SENIOR
Lifestyles
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 2
Outdoor activities that are perfect for seniors The great outdoors beckons people of all ages. Fresh air can be hard to resist and the benefits of spending time outdoors are so numerous that it behooves anyone, including seniors, to answer the call of nature. According to researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, human beings benefit both physically and psychologically from spending time in nature. Such experiences can reduce stress and help lower heart rates, potentially decreasing individuals’ risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, the Forest Service notes that spending time outside in green spaces has been linked to a lower risk of depression. Seniors who are retired or even aging empty nesters who are still in the workforce can make great use of their free time by venturing into the great outdoors. The following are a handful of senior-friendly outdoor activities that provide a great reason to get off the couch and take in all
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Chad E. Klein, O.D.
Kristin K. Rhoads, O.D.
Brandon J. Tish, O.D.
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 3
Prairie City native brings ‘Poetic Joy’ with book of poems By Jamee A. Pierson Newton News For most of her 93 years, Mary Jan Schuttinga has been writing. Whether it be during a work session or just a thought she had to get down on a scrap of paper, Schuttinga has compiled a beautiful collection of poems that she is sharing in her book “Poetic Joy.” “I have always enjoyed writing poems. I have kept all those since I was 12 and in grade school. Which was the beginning of an enjoyable time working with words that rhyme,” Schuttinga said. “I wanted to share it with other people and an encouragement for other people. Most of the poems, I hope, are encouraging poems.” The book is in three sections: Christian Echoes is about the life of a Christian, Echoes from Heaven are words that can be used to soften grief, hearing from a loved one who just passed away and the Listening Heart is a collection of poetic prayers for various circumstances. Through the poems, the Prairie City resident hopes to bring encouragement and joy to those reading them. “I hope people enjoy it. I want it to be a book that they can have on their coffee ta-
ble and pick it up any time. There is a lot of encouragement in the book,” Schuttinga said. “I hope there are lots of people who find they will enjoy it. That is the main reason I did it.” The book is available for purchase online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and a variety of other locations. To find it, search the book’s name, “Poetic Joy,” and Marijayne, Schuttinga’s pen name. Schuttinga isn’t stopping at one book, though. She is currently working on her second publication, “For the Love of Life and Laughter with a few Tears Sprinkled in between” and hopes to see it ready for distribution later this year. “I just love to write poetry. I write almost everyday. I’ve also written a lot more than poetry: two musicals for the church and five Bible studies for the church,” Schuttinga said. “For those who have experienced the joy of writing and understand the satisfaction it brings, will agree with me, that writing is a gift from God. As I unwrap my gift for the readers, may they be blessed by it and perhaps becoming stronger in their fair. All this reasoning makes it easy for me to praise Him and say ‘To God be the Glory, great things He has done.”
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 4
Day trips seniors can enjoy Vacations to faraway destinations can make lasting memories that families cherish forever. Though day trips might not require the planning of more traditional vacations, these brief getaways can still be a great way to spend a day, especially for seniors. Day trips typically are based around visits to historic attractions, shopping districts, restaurants, or museums. Since they don’t require much in the way of advanced planning, and tend to be easy on the wallet, day trips are ideal for those looking for short getaways. When considering day trips, seniors should look for locales that are no more than two to three hours away. Such proximity ensures travelers will have plenty of time to see the sights and still get home at a reasonable hour. Need day trip inspiration? Here are some ideas to get started. Botanical gardens Botanical gardens are beautiful and relaxing places to spend a day. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International reports that there are between 296 to 1,014 botanical gardens and arboretums in the United States, while there are roughly 70 botanic gardens across Canada. People can tour topiaries, exotic plants, butterfly retreats, acres of rolling landscape, and even bonsai collections. Seaside towns Visits to the coast make for memorable, scenic ex-
cursions. Many boast quaint shops to purchase coastal trinkets or decor. Seaside spots also may boast their share of fishing charters or sightseeing cruises, and seafood fans will appreciate what these regions have to offer in the way of dining. Historic cities and villages Touring historic places of register, like Colonial Williamsburg or areas of historic Boston, can be a hands-on way to learn about the country’s history. They can provide more personal experiences than books and movies alone. Zoos and aquariums Interacting with wildlife is on the itinerary when visiting zoos and aquariums, and such establishments typically offer discounted admissions to seniors. From the famed San Diego Zoo to the Georgia Aquarium, it’s possible to get up close and personal with many species. Wine tasting A recent study from Wine & Vines magazine said there are 8,391 wineries in North America, and that number is on the rise. One is likely to find a winery to visit and sample the wares close to home. Make a day of it by bringing a picnic lunch. Museums Museums are ideal day trip destinations because many are indoors. That means weather never needs to be an issue while visiting. With historic artifacts, paintings, sculptures, or niche items like pop art or collectibles, there are museums for just about
every interest. For example, railway enthusiasts can visit the National Railroad Museum in Wisconsin, one of the oldest railroad museums in the country.
