Hospitals Helping Patients Quit (HHPQ), an Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) initiative, recognized 11 hospitals and clinic partners at OHA’s recent Connect 22 annual conference that have achieved notable benchmarks in reducing tobacco use in Oklahoma. These visionary hospitals and clinics have implemented a permanent and standard best-practice protocol for identifying, counseling, and referring individuals to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (OTH) for coaching support and nicotine replacement therapy.
OHA recognized these hospital leaders for achieving notable benchmarks in clinical tobacco treatment:

Helpline Referrals 100-499
Great Plains Regional Medical Center, Elk City – 100 referrals

McAlester Regional Health Center – 150 referrals
Cedar Ridge Behavioral Hospital, Oklahoma City– 275 referrals

Helpline Referrals 500-999

AllianceHealth Ponca City – 500 referrals

Stillwater Medical Center – 600 referrals
INTEGRIS Health Edmond – 600 referrals

Helpline Referrals 1000-1999
OU Health, Oklahoma City – 1,000 referrals

Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton – 1,100 referrals

Helpline Referrals 2000 or more

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Oklahoma City – 2,850 referrals

Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, Ada – 5,000 referrals

INTEGRIS Outpatient Clinics – 8,600 referrals
Through effective, health care provider-driven tobacco treatment services, HHPQ partner hospitals and clinics have referred 55,000 patients to the OTH, resulting in an estimated 39,000 years of life saved and $19.5 million dollars in reduced health care costs as well as personal spending on tobacco products.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) supports OHA’s Hospitals Helping Patients Quit and the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. For more information the HHPQ initiative, go to https://www.okoha.com/hhpq. For information on the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline,
http://okhelpline.com.

It’s never easy to move your loved one to a nursing home. It’s a big deal in every family, and it can be a rather difficult process for all the family members. Even when finances are not an issue, the emotional distress and rejections are making it more difficult. It starts from the moment you realize you can no longer take care of your senior family member, and need to seek help. No matter how hard you try, it’s not always possible to dedicate the time and attention they need to feel safe and happy. The next issue is the acceptance of the senior to go to the nursing home. Some of them may refuse to do it at first – and this guide will help you go through all the steps. Here‘s how to prepare for moving a loved one into a nursing home and making it a smooth and pleasant experience for everyone.

Reasons why your loved one may feel better at a nursing home
Many people feel guilty about moving their senior family member to a nursing home. However, they shouldn’t feel that way as many Oklahoma facilities offer a much better and safer lifestyle for seniors. If you’re still not sure if that is the right decision, remember the following benefits your senior can enjoy:
* Constant supervision and care – if your senior loved one has lived alone until now, you know all the moments of worry when you leave their home. In a nursing home, you can have constant care and support, even when you’re not around. This is a lot safe option than leaving them alone when you’re out at work or taking care of the kids, etc.
* You can still participate in their care – moving a loved one to a nursing home doesn’t mean you abandon them. You can still actively participate in their care and be a big part of their daily routines.
* Socialization – with other seniors living at the facility, your loved one can enjoy socialization more than they could do at their own home. The feeling of loneliness is common for seniors, even the ones who live with their families. Spending time with people of similar ages can be very motivating for them, and it can help with the signs of dementia. Living alone has been shown to worsen such conditions, which is why socialization and participating in activities can be very helpful.
If you simply don’t have time to take good care of your senior loved one, a nursing home can be very helpful and beneficial for their physical and mental health. Now let’s see what steps to take before the arrival at a nursing home.

Moving your loved one to a nursing home – ways to prepare for a smooth process
This important life event is something you need to do properly to avoid unpleasant situations and negative feelings with your loved one. Here are some tips that will help you ease the transition and help everyone accept the changes.

Make plans
Planning ahead is the key to making the process predictable and therefore less unpleasant. Depending on the condition of the senior, try to include them in the process as much as possible, but without burdening them with too many details. Decide if they are capable of making certain decisions and participating in the process, so you can do this together and make the transition easier. Talk about the things they’ll bring, communication routine, plan the visits, etc. Ensure they know you’ll still participate in their life as much as possible. Furthermore, Best Cross Country Movers suggest you deal with the moving details as early as possible, so you can prevent common mishaps that happen in this process. Scheduling the move, hiring an expert team, packing – all of these are tasks that require energy and time, so be sure to deal with them as early as possible.

