CSA Spotlight
Meet CSA Spotlight, Linda Holloway
My “song” has always been embellished by the melodies of elders. My life continues to be blessed by the presence of elders. I was thrilled to learn of the course of study to earn the CSA certification. It provided so much information, and it has enabled me to assist elders and family members of elders in life-changing decisions. I’ve been able to share the information with my own family and close friends. Click here to view article.

As a senior now myself, I am able to see life as a song, with each experience and each relationship being melodies intricately interwoven into our own masterpiece composition. Twenty years ago, two friends and I co-founded Bessie’s Hope as a legacy to my grandmother. Because of driving down to spend day and night with her in a Texas nursing home, I recognized that communities need to reach into the nursing home world and embrace the elders, who statistically speaking, are largely the “forgotten” population in our culture.

Co-founders, Sharron Brandrup and Marge Utne, joined me in my passion, and we created a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to enhance the lives of nursing home elders and to bring generations together in mutually rewarding relationships through honoring the human spirit and by providing life-enriching volunteer opportunities for youth groups, families, individuals, businesses and civic organizations.

Youth and adult volunteers receive our training, which provides education and communication skills that enable them to have meaningful interaction with elders of all levels of cognitive functioning, including those with advanced Alzheimer’s Diseases. All our programs are of the highest quality and integrity, with group visits being organized and structured to provide the fertile ground for the cultivation of beautiful relationships between the elders and our volunteers of all ages.

Our largest number of volunteers is that of youth participants, from preschool to high school and college. A very high percentage of our youth come from “at-risk youth” organizations and residential treatment centers for troubled teens. Respect, compassion and the art of listening are alive and well in the intergenerational work of Bessie’s Hope. The at-risk youth, like the elders, need to feel valued and needed. Through participation in Bessie’s Hope, both age groups receive the recognition of their value. Both populations also experience a sense of purpose. Our goal is to have affiliates in other states. Bessie’s Hope is the only organization with the focus that directly impacts this statistic. My “song” continues to be embellished by the melodies of elders. My life continues to be blessed by the presence of elders.

Rewinding 68 years, my mother married right after high school, and a year later, learning he was going to be a dad, my Marine father decided that was not for him and left to go back to active duty. Throughout my formative years, it was as though I had two mothers, thus, the very close relationship with my grandmother. Fond early memories include being on the next door neighbors’ porch, where the elders played dominoes, talking to my great-grandmother, and church on Sundays, where elder women were my teachers.

While in high school, I began singing and playing musical instruments professionally in a band that performed in Texas and neighboring states. That continued through college, earning my Music Education Degree, then—“on the road.” For over 25 years, I made my living as a professional musician, performing with bands and duos and as a piano bar entertainer at reknowned venues, such as The Stockyard Restaurant in Nashville and Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. I also added traveling throughout the country to present “Healing with Sound and Music” workshops.

Performing, composing, studying, teaching—life was all about music— yet, there were always elders and nursing homes beckoning, as part of my “song.” Wherever I was, I volunteered as a musician in nursing homes, and I inquired to find an elder who had no visitors, so I could “adopt” this person. This was a precursor to one of the volunteer programs of Bessie’s Hope.

While finishing another degree in music to earn the credentials, Board Certified Music Therapist, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This “pulled” me into a special focus with this population within my music therapy studies. This special focus also exists within the work of Bessie’s Hope. Educating volunteers about this disease and assisting them in feeling comfortable and confident in relating to those who have the disease is a priority within Bessie’s Hope.

Then, while working on a Master of Humanities Degree, my grandmother had to be admitted to a Texas nursing home. One day, a very clear, yet inaudible voice began repeating, “Bring them together—the young and the old.” During this mandate from God, I could see our work unfold in my mind’s eye.

My master’s thesis was a musical, for which I was writing the script, the music and the orchestration. Asking the committee for special permission, my Bessie’s Hope co-founder, Sharron, became co-writer of the musical, because the script and songs were about the work we had been doing. The musical is about a group of children who become friends with a group of nursing home elders… art imitating life. It has been produced only twice for three-week runs, but all audiences were captivated and moved to spontaneous standing ovations after each performance. It is still very timely, and I hope that it will soon have a life of its own.

My “song” has always been embellished by the melodies of elders. My life continues to be blessed by the presence of elders. I was thrilled to learn of the course of study to earn the CSA certification. It provided so much information, and it has enabled me to assist elders and family members of elders in life-changing decisions. I’ve been able to share the information with my own family and close friends. “CSA” fits so well with the Bessie’s Hope purpose of empowerment of the elders.

