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Every family has its own traditional way of celebrating holidays. And nearly always it involves a special holiday meal, a chance for everyone to gather around one table. For our family it used to be “going to Grandma’s” but now it’s at my daughter’s home. Besides the planning and shopping that goes into this feast, she will be up by 5:00 in the morning preparing her share of the dinner “from scratch. ” But that’s the way she wants it! There will be twenty five of us, family and friends. Those who live close by will bring their special dishes, but there are others who must travel to be here on that day.
Regardless of the weather, we will take a break before cutting into the pies. We’ll help the little ones into sweaters and coats and take a brisk walk. Then back into the warm house for coffee and dessert! The holiday programs on TV are not high on our family’s agenda; we are too busy catching up with each other’s lives.
I count myself among the very lucky seniors who have a close family –close emotionally as well as physically. Sadly, it is not true for many of us, so what are the alternatives? I know what I would do if I could no longer travel. I would have a “non-traditional holiday” meal at my house. I’d invite a lonely friend, perhaps a newly widowed acquaintance, or that young couple and their kids who recently moved nearby, for a non-traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter meal. Non-traditional because instead of my doing all the cooking I’d let the market do most of the work. I might not cook and stuff a turkey and all the fixing if it was Thanksgiving, or a standing rib roast at Christmas, or a traditional Easter ham. I know I would be exhausted if I tried to do what my daughter does — and then the day wouldn’t be much fun for me or my guests.
But my dinner would be traditional with a pretty tablecloth and a fruit bowl or floral arrangement appropriate for the season. We’d have plenty to eat, of course, but the main thing would be getting together, enjoying the talk, the warmth, the ease of friendship.
And maybe that would start a tradition of its own!
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NEXT TIME
By Nancy Lund
We all say it –Next time, I’ll do it differently. “ Next time I won’t cook dinner for people who don’t come on time, I’ll suggest we meet at a restaurant” and “Next time I’ll ask what I should bring, or what to wear instead of…”
These are trivial occasions that don’t really matter. But I’m thinking of reasons why we shouldn’t put off to ‘next time’ things that do matter, things that can have lasting effects for ourselves or our families.
Taking care of our health is the first thing that comes to mind. Don’t wait until the next time when you have a headache that won’t go away, or when your loved one has chest pains that might only be indigestion, but might not. Make that appointment with the doctor for yourself or your spouse. The next time might be too late.
And what about the insurance policy that keeps going up? Should we wait until the next time to see if we can get another one at a better rate? Or wait till we get another notice that our auto insurance has lapsed? That accident might not wait until the next time!
And when it comes to relationships, should we wait until the next time to go visit that friend who is in the hospital? Or to pick up the groceries for our house-bound neighbor? How awful we will feel when we hear that the friend has died or that our neighbor hasn’t had a square meal in days.
I learned a great lesson from my mother. In her late eighties she suffered from arthritis and major problems with her feet, but when invited to go out for dinner or a movie she would always say “Of course, I’ll be delighted to go.” Nothing about her aches and pains.
My dear mother-in-law, and a number of years younger, was just the opposite. Her answer would always be “I don’t feel up to it, but invite me next time.” And the next time was no better!
So, at the risk of sounding like Dear Abby or that old-fashioned motto on the wall, my advice is: “Don’t wait until the next time. Do it today! There are few second chances –so leap on the opportunity today. Take care of yourself now! Be that good neighbor today! Don’t wait to enjoy life tomorrow –live now!.”
Nancy Lund and her husband retired from the hustle and bustle, the smog and the traffic of Los Angeles in 1975 and found exactly the community they sought in Greenville, Ca. Nancy, now 93 years old and a widow, opened her own home design business and was still drawing plans until last year. She is currently writing her memoir– the ups and downs, the changes she has seen in a long life. As Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging, she continues to be active in senior affairs and in the League of Women Voters. She may be reached at 284-7206 or at nedlund5@frontiernet,net
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Getting there is what it’s all about! How we get there is the question. Whenever I am in the Bay area, I am always eager to visit a concert, a play or a museum. I had read about two new exhibits at the de Young museum. One was of the artifacts of the Olmecs, people of central Mexico, whose civilization pre-dates the Incas and Aztecs by many centuries. There was also the exhibit of the famous fashions by Balenciaga, the Spanish designer.
“Are you up to all the walking that’s involved?” my family asked. “And there’s no telling how close we can park.” “Oh, I need to walk”. And I did. (I am still relatively robust at the age of 93, but do walk with a cane, when I think of it.) We walked through the parking garage and up a ramp and then stood in line to get tickets. The Olmec exhibit was marvelous and I was so happy that I got to see it. But I was more than ready to sit down as we left that part of the museum. But there was so much more to see and my daughter particularly wanted to see the Balenciagas.
“Do you think there is a way to get a wheelchair?” I asked, much to my family’s surprise. “You know, I hesitated to suggest it” said my son. “Sit right there while we get one and I’ll be more than happy to push you as long as you like.” So I got to see the Balenciagas and then the Impressionists and other galleries. It was a real highlight of my trip to the Bay Area. Once the wheelchair was returned,I had no trouble walking out of the museum and into the parking garage, and I was able to enjoy going out for dinner afterwards.
To my surprise, I found being in a wheelchair liberating! I was able to give my full attention to the exhibits; didn’t hold up the others with my slowness, nor having to look for a place to sit. What is more, my family didn’t have to worry that I might fall in the jostling crowd. Why do so so many of my fellow elders think that their life will be over if they are no longer able to walk? Is needing a walker tantamount to giving up? Of course, there are plusses and minuses of being confined to a wheelchair (which I was not). Obviously, not everyone has a son who is able to push them around and the alternative, motorized wheel chair, is not within everyone’s budget.
However, the lesson I learned was that there are compromises that can be made. We may not be able to do all the things that we did thirty years ago,or even a year ago. But, being able to see the plusses and not dwelling on the minuses, is the secret. One that I wanted to share with you.
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TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA) – A Mini-Stroke Can Lead to a Full-Blown Stroke
By Richard Barlupi, Volunteer Educator National Stroke Association
Having a stroke can be a life-changing event. In addition to impacting your health, the effects can be equally devastating to your family, friends and finances.
What is a Stroke? Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States, behind diseases of the heart and cancer. Over 800, 000 Americans this year will have a stroke; over 240,000 will be a TIA stroke or mini-stroke. A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.
While the vast majority of strokes are not preceded by a TIA, about a third of people who experience a TIA go on to have a full-fledged stroke within a year. “TIA is a warning stroke and gives a patient time to act and keep a permanent stroke from occurring,” Dr. Matarese said, director of a primary stroke center at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa . “By recognizing TIA symptoms and getting to the hospital immediately, the patient can get help in identifying why the TIA occurred and get treatment — either through medication or surgery — that can prevent a full blown stroke from occurring.”
