SENIOR Lifestyles
Open Season Newton Village staff get creative to keep residents engaged page 4
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 2
Innovative fitness programs for seniors It is important to stay active and eat healthy foods in an effort to promote fitness and well-being. This is especially true for seniors, many of whom lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles as they age. The American Heart Association says adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, and a Harvard University study says that exercise can be an insurance policy for heart health. Today’s seniors have
more fitness options at their disposal than ever before. SilverSneakers® is the leading community fitness program for older adults in the United States. SilverSneakers® members can participate in specially curated programs at participating gyms and community centers across the nation. According to the organization, there are more participating fitness locations available than there are Starbucks coffee establishments. FITNESS | 10
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 3
Recommended vaccines for adults
Caren Clevenger 641-792-5999
status should discuss their health history with their doctors. In the meantime, adults should know that the following vaccines are recommended for people of various ages. • Influenza: An annual flu shot is highly recommended. Doctors and health officials indicate that getting the flu vaccine is the single most effective way to prevent seasonal flu or reduce the duration and severity of the illness should it be contracted. • Tdap: This vaccine contains strains of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). All three are implicated in serious illnesses or death, according to WebMD. Just about every person, young and old, should receive the Tdap vaccine. The CDC says that every adult should get
the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent. Then a Td booster shot every 10 years is sufficient. • Shingles: People who have been exposed to varicella (chicken pox) in their youth are at risk for shingles as they grow older. The CDC says nearly one out of three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. A shingles vaccine can protect against shingles and complications from the disease. Adults who are 50 and older should get the vaccine, which is administered in two doses. • Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): This vaccine protects against serious pneumococcal diseases, including meningitis and bloodstream infections. It is recommended for all adults age 65
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Newborn babies endure quite a bit in the first few days and months of their lives. Routine immunizations help newborns overcome these obstacles, and as newborns get old they receive vaccines to prevent measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, and chicken pox. A common misconception suggests that vaccines are only for the young. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the protection provided by some childhood vaccines can wear off. In addition, some people may be at risk for certain vaccine-preventable diseases due to lifestyle, existing health conditions and age. As a result, it’s important for adults to make sure their vaccines are up-to-date. Those who are unsure of their vaccine
and older. • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 13): This protects against serious pneumococcal disease and pneumonia.
Adults 65 years or older who have never received a dose of PCV13 should discuss PCV13 with their physicians. Vaccines protect the
very young from various diseases, but there are many vaccines that are still vital to health in adulthood. — Metro Photo
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 4
Keeping residents connected, engaged during pandemic By Pam Pratt Newton News Keeping the residents engaged at Newton Village during the pandemic has required staff to get creative all while keeping them safe. Newton Village Activities Director Michele Jansen said they have tried several ways to keep residents connected with family and people outside the facility. Many residents took advantage of outdoor and window visits during the warmer months. “We spent much time enjoying the weather outside when we had nice summer and fall
days sitting under the shade tree,” Jansen said. Executive director Angela Adam said they are trying to remain creative to still allow residents to safely see family members now that the weather doesn’t allow these outdoor visits. “We are in the process of reconfiguring an entrance area so it can be used for warm visits even when the county positivity rate is high,” she said. Technology also helped to keep family connected via Zoom and FaceTime calls. Families can also share photos to loved ones by a Happy Grams web link. For
Submitted Photos Residents participate in holiday-themed activities at Newton Village. Staff have been working to keep the residents engaged and connected during the pandemic.
Christmas, greetings were sent to family using the One Day app. Newton Village’s internal television channel has also been a key component to providing entertainment during the pandemic. “Our chaplain recorded Bible study and chapel. Our Village Sneakers exercise was recorded and continues to play daily,” Jansen said. “Activity staff and residents recorded sing-alongs, piano and guitar music that could be enjoyed in their rooms.” They also were able to play recorded entertainment from groups who typically come to New-
Submitted Photo A Newton Village resident takes aim at a “deer” during the Open season activity. Staff borrowed the idea from a viral Facebook video to help entertain residents during the pandemic.
ton Village. Jansen said some of the favorites were the Tintinnabulation bell choir and David Goos recorded Christmas programs. They also received personalized video tours from the Jasper County Museum, Van Manen Farms and the Iowa Quilting Museum. Staff also provided photo slideshows from different attractions across the state like the Bridges of Madison County and activities closer to home like the Jasper County Fair.
