As I
am trying to stay cool in my air conditioned bedroom like a kangaroo rat in its
desert burrow; with my laptop computer sitting appropriately on my lap, I am
wondering what to write about this week. And then like a sweaty palm slapping me across
my face, it hits me - the dangers of overexposure to summer heat!
Because as we age, our bodies change (which I am reminded
everyday) becoming less
sensitive to heat and the feeling of thirst, making us older adults more
vulnerable to summer’s heat and humidity. In addition, certain medical
conditions, such as heart disease, and medications commonly taken by older
adults —water pills, allergy and sinus medications, and antidepressants—further
increase the risk.
But according to The American
Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging (FHIA), there are
precautions we can take to prevent the harmful effects of dehydration and heat
illness - particularly when the temperatures reach ninety degrees. There are
the obvious: turn on the air conditioner or go somewhere with air conditioning;
when outdoors wear a hat and lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting
clothing; use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen; avoid strenuous activity; and my
favorite - take a cool shower or bath.
But what you may not know is avoid
caffeine and alcoholic beverages; and frequent drinking of smaller quantities
is better than less frequent drinking of larger quantities. (If you aren’t sure
if you are drinking enough fluids – how should I say this politely? - check
your urine: light yellow urine is usually a sign you are drinking enough, while
darker urine may signal that more liquid is needed.) And in many situations, it
is a good idea during these heat waves to have someone check in on you twice a
day.
It may not be 128 degrees as it was
in Death Valley, but the heat can still be unbearable and dangerous. Stay cool,
slow down and drink plenty of water. In six months, we can start complaining
about how cold it is.
We
are already half way through 2013, and since a Center membership is for the
calendar year, the Center is offering “a once in a life time opportunity” for
new members to join the Center at half the regular price. During the month of
July, individual memberships are $20 instead of $35 and a membership for a
couple is only $30 instead of $60. If you have never been a member, this is your
chance to join and help support the Center. Memberships provide almost 15% of
the Center’s revenue.
Meals-on-Wheels will be closed on the
4th and 5th, but extra meals will be delivered for the
long weekend. The Center will be closed on Thursday but will be open on Friday although
many of the classes and activities will be cancelled. But there will be Bingo
on Saturday the 6th starting at 6:00 PM. And if there are over sixty
folks playing that night, someone in the crowd is guaranteed to win $1000.
And if that is not enough to get you
out of the heat, on July 11th Meals-on-Wheels will have their big Bingo
Bash starting at 6:00 with free hamburgers between 4:30 and 6:30. There will be
a guaranteed $1000 give-a-way plus several other special prizes including free
one night stays at Wildhorse and Spirit Mountain. For this special event
minimum buy-in is $20.00.
And
before the toast is buttered and the coffee’s made, playing tonight at the
Center is “Strawberry Mountain Band”. And “Martin and Friends” will be
performing next Tuesday on the 9th starting at 7:00 PM. All ages are
welcome and suggested donations are $2 per person and $3 per couple to keep the
musicians fed and the lights on.
Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, as his wife, starred in the hit comedy
“Father Knows Best”. (And this week’s winner is Sandy Haechrel.) But that was a
little too easy, so this week’s “Remember When” question should be a little
more challenging. What was the
name of the 90 minute live variety show ranked #30 on TV Guide's 50
Greatest TV Shows; starred
Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris and aired from February
25, 1950 to June 5, 1954? Mail
your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a
kinescope copy of the comedy sketch “From Here to Obscurity”.
Well, it has been another
week looking for shade in all the cool places. Until we meet again, here’s a
quote to share with your grandkids, “Listen to your elder’s
advice not because they are always right, but because they have more
experiences of being wrong.”
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