More tips to keep your nutrition on track

• Fruits and vegetables are mostly low in calories and contain healthy fats, so you can eat as many servings as you like. Remember that adding salt, unhealthy fats or sugar to fruits and vegetables limits the potential health benefits your body can take from these foods, so keep it simple!
• Fiber is essential for a healthy diet. Fiber is found only in plant foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The more a food looks like it did when it was grown on a tree or in the ground, the more fiber it contains.
• Sodium is an ingredient in salt, which your body needs to manage blood pressure, but too much sodium can cause health problems. Avoiding processed foods and flavoring foods with herbs, lemon juice or different types of vinegar is a good way to keep sodium intake under control.
• Sugar is fun, but the average American consumes too much per day. When sugar is consumed in high amounts, it can cause cavities, weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. Drinking water instead of soda, energy and sports drinks, sweetening foods with fresh fruit and opting for fresh foods instead of processed treats are all easy ways to cut back on sugar.
• Fat is an important part of a healthy diet, but too much of the unhealthy kind can lead to weight gain and higher risk for chronic diseases. Choosing lean meats, tomato-based sauces instead of cheese or cream-based sauces and opting for olive, canola or corn oil over shortening, butter and margarine are just a few way to reduce fat in your diet.

Fine out more about the Self Management, Health and Exercise programs offered by Oasis.

Recently proven principles, if practiced, support healthy brain aging and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

As a fourth-year medical student, I was contemplating a career in neurology. I was fortunate to obtain a six-week clerkship in New York City, at the Neurological Institute of Columbia University Medical Center, where Dr. Houston Merritt, one of the titans in the history of American neurology of the 20th century, was the past chairman and professor emeritus.

Although retired, Dr. Merritt met with medical students once a week. An entertaining raconteur, he had us spellbound with personal stories from his long and illustrious career. During one session he uttered these words: “One of the unfortunate experiences of growing old is sitting in my favorite chair and listening to my Betz cells commit suicide by diving into the ventricular lakes.” (Betz cells are large, gray matter brain cells and the ventricles are normal, fluid-filled, cavities in the brain.)

As I’ve written in my book, The Brain Training Revolution: A Proven Workout for Healthy Brain, this statement struck me, as it came from a neurological “giant” and revered teacher who delivered it with a tinge of sadness and resignation. These words became seared in my memory.

Dr. Merritt’s depressing, rather hopeless sentiment reflected what was then the central dogma of the aging brain. Neurologists and neuroscientists of that era taught that we are born with a hard-wired brain. Furthermore, according to this tenet, the most marvelous structure in the entire universe began to unravel at about age 40. If you were fortunate, it unraveled slowly and you lived into your sixties, seventies and beyond with your mental faculties intact. If you were unlucky, it unraveled more rapidly, and you became senile. Now we refer to senility as dementia.

Today we know differently and better.

A more hopeful outlook on aging and brain health

Although the aging brain does show some “wear and tear” – it is not as nimble as a younger brain – remarkable, ground-breaking discoveries of the last thirty years have defined a new paradigm. The previously described possibilities of neuroplasticity and brain reserve in the adult brain are no longer hypotheses; they are now firmly established as principles for brains of sixty, seventy, eighty years of age and beyond. The new science of the aging brain is built upon the results of thousands of animal and human research studies.

Let’s define neuroplasticity and brain (cognitive) reserve to understand the promise they hold for each of us as we age.

• Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change its shape by generating new neurons (brain cells) and connect them via axons and dendrites (miniature cables). This property underlies our ability to learn, remember and create at any age.
• Brain reserve, also known as cognitive reserve, is an insurance policy against loss of mental function associated with age. Think of it as analogous to physical reserve: individuals who do regular, modest physical exercise have protection against heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and other age-related diseases. Brain reserve is built and maintained by living a brain healthy lifestyle.

