Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, August 26, 2020
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SENIORS Our Monthly Feature ...For Seniors and about Seniors
Local artist looks into the past with paint By Devin Wilger Staff Writer Val Morhart’s paintings are a window into the past. He said he’s inspired by thinking about the way it used to be, farming life and the legacy of the pioneers in the area. Morhart has been an artist almost his entire life, starting drawing when he was five and painting when he was eight, but for a long time it wasn’t his priority, as he worked on the farm and had other things to do. He got back into art around 2004, and said he’s been going strong since then He said what drives him is a desire to give a message to people viewing the painting, and give them an idea of what life used to be like. “Instruct them in the way life used to be.” Morhart doesn’t always use a conventional canvas, sometimes painting on saws. He said that started thanks
to his sister-in-law, who had a big, round saw on her farm, and wanted a painting on it. After that, he decided to try painting on a handsaw, and it ‘mushroomed from there.’ In many cases, Morhart’s paintings show places that no longer exist, as time and disaster have claimed them over the years. “I’ve done lot of paintings, where in a year or two, all of a sudden the barn is burned down or the house is burned down. Some paintings I’ve done off of a photo that have totally disappeared.” He started showing his work about eight years ago, encouraged by someone who was showing her work in Norquay. His first show was in Norquay, and said that he enjoyed talking to people about the art and what he was trying to accomplish, and listening to the stories that people came up with when viewing his work.
She looked at me, and she said, ‘that’s me.’ I asked ‘what do you mean?’ She said ‘when I was young at home, I was the only family member other than my mom and dad on the farm who was able to help with the work. My dad would load down the sleigh with grain, and we would go into town and drop it off at the elevator.’ The memories it brought back for her were unreal.” Morhart recommends everyone try their hand at painting, especially young people. He said his grandchildren are especially inspirational,
as they pick up a pen and brushes and paint things that speak to their own interests. “When I talk to the younger generation, I tell them to go ahead and start painting. There’s no such thing as bad painting, it’s all whoever looks at it, in their mind. You maybe think it’s not good, the next person thinks it’s the greatest piece. I’ve always tried to convince the younger kids, if you want to paint, go ahead and paint, and don’t worry about what it looks like, as long as you enjoy doing it.” Continued on Page A14
SHOP SMALL Val Morhart “I did a painting that showed four horses with a sleigh loaded down with grain on an ice road during the winter, which was a method that they used for hauling grain to
the elevators. A lady, probably in her 80s, she kept looking at it and looking at it, and finally I had a chance to go and talk to her, so I asked her what she thought of it.
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LOCAL Continued from Page A13 That’s true in his own family, with his grandchildren taking up pens
and brushes of their own. He said one is really into painting Pokemon, to the point where he jokes that
they are ‘coming out of his ears,’ and another grandson in Canora is showing talent.
“I just couldn’t believe it, how great it was, what he was doing. It was all in pencil.”
Morhart is glad that his art connects with people, and plans to keep painting.
“I think, from the comments I am getting, people are satisfied with what I’m doing.”
Different generations can learn and benefit from one another In the not-so-distant past, extended families frequently lived in close proximity to one another. Such families shared meals and experiences and essentially grew up together. Nowadays, families separate for various reasons, such as job opportunities and cost of living concerns. While there are advantages to spreading out, there are also some disadvantages, namely that grandparents and grandchildren may not see one another frequently enough. Even though people of different age groups may not entirely have the same interests,
the interactions between generations can benefit both young people and their aging relatives.
The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) wants to educate seniors on how to protect themselves from financial scams and frauds. “As financial abuse affects many seniors in Canada, we want to protect seniors by providing information and resources that will help them identify and avoid exploitation,” the FCAA Securities Division Director Dean Murrison said. “Seniors can protect their money by understanding the warning signs of financial fraud and by being cautious when speaking to people on the phone they do not know.” In some cases, seniors end up losing money by giving out their credit card or banking information to fraudsters or occasionally dishonest family members. Here are some red
flags and preventative tips to help avoid exploitation: • If you receive “prize offers” without engaging or enrolling with the business offering the prize, do not reply to them.
