FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH! Celebrate American …… · bed, relax by listening to music, read - ing, or taking a bath. Track your heart health stats, together Keeping a log

A Peek Inside...

Volume XXXVIII • February/March 2020 • Number 1 • www.co.grant.wi.gov

- Grant County

Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One rea-son, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meet-ing our health goals when we join forces with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others.

Here are some facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others to improve your heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. About 90 percent of middle-aged people and more than 74 percent of young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholester-ol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.

Why Connecting is Good for Your Heart

Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, includ-ing our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who moti-vate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and compan-ionship.

Follow these heart healthy life-style tips with your friends, family, coworkers, and others in your com-munity and you’ll all be heart health-ier for it: • Be more physically active. • Maintain a healthy weight.• Eat a nutritious diet.• Quit smoking.• Reduce your stress.• Get enough quality sleep.• Track your heart health stats.

You don’t have to make big chang-

es all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.

Move MoreInvite family, friends, colleagues, or

members of your community to join you in your efforts to be more phys-ically active:• Ask a colleague to walk with you

on a regular basis, put the date on both your calendars, and text or call to make sure you both show up.

• Join an exercise class at your local community center and bring a neighbor along. Carpool or walk there together to make it a regular date.

• Grab your kids, put on music, and do jumping jacks, skip rope, or dance.

• Make your social time active and encourage everyone—family and friends alike—to think of fun activi-ties that get you off the couch and moving.

How much is enough? Aim for at least 2½ hours of phys-ical activity each week—that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, do muscle strengthening exercises 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 10 or 15 minutes a few times a day.

Aim for a healthy weightFind someone in your friend group,

at work, or in your family who also wants to reach or maintain a healthy weight. (If you’re overweight, even

a small weight loss of 5–10 percent helps your health.) Check in with them regularly to stay motivated. Do healthy activities together, like walking or playing on a neighbor-hood sports team. Share low-calorie, low-sodium meals or recipes.

Eat heart healthyWe tend to eat like our friends and

family, so ask others close to you to join in your effort to eat healthier. Together, try NHLBI’s free Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Research shows that, compared to a typical American diet, it lowers high blood pressure and improves blood cholesterol lev-els. Find delicious recipes at NHLBI’s Heart Healthy Eating web page.

Quit smoking To help you quit, ask others for

support or join a support group. Research shows that people are

much more likely to quit if their spouse, friend, or sibling does. Social support online can also help you quit. All states have quit lines with trained counselors—call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). You’ll find many free resources to help you quit, such as apps, a motivational text service, and a chat line at BeTobaccoFree.hhs.gov and Smokefree.gov.

If you need extra motivation to quit, consider those around you: Breathing other people’s smoke, called secondhand smoke, is danger-ous. Thousands of adult nonsmokers die of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke.

Manage stress Reducing stress helps your heart

health. Join with a friend or family member to do a relaxing activity every day, like walking, yoga, or med-itation, or participate in a stress man-agement program together. Physical activity also helps reduce stress. Talk to a qualified mental health provider or someone else you trust.

Improve sleep Sleeping 7–8 hours a night helps

to improve heart health. De-stressing will help you sleep, as does get-ting a 30-minute daily dose of sun-light. Take a walk instead of a late afternoon nap! Family members and friends: remind each other to turn off the screen and stick to a regular bed-time. Instead of watching TV before bed, relax by listening to music, read-ing, or taking a bath.

Track your heart health stats, together

Keeping a log of your blood pres-sure, weight goals, physical activity, and if you have diabetes, your blood sugars, will help you stay on a heart healthy track. Ask your friends or family to join you in the effort. Check out NHLBI’s Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts: Tracking Your Numbers worksheet.

FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH!

Celebrate American Heart Month Together: Join the #OurHearts Movement

Were more successful at

meeting our health goals when we join forces with

others, according to the National

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

(NHLBI).

Caregivers Have Rights, Too! .........................2

Influence Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Factors ...3

Snowstorms and Extreme Cold ......................4

February/March Menus .................................6

When to Have Your Cholesterol Checked .....7

Transit Notes ......................................................7

For Better Brain Health .................................8

PLEASE NOTE: The ADRC does not support or endorse the advertisers, services or products promoted through ads in this publication.www.co.grant.wi.gov 2 February/March 2020 - News & Views

News and Views is a bi-monthly publication of the Aging & Disability Resource Center - Grant County.

Aging & DisabilityResource Center -

Grant County (ADRC)8820 State Hwys. 35/61 South

P.O. Box 383Lancaster, WI 53813

Call (608) 723-6113 or 1-800-514-00661-877-SWI-ADRC Fax (608) 723-6122

Email: [email protected]: www.adrcswwi.org

If you do not receive a copy of News & Views

delivered in the Shopping News and would like to,

please call the ADRC.

Copies are available while supplies last.

