Age-Friendly Houlton

Learn more about home care options that help older adults age in place tomorrow at 1p - the Putnam House welcomes everyone!

Research tells us that most older adults want to "age in place" - in their own homes, in their own communities. But sometimes we need a little extra help to make that possible, which is where home care comes in.

Join Brenda McGillicuddy from the Aroostook Agency on Aging for an informative hour-long session on the options available if you or a loved one needs a helping hand to remain safe, healthy, and independent at home. Brenda has a welath of experience in supporting older adults in southern Aroostook County with these issues...it should be a terrific session!

Hope to see you tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1 - all are welcome!

From April 1 to 7, we bring attention to the risks of medication mismanagement. Older adults often take multiple medications – 44% of men and 57% of women age 65 or older take five or more prescription medications (https://blog.cureatr.com/polypharmacy-in-older-adults-statistics-that-help-tell-the-story #:~:text=An%20estimated%2044%25%20of%20men,polypharmacy%20is%20most%20frequently%20defined), a situation referred to as polypharmacy. Keeping track of this number of medications is challenging for anyone, so it’s important to take a few simple steps to ensure that you use your medications the right way, at the right times.

The Eldercare Locator program offers a quick tip sheet with guidelines for safe use of your medications at https://eldercare.acl.gov/public/resources/brochures/docs/Older_Adults_and_Medication_Safety.pdf, and the Family Caregiver Alliance has a great guide to medications and aging for family members, who are a key source of assistance for many older adults at https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver%CA%BCs-guide-medications-and-aging/. In addition, many pharmacies offer a pill pack service - all of your morning pills are in one little packet, for example, eliminating the need for an older adult or caregiver to access multiple bottles of pills and keep them all straight. For individuals experiencing cognitive changes, a locked automatic pill dispenser can increase as-directed use.

And it’s always a good idea to do regular medication reviews with your primary care provider – there’s a heightened risk of drug interactions for older adults that see multiple medical providers, especially when they use different systems for patient records. This review is also the perfect time to discuss the possibility of medication management services from a visiting nurse or other health care professional – many people find these programs very helpful in keeping on top of their prescriptions.

Big changes -- and new energy! -- at the Putnam House: A Center for Seniors.

Consider a a $10 annual membership to support this terrific community resource!

Putnam House Senior Center under new leadership It has been a difficult few years for the Putnam House Senior Center, but a new influx of volunteers hopes to bring the group to new heights.

There really, truly is a day that celebrates almost everything...and cleaning out your fridge is no exception!

Did you know that the Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International found that meat and vegetable drawers were the dirtiest spots in the typical kitchen? And with the holiday season approaching, there's no better time to get things cleaned up and ready to load up with pies, eggnog, and lots of turkey dinner leftovers!

Expects on fridge cleaning recommend that you clean your fridge every week or two. A good rule of thumb is to take on this task before you go grocery shopping, a habit that not only makes room for the new groceries but prevents you from over shopping. And when you fill back up, make sure that the fridge is set at a temperature of no more than 40°F or below to keep food safe.

How cool is this free class, offered by our friends at the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District on November 25?

Class size is limited, so express interest early!

Age-Friendly Houlton and the Putnam House: A Center for Seniors are joining forces to help members of our community who live in long-term care facilities celebrate the holidays.

Holidays can be an emotional time for many older folks, especially those without local family to share in the festivities. A survey carried out by AARP in 2017 found that 28 percent of U.S. adults ages 50 and older report that they’ve felt lonely during a holiday season over the past five years. Work in other Age-Friendly communities here in Maine tells us that a small gift - and a personalized card - means so much to older people who may feel especially disconnected during this time of year.

Our goal is to raise funds to allow every resident of our local nursing homes (approximately 150 folks) to receive a small present -- and to send each a personalized holiday card. Your monetary donation allows us to purchase those gifts; we're hoping to collect enough "spare" cards via donation so that we don't need to purchase these.

Monetary donations welcomed via GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/b56ef8f2) or drop off monetary and cards donation in person at the Putnam House (Monday & Friday 10a-3p; Wednesday 12-5p).

Thank you for considering a donation to this worthy cause...and for sharing a little bit of the season's joy with others.

Mark your calendar for this Friday, November 11, at 1p!

As we head toward the holiday season, online scammers are hard at work thinking of clever ways to dupe gift-givers into their schemes. Most of these scams involve getting you to share personal information or click on links that download malware to your device.