Expect negative feelings
It’s okay for everyone to feel discomfort when it comes to moving to a nursing home. Seniors don’t like change, and moving to such a facility can also bring feelings of abandonment. You should try to stay patient and positive, and tell all the benefits this move will have. Be optimistic no matter what, and always remind yourself that you’re doing this for their good. However, if you notice some behavioral problems that don’t seem to go away, seek help from a specialist.

Get all the necessary information
Prepare for the transition by learning all the details about the nursing home. With about 300 nursing homes in Oklahoma, make sure you pick the one that fits your senior needs and has a convenient location. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even the ones about small details such as meals, activities, professional staff, other seniors, etc. Knowing more about the facility will give you peace of mind and reassure you you’re doing the right thing.

Provide all the information
One way to get your senior ready for moving into a nursing home is to make a file with all the necessary details about them. This can be the history of their health, necessary medical documentation, and even photos of important people and moments in their life. These details will help the staff in the nursing home to get to know them, start a conversation and ensure they feel more welcome and familiar. Make sure to mention all the details about their physical and mental health that can help the staff react in case they notice anything unusual later on.

Ensure a safe relocation
Moving to a nursing home can be as complex as any other relocation. Make sure you find experts in this field so you can experience minimum stress and worry related to this Oklahoma interstate move. Trust experts with moving tasks so you can focus more on supporting your loved one and helping them pack and travel safely to an

Be understanding
It takes up to 6 months for a senior to adapt after moving your loved one into a nursing home. This period can include different reactions such as loss of appetite, feelings of sadness, and complaining. Try to be as patient and understanding as possible, and stay alert for more serious signs of depression or anxiety. If there are any concerns, make sure you talk to the staff and see if you can seek for mental health specialist at the facility. Being involved and attentive will make the transition a lot easier and safer, with your loved one knowing you’re there even after moving to a nursing facility.
Meta: Learn how to prepare for moving a loved one into a nursing home and make the transition as smooth as it gets, making sure both you and your senior feel good about the changes.

Dear Savvy Senior,

What steps need to be taken after a loved one dies? My 71-year-old uncle, who’s divorced with no children, has terminal cancer. He’s asked me to take care of his affairs so I would like to find out what I need to do after he passes away.– Unsure Nephew

Dear Unsure,
I’m very sorry to hear about your uncle. The death of a loved of can bring about a host of different tasks and responsibilities. Here’s a list of some things you can do now, and after his death, that can help keep a sad event from becoming even more difficult.
Before Death Occurs
There are several tasks you can do now while your uncle is still living that will make things easier for you after he dies.
For starters, find out where he keeps all his important papers like his trust and/or will (also make sure it’s updated), birth certificate, Social Security information, life-insurance policies, military discharge papers, financial documents, key or combination to a safe deposit box or a home safe. Also make a list of his digital assets (including usernames and passwords) like his email account, online banking accounts, social media accounts, etc.
If your uncle doesn’t have an advanced directive, help him make one (see CaringInfo.org for free state-specific forms and instructions). An advanced directive includes a living will that specifies his end-of-life medical treatments and appoints a health-care proxy to make medical decisions if he becomes incapacitated. In addition, you should also make a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Your uncle’s doctor can help you with this.
You should also pre-arrange his funeral, memorial service, and burial or cremation.
Immediately After Death
Once your uncle dies, you’ll need to get a legal pronouncement of death. If no doctor is present, you’ll need to contact someone to do this.
If he dies at home under hospice care, call the hospice nurse, who can declare his death and help facilitate the transport of the body.
If he dies at home without hospice care, call your uncle’s doctor. You’ll then need to call the funeral home, mortuary or crematorium to pick up the body. If your uncle is an organ or tissue donor, contact the funeral home or the county coroner immediately.
Within a Few Days
If funeral plans were not pre-arranged, you’ll need to make arrangements and prepare an obituary. If your uncle was in the military or belonged to a fraternal or religious group, you should contact those organizations too, because they may have burial benefits or conduct funeral services.
You should also notify family members, close friends and his employer if he was still working, and make sure his home is secured.
Up to 10 Days After Death
To wind down your uncle’s financial affairs, you’ll need to get multiple copies of his death certificate, which are typically ordered by the funeral home.
If you’re the executor of your uncle’s estate, take his will to the appropriate county or city office to have it accepted for probate. And open a bank account for your uncle’s estate to pay bills, including taxes, funeral costs, etc.
You also need to contact your uncle’s estate attorney if he has one; tax preparer to see if estate or final income taxes should be filed; financial advisor for information on financial holdings; life insurance agent to get claim forms; his bank to locate and close accounts; and Social Security, the VA (if he’s a veteran) and other agencies that provided benefits in order to stop payments.
You should also cancel his credit cards, delete or memorialize his social media accounts and, if relevant, stop household services like utilities, mail, etc. His home and personal belonging will also need to be dealt with in the coming weeks.
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.

