HQ - December 2012 - Senior's Health

HQ

Special senior health issue

Piedmont Healthcare Quarterly A Kings Mountain Herald, Banner News, Cherryville Eagle publication

Life in the Golden Years GOTTA DANCE! GOTTA DANCE! GOT - TA DANCE! Seniors staying young on the dance floor

...Page 2

•Striking “Gold” in retirement at Summit Place...Page 4 •Meet the ‘King and Queen’ of travel...Page 98 •De-mystifying the aging process...

Page 16

Staying active at your Center Good for the body. Great for Depression.

Page 6

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December 28, 2011

Beat of the young at heart

By THOMAS LARK thomas.bannernews@gmail.com

Photographs by Thomas Lark

Bonnie Williams gets into the groove with some AfroCaribbean music. Upbeat dance tunes facilitate movement and make any workout more fun. On the cover, Vivian Suber dances for health.

“You have a head start, if you are among the very young at heart…”

Bing Crosby’s soothing crooning lilts across the air as about 15 women dance across the exercise floor. Moments later, the women kick it up a notch with some spicier AfroCaribbean music that sends them spinning away, all over the room.

Stretching and gentle dancing have in recent years become very popular among senior women, according to Reba Edwards. Herself a very fit former cheerleader and a longtime dance and aerobics instructor, Edwards said recently that stretching and line dancing can be done at all levels of skill, and such activities are a great way to stay healthy.

“It’s fun!” she enthused, watching the happy women as they swayed around the floor. “And it offers a great social component. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or dealing with health issues or simply looking to enjoy life, exercise is a key component. I believe the most successful senior fitness programs incorporate strength, flexibility, and balance to do daily activities.”

Judy Prophet leads a group in local stretch classes. Like Edwards a veteran fitness instructor, Prophet’s youthful coiffure, trim physique, and boundless energy clearly show the value of consistent exercise.

Bonnie Williams and Vivian Suber are among Prophet’s pupils. Suber said she’s a big believer in dancing and stretching for her health.

“You’ve got to do something!” she said, her arms held out wide as she and Williams twirled gracefully. “My doctor recommended it. I have a thyroid condition, controlled by medication. And more exercise means I won’t have to take high blood pressure medication.”

Like many of her friends in the class, Suber is an excellent example of how exercise is one way to help hold back the hands of time as long as possible.

“Anything for my health,” she said, “and to keep me from taking medication.”

Edwards noted that stretching is an important part of keeping flexible as we grow older. Stretching helps offset the normal effects of the decline in joint flexibility, she added, and it helps you remain independent and active.

“As we age,” Edwards explained, “our muscles become shorter, and they lose their elasticity. Aging can affect the structure of our bones and muscles. That’s what causes the pain and decreased range of motion in the shoulders, spine, and hips that a lot of our seniors live with. I think stretching is a wonderful way to relax and relieve tension. And if you factor in breathing exercises and good posture with your stretching program, that also helps a lot.”

She explained that proper stretching alleviates back pain, improves posture, and helps arthritis. Edwards recommended that, in general, seniors should engage in serious stretching exercises two or three times a week, performing each stretch three, four, or five times and holding for 20-30 seconds.

Want more flexibility? Then perform the same exercises four to five times weekly.

See DANCING, page 14

A Care Package for the Community Carolina Care Center is a nursing center which was established in 1978. It was developed by a local family, Judy and Michael Beam, and provides a 24 hour licensed nursing care, licensed rehabilitation services and assisted living accommodations. The state licensed facility is certified by Medicare and Medicaid. The Center provides 119 beds for medical care as well as social work and recreational and religious services for the elderly and disabled. The facility has remained under the family’s private ownership and management for more than 30 years.

In 1988 the owners established Carolina Care Cottages

as independent living apartments for persons desiring a secure shelter with continued access to the social activities and meals provided by Carolina Care Center. In 2011 the cottages expanded to total 27 units and a clubhouse for social events which completed a full circle of services available in one location.

Judy Beam, owner and administrator states, “We are proud to offer the community and Cherryville a place near home where they can continue their life with quality care and services.”

Contact Carolina Care Center for a tour or additional information at 704-435-4161.

Carolina Care Center & Cottages Leisure Leigh Lane, Cherryville • 704.435.4161

December 28, 2011

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The Natural Way to Young & Associates Regain Healthy Joints &RVPHWLF 'HQWDO 'HVLJQ ‡ )DPLO\ 'HQWLVWU\

If you’ve ever suffered with arthritis or any type of joint pain, you’ve probably taken over-the counter or prescription medicine to deal with the discomfort.

However, using drugs to help with joint pain is like hanging sheetrock with a sledgehammer.

The sledgehammer (drug) will get the job done, but you’re going to damage the sheetrock (your body) in the process.

Damage occurs because using a drug to “sledgehammer� pain is not a balanced approach; it shuts down far too many body systems in order to alleviate the pain, leading to side effects and long term consequences (think of the litany of warnings you hear on every drug ad on TV).

A balanced approach involves not only alleviating the current pain, but also proactively supporting the body so that the pain is less likely to occur again. Both of these goals can be achieved with proper eating habits.

Joint inflammation is exacerbated by acid-forming foods (meat, dairy, processed foods). You can reduce inflammation by removing these acid-

We Look Forward to Serving You & Your Family in 2012!

forming foods from your diet and replacing them with alkaline-forming foods (raw vegetables and freshly extracted vegetable juices, whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and some grains).

For some people, choosing alkalineforming foods is enough to alleviate the pain. Others need extra help — supplements.

Used for centuries around the world, curcumin and boswellia (frankincense) extract are two supplement ingredients that are proven to help relieve joint pain.

Certain antioxidants found in grape seed extract are also beneficial. Plus Astaxanthin and ASU (avocado/soy unsaponifiables) are valuable supplements to consider when dealing with joint issues.

Made with avocado, ASU relieves pain and helps to rebuild cartilage.

In terms of both diet and supplementation, having both types of ingredients — those that stop inflammation and others that help rebuild cartilage — is the key to healthy joints.

By Scott Laird Hallelujah Acres

HQ Piedmont Healthcare Quarterly was created by Gemini Newspapers, Inc., publishers of: The Kings Mountain Herald, The Cherryville Eagle, and The Banner News Publisher: Ron Isbell

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December 28, 2011

The Golden Years at Summit Place

By ELIZABETH STEWART Are the Golden Years truly Golden?

Residents and staff at Summit Place in Kings Mountain answer a resounding "yes."

Faye Finger, 86, says assisted living is the best of both worlds. "We have as much independence as we want with the knowledge that personal care and support services are available if we need them."

"It's just like family here," says Finger.

Teresa Shirkey Childers, Executive Director of the facility for eight years, and Judy Lee, Activity Director for 11 years, agree residents are never bored. "They are busy and involved and yet they have their own private time, they're a family."

Lee says that some residents want to decorate their living quarters in a different shade of paint or a different wallpaper. "We do that for them," says maintenance director Steve Howell.

Mrs. Finger retired as Inservice Nurse at Kings Mountain Hospital in 1991. A registered nurse, she trained nurses at the local hospital and also taught CPR classes for a number of years. She met her husband, the late Fred Finger, when she came to Kings Mountain to work in 1948 to help the late Dr. Paul Hendricks Sr. open his Kings Mountain office. The Fingers were married in 1949, went to New York to live and Mr. Finger was called in service in the Korean War. They resided in Ridgewood, NJ until they returned in 1966 to live in Finger's hometown of Kings Mountain and became active in the community and in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Mr. Finger, a former city councilman, died in 2003. The Finger family include Dr. Rick Finger, a neurosurgeon, Lynn Horton, a retired teacher, and Joan Settlemyer, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Until last year when she fell and broke

her hip, Faye drove her own car. Because she needed to use a walker, she gave her car to her niece. Faye plays cards, participates in group sing-a-longs, bingo, and enjoys excursions on the bus to shop and to view the Christmas lights. As yet, she hasn't enrolled in the once-a-week yoga class but she's considering it. Residents enjoy big screen TVs, two pianos, a keyboard, and a full round of daily activities. Pet therapy is a neat program offered at the facility. "Bailey," a toy poodle belonging to Mrs. Grady Howard Jr., is the mascot. He takes naps with the residents.

"Kings Mountain is very fortunate to have this nice home, it's clean, the food is good, the yards are beautifully manicured, we can bring our own furniture and things for our bedroom, we attend church and Bible study, get our hair fixed, it's a community," she said, as another resident played Christmas music on the piano in the living room. Relaxing in a comfortable chair in the library of the facility, Mrs. Finger said she came to the facility five years ago. She sees her family often and expects the entire family will be coming for Christmas and for the traditional parade of trees at the facility.

"We take pride in our residents and we tell our friend Faye that we won her over when she first came to visit," said Mrs. Childers. "I recall Faye saying that she was retired and didn't want rules, which meant she didn't want to have to punch the clock anymore," laughed Childers.