Restaurant crawl Certain town centers and tourist destinations organize restaurant events where day trippers can enjoy tasting menus from various estab-
lishments for a single price. Day trips also can culminate at one specific restaurant. A new restaurant can be visited each month. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 5
RV buyers’ guide A recreational vehicle, also known as an RV or a camper, can be a worthwhile investment for people who want to travel at their leisure. RVs offer the benefit of traversing the open road without having to sacrifice the comforts of home. The RV market has been hot over the last couple of years as people have looked to RVing as a safe way to travel. According to the RV Industry Association, shipments of travel trailers and motorhomes were expected to hit their highest level on record in 2021, with more than 533,000 units sold by year-end. Sizable purchases are seldom easy, and purchasing an RV is no exception. In addition to choosing the right vehicle, RV owners must learn maintenance, how to drive a large vehicle, towing, and campsite etiquette. Buying an RV is a long-term investment. These pointers can help the purchase go smoothly. New or used? Purchasing a used RV can help people save money. However, upgrades and repairs may be costly. New RVs have the latest technology and no risk of prior wear and tear. Insurance premiums will be higher for a new vehicle, and a new purchase can be expensive depending on the features chosen. Figure out features and size Take a hard look at what
you are seeking in a camper. Do you want something that is just an alternative to tent camping? Are you interested in an RV that can sleep a crowd? Do you have a tow hitch and a vehicle capable of towing an RV? These questions and more will determine the style and size of the RV that’s right for you. Class A RVs are large, busshaped rigs between 20 and 45 feet in length. Class B are
A worthwhile investment for people who want to travel at their leisure
sleeper vans and are smaller than Class A. Class C rigs offer size but driveability and are built into a regular truck chassis. For trailer-style RVs, the options are foldable trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, and fifth wheel trailers. They vary in size and features; but you’ll need a truck to tow them. Usage frequency When considering an RV, think about how often it will
be used and where it will be stored when not in use. Garage storage may be challenging on a larger rig, and some housing communities frown upon parking RVs in driveways. This may affect the size you choose as well as the features you need, according to KOA, the RV camp site leader. Secure financing As with other vehicles, shop around for the best
rates on financing; you don’t necessarily need to go with the dealer. Also, when buying a trade-in or used rig, hire a third-party inspector to go over systems to ensure they’re in working order. These are just a few things to consider when looking to purchase an RV. Buyers should do their homework to get a vacation vehicle that fits their needs and budgets. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 6
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 8
How to determine if it’s time to downsize Tips to check out to make the difficult decision about downsizing Individuals work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes. And the hard work doesn’t end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations that suit their individual needs. And even when buyers find a home that needs no such work, maintenance requires homeowners’ utmost attention. All that hard work is perhaps one reason why seniors may be a little reluctant to downsize as they advance through their golden years. In addition to the sweat equity homeowners put into their
homes, all the memories they’ve made within their walls can make it harder to put a home on the market. Downsizing is a difficult decision that’s unique to each homeowner. Seniors who aren’t quite certain if downsizing is right for them can consider three key factors to make a decision that’s in their best interests. • Cost: Perhaps no variable affects senior homeowners’ decisions to downsize their homes as much as cost. No one wants to outlive their money, and downsizing to a
smaller home can help seniors reduce their monthly expenses by a significant margin. Even homeowners who have long since paid off their mortgages can save substantial amounts of money by downsizing to a smaller home or even an apartment or condominium. Lower property taxes, reduced insurance premiums and the need to pay for fewer repairs are just some of the ways downsizing can save seniors money. • Space: Many people love the extra space that single-family homes provide. But seniors can take a
walk through their homes and see how many rooms they still use on a consistent basis. If much of the home is unused, seniors can probably downsize without adversely affecting their daily lives. • Market: The real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding if the time is right to downsize. A seller’s market can help seniors get the biggest return on their real estate investment, potentially helping them make up for meager retirement
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 9
