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Havin’ a ball

A group of Sauk Valley seniors enjoy fun, fitness and fellowship with their pin pals

Senior centers are beginning to welcome people back Thinking about taking herbal meds? Do some digging to avoid the root of the problem Medication side effects: Know the risks and know what to do Senior fitness: Think about exercising your options

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Publisher/Ad Director Jennifer Heintzelman Magazine editor & Page design Rusty Schrader Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-2222 Have a story idea for Small Town Living? Let us know ... Call 815-632-2531 or e-mail news@saukvalley.com

For a group of senior bowlers, staying in shape and racking up some points is right up their alley — but the best part about getting together? Having a good time.

•Thinking about taking herbal medication? Have your doctor give you the green light first.

Pin pals

Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Kaleidoscope may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.

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Whether members of the Sauk Valley Senior Bowlers are looking to top a personal best or just make some personal connections, the bowling group gives them a place where they can do both. From top: Dick Janssen, Charlotte Dierdorff, Jay Wolfe, and Bill Bontz enjoy a game July 15 at Plum Hollow in Dixon PHOTOS: ALEX T. PASCHAL/ APASCHAL@ SHAWMEDIA.COM

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St or

group of local seniors aren’t worried about living life in the fast lane. They’re more than happy to enjoy a leisurely life in the wood lane. A combination of camaraderie, exercise and fun have brought members of the Sauk Valley Senior Bowling together for nearly 20 years, enjoying some time on the lanes with good company — and their idea of a perfect game? It’s one where they have a good time. There’s no pressure to rack up points and stack up strikes on the scoreboard, and that’s how the group’s leader, Richard Janssen, likes it. “I like the relaxed part about it,” Janssen said during a recent game at Plum Hollow in Dixon. “It’s just a good, social morning with bowling and exercise in between.” But for a while, the lanes were quiet, the pin-setters sat idle, and there was no one to fill the bowling shoes

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at alleys as the pandemic put an abrupt stop to a lot of leisure-time activities. While group members missed being able to bowl, it was the game’s fringe benefits they missed even more: the friends, fellowship and physical fitness. Now, being able to get back to some sense of normalcy has made them realize just how cherished and important simple things are, like playing a game. Norma Burmeister, 86, of Dixon, said “it felt wonderful” to come back to bowling again after months away due to the pandemic. “It gets you off of the couch,” Burmeister said. “I just play for fun. I try to improve but don’t always do it. Sometimes the alleys don’t like you.” After a couple of spells without any bowling at all, and a couple with mandatory mask wearing, turnout was down “a little bit,” Janssen said, but not a whole lot.” Janssen, 87, of Milledgeville, has been with the group for nearly 20 years, and coordinates each session. Among his duties: logging scores and making sure they get published in the local newspapers – a big point of pride that members enjoy seeing, he said. Recruiting has been a task lately now that people, especially seniors, are starting to engage in public activities again.

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BOWLING cont’d from page 5 “When you’re retired, it gives you something to do,” he added. “It’s a fun group of open bowlers that get together regularly.” But what about Sauk Valley seniors who aren’t looking to knock down some pins and pick up some points? No problem. Several members have made the rounds for 20 years or more and simply enjoy cheering on fellow group members, or giving them some pointers. The group doesn’t function as a league with stats, by-laws or other formal structures, and that flexibility allows members to go about their game and have fun at their own pace — but that doesn’t mean some don’t enjoy the occassional good-natured bragging rights. When it comes to scores, a few bowlers, such as Janssen and Dan Dunphy, can break 200 in a game; and a couple can get as high as a 600 series after their three-game day.

ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM

The Sauk Valley Senior Bowlers provides members some fun, fellowship and a little bit of physical fitness. Here, a member plays a game July 15 at Plum Hollow in Dixon.

BOWLING cont’d to page 7

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BOWLING cont’d from page 6 Dunphy, 75, of Dixon, used to bowl in leagues at Plum Hollow, and now splits his sports fun between bowling twice a week and golfing three days a week. He’s been with the bowling group for about 10 years. “It’s not a league, so you can come and bowl when you want to,” Dunphy said. “Everybody gets along well, and they’re here to have fun.” All of the group’s bowlers can bowl a score higher than their age, and that includes Charlotte Dierdorff, the bunch’s oldest member. Dierdorff, 93, of Dixon, lives across the road from the lanes at Liberty Court, and makes it a point to keep playing the game she’s loved for nearly 60 years. Dierdorff, who rolled a high game of 148 in June, has her own small table and chair next to the ball rack and enjoys sipping her coffee while patiently awaiting her turn to roll. It’s a lot better than sitting at home looking out the window during the height of the pandemic.

ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM

As far as the Sauk Valley Senior Bowlers are concerned, it’s not about competitiveness or one-upping the other person, it’s about having a ball, which is just what they do when they meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Plum Hollow in Dixon. But if a game gets people in the competitive spirit, that’s OK, too. After all, the sound of 10 pins toppling can be pretty sweet, no matter how long you’ve been playing.

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BOWLING cont’d from page 7 “I get some exercise, and it’s good for me,” she said. “You can’t sit all of the time.” Dierdorff has family around to help her, including her son, Bill Bontz, 61, of Amboy. Bontz and Dierdorff are one of the multi-generational teams that regularly participate. In fact, seniors can bring younger family members who also can join in on the fun from time to time. One member’s grandchild once rolled a perfect 300 game during a visit nearly 10 years ago. While high numbers pop up on scoreboard from time to time, that’s not necessarily the emphasis of participating, Janssen said. Bowling ball: check. Bowling “We have some bowlers shoes: check. Cookies? Well, that have never reached 100 of course — what fun is a game in a game, and we have bowlwithout some homemade treats. ers that go off for over 200. It’s a grand mixture of everyone, and if you do bad, you’re not going to hurt anyone on your team.” Getting together twice a week can be fun, but there’s even more fun on the last Thursday of every even-numbered month. That’s when the group has a designated “party day” with treats and honors members’ birthdays and anniversaries. Bowling is

a little different on that day, with 9-pin no-tap rules in play – if The Sauk Valley the first roll of a frame knocks Senior Bowlers group down nine pins, it counts as a meets at 9 a.m. every strike. Tuesday and Thursday Janssen once scored a 300 at Plum Hollow Bowlgame in no-tap 4 years ago; ing Center, 1933 state a typical game would have Route 26, Dixon. resulted in a 190 game. Call Richard Janssen “It’s not a normal 300 game, at 815-590-516 for but it was still a thrill,” Janssen more informasaid. tion. All of the chatter, the sound of pins falling and the gears of the machines in the back are like morning music to the ears of Plum Hollow co-owner Sandy Nordman. In the more than 15 years she and her husband, Alan, have owned the place, they’ve considered the senior group to be like family. “Whether you’re a good bowler or not, they all have a great time,” Sandy said. “They like to socialize [and meet new people], they like their coffee, and some even bring their cookies.” Many members, regardless of why they join, all agree on at least one thing: They would like more people to enjoy what they enjoy. “We’re always looking for new bowlers,” Dunphy said, “so if you get old enough, come on out.”

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Life is starting to get back to normal after more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to deal with a life that was anything but normal, and folks are starting to have fun again at some of the local senior centers. Senior facilities in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties have all cut back or temporarily eliminated activities in some way since the pandemic hit in March of 2020. Since then, it’s been a waiting game — watching numbers rise and fall, looking at trends, and looking forward to the day when restrictions would ease.

REOPENING cont’d to page 10

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REOPENING cont’d from page 9 Out of an abundance of caution, senior centers have been slower to reopen, given that their clients are among the most vulnerable when it comes to Covid, but with growing numbers of seniors vaccinated, the facilities are welcoming back people who’ve missed taking part in activities, utilizing services, and simply being able to socialize. While staying safe must be a top priority, returning to some sense of normalcy had to come at some point, and Lee County Council on Aging Executive Director Susan Lawler said that time is now — and it’s not just about having fun. “It is important for our seniors to get out in a safe environment and to start enjoying their lives again,” Lawler said. “It is imperative for their mental and physical well being.” Bingo, line dancing and open mic sessions have returned for Lee County’s seniors to enjoy. The LCCOA’s Senior Prom also is back and scheduled for Aug. 21, and a “high tea” event to celebrate women’s right to vote is slated for Aug. 26. But even as things return to something