The ADRC operates its programs and services

without regard to race, color, and national origin in

accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any

person who believes she or he has been aggrieved

by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title

VI may file a complaint with the ADRC. For more

information on the ADRC’s civil rights program, and

the procedures to file a complaint, contact

(608) 723-6113 or 1-800-514-0066;

email [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: The ADRC does not support or

endorse the advertisers, services or products

promoted through ads in this publication.

Copyright Grant, Iowa, Lafayette Shopping News.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of

advertising, editorial or graphic content without

permission is prohibited.

Watch for the next issue of News & Views in the

March 31, 2020Shopping News.

Caregivers Have Rights, Too!It happens gradually. She needs a little help bal-

ancing the checkbook and there are bills on the counter not getting paid. The layer of ice on roads and sidewalks leaves you nervous about a fall so you stop for her groceries and accompany her to appointments. You notice that her floors are dirty and there is a laundry basket of clothes waiting to be washed. You do more and more for her and soon find yourself making daily phone calls or visits to help. You have become a caregiver. Your mother could not live at home alone without your help.

The next things you notice involve your own life – when is the last time I had lunch with my friends? When did I start eating fast food so often? I used to love going for walks, but how long has it been? And why do I feel so grumpy, angry and frustrated? The answers are enmeshed with your new “job” that you didn’t realize you had.

Caregiving is like another job. You choose to do it and truly want to do it. But when you put your own life and needs on the backburner, you can run into trouble. Caregiving can consume your time, thoughts and energy and it can chip away at your physical and emotional health. But don’t dismay, you can be a healthy caregiver! You have rights as a caregiver and following these rights will keep you healthy and help you give better care to your loved one, too.

If you are a caregiver, please know that you have the right to:• Take care of yourself without any feelings of

guilt. By maintaining your own health, you will be happier, healthier and a better caregiver for your loved one!

• Continue having a life of your own – one that does not include your role as a caregiver. Make it a priority to keep doing the things you love, knowing that you are also doing all you can for your loved one.

• Feel and express the strong emotions that care-giving produces. It is normal to feel anger, fear, loss and depression. Acknowledge these feelings and find someone to talk to about them.

• Refuse feelings of guilt that may be put upon you by your loved one or others. Do not allow yourself to be manipulated by guilt or other negative feelings.

• Accept the positive feelings - appreciation, love, forgiveness, gratitude – bestowed on you by your loved one and others who see your difficult task. Caregiving is hard work and you should feel happy and proud to be a caregiver.

• Seek help from others, whether from friends and relatives or paid help. No one can do it all. Accept help in order to maintain your own life and individuality. You will need this life to return to when your days of being a caregiver ends. If you need help finding resources for home care

services, support groups or other caregiving issues, please call the Grant County Aging & Disability Resource Center at 608-723-6113.

Jane Mahoney, Older American’s Act Consultant –Caregiver Support Specialist,

Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources

2020 Eligibility Quick Check Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and SeniorCare Level 1

By the GWAAR Medicare Outreach Team

SINGLE:

MSP Extra Help

SeniorCare Level 1

Income* $1,405 $1,561 $1,665

Assets $7,860 $13,110 none

COUPLE:

MSP Extra Help SeniorCare

Level 1

Income* $1,902 $2,113 $2,254

Assets $11,800 $26,160 none

*Income limits based on 2019 federal poverty guidelines.

Medicare Savings Plans: Covers the cost of Medicare Part B premium and possibly co-pays and deductible, depending on income. Enrollment in a Medicare Savings Program will automatically qualify you for Part D Extra Help. Extra Help: Lowers the premium, deductible and copays for Medicare Part D plans. SeniorCare: A Wisconsin program designed to help seniors with their prescription drug costs. (Must be 65 or older to enroll.)

All faiths or beliefs are welcome. 11-G0788

Affordable apartment homes for seniors 62 and older.

For telecommunications relay service, dial 711.

Y our income doesn’t have to limit how you live your life.

To schedule a tour, call (608) 822-3800.

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Get Outside and Play!

Causes and Risk FactorsResearchers believe there is not a

single cause of Alzheimer’s dis-ease. The disease likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environ-ment. Scientists have iden-tified factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While some risk factors — age, family history and heredity — cannot be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence.Age

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age, but Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. While age increases risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer’s.

Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s dou-bles every five years. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly one-third.Family history

Another strong risk factor is family history. Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family mem-ber has the illness. When diseases tend to run in families, either heredity (genetics), environmental factors, or both, may play a role.Aluminum not a cause

During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in causing Alzheimer’s disease. This suspicion led to concerns about everyday exposure to aluminum through sources such as cooking pots, foil, beverage cans, antac-ids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Almost all scientists today focus on other areas of research, and few experts believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.Genetics (heredity)

Scientists know genes are involved in Alzheimer’s. Two categories of genes influence whether a per-son develops a disease: risk genes and determin-istic genes. Alzheimer’s genes have been found in both categories. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of Alzheimer’s cases are caused by deter-ministic genes (genes that cause a disease, rather than increase the risk of developing a disease).Other risk factors you may be able to influ-ence

While age, family history and heredity are all risk factors we can’t change, research is beginning to reveal clues about other risk factors we may be able to influence through general lifestyle and wellness choices and effective management of other health conditions.

