Seniors Lifystyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018 — PAGE 15
Senior Lifestyles
Inside:
• An Aging Athlete • Tai Chi for Seniors • Boomer Funk’s column on aging
PAGE 16 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
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Seniors Lifystyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018 — PAGE 17
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COLUMNIST ANDY KIRKALDY, left, loved playing team sports like basketball with his age cohort Peter Quinn. One nagging injury after another has narrowed the 64-year-old’s choice of sports.
Facing up to aging as an athlete — but not giving up By ANDY KIRKALDY Our elliptical machine talks to me all the time. It just doesn’t sit in the corner of the family room while I do my best to ignore it. “I’m here,” the elliptical tells me. “I’m waiting. It’s only a matter of time. You’ll see. It will be you and me and tai chi.” I try not to listen. I turn up the TV and dream about being 24 years old, when as a left back no wing could beat me down the right side of the soccer pitch. Well, at least that’s the way I remember it 40 years later, now that I click on articles with headlines like, “When is the best time to start collecting Social Security?” and ask Google when I should sign up for Medicare (it’s next spring, BTW). As for that insistent elliptical, it’s not that I haven’t used it. I do — usually when recovering from injury and can’t do more fun stuff. But I know it’s only a matter of time before I have to heed its call on a more regular basis. After all, in August I went to have my left knee checked, the one I first twisted running on the beach when I was 16, the one from
which Dr. Benz removed cartilage in 2003. It’s always been cranky, and it was barking at me this summer during my current exercise program, indoor noontime soccer three times a week at Middlebury College. I had to switch to soccer from noontime basketball a couple years back because of a small shoulder labrum tear. That injury lets me do anything except play hoop regularly. Basketball, pickup in the town and college gyms and the old Middlebury Basketball league, had become my favorite, but not my best, sport. I’ve also played on softball, baseball, volleyball and hockey teams over the years, and dabbled in tennis and golf. Now I’m down to slow-motion soccer, cornhole and fantasy baseball, and the latter two don’t burn many calories. At the orthopedics office Trina, the alwayshelpful physician’s assistant (I’ve seen her so often over the years for my shoulder we’re on a first-name basis — you know you’re aging when) ordered x-rays of my knees, looked them over, and said I would be OK. But probably just for a few more years. Then, Trina said, swelling in the knee, not to (See Andy, Page 19)
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PAGE 18 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
Seniors Lifystyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018 — PAGE 19
Andy (Continued from Page 17) A member of the Vergennes high school mention the arthritis the x-rays revealed as cross-country team told me recently that well as missing cartilage, would probably let running is mostly mental. I told her it was easy me know I would have to quit playing sports to say for a fit 17-year-old. involving cutting, stopping and starting, But it is true many of us will run if we are jumping. Basically all the fun stuff. motivated. In prehistoric times humans had And that’s the dilemma for the aging team to run to catch food or to avoid becoming sport athlete. food. Eventually the Greeks turned running Many people love working into sport, although it is out and running or jogging for interesting to note according it’s own sake. They tell me The beauty of most to legend the original runner running gets easier after the ball sports lies in from Marathon to Athens first couple miles, and science the teamwork. For died when he delivered his insists endorphins kick in to many aging team message of victory. I can produce the “runner’s high.” relate. I’ll never know. I’m with sport athletes — in Then ball sports were the late Joan Rivers, who the noon soccer game invented. Hitting, kicking, once said, “The first time I see there are several throwing and catching balls a jogger smiling, I’ll consider regular attendees has proven to be endlessly it.” for many older than I — the joy fascinating A couple years ago during humans. I often compare of working together, a weeklong vacation in myself to a Labrador Massachusetts my older of successful strategy retriever. Like a Lab I love daughter said I should play and cooperation, to sleep and especially to in her Boston pick-up soccer remains central to eat, but am also happy to get game with her during the our athletic identities. up and chase balls for hours. second weekend. I said sure, Well, OK, 45 minutes or so but I didn’t want to play after before it’s time to quit or a week of doing nothing. So I ran a mile some call for a medic. days, and stretched it to two miles one day to The other beauty of most ball sports lies prepare. in the teamwork. For many aging team sport It was literally the hardest thing I’d done athletes — in the noon soccer game there are in years. Probably since I got snookered several regular attendees older than I — the into running a “fun” 5K 15 years ago and joy of working together, of successful strategy got smoked by parents pushing toddlers and cooperation, remains central to our athletic in strollers. Even in high school I was last identities. running laps on the soccer team, and that was All of us who are still playing against 48 years and 25 pounds ago. younger athletes — who routinely sprint past
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ANDY KIRKALDY, SECOND from left, reveled with his Woody’s teammates in a Middlebury Basketball league championship three decades ago. As he ages, he is learning to live with age-imposed limitations on playing team sports.
