Aging and Disability Network Meeting Minutes 2/14/17

Aging and Disability Network February Meeting Minutes 2/14/17

Present: Karin Drosdick (Mechanicville Senior Center), Isabella Franzese (Mechanicville Senior Center), Mary Rickard (Saratoga County Office for the Aging), Judy Dahoda-Taylor (Saratoga County OFA), Patrick Harrington (Saratoga County OFA), Tena Bunnell (Home Helpers), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Emma Schmitt (Saratoga County OFA), Ardis Armer (Saratoga County OFA), Caitlin St. George (Eddy VNA), Whitney Jobmann (SAIL), Jocelyn Blanchard (SAIL), Ben Nichols (Saratoga County OFA), Keith Kirchhoff (Saratoga County DSS), Gillian Verdu (Saratoga Adult and Senior Center), Jennifer Baldwin (Saratoga Hospital), Connie Weaver (Saratoga County OFA), Maria Geizer (Home Instead Senior Care).

Attendees introduced themselves.

The next meetings of the Aging and Disability Network are as follows:

February 14th - at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.  The presenter will be Kym Hance from the Alzheimer's Association and the topic will be Healthy Living for your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research.

March 14th - at St. Edwards Church in Clifton Park.  The presenter will be Victoria Clingan from the Brain Injury Association of NYS and the topic will be Brain Injury 101.

April 11th - at Malta Community Center.  The presenter will be Gerard Wallace and topic will be Kinship Care which is when grandparents, relatives and family friends are caring for children.  He will speak about Kinship Law, financial assistance, rights and special resources.

May 9th - at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.  The presenter will be Laura Marx from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the topic will be Talk Saves Lives.

June 13th - at St Edward’s Church in Clifton Park.  The presenter will be Adam Strom from PreNeed Trust Services.  The topic will be Preplanning a Funeral: Things to Consider.

 July 11th - at Malta Community Center.  The presenter will be Amanda Duff from Saratoga County Public Health.  She is the Public Health Educator and will be presenting on the different areas in which Public Health is working, provide updates and invitations to participate in the numerous coalitions they have across the county as well as upcoming events, offer workshop opportunities and ask for feedback on programs/topics that attendees see a need for so that we can collaborate to address them.

August -no meeting.

 ***In the event of inclement weather, the Aging & Disability Network will follow the cancellation schedule for the Saratoga County Senior Meal Delivery; if the meal delivery is cancelled, then our meeting will also be cancelled. Cancellations will be posted on most major news networks.

Today’s Presenter and Topic: Kym Hance, Program Manager for Saratoga and Warren Counties- The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York. Kym presented Healthy Living for your Brain and Body.

Identify the reasons for taking care of yourself as you age -

• List strategies to age well in the following areas:

– Physical health and exercise

– Diet and nutrition

– Cognitive activity

– Social engagement

• Make your own plan for healthy aging

Aging well depends on your:

 – Genes

– Environment

– Lifestyle

• Lifestyle choices may help keep your body and brain healthy

The Brain and How It Works:

The brain is the control center of the body

• There are 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, creating a branching network

 • Signals traveling through the brain form memories, thoughts and feelings

• Alzheimer’s disease destroys brain cells

Heart-brain Connection:

• Heart and brain are interrelated – What you do to protect your heart can also help your brain continue to operate at its best

• The brain needs blood flow – The brain depends on oxygen and adequate blood flow to work well – 25% of blood from every heartbeat goes to the brain

Dementia and Alzheimer’s:

• Dementia is caused by many different diseases and conditions

• It is not part of normal aging

• Alzheimer’s disease is most common cause of dementia

• Known risks for Alzheimer’s includes age, genetics, head injury, cardiovascular factors and fewer years of formal education

• Therapies for Alzheimer’s can treat symptoms, but cannot cure, prevent or even slow disease progression

Physical Health and Exercise:

What we know-

 • Cardiovascular activity may reduce your risk of cognitive decline

• Regular and vigorous exercise leads to increased blood flow – other physical activities may also yield benefits

• There is no single recipe

What we can do-

• Do something you like

• Start out small

• Move safely

• Get your heart rate up

• Ask friends to join you

• Check with your doctor before you start

• Stop smoking 

Avoid excess alcohol

 • Get adequate sleep

• Avoid head injury

 • Manage stress

 • Treat depression

• Visit your doctor regularly

 Monitor numbers and take action-

• Blood pressure

• Blood sugar

• Weight

 • Cholesterol 

Diet and Nutrition-

What we know -

• What’s good for the heart may also be good for the brain

• Nutritious food is fuel for the brain

• Following some dietary guidelines can reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and diabetes

What we can do-

EAT

• Vegetables

 • Fruits

 • Nuts, beans and whole grains

 • Lean meats, fish and poultry

 • Vegetable oils  

AVOID

 • Saturated/trans fats

 • Processed foods

 • Solid fat, sugar and salt

 • Deep-fried foods

 • Unhealthy fast foods

• Consult reputable sources about: – Dietary supplements – Vitamins

• Work with your doctor

Cognitive Activity-

What we know -

• Keeping your mind active forms new connections among brain cells

• Cognitive activity encourages blood flow to the brain

• Mentally stimulating activities may possibly maintain or even improve cognition

• Engaging in formal education will keep your brain healthy and can provide protection against developing dementia

What we can do -

• Read books and articles that challenge and inspire you

• Complete puzzles and play games that are challenging for you

 • Learn new skills or hobbies

• Engage in ongoing learning

Social Engagement-

What we know -

• Social engagement is associated with living longer with fewer disabilities

 • Staying engaged in the community offers you an opportunity to maintain your skills

• Remaining both socially and mentally active may support brain health and possibly delay the onset of dementia

What we can do-

• Visit with friends and family

 • Engage with others

 • Stay involved in the community

• Volunteer outside the home

 • Join a group or club

Putting All Four Pieces Together-

Take care of your health

 • Get moving

• Eat right

• Keep your mind active

• Stay connected with others  

Combine all four to achieve maximum benefits

What You Can Do Now-

• Begin today

 • Start small and build

• Do what you enjoy and stick with it

 • Make healthy choices

• Make a plan

• Get support from others

 • Have fun

Be A Savvy Consumer –

• If it’s too good to be true – it’s probably not true!

• Be cautious when you hear huge promises or reports of miracle cures

• Do thorough research

• Consult trusted, reputable professionals – Your doctor – Your local pharmacist – The Alzheimer’s Association

If you have any questions about this topic or if you would like to schedule a training related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, please contact Kym Hance at 518-867-4999 ext. 215.