COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019 | 9A
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TURNING 65 AND NEED HELP WITH
YOUR MEDICARE CHOICES?
Call Paul to
help simplify
the complicated.
541-517-7362
Paul Henrichs ~ Local Independent Agent
coverage4oregon@gmail.com
Boomer & Senior News Line
What’s Our No. 1 Reason for ER Visits?
A recent study revealed that the
number of deaths from senior falls
has tripled. This is not new. A 2015
study also concluded that the num-
ber of falls was increasing, even when
America’s growing senior population
was taken into account.
For those over age 65, falls are the
leading reason we go to the emergen-
cy room. Falls can start a vicious cy-
cle: A simple fracture or brain injury
can lead to hospitalization, which can
bring its own problems, such as catch-
ing an infection or becoming weak
from staying in bed. Being weak can
lead to more falls ... and more decline.
An older study concluded that one-
fourth of seniors who had a hip frac-
ture died within six months. Many
of those who survived ended up in a
nursing home and were still there a
year later.
What can increase our risk of falls?
Sometimes it’s foot pain, lower body
weakness or vision problems. Some-
times it’s a sedentary lifestyle, or scat-
ter rugs in the wrong places. Some-
times it’s the drugs we take. When you
get a new prescription, ask the doctor
about side effects. Also check with the
pharmacist, who knows what other
drugs you might be taking.
Whatever the cause, we can avoid
falls. The recent study divided par-
ticipants into two groups: those in
an exercise program and those not in
one. Those who exercised fared better
when it came to reducing falls.
Contact your senior center to ask
about balance classes, either at the cen-
ter or through the local hospital. Look
for senior-oriented exercise classes
to build muscle strength. Walking is
your next best bet, aiming for a half-
hour walk a few times a week. Explore
tai chi for leg strength, flexibility and
balance. Also look online for the free
Tufts University booklet called Grow-
ing Stronger.
Counting Steps
FREE Special Event
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
Learn the symptoms of DEMENTIA, including
ALZHEIMER’S, and learn how to support loved ones and
friends who live with dementia.
Wednesday, July 24 – 6:30 p.m.
For more information call:
Linda LaZar (541) 942-0054
1425 Daugherty Ave • Cottage Grove
Refreshments will be served
E
Have you been counting your steps
every day? Do you have one of those
step trackers?
I keep reading that we’re supposed
to take 10,000 steps per day for good
health. Some studies say 4,400 are
enough. I knew I wasn’t getting any-
where near that (especially in the
winter when everything outside is
covered in ice), but I didn’t know how
many steps I was actually taking.
Enter Amazon.com, our go-to for
nearly everything, delivered to our
door.
The first step was to select Aver-
age Customer Review to see which
pedometer, or step tracker, had the
highest rating. Some were very high-
tech and tracked steps, miles, calories
burned and more.
Looking for more guidance, I
checked out a study done by the Na-
tional Institutes of Health a few years
ago. Researchers tested four models,
ranging from very simple to very ex-
pensive. Imagine their surprise when
it turned out that the simple, inexpen-
sive step counter was the most accu-
rate. Fingers crossed, I picked out one
by that company.
Then the fun started. I paced off
100 steps at the grocery store then
compared it to what the tracker said.
Very accurate. So far, so good.
Then the counter went a little crazy.
I left it on top of the microwave while
Staying Safe Online
It’s getting more and more difficult
to stay safe on our phones, computers
... everything that involves communi-
cation that someone else can access.
If your local senior center holds
classes, recommend that it conduct
one on how to recognize scams in
your email and on websites. Scam-
mers are getting more sophisticated
as they try to lure you in, making you
feel that it’s safe to click a link or give
information. Once you learn how to
identify (or at least be suspicious of)
what you see online, you increase
your safety because you know to stop
and think.
Realize that phone apps are likely
not very safe, especially for things like
your bank, grocery store and buying
things online.
I don’t often suggest brand names
in this column, but
in a few cases it’s
worthwhile to let
you know things
I’ve
personally
tried.
SOUTH LANE COUNTY
FIRE & RESCUE
SAVE MONEY. SAVE LIVES.
verything for Your
Eyes Only
If you need work
on your comput-
er, consider Geek
Squad.
They’re
part of Best Buy
(BestBuy.com). If
Comprehensive family, medical eyecare and optical services
We provide exams for Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic and Lasik
Serving Cottage Grove since 2006
Book an appointment today!
Medical, vision and fl exible spending plans welcome.
Mon-Thurs 9M-5PM
FRI 9AM-4PM
257 N. 8th St 541-942-5000
www.PCVI.com
You Can Count on Us!
We provide prompt and reliable, public
transportation. Our experienced, courteous drivers
will take you to appointments on time.
I heated up something, and unbe-
knownst to me, the microwave appar-
ently took 17 steps across the kitchen.
Today I did a lot of walking around
town -- but I can’t believe I took as
many steps as the counter says I did.
So I’m back on Amazon, looking
for an additional counter. My plan is
to wear both for a few weeks and see
if they give approximately the same
number.
That’s my suggestion if you want
to start tracking your steps: buy two.
And look for pedometers that do only
one thing ... count steps. Sometimes
simple is better.
Ground Ambulance
Memberships
$65 per year
Ground Ambulance &
Air Membership
you have a store near you, you can go
there to sign up and also leave your
device for repair. Call ahead.
In many cases, depending on the
problem, you don’t have to take in
your device. If you call Geek Squad,
they can do a remote access. If the
problem is something like a bug, in
many instances they can fix it from
their end while you sit at home and
watch the screen. If you contact Geek
Squad for any reason, ask if you need
to consider getting Webroot (www.
webroot.com) anti-virus.
I also can recommend Kim Koman-
do, a woman with a tech website full of
information you need (www.koman-
do.com). She also has a weekly radio
show. You can sign up for free weekly
email newsletters that are worthwhile
and full of safety and how-to informa-
tion.
ell Blueberr
w
s
e
Cr 34030 Orchard Ave., Creswell ies
541-895-8907
U-Pick or Call to Order
Open Daily 8-5pm
Accommodate off hour picking by appointment
July –August with
eight different varieties
No Spray!
We provide buckets & boxes
Please leave pets at home.
$115 per year
Call 541-942-4493 for info.
FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911
Serving South Lane County.
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South Lane Wheels
1450 Birch Ave, Cottage Grove
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