Faye said that she learned about the facility from Dot and Dan Finger, her brotherin-law and his wife, who resided there, and from others.

Childers, with 16 years experience in nursing, has fond memories of residents who left their mark. Gina Collias' mother was an artist who exhibited her paintings See GOLDEN YEARS, page 15

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Faye Finger, seated, with Judy Lee, left, and Teresa Childers, right, in the library at Summit Place in Kings Mountain. photos by LIB STEWART

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Evolution of a Wheelchair

Medical equipment has come a long way No one wants to be physically disabled, even temporarily. But if it happens, access to proper aids can make the difference between comfort and discomfort, mobility and immobility.

One can look back a few years and appreciate the differences that modern technology has made in something as common as the wheelchair. The old wheelchairs, heavy and with no mechanism for folding for easy transport, have been replaced by lighter-weight chairs that fold and come in various sizes.

The lighter weight and ability to fold is, of course, not so much for the individual using them as for the caregiver who must lift and transport them. The varying widths not only better accommodate the user's body size, but also make them more suitable for various doorway widths and other space restrictions.

And consider how past generations dealt with the problem of getting up from a chair--something that once was difficult or impossible without help, putting additional strain not only on the person using the chair, but on the sometimes frail caregiver who had to somehow lift the individual. Today's lift chairs smoothly make use of electric motors to gently lift the individual from the chair.

Like wheelchairs, walkers now

come with a variety of features. They are adjustable to better match the height of the person using them, and they fold for easier transport. Some have wheels, and some even have wire baskets for carrying various items.

Like wheelchairs, they are lighter for greater portability and use. Especially popular today are the walkers, which have seats so that the individual using them can rest when needed.

Canes are a far cry from the old gnarled tree branches that our grandparents used. Today's canes have a variety of handles, adjust for height, and some feature the "fourplex" ends that provide more stability for the user. They are lighter in weight, and even come in a variety of colors.

See MODERN, page 14

Ray Vanasek, a certified respiratory care specialist at Medical Arts Pharmacy, demonstrates the lightweight and portability of today's transport chairs.

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December 28, 2011

Keeping senior citizens active at the Patrick Senior Center

By KYRA A. TURNER A great deal of action is going on for the seniors at the Patrick Senior Center in Kings Mountain.

According to Terrie Lewis, program coordinator at the Senior Center, the goal of the Senior Center is to create a safe and comfortable place for seniors to come and have a place of their own, keeping them happy and healthy.

“We like to have activities that will keep their minds active and their bodies healthy, Lewis comments. “Exercise will lower blood pressure, improve arthritis conditions, improve balance, and help prevent falls.

“Socialization is another very important part of what happens here. Many have lost spouses, and this is a chance to meet new friends and get involved in community/volunteer projects. This helps depression.”

Gary Hollifield, 64, a regular senior around the Senior Center, adds, “Its good to have a place to go where you can have fun activities (such as pool) to keep your mind sharp and to keep you from getting depressed.”

Some of the activities the center offers to seniors are an exercise room they can access and use as often as needed; a walking track inside the facility for a walking club (17 times around the walking track equals a mile), which participates in contests to see who walks the most laps in a month; Seniors in Motion, who do exercising three times a week from the comfort of a chair; and a Line Dancing team, which competed in senior games and won 1st place in

Some seniors checking out the prize table, while Janet Beani gets the game ready.

Cleveland County and placed 3rd or 4th in the state.

There is a Health Fair where vendors come in and show seniors what’s available for them in Kings Mountain; a Wii computer based bowling league; a depression support group; a chorus which goes out and performs for people like the line-dancers (life-enrichment center); BINGO; and in April they have their weekly Senior Games competing against others in Cleveland County in fields such as swimming, all field events, basketball, table tennis, croquet, LIFE IS bowling, putt-putt and more.

The Senior Center also provides different types of classes, such as the Healthy AT S U M M I T P L A C E Lifestyle class, which has met since February, 2009 We’ve always provided exceptional assisted living (initiated through the Cleveand memory care, and now, our lifestyle is even more land County Health Departrefreshing! ment); Tai Chi; Zumba Gold We recently became a part of the Five Star Senior with YMCA Zumba InstrucLiving family, one of the country’s largest senior living tor Taffy Allen; and Yoga providers, with over 200 communities in 30 states. with Marlene Smith. Seniors Here at home, our residents can look forward to the raise money for local charisame expert care, with even more ways to live healthy ties like Hospice and White and simply enjoy life.

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In addition, Hester Haynes provides manicure SEE WHAT MAKES SUMMIT PLACE THE PLACE and pedicure services to the FOR SENIOR LIVING! seniors. She takes donations Call 704-739-6772 to reserve your luncheon & tour. only, and if the patient is Be sure to ask about our Summer Move-in Specials!* homebound she visits them *Limited time only; see Sales Director for details. at home. Allan Propst of Mountain Street Pharmacy offers flu shots. Cooking Healthy, a part of Co-opera1001 Phifer Road • Kings Mountain, NC 28086 tive Extension, shows sen704-739-6772 iors how to prepare recipes www.SummitPlaceOfKingsMountain.com and gives them a cookbook.

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Low Impact Aerobics is given by Shapes by Jodi. Computer Classes teach basic and advanced computer skills.

Healthy at Home teaches a new topic each month (December is osteoporosis). The AARP offers a driving refresher course and a car fit program. In March, the quilting and crafts done by the crafting classes are displayed.

“All of our activities are free or (for) a minimal charge so that the seniors can afford it and don’t have to pay a lot for a class they need,” Lewis said.

David Crawford, 66, also a frequent visitor of the Senior Center, says, “It is important to have a place for seniors so they get to enjoy many activities, meet new people, and make good friends to help us out mentally and physically.”

The Senior Center also provides blood pressure checks, Commodity Distribution for low-income families (308), inspirational speakers, gospel and other singing groups for entertainment, lunches from the Neil Center in Shelby and on Friday, local senior Janet Beani (who also does BINGO) cooks the lunch from fresh vegetables, some of which were grown in the seniors’ own “Quilt Garden” on the center’s front lawn.

The garden with 20 plots was “a dream they have had for some time,” Lewis said, “and it finally happened through the work of Dr. John and Pat Still, Sharon Morris, and Molly Savage doing the planning, getting donations, and so forth. This was a learning project for some of the seniors in working their plots, but was also an opportunity to meet new friends.”

This year for the center’s annual Christmas Party the seniors put on a “Christmas around the World” show, featuring table centerpieces from around the world. The seniors also rallied together to perform a skit. Arden Maney sang and played Christmas music. Snack foods were provided from around the world. And, as is tradition, seniors gathered to hear a reading from the Bible of the Christmas story.

The senior center has come a long way from where it See KEEPING ACTIVE, page 18

December 28, 2011

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Our mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate care and excellence in orthopedic rehabilitation.

Primarily because of our company’s core values and community involvement, CPTA was noted as one the emerging 10 small businesses and was named Cleveland County’s 2010 Entrepreneur of the year.

CPTA employs Board Certified Clinical Specialists in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Less than 2% of Physical Therapists have achieved this board certification.

Don Miller DPT, MSPT, BSPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CSCS Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified in Spinal Manipulative Therapy

“Because you have a choice in where you go for physical therapy, request the area’s preferred provider. CPTA’s patients have given us a 99.9% patient satisfaction rating.” To schedule an appointment or for more information please contact one of our three area locations.

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December 28, 2011

Everyone will be touched by Hospice Getting the word out about hospice services continues to be a challenge. Unless you need hospice services, most people would rather not hear about them!

The reality, however, is that most everyone will, at some time, be touched by hospice, whether through a personal experience, a friend, or a co-worker.

The simple role of hospice care is to bring peace to a difficult situation.

It is a fairly new concept. The first hospice in the United States was started in 1974 in Connecticut. Ten years later, a group of concerned citizens in Cleveland County met to discuss the possibility of a hospice.

More than 40 people attended, and within 9 months the organization was formed. The staff, mostly volunteers at that time, expected to care for about 25 patients the first year, but they provided services to 78!

Our agency continues to grow and, including patient care and clerical staff, Hospice Cleveland County employs more than 100 people. As a Medicare-certified agency, 5% of our work must be completed by our 200+ volunteers, who are considered unpaid staff members and are a vital part of our agency.

They help in so many ways: in the office, at Wendover, our 14-bed residential/inpatient facility, Kings Mountain Hospice House, our 8-bed residential/inpatient facility, in patient homes, on committees such as fundraising and bereavement, and on our board of directors.

Our agency is challenged with addressing the individual needs of patients/families.

Because each one of us is made of several dimensions - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual - we do this by assigning each patient/family a nurse, a social worker, a home health aide, a chaplain, a counselor, and volunteers.

These team members are skilled in different areas. For example, the nurse can address things like pain and other physical symptoms, the social worker can address resource and legal needs, and the chaplain is able to provide spiritual care.

We meet patients/families where they are. We are available for their concerns and issues. Dying is a very individual experience.

