Margaret Gray Center News May 2017

Getting older doesn’t mean what it used to. For many aging Americans, it is a phase of life where

interests, goals, and dreams can get a new or second start. Today, aging is about eliminating outdated

perceptions and living the way that suits you best.

Take Barbara Hillary, for example. A nurse for 55 years who dreamed of travel, at age 75 Hillary became

the first African American woman to set foot on the North Pole. In 2011, at age 79, she set another first

when she stepped onto the South Pole.

Former president George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday by skydiving.

Actress Betty White, now 95 years old, became the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live in 2010,

coincidentally during May—the same month recognized as Older Americans Month (OAM).

Since 1963, OAM has been a time to celebrate older Americans, their stories, and their contributions. Led

by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the annual observance offers a special opportunity to

learn about, support, and recognize our nation’s older citizens. This year’s theme, Age Out Loud,

emphasizes the ways older adults are living their lives with boldness, confidence, and passion

while serving as an inspiration to people of all ages.

We will use OAM 2017 to focus on how older adults in our community are redefining aging—through work

or family interests, by taking charge of their health and staying independent for as long as possible, and

through their community and advocacy efforts. We can also use this opportunity to learn how we can best

support and learn from our community’s older members.

Throughout the month, we will conduct activities and share information designed to highlight how you’re

Aging Out Load or to look at programs that can help you Age Out Loud!

We encourage you to get involved by seeking out a new adventure, hobby or activity that will help you get

a second start.

You might try taking a Tai Chi class, start a walking program, join the gym, volunteer here at the center or

at a school or at your church; you could try riding a motorcycle!

Are you Aging Out Loud already? Tell us about it! Candy has a sign that you can write down what you’re

doing to Age Out Loud. You might not have gone to the North Pole, or gone skydiving but there’s most

likely something that you’ve done lately that illustrates a new start or an new activity. Something that

you’ve tried that you’ve never done before!

Then with your permission, we will take your photo holding your sign and put that on Facebook! You

might just inspire someone else to begin to Age Out Loud!

Older Americans Month

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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, May 18.

Lafayette County

Health

Department (3rd Thursday except

where noted!)

May 18

July 20

September 21

Please note, the

Health Department

will be at our Centers

every other month.

Clyde Charles May 1st

Chuck Harlan May 3rd

Martha Donley May 5th

Nona Ferrio May 7th

Delmar Dothage May 11th

Peggy Sullard May 11th

Catherine Hughes May 12th

Rick Smith May 15th

Mary Ault May 14th

Mark Schroer May 15th

Mary Glor May 16th

Lee Perry May 17th

Cathie Bear May 18th

Ruth Sellmeyer May 20th

Lawrence White May 26th

Robert Gant May 30th

Page 3 Volume 5, Issue 12

Learn something new every month!

With Movement. . .

There’s Improvement!

100,000 older adults will

participate in activities at more

than 1,000 locations

throughout the U.S. on

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 as

we celebrate the 24th annual

National Senior Health & Fitness Day. The

common goal for this day: to help keep older

Americans healthy and fit. Always set for the last

Wednesday in May, National Senior Health &

Fitness Day is the nation's largest annual health

promotion event for older adults.

The theme this year, “With movement, there’s

improvement”, reminds us that we must get up and

get out to stay healthy and fit. This day is set aside

to help us dedicate time to starting a new activity or

participating in a class that we might not normally

do—just to prove to ourselves that it’s not that hard

to start getting fit. So, what are your plans for

Wednesday May 31?

Sunday, May 14 is when we

celebrate Mother’s Day this

year. To all you moms out

there—thanks for everything you

do. If you have a daughter or a

granddaughter that’s a mom,

don’t forget to recognize them

on this special day.

