Healthy Resolutions to Insure a Happy New Year's For Seniors

The New Year means new starts, and that typically involves making New Year's resolutions. While the old-faithful standbys still exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions - especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year's resolutions that will keep you feeling young and vibrant.

Participate in Cognitive Health Activities

Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we extol the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through a language class, book club or by playing brain games and trivia on the computer.

Exercise or start a new physical activity

Exercise doesn't have to be exhausting, and it certainly doesn't have to feel like work. Older adults are increasingly looking to classes such as yoga and tai chi to not only increase physical health, but to meet people and widen their social circles. Other activities like local walking clubs can be found at many senior organizations and community centers.

Eat More Fresh Foods

Processed foods are easy to throw together for a meal, but they come with a host of health issues and concerns, and frankly; they're not worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat more fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'll see a noticeable difference in the way you look and feel - and it takes very little work on your end.

Make Your Home Safer

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Many of these falls are preventable, especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walkways, having good lighting near beds and taping down edges of carpeting and rugs can help tremendously to decrease the number and severity of falls for seniors.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Unfortunately, with age comes increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention.

Not only will these New Year's resolutions improve your mental and physical healthy, they'll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?

Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Seniors published Dec 21, 2011 by NYC Senior Care

New Year's 2012 photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Jannoon028

Thank You For Making Rhythm & Brews Beach Bash a Success

Friday November 11, 2011, a first time event was held in Stevens Point
'Rhythm and Brews Beach Bash' fundraiser for Alzheimer's Association washeld at Players Lounge.  


Thirty different beers were there to taste, along with 7 different wines, and a couple of malt drinks.  We had fabulous food and Cadillac Pete and the Heat featuring Harold 'guitar' Ludtke.

There was an endless table of great silent auction items and a 50/50 raffle.  A great time was had by all.


We are already in the planning stage for 2012's Rhythm and Brews Beach Bash so watch for details, you don't want to miss out on a great time while raising money for an
important cause, 'Alzheimer's'.

Contributed by Lori Schuler; Marketing and Activity Director

for Central Wisconsin 

Rhythm & Brew Beach Bash Debuts Players' Lounge in Stevens Point

The Alzheimer’s Association proudly announces the newest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer  care support and research.  It is the 1st Annual Rhythm and Brew Beach Bash with live music, plenty of food, and a beer and wine tasting extravaganza.  The music by Cadillac Pete and Heat, featuring Howard ‘Guitar’ Ludtke, is a local blues band.

The event will take place here in Stevens Point, Friday, November 11, 2011, and will be held at the Players Lounge, 2124 Rice Street, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  Tickets will be $30.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door. Rhythm and Brews Beach Bash is brand new to the Stevens Point area and we are so pleased to make it an annual event!  A strong team of community volunteers has been working hard at planning, selecting ‘craft’ brews, wine, gathering prizes, lining up music, and selecting a tasty menu for our guests.

We invite you to be a part of this fundraiser and support the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association of Stevens Point. In addition to monetary sponsorships for this fundraiser, we welcome in-kind donation of services, food prizes, or silent auction items.  All contributions, great or small will help defray the costs of the event, allowing the proceeds from ticket sales and the auction to go directly to the local programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Your support is needed to help ensure the success of the year’s event.

Alzheimer’s is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death and affects 5.4 million people today.  Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.  Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease. This event brings awareness to this overwhelming disease and raises needed dollars for care, support and research for those in our community. 

When Alzheimer’s touches your life the Alzheimer’s Association is here for you.  Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening diagnosis to face. Wherever you are, Alzheimer’s Associations are nearby with community programs and support services.  Anytime day or night, call them for reliable information and support.  Online guide helping individuals and families find the right care options locating licensed facilities in your area when placement of loved one is needed.  Alzheimer’s Association library provides a variety of research and reference services.

