May 2017 Newsletter

Successful aging through individualized exercise of body, mind, & spirit.

In honor of Memorial Day,

EngAge Wellness will be

CLOSED Monday, May 29th

!

Enjoy the holiday!

2017 CyberCycle Champions

EngAge Wellness!

Eighty-five teams, one winner. After cycling for 48 hours in the Championship Round last

month, we did it. We are the Champions!!! The Golden Spokes Trophy rolled into EngAge

Wellness and is proudly on display. THANK YOU to everyone! From the riders who pedaled

us to victory, to all the participants that provided us with support, encouragement, and yummy

nourishment. Six members of our team rode their way into the Top 25 overall riders, and

received tournament honors. We are so proud of everyone. What an amazing team effort!!!

THE SECOND-ANNUAL GIVE65 EVENT

Save the Date!! July 11th

–13th

will be the GIVE65 Event, which is a program of Home Instead

Senior Care Foundation. This will serve as our main fundraiser this year.

Sixty-five hours of online giving. In addition to what we raise online, we will receive matching funds

from our EngAge Wellness Advisory Board and Friends of EngAge Wellness. We will also be

eligible for one of two $10,000 financial rewards!

Funds raised will be used for equipment expansion & replacement.

For those who would like to support us, but don’t want to use their personal credit card online,

pre-paid cards will be available to purchase for the GIVE65 Campaign.

Additional information will be provided as we get closer to July.

To learn more go to: www.give65.org

Tell your friends, you can make a difference!

May is Exercise is Medicine Month — Let's get moving!

THE PROBLEM

Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem and contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases. Even with all the benefits of physical activity, in the United States and many other countries, levels of inactivity are alarming. We are facing what is now referred to as an “inactivity epidemic,” with tremendous costs.

According to the World Health Organization’s most recent Global Health Risks data (2004) after high blood pressure, tobacco use, and high blood glucose, physical inactivity constitutes the 4th leading cause of death globally, with about 3.3 million attributable deaths per year. More recent evidence (2009) using direct measure, shows physical inactivity to be the leading cause of death in the US.

More than half of adults (56%) do not meet the recommendations for sufficient physical activity in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines.

In a study of older adolescents and adults in the US, participants spent almost eight hours a day in sedentary behaviors, while as much as 36% of adults engaged in no leisure-time physical activity at all.

A study in 2008 shows that physical inactivity costs the US Health Care System $330 per person each year, which equals more than $102 billion dollars annually.

THE BENEFITS

Many research studies have shown the benefits of regular physical activities. The US Federal Physical Guidelines and many studies show that 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity is required to achieve these health benefits.

Research shows that a low level of physical activity exposes a patient to a greater risk of dying than does smoking, obesity, hypertension, or high cholesterol, and for older men, regular physical activity can decrease the risk of death by 40%.

Active individuals in their 80’s have a lower risk of death than inactive individuals in their 60’s.

Adults with better muscle strength have a 20% lower risk of mortality (33% lower risk of cancer specific mortality) than adults with low muscle strength.

A low level of fitness is a bigger risk factor for mortality than mild-moderate obesity. It is better to be fit and overweight than unfit with a lower percentage of body fat.

Regular physical activity can:

Reduce mortality and the risk of recurrent breast cancer by approximately 50%.

Lower the risk of colon cancer by over 60%.

Reduce the risk of developing of Alzheimer’s disease by approximately 40%.

Reduce the incidence of heart disease and high blood pressure by approximately 40%.

Lower the risk of stroke by 27%.

Lower the risk of developing type II diabetes by 58%.

Be twice as effective in treating type II diabetes than the standard insulin prescription and can save $2250 per person per year when compared to the cost of standard drug treatment.

Decrease depression as effectively as Prozac or behavioral therapy.

Resource: www.exerciseismedicine.org

May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

In 2010, almost 13 million people reported having an asthma attack (just over half of the total number of people with this condition). There is a higher incidence of asthma emergencies, hospitalizations and death in African Americans compared to Caucasians. Puerto Ricans are also disproportionally affected. Taking early action, which in many cases may be preventative action, can improve the quality of life of asthma and allergy sufferers. A lot of people with allergies think that if they just stay indoors when the pollen counts are high, they can keep their spring allergy symptoms under control. But indoor allergens, particularly dust, can also cause nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

“Clean Smart Tips”: 1. Double-doormats keep allergens out Did you know that around 85% of the contaminants in your home can be found within about ten feet of the exterior doors? 2. Work from top to bottom to trap dust 3. Dust first, vacuum last The last thing you want to do when you’re cleaning is scatter dust around instead of removing it from surfaces. 4. Less often is more Good news for those who don't love to vacuum: experts say it's better to vacuum thoroughly once a week than to bring out the vacuum cleaner every day for a quick run over the carpets. 5. Remake the bed As you change out heavy winter bedding for lighter spring blankets, wash quilts and blankets in hot water and dry them thoroughly before storing them. 6. Replace your filters This is a good time to change the filters in your HVAC system or furnace and air conditioners. Choose those with a MERV rating of at least 10. Keeping your home dust-free can go a long way toward reducing your dust allergy symptoms.