by Van Mitchell, OKNT writer

Dr. Elizabeth Diener, PhD, RN, PNP, CNE, has taught in programs of nursing for the past 30 years in New York, Missouri, and Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing.
She said her 13-year stint at OCU has been the most rewarding of her teaching career.
“I can say without a doubt this is the best teaching job that I have ever had,” she said. “They have always encouraged me to explore my own personal research interests, in addition to fulfilling my teaching duties.”
That reciprocation was returned to Diener by her fellow staff members as she was named the 2022 recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty.
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died (at the age of 33) from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).
Barnes’s family was very touched by the remarkable compassion and clinical skill demonstrated by Patrick’s nurses during his illness, so they created DAISY to recognize exceptional nurses everywhere.  Diener said she was humbled by her award recognition.
“It would both serve as a validation of everything that I have done in my past 25 years as faculty,” she said. “It would also be quite humbling because I work with an incredible group of faculty that every day try to do their best to foster faculty and student relationships, and be experts in their field. I feel I am just a representative of all of our faculty.”
Diener currently serves as Professor of Nursing. She is trained as a Caritas Coach in Watson’s Caring Science Institute, holds a certificate as a Soul Collage Facilitator, completed a postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arizona in Integrative Nursing Curriculum, and is a certified ANFT Nature and Forest Therapy Guide..
She is currently pursuing her teaching certification in MBSR at Brown University, School of Public Health. Her clinical practice areas have included, Pediatric AIDS Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatric Emergency Care, ECMO, Hospice and Palliative Care, and Nursing Leadership/Administration.
Diener said her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in healthcare. She said watching nurses care for some of her relatives growing up also influenced her to become a nurse.
“I was encouraged by my parents,” she said. “Women went into nursing or education. Either one would have been acceptable to my parents, but they really had a great respect for healthcare. I just have a real respect for the nurses that I saw and how they could comfort people, and assure them that things would turn out okay. It made me want to be a part of that.”
Diener said she learned early on in her clinical practice she had what it took to handle the stress and chaos that a nursing career can sometimes have.
“I got a really good look at what nursing would involve,” she said. “I knew then I had what it took to become a nurse.”
Diener said her approach to teaching has evolved as has the field of nursing with new technology, medicine, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on nursing.
“I think at the beginning I was more concerned with delivering the materials that were required or requested for a particular course, and assessing student performance,” she said. “As it has evolved, it has become not only that, but education has become much more in-depth. We have technology now that wasn’t available back in the day. Our skills have expanded greatly.”
Diener said the pandemic hit the nursing field hard with more nurses leaving the field due to burnout and fatigue.
She said nursing schools like OCU have worked hard to help recruit more nursing students, as well as hospitals and healthcare agencies helping them better transition from student to full-time nurse.
“It’s the quick turnaround from being a student to a functionally-responsible nurse,” she said. “It can be pretty overwhelming at times. Hospitals are trying to address that with internships and transitioning into practice.”
Diener said one message she tells nursing students is to always remember to take care of themselves.
“I think a thing we struggle with is how do we get everything done in the time allotted because there are so many demands,” she said. “I think the challenges will always change as they always do,” she said. “We are fortunate enough to be able to educate larger numbers of nurses. Nurses will get the job done.”
Diener said nursing and teaching is not just her career, it is her passion to help others.
“It is a career I never considered leaving, and one of the reasons is because under the umbrella of being a nurse, there are so many places that you can practice and so many roles that you can fulfill that you can be a nurse and still find your place,” she said.
For more information about Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing visit:
https://www.okcu.edu/nursing/home

