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Wellness Means Staying Involved
MVES Sings its Praises for Senior Chorus Performing in the Community
A group of 20 North Reading seniors chat as sheet music circles the brightly sunlit room. Those arriving greet each other while others shuffle through their song binders. Seats are taken according to voice type—altos up front with sopranos to their left. In back are the tenors and basses. Marcia Cutlip, 63, takes her place in front and leads the group in a warm-up exercise of scales. The Senior Echoes’ weekly practice has begun.
The Senior Echoes, a North Reading chorus of about 25 senior members, perform regularly at community events. Today they’re practicing for MVES’ volunteer recognition dinner, where they’ll serve as the evening’s entertainment. Next week they might work on songs to perform at a local nursing home, town meeting, or society gathering. The following week, they’ll fine tune their set list for one of their own member’s 90th birthday party.
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Wellness Means Keeping Active
Residents of Supportive Housing Site Head to Florida One Step at a Time
Lois Tamagna, 79, of Malden and a group of her neighbors have walked all the way to Baltimore, Maryland. It’s taken six months but they’ve made it and they’re not stopping there. Tamagna and the crew have their eyes set on Florida!
While they have covered the distance to Baltimore, they’re actually still in Malden. Residents of one of MVES’ supportive housing sites, 630 Salem Street in Malden, have been participating in the Steps for Life program since January. Steps for Life encourages residents to track their steps each week, helps determine how those steps equate to miles, and then tracks that mileage to a particular destination. With every 2,000 steps, they’re one mile closer to Florida.
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Wellness Means Eating Healthy
MVES’ Nutrition Department is Busy Encouraging Healthy Eating this Summer!
Summer is a great time to relax… take it easy… and slow down… but not for MVES’ Nutrition Department! The Nutrition Department has been go-go-going so far this summer, planning brand new or expanding already existing programs and events that promote healthy eating and living. Here’s what’s happening in the world of MVES Nutrition this summer:
Annual Summer Barbecues Are On!
Throughout the summer, MVES is inviting elders (60 and older) to summer fun cookouts at senior centers and supportive housing sites in our area. The barbecue lunch includes hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and lemonade. Although there is no cost for the meal, it is suggested that guests make a donation of $1.50. Check out a list of the upcoming barbecues and dates to RSVP. Bring your appetite!
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From Executive Director Dan O'Leary
How’s your literacy level? If you’re reading this then, thankfully, it’s good! But, how’s your health literacy? Health literacy refers to the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy can be a contributing factor to healthy aging and overall wellness.
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Concerned About Medication
Question: I am 67 and recently attended a party at a friend’s house. When I felt a headache coming on, I asked my friend if she had some aspirin. She told me to go to her medicine cabinet and to help myself. I was shocked to see so many prescription medications in the cabinet. I wasn’t trying to be nosey, but when looking for the aspirin, I had to move multiple bottles of Percocet and Vicodin. Aren’t these medications dangerous?
Answer: All medications have the potential to be dangerous. The two drugs you mention, Percocet and Vicodin, are in a class of drugs called opioids. Opioids are prescribed to treat pain and they can produce a sense of euphoria. When taken carefully, opioids are safe to use, but prolonged use can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taking a large single dose can even lead to death.
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