We are determined to end this disease and provide support for those affected now and in the future.  Attend the Rhythm and Brew Beach Bash or support the fundraiser and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions.  Together, we can raise awareness and funds to enhance Alzheimer care and support.

To purchase tickets or donate contact us at the following phone numbers:

715-393-3950

715-295-0650

Donation, ticket and event information can be found on the Alzheimer's Association - Great Wisconsin Chapter or Point Players Lounge

Feel free to distribute the poster featured above. After you click on the image you can either download it to your computer and distribute as an email attachment, embed it in an email or print for display in your community.

Area Walk to End Alzheimer's raises more than $17,000

The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking, or in the scenery, but in the talking.  The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense; but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk.

~Mark Twain

Saturday, September 17th: the day we've been looking forward to and training for when area walkers, volunteers and teams gathered for the start of the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's. This year's event was a great success and helped raised more than $17,000 for local programs of the Alzheimer's Association.

Central Wisconsin Senior Living was proud to host this year's event with Harmony Living Center. The Walk was led for a community volunteer committee that included CWSL's Kelly Opiola and Lori Schuler.

                                 The Spirit Award was presented to the Sky Club Team.
                                                     Never, Never, Never, Give Up!


"There has never been a greater need for residents to join in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," said Diana Butz, Alzheimer's Association development and marketing director. "As many as 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and funds raised will provide support services to the residents of this area living with Alzheimer's. The level of support shown by the Stevens Point community for the Alzheimer's Association is truly amazing."


Donations are still being accepted. You can contact Kelly Opiola at Central Wisconsin Senior Living or visit the Alzheimer's Association web site at www.alz.org/gwwi and click on the Stevens Point Walk to End Alzheimer's link or click here.


If you are interested in joining the 2012 Planning Committee contact Kelly Opiola at Central Wisconsin Senior Living.

Never Too Old To Have Fun!

‘If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!’

George Burns (who lived to be 100).

Senior people still have many intellectual needs.  Just because they are advancing in years does not mean they can no longer grow, learn new things, and enjoy activities.  Not only do the seniors have a major longing for companionship just as anyone of any age, but they need to be around others to continue to stimulate their minds.  Too often the elderly are left alone and in isolation with only a television for company.  Is it really a surprise many may seem to be listless and forgetful when in actually they are bored?

When senior citizens are involved in stimulating activities they keep their minds exercised and growing.  These new skills become very important to seniors who secretly may fear the onset of Depression, or Dementia/Alzheimer’s.  It is far better staying active than to be spending time worrying needlessly.

A winning activity program in Assisted Living Homes or Senior Apartments is an essential part of choosing the right placement for your love one.  Planned activities can enhance the person’s sense of dignity and self-esteem by giving purpose and meaning to their life.  Our motto where I work is ‘We Are Never to Old to Have Fun!’  It is like the movie Field of Dreams, build a field and they will come.  Ours is have activities and they will come.  Most residents want to participate and an enthusiastic activity director will personally invite and encourage residents to engage in the activities.  There are many activities of interest to enhance the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each person promoting self-worth, self expression, growth and development.

Scheduled activities that reflect the personal needs and desires is an important aspect of any activity program; fitness, entertainment, cognitive/creativity, spirituality, outdoor activities, daily routines; personal cares, homemaking tasks, pet therapy, social, spontaneous, person centered activity, dancing, virtual tours.  There are many activities of interest to enhance senior needs to explore new interests even the internet.

After teaching fitness classes for over 16 years I understand the importance of fitness at all ages of life.  As a senior it is crucial to exercise as it keeps seniors strong.  Muscle mass decreases as people age, exercise helps maintain weight, improve flexibility, and it contributes to balance and bone strength.  Exercise has been proven to help cognitive function and improve mood in adults over 55 years old.

Planning the right activity for seniors with or without dementia is best when you consider the person’s likes and dislikes; strengths and abilities, interests, keeping activities flexible, and be ready to make adjustments. 

Lori Schuler is the Marketing and Activity Director/Central Wisconsin Senior Living