Her record may not equal the NCAA basketball coach of the same name, but Stillwater High School’s “Coach K” left an enduring legacy of her own.
In addition to the example she set for her former students and basketball players, Kendra Kilpatrick’s legacy includes helping fund research aimed at breast cancer – the disease that took her life on Nov. 26. She was 36.
Stillwater students last week presented the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with a check for $13,489.52 in Kilpatrick’s honor, all raised during their bake sales, T-shirt sales and other fundraisers comprising the school’s annual “Pink Out” week. Every dollar will go directly to cancer research at OMRF.
“Coach K was beloved by everyone,” said her friend and fellow teacher, Jody Webber, who advises the student group that leads Pink Out efforts. “She was a lover of students – of all people, really – and you felt that love from her.”
Following the check presentation, students met with OMRF cancer researchers, including Jake Kirkland, Ph.D., who joined OMRF from Stanford University. Kirkland’s research focuses on a chemotherapy called doxorubicin, better known as the “red devil” for its toll on the patient’s body.
“About half of patients with breast cancer seem to respond to doxorubicin. My goal is to better determine who it will help and who it won’t,” Kirkland said. “If we know that, we can avoid putting women through unnecessary suffering caused by the drug.”
Stillwater senior Bess Glenn said the visit to OMRF was a valuable learning experience.
“I really enjoyed learning about all that OMRF does and how our Pink Out Week donations make a difference. The passion and knowledge the scientists shared was inspiring,” said Glenn.
Since designating OMRF as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts in 2011, the Stillwater community has raised more than $114,000 for the foundation’s scientists.
“We are so grateful to Stillwater High School’s students, their families, and the teachers and staff who put in an incredible amount of work to raise these funds,” said Katherine Jackson, OMRF’s donor relations coordinator. “This kind of consistent support is critical for our researchers to continue their life-changing work on this terrible disease.”
Work at OMRF has led to an experimental drug called OKN-007, which is undergoing clinical trials at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and a dozen other sites around the U.S. to treat patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. The drug has also shown promise in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a fast-growing pediatric brain cancer.
Donations like those honoring Kilpatrick make such discoveries possible, and that, said Webber, is part of her legacy.
“This is part of what helps her to live on,” Webber said.

From Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com
text and photo provided by the Oklahoma Historical Society