Although Bessie’s Hope serves a few thousand youth and elders each year, and has for 20 years, it has been such a well-kept secret. This makes fundraising difficult, because it is not a large, well-established nonprofit. If you would like to be on our “e-blast” and “e-newsletter” list, as well as on our mailing list, please contact us. On April 2, our first event for 2015 will be “An Evening of Music and Magic, a great event! This year, we will also have our 3rd annual motorcycle event, stopping at Denver nursing homes, where the elders get to take a spin. In the fall, is our 12th annual Intergenerational Bowl-a-thon, with bowlers from 2 to 102!

Do you want to be on a fun committee, a board member, volunteer in a program with the elders, or contribute financially?

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Lifestyle Trends
Finding Your Purpose in Life
In the past few years, research has touted the benefits of having a purpose in life, physically as well as emotionally. Two recent studies show that having a purpose in life increased longevity. But how do you find meaning in life? Where do you start? Click here to view article.

In the past few years, research has touted the benefits of having a purpose in life, physically as well as emotionally. Two recent studies show that having a purpose in life increased longevity. But knowing is one thing and doing is another. Where do you find meaning, and how do you start?

In 2005, Rev. Richard Joyner, the pastor of the Conetoe Family Life Center in rural North Carolina, came to the realization that he had presided over too many funerals at a church of just 300 members. In one year alone, 30 congregants younger than 32 years old had died.

A lot of the deaths were health related—poor diets, no exercise—but poverty also played a role. After 25 years of being a minister, he realized that his spiritual mission needed to address the mental, physical and even economic health of his church members. So at age 52, Joyner started the Conetoe Family Life Center. One of its projects is a community garden, and young people sell the produce they grow and distribute honey from the beehives they manage to low-income residents. The revenue they earn goes to school supplies and scholarships. At the same time, the whole community is learning the value of healthy food and lifestyle. As dietary practices have changed, people have lost weight, emergency room visits for primary health care are down, and the number of deaths has decreased. Kids are heading to college, the military and the workforce.

Joyner is one of six recipients of the Purpose Prize, an annual contest that recognizes—and rewards—people age 60 and over who are making a positive social impact. The winners receive a total of $300,000 in cash prizes. Now in its ninth year, the Purpose Prize is a project of www.Encore.org, a national nonprofit that is encouraging people in midlife and beyond to use their skills and experience to improve the world.

“While many see our aging society as a problem, we view it as a solution,” Encore states. “Those in and beyond midlife represent a powerful source of talent with the accumulated skills, experience and wisdom to tackle some of society’s most urgent challenges. By embracing this unique opportunity, we can transform a zero-sum prediction into a win-win strategy, creating a better future for generations to come.”

Health Benefits

In addition to helping the world, having a purpose can lengthen your life, according to research. A recent study looked at data from the Midlife in the United States project, which is funded by the National Institute on Aging. Researchers asked more than 6,000 people questions that gauged positive and negative emotions. They observed how people responded to statements like “Some people wander aimlessly through life, but I am not one of them.” Fourteen years after responding to the questions, people who had reported a greater sense of purpose and direction in life were more likely to have outlived their peers. (NPR blog). In fact, people with a sense of purpose had a 15 percent lower risk of death, compared with those who said they were more or less aimless.

In another study, a team from the University of Michigan found that older adults with a strong sense of purpose in life may be more likely to get health screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms than those who lack such a purpose.

Charles Fletcher, another Purpose Prize winner, found his purpose in life after retiring at the age of 58 and volunteering at a Dallas-area equine therapy center for children with disabilities. Although he found the work rewarding, Fletcher wanted to focus more on healing as well as including those who couldn’t afford the sometimes expensive therapy. After researching innovative equine therapy methods, talking to medical specialists and learning about brain development, he launched SpiritHorse in Corinth, Texas. Today, his nonprofit employs 20 salaried instructors and provides hour-long therapy sessions to roughly 400 riders every week at his Texas ranch alone, serving children with disabilities, at-risk youth, battered women and wounded veterans—all at no cost to them. Since 2001, when he first started his operation, his enterprise has helped more than 5,000 people.

Where Do You Start?

Many of us don’t have the grander vision of Fletcher or Joyner or the means to implement such ambitious projects. Especially for those who have always focused on working and survival, how do you switch gears?

