Pg. 1-Lowell COA Message

Dear Friends,

The nights are growing longer, the air is brisk and most of us are trying to reframe from turning on our thermostats.  I don’t think we will be able to wait much longer.  If you are in need of help heating your home this winter, check out the Fuel Assistance Program @ CTI.  Eligible applicants receive help in filling up their oil tanks or receive discounts from their utility bills. 

The Annual “Harvest Ball” is coming up soon at the Lowell Rotary Club.  Tickets are available at the Lowell COA and are $7.50 each.  The event will take place on Tuesday, October 26^th from 11:30-3:00 PM.

Our “Welcome Day” in September was a success.  We had a fabulous first time response.   It gave a chance for us to welcome new senior participants who had not yet had a chance to check out the new facility.  We were very happy to welcome new faces.  We will offer this program again soon.  It gives seniors a chance to check out the new center, receive a tour, information and friendly conversation.  We thank you for taking the time to come down and hope to see you all again soon!

Halloween Dinner Dance tickets are now on sale for $3.00.  The dinner and dance will be held on Friday, October 15^th from 10 am – 3 pm.  There will be a prize for best women’s and best men’s costume.  You could wear your costume to the event or simply bring it in a bag to change into.  As usual DJ Ray Tremblay will play the “Monsters Mash” and we will hopefully enjoy viewing the dancing of ghouls, goblins and witches.

Please check out the inside of this newsletter for upcoming meetings, events, trips and important information.  If you have any recommendations for events please drop by and see us or drop your suggestion in our front lobby suggestion box.

Thank you.

See you all soon!

Sincerely,

Michelle Ramalho

Administrative Assistant-Lowell COA

pg. 3-OCTOBER SENIOR OF THE MONTH

WHO IS MEME MEME??????

She is the seventh of thirteen Simard children.  There were seven boys and six girls, all from Ford Mines, Canada.  Those were bread and butter days, but her parents were rich in family.

Cecil is a young and healthy ninety year old and always has a smile to share. 

A blessing arrives, no not a new baby!  Not at all.  Dad is a good farmer and is offered a job in Barton , Vermont.   The whole family had to take over and run the big farm.  Mom and Dad gave them their assignments and it worked out well.  Cecile milked the cows and helped with the haying. Horses were her favorite animals. She learned to ride them and it will never leave her memory.  She also worked at a girl’s camp in the laundry room in Barton.

One sister heads to Lowell and gets a job in a shoe shop.  She meets her future husband, gets married and invites Cecil to join them.  She joins her sister in Lowell and starts work in the shoe shop.  The love bug hits and she meets her future husband George Martin while playing cards.  No he wasn’t rich just a good- looking nice guy.  They had five children three boys and two girls.  At age 47 George passed away.  Cecile and the family carried on.  Today she is blessed with two great granddaughters. 

Bless you on the road to 100.  We are all counting on you.

Bill Allen_______________________________________________________________

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                                                   OCTOBER QUIZ??                      

            How many American Presidents served more than one term????

________________________________________________________________________

On Tuesday October 5 at 10:00 am, Kathy Barniak from Secure Horizons will be at the Lowell Senior Center to present the 2005 Secure Horizons information.  Please feel free to attend if you are already a member or just liking for information about the plan.  You can reach Kathy at 1-8880-880-8699, ext. #1080 if you have any questions.

Pg. 4-Up and Coming Trips and Events For October 2004-on Sale Sept. 3

OCTOBER 1, FRIDAY                      DEERFIELD FAIR                              $2.00

OCTOBER 4, MONDAY                  BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 4, MONDAY                  OLD MILL RESTURANT              $2.00

OCTOBER 5, TUESDAY                  AMHERST, WALMART                $2.00

OCTOBER 6, WEDNESDAY            BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 7, THURSDAY               CRACKER BARREL, LONDERRY $2.00

OCTOBER 8, FRIDAY                      TOPSFIELD FAIR                              $2.00

OCTOBER 11, MONDAY                        CLOSED

OCTOBER 12, TUESDAY                SEABROOK DOG-TRACK                     $2.00

OCTOBER 13, WEDNESDAY            BINGO                                             $0.50  

OCTOBER 14, THURSDAY              BUILDING 19  & Newicks                $2.00

OCTOBER 15, FRIDAY                     DINNER DANCE                                  $3.00

OCTOBER 18, MONDAY                BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 18, MONDAY                ECONOMY SHOPPING,  NH            $2.00

OCTOBER, 19, TUESDAY                PHEASANT LANE                          $2.00              

OCTOBER 20, WEDNESDAY            BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 21, THURSDAY              NASHUA MALL                         $2.00

