A non-profit organization of persons 50 & older dedicated to addressing their needs and interests. We seek through Education, Advocacy & Service to the enhance quality of life for all by promoting independence, dignity, and purpose.

November 2007

              Presidents Letter

Well it's that time again. At our November meeting we will be electing our slate of officers and committee chairpersons for 2008. The following positions are to be filled.

Officers

 President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Corresponding  Sect. And (3) Directors: 

Committee Chairpersons

 Membership/Badges, Legislative, Community Relations / Publicity, Sunshine and Newsletter Editor/Correspondent

If we do not get nominations for all the offices, open positions will attempted to be filled from the floor. Please make sure to attend our November meeting so that you can vote and elect our officers.

How important is this?  

 This is your organization. Be part of it.  SO, it is very important that every one participate. Don't just sit back and wait for the next one to do it, we need you to step up to the plate and help us make this the kind of organization we all want it to be.                  

         Lowell

Proprioception  ---What's That??       

When most people think about losing their balance, they immediately think of falling. And, yes, the consequences of falling for adults 65 and over are tremendous-13,700 deaths, 1.8 million visits to the emergency room, and $19 billion in medical costs annually due to hip fractures, head trauma, and more. .But many of us-particularly those of us under 65-don't necessarily fall when we lose our balance. Instead, we end up with a host of sprains and strains that put a damper on everything from walking to playing sports. Here's what happens: most of us have a sense of where we are in space, as well as the relation of one body part to another. This sense is called proprioception, and it's vital to ensuring-when we're walking or running, for instance-that we know approximately where our feet will land with each step. As we age, we naturally lose proprioception, so that maybe our feet hit at an odd angle, putting strain on ankles and backs. "Baby boomers have gotten to the point where they're starting to hit their 60s, and they're not content to sit on the porch," says Jay Mabrey, M.D., chief of orthopedics at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. "They want to get out there and do stuff-without falling or getting injured." Fortunately, it's fairly easy to improve your proprioception-and that's through balance training

 

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Healthy Snacking

Many people think snacks are junk food, though it doesn't have to be that way. Snacking can be part of a balanced diet. Eating small portions between meals provides your body with energy to keep you going throughout the day.  Some other benefits of snacking: 

Healthy snacks provide fiber and nutrients your body needs. You can curb the feeling of hunger or starvation right before a meal, which prevents overeating. Snacking may help you eat smaller portions and reduce your calorie intake. Though individual calorie needs vary, your body needs fewer calories as you age.Eating smaller meals more often may help you stay on track. Try to keep your snack portions small and less than 250 calories. Spacing out meals and snacks can help prevent weight gain. The Nutrition Facts Label on packaged foods will help you figure the calories and nutrients that are in one portion size. More foods are now being packaged in single serving portions, making it easier for you to keep track of how much you're eating. But you still want to be careful about what kinds of food you choose to snack on! Sugary and fattening sweets like cookies and candy lack nutrients. Many salty foods - like chips - can dehydrate you. These foods should be eaten in moderation.

For healthy and filling snacks, try: Fresh or frozen fruit, or a handful of dried fruit, such as raisins, Raw vegetables - carrots, celery, red and green pepper - cut and portioned in small plastic bags. Try filling celery with peanut butter or low-fat cottage cheese, or dipping your vegetables in low-fat dressing .A whole wheat English muffin with apple butter and a cup of herbal tea A slice of angel food cake with non-fat whipped topping Whole-grain crackers (could be topped with cheese or peanut butter) Non-fat cottage cheese or yogurt with honey. A handful of nuts, dried fruit or trail-mix (or make your own mix by buying the ingredients you like. Hummus on whole-wheat pita-bread A smoothie (blend nonfat milk and/or yogurt with fruit)

So forget the bag of chips or candy bar and reach for a handful of nuts and raisins. You'll get extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all for about 50 calories.With proper portions and healthy food choices, snacking can enhance, rather than hurt your diet.

AARP Chapter 386 extends happy birthday and happy anniversary wishes to all those members born and/or married during the month of November, CONGRATULATIONS.

"Food for the hungry" is our chapter's main community service. It is only through your generosity that we can help those less fortunate that ourselves. Your gift of canned goods or staple supplies goes a long way towards helping those less fortunate that ourselves. You can make a difference by making sure a child does not go to bed hungry.

 

Answer to last months Puzzle:

 Nine dots are arranged in a three by three square. Connect each of the nine dots using only four straight lines and without lifting your pen from the paper

 

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AARP Daytona Beach Area Chapter 386

Historical Highlights        March 1965 - - - - March 2005 Continued

 Community Service: AARP Chapter 386 volunteers have devoted thousands of hours to community service projects.  Many of these hours were directly aimed at helping the handicapped and elderly.  Community volunteer services performed by individual members included:  visiting nursing homes, serving nutritious meals, delivering Meals on Wheels, donating food for the hungry, telephoning those who live alone, helping the Red Cross, assisting in libraries and hospitals, helping the homeless and hurricane victims and working with youth at local elementary schools. Chapter-sponsored projects to help the community have been numerous.  In its early years, the chapter adopted a nursing home and gave monthly parties for the residents.  The proceeds from a "White Elephant Table" went for this worthy cause.  In addition, chapter members made lap robes and other gifts and donated them to the Veterans Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.  