us for loose balls and race around us while attacking the goal — relish moments like making a smart pass, slipping into an open space to allow a teammate to move the ball, or anticipating an opponent’s action to break up a play. That’s the team-sport equivalent of the runner’s high. Typically we enjoy setting up a teammate for a goal just as much as scoring one. And those of us past a certain age also get
to compare our nicks and bruises. Calf injuries are popular right now among my age peers, and I have to stretch out a lingering groin pull before I touch a ball. A typical response from one of us when asked how the game went today is, “No new injuries. A good day.” And every one of those days gives us valuable exercise, camaraderie and fun. Yes, I can hear the elliptical calling. But it can wait a little longer. As long as possible, in fact.
PAGE 20 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
Falling is the number one reason for hospital visits Vermont’s Emergency Medical Services effort to support older Vermonters in making were called nearly 1,500 times in 2015- simple changes to stay safe and healthy at 2016 to help someone who had fallen, and home.” 80 percent of those called involved people Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, who were 65 years of age or older. Three also says this is an important issue for aging organizations — the State Department of Vermonters. Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living; “Older adults can remain independent the Health Department; and the Falls Free and healthy by knowing their personal fall Vermont Coalition — joined forces with the risk, and by committing to simple actions National Council on Aging to encourage older like regular exercises and working closely Vermonters to take advantage of no-cost fall with their doctors,” Levine said. “Nearly 20 risk assessments and a host percent of Vermonters are age of fall prevention programs. 65 or older, and that number is For more Stay Steady Vermont increasing. offers older Vermonters “As we age, we are more information about information about fall risks, likely to be injured in a fall. Falls Prevention how to stay balanced, and It’s important that people be and Healthy individual assessments aware of what they can do to Aging go online to by physical therapists reduce their risk. Partnership for leg strength, balance, fallsfreevermont.org. efforts like this will have a and walking. Stay Steady positive impact on healthy Vermont community aging in their community.” partners also offer falls prevention exercise Falls Free Vermont focuses its statewide classes, such as Tai Chi. More information is education efforts in areas that the Centers at fallsfreevermont.org or call your local Area for Disease Control and Prevention has Agency on Aging at 1-800-642-5119. recognized can significantly reduce falls Unintentional falls are responsible risk: for the largest number of injury-related • Speak Up — Talk openly with your hospitalizations and emergency department medical provider, family members and friends visits. In 2014, there were more than about falling or a fear of falling. 22,000 such injuries, but Monica Caserta • Review Medications — With your Hutt, Commissioner of the Department of doctor, have your medications reviewed to Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, identify any that cause dizziness. See whether said the majority of falls can be prevented. taking vitamin D supplements is right for “Falls are not an inevitable part of aging,” you to improve your bone, muscle, and nerve Hutt said. “We are engaging in a statewide health.
• Keep Moving — Find activities and exercises that improve strength, mobility, and balance. Consider joining a falls prevention class in your community, such as Tai Chi, Bone Builders or other courses. • Check Your Eyes — Have your vision checked once a year and update your glasses as needed. • Make Your Home Safe — Most falls
happen at home. Keep your floors clutter free, remove or secure small rugs, add grab bars to bathrooms, have handrails and lights installed near all staircases, and make sure your home is well-lit. Be careful of pets that get underfoot. By addressing these areas of prevention, older Vermonters are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.
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PAGE 22 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
You know what, I’m an old guy
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By SCOTT FUNK As kids playing in the canyons near home, we would hide whenever we saw big kids walking through. Then a day came when I recognized the big kids were my friends from school and realized I wasn’t a little kid anymore. Same sort of thing happened when I was a teenager, young adult, and real adult. At each stage, there was a realization I’d passed over to an older group. It has happened again. At 69, I’m no longer a grown up; I’m an old guy. I’ve reached People naturally the place of offer me a seat in subways or enjoying what buses. I get the is, rather than senior discount chasing what without asking. might be. Just My choice in clothes is in time, too, because I’m not determined more by what I’m moving as fast familiar with as I used to. than by fashion. Buying two 20-pound bags of birdseed is wiser than one 50-pounder, even though it is slightly more expensive. I can complement ladies on their beautiful dresses without being threatening. All indicators I’ve passed middle age. Yes, I know “we are only as old as we feel.” That is my point: I now actually feel older. Still in the game, but not quite up to my old game. Learning takes longer, (See Old guy, Page 23)
KELLY AND SCOTT FUNK reside in Barre and together deliver advice on mortgages and other professional service. Scott Funk recently discovered that he had become an “old guy.”
