Senior citizens find
gardening helps them
become more healthy
By Kathy Wright
Emerald Contributor
As students return to classes
this fall, participants in a
research study at the University
mark the end of their summer
classes with a garden harvest.
Those involved are local
senior citizens at least 62 years
of age. They took up gardening
earlier in the year as par
ticipants of the Senior Garden
ing and Nutrition Project,
directed by Dr. Robert
Hackman. University assistant
professor of school and com
munity health.
In association with Dr.
Christopher Bolton, University
associate professor of geron
tology. Tricia Clark-McDowell.
project coordinator, and student
staff members. Hackman started
the project two years ago with
partial funding from the
American Association of
Retired Persons Andrus
Foundation.
An avid gardener. Hackman
sought to find out if the well
being of seniors could be im
proved physically and
psychologically through
gardening a n d nutrition
education
The 55 seniors who took part
in the free project this year
chose which vegetables they
wanted to grow in a raised-bed
garden that was provided for
them
The program also supplied
them with all the necessary
gardening materials and a lot of
support from staff members and
fellow gardeners.
The seniors attended one
gardening and one nutrition
class each month tieginning last
April and continued through
September.
Catherine Murphy, a two-year
participant, said she enjoys her
garden and believes she has
learned much about nutrition.
“1 just love being able to go out
to the garden and grab a pepper
I think about what I eat now."
Murphy said
"All the participants this year
made at least one beneficial
change in their dietary prac
tices. even if it meant just drink
ing more water daily."
Hackman said.
Staff members became well
acquainted with the seniors
through routine visits to their
homes and were able to notice
the changes that took pluce in
the majority of participants:
more smiles, a brighter outlook
on life and oftentimes, increas
ed physical activity. The
seniors were also asked to fill
out questionnaires during the
project.
"An orientation towards the
future and growth, especially in
seniors, is important in staying
healthy; and when you grow
your own food, it’s hard to eat
poorly.” Hackman pointed out.
He said the project provided
many with a sense of capability,
self-worth and a c c o m -
plishment.
Ur. Paul Helms, a psychiatrist
at Sacred Heart Hospital with a
special interest in geriatrics,
stated life satisfaction is a
precursor to fewer expected
medical problems
"I've seen that persons who
are depressed tend to fall prey
more often to cardiovascular
disease." Heims said
Hackman wants to continue
the Senior Gardening and Nutri
tion Project, but its future is
contingent on continued fun
ding from AARP.
UO REGISTERED STUDENTS
Because the Oregon Daily
Emerald Publishing Inc. is an op
tional student fee. the Oregon
Daily Emerald provides students
who have paid unwillingly for
their daily newspaper a refund
Students who do receive this re
fund must sign an affidavit
stating that they will not obtain
an ODE throughout Fall ternn^
1987
Monday. September 28.
• 1987 through October 2.
r1987 we will refund $2 25 to
any subscriber who has paid
their fee to the ODE unwill
ingly Refunds will be given
from Room 500 of the Erb
Memorial Union during
business hours of 9-5 pm
But remember: The small cost of
an Emerald subscription — 3.23C
per issue per day buys 3 months
of news about your education,
your administration and your
weekend entertainment.
Tape duplication
instant cassette copies!
Quality stereo or monaural duplication
Check the prices today at your
Bookstore
(•raphu bv l«rraiM> Math
Open
24
Hours
kinko's
Great copies Great people
860 E 15th 344 7894
VW’S MERCEDES BMW’S
DATSUN TOYOTA
'•baM* Mone* lot
your kumgn cm
“Sine* 1963"
2025 Fiankln Bvd
f ugen* o« 97403
Bu* Ph 343 2912
m
newrnaN
C6NT6R
ST. THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY PARISH
18SO EMERALD STREET
EUGENE, OR *<740)
343-7021
Newman Center Staff:
Fr. Albert Felice Pace, O.P., Pastor
Bro. Jordan Bradshaw, O.P.
Fr. Stephen McC abe, O.P
Fr. Carlos Rustia, O.P.
Sr. Janet Ryan, S.N.J.M.
Karen Lyiuh is. Evan Harris, Peer Ministers
Nancy Hawkins, Secretary
Cathy Zoscl, Music Director
Beth Safranski, Chelsea House Manager
Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P., In residence
MASS SCHEDULE
I
j Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 &. 11:00 a m. Si 7:50 p.m.
Monday Friday: 5:10 p.m. Evening Prayer followed by Maw
Wednesday only: Student Mass at 9:00 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession): S.itut.i.tv -it 4 1 p in or bv .ip; ointment
Office hour': Monday Friday 1 W a.in io 4 V p in
SPECIAL HAPPENINGS AND CLASSES:
Wed., Sept. >0: at h .V p m Ml cl nnnn M.i»s for Students followed by I* c f ream Sen :al
Wed., Oct. 7: ii l tV p.m., a discussion with Dr. Rcytn-t MtGlothlin n the b-- 4. 4 K.s.d I e- Trot : .
j by M Sc oil Pcvli, M D a 6- week « nnm
j Sun., Oct. Ill ill »> 00 p.m. Orientation .»on for .ill tho*c wlw ■ plan to attend the Rite t Chi -n in Iiiiii.uion
for Adults program to become Catholic Christians.
! Mon., Oct. 12: .it 7 V i hi. ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH AND CUSTOM " ' • H.
I lii' ,our>c will offer an overview ot Roman C tfluilu pra n,e and belief. iAjm ii to even m
Lhurs.. Oct. 22: It p.m PRAYING W11 H JESUS • t - set4 s, a t... .; 1 t c thr. .eh tbs Nnptur. H.
\X hx and Ml hat did Jesus pr.tv
BIBLE STUDY EVERY Mi EDM SDAY EVENINC i AT naV' I’ M STAR TIM ■ M. I DNEMMY. t* TORER '
PARABLE WEEKEND RETREAT -open It ill students pr.tduai. ind underKt iJuaie En . Nos I!
to Sun.. Nov I5.
The c ihapcl and Center are ..pen from 7 10 a m to 11 (V p.m. lor prayer, study and relaxation.
If you have any questions or need more information about programs. classes and events that are sponsored t'v the
New man l ienicr please drop bv the C enter or . all '41*7021.
THE CATHOLIC PARISH SERVING THE UNIVERSITY Of OREGON SINCE WIS.