We have served more than 7,300 hospice patients and more than 1,969 palliative care patients. Most of our care takes place in the home where patients want to be; however, we also provide services to patients in nursing homes, in assisted living facilities, in hospitals, and at Wendover.

The Medicare/Medicaid hospice benefit is available to Medicare and Medicaid re-

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cipients who become hospice patients. It pays for staff visits, oxygen, in-home lab work, inpatient acute care, and all medications, supplies, and equipment pertaining to the illness hospice has been called in for. This benefit can save patients and families a great deal of money, which often becomes limited during an illness.

Hospice Cleveland County is unique for several reasons. We use a holistic team approach to care. We meet patients/families where they are. The Medicare/Medicaid hospice benefit is available. Wendover is an option, and our 13-month grief program provides support to family members through every holiday, birthday, and anniversary the first time they go through it without the loved one.

Our challenge is to make hospice and palliative care available to anyone who needs our services. Our staff members have expertise in the team approach to care, in the dignity of the individual, in the importance of quality of life, and in the need for grief support.

At Hospice Cleveland County we want to bring peace into a situation that is often racked with anguish and fear. Having peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. Hospice Cleveland County can bring this calm.

By Patti Ellis McMurry Vice President of Access

Speak it, believe it, live it There are two different groups of senior citizens when it comes to health, weight, and exercise.

You have one that simply thinks they’re getting too old for any changes, and are content just the way they are. My response to this group is, A, you’re never too old, and B, no matter your age it’s never too late to adopt healthy lifestyles that include eating properly, exercising regularly, and minimizing use of tobacco and alcohol.

Contrary to the old myth, people shouldn’t take it easy as the years mount.

The second group of senior citizens is the go-getters. These are the ones who utilize any ability to move their bodies and use their minds. A perfect example is my husband’s 100-year-old grandmother, who just passed away this Thanksgiving, but not without a fight. This incredible woman exercised up until the very end, and used the most effective tool we have, which is the power of being positive.

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way to get started is a POSITIVE attitude.

My personal belief and the motto I live by is, “Increase Your Wellness From The Inside Out.” If there are already existing health issues, than it’s time to assume responsibility for our own well being and find a solution, rather than letting our age define us. The older we get in life we would hope to gain more wisdom and knowledge to be able to be a greater witness to the younger people around us. So why at any age should we ever want to stop being of great influence?

As a weight loss consultant, I do hear the famous words, “I used to do that when I was younger, but not now. I’m too old.”

Those words pretty much determine how and what that person is willing to do for the rest of his or her life. Sounds pretty negative doesn’t it?

This is why I truly believe that positive words can benefit not only our attitude, but the quality of our health and lifestyles.

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December 28, 2011

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Carl & Frances Hord: King and Queen of Travel Motto: “If we haven’t been there, we’re on our way!”

By MICHAEL E. POWELL It’s easy to see why Cherryville’s Carl and Frances Hord may very well be the “King and Queen” of travel. The couple’s motto, thought up by Frances herself, is, “If we haven’t been there, we’re on our way!”

And simply put, they both love to travel, in spite of the fact they are both well into their 80’s and have had more than their share of health and physical problems.

Still, like Frances says, “We don’t let that get us down. We just keep going!”

For the Hords, traveling around is like the Fountain of Youth; a time machine that transports them back to their glory days and keeps them young at heart.

“If I couldn’t go on my trips, I’d get old real quick,” Frances says.

And like octogenarian Energizer Bunnies, keeping on going is just what they do each time they take their senior citizen buddies of Cherryville (and parts around, she says) on one of their many, many trips.

Frances, 84, vice president of the Senior’s Club, is the one who makes all the plans for the mostly one-day trips. She does so, she says, with the help of a dear friend, who is also their motor coach driver, Steve Dockery, of Gastonia.

Carl, 87, the president of the club, says his job is to “accompany her and go along for the ride!”

The Hords say they try to plan a trip a month for their seniors buddies. There have been occasions when they couldn’t do that, but very few, Frances says.

The two have been married for 65 years and met in school at Waco High School, Carl says.

“We were in a play together,” Frances chimes in. “I think it was called ‘Love Wins All!’ He had to kiss me in the play and somehow missed his cue and wound up falling back into a cake sitting on the stage!”

There are many little mementoes of their trips, given to them mostly by friends who went with them over the years. They have been as far away as Alaska and Canada, and as close as Dollywood and many points in the Old Tar Heel State itself, Frances says.

“One thing I can say about traveling; we don’t get tired doing it! I can sit back on that

The Senior Citizen’s Club of Cherryville’s travel “King and Queen,” Carl and Frances Hord, holding one of their many travel photo books. The books are stocked with the photographic mementoes of some of their many trips and places they and their senior citizen friends have been. big motor coach and I can’t wait until we get to where we’re going!” she says. Carl nods in agreement.

“I’m the same way. I’m not near as happy unless I’m traveling and seeing something new and different!” he adds.

Additionally, the Hords say they have other interests equally as demanding as their travel. One of those is their love for and great interest in, their church, First Baptist Church See HORDS page 19

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December 28, 2011

Keeping track of medications is critical In today’s world of multiple prescriptions for different ailments or diseases, it’s more important than ever to have an accurate list of your medications – both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.

After all, medications can be critical for good health, especially after an illness or hospital stay. For many people, proper medication can prolong their quality of life and prevent complications.

But if medication is not taken properly or is improperly mixed with others it can lead to serious problems. Each medication comes with its own instructions for when and how it is to be taken. Plus every medication has its own profile of side effects and possible interactions with food or other drugs. With all that information, taking more than one medication can be confusing.

“In today’s environment of complex healthcare including multiple medical conditions and caregivers, the potential for harmful prescribing has increased exponentially,” said Calvin Caunt, MD, a physician with Cleveland County HealthCare System (CCHS). “As a patient gets above taking a few medicines, two or three, the risks of adverse interactions increase profoundly.”

Physicians and patient safety officials at CCHS urge area residents to take the time to write down all their prescriptions, the correct dosage and any special instructions. “A patient’s list of medicines written by them is most likely to accurately reflect what the patient is truly taking,” said Dr. Caunt.

It’s also important to take the list to your next doctor’s appointment and discuss the medications with each of your physicians.

“The list provides an excellent means for the physician to review all of their medicines with them,” said Dr. Caunt, “including the benefits, potential for harm, redundancies, and interactions.”

During an emergency department visit, having a list of your medications handy saves valuable time. It can be very difficult to recall from memory the names of all the medicines you are taking and especially the doses. The emergency department staff must track down that information in order to treat you safely, and that takes time.

Once you have your prescriptions and have discussed them with your doctor, it’s important to follow the guidelines and instructions for their use. Problems occur when you stop taking, or only occasionally remember to take, your medications.

“Being aware of the medicines and their side effects is so important,” said Anzie Horn, RN, Director of Care Solutions, CCHS’ care management service. “Some medications need to be taken at certain times of the day, with or without food, as well as other factors that affect the medication’s purpose.”

There are many other reasons you may stop taking your medications. The drug may have side effects that you don’t like, or it may not seem to be working. “We always recommend that individuals keep the doctor informed about changes - mental changes, physical changes, emotional changes - that may occur after a medication is started,” said Horn.

Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor. By doing so, you don’t get the benefit of a drug that you need for good health, your doctor does not have a clear pic-

ture of the effects of the drug on your illness, and your doctor may make other treatment decisions based on the assumption that you are taking the medication.

Many patients generally try to follow a medication’s guideline, but may frequently forget. They may also neglect taking the drug from time to time because they’re not experiencing any symptoms.

“We encourage patients not to quit taking their medication, especially blood pressure medications, just because they feel better,” said Horn.

If your blood pressure is high because you rarely take your medicine, your doctor needs to know. Otherwise, he or she may assume the treatment is not working and prescribe a larger dose or search for another treatment option.

The more medications you take, the more difficult it is to keep track of them, and that’s a strong reason to have a daily pill container.

It’s also easier to remember pills if you link them to daily events – before you brush your teeth, with breakfast, just after your morning walk, or with a snack in mid-afternoon. Keep the bottles or your pill organizer in a prominent place and in the room where you’re sure to be at the appropriate time.

“Some things that individuals can do for reminders are setting alarm clocks to go off when medications are due,” said Horn, “or having a medical alert service with a monitoring device that you can program medication reminders into.”

It’s also advisable to get your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so that one more knowledgeable person is reviewing what medicines you’re taking and looking for any possi-

ble drug interactions.

Establish a talking relationship with your pharmacist, if possible, and feel free to ask about any vitamins and supplements you’re taking as well as your prescription drugs. Medications have the potential to interact, even with over-the-counter medicines and supplements. “There are multiple potential interactions,” said Dr. Caunt, ”including oral medications, injectable drugs, and topical agents as well as over-the-counter agents.”

Review your medications shortly after you receive them. Make sure you can read the label and understand instructions for use. Don’t forget to update your medication list when your physician adds a new medicine, tells you to stop taking a medicine, or changes a dosage.

