While a winter wonderland can be beautiful, it can also be hazardous to seniors. Being prepared and knowing how to cope with cold weather can help everyone enjoy the season and give loved ones a sense of security. Janine Telischak, Therapy Partners at Jennings Center for Older Adults, offers the following safety tips for seniors and their families this winter season:

Snow and Ice

• Use tennis balls on walkers or add an ice grip to a cane. Both easily purchased at a medical supply store.
• Wear gloves and keep your hands out of your pockets. Use your arms to keep your balance.
• While walking, try pointing your feet outwards (like a penguin) to increase your center of gravity.
• If you fall, try to relax. A softer, relaxed body will injure less than a rigid one.

Cold and Flu

• Wash hands regularly in tepid water.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with your elbow/sleeve of your shirt, instead of your hand, to decrease spread of germs.
• If you are sick, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Use a cold air humidifier for regular use throughout your home, especially in bedrooms. Dry air breeds increased bacterial and viral activity.

Dry Skin

As we get older our skin becomes thinner and can tear more easily. Moisturizing is very important, as well as making sure to drink enough fluids. Both help to prevent skin tears or cracked skin,  which can lead to infection, open wounds and illness.

Hypothermia

Colder temperatures are more dangerous for older adults because they have slower metabolisms and skin that has begun to thin. As we age, it also becomes more difficult to tell when our body temperature is too low. Some conditions will also make it harder to regulate body temperature, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, psoriasis and vascular diseases.

In cold weather our hearts have to work harder. Pay close attention to how you are feeling and breathing when outside. Do not rely on shivering as a sign, as older adults actually tend not to shiver as their bodies get colder.

January 22-28, 2012 is a special week to celebrate the nation’s Activity Professionals. These dedicated women and men who help adults maintain a healthier, more active mental outlook, which relates directly to improved quality of life. 

Activities professionals help to enrich the lives of older adults in long-term care residences, senior centers, retirement communities, day programs, and apartments. They provide a variety of programming related to community involvement, mental stimulation, community service, physical well-being and all types of activities to maintain normal life pursuits for our nation’s elders. Every activity is designed to meet the needs of the individual. They work in tandem with health care professionals, care providers, and regulatory agencies to enhance the lives of those they serve.

Here at Jennings, the life enrichment staff has the overall responsibility of meeting the leisure and recreation needs of the residents. They are here to ensure the emotional, recreational, spiritual, intellectual and creative needs of the residents are met. They are also a part of the interdisciplinary team, which discusses the care of each resident quarterly and develops activity plans of care based on each resident’s individual needs. Every resident at Jennings has either an activity care plan or activity approaches on another interdisciplinary care plans. Every activity is not for every resident. It is part of their role to assess and determine the appropriate activities for each resident.

Did you know…

• Something as simple as a singalong or musical activity enhances memory recall, encourages socialization, helps identify feelings such as warmth, happy, sad, relieves spiritual needs, relieves depression, allows for expression and creativity, and stimulates ears, vocal cords and facial muscles.
• Crafts and art activities provide opportunities for self-expression and creativity, improve coordination and flexibility, build confidence, enhance leisure skills, promote knowledge for new interests, provide a sense of achievement, relieve tensions, and help retain fine motor skills.
• Religious programs relieve spiritual needs, invoke feelings from the past, promote community integration, elevate emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, provide for socialization, and  provide opportunities for reminiscence.
• Activities such as trivia, spelling bees, reminiscent groups, hangman, etc. stimulates the intellect, improves memory recall, increases long term memory, invokes feelings from the past, stimulates conversation, increases socialization, increases knowledge, and improves self-esteem.
• Entertainment activities provide auditory and visual sensory stimulation, help relieve depression, promote socialization, and help control emotional tensions.

NAP Week was created by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) to provide a format for facilities to honor and recognize the dedicated activity professionals who contribute significantly to the residents’ quality of life. Visit www.thenaap.com for more information.

Glaucoma is a major cause of vision loss in the United States, affecting about 2.2 million Americans.  During January 2012—Glaucoma Awareness Month—National Eye Institute (NEI) and Jennings Center for Older Adults remind you that early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss. Glaucoma is detected during  routine eye exams; there aren’t  early symptoms of this silent disease.

NEI advises everyone to have  routine eye exams, and those at risk of glaucoma should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years. NEI leads research toward better prevention, detection, and treatment of this often silent but devastating disease.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve, the bundle of nerve cells that relays visual information from the eye to the brain. In the most common form of glaucoma, called primary open angle glaucoma, nerve damage results from an increase in intraocular pressure — the pressure inside the eye. Increased intraocular pressure occurs when the fluid that circulates in and out of the front part of the eye drains too slowly.

