Cyndi Lauper coming to Massachusetts as part of her farewell tour,
Better Health
TRAVEL: The timeless appeal of Puerto Vallarta, D7
MUSIC: Young@Heart Chorus profiled, D5
BROADWAY: “Mamma Mia” returns this summer, D5
They are living purposeful, energetic, vibrant lives being in a community like
Glenmeadow
By A NNE- G ERARD F LyNN Special to The Republican
Kathy Martin, president and chief executive officer of Glenmeadow, reflects frequently on “aging in community” and what that means at her senior living complex whose 113 independent units and 34 assisted living apartments are for anyone 62 and older.
“There is much more time between retirement and end of life than we imagined there would be a generation ago,” Martin said. “Baby boomers are retiring in greater numbers and they aren’t necessarily interested in sitting in the rocking chair by the fire knitting, although that is certainly an option.”
She added, “Retirees are living purposeful, energetic, vibrant lives and being in a community like Glenmeadow provides the opportunity to maintain and nurture that.”
“We have residents who are still working with Glenmeadow as home base,” Martin said. “We have residents who are active volunteers. We have residents who are members of local organizations. This isn’t a place where people come to wind down. Yes, you can age in place here, but the stronger experience comes from in aging in community.”
She said the emphasis on a culture of community and connection means family members know their loved ones are supported in their needs.
“It is almost impossible to isolate in a community like Glenmeadow,” Martin said. “There are people who want to see you at our many programs and your friends will want to know that you are doing OK.”
Demand for both independent living and assisted living units for seniors continues to grow across the country, something reflected in Glenmeadow’s occupancy rates. Martin advises families to do their due diligence in considering a move to senior living and to be informed about the community culture and its financial obligations. The move may involve downsizing and the sale of a home, and she notes that,
in the aftermath of the pandemic when many sheltered in place and communicated through Zoom and FaceTime and relied on Instacart deliveries to connect, families are feeling able to take time to deliberate a move to senior living.
“We still get the calls, ‘My dad really needs to be in assisted living in two weeks. Can you make that happen,’” Martin said. “We can make it happen but generally speaking the process to transition to senior living takes as long as it takes and our goal is to help facilitate that decision-making process. This is new territory for a lot of the prospective residents and their families. We are here to help families understand
current residents as they are going to be honest and tell you how the food really is.”
“The more you can experience the community in making a decision the better,” Martin said. “Tours with prospective residents can take two hours. We want to be sure they have a really good sense of Glenmeadow. Is this a place where they can imagine themselves for however long they are here? It could be a few years or 10 years or more.”
She said it is important as well to understand the financial model a community uses - Glenmeadow is private pay and uses an entrance fee model compared to a rental model for its independent units – and to
a couple decide they don’t want to deal with life’s overhead anymore - who is going to shovel the walk or deal with the water heater when it dies at 3 in the morning,” Martin said. “They decide they want or need a different experience. Moving to Glenmeadow removes all the hassles associated with home ownership and carries with it all the benefits of a retirement that feels like a vacation.”
Martin said another pathway to a life plan community happens when an individual or family member realizes more support is needed and the choice is made “to live at a place like Glenmeadow on the independent living side or assistant living side
“Glenmeadow is a wonderful place to have all parts of you self-nurtured and to grow in ways you want to grow.”
Kathy Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Glenmeadow in Longmeadow.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE-GERARD FLYNN / THE REPUBLICAN)
where there is more care available.”
families are going through” around when to make such a move and what supports a move brings.
“It is harder to make such a move after you have experienced a significant life event like the death of a spouse,” Martin said. “Couples moving in is a good sign for our population being able to be in community where, if and when something happens, there is support, including friends, already in place.”
Recently a respite care program has been started that, Martin said, offers “someone who might have graduated from a rehab stay but is not ready to return home the option to live at Glenmeadow for up to 60 days.”
Amenities at Glenmeadow include a new pool and fitness center called the Vitality Hub, a hair and nail salon, and a library. Glenmeadow is pet-friendly, and a resident walking a small pet not an uncommon sight. Programming provided both by Glenmeadow and its residents ranges from daily fitness classes to movie nights to discussion groups.
where this process may lead and what kind of questions to be thinking about.”
Martin said questions to consider include “how are the staff and how often will you or your family member engage with them whether at Glenmeadow or any other community?”