Here are the core components of a brain healthy lifestyle:

• Challenging mental activities – be a lifelong learner
• Social engagement – participate in fun, engaging activities with family and friends
• Modest, regular physical activity – walk 30 minutes, five days each week
• Healthful eating via the Mediterranean diet
• Successful stress management
• Getting nightly, memory-consolidating, restorative sleep

Older adults who incorporate these six lifestyle components and pay attention to medical risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes have better cognitive and overall health, fewer memory misfires (aka senior moments) and a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

About the author

Paul Bendheim, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and founder of BrainSavers®, an evidence-informed, total lifestyle, proprietary program aimed at enriching lives, maintaining cognitive and overall health, while reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  Dr. Bendheim’s team developed The BrainSavers® Brain+Body Total Fitness Program, which was launched in 2016, and is currently offered by health plans and retirement communities in several states.

Things are about to heat up for Pam Muhlenkamp, but she’s ready.

As an Oasis-CLAIM Medicare counseling volunteer, Pam is prepared for a steady stream of older adults who will come to Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in St. Louis, during Medicare Open Enrollment, which starts October 15 and lasts through December 7. They’ll be in search of help navigating a process that has a lot of moving parts. Pam is happy to be that friendly face to walk them through their options.

“There are so many things to know and so many decisions to make, especially if you are signing up for the first time,” says Pam. “I worked with a medical physicians group in software for nearly 30 years, and came to know a lot about Medicare. I like to solve problems, so I thought this would be a good fit.”

Pam, who also spends a lot of time with her grandchildren, and sings in a church choir, is looking forward to her fourth year as a Medicare counselor.

“One of the most common concerns people have is figuring out how they can make sure their expensive medicines will be covered,” she says.

Last year, Pam’s tenacity and know-how with the system made all the difference for a local woman whose sister signed up late for Medicare and misunderstood how her marketplace coverage fit into the equation. Thanks to Pam, the woman was finally able to help her sister get the coverage she needed, her penalty fees were waived and some refunds for costs incurred while she wasn’t covered will be recouped, at least in part.

Changes to watch for in 2019

Medicare counselors like Pam are trained regularly to be kept abreast of changes that happen from year to year with Medicare coverage. There are a number of things to know for 2019:

• Donut Hole Closing: An expensive element of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit requires enrollees with high prescription costs to pay more for their medicines after they reach a certain level of spending in one year. This creates a coverage gap – also called the “donut hole.” After a beneficiary’s out-of-pocket spending reaches a second threshold, they enter catastrophic coverage and pay substantially less. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the donut hole was scheduled to close in 2020. But the spending bill Congress passed in March will close the donut hole for brand-name drugs in 2019. The gap will close for generic drugs in 2020.

• Therapy Cap Gone: Beneficiaries of original Medicare won’t have to pay the full cost of outpatient physical, speech or occupational therapy because Congress permanently repealed the cap that has historically limited coverage of those services.

• Better Information: Medicare is updating the handbook it sends to beneficiaries every fall. It will include checklists and flowcharts to make it easier to decide on coverage. The online Medicare Plan Finder tool will be easier to use and an improved “coverage wizard” will help enrollees compare out-of-pocket costs and coverage options between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

• More Telemedicine: Medicare is steadily broadening the availability of telehealth programs that let patients confer with a doctor or nurse via telephone or the internet. In 2019, it will begin covering telehealth services for people with end-stage renal disease or during treatment for a stroke.

• Lifestyle Support: Beginning in January, Medicare Advantage plans have the option to cover meals delivered to the home, transportation to the doctor’s office and even safety features in the home such as bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps. To be covered, a medical provider will have to recommend benefits such as home-safety improvements and prepared meals.

• In-Home Help: Medicare Advantage plans also will have the option to pay for assistance from home health aides, who can help beneficiaries with their daily activities including dressing, eating and personal care. These benefits represent a revised and broader definition of the traditional requirement that Medicare services must be primarily health related.

• Plan Test Drives: New regulations will let people try an Advantage plan for up to three months and, if they aren’t satisfied, they can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or choose to enroll in original Medicare. Congress required this flexibility in the 21st Century Cures Act, designed to accelerate innovation in health care.