Qualities to look for in a post-retirement job The notion of relaxing on a beach all day in one’s golden years is still a retirement dream for millions of adults across the globe. But many individuals also harbor a desire to keep working after retiring. Whether it’s a volunteering gig or a part-time job retirees are looking for, certain qualities can make an opportunity uniquely suited to a post-retirement job. • Flexibility: Retirees may be looking to contribute to their communities or simply earn a little spending money, but they will likely still want the freedom to travel or spend time with their families whenever they choose. So flexibility is something to look for in a post-retirement job. This is what makes consultant work so attractive to retirees. In-person hours may not be required of consultants, who can then offer their input while visiting their grandchildren or traveling the world. • Socialization: Though the ability to work from home can make it easier for retirees to earn some extra money, some seniors aren’t concerned about their finances but want to work so they can get out of the house. In that case, look for a job that offers the opportunity to socialize and meet new people. Socializing as an older adult is a great way to fend off loneliness. In addition, one study published in 2007 in the journal of the American Public Health Association found that social support networks have a positive effect on cognition among older adults. So a post-retirement job that enables retirees to socialize could delay or reduce the severity of age-related cognitive decline. • Engagement: A job seniors find engaging also is more likely to provide the types of benefits seniors are looking for in post-retirement
work. For example, researchers at Boston College’s Sloan Center on Aging and Work found that seniors who find a job or volunteering opportunity truly engaging are more likely to benefit psychologically from those experiences than those whose post-retirement work is not engaging. If seniors find themselves simply going through the motions with their post-retirement work, they can look for opportunities that they can be more enthusiastic about.
• Pressure-free: Regardless of what retirees did for a living prior to calling it a career, chances are they dealt with work-related stress. In fact, the American Stress Institute reports that 83 percent of workers in the United States suffer from work-related stress, while Statistics Canada reports that 62 percent of Canadian workers say work is their main source of stress. After a lifetime of confronting work-related stress, individuals who want to
work in retirement should look for pressure-free opportunities. This is an important quality, as the ASI indicates that stress has been linked to increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and other disorders. The right post-retirement job may differ from what individuals looked for during their careers. Various qualities can combine to make for a post-retirement gig that benefits seniors in myriad ways. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 10
Cont page 2 that Mother Nature has to offer. • Hiking: Hiking provides a great workout and an ideal opportunity to spend time in an idyllic setting. The U.S. National Park Service notes that hiking helps individuals build stronger muscles and bones, improves their sense of balance, has a positive effect on heart health, and can decrease the risk of certain respiratory problems. Hiking is an especially attractive outdoor activity for seniors, as many parks feature trails with varying degrees of difficulty, ensuring there’s a trail for seniors whether they’re seasoned or novice hikers. • Water aerobics: The Centers
Cont page 8 savings for example, home prices skyrocketed across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, making that a great time for sellers to put their homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on such spikes since they won’t be looking to turn around and buy larger, equally expensive homes once they sell their current place. If the market is down and seniors can withstand the work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until things bounce back in sellers’ favor. Downsizing requires careful consideration of a host of variables. No two situations are the same, so seniors should exercise due diligence to determine if downsizing is right for them. — Metro Creative
for Disease Control and Prevention notes that water-based exercises can be especially helpful individuals with chronic diseases, a category many seniors fall into. The CDC notes that one study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology found that improves the use of joints affected by arthritis without worsening symptoms. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also notes that swimming can lead to improved health for people with diabetes and heart disease. Seniors can reap these benefits by going for a dip in their own backyard pools or a local body of water, such as a lake or ocean. Many swim clubs also offer discounted memberships to seniors,
making these another great and affordable way to reap the benefits of swimming. • Fishing: Of course not all outdoor activities need to make seniors huff and puff. Fishing provides a great reason to get outdoors, and many individuals devoted to fishing report feeling less stressed after a day spent casting for their favorite fish. Individuals who consume what they catch also can benefit by improving their diets, as the American Heart Association notes that consuming certain types of fish has been linked to a lower risk for heart disease and obesity. • Volunteering: Local environmental groups often sponsor cleanups at
