Welcome to the Naperville Senior Task Force’s (STF) quarterly newsletter OurVoice. We are committed to helping connect you with services and initiativesthat enhance your quality of life. Please visit the Senior Task Force web pagefor more information and updates: www.naperville.il.us/seniortaskforce. Thankyou!

2019 Seniors of the Year:Anne Henriksen and James Kauffman

The Senior Task Force is proud of this year's two Senior of the Year award recipients. Each truly helps

make Naperville a wonderful city in which to live. Senior of the Year Award recipients have a history of

community service, give back selflessly, are 65 or older, and a Naperville resident. Learn more about

the 2019 award winners below!

Anne Henriksen

Anne works with the Naperville Newcomers andNeighbors Club and is active in her church,Bridge Communities, and Families HelpingFamilies. Anne has been very active with kids andhomeless youth and is known as an individualwho is "always there to help."

Anne Henriksen is pictured with Mayor SteveChirico after receiving her award on Aug. 20,2019.

James Kauffmann

Jim’s passion has always been to help others,both personally and professionally. He is knownas a friend and a listener and has been the go-toperson in his condominium community,overseeing landscaping projects, helpingneighbors with maintenance work, and workingtirelessly to make it a better place to live. If thereis a problem, Jim is there to fix it. He has alsobeen very active in his church.

James Kaufman is pictured with Mayor SteveChirico after receiving his award on Aug. 20,2019.

Fall Prevention Tips by Dina Kartsonas, OTR/L

Did you know that falls are the leadingcause of injury-related emergencydepartment visits for older adults? Fallsaccount for most hip fractures and areresponsible for more than half of fatalhead injuries. Did you also know that fallscan be prevented? The National Councilon Aging (NCOA), Centers for DiseaseControl (CDC), and the Department ofAging collaborated to increase awarenessof risk factors:

Physical: Impaired vision (maculardegeneration, glaucoma, diabeticretinopathy); medications (may causedizziness and blood pressure changes);lower extremity weakness or foot pain(such as neuropathy); vitamin D deficiency(contributes to impaired bone, muscle,and nerve health). Check with your doctor -all can impact balance.

Environmental: Make your home free of triphazards (clutter, throw rugs); provide goodlighting (use of nightlights); install grabbars, shower chairs, and elevated toiletseats.

Behavioral: Plan ahead, pace yourself,and recognize risky behaviors; use yourstrengths to compensate for things you’reno longer able to do (e.g. choosing to siton a higher chair rather than a low sofa).

Falls can be prevented by staying activeand healthy! Consider taking an exerciseor balance class, yoga, tai chi, or physicaltherapy for balance training.

Dina Kartsonas is a registered/licensedoccupational therapist (OTR/L) and FallPrevention Ambassador at Fyzical Therapy andBalance Center in Naperville.

Parking Lot Safety – WatchWhere You Walk

It’s only October, but store shelves arestocked with holiday merchandise andmany of us are already going outshopping.

Several parking lots in Naperville haveconcrete tire stops. These keep cars fromblocking access to stores, but they alsocreate a tripping hazard, which gets worsewhen the stops are covered in snow. AnSTF member was seriously injured thisyear when she tripped over one. Heradvice: Watch where you walk!

Fortunately, there are better alternatives toconcrete tire stops, and we’ve developed abrochure that explains them to buildingowners. If you see a parking lot that looksunsafe, email us atseniortaskforce@naperville.il.us.

Finally, here are helpful tips from AARP,insurance companies, traffic experts, andothers to help you avoid holiday traffic andparking headaches.

This picture is an example of what aconcrete tire stop looks like. Please payspecial attention in parking lots and becareful if you are parking near one of thesetire stops!

Importance of 2020 Census

The 2020 Census count starts next March.The count determines how federal andstate funds are distributed to cities. Thesefunds are used for our schools, roads, anda variety of other purposes. Did you knowthat for every person not counted,Naperville loses almost $2,000 in federaland state funds? That’s why it is soimportant we count everyone.

You may have heard that the 2020 censuswill be done online. That's correct, but youcan also choose to fill out a paper censusform.

Between March 12 and 20, 2020, mosthouseholds will receive a postcardinvitation to respond online. Those who donot answer will then receive a paper formin the mail. If a household still does notrespond, the bureau will send a censustaker to collect the household’s data. Formore details on the 2020 census, here’s agreat article from AARP.

Understanding Osteoporosisfrom Eatright.org

According to the National OsteoporosisFoundation, osteoporosis is a diseasethat consists of weakened bones andincreased fracture risk. It's sometimescalled a "silent disease" with few, if any,noticeable changes to your health toindicate you have it – until you break abone.

Taking steps to build bone health whileyou are young can literally make or breakwhat will happen to your bones as youage. However, at every age, a healthful dietand regular weight-bearing exercise areimportant, helping to ensure bone tissuecontinues to build.

What can you do? Be active. Make sure youget enough calcium in your diet: Womenover age 50 and men over age 70 need atleast 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day.Read more at the Academy of Nutrition andDietetics’ website: Eatright.org

Senior Task Force Survey

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you likeand don't like about living in Naperville. Whatshould the STF suggest to the City to makeNaperville more senior friendly? Pleasecomplete our survey atwww.surveymonkey.com/r/MFSTMDX.

Our Voice Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up for the STF Our Voice quarterlynewsletter by registering for City of Naperville’se-News at www.naperville.il.us/enews. Don’tforget to check the Senior Newsletter: Our Voicebox!

Silver CPR Classes Nov. 13

Partnering with the Naperville Fire Department,the STF is offering Silver CPR classes for seniorson Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. atSafety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave. The class is freeto seniors and covers basic CPR, use of an AED,and choking prevention for adults, children, andinfants. Register athttps://naperville.enrollware.com/schedule byselecting "CPR for Seniors" towards the bottomof the page and selecting the class date/time ofyour choice. Class size is limited to 25 persession, so sign up today!

STF at TRIAD’s Healthy, Wealthy &Wise

STF staffed a table at the Naperville & LisleTRIAD's Healthy, Wealthy & Wise (HWW)conference, held on Sept.13, 2019 at theNaperville Municipal Center. Hundreds of seniorsvisited the event to learn more about a variety oftopics and visit numerous vendors.

Pictured L-R: Nancy Rivera-de la Hoz, KathyMcGowan, Jim Hill.

Disclaimer: The distribution of this information does not imply Naperville Senior Task Force or City of

Naperville endorsement.