I think it was in the fifth grade when I first heard about Albany, New York. We were studying all the capitols of all of the US cities. It was a bit of a mystery this state capitol so far north of New York City, yet so important to the state’s history and in current affairs. Decades later I discovered Albany in a personal way with a weekend excursion.
Most striking about Albany is the site, inside and out, of this historic capitol building itself which took thirty years to complete. It stands on a hill and overlooks the city, and the nearby Empire State Plaza with its monolithic office buildings and the unusual egg shaped theater complex. The plaza complete with reflecting pool and with ice skating in the winter, is popular for public events. On one end is the State capitol building and on the opposite side the New York State History Museum (www.nysm.nysed.gov). The extensive museum houses several sections, including homage to the Civil War (with a life mask of Abraham Lincoln), and more recently artifacts from the World Trade Center disaster. Be sure and visit the observation deck of the 42 storied Corning Tower.
State Street which could be called Albany’s’ main street, runs down from the capitol, pointing toward the Hudson River. Near the base of the street stands, 74State Street Hotel, which was my pleasant home base and my oasis for my discoveries. 74 State offers several breakfast menu items, and my guests and I enjoyed their Eggs Benedict more than once. This Ascent Hotel Collection provides wireless internet, room service in the morning and evenings and supplies free coffee in the lobby from 6 am to 10 am. The fitness center is open 24 hours. The property also has the Bistro/Bar venue on the second floor, with an expansive picture window overlooking busy STATE street. While the hotel is upscale it features recycled New York State wood and granite.
Just down the hill a bit is the upscale Jacks Oyster House (www.jacksoysterhouse.com) where without a doubt I had the best meal of my visit. As a steak person I tested their expertise and they passed with high marks, as they did for the Martini. My other companions had a variety of entrées including oysters on the half shell and a Lobster tale prepared with gourmet expertise. The service was as exceptional as you would have expected at a fine old world restaurant, and it was a near shame we had to leave to catch a theatrical presentation in Schenectady, NY at the Proctor Theater, which was a treat.
Be sure your discovery of Albany includes a visit to Speak Easy 518 (www.Speakeasy518.com) where you will have unique cocktail tastes accentuated by a variety of herbs and vintage concoctions. You are admonished: “The bar is open to anyone, but not for everyone. In order to maintain our peaceful, secretive existence beneath the city we require the respect of the following house rules which include: Please dress sharply and speak easy. Mind your manners.” Live jazz may be there on your night, and while they offer a variety of wines and beers the experience is in tasting the Prohibition Era Cocktails or the New World Concoctions. You might try the Midnight in the Italian Alps, of Braulio Amaro, Cardamaro Amaro, JFB Sorrel Liqueur, with Flamed Orange Zest, or the Papa Doble made with ADC Quackenbush House Rum, Maraschino Liqueur, and Fresh Grapefruit Juice. Many of the flavors are earthy and perhaps so usual you may have to develop a taste over several visits. To keep the ambiance low, no photography is permitted.
Other recommend dining venues include: Albany Pump Station (www.evansale.com), A Better Bite Deli (www.abetterbitealbany.com), Jake Moon Café (www.jakemoon.net) and the popular New World Bistro Bar (www.newworldbistrobar.com).
Albany has more to offer than space allows- but be sure to include the Albany Heritage Center (www.albany.org/visitors-center), the Albany Institute of History and Art (www.albanyinstitute.org), and weather permitting a visit to John Boyd Thacher State Park (www.nysparks.com/parks.com), and Goolds Orchards and Brookview Station Winery (www.goold.com). If you are lucky you might get to view a replica of Henry Hudson’s “Half Moon” Ship, which is the symbol of Albany.
Upcoming dates of interest and for more information: www.albany.com

Story by Joyce Clark, Executive Director – Saint Ann Retirement Center

Winter is here. Sometimes that means power outages. Tornadoes and other events during the year can also impact utilities, travel, and access to needed items. Take steps now to ensure you have the knowledge, fuel, and supplies to stay warm and thrive without electricity. Pooling resources and gathering with others is an economical way to have access to more supplies and assistance. An added benefit is that more people in a small space helps generate heat. Outlined below is a sample list of things you may want to maintain in your home at all times.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO STAY WARM DURING A POWER OUTAGE
Backup power for the most important needs. A generator, backup battery bank, charging station, or inverter can be incredibly helpful during a power outage. If you have critical medical equipment, it may be a necessity. Solar options come in various sizes and qualities.
Lighting – Items such as glow in the dark sticks, solar lights, flashlights, headlamp, or an old-fashioned oil lantern. Outdoor solar walkway lights are an affordable & easy light source. Just place them outside or in a sunny window during the day & use by night.

