HEALTH & WELLNESS

Lifestyle, nutrition essential in treating chronic kidney disease

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

March brings global awareness to Kidney Health with March 9 focusing on optimal kidney function and addressing CKD — chronic kidney disease.

About 850 million people worldwide are currently affected by different types of kidney disorders and one out of seven Americans is diagnosed with CKD.

The “Are your Kidneys OK” campaign was created in 2006 by the International Federation of Kidney Foundations and the International Society of Nephrology to reduce the impact of the disease and other health conditions associated with it.

Prevention at the onset, education and evaluation are fundamental as kidney disease can be prevented with early detection coupled with ongoing lifestyle modifications and nutritional changes.

Following their tenure as dialysis nurses both Michelle McMurtery and Michelle Zachry started Nutrition Specialist Group in 2020 to promote awareness for CKD and address dietary management for the disease.

“After working so many years in dialysis, we realized our doctors were unable to refer patients to any centers in Brevard County that provided awareness and treatment for healthy kidney function and ongoing treatment for CKD,” McMurtery said. “It’s called “the silent disease,” as most people aren’t aware their kidney function is declining, which can be managed by the proper diet and exercise plans.”

Charles Bivona, a Melbourne resident, visited McMurtery after being diagnosed with stage 3 CKD in late 2022.

“I felt miserable with swollen and sore joints, lack of energy and very little strength, which took away from being able to do any exercise,” Bivona said.

“My doctor had provided little advice on how to counter my kidney deterioration and I was at my wits end because I didn’t know what to do. At first I was skeptical when I was referred to Michelle, but I soon realized that my diet was a major contributor to all my health issues, not just my CKD. After some changes and substitutions the management prescribed, it has led to dramatic improvements overall.”

The theme for 2023 World Kidney month is “Kidney Health for All — Preparing for the Unexpected, Supporting the Vulnerable” and its importance is being carried out throughout the year.

“Kidneys are essential organs in our body, with big responsibilities. Creating awareness and providing education is essential for prevention as hypertension, diabetes coupled with obesity and smoking are major contributors for non-genetic kidney disease and failing kidney function. The last resort for any patient should be a transplant, as donors are scarce,” Zachry said. SL

Key to older adult health and fitness — keep moving

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

Seniors are urged to exercise to stay fit and be able to perform basic activities in daily living.

Everyone knows the importance of exercise on a cardiovascular system to make the heart stronger, lower blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol. But there is much more.

“Marching in place for 20 counts, standing in place to kick butt helps stretch hamstrings, and perform toe raises 20 times, or nice little squats

20 times will make a difference,” said Lisa Gladu-Molina, a certified personal trainer at Aquatic Health and Rehabilitation of Melbourne through Aging Matters. “Start off slow with say, 10 and then add as you go along until you get to 20.

“Stand to balance for one to two minutes on a foam pad and practice with feet shoulder-width apart standing near a counter or chair for needed support. Then stand with feet closer together for narrow base support for a minute or two minutes. Place feet in front of each other crossing over back and forth, practicing single leg stand on each foot for 30 seconds.”

Gladu-Molina said that practice makes perfect at least two or three times a week.

“The more they put into it, the more they get out of it. If they are consistent, they will notice improvement right away.”

More than one type of physical activity, such as aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, and balance training can be done at home or in a community setting as part of a structured program, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is agreed that older adults should move more and sit less throughout the day, urging some physical activity is better than none. Physical activity can help reduce the risk of injury from falls and improve physical function.

“The more simple exercises they can do at home is great,” Gladu-Molina says. “If they can do a group exercise, they get more motivated. Get a friend. You are always more motivated with a friend. Exercise two or three times a week.”

The CDC recommends that adults age 65 and over exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week at least 150 minutes a week — two days a week of activities that strengthen muscles, and those that improve balance.

Recreational activities such as dancing, yoga, tai chi, gardening, or sports can also be considered multicomponent because they often incorporate multiple types of physical activity.

Additional Products

Storm Panels

Screen Rooms

Accordians

Roll-Ups

Bahamas

Hurricanerated Roll-Up Screens

Acrylic Sliders

Carports

Easy Open/Close Accordion Shutters

Boniface Hiers Mazda Car & Truck Show

Belly Dancing 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

FIT Over 50 with Polly

9 - 9:55 a.m.

Bingo

11:30 a.m.

Forgiveness Workshop

Indiafest

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Boniface Hiers Mazda

625 E. NASA Blvd.

Melbourne, 321-948-7553

2023 Swim Melbourne

Masters 1.5K and 5K Open

Water Swims

Race 1 - Race 2 on March 12

9 a.m. - 1.5K starts.