Head injury: There is a link between head inju-ry and future risk of dementia. Protect your brain by buckling your seat belt, wearing your helmet when participating in sports, and “fall-proofing” your home.

Heart-head connection: Some of the stron-gest evidence links brain health to heart health. This connection makes sense, because the brain is nourished by one of the body’s richest networks

of blood vessels, and the heart is responsible for pumping blood through these blood vessels to the brain.

The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions

that damage the heart and blood vessels. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high

cholesterol. Work with your doctor to monitor your heart health and treat any problems that arise.Studies of donated brain tissue pro-

vide additional evidence for the heart-head connection. These studies suggest that plaques and tangles are more likely to cause Alzheimer’s symptoms if strokes or damage to the brain’s blood vessels are also present.Latinos and African-Americans at risk

Research shows that older Latinos are about one-and-a-half times as likely as older whites to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, while older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have the disease as older whites. The reason for these differences is not well understood, but researchers believe that higher rates of vascular disease in these groups may also put them at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

Overall healthy aging: One promising line of research suggests that strategies for overall healthy aging may help keep the brain healthy and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These measures include eating a healthy diet, staying socially active, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, and exercising both the body and mind.

NOTE: You can learn more about this during an 8-week “Boost Your Brain & Memory” class through the ADRC of SW WI. We will be leading 4 class sessions throughout our 4 county region in 2020. Contact the ADRC of your county for more details about dates and locations.

February 2SW Wisconsin Auto Club Model Car & Toy Show at 916 E. Elm St., Lancaster. For more information, call 608.348.8411

February 8Port of Potosi Cave Party from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at 209 S. Main St., Potosi. Annual Fundraiser is held at the Potosi Brewery. Party in the Brewery Cave from 2:00-6:00 p.m. with pre-historic costumes, food and beverages. For more information, call 608.642.0321 or 608.763.2042

February 8In the Heart of Turtle Island: An Indigenous History of Sinsinawa Mound from 2:00-3:30 p.m., 585 Cty. Z, Sinsinawa. Learn about Native People’s histories of the land that is Sinsinawa Mound led by Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, assistant professor of history at UW-Platteville. For more information, call 608.748.4411 or visit sinsinawa.org/moundcenter

February 159th Annual Dubuque on Ice Brewfest from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at 1800 Admiral Sheehy Dr., Dubuque, IA. Sample a variety of unique craft beer, wine, craft liquor, local coffee, specialty cheese, sausage and chocolates at the Mystique Community Ice Center. For more information, call 608.763.4002, ext. 109 or visit potosibrewery.com

March 7Taste of Fennimore, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at The Cottonwood Supper Club, Hwy. 61 North, Fennimore. For more information, call 800.822.1131 or visit fennimore.com

Now through April Second and Fourth SaturdaysBoscobel Indoor Market from 8:00 a.m.-noon at Blaine Gym, Boscobel. For more information, call 608.785.2707 or visit facebook: BoscobelFarmersMarket

Joan Harrington DPM*

Scott H. KjarDPM*

915 E. Mineral, Platteville, WI 53818Phone: (608) 348-7688

Fax: (608) 348-7687plattevillepodiatry.com

Phys

icians &

Surgeons

Joan Harrington

ysici

ans & Surg

of th

e Foot & Ankle

ESTABLISHED 1990*Diplomates: American

Board of Podiatric Surgery Certifi ed in

Foot Surgery

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Upcoming Grant County Events

Please check websites for updated information before venturing out...

You May be Able to Influence Some Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Factors


Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms and blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. A winter storm can:• Last a few hours or several days;• Knock out heat, power, and communication ser-vices; and• Place older adults, young children, and sick indi-viduals at greater risk.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORMWARNING, FIND SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

• Stay off roads.• Stay indoors and dress warmly.• Prepare for power outages.• Use generators outside only and away from win-dows.• Listen for emergency information and alerts.• Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.• Check on neighbors.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A WINTER STORM THREATENS:

Prepare NOW• Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme

winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time.

• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

• Pay attention to weather reports and warn-ings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.

• Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perish-able snacks. Keep the gas tank full.

• Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frost-bite and hypothermia.

UNDERSTANDING WIND CHILL As the wind increases, your body is cooled at a

faster rate, causing the skin temperature to drop. This is why it sometimes “feels” colder than the actual temperature. Wind chill is the temperature it “feels like” when you are outside. The NWS provides a Wind Chill Chart to show the difference between air temperature, and the perceived tem-perature, and the amount of time until frostbite occurs.

COLD WEATHER DANGERS If you detect symptoms of frostbite, which is

the freezing of the skin and body tissue beneath the skin, in either yourself or another person, seek medical care IMMEDIATELY. Additionally, hypother-mia occurs when one’s body temperature drops to dangerously low levels, so, before addressing symptoms of frostbite, first determine whether you or someone else is showing signs of hypothermia.

SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA • Uncontrollable shivering • Memory loss, disorientation • Incoherence, slurred speech • Drowsiness • Apparent exhaustion

SIGNS OF FROSTBITELoss of feeling and white or pale appearance in

extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.

WHAT TO DO If you detect symptoms of frostbite: Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected

area in an attempt to warm it up. Frostbite results in the formation of ice crystals in the tissue, and rub-bing could damage the tissue. Seek medical help immediately. For more information, visit the CDC’s page on frostbite and hypothermia.

If you detect symptoms of hypothermia: • Get the victim to a warm location. • Remove wet clothing. • Warm the center of the body first by wrapping

the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. • Give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person

is conscious. • Take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°,

seek medical attention immediately. WHAT TO WEAR

• If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer gar-ments should be tightly woven and water-repel-lent.

• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves. • Cover all of your body. Wear a hat and a scarf, covering your mouth to protect your face and to help prevent loss of body heat.

For more resources about winter storm risk, visit ready.gov/prepare.

Snowstorms and Extreme Cold

Where:

Potosi Fire & Rescue Building, Potosi

When:

Starts February 3 – April 9 This class will meet 3 times per week for 10 weeks.

Register:

Online at www.grantregional.com Or contact Missy Kliebenstein at (608) 723-3255

Sponsored by:

A Home & Personal Care Service Agency

Call us for a free, no obligation consultation at (608) 725-5190

(800) 244-1918

INC.

When You Need A Little Help In Your Day To Day Life,

There’s No Place Like Home Care Select

www.homecareselectinc.com

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CONSIDERING JOINT REPLACEMENT?

n Preparing for surgeryn Rehab pre and post-surgeryn Postoperative care

n Pain Managementn Education for caretakersn Expectations and recovery

Our orthopedic team is now offering an educational program for

individuals scheduled for or considering a total hip or knee replacement

surgery. Join us for a FREE educational class, refreshments provided.

Thursday, August 29 • 6PM

For more info call Grant Regional Health Center at 608.723.2131

Brad Binsfeld, DO

JOINT REPLACEMENT UNIVERSITYSessions offered 2nd & 4th Thursday each month.

Nate Stocco,

PA-C

G R A N T R E G I O N A L H E A L T H C E N T E R

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OrchardManor

Medicare & Medicaid Approved

24 Hour Skilled Nursing Care Facility

• Short-term Rehabilitation Stay or Long-Term Residential Care

• Extensive Therapy Programs - Physical, Occupational, Speech & Music Therapies

• Provide Specialized Health Care & Meals

• Including Social Services and Hospice Care

• Varied Activities to Meet Personal Interests

• Memory Care Unit – Namaste Program

• Weekly Church Services On-Site• Volunteer Program• Intergenerational Programs• WIFI, Skype & Satellite TV

Available

Our philosophy...is visible for all to see, in the stained glass win-dow that proclaims “...Adding Years To Life & Life To Years...’’. Like the tree shown with our name, Orchard Manor has roots that go deep in the community and form a firm foundation upon which to grow. Like the many branches of the tree, each of our residents is a unique individual needing loving care and a safe haven in which to live life to it’s fullest.

Hwy. 61 South, Lancaster, WI 53813(608) 723-2113 • www.omanor.com

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The worst time to think about a funeral is when you have to.

Plan Ahead...Service from the Heart!

Cuba City (608) 744-2714Benton (608) 759-3662

www.caseyfuneralhome.net

CaseyFuneral Home

& Cremation Services

Preplanning CounselorsMitchell McNett Kevin Casey

Stu Fraundorf Gary Hazen

A BIG

THANK-YOU TO

DAIRYLAND DIAMONDS 4-H CLUB

for your generous donation of 50 Emergency Food Bags to the Grant County Senior Nutrition Program

Your generosity is much appreciated!

FEA

TURE

D S

PEA

KER

S:

PRESENTED BY:Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin & Grant County Dementia Care Network

Dr. Thomas Loepfe, MD. M.S. Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica Angie Donovan Deanna Rymaszewski Cori Marsh

Learn the latest on Alzheimer’s risk factors, prevention,

self-care and maintaining hope through the dementia journey.

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Fred Lenz Conference Center1800 Bronson Blvd.