OCTOBER 22, FRIDAY                     ROCKPORT                                      $2.00

OCTOBER 23, SATURDAY             HAM & BEANS SUPPER FUNDRAISER         

OCTOBER 25, MONDAY                BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 25, MONDAY                PICKETY PLACE, MASON, NH            $2.00

OCTOBER 26, TUESDAY                PICKERING WHAR                                    $2.00

OCTOBER 27, WEDNESDAY            BINGO                                             $0.50

OCTOBER 28, THURSDAY              NEWBURY PORT                          $2.00

OCTOBER 29, FRIDAY                     HUNGRY TRAVELER REST. &            $2.00

                        SALISBURY DISCOUNT

Pg. 5

OCTOBER 23  HAM & BEAN SUPPER @ LCOA 4 PM TO 7PM COST ADULTS  $5.00 CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OF AGE  $2.00.  FREE DRAWING TO FOXWOOD.

NOVEMBER 8  5 DAYS/4NIGHTS ROUND TRIP FROM LCOA TO LOGAN AIRPORT LAS VEGAS FLAMINGO HOTEL 4 SHOWS FREE RENT-A-CAR FOR ONE DAY LAS VEGAS BONUS BOOKLET  $548 dbl&trpl/$778 sgl  PAYMENT FOR TRIPS:  CHECKS ONLY!!!!!  

NOVEMBER 18  THE INDIAN HEAD RESORT CHRISTMAS TOUR DEPARTS LCOA AT 9:00 AM INCLUDES DELUXE LUNCHEON BUFFET, WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION, ENTERTAIN-MENT FEATURING DANCE BAND AND FLOOR SHOW COST $52.00 PP RETURN 6:00 PM. 

NOVEMBER 19-20  WHITE MT. HOTEL 2 NIGHTS  INCLUDES WELCOME RECEPTION 2 NIGHTS DELUXE ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE RESORT, 5 MEALS: 2 BREAKFASTS,  1 LUNCHEON, & 2 DINNERS, GUIDED SIGHT-SEEING TOUR OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY, 2 DIFFERENT SHOWS, SHOPPING AT TAX-FREE OUTLETS & SPECIALTY SHOPS & DISCOUNT SHOPPING + SPECIAL COCKTAIL PRICING & ROUND TRIP BAGGAGE HANDLING AND ALL ROOMS AND MEALS PLUS TAXES & GRATUITIES. $254.00 PP DBL-$240.00 TRIPPLE PP.

NOVEMBER 23, 04 CAPTAIN JACK’S LOBSTER BAKE & FOXWOOD RESORT. DEPART IN THE MORNING ONBOARD YOUR LUXURY VCR EQUIPPED SILVER FOX COACH.  A MORNING STOP FOR COFFEE IN CHARMING WICKFORD.  THEN YOU’LL CONTINUE TO  “CAPTAIN JACK’S RESTAURANT” IN WAKEFIELD, RI WHERE YOUR MENU IS CUP OF CHOWDER AND THREE CLAM CAKES, SHRIMP COCKTAIL W/ SHRIMP, 1 ¼ LOBSTER OR PRIME RIB, CORN, APPLE CRISP W/ ICE CREAM AND ROLLS, BUTTER & BEVERAGE.  RECEIVE A BUFFET COUPON AT FOXWOOD FOR $14.68 & A $20 LUCKY SEVEN KENO. PICK UP FLIER W/ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.  $49pp LAWRENCE  “MARIA” FROM THE SMASH BROADWAY HIT “WEST SIDE STORY”  TOUR INCLUDES EXCITING CAROL LAWRENCE SHOW, FOXWOODS BUFFET LUNCHEON, $15.00 KENO + TRANSPORTATION & GRATUITY $50.00.

 DECEMBER 1  A CHRISTMAS WITH CAROL AT FOXWOODS

DECEMBER 5,  SUNDAY IRISH COUNTRY CHRISTMAS FEATURING GREAT ENTERTAINMENT WITH DEIRDRE REILLY & DERMOT O’BRIEN THE TOUR INCLUDES:  YANKEE CANDLE SHOP IN DEERFIELD, MA.  LUNCH AT THE LOG CABIN, THE MEAL INCLUDES HOUS D’OEURVE WELCOME TRAY,  ENTREES , SEAFOOD BISQUE, COMBO PLATTER FEATURING ROAST PORK WITH ROSEMARY SAUCE AND STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST, DESSERT, CHERRIES JUBILEE/

DECEMBER 7, 04  BEACON CHRISTMAS PARTY COSTS $53.00 PP COACH BUS,  MEAL, SHOW.

