawings, along with awesome food. This event is sponsored by Right At Home of Midland. Please RSVP at least one week in advance if you plan to attend. Call 989-832-7937 ext. 2270 or aewald@greatermidland.org
Join us for a Lunch and Learn Health series at the Greater Midland Community Center presented by Renue Physical Therapy! All sessions begin at 12:00pm in the 50+ Center. These events are FREE for seniors in our community and lunch will be provided by Independence Village or Candlestone for attendees. Come and learn ways to better improve your health.
A topic on Joint Pain and Mobility will take place on Monday ,October 23rd at 12pm. A topic on Exercise After Joint Replacement will take place on Monday, November 13th. A free lunch is provided by Independence Village of Midland. A reservation is required to hold your spot at least one week in advance by calling 989-832-7937 ext. 2270 or aewald@greatermidland.org.
Cooking for one (or two!) can be tricky. Preparing a meal for a group may seem easier or more fulfilling at times, but you don’t have to sacrifice a nutritious and satisfying meal when cooking just for yourself, or abandon the kitchen for take-out! Love can still be your secret ingredient!
Make cooking nutritious and satisfying meals a priority by making a plan! Instead of standing in front of the open refrigerator and wondering what you can muster up dinner, planning your week ahead will take out all the guesswork. While planning your menu, write down your grocery list with all ingredients you’ll need (not including the ones already in your pantry!), and you’ll be prepared for the week.
Give yourself wiggle-room! Don’t skip doing something spontaneous with friends or family - this doesn’t have to
be a strict meal plan, but writing down a general plan can help you save time and money!
Simple foods can be nutritious, too! Whether it be a salad, sandwich, stirfry, or pasta – focus on adding fruits and vegetables in each meal. You don’t need to purchase all fresh produce either – embrace frozen fruits and vegetables to use when you need them!
Though most recipes we see are geared toward feeding a family of four to six people, you can easily halve the recipe to make it not so overwhelming, or even divide by three to avoid too many leftovers. However, leftovers can be your friend! Save leftovers for lunch or pop individual serving sizes in the freezer and heat up an easy meal later on! This can be done with ingredients as well – for example, use half of a package of ground beef and save the rest for the freezer for another use, or freeze part of your loaf of bread. Just make sure to label each with the date and contents – you’ll thank yourself later!
Danielle Maguire, RDN
Sources: https://www.eatright. org/food/food-preparation/cooking-tips/cooking-tips-for-one-or-two https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7828600/dietitian-living-alonecooking-for-one/
These delicious and easy-to-make muffins with chocolate chips are the perfect bite-sized breakfast or treat packed with nutritious rolled oats and canned pumpkin – perfect for fall!
Yield: 6 Muffins
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 30 min
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup rolled oats
¼ cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. baking powder
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
2. Once combined, add the oats, chocolate chips. and baking powder. Stir until combined.
2 eggs
½ cup pumpkin puree
½ cup skim milk
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3. Pour into standard muffin tin lined with muffin liners or sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
Nutrition Facts for 1 muffin: 140 calories, 5g protein, 5g fat, 3g fiber, 21g carbohydrate
Source: https://www.slenderkitchen.com/recipe/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-muffins
Greater Midland Community Center has many benefits for seniors who qualify for SilverSneakers® through their insurance. SilverSneakers® is a program offered under many insurance plans. SilverSneakers® exercise classes are offered many times a week. Our experienced instructors will help you feel comfortable in this fun, lower intensity, group exercise setting.
At the beginning of this year, Greater Midland expanded benefits to SilverSneakers® participants! This is a great way
to utilize a free membership. In addition to exercise classes, benefits include the use of the wellness Center, walking track, walking club, 50+ membership (which includes Euchre, Mah Jonng, and Billiards), Oasis pool and hot tub open swim, the sauna, East Pool for lap swimming and court sports that include pickleball, volleyball, and basketball. Do you qualify? Call Amanda Ewald, 50+ Program Coordinator, to see if you are eligible today!
(989) 832-7937 ext. 2270
social accountability. At the Midland Community Center, we strive to build community in our senior exercise classes. The seniors become fast friends and regularly check in on each other.
