Cohasset VISTA
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Cohasset VISTA September 2019 Cohasset Elder Affairs Services, Programs and Activities for Seniors and their Families Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset, MA 02025 781-383-9112 Like us on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/CohassetElders/ IS FIDO RIGHT FOR YOU? As we get older it can become increasingly difficult to leave the house to participate in favorite activities. There is a source of comfort that may benefit you. Pets can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase sociali- zation and physical activity. Be- fore considering getting a pet, it’s a good idea to evaluate what will work for you. Have you had pets before? Are you physically capa- ble of caring for an animal? If you get a dog, will you be able to walk it regularly? If your answer are yes, then you may want to consider getting a pet. While breeders are good sources for pets, a rescue from a shelter might be less expensive. Some shelters offer reduced fees for older pets and for senior citi- zens. In addition, you may give an animal a second chance for a good home. If you are unable to commit to the level of activity a dog may require, consider a cat or perhaps a bird. Just make sure that you are able to provide the care and maintenance your pet may re- quire. You’ll reap the benefits of companionship in return. If you don’t want a pet but are looking for an extra dose of love, join us on Monday mornings for our “Pawsitive” Visitors pro- gram. Gracie, a Certified Therapy Pictures clockwise from top left: Dolores Roy and Rosemary Sullivan enjoy dog, visits weekly on Monday the trip to Kennebunkport, Maine offered through BRS Tours. Dave and Will mornings during Cohasset Café perform acoustic music from the ’60’s at the “Baby Boomers and Friends” social. (See picture on Page 8). Join us Astronaut Steve Bowen signs an autograph for a fan at a presentation held at from 9-11 for a cup of coffee, Willcutt Commons in partnership with the Paul Pratt Library and the Cohasset pastries, and socialization. Then visit with Gracie. She is kind, Recreation Center. Sargent Mike Lopes from Cohasset PD conducts a driver loving and available to pet and training for volunteer and staff drivers. Seniors congregate at the bus during the hug. Kennebunkport trip. 2 - COHASSET VISTA SEPTEMBER 2019 Cohasset Elder Cheers, Affairs September is a wonderful month! It is a time for younger folks to return to Board of Directors school and the rest of us to resume our normal routines. No more lazy, Paul Kierce, Chair hazy days of summer until next year. Elinore Barrett, Secretary The month of September is recognized as both National Senior Center Tana Carlson, Vice Chair Elaine Coyne, Treasurer Month and Falls Prevention Awareness Month. More and more, people are realizing the Taffy Nothnagle vital service Councils on Aging provide in our communities. The National Council on Ag- Sue Reagan ing reports that across the country, senior centers serve over one-million older adults each Rich Hynes day. Diana Karcher The theme for this year’s national celebration of senior centers is: Senior Centers: The Key to Associate Members Aging Well. We are proud that Willcutt Commons is helping to change the perception of Jim Carpenter what a senior center means for today’s older adults. At our dynamic center, we offer a vari- Sarah Livermore ety of activities designed to help you age well. Join us for exercise classes, discussion Beth Tarpey groups, historical lectures, language classes or musical performances. We offer something Liaisons to Board of for everyone. Be sure to read this newsletter cover-to-cover to see all that that’s going on Directors here at Willcutt Commons. Diane Kennedy Not only keeping active but staying safe is critical to all seniors. To foster fall prevention, Helene Lieb Sifu John Loupos, chief instructor of Jade Forest Kung Fu and Tai Chi center in Cohasset, Ed Mulvey has agreed to be filmed by Cohasset 143 TV as he demonstrates a number of Tai Chi Karen Oronte Kevin McCarthy movements designed to increase strength and balance. The film may be viewed at various Chief Robert Silvia times throughout the month (exact dates and times to be determined) so you can enjoy it Sgt. Jeffrey Treanor in the comfort of your own home. We’ll also include the video on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CohassetElders. Keep an eye out for it. To promote safety Cohasset Elder Affairs (and viewership) we have a limited supply of non-skid socks we will give away to the first Staff twenty people who call us with feedback on this short video. Use them while practicing Nancy Lafauce, these Tai Chi Moves. Call or stop by Willcutt Commons to let us know what you think. Director I invite you all to stop in to our warm and inviting center to experience for yourself how