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Assistance. Advocacy. Answers on Aging.
Grand Gateway
Area Agency on Aging Staff
Kay Carter, Director
Theresa Greer
Planner! Assistant Director
Barbara Dove '
Information & Assistance
Coordinator / Editor
Patricia Parret
Caregiver Project Director
Lahona Young, Ombudsman
Elaine Evans, Ombudsman
Shannon Fellers, Bookkeeper
Mary Schwartzlander
Administrative Assistant
1-800-482-4594
Case Management Team
Devon Murray, Supervisor
Bill Steele, Assistant Supervisor
Deanna Green, Case Manager
Connie Patrick, Case Manager
1-877 -446-8885
1-918-783-5761
Fax: 1-918-783-5829
I Am Old Glory
By Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC
I Am Old Glory For more than ten score years I have
been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after
generation of Americans.
Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I
am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group
of thirteen colonies to a untied nation of fifty sovereign states.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith, my
gently fluttering fold have proved an inspiration to untold
millions.
Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.
They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.
The have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might
continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness
which have been granted to every American as the heritage
of free men.
So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as
they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of
our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and
charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts .
I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the
United States of America!
Patricia Parret
Caregiver Project Director
Email: caregiver@grandgateway.org
1-800-482-4594 Extension 12
The FAST test is a helpful tool people can use to reduce the time to treat-ment,
because "time lost, is brain lost."
STROKE
React FAST
The Cincinnati Stroke Scale is used by EMTs to identify a stroke.
The acronym FAST is for quick identification of stroke symptoms:
F FACE-Facial Droop: Have the person smile or show teeth. Is the smile even or lop-sided?
Normal: Both sides of the face move equally or not at all.
Abnormal: One side of the patient's face droops.
A ARM-Motor Weakness: Check for arm drift: close eyes, extend arms, palms up.
Normal: Arms remain extended equally, or drift equally or do not move at all.
Abnormal: One arm drifts down when compared with the other.
~ SPEECH-Have the person repeat, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
Normal: The phrase is repeated clearly and correctly.
Abnormal: Words are slurred, abnormal, or they can't speak.
T TIME-Last Seen Normal: This is important in determining the type of treatment they
receive.
Take care of those baby blues, browns, greens, hazels
Don't forget your shades!! Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays, which can speed up the
formation of cataracts, damage your retinas and put you at risk for eye cancer. The features, not
the price matter most. What to look for? A label that says "UV Blocker" or
, "UV Protection," a wrap-around style (thicker on the sides) to block out extra
light, and a snug fit.
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Caution .... Prevent Tragedy
Each year, more than 650,000 outdoor fires occur in the United States, resulting in 50 deaths, 875
injuries, and more than $150 million in damages. Nearly 50% of outdoor fires are trash or rub-bish
fires.
Fire and bum-related injuries are the sixth leading cause of unintentional
J1. injury death in Oklahoma. Bums and smoke inhalation injuries that result
~ in hospitalization or death are reportable conditions in Oklahoma. Over a
five year period, 1,998 Oklahomans have died or were hospitalized in a
bum center as a result of a bum or smoke inhalation injury. Ten percent
(194) of these injuries involved a brush, trash or grass fire. Nearly two-thirds of injuries involved
some sort of accelerant, such as gasoline.
Please help prevent tragedy and keep yourself and fire fighters safe by following these pre-vention
techniques:
• Do not bum brush or trash using accelerants such as gasoline.
• Instead of burning brush and trash, haul it to a local landfill.
• Do not put articles, such as aerosol cans that have the potential to explode into fires. Dispose
of these objects as recommended on the label.
• Do not allow children to bum brush or trash or to play around burning or recently extin-guished
fires.
• Do not wear loose fitting clothes near a fire. Loose fitting clothes can hang over the fire and
are more susceptible to catching fire.
• Do not bum brush or trash while drinking alcohol or using any sort of mind-altering drugs.
• Adhere to state administered bum bans.
• Do not leave a brush or trash fire unattended.
• Be sure there is a source of water or a fire extinguisher easily accessible to put out a fire.
Interesting Facts of Life .