DECEMBER 16, 04  SPIRIT OF BOSTON CHRISTMAS CRUISE

DECEMBER 21 YULETIDE NEWPORT & LASALETTE DISPLAY OF LIGHTS:  INCLUDES ADMISSION AND TOUR OF NEWPORT MANSION, LUNCH AT THE MOORING’S, CHOICE OF BAKED SCROD OR BAKED CHICKEN AND A VISIT AND SIGHTSEEING TOUR TO LASALETTE DEPART LCOA 8 AM COST $49.00.

**************************************************************************************                                                         TRIPS FOR 2005

Please note on the paperwork regarding insurance for overnight trips all information should be listed on the trip sheet.   Refunds on day trips cannot be returned unless the trip is cancelled by the company.  You can sell your ticket or we can sell your ticket for you if we have a full bus.   

JANUARY  12-14, 2005 TAJ MAHAL $129.00 PP DOUBLE, 125.00 TRIPLE, $209.00 SINGLE

FEBRUARY 10, 2005 VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL VENUS DE MILO $44.00

MARCH 17, 2005 ST. PATRICK’S DAY INDIAN HEAD $49.00

JUNE 20-24, 2005 DUDE RANCH 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS COST $489.00 PP TWIN OCCUPANCY

JULY 11, 2005 NIAGRA FALLS & ERIE CANAL

                                                   Pg. 6-HAM & BEAN SUPPER??????                       

                               FRIENDS OF LOWELL COUNCIL OF AGING FUNDRAISER

WHAT?        HAM & BEAN SUPPER

WHERE?      LOWELL COUNCIL OF AGING,  276 BROADWAY ST.

WHEN?        OCTOBER 23, 2004, FROM 4-7PM

WHY?           FUNDRAISER

ADULTS $5.00 & CHILDREN $2.00

SMOKE DETECTOR GRANT
There are 250 smoke detectors that are available from this grant offered by

LOWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICE

        Requirements:

1. Family residing in the City of Lowell, MA
2. Needing of a smoke detector.  The need could be replacement of an out dated alarm or no alarm at all.
3. Sign a release form and answer a fire safety questioner.
4. have a return visit 4-6 months after installation
5. interpreter if needed and an installer will place the detectors in the right place.  Also to attend a fire safety and smoke alarm education program.  Hosted by LFD Public Education Office.
The smoke alarms are for residence that live on a limited source of income

Volunteer nurses schedule

Seniors come down and have a free blood pressure reading.

See schedule below:

TUESDAYS-10 AM – 12 NOON

(excluding the 5^TH Tuesday of each month)

with “Commonwealth Nursing” on the 1^st & 4^th Tuesday

with “Lowell Visiting Nurse Association” on the 2^nd & 3^rd Tuesday

WEDNESDAYS-11 AM – 12 NOON With “Life Care Center”

FRIDAYS 11 AM – 12 NOON-With  “Overlook VNA”

The Lowell Council on Aging and our visiting seniors thank all the volunteer nurses and their employers for their dedication and kindness!

PAGE 7

 “ EATING WELL”

Elizabeth Anderson MA, RD, LD

Elder Services Dietitian

October 2004

     Remember when having Diabetes meant you had to avoid sugars and sweet foods?  Now we know the whole story and I for one am glad that most diabetics no longer have a big list of “No Way!” foods.

     The newest research shows diabetics can enjoy carbohydrate rich foods as long as portion size is followed.  Pick up any diabetic exchange list and you’ll see how diabetics can eat honey, chocolate milk, cupcakes and even donuts, they just have to calculate how the carbohydrates in the suggested serving will fit into their plan for the day.

     I tell folks with diabetes to imagine that they have a carbohydrate budget for each meal.  For most people, breakfast, lunch and dinner allow for around 4 servings of carbohydrate (1 serving of carbohydrate provides 15 grams of carbohydrate or “carbs”) or approximately 45 – 60 grams per meal.  The most important thing to keep in mind is portion size.  Yes, well – controlled diabetics can eat regular frosted cake but here’s the kicker, a two inch square piece of frosted cake equals 2 carb exchanges or 30 grams of carbohydrate and 5 grams of fat.  That does not leave much of a budget left for the main course!  Eat a bigger piece of cake and do the math.  On your birthday it might be worth it-another day you might prefer to skip dessert and spend all your exchanges on pasta, bread and milk. 

     Keep in mind the following foods/drinks all contain carbohydrates:

Starches:      bread, rice, cereals

Starchy

Vegetables:  peas, corn, potato

Fruits:            whole, canned and fruit juices

Milk:              all types

     To successfully manage blood sugar levels, diabetics must figure out how many grams of carbohydrates are in all the foods they eat and strive to keep total carbs to 45-60 grams/ per meal!