Diane Picot, Willcutt Commons is one Key to Aging Well! Assistant Director, Out- reach and Program Live, Laugh, Learn at Willcut Commons! Coordinator Nancy Lafauce, Director Liza C. Salerno, Services Coordinator Richard Gibbons, Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength. — Betty Friedan Administrative Assistant Siobhan Lynch, Volunteer Birthdays in September Services Assistant Happy Birthday! Nettie Nuttle, Program Assistant Kathy Becker—3rd Linda Genovese—17th Gerard Buckley, Christina Moussouttas—10th Lanier Grassie—22nd Van Driver Melody Veatch—10th Dolores Roy—30th Fred Huntwork, Van Driver Steve Glenzel Thank you for all you do for seniors and Cohasset Elder Affairs! Van Driver For yard work, light house cleaning and small jobs, call LAUNCH, a division of South Shore Support Services -781-383-0902/781-740-1206 Free estimates, reasonable rates. 3 - COHASSET VISTA SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWS FROM DIANE Information about Services & Benefits/Personal Advocacy/Office & Home Visits Falls Prevention Awareness Week—September 23-29, 2019 About one-third of the adult population over the age of 65 falls each year. Since many incidents go unre- ported by seniors and unrecognized by family members or caregivers, this estimate is most likely quite low. Approximately 9,500 deaths of older Americans are associated with falls each year. Falls are the lead- ing cause of death from injury among people 65 and older, and the risk of falls increases proportionately with age. At 80 years, over half of older adults fall annually. Here are some more surprising facts and statistics related to falling: • Eighty-seven percent of all fractures in the elderly are due to falls. Two-thirds of those who fall will do so again within six months. • When an older person falls, his or her hospital stay is almost twice as long as that of older patients who are admit- ted for other reasons. • Among people aged 65 to 69, one out of every 200 falls results in a hip fracture. That number increases to one out of every 10 for those aged 85 and older. • One-fourth of older adults who fracture a hip from a fall will die within six months of the injury. • Many falls do not result in injuries, yet 47 percent of non-injured seniors who fall cannot get up without assis- tance. • For seniors who fall and are unable to get up on their own, the time period spent immobile often affects their health outcomes. Muscle cell breakdown starts to occur within 30-60 minutes of compression due to falling. De- hydration, pressure sores, hypothermia, and pneumonia are other complications that may result. Falls, with or without injury, also impact quality of life. A growing number of older adults have a fear of falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. The constant fear of falling can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness. The most profound effect of falling is the loss of independ- ent living. Fall Prevention Safety: Things You Can Do to Help: • Remove obstacles inside and outside of the house that could cause tripping. • Install handrails and lights on staircases, with light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. You may even consider glow-in-the-dark or lighted switches. • Add non-slip treads for bare wooden steps. • Install shower and tub grab bars in the bathroom, around the toilet and the tub. • Place non-slip mats on the shower floor and bathtub. Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks, or slip- resistant backing. • Repair loose, wooden floorboards, and carpeting. • Store clothing, dishes, food, and other necessities within easy reach. • Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease, or food. • Make home lighting brighter, but prevent glare. Place night lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways. Place a lamp within reach of the bed for middle-of-the-night needs. • Store working flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages. • Have vision checked often and regularly. • Ask the doctor to review medications regularly for side effects and interactions. • Start exercising on a regular basis. Tai chi or yoga can increase flexibility and strengthen muscles and joints. If you can’t stand comfortably, exercise in a chair. • Wear sensible shoes. They should be properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles. • Use assistive devices, if needed. • Consider a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) unit that will alert others when help is needed. References: National Council on Aging (NCOA). “Falls Prevention Facts.” Web. 2015. Mayo Clinic. “Fall Prevention: Simple Tips to Prevent Falls.” Web. 2014. Learn Not to Fall. “How Often Falls Occur.” Web. 2012. 4 - COHASSET VISTA SEPTEMBER 2019 MONTHLY SEMINARS AND EVENTS All events take place at Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, unless noted.