Center Tidbits

May is national stroke awareness month and so this month we take a look at the signs and symptoms of a

stroke. Recognition of stroke and calling 9-1-1 will determine how quickly someone will receive help and

treatment. Getting to a hospital rapidly will more likely lead to a better recovery. Here’s an easy way to help

determine if someone is experiencing a stroke:

For each minute a stroke goes untreated and blood flow to the brain continues to be blocked, a person loses

about 1.9 million neurons. This could mean that a person’s speech, movement, memory, and so much more

can be affected. Stroke symptoms include:

SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding

SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes

SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause

If you, or someone close to you experiences these symptoms, get help immediately.

In 2017, Old Dogs New Tricks University will focus on different health information each month. We

hope you enjoy this different type of information.

F

A

S

T

FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS: Ask the person to lift both arms. Does one drift downward?

SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred

or strange?

TIME: If you observe any of these things, call 911 immediately and tell

them you think someone has suffered a stroke.

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

DOGWOODS IN LEXINGTON

ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

I can’t believe we’re in the month of May already!

It seems like it just turned 2017 such a short time ago. May brings so many

occasions like graduations, weddings and cookouts with family and friends. I

love that it doesn’t get dark before 5 pm to give you some time to do all the

outdoor activities and yard work.

We had our Lasagna Luncheon April 2nd and again I want to thank all the folks

that came out to eat and especially all the volunteers that made it happen and

the ladies that baked all the delicious desserts.

I attended a meeting this month and the speaker’s topic was elder abuse. One

thing all of us can do is pay close attention to a change in someone’s

behavior. If you have known them for any amount of time and they always

seemed outgoing and suddenly are not, don’t ignore it. Sometimes they may

have trouble or health issues and don’t have anyone to talk to about it. We all

need someone to talk to sometimes. But sometimes it may be a sign that

they are being abused in some way—and abuse is not always physical. It’s

sometimes emotional or financial abuse. If you suspect that someone is being

abused you can contact the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline. And don’t

worry, it’s an anonymous phone call.

Please get out and enjoy the weather now! We all know that soon there will be

heat advisory warnings and full summer will be on us. What can I say but

“This is Missouri”.

Have a great May,

Margaret Gray Center

We are on the web! Find us at

www.goaging.org

“Like” us on Facebook!

Coordinator’s Corner

Special

Dates

Fridays 1pm-4pm

Bridge Biscuits & Gravy is

back! Join us on

Thursday mornings!

Monday May 8 —

Pinochle Party

Wednesday, May 10—4Life Board Meeting

Thursday May 11 —

Pitch Party

Friday May 12—

Presentation by

Jennifer Kerr

Tuesday, May 16—

Center Services Board

Meeting @ noon.

Thursday May 18—

Birthday Day!

Friday, May 29—Closed

for Memorial Day

See the Activities Calendar

for more details and

normally scheduled events.

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Candy

May 2017 Stay fit…for lie

Fun, Good Food, Regular 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

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FAME—Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program

The following exercises are part of the FAME program—a program developed specifically for stroke

survivors. The FAME Program has been designed to improve mobility, fitness and fall-risk. The FAME

Program can serve as a complement to healthy living.

Please do not attempt these exercises without the approval of your doctor and if you are unstable on

your feet do not do these alone.

Your safety should be your number 1 priority!

Slow Marching Alternate knee raises.

Steady yourself with a chair or wall if needed.

Slow marching and swinging arms Alternate arm and knee raises.

Steady yourself with a chair or wall if needed

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Knee Circles 1. Bend your both knees together.

2. Hold your knees with your both hands.

3. Move your both knees at the same time in a circle.

4. Switch directions.

Ankle Rotations 1. Sit on a chair or stand on one

foot and hold onto wall or

chair.

2. Make a full circle of your

ankle.

3. Switch ankles.

OR

However you decide to live your life after a stroke remember these things:

You are survivor

You are strong

You are fortunate

Dena Tyson, author of Give Me The Strength: Based On A True Story, an account of her

husband’s journey after his stroke said: “The more you do, the better you become”.

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April Showers brought May Flowers!