A new SilverSneakers® Participant at the Greater Midland Community Center, Frank Scheidt, age 101, is a true example of engaging in social support and physical activity. Frank,
along with his Right At Home Caregiver, has recently started coming to the Center. He has enjoyed a senior exercise class and playing billiards on a regular basis. He does not let age stop him from meeting new friends and staying active. He has enjoyed a new routine and looks forward to the comminatory of others. Frank is a true example that it’s never too late to start finding ways to be social and active.
Creating meaningful connections through socialization brings older adults better mental health, improved self-esteem, increased sense of belonging, and a greater sense of purpose. Seniors who have social support from family and/or a community have improved overall health. Older adults who engage in physical
activities report a better self-esteem, improved mental health, are at a lower fall risk, and have an improved overall well-being.
The combination of social connections while doing physical exercise, are at a much higher success rate than doing physical exercise without
I have yet to meet anyone in my classes who does not know they are strongly advised to exercise, yet many just can’t seem to get started or maintain a strong fitness habit. Exercise is proven to improve your cardiovascular and brain health, reduce fall risk and improve your mood and sleep, so what does it take to get going?
Your first step might be to address your barriers. What is stopping you from getting started?
Consider talking to your Doctor about aqua classes or seated exercise. Exercise actually helps reduce pain for most arthritis sufferers.
Studies show the risks of inactivity are far greater than the risks of exercise. Sitting is dangerous to your health.
Many fitness classes are low or no cost or are covered by Medicare. Some gyms have scholarship funds available. Of course, walking is a great option that typically costs nothing.
Are you nervous to try something new you might not be skilled at right away? Exercise videos can be a great way to start in the comfort of your home. You can feel like you are exercising with a class full of people without any self-consciousness.
Consider what you loved doing as a child! Can you find adult versions to enjoy?
No matter how busy you are, it is always possible to fit in fitness if you prioritize it. Consider it one of your medications that must be taken just like any other medications you may have. You also don’t have to wait to have a half hour at once. Exercise can be done 10 minutes at a time and sprinkled throughout your day. In fact, evidence is mounting that frequent movement is more beneficial than a single daily exercise session. The good news is that Fall is a perfect time to get started! Temperate weather brings you a multitude of opportunities to get outdoors for your favorite activities. What did you enjoy doing before you had to spend all your time at work? Those activities might be the perfect place to start. Just a few great options include:
Golf is both social and active! Try walking between most holes.
Line-dancing, Zumba Gold, senior dances, or just dancing in your living room is fun and social.
Remember the fun of biking as a kid? It’s still fun and free three-wheel bike checkouts are available at Senior Services!
Aqua exercise gives a workout without straining joints and bones, plus water is relaxing.
Hiking is free, stress relieving and rejuvenating. Bring binoculars or a camera too.
Make it social and invite a friend!
Games are so much fun; you might forget it is exercise! Pickleball anyone?
Gardening can be relaxing, plus you get a beautiful yard.
Did you used to love baseball, basketball or other team sports? Look into senior teams, or call friends and set up informal games.
Hula hooping is fun, low impact, and strengthening. You can also go to a playground, with or without kids. Try the adult playground at our Sanford Center.
Get fresh air and movement too. Just be sure not to sit all day!
This fun outdoor activity combines hiking with a treasure hunt and can be a family activity.
Fitness classes allow you to meet people, learn a new skill, and feel revived. Tai Chi and Yoga are popular classes that increase flexibility. Having a set schedule can be a great motivator. Visit SeniorServicesMidland.org or call 989-633-3700 to get started. Good luck!
We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘as you give, you get’ or variations on that theme. What is interesting is that evidence is mounting that this maxim is backed up by fact. In particular, I am referring to the act of volunteering and its role and benefit in numerous areas of our lives. So what are these benefits? In a recent study from Carnegie Mellon University, they researched people over the age of 50 and found that those who regularly volunteered were less likely to develop high blood pressure than those did not volunteer. Now you might think that the extra stress of being busy with volunteer efforts would create stress, but the evidence tells us just the opposite. Volunteering increasingly is shown to reduce stress. Let’s look at why that may be.
• Many volunteer jobs add an element of physical activity into your day. Exercise is a proven stress-buster.
• Volunteering helps you meet and connect with others, and social connections are crucial to our sense of well-being.
• Helping someone else can give you perspective when you see others with greater difficulties than you. It may also
reinforce a sense of gratitude for what you have, and what you are able to do.