“Throughout my middle years, I never questioned what held meaning in my life,” writes Ed Merck, a former software entrepreneur and chief financial officer who retired at 63 (in Next Avenue). “The scaffolding of my identity as a successful college Chief Financial Officer and owner of a thriving software company was built into the job. . . . Then, once I moved over to the other side of full-time work, the picture became less clear. Take the job away and who was I? . . . I could also sense that new personal capacities were opening up for me, which could change my sudden sense of loss to a sense of gain. I felt something stir within me: The potential of moving forward with vitality and purpose. Yet I had only the slightest awareness of how to construct such a new reality.”

Merck wrote a book, Sailing the Mystery, about his experience in finding purpose. He writes that, because we’re all different, we need to “identify the activities that provide you with a sense of purpose.” For some, that might be working with others or being immersed in nature. It helps to “create a brief statement that ties together the interests that provide you with a sense of purpose.” Having a core phrase, such as “Do everything for the benefit of others,” can work as a mantra or guiding light.

Merck recommends you “strengthen your inner landscape,” which can involve more reflection and contemplation, using tools such as meditation or yoga. Similarly, “learn to be still. I often think the key to fulfillment in one’s later years is not about finding purpose; rather, we need to let it find us. Sounds easy, but it’s not, since implicit in that notion is learning a whole new way of embracing life.” Finally, “explore what it means to create,” which he sees as discovering ourselves through art, music, writing, cooking, conversation or just sitting quietly.

Dr. Susan Biali, who teaches a course on finding purpose in life, offers questions to ask yourself (fromPsychology Today):

• What do you love to do that you would do even if you don’t get paid for it?
• What do other people say you’re really good at?
• What is the one thing you want to experience, or do, or accomplish, before you die, so that on your last day on earth you feel satisfied and have no regrets in that area?

Seattle resident Judy Pickens would probably answer the first question by talking about her volunteer work. Using hands-on training, she works to save salmon by having her students raise salmon eggs and then release them into local streams (Seattle Times). At the same time, she teaches her students about ferns and bugs in the park surrounding the creek.

Over 24 years, Pickens has pushed through improvements for the creek habitat and helped run the salmon-release program for 10 elementary schools. “I want to be known more for my motivation than for what I did,’’ she says. “I believe in the message of the Gospels ‘to do.’ I’m obligated to do for others.” Sources

“Doing unto others: In helping, volunteers serve a higher purpose,” Dec. 18, 2013, Seattle Times

“A ‘Purpose in Life’ May Extend Yours,” HealthDay

“Helping You Find Your Life Purpose,” Nov. 8, 2013, Psychology Today

“6 Outstanding Social Innovators,” Oct. 27, 2014, AARP

“5 Tips to Find Meaning and Purpose in Later Life,” Aug. 27, 2014, Next Avenue

“People Who Feel They Have a Purpose in Life Live Longer,” July 28, 2014, NPR blog

How to Find a Purposeful Life

Don’t know where to begin? Grab a piece of paper and pencil.

Make a list of the things you do for fun, or that you really enjoy. Imagine you’re a billionaire with no worries about money, how would you choose to spend your time? This list is of your passions; the things that you love to do, or would do simply for the pleasure they bring you.

Write down the names of people you admire and why you admire them. When you’re done, look at the list and know that what you appreciate about others is also in you. Adopt these good qualities of others as a way of inspiring your own actions.

Make a list of your natural talents. These can be an eye for detail, a great sense of humor or the ability to focus intently. These skills can be used in service of our life purpose.

Keep in mind that often we find our purpose along the way. Some people don’t realize their purpose until they look back and see the pattern of their lives. Finally, it’s normal to feel scared when stepping into your life purpose. Just think of the fear as the energy you need to take the next step.

(Adapted from “How to Find Your Life’s Purpose,”wikiHow)

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Your Money

Living Your Dream: Owning an RV
Many retired people dream of buying an RV and traveling around the country. Being able to carry around your home is attractive, but RVers themselves warn that there are a lot of hidden costs, as well as inconveniences. Click here to view article.

Many retired people dream of buying an RV—a recreational vehicle—and traveling around the country. Being able to carry around your own home is attractive: you don’t have to pay for lodging or eating out; you can camp in some of the most beautiful places in the country. But RVers themselves warn that there are a lot of hidden costs, as well as inconveniences.

