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SENIOR LIVING
→ LIFESTYLE
SENIOR LIVING:
The Joys (and benefits) of Reading
I think I’ve always loved to read. I remember a program on TV when I was about 5 or so, where I followed along with a workbook my mom ordered for me. The workbook had lines to write my responses to the questions the characters posed throughout the program. I loved it! I waited all week for the program to come on, then sat in a tiny chair smack-dab in front of the console TV, with a jumbo pencil in my hand, and the workbook on my knees!
There’s just nothing better to me than the smell of a book – old, new, it doesn’t matter. Flipping the pages, hearing the binding crack when you’re the first person to open it. Touching the pages of a really →
old book wondering who else held it – did they feel the same way I did when they opened it? It’s magical!
Now, we have so many ways to enjoy books! We can listen to them, read on our phones, and electronic devices, or choose a book from the public library or bookstore. I recently ordered my grandkids some books with CDs that read the words to them as they follow along. A tone alerts them to turn the pages. They’re really enjoying the interaction and what they consider independence. Not sure how many times I need to read a book about a lost clown fish, but they’re engaged!
Not only does reading open and expand the minds of our youth, it actually has beneficial properties for us age we age!
Reading can help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by helping to keep our minds exercised and stimulated. It’s similar to working puzzles or playing games. Our brains are muscles, and just like every other muscle in our bodies, our brains need training to stay in shape. Reading is one form of training. When we read, we form connections between the characters and the roles they play within the text. We begin to predict outcomes of storylines. We may be learning about a new place we would like to visit, or something historical, a new technique for smoking meat … it could be anything, all while we’re being entertained!
It reduces stress by forcing us to focus on what we’re reading, rather than the outward influences of our daily lives. Just 30 minutes each day can reduce blood pressure, and lower heart rates. Studies have shown that reading increases concentration, helping us to complete tasks, remember processes, and maybe even where we left our keys!
Reading slows cognitive decline for older adults. A study conducted in 2020 at Cambridge University, over a 14 year time period, showed that people who read once or more each week were less likely to experience cognitive decline (losing items, having difficulty retaining new information, a drop in work performance, decreased mental sharpness, less ability to recall names, and more.)
Reading can increase one’s mental flexibility. This is the ability to stop and change gears as the situation warrants. It truly does get harder to “go with the flow,” as we age.
Reading can build social skills by introducing us to multiple perspectives, and points of view. It may even demonstrate alternate ways of handling delicate situations.
Improves our analytical thinking and decision-making skills. As I’ve gotten older, the fewer decisions I have to make, the better, but it’s good to know that the more I read, the better I’ll be at those decisions should I be forced to make them!
Reading helps us sleep. Studies show we fall asleep 20 minutes faster when we read, vs. when we’re looking at the screens on our phones, or the TV. I used to think we just read to our children at bedtime to create a routine that helped them settle in. Now that I’m older, I see that I sleep better when I click off the TV and pick up my book. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, the movement of my eyes across the page, the ambient lighting, the quiet room, together create the perfect theatre for sleep.
It expands our imagination. Imagination can create such a sense of peace, and also of great accomplishment and success. Reading can even alleviate boredom. Although many tell me they’re busier since they retired, some tell me they’re bored mindless. Escape with a book!
Lastly, and I probably should’ve led with this one, reading can actually extend our lives! A study conducted by Yale University showed that those who read just 3 ½ hours each week, lived 23 months longer than those who did not!
Whether we’re reading a news article, a book by our favorite author, or a story with our grandchildren, reading is chockfull of benefits. Visit a public library, pick up a magazine at the grocery, find articles online, trade books with a friend … whatever works. Reading can make us happier, and it can extend our lives! Ernest Hemingway was right when he said, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” OL
The Wright Connection
Written by KRISTI MCCABE
One doesn’t have to travel to southwest Pennsylvania and tour Fallingwater to see the influence of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright; a stroll down Owensboro’s historic Griffith Avenue will suffice.
Local homeowners Floyd and Elaine Tapp discovered a rare jewel when they purchased their home at 531 Griffith Avenue, in the form of a stained glass window that had been mysteriously concealed.
“When we purchased the home and began a restoration of it in 2013, my wife Elaine was walking around the perimeter outside and spied a stained glass window; it could not be seen from the inside,” explained Mr. Tapp. “We discovered that the window had been covered with sheetrock. What we uncovered stood out immediately as something unique.”
For those familiar with Wright’s “light screen” leaded glass designs known for their use of clear glass with geometric designs and organic design, the window was a dead giveaway. The unusual floor plan of the home also led the owners to believe there was a Frank Lloyd Wright connection.
“This is not cut from the same cloth as the typical Frank Lloyd Wright home, with falling water features and more dramatic architecture,” listing agent Mary Anne Steele commented. “However, the homeowners had a visiting art historian relative who agreed that the window was reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright. So, they got to work to find out if that could be true.”
After consulting an expert of Wright’s work at the Guggenheim Museum, the Tapps were astounded to learn that the window was indeed, very likely the work of Frank Lloyd Wright–if only indirectly.
“In 1909, a couple of architects who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright were living here in Owensboro and designed this house,” explained Floyd Tapp. “There was a family issue and they had to leave and move south; the time frame fits perfectly for someone who had studied directly under Wright. They left his employment and then professionally disappeared, so this home may be one of the last projects those particular students completed.”
Built in 1911 and restored in 2013, this three-bedroom, threebathroom home is a unique blend of classic modernism. Located in Owensboro’s coveted Griffith Avenue district, the home is situated on a corner lot with aged shade trees with a wraparound front porch perfect for hosting guests.
