Had a great time speaking at the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks last week, here are some pictures and a summary of my talk with a humorous twist from their newsletter-
Our dutiful, caring Vice President, Katy Porter, trying to make up for having Billy Martin last week, presents today’s guest speaker, Sherry Lynn Harris, with a note of sadness. The rst of her cadre, a girlfriend is already developing dementia. Truly it is all around all of us in one form or another. Alzheimer's is one all too common form of dementia. Lose your keys? Or like me, the phone, too. That’s, an example only that we are all a little o sometimes, so everyone can try to maximize their mental health with physical health. "Focus on what you can do," recommends Ms. Harris, author of Adapting to Alzheimer's. "Aging gracefully with memory change is indeed a challenge." Sherry's story is a personal one. Taking care of her mother for the past 18 years, she is amazed at how much she CAN still do, not what she can't. Memory problems are going to happen as we age 100% of the time. We need to examine in ourselves the signs and symptoms. We need to take action. We need to be proactive and nally, ultimately create joy. For me it is nding that joy within us all. In this more serene state of mind we can and betterment. It is easier to function. It helps us optimize brain health. It helps us determine if fi nding our keys in the freezer is really a cause for concern. Finding Buff alo's keys in the freezer, now that is a cause for concern. Even more so if he still has them in his pocket.
"What's the word for that hole? Sherry's mother asks. "A hole in the ground, Mom? Is there anything in that hole? Yes water, a Swimming pool? "No." In the ground with water, a well? A puddle, a toilet, “no,” the ocean, “no,” is it hot? And yes, a hole in the ground with hot water is a Jacuzzi. By then, it seemed like a good idea. Humor helps us deal. Write stuff down. Calendars and clocks seem to take on new dimensions. It is particularly important to keep a sense of humor when this person is driving. In the living room makes it even tenser. But, fortunately it is all without keys. Okay, if the signs concern you, the best fi rst step is to get a Geriatric evaluation. Information will help you not worry if indeed there is no problem. We can all do some exercises to cope with life’s challenges and help stay more alert. The fi rst is to breathe. Pause and assess your feelings. Be still. If you are ANXIOUS you are thinking of the FUTURE. If you are WORRIED, you are likely thinking of the PAST When you are at PEACE, you are in the NOW. Let's get a volunteer from the audience as we practice breathing. Suddenly, San is up, now she is down, now she is doing sit-ups. And burpees and now she is going after the boxing trainer. Stop SAN. This is not for you. Think of the past. Like a few months ago.
Develop coping strategies. Try journaling for a daily comfort dose. Not for you, try thinking of peaceful places for you…the ocean, forest, mountains, Bob Engler's back porch, the beach. Visualize where you feel the most at peace. "I've got it." Arnie has slipped into full-on meditation. A wine cellar. I am in a wine cellar. Hundreds of bottles. But wait, there is no corkscrew. Have a mini-mind vacation. If you are not sure how, ask Nick Cigan. He has been at it for years. Be proactive. Establish a routine. Repetition helps. Repetition helps. To sum up… Eat healthy food. Limit sugars. Unless it is brunch at Brendan's and it is a holiday party. Eat good foods like almonds, olive oil, and avocadoes. Hopefully Brendan's knows. Simplify your life. Make the Kiwanis Brunch on December 13th your only holiday party this season. And no gift-giving if it’s not See's candy. But, above all, don't focus on what you want and can't have, give thanks for what you have. And when you give, you receive. Bountifully
Our dutiful, caring Vice President, Katy Porter, trying to make up for having Billy Martin last week, presents today’s guest speaker, Sherry Lynn Harris, with a note of sadness. The rst of her cadre, a girlfriend is already developing dementia. Truly it is all around all of us in one form or another. Alzheimer's is one all too common form of dementia. Lose your keys? Or like me, the phone, too. That’s, an example only that we are all a little o sometimes, so everyone can try to maximize their mental health with physical health. "Focus on what you can do," recommends Ms. Harris, author of Adapting to Alzheimer's. "Aging gracefully with memory change is indeed a challenge." Sherry's story is a personal one. Taking care of her mother for the past 18 years, she is amazed at how much she CAN still do, not what she can't. Memory problems are going to happen as we age 100% of the time. We need to examine in ourselves the signs and symptoms. We need to take action. We need to be proactive and nally, ultimately create joy. For me it is nding that joy within us all. In this more serene state of mind we can and betterment. It is easier to function. It helps us optimize brain health. It helps us determine if fi nding our keys in the freezer is really a cause for concern. Finding Buff alo's keys in the freezer, now that is a cause for concern. Even more so if he still has them in his pocket.
"What's the word for that hole? Sherry's mother asks. "A hole in the ground, Mom? Is there anything in that hole? Yes water, a Swimming pool? "No." In the ground with water, a well? A puddle, a toilet, “no,” the ocean, “no,” is it hot? And yes, a hole in the ground with hot water is a Jacuzzi. By then, it seemed like a good idea. Humor helps us deal. Write stuff down. Calendars and clocks seem to take on new dimensions. It is particularly important to keep a sense of humor when this person is driving. In the living room makes it even tenser. But, fortunately it is all without keys. Okay, if the signs concern you, the best fi rst step is to get a Geriatric evaluation. Information will help you not worry if indeed there is no problem. We can all do some exercises to cope with life’s challenges and help stay more alert. The fi rst is to breathe. Pause and assess your feelings. Be still. If you are ANXIOUS you are thinking of the FUTURE. If you are WORRIED, you are likely thinking of the PAST When you are at PEACE, you are in the NOW. Let's get a volunteer from the audience as we practice breathing. Suddenly, San is up, now she is down, now she is doing sit-ups. And burpees and now she is going after the boxing trainer. Stop SAN. This is not for you. Think of the past. Like a few months ago.
Develop coping strategies. Try journaling for a daily comfort dose. Not for you, try thinking of peaceful places for you…the ocean, forest, mountains, Bob Engler's back porch, the beach. Visualize where you feel the most at peace. "I've got it." Arnie has slipped into full-on meditation. A wine cellar. I am in a wine cellar. Hundreds of bottles. But wait, there is no corkscrew. Have a mini-mind vacation. If you are not sure how, ask Nick Cigan. He has been at it for years. Be proactive. Establish a routine. Repetition helps. Repetition helps. To sum up… Eat healthy food. Limit sugars. Unless it is brunch at Brendan's and it is a holiday party. Eat good foods like almonds, olive oil, and avocadoes. Hopefully Brendan's knows. Simplify your life. Make the Kiwanis Brunch on December 13th your only holiday party this season. And no gift-giving if it’s not See's candy. But, above all, don't focus on what you want and can't have, give thanks for what you have. And when you give, you receive. Bountifully
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