Pills come in various sizes, shapes, and colors precisely to help you identify them. Memorize the name, both generic and brand name, and try to associate it with the shape and color of the pill. Read and follow all of the warnings and instructional information carefully.

If you ever get tablets or the name of a drug that you don’t recognize, call your pharmacist or take them back right away. Never take a pill if you’re uncertain about what it is and what it will do.

Your use, misuse, or non-use of those medications could well be a matter of life and death. “It is important to recognize that life threatening situations can arise, which lead to ER visits, hospitalizations, and even death due to medication complications,” said Dr. Caunt.

“That is why keeping an up-to-date medication list and sharing it with healthcare providers is critical.”

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Senior Citizens and Dry Mouth

FYI, CRR has FMS

You may be retired but your mouth should not be! Many seniors think that as they age that their teeth may become less important, even stop visiting the dentist. Many oral issues happening in the golden years may be preventable or controllable.

Without a relationship with a dentist how can you ensure the best quality of life not only for your body’s overall health but for your mouth as well?

There are many areas of concern for the senior patient. They are more susceptible to tooth decay, tooth loss, bone disease, periodontal disease, poor fitting dentures or partials, oral, head or throat cancers, Thrush and Xerostomia (zeer-o-STO-me-uh) commonly known as dry mouth. Dry mouth is one of those topics that go left unspoken. Many seniors feel it is just part of getting old, but there can be help.

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and to digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling the bacteria and fungi in the mouth. If you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for the dry mouth patient.

Do you suffer from a sticky, dry feeling in your mouth? Are you frequently thirsty? Do you often get sores in the mouth or split skin, or cracks at the corners of your lips? A dry throat? A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth especially on the tongue? Or a dry, red, raw tongue? Do you have problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing and swallowing?

Hoarseness, a dry nasal passage and/or sore throat? Even bad breath?

There are many causes of these symptoms. Dry mouth is

One of the newest tools in sports training and exercising is a process called Functional Movement Screen (FMS).

FMS not only documents movement patterns that are key to normal functions, it also identifies functional limitations and asymmetries or imbalances in the body. These issues can compromise personal performance and reduce the benefits of exercise and sports training.

FMS is now available at Cleveland Regional Rehabilitation (CRR). Recently, four members of the physical therapy staff received certification in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) physical evaluation process: David Trapani, DPT; Josh Johnson, MPT; Bryan Lovelace, PTA; and Sarah McBride, PT, DPT, OCS, from CRR attended an FMS certification program and received instruction from the developer of this screening system, Gray Cook.

Many professional sports teams use this system to evaluate players’ weaknesses and potential for injury.

Cook and his partners have worked with college and professional sports teams such as the University of Georgia, University of Maryland, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Hurricanes, Cleveland Indians, and the Green Bay Packers.

The system is not just for elite athletes, however, it is also a valuable tool for people who want to exercise effectively and reduce their chances of injury.

“I decided to do FMS because I had already been in physical therapy for my lower back, and I wanted a way to continue to help issues with my back and my

See DRY MOUTH page 22

11

functional movement,” said Wesley LeGrand, a client at CRR. The screening system generates a Functional Movement Screen Score. The maximum possible score is 21 points. “Gray Cook said at our recent course that Peyton Manning (quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts) started out at a 12, and they were able to get him to a 17. Joseph Addai (running back for the Colts) scored a 9,” stated McBride, FMS-certified physical therapist See FMS page 14

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Cleveland Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Choice in HealthCare

Your Choice for Outpatient Surgery

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Every Patient, Every Day, Always

At both Kings Mountain Hospital and Cleveland Regional Medical Center, outpatient services have scored in the top 10% nationally in patient satisfaction. New Outpatient Surgery facilities at both locations are fortunate to have specialized physicians and VWDII ZLWK H[WHQVLYH WUDLQLQJ DQG FHUWLÂżFDWLRQV 6XSSRUW VWDII Âą VXFK DV UDGLRORJ\ SDWKRORJ\ DQG UHVSLUDWRU\ WKHUDS\ Âą KHOSV XV SURYLGH WKH EHVW FDUH SRVVLEOH

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Cleveland Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Choice in HealthCare

Kings Mountain Hospital: 980-487-5000 Cleveland Regional Medical Center: 980-487-3000 www.ClevelandCountyHealthCareSystem.org

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Every Patient, Every Day, Always

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The Questions You Want to Ask Your Dentist….

There are truly simple techniques that you can follow to assure quality oral health care.

How Often Should I See My Dentist?

You should visit your dentist every six months or more frequently to get your teeth cleaned. By seeing your dentist twice a year, your dentist can monitor your oral health and help you prevent any problems that may arise before they became uncomfortable or require more comprehensive or expensive treatment. The dentist may suggest more frequent visits, depending on the diagnosis.

How Long Should I Brush My Teeth?

You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Brush your teeth for the length of a song on the radio, the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing. Unfortunately, most Americans brush for only 45-70 seconds twice a day.

What Is The Best Technique For Brushing?

There are a number of effective brushing techniques. Patients are advised to check with their dentist or hygienist to determine which technique is best for them, since tooth position and gum condition vary.

One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular or elliptical motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth.

The dentists at Young & Associates take great pride in keeping patients informed. Doctors Eugene Young, Pauline Cahill, and Brenton Young know that prevention is key to good oral health. The simple things like how long you brush and how often you floss really do count.

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FMS: Helps keep you moving FROM page 11 at CRR. “This shows that even elite athletes can be at risk for injury from such things as asymmetries in movement, weaknesses, and poor flexibility.”

“I was absolutely surprised by what I learned (from FMS), and I continue to learn something new with every session,” said LeGrand. “It’s amazing how you take for granted your everyday movements and how you do things, only to learn that a lot of what you do and how you move is incorrect. I discovered a lot of weaknesses and potential for injury that I never knew were there.”

Research has demonstrated that imbalances in movement on the left and right sides of the body can increase injury potential and decrease functional effectiveness, according to the Functional Movement Systems website. “I learned that I lack strength in my core, and that I have a tightness in my hips that all relates to the issues with my back, my overall strength, and the problems I have running,” said LeGrand.

After completing the FMS, LeGrand chose to return to CRR for several workout sessions with one of their trained therapists. Together they work to improve her areas of weakness and improve her strength. “Every time I come into the screen, I’m introduced to a new exercise or stretch that helps me in ways I could have never imagined.”

Extra workout sessions are not required. When someone completes the FMS, one of CRR’s trained therapists will develop a customized workout plan they can take home.

“This training has helped me 100 percent to reach my fitness goals,” said LeGrand. “I feel like this is a definite must-do for any athlete or individual hoping to improve day to day movements.”

The FMS takes about 45 minutes and doesn’t require a physician’s referral.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Cleveland Regional Rehabilitation at 704-482-1191.

December 28, 2011

MODERN: equipment makes mobility easier FROM Page 5 Higher up the mobility ladder are the electric scooters, again something that people in the distant past could only dream about. Some are designed for use inside, and some are suitable for transport on sidewalks or, in some cities, even streets. While most devices can be rented, scooters normally must be purchased--often with assistance from Medicare or private insurance.

Speaking of Medicare, the government is requiring more paper work in order to better combat what has been extensive

fraud and abuse. So in dealing with Medicare it is advisable to work with a firm, which has the experience, resources, and skill to get the job done. One such firm is Medical Arts Pharmacy in Shelby, which has been accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA) for the past five years. In addition to dealing with Medicare claims, Medical Arts also has personnel with extensive training and experience in providing excellent advice on everything from prescriptions to their extensive inventory of medical devices.

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DANCING: your way to youth and fitness FROM Page 2 “Don’t forget to warm up!” Edwards cautioned. “That’s very important. Don’t bounce while you’re stretching, and don’t hold your breath. Be gentle. This should not cause you pain. And don’t combine bendand-turn back exercises simultaneously.”

Want to stretch your back? Relax in a chair, support yourself with your hands, and lean forward.

Doing knee bends? Don’t drop your haunches below knee level.

“That would put too much of a strain on your knees, you see,” said Edwards. “It’s better to do knee bends that aren’t bending

too deeply. Keep your feet apart, and don’t lock your knees. And keep your back straight. Remember: maintain that good posture!”

Don’t press your head backward when rolling your neck, as that can cause vertebral damage.

“Move your head gently from one side to the other,” Edwards said, “and never too quick.”

Want to stay limber? Persistence is the key. And remember, stretching exercises only work if you do them right.

“Hang in there,” Edwards encouraged.

“You can do it!”

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FROM Page 4 for the enjoyment of other residents and visitors; Lena Ware McGill, a longtime resident who at 101 dressed "to the nines" every morning with never a hair out of place and always matching accessories; and Mae Sue McGill, sister-in-law of Lena McGill, was on a first name basis with everyone.