The most promising treatment for an ischemic stroke (TIA) is the FDA-approved clot-busting drug TPA (tissue plasminogen activator), which must be administered within a three-hour window from the onset of symptoms. Administering TPA or other clot-dissolving agents is complex and is done through an intravenous (IV) line in the arm by hospital personnel. If given promptly, TPA will significantly reduce severe permanent disability. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of those who suffer a TIA stroke reach the hospital within the three-hour window to be considered for this treatment .
Did you know? About half of all people who have a TIA don’t report it to their doctors. This may have serious consequences, so it is extremely important to recognize TIA symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. Learn the many warning signs of a stroke. You could save your life or the life of a loved one. Stroke strikes fast. You should too. Remember: Time lost is brain lost, every minute counts.
Act F.A.S.T. and CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY at any sign of a stroke. Use the F.A.S.T. test to remember and recognize the warning signs of a stroke.
F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital right away.
For additional information contact the National Stroke Association at :
www.stroke.org or 1-800-STROKES
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From The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Other ASDs include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills.
The most distinguishing symptom of AS is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Children with AS want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors. Other characteristics of AS include repetitive routines or rituals; peculiarities in speech and language; socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers; problems with non-verbal communication; and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.
Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. They may approach other people, but make normal conversation impossible by inappropriate or eccentric behavior, or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest. Children with AS usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor play equipment. They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.
Is there any treatment?
The ideal treatment for AS coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. There is no single best treatment package for all children with AS, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.
An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior. It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication for co-existing conditions, and other measures.
What is the prognosis?
With effective treatment, children with AS can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging. Many adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.
What research is being done?
Many of the Institutes at the National Institute of Health, including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, are sponsoring research to understand what causes AS and how it can be effectively treated. One study is using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show how abnormalities in particular areas of the brain cause changes in brain function that result in the symptoms of AS and other ASDs. Other studies include a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of an anti-depressant in individuals with AS and HFA who exhibit high levels of obsessive/ritualistic behavior and a long-range study to collect and analyze DNA samples from a large group of children with AS and HFA and their families to identify genes and genetic interactions that are linked to AS and HFA.
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Susanville Ranch Park Trails
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by Debbie Jones,
Northeastern Rural Health Clinics
Medical providers at Northeastern Rural Health Clinics in Susanville are paying close attention to recent research studies indicating that many people may be deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D has come into the spotlight recently due to research showing that we may not be getting enough. According to researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, the evidence is overwhelming that Vitamin D affects not only bone health but may be associated with diabetes, infection, insulin resistance and various cancers. Further study is warranted to determine the exact connection between low Vitamin D levels and these conditions. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium so it’s no surprise that giving people Vitamin D improves bone mass and strength, reduces bone fractures and improves balance and muscle performance. But that may not be all it does.
Your skin makes Vitamin D when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (unless you’re wearing sunscreen). However, those living in northern California may not get enough UV light to make Vitamin D from late fall to early spring. People who spend most of the day indoors during the summer may not be getting enough UV rays either. You can get some Vitamin D from food sources, but probably not enough.
It has been over 10 years since the Institute of Medicine issued the latest recommendations of 200 to 600 International Units (IU) per day depending on your age. Those levels were based on how much it would take to prevent rickets, the disease characterized by bowed or deformed bones, not necessarily the amount needed to promote optimal health. Current research indicates that higher doses are necessary to reach the optimal levels.
Northeastern Rural Health Clinics’ Medical Director, Naomi Rea FNP recommends having a Vitamin D level test added to your standard lab values at your next physical. She says “You may need to take more Vitamin D than what you are currently getting in your current vitamin regimen.” Be sure to ask your medical provider how much is right for you based on your lab results.
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Diabetes…The Juggling Act
Managing diabetes can seem like a juggling act for many busy people. Making time for you is important and necessary to manage diabetes effectively. Managing diabetes effectively requires eating a healthy diet, getting daily exercise and regular check- ups with your doctor to monitor your progress.
Managing diabetes means maintaining close to normal blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends 80-120 mg/dl before meals and 100-140 mg/dl before bed. A blood test called Hemoglobin A1c measures the average blood sugar over 3 months. It should be less than 7%. Ask your doctor if these goals are right for you.
Eating healthy is the first step to good blood sugar control. It is important for the whole family, not just the person with diabetes. A healthy lunch or dinner meal should include the following: 1-2 cups of non-starchy vegetables, 3-4 oz of lean protein, ½ cup serving of potatoes or pasta or rice or a slice of whole wheat bread, 1 cup of non-fat or 1% milk and a small piece of fruit. The carbohydrate content of your meal will raise your blood sugar. Following a meal plan such as this one will give you about 55 grams of carbohydrate at lunch and dinner. Include 30 grams of carbohydrate at breakfast and not more than 15 grams for any snacks throughout the day. Be sure to keep the fat and salt to a minimum.
An increase in activity will lower blood sugar. 30 minutes of exercise helps the cells in your body accept and use blood sugar more efficiently. This benefit of lower blood sugar from exercise lasts for 24-48 hours. Exercise also burns calories for weight loss, improves flexibility, reduces stress and increases energy.
Finding time for planning healthy menus, shopping for healthy foods, preparing meals and daily exercise can be a juggling act. With a little planning and practice you’ll become the master of your juggling act.
For more information about diabetes contact Health Educator, Debbie Jones at Northeastern Health Center 1850 Spring Ridge Drive in Susanville at 530 251-5000 Ext.223. Free monthly diabetes classes are available the 3rd Tuesday each month.
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Diabetes: Early Detection Reduces Complications
26 million people in the United States have diabetes. Another 67 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition which may not have any obvious symptoms. Many people in our community are suffering the effects of high blood sugar and do not know it. Symptoms usually come on gradually so they are not immediately noticed. Early diagnosis is important. With lower blood sugar achieved early on, less damage occurs throughout the course of diabetes.
Elevated blood sugar increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. It damages nerves in hands and feet causing loss of feeling which can lead to infection and poor healing, leading to amputations. High blood sugar also causes damage to kidneys, digestive system and eyes. It increases the risk of sexual dysfunction in men and women. It also increases the risk of depression, yeast infection and causes very dry skin. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any combination of these common symptoms of high blood sugar; lack of energy and feeling extremely tired especially after meals, falling asleep after eating, vision blurriness that comes and goes, extreme thirst, waking often at night to urinate, craving sweets and starchy foods or having repeated yeast infections. Having an immediate family member with diabetes increases your risk. If you are experiencing these symptoms see your doctor immediately. Be sure to have your annual check-up with lab work. This may be the only way to detect a problem when it first starts. Pre-diabetes detected early enough can be reversed or at the very least, complications can be avoided with good blood sugar management.
For more information contact Health Educator, Debbie Jones at Northeastern Health Center at 1850 Spring Ridge Dr. in Susanville. Appointments available by calling 251-5000 Ext. 223. Free monthly diabetes classes are held the 3rd Tuesday 2:00-4:00pm. Everyone is welcome.