resembling normal, there are some changes in place. At LCCOA, special events, as well as bingo, require a reservation. With any event, social distancing measures will be enforced, as well as the wearing of facemasks. Those attending the senior prom need to be fully vaccinated. “Our seniors know we have taken every precaution to protect them,” Lawler said. “Masks, shields around desks, temperatures taken, sanitizers everywhere, having our building sanitized after every event, handing out masks, gloves, and sanitizers to all our clients.” Trips also are being planned by LCCOA, and they have been “very well received by our seniors,” Lawler said. “Our seniors are bringing laughter back in the building,” she added. “Our seniors are excited to come back and get out of the house.” In Ogle County, Rock River Center has resumed nearly all activities and services, Executive Director Jaime Nobis said. Attendance at its activities has steadily increased since vaccinations became widely available, she said, and they’ve seen a “drastic increase” in transportation service requests.

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REOPENING cont’d from page 10

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Seniors at the Rock River Center in Oregon took part in a flower arrangement class in March. With the wide availability of vaccines, Rock River Center, as well as other local senior center facilities, is seeing an uptick in program participation from pre-pandemic days.

“The overwhelming majority of visitors are excited about the resumption of in-person services and activities,” Nobis said. “The National Institute on Aging states people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. Participating in activities not only improves mood and sense of community but can improve cognitive function and overall physical health.” The Carroll County Senior Center resumed bingo in May, with games played at 12:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month. Members since then also have been able to use the center’s book room to read, work on a puzzle or check out a video; and its exercise room, complete with a treadmill, recumbent bike, rowing machine, e-force trainer and Nintendo Wii Fit program, is back up and running.

REOPENING cont’d to page 12

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Sauk Valley senior centers

REOPENING cont’d from page 11 Seniors in Carroll County now have a new facility to enjoy: The CCSC moved to a brand new building at 17612 E. Benton St. in Mount Carroll, on the outskirts of town, after years of being located downtown. The new facility opened in September. Activities have continued to be on hold at the Whiteside County Senior Center, but it tentatively plans to reopen to the public on Oct. 4, Assistant Executive Director Beth Sterk wrote in a column for August’s Golden Echo. Since mid-March, the WCSC’s facility on Sterling’s west end, at 1207 W. Ninth St., has largely been silent without the camaraderie that’s come with crocheting and knitting, pinochle, euchre, Scrabble, pool, yoga and line dancing; along with its special games such as the rummy-type canasta and hand-and-foot card games, as well as Mexican Train Dominoes. But while the center itself has been closed, it’s still been able to offer some of the services its seniors have come to depend on, albeit with some changes. Pub-

Whiteside County Senior Center 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling 815-622-9230 Online: wc-seniorcenter.org and Facebook Lee County Council on Aging 100 W. Second St., Dixon 815-288-9236 Online: leecountycouncilonaging. net and Facebook Rock River Center 810 S. 10th St., Oregon 815-732-3252 Web: rockrivercenter.org and on Facebook Carroll County Senior Center 17612 E. Benton St., Mount Carroll 815-244-1800 Web: ccsso.net and Facebook

lic transportation is still available, with proper pandemic precautions in place on its busses, and other meetings and events have been held via Zoom, when possible. WCSC also announced that it will begin offering Golden Meals meal service on Oct. 4, serving congregate meals at the center. (To read more about WCSC’s plans, see the latest issue of Golden Echo; click on the “online newspaper” link at the top of the page at saukvalley.com, and scroll down to the “bookshelf” to find current and past issues of the senior publication). When the WCSC facility does reopen, face masks will be required at all times while in the building, “no exceptions,” Sterk said. Whatever services WCSC offers and how it offers them may look different going forward, but as with other senior centers, one thing will remain a constant: the safety of its seniors. “We want to have a solid foundation of staff ready to serve you when we re-open, so we can be intentional about our hospitality, and our center can be the best it can be,” Sterk said.