Effective starting in 2019, the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period will run from January 1 – March 31 every year. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have a one-time opportunity to do the following:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B
• Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you return to Original Medicare). Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage already. Usually you can’t enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, but there are some situations where you can. Call your Medicare Advantage plan if you have questions.
• Drop your stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug

Oasis Medicare help is available in the St. Louis area

Our offices offer free and confidential help with Medicare questions. This unbiased counseling is provided by knowledgeable, state-certified Oasis volunteer insurance counselors and is a good option for individuals with first-time Medicare enrollment, claims assistance and plan changes.

To get help over the phone, call (800) 390-3330 (Missouri) or (618) 463-7182 (Illinois). To schedule a one-on-one appointment, call (314) 362-7587 (Missouri) or (800) 392-0936 (Illinois).

The State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, in-depth, one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance in all 50 states.

For more information, visit www.medicare.gov/.

As a US Navy trainer and fitness coordinator, Felicia Morales of San Antonio, Texas, developed specialized programs for active duty personnel who couldn’t pass fitness standards. Whether they were returning from medical waivers, maternity leave or had simply let good fitness habits slip, Felicia worked with each one to get them back into shape.  Today, she uses those skills to teach participants at San Antonio Oasis how to improve their strength, balance and self-confidence through a variety of fun and rewarding workouts.

She joined Oasis a year ago, and one of the first classes she developed was Chair Dynamics: ABmazing Core. “The core engages everything: the abdominals, lower back and pelvic muscles,” explains Felicia, who is a certified core specialist.

“By strengthening the core, we can improve posture, performance, balance and everyday movement.”

The popular class is chair-based and features continuous movement.

“I put no limits on anyone,” Felicia says. “I try to keep the routines fresh and vary it up to keep it challenging. If someone can’t do a certain move, there’s always a way to adapt it so that no one feels left out.”

Felicia loves seeing the gains her students achieve.

“I have people who were using canes to walk,” she notes. “But over time as they develop more strength and better balance through the course, they are able to go up and down steps without a cane.”

If It’s Not Fun, It Won’t Get Done

Moving around is one of the four basic tenets of a healthy lifestyle, along with eating well, adequate rest and not smoking. “These are the key ingredients to maximizing life,” explains Juliet Simone, national health and program director of The Oasis Institute. “What I find so harmonious is that these four factors affect every disease state in a positive way.”

That’s the core idea behind Oasis evidence-based health workshops and fitness classes offered nationwide. From classic workouts like cardio and strength training, yoga and Aquafit, to a wide variety of dance classes, arthritis programs, bone-building and falls prevention programs, and even hiking and cycling, Oasis provides members with fun alternatives to keep them moving no matter what their fitness level.

“The number one unifier of everything we do is building community to reduce isolation,” Juliet says. “Our classes feature certified instructors from the community who are supportive and eager to engage every participant.”

Finding Balance with Tai Chi

Balance is one of the many things in life that needs practice to maintain. As people get older and slow down, the fear of falling may prevent them from the very activities that will help rebuild balance.  Tai Chi, which utilizes slow gentle flowing movements to build balance, is wildly popular throughout the country.

“I have a lot of students who come to Tai Chi because their doctor recommended it,” says Ilene Dunn, a certified Tai Chi instructor with Albuquerque Oasis. One of the classes she teaches is Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance®, a program takes eight movements from traditional Tai Chi and adapts them to focus on strength and balance. All movements can be performed seated or standing, with or without a chair.

“The body has balance receptors on the feet,” Ilene explains. “As we slowly step out, we are training those receptors to connect with the brain. All movements involve weight shifting, postural alignment. It allows students to build strength in their lower extremities, which is so important for fall prevention. They gain a sense of their body in space and practice balancing in a controlled way.”

Ilene’s students frequently tell her about instances where they prevented a fall by catching themselves when they slipped or tripped. “Our generation didn’t grow up with the mind-set of going to the gym after work,” Ilene adds. “Tai Chi offers a more gentle approach that yields the same kind of health benefits.”

