Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 4, 2012

17

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, February 4, 2012 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Today’s Subject:

JOINT PAIN

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES

Senior Programs have returned to the Hart 
Park House enior Center, 222 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. in Memorial Park - Come by and 
see the changes!!

February Birthdays

Lorraine Bush, Hilda Pittman, Susan 
Henderson, Sylvia Lorhan, Ann Luke, Janet 
O’Day, Ana Ptasinski, Jan Reed, Winifred 
Swanson

 
For some, generalized bone, joint and muscle 
pain is a daily occurrence. For others, this type 
of discomfort comes on after exertion or an 
injury. In each case, it’s important to examine 
the symptoms and to support proper healing 
of the joint and surrounding tissue. Without 
adequate healing, degenerative changes develop.

Chronic Inflammation

 Inflammation occurs for many reasons and 
affects all of the tissues of the body. The joints 
are particularly sensitive to damage, both at 
a microtraumatic level and with gross injury. 
When swelling develops, the normal flow of 
nutrients carried by lymphatic and synovial 
fluids is decreased, leading to a deterioration 
of the healing capacity of these nutrients. Over 
time, this incomplete resolution becomes a 
source of inflammation and degeneration itself. 
This chronicity gives way to degenerative joint 
disease.

Multiple Causes

 Obviously, an increase in weight-bearing stress can lead to a breakdown of normal tissue. Postural 
stress is one factor that forces some areas to work harder than others, due to compensation. The 
affected area demonstrates a degree of resilience for a while, followed by a lessening of normal tissue 
integrity. In the case of sprain or fracture, the formation of scar tissue influences the way joints move. 
It’s safe to say that everybody experiences some degree of wear and tear as we find our way through life.

Solutions

 Any approach which seeks to decrease inflammation and promote postural integrity will be of benefit, 
not only for those who suffer from structural problems, but for everyone. These approaches include 
diet and nutrition, relaxation techniques, and appropriate exercises such as walking, stretching, and 
yoga. Professional attention through chiropractic, osteopathy, Physio-synthesis, Pilates, Alexander, 
Feldenkrais, postural integration and the like is a must for this section of our health care checklist.

To your healthy week, Dr. John 

Meals-On-Wheels


MONDAYS: City Hall & Lunch Café 

12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café: Come enjoy 
a hot meal with others. Donation for seniors 
(60+) of $2.00; visitors $3.75. Call 355-0256 
to make your daily reservation.

1:00 pm to 1:45 pm: Strength Training with 
Lisa Brandley. FREE class of stretching with 
light hand weights while you sit.

TUESDAYS: 

 FREE blood pressure checks by Methodist 
Hospital Nurse; 11 am to 12 noon.

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm: BINGO; cards are only 25 
cents each so stop by & play

5:15 pm to 6:45 pm: Yoga; $6.00 - 50 & over. 
Please call 355-5278 for more information

WEDNESDAYS:

11 –11:45 am: Balance Class with Teryl. FREE 
class designed to improve balance & refresh 
the joints

12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café; daily reservations 
needed 355-0256

2nd Wednesday of the month: FREE Legal 
Consultations: 10-11:30 am. Appointments 
call 355-7394

Wii Wednesday - 1:00 pm or call the senior 
desk at 355-7394 to arrange another time & 
day to learn how to play. No previous experience 
or skills required and it is great exercise.

THURSDAY:

1:00 to 3:30 pm: Game Day. Join us for Poker 
with Bridge on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays; so 
please call for more information.

FRIDAY: City Hall closed on Dec. 16, 23 & 30 
and Lunch Café closed on Dec. 23

 12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café; daily reservations 
needed 355-0256

Saturday: 11:30 am: Senior Club brown bag 
lunch and BINGO at 12:30 pm. 

The Senior Club will return to the Senior 
Center starting on Saturday, February 4, 
2012

Meals are delivered to home-
bound seniors by volunteer drivers 
through the YWCA Intervale 
Lunch Program M-F (with frozen meals for the 
weekend.) 

Meals are delivered to the home-bound seniors 
by drivers through the YWCA Interval Lunch 
Program M-F (with frozen meals for the 
weekend.) 

 Call the YWCA at (626) 214-9460 for more 
information. 


Dr. John Talevich, D.C. has practiced in Sierra Madre 
for thirty years. His clinic, LifeWorks! Chiropractic, 
offers patient-specific approaches to the alleviation of 
pain and individually tailored wellness programs. 

LUNCH & LEARN 

Join the Senior

Community Commission

at the 

HART PARK HOUSE

 for a FREE presentation. Lunch is 
available for a 

$2 donation 

Call (626) 355-0256 by 

12 noon the day before. 