• Extra batteries. Rechargeable batteries with charger.
  Bottled water
  Hand, foot, & body warmers
  Back-up supply of essential medications & personal care products
  Extra oxygen tanks &/or battery power
  Extra blankets &/or zero-degree sleeping bag. Wool & down blankets are the warmest.
  Cot or blow-up mattress
  First aid manual & supplies
  Cooking source. Outdoor grill or camping stove, special designed indoor cook stove.
  Hand held radio or communication tool
  Solar, rechargeable, or battery operated radio
  Non-perishable food that does not require cooking or refrigeration
  If you have a cooking source, items like canned soups, chili, stews, & instant noodles are easy hot meals to keep in stock. Beverages such as decaffeinated coffee, tea, cocoa, hot lemonade, hot Tang, & apple cider will help keep you warm & hydrated. Avoid caffeine & alcohol because they can have an adverse effect.
  Manual can opener
  Power banks to charge phones & smaller items
  Layered clothing. Gloves & head covering. Down or wool coat.
  Heat activated fan to blow warm air from fireplace or alternative heat source. This helps keep the room warm & less heat rising to the ceiling.
  Emergency heating used properly. Fireplace & stocked wood, candles, terra cotta clay pot / tea candle heater. Mr. Buddy indoor propane heater. Be sure to keep a working carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher nearby.
  Propane or appropriate fuel. Wood for fireplace.
  Fire extinguisher, smoke detector, & carbon monoxide detector
  Matches & lighters
  Self-protection. This can be as simple as a can of wasp spray that can be used from 12 feet away. Sprayed into a person’s eyes, wasp spray can be very painful & stop or slow down an attacker.
  Small 2-3 person tent or a larger one if your emergency plan includes more people.
  Tarps, plastic sheeting, sheets, cardboard, towels, wide painter’s tape, or items to stop window & door drafts.
  Puzzles, games, & things to do
  If water or the well pump is not working, a 5-gallon bucket with plastic trash bags can be used for a toilet. Purchase a seat in advance or make one by cutting a slit in a pool noodle & sliding it on the bucket rim.
  Tools to turn off water if pipes freeze
  If the refrigerator is not working, put ice or snow in a clothes washing machine with your refrigerated or frozen food. The ice will conveniently drain away as it melts.

TIPS TO KEEP WARM DURING A WINTER POWER LOSS

DRESS APPROPRIATELY TO RETAIN BODY HEAT

• Dressing in layers is one of the best ways to stay warm. Wear items that can be easily taken off or on as the temperature changes. It is important to be comfortably warm, but not sweat. Moisture can wick heat away from your body.
• Protect your extremities. Keep your hands and feet covered and warm. The human body responds to cold by drawing the warm blood supply back into its core as a survival mechanism. This puts your hands and feet at risk for frostbite.
• Cover your head. Keep your head covered to prevent precious heat from escaping out the top.
• Dress warmly from the start. It is easier to stay warm than to get warm once you are cold.

PREVENT HEAT LOSS IN YOUR HOME
If there is potential the power will be off for an extended time, take action to keep the cold out and retain heat inside of your home.

• Block entry points for cold air. Take a look around and identify places where cold air enters your home. Block cold airflow by rolling up towels or blankets and stuffing under doors. Use wide painter’s tape to seal leaks around doors and windows. Avoid duct tape, which can damage paint. Common cold air entry points include:
  Gaps around doors & windows
  Kitchen exhaust fan
  Dryer vent
  External wall outlets & switches
  Furnace, water heater vents, & cold air returns
  Fireplace flue damper or chimney
  Cover windows. Insulating windows can make a tremendous difference in your home’s inner temperature. Start by closing curtains and blinds. Further insulate by taping plastic sheeting over the window, cutting cardboard to place against the window, or even draping an extra blanket over the top of the curtain rod.

CREATE A WARM SPACE

• If the cold is potentially dangerous, you can make a small warmer area to stay in until power is restored.
  Confine activity to one selected living area. A smart approach is to condense living and sleeping to one general area of the home. This enables you to use alternative heat sources in a smaller area and conserve fuel. Choose a space that makes the most sense. Is there a room with a wood burning stove, fireplace, or even a south facing window that can provide radiant heat during the daytime? A room on the south side of the home is often warmer than a room on the north side. Basements will be warmer than the main floor during the winter. Shut all the doors or block off areas by hanging blankets, sheets, or plastic. Confine alternative heating to this one space. Be sure to maintain a working carbon monoxide detector. If anyone starts to feel headachy or sick, stop using alternative heating immediately and get fresh air.
• Set up an indoor tent. Putting up a small tent inside your designated living area will help create additional warmth. A tent provides some extra insulation to retain heat. You can create a makeshift tent by placing blankets over the top of a table or bunk bed. Body heat and any source of warmth is more contained and effective in a small area like a tent. Protect your pet and generate more warmth by keeping it in your warm spot with you.