Soulful Fitness

Ed Griffith is one of three Soul Line Dance instructors at San Diego Oasis who lead packed classes of joyful dancers, no gym required.

“The course is totally stress-free,” he explains. “Everyone comes and has a good time. They love being around each other and encouraging each other.”

The dances include country and western steps as well as specific soul line dances set to R&B, jazz, Latin and gospel. “We don’t wait for the music to control us,” Ed chuckles, “we just dance away.”

His students report weight loss as well as improvements in their memory and endurance. But it’s the stress-relief and camaraderie that keeps them coming back. “It’s fun rather than intimidating,” Ed notes. “It’s something to look forward to each week.”

Mind, Body & Spirit

That’s exactly how Rhonda Wright’s students feel about her Non-Impact Aerobics (NIA) class at Rochester Oasis, in New York. NIA is a whole body approach to fitness that blends elements from dance, martial arts and yoga.

“NIA isn’t about memorizing,” Rhonda explains. “It encourages you to be in the moment, to increase awareness of the body and to experience the joy of movement.  In this safe space, people experience a powerful feeling of being accepted and supported.”

Now in her 17^th year teaching NIA at Oasis, Rhonda relishes the growth she sees in her students. “I’ve seen improvements in balance, strength and flexibility,” she says. “I’ve seen their confidence grow as they try new moves. I’ve heard their laughter as we challenge ourselves. And I’ve seen friendships grow.”

While she’s always learning something new from her students, Rhonda says she will always remember one in particular.

“After a long illness, I noticed one of my students back in class,” she recalls. “She arrived at class and told me she was just going to sit in a chair and soak it all up. That was her goal for the day: to get up, get ready, drive to class and walk in. In the same situation, I probably would have just stayed home. She taught me something that day. Sometimes, just getting yourself there is enough.”

A pioneer in healthy aging, Oasis encourages a three-fold approach that experts and our participants agree makes getting older interesting and productive: lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement. In 2017, more than 12,500 health and fitness classes were offered nationwide. These programs are made possible with support from a number of funders. For a complete list of partners and funders, click here.

For more information about Oasis health classes, find a city near you and check out a catalog.

When it comes to getting older, we can all learn from those “courageous agers” who live by this sage advice: “It’s time to think outside the box.”

Breaking free of self-limiting beliefs takes courage, audacity, imagination and a dash of what’s called oppositional-defiant irreverence. This is especially true when it comes to aging and how we see and feel about ourselves. Perhaps it’s because we tend to regard our chronological age as self-defining as gender, race and ethnicity.

Likewise, our behavioral age as we grow older tends to define how we regard ourselves and how we treat others – either by being joyful, kind, compassionate and accepting – or by being inconsiderate, grumpy, even resentful. After all, it’s a choice we all make.

As outlined in my new book, Courageous Aging: Your Best Years Ever Reimagined, the benefits of shedding of “The Old-Old” and embracing “The New-Old” are immeasurable. The first steps are summoning the courage to take an honest inventory of our age-biases, accepting the loss of our younger selves, putting our house in order and making peace with life.

To truly break free from the restrictive myths, misconceptions, fears and stereotypes about getting old in a youth-worshiping culture takes enormous discipline and strength.

Yet, as we give ourselves permission to re-imagine the future without these joy-inhibiting beliefs and attitudes, we open up a whole new world of possibilities. As we gain more emotional freedom, we’re better able to come to terms with who we’ve become and start to pay forward the good that’s in our lives.

When you were younger, it’s likely you allowed yourself to dance, sing, play, create, explore, learn, love, share and grow. By stepping outside your self-imposed box, you’ll free yourself to enjoy some of your best years ever.

Visionary organizations such as Oasis that “promote healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement” provide adults ages 50 and older with invaluable opportunities to finally break free from our boxes – and flourish with full and meaningful lives.

The time is now. And the benefits are clear. So where do we begin?

Along with what I’ve learned in my workshops and classes, my research on aging has taught me the following seven steps for thinking outside the box. Each one embodies the elements of honor, humility and integrity.

