The INDEPENDENT, June 1, 2006
Community
Could you have
sarcopenia?
Have you ever heard of sar-
copenia? “Sarco” means flesh,
or muscle and “penia” means
loss. The fragility we see in the
elderly is largely the result of
muscle loss known as sarcope-
nia. Many adults work at pre-
venting chronic diseases asso-
ciated with aging such as heart
disease and diabetes, but sar-
copenia is a disease that is of-
ten overlooked.
After the age of 45, muscle
mass declines at a rate of
about one-percent a year. De-
creased physical activity levels
can explain most of this loss.
When muscle mass decreases,
so does muscle strength. When
you lose muscle strength it be-
comes more difficult to do
chores, take walks, enjoy a day
of touring, go grocery shopping,
or accomplish other activities.
How can we break this vi-
cious cycle? The answer may
be strength training. A recent
research study showed that
even frail nursing-home resi-
dents in their 90s could build
muscle and strength.
Many of us find time to do
aerobic exercises such as run-
ning or swimming, which is
Page 7
Senior News
By Karen Miller
RO-
M A N -
N A ’ s
G A R -
D E N
PA R T Y
will be
here at
the Se-
n i o r
Center
from
Wednesday
through Saturday, June 7, 8, 9,
and 10! Come help make this
our biggest fundraiser yet! Bird
houses, bootjacks, plants,
shrubs, trees, flowers, garden-
ing tools and much more. Be
here early for the best selec-
tion. Starts at 9:00 a.m.
While you’re here, purchase
your ticket for a sweet RED
electric scooter to be given
away Jamboree weekend!
Ticket price: only $1.00.
great for strengthening your
heart and lungs, but it may not
be sufficient to prevent sar-
copenia. However, weight lift-
ing can! Two to three weight-
training sessions a week for
about 20-30 minutes are rec-
ommended. Ideally, you should
Please see page 25
Come in and check out our
great selection of clothes; just
today I found a leopard print
shorts and top ensemble for
only $2.00! Thanks to whoever
donated that item! Maybe it
was the brand name – as my
daughter says, “Mother, why
does someone make women’s
clothes called ‘SAG Harbor’!?”
Hearing aid needs? Call
your senior center for an ap-
pointment with Willoughby
Hearing; they are here once a
month.
From the Community Action
Team’s Senior Advocate’s office:
1) AARP Safe Driving Class
coming in July. Call my office to
sign up. Only $10 and no tests.
2) Need information on Vet-
eran’s services? Community
Action Team will be making this
service available.
3) Preventive Health grant is
now offering swimming through
this Vernonia office. Call for
sign-ups.
4) Are you interested in
some
caregiving
training
through Community Action
Team? We have set a date for
June 15 for a free caregiving
seminar. Call my office for infor-
mation.
5) Do you know of someone
in need of some senior visiting
and/or counseling service? We
have a volunteer that would be
glad to assist someone in that
area.
See you Fridays here at the
center for Connie’s great
breakfasts: Only $2.50 and
great company besides! 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. See you there, Re-
becca.
Cool
Cyber
Resource:
www.ada.gov. Helps you un-
derstand the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
If you know of a senior who
would like a visit from the Se-
nior Advocate or has any senior
needs and concerns, call our
office.
REMEMBER:
• Pastries and bread
Wednesday a.m.
• Bingo, Mondays at lunch.
• Music with the Golden
Oldies on Wednesdays.
• Games on Thursdays.
• Willoughby Hearing every
first Friday at 11:00 a.m.
• Sign language class at
9:00 a.m. on Mondays.
• Breakfast every Friday,
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., $2.50.
INFORMATION NUMBERS
Senior Advocate...429-9112
Senior Center.......429-3912
Transportation......429-4304