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by Nancy Lund
When people ask me how do I stay so young I tell them “I don’t stay young – I stay active. You can’t fool the calendar; my birthdays come around like everyone else’s.”
Do I have a secret? I think it is that I have stayed actively involved — with my community, with people of all ages, and for the causes that are dear to my heart.
Leisure World, and its type of retirement living, may be ideal for some, but not for me and my husband. To us it seemed an artificial life. I don’t want to disparage golf but aside from its health benefits and a better tan, what do you have at the end of many years spent on the links? We wanted to live in a real community, where there is a mix of people with different backgrounds and different interests; a place where kids are born and grow up. And we found it in the beautiful mountain valleys of Plumas County.
My story is a familiar one to many retirees. For much of our married life my husband’s job and mine took us into different fields. He worked a swing shift, I had a day job. I would have weekends off while he often had to work. So when we retired we had the happy experience of doing things together. We shared the household chores so we could be out and about – doing what mattered.
And what mattered? We discovered that the Greenville AARP was not only busy with the Senior Nutrition program but was a prime supporter of the local hospital and the schools. The AARP also played a big part in re-opening the Taylorsville Pool, since re-named the Indian Valley Pool. Now, every summer the pool is host to aerobics for seniors and a place where kids can splash and play, but more importantly are taught to swim! And we were active in the successful campaign to secure safe water for the people of Greenville. The community now owns and operates the water system.
My husband and I had always been active in civic affairs; now as retirees we saw the need to be informed about Social Security and In-Home Supportive Services. Some good things and some bad things were being enacted in Congress and in our own state capital, and there were letters to write and petitions to be circulated. Interestingly enough all these activities put to use some of the skills we had used in our work-a-day life and led us to learn new ones!
And of course there is family! We were not as fortunate as some of you to have children and grandchildren living in the area but we took every opportunity we had to be with them , traveling as far away as Saudi Arabia to welcome a new granddaughter! And we took advantage of Plumas County’s many camp sites when different members of the family were able to come here!
Sadly, since my husband’s death four years ago, I no longer have the partner with whom I shared this active retirement, but the ties I made in the community have sustained me. I know too many men and women who are unprepared for widowhood, who now find it difficult to get out of the house. How much better it is to get involved with people now, in the church and in the community around you.
No, we can’t stay young, nor fool the calendar — but we can make our present life preparation for the years ahead.
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Author of Aging in Place
by Jan Cox
At 92 years of age, Nancy Lund amazes many for her longevity, her quick brain and her lifetime drive to stand up for personal rights of women, the poor, the aging, and for the right to be herself.
Currently, Nancy is the Chair of Plumas County Commission on Aging. The 20 member commission keeps up on current legislation and acts as a watchdog for people’s rights.
Lund was an elected Senior Senator from 1984-92, representing five northern California counties in the Senior Legislature. This group is a mirror image of the regular legislature, acting as their eyes and ears concerning senior issues. She especially enjoyed the annual four-day sessions in Sacramento, where proposals were made, hopefully to be picked up by one of the legislators and enacted into law. Some of the Senior proposals were passed by both houses of the legislature and signed by the governor-including two authored by Lund.
With her usual sense of humor, she told a story about walking the halls of the capital with her husband who was impressed that everyone knew her name. Pointing down to her chest she said, ” Sure they do, I have on a name tag.”
Nancy Lund grew up in El Paso, and attended two years of college in Texas before the family moved to Los Angeles. She had one semester at UCLA, always meaning to return, but never did. Nancy became a draftsperson before women were accepted in the trade. She received her training during World War II and was able to use that in several capacities before and after coming to Plumas County.
Nancy and her husband, Dick, discovered this area while camping and decided to retire here, doing so in 1975. Since moving to Greenville, Nancy has designed many homes for both locals and newcomers. She was aged 90 when she completed her last home and continues to enjoy taking visitors to see some of the homes she has designed.
Nancy and Dick raised 3 children, one of whom she now lives with in Greenville after her husband’s death. She remains close to her 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Today, aside from her interest in local issues, she is active in the Plumas County League of Women Voters and belongs to a local book club and writer’s group who are encouraging her to complete her memoir. She also writes the “Aging in Place” column for this magazine.
When asked how she has stayed so lively right into her 90′s, Nancy replied that she hates fried foods, eats lots of fruit and vegetables, has always been a walker and keeps her brain strong through reading well written fiction and non-fiction. She also comes from a family with great longevity! Be sure and watch for her articles in Aging in Place in future issues of this magazine.
 Nancy Lund  Nancy Lund  Nancy Lund at home in Greenville Share Mountain Valley Living with your friends:
You Don’t Have To Face It Alone
If you are facing breast or any other type of cancer, you don’t have to face it alone. A new peer-led support group is meeting in Portola, three Saturdays a month. There is no cost or obligation. The only thing asked of you will be to respect the confidentiality of the group. Men and women are welcome. 
 
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by Nancy Lund
 To drive or not to drive—that is the question. When to give up the keys? How to find other means of getting where we want to go? These are among the hardest decisions we have to make –for ourselves as well as for a loved one.
Let us be clear, we are not talking about aging per se, but about disabilities that may strike us at any age but are often encountered in our later years. As we all know, driving a car involves not only our personal safety but that of others. It is a serious matter and worthy of careful consideration.
Giving up driving is usually a gradual process. Many of us find that driving at night is difficult. The lights in back of us, as well as those facing us, are distracting. So night driving is often the first thing we decide to forgo. Many of us are comfortable driving about our own town – to the market, to church, to a friend’s home. But we do not feel confident driving out of town, so we surrender that task to others. How to tell when it is time for us to give up driving altogether? Or that the time has come to take the keys from our loved one?
The fender-benders and parking mishaps are clues that all is not well. Of course, we can make excuses but something basic is happening and we ignore these incidents at our peril.
Before the accident happens a good place to start is with your long-time physician He (or she) can be dispassionate about the situation, knowing the factors that contribute to accidents. Do we suffer from diminished mobility, poor eyesight and/or hearing? Can we react to dangers in sufficient time? Hopefully he will not be moved by our excuses and alibis but will recommend the appropriate solution: that we stop driving.
Does the physician know what alternatives for transportation exist? Unlikely. He may have heard of “Dial-a-Ride” but we do not have that program in Plumas County. There are limited rides with the Senior Transportation ( Phone 283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-2113 in Lassen). Besides the trips to and from the nutrition sites, there are some shopping stops. Out-of-town doctors’ appointments can sometimes be arranged. But let us look elsewhere.
If your spouse or elderly parents are the ones who must give up driving, you will want to assure them that you will be available to drive them; and if you, personally, can’t, that you will make arrangements for a responsible driver on a regular basis. I emphasize responsible and regular basis because otherwise your loved ones will be bereft –a big part of their lives cut off.