Join us at the Putnam House this Friday, November 11, to learn more about how these schemes work...and what you can do to avoid them!

Join the folks at the Putnam House (48 Court St.) on Friday at 1p to head off on a fun and exciting travel adventure!

Last time, we ventured to Iceland....where will we go this time? Just for fun, make your guess about a destination below and then come find out how close you are!

See you Friday at 1p -- everyone welcome!

Age-Friendly Houlton acknowledges that we live and work on the unceded, traditional land of the Wabanaki Peoples, specifically the Maliseet People, original stewards of the land, past and present. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Maliseet tribe.

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day -- a time to recognize how Native Americans have fought to safeguard land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across the generations...and in the face of colonization, discrimination, and invisibility.

We don't believe it's possible to be "age-friendly" without being inclusive and respectful of all people, without building and fostering relationships with others, including the first inhabitants of this land. We believe that it is critical for Age-Friendly Houlton to exist in an environment where we can explore, learn, and communicate with our Maliseet neighbors on issues that make us, together, a more vibrant and welcoming community.

The statement at the beginning of this post is a land acknowledgment. Acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture. Acknowledgments move us toward inviting and honoring the truth.

Before contact with Europeans, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians occupied much of what is now considered the eastern border line of the U.S. and Canada in northern New England.

The Maliseets are river people who have traditionally been hunters and gatherers in the St. John River basin, of which the Meduxnekeag is a tributary. The river itself is prized for its brook and brown trout populations. Currently, HBMI has farm and commercial land holdings that border a significant amount of the Meduxnekeag, a critical link in preserving tribal practices, traditions and history.

To see a visual representation of how American expansion led to land loss for Indigenous people, check out this animated map that shows changes from 1776-1930: https://videopress.com/v/H8kcZsLW

Given the anticipated high costs of heating homes this winter, we were so glad to learn that Efficiency Maine is introducing a new program designed to help homeowners with expenses related to winterization. The DIY WInter Prep Rebate offers Maine residents up to $100 in rebates for purchases of weather stripping; window and door caulking; spray foam sealant; window insulation shrink kits; pipe insulation; duct insulation; duct sealing; tank wrap; and foam board insulation.

These small things can make a big difference in your heating bills...so consider taking advantage of this great offer! More details below!

DIY Winter Prep Rebate - Efficiency Maine $100 DIY Winter Prep Rebate Get your home ready for winter with a limited-time offer of up to $100 for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Eligible products are weather stripping; window and door caulking; spray foam sealant; window insulation shrink kits; pipe insulation; duct insulation; duct sealing;....

Some big-hearted person decided that today should be National Do Something Nice Day...and while we think every day should be Do Something Nice Day, we're gonna roll with it!

Research behind performing acts of kindness has shown health benefits, such as the release of oxytocin, which is a hormone that helps lower the blood pressure and reduce anxiety. Other reports include participants who say they have more energy after being kind and that generous people are more likely to be happy themselves. Plus, older people who volunteer to help others are less likely to report aches and pains and they are 44% less likely to die early.

So do something nice today. Buy coffee for the person behind you at Dunkin or Tim's. Tell someone what you admire about them. Take a neighbor some homemade bread or cookies. Donate some much needed supplies to the Ark Animal Sanctuary, Houlton Humane Society, or A Life Line.

Even better, let us know if you'd like to volunteer with Age-Friendly at future events...email us at [email protected] to get on our list and to be notified about upcoming ways that you can do something nice!

This week is the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week...and there's no time like now to make sure that you're taking steps to eliminate fire risk in your home.

The Fire Prevention Week website (https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week) includes great tips for mitigating the danger of fire, including lots of fun activities for the whole family.

And the U.S. Fire Administration offers a terrific online booklet that highlights specific steps older adults can take to increase their fire safety. Check it out at: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_221.pdf

Be safe, especially as we head into colder weather and begin to use heating sources, which account for many fires here in northern Maine.

Although Change a Light Day started out in 2005 as a way to encourage people to save energy by switching from incandescent to LED lightbulbs, most of us have made that transition now.

So instead, we'd like to make two lightbulb-changing suggestions:

1. Check in with older friends and family to make sure that they can safely and easily change lightbulbs in overhead lights...and if they can't, offer to help them. (This is one of those activities that's easy to take for granted. And poorly-lit spaces can be hazardous for anyone!)