Staff hopes to keep residents engaged by creating different kinds of activities to enjoy. “We created ‘Leisure Room Service’ door tags. Residents could mark if they needed word searches, magazines, puzzles, etc.,” Jansen said. Staff also arranged a group activity based on a viral post on Facebook. Residents were invited to participate in an Open Season hunt. “Staff chipped in Nerf ‘guns’ and camo for our residents to use,” Jansen said. “A few brave staff volunteered to be deer that braved being shot at with the nerf ‘bullets’ and staff from other departments also helped with reloading the Nerf blasters.” The residents really
had fun with the event, filling the room with smiles and laughter behind their masks. “This quote sums it up the best — ‘The old man used to say that the best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back.’ Robert Ruark,” Jansen said. These activities helped boost the morale of both the residents and staff as they continue to navigate the pandemic. Staff tried to be creative since March to keep things fun for the residents including arranging several different dress up days. Staff dressed at superheroes, Disney characters and to get the Christmas spirit, Christmas trees and more.
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 5
Residents have also been able to utilize hospitality carts where staff hands out items such as flowers from 4-H groups or tulips from Pella. They were able to play Village Wheel of Fortune and get various treats that had a clever message attached. Jansen said Newton Village now has its own mobile ice cream truck that is stocked to hand out frozen treats to residents at their doors. Safety has been the number one priority since things shut down last spring. Like most all facilities, Newton Village stepped up its cleaning and disinfecting routines and also encouraged social distancing and wearing masks. Staff took the extra step and wore face shields while working.
To help residents with some basic shopping needs, staff offered what Jasen called the “Village Mini Mart Cart” which was kept stocked with candy, chips, toiletries, bread, milk, pop and juice. “For special requests we made a grocery list that they could fill out that we could go out to purchase for them to limit their exposure out in the community,” Jansen said. There is hope on the horizon as Adam said the first on-site vaccination clinic came to Newton Village Jan. 22. It’s just one more step to help keep some of the most vulnerable people safe from COVID-19. “We’ve been very fortunate throughout this pandemic in that we
have not had any health center residents test positive so far and other positives in the building have been isolated cases,” Adam said. As the pandemic moves on, the staff and residents want to be sure to acknowledge the people who have helped along the way. With the facility closed to the public, they have received plenty of support from people in the community wanting to do what they could to help. “A special thank you to everyone who made cloth masks, sent notes of encouragement to staff and residents, food and tokens of appreciation,” Jansen said. Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com
Submitted Photo Newton Village residents participate in an indoor “snow ball fight” by taking turns throwing balls of cotton around the room or at staff members.
Submitted Photo A Newton Village celebrates his success during the Open Season event at Newton Village. Staff members dressed in deer costumes and allowed residents to have a fun deer hunt in December.
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 7
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 8
Why routine checkups are vital to overall health
Regular visits with a medical professional are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Too often people visit the doctor only when they are ill, as they may not realize just how essential well visits and physical exams are. Routine checkups are the smartest way for people in all age groups to stay on top of their health, but they can be especially valuable for those age 50 and older. Regular checkups enable physicians to check current health against past visits, ensur-
ing that any anomalies can be investigated and treated efficiently and promptly. This can make the difference in slowing down the progression of a disease that has already developed or prevent something from becoming a full-fledged issue. The Mayo Clinic says there are no hard and fast rules about how often seniors should visit health care providers. Those who are in generally good health may only require one medical checkup a year. At this point vital signs will
be checked, medications reviewed and lifestyle topics discussed. Doctors may even recommend or discuss tests. Patients also can bring up any issues they may be experiencing, however insignificant they may seem. Anything from sleep disturbances to memory loss to unexplained fatigue or pain can be addressed. Sometimes getting everything out in the open and being reassured that there’s nothing to worry about can be helpful. HEALTH | 10
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 9
The facts about osteoporosis Osteoporosis is often seen as a problem for the elderly, and the National Osteoporosis Foundation notes that being over 50 is a major risk factor for osteoporosis. But that doesn’t mean people younger than 50 can’t develop the disease. The misconception that osteoporosis exclusively afflicts aging men and women only highlights the need to learn more about the disease. — Metro Creative
What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Because people cannot feel their bones weakening, osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease,” notes the NOF. Despite its silence, osteoporosis is a serious threat, increasing a person’s risk for bone breaks from falls.
What happens to bones when a person has osteoporosis? The NOF notes that, under a microscope, healthy bones look like a honeycomb. When a person has osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are considerably larger than in healthy bones. Osteoporotic bones are not as dense as healthy bones, and as they become less dense, they weaken and are more susceptible to breaks.
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis? Is osteoporosis common? Osteoporosis is common across the globe. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women over age 50 and one in five men over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures.