LUNG CANCER kills more than 160,000 people annually. Breast Cancer, in comparison, kills
about 40,000 people each year. Yet in 2009, about $685 million was spent on breast cancer re-search
and less than $300 million on lung cancer research. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of lung
cancers are due to smoking, but 1 in 5 women with lung cancer have never smoked (it's 1 in 10 for
men). Other risk factors include exposure to radon or asbestos and having a family history of the
disease. Famous people who battled lung cancer include Dana Reeve and opera singer Beverly
Sills.
Learn more at lungusa.org; lungcanceralliance.org and longevity.org
3
Could You Pass
The
U.S. Citizenship
Test?
To become a naturalized citizen, immigrants
have to demonstrate they can read, write and
speak English. They also have to pass a ten
question civics test, the likes of which you
probably haven't seen since 11th grade Ameri-can
History. Here are a few of the 100 ques-tions
in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services database. Can you answer them?
1. What is one right or freedom from the First
Amendment?
2. How many amendments does the Constitu-tion
have?
3. How many voting members are in the U.S.
House of Representatives?
4. In what month do we vote for President?
5. Who is currently the Chief Justice of the
U.S. Supreme Court?
6. Who is currently of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives?
7. What do we show loyalty to when we say
the Pledge of Allegiance?
8. Who wrote the Declaration of Independ-ence?
9. Name one of the two longest rivers in the
United States.
10.In what war was President Eisenhower a
general?
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What if You're Conned?
Don't just throw up your hands if you're the
victim of a fraud or scam. Regulatory authori-ties
and agencies might be able to help you.
• Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov)
The nation's top consumer cop pursues
con artists through court and administrative ac-tions,
sometimes shutting down deceptive op-erations
and obtaining restitution for victims.
• Federal Citizen Information Center
(www.pueblo.gsa.gov/complaintresources)
Handle complaints in specific areas such
as baking, food, medicine, telecommunications
and travel services.
• State and Local Officials
Consumer complaints are usually han-dled
by state attorneys general, state or local
consumer protection departments or a combi-nation
of both. Find a list of these agencies at
(www.consumeraction.gov/state.shtml)
National Ass. of Attorneys Generals
(www.naag. org/current -attorneys general. php)
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
(postalinspectors.uspis.gov) They han-dle
mail-related complaints including fraud,
theft, and false address changes.
• Internet Crime Complaint Center
(www.ic3.gov) This is a partnership of
the FBI, National White-Collar Crime Center
and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
• Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
With its company reports and alerts, the
BBB is a major source of information for con-sumer
and authorities.
4
rand Gateway
Area Agency on Aging
1-800-482-4594
Accomplishments with Partnershill!
Health Screenings and Medicare Information
Great things happen when people come together and form partnerships with
one another to accomplish a goal and create a program for the good of the
people.
This is the third year Grand Gateway's Partners have come together to help
our communities with their health issues. The Lions Club Mobile Health
Screening Van is open to all age groups. You are welcome to come, and at
no cost, be tested for the following:
Visual Acuity • Glaucoma • Blood Pressure • Cholesterol
Blood Sugar (Diabetes) • Basic Pulmonary Lung Function
Bone Density (Osteoporosis)
Along with being able to have health screenings done on the day you come,
if you have Medicare, there will be Medicare Certified Counselors from
Grand Gateway available to answer questions you might have. Open enroll-ment
in Medicare Part D is October 15th through December 7th this year.
The Medicare Counselors also want you to be aware of a program that can
help you with your Medicare Part D expenses. It is called the Limited In-come
Subsidy (LIS). The application process is very simple and is com-pleted
through the Social Security website.
It is advised you complete the process of the application before open enroll-ment,
as it makes for an easier choice of plans. The Counselors will take
your information and make an appointment to do the application. It can be
done over the phone and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Please look on the back page of this newsletter for the times and dates of the
Health Screenings and help with Medicare.
Partnerships courtesy of: Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging; the SHIP
Program from the Insurance Commissioners Office; Oklahoma Lions Ser-vice
Foundation; Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of
Oklahoma; Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma; and the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma.