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SENIOR HEALTH: MEDICATION Examine all sides of your meds

Do some digging to avoid the root of the problem Considering taking herbal medication? Have your doctor give you the green light first Metro News Service

A lifelong commitment to healthy living can improve life expectancy and quality of life while reducing a person’s risk for various conditions and diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly can greatly reduce a person’s risk for various ailments, but such choices don’t eliminate that risk entirely. As a result, even health-conscious men and women may need to rely on medication to stay healthy. That’s especially true for seniors since age is a risk factor for various conditions. A 2014 analysis that appeared in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics examined nearly 1,300 published articles that focused on the use of herbal supplements by elderly patients. Though only 16 of those articles met the researchers’ criteria, the analysis concluded that herbal supplement usage is common among elderly patients, as was a lack of dialogue about such supplements between medical professionals and seniors. A concerted effort to initiate such dialogue on the part of both patients and health care providers can help shed light on herbal medicines so people taking them, including seniors, can learn more about what they’re putting into their bodies. What are herbal medicines? The National Health Service of the United Kingdom, a widely respected and publicly funded health

Don’t brush off side effects — take them seriously

care system, describes herbal medicines as those with active ingredients made from plant parts such as leaves, roots or flowers. Because herbal medicines are made from plant parts, many people assume they’re safe to take without consulting a physician. However, the NHS urges people to treat herbal medicines with the same care and respect as they would more conventional medicines. Herbal medicines can affect the body in various ways. A frank discussion with a physician can shed light on the potential side effects of herbal medicines and whether or not they’re safe. Why should seniors be concerned about herbal medicines? The NHS notes that seniors taking other medications may experience problems if they begin taking herbal medicines as well. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, notes that more well-designed studies are necessary to fully evaluate interactions between herbal medicines and prescription drugs. However, the NCCIH notes that some evidence points to some harmful effects of mixing the two. For example, the NCCIH reports that prolonged exposure to concentrated garlic extracts may reduce the efficacy of some drugs. The potential for these types of interactions should be enough to compel seniors to think twice before taking herbal medicines without first consulting their physicians. In addition, the NHS has developed a list of various types of people for whom herbal medicines may not be suitable, and that list includes the elderly.

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Metro News Service

Hundreds of millions of people across the globe rely on medications for their survival. In fact, the percentage of people using prescription medications may surprise people who work outside the health care industry. According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ 2015-16 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly 46 percent of the population of the United States used prescription drugs in 2015-16. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that prescription drug use is similar in Canada, where the Canadian Health Measures Survey found that roughly two-thirds of adults between the ages of 40 and 79 used at least one prescription drug in a 30-day period. Prescription drugs may be vital to many people’s survival, but they also can prove deadly if mismanaged. That’s especially true for people taking more than one medication. Taking multiple medications each day may be necessary, but it’s equally necessary that people taking more than one medication every day take steps to avoid drug interactions.

SIDES cont’d to page 14

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SENIOR HEALTH: MEDICATION SIDES cont’d from page 13 DISCUSS ALL MEDICATIONS WITH EACH OF YOUR DOCTORS. Primary care physicians and specialists should be kept in the loop regarding which medications their patients are taking. Patients should never assume their doctors know every medication they’re taking. When prescribed a new medication, mention to your prescribing doctor what else you are taking. Include prescription medications but also over-thecounter, or OTC, drugs, supplements and even vitamins. Use a notes app on your smartphone to create a running list of your medications so you can easily access it during doctor’s appointments. • READ ALL LABELS. Prescription drugs and OTC medications list potential side effects in different ways. Each prescription medication comes with a lengthy list of potential side effects, while OTC labels cite potential side effects in the “Warnings” section on their labels. Familiarize yourself with all potential side effects of a given medication prior to taking it. Err on the side of caution and wait to speak with your physician before taking an OTC medication you’re unfamiliar with. • ORDER ALL PRESCRIPTIONS FROM THE SAME PHARMACY. Ordering all prescriptions from the same pharmacy makes it easy to access all prescriptions. Pharmacists can look up all prescriptions and crosscheck interactions that may result from taking certain medications at the same time. This safety net can be useful and convenient. • UTILIZE ONLINE RESOURCES. The Drug Interactions checker at www.drugs.com/drug— interactions.html is a convenient way to learn about the potential interactions that can result when taking more than one medication or even mixing it with certain foods or beverages. Drug interactions can be deadly, which only underscores the importance of being careful when taking more than one medication at a time.

