Monthly Wellness Update

This September – Be an Aging Myths Buster!

There is no better time to ‘bust the myths about aging’ than during Healthy Aging® Month.

Aging Myths:

1. Aging means declining health and/or disability. MYTH! Age does not always mean declining health and/or the onset of a disability!

2. Memory loss is an inevitable part of aging. MYTH! Memory loss is not an inevitable part of aging; or at least it doesn’t have to be!

3. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. MYTH! People of all ages, particularly the older population, are learning new things all the time. Think about social media and go on from there!

To maintain or gain a heathier state of mind, body and spirit, you may need to think about having fun with your aging process and reinvent yourself when possible to stay positive.

Start by making this month the time to set up your annual physical and other health screenings.

If everything goes as you hoped at your physicals and screenings, talk to your doctor about the following things you found that you’d like to work on.

1. Don’t let the numbers of your age make you submit to feeling and acting old. Remember the adage, you’re only as old as you feel? If you are practicing a healthy lifestyle and managing any chronic disease you may have, you have every reason to be positive and confident about your healthy aging condition; celebrate about yourself.

2. Be positive in your conversations and actions. When you catch yourself complaining, check your-self and change the conversation to something positive. Remember, no one – even you – enjoys spending time with someone who is always negative.

3. If you have friends who are always negative, try to distance yourself from them whenever possible. Negative people make those around them negative and depressed. Positive begets positive! If you are that (negative) person, you may want to try implementing the first two tips.

4. Walk like a vibrant, healthy person. If you walk slowly, is it because you are feeling old, have become lazy or, have a fear of falling? Try making a conscious effort to take big strides, walk with your heel first and wear comfortable shoes.

5. Believe it or not, standing up straight can knock off the appearance of a few extra years. Start by looking at yourself in the mirror. Are you holding your stomach in, are your shoulders back, is your chin up? Fix your stance and practice it every day, all day until it becomes your natural posture. You will look younger and feel better.

6. How’s your smile? Research shows people who smile more often are happier.

7. Your teeth are just as important to your good health as the rest of your body. Not only is it the first thing people notice, but good oral health is a gateway to your overall well-being.

8. If you are feeling lonely, do something about it; don’t give in to it. Call someone to do one or more of the following things with you: volunteer, take a class, invite someone to meet you for lunch, brunch, dinner, or coffee. You may find that volunteering at the local public school put you in touch with younger people and help you keep up on current on trends, or taking a com-

puter class or a tutorial session at your cell phone store will help you become more savvy with up with technology.

1. Start walking not only for your health but to see the neighbors and others who are out getting some fresh air and exercise. It may lead to a walking partner.

2. Do you have an inner artist needing in you? Have you ever thought about playing a musical instrument, painting a picture, woodworking, learning a foreign language, taking a cooking class, welding? Now is a good time to sign up for a fall and winter classes.

Resources for Sheboygan County and Wisconsin Residents

Sometimes healthy aging requires resources and/or assistance beyond the services of your primary care doctor. The Department of Health Services (DHs) is a resource in the community that helps ensure that the care provided to Wisconsin residents is high quality and provided in accordance with state and federal laws ensuring that Wisconsin taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and efficiently by preventing and detecting waste, fraud, and abuse and works to continue Wisconsin’s long tradition of strong health outcomes and innovation.

DHS works with local counties, health care providers, community partners, and others to provide alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, mental health, public health, implementation of long-term care, disability determination, regulation of state nursing homes, and numerous other programs that aid and protect Wisconsin citizens. To learn more about the services available in Sheboygan call, 920-459-4382 or stop at the Sheboygan County Health and Human Services at 1011 N. 8th Street, Sheboygan, WI. For more information, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aboutdhs/index.htm

Wisconsin Senior Care Financial Assistance Resource. One of the advocacies at PayingForSeniorCare.com is to help the elderly and their families fully understand the cost of long-term care and the programs that can provide financial support. We have an online database of tools and resources that cover topics like available care options and free support that is available in Wisconsin. To review the PayingForSeniorCare guide, visit: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/longtermcare/paying-for-assisted-living.html https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/financial-assistance/wisconsin.html

Another national senior care resource, Caring.com, is available for both individuals seeking information for themselves and family caregivers needing help and support as they care for their aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. Caring.com is a leading senior care resource that has been featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes, as well as referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the Internet. Caring.com, offers a variety of options for a wide assortment of needs. Services for Sheboygan and the surrounding communities are available as well as out of state listings. Their services include a broad range of support and listings for care, including; Independent Living, In-Home Care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Continuing Care, Adult Day Programs and Nursing Homes. To learn more visit, caring.com or call toll-free,1 (800) 973-1540. TO learn more, visit: https://www.caring.com/senior-living