Q & A with Kelly Walters

Executive director of 50 Forward Mohawk Valley explains how the nonprofit is helping people to age better, talks about revitalizing the West Side Utica Senior Center as its third site

David L. Podos

Q: What is 50 Forward Mohawk Valley, what services do you provide to the community?

A: Well, let me first start off with our mission statement which is to provide programs and services to people who are 50-plus so they can live healthy and vibrant lives. So, we are providing services that help people through the aging process.

Q: What are these services?

A: We offer a fitness program, a number of educational programs, as well as several evidence-based programs, and, we are the oldest senior center service provider in Oneida County, as well as the largest

Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion

We’ve already had some sizzling days, and there will be many more this summer. Not everyone responds to the heat in the same way, and for some people, a stretch of high temperatures can be deadly.

Heat-related illness, known as hyperthermia, results from exposure to extreme heat, with the body unable to properly cool. Prompt treatment with fluids and cooling the core body temperature are critical to reducing illness and preventing death.

“The elderly are prone to heat exhaustion since, as we age, our bodies don’t regulate heat as well as they did when we were younger,” says physician Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president for medical affairs and senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Often, seniors aren’t aware of the impact of high temperatures on their bodies until it’s too late,”

In addition to the elderly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people at greatest risk for heat-related illness include those who are overweight or have existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Among the symptoms of heat exhaustion are headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating (or no sweating), elevated body temperature, muscle cramping, and decreased urine output. If untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition that can damage the brain or other vital organs and, in severe cases, cause multiple organ system failure and

Fitzpatrick offers the following tips to prevent heat-related illness: senior center in three counties, that being Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties. In 2021 we opened our Verona Beach site in Verona Beach. Recently we received a grant to rehabilitate the West Side Utica Senior Center which will come under our purview as 50 Forward Mohawk Valley [as does the Verona Beach site]. Our home base of operations is located at 220 Memorial Parkway, Utica.

• Check on those at risk. During a heat wave, frequently check on people at risk, such as the elderly, disabled, or homebound. Check on them at least twice a day.

Q: That’s really impressive that you have three sites providing services. In regards to those services can you be a bit more specific in detailing what they are?

A: Absolutely. One of our more popular services is the use of our fitness facility, offering a variety of modern workout equipment. Of course, before any new member can use the machines, we do a complete orientation on proper use and care, then the member is on her or his own. We have pickle ball, Zumba and aerobic classes, muscular strength and training, as well as yoga classes to name just a few.

Q: All those programs sound great and I am sure your members take full advantage of them. Do you offer any nutrition programs?

A: We do. Our program department is always putting together workshops. We have speakers that will come in and talk about the particular workshop that they are experts in, nutrition for instance. We have a program that is called “A Matter of Balance” which is a fall prevention program which last for eight weeks. Another popular service we offer is “Aging Mastery Program.” This is a 10-week program and each week we offer a different topic related to aging such as, eating healthy, sleep issues, fall prevention and social and civic engagement.

Q: Does your organization have transportation services?

A: Yes. So we are the mobility managers for the Department of Transportation, and we work through the Office of Aging of Oneida County to assist in transportation needs. For example, once we get a referral from the office of aging we contact the client, find out the date’s times and place of the appointment they need to go on, then see what volunteer drivers we have available. The volunteer either uses their own personal vehicle or we have several agency vehicles that they can use if available. Just as a side note if someone uses their own car, we provide mileage reimbursement. Additionally, for members at our Utica and Verona Beach sites we will pick up people from their homes and bring them to the senior center.

Q: I am sure your clients appreciate that service. Without it what would they do?

A: It is a big challenge for many seniors who have lost their independence not being able to just jump into a car and go wherever they need to go. We do help them to learn the bus system (if they are interested) but not all seniors like riding the bus, instead prefer to be picked up by our volunteers.

Q: How many members are there in your Utica location and how many in your Verona Beach location?

A: Presently, we have 1,800 members here at our senior center in Utica. At our Verona Beach site we have 670.

Q: How many staff do you have?

A: We have 12 staff.

Q: Where does 50 Forward Mohawk Valley receive its funding from?

A: We receive grants from the Oneida County Office of Aging, the city of Utica, the Community Foundation, Slocum Dickson Foundation, Excellus and membership fees.

Q: Do you have more information on your website and what number can someone reach the center at?

A: For more information, our website is: www.50forwardmv.org. Phone: 315-223-3973.

• Ask your health care provider if you or someone you care for is vulnerable to excessive heat. Some conditions or medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, inhibit perspiration, or restrict how much fluid can be consumed.

• Wear light clothing. On extremely hot days, dress in lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes.

• Drink liquids. In hot weather, make sure you, or the person you care for, consume an appropriate amount of nonalcoholic fluids. Stay away from beverages high in sugar or caffeine, as they cause the body to lose more fluid.

• Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to have a beverage. By the time you recognize the thirst, you are already in need of fluids.

• Take a cool shower or bath. Taking a shower or bath with room-temperature water will allow your body to cool.

First aid for someone with heat exhaustion includes immediate medical attention from an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. If medical care isn’t available, call 911 and stay with the individual until help arrives. Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks. Encourage frequent sips of cool water, and apply cold compresses to the head, neck, and face.