Finding renewed vigor Senior living and active lifestyle communities provide invaluable care and amenities for seniors. While being around like-minded individuals can be handy, it’s also limiting. Seniors who continue to age in place in mixed-age communities can extract joy from watching youthful children and young adults growing up, playing and socializing. Being around multiple generations also can spark
interesting conversation, and all parties involved can learn something from one another. Planning for the future Younger generations may not understand the concept of “hard times” or “doing without” like
a person who has lived through various ups and downs. Passing along advice about economic cycles, saving for the future and maintaining stability is one area of expertise at which many seniors excel.
Do you know who you’re giving your money to?
• If someone emails, texts, or calls asking for personal or banking information, do not provide the information. • If you are asked to keep information secret, that’s a red flag.
• If a new friend, relative or caregiver suggests they start taking control of your finances, do not let them. • If someone calls asking for access to your computer, do not give them access. • If a stranger sends you a cheque, do not accept it as the cheque may bounce after you deposit it. • If someone asks you for large sums of money,
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do not give it to them. • If you receive an email with an attachment from people you do not know, do not open or download the attachments. For more information about senior financial abuse and tips for family members and caregivers visit: https://fcaa.gov. sk.ca/financial-literacy/ seniors/senior-financialabuse.
Practicing interpersonal skills All the technological savviness in the world cannot compensate for the power of strong interpersonal skills. Being able to address a group of people or speak oneon-one is essential in the workplace and in life. When younger generations speak to older adults, they may become stronger at verbal discourse and have greater perspective of different points of conversation. Learning new technology Younger generations can impart knowledge of technological devices to older adults. People with skills are usually happy to share their knowledge. Even if seniors aren’t ready to purchase tablets or smartphones, they may be excited to
have their grandchildren teach them about the latest gadgets. Providing sense of purpose Both seniors and younger generations can realize a greater sense of purpose when interacting with one another. That person may be the reason the other one greets the day with a smile. Visits from grandchildren can reduce the liklihood of isolation and depression in older adults. And younger generations can discover the benefits of personal social interaction rather than communicating exclusively through social media apps. Fostering intergenerational connections is a great way to broaden social circles, improve communication and learn new things.
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August 2020
Hormone replacement therapy and menopause Menopause is a natural occurrence that takes place in a woman’s life around the age of 50. Menopause is marked by bodily changes that represent the end of a woman’s ability to bear children. Like puberty, menstrual periods and pregnancy, menopause involves fluctuations in hormones, notably estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can cause symptoms that may make women uncomfortable, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. As a result, many women discuss options that can make them feel more comfortable. Hormone replacement therapy may be a consideration. What is hormone replacement therapy? Estrogen levels fall during menopause. The online medical resource WebMD says that hor-
mone replacement therapy, or HRT, involves taking small doses of estrogen alone or estrogen combined with progestin, the synthetic form of progesterone. Women who have undergone a hysterectomy or the surgical removal of their ovaries may only take estrogen, while a woman who still has her uterus typically takes the combination HRT. Many women find that HRT can relieve most of the troubling symptoms of menopause and help them feel more comfortable. In addition, HRT has been proven to prevent bone loss and reduce fracture in postmenopausal women. Types of products There are different types of HRT. HRT may involve taking a pill or applying a patch, gel or vaginal cream. HRT also may include a slowreleasing suppository or a vaginal ring. The deliv-
ery method will depend on the symptoms to minimize the amount of medication taken. Risks of HRT While there are many benefits to HRT, there are some risks associated with the therapy. These risks depend on the dose, the length of time taking HRT and individual health risks. The largest clinical trial to date, HRT that consisted of an estrogenprogestin pill increased the risk of certain serious conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Women who begin at age 60 or older or more than 10 years from the onset of menopause are at greater risk of the these conditions. If HRT is started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks. In addition, unless the uterus has been
removed, doctors typically prescribe estrogen taken with progesterone because estrogen alone can stimulate the growth of the lining of the uterus, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen-progestin therapy also is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer the longer the
therapy is used. Minimizing risk Doctors can work with their patients to minimize the risk of developing adverse affects from HRT. Tactics include finding the best product and delivery method, seeking regular follow-up care, making healthy lifestyle choices
to reduce other health conditions, and taking the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time needed. Hormone replacement therapy may be an option to help manage the symptoms of menopause. Women can discuss the pros and cons of HRT with their doctors.