Over the years, the chapter has also contributed money to the Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus Memorial Fund, Volusia County Council on Aging, Coalition for the Homeless and the Walk for Meals on Wheels.  In 2004, President Sharon Liehr suggested that members write holiday greetings to support our military personnel in Iraq.  One member donated cards and the chapter responded enthusiastically to this worthwhile endeavor. 

 Advocacy :  Chapter members have actively supported state and national legislative issues important to senior citizens.  They participated in two AARP-sponsored bus trips to Tallahassee (Rally in Tally) to let state legislators know their views on senior issues.  Members have also written, phoned and e-mailed their national and state legislators before bills that impact the elderly were voted on.  Two former Chapter 386 presidents have served as volunteers in AARP state-appointed offices.  Bill Ternent is the current Advocacy Activity Coordinator for this area and Ray Evon was the Community Activity Coordinator for four years.

 Chapter 386 Today: Presently, this vibrant and caring chapter meets on the second Thursday of the month from throughout the year at the Country Harvest Buffet under President Lowell Wynn.  Members socialize during lunch, participate in the business meeting and listen to an informative and/or entertaining program.  They are kept up-to-date about legislative priorities and chapter activities through a monthly newsletter edited by Jeanette Merritt.  This history has hit only the high spots.  Through fellowship, friendship and community caring Daytona Beach Area Chapter 386 members have accomplished much in the past 40 years.  They have lived the AARP motto:  "To serve, and not to be served."  Today's members are continuing this fine tradition.                           Compiled and Written by Flora Evon

  

HAPPY FOURTY SECOND ANNIVERSARY CHAPTER 386

                                                                        

NEXT MEETING -----  November 8,  2007 @ 11:30am

Country Harvest Buffet

2400 S. Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL

Ms. Charlie Dodson of the Council on Aging

Topic

Meals on Wheels    and

Congregate Dinning Programs

October 2007

We now have our own Volusia/Flagler web site were we can provide a means for AARP chapter members AND AARP members whose schedules conflict with chapter meetings to connect with one another. It will also make it possible to plan and schedule occasional events of interest to AARP members in Volusia and Flagler counties who are not members of existing chapters. I urge you look at the site at: aarpdaytona.org If you have anything you want to add to the site, contact Bill Ternent or Max landau.

We are now taking reservations for our Annual Christmas Party. Reservations are due no later than Nov 8, 2007 Guests are welcome

Lowell

The state offices of AARP seek volunteers to work on many key issues, such as opposing cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, promoting drug affordability legislation, utility and tax reform, the quality of long-term care facilities, and consumer protection. Volunteers call and write to elected officials, recruit and coordinate other volunteers, and track legislation. Some of the work can also be done on-site if the volunteer is interested; for example, attending hearings and speaking with public officials in person. A good first step in familiarizing yourself with AARP's issues is to register to be an ARRP Citizen Advocate. You'll soon receive email updates and action alerts; if you read about a specific topic that interests you, look up your state's AARP office, and contact the volunteer coordinator for opportunities.

I remembered sleep. It was that thing I did when I was younger: innocently, effortlessly, arrogantly. Now that I was older, sleep had become something I pursued with almost religious fervor, like a knight in search of the Holy Grail. Before you resort to pills or therapy, make sure your insomnia isn’t caused by bad habits. To get back on track in the sack, follow these principles of what experts call sleep hygiene.

Soften up your bedding A cushy comforter or an especially fluffy pillow can go a long way toward making sure that you sleep soundly.

Stay in the dark Even the light from an LED clock can keep you up or harm your rest. Pull darkening shades tight or cover your eyes with a mask. If you awaken at night and need a light, make it a dim one.

Don’t live in the bedroom Use your bed only for sleep and sex, not for reading or watching TV.

Give it 20 minutes If you are still tossing and turning after that interval, get up, go into another room, and do something quiet and boring, such as reading an instruction manual.

Keep a schedule It doesn’t matter whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, as long as you sleep and rise at the same time every day (even on weekends).

Ban the booze Drinking alcohol near bedtime might make you sleepy, but it can cause wakefulness in the middle of the night.

Nosh a bit Although a heavy meal before bed can keep you awake, so can hunger. Munch a few crackers before turning in if you’re feeling hungry.

Wean off caffeine Avoid stimulating drinks such as tea, coffee, and soda, particularly before bed.

Scrap the naps Sleeping during the day can steal slumber at night.

AARP Chapter 386 extends happy birthday and happy anniversary wishes to all those members born and/or married during the month of October CONGRATULATIONS.

“Food for the hungry” is our chapter’s main community service. It is only through your generosity that we can help those less fortunate that ourselves. Your gift of canned goods or staple supplies goes a long way towards helping those less fortunate that ourselves. You can make a difference by making sure a child does not go to bed hungry.

Chapter Meetings are held on the second Thursday at 11:30 AM at the Country Harvest Buffet, 2400 South U.S. 1 in the Sunshine Park Mall. Guests are welcome