August 16, 2019
T he C olumbia P ress
Senior Moments
with Emma Edwards
Learning to love exercise perks
for physical and mental health
Food for thought: If thieves
wear sneakers and artists
wear Sketchers, do linguists
wear Converse?
I don’t remember who gave
that to me, but I promised to
share it.
Sneakers relate to our sub-
ject this week: exercise.
I won’t speak as an expert
on this subject. In fact, I am
a bit of a “dropout,” as I sus-
pect many of my senior com-
patriots are.
Just remember that using
the handle on your recliner
does not qualify as exercise.
Neither does using your fin-
gers on the keyboard.
I like to read about exer-
cise. I like to watch videos on
exercise, even videos about
the value of exercise. I even
don’t mind going to physical
therapy if needed, except for
the part when the therapist
asks me if I’ve been doing the
suggested regimens at home.
You know, we do get home-
work and the therapist does
anticipate us doing the home
part of our treatment.
I don’t like to lie, so I usu-
ally do a few rounds the day
before so I can give her/him
a weak yes.
Reminds me of homework
when I was a child in school.
I never liked it. Even today,
as I observe the amount some
of my offspring get, it seems
almost cruel. But you know
who the winners are? Those
who do their homework!
Maybe try to get it over with
early in the day. One person
told me I need to exercise
early in the morning before
my brain figures out what I
am doing!
Some time ago, I was priv-
ileged to enter the at-home
Otago program, whereby a
therapist came to my home
and put me through exercis-
es to help repair the results
of a few broken bones. She
gave me a calendar and exer-
cises to do in between thera-
py days. It included strength
training, balance retraining
and walking.
I
became
acquainted
with this amazing program
through NW Senior and Dis-
ability Services in Warren-
ton. Those who are interested
can call Suzanne at 503-861-
4200. There may be a wait-
ing list, but it’s worth waiting
for and, yes, they will get the
approval of your doctor.
Over the years, I’ve worked
closely with seniors who have
problems with depression.
Thirty minutes of exercise
three times a week may help
treat depression in the el-
derly (that’s us!) better than
standard prescriptions, ac-
cording to a team from Duke
University Medical Center.
Experts aren’t sure why ex-
ercise has such mental health
benefits for seniors but it
has long been a preferred
method of treatment. Just
remember to start gradually
and work up to a desired or
recommended program.
In the meantime, when
something takes away your
peace, depresses you or just
bothers you … take a walk!
5
State of City: Mayor outlines Warrenton-first ideal
Continued from Page 1
He’d like to see more com-
munity-based events. “There
was a time in history where
Warrentonians
gathered
to compete in dance halls,
cookoffs and other friendly
events,” he said.
e mphasis on improVement
The city will continue to
work in close collaboration
with groups that are separate
from the city, such as the new-
ly renamed “Spruce Up War-
renton.”
He supports their plans to
shift focus from Warrenton’s
downtown to Pacific Drive,
Hammond’s downtown.
“We want to encourage citi-
zens to take pride and owner-
ship in their city,” Balensifer
said. “If we are truly going to
embrace better things for our-
selves, we all must be part of
the change we seek.”
Warrenton needs to learn
from past mistakes, he said.
No more “poorly built housing
developments” with narrow
roads, missing street lights,
poor storm drainage or inferi-
or sidewalks.
“While the city has been chip-
ping away at this for two years,
this fiscal year is where we be-
gin in earnest to draw the line,”
he said. “Regardless of who,
how or why these develop-
ments were allowed, they are
here now. The issues of yester-
day are problems the current
commission must own.”
l ousy leases
The city has several long-
term leases at marinas and
city parks that are so low they
could be considered a subsi-
Senior lunch menu
Monday, Aug. 19: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, car-
rots, romaine salad, key lime pie.
Thursday, Aug. 22: Chicken a la king, buttermilk biscuits, zuc-
chini, potato cucumber soup, pumpkin cake.
The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors
open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton
Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is
$6 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more
information, call 503-861-3502.
dy, Balensifer said. Taxpayers
foot the bill for maintaining
the facilities.
The commission has asked
city staff to get all properties
appraised and renegotiate
the submarket leases where
it can.
“We must ensure we can
maintain public assets or di-
vest of those we cannot rea-
sonably expect to sustain.”
p artnerships
Oregon Department of
Transportation owns High-
way 101, Alternate Highway
101, Highway 101 Business,
South Main Avenue, North-
Pam Ackley, Broker
west Warrenton Drive, Pacific
Drive and Harbor Drive. The
state controls maintenance as
well as access to those roads.
It can create problems for the
city on things like congestion
created by Wendy’s Restau-
rant, he said.
“Despite the regional ODOT
office being unwilling to en-
tertain the commission’s sug-
gestions for improving traffic,
the city will better engage our
state legislators to ensure our
concerns … are heard and to
find ways to fund improve-
ments to the aforementioned
roads and the vital bridges
that connect them.”