Childers said that Summit Place on Phifer Road can accommodate up to 65 residents and also offers a separate dementia/alzheimer unit which conducts its own program, "Reach to Rediscovery" for 10 residents. The five star senior living facility offers a one bedroom suite, a 15x13 bedroom, 15x13 living room and bathroom and a one bed, one bath accommodation. Services include rehab on-site to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy, medication management, assistance with ADLs, Bridge to Rediscovery, an awardwinning dementia program based on Montessori methods of resident-centered area, laboratory services, therapeutic diets, partner with home health, hospice, and palliative care services, 24 hour licensed nurse on call, and 24 hour staff coverage. The facility also provides respite care for those needing the facility on a short-term basis.

"We can confidently manage many health conditions you may have previously thought required skilled nursing," said Childers.

Amenities are usually an important part of a person's decision making process.

Peace of mind is also the key.

"We're looking for a lifestyle free from the worries of home maintenance, housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation," said Mrs. Finger. The need for security also often motivates a move to independent living. Living in a congregate senior community offers not only a physically safer environment ( handrails in the bathroom, 24 hour emergency response system) but emotional security as well.

Faye Finger belies her age. Dressed in a holiday red and black checked pantsuit, she said she looked forward to the holidays and sharing the events with both her immediate and extended family.

Because of Peggy Raney’s love for music her family decorated a musical tree at Summit Place.

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December 28, 2011

Demystifying the Aging Process-A Seniorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide We get far too attached to our date of birth and consider it a yard stick of the inevitable. Yet there is a significant difference between â&#x20AC;&#x153;chronological ageâ&#x20AC;? vs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;biological ageâ&#x20AC;?. So, what is the big deal?

Ones date of birth merely defines chronological age, however itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biological age that really matters. It is your biological age that reflects the true health of your body. A person can be 65 years old yet through healthy diet, lifestyle, use of supplements, intake of sufficient quality water, restorative sleep their biological age can be 5, 10 or even more years younger.

We all have seen friends, family or coworkers that act and look a fraction of their age. Maybe you are such a person, if not the big question is do you wish to feel more youthful? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discuss some common enemies to healthy aging, and natural solutions to help achieve a younger biological age.

Sobering Stats- Know Thy Enemy Proactive living can help improve your odds when it comes to enhanced wellness.

The following statistics as reported on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.CDC.gov) serve

as a very real wake up call. Important to note is that the name for the CDC includes the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;preventionâ&#x20AC;?. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a few of those statistics: * An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. The CDC reports the following: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to note, however, that Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease is not a normal part of aging.â&#x20AC;? * Blindness or low vision affects more than 3.3 million Americans. By 2030 the number will double to over 6 million due to the increasing epidemics of diabetes and other chronic diseases. * Approximately 1.8 million Americans are affected by macular degeneration. The number of people afflicted is estimated to reach 2.95 million by 2020. * Diabetes serves as an accelerator for many disease processes including heart disease, cancer, eye disease, Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and countless others is predicted to reach a prevalence of 1 in 3 by 2050 in the US. Currently 24 million have diabetes and another 60 million have pre-diabetes.

Natural Solutions There are many myths about aging. The bottom line is that aging DOES NOT

mean debility, ill health, or settling for living a certain way. I see customers well advanced in their chronological age that enjoy youthfulness often seen in those 20 years younger. What follows are some common health promoting approaches that serve as common denominators for those winning the healthy aging battle.

1. Quality sleep of 6 to 8 hours a night is essential. Common causes of disturbed sleep include low melatonin, urinary tract conditions, sleep apnea, pain and inflammation and acid reflux.

2. Control your blood sugar. We offer free diabetic blood sugar screening to our pharmacy customers. Even if you are not diabetic, remember 60 million of us, are pre-diabetic. Getting tested is essential.

As I like to say, it is better to catch a fire, before it is a forest fire.

3. Lack of exercise, less than optimal diet, radon gas, certain habits and excess stress will erode away ones health. Much like the rain and wind, over the course of the passage of years, little things can erode away even the mightiest foundation.

4. Drink plenty of high quality water, focus on alkaline promoting health diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies and examine the role of specialized alkaline water.

5. Increase your antioxidants. The iron and other factors within the body can oxidize â&#x20AC;&#x153;rustâ&#x20AC;?, that is why â&#x20AC;&#x153;anti-oxidantsâ&#x20AC;? are so essential. For instance lutein an antioxidant that has been studied regarding eye health is an important consideration.

6. An individualized supplementation program to address health concerns and goals.

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December 28, 2011

KEEPING ACTIVE: at the Patrick Senior Center FROM Page 6 started in 1976 at the old Depot with about 200-300 seniors a year. They outgrew that facility, and a new one â&#x20AC;&#x201C; highl acclaimed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was built in 2001. The active center, with four-times the patrons it once had, is now working towards an expansion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plans are to add on to the back area of the building with a larger exercise room, computer lab, craft/Multi-Purpose room, another reception area, and office area with a covered back entrance,â&#x20AC;? Lewis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will allow us to have a larger library, smaller multi-purpose room to use for counseling and storage area, larger game room, and ceramic room. We are still in the planning stages as far as creating a campaign for raising money for the project.â&#x20AC;?

The current 17,000 sq. ft. building is set to grow by 4,200 sq. ft.

The cost of the current facility was $3.2 million, and the estimated cost of the expansion will be $750,000-$1 million.

Clients served in 2002-2003 totaled 968, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;units of serviceâ&#x20AC;? totaled 23,163. In 2010-2011, 1,274 clients were served, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;units of serviceâ&#x20AC;? increased to 58,406.

Now the Senior Center welcomes 100â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 150 seniors daily.

The center was certified as a Senior Center of Excellence in December 2004, increasing its funding. It was recertified in November 2007.

Senior Center Technology Plan. Funding for this upgrade came from the Senior Center General Purpose Funding.

Create a new multipurpose room that Expansion Plans for the Patrick Senior would have an operable partition. This Center would be used for smaller senior center Relocate the computer lab and turn the meetings/seminars and activities that would existing computer lab into a conference not tie up the large conference rooms. room/library, which could be accessed from Relocate and increase in size the craft the office suite area as well as the corridor. room.

Make the new computer lab larger to acDouble the size of the current commodate more seniors as classes con- billiard/game room (with tabletop shuffletinue to grow. Computers were upgraded in board) to accommodate an additional bilFiscal Year 2007-08 in accordance with the liard table to encourage more male participation and emphasize healthier living.

Relocate and double the size of the exercise room.

Reconfigure the old craft room area for more storage and a small counseling room that would be used for Medicare Counseling, income tax assistance, pedicures, manicures, and more. Currently these services are held in one of the two large conference rooms, which is not considered to be cost effective.

Increase the size of the pantry/dry storage area for a future freestanding nutrition proMembers of the Senior Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Line Danc- gram.

Add a covered entrance and ing team which perform all around Kings Mountain reception area to the rear of and also competed in the Senior Games and won 1st building for use during inplace in Cleveland County and placed 3rd or 4th in clement weather. the state.

Gary Hollifield, shooting, and David Crawford play some pool in the Senior Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game room.

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HORDS: King and Queen of travel FROM Page 9 of Cherryville. Another thing Carl loves to do is play his music.

He is quite the accomplished bassist, and has performed in a number of bands down through the years. His health these days prohibits him from performing like he used to, he says. His most recent band is a group called “Ed’s Crowd,” comprised of Ed Bumgarner, his son Stan, Stan’s sons Robby and Logan, Jerry “Shavey” Baxter, and Dennis Workman.

“Them boys can flat pick and sing!” he says. “I miss being able to get up with that now.”

Carl, an Army veteran of the European Theatre in World War II, and Frances, who aspired to be a nurse and Cadet Corps member, both came back to Cherryville and got jobs.

“I came back after not being able to finish nursing school and went to work in the Rhyne Houser plant,” she says. “I never was able to finish my nursing training.”

Carl says that after his discharge from the Army he went to work at Belk’s, then was a television repairman in Shelby for 24 years.

The Hords say they first caught the “traveling bug” in earnest when they retired in 1989. But a few years before that (1986), Frances says they had started doing some travel, again mostly with friends.

As far as having a “favorite”spot, or place to travel, the Hords say picking one place is hard to do. They like them all. If it’s some place they’ve never been or seen, they want to go. If it’s some place they’ve just heard about, they want to go, she says. And Frances, once she sets her sights on some place to visit, will find a way to get there; her and all her Seniors Club friends.

However, she does admit that, while the seniors may like the one-day trips more, she and Carl like the 14-day

ones like the ones they used to go on when they were younger.

One thing she and Carl aren’t that “crazy” about are cruises.

“Not real crazy about them, No sir! We’re like our pastor (Dr. Vince Hefner); we like land under our feet. Don’t like to fly, either, if we can keep from it,” Frances says.

As far as their “jobs” as travel coordinators for the Senior’s Club, while they both love it and want to do it as long as possible, they know time isn’t on their side.

The club, Frances says, is growing and getting new members all the time.