Fennimore, WI

Thursday, March 12, 2020

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

REGISTER BY MARCH 1: tinyurl.com/fennimoreconference

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia & Memory Loss Workshop

21st ANNUAL

(608) 723-4288 (800) 514-0066

February 24 February 25 February 26 February 27 February 28


MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY


January 27 January 28 January 29 January 30 January 31


Liver & OnionsBaked Potato

Italian Blend VegetablesMixed Berries

Frosted Brownie

Beef Stew over aBaking Powder Biscuit

Oriental SaladPeach Slices

Bread Pudding w/Caramel Sauce

Macaroni & Cheese BakeBrussel Sprouts

Rosey Pears Coleslaw

Seven Layer Bar

Oven Baked Chicken BreastBaked Potato

Honey Glazed CarrotsBroccoli & Raisin Salad

Frosted Cake (Baker’s Choice)Boscobel Birthdays

Brunch Egg BakeHashbrowns

Sausage LinksMixed Fruit Salad100% Fruit JuiceCinnamon Roll

Roast Pork w/GravyMashed PotatoesSeasoned SquashMandarin Oranges

Frosted Apple Cake

Baked Potato Soup (1 cup)Egg Salad Sandwich

on Whole Wheat BreadSunshine Salad

BananaCherry Crisp

Roast Beef, Au Gratin Potatoes, Peas & Pearl

Onions, Mixed Fruit & Angel Food Cake

Birthdays: Platteville, Cuba City, Fennimore & Montfort

Salisbury Steak w/GravyMashed Potatoes

Maple Baked Beans Romaine Salad w/Dressing

Cheesecake w/Fruit Topping

Pasty w/GravyFruit n’Yogurt Salad

ApricotsChocolate Chip Cookie

Chicken Ala King w/Vegetables over Rice

Aunt Carol’s SaladTropical Fruit

Butterfinger Dessert

Lasagna w/Meat SauceGarlic Bread

Green & Yellow BeansSeven Layer Salad

OrangeRanger Cookie

Baked Fish w/Tartar SauceCowboy PotatoesStewed Tomatoes

Peaches w/Cottage CheeseBlonde Brownie

Calico Bean Casserole Broccoli

Waldorf SaladLemon Bar

Beef Tips w/Green Peppers, Onions & Gravy

Mashed PotatoesSeasoned Peas

Pineapple ChunksHeart Shaped Sugar Cookies

Beef Tips in Gravy over Mashed Potatoes

Chopped Spinach SaladPeaches

Frosted Chocolate Cake

Glazed Ham SlicesScalloped Potatoes

Winter Blend VegetablesPineapple

Apple Square

Chicken & Dressing Casserole Mixed Vegetables

Tropical FruitHidden Pear Salad

Snickerdoodle Cookie

MeatloafDuchess Potatoes

Dilled CarrotsChunky Applesauce

Pecan Pie Bar

Cranberry Glazed Pork ChopSweet Potatoes

Vegetarian Baked BeansMixed Berry Cobbler

Pulled Pork on a BunSweet Potatoes Baked Beans

Romaine Seven Layer SaladCoconut Cream Pie Square

Parmesan Chicken Breast Oven Roasted Potatoes

PeasOrange Pineapple Salad

Blonde Brownie

Goulash (1¼ cups)Hidden Pear Salad

Spinach SaladRanger Cookie

Oven Roasted Turkey w/GravyMashed PotatoesSeasoned Corn Cranberry Salad

Frosted Angel Food Cake

Hamburger on a Bun w/Onions & MushroomsSweet Potato Wedges

Waldorf SaladBanana

Frosted Spice Cake


FEBRUARY 2020 SENIOR DINING Reservations required one day in advance.

BAGLEYMon, Wed, & Fri - NOON

Community Building(608) 996-2031

BLUE RIVERMon.-Thur., 11:30 a.m.

Civic Center(608) 537-2787

BOSCOBELNOON

Tuffley Center(608) 375-4505

CASSVILLETues., Wed. & Thurs. 11:30 a.m.

Municipal Building(608) 725-5923

CUBA CITY11:30 a.m.VFW Hall

(608) 744-2780

DICKEYVILLETues., 11:30 a.m.500 East Avenue(608) 568-3612

FENNIMORENOON

Sunset Fields Apartments(608) 822-6867

LANCASTERNOON

Sunrise Valley Building F(608) 723-6500

MONTFORTNOON

Community Building(608) 943-6299

MUSCODANOON

Kratochwill Building(608) 739-3180

PLATTEVILLE11:30 a.m.

Senior Center(608) 348-8042

MARCH 2020

All menus are prepared in kitchens that are not allergen free.We cannot guarantee that food allergens will not be transferred through cross contact and thus cannot

offer a substitution item for food allergies, intolerances, or personal food preferences. SENIOR DINING DONATIONSYour donations do count! The suggested donation is $3.50

