Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, January 21, 2017

THE GOOD LIFE

10

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 21, 2017 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HELP FOR SENIORS WITH BLADDER CONTROL PROBLEMS


Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the best treatments recommended to help 
seniors with bladder control problems? 

Leaking Linda

Dear Linda,

Incontinence is very common in older adults. 
According to the CDC, more than half of women 
and 30 percent of men ages 65 and older are affected 
by it. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of 
treatment options that can help, as well as a number 
of absorbent pads or underwear you could use for 
leakage protection. Here’s what you should know. 

See A Doctor

If you leak unexpectedly (also known as stress 
incontinence) or sometimes have such a strong 
urge to urinate (urge incontinence) that you fear 
you won’t make it to a bathroom in time, your first 
step is to make an appointment with your primary 
care doctor, or see a gynecologist, urologist, or 
urogynecologist. 

 A doctor can determine if a medication side 
effect or a condition like diabetes or a urinary-tract 
infection might be causing urine leakage. They can 
also set you up with a treatment plan. Depending 
on the reason or the type on incontinence you have, 
here are some common treatment options. 

 Non-drug therapies: There are a number of 
exercises, bladder training techniques and lifestyle 
strategies that should be the first line of treatment. 

 Kegel exercises (repeatedly tightening and 
relaxing the muscles that stop urine flow to 
strengthen them) are especially helpful for women 
with stress incontinence, or leaking when they 
laugh, cough, sneeze, lift heavy objects, or exercise. 

 Bladder training involves keeping a diary of 
urination and accidents, then slowly increasing the 
time between bathroom visits. It’s most effective for 
those with urge incontinence. 

 There are also a number of lifestyle strategies 
that can help, such as cutting down on caffeinated 
and alcoholic drinks, which cause the kidneys to 
produce more urine. Getting sufficient fiber in your 
diet to keep yourself regular, because constipation 
can contribute to incontinence. Losing weight if 
appropriate, because excess weight puts pressure 
on the abdomen and bladder, and being overweight 
can also lead to Type 2 diabetes, which causes 
damage to the nerves that control the bladder. And 
if you smoke quit, because smoking leads to excess 
coughing which can cause urine leakage.

 Medications: Several drugs are approved for 
urge incontinence (or overactive bladder), such as 
prescription mirabegron (Myrbetriq), oxybutynin 
(Ditropan XL and generic), solifenacin (Vesicare), 
and tolterodine (Detrol and generic). 

While drug treatments are effective for many 
people, you also need to know that more than 
half of those who take incontinence drugs stop 
within six months because of side effects including 
constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurry vision, 
and dizziness. 

 Injections of Botox into the bladder muscle are 
also approved for this condition and may reduce the 
urge to urinate. This is usually prescribed to people 
only if other first line medications haven’t been 
successful.

 Medications should only be considered for those 
who continue to have bothersome symptoms despite 
having tried lifestyle changes and therapy exercises.

 Electrical stimulation: Mild electric shocks 
to nerves in the lower back or the pelvic area can 
stimulate and strengthen muscles that are involved 
in urination. This can help with both urge and stress 
incontinence, but it requires multiple treatments 
over many weeks.

 Surgery: Several surgical procedures are available 
for stress incontinence. The most common is 
sling surgery, where strips of synthetic mesh are 
implanted to support the urethra. This surgery is 
very effective in most patients, but should be a last 
resort.

 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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …January Birthdays*

 Gerald Day, Mary Tassop, Judy Webb-Martin, John Johnson, Mary Bickel, Marlene 
Enmark, Shirley Wolf, Ross Kellock, Ruth Wolter, Sue Watanabe, Sandy Thistlewaite, 
Bobbi Rahmanian, Fran Syverson, Shirley Wolff, Judy Zaretzka and Becky Evans. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required

...................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. 
to 11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of 
Hula. 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is 
necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursday, January 19th, 10:30a.m. - 11:30a.m., improve your memory and 
strengthen your brain. Activities facilitated by Senior Volunteers.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, January 25th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Sing-A-Long: Music brings joy to the soul! Come join us Thursday, January 12th, 10:30a.m. to 
11:30a.m. No music skills needed! 

Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Third Monday 
of each month, a variety of balance exercises are practiced. All ability levels are encouraged and 
welcomed. A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Case Management services are provided by the YWCA and provide assistance 
in a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park 
House Office at 626-355-7394.

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free 
birthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club.

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of 
Seniors play poker. Other games are available for use. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. 
The class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are 
provided.

SENIOR EXCURSION - 

February Excursion

PAPA CRISTO’S RESTAURANT & ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL 

Date: Thursday, February 2, 2017 

Time: 11:45a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Cost: $40.00 (Includes Lunch)

Description: In 2011 Papa Cristo’s was awarded Best Greek Restaurant in Los Angeles by Zagat. 
The market features imported wine, goods from Greece and many Ethiopian foods and products. 
Participants will tour the kitchen and enjoy a full lunch at Papa Cristo’s. Afterwards, walk across to St. 
Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which was built in 1952. Learn about the structure, interior of the 
cathedral and the success story behind the history of this Greek Orthodox Church. Level of walking - 
Medium. Please call the Hart Park House Senior Center 626-355-7394.