2. Check the CRI -- Color Rendering Index -- of LED lightbulbs and aim for a value of 80 or higher. Older folks often have trouble distinguishing between blues, purples, and greens, which can decrease contrast in text and images and make it harder to read. As a result, providing the most accurate color rendering at light fixtures near desks, reading chairs, office spaces, and hobby or craft tables will make it easier for everyone to see differences between hues.

It's a perfect day for a yard sale...and the folks at the Putnam House: A Center for Seniors are out at 48 Court Street with a huge selection of treasures...most of which are by donation.

Plus, there's a big pot of fresh tomato soup on...yum!

Come on by and support the great folks who are working hard to create an age-friendly space for the Houlton community!

Celebrate International Coffee Day today with a cup of joe -- and know that you're doing your body good!

Research tells us that starting your day with a coffee may help prevent many age-related maladies, including dementia and heart health problems.

As you age, your blood vessels can harden, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. By supporting healthy movement of the heart’s endothelial cells, your daily cup of coffee may slow the effects of time on your cardiovascular system.

Coffee's caffeine content may also:

* Prevent age-related mild cognitive impairment and reduce the lifetime risk of developing dementia

* Reduce the risk of stoke - with just one cup a week!

* Improve mental health by boosting motivation and alertness. It may also lower the risk of mental health issues such as depression.

Moderation is key, though, as coffee consumption can affect sleep, contribute to dehydration, and interfere with certain medications, especially for older adults. Experts say that about 4 cups of coffee a day is an acceptable amount for most folks.

Learn more about the positive effects of drinking coffee and what to watch out for at
https://www.visitingangels.com/knowledge-center/senior-health-and-well-being/the-pros-and-cons-of-seniors-drinking-coffee-moderation-is-key/459

Whether it's the Beatles or Bocelli, Lizzo or Liszt, Johnny Cash or Jonny Rotten, music is an important part of life for many of us. It's hard to resist tapping your toes to a good song when it comes on WHOU 100.1 FM or your Spotify playflist.

But did you know that music is good for the heart? Studies have shown that the blood flows better when music is played. Playing music can lower the blood pressure, reduces the heart rate, decreases cortisol and promotes healthy substances in the blood.

Or that it can help with weight management? Many people don’t know that playing soft music in the background while eating (and dimming the lights) can encourage people to slow down while they are eating which, ultimately, can lead to eating less food and promoting healthier eating habits.

And that it has been proven to ease pain? Research has shown hat music can be used in healthcare situations, especially with geriatric people, to reduce the severity and intensity of pain, particularly in palliative care or intensive care patients.

Turn on some tunes and reap the benefits today!

"A little among neighbors is worth more than riches in a wilderness." - Welsh proverb

Not so long ago, the world felt like a smaller place, and everybody knew everybody else in their neighborhood. Now, many of us aren’t familiar with our neighbors, and only speak to them in passing.

But thriving communities rely on neighborliness. That's why today's been designated "National Good Neighbor Day". Take a moment to connect with your neighbor -- bake them some cookies, help clean up their yard, leave them a note letting them know that you're always there if they need anything. By being a good neighbor, we start to make the world a better place!

How much do you know about your ancestors? Did they come to the United States through Ellis Island? On the Mayflower? On a slave ship? Or were your ancestors Indigenous, here long before Europeans?

Well, today's a great day to learn more, as it is Ancestor Appreciation Day.

And did you know that Cary Library (and other public libraries throughout Maine) provide in-library access to ancestry.com? You can get online and get the goods on your forebears by going into the library and starting your very own search!

Today, our Jewish friends and neighbors mark the start of the first month of the Hebrew year with Rosh Hashanah. Ir's the beginning of the 10-day period known as the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe, that lead up to Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year.

Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” in Hebrew and, appropriately, it is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. It is observed at the start of the month of Tishrei, which is the first month of the Hebrew year. Today, we begin the year 5783!

Shana Tova - or "Good Year" - is the traditional greeting on Rosh Hashanah. And apples and honey are a traditional food during this celebration. It's delicious (try dipping a slice of local apple in some local honey, mmmmm!), but also symbolic: According to the Torah, while the Israelites wandered through the desert for 40 years, God provided them with manna, a substance described as being “like honey wafers.” Jews honor this gift from God by specifically eating honey instead of other sweeteners because it’s as old as written history.

