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Activites, lifestyles, interests for the golden years
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FEBRUARY 24, 2012 SENIOR LIVING THEPRESS.NET | 3B
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ANTIOCH3132 Contra Loma Blvd.
(Savemart Plaza)
777-9787 www.CurvesInAntioch.com
BRENTWOOD3130 Balfour Rd., Ste. A
(Safeway Shopping Center)
240-8065 www.CurvesOfBrentwood.com
www.facebook.com/CurvesInAntioch
Westmont seniors live life on their own terms
Retirement. It’s about more
than just fi nishing a career and
taking it easy – it’s a new era,
an opportunity to learn, grow and expe-
rience life at your own pace, in your own
time, in your own way. And Westmont
of Brentwood captures that spirit in the
everyday life of its residents.
Formerly known as Eskaton, the retire-ment community is now under the manage-ment of Westmont Living, a company oper-ating 12 locations from Oregon to Southern California. Though Westmont took over on Jan. 1, Community Relations Director Christi Rundles said the community has remained the same: “Same great care and great staff. Just a new name.”
In the words of Westmont’s mission statement, the community’s goal is “to provide inspiring life experiences that lead to full and enriching lives.” To that end, an
array of activities is provided every day, giving residents opportunities to stimulate their minds, bodies and spirits. There’s “always something going on,” said Rundles. “Activity is very important here.”
Karaoke, T’ai Chi, exercise sessions, games of pool and even video games such as Wii bowling offer plenty of variety. Residents can play beanbag baseball, learn to paint, sew and make fl oral arrangements or join the book club. Every Friday, the community holds a happy-hour event featuring live entertainment. There are regular nights for bingo, poker and
brain fi tness games. Once a week, residents vote on a restaurant to visit. Regular shopping trips are scheduled as well, transportation provided. Upcoming special events include a comedy night and an English high tea.
Transportation is provided to local churches on Sundays, or residents can attend on-site services held by two congregations. Westmont will also take residents to medical appointments, and an in-house pharmacy ensures that prescriptions are always current. There is also a special memory care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s.
New residents needn’t worry about isolation. The community’s ambassador program matches newcomers with resident volunteers who share similar interests. These ambassadors welcome the new residents, invite them to share meals, and attend social activities together.
The community takes a “dine your way” approach to food. Meals are available from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visiting hours are similarly fl exible to suit residents’ needs.
Westmont is pet-friendly and offers on-site amenities such as a private dining room that can be reserved for parties, a library and computer room, and a beauty salon and barber shop. The community is working on installing wireless Internet and a fi tness center as well.
“We are very family-oriented,” said Rundles. Guest rooms are available for visiting relatives to rent, and seniors whose regular caretakers are temporarily unavailable can arrange to stay at Westmont for a few days and enjoy the highest level of care. Rundles restated the company’s emphasis on helping residents to stay active and engaged: “We want to enrich their lives.”
Westmont of Brentwood is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 925-516-8006, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.seniorlivingbrentwood.com.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
A M Y C L A I R E
Photo by Amy Claire
ON THE COVER: Doctors said Maria Viera’s recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome, which left her paralyzed and facing a bleak future, was made possible by the 71-year-old’s fi tness. Maria takes Zumba classes at Curves of Antioch.
Community Relations Director Christi Rundles shares a fun moment with a quartet of diners at Westmont of Brentwood.
4B | THEPRESS.NET SENIOR LIVING FEBRUARY 24, 2012
22 11112 12011 S
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A Cane-Do attitude
Though he walks with a cane,
Antioch resident Charles
Faletti feels healthier,
stronger and safer because of it.
Faletti has become a dedicated practitioner of Cane-Do, which combines his walking stick with martial arts techniques. The exercise, which originated in South Florida, is becoming popular with seniors nationwide, including at the Antioch Senior Center, where Faletti attends classes Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Whenever he hears a knock on the door, his cane is the fi rst thing he grabs.
“I’ve had a stroke, and if somebody attacked me, I would have a very hard time defending myself,” Faletti said. “But now, I’m not scared.”
The Antioch Senior Center has hosted Cane-Do classes for a little more than a year, led by Robert Willson, a black belt in the martial art. Willson teaches seniors proper and useful self-defense techniques they can use in everyday life if they’re approached, attacked or threatened. Cane-Do utilizes elements of Hapkido, but substitutes a cane for a sword.