“Staff are the front-line caregivers,” she said. “You want to be sure they are interacting with you or your loved one regularly whether it is providing direct care or running a program or saying hello in the hallway. Are the staff satisfied, are they engaged in their work, do they like coming to work every day? This reflects the culture of the community and translates into the relationships that are built with residents.”
She added that it “is always helpful when prospective residents talk with
have a “good understanding of all the amenities that are included in your monthly service fee and if there are any ancillary charges.”
A nonprofit with a board of directors, Glenmeadow also offers home care services to the Greater Springfield Area. Its H-shaped complex that sits on 23 acres in Longmeadow opened in 1997, but its history traces back to a home for “aged women” without means that was founded in 1884 on Main Street in Springfield. Today, Martin said, the road to Glenmeadow for prospective residents is varied, and a growing number of couples are making the decision to move in, including many from outside of the Greater Springfield area, affirming that Glenmeadow is an attractive destination for retirement.
“In some cases, an individual or
She said this choice is being driven, too, by “families being more dispersed.”
“Children don’t always live around the corner, able to stop in and see how mom and dad or another loved one is doing,” Martin said. “So, for peace of mind, families will often recommend Glenmeadow where their love one can live independently but know there is care available if needed. They are not alone.” Martin, who holds a doctorate in physical education, was assistant provost for accreditation and administration at UMass-Amherst and Glenmeadow board member prior to being named to head the community in fall 2023.
She sees the increase in more couples moving to Glenmeadow as an “indicator of the decision-making
The majority of residents are female, but Martin notes there is a “thriving men’s club that provides an outlet for our male residents, including some great local trips” and exercise is among the most popular activities at Glenmeadow where the average age in the mid-80s is similar to many other life plan communities.
“Glenmeadow doesn’t have the feel of a retirement home as many would conceptualize,” Martin said.
“Here, you can be as involved as you want to be. We have some residents who have a full schedule every day and there are others who may not be joiners but are still active in the community, whether it is reading the newspaper in the Family Living Room or going for a walk in the Longmeadow area.”
She added, “Glenmeadow is a wonderful place to have all parts of you self-nurtured and to grow in ways you want to grow.”
“Our goal is to help you stay active, engaged, and thriving for as long as possible,” Martin said.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK IMAGES)
sensory overload
Hectic, loud and/or overly busy scenes and settings may not be safe havens for most people. In fact, it’s likely a majority of people find such environments uncomfortable and challenging to be in. Despite that discomfort, people typically can still manage these types of situations. Those who struggle to do so might be dealing with a condition known as sensory overload.
What is sensory overload?
The Cleveland Clinic compares sensory overload to an issue many modern adults have undoubtedly confronted: a computer paralyzed by too many applications running at once. Much like the operating system of a computer can be overwhelmed when too many internet tabs are open at once and/or too many applications are running simultaneously, a person’s operating system can be overwhelmed by too much stimuli, potentially contributing to paralyzing feelings that make it hard to move forward. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the sympathetic nervous system is the part of the body responsible for the fight-or-flight response. When a person experiences sensory overload, that system switches on and alerts individuals that they are in danger. This also occurs when individuals feel sudden stress resulting from some aspect of the world around them, which can be triggered by various prompts.
What are some potential triggers of sensory overload?
The organization Autism
Speaks notes that sensory overload is triggered when an intense sensory stimulus overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. A single event, including an unexpected loud noise, can be a trigger for sensory overload. The Cleveland Clinic reports these are some additional potential triggers:
Sight:
A lot of visual stimuli also can trigger sensory overload. That’s because individuals confronting a lot of visual stimuli may not figure out where to look or focus their attention. Bright or flashing lights also can trigger sensory overload.
Smell:
Strong scents and aromas, such as those produced by perfumes and certain cleaning products, also can trigger sensory overload.
Touch:
The Cleveland Clinic notes some individuals are extra sensitive to the feel of certain fabrics. Tight, uncomfortable clothing can trigger sensory overload, as can wearing materials that feel itchy.
Taste:
Even spicy foods or dishes individuals have never tried can trigger sensory overload. What happens when sensory over load is triggered?
Sensory overload can prompt both emotional and mental reactions. The Cleveland Clinic notes such reactions may include:
∙ General feeling of stress
∙ Anxiety
∙ Inability to focus
∙ Irritability
∙ Intrusive thoughts,
which the Cleveland Clinic notes are unwanted images or urges that come to mind even though they are unwanted
Autism Speaks notes more specific signs that people with autism who experience sensory overload may experience, which can include but are not limited to:
∙ Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things
∙ Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all
∙ Covering ears or eyes
∙ Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom
∙ Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items
∙ Frequent chewing on non-food items
∙ Frequent touching of others or playing rough
∙ Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input (shutdown)
∙ Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation (meltdown)
The Cleveland Clinic notes that children are more prone to sensory overload because youngsters’ coping skills are less developed than adults’.
