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Page 16 – Kerby News – August 2013Healthy aging with a little help from intergenerational friendsEye-brain-body therapy with a partner improves balance for seniors; nonprofit founder reviews benefitsBy Ginny GrimsleyTwo major areas connectedto overall healththat are too frequentlyoverlooked, particularlyfor those aged 65 andolder, are visual capabilityand social connectedness.“Physical and mentalattributes are intimatelyconnected, and what manyReal EstateMortgagesWills & EstatesPowers of AttorneyPersonal Directives(Living wills)Notary PublicDependant AdultCorporations❑❑❑YouDeservethe Best!do not realize is that balanceis 20 percent basedon vision. There are multipleways of testing this,but perhaps the most simpleis to stand on one leg,and then try to do so withyour eyes closed. Whenyour eyes are closed, yourvestibular system, whichcontrols your body’s bal-ance, begins to workovertime,” says KarenPeterson, a therapist withmultiple certifications,and creator of the newbook and video series,“Move With Balance:Healthy Aging Activitiesfor Brain and Body,”(www.MoveWithBalance.org). She’s also the founderand director of GivingBack, a nonprofit organizationthat creates and distributesprograms that supportsenior health.“Seniors of all ages, 55to 105, need to continuallywork on improving theirbalance, coordination,strength, vision and cognitiveskills,” says Peterson,who has been teachingvision, brain and kinesiologicalmodalities to children,We provide a broad range of personal and health careservices for all levels of retirement living. From privateindependent suites to care center rooms. WentworthManor provides a secure, supportive environment allowingyou to establish a home for years to come so thatyou can “Age-In-Place.”WENTWORTH MANOR - THE RESIDENCE• Independent, Assisted Living• Studio or One-Bedroom SuitesWENTWORTH MANOR - THE COURT• Long term care centerSome of our amenitiesHome and Hospital Visits availableOver 30 years experiencePh: 403-270-7290 Fax: 403-270-7218DEREK L. JOHNSON BA,, LLB.Barrister Solicitor Notary#221, 1632 - 14th Ave. N.W.North Hill Centre (Professional Centre)Calgary, Alberta T2N 1M7dljlaw@shaw.ca 5.6 acres of park-like grounds including walking paths Unrestricted city views Chef prepared meals & healthy snacks Happy hour with live entertainment Daily recreation and leisure activities Free shuttle coach to local malls & day trips in & out of townWentworth Manor in Christie Park5717-14th Avenue SWCall for your personal tour403-242-5005Virtual tours at www.wentworthmanor.combusinesspeople, athletes,classroom teachers andadults of all ages since 1987.“When they do, they’re lesslikely to fall and more ableto enjoy life.”In 2005, she expandedher program to focus onelders; specifically, toencourage active andyounger seniors to buddyup with frail elder seniorsfor exercising eye-brainbodyconnections.“Some folks reach a milestoneage and recognize thatthey need to get active and,after only a short while,they actually feel younger.We’ve encouraged thesefolks to mentor other seniorswho haven’t taken thatstep,” Peterson says.“Members from differentgenerations have partneredSuccess Story- Our Aging in Place Philosophy“I am very happy and enjoyed livingin the Residence for seven years.After two falls and a hip operation,my care requirements increased.Since then, I have required the longterm care provided in the Court.The staff throughout are most helpfuland caring.” - Annie Ballyk, ResidentWentworth Manor is a division ofThe Brenda Strafford Foundation.The Foundation wasestablished in 1975 andis a RegisteredCanadian Charitable Organization.As a charity, the Foundationdirects all funds to theservice of humanity.in training, and it’s aninteresting learning experiencefor both parties.”Performed by a registerednurse and Dr. Lorrin Pang,Director of the MauiDistrict Health Office, theMoving With Balance program,headquartered inHawaii, has provided plentyof positive data. Theobjective is to reduce thenumber of falls in elderlywho are institutionalized,many with cognitivedeficits. The study wasdesigned to compare thenumber of falls in thegroup doing the Move WithBalance exercises to thenumber of falls in thoseserving as controls (noexercise). While the multiyearstudy is in the peerreviewprocess, data showsa statistically significantreduction in falls in the targetgroup – 38 percent.Peterson reviews thebenefits of pairing with atraining buddy while practicingexercises that facilitateeye-brain-body cohesion,and stresses theimportance of vision exercise.Vision gives the nervoussystem updated informationabout the positionof body parts in relation toeach other and the environment.With that informationwe judge distances,avoid obstacles and controlour balance. Visualinformation goes directlyto the midbrain, where itbecomes part of the sensorymotor pathway. Thisinformation lets us knowand control where we arein space. When people getolder, they tend to losetheir control of this seeingbasedsystem that providesspatial orientation. Withone in three seniors experiencinga significant fallthis year, visual-spatialexercises are an importantmeasure for prevention.Working with a partner istremendously beneficial formany of these exercises.Not only does it help withstructure, consistency ofschedule and morale, manyof Peterson’s exercises callfor coordinated movementsand fast reaction times,including ball tosses.Partners can help cue andcoach, and they providesecurity for seniors afraidto challenge themselves forfear of falling.Successful execution ofthese exercises indicatesgood brain processing ability,which is necessary forcognitive skills and balance,Peterson says.