Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. But it’s actually many distinct diseases: two of the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
“Although OA and RA have similar symptoms, they have entirely different causes,” said Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation rheumatologist Eliza Chakravarty, M.D. “That means the two conditions may also need to be treated differently.”
Osteoarthritis, the most common version of arthritis, stems from wear and tear that erodes the cartilage between bones in your joints, causing them to rub against one another. OA affects an estimated 31 million people in the U.S., typically impacting hands and fingers, hips, lower back and knees.
Pain associated with OA often worsens with use and improves with adequate rest. People are more likely to develop this form of disease with age, but that isn’t the only contributor, with obesity, traumatic injuries and overuse also elevating your risk.
“Doctors typically recommend that people with OA engage in regular physical activity, which not only strengthens muscles that support the joints and helps control weight, but it also has been shown to reduce pain,” said Chakravarty. “It can typically be treated effectively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen.
In extreme cases, doctors may inject corticosteroids into joints to relieve symptoms. “Unfortunately, current treatments can only alleviate symptoms, as we haven’t developed a cure for OA,” said Chakravarty.
Rheumatoid arthritis, meanwhile, is less common than OA, affecting about 1 million Americans. While its exact origins remain mysterious, researchers know the disease is caused by a dysfunction in the immune system.
“Specifically, the immune system perceives something inside the joints as foreign, prompting it to launch an attack,” she said. “Tissues in the joint become inflamed and swollen, eventually leading to the destruction of cartilage and bone.”
RA displays all the symptoms of osteoarthritis, plus noticeable joint swelling. Unlike osteoarthritis, though, RA symptoms are often worse in the mornings or after prolonged inactivity and improve a bit with use of the joints.
As with OA, doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids to treat the joint pain and stiffness that comes with RA. However, rheumatologists also rely on a series of more specific disease-modifying therapies that can slow the progressive destruction of the joints.
While these drugs, which include methotrexate and newer biologic agents such as Humira and Enbrel, help control RA, they have no effect on osteoarthritis. For this reason, Chakravarty said, it’s important to visit a physician if you’re experiencing joint pain or stiffness. Doctors use a combination of a physical examination, blood tests and X-rays to determine the type of arthritis a person has.
At OMRF, scientists are currently seeking volunteers who are concerned about developing rheumatoid arthritis for a prevention study called StopRA. If you are interested in participating or finding out more about the study, please call 405-271-7805 or email clinic@omrf.org.

by Rix Quinn

Maybe you’ve hear the old tale of a little boy named David who walks to school down the same street every day. And each day he passes the house of an older couple. Actually, they’re not that old…maybe in their 60s.
Whenever he talks to them, the old man says pretty much the same thing: “David, we plan to go on vacation soon. Will you watch our house while we’re gone?”
David always says yes. David walked by there for five years…but he never saw the couple leave the house.
Then one day David passes by, and the old lady’s in the yard, and she’s crying. “What’s the matter?” David asks.
“Bob died yesterday,” she says. “And you know what? Next week, we were leaving for vacation.”
Well, David never could get that image out of his head. And now, 30 years later, he and his family never miss a chance to travel together.
Yes, it’s always prudent to plan for tomorrow. But David discovered it’s also important to live for today.

Oklahoma Forestry Services announces the promotion of Andy James to assistant director and fire management chief. James will lead the state’s wildfire suppression and mitigation operations, as well as provide leadership for the division’s field operations based out of Tahlequah, Wilburton and Broken Bow.
“As the state’s lead agency for wildfire suppression, the role of fire chief is critical,” said Director of Oklahoma Forestry Services and State Forester Mark Goeller. “We are fortunate to have someone as knowledgeable and experienced as Andy ready to step into that role. He will do a phenomenal job.”
A 22-year veteran of Oklahoma Forestry Services, James previously served as the area forester for Community Fire Assistance programs, providing assistance to rural fire departments and communities. Prior to that he has served in a variety of positions including leading the Southeast Area operations located in Broken Bow, service forester in Wilburton and district forester in Jay. Wildland firefighting has been a big component of all of his positions with Oklahoma Forestry Services.
Throughout his forestry career James has focused on wildland fire suppression and management, not only in eastern Oklahoma, but across the state as a task force leader, division supervisor and operations chief for the OFS Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team.
“I am excited about the opportunity to represent Oklahoma Forestry Services on a state and national level,” said Andy James. “We have made great strides as a wildfire agency over the last few years and I look forward to continuing those efforts.”
In addition to his duties with Oklahoma Forestry Services, Andy is a member of the Northern Rockies National Type 1 Incident Management Team, and is qualified as an operations section chief, type 2 and an operations section chief, type 1 (trainee). He is also a member of the Fuels Management Committee of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the Oklahoma Statewide Mutual Aid Working Group.