The home has ten-foot ceilings, original hardwood floors, three fireplaces, a central staircase, art deco stained glass, and antique radiators. The kitchen is both inviting and functional, with black- and white-checkered floors, butcherblock countertops, and glass-front cabinets for display. The master suite is inviting and charming, with a clawfoot tub, a beautiful panel of bathroom windows, and airy, mosscolored walls.
“I first fell in love with this house as a boy,” Floyd recalled. “I was
riding my bicycle past the house and crashed, and two kind old ladies came outside and fixed me up. They invited me inside and I never got the picture of those beautiful chandeliers and fireplaces out of my head.”
Another unique feature of the home is a bunk room on the second level, which could be used as an additional bedroom; currently, it functions as a storage area. It would be difficult to find another home in the Owensboro area with many similarities to the one at 531 Griffith Avenue.
Listing agent Mary Anne Steele noted, “There is not another home like this in town. It is the perfect combination of modern conveniences and classic style. Throw in the Frank Lloyd Wright connection and Griffith Avenue location and you’ve got a very unique find.” The home is currently listed for $520,000. OL
BLUEGRASS DENTAL DISCUSSES TOOTH LOSS AND DENTAL IMPLANTS
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T REPLACE A MISSING TOOTH?
Missing one or several teeth can significantly impact your day-to-day life, as well as your future oral health. If you choose not to get a replacement, you could suffer several consequences both now and throughout your lifetime:
You might not be able to pronounce words or chew correctly: Your teeth have a crucial function — to help you eat and communicate. A missing tooth might impact your ability to pronounce words correctly or clearly and can also impede chewing.
Your teeth can become misaligned: As your teeth shift toward each other to fill in the gap left behind by a missing tooth, they can become misaligned, which can strain the jawbone and lead to greater difficulty chewing.
Your jawbone starts to deteriorate: Because the gum and bone are no longer stimulated, your jawbone will begin to shrink, and your gums will pull back around the missing tooth. This process causes your face to sag and any adjacent teeth to weaken.
REASONS TO REPLACE A MISSING TOOTH
The benefits of tooth replacement are numerous and can help you regain enjoyment and confidence in your life:
You’ll look younger: By maintaining the contours of your facial structure, replacing a lost tooth can prevent your cheeks from sagging.
You’ll find more enjoyment in your favorite foods: A tooth replacement allows you to chew your food more comfortably and naturally.
You’ll enhance your speech and smile: Clear communication and a natural smile can make you feel noticeably more confident in your interactions.
You’ll improve your overall oral health: Replacing your missing tooth will keep your jawbone strong and help protect against tooth decay and gum disease in the surrounding area.
HOW CAN I REPLACE A MISSING TOOTH?
The importance of replacing missing teeth should not be overlooked. Fortunately, you can choose from numerous options for replacing a lost tooth, including:
Dentures: Dentures are a set of false teeth that can replace either a couple missing teeth or a full set of teeth. However, they are often uncomfortable to wear and can slip out while speaking or eating.
Dental bridge: A dental device “bridges” the gap of a lost tooth between your two natural teeth. The adjacent teeth must be cut down to secure the bridge, causing irreparable damage. Bridges are not a bad option at all, especially if there is not sufficient bone for a dental implant.
Dental implant: Considered by many doctors to be the best replacement option, natural-looking implants are surgically placed into your jawbone for teeth that last a lifetime.
IN SUMMARY
Note that the problems described above are just a few of the issues you might encounter if you have missing teeth at the back of your mouth. Having the tooth restored, preferably with a dental implant, will help maintain your oral health and facial appearance. If you have lost a tooth due to infection or decay, contact the dentist immediately for a dental restoration.
Missing a tooth? Loose Dentures? Bluegrass Dental offers free implant consultations, including a 3D CBCT scan to determine if you might be a good candidate for dental implants. OL
OWENSBORO HEALTH MITCHELL MEMORIAL CANCER CENTER EARNS NATIONAL RE-ACCREDITATION FROM THE COMMISSION ON CANCER
The Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons, has granted another Three-Year Accreditation to the cancer program at Owensboro Health Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center. To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality-care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain excellence in delivering comprehensive patient-centered care.
As a CoC-accredited cancer center, the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex disease group requiring consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary partnership results in improved patient care.
“This accreditation would not have happened without the teamwork of all the compassionate and resilient team members at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center,” said Tim Laugh, Owensboro Health Director of Cancer Services. “It is truly a blessing and honor to be a part of a team that is focused on our patients.”
The CoC Accreditation Program sets the standards for Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center’s cancercare programs — including prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, life-long follow-up for recurrent disease and end-oflife care. When patients receive care at MMCC, they also have access to genetic counseling, support groups, a patient navigation process and a survivorship care plan that documents each patient’s care to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
At the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, these services are housed together in one location for the comfort and ease of patients. A relationship with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center helps bring the latest treatments to patients close to home. Because the MMCC research program has made a significant commitment to clinical trials, patients have a higher chance of enrolling in a clinical trial and being part of tomorrow’s treatments today.
Like all CoC-accredited facilities, the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint program of the CoC and the American Cancer Society. This nationwide oncology-outcomes database is the largest clinical disease registry in the world. Data on all types of cancer are tracked and analyzed through the NCDB and used to explore trends in cancer care. CoC-accredited cancer centers, in turn, have access to information derived from this type of data analysis, which is used to create national, regional, and state benchmark reports. These reports help CoC facilities with their quality improvement efforts.
“The community should feel comforted knowing the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center just achieved this prestigious accreditation without a single recommendation for improvement,” Laugh said.
The Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center is triple accredited. In addition to this Commission on Cancer accreditation, it also earned the American College of Radiology accreditation (ACR) renewal for Radiation Oncology and holds an accreditation for Breast Program Excellence with the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). OL