     Got a yen for a sweet, processed treat?  Don’t forget to read your labels, Total Carbohydrate is the category you want to focus on, not sugars.  Next, read the serving size of the food. ; The total carbohydrate figure will tell you how many grams of carbohydrates in one serving of that treat.   Now, budget accordingly.

     Of course diabetics don’t simply eat carbohydrates.  A well-balanced meal plan includes lean protein, non-starchy vegetables as well as healthy fats.  Ask your doctor or Registered Dietitian about a meal plan that fits your needs and you’ll be Eating Well!

                                            ATTORNEY STEPHEN SPANO                      PG. 8

                                              Elder Law and Estates

MEDI-MINUTES-CMS Proposes Changes for Hospital outpatient Services

Under a proposed rule announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).  Medicare beneficiaries will have greater access to preventive benefits, as well as lower co-payments for various hospital outpatient services.  The proposed rule would also increase payment rates for screening examinations that are currently covered by Medicare by the following percentages:

.     3.24% for pelvic and breast exams

.     4.25% for barium enemas

.     4.25% for bone density studies

.     7.42% for flexible sigmoidoscopy

.     9.9% for screening colonoscopy

.     10.4% for glaucoma screening

In addition, the proposed rule would decrease beneficiary liability for coinsurance for outpatient services.  The rule proposes to reduce the maximum coinsurance rate for any service to 45% of the total payment to the hospital in 2005, down from 50% this year.  As a result, the average coinsurance rate would drop from 34% in 2004 to 32% in 2005.

                                                         LEGAL LINES

                                               Wills, “Personal Property”, Invested Money

Gilman Bjerke’s will left certain real property to Teri Hanson.  An attached list described various items of personal property (such as a truck, a snow-blower, and a floor hoist) to Hanson and other named beneficiaries.  The will also stated that any “article of personal property not designated by said list shall be determined to be content of my house and hall be bequeathed to Teri R. Hanson.”  The beneficiary of the residuary estate was a charitable foundation.

Before Hanson received the real property Bjerke had left her, the estate’s personal representative distributed $150,000 to the residuary beneficiary.  Hanson filed a declaratory action, claiming that all of Bjerke money should be distributed to her, leaving the residuary estate empty.  She argued that money was personal property, and that since Bjerke had not included his money on the list of personal property attached to his will, he had intended to bequeath all his money to her as contents of his house.

The personal representative responded by seeding to invoke the will’s no contest clause, which would void all of Hanson’s inheritance except for one dollar.  Hanson moved to have him removed as personal representative.  A Montana district court concluded that filling a declaratory judgment action did not constitute a contest under the no-contest provision, but also denied Hanson’s request to remove the personal representative.

As for Bjerke’s money, the court determined that while money is generally considered “personnel property” under Montana law, Bjerke had not intended to bequeath money invested outside the home to Hanson as an article of personal property.  Thus, only cash found within the home was to be distributed to Hason.

Hanson appealed, as did the charitable foundation, which claimed that even cash found within the home should be considered part of the residuary estate.

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed.               

                                                  Pg. 9-HEALTH HAPPENINGS  

                           Almost One Third of Adults Have High Blood Pressure

     According to a report recently published I Hypertension Journal of the American Heart Association, nearly one out of three Americans adults suffers from high blood pressure.  This increases their risks of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and many other dangerous health complications. 

     Ten years ago the rate was closer to one in four, and a decade before that high blood pressure was actually on the decrease.  Health experts attribute the recent rise to the fact that the percentage of older Americans is on the increase and more and more people are becoming obese.  Another important factor is lack of physical activity.

     Healthy eating habits, exercise, weight loss reduction of stress, and lowing of salt intakes are all steps one can take to improve blood pressure.  For those already suffering from high blood pressure, there are drugs your doctor can prescribe to get it down, but they often have detrimental side effects.  Preventing high blood pressure with an active and healthy lifestyle is the best way to go.

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Upcoming events & meetings for October 2004

Podiatry Clinic-October 1^st.  by appointment only 8am-12noon

Chet Harnden’s Big Band Sound-October 1sdt from 1-3pm-n/c

Secure Horizons Meeting-October 5^th @ 10am

DJ Nick Diamond-Dance-$3.00-October 8^th-1-3pm

Columbus Day-Offices closed-Oct. 11^th-Weekend Meals only @11:30am

Fallon Information Meetings-October 12^th & 26^th-11:30 am

Canada Prescription Meeting-October 13^th @ 10am

Halloween Dinner/Dance-DJ Ray Tremblay-$3.00-Oct. 15^th,10am-3pm

Health South Mtg. on Senior Exercise, demo, Q&A-Oct.18^th @11am

Alzheimer’s Assoc. Presentation-“Getting Started”-Oct. 19^th @ 9am-11am

Friends of Lowell COA-Ham & Bean Supper-$5-Oct.23^rd@4-7pm

Free Spaghetti Dinner for senior’s. Compliments of the “Lyons Club”

October 27^th from 4:00-7:00 pm. Pick up a complimentary ticket beginning Oct. 1^st-8-4 pm.

