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Newsletter
June-Sept, 2015
Volume 18, Issue 5
North Arkansas
Regional Medical Center
620 N. Main • Harrison, AR 72601
Aging Successfully
Written by Sylvia Sullivant
Gerontologists focusing on the benefits of volunteerism
for older adults have determined that those who
volunteer gain both physical and mental health
benefits. And participation in community service is
strongly correlated with life satisfaction for retirees.
Carolyn Adams has incorporated
volunteering into her busy life in some
unique ways.
Carolyn was born while her father was
serving in the Air Force in World War II.
She lived near Hot Springs, AR., with
other relatives while he was abroad.
The family then moved with him to
various assignments in the United
States and French Morocco.
Homestead, Florida, was where
Carolyn graduated from high school
and married. She began work as a file
clerk, then became a legal secretary
and an abstracter. Her husband
wanted to live in Arkansas after
retirement, and Yellville was selected.
Carolyn lived there for the next 32 years. She found
satisfying activities in Marion County, singing in the
Community Choir and the Christmas Choir, singing at
nursing homes, and volunteering her service there as
well.
When her 3 children were grown, Carolyn decided to
volunteer with the National Park Service at Buffalo
Point. She cares deeply about protecting the natural
environment and educating people in the need for
conservation, as well as showing them what enjoyable
activities can be found there. Carolyn volunteered to
help in the bookstore, and soon she was greeting people
and answering their questions about the Buffalo River
and the park at Buffalo Point.
When a position as a Park Ranger became available,
Carolyn had already acquired the expertise to fulfill the
requirements of a Ranger, and she was selected for that
job. She chuckles as she relates that she started as a
volunteer and learned the job for free.
Carolyn enjoyed being in the Park so much that she
acquired a “fifth wheel” and lived in it near the park
for over 3 years. When she retired, she
thought she would like to be back in
Hot Springs. Carolyn found a house
that she believed had possibilities, but
it needed a lot of remodeling to give
it the features she wanted. With her
father’s help, she gutted the house and
rebuilt it to suit her vision. She says
that she enjoyed being able to spend
time and work with her father.
Carolyn decided she really wanted
to live back in the Ozarks. When a
daughter who lives in Harrison had a
baby, Carolyn moved to Harrison to be
close to them. She found a community
of friendship at First Christian Church,
and enjoys singing in the choir there.
She chose to volunteer in the N.A.R.M.C. Auxiliary, and
donates at least one afternoon a week to the Information
Desk in the Tower, as well as helping in other activities
as needed. Carolyn says that volunteering gives some
structure to her life, something to look forward to doing,
and allows her to feel useful.
Making music, both singing and playing an instrument,
is very important to Carolyn. She relates that being able
to sing with a group has helped her through hard times.
She practices on the upright bass, keyboard, ukulele,
and is learning to play the mandolin.
Two constants for all of Carolyn’s life have been exercise
and a healthy diet. She has always tried to be active
and to eat wisely, limiting sugar. She credits her state
of physical and emotional health to these practices. For
Cont’d on p. 4
2
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and
on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see
the light of day — your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails,
and your genital area.
Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with
darker complexions. When melanoma occurs in people with dark
skin tones, it’s more likely to occur in areas not normally exposed
to the sun.
Factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer include:
• Fair skin. Anyone, regardless of
skin color, can get skin cancer.
However, having less pigment
(melanin) in your skin provides
less protection from damaging
UV radiation. If you have
blond or red hair and lightcolored eyes, and you freckle
or sunburn easily, you’re much
more likely to develop skin
cancer than is a person with
darker skin.
• A history of sunburns. Having
had one or more blistering
sunburns as a child or
teenager increases your risk of
developing skin cancer as an
adult. Sunburns in adulthood
also are a risk factor.
• Excessive sun exposure. Anyone
who spends considerable time
in the sun may develop skin
cancer, especially if the skin
isn’t protected by sunscreen or
clothing. Tanning, including
exposure to tanning lamps and
beds, also puts you at risk. A tan
is your skin’s injury response to
excessive UV radiation.
• Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who live in sunny, warm
climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who live
in colder climates. Living at higher elevations, where the sunlight
is strongest, also exposes you to more radiation.
• Moles. People who have many moles or abnormal moles
called dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of skin cancer. These
abnormal moles — which look irregular and are generally larger
than normal moles — are more likely than others to become
cancerous. If you have a history of abnormal moles, watch them
regularly for changes.
• Precancerous skin lesions. Having skin lesions known as actinic
keratoses can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. These
precancerous skin growths typically appear as rough, scaly
patches that range in color from brown to dark pink. They’re
most common on the face, head and hands of fair-skinned
people whose skin has been sun damaged.
• A family history of skin cancer. If one of your parents or a sibling
has had skin cancer, you may have an increased risk of the
disease.
• A personal history of skin cancer. If you developed skin cancer
once, you’re at risk of developing it again.
• A weakened immune system. People with weakened immune
systems have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. This
includes people living with HIV/AIDS and those taking
immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
• Exposure to radiation. People
who received radiation treatment
for skin conditions such as eczema
and acne may have an increased
risk of skin cancer, particularly
basal cell carcinoma.