Frances says she plans the trips for the seniors by getting magazines and books together to present the information to the club.They then try to get what she calls a “bus full.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever planned or been on a bad trip,” Frances says. She notes that the driver, Dockery, helps her out quite a bit.

“I’ve known him since he was five. He’s like an adoptive son to me,” she says.

Carl and Frances Hord at The Opryland Hotel Arboretum.

Kendalyn K endal e yn Lutz-Cra Lutz-Craver, z-Craaverr, DDS,, P PA A Sara H.. Karner, K Karner r, DDS Become a Fan on Facebook

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SPEAK IT: believe it, live it

Affordable Care Act

FROM Page 8 When it comes to our diet, we want to make sure we are simply making better choices. Eat smaller portions and spread meals out through the day.

Do something physical at least four to five days a week. Exercise is so important for several reasons: our minds, our physical bodies, and optimal health. Walking or stationery bikes are great for cardio and heart health, but in order to really make a difference, it would be beneficial to add a couple days of week of some sort of resistance exercise.

Grab a couple of lightweight dumbbells and use those to strengthen your arm muscles while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re watching TV. When you exert your muscles and get moving beyond what they can normally handle, they grow and improve when they need to.

Building our Lean Body Mass is crucial for any age.

That insures we are taking care of our muscles, connective tissue, bones and body fluid.

Speak it, believe it, and be Pro-Active in making healthy lifestyle changes.

By Carrie Lynch Carolina Family Care

December 28, 2011

Delivers lower costs to more seniors with Medicare The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that more seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare are seeing reduced costs for important health care â&#x20AC;&#x201D; through both discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D â&#x20AC;&#x153;donut holeâ&#x20AC;? coverage gap and free preventive care. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news confirms that the Affordable Care Act is saving money for millions of seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare,â&#x20AC;? CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, M.D., said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These new benefits are encouraging patients to talk to their doctors about their care, and to get the preventive services they need.â&#x20AC;?

So far this year, more than 18.9 million people enrolled in traditional Medicare have used preventive services with no cost to them. Many of these services will help prevent chronic diseases that can cost Medicare billions to treat.

Also, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans on Medicare are getting help affording prescription drugs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nearly 1.3 million people have received a 50 percent discount on their brand name prescription drugs when they hit the â&#x20AC;&#x153;donut hole,â&#x20AC;? saving a total of $660 million so far this year.

For people who hit the coverage gap (known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;donut holeâ&#x20AC;?): â&#x20AC;˘ 1.28 million have received discounts on brandname drugs this year through the end of July, up from 899,000 through the end of June, and 478,000 through the end of May; â&#x20AC;˘ These discounts have totaled $660 million in savings for seniors and people with disabilities so far this year; up from $462 million through June, and $260 million through May; â&#x20AC;˘ Individuals who have received this discount saved

an average of $517 so far this year.

For more information about how the Affordable Care Act closes the â&#x20AC;&#x153;donut holeâ&#x20AC;? over time, please visit: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11493. pdf.

For state-by-state information on the number of people who are benefiting from this discount in 2011, please visit: http://www.cms.gov/Plan-Payment/.

In addition, CMS announced that more seniors are taking advantage of preventive services, most of which are available at no cost to them: â&#x20AC;˘ 18,907,851 people with Original Medicare, or 55.6 percent of those enrolled in the program, received one or more free preventive services this year, through the end of August. â&#x20AC;˘ During the same time period, 1,295,373 Americans with Original Medicare have taken advantage of the new Annual Wellness Visit, up from 1.06 million through the end of July and 780,000, through mid-June.

Under the Affordable Care Act, people with Original Medicare can receive recommended preventive benefits and a new Annual Wellness Visit without paying a co-payment or any cost-sharing.

In June, Medicare launched â&#x20AC;&#x153;Share the News, Share the Health!,â&#x20AC;? a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of prevention for people with Medicare and their health care providers. As part of the campaign, television and radio public service announcements are airing nationwide and regional events are being held around the country to make sure Medicare beneficiaries know that these services are available to them.

CMS has reached out to doctors through a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prevention Advisory,â&#x20AC;? and other health care provider-directed materials on Medscape, a respected website for continuing medical education.

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December 28, 2011

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Getting on in years? Exercise power over your age!

By THOMAS LARK The new year promises to be a happy one for tens of millions of older Americans, including those living in our area.

New research confirms that exercise and good nutrition go a long way toward improving health, quality of life and longevity, according to local fitness expert Rachel Gilmore. The owner of Wellness Ridge Impact Group Training, a Belmont-area women’s health and fitness business, Gilmore said earlier this month that these findings were recently announced at the 64th annual conference of the Gerontological Society of America, an organization devoted to research, education and practice in the field of aging.

Researchers found that regular physical activity, combined with a diet rich in fruits, Photo by Thomas Lark vegetables, fish, and healthy fats, lowers the Patricia Carpenter gets some helpful risk of developing common age-related illinstruction from Rachel Gilmore as she performs some curling exercises with nesses, including heart disease, cancer and these hand weights. diabetes.

“It’s actually quite simple,” said Gilmore. “Physical fitness and good eating habits prevent obesity, which, as we all know, strains the heart and body, eventually leading to all kinds of life-threatening diseases. So it is logical that if you exercise and follow a healthy diet, your body will be more resistant to illnesses and discomforts that strike older people.”

She continued that physical activity would also prevent or improve other age-related conditions, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as

various disabilities.

Gilmore said workouts performed on regular basis would boost health and longevity in baby boomers and seniors.

“Cardio is necessary not just for the strong and healthy heart, which is a huge benefit in itself, but also for the brain,” she said. “Recent research from the Mayo Clinic shows that any physical activity that increases the heart rate and flow of the oxygenrich blood to the brain encourages the formation of new brain cells. Not only will this help boost cognitive abilities, but it will also reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

Need further proof? Researchers at the University of Arizona recently found a clear link between physical fitness and healthier aging brains, said Gilmore.

“By building muscle strength and increasing bone mass and density—all of which weaken as we get older—resistance training is certainly a must-do,” she added.

Balance exercises are especially important because good coordination and stability will help prevent injuries caused by falls—a big problem for older people.

Flexibility training will make your muscles suppler, increase your range of motion, decrease muscular tension, and strengthen your joints, tendons, and ligaments, all of which is important to prevent or relieve the pain and discomfort of arthritis.

And don’t think that only older people need to pay attention to these guidelines, Gilmore said.

“Folks of all ages will benefit from physical activity and healthy nutrition,” she pointed out. “The sooner you start taking good care of yourself, the better off you’ll be when you get older.”

Getting a new lease on life Gilmore also talked about one of her fitness pupils, Patricia Carpenter, who is 60 and proud of it.

“I’m improving!” Carpenter said with a big smile as she tackled some heavy hand weights.

“She’s my star student,” Gilmore observed.

See EXERCISE page 22

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December 28, 2011

EXERCISE: Longer and happier life FROM page 21 Carpenter began her fitness program at Wellness Ridge back in March. And since then, she has lost an amazing 25 pounds. At five feet, six inches, she’s back down to her high school weight of 126 svelte pounds, lookin’ trim, toned, and very good.

“I had done some serious thinking about a lot of things,” Carpenter said. “I wanted to get fitter and healthier. Certainly my age motivated me.”

“I think Pat is an inspiration to other people who may be coming up on 60,” Gilmore remarked. “You should see her doing pushups!”

You’re never too old to start a fitness regimen, Carpenter stressed.

“People may say, ‘Oh, I’m too old for that,’” she said. “But that just isn’t true. I went many years thinking I was too old for exercise. I used every excuse in the book. It wasn’t that I said, ‘It’s now or never.’ But I knew I had to do something.”

Carpenter works out with Gilmore twice a week, in addition to other exercise on her own.

“And I’d like to do more,” Carpenter added.

“Working out at least three times a week is very important for anyone,” Gilmore said.

“Make that your routine. Do that, and you’ll stick with it a lot longer.”

“I don’t want to lose that drive,” her student declared. “And it gets easier and more fun as you go along.”

Gilmore said Carpenter is primarily performing weight, cardio, and balance training. Posture and proper balance, said Gilmore, are especially important fundamentals for seniors.

“If you don’t have balance,” she said of any physical training, “it’s just not going to work. You could injure your foot just stepping off a curb. Sure, we’re talking about the basics. But the older and less active you are, the more you’ll have to concentrate on the basics.”

“It makes you much more confident in your motion and just with your body in general,” Carpenter said of balance training.

And weight loss, while excellent, is not the overall goal, as Gilmore pointed out: total fitness is. It’s a message she’s sharing with more and more people of all ages these days.

“I love helping Patricia and all my other clients,” she said. “I love what I do!”

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DRY MOUTH: and senior citizens FROM Page 11 commonly a side effect of many prescription and nonprescription medications. These drugs can include drugs for the treatments of depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, colds, obesity, acne, hypertension or any diuretic, diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma and certain bronchial conditions, muscle relaxants, sedatives and Parkinson’s disease. It can also be the side effect of certain medical conditions including HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, mumps and Sjogren’s syndrome.