The NOF categorizes risk factors for osteoporosis as uncontrollable and controllable. Uncontrollable risk factors include age, family history, low body weight (being small and thin), and a history of broken bones. Gender also is an uncontrollable risk factor, as women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis. In fact, the NOF notes that a woman’s risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Controllable risk factors for osteoporosis include not eating enough fruits and vegetables; consuming too much protein, sodium and caffeine; a sedentary lifestyle; smoking; and excessive consumption of alcohol. Insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake is another controllable risk factor for osteoporosis. Speak with a physician about osteoporosis and the role that diet and exercise can play in prevention. Osteoporosis affects people across the globe. Taking steps to reduce your risk for osteoporosis can prevent broken bones and other negative side effects of this disease.
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 10
Fitness Continued from Page 2 Classes are fit for everyone, no matter their experience level. Those concerned about gym costs may find that SilverS-
neakers already is included in their Medicare Advantage plan for no additional cost. Plus, there is access to healthy living discounts from participating businesses. Canada has begun to develop its own senior-centric fitness programs. The Healthy,
Safe and Strong group exercise program is an introduction to safe exercises available for adults age 60 and older in the province of Ontario. The program can help develop better stamina, maintain or improve balance and increase strength and endurance. StrongerU
Health Continued from Page 8 General care and geriatric doctors also are adept at asking questions to get a sense of how patients are faring in the world. This may include topics that seemingly have no relevance to health but can be quite important. A provider may ask about topics such as bathing or dressing. Questions about social interaction or typical routines can paint a better picture of both physical and mental health. The recommended frequency of doctor visits may change as health issues arise or if follow-up is needed after a treatment plan or injury, according to the caregiver company Home Care Assistance. Some seniors may have
Senior Fitness is a relatively new program of pre-choreographed group fitness offering instruction in four program types: cardio, strength training, stretching, and circuit training. The program addresses a need in Canada for quality and consistent senior
to visit a provider once a week or once a month. Doctors, nurses and therapists will design a regimen based on a patient’s current health needs. The following are some compelling reasons to be diligent with provider visits. • Frequently health issues can be silent and not noticed early on by a patient, according to Mercy Medical Center in Balti-
fitness programing. As studies show that engaging in physical activity is the most effective way for aging men and women to stay healthy, more adults may be compelled to join fitness groups that cater to the 50-and-over market. — Metro Photo
more. • Patients will be less likely to forget about important screenings, like mammography, prostate tests, cholesterol tests, and more. • Vaccines can be administered, as even adults need certain immunizations to stay healthy. • Patients can discuss potential lifestyle changes, like going on a diet or taking up a new fitness
regimen. It is essential to follow through with health care provider visits, even if they seem redundant. Physicians may detect issues that warrant close observation. Patients are urged to have an open dialogue with their doctors so they understand the reason behind health care visits and expectations in the future. — Metro Photo
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Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 – Page 11
How to travel even if you have limited mobility Many people dream of traveling the world in retirement. Such dreams come true every day. But many more retirees or people nearing retirement fear that their dreams of seeing the world won’t be possible due to mobility issues beyond their control. Thankfully, such fears are largely unwarranted. Various conditions can affect men and women’s mobility. Many such issues tend to arise after age 50, prompting many people to believe their post-retirement travel plans will never come to fruition. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD; and heart disease may make it hard for people to travel. But that difficulty doesn’t mean aging men and women should resign themselves to a sedentary lifestyle. Though they might require a little extra effort before boarding a plane for parts unknown, the following are a handful of ways that aging men and women with limited mobility can reap the rewards of traveling.
• Contact airlines or other transportation companies if you require special accommodations. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that passengers are generally not required to provide advanced notice for disability-related accommodations. However, it makes sense to provide such notice anyway. By doing so, men and women with limited mobility can ensure they will have adequate assistance during their trips. When made
or trains.
• Contact hotels directly. Each country has its own laws regarding how to accommodate people with physical disabilities or mobility issues, so don’t leave things to chance.
aware of passengers’ mobility issues, airlines or other travel companies may arrange for wheelchairs to be available at the gates or train platforms so passengers can easily make connecting flights and trains. In addition, advance notice gives companies a chance to provide seating accommodations that can make for a more enjoyable trip.
• Contact security agencies. Security is part of modern travel, so travelers, especially those traveling by air, should expect to go through security checkpoints during their trips. Travelers with limited mobility should contact the security agencies in their home
country as well as those in any country they plan to visit to get an idea of what they can expect. Knowing these guidelines in advance can help peo-
ple with limited mobility determine if they should arrive extra early so they can make it through security checkpoints in time to make their flights
Before booking a hotel room abroad, travelers with limited mobility should contact the hotel directly to confirm that it can accommodate their needs. Men and women with limited mobility can still enjoy the wonders of travel, even if it requires some extra effort before embarking on their trips. — Metro Creative
Senior Lifestyles • Spring 2021 –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
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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.
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon Same-day appointments always available!
(641) 792-2112 • 300 N. 4th Ave. E., Newton www.newtonclinic.com www.facebook.com/newtonclinic