From my own experience, I can tell you it is not an easy decision. My husband had an enviable record of safe driving but there came a day when he made numerous errors in judgment. It was obvious to me that he should no longer be driving. So my son and I made ourselves available to do the driving. It was often a bother and he was not happy with the arrangement but –imagining all the wrecks that were avoided- I have no regrets.
One more personal note: I passed the driver’s written test on my 90th birthday (in record time with only one error!) I was given a 5 year renewal–much to my surprise. Two and a half years later I am not driving and although I find it annoying and inconvenient I can live with it.
I am fortunate to live with my son who has agreed to take me wherever I need to go. But I know that such arrangements are not always the case.
So I advise you to have a plan if and when the time comes for you to give up the keys to your car. Is there a friend, relative, or neighbor who will be willing to take you where and when you need a ride? I believe a business arrangement is preferable. Their time and their gas are worth paying for. And you need not feel that you are taking advantage of anyone or become terribly indebted to them. Giving up driving may seem like the end of the world, but believe me, you will survive and be the healthier for it!
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Advice For Senior Citizens from the National Council on Aging
The decision to choose a reverse mortgage is a big one and one that should come with careful consideration. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers help for older adults who wish to examine their home equity options in an effort to stay at home.
A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62+ to convert a portion of their home equity into cash while they continue to live at home for as long as they want and are able. In order to apply for a reverse mortgage, applicants must first get counseling from a government-approved agency. The National Council on Aging’s Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of four national counseling organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
Their counselors are exam-qualified aging services professionals who can help individuals:
* Evaluate the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage for your situation.
* Apply for public and private benefits that can help you pay for needs like home energy, meals, and medications.
* Find services in your community that can help you stay independent longer.
To schedule a counseling session, call NCOA toll-free (800) 510-0301. There is no fee unless you choose to apply for a reverse mortgage. The NCOA also waives the $125 counseling fee for older adults who:
* Are facing financial challenges such as foreclosure.
* Have modest incomes — under $20,000 for single homeowners and under $30,000 for couples.
The NCOA also offers a free booklet you can download outlining the pros and cons of reverse mortgages on their website at www.ncoa.org where a wealth of information for senior citizens on a variety of subjects can be found.
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by Nancy Lund
Ever had the impulse to say “What a great idea! Glad somebody thought of that!” Well, that was exactly what I said when I learned about HICAP. The initials describe what it does – Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.
MediCare, MediCal, Medicaid, Medi-gap, Medicare supplement , Medicare Advantage–these are not words we learned in school. And that is where HICAP comes in. Its sole purpose is to help seniors cope with the complicated and confusing world of health care insurance. HICAP has no axe to grind, it is non-partisan and non-political. And best of all – it is free! In Plumas County the toll free number is 1-800-434-0828. In Lassen County call 530-223-0999. In Sierra County call 1-800-434-0222.
HICAP holds regular informational meetings but you do not have to wait for one. If you have a question call the toll free number. When you call HICAP you will be referred to someone who can answer your question –or, if you like, will set up an appointment with a HICAP volunteer who will sit down with you and explore your various options.
HICAP volunteers not only know the basics, they are always up to date on any changes which have been made. These men and women are adept at searching the internet, They can compare insurance policies — what they will cover and what they won’t cover, as well as their premiums. They can show you which drug companies operate in our area and which pharmaceuticals they cover. HICAP can help you determine if your income qualifies you for help toward your Part B deductible (2009 legislation added $562.5 million to the program.)
Are you one of those seniors who have health care coverage through retirement? In most cases this is better than purchasing a plan as an individual. But you still may have questions which HICAP will be happy to answer.
When it comes to drug plans you are entering an area that is extremely complicated. Not only are there different companies but each company may offer an array of different plans, a different list of which prescription drugs it covers, with varying prices and varying co-pays. HICAP has helped many seniors get the drugs their doctor thinks best for them, when earlier denied.
Perhaps you are one of the healthy seniors who has no need for a drug plan at this time. But there is a penalty for those who do not opt for a drug plan when they are eligible to do so –HICAP can point out your options.
HICAP is especially valuable for those seniors who are thinking about assisted living facilities or long-term care. HICAP not only has a list of facilities in our area, the volunteer can show you their costs, their state rating, what complaints, if any, have been made against them .
HICAP is dedicated to fighting fraud and abuse and has won court cases where seniors have been over-charged or charged for services they did not receive. But we as consumers have responsibility, too. We need to be alert in protecting ourselves. Keeping a record of all our medical appointments makes it easy to check all bills as to the dates and procedures listed. Hopefully, we have asked all providers for their fees ahead of time, so we will not be surprised when we get the bills!
HICAP offers the following advise: Don’t give out personal information to marketing representatives. Don’t give out your Social Security/ Medicare Number over the phone. Insurance agents are prohibited from calling before 8: 00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M. If you get repeated unsolicited calls from an agent you can tell him that he will be reported for using improper methods. Do not pay an agent to find the wheelchair, bath chair or commode you or your loved one may need. Such items are handled by certified suppliers of durable medical equipment and may be reached directly.
There’s more to HICAP than I can cover in this space so I urge you to keep those numbers handy and call them when you have a question.
Nancy Lund is the Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging.
She represented this area in the California Senior Legislature from 1984 to 92 and served on the California State Legislative Committee of the AARP.
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Volunteer Musicians Give the Gift of Music
Chico, CA
Music has been shown to enhance the healing process and create a pleasing, relaxing, and stress-reducing environment for patients, their families, visitors and staff according to a recent release from Enloe Medical Center in Chico. That’s why volunteer musicians perform at Enloe. “Enloe’s program addresses a diverse population of patients, families and staff”, said Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn, Director of Volunteer Services. “Music from various cultures, as well as classical, mellow jazz, easy listening, folk and world music are appropriate in a hospital setting.” Detailed information about music that promotes a sense of well-being – as well as music that does not work in a healing environment – is provided in the guidelines available to musicians before they audition to volunteer their time.
The mission of the Enloe Volunteer Musician Program is to serve Enloe Medical Center through the service of trained volunteer musicians who provide live music at the hospital. Training includes the general volunteer orientation as well as training specific to this very special placement. The program is part of Enloe’s Planetree approach to offering patient-centered care in a healing environment. Planetree is an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization that connects hospitals with tools and ideas for demystifying and personalizing the health care experience for patients.
The Volunteer Musician Program is one of several ways that Enloe has enhanced the hospital experience with music. Others include partnerships with Chico Performances and the Chico State Music Department as well as a new music system that pipes in relaxing, recorded music through areas of the medical center.
For more information, visit http://www.enloe.org.
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More than 100,000 people are currently awaiting an organ transplant in the United States. There are not nearly enough donations to match the need.
Here are some facts about organ, tissue, and eye donation:
• Each organ donor may save up to 8 lives, and each tissue donor can enhance the quality
of life for up to 50 people.