An allergy to dust mites can produce a full range of nasal allergy symptoms that often includes nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Dust mites are microscopic bugs that feed on the tiny flakes of skin we shed. The mites themselves are not the allergens. It’s actually their waste products, which circulate as part of household dust, that trigger allergic reactions. Severe asthma symptoms can begin with itching of the eyes and face, but soon progress to swelling, causing breathing difficulties, cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Confusion and dizziness are further symptoms of asthma. Environmental triggers of asthma attacks include passive smoking, molds, cockroaches, pet hair, and dust mites. Combined with adequate medical treatment, these environment triggers can be controlled enabling people with asthma to live active and healthy lives.

Resources: aafa.org flonase.com

ANSWERS are

on the back!!

EngAge Word Jumble — Created & drawn by Patrick Bartmess

The letters in the four words below have been jumbled. Arrange them in the

correct order and then use the letters that are in the circles, to solve the answer

to the cartoon caption. (These letters will need to be unscrambled, as well).

100,000 older adults will participate in activities at more than 1,000 locations

throughout the U.S. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 to 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.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is organized as a public-private partnership

by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national information clearinghouse for

the older adult market. Resource: fitnessday.com/senior

With Movement… There’s Improvement!

MAY SPECIAL!

NEW participants who join during the month of

MAY will receive a reduced Enrollment Fee!

$25/Individual or $33/Couple

Don’t forget, if you refer a friend and they join, you earn one free month!!

Q&A Session with: Mike Poore

Q: How long have you been coming to EngAge Wellness?

A: Six months

Q: What activities do you participate in?

A: I do cardio every day — I use the Nu-Step and seated elliptical.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of EngAge Wellness?

A: The people. After every workout I love to sit and have coffee with people who are waiting for a class or have

finished their workout.

Q: How has your motivation to exercise changed, since you started coming here?

A: I now come every day. At first I only made it about twice a week. I come in the morning now, instead of the

afternoon.

Q: What advice would you give other EngAge participants, to help them achieve their fitness goals?

A: Consistency. I enjoy the coffee & conversation after my workout. That keeps me on track.

Q: How has exercise helped manage any chronic conditions?

A: I’ve lost some weight.

Q: Any tips for successful aging you would like to share?

A: Just retired, so I have not been at this senior citizen thing very long.

A few facts about me:

Just retired from Omaha Public Schools. I was in Special Education, and an IT Facilitator. Omaha North was my

last assignment. My wife Kathleen talked me into joining EngAge Wellness. She as been a participant here since

the spring of last year.

We moved to Omaha 20 years ago from Jacksonville, Florida. We have two grown children, Wesley and Elleen.

Kathleen is still teaching at Liberty Elementary. During the summer we live in Sun City, Arizona. Love the heat!

I enjoy reading, collecting vintage fountain pens, photography, and of course coming to EngAge Wellness!

Visit us online!

www.unmc.edu/engage

Volume 6, Issue 5 | May 2017

EngAge Wellness Staff

Jeannie Hannan - PhD, ACSM-HFD

Wellness Manager

402-552-7227

Heather Shafer - M.S.

Wellness Specialist

402-552-7229

Sara Huebert - B.S.

Wellness Specialist

402-552-7229

Chris Kocol

Operations Assistant

402-552-7210

Alex Eilers

P.T. Student/Work Study Employee

Hannah Hussey

P.T. Student/Work Study Employee

Maggie Morehouse

P.T. Student/Work Study Employee

Rachel White

P.T. Student/Work Study Employee

Patrick Bartmess

Volunteer Newsletter Developer

EngAge Wellness Hours:

Monday thru Friday — 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays — 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 14th

Jumble answers:

Kitten

Noise

Final

Tonsil

Answer to Cartoon:

No, tie it on

Friday, May 12th

Please remember to check in at the front desk each day you come in

to EngAge Wellness! This is important for many reasons including:

You getting credit for each attendance

Our overall attendance reporting

Continuation of scholarship assistance for scholarship recipients

PLEASE CHECK IN!