John M. Talevich, D.C. 

CHIROPRACTIC: Simple, Elegant, Effective

31 S. Baldwin Avenue Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

626-355-4710

2012 EXCURSIONS

SAVE THE DATES

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH - San Antonio 
Winery Tour & Tasting. Come 
enjoy a tour of this historic Los Angeles 
Winery, taste their wine, visit the gift 
shop and savor the flavors of their onsite 
restaurant.

Cost per person is $10 (includes transportation, 
tour & tasting). Lunch will be 
on your own.

Bus leaves the Hart Park House Senior 
Center at 10:30 am and will return 
around 3 pm.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3RD - Community 
Whale Watching Trip; $28 per person. 
The bus will leave the Community 
Recreation Center at 10 am and return 
at 3:30 pm. Cost includes transportation 
and a 2 1/2 hour charter boat tour out of 
Long Beach.

Registration can be done either in person 
or online at www.cityofsierramadre.
com/onlineregistration

HELP PREVENT ELDER ABUSE

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you write a column on the shameful crime of elder abuse? I’ve worked for Adult Protective 
Services for many years, and it seems like this ongoing problem doesn’t get enough attention. 
Concerned Citizen

Dear Concerned:

 I certainly can! Elder abuse is an immense 
and often hidden problem that all Americans 
need to be aware of so they can recognize 
it, and know what to do if they suspect 
a problem. 

 According to the National Center on Elder 
Abuse, around 3.5 million seniors are victims of abuse, but research suggests that this crime 
is significantly under-reported and under-identified. Fewer than 1-in-6 cases of elder abuse 
ever get reported to the authorities because the victims are usually too afraid, too embarrassed, 
too helpless or too trusting to call for help. 

 The term “elder abuse” is defined as intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted 
individual that causes, or can cause, harm to a vulnerable senior. Elder abuse also comes 
in many different forms: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, 
abandonment, neglect and self-neglect, and financial exploitation which has increased significantly 
over the past few years because of the sour economy. 

 Those most vulnerable are seniors that are ill, frail, disabled, socially isolated or mentally 
impaired due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

 It’s also important to know that while elder abuse does happen in nursing homes and 
other long-term care facilities, the vast majority of incidents take place at home where the 
senior lives. And tragically, the abusers are most often their own family members (usually 
the victim’s adult child or spouse) or caregiver. 

Recognizing Elder Abuse

So how can you tell if a friend or your loved one is being abused, and what can you do to 
help? 

A change in general behavior is a universal warning sign that a problem exists. If your elder 
friend or loved one becomes withdrawn or gets upset or agitated easily, you need to start 
asking questions. Here are some additional warning signs on the different types of elder 
abuse that can help you spot a possible problem. 

• Physical or sexual abuse: Suspicious bruises or other injuries that can’t be explained. 
Sudden changes in behavior (upset, withdrawn, fearful). Broken eyeglasses. Caregiver’s refusal 
to allow visitors to see an elder alone.

• Emotional or psychological abuse (insults, intimidation, threats, social isolation): 
The elder is extremely upset, agitated, withdrawn, unresponsive, fearful or depressed, or 
demonstrates some other unusual behavior.

• Neglect or self-neglect: Malnourishment, weight loss, unattended medical needs, 
poor hygiene, unsanitary and unsafe living conditions.

• Financial exploitation: Missing money or valuables. Unexplained withdrawals from 
bank accounts, or transfers between accounts. Unauthorized use of credit, debit or ATM 
card. Unpaid bills despite available funds. Checks written as a loan or gift. Abrupt changes 
in a will or other documents. 

What to Do

 The best ways to help prevent elder abuse is to be in touch, and keep the lines of communication 
open. If you suspect any type of elder abuse or neglect, report it to your local 
protective services agency. 

 Adult Protective Services is the government agency responsible for investigating cases 
and providing help and guidance. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit the 
National Center on Elder Abuse website (ncea.aoa.gov) to get the agency contact number 
in your area. 

 If however, you feel the person is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police for immediate 
help.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

DIAL - A - RIDE TICKETS

Tickets can now be purchased at:

Sierra Madre City Hall

Sierra Madre Recreation Center

Sierra Madre Library


Pasadena Highlands, an independent and assisted 
living community, is proud to provide a special 
gift basket on the first Tuesday of each month. 
Accredited In-Home nursing care will provide a 
special prize on the 4th Tuesday of each month. 
Bingo takes place every Tuesday at 1:30 pm at the 
Sierra Madre Recreation Center while the Hart Park 
House is under remodeling. The game begins at 
1:30 pm but those wishing to play must arrive 10 
minutes before to secure your Bingo cards. Join 
us on the 1st & 4th Tuesday of each month 

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