March 30 March 31 April 1 April 2 April 3

March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY




Porcupine MeatballsSweet PotatoesButtered Corn

Fruit n’ Yogurt SaladPineapple Upside Down

Cake

Baked Pork ChopScalloped Potatoes

Seasoned PeasCucumber Tomato Salad

Mixed Berry Cobbler

Chicken & Noodle Casserolew/Vegetables

Romaine Salad w/DressingFruit Cocktail

Snickerdoodle Cookie

Hamburger on a Bun w/Onions & Mushrooms

Tater TotsBaked Beans

ColeslawOatmeal Fudge Bar

Tuscan Bean SoupTurkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat

Broccoli Raisin SaladApricots

Frosted Pumpkin Bar

Calico Bean CasseroleCalifornia Blend Vegetables

PearsChocolate Éclair Dessert

Potato SoupEgg Salad SandwichAunt Carol’s SaladMandarin Oranges

Mississippi Mud Bar

BBQ Shredded Pork on BunSweet Potato Wedges

Waldorf SaladPineapple Chunks

Frosted Pumpkin Square

Honey Glazed HamAu Gratin Potatoes

Dilled CarrotsMixed Greens w/Dressing

Frosted CakeBoscobel Birthdays

Salmon LoafBaked PotatoCreamed PeasTropical Fruit

Cherry Cobbler

MeatloafCowboy Potatoes

SpinachPeach Slices

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Corned Beef Cooked Cabbage

Baby Red PotatoesNormandy Vegetables

Pistachio Pudding Pie Square

Roast Beef w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Beans,

Fruit n’ Yogurt Salad & Marble Cake

Birthdays: Platteville, Cuba City, Fennimore & Montfort

Parmesan Chicken BreastOven Browned Potatoes

Seasoned BeetsCopper Penny Salad

Blonde Brownie

Seafood Alfredo CasseroleMixed VegetablesCreamy Coleslaw

Chunky ApplesauceChocolate Revel Bars

Oven Baked Chicken BreastSweet PotatoesPeas & CarrotsFruit Cocktail

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Spaghetti Casserole w/MeatFrench Bread

Seven Layer SaladPineapple Rings

Peanut Butter Cookie

Orange Glazed Pork ChopDuchess Potatoes

BroccoliApplesauce Gelatin

Raspberry Oatmeal Bar

Swedish MeatballsMashed PotatoesStewed Tomatoes

Maple Baked BeansScotcheroo

Broccoli SoupTuna Salad

on Whole Wheat BreadRosey Pears

Ambrosia SaladFrosted Cake

Sloppy Joe on a BunOven Roasted Potatoes

Boston Baked BeansSunshine Salad

Blueberry Cobbler

Salisbury Steak w/GravyParsley Buttered Potatoes

Honey Glazed CarrotsMandarin Oranges

Apple Spice Cookie

Baked Ziti w/CheeseMixed Vegetables

Peach Slices w/Cottage Cheese

BananaRice Krispie Bar

Sliced Turkey Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy

Green & Wax BeansTropical Fruit

Cheesecake w/Fruit Topping

Baked CodCowboy Potatoes

California Blend VegetablesMixed Greens w/DressingGingerbread w/Topping


Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. Learn about cholesterol screening and why it is important.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to make hormones and digest fats. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but you can also get cholesterol from eating certain foods, such as egg yolks and fatty meats. Having high blood cholesterol can lead to plaque build-up in the arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood cholesterol doesn’t have symp-toms, which is why getting your choles-terol levels checked is so important. Learn more about cholesterol screenings.

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I GET SCREENED?

More than 1 in 5 youths ages 6 to 19 have an unhealthy cholesterol reading, and 95 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have high cholesterol. But since high cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms, many people don’t know their levels are high. Cholesterol should be checked starting early in life—even children and adolescents should have their cholesterol checked.

Cholesterol testing should be done• Once between ages 9 and 11 (before

puberty)• Once between ages 17 and 21 (after

puberty)• Every 4 to 6 years in adulthood

If your family has a history of early heart attacks or heart disease, or if a child has obesity or diabetes, doctors may recom-mend screening for high cholesterol more often.

WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL?

Lifestyle, some health conditions, and family history can raise your risk for high cholesterol. Your doctor may suggest you have your cholesterol checked more often if you have risk factors, such as the following:• A family history of heart disease or

high blood cholesterol. You are more at risk of having high cholesterol if other people in your family have it. This may be due to genetics, but it may also be that families share the same unhealthy lifestyle habits. Some people also have a genetic condition called familial hyper-cholesterolemia, which can cause high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol from a young age.

• Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes raises “bad” cholesterol and lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholester-ol, raising the risk for heart disease and stroke.

• Older age. As you age, your body can’t clear cholesterol as well as it used to.

• Being male. Men tend to have higher LDL and lower HDL cholesterol levels than women do. But after menopause (around age 55), LDL cholesterol levels in women increase.

• Having overweight or obesity. Excess weight, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical activity can lead to high cholesterol.

• Previously having had high choles-terol. If you have a history of high cho-lesterol, your doctor may want you to keep a closer watch on your cholesterol.High blood cholesterol doesn’t have

symptoms, so many people don’t know their levels are high. That’s why it’s so important to have your cholesterol checked. All it takes is a simple blood test.WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE

GETTING SCREENED?A cholesterol test is a simple blood test.

Your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink anything except water for 9 to 12 hours before the test. The results give you four measurements:• Total cholesterol. Less than 200 mg/dL

is considered normal.• LDL cholesterol. Less than 100 mg/dL

is considered normal. LDL is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, because it can build up and clog your arteries, eventu-ally leading to heart disease or stroke.