There are also certain conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fevers, excessive sweating, vomiting, and certain burns. It can also be the side effect from actual medical treatments that can damage the salivary glands that produce saliva. Examples of such treatments are radiation therapy to the head and neck and chemotherapy for cancer. These therapies not just damage the nerve but can actually reduce the production of saliva all together. There could also be dry mouth from certain nerve damage due to injury or surgical repair of the head and neck. There are also reasons why the actual salivary glands have to be removed completely, obviously stopping the saliva production all together. When you add in the lifestyle habits of some patients, like being a continuous mouth breather or smoking and/or chewing tobacco that too

can affect the saliva and aggravate the mouth.

If you think your dry mouth may be caused by medications talk with your medical doctor, he or she may be able to reduce your dose or switch you to another medication that doesn’t cause dry mouth. In addition, there are oral rinses that restore moisture back into the mouth that can be prescribed to you as well. If all else fails there are actual medications that stimulate the saliva production that can be prescribed for you also. Some other easy steps to take to help improve your immediate saliva flow are by sucking on sugarfree candies or sugar-free chewing gum, drinking plenty of water to keep your mouth moist, by protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and using a fluoride rinse. Visiting your dentist twice a year regularly, breathing through your nose, not your mouth when possible, using a vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air and by using an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.

One or all of these helpful tips may be of use to you. But more importantly do not ignore the signs of your body. Keep your relationship with your dentist and he or she will be sure to guide you through these golden years as “fluidly” as they should be. Go enjoy retirement and all the “juicy” things that go with it!

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Rudisill practices old art of pressed flowers

By MICHAEL E. POWELL Bobbie Rudisill doesn't really consider herself an artist, as such. Nor does she consider herself as someone who practices an old art form: pressed flower art.

But she is and she does. And she does so very well her friends and peers will tell you.

Rudisill, 83, loves the art of pressed flowers, which she calls Mother Nature's own art.

It was, and in many cases, still is, an old art form, she noted, once practiced in Europe and in many Far Eastern countries and still continued on to this day. There are, she says, many variations to the art form, but for the most part, the style she practices is old by many hundreds of years by many art historians' estimates.

Rudisill, the widow of the late Edwin Rudisill, of the Carlton Mill fame, creates her art in many sizes; some as small and "wee" as the very flowers themselves while others can occupy a good-sized frame.

She said she did some first, when she got started out, for her children and grandchildren, but the hobby became a small personal business of sorts, and now she sells them in various shops and markets between here and Boone, she said.

"I enjoyed it so much I couldn't quit," Rudisill said. "I've been at the hobby of it now for about 15 years and selling the pieces I create for about eight years. I just finished my eighth year at the Farmer's Market, as a matter of fact!"

Rudisill said when she started selling her pieces, she did so at the Boone Farmer's Market, then later at a gift shop in the Gaston Mall. She is still doing so and doesn't see any let up, especially during Christmas season.

Bobbie has done many demonstrations of the art of pressed flowers at various churches and garden clubs. She has even taught interested others how to do it, she said.

What got Rudisill started all those years ago, she said, was her purchase of a book about the fine art of flower pressing.

"That's what really got me interested in it. And I must say it was and is still a learning process!" Rudisill said.

As far as having an artistic eye to be able to create pressed flower masterpieces, Rudisill said she supposed one should have such. She feels she does have the "eye" for design and creation of her finished works.

Rudisill's children, four girls and a boy, all have some of her work in their homes, and

Photo by Michael Powell

The hands of a master pressed flower artist! Bobbie Rudisill, of Cherryville, N. C., slips a little white glue under the dried flower she is using in the small demonstrator artwork. The piece is one of her smallest, she noted. there are a couple of churches in the area which have one or two of her pieces as well.

In talking about sizes in respect to the art work, Rudisill said she doesn't really have a "favorite" size in which to work, but admits that sometimes bigger is better.

As far as the actual pressing of the flowers, that can be the most time consuming aspect of the art. That, and actually collecting the flowers.

See RUDISILL page 24

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December 28, 2011

10 Preventative Health Care Tips

By ALEX PARSONS

Editor’s note: Summitt Place Assisted Living in Kings Mountain circulates the following information provided by Associated Content to new residents upon move in. It has been edited for newspaper use.

Preventative health care emphasizes prevention and the early detection of health conditions. For seniors, this preventative health care can be a great way to minimize the chance of serious illness, or in the event of a serious illness, maximize the chances for recovery.

RUDISILL: Practices art of flower pressing FROM page 23 "Well, obviously, you have to pick the flowers first," Rudisill said. "Then, depending on the thickness of the flowers, you have to press them to draw the water and moisture from them so they don't mold." This process, she said, can take as much as four to six weeks.

She used to use old phone books, or newspapers weighted down with some sort of heavy weight. She then got a flower press and has recently moved up to a microwave press.

"The microwave press really cuts down on the actual drying time. What used to take weeks now only takes a few days," she said.

"The press is made specifically for flowers."

Her son Edwin Rudisill, Jr., makes some of her frames, but many times she said she will find what she wants at yard or estate sales.

"I also recycle a lot of old frames," she added.

Still, it is a trial and error art process many times.

"The flower itself may tell me what sort of frame it needs, and vice-versa," she said, of her choices of frames to compliment her pieces.

As far as which flowers are the easiest to work with, Rudisill said pansies were the easiest, with hydrangeas being next on the list. Hardest for her to work with are roses and lilies, which have too much moisture, she said. She said she has a pretty good inventory of flowers on hand from which to choose, thanks to friends and fellow gardeners.

She does have plans to eventually get a web site, but for now her Mother Nature's Arts pressed flowers are known by word-ofmouth.

Rudisill considers herself "especially blessed" to be able to do her art, age not withstanding.

"I had a stroke in 2006. Last year I had a hip replaced and cataracts in both eyes removed!" Rudisill said. "I am thankful I can still get around and do most of the things I want to do. I have been blessed beyond measure."

For many health conditions, early detection makes a major difference in your chances for recovery.

All senior citizens should make preventative health care a part of their routines.

Regular visits to the doctor for necessary tests along with healthy living are the key aspects of preventative health care for seniors. By taking a proactive approach to their health, seniors can enjoy a greatly enhanced quality of life.

The following are 10 preventative health care tips for seniors:

Visit Your Doctor Regularly. As we age, it is an unfortunate reality that our risk factors for many diseases, from cancer to heart disease, increase. In many cases, early detection can make a critical difference in your prognosis. Consequently, it is essential that you visit your doctor regularly.

You should note questions you wish to ask beforehand, and tell your doctor of any changes in your health. Moreover, if you are not feeling well you should not simply assume you will “get better” on your own.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Take a list of all prescriptions you are taking, as well as Over The Counter drugs.

Doctors will be able to administer many

of the preventative tests outlined below and share additional preventative health care tips for seniors with you.

Exercise Regularly, For many health conditions, regular exercise can reduce your risk factors. For example, regular exercise lessens your risk of heart disease, and also strengthens your bones, thereby reducing your risk for osteoporosis and fractures.

Seniors should engage in regular physical activity, preferably twenty to thirty minutes per day, in order to stay healthy.

Eat Well. Along with exercise and regular visits to your doctor, eating a healthy diet is a critical aspect of preventative health care for seniors.

Seniors should eat healthy foods that are low in saturated fats in order to reduce their risk of cancer and heart disease. It is best to avoid red meat and fatty dairy.

Instead, choose lean cuts of meat and vegetable proteins. Women should pay particular attention to eating foods that are rich in Calcium and Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

See TIPS, page 26

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STROKE - a very real risk for seniors

By THOMAS LARK thomas.bannernews@gmail.com

Do you know enough about strokes?

If you’re a senior citizen, it’s a subject with which you familiarize yourself, says Dr. Dino Graziano, a local general practitioner and former emergency room physician.

Graziano recently said that there are on average some 700,000 strokes in America every year. And almost 75 percent of these strokes occur in people 65 years of age and older.

Are you at risk? Family history, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, advancing age and obesity are all risk factors, as Graziano noted.

“And the chances of having a stroke more than double each decade after you reach the age of 55,” he informed.

He added that it’s vital—quite literally a matter of life and death—for seniors to learn more about strokes. It’s especially important for those caring for elderly loved ones to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

“The need to act quickly in the event of a stroke is imperative,” Graziano said, adding that strokes are unmistakable and come on with terrible swiftness.

He continued that when normal blood flow to the brain is interrupted, a stroke occurs. Deprived of oxygen and blood-borne nutrients, brain cells die.

“And because a stroke injures the brain, stroke victims may not realize just what is happening,” the doctor added.

But if you’re witness to someone having a stroke, the signs are clear and obvious. These signs include: •sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side; •sudden confusion, trouble in talking or understanding someone else speaking; •sudden trouble seeing, either in eye or both; •sudden trouble walking, dizziness or a loss of balance; •and a sudden severe headache of unknown cause.

