Photographic Evidence: Age Doesn’t Have To Slow You Down
The stereotype that growing old means slowing down gets a strong rebuttal from a Russian photographer who has recorded the exploits of seniors accomplishing amazing feats.
In his Age of Happiness photo project, Vladimir Yakovlev vividly captures people in their later years accomplishing great things. Go to The Age of Happiness Facebook page to have your stereotypes soundly shattered. Or for a quick glimpse of Yakovlev’s work, go to this article in the Huffington Post.
.Photo by Vladimir Yakovlev
Common Drugs Proving Harmful to Aging Brains
Common drugs, like sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl, are proving to be especially toxic to the aging brain. Recent research has linked several widely used drugs to lowering brain function and contributing to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Called “anticholinergic” drugs, they lower neurotransmitters and cause sedation. These drugs are in many allergy medications, painkillers, bladder control drugs and muscle relaxants, and some are widely available over-the-counter.
Dr. Leslie Kernisan, a San Francisco geriatrician writing for Next Avenue, offers a guide to drugs to avoid for those with memory problems or dementia.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 103rd Birthday Alice Stehlik
Ecumen honors Alice Stehlik, a resident of St. Mark's Living in Austin, Minn., who is 103.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 9
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
A Housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch Helps Rebuild a Remote Philippines Village
Halfway around the world in the tiny tropical Philippine barrio of Navitas on the island of Panay live about 150 elderly poor who have an angel looking out for them in North Branch, Minn. Her name is Luz Pedersen, who works as a housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch.
Thank You, Chuck Zimmerman, For Changing Aging
After more than 35 years at Ecumen, Chuck Zimmerman retired last week. He has been a leader in changing aging, presiding over countless transformations in senior care as an administrator at three of Ecumen’s largest campuses, a regional operations director for 15 years and most recently the head of the purchasing department.
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes Roars Back to the Twenties
The Ecumen Parmly LifePointes annual candlelight dinner Thursday night was the bee’s knees. The Chisago City joint was jumpin’ to jazz as gangsters and flappers mingled at the annual event that brings resident, family and staff together.
Dementia Symptoms May Have Other Causes — And Be Reversible
Sometimes symptoms that mimic dementia are due to other causes. In the elderly, infections, dietary deficiencies, reactions to medications, stress or depression all can bring on forgetfulness, paranoia, mood swings and other indicators that doctors and family members assume are caused by dementia.
Minneapolis Park Board OKs Woonerf for Ecumen Mill City Project
Ecumen is among a trio of developers working to bring affordable senior housing to downtown Minneapolis in the Mill City district along the riverfront. One of the acclaimed features of the development is a “woonerf” — a Dutch-inspired concept for a shared pedestrian, bike and car street that will run between two apartment buildings. Last week, the Minneapolis Park Board approved the plans for the woonerf.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes Roars Back to the Twenties
The Ecumen Parmly LifePointes annual candlelight dinner Thursday night was the bee’s knees. The Chisago City joint was jumpin’ to jazz as gangsters and flappers mingled at the annual event that brings resident, family and staff together.
This year’s theme was “Speakeasy Soiree.” The annual dinner began as a Valentine’s Day celebration and has grown to become one of the most anticipated Parmly social events. It started as an elegant dinner and evolved into a full production of entertainment, decorations and costumes.
About 100 residents, 60 family members and 25 volunteers attended. The photo booth offering gangster mug shots was a huge hit, along with entertainment by Carl Kronowski and the Forest Lake High School Jazz Band.
At Isabelle’s House, the memory care community, family and residents enjoyed a “Spring Fling” theme evening with food and conversation and harp music.
Thank You, Chuck Zimmerman, For Changing Aging
Chuck Zimmerman retires today after more than 35 years of changing aging as an Ecumen Operations executive. This is his story.
Dementia Symptoms May Have Other Causes — And Be Reversible
Don't assume dementia symptoms always mean a dementia diagnosis.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Lila Myers
Ecumen honors Lila Myers, a resident of Ecumen Evergreens of Fargo, who is 100.
A Housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch Helps Rebuild a Remote Philippines Village
Halfway around the world in the tiny tropical Philippine barrio of Navitas on the island of Panay live about 150 elderly poor who have an angel looking out for them in North Branch, Minn. Her name is Luz Pedersen.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 2
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Minneapolis Park Board OKs Woonerf for Ecumen Mill City Project
Ecumen is among a trio of developers working to bring affordable senior housing to downtown Minneapolis in the Mill City district along the riverfront. One of the acclaimed features of the development is a “woonerf” — a Dutch-inspired concept for a shared pedestrian, bike and car street that will run between two apartment buildings. Last week, the Minneapolis Park Board approved the plans for the woonerf.
Ecumen Director Barbara Garrity Graduates From LeadingAge Leadership Program
Barbara Garrity, executive director of Ecumen-managed Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids, Minn., has graduated from the year-long LeadingAge Minnesota Leadership Academy. The academy, which has been operating for five years, is a comprehensive development program to hone the leadership skills of emerging leaders in the aging services field. LeadingAge Minnesota is the state’s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors.
Ecumen Donors Don and Joan Bungum: Benevolence Personified
Don and Joan Bungum, pillars of the Chisago County community, are generous donors of time and money to the care of seniors.
The Dallas Morning News: The Toll Alzheimer's Disease Has Taken on the Rhinestone Cowboy
Article by Pamela Yip, The Dallas Morning News: Alzheimer’s disease plays no favorites. It’s the Great Equalizer. Just ask Kim Campbell, wife of singer Glen Campbell, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and now lives in a memory care community in Nashville. Read the full article online: The Toll Alzheimer's Disease has Taken on the Rhinestone Cowboy on www.dallasnews.com
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 103rd Birthday Irene Polsfuss
Irene Polsfuss, a resident of Ecumen Lakeview Commons, celebrated her 103rd birthday.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.