Step 1. Take Honest Inventory of Your Age Biases

Take time to honestly reflect about where you stand with regard to your age, including any biases that may be limiting you and/or how you see others. Take charge of your life by vowing to be self-responsible, self-educating and self-correcting.

Step 2. Give Yourself Permission to Look Beyond These Biases

Open your mind and heart to a new way of seeing things. Honor, humility and integrity help us all look beyond our subconscious biases. We begin to understand how these beliefs have limited us and affected how we see and treat others.

Step 3. Consider New Ways of Seeing and Doing Things

You’re entering a new season of life with new possibilities. Allow yourself to let go of the “old normal.” Take time to consider different perspectives and how they might help brighten your outlook.

Step 4. Dare to Imagine Yourself Soaring and Enjoying Life as Never Before

Our imagination allows us to take what I call “thinking steps” into the future. Imagine your best possible future. Take a test drive to see how something actually feels so you’re able to make an informed decision.

Step 5.  Begin to Take Action

As portrayed in the movie “Cocoon,” dare yourself to explore newfound joy, meaning, wisdom, faith, love and connectedness. It may be daunting at first. But by summoning the courage to take action now, to re-purpose your knowledge, skills, experience, talents and passions, you’ll create newfound sources of meaning and relevance.

Step 6. Cultivate a “Thinking Outside the Box” Mentality

The following affirmations will help you replace restrictive, self-limiting ones and cultivate a more ageless, life-affirming “think outside the box” mentality:

• Affirmation #1: “I will release all feelings of embarrassment, fear, and shame, as well as the need to apologize, explain or defend myself when I’m asked, ‘How old are you?’”

• Affirmation #2. “I will accept my older self with acceptance, compassion, support, love and understanding.”

• Affirmation #3.  “I greet others who are my age and older with acceptance, compassion, support, love and understanding.”

• Affirmation #4. “I summon the courage to move forward and let go of old fears, hurts, regrets, expectations, and self-limiting ideas about my age that keep me from harvesting the joy, peace, love and wonder of each new day.”

• Affirmation #5. “I will do whatever is necessary to put my house in order, simplify and unclutter my life, lighten my load and leave a legacy of love by paying forward the good that’s all around me.”

• Affirmation #6. “I will cultivate the emotional strength to make peace with life, let go when it’s time and become a part of the greater mystery.”

Go ahead, cast aside your chronological age. Free yourself from self-limiting beliefs. Uncover new sources of joy and peace. Affirm your true value, worth, and wealth. Re-imagine your life outside the “getting old” box.

It’s a matter of courage, compassion and imagination.

Ken Druck, Ph.D., is a best-selling author, speaker, workshop leader, executive coach and organizational consultant who lives in Del Mar, California. Dr. Druck can be reached at info@kendruck.com and www.facebook.com/kendruck.

For adults wanting to make a fresh start with better nutrition, getting started can be the hardest part.

“It can be especially overwhelming for older adults,” says registered dietician Sue Picus. “What’s in the grocery store today is very different from 30 years ago. Some of the biggest challenges people have are navigating all of the choices available and figuring out how to eat healthy on a budget.”

Sue is doing her part to clear up some of the confusion by serving as a peer leader for Healthy Habits for Adults, a free program designed to help older adults adopt a healthy lifestyle around eating well and staying physically active. With support from Anthem Foundation, Oasis aims to reach more than 3,750 adults over the age of 50.

Classes packed with nutrition facts and tips

Participants can choose from 10 different classes which include information on low-impact exercise, recipe ideas, a healthy snack and nutrition lessons. Based on concepts from MyPlate for Older Adults, developed by Tufts University, Healthy Habits for Adults classes are packed with facts that take the guesswork out of making lasting lifestyle changes:

 

• Did you know that 80% of adults do not consume enough fruits and vegetables? Healthy Habits for Adults participants can learn more about the benefits eating 8-10 servings daily with Eating the Rainbow: Love Your Colorful Fruits and Veggies.