More information about sensory overload can be found at https://health. clevelandclinic.org/sensory-overload.
Donating blood is a selfless act that benefits countless individuals each day.
The need for a steady blood supply is ongoing. In July 2024, the American Red Cross faced an emergency blood shortage after its national blood inventory fell by more than 25 percent. The Red Cross recently reported its lowest donor turnout in 20 years. There may be different reasons why people do not give blood, and confusion could be one of them.
The process of donating blood is simple, safe and quick. Although each organization may run a blood drive differently, here is what a blood donor can expect of the donation process.
▶ Register for the blood drive at an organization close to you. Many groups require you make an appointment, but some may accept walk-ins.
▶ Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated the day before the donation appointment. Also, set aside your identification. The type of identification needed may vary by donation center.
▶ The day of the donation, be sure to wear a shortsleeved shirt or one with sleeves that can be rolled up.
▶ Arrive for the appointment and complete a mini-physical and health history. Your temperature and blood pressure may be taken, and other vital signs may be checked. The
attendant will ask questions about behaviors or illnesses that may exclude you from being able to donate blood.
▶ You may undergo a finger prick to test whether you are anemic, or when your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin.
▶ During the donation of whole blood, 500 milliliters, or roughly 17 ounces, will be collected. A phlebotomist will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a new, sterile needle for the blood draw. The quick pinch is over in seconds. For a donation of platelets, a special machine called an apheresis machine will be connected to both arms.
▶ A whole blood donation takes about eight to 10 minutes to complete, during which you can be seated comfortably or lie down. For platelets, the machine will collect a small amount of blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood through the other arm. This cycle repeats several times for a period of about two hours. Bandages will be placed on your arm at the conclusion of the donation where any needles were removed.
▶ Following the blood draw, you’ll be allowed to rest and recover. There likely will be small snacks and beverages in a refreshment area. After around 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll be allowed to leave and continue your normal routine.
▶ It’s best to avoid vigorous activities for at least four hours after the donation. Make an effort to remain hydrated for two days following the donation.
▶ While most donors feel fine afterwards, it is not un-
common to experience mild dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, or bruising and pain at the draw site. These symptoms should resolve fairly quickly.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says you can donate blood and blood products at these intervals:
∙ Whole blood donation: 56 days
∙ Platelet donation: 7 days
∙ Double red cell donation: 112 days
∙ Plasma donation: 28 days
Learn more about blood donations at www.redcrossblood.org or www.hhs.gov/ givingequalsliving.
What happens to blood after
it’s donated?
Each year blood donors help to save millions of lives. Individuals who routinely donate blood may not give it a second thought, but this selfless gesture ensures accident victims and others get a helping hand when they need it most. Recipients of blood donations are there for the culmination of a process that begins with generous donors, who may be curious about exactly what happens to their blood after it’s collected. According to the American Red Cross, donated blood is kept on ice before being taken to a processing center, where information about the donation is scanned into a computer database. Upon arriving at processing centers, donated blood is spun in centrifuges to separate it into transfusable components, including red cells, platelets and plasma. Each component is then packaged as a ‘unit,’ or a standardized amount doctors use when transfusing a patient. Blood donations also are tested at a separate laboratory to establish type and check for infectious diseases. The results of these tests are transferred electronically to the processing center within 24 hours, which underscores the efficiency of the donation process. Any blood that tests positive for disease is discarded and donors are notified. If the blood is deemed suitable for transfusion, it is labeled and stored. Red cells are stored in refrigerators at 6 degrees C for up to six weeks (42 days), while platelets are stored at room temperature in agitators for up to five days. Plasma can be stored in freezers for up to one year. Blood is available to be shipped to hospitals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and hospitals typically keep some blood units on-site.
Who Said Self-Care Is for Young People?
By M arisa M eltzer
“While I don’t love my wrinkles and sags, I embrace them as a life well lived,” said Evelyn Block, 76. That’s not all she’s embraced. She dyes her hair an electric blue. And her retirement hobby? She’s a roller derby referee in Southern California.