Who doesn't like finding a little love note in the mailbox, tucked in a lunchbox, or tacked onto the fridge? We love the idea of telling the people in your life that they're important to you -- not just today, on Love Note Day, but every day!

We're also really excited about Love For Our Elders, an organization that connects older adults with penpals who send "love notes" on the first of each month. For folks who are lonely, homebound, or in a care facility, these small act of love and kindness can be so meaningful.

Go to https://loveforourelders.org/letter to find a new friend or to nominate an older adult to receive letters.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain condition and the most common form of dementia. In their honor, and with hope for the future, we mark World Alzheimer's Day.

To learn more about the 10 most common warning signs and symptoms of this disease, check out the Alzheimer's Association website, which features a wealth of information for people experiencing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia and for their caregivers.

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Boogie Woogie, Jitterbug, or the Mashed Potato -- it's up to you which you prefer, but pick one and get moving (with your best dance partner, if you have one!) on National Dance Day!

One of the reasons that National Dance Day is so important for everyone to celebrate is that dancing is a great form of exercise that can improve the physical tone of the body and help people get into shape with better flexibility, balance, coordination and spatial awareness.

Not only this, but dancing on a regular basis also has these other health benefits:

Improved heart and lung function: Dancing offers aerobic exercise which allows the heart and lungs to get worked out. In fact, people with cardiovascular disease are encouraged to dance to improve their heart and lung function.

Better mental health: The physical activity of dancing releases beneficial hormones that reduces tension, decreases stress and anxiety, and may even ward off depression.

Protection from dementia and memory loss: Aerobic exercise, including dance, can help to reduce the loss of volume in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory.

Greater confidence: People who spend time dancing often develop a greater amount of self-confidence and self-esteem. They become more confident in their ability to perform physical tasks, and they are often also likely to make friends throughout the process.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your partner and do si do!

Adult coloring has become very popular...and with good reason: it's more than just a way to make pretty pictures. It’s an artistic activity that offers not only enjoyment but also mental health benefits, including:

Improved brain function: As you color in the lines, it allows the brain to relax and keeps it from focusing on other stressful thoughts. Coloring activates different parts of the hemispheres of the brain, including logic and creativity.

A meditative state: The act of coloring can be therapeutic for some people, allowing their minds to focus so much on the picture and colors that their mind enters into a meditation state that suspends the inner dialogue.

Improved sleep: Spending some time coloring before going to sleep, instead of scrolling on a smartphone, allows the brain to relax. In addition, it keeps the eyes and brain protected from the blue light of electronic devices that can often hijack sleep.

And what better day to get out your colored pencils and coloring books and get to work than today -- National Coloring Day!

Sharing the news that KVHC is hosting flu clinics throughout the region this month, including at the Houlton facility on September 28 from 1:30-5:30p!

It may be the most wonderful day of the year -- International Chocolate Day!

And not only does chocolate taste yummy, darker varieties with more cocoa solids actually have some terrific health benefits.

Dark chocolate is loaded with polyphenolic compounds like antioxidants and flavonoids, which help protect your cells from inflammation, improve your brain function, and boost your immune and cardiovascular health. In addition, theobromine, a compound in dark chocolate, has similar effects to caffeine for boosting energy and overall morale. It helps to enhance mood and make you more alert.

So be sure to enjoy some choco....er, health benefits...today!

Today is National Grandparents' Day!

Help put a smile on your grandparents' faces by:

* Picking up the phone! Surprise your grandparents with a much-awaited phone conversation.
* Planning a day doing their favorite things – one of which is probably spending time with you.
* Writing a letter to them. Share with them the things you’ve been doing. They will read your letter over and over.
* Learning something from a grandparent. Have you always wanted to know how to make Grandma’s pecan pie or catch the biggest fish in the river? They'll probably be happy to show you how. You only need to ask.
* Helping them out. Clean out a flower bed. Take out the trash. Mow the lawn. Paint a room. Fix the internet. Run an errand. The list goes on and on.
* Taking a photo. Sometimes we forget to capture moments with the people we love the most. Take a photo with your grandparent and make sure they get a copy.

If you no longer have living grandparents, share a fond memory of them. Remember something each of them taught you or one of the fun things you used to do. You can also write down your memories to share with future generations. ❤