 

• Most Americans get 2 teaspoons more than the recommended amount of sodium each day.  Shake the Salt Habit: Limiting Salt in Your Diet reveals how foods high in salt sneak into our diet and effective ways to reduce them, without sacrificing flavor!

 

• Our bodies do not need added sugar to function. The differences between natural and added sugars and how to limit daily intake are covered in How Sweet It Is: Limiting Sugar in Your Diet.

 

• Half of our grains should be whole grains.  The Whole Truth About Whole Grains covers which carbohydrates are best to eat.

 

• The fats we eat have a big impact on our blood cholesterol level. The Skinny on Fat: Reducing Fat in Your Diet is a good way to learn the differences between healthy and unhealthy fats.

 

• Three cups. That’s how much dairy we should consume every day. Dairy Foods: Calcium and Vitamin D Superstars provides good information on this great source of calcium and protein.

 

• Foods rich in fiber boost health and keep our digestive systems functioning healthily.  Stay Regular: Enjoy the Power of Fiber in Your Diet covers the importance of whole grain, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber.

 

• Do you eat more than 10 grams of protein at each meal?   Protein: The Body’s Own Superman offers an understanding of the role that protein plays in the body, an explanation of paleo diets and more.

 

• Older adults are at higher risk for dehydration.  Fluids: Tips to Stay Hydrated and Make Healthy Beverage Choices is a good way to learn how to avoid this common cause for hospitalization.

 

• By learning how to read food labels, we can get the most nutrition for our dollar. Eating Healthy on a Budget – teaches skills to help save money at the grocery store and eat healthy on a budget.

 

Preventing and managing chronic conditions

Good nutrition and regular exercise are important tools to manage or prevent chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

According to the National Council on Aging, 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and 77% have at least two.  Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Aging Data show that only 36% of older adults ages 50 and older eat the daily recommended servings of fruits (2 or more) and only 21% eat the daily recommended servings of vegetables (3 or more).

Thirty-two percent are obese, with a BMI of 30 or above, and 30% participated in no leisure time physical activity the week before.   Approximately one in four adults ages 65 years and older has diabetes. 

Find out more and get started today

In 2018, Healthy Habits for Adults programs are being implemented by Oasis centers in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA; St. Louis, MO and Indianapolis, IN; and with community health partners in Tucson, AZ and Richmond, VA. Find out more about a program near you.

Participants of Healthy Habits for Adults receive an Oasis Healthy Living Guide for Adults, which provides practical tips to make healthier living easy to understand, such as how to become and stay active at participants’ own pace; tips and tricks for getting fit; easy exercise instructions to increase strength, flexibility, and balance; tips for reading food labels and forming new nutrition habits; and easy-to-follow and nutritious recipes.  Download this free resource.

Healthy Habits for Adults is made possible through generous support from Anthem Foundation.

 

 

Joan Lane had plenty of stress in her life when she first got involved with Oasis. She was a caregiver for her mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and didn’t have much time to focus on her own health.

The Oasis class uses the evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management curriculum developed at Stanford University to help people build skills and develop their own action plans for managing their health. Each week participants meet to learn, problem-solve and provide motivation and support for each other.Seeking ways to help her mother and other people she cared about, Joan signed up for a six-week Oasis class called “Living A Healthy Life” at her north St. Louis neighborhood library in 2012.

“It taught me how to relax and take better care of myself,” Joan said a few months after completing the class. “I set small weekly goals, like drinking more water, eating healthier snacks and walking every day. I learned to accept myself. It was wonderful.”

Six years later, Joan is still using the lessons she learned in the class, like staying hydrated and getting regular exercise.

“I learned the importance of nurturing yourself and socializing as much as possible,” Joan says. She stays busy with activities through a sorority and her church. She has also worked to update her technology skills and stays in touch with her grandchildren on Facebook.

Joan gives credit for her success to the volunteer facilitators for the program. One of those volunteers was Mary Maufas. “She was very informative, and was such a warm person. She helped us appreciate the ideas we were learning,” Joan says.