Hapkido black belt Jose Isidro, Willson’s sensei, helped champion Cane-Do to the Bay Area. Willson was exposed to the martial art in a class and has been teaching in the Bay Area it for several years.
Willson is gratifi ed that more and more seniors have become interested in taking Cane-Do classes. When he started teaching at the Antioch Senior Cetner, 42 people showed up for the fi rst session.
J U S T I N L A F F E R T Y
Photos by Justin Lafferty
Cane-Do participant Pat Gray practices her accuracy on a dummy at the Antioch Senior Center.
see Cane-Do page 7B
6B | THEPRESS.NET SENIOR LIVING FEBRUARY 24, 2012
‘What does he need to do here that’s potentially diffi cult?’ It’s often something as simple as watering the outside plants or changing the toilet paper roll.
Same deal when I pick up his medications. The fi rst thing I do is transfer them to senior-friendly easy-to-open bottles. Note: Get to know your pharmacist – the brains behind the doctor/patient relationship. My father is so aware of the expertise of his pharmacist that he routinely sends her fl owers or chocolates as a thank-you for her efforts – and patience.
“Once I know a client, then I can make sure they’re getting their prescriptions in the right containers so they don’t struggle with opening it,” said Pharmacist Rita Panjam. “I also encourage the pill boxes that list the days of the week. All they have to do is open them for each day and take them. It’s very simple.”Home health care
But when safety-proofi ng the house is no longer enough, it’s time to explore other options. Although most families don’t look at alternatives until they’re in crisis mode,
planning ahead can save everyone a lot of grief and stress later on.
A variety of alternatives are available, from in-home care to assisted living and residential (also known as board-and-care) facilities. None of the options are inexpensive – prices range from $200 per day for in-home care to well over $6000 per month for residential or assisted-living facilities.
“Here’s the difference,” said Neel. “Assisted living is typically large, apartment-style living in a secured community that allows for high-functioning members to primarily take care of themselves. Their food,
care and activities are all included and they are encouraged to be as independent as possible.
“When the need for their care increases, or they need something like a memory-care unit, then a residential home might be the next step. ”
A few years ago my father underwent a fairly serious operation and needed additional nursing care when he got home. Although my brother and I had done our due diligence by checking out a variety of companies, making certain they were bonded and had references, my mother’s wedding ring and
some silver pieces still managed to disappear. One of my father’s evening nurses liked to invite her boyfriend over to spend the night (and was fi nally busted when my father awoke early one morning to fi nd the boyfriend on his livingroom couch), and another helped herself to the liquor cabinet. We did eventually fi nd the perfect fi t: a nurse who was professional, honest and loving. But it took a little time. The moral of the story? Stay vigilant.
“If you’re going for in-home care,” said Neel, “ask questions, meet with the actual caregivers and make sure there is a model or plan in place for your family member. There are, unfortunately a lot of not-so reputable companies out there, so be sure and check out a minimum of two – three would be better – companies before you make a decision. And make sure you understand what they are charging for and what that price includes.”Where there’s a will
Somewhere between safeguarding your senior’s home and exploring the need
Aging from page 5B
see Aging page 7B
Photo courtesy of Family Features
An increasing number of sons and daughters
are facing a task seldom seen in years gone by:
Caring for aging parents.
“We hope that we can shed some light and teach them basically how to protect themselves,” Willson said. “It’s an exercise platform … It doesn’t take a lot of strength or much effort to protect yourself. We don’t classify (the cane) as a martial art tool or a weapon. It’s not a weapon; it’s an assisted mobility device.”
Willson said Cane-Do has worked wonders for seniors battling health problems or who simply desire to get fi t. “When I go out in my yard or when I’m doing whatever, I’ve always got my cane,” Faletti said. “If
I answer the door at night, that’s the fi rst thing I get. Just in case it’s not a friend.”
Since he started taking Cane-Do, Faletti has regained much of his arm strength – to the extent that he broke one of his canes during a class. Participants at the Antioch Senior Center became so grateful for Willson’s efforts that they turned a coffee can into a donation bin. Whenever possible, seniors drop in a couple dollars as a way of thanking their instructor. “Every senior citizen should take this class,” said Antioch resident Pat Gray. “It’s a great self-defense technique.”