“Stevie Fleet Wheels is my derby name,” she said. “I have been a huge Stevie Nicks fan for over 50 years. She’s six weeks younger than I am. As long as Stevie can get onstage, I can still roller skate.”
Self-care is a concept mostly associated with youth, perhaps in part because advertisers see that demographic as their primary market. But wellness is as important, perhaps more so, at 75 as it is at 25.
In a Times questionnaire, we asked readers how their routines for self-care have evolved as they’ve aged. More than 3,100 people from across the country responded. Block’s disconnect over what she saw in the mirror was echoed by many, who said that while they feel younger, their reflection often shows someone much older, or even a face that recalls their elders.
Many readers spoke about feeling invisible as they aged. For some it was a negative: The world was overlooking them.
Others saw that same invisibility as a positive: They can wear whatever they want and find relief in feeling less judged.
The shifting body is ever-present in our minds. Even people who said their primary goal was keeping their minds sharp still mentioned that their body sizes had changed.
Routines were important, whether getting eight hours of sleep, working out regularly or just taking a hot shower every morning. There was also a lot of focus on skin care and beauty products — something some respondents lamented, whether they used anti-aging products or not.
“For the first time in my life, I’m also following a regular skin-care routine,” wrote Michael S. Russo, 60, of Nassau County, New York. “As a man, I never thought this was important, but it really is. You don’t want your face to look like an old leather saddlebag if it doesn’t have to.”
Some discussed caring for themselves so they could care for others, or not wanting to be a burden to their families or loved ones.
“Self-care for me means
assuming responsibility for still being on the planet without asking other people to be responsible for me,” said Malinda Hatch, 82, who lives in a multigenerational home outside Baltimore.
Below are thoughts from some of those who responded.
Roller Derby Evelyn Block, 76, California
My old-school hairdresser wouldn’t dye my hair. This one was new and I said, “What about color?” and she said, “Let’s try it.” I get it touched up about once a month. I get compliments all the time from old people. The junior derby kids were so excited. I usually walk home a mile from the salon. Someone leaned out and said, “I love your hair.”
We had a roller derby tournament this past Saturday and I fell twice. My legs went out from under me. You learn to fall the right way, to pull your knees and your head to your chest and your elbows in. You fold up into a ball. My trainer has me juggle scarves for my hand-eye coordination. I have seen him for seven years after I tore my glute muscle getting off a Pilates machine! We do eye exercises, strength and resistance training. If I hadn’t been doing what I’m doing, I wouldn’t be able to continue roller skating.
Ballet
Giannella Garrett, 71, New York
I take two pointe classes a week. It’s one of the hardest things I have ever done. With advancing age, I see the end of the line — maybe not life, but physical abilities. I started ballet as an adult. I didn’t begin as a child; my mother had me take piano lessons. I never get tired of it. A day without ballet is not the happiest day for me. I see four different teachers over the course of the week. What brings me joy first thing in the morning is seeing whose class I am taking. I once had a boyfriend who asked, “When are you going to finish ballet? When do you graduate?” and I said, “Never.”
Meditation
Shailendra Jain, 68, North Carolina
I have spent a lifetime trying to conform. Before I die, I want to feel free, I want to break through the self-imposed barriers. I grew up in a large family in Delhi; conformity was the norm. The
rules were extensive and any violation would be met with some consequences: a physical beating or open criticism. It got built into me. As part of my freedom, I moved away from religion. Meditation, however, is about going inside me. I focus on an awareness of a higher self. Every day, I become more aware of different sensations in my body.
Gardening and Painting
Malinda Hatch, 82, Maryland
I worked as a garden designer and a horticulture consultant. I have gardened since childhood. My land is all rock and hard soil, and I’m figuring out how to have a garden here. We have talked about enclosing a space and turning a deck into a greenhouse for vegetables. I feel that plants won’t grow for everybody. They know there is this strange symbiosis. Plants reward you.
Every day, I paint; it’s a ritual. I’m in my little art room for at least an hour and a half. I often paint portraits or scenes of my family or a good friend if I’m missing someone. I’m a twin, and I lost my twin in 2018. I paint her in an imaginary space I think she’d be happy in. I paint my mother, who lived to be 94. Sometimes, I paint us together. I see my family daily without a regimen. [Hatch lives with family in a compound they bought together.] We eat together. We try to enjoy each other and not get in each other’s way. We all cook, which is a problem with one kitchen and one refrigerator. We are sorting through getting to know each other.