Mary has been a peer facilitator for Living a Healthy Life and more evidence-based classes – like Matter of Balance, Better Choices Better Health-Diabetes, Active Living Every Day and ExerStart – that teach people how to stay active and build healthy habits in their daily lives. Mary has also been a leader for monthly peer discussion groups that connect people with their neighbors to provide social support for each other. She has reached more than 300 people in her community as a leader for these classes.

“I feel like a fireman, saving lives every day,” Mary said about her role as a community educator. “We have opened doors for so many people and helped them learn how to maintain their health, have fun and grow.”She recalled another woman from her classes who has stayed in touch, calling every month or so to check in.“I remember her frowning with her arms folded at the first class. Each week that frown softened a little bit. By the last class she was interacting as part of the group. I feel that our lives and our relationships have changed from this experience.”

It’s the New Year and many of us make resolutions about dieting. It sounds good, but is dieting the best way to approach nutrition? Is it even good for us?

Who needs a weight loss diet?

The answer is no one.  Weight loss diets are temporary measures that most often result in greater weight gains after the diet ends. If we want to lose weight permanently, we need a lifestyle change that includes healthy eating patterns and regular exercise.

Weight loss is a long process if it is to succeed. A healthy weight is the result of a healthy lifestyle, not from a temporary diet. There are a number of things we can do as we begin our paths to ideal health:

• Find our ideal body weight using an online calculator and strive for no more than 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week.
• Make cooking a priority in our lives so we can lose weight by eating fresh, healthy foods rather than processed foods.
• Remember that the way we eat while we lose weight needs to become the way we eat for the rest of our lives or we will regain all the weight we have lost. That kind of yo-yo effect is hard on our hearts.

Looking for ways to learn more about good nutrition in general?

Oasis Health Habits for Adults is a great place to learn about good nutrition and healthy living.  With support from Anthem Foundation, Oasis offers Healthy Habits for Adults, a program that provides guidance for adults who want to make simple changes to their health through nutrition and physical activity.

Led by trained volunteers, the weekly, one-hour sessions include preparation of healthy snacks, as well as lessons about healthy food choices and low impact exercise. Some of the topics include:

• recognizing foods that are good for us
• tips for eating healthy on a budget
• understanding food labels
• how to reduce salt and sugar intake
• simple exercises that older adults can do at home

Participants also receive free Healthy Living Guide for Adults, a resource packed with practical tips to make healthier living easier.

In 2018, Healthy Habits for Adults programs are happening at Oasis centers in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA; St. Louis, MO and Indianapolis, IN;, and with community health partners in Tucson, AZ and Richmond, VA.

Find out more about the program and what’s happening in these locations throughout the year.

Guest blogger Bobbi Nelson completed her dietetic education at the University of Alabama and trained at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. She works with older adults in the northern Virginia/metro Washington D.C. area.  Her work focus on how proper nutrition can increase the quality of life for healthy clients as well as for people living with chronic diseases. She has been published in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ weight loss newsletter and has worked with patients with Parkinson’s disease.

If you have Medicare, you can protect your identity and help prevent health care fraud by guarding your Medicare card like you would a credit card.

Identity theft from stolen Medicare Numbers is becoming more common. Medicare’s here to help by removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards and replacing them with a new, unique number for each person with Medicare. Medicare will mail new Medicare cards with the new numbers between April 2018 and April 2019.

Here are some important steps you can take to protect yourself from the identity theft that can lead to health care fraud:

• Don’t share your Medicare Number with anyone who contacts you by telephone, email or in person, unless you’ve given them permission in advance. Medicare will NEVER contact you (unless you ask us to) for your Medicare Number or other personal information.
• Don’t ever let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare Number.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you and Medicare are only being charged for actual items and services received.

If you’re looking to enroll in a Medicare plan:

• Remember there are no “early bird discounts” or “limited time offers.”
• Don’t let anyone rush you to enroll by claiming you need to “act now for the best deal.”
• Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, discount packages or any offer that sounds “too good to be true.”

If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft and health care fraud, visit www.Medicare.gov/fraud or contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (www.smpresource.org).

Courtesy of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 12/2017