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Page 12 Oxford Hills Observer April 2013 www.turnerpublishing.net NewsBites Thanks to our Volunteers for Being Lifesavers! Did you know that SeniorsPlus has 594 volunteers who gave us 33,810 hours of their lifesaving time this last year? Without these “lifesavers”, Meals on Wheels would not be cooked, and packaged. There would be no one to deliver the meals. The LunchPlus Cafes would have no hosts. Also, there would be no speakers for the Education Center, so therefore, no classes. No Tax and Rent assistance for anyone. Only a small portion of the people helped with Medicare questions. Our Board of Directors and Advisory Council would cease to exist. Because no data was entered, evaluations tabulated and mailings sent out, our reports would not be done on time The bottom line – the work of SeniorsPlus could not be done without our volunteers. They are lifesavers to SeniorsPlus. Ultimately, they are lifesavers to all those aging in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. Because we have so few staff to serve the 3 counties, they are making it possible for us to do our jobs… and help improve the lives of all of you. Thank you, thank you, volunteers, for being our lifesavers! More Lifesavers Needed! Join the team of volunteers at SeniorsPlus. Our current needs include Meals on Wheels kitchen assistants, LunchPlus Café hosts, Meals on Wheels delivery people, Medicare counselors and educators for a Chronic Disease Self-Management class. Please contact SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 to apply. Thank you. Aging & Disability Resource Center for Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties 8 Falcon Rd. Lewiston, ME 04240 www.seniorsplus.org Community Kitchen Gets Donation Kristin Benedix, Executive Director of The Progress Center in Norway, accepts a $1,600 check from Debbie Sample, representing the Gannett Foundation and WCSH6. Gannett and WCSH6 support the efforts of the Oxford Hills Community Kitchen in providing free meals to those in need in the greater Oxford Hills region of Maine. The Progress Center, located in Norway, is both proud and honored to be the recipient of $1,600 in grant funding from the Gannett Foundation and WCSH6 to support the Oxford Hills Community Table. The generosity of We Highly Recommend Quality Blue Seal Feeds www.parisfarmersunion.net the Gannett Foundation will benefit many as we continue to help provide food security within the greater Oxford Hills region. Debbie Sample, Community Relations Director at WCHS, said, “We felt that the Oxford BRIDGTON 647-2383 Hills Community Table served the needs of several different populations in the area. Giving people a place to meet and be together as well as providing a meal. We were also impressed with the number of people served through this organization.” She added, “The social interaction between diverse groups serves a great need. This was really brought home to me on my visit when I heard about a senior couple being regarded as surrogate grandparents to one of the clients of The Progress Center. The experience is so valuable for everyone involved.” Kristin Benedix, Executive Director for the Progress Center said, “We want to thank the Gannett Foundation for recognizing not only the need within the greater Oxford Hills community, but also for their willingness to help us in our effort to provide free JAY 897-3333 LEWISTON 783-1366 NEWPORT 368-4329 AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE Customizable Insurance Solutions for Health, Life, Disability & Long Term Care Important Update On All Out Top Quality 45# +/- Fast Growing, Long & Lean Spring Piglet Orders! Order forms online or in store. Portland, So. Paris, Bridgton and No. Conway Order by May 3rd for May 16th pick-up. Newport, Jay, Winthrop, Turner & Lewiston Order by May 10th for May 23rd pick-up. PORTLAND 797-3151 SOUTH PARIS 743-8960 TURNER 225-2525 meals for our friends and neighbors through the Oxford Hills Community Table. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of many.” The Oxford Hills Community Table, located at 35 Cottage Street in Norway, prepares and serves meals on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings of every month from 4:30- 6:00. Lunches are available on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 11:00- 12:30. Although there is no cost for the meals, donations are always appreciated. For information on the how to make a donation to the Oxford Hills Community Table or for information on the Oxford Hills Community Kitchen, please contact Lee Barker at 743-8049 ext 301. For information on The Progress Center please call Priscilla Burnette at 743- 8049 ext 266. n WINTHROP 377-2614 NO. CONWAY, NH 603-356-5669 MIDDLEBURY, VT 802-388-3139 Call Dan Adams at 207-539-8578 Licensed Insurance Agent 421163
April 2013 Oxford Hills Observer Page 13 www.turnerpublishing.net The Healthy Geezer By Fred Cicetti Q. I usually get a bit light-headed when I stand, but this feeling is much worse when I get up from the dinner table. I don’t drink. Any ideas? There’s a possibility you have “postprandial hypotension,” or, in layman’s language, low blood pressure after a meal. This is a senior malady; few younger people experience this. Other possible symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and fainting. I recommend going to a doctor to have your symptoms checked. When you eat, blood pours into your digestive system. To maintain your blood pressure, your heart pumps more often and your blood vessels constrict. But these compensatory mechanisms don’t work for some people. To help prevent postprandial hypotension, eat small portions several times a day and limit highcarbohydrate foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. There’s another form of low blood pressure called “postural hypotension” that affects some people when they stand up. Also called “orthostatic hypotension,” this is especially common in older adults who are more likely to use high blood pressure drugs. When you experience postural hypotension, blood pools in your legs. Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs for high blood pressure, surgical medications, antianxiety agents, diuretics, heart medicines, antidepressants, narcotic painkillers and alcohol. Other causes of low blood pressure include dehydration, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, shock from infection, stroke, severe allergic reaction, major trauma, heart attack and advanced diabetes. The effects of hypotension can lead to falls, which can be serious for seniors. Here are some pointers for avoiding the dangers of low blood pressure: When arising, let your feet hang over the side of your bed. Then flex your toes up and down about a dozen times. Stand up slowly. Count to 10 before you start walking. This is a good idea whenever you get up from lying or sitting for more than 20 minutes. Crossing your legs while sitting upright may also help increase blood pressure Some experts define low blood pressure as readings lower than 90 systolic (the first number) or 60 diastolic (the second number). However, low blood pressure is relative, so doctors often define blood pressure as too low only if there are symptoms. In many instances, low blood pressure isn’t serious. Wiles Garage & Body Shop 65 Years in Business YOUR ONE STOP SHOP! HOP! However, it is important to see your doctor if you have hypotension symptoms, because they sometimes can point to serious problems. Chronic low blood pressure may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s-type dementia in some older adults. Low blood pressure without symptoms rarely requires treatment. In symptomatic cases, doctors address the primary problems such as heart failure. When hypotension is druginduced, treatment usually involves altering the drug regimen. It is possible to raise blood pressure when that is required. Here are some ways: • Eating more salt. However, too much sodium can cause heart failure, especially among seniors. Don’t increase your salt without consulting with your doctor. • Drink more water. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration. • Compression stockings used to treat varicose veins may help reduce the pooling of blood in your legs. • There are also medications your doctor may prescribe. If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How to be a Healthy Geezer” at www. healthygeezer.com. n Junior Achievement of Maine: 25 Bibs for 2013 TD Beach to Beacon Road Race In 2010 Junior Achievement of Maine was named the beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon Race, because of this JA of Maine has been given the opportunity to purchase 25 bibs and sell them in exchange for fundraising. We are asking our runners to raise a minimum of $350 to support our finan- cial literacy and work readiness programs we provide schools across the State free of charge. Fundraising is simple; runners can create a donation page by using our fundraising platform, FirstGiving. This allows runners to create a page and receive secure donations on-line. We have al- ready sold a handful of bibs, so don’t wait if you are interested in running! Those interested in a Beach to Beacon bib should contact Michelle Anderson at 347-4333 or email at manderson@jamaine.org For more information, visit our website at www.jamaine. org. n FREE INSURANCE ESTIMATES •Alignments •Oil Changes •Transmissions •Brakes Kevin Wiles, Owner •Body Work 246 Main St., Norway • 743-8482 • 1-800-540-8482 Wiles First Lady LePage Cuts Ribbon On New Caring Alzheimer’s Facility First Lady Anne LePage makes comments to the public with Julie and Mike Benecke of Bedside Manor at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting held March 20th. With Maine’s aging population, one of the toughest challenges a family can encounter is Alzheimer’s. More than 5 million Americans currently have the disease. By 2025, that number is expected to balloon to over 7 million. Unlike heart disease or diabetes, Alzheimer’s can’t be treated with diet and exercise. Treatments and medications for Alzheimer’s continue to be few and far between. It has been said that while this disease is deadly for the victim, it’s devastating for the family. Th e diffi - culty of caring for a person they love, while simultaneously watching them deteriorate can be relenting as things that used to take a few minutes can take all day. Ultimately turning into situations where the home is just no longer suitable or safe for the care of patients. Julie Benecke of Bedside Manor in Oakland, Maine has seen this devastation twice in her lifetime; First with her Grandmother and now currently with her own mother. Despite every eff ort to fi nd the best long term care, she found herself disillusioned with every option available for her mom. So she and her family built their own. “Bedside Manor has allowed us to fi ght back against Alzheimer’s disease and create something positive out of this personal experience with our Hero, our mom. We know fi rst-hand the stress, frustration, exhaustion, anxiety and overall sadness families and caregivers go through when caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” says Benecke. “Our promise at Bedside Manor is to treat our resident’s as family and to make every day special for them.” When someone in your life has Alzheimer’s, the questions keep coming. We help you fi nd answers. Long-Term Residential Care Respite Care Adult Day Service 207-465-2527 www.BedsideManorCare.com Bedside Manor was visited by First Lady Anne LePage to celebrate their grand opening on March 20th. “I’m so impressed with what this family has done in creating Bedside Manor. Th ey have taken the level of care they want for their own mother and are now off ering it to other families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Th is is the ultimate gift of love to not only their mother, but to the people of Maine,” said Anne LePage. In addition to long term care, Bedside Manor also off ers Respite Care to help families struggling with the disease as it progresses. If you or a friend are facing challenges due to Alzheimer’s, the staff at Bedside Manor are eager to discuss how they might be of service. Th ey can be reached at 207-465-2527 or at their website, www.bedsidemanorcare.com.
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