A former resident of the Lexington, Alice Ludes came back to celebrate her 103rd birthday on Monday, December 21st. She sang along with her family and Lexington friends as her son played Christmas Carols on the piano. She called the Lexington her home for many years before she went next door to the Victoria Care Center.
The Lexington Assisted Living has prided itself on providing housing and quality care at affordable prices to seniors for almost 25 years offering independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care in Ventura.
“Now if I can only remember why this string is on my finger?”
Many people worry about becoming forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Over the past few years, scientists have learned a lot about memory and why some kinds of memory problems are serious but others are not.
Age-Related Changes in Memory
Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. As people get older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain. As a result, some people may notice that it takes longer to learn new things, they don’t remember information as well as they did, or they lose things like their glasses. These usually are signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems.
Some older adults also find that they don’t do as well as younger people on complex memory or learning tests. Scientists have found, though, that given enough time, healthy older people can do as well as younger people do on these tests. In fact, as they age, healthy adults usually improve in areas of mental ability such as vocabulary.
People with some forgetfulness can use a variety of techniques that may help them stay healthy and maintain their memory and mental skills. Here are some tips:
Some memory problems are related to health issues that may be treatable. For example, medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic alcoholism, tumors or infections in the brain, or blood clots in the brain can cause memory loss or possibly dementia. Some thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders also can lead to memory loss. A doctor should treat serious medical conditions like these as soon as possible.
Emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, can make a person more forgetful and can be mistaken for dementia. No wonder why some people opt to take medication such as Etilaam if they are going through anything like this. For instance, someone who has recently retired or who is coping with the death of a spouse, relative, or friend may feel sad, lonely, worried, or bored. Trying to deal with these life changes leaves some people confused or forgetful.
The confusion and forgetfulness caused by emotions usually are temporary and go away when the feelings fade. The emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, but if these feelings last for a long time, it is important to get help from a doctor or counselor. Treatment may include counseling, medication, or both.
Plan tasks, make “to do” lists, and use memory aids like notes and calendars. Some people find they remember things better if they mentally connect them to other meaningful things, such as a familiar name, song, book, or TV show.
Develop interests or hobbies and stay involved in activities that can help both the mind and body.
Engage in physical activity and exercise. Several studies have associated exercise (such as walking) with better brain function, although more research is needed to say for sure whether exercise can help to maintain brain function or prevent or delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Limit alcohol use. Although some studies suggest that moderate alcohol use has health benefits, heavy or binge drinking over time can cause memory loss and permanent brain damage.
Find activities, such as exercise or a hobby, to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. If these feelings last for a long time, talk with your doctor.
Fire Chief David Endaya was there to accept the check from the Ventura Townhouse.
For the past 3 years the Ventura Townehouse has hosted a monthly Community Appreciation Breakfast honoring local people who have contributed to the community in recognition of their continued dedication, exceptional service, compassionate care and commitment.
The Ventura Fire Foundation received a $1,000.00 check at a recent Community Appreciation Breakfast. Foundation creator Engineer Peter McKenzie, explained why he started the foundation to those attending the breakfast.
Attending residents spoke about how the fire department has served them in time of need and how they feel the fire department never makes them feel embarrassed about their concerns.
Attending the event were David Endaya, Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief Matt Brock, Battalion Chief Jack Hansen, EMS Coordinator Heather Ellis, Captain John VanMannekes, Engineer Peter McKenzie, Captain Jason Kay, Engineer Logan Hughes, and Firefighter/Paramedic Jarrett LaShure.
When asked to explain more about the fire department Chief Endaya said his department serves over 100,000 residents in Ventura with 7 fire trucks and 22 crew members. He explained all the duties they perform and the 14,000 calls they have received in 2015. Chief also explained that his fire fighters have to be paramedics as well as a fire-fighters.
If you know of anyone who should be honored for their tireless service please contact Ventura Townehouse, Samantha Crisp, Director of Marketing at 642.3263.
Karen Terveer, the owner of Anytime Fitness wanted to give back to the community and picked The City Center Transitional Living Home, located at 837 Thompson Blvd. to receive the outpouring of canned food and dried food donations collected at her facilities. She is shown here with Olga Hamra who is the case manager for The City Center
Their senior fitness classes even found a fun and healthy way to bring in donations. They used canned goods as weights during their fitness class. Anytime Fitness is proud of their members coming together and thinking of those in need during the holiday season.
Former biochemist, Howard Boroughs, came to Ventura in 1979 with his beloved wife Evelyn and their canine companion, Daisy. Thanks to their generosity, we have The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library at Ventura College and the dog park at Camino Real Park that allows canines and their human companions to romp unleashed.
Behind the Museum of Ventura County is the Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Children’s Garden with a 4 foot bronze turtle for the children to play on that Howard commissioned.