DRINK WARM LIQUIDS AND EAT HOT FOODS
Drinking warm liquids can be comforting and help the body maintain temperature. Hydration is important to preventing hypothermia and your body needs calories to create heat. Always keep the pantry stocked with bottled water and easy-to-prepare shelf stable foods and beverages.
Cooking during a power outage can be accomplished with the correct equipment and/or back-up power source. Be very careful not to create deadly carbon monoxide or start a fire. Outdoor grills and camping stoves are a safe way to prepare meals and boil water outside. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher and sufficient propane or fuel in supply.

GET SOCIAL AND BE ACTIVE
Two people keep a space warmer than one. Three is even better. Pooling resources and having company during a power outage can be advantageous. Shared supplies and a helping hand could be life-saving. Spending time interacting with others and playing games helps keep spirits up and time pass faster.

Moving around will help you stay warmer. Twenty minutes of mild exercise can keep a person warm for an hour. It is important to exercise moderately and not break a sweat. Sweating will wick the heat way from your body and cool you.

HEAT SOURCE OPTIONS
It is best to prepare alternative heat sources in advance and have them on hand if needed. Potential sources of heat are all around. Huddle up with friends, family, or pets under a blanket to stay warmer.

• Dry rock or brick warmer. High density objects such as rock, concrete, brick, and tile can be used as thermal mass. Put the item near a heat source and it will retain the heat after the heater has been turned off. Cooler items are great for tucking in bed to keep you warm. Make sure any rock is completely dry before heating or it could explode.
• Hand, foot, and body warmers. Options include rechargeable, butane, and disposable warmers. They all provide instant warmth. Many will last for 8 to 12 hours.
• Hot water bottle warmers. To create a small water heater, simply heat water and fill a container. You can use a traditional hot water bottle or any water-tight container like a mason jar.
• Rice bag warmer. These are helpful if you can use a microwave powered by a backup generator or other source. Make flannel bags filled with dry rice or corn. Heat them in the microwave and then use them as a hand, body, or bed warmer. Your pets will love them too.
• Indoor emergency space heating. There is a significant risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with some backup heat sources. It is important to use one that is rated for indoor use. Mr. Buddy Propane Heater is a popular choice. The VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater & Stove is another helpful and affordable devise. It is powered by canned heat or Safe Heat and can be used as a heater or cooker. Candles can be used for warmth, light, and even cooking. A terracotta pot heater made with a tea candle and clay pot is a simple system that many people recommend.

Joyce Clark is the Executive Director of Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living in
Oklahoma City. Saint Ann is an affordable and fun community that has new levels of care, including short-term respite stay. The home is a ministry of The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and people of all faiths love living at Saint Ann. Call Lisa at (405) 721-0747 Ext. #322 for more information about assisted or independent living https://www.saintannretirementcenter.com/.

by Greg Schwem

Hard to believe Christmas 2022 has come and gone. It seems like only yesterday the 2021 holiday was upon us and people were freaking out about attending festive family gatherings because of COVID-19 germs and a toxic political environment.
It’s nice to know some things never change.
What did change, as always, were Christmas wish lists. When I started writing this column, there were seven shopping days left until the holiday; but I was reasonably convinced certain gifts were unobtainable, whether the recipient was a working schlub like myself or obnoxiously rich and famous.
Again, these are just my predictions. So, at the risk of sounding like a weather forecaster or a sports prognosticator, here is a partial list of gifts some of the world’s most well known celebrities — and lesser known individuals — did not receive this blessed holiday season:
Taylor Swift: Tickets to her own concert tour.
Harry and Meghan: Keys to Buckingham Palace. Also, the correct garage code.
Elon Musk: Loyal employees.
Ed Sheeran: A hairbrush.
Pete Davidson: Uh, why is he on this list? That dude got everything he wanted in 2022.
Donald Trump: Relevance.
Donald Trump Jr.: A job. Wait, never mind. He didn’t ask for one.
Will Smith: The neuralyzer from his “Men in Black” movies. You know, it’s that contraption that erases people’s memories. Ideally Smith needed it the night of the Oscars, but rumor has it he’s been searching for one ever since.
Tom Brady: See “Will Smith.”
The cast of Saturday Night Live: The ability to write one funny sketch that does not involve bringing back a former cast member to make a guest appearance.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: A longer pair of skis. In 2023, expect him to remain WAY over the tips of his current pair.
Florida residents: Manners.
Kari Lake: More votes.
Kanye West: A menorah.
The January 6th Committee: Closure.
Dr. Mehmet Oz: A holiday party featuring crudites.
Sam Bankman-Fried: Freedom.
George Stephanopolous: A card from Sam Bankman-Fried thanking him for “that great interview.”
Crypto investors: A positive return.
Dogs: Owners who aren’t nervous about what 2023 will bring.
Cats: Cats don’t need anything.

