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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