KODAK Digital Still Camera
Howard Boroughs was the second Venturan painted by Johanna Spinks as part of the two year project “The Face Of Ventura” featured in the Ventura Breeze.
Johanna decided that he was so important to her that she would paint him again at the Ventura Townehouse where he is now living.
Regarding painting Howard one more time Johanna stated “ I was lucky enough to paint Howard for The Face of Ventura portrait project in the Ventura Breeze. Howard was in fact my second sitter of 58. We became friends and kept in touch. His conversation is always stimulating and he is a very kind man. We had talked over the last few years of doing a larger portrait. When I saw Howard at the unveiling of his garden at the Museum of Ventura County (the inset photo), in his 102nd year, I knew it was time to paint the larger portrait. So that is what we did. It was painted in five life sittings of about 90 minutes each, via palette knife, at Howard’s home. A lovely time indeed. Thank you Howard.”
Why do we retire when we do? The answer isn’t as simple as “I’ll be 65 on a certain date” or “That’s when I’ll have enough savings.” The answer to why we pick a time to retire is fairly complicated.
The Stanford Center on Longevity teamed up with Fidelity Investments to debunk some of the myths about how we decide when to stop working. They based their research on responses from 12,000 participants age 55 and older, so it was no small study. Here are some of the results:
Myth 1 — We don’t retire until we have enough money. That makes sense, but half the participants said their retirement is tied to a specific date, not to the amount of money they’d saved. If necessary they would adjust their lifestyle to what money they did have.
Myth 2 — We want to spend time with our spouse. This might be true for men wanting to spend time with wives, but women would rather spend time with grandchildren.
Myth 3 — We’re struggling financially and regret having to be frugal. Again, not necessarily so. A whopping 82 percent are happy they retired when they did, and 85 percent consider it rewarding. Almost as many said that adapting to having less money is easier than they thought. One-third wished they’d started saving earlier.
Myth 4 — We have to keep working to survive. Over half of the participants said they liked working and felt valued.
Myth 5 — We’re taking advantage of retirement to travel and enjoy hobbies. For one-quarter of respondents, that’s true. The rest replied that they enjoy the free time to do whatever they want — even if it was nothing.
There’s something to be said for doing absolutely nothing, even if it’s on a retirement budget.
Brain games and puzzles can keep our brain cells firing, but now, for the first time, researchers have discovered that if we go back to college, we’ll increase our cognitive capacity — the amount of information the brain is capable of retaining at any one moment. The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project recruited seniors who agreed to take cognitive tests before they enrolled in college, and then assessed them each year for three years.
The results were strongly positive: More than 90 percent of those who studied for a year, either full or part time, had a “significant increase in cognitive capacity.” Researchers plan to follow those students to see if continuing to study could delay or reduce dementia. It didn’t seem to matter what classes the participants took, or whether they were in person or online. Age, well-being, social connections and gender didn’t change the results.
If we’re lucky enough to have a college nearby and the ability to pay for a class, it’s a matter of calling for a course catalog and an application. If you prefer free or reduced-cost education, go online to find a FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You’ll learn which grant programs give money to seniors. Another place to start is online at www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com. The site is a guide to colleges that offer reduced or free tuition for seniors. Even if a listing says information about tuition waivers from a certain college couldn’t be found, the contact information is there. So where does that leave us if we don’t have access to a nearby college? Call the local library and ask about “lunch and learn” meetings. Or, for a real thrill, search for “open courseware” on the Internet, and you’ll find thousands of free online classes from top universities.
“Caring for yourself during the holidays while caring for others”
By Connie De La Rosa
Many who celebrate the holidays, have a common understanding of “I’m behind my gift shopping”, or “I have a loved one in the hospital and have not yet started one decoration, etc for the holidays”. We often say to one another “Take care of yourself” which is easier said than done. If your household situation has changed during the holiday season (such as a loved one home from the hospital and requires care, or other reasons that may set you back from the preparations) it may be time to think about changing what has been your yearly holiday traditions if only for a season. It may help with some of the most pressing preparations, trying something new and most of all, helping you feel less stress along with enjoying your family to the fullest.
Here are a few ideas that some families have done when their household situation has changed but the holiday spirit still lives:
Make sure your list, this year, includes time for you to relax in whatever you enjoy. Most lists do not include YOU time only things that have to be done . You need to bring back your energy during the holiday rush.
Teenagers are always seeking ways to make money so pay one of your neighbors teenagers to help with the Christmas list such as candies, socks, Perfumes, colognes, and some food items that are not too difficult to find.
No time for a big fancy Christmas dinner, its o.k. when a situation has a temporary change to have a pizza party, sub sandwiches with salad, peanuts with M & M’s and cookies etc.
Being together with simplicity and some help can bring more joy and relaxation to you during unexpected changes.
”I love the color of this suitcase it goes with my clothes.” Photo by Michael Gordon
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. At least that’s what the residents and staff at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura were hoping when they launched their Suitcases For Kids fundraiser in mid-September of this year.