• The gift of life is ageless — anyone can sign up to be an organ donor, at any age.
• Most people are eligible to sign up on the donor registry — the medical criteria at the time
of donation will determine eligibility.
• Cornea transplants have been successful for more than 100 years.
• Organ transplants have been successful for more than 50 years.
Sources: USDA Department of Health and Human Services, Oregon Donor Awareness www.organdonorawareness.org
Publish printable donor card if recommended. CALL FIRST FOR OK!!!
888-275-4772 EASTERN TIME
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Assessing Your Weight
If you’ve been thinking about your current weight, it may be because you’ve noticed a change in how your clothes fit. Or maybe you’ve been told by a health care professional that you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol and that excessive weight could be a contributing factor. The first step is to assess whether or not your current weight is healthy.
One way to begin to determine whether your weight is a healthy one is to calculate your “body mass index” (BMI). For most people, BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness. It is calculated based on your height and weight.
To calculate your BMI, see the BMI Calculator. Or determine your BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart or visit their website for an online calculator.
* If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the “underweight” range.
* If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the “normal” or Healthy Weight range.
* If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the “overweight” range.
* If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the “obese” range.
“Underweight”, “normal”, “overweight”, and “obese” are all labels for ranges of weight. Obese and overweight describe ranges of weight that are greater than what is considered healthy for a given height, while underweight describes a weight that is lower than what is considered healthy. If your BMI falls outside of the “normal” or Healthy Weight range, you may want to talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you might achieve a healthier body weight. Obesity and overweight have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
At an individual level, BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
Courtesy USDA Center for Disease Control. For more information visit their website: /www.cdc.gov/healthyweight
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Now there is no excuse. As of January 9, 2010 you can schedule that mammogram at Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC) for a Saturday. They will accept appointments for their regular weekday hours and now also for the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
While a physician order is required for screening mammograms, it is not necessary for your doctor to be an EPHC provider. Their full service imaging department will send the results to your doctor. Appointments can be made by calling (530) 832-6516.
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What happens to our dream of aging in place when our health begins to fail? What if one of a couple has a debilitating illness? Are there alternatives to nursing home care here in our beautiful remote mountain valleys?
Naturally, if you have long-term-care insurance, this is the time to access it. These policies vary greatly in their usefulness and application. If you encounter problems, call the California Insurance Dept. (1-800-927-4357), or consult an elder-care lawyer.
Meanwhile, here are some immediate suggestions: contact the Senior Lunch and Transportation programs in your area. (283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-6670 in Lassen County) The lunch program is a real life-saver for many frail elders. No shopping, cooking or washing up! Plus, a well-balanced meal in the company of your peers can make a difference for both the caregiver and the ailing spouse. No longer driving? Transportation to the lunch program is available. Home-delivered meals are the ticket for both spouses when one is house-bound. Persons aged 60 and over are eligible for meals and transportation. There are suggested donations for these services: $2.50 for lunch, $1.50 for round-trip to the Nutrition Site.
Plumas, Lassen and Modoc counties are currently investigating means of providing transportation for medical appointments. At this time, there is very limited transportation to medical appointments (Call 283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-2113 in Lassen County).
The Veteran’s Offices offer some transportation for medical appointments (283-6275 in Plumas county, 251-8912 in Lassen county). While in touch with the VA, you may look into another program they administer—“Aid and Attendance.” This is a program to provide war-time veterans and surviving spouses with help toward expenses.
Next, I want to emphasize how important it is to work with your physician to access services that exist but that he or she may not suggest. For instance, you may ask if physical therapy (invaluable in restoring and/or maintaining mobility) is appropriate. Ask also about “Home Care,” a Medicare covered service which can only be accessed on order by your physician. Under Home Care, a specialist will come to the home and evaluate what is needed. Do you need a walker and a chair for the bath/shower? Will a commode that sits over the toilet provide you with the hand-holds you need? Does the bed need to be raised so it is easier to get in and out? Some of this is paid for by Medicare and some is not.
Under home care, there are a limited number of visits by a nurse to monitor your “vitals”, take blood for lab testing, and help with bathing. This can be essential while you explore other resources.
Respite care can make the difference between being overwhelmed with stress and fatigue or your ability to function! Respite care is designed to give the care-giving spouse a regular break so he/she can take a nap, go shopping, or go for a walk. (In Plumas County call 898-6637, in Lassen call 229-0878)
Plumas Rural Services (283-3611) has two programs which can be helpful: Respite Care and Community Connections. The respite program has a list of providers and operates on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. Community Connections is a network of volunteers who do a variety of household tasks in exchange for “credit” later, when they may need it
IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) is a federal, state program that provides non-medical services (house-keeping) for low-income seniors. (283-6350 in Plumas County, 251-8128 in Lassen County). Unfortunately, because of California’s budget woes, eligibility for IHSS is projected to be severely cut this year.
Finding reliable housekeeping workers is not easy, but they are out there. Run an ad in the local paper and don’t overlook the possibility that your neighbors, your church or people in your social club may know of someone who is looking for work and whom they can recommend.
Most of us are proud of our independence and are reluctant to ask for help. We may even feel that in some way we are at fault—that we should be able to cope. Let me assure you; you are not alone. The first step is to ask! There are many caring people around; people who — like you — want to stay in this beautiful, peaceful area. Just ask! You will be surprised!
Nancy Lund is the Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging. She is a former California State Senior Senator and served on the AARP State Legislative Committee. nedlund5@frontiernet.net
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• Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Avoid close contact.
If you must go out avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Clean your hands.
Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Source: USDA Center for Disease Control.
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by Jan Cox
In Chester, Quincy and Susanville, you will find the most amazing volunteer organization called Hospice. It is the mission of this group to give end-of-life aid and support to terminal patients and their families. Like me, you may have wondered how this name came about? In Europe, during medieval times, hospices were way stations where those traveling could receive care and shelter when needed. Today, this concept has been extended to those who are close to the end of their lives. We now celebrate Hospice month each November.
These trained volunteer groups offer unique health care in the form of coordinating practical, psychological, social, and spiritual support for individuals and families. In this way, patients can live out the rest of their lives in the environment of their choice.
I was pleased to be able to speak to Doreene Wood, the administrative Coordinator of Plumas Community Hospice in Quincy who gave me a little deeper insight into what volunteering for Hospice means. All the local Hospices train those who wish to help in any way. After the training, volunteers who choose to work with patients are matched to specific patients and families. They journey with the patient in whatever way is needed. You might call them, “trained friends”. They can run errands, drive the patient to the doctor, offer respite care for the family caregivers, act as a sounding board for concerns of the patient and family, coordinate health care from the patient’s doctors and caretakers, and support the patient and family through the dying process. Hospice is not a religious organization and volunteers serve everyone, no matter what their belief system. They are very special, caring people.