RVing is its own lifestyle, with its own clubs (which provide advice and camaraderie), websites and even language. “Workamping,” for example, is working while on the road, while “boondocking” is camping where there aren’t campsites and amenities; pulling off the road in the National Forest or Walmart parking lots (“blacktop boondock”) are popular choices.

But before you enter this close-knit world, you need to ask yourself some questions: is this for vacations or full-timing (as RVers refer to selling your house and using your RV as your home)? Do you want the RV just for warm weather or for all year (which could necessitate having things like a heater)? What kind of RV do you need? Most importantly, will an RV’s costs outweigh its benefits?

Types of RVs

Recreational vehicles can include everything from tent trailers to large motorhomes that have kitchens, bathrooms (with showers), air conditioners and even wine coolers.

Motorhomes (Winnebagos, for example) combine vehicle and living quarters, and are what most people think of when they hear RVs. They range from the largest and most luxurious (Class A) to the smaller (Class B and C).

Towables include travel trailers, fifth wheels (trailers that have a gooseneck front section that extends over the bed of the pick-up truck tow vehicle) and pop-up campers. Pop-ups are the least expensive but won’t provide any protection from heat or wind. Fifth wheels tend to have more living space and are easier to tow than trailers.

Truck campers, which sit in the back of pick-up trucks, have the advantage of providing truck usage when not carrying the camper but can be can be difficult to drive in strong winds and difficult to secure to the truck.

Balancing Pros and Cons

Each type or RV has pros and cons as far as expense, maintenance and comfort. Besides the initial cost of buying an RV, there are many expenses you may not think about when your eyes are focused on the pleasures of the open road.

“The actual cost of owning a RV is quite high but does not offset the sheer pleasure of going where I want and when I want and sleeping in my own bed and not having to pack and unpack clothes,” commented one RVer on RV Forum Community about “The true cost of owning an RV, 5’er or trailer.” “That being said, I would probably have a heart attack if I calculated the true cost of going so I am not going to do it.”

“An RV is not a good investment,” wrote another RVer. “They are expensive to buy, expensive to keep, and you’ll never get anywhere near what you paid for it when you sell. If you have the money, they are a wonderful way to see the country and build memories with your family. My parents had a truck/camper rig and towed a ski boat. We went camping all over California, and I will never forget the good times we had together.”

Average prices for a motorhome range from $50,000 for a Class C motor home to about $120,000 for a Class A (according to RVBasics.com, quoted in The Nest). Campers and towables, of course, will be less. Used RVs can be had for $10,000 to $100,000. Although renting an RV can be expensive—around $100 a day—many RVers and others recommend trying one out before you buy; it’s a good way to see if you’re compatible with the RV lifestyle or if you should go back to staying at maintenance-free resorts.

Any costs need to be weighed against the expense of traveling without an RV: vacation lodging, plane fares and eating at restaurants, to name the biggest. When determining whether owning an RV makes financial sense you need to know how much you will use it. If only a few times a year, the cost of an expensive RV might not be worth it; if you travel six months of the year, you could break even on your purchase in a short amount of time.

“Something that is different about a motorhome on the road is the extremely expensive cost of breaking down and having to be towed back somewhere, then being stuck in a shop for several days,” writes an RVer on the forum website. “The tow fees, motel bills, etc., can be a real shock. There are various insurance plans for that, and I think that’s something to consider. Remember that down time, the time you cannot live in the motorhome for any reason, can be very exasperating and expensive.”

Maintenance Costs

Upkeep on an RV can be expensive. It includes:

• Fuel costs (average 5 to 15 mpg for gas for a motorhome)
• Insurance
• Licensing and registration fees
• Camping fees, averaging $25 a night
• Routine and unexpected maintenance costs
• Roadside assistance plan
• Tire repair and replacement
• Engine and drive-train repairs
• Road-hazard expenses, such as towing
• Off-season storage fees. Most cities will not allow you to store your RV on your property, which means you will need to pay between $50 and $100 per month in a storage facility.

One big expense is the tow vehicle or small vehicle to be towed. Many who buy a motor home like to attach a smaller car, so they can take short trips (such as into town) without the hassle of negotiating narrow city streets and small parking lots in a big rig. In fact, just learning to drive a motorhome can be an adjustment. And, those preferring a towable vehicle might need to upgrade to a higher-performance car plus some kind of tow hitch.

Besides the costs, there are other issues to consider. An RV has lots of maintenance, such as winterizing the tanks in the fall and purifying those same tanks in the spring. On the road, you will need to dump your sewage tank every few days.