Through the program, the senior community began collecting suitcases for children in the Ventura County Foster Care Program. “When a child enters foster care for the first time, it is usually in a time of crisis and confusion. Often the child’s possessions are hurriedly stuffed into a garbage bag or box,” said Patti Hunt, past president of the Ventura County Foster Parent Association.
The child then shows up at the doorstep of a foster home, frightened and scared, holding this trash bag or box according to Hunt.
“All of us here at Cypress Place Senior Living feel a child’s life is worth more than a trash bag or box,” said Mike Macke, one of the marketing directors at the senior community. “That is why we began collecting the suitcases to give to these children.”
And collect them they did. From September 16th until October 16th, 2015, the senior community collected over 300 suitcases from a variety of donors throughout Ventura County. “The amount of donations was absolutely amazing. We can’t thank everyone enough,” said Macke.
Foster children were then invited to the senior community on December 8 to pick out a suitcase of their own choosing, visit with Santa Claus, create their very own decorative luggage tag, and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday cheer by Cypress Place residents, who couldn’t wait to welcome the kids.
“Our hearts go out to these kids, and we just want to show them as much love and affection as we can,” said Ginny Gordy, one of the residents at Cypress Place who volunteered her time for the fundraiser. “It brightens our day to see their beautiful, smiling faces. I think it’s as beneficial to us as it is to the kids,” added Evelyn Clifford, another Cypress Place resident who volunteered to help.
According to Hunt, whose parents also reside at Cypress Place, and who were instrumental in the suitcase giveaway as well, a suitcase not only benefits the child, but also the foster family because it is one less expense for the family. “I was a foster parent to over 170 children,” said Hunt. “This suitcase collection means a lot, and I know my parents love being part of it as well.”
For more information about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura please call 805-650-8000 or visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.
A new study released today declares that older adults who take more steps than most by walking or jogging performed better on memory tasks. Really, how could this be news? It is just another way of looking at physical fitness and how it enhances memory and cognitive ability. But, this one does find a new twist.
As the editor of SeniorJournal.com for 16 years I have reported on dozens of studies that have come up with the same result – physical fitness, which can be obtained in many ways, helps people stay mentally fit as they age.
I’m not complaining but I am declaring this is an established reality – exercise equals better mental performance as people age.
This research started with the question, “Could staying physically active improve quality of life by delaying cognitive decline and prolonging an independent lifestyle?”
“Absolutely,” is the answer I could have provided before their study. It has been proven in dozens of studies – maybe hundreds – that primarily have varied only by the technique used to gain the physical fitness – running, walking, swimming, weight-lifting, dancing, hula hoop, etc.
The differences in this study is it looked at groups of both young and old adults. Which leads them to look at long-term versus short-term memory.
The report appears online in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.
The study included 29 young adults (ages 18-31) and 31 older adults (ages 55-82) who wore a small device called an ActiGraph, which recorded information including how many steps each took, how vigorous the steps were and how much time it involved. These are used in many, many studies of physical exercise.
Participants also completed neuropsychological testing to assess their memory, planning and problem-solving abilities.
In addition to standardized neuropsychological tasks of executive function (planning and organization abilities) and long-term memory, participants engaged in a laboratory task in which they had to learn face-name associations.
The researchers found that older adults who took more steps per day had better memory performance.
And, what will appeal to many elderly, the association between the number of steps taken was strongest with a task that required recalling which name went with a person’s face – the same type of everyday task that older adults often have difficulty with.
In young adults, the number of steps taken was not associated with memory performance.
It is long-term memory that is improved by activity
This lead them to the conclusion that the effects of physical activity extend to long-term memory – the same type of memory that is negatively impacted by aging and neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.
”Our findings that physical activity is positively associated with memory is appealing for a variety of reasons. Everyone knows that physical activity is a critical component to ward off obesity and cardiovascular-related disease. Knowing that a lack of physical activity may negatively impact one’s memory abilities will be an additional piece of information to motivate folks to stay more active,” explained corresponding author Scott Hayes, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and the Associate Director of the Neuroimaging Research for Veterans Center at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
This work was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research & Development Service and Clinical Science Research & Development Service [MV]. Assistance with participant recruitment was provided by the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (P50-AG005134) and Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center (P30-AG13846).
The Ventura Parkinson’s Support Group will host Wayne Pickerell, Vice President and Clinical Research Manager of Neurosearch, Inc. at their meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living at 5440 Ralston St.
Wayne Pickerell has been involved in Parkinson’s Disease for over 15 years and managed Clinical Research for Neurosearch for over a decade. Thanks in large part to the leadership role of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, research is advancing rapidly and there is promising work being done to improve treatments for PD. Wayne will discuss new treatments that are being studied and progress in the search for a cure to Parkinson’s disease!
Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required.