Those volunteers, who choose not to work with patients, help support the organization in many other ways. Right now, for example, the Plumas Community Hospice is looking for people with computer skills. Other ways to help include being on the board of directors, being a patient care coordinator, helping at the thrift store or at fundraising events. In Quincy, Dr. Jeff Kapple, from North Fork Family Medical supports Hospice with concerts in the Town Hall Theater where he plays guitar and promotes the talent of local youth including his three daughters who sing with him. This year’s concert will take place on November 8 with all proceeds going to Plumas Community Hospice. This Hospice serves the Quincy, Crescent Mills, Greenville, Bucks Lake, Greenhorn Creek area and Feather River Canyon. You can reach them at 394-7228.
Sierra Hospice serves the Chester, Westwood, Clear Creek and Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding areas. This group offers many other services besides patient care. The Forget-Me-Not Thrift Store not only serves the community with high quality used goods, but also supports Hospice financially. Other services include Camp Hug, a free bereavement camp for ages 8-18, and Camp Big Hug for those 18 and older which is held at Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake. They also offer a 6 week free cancer support group led by volunteers who are either cancer survivors or in the health services.
Karron White, the director of Sierra Hospice can be contacted at the office at 150 Brentwood Dr. in Chester or by calling 258-3412. Or you can view information on their great website at www.sierrahospice.com.
Honey Lake Hospice in Susanville offers many of the same services as Sierra Hospice. Historically they have trained with Sierra Hospice beginning in 2004. Training will again take place in the spring of 2010 and will be announced in the newspapers. Their coordinator, Andria Cuypers noted that they work closely with the patient’s physicians and with Quincy Home Medical Services in caring for patients. This Hospice serves Susanville, Janesville, Milford, Herlong, Doyle and the Eaagle Lake area. Honey Lake Hospice is located at 2930 Riverside Dr. Susanville or call 257-3137.
Special Fundraisers
All of these Hospices have fundraisers to help support their program. One of Sierra Hospice’s projects is a special dinner and auction event. This year thanks to very generous contributors from both the art community, who donated art, and from those who gave generously to purchase the same, Art From the Heart netted over $10,000 to help Sierra Hospice continue their most important service to the community.
Each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a tree lighting ceremony is held at Wildwood in Chester which commemorates loved ones who have died. Lights may be bought at Plumas Bank in honor of these people and cost $10 per light or 3 lights for 3 different people at $25. This year’s ceremony begins at 6 pm and includes the reading of names which are also printed in a book, a candle-lighting ceremony in their memory, beautiful music including a special solo, and homemade refreshments.
Honey Lake Hospice also has two main fundraisers. They have an afternoon tea in the spring and a tree lighting ceremony the weekend before Thanksgiving. At Eagle Lake Village, an assisted living community on Paul Bunyan Road, Honey Lake Hospice has planted a tree which is decorated with dye cut doves in memory of loved ones who have died. These doves sell for $10 each while a perpetual acrylic dove is available for $100. These doves may be purchased at either Margie’s Booknook or Plumas Bank in Susanville.
All three Hospices offer a tremendous service to their respective communities. Part of hospice care includes bereavement services. These Hospices have libraries of books and videos about specific diseases or death and dying issues, brochures and handouts. Hospice volunteers are available for bereavement and grief counseling, either one-on-one or through workshops, and are also available for sudden death intervention.
To be eligible for Hospice, a patient must be in the final stages of a terminal illness, be a patient of a primary physician, have a caretaker available for ongoing care in the home, and live in the service area of the Hospice. All three Hospices are listed in the Yellow Pages of your phone book under Hospices.
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As my husband and I watched our youngest boy drive away that 4th of July morning, the Jeep Wrangler loaded to capacity, it was a bitter sweet feeling. It was exciting, but at the same time fear and worry took over my thoughts as I struggled to hold back tears. Soon the jeep was out of sight, with my little boy at the wheel, driving himself to college in Colorado.
The “empty nest” syndrome is a very real psychological condition not to be taken lightly. It refers to the feelings of depression, sadness and grief that parents experience when their children leave home for college or to get married. It most often affects the mother and can likely come at a time when women are also going through other life changes, such as menopause or caring for their own elderly parents.
It is very normal and natural to feel sad when your last child moves out and there is no longer that need for day to day care. It’s also natural to want to have a good cry over it, so don’t be ashamed of those feelings. Experts say it is important to monitor your feelings and reactions however, don’t hesitate to seek counseling or professional help if your sadness overwhelms you. Severe symptoms include excessive crying, feeling like your useful life has ended and/or no longer wanting to go to work, go shopping or even being with friends.
Netdoctor recommends these helpful tips to ease this time of transition for empty-nesters:
Keep in contact with your child – schedule weekly phone chats
Email your son or daughter with current happenings at home
Mail your child small “care packages” with grocery items or house wares for their new place
With the extra time and energy now, take up a hobby or spend it on leisure activities or even a career
Lean on your friends for their support, especially those that have been through this empty nest syndrome
If you’re a parent facing the empty nest syndrome, you will get through it. It was a long six months before we met our son at the airport to bring him home for Christmas. The tall young man who came running up to hug me is still my little boy, but an adult as well.
At this time of adjustment you and your spouse may have totally different ideas on how to spend your time or how to use that extra space in your home. Communication and compromise is the key. If finances allow, take a trip – just the two of you and rest, relax and enjoy!
Sources: MedicineNet, provided by Psychology Today
Netdoctor
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by Melissa Wynn
 We should all take time now and then to thank the special seniors in our lives for all the timeless traditions we so often take for granted. Myths and legends, tall tales and lullabies, nursery rhymes, secret recipes and core family values are all slowly woven into the fabric of our children’s lives with threads left trailing behind from our ancestors of long ago. My great great granddaughter, whom I will most likely never meet, might just bake my German Chocolate Cake someday, if I take time to teach my granddaughter to make it when she visits next summer.
My own grandfather was certainly one of my heroes and most profound teachers. He was a very gifted poet who always inspired and encouraged me, and all his own children, to write. Not just to write but to open our souls on the paper so our work would be gripping, naked and true. Go real or go home was his basic, though sometimes abrasive, outlook on the world. I guess I also owe him some thanks for pulling my once young head out of the clouds. I was fascinated by this little old man that seemed to know how to do and fix everything. My own children later looked at my own father with admiring eyes and spent many a summer afternoon weaving their threads into the tapestry of knowledge with Grandpa. Those are moments we all treasure and the ones that matter most in the end, for it is what we share of ourselves that survives for generations.
If you wonder what it was like back in the days before television and video games, ask your grandfather. If your grandson can’t see past the end of the latest gadget attached to his head or hands, take him outside to toss the ball around and share some tales from back in those days. Maybe even take him fishing or teach him the difference between cricket songs and croaking frogs on a warm autumn evening; you know, the things that were sewn into our tapestry by older relatives like that vanishing parental command “Go outside and play”. Wonder to yourself now and then just what may be lost if YOU fail to share it. Spin the threads you will leave trailing with mindful intent. Share your treasured songs, memories and traditions with all those you love. They will shine for generations in your special family tapestry of knowledge.