• HDL cholesterol. It is best to have more than 40 mg/dL. HDL is sometimes called “good” cholesterol, because it can help clear arteries of cholesterol build up.

• Triglycerides. This is a type of fat in the blood. Normal levels are typically less than 150 mg/dL.HOW CAN I KEEP HEALTHY BLOOD

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?Talk to your doctor about your num-

bers. Your risk of disease depends on other factors, too, in combination with high cholesterol. To keep your cholesterol managed, you should do the following:• Choose healthy foods. Limit foods

that are high in saturated or trans fats, sugar, and sodium (salt). Choose foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and veggies, and in unsaturated fats, such as avocados and nuts

• Stay physically active. You should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of mod-erate exercise, such as biking or brisk walking, every week

• Don’t smoke. Smoking damages the blood vessels and greatly increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

• Take medicine if necessary. A healthy diet and physical activity can help many people reach healthy cholesterol levels, but some people may need medicines to lower cholesterol. Always take your medicine as prescribed.

How and When to Have Your Cholesterol Checked

Errands and Etc.Bus Routes

* For weekday routes the bus leaves Lancaster at 8:30. Bus will leave destination city between 1:00 and 1:30 to return.

* Cost is $3.00 round trip per person.* Passengers will be able to stop at up to 3 places in the destination city at no additional cost.

Cassville RouteMonday, February 10 to PlattevilleMonday, February 24 to Prairie du ChienMonday, March 9 to PlattevilleMonday, March 23 to Prairie du Chien

Lancaster – Potosi – DickeyvilleCuba City Route

All Wednesdays to Platteville

Lancaster – Stitzer – FennimoreBoscobel Route

Friday, February 7 to Prairie du ChienFriday, February 21 to Prairie du ChienFriday, March 6 to PlattevilleFriday, March 20 to Prairie du ChienThe ADRC provides bus services to individuals age 60 and older or anyone who is disabled. Riders are picked up at their homes and transported to multiple locations. Destinations are decided by the passenger’s needs. Reservations are required. Drivers can provide assistance with packages, if needed.Weather cancelations will be announced on WGLR (Platteville/ Lancaster),WPRE (Prairie du Chien), WDMP (Dodgeville) and WRCO (Richland Center).

Call the ADRC at (608) 723-6113 for more information or to make your reservation.

Transit Notes

Elder AbuseWisconsin State Law

on elder abuse includes physical abuse, material

(financial) abuse and neglect or self-neglect

of a person who is age 60 or older.

To report Elder Abuse or for more information call

(608) 776-4902

Whether you are new to Medicare, need a refresher, are a caregiver, or would just like to know more, this Medicare 101 session may be just right for you.

It will cover the A, B, C and D’s of Medicare (Advantage, Medicare Supplements, and Rx Drug Coverage).

Free and Open to the

Public

Medicare 101

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 1:30 P.M.

GRANT COUNTY COMMUNITY

SERVICES BUILDING HWY 35/61/81 LANCASTER, WI

Your local Benefits Specialist, Emily Reuter, will be

conducting this FREE, unbiased, informational session with time allotted for questions and answers.

We hope to see you there!

Please register by calling (608) 723-6113 or email [email protected]


by Jane E. BrodyLast year in a column entitled

“Hearing Loss Threatens Mind, Life and Limb,” I summarized the current state of knowledge about the myri-ad health-damaging effects linked to untreated hearing loss, a problem that afflicts nearly 38 million Americans and, according to two huge recent studies, increases the risk of dementia, depression, falls and even cardiovascu-lar diseases.

Knowing that my own hearing leaves something to be desired, the research I did for that column moti-vated me to get a proper audiology exam. The results indicated that a well-fitted hearing aid could help me hear significantly better in the movies, theater, restaurants, social gatherings, lecture halls, even in the locker room where the noise of hair dryers, hand dryers and swimsuit wringers often challenges my ability to converse with my soft-spoken friends.

That was six months ago, and I’ve yet to go back to get that recommended hearing aid. Now, though, I have a new source of motivation. A large study has documented that even among people with so-called normal hearing, those with only slightly poorer hearing than perfect can experience cognitive defi-cits. That means a diminished ability to get top scores on standardized tests of brain function, like matching numbers with symbols within a specified time period. But while you may never need or want to do that, you most likely do want to maximize and maintain cognitive function: your ability to think clearly, plan rationally and remember accurately, especially as you get older.

While under normal circumstances, cognitive losses occur gradually as people age, the wisest course may well be to minimize and delay them as long as possible and in doing so, reduce the risk of dementia. Hearing loss is now known to be the largest modifiable risk factor for developing dementia, exceeding that of smoking, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and social isolation, according to an international analysis published in The Lancet in 2017.

The analysis indicated that prevent-ing or treating hearing loss in midlife has the potential to diminish the inci-dence of dementia by 9 percent.

