MargaretGrayCenterNewsJune 2017

Just How Big is the Problem?Just How Big is the Problem?Just How Big is the Problem?Just How Big is the Problem?

Each year, an estimated 5 million older adults are abused, neglected, or exploited. Older Americans lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could be used to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, and medical care. Unfortunately, it occurs in every demographic and can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you. It is estimated that only

one in five of these crimes are discovered.

What is Elder Abuse?What is Elder Abuse?What is Elder Abuse?What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder. Elder abuse takes many

forms, including:

• Neglect • Physical abuse • Sexual abuse • Financial abuse and exploitation • Emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats) • Abandonment • Self-neglect

Each state defines elder abuse differently. Missouri defines elder abuse in the following ways:

• AbuseAbuseAbuseAbuse – the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by

any person, firm, or corporation (192.2400, RSMo). • NeglectNeglectNeglectNeglect – the failure to provide services to an eligible adult by any person, firm or corporation with a

legal or contractual duty to do so, when such failure presents either an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the client or a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm would

result (192.2400, RSMo).

• Financial ExploitationFinancial ExploitationFinancial ExploitationFinancial Exploitation – A person commits the crime of financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person if such person knowingly and by deception, intimidation, or force obtains control over the elderly or disabled person's property with the intent to permanently deprive the elderly or disabled person of the use, benefit or possession of his or her property thereby benefiting such person or

detrimentally affecting the elderly or disabled person (570.145, RSMo).

• Bullying Bullying Bullying Bullying – intimidation or harassment that causes a reasonable person to fear for his or her physical safety or property and may consist of physical actions including gestures; cyberbullying; oral, electronic, or written communication; and any threat of retaliation for reporting of such acts. ((((192.2400,RSMo))))

Regardless of the type of Elder Abuse, it is just wrong and you can report it to the state hotline at 1111----800800800800----392392392392----0210021002100210. All calls are confidential. Make the Make the Make the Make the difference, make the call.difference, make the call.difference, make the call.difference, make the call.

World Elder Abuse AwarenessWorld Elder Abuse AwarenessWorld Elder Abuse AwarenessWorld Elder Abuse Awareness

Page 2 June 2017

Our birthday celebrations are the 3rd Thursday of every month.

The following folks will celebrate birthdays this month. We’d love to see you at our birthday celebration on Thursday, June 15Thursday, June 15Thursday, June 15Thursday, June 15.

Lafayette County Health

Department (3rd Thursday except

where noted!)

√ July 20July 20July 20July 20

√ September 21September 21September 21September 21

√ November 16November 16November 16November 16

Please note, the

Health Department

will be at our Centers

every other month.

Alice Schnakenburg June 4th Ruby Utz June 7th Don Armbruster June 10th Don Coen June 11th Doris Rasa June 15th John Shroyer June 16th Glenn Dunwoodie June 16th

Carla Burney June 18th Bob Estill June 18th Beth Simnitt June 27th William Norles June 30th

F

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A

g

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Page 3 Volume 6, Issue 01

Learn something new every month!Learn something new every month!Learn something new every month!Learn something new every month!

The Normandy landingsNormandy landingsNormandy landingsNormandy landings (codenamed Operation Operation Operation Operation NeptuneNeptuneNeptuneNeptune) were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed DDDD----DayDayDayDay) of

the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control, and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western

Front. Remember those that served. On Wednesday, June 14June 14June 14June 14 we celebrate Flag Day! It commemorates the adoption of

the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army Birthdays on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the

Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775. This year we celebrate the longest day of the year—also known as the summer solstice—on June 21. The

summer solsticesummer solsticesummer solsticesummer solstice (or estival solsticeestival solsticeestival solsticeestival solstice), also known as midsummermidsummermidsummermidsummer, occurs when a planet's rotational axis, in either northern or southern hemispheres, is most inclined toward the star that it orbits. Now you

know!

CenterTidbits

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and everyone who has a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s, a disease that is often misunderstood. Did you know:

• Alzheimer’s is fatal. It kills more than breast and prostate cancer combined. • Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a progressive brain disease without any cure. • Alzheimer’s is more than memory loss. It appears through a variety of signs and symptoms.