MOVE IT                               GET FIT WITH MODERATE ACTIVITY           PG. 10                      OR                                                                                                                                             

LOSE IT

     We’re pleased to present a series of articles by a certified trainer in response to reader request for exercise for information.

     Among other benefits of exercise, it can help you control diabetes, hypertension and being overweight, all risk factors for heart disease.  To ensure only good results from your efforts, see a physician and professional trainer before starting any exercise program.

                                 By Holly Rudin-Braschi, MA, ACSM

“I’d been active my whole life, “ says Dave Thompson, 73, of Lady Lake, Florida.  “When my four children were small, I coached Little League.  I also played golf, jogged…you name it.  Then, about 20 years ago, I had four heart attacks within two years and had to slow down a bit.”  But, slowing down for Thompson didn’t mean joining couch potatoes anonymous.  Instead he went into action with a moderate activity program designed by his son, Dr. Walt Thompson, Professor of Kinesiology and Health and a Professor of Nutrition at Georgia State University.  “I was convinced that exercise was what I needed to regain my strength and stay fit,” claims Thompson.  “Is always encouraged my boys to exercise throughout their lives and now my son is encouraging me!”

“After I got out of the hospital, Walt started me out slowly with an easy aerobic program, walking on a treadmill and cycling on a stationery bike,” reports Thompson.  “Now I walk outside with my friends about 4 to 6 miles every day.”  Thompson walks a leisurely few miles in the morning and then walks as additional mile or two again after supper.  He also plays golf 3 to 4 times a week and walks the greens with his golf clubs instead of riding in a golf cart.  “The most important exercise lesson I learned form my son,” explains Thompson, is that I don’t have to overexert myself to stay fit.  As long as I keep moving ever day I have stamina, the strength to do what I enjoy,, and I stay in a positive frame of mind.”

PG. 11-            Whatever happened to “no pain, no gain”?

Older fitness guidelines used to emphasize high-intensity exercise to achieve cardiovascular fitness.  But, according to Dr. Walt Thompson, who is also a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and co-author of the ACSM Fitness Book, third edition, no pain no gain has always been inaccurate.  “Early research studies in the 1950’s & 1960’s seemed to suggest that a person had to increase his/her heart rate in order to get in better shape.  That was translated out in the field as “it’s got to hurt to help.”  Now, sue to resent scientific research which has found that lower levels of activity can offer substantial health benefits, “easy does it” has become the new motto for fitness and health professionals, particularly those who work with beginners.  Exercise recommendations from the Surgeon General focus on moderate activity levels as a means to achieving both functional fitness and avoiding disease.

Why does the Surgeon General suggest moderate activity, rather than moderate exercise?

“It’s a matter of getting people moving without scaring them away.”  Explains Dr. Thompson.  “For most people, the word “exercise” means the exact opposite of fun Instead they think of work and drudgery…putting on the right kind of shoes, having the right outfit, using the right equipment, long hours in the gym, ect.  Changing the public’s perception from exercising to participation in physical activity is a brilliant marketing idea because it broadens the concept.”

Should seniors consider activity the same as exercise?

“Yes,” says Dr. Thompson.  “We try to get everyone to do some kind of activity,, ranging from land to water.  For example, my day enjoys a good round of golf.   I would rather have him play golf than sit at home doing nothing.  Does golf provide him with enough exercise?  I would have to say yes.  He enjoys golf and it motivates him.”

Does this mean high-intensity exercise is strictly out for older people?

No, not for senior athletes who have maintained a high intensity exercise program over a period of years.  This group includes senior cyclists, runners, swimmers, joggers, speed walkers, etc.  But, according to Dr. Thompson, if active older American who are used to strenuous exercise decide to tone down their programs, they may be able to maintain their current levels of fitness- depending on the level of the replacement activity- but not improve them.  “I would never suggest that seniors stop doing an activity they love and replace it with something else,” said Dr. Thompson.  “The motivation will be lost and they will probably not exercise at all.  My suggestion is for them to continue with their current programs and on alternate days, do something less intense.”  This strategy helps rest the body and prevents injury.