• Exposure
to
certain
substances. Exposure to certain
substances, such as arsenic, may
increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Most
skin cancers are
preventable. To protect yourself,
follow these skin cancer
prevention tips:
• Avoid the sun during the
middle of the day. For many
people in North America, the
sun’s rays are strongest between
about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule
outdoor activities for other times
of the day, even in winter or when
the sky is cloudy.
• Wear sunscreen year-round.
Sunscreens don’t filter out all
harmful UV radiation, especially
the radiation that can lead to
melanoma. But they play a major
role in an overall sun protection
program.
• Wear protective clothing.
Sunscreens don’t provide complete protection from UV rays. So
cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers
your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides
more protection than a baseball cap or visor does.
• Avoid tanning beds. Lights used in tanning beds emit UV rays
and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications. Some common
prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics,
can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any
3
medications you take. If they increase your sensitivity to sunlight,
take extra precautions to stay out of the sun in order to protect
your skin.
• Check your skin regularly and report changes to your doctor.
Examine your skin often for new skin growths or changes in
existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. Learn to spot
the early warning signs. Skin cancer can be cured if it’s found
and treated early.
With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp.
Examine your chest and trunk, and the tops and undersides of
your arms and hands. Examine both the front and back of your
legs, and your feet, including the soles and the spaces between
your toes. Also check your genital area and between your
buttocks.
Advanced Dermatology is now
seeing patients at NARMC.
To schedule an appointment,
call (870) 204-5279.
American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, WebMD
Hospice of the Hills
Hospice of the Hills of Harrison Arkansas, is a
non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Their mission
is to provide a special kind of care, sensitivity
and support for people in the final phase of a
terminal illness. Hospice of the Hills will care
for your loved one at home or in the Hospice
House. They seek to enable patients to carry
on an alert, pain-free life and to manage
other symptoms so that their last days may
be spent with dignity and quality. Hospice of
the Hills cares for the patient and the family.
For more information about hospice care, call
(870) 414-4100.
Gold Club
Member Di$count$
The following merchants are offering discounts and/or special services to Gold Club members. Whether it’s a local motel
while your loved one is in the hospital, or keeping you healthy every day, we are working to help! Be sure to present
your Gold Club membership card BEFORE making your purchase.
American Home Patient
20% Off Cash Items
741-9044
Beltone Hearing Aid Center
20% Discount on New Products
741-2774
Country Mart Pharmacy
10% Discount
741-2118
Curves For Women
Special Rates
365-0044
Dairy Queen
10% Discount
743-1743
Family Budget Inns
Special Room Rates
743-1000
Holiday Inn Express
741-3636
NARMC Nightingale’s gift shop
Special Room Rates
10% Discount on Tues.
nature’s wonders
SEE COUPON ON NEXT PAGE!
ortho spine rehab & Wellness Center
Special Senior Rates
743-5573
Pizza Hut
10% Discount
741-5354
Quality Inn
Special Room Rates
741-7676
the Bicycle Outfitter
10% off Merchandise & Services
741-6833
The Daisy Flower & Gift Shop
10% Discount
741-6191
Excludes stamps, candy and HBA.
414-5131
4
Gold Club Calendar
Thursday, July 2nd
Skin Cancer Screening
at Claude Parrish Radiation Therapy Institute,
Call 414-4300 after, June 29th to make an appointment.
Thursday, Jul 16th
Community Blood Drive at NARMC
Conference Room A from 12 – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21
Adult and Geriatric Behavioral Health
Lunch & Learn with Dr. Gary Linker, Clinical
Psychiatrist , Reliant Behavioral Health.
11:30 a.m. at NARMC.
Please call (870) 414-4622 to reserve a seat.
Saturday, August 1
AARP Safe Driver Class – 8:30 a.m. at NARMC.
Please call (870) 414-4622 to reserve a seat.
Wednesday, August 19
Hyperbaric Treatment for Wound Care,
Lunch & Learn with Tom Doering, PA,
11:30 a.m. at NARMC.
Please call (870) 414-4622 to reserve a seat.
Cont’d from cover
the past year her goal has been to do 10,000 steps at least
five days a week, and two days a week she does 120 reps
on the Nautilus at the NARMC gym for upper body and leg
strength. Adequate sleep is also important.
When asked what advice she might give to persons
preparing to retire, she has several suggestions. The first
is that they should consider working until age 70 unless
certain they can afford to retire earlier. Consider renting
in an area they like until sure that it is where they want to
be. Public transportation is important, and seniors should
think about what they will do when they can no longer
drive. Find a place with activities, shopping, and climate
they want. And especially, be involved with church, hobby
groups, and friends. And consider volunteering with
organizations that share their concerns. It will be a very
positive experience for them.
That’s probably a good thing. The things we want to do
simply can’t hold our lives together as well as the things
we have to do. I don’t expect to run out of either any time
soon. In that sense, the real experience of retirement has
been better than any daydream about it.
Thursday, September 17
Community Blood Drive at NARMC
Conference Room A from 12 – 6 p.m.
Diabetes Support Group meets the second Thursday
evening of each month at 6 p.m. the Durand Center. For
more information call 391-3173.
TM
TM
20% Off one regularly priced item
Expires Sept. 30, 2015
620 N. Main • Harrison, AR 72601
North Arkansas
Regional Medical Center
Free blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol checks
at the Boone County Senior Center on the first Tuesday of
each month from 9 a.m – 11 a.m.
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 16
Harrison, AR
72601