Here are a few potential signs of Alzheimer’s—for more information and more signs visit the Alzheimer’s organization website at ALZ.ORG:

MemoryMemoryMemoryMemory loss that disrupts daily lifeloss that disrupts daily lifeloss that disrupts daily lifeloss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information What's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical age----related change?related change?related change?related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. Challenges in planning or solving problemsChallenges in planning or solving problemsChallenges in planning or solving problemsChallenges in planning or solving problems Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. What's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical age----related change?related change?related change?related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisureDifficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisureDifficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisureDifficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. What's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical ageWhat's a typical age----related change?related change?related change?related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

There is no cure right now for Alzheimer’s but there are drugs that can slow the progression of the disease. Early detection is the key-if you’re worried, see your doctor.

In 2017, Old Dogs New Tricks University will focus on different health information each month. We hope you enjoy this different type of information.

811 C South Business 13 Highway

Lexington, MO 64067

Phone: 660-259-2025 Fax: 660-259-2453

Email: “lexington@goaging.org”

Our mission is to provide resources and services that empower people to create healthy aging experiences. We strive to provide an atmosphere that is safe, comfortable, friendly, and well—equipped to meet the needs of the senior citizens in our area.

THE MARGARET

GRAY CENTER

Lexington is saying a very sad farewell to a huge part of our community. Wentworth Military Academy is closing after 137 years running, having opened

its doors in 1880. My dad went to junior college there and

played on the football team. I grew up here in Lexington and just always knew

Wentworth would be here, but sometimes I’m sadly wrong. I had a good friend growing up and her dad was a coach, and then a Major at Wentworth, which allowed us to go swimming in the indoor pool, mess around

in the huge field house, and play tennis on the courts. Occasionally I would go to dinner with them (at Wentworth) and the cadets were the servers at the meals. The cadets had a very humorous side which made everyone’s meal enjoyable. We also held our high school football games at the Wentworth field since we didn’t have one at the high school then. It was such a fun place and I have such great memories. It was so impressive to see the manners these young men had and the pride they had

in following orders by their leaders. We had our Miles for Meals walk in May and Jennifer Kerr and Susan

Worthington came and shared their photos of Lexington so here are a couple

of photos.

Have a great June and hopefully the weather won’t get too hot. Take care,

Margaret Gray Center

We are on the web! Find us at

www.goaging.org

“Like” us on Facebook!

Coordinator’s Corner

Special Special Special Special

DatesDatesDatesDates

Fridays 1pmFridays 1pmFridays 1pmFridays 1pm----4pm4pm4pm4pm

Bridge Biscuits & Gravy is is is is back! Join us on back! Join us on back! Join us on back! Join us on

Thursday mornings!Thursday mornings!Thursday mornings!Thursday mornings! Monday June 12 Monday June 12 Monday June 12 Monday June 12 ————

Pinochle Party

Wednesday, June 14Wednesday, June 14Wednesday, June 14Wednesday, June 14—4Life Board Meeting

Thursday June 8 Thursday June 8 Thursday June 8 Thursday June 8 —

Pitch Party Thursday June 15Thursday June 15Thursday June 15Thursday June 15————

Birthday Day!Birthday Day!Birthday Day!Birthday Day! Tuesday, June 20Tuesday, June 20Tuesday, June 20Tuesday, June 20———— Center Services Board

Meeting @ noon. Thursday, June 22Thursday, June 22Thursday, June 22Thursday, June 22————Pitch

Party

See the Activities Calendar for more details and

normally scheduled events.

Page 4

Candy

June 2017 Stay fit…for lie

Fun, Good Food, Fun, Good Food, Fun, Good Food, Fun, Good Food, Regular Activity & LearningRegular Activity & LearningRegular Activity & LearningRegular Activity & Learning How you live can change how you age!