Difficulty hearing can impair brain function by keeping people socially isolated and inadequately stimulated by aural input. The harder it is for the brain to process sound, the more it has to work to understand what it hears, depleting its ability to perform other cognitive tasks. Memory is adversely

affected as well. Information that is not heard clearly impairs the brain’s ability to remember it. An inadequately stimulated brain tends to atrophy.

The National Institute on Aging is currently sponsoring a trial of 997 people aged 70 to 84 with mild to moderate hearing loss to determine how effective hearing aids can be in diminishing the risk of dementia. Results of the trial, called Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders, are expected in 2022.

Meanwhile, the new findings on cognitive losses linked to subclinical hearing loss, gleaned from among 6,451 people age 50 or older, suggest that any degree of hearing loss can take a toll.

Currently, the sound level of 25 deci-bels — the ability to hear a whisper — is used to define the border between normal hearing and mild hearing loss in adults.

But this threshold is really arbitrary. The lead author of the study, Dr. Justin S. Golub, otolaryngologist and researcher at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and his col-leagues found that hearing loss is on a continuum that starts with “perfect” hearing at zero decibels (the sound level of a pin drop), with measurable cognitive deficits occurring with every additional loss above zero.

In fact, the researchers demonstrat-ed that the biggest drop in cognitive ability occurs at the slightest level of hearing loss — a decline from zero to the “normal” level of 25 decibels, with smaller cognitive losses occurring when hearing deficits rise from 25 to 50 decibels.

“This doesn’t mean we should be fitting people with hearing aids when the softest sound they can hear is 25 decibels,” Dr. Golub said in an inter-view. After all, getting people with far more advanced hearing loss to use hearing aids is already an enor-mous challenge. As Dr. Golub noted, “Currently only 25 percent of people over 80 wear hearing aids, yet 80 per-cent of them have significant hearing loss” that might be greatly improved with aids.

The new findings linking cognitive decline to even minimal hearing loss suggest that we could do a lot to pro-tect our brains if we protect our hear-ing. The fact that measurable cognitive losses occur at hearing levels below 25 decibels, and that cognition gradually worsens as hearing declines, suggests that protecting against hearing loss should start in childhood.

“In people with very good hear-ing, we need to be aware of how

early changes in hearing affect the brain,” said Dr. Frank Lin, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Without a doubt, the most important measure to preserve hearing is protec-tion against noise.”

The two characteristics of noise asso-ciated with the greatest damage to hearing are intensity — that is, loud-ness — and duration, or how long unprotected ears are exposed to very loud sound, Dr. Lin explained in an interview.

“The damaging effect of noise expo-sure is cumulative,” he said. While he is less concerned about ear protection during the relatively brief time some-one uses a hair dryer or stands on a New York City platform as a train screeches into the station, people who work all day in the subway or listen to loud music for hours need to protect their hearing.

“We can see a hearing deficit the next day after someone has attended a very loud concert,” Dr. Lin said.

He urges people who listen to music

through headphones or earbuds to invest in ones with a noise-canceling feature that blocks ambient sound. This enables people to listen to their preferred music or programs at a lower volume that is less damaging to hear-ing. Apple, for example, now markets AirPods Pro earbuds that have a noise cancellation feature. At $249 a pair, they are a lot cheaper than currently available hearing aids.

That said, by 2021 a selection of much less expensive over-the-counter hearing aids is expected to be on the market. And if Congress manages to pass the Medicare Hearing Act of 2019, the cost of audiology ser-vices needed to maximize the benefits derived from hearing aids will be cov-ered for recipients.

Jane Brody is the Personal Health columnist, a position she has held since 1976. She has written more than a dozen books including the best sell-ers “Jane Brody’s Nutrition Book” and “Jane Brody’s Good Food Book.”

A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 31, 2019, Section D, Page 5 of the New

York edition with the headline: For Brain Health, Correct Mild Hearing Loss.

For Better Brain Health, Preserve Your HearingHEARING LOSS IS THE LARGEST MODIFIABLE RISK FACTOR FOR DEVELOPING DEMENTIA, EXCEEDING THAT OF

SMOKING, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, LACK OF EXERCISE AND SOCIAL ISOLATION.

Whether you are new to Medicare, need a refresher, are a caregiver, or would just like to know more, this Medicare 101 session may be just right for you.

It will cover the A, B, C and D’s of Medicare (Advantage, Medicare Supplements, and Rx Drug Coverage).

Free and Open to the

Public

Medicare 101

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 1:30 P.M.

GRANT COUNTY COMMUNITY

SERVICES BUILDING HWY 35/61/81 LANCASTER, WI

Your local Benefits Specialist, Emily Reuter, will be

conducting this FREE, unbiased, informational session with time allotted for questions and answers.

We hope to see you there!

Please register by calling (608) 723-6113 or email [email protected]

Documents

FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH! Celebrate American …… · bed, relax by listening to music, read - ing, or taking a bath. Track your heart health stats, together Keeping a log