• Focusing on helping others allows you to not worry about your own frustrations and struggles for a time.
• Most importantly, making a difference in the life of another person gives a sense of continued meaning and purpose in your life.
So how much is enough? The Carnegie Mellon study found that 200 hours a year- less than 4 hours a week, was ideal. Meanwhile, other studies have shown that as little as 100 hours a year has benefit.
In addition to the Carnegie Mellon study, other recent research expands on the benefits of doing good for others. The Longevity Study showed that people who volunteered regularly lived longer than those who did not. If that is not enough, the Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study published by UnitedHealth Group and the Optum Institute, found that volunteers felt better physically, mentally and emotionally, were better able to manage and lower stress, felt more
deeply connected to others, and were more engaged in managing their own health than non-volunteering counterparts.
There you have it. Volunteering helps you live longer, better and healthier! So what are we waiting for? Find ways to help someone, someplace, in some way. Opportunities abound, from driving for Senior Services, to reading to disadvantaged kids, to knitting hats for cancer patients. Tap into your talents, skills, or the simple gift of your presence and evidence shows you will richly receive as you give.
Our current needs are:
TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS
- Our volunteer drivers provide “arm to lean on” door-to-door service throughout the entire county of Midland making it easier for older adults to get to doctor’s appointments, a ride to the grocery store, and more.
- Routes available M-F from 10 am-1
pm. Mileage is reimbursed and you’ll receive a FREE lunch!
- Visit, call, shop and more for an older adult in need. This is a great opportunity for working people and is flexibly scheduled.
-Provide meaningful improvements to the safety of an older adult’s home.
If you choose to volunteer with us, you will be embarking on a rewarding adventure that will have a huge impact on the older adults of Midland County! We hope you’ll consider joining our team of experienced, trusted and valued volunteers.
Visit us at SeniorServicesMidland.org/ volunteer to fill out a contact form or call Allison Rossi Utter, Volunteer and Community Outreach Manager, at 989633-3741 to get started!
October is the month for chills and thrills. One thing that chills me is the damage caused to elder citizens by our culture’s casual dismissal of their worth. I wrote an article on this topic several years ago that was published in the Midland Daily News. I wish that I could say I have seen much change in the ensuing years, but sadly, examples still abound.
This month, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on that little word “still.” It’s not such a bad word in itself. In fact I used it in the last paragraph. It is the way it is applied when referring to older adults that can become problematic.
Elderblogger Ronni Bennett pointed to some great examples. In one news interview with 74-year-old Tom Hayden on TV, the anchor’s intro-
duction included this sentence: “... and Mr. Hayden is still active.” This is in reference to a person who was a major figure in civil rights activism in the sixties, served in the California State Assembly and State Senate, taught multiple college courses about political movements, and wrote numerous books. Or how about this headline from a newspaper in upstate New York: “Prize-winning poet still at work at age 86.”
The reality is that every time the media or public applies the word “still” in this manner, it is a way of infantilizing elders by expressing amazement that older adults maintain any interests or abilities at all. In reality, most elders I know lead rich, full lives. They are busy, curious, interested and compassionate. There
simply is no reason to imply that it is surprising that this should “still” be so.
The best writing I have seen on this subject comes from geriatrician Bill Thomas, author of What are Old People For? and Second Wind. According to Dr Thomas: “The word ‘still’ is intended as praise but actually serves to wound and diminish older people. The prominent place it holds in our lexicon, reminds us that, when it comes to people living in the latter decades of life, success is defined by the absence of ‘change, interruption, or cessation.’ It is a peculiar conception of human life that equates ‘success’ with a lack of change. Our use of the word ‘still’ reveals an ordinarily unstated assumption: In contemporary American society, any deviation
from the parameters of vigorous adulthood, by definition, carries the stigma of failure.”
“Healthy happy people are meant to grow and there are crucial moments in our lives when that growth compels us to leave one stage of the human lifecycle, and enter into the next. It is our culture’s inability to see the value of ‘life beyond adulthood’ that traps them in a desperate and ultimately doomed effort to continue living as adults. This is the tyranny of ‘still’.”
This month, I encourage you to pay attention. Notice when you hear derogatory language used towards older adults. It is only when we become aware, that we can then raise our voices and end the tyranny of “still.”