Seniors Lifystyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018 — PAGE 23
Old guy (Continued from Page 22) That’s when it hit me: the rest of my life, goals are more practical, expectations have meant the rest of my life wasn’t all that adjusted down somewhat. Best of all, for the long. Not a lot of time remains and none of first time in my life, I have enough. it needs to be wasted acquiring more than I Appreciating I have need. I’ve reached the place enough is what tipped me Appreciating I of enjoying what is, rather off that things had changed. than chasing what might be. have enough is It began at a library book Just in time, too, because sale. At a dollar a book, what tipped me I’m not moving as fast as I I’m pretty extravagant in off that things had used to. the reading risks I take. changed. It began Then came my 69th Yet, this time, as I looked birthday and very few through the history books, at a library book presents. Which was great. they reminded me of all the sale. At a dollar The cards and sentiments books I’d already purchased, a book, I’m pretty were enough. 69, content many still unread. So, I left extravagant in with enough, enjoying a the sale empty-handed and slower pace? Wait a minute, the reading risks I puzzled. I have gotten older! Wham, What had happened? At take. Yet, this time, that’s when it hit me: I’ve a buck a book, what was as I looked through become an older person. the harm of picking up a And, you know, it isn’t such the history books, few more? Back home, in a bad thing to be, now that my library, I perused the they reminded me I’ve realized it. shelves, taking note of how of all the books I’d Editor’s note: Over the many I’d like to read again already purchased, course of the 11 years that or haven’t read at all. There Barre resident Scott Funk were enough to keep me many still unread. wrote the “Aging in Place” reading for the rest of my So, I left the sale column, he found that life. empty-handed and the column evolved from Wow! Not a thought I’d puzzled. offering information to and had before. Enough for the for older folks, to anecdotes rest of my life. What else from the author’s own did I have enough of? Well, everything, it experiences as an aging “Boomer,” as turns out. Shirts, suits, shoes, pants, (OK, readers and editors were kind and astute underwear and socks will need replacing), enough to point out. This month he changed ties, belts, tools, CD’s ... just about the name of the feature to the “Boomer everything I considered was enough for the Funk” column. Find his blog online at rest of my life. VermontFunk.com.
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PAGE 24 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
Laura Weylman, MD Primary Care - Vergennes Area of Interest: Pediatrics & Geriatrics
Natasha Withers, DO Primary Care - Bristol Area of Interest: Women’s Health
Cassidy Heisler, PA-C Primary Care - Bristol Area of Interest: Adult Medicine
Meredith Walker-Hanson, FNP Pediatric - Middlebury Area of Interest: Childhood Obesity
Jeffery Abell, PA-C Primary Care - Middlebury Area of Interest: Adult Medicine
Emily Gaukler, MD Primary Care - Middlebury Area of Interest: Adult Medicine
Monica Benjamin, FNP Pediatric - Middlebury Area of Interest: Adolescent Health
Lauren Bierman, DNP Primary Care - Middlebury Area of Interest: Geriatric Care
Kenneth Harris, MD Primary Care - Middlebury Area of Interest: GI
Ariel Gallant Bernstein, MD Pediatric - Middlebury Area of Interest: Transgender Health
Renee Bratspis, MD Primary Care - Brandon Area of Interest: Women’s Health
Todd Smith, APRN Primary Care - Brandon Area of Interest: Primary Care
Meet the Newest Faces of Primary Care. Over the past two years we’ve welcomed 12 new primary care providers throughout Addison and Rutland Counties. We are committed to keeping your care local and accessible. All our new providers are accepting new patients. Visit us online at UVMHealth.org/PMC or call to book an appointment today: (802) 388-8850
Seniors Lifystyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018 — PAGE 25
TAI CHI SUN Style instructor Jerry Henderson leads a class at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury last week. Independent photos/Trent Campbell
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Balance is important to help you perform many of your daily activities and prevent falls. Research has shown that tai chi can significantly reduce the risk of falls among older people. In tai chi, which is sometimes called “moving meditation,” you work to improve your balance by moving your body
JERRY HENDERSON, LEFT, leads a Tai Chi class at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury.
slowly, gently and precisely, while breathing deeply. Other benefits from practicing tai chi include: • Improvements in bone and heart health. • Easing of pain and stiffness from
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PAGE 26 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, October 15, 2018
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