“With a stroke, every second counts,” Graziano said, adding that an immediate call to 911 and getting to a hospital as soon as possible are of inestimable importance in avoiding long-term disability.

Staying Active In Retirement (StatePoint) Despite the promise of ample free time, retirement is not something everyone looks forward to with happy anticipation. Many approaching this life stage worry that the unstructured time will be tedious and unfulfilling.

But there’s no need to fear a life of greater leisure.

There are many ways to make the most of one’s years after leaving the workforce, points out Sidney Silverman, a retired trial lawyer of 43 years and author of a new book

of memoirs, “A Happy Life: From Courtroom to Classroom,” which he wrote when he was 76.

“I wanted to write only about my retirement, but how could I do that without telling what I did before retiring?” says Silverman, whose book details his career and active retirement, during which he enrolled in graduate school, tried his hand at tournament chess, and wrote two books.

With this in mind, he is offering several tips to help make retirement the highlight of

your life: • Stay Active: Don’t let health problems become an excuse to sit around and stare into space. Take stock of how you feel, and seek activities consistent with your physical and mental strength.

• Take on New Hobbies: It’s never too late to discover new passions you didn’t have time to pursue when you were working. Test your fondness. Whether it’s woodworking, music, photography, or fishing, now that free time is plentiful, jump in head-first and pursue what you love.

• Volunteer: If unstructured time makes the hours of the day feel endless, look for volunteer work that will keep you as actively engaged as when you worked.

• Keep Learning: You’re never too old to stop learning. There are many colleges eager to admit seniors. All you need is the will to learn, advises Silverman • Stay Upbeat: Don’t be gloomy. Avoid making what ails you the focal point of every conversation. Books, politics, sports,

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• Try a Second Career: Become a published author or launch your own part-time consulting business, tutoring, or catering company. For example, Silverman tackled the challenge of writing his memoirs as well as a novel entitled “What Money Can Buy” that satirizes the practices of financial firms which tossed our country and the world into economic chaos. It explains the causes of the Great Recession and satirizes the political scene that followed.

• Find Your Peace: Your career was the time to stress out about deadlines, and workflow. Retirement is the time to put that aside and think about that book you’re reading, your golf swing, or the next meal you want to cook.

As Plato once said, “There are different stages in a man’s life.” By staying active, you can make retirement your best life stage yet.

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TIPS: for preventative health care FROM page 24 Quit Smoking. While some obstinate smokers may argue that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to quit, since theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve smoked most of their lives and are still alive, quitting smoking is a great thing to do for your health.

When it comes to preventative health care, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most important things you can do. Smoking greatly increases your risk for various cancers and heart diseases, and quitting can reduce those risks.

Have Your Cholesterol Tested. Among with exercise and eating well, having your cholesterol checked can help to reduce your risk of heart disease. Determining if you have high cholesterol, along with analyzing other risk factors, can be critical in assessing your risk for heart disease. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women.

Have an Annual Mammogram. Women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram every year, or as directed by their doctors, and seniors should continue this approach. Breast cancer is a major cause of death for women, and early detection can be critical in fighting the illness.

Have an Annual Prostate Exam. Once they reach age 50, men should have a prostate

exam annually, or as directed by their doctors, that includes a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The prognosis for men with prostate cancer is best if it is detected early.

Colorectal Cancer Screening. Men and women over the age of 50 should, in consultation with their doctors, have annual fecal-occult blood tests, a flexible sigmoidoscopy every four years, and a colonoscopy possibly as often as every two years. Depending on your specific risk factors, your doctor may order these preventative health care procedures more or less frequently.

Diabetes Screening. Adults should be screened for diabetes after age 45, and this will continue once they become seniors. Many seniors do not know if they have diabetes, which puts them at risk for a variety of health conditions. Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Have Your Blood Pressure Tested. Your blood pressure should be regularly checked by your doctor, as high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and hypertension. Your blood pressure should be checked at a minimum of once every two years, but your doctor may check it more often, based on your specific risk factors and family history.

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Report values NC family caregiving at $11.7 billion A new report recently released by AARP’s Public Policy Institute found the total economic value of caring for an adult family member, partner, or friend who suffered with chronic conditions or disabilities in the U.S. reached an estimated $450 billion in 2009.

In North Carolina, the value of care reached $11.7 billion. The $450 billion is up from the estimated $375 billion that the study found in 2007.

The report, “Valuing the Invaluable: The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving, 2011 Update,” finds that the “average” caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside of the home and spends nearly 20 hours per week providing unpaid care to her mother over the course of nearly five years.

Almost two-thirds of family caregivers are women, and more than eight in 10 are caring for a relative or friend age 50 or older.

“Caregivers take care of family and loved ones because that’s what they do,” Suzanne LaFollette-Black, Associate State Director, Community Outreach, AARP – North Carolina, said. “They don’t think of themselves as caregivers. But the meals fixed for mom and dad, the visits to the doctor, and other long-term care assistance would cost $450 billion if someone had to

be hired to do it.”

The report also found that the care provided continues to increase in complexity.

The impact of shorter hospital stays and advances in home-based medical technologies plays out in the health tasks that family caregivers often carry out, including bandaging and wound care, tube feedings, managing catheters, giving injections, or operating medical equipment.

This new level of care, which the report calls the “new normal,” also takes an increasing toll on the caregiver. The report found that those who take on this unpaid role to help loved ones remain in their own homes and communities risk stress, depression, physical health problems, social isolation, competing demands and financial hardship and thus, are vulnerable themselves.

“The overwhelming majority of people want to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, LaFollette-Black said. “Family caregiving is key to making that possible.”

The full report, “Valuing the Invaluable: The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving, 2011 Update,” is available at http:/www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving/info-07-2011/valuing-theinvaluable.html.

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No jobs for older men? Or women?

Buried in a federal report on unemployment late last summer was a startling statistic: Joblessness among men 55 and older had reached its highest level since the government began tracking the rate in 1948. The rate had almost tripled since the start of the recession to 8.4 percent.

Women in the 55-plus group also suffered a surge in unemployment around the same time, with 6.9 percent out of work. Younger people continued to suffer more joblessness compared with older workers, but the rate had increased at only about half the speed.

Vanishing paychecks usually dictate major change in their families' lifestyle. A job loss may mean the loss of health insurance at a time of life when they need it — yet are not old enough for Medicare. Their self-esteem may also take a beating.

The recession has hit older workers "in their retirement security core in a way that other recessions haven't," says Heidi Shierholz, a labor market economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington.

"They are at a stage in their life cycle where they weren't planning on working much longer — and combined with the labor market being at its weakest in 70 years, and the value of their homes and stocks declining," she says. "They're poorer than they thought they would be.

Unemployment rates for older men and women had improved slightly by November, but remained near record levels, federal reports show.

Why older men have lost jobs Several factors are to blame for older men's plight. Some of the industries that have shed the most jobs in the recession, construction and manufacturing among them, are dominated by male workers.

And, unlike in the recession of 1982-83, older men who lose their jobs have tended not to drop out of the workforce and retire, says Richard Johnson, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a think tank in Washington.

In addition, some who did retire are trying to return to the labor market as their nest eggs — home equity, 401(k)s, and other investments dwindle.

Jessica Baker, a manager at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' Older Worker Program, knows this trend firsthand.

"I see a lot more people coming out of retirement … people who had been in retirement five, six, seven years — because they're concerned they won't be able to live on their income any longer," she says. "The economy took a toll on their 401(k)."

Instead of moving toward a comfortable retirement, 59-year-old Pedrag Stojnovic is in his second year of a miserable job search.

He was laid off from his job at an Akron, Ohio, steel plant in 2008. Last year, he filed for bankruptcy. This month he was evicted from his home by foreclosure. His unemployment benefits have run out, though there's some possibility they'll be restored by a new financial measure in Congress. For now, he's sleeping in his car.

'It's so hard to find a job' For Stojnovic and more than 2 million other 55-plus unemployed workers, the approaching winter holidays hold more worry than celebration. "It's so hard to find a job.

They look at you and think you're too old, and they don't call you back," says Stojnovic, who has largely emptied his 401(k) account to pay for basic necessities. "This is the longest time I've been without a job."

Sara Rix, a strategic adviser at AARP, says that older workers are staying unemployed longer than younger ones. On average, the 55-plus group had been out of work for 44.3 weeks as of October, compared with 33.2 weeks for younger people.

In fact, the plight of people like Stojnovic, who emigrated 38 years ago from what was then Yugoslavia, has become so prevalent that mature workers were dubbed the "new unemployables" in a study released in November 2010, by the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College.

The study analyzed results from a survey in May 2010, of some 1,200 older job seekers conducted by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University.

In a tight labor market with, according to federal data, five unemployed workers for every job opening in September, mature workers found that their age can count against them.

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by CAROLE FLECK AARP Bulletin

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December 28, 2011

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