Stretching and walking is the order of the day Physical activity is really the key to maintaining good health and staying independent for as long as possible. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours at the gym doing bodybuilding! Small, regular daily activities can make all the difference. True independence for seniors means needing to be able to stretch, bend, stand up, carry objects, and get around without difficulty. It is possible to achieve and maintain this kind of flexibility for a person of absolutely any age: all you have to do is keep two little
words in mind: stretching and walking. Get into the habit of stretching gently when you get out of bed. Stretch your arms and bend your body and your knees. To improve posture and balance, try to balance on one foot, then on the other, holding the pose for at least 20 seconds. When it becomes easy for you, add 10 seconds. Doing this will improve muscle tone, reinforce the strength of your ankles, and diminish your risk of falling. Make the most of every chance you get to be more
active. At the grocery store, carry your bags yourself. Walk as often as you can, taking a little stroll around your neighborhood every day or picking up your mail on foot. Use the stairs instead of an escalator, even if you can only go up or down slowly. With a couple of short walks every day, you can easily accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise without forcing yourself. Walking and stretching regularly will help you enjoy your daily activities, which will help you, in turn, to feel better all around!
Incorporating stretching and walking into daily activities helps seniors remain independent.
Seniors and exercise: Tips to avoid injuries, get healthy Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Daily exercise can improve mood, promote an active lifestyle and reduce a person’s risk for a host of ailments, including diabetes and heart disease. Despite the importance of exercise, many people live sedentary lifestyles into their golden years. Seniors who want to embrace a healthier way of life and get more physically active should first consult with their physicians before beginning an exercise regimen. Certain medications may limit just how far seniors can push themselves, while preexisting conditions may make specific types of exercise off limits. After discussing their limitations with their physicians and developing a safe exercise routine, seniors can heed the following tips to avoid injury but still get healthy. · Pick a partner. Whether it’s a spouse or a friend who is physically active or wants to be, try exercising with a partner, at least initially. Doing so can provide the motivation you need and partners can serve as safety nets should you need assistance completing
an exercise or suffer an injury and require medical attention. Personal trainers can serve as your partner, and many gyms offer discounts to seniors on personal training services.
walk on. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends seniors begin by determining how many steps they can take in a day and then gradually working toward 10,000 to 15,000 steps per day. Utilize step counting apps on your smartphone to track your progress. Apply the same slow approach to strength training exercises, lifting only very light weights at first before gradually increasing weight as your body acclimates to the exercises.
· Start slowly. Seniors who have not been physically active for some time should take a gradual approach to exercise. Instead of heading right for the treadmill, exercise bike or elliptical machine, start walking every day. When it rains, find a treadmill you can
· Stretch. Bodies that have been inactive for lengthy periods of time are inflexible, and lack of flexibility increases your risk for injury. It is recommended that seniors warm up their bodies before stretching with five to 10 minutes of lowintensity activity such
as walking. Then stretch gently, remembering to relax and breathe during each stretch. · Switch things up. When strength training. Do not work the same muscle group two days in a row. Muscles need time to recover. If you prefer
circuit strength training where you exercise various muscle groups in one day, do not strength train on back-to-back days, leaving at least one day in between strength training sessions so muscles have ample time to recover.
While our stores remain open to serve you, we are looking to dedicate our first hour of operation to the most vulnerable. In an effort to help our Senior customers, we will be extending Seniors discounts to include the first hour of each day. 9AM TO 10AM Every day, at this location, plus every Thursday, Seniors can shop and save 20%. PARKLAND MALL
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just for SENIORS - IN PRINT AND ONLINE MONTHLY We want your feedback. Do you have a story idea or know a senior who should be highlighted? Contact us by phone 306-782-2465 or email sales@yorktonthisweek.com
OUR NEXT FEATURE - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30