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 WITH TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR DRIVING SKILLS AND PRIVILEGES
By Melissa Wynn
In this new millennium, the Senior Community is a much more health conscientious and active crowd than their grandparents were. Sixty-five is the new forty-five and 100th birthdays are common these days. Today’s senior citizen is on the move and often driving in the fast lane trying to catch that little old lady from Pasadena.
California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that by 2030 one in five drivers will be 65 or over. Today in California more than 5.5 million drivers are over 55 and over 2.5 million are over 70. Granny is cruisin’ the strip and still quite able to do so. Unfortunately, the natural effects of aging eventually catch up to us, and sometimes force some changes in our driving habits. Contrary to what many believe, there is no special age set by law or the DMV that requires one to report to DMV and prove they are still “spry” enough to drive. Anyone can be summoned for reexamination to keep their driving privileges but age alone is not among those reasons. California DMV wants everyone to enjoy driving for as long as we are safely able. Medical complications such as vision issues, side effects of medication, arthritis and diabetes are a few reasons that the mature may start to drive differently. Self monitoring is the best way to keep driving safely for a good long time. Know your limitations and work around them. You know best if night driving has become a challenge or if that right knee is just getting too stiff to hit the brake quickly in an emergency. Better to keep ourselves in check than to hear the dreaded speech from our children or family doctor.
Even with physical limitations, DMV makes allowances to keep you on the road. Although there may be restrictions, if you are certain your ability to drive is still intact, the California DMV will work with you to fill your driving needs. Next time your license is due for renewal there are a few things you can do to be as ready as you can be. A visit to your eye doctor for an eye exam will let you know if new glasses are in order before DMV lets you know. It also can’t hurt to read the latest drivers’ handbook in case a written exam is needed for your renewal. Making an appointment by calling the number below can save you a long wait in a long line. I think the wait might just be the worst part. If you’re afraid that your driving skills may be a bit rusty, there are several Mature Driver Improvement Programs available to help you brush up before the big day. More information on these programs and a self assessment quiz are available online at www.dmv.ca.gov. You can also obtain senior driving information by mail by calling California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-921-1117. Keep Cruisin’ safely Mountain Valley seniors; those Sierra Mountain roads are gorgeous this time of year and you don’t want to miss a thing.
Facts and stats courtesy of www.dmv.ca.gov
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 By Nancy Lund
AGING IN PLACE
Aging in place is a beautiful concept– and for many of us, aging here in Plumas and Lassen counties is our choice. We are enthralled by the air, the water, the relaxed pace. This is where we plan our retirement; we weatherize the cottage where we have spent so many happy summers, or we find the ideal spot to build our retirement dream home.
We are all set, living in these mountain valleys — and then the unexpected happens. One of us suffers a stroke, or comes down with a debilitating illness. Have we a plan that covers that eventuality? Perhaps we are not the ones facing this crisis but it is our elderly parents, or other family members. While they may be living independently today, we wonder if they are prepared for the time when one of the couple may require more care than the other can provide.
Twenty years ago a doctor would advise a couple to get a divorce! The cost of nursing home care would eat up all the couple’s assets, even their home. That was because then – and still true today – Medicare does not pay for long-term nursing home care. It is classified as “custodial” not “medical” care.
Today, under California and Federal Medicaid law, there is a way for the ailing spouse to get the care he (or she) needs, while the spouse at home is protected from losing everything. But it is not automatic. It is accomplished by legally dividing the couple’s assets. The ailing spouse becomes eligible for MediCal, which does cover nursing home care, while the spouse at home keeps the house, one car, a monthly stipend of up to $2739 and savings in the amount of $109, 560.
This protection is neither automatic nor simple. Even for a couple with minimum assets and income based on Social Security and a pension, it is a time-consuming process. For them, the county’s Social Services Department can provide the necessary forms, and in most cases, guidance through the process. If there are obstacles, help may be available for PLUMAS COUNTY seniors through Legal Services of California (1-800-822-0109 ) and in LASSEN COUNTY through Legal Services of Northern California (1-800-822-9687).
For couples with more complicated finances, an appointment with a lawyer, trained in “elder law” is advisable. A word of warning : “estate planning services” – coming from highly publicized, out-of-town outfits that offer seminars followed by individual consultations – are of doubtful value. For example, couples have been told that setting up a “trust” will protect them from a MediCal claim on their home. Not true. Far better to schedule an appointment with a local lawyer, trained in estate planning/elder law issues, who will be there later if issues arise.
What about alternatives to nursing home placement? For my next column I will discuss what is currently available and what to look for in the future, Happy retirement!
Nancy Lund is Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging. She is a former California State Senior Senator and served on the California State AARP Legislative Committee. Nedlund5@frontiernet.net. Plumas County Senior Adviser : 283-0809
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 By Grayson Sorrels
“Everybody needs beauty as well as
bread, places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength
to body and soul.” John Muir
Michael Muir, great grandson of John Muir has lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 years old. Refusing to be daunted by the relentless course of his disease, Muir believes in challenging the limits of disability. In 2001, he led an international team of people with disabilities, driving wheelchair accessible, horse drawn carriages on a 3,000 mile, ten-month journey across America to Washington DC. The extraordinary experiences of that journey have led to the founding of the non profit group ACCESS ADVENTURE.
The group enriches the lives of people with disabilities and under-served youth by providing outdoor recreation, environmental education and open space access, using unique wheelchair accessible, horse drawn carriages.
Muir brought his group with volunteers to Lassen county in June. The clip clop of horse’s hooves blended with laughter as 45 campers from Camp Ronald McDonald were taken on wagon rides through the pine scented forest near Eagle Lake. Two carriages, one an Amish built Thorn lea carriage with a solar/battery powered lift accommodated wheel chairs and seated riders. One part of the group’s program is to offer such multi-day accessible camping trips to remote, scenic locations throughout California.
While in Lassen County, Access Adventure volunteers enjoyed camping near Papoose Meadow for two days. Local author and historian Richard Surrill informed and entertained the group with stories and songs around the camp fire. They also enjoyed Goumaz Campground and two days of driving on the Bizz Johnson Trail. Negotiating the steep, narrow section of trail beneath the Highway 36 bridge provided a scene right out of the old west, as the able bodied riders walked up the hill to save the horses.
Michael Muir drives the team and provides inspiration for all. In 2001 he spent ten months on a carriage ride that took him to Washington D.C. His message, “Just because you are disabled your life doesn’t have to be over.” He is fond of saying, ” The worst disability is a bad attitude.” He shares his passion for horses and the outdoors with the disabled community and others fortunate enough to know him.
Other components of his program involve youth and disabled carriage driving training, a horse breeding program to supply stock for Access Adventure and raise funds for the non profit organization and outdoor education. Access Adventure has teamed with Solano Land Trust and has its headquarters on Grizzly Island Road near the Suisun Marsh at an historic stock and grain ranch.
