Aging Well May 27th 2014

It’s ironic, but just this morning before writing this column, I was distracted from my regular routine and I couldn’t remember if I had taken my diuretic pill. I decided I had, but what if I hadn’t, and missed a day. Or worse yet, what if I had taken my pill, but decided I hadn’t and doubled my dose? Both could have serious consequences. But there are a number of things you can do to remind yourself to take them at the right time and in the right amount.

First, as I mentioned last week, know your medications. Make sure you know how to use them correctly, including what to do if you miss taking your pill or accidentally double your dose. And what are the side effects.

Second, set a daily routine. Take your medications at the same time and place every day. And know whether you have any flexibility in when you can take them or need to be taken at a specific time.

Third, create a system of reminders that works for you. You can use a daily or weekly checklist, sticky notes, alarm clocks, or a pill box organizer. Phillips Lifeline offers a medication dispensing service with audio reminders for a monthly fee. And if you are more technologically savvy, you can even use smartphones to receive texts and emails as reminders. (For more information visit the Script Your Future Medication Awareness campaign at www.scriptyourfuture.org.)

Fourth, there is nothing wrong in asking for help. Find out from your healthcare professional if there is an easier way to take all of your medications such as taking take fewer pills on fewer occasions? Ask a friend to help you figure out a system to help remember your medications. And if you have difficulty remembering to take your medications, tell your healthcare professional. She may be able to offer other solutions.

It is important to take the proper dosage at the proper time for the length of the prescription. And as I mentioned last week, if you would like to learn more about ensuring safe and appropriate use of medications check out the website Medication Use Safety Training (MUST) for Seniors™ at http://www.mustforseniors.org/.

At the Center every Thursday and Saturday Nights, starting at 6:00 PM, you can play Bingo the classic American game of chance. And this coming Saturday night May 31^st, there will be free pizza from 4:30 – 5:30. And the payout for the last game is up to $1000 if you black out in 61 numbers. (And at 61 numbers there is a darn good chance someone is going to win it!)  So stop by the Center on Saturday night for free pizza and a chance to win some big money.

The speaker for the next 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on June 3rd will be Tim Willis, manager of the local Habitat ReStore Store. And if you don’t know, the store is now open from 9:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays through Fridays and from 9:00 – 5:00 on Saturdays. And they are particularly looking for volunteers during the busy summer months.

The Strawberry Mountain Band will be playing their foot stomping country music at the Center on Tuesday June 3rd. Music starts at 7:00 and there will be Pie and Ice Cream for sale and donations for the band are appreciated.

The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question is saddle shoes - popular in the 50’s and worn by both men and women including Elvis Presley in the movie Jailhouse Rock. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Bill Van Nice.)

On many college campuses during the 50’s and early 60’s, it was a tradition for freshmen to wear this kind of cap including at Purdue University when I was a freshmen in 1966.  What was the name for a tight fitting brimless cap made from triangular sections of cloth joined by a button at the crown, and seamed together around the sides? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off at the Center with a one of these caps that has a propeller attached to the top as worn by Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent’s friend.

Well, it has been another week trying to tap dance my way off the stage. Until we meet again, as the wise farmer once said "Timin' has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance."

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." Carl Sandburg