Of course, the nonmonetary advantages of having your own home as you travel are many. One is being able to take your pets (instead of searching for hotels and motels that allow pets).

But two of the biggest benefits cited by RVers are the freedom and ability to explore the country, and go where your heart (and maybe relatives) leads you. The other is the social relationships: the camaraderie among RVers, the impromptu shared meals and conversations at RV parks and campgrounds, which can lead to long-lasting friendships.

“I do have to echo the sentiments of others, though, about the intangible value of meeting some very interesting and nice people, seeing some great places, and having what appears to be tremendous freedom,” concludes an RVing couple. “That, in itself, is a powerful intoxicant, and we all know what the misuse of intoxicants can lead to.”

Sources

“What Type Of RV Is Best For Full-Timers?” RV-Dreams

“The True Cost of RV Ownership,” Time Traveler

“RV Cost of Ownership,” March 2011, RV Care Log

“What is the Real Cost of Owning an RV?” March 26, 2014, Vogel Talks RVing

”Eight Tips for Success,” Dollar Stretcher

“Ten Ways to Save Money on RV Camping,” Everything About RVing

“The Pros and Cons of Owning an RV” RVs and Motorhomes

“Pros & Cons on Motor Home Ownership,” The Nest

Resources

The Internet has many informal websites, that is, from people who are RVers themselves and love to share information —everything from how to fix an engine to recipes from the road. One of the most comprehensive is RV Lifestyle Experts http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com, but other suggestions can be found in “Sources” at the end of this article.

www.RVNetlinx.com, a good site for information on almost every manufacturer’s RV club, also provides a list of campground directories with links. Many general RV websites recommend campsites, such as ones that are convenient or scenic, for example.

One good resource is joining a membership club, which can provide a social organization, technical assistance, emergency services, mail and message services, campground discounts and a clearinghouse for information about RVing. Along with clubs for owners of specific RV brands and special interest groups (such as singles or motorcycle owners), there are many multipurpose clubs to join, which charge a nominal fee.

One of the bigger ones is The Good Sam Club, which has a membership of over 1.5 million members and offers benefits and services, a monthly magazine, rallies, local chapters and campground and service providers’ discounts. Two others are the Escapees RV Club and FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association).

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Medical News

Don’t Be a Statistic: Preventing Diabetes
An estimated 86 million Americans suffer from prediabetes. To prevent the onset of diabetes, which can cause kidney damage and blindness if left untreated, medical experts recommend losing weight through a healthier diet and increased exercise. Click here to view article.

The numbers are staggering. An estimated 29 million Americans are diabetic, and an additional 86 million suffer from prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Half of all seniors over the age of 65 suffer from prediabetes, which means that blood-glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with prediabetes are at an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes is something to take seriously, because, if left untreated, diabetics can suffer from kidney damage, blindness, hearing impairment, amputation, stroke and heart disease. The good news is that, because so many Americans either have the disease or are at risk for it, research and government programs are eager to find solutions and offer support. One of the most effective prevention methods is a CDC program that offers weekly group sessions.

In the 1990s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a large national clinical trial among 1,000 overweight adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes. After three years of the program aimed at changing lifestyle habits (particularly, exercise and diet) and promoting weight loss, participants lowered their risk of diabetes by 58 percent. Even more significant, those aged 60 and older had a 71 percent reduced risk. In comparison, a group that received Metformin, a drug commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes, dropped its risk by 31 percent. However, after 10 years, people who continued with lifestyle changes delayed diabetes by about four years while those who took Metformin postponed the disease by about two years. A control group received only standard advice and an inactive placebo pill.

In response to these heartening results, the CDC started the National Diabetes Prevention Program in 2012, which is now offered around the country through different organizations, including health-care providers, community groups, employers, colleges and churches. The curriculum involves 16 weekly sessions and monthly follow-ups for a year. The goal is significant weight loss, by getting people to adopt new eating and exercise habits that will stick. Peer pressure, or group support, doesn’t hurt.

Causes of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, commonly called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. Because Type 1 develops most often in young people, it is referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 2 usually begins with insulin resistance—a condition that occurs when fat, muscle and liver cells do not effectively utilize insulin to carry glucose into the body’s cells to use for energy. Glucose (often called blood sugar) comes from the food we eat and what’s produced in our liver and muscles. As a result of insulin resistance, the body needs more insulin to help glucose enter cells. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by making more insulin. Over time, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin when blood-sugar levels increase, such as after meals, leading to persistently high blood-glucose levels that damage nerves and blood vessels.