5
ShI
~P0.::::rance assistance programs
NATIONAL
NETWORK
mbudsman Supervisor's Corner
Lahona Young Extension 20
erving Craig, Ottawa, Nowata, & Washington Counties
Elaine Evans Extension 26
Serving Mayes, Rogers & Delaware Counties
Grand Gateway
Area Agency on Aging
1-800-482-4594
DEHYDRATION AND THE ELDERLY
With the warm, summer months just around the comer, this is a good time for a reminder about how
important it is for the elderly to stay well hydrated. Dehydration is the most common fluid and
electrolyte disorder for seniors in a long-term care setting and for at-risk seniors in the community.
Some problem indicators of dehydration include: Rapid weight loss, dry or inelastic skin, confu-sion
or hallucinations, dizziness or light-headedness, sunken eyes, flushing, rapid pulse, fever, dry
mouth, dark urine, and urinary tract infections.
Water is the best fluid for our bodies to prevent dehydration. If plain water is not appetizing, try a
twist of mint, lemon, or lime. Remember to avoid colas, tea, or alcohol, except as a treat, since they
slow the absorption of water your body needs. Drink at least three glasses of water a day, and dur-ing
hot weather or exercise, drink four or more glasses a day.
When visiting someone in a long-term care facility, check to see if there is cool, fresh water avail-able
and within reach of the residents. Also, are those residents who need assistance being encour-aged
and assisted in drinking water? Many residents may not realize how important it is to receive
proper hydration, and a little encouragement from a visitor may make all the difference for them.
If you would like to be a voice for quality of life and care for residents in long-term care facilities,
call Lahona Young or Elaine Evans at 1-800-482-4594.
Abuse Hotline 1-800-522-3511
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT ELDER ABUSE?
The older population in America is continuing to grow and will burgeon between the years 20 I0
and 2030 when the "baby boom" generation reaches age 65.
• By 2030, there will be about 21.1 million older persons, comprising almost 20% of the
total population, almost twice their number in 2007.
• The 85+ population is projected to increase to 6.5 million in 2020, an increase of 15%
from 2010.
Seniors are living longer, but not necessarily better. Potential declines in cognitive and physical
functions could make them more vulnerable to victimization.
Elder abuse can happen to anyone - a loved one, a neighbor, and when we are old enough, it can
even happen to us.
6
Heat Exhaustion you overheat
Normally when you get hot and sweat, the
sweat evaporates, moving heat from your skin
into the air so you cool down. On humid days
the evaporation process slows because the air
is filled with moisture, making overheating-with
symptoms including nausea, dizziness
and weakness.
•Don't wait until you are thirsty, drink water
through out each day. Wear light colored
clothes and don't exercise outside during the
hottest part of the day.
•If you start feeling nauseated, dizzy or weak,
get out of the sun and place a cold compress on
your forehead. Reach for a drink like Gatorade
or drink water and eat a salty snack like pret-zels.
If you throw up, pass out or become dis-oriented,
call 911. ... you may be having a heat-stroke,
which can be life threatening.
Lyme Disease Tick Bites
Ticks carrying Lyme Disease are usually car-ried
by deer and sometimes cause a red bull's-eye
shaped rash on your skin. Left untreated,
Lyme Disease can cause flulike symptoms,
joint pain, fatigue and a stiff neck.
•Before venturing into woodsy areas, apply a
DEET based repellent. Keeping your lawn
neatly trimmed and possibly spreading a bug
killer also helps. Always check yourself when
coming indoors to make sure you have no
ticks.
•If you find a tick, remove it immediately us-ing
pointed tweezers. Grasp the tick by its
head and swiftly and firmly pull the tick out.
Clean the area with alcohol.
·If you develop a rash near the bite (it could
take up to 30 days), see your doctor. You may
need an antibiotic.
APPRECIA TION
Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging staff would like for you to know how much
your donations are appreciated. We often receive comments from you about how
much you enjoy the newsletter I and it helps us work harder to keep you informed.
The thoughtful sending of your donation goes a long way in meeting the need to
keep the paper in print. Thank you for your kindness!
Grand Old Times Subscriptions
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Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Drawer B
333 S. Oak
Big Cabin, OK 74332-0502
Senior-Info Line: 1.800.211.2116
Nationwide: 1.800.482.4594
Local: 1.918.783.5793
Fax: 1.918.783.5786
E-Mail: infoassist@grandgateway.org
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This publication is funded in part through a Title 1lI Older Americans Act Grant, the Administration on Aging,
the Department of Human Services and Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging
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