(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

Legend Senior Living announced that it will be taking over management of Lionwood Independent Living on December 1, 2022. Merrill Gardens, of Seattle, WA was the prior management company. With headquarters in Wichita, KS, Legend Senior Living owns and operates 43 senior living residences in six states. Lionwood, at 12525 N. Pennsylvania Ave., will be Legend’s ninth community in Oklahoma and its fourth exclusively Independent Living residence.
“The Legend mission to serve seniors makes Lionwood a great addition to our Oklahoma family,” said Matt Buchanan, Legend’s Executive Vice President, in making the announcement. “We will bring to Lionwood the Legend concept of Vibrant Independent Living and Life Enrichment, emphasizing an active, social lifestyle and holistic wellness.”
As with other Legend residences, Lionwood Independent Living will remain a pets-welcome residence and retain a comprehensive list of amenities and services: 24-hour staff, chef-prepared meals, an Emergency Response System, included home maintenance, weekly housekeeping, on-site religious services, commons areas and lounges, transportation, game rooms, a beauty salon, and a library.
“Whether an existing building or new construction, we look for locations that are near hospitals, restaurants, shopping, and other attractions important to an active lifestyle,” said Buchanan. “The Lionwood community is a good fit because of its convenient location, long-standingreputation, great staff, and attractive updates to the property. We look forward to welcoming Lionwood residents and associates to the Legend family.”

By Eddie Roach

As the new year begins, VillagesOKC reflects on a very rewarding 2022 and looks forward to an even bigger and better 2023.
VillagesOKC was established in 2018 as a plan founded on relationships rather than transactions. Like many small towns in Oklahoma, here like-minded members can trust the connections to valuable resources, education and programming. Membership allows for personal responsibility while Empowering Independence for mature adults to age well – in the way they choose.
The combination of internal leadership and external visibility has raised awareness and opportunities for VillagesOKC. Yet its three core values remain unchanged:
* LEARN (growing the brain at any age)
* PLAN (for the bumps in life)
* SERVE (helping others is life-giving)
Highlights of 2022 accomplishments:
LEARN:
* Offered monthly iPhone and iPad technology support
* Participated in monthly Town Hall Lectures
* Held six-week Brain Health Academy
* Continued 12-month Senior Living Truth Series as educational partners
PLAN:
* Updated the Gathering Information for Transitions (GIFT) workbook and expanded the number of facilitators
* Made GIFT registration, scheduling and payment available online
* Videoed GIFT testimonials for informational sharing
* Piloted one-hour workshops for Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directive
SERVE:
* Launched the Veteran Initiative with pinning of 350 veterans at the Oklahoma History Center
* Expanded Caregiver Ambassadors to 18 faith communities
* Grew an exciting monthly women’s coffee
* Expanded partnership with NewView Oklahoma
* Established partnership with OKC Friday Newspaper, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight and Force50 Foundation
In 2023, VillagesOKC will begin LifeSkills Academy, expand The GIFT and Power of Attorney Workshops, expand the Veterans Initiative, double the number of Church and Synagogue connections, and double the VillagesOKC Advisory Board.
VillagesOKC is becoming the magnet, the trusted one source for senior connections in greater Oklahoma City.
To learn more about VillagesOKC, go to their website: https://www.villagesokc.org/ or call (405) 990-6637.