FITNESS CLASSES… around the County

Silver Sneakers : HIGGINSVILLE 10 am Mon & Thurs. ODESSA 10:15am Tues & Fri LEXINGTON 9:00am Thursday

Stay Strong : HIGGINSVILLE 11 am M –W - F Peppi : LEXINGTON 9 am Mon & Fri

Functional Fitness : HIGGINSVILLE 8 am M --- W ---F

Page 5

Exercise your Brain! On top of a healthy diet and regular exercise, there are ways to give your brain its own workout

routine. Experts recommend sticking to brain training that involves real-world activities. Exercises to strengthen brain function should offer novelty and challenge. "Almost any silly suggestion can work," says David Eagleman, PhD, neuroscientist and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "Drive home via a different route; brush your teeth with your opposite hand. The brain works through associations [which is why it's easier to memorize lyrics to a song than it is to try

and remember the same words without music], so the more senses you involve the better." Your morning newspaper is a great place to start. "Simple games like Sudoku and word games are good, as well as comic strips where you find things that are different from one picture to the next," says John E. Morley, MD, director of St. Louis University's Division of Geriatric Medicine and author of The Science of Staying Young. In addition to word games, Dr. Morley recommends the following

exercises to sharpen your mental skills: 1. Test your recall.Test your recall.Test your recall.Test your recall. Make a list — of grocery items, things to do, or anything else that comes to mind — and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many items you can recall. Make items on the list as challenging as possible for the greatest mental stimulation.

2. Let the music play. Let the music play. Let the music play. Let the music play. Learn to play a musical instrument or join a choir. Studies show that

learning something new and complex over a longer period of time is ideal for the aging mind.

3. Do math in your head.Do math in your head.Do math in your head.Do math in your head. Figure out problems without the aid of pencil, paper, or computer;

you can make this more difficult — and athletic — by walking at the same time.

4. Take a cooking class.Take a cooking class.Take a cooking class.Take a cooking class. Learn how to cook a new cuisine. Cooking uses a number of senses:

smell, touch, sight, and taste, which all involve different parts of the brain.

Page 6

5. Learn a foreign language.Learn a foreign language.Learn a foreign language.Learn a foreign language. The listening and hearing involved stimulates the brain. What’s more, a rich vocabulary has been linked to a reduced risk for cognitive decline.

6. Create word pictures. Create word pictures. Create word pictures. Create word pictures. Visualize the spelling of a word in your head, then try and think of any other words that begin (or end) with the same two letters.

7. Draw a map from memory.Draw a map from memory.Draw a map from memory.Draw a map from memory. After returning home from visiting a new place, try to draw a map of the area; repeat this exercise each time you visit a new location.

8. Challenge your taste buds.Challenge your taste buds.Challenge your taste buds.Challenge your taste buds. When eating, try to identify individual ingredients in your meal, including subtle herbs and spices.

9. Refine your handRefine your handRefine your handRefine your hand----eye abilities. eye abilities. eye abilities. eye abilities. Take up a new hobby that involves fine-motor skills, such as knitting, drawing, painting, assembling a puzzle, etc.

10. Learn a new sport. Learn a new sport. Learn a new sport. Learn a new sport. Start doing an athletic exercise that utilizes both mind and body, such as yoga, golf, or tennis.

Soon you will realize that you can take steps to keep your brains healthy, just as you know you can prevent heart disease by taking certain actions. Try one or more of these brain exercises, give it enough

time but see if you can’t tell a difference!

Special June EventSpecial June EventSpecial June EventSpecial June Event————Brain Awareness!Brain Awareness!Brain Awareness!Brain Awareness! As part of our Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month activities, Bertina Markworth will offer a memory screening at the Center on June 22 from 10 - 12. This screening is private between you and Bertina. She will ask you a series of questions that will help test your memory, language skills, thinking abilities and other intellectual functions. Your answers can indicate if you need to see your primary care physician for additional evaluation. The test is free for seniors 60 and over. Remember, early detection of problems

can mean that you may be able to delay the progression of the disease.

Color Your World, Relax Your Mind! Page 7

Flag day is June 14!Flag day is June 14!Flag day is June 14!Flag day is June 14!