Excursion Refund Policy

Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days before the excursion. A refund will 
only be issued; 1) for medical excuse or 2) if the Department is able to fill the patron’s spot from a waiting 
list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit which will be applied to the patron’s account with 
the City, less a $13 Cancellation Fee. The credit will remain on your account for one year from the date 
issued and the credit may be used for any program or service offered by the Library & Community 
Services Dept.


KATIE Tse..........This and That

BONDERIZED!

 Sometimes inspiration comes 
from the most unusual places. I 
was in the ladies’ room at work 
and, for the first time, actually 
read the label on the inside of 
the stall door. I’ve noticed the 
sticker before; it has a picture of 
the door with metal layers peeling off like an onion. 
It was probably meant to impress us. And indeed 
I am impressed, because I certainly wouldn’t know 
where to begin if I had to build a bathroom stall 
door by myself. Anyway, this time I read the 
label. “Bonderized,” it said. 
I’d heard of bonded, as in, 
“The step-father bonded 
with his wife’s son during 
their fishing trip.” And then 
there’s bonded like, “The 
miracle of triglycerides was 
discovered when scientists 
bonded hydrogen to carbon; 
laying ground for margarine 
and ‘Cheese Whiz’.” But 
“bonderized”... The first 
thing that came to mind was 
Bond. James Bond.

 Working from this 
definition, to Bonderize 
something means to infuse 
it with stealth, danger, a 
Scottish accent, promiscuity, 
or all of the above. A Bonderized drink is shaken, 
not stirred. Since Agent 007 is known for nifty 
gadgets, dull or embarrassing housewares can 
be Bonderized to resemble something more 
fashionable. For example, you might cringe if 
your guests saw your nose/ear-hair trimmer lying 
in plain view on the bathroom counter. But if it 
looks like a remote control, they might think, 
“Ooh, I bet he has a TV or stereo system hooked 
up somewhere in here!” 

 The rest of the stall door sticker was worn with 
age, and I could barely read something to the 
effect of “Sanyware: Guaranteed life long quality.” 
I considered crouching down to get a better look, 
but was afraid coworkers would think I was weird 
for staying in there so long. Would someone 
recognize my shoes (nondescript flats from 
Payless)? Whenever I am in a stall next to someone 
whose feet aren’t moving, I always worry that 
they’ve had a stroke or something. Maybe I should 
bring my new, souped up phone and take a picture. 
It would be silent enough to not draw attention, 
but that particular day I had no pockets in which 
to conceal the phone. I worried that people would 
think I was a pervert or something. I considered 
asking one of the guys if their stall (assuming 
they had at least one) was “Bonderized.” No one 
at work knows I write for the paper, so I couldn’t 
say, “It’s for an article!” I’d 
have to come up with some 
plausible reason for taking 
interest in the gents’ room 
stall doors. I could see 
myself blundering, “It’s for 
a project I’m working on... 
about the relative durability 
of different metals... or 
something.”

 I looked up “Sanyware,” and 
it appears that they’re still 
operating, specializing in 
different stall arrangements 
and galvanization. A teacher 
friend told me of a bathroom 
at her school that was built 
during the depression by 
the WPA. “Peter Goodwall” 
evidently made sure that his tilework would be 
there for some time, because he engraved his name 
upon a floor tile --in one of the stalls. I’ve never 
designed or built a public bathroom, but perhaps 
if I did, I’d want to leave a lasting impression, too. 
Maybe I’d scrawl the rabbit at toilet eye level. I 
don’t know if I’d be bold enough to leave my name. 
I might just write, “This & that & the other.” 

 As if the idea of Bonderization wasn’t captivating 
enough, I then noticed the bottom of the sticker 
read, “To be removed after architect’s inspection.” 
Not only is this obviously a really old bathroom 
stall, but apparently it’s never even been inspected! 
I suppose the danger of using an uninspected stall 
adds a certain flair to using the ladies’ room. In 
that sense, it certainly is “Bonderized!”


LUNCH & LEARN

Braille Institute will be offering two free Life Enrichment Classes at the Hart Park House for those who 
are experiencing difficulty with daily living tasks due to low vision and have been diagnosed with an 
eye disease.

Understanding Vision Loss and the Emotional Impact 

Date: Monday, January 23, 2017 Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Signs and symptoms of low vision. What are the most common eye diseases that lead to vision 
loss?What is our Low Vision Wellness Program? Get information on Braille Institute’s Services.

The Business of Living
Date: Monday, January 30, 2017
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Learn how to identify and separate paper money, coins, accessible banking, writing guides & paper, 
shopping and dining tips; labeling and organizing techniques to identify personal items.


www.mountainviewsnews.com


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com