Because the leading risk factor for diabetes is obesity, the best thing you can do to prevent diabetes is to lose weight—through eating less or eating healthier foods, by exercising, or preferably, both. The Diabetes Prevention Program research study showed that making even modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight—that is 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person (from the CDC).

Change Your Diet

Taking steps to lose weight can include eating smaller meal portions and choosing healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. At the same time, consume fewer high-fat foods. The National Education Diabetes Program) advises:

• Choose whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat bread, crackers, cereals, brown rice, oatmeal and barley.
• Eat a mix of colorful fruits and vegetables.
• Choose fish, lean meat and chicken and turkey without the skin.
• Eat foods that have been baked, broiled or grilled instead of fried.
• Drink water instead of juice and regular soda.
• Choose low-fat or skim milk, yogurt and cheese.

At the same time, reduce portion sizes by filling half of your plate or using smaller plates, and eating only half of what you order at a restaurant and taking the rest home (restaurant portions are notorious for being huge). Enjoy your dessert but in smaller amounts and less frequently. Portion control will help with weight loss.

One healthy dessert option is yogurt. A new study shows regular consumption of this dairy product reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health followed more than 40,000 men and 150,000 women for one to two decades to evaluate the association between dairy consumption and the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in adults (Medline Plus).

The data showed that total dairy consumption was not correlated with Type 2 diabetes risk, and yogurt intake was consistently associated with a lower risk of developing the disease. After incorporating their findings into a larger analysis, the researchers determined that one serving of yogurt per day led to an 18 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Getting More Exercise

Moving more and sitting less can help you lose weight or stay at a healthy weight. Activity can reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes because it helps make your cells receptive to insulin. The National Education Diabetes Program recommends adding more activity each day until you reach at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Brisk walking—faster than your normal pace—is a good way to get started; other exercises include strength training and aerobic movements.

Two other risk factors for diabetes are sleep and stress. Poor-quality sleep and chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to both obesity and the onset of diabetes. You should get six to eight hours of sleep a night. Stress releases a variety of hormones into the body that can increase your blood sugar, so it’s important to find relaxing activities, such as mindfulness meditation or listening to music. Exercise also greatly reduces stress.

Sources

“7 Best Ways to Beat Diabetes,” October/November 2014, AARP The Magazine

“Diabetes and Dairy,” Nov. 26, 2014, Medline Plus

“Diabetes Prevention That Works,” Dec. 26, 2014, New Old Age blog

“It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes,” National Education Diabetes Program

“Preventing Type 2 Diabetes,” November 2014, NIH News in Health

“Diabetes in Older People—A Disease You Can Manage,” National Institute on Aging

“What You May Not Know About Diabetes: Prevention Tips for Seniors,” Nov. 13, 2014, Griswold Home Care

“What Is Diabetes?” NIH Senior Health

Warning signs of diabetes

Although some people with diabetes have no symptoms at all, especially early in the disease, many experience one or more symptoms, including:

• Extreme thirst or hunger
• Frequent need to urinate
• Fatigue
• Losing weight without trying
• Sores that heal slowly
• Dry, itchy skin
• Loss of feeling or tingling in the feet and blurry eyesight

Doctors can use several blood tests to help diagnose diabetes:

• Random glucose test—given at any time during the day
• Fasting glucose test—taken after you have gone without food for at least eight hours
• Oral glucose tolerance test—taken after fasting overnight and then two hours after having a sugary drink
• A1c blood test—shows your glucose level for the past two to three months

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GIC receives two awards at national conference

During the Alzheimer’s Association annual Leadership Summit for chapters nationwide, the Greater Illinois Chapter was recognized for both our work in research activities and fundraising efforts for Walk to End Alzheimer’s ®.
For the fourth year in a row we were honored for activities around research, which includes registration of constituents in TrialMatch ® and in the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment.

During the Alzheimer’s Association annual Leadership Summit for chapters nationwide, the Greater Illinois Chapter was recognized for both our work in research activities and fundraising efforts for Walk to End Alzheimer’s ®.
For the fourth year in a row we were honored for activities around research, which includes registration of constituents in TrialMatch ® and in the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment. Click here for more information on research.
We were also recognized for the 2014 Chicago Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which ranked ninth in the nation for fundraising. The event generated more than $860,000 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

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