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Tips for dealing with symptoms of side effects Metro News Service

Medications are utilized in various ways. Some people take medication to treat issues such as headaches or the common cold, while medicine also may be used to treat serious diseases such as cancer or heart disease. Each medicine is different, but all share one common trait: the potential to produce side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that the side effects of medications can range from relatively harmful nuisances such as a runny nose to potentially life-threatening issues such as an increased risk for heart attack. When taking prescription medications or even overthe-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, it’s imperative that people discuss the side effects of such medicines with their physicians. Such discussions are especially important for people who are already taking other medications, as the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that adverse drug reactions are more likely to affect people who take more than three medicines per day. People who suspect they’re experiencing side effects from medications should contact their physicians immediately. Physicians may recommend a host of strategies to treat these common side effects. • Constipation: The health care experts at Michigan Medicine note that drinking plenty of fluids and exercising can help people overcome

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constipation. Doctors also may recommend incorporating more bran and whole grains into your diet. Consuming fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, including apples, beans, broccoli, and prunes, also may help people overcome constipation. • Diarrhea: The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that nearly all medicines can cause diarrhea. Foods such as applesauce and rice are unlikely to lead to upset stomach, and these can be consumed when people are experiencing diarrhea. Avoiding spicy foods and foods that are high in fat also can help people overcome diarrhea. • Headaches: Michigan Medicine indicates that headaches might appear as the body adjusts to a new medicine. As the body acclimates, headaches might lessen in severity and ultimately disappear. In the meantime, people can speak to their physicians about the safety of taking additional medicine to treat their headaches. • Loss of appetite: The online medical resource Healthline notes that various drugs, including sleeping pills, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and diuretics, have been known to cause loss of appetite. Eating healthy snacks between meals and choosing protein-rich foods at mealtime may ensure people get enough calories, vitamins and minerals each day, even if they’re not eating as much as they used to. • Nervousness: A feeling of nervousness or of being on edge is another potential side effect of certain medications. This may occur as the body adjusts to a new medicine. However, patients may want to discuss lower doses or even alternative medicines with their physicians. Medications can produce various side effects. If side effects appear, people should contact their physicians to develop a safe, effective plan to address them.

SENIOR FITNESS

It’s time to exercise your options Overcome obstacles and battle boredom by mixing up your workouts Metro News Service

Losing interest in an exercise regimen is a situation many fitness enthusiasts have confronted at one point or another. Overcoming a stale workout routine can be simple for young athletes, whose bodies can typically handle a wide range of physical activities. That flexibility allows them the chance to pursue any number of physical activities when their existing fitness regimens grow stale. But what about seniors who have grown tired of their workouts? Even seniors who have lived active lifestyles since they were youngsters are likely to encounter certain physical limitations associated with aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the likelihood of dealing with one or more physical limitations increases with age. CDC data indicates that 8 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 59 have three or more physical limitations. That figure rises to 27 percent among adults age 80 and over. Physical limitations may be a part of aging for many people, but such obstacles need not limit seniors looking to banish boredom from their workout routines. In fact, many seniors can successfully engage in a variety of exercises that benefit their bodies and are unlikely to grow stale.

ideal for people who like to exercise at home but don’t have much space. Resistance bands can be used to strengthen muscles in various parts of the body, including the legs, arms and back. Resistance bands can be pulled or pushed in any direction, which allows for more versatility in a workout than weight machines and dumbbells. That versatility allows seniors to spice up their workout regimens when things get a little stale. WATER AEROBICS: Sometimes referred to as “aqua aerobics,” water aerobics may involve jogging in the water, leg lifts, arm curls, and other activities that can safely be performed in a pool. The YMCA notes that water aerobics exercises are low impact, which can make them ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues such as arthritis.

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PILATES: Pilates is another low-impact exercise that can be ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues. According to SilverSneakers, a community fitness program for seniors that promotes healthy living through physical and social engagement, Pilates can help seniors build overall strength, stability and coordination. Seniors can experience improvements in strength and stability by committing to as little as 10 to 15 minutes of daily Pilates exercises. STRENGTH TRAINING: Seniors on the lookout for something more challenging than a daily walk around the neighborhood should not overlook the benefits of strength training. The CDC notes that seniors who participate in strength training can stimulate the growth of muscle and bone, thereby reducing their risk for osteoporosis and frailty. In fact, the CDC notes that people with health concerns like arthritis or heart disease often benefit the most from exercise regimens that include lifting weights a few times each week. RESISTANCE BAND WORKOUTS: Resistance band workouts can be especially useful for seniors who spend a lot of time at home. Resistance bands are inexpensive and don’t take up a lot of space, making them

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