Paradise Beach

2301 Florida A1A

Melbourne Beach, 321-266-

4808

Fee is $2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Martin Andersen Senior Center

1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-7549

Seaside Quilt Show Group

1 - 5 p.m.

Quilting group

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive

Suntree, 321-255-4404

Banana River at Pavilion Cocoa Beach Country Club 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd. Cocoa Beach 321-266-4808

Brevard Investment Education Group 10:30 a.m. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Zumba 9 - 10 a.m. Low impact Brevard Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy Merritt Island, 321-4531776

Cardio, strength and core work designed to improve flexibility, mobility strength and balance. Bring hand weights and water - floor mat and large exercise ball optional.

Cape Canaveral Public Library 201 Polk Ave.

Palm Bay Senior Center

1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

Swingtime Free Concert: Sundry Showcase

7 p.m.

Concert presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

Melbourne Auditorium

625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-724-0555

Muscle Memory, Strength, Balance

10 - 11 a.m. 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-609-0999

Tap & Jazz for Seniors

11 a.m. - noon 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 309-236-7786

Melbourne Wellness Fair

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Health and wellness providers, free screenings, presentations, giveaways, door prizes and more. Space Coast Convention Center 103 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 941-539-8391

1 - 2:30 p.m. Learn what forgiveness is and is not.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Animals and Seniors

10 - 11 a.m.

Aging Matters

3600 West King Street

Cocoa, 321-452-4341

“Unmasking Freedom"

Fourth annual Charity Dinner & Auction

6:30 - 10 p.m.

The Grand Manor 1450 Sarno Road Melbourne, 844-673-2639

High Tea at Field Manor

2 - 4 p.m. We will be serving up to five teas, as well as sweet and savory treats. Field Manor 750 Field Manor Drive Merritt Island, 321-8480365

Presented by nurse Lisa and Dr. Joel Shuy, Psy. D. Enjoy refreshments and be entered to win a raffle prize. Touch of Grey will bring friendly dogs. RSVP. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

March 11 and 12 Cultural shows, traditional Indian cuisines, fashion show, music, henna, Indian cooking demo, arts and crafts, yoga demo, great raffle prizes, and more. Wickham Park Regional Pavilion 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne, Indiafest.com 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Boomer Guide Senior Expo Let the Shenanigans begin 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Melbourne Art & Craft Expo

10 a.m.

March 18 and 19 Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne, 772-492-6106

Symphonic Jukebox

7 p.m.

Bridge Noon - 3 p.m.

Brevard Veterans Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Merritt Island 321-453-1776

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Boomer Guide's annual expo featuring exhibitors, a coffee bar, music and snacks. Meet Alligator Robb and take a self-defense class. Pick up the new Boomer Guide magazine. Wear green for good luck. Beads provided. Hilton Rialto Melbourne Conference Center, 200 Rialto Place, Melbourne 321-242-1235

Presented by the Space Coast Symphony. Satellite Beach High School 300 Scorpion Ct. Satellite Beach 855-252-7273 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Free Family Concert:

Bountiful Garden Party:

Candle Making

1 p.m.

Learn how to handcraft your very own bountiful candle from start to finish. All the materials are provided to assemble the vessel. Rockledge Gardens

Music Monday: Auld Triangle

- 7 p.m. Traditional Irish music. Cape Canaveral Public Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral, 321-8681101

Medicaid Planning Seminar 10 - 11 a.m.

Presented by William

A. Johnson, Elder Law Attorney. RSVP One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

University of Saturday Morning Cartoons p.m. March 22 and 23

Presented by the Melbourne Community Orchestra. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-285-6724

Amazing You! Workshop

- 2:30 p.m. Discover if emotions are good or bad. Learn how breathing may help control emotions. Aging Matters 3600 West King Street Cocoa, 321-452-4341

Line Dance Social

- 9 p.m. Dance to all genres of music, great for beginner to advanced. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333

Third Annual Out of This World Golf Tournament 7 a.m.

Benefit for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Turtle Creek Golf Course 1278 Admiralty Blvd. Rockledge, 321-631-7776

2153 U. S. Highway 1 Rockledge, 321-636-7662

Space Coast Poets

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Suntree/Viera Library

902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Fox Lake Spring Festival of Crafts 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fox Lake Park 4400 Fox Lake Road Titusville, 321-633-2046 26 27 28 29 30 31

Indoor/Outdoor Vendor and Craft Fair Noon - 4 p.m.

Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

Golden Hearts Senior Fitness 1 - 2 p.m. 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-514-5945

Bones and Balance 10 - 11 a.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, 321-543-6358

Healing Mind, Body & Soul through Cancer and Beyond

5 - 6:30 p.m.

Panel discussion of healthcare and support resource experts.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community 5655 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-266-0564

Watercolor Instruction

9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Wickham