Independent Living
Nancy Gabriel, 98, New York
My dog is named Jake. I got him as a puppy a couple of months after my husband died. He’s part of my daily routine. As he ages — he’s 12 — he is still playful, but also goes to his crate and takes more naps. I keep hoping he’ll be around and be OK. Since I’m aging, too, I understand the process. It’s very similar. Yogurt is typically my lunch when I’m at home. I am at home more than I ever was. It’s always Fage — that’s part of my Greekness. I travel almost every year to visit Greece. That’s a constant. This year, I went in May with my grandson and granddaughter-in-law and their two children. Whenever they plan a trip, they call and tell me to get ready.
I have always fed birds who
visit my backyard. I enjoy watching them come to the bird feeder. Chipmunks and squirrels wait for the seeds that fall to the ground. My son just gave me a bird feeder with a camera attached. All told, I’m a very lucky 98-year-old.
Exercise and Prayer
Trent Lyght, 65, Georgia
I am a former athlete. I have
a lower back disability. I’ve lost muscle mass. I can’t walk very far. I use a cane and keep an extra one in the car. My goal is to get off the cane. My training is focused on the lower body, but I do upper body workouts on Mondays and Thursdays. I sometimes go swimming on the weekends. My kettlebell training started at 35 pounds, then 40, now 50 pounds. I have noticed a tremendous improvement since I started in June. My mother’s death in 2014 and getting divorced the year before prompted me to seek an organized religion. I started going to different churches in Atlanta — Baptist, Methodist — and then went to the mosque to learn about Islam. I took a class and, in a month, thought it was a fit for me.
The New York Times
Above: Malinda Hatch, 82, who had lived alone for decades before moving in with her son and his wife and daughter, spends times with the flowers that grow naturally on their property, in Baltimore. Americans’ routines for self-care have evolved as they have aged. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH BICK / THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Mental health issues were once stigmatized to such an extent that many people dealing with problems like anxiety and depression felt uncomfortable speaking about them or even seeking help. Though some may still find it difficult to acknowledge their mental health issues, society has made great strides in regard to destigmatizing mental health conditions and recognizing how common such problems are.
Parents may be surprised to learn that many men-
tal health issues begin in childhood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders can start to develop long before children leave for college. Recognition of that reality may compel parents to learn more about children and mental health, including signs of potential issues and how to determine if certain behaviors are indicative of a burgeoning issue or a part of normal development.
Identifying mental health issues in children
The NIMH notes the difficulty in distinguishing between behaviors that are a normal part of a child’s development and those that suggest a potential mental health problem. Parents know that children’s behaviors and emotions can be challenging to deal with, but that’s often a normal part of a child’s development that youngsters outgrow with age. The NIMH notes that time is a potential
indicator of a mental health problem, and encourages parents to seek help if a child’s challenging behavior or emotions persist for weeks or longer. Kids will not outgrow negative behaviors overnight, but persistent problems that extend for weeks or months could be indicative of something beyond normal developmental hurdles. Behaviors and emotions that cause distress for a child or the child’s family are another potential indicator of a mental health issue. In addition, behaviors or emotions that
interfere with a child’s ability to function, be it at school or at home or among friends, may indicate the presence of a mental health issue.
What if signs suggestive of mental health issues are present?
The NIMH advises parents to be proactive if they notice signs of mental health issues in their children. Parents can begin by contacting their child’s teacher and asking
how the child behaves in school, both in the classroom and on the playground. A child’s pediatrician also can be a valuable resource. Share the particular behavior(s) or emotion(s) that are causing concern with the child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician may note if the behavior is part of normal development or may recommend a mental health professional to further address the issue.
Is an evaluation really
necessary?
The aforementioned stigma associated with mental health issues may make even the most well-intentioned parents hesitant to seek an evaluation. But evaluations can set children on a path to improved mental health, and it’s worth reminding parents that issues like anxiety and depression are quite common and nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, a large-scale 2023 study published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry found that one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Evaluation is one of the initial steps toward overcoming mental health issues, and children may exhibit different signs that an evaluation is necessary based on their age. For example, the NIMH notes that young children who often seem fearful or worried and those who have frequent tantrums or are irritable much of the time may benefit from a mental health evaluation. Older children who engage in self-harm behaviors or those who diet or exercise excessively can benefit from an evaluation. Additional age-based indicators that an evaluation may be necessary can be found at nimh.nih.gov. Many mental health issues begin in childhood. Parents can keep an eye out for indicators of mental health issues and work with their children’s health care providers to determine the best course of action.