parks and waterfront attractions like beaches and lakes. Volunteering with such organizations is a great way to get outside and give back, and working with like-minded individuals can be a great way for seniors to meet new people. In addition, a national study sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2019 found that 88 percent of Senior Corps volunteers who initially reported a lack of companionship reported a decrease in feelings of isolation after volunteering. The opportunities for seniors to enjoy the great outdoors are endless. Taking advantage of such chances can benefit seniors in myriad ways. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 11
How to create structure after retirement Professionals typically look forward to retirement and the freedom that comes with it. The notion that commuting and deadlines will one day be a distant memory is enough to make anyone excited for retirement. But when the day to leave the daily grind behind arrives, many retirees admit to feeling a little anxiety about how they’re going to find structure. Retirement is a big transition, and Robert Delamontagne, PhD, author of the 2011 book “The Retiring Mind: How to Make the Psychological Transition to Retirement,” notes that some retirees experience anxiety, depression and even a sense of loss upon calling it a career. Some of those feelings can undoubtedly be traced to the perceived lack of purpose some individuals feel after retiring. Without a job to do each day, people can begin to feel useless. Overcoming such feelings can be difficult, but finding ways to build daily structure can make the transition to retirement go smoothly. • Find something to truly engage in. Professionals who truly enjoy their work tend to be fully engaged, so it’s no surprise if such individuals have a hard time adjusting to retirement. Some may suggest volunteering can help fill the void created by retirement, but researchers with the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College have found that only those
individuals who are truly engaged in their post-retirement volunteering enjoy the psychological benefits of such pursuits. So before retirees dive right in to volunteering as a means to creating structure, they should first exercise due diligence and find an opportunity they’ll find genuinely engaging. • Embrace the idea of “bridge employment.” “Bridge employment” is the name given to the trend that has seen retired individuals take on part-time or temporary employment
after they have retired from full-time working. COVID-19 has no doubt skewed post-retirement working statistics since the World Health Organization first declared a pandemic in March 2020, but a 2019 survey from the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute found that 27 percent of pre-retirees with at least $100,000 in assets planned to work part-time in retirement. Even part-time work can provide enough daily structure to help retirees feel as though each day is not just a free-for-all.
• Make a concerted effort to be more social. Volunteering and working are not the only ways to create structure in retirement. A concerted effort to be more social can help retirees fill their days with interactions with like-minded individuals who may be experiencing the same feelings. Join a book club, a local nature group that goes on daily or semi-daily morning hikes or another local community organization. These are great ways to build structure and meet new people. Retirees can create social
media accounts to find local community groups that cater to their interests. Even if it seems hard to believe, plenty of retirees are seeking to create structure in retirement life, and social media can make it easier to find such individuals in your community. Structure and retirement may seem like strange bedfellows. But many retirees seek structure after calling it a career, and there are many fun ways for seniors to create more organization in their lives. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2022 –Page 12
One of the Midwest’s largest independent clinics...
because you deserve a choice in health care
Paul Ruggle, M.D. Family Practice
Steve Hill, M.D. Family Practice
Pat Edwards, M.D. Family Practice with OB
Orville Bunker, M.D. Family Practice
T. Y. Chan, D.O. Internal Medicine
Min Pak, M.D. Family Practice
Mureema Solberg, M.D. Family Practice
Zack Alexander, M.D., CCD Family Practice
Duane Jolivette, M.D. Family Practice
Andrew Cope, D.O. Family Practice
Jeff Olson, DPM Foot/Ankle Surgeon
Darryl Johnson, OBGYN
Nicole Ferguson, D.O. Family Practice
Luke Perrin, M.D. Family Practice
Tara Gravenstine, M.D. Family Practice with OB
Laurie Siddall, ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
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Jodi Holloway. ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Kelsey Tish, ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Sarah Neal ARNP, Urgent Care
Christy Lester, ARNP, Urgent Care
Past
Our roots were established as far back as the 1920s. The providers of Newton Clinic have been caring for this community for more than 80 years.
Present
We want to make you better when you are sick, keep you healthy when you are well, help you grow your family when a little one is on the way, and help you say goodbye in peace when your journey is done.
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Future
Our clinic continues to grow to meet your needs. Whether you want a male provider or a female one, a new graduate or a veteran doc, we have the right health-care provider for you.
Always
Every patient has a choice. Thank you for turning to Newton Clinic. Thank you for letting us treat you... like family.
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