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FEBRUARY 24, 2012 SENIOR LIVING THEPRESS.NET | 7B
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Cane-Do from page 4B
for long-term care, a fi nal plan should be broached, which includes the individual’s health care wishes.
A living will (or advanced directive) is a document outlining medical treatment in the event seniors can’t speak for themselves. It specifi es which treatments they want and don’t want. Living wills are only activated when they’re suffering from a terminal illness or are in a permanent vegetative state. If they’re incapacitated, but not to the point where the living will becomes effective, a health care proxy or health care power of attorney steps in.
When it comes to an estate plan, there are two ways to go: a living trust or a last will and testament. Not to be confused with a living will, a living trust takes care of the fi nancial end of an estate. Establishing a living trust ensures that your loved ones will
not need to deal with the time-consuming rules and costs associated with probate court. A living trust gives loved ones immediate access to cash and assets, whereas if the estate goes through probate, there is a waiting period (anywhere from a few weeks to a few months) between the time the person dies and the court opens a probate estate. If there is no living trust, then the estate immediately goes to probate.
Establishing a fi nal plan –whether it be a trust or traditional will, is not only the best way to keep assets within the family; it’s a good way to outline a person’s fi nal wishes.
Contra Costa County offers a wealth of resources for seniors, from health care to living facilities and more. Here are a few:East County Senior Coalition – 925-978-2754Meals on Wheels/Friendly Visitors – 925-937-8311; www.mowsos.org
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Aging from page 6B
Doctors credit Viera’s recovery to her commitment to exercise. Even at the age of 71, she exercises regularly, working out at Curves in Antioch daily. She circuit trains, using the facility’s 13 machines, and focuses on strength building as well as cardio. Her favorite exercise is Zumba.
Guillain-Barré syndrome recovery typically takes several months – in some cases a year. Patients generally don’t start to show signs of recovery until they’ve completed four weeks of treatments, but Viera defi ed the odds and was released from the hospital within a month. She continued treatment with physical, speech and occupational therapists, and returned to Curves by November.
Viera was initially told that despite treat-ments and therapy she might be wheelchair bound, but she wasn’t about to accept that as her fate. After she left intensive care, she impressed her doctors immediately by showing she could swing her feet off the bed and prop herself up.
“My doctor would see me walking down the hallway with one of my therapists and he’d stop and point and say, ‘You are one lucky lady.’ And I am. I’m still gaining strength. I’m not completely back to normal, but I will be.”
Viera joined Curves in 2010. She walked regularly for exercise, but desired a program that would challenge the rest of her body. She began to integrate a visit to Curves into her daily schedule and within a few months, it was routine. Doctors say her regular circuit training at Curves helped prepare her body to fi ght off the infection in her immune system, which created weakness throughout her body.
Curves manager Sue Espy said Viera has become an inspiration to many of the Curves clients: “Everyone comes to Curves with a story, but Maria is our most dramatic success story. She came to us in the beginning wanting to challenge herself with a new exercise routine, and now she’s using the cardio and strength training to get healthy again. You never know if you’re going to have a health setback, and Maria is proof of that. She’s made a miraculous recovery.”
Viera’s commitment to her Curves workout has inspired friends and family – including seven children, 19 grandchildren, 21 great grand-children and one great-great grandchild – to re-evaluate their own diet and exercise routines. But she’s willing to share her story with all who claim they don’t have time to exercise.
“Exercise makes all the difference,” Viera said. “You need to make time for yourself. It’s your health. You should cherish it – protect it. I’m 71, and I had to relearn how to tie my shoes, and practice swallowing without chok-ing myself. You never think that something will take over your body like that. I’m very lucky.”
Her battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome isn’t over, but Viera has been able to take a positive experience out of the ordeal. As part of her occupational therapy, she practiced working her fi ngers back into shape by stringing beads to make jewelry such as bracelets and earrings. Viera has control over her refl exes now, but she’ll continue making jewelry as a hobby.
“Life’s funny,” Viera said. “Who knew I’d have to lose control of my hands to realize I like working with them so much?”
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Fitness from page 1B