Glaucoma is usually painless, initially affects peripheral vision, and progresses slowly, which helps explain why half of all people with glaucoma are unaware they have it. Without adequate treatment, glaucoma eventually affects central vision and progresses to blindness. Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.

Glaucoma is a complex disease and progress toward preventing or reversing the condition has been slow. NEI’s multipronged approach to glaucoma research is making great strides. Studies funded by NEI have identified populations at higher risk of glaucoma, including African-Americans ages 40 and older; everyone age 60 and older, especially Mexican-Americans; and people with a family history of the disease. Medicated eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure are effective at delaying or preventing disease among people identified to be at high risk of glaucoma. Specific traits such as race/ethnicity can help predict which type of surgical treatment is more likely to achieve better visual results.

The NEI National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) provides a variety of educational resources, in English and Spanish, as part of its broad eye health outreach effort. New this year is the Keep Vision in Your Future Glaucoma Toolkit, designed for health professionals and community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive dilated eye exams for early detection of glaucoma.

Help spread the word this January. Early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. Encourage those at risk to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Written by Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Eye Institute

For more information about glaucoma research programs at NEI, visit www.nei.nih.gov.

For more information about glaucoma, comprehensive dilated eye exams, and financial assistance available for eye care, visit www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma.

To find educational resources available from NEHEP, visit www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/programs/glaucoma.

The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs that result in the development of sight-saving treatments. For more information, visit www.nei.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

(From the Social Security Administration web  site www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp)—Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.

Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited resources and income also are eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs – monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments – related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. Many people qualify for these big savings and don’t even know it.

To qualify for Extra Help:

• You must reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia;
• Your resources must be limited to $12,640 for an individual or $25,260 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your home, car, and any life insurance policy as resources; and
• Your annual income must be limited to $16,335 for an individual or $22,065 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where your income may be higher are if you or your spouse:
• Support other family members who live with you;
• Have earnings from work; or
• Live in Alaska or Hawaii.

For more  information,  such as  how to apply  or access  forms, click here to visit the Social  Security Adminstration web site  at  http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/) .

There can be a special togetherness and closeness that is created around the end-of-year holidays.  The days are filled with opportunities to create long lasting memories and to reflect on the happy times of past holiday seasons.  Despite—or perhaps because of—the hustle and bustle of shopping, the influx of out-of-town relatives, memories of holidays gone by and past relationships, older adults can find themselves fighting the holiday blues. 

While it is normal to be reflective at this time of year, an older person may be more deeply aware of the passing of time and the absence of friends and family who have died.  Due to limited incomes, the holidays may bring financial pressures regarding the purchases of gifts. Physical limitations can force curtailment of long-standing traditional family events. All of these issues can create a holiday season that brings feelings of depression. 

It is helpful to remain aware of the warning signs of depression and its common behaviors:

• Persistent sadness and/or frequent tearfulness
• Withdrawal from regular social or once-enjoyed activities
• Excessive worry about finances or health
• Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
• Weight changes
• Pacing and Fidgeting
• Changes in sleep patterns (inability to sleep or excessive sleep)
• Staring off into space or at television for prolonged periods of time

Family and friends can help an older loved one by thoughtfully opening the lines of communication. First, tell them your concerns.  Avoid defensiveness or further suggestions of reasons to be sad or feel helpless.  Try talking about a time in your own life when you felt sad, in this way acknowledging that everyone feels sadness, and helping the person to see that he or she is not alone.  Acknowledge that despite how ‘merry and bright’ the media portrays the holidays, too many expectations can cause overwhelming pressure. Also recognize the need to slow down and allow some extra time for an older adult, rather than expect the individual to move at a rushed pace. You may need to seek additional or alternative ways to celebrate the holidays if a loved one has cognitive or physical impairments.

If a loved one or friend does decide to confide in you, it is important to seize the opportunity to create trust by listening and offering support.  It is often helpful to offer to change traditional family events to accommodate any physical limitations that may hinder them from participating. You might also provide opportunities to engage an older adult in simple or old-fashioned pleasures:

• Ask about and celebrate a favorite aspect of the holiday
• Accompany the individual to a religious ceremony or service
• Go out for window shopping or enjoy holiday light displays
• Make a traditional holiday treat or ethnic dish
• Decorate an older adult’s home
• Recall and celebrate good memories of past holidays

While the sights and sounds of the holidays can create some sadness about the seasons gone by, actual depression is not a normal part of aging or of this time of year.  Sadness that effects a person’s ability to function in every day life needs to be brought to the attention of a physician and supported through the efforts of thoughtful friends and families.