Access Adventure events are free to people with disabilities or mobility challenges. Volunteers are welcome as are donations to the program. See the website’s special events calendar for 2009 for upcoming events and additional information at www.access-adventure.org.
  Photos By Grayson Sorrels
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What Can I do to keep my kids safe this summer?
Submitted by Michelle Williams,
Banner Lassen Medical Center
What’s that stuff about lazy summer days? Summer is all about having fun in the sun. You can keep it the best time ever by making it the safest time ever. Here are some tips to help your family have a fun and safe summer.
• Keep Hydrated. Playing or exercising outdoors in the summer can lead to heat stress or even to heat stroke, which can be fatal. You can reduce the intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more when the temperature and humidity are high.
• Talk to coaches of organized competitions and practice to ensure proper hydration and activity levels are understood and strictly enforced.
• Before prolonged activity, be sure you and your children are well-hydrated. Drink water every 20 minutes during activity. Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing.
• Know the Rules of the Road. Serious injuries from bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and scooters are one of the main reasons for emergency department visits. Insist that your child wear a helmet and set a good example by always wearing one yourself. Insist on properly fitting wrist, elbow and kneepads. Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping.
BE SAFE IN THE WATER!
• Always supervise children in or near water.
• Learn to swim and be sure your children know how to swim.
• Inflatable swim aids should not be substituted for approved life vests.
• Stay within arm’s length of infants or toddlers in water.
• Children should always wear well-fitting life vests on boats or near water.
• Children should know how to put on a life vest.
• Always extinguish cigarettes and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat.
BE SAFE AROUND FIRE!
Like a Boy Scout, Be Prepared.
• Always use a flame-retardant tent and set up away from campfires.
• Use only flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside tents.
• Build campfires downwind of tents. Clear vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by stones for campfires.
• Use liquid fire starter, not gasoline, to start campfires. Store starter away from fire and tenet.
Teach your children these summer safety tips and enjoy the months of sunshine. If you do need Emergency Services, Banner Lassen Medical Center’s Emergency department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Susanville.
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By Melissa Wynn
As the baby boomers are entering their golden years, the number of households including both grandparents and teenagers is on the rise. Those of us in the middle of these two generations often find ourselves worried that the kids spend too much time with their video games and that our parents aren’t getting enough physical and mental stimulation. It turns out that the Nintendo Wii can broaden our horizons. Senior communities across the country are buying these interactive video games to host bowling, tennis and other tournaments, and they are having amazing turnouts. Even if your at home seniors are wheelchair bound, as long as they can work the t.v. remote sized paddle, they can bowl, play tennis, be in a boxing match, play golf or participate in a wide variety of other activities. It’s much more fun than routine physical therapy exercises and incorporating your teenager to help them get familiar with the new-fangled thing is a great way link the two generations on common ground. Nintendo Wii also has puzzles and fishing games that are great for mental stimulation and give the grandparents a forum where they can still participate in a favorite sport and really have some fun with teenagers and other family members.
There is such a wide spectrum of game choices it is very easy to select a game for everyone that will keep each individual interested and give everyone a chance to be the champ and shine. We have all heard that if you don’t use it you will lose it, and I can’t think of a better way to keep all the generations using their bodies and minds than to get together for some great fun everyone can enjoy. The game box costs around $250 and games run $35-$50. Both are available at most department stores and online. The family that plays together stays together so encourage your teenagers to teach their grandparents to Wii. Let’s fish with Grandpa in the living room and get Grandma bowling like she used to, while engaging our teens in their kind of play.
Source: www.aarp.org
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By Eileen Majors
I sat in the waiting room at University of Washington Medical Center, absorbing long awaited rays of sunshine being warmly welcomed by Seattle’s normally sun-deprived residents. Several patients gathered for a pulmonary exercise class while others arrived for one on one care. One patient, Zachery Lysedt, strolled by in sort of a hanging apparatus, accompanied by two therapists, one before him and one behind him. He is doing his best to learn to walk again. As the therapist behind him guides his foot into a step, the one in front receives the foot enabling the whole process to begin again. He is slowly making his way around the waiting room and down the hall. It is easy to tell he is eager to try, and determined to become his old self again. He is already talking again, though his slow speech and heavy concentration shows his limited ability in that area.
His spirits are great and according to his mom; he has the drive and will to get better and he knows he can do it as these are simple feats he has performed all his life. It is now a matter of his brain not communicating with the rest of his body. His young age is an asset in his healing, his mom told me. Zachery is 16 years old.
He is what some may call the poster child for safer school sports and his message warns how vital it is for the schools to provide adequate medical staff at school sporting events, staff that can properly identify a concussion. It was just a few months into Zak’s eighth grade year and his first year (which would be his last) on the football team.
It was an ‘away game’ and his dad sat proudly in the stands. He soon made a tackle which would send his own head slamming to the ground. He was immediately pulled to the sidelines and examined by coaches and other school staff. He would sit out of the game for a short while until his offense and defense capabilities were needed by his team. He willingly sailed back into the game, soon taking more of the regular slams associated with the game of football. By the end of the game, it was evident that Zackery was more severely injured than had previously been noticed in the coaching staff’s earlier examination. Zackery’s brain had began bleeding but no one noticed until Zackery started losing his balance near the end of the game. When Zackery told his dad he was unable see him, the paramedics were called in.
Within hours Zackery would undergo brain surgery on one side of his brain to relieve the pressure of the blood which was filling his head. When the surgery was done, Zackery’s parents were notified that the surgery would now need to be performed on the other side of this brain too, as the swelling was increasing there. During that surgery, his brain moved over two centimeters, resulting in chaos when Zackery’s brain tried to communicate with the rest of his body. He was in a coma for 30 days. He was just 13 years old. The past three years has carried him across several hurdles of healing, with many more still before him.
The lesson for young athletes, parents and coaches: you don’t need to be “unconscious” for a concussion to be serious. Any of these symptoms – headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, memory loss, inability to concentrate – require a trip to the doctor before getting back in the game.
One of the biggest accomplishments since his traumatic accident is the introduction of a bill into the Washington State Senate which requires adequate medical services on site at all sporting events. His mom told me they were awaiting the governor’s signature on the bill. The bill is being backed by various sporting institutions including the Seattle Seahawks.
The brain is like a master computer for your child’s body. It controls thinking, learning, language and memory. A child’s ability to move, breathe, see, speak, hear and feel is also controlled by the brain because it sends signals to other parts of the body. It even affects a child’s emotions and personality. Protecting your child’s brain from an injury may be the most important thing that you can do as a parent. Brain injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes; It is the leading cause of disability among those who survive. Brain injury is the most frequent cause of disability and death among children and adolescents in the United States. It also is vital that kids wear properly fitted helmets when riding bikes, scooters and skateboards.
Sources: Brain Injury Association of America, Zackery’s mom.
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