The Sisters of the Holy Spirit are warming up the kitchen for your “Nun Better” cookie order! Click here for the pdf order form or call (216) 581-2941 today!

 Jennings is proud to announce that The Learning Circle, our on-site infant and child care program, has achieved a perfect survey from its inspection from Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Allison Q. Salopeck, COO and Administrator at Jennings Center for Older Adults,states, “We are very proud of the environment and care that our staff offers the children every day. It’s nice to be recognized in this way!”

The Learning Circle, which began in 1999 and expanded in 2002, cares for approximately 72 children every day from six weeks to twelve years old through day care, after-school care and summer camp programs. Together with adults served on the Jennings campus, children participate in life-enriching intergenerational experiences that benefit both generations. Visit www.jenningscenter.org/thelearningcircle for more information.

Jennings Center f or Older Adults is pleased that its 2012 arts proposal was  approved  to be part of the arts and culture grants funed by Cuyahoga  Arts and  Culture. Jennings has been approved for $14,507 toward its Gateway to Culture programs. The Board of Trustees of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) has approved 88 grants, totaling $1,029,164 for the 2012 Project Support cycle.

The awards include traditional PS I grants and the new Project Support II, a small grant program that provides awards of up to $5000. Grants range in value from $625 to $49,333. CAC’s Board of Trustees met Monday, November 14th at 4pm to approve the awards.

Project Support 2012 garnered the largest number of Intent to Apply and full applications in CAC’s history. A total of 131 organizations submitted Intent to Apply materials, of which 118 of were eligible. This is up over 45% from 2011, the year with the previous record number of submissions. The PS12 cohort of 88 cultural partners shows an increase of 56% from the 56 cultural partners in the PS11.

Increased outreach and a new, small grants program (Project Support II) led to a jump in participation and 36% of all organizations were first time applicants to CAC. Board of Trustees President, Sari Feldman said “We are extremely pleased with the results of the new PS II program. CAC has been able to expand its reach in to the community and provide more opportunities for arts and cultural organizations. Knowing that almost half of the applications came from the PS II pool lets us know that this program is a valuable addition to the process.”

Please visit CAC’s website at www.cacgrants.org for a list of PS12 Cultural Partners, more information about our Project Support program and for a full list of upcoming meetings and events.

Would you like to make a difference and contribute to make these programs possible? Click here to donate.

Thank you, Veterans! Veterans Day 2011 was a time for Jennings Center for Older Adults to honor veterans, especially those who live, participate, work and volunteer on the Jennings campus. From the “Greatest Generation” to the newest generation, we were proud to honor each individual. The day commenced with a flag raising ceremony, followed by a pinning ceremony in which each veteran was personally thanked and given a flag pin. Veterans and their families were then treated to a luncheon.

After the luncheon, some veterans and the ROTC participants held a videoconference distance learning connection with fifth graders at Roxboro Elementary School. The fifth graders had the opportunity to ask questions and learn from generations of servicemen and servicewomen.

Jennings Center for Older Adults would like to extend thanks to those who helped make this celebration possible, including US Army volunteers Sergeant Hudson, Lt. Cartwright and Specialist Tomey; Hospice of the Western Reserve, and the ROTC participants and leaders from John Carroll University and Kent State University.

Click here to check out a few of  our pictures.

by Abby Kurowski, Kent State Dietetic Intern

November is here and the brisk autumn air brings the desire for deliciously warm comfort foods. This month we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for family, friends, good health, and great food. Sweet potatoes are a seasonal, nutritious Thanksgiving favorite. They are packed full of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that play a role in reducing inflammation and restoring cells. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber which helps to promote digestive health. And if you thought they could not get any better, sweet potatoes are naturally low in fat and sodium.

This Thanksgiving, instead of buying canned sweet potatoes and adding butter and marshmallows, I suggest trying honey-glazed sweet potatoes. This recipe offers a light coating to bring out the natural flavors of the sweet potatoes and saves on added sugar and calories.

Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 large)
• peeled and cut into wedges

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• To make the sauce, in a small bowl add the water, brown sugar, honey and olive oil.
• Whisk until smooth.  Place a single layer of sweet potatoes in the baking pan.
• Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes. Turn to coat them. 
• Cover and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. Turn the sweet potatoes once or twice to continue coating them.
• When tender, remove the cover and continue to bake until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes. 
• Transfer to a serving dish and top with pepper or chopped herb of choice to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Analysis (per 3/4 cup serving)