Working out in my garden and sitting on my deck to see it grow.

Deanna Waltens

Watching baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates. I live the Rangers, too.

Rick Dimit

Bicycling. I’ve got a road bike and a cruising bike I ride around the trails.

Hugh Osborn

Just coming out and volunteering.

Kenneth Tolle

Kevin L. Lewis, MD, has recently been named Regional President of the SSM Health Medical Group.
Dr. Lewis returns to SSM Health Oklahoma to resume the role he held previously from April, 2016 to June, 2017 as Regional President of the SSM Health Medical Group. Dr. Lewis will be responsible for the growth and management of physician practices, as well as post-acute and ambulatory operations across the system.
Lewis comes to SSM Health St. Anthony from the multi-hospital Parkridge Health System based in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was Chief Medical Officer. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

by Bobby Anderson
Staff Writer

What started with an email from a 15-year-old high school sophomore in New Jersey has turned into Oklahoma seniors recording their history for future generations.
Melissa Holland serves as the executive director of the Oklahoma Assisted Living Association. An email from Michael Naya, Jr., showed up in Holland’s inbox a few months ago.
“He was interested in history and was having problems finding people who were Dust Bowl survivors,” Holland said of Naya’s project. “He asked if I could reach out to our membership.”
Holland mentioned each spring OKALA recognizes those over 100-years-old. A friend at the Oklahoma State Department of Health mentioned those who witnessed the Land Run might be a good source of information.
Veterans of the Korean War and World War II survivors might also be a good source of information.
With her head swirling with ideas Holland got back to Naya and the two hammered out an informational survey OKALA could send to each member’s Activity/Engagement Coordinator.
“He’s such a great kid,” Holland said of Naya. “It does give you hope in future generations.
“I’ve always told my children seniors are living history books,” she said. “And we need to document that.”
Holland said the goal is to publish the returned information in a book form.
The Oklahoma Assisted Living Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of dignity and choice for older Oklahomans and to the quality of their care in the senior living setting.
Naya said it was a school project that struck up his curiosity and led him to contact Holland.
“Well, I have always been interested in history starting when I was very young,” Naya said. “I enjoyed reading about the Titanic and events from that era as it was interesting. From there, I learned about World War II veterans, Great Depression and Dust Bowl survivors and decided to start finding and interviewing living witnesses from these historical events.
“The responses from these witnesses have been great; most are willing to share their memories.”
Naya’s goal is to collect enough responses to one day write a book.
“They hold a great deal of knowledge and it’s amazing to interview them in any way possible,” he said.
Holland has more and more stories to share as time passes.
“We get some really interesting responses,” Holland laughed.
One resident survived the Dust Bowl.
She recounted those days in her responses.
“There were terrible dust storms that were so bad you couldn’t drive. You just had to stop and wait till it was over,” she remembered.
The same resident also lived through the Great Depression.
“It was terrible. We didn’t have any money and couldn’t find work,” she said.
She remembered how many of her classmates struggled during those times. Her parents didn’t lose their jobs because they farmed.
The end of the Depression was a miraculous event.
Another resident responded to the call for 100-year-old stories.
Lois Wooten was born in 1914 and just turned 104.
“When I was a child the world was much safer,” Wooten said. “We did not have locks on our doors. In the summer we would sleep out in the back yard because it was so hot and we didn’t have electricity. We didn’t have running water in the house. We had a well just outside of our back porch.
“We had an outhouse instead of an indoor bathroom.”
Things were much slower back then. Wooten remarked how much has changed.
“We didn’t get the news within five minutes of when it happened,” she said. “Communication of world events was over the radio and we didn’t have one of those for a long time.
“I think people visited with their neighbors more. We made most of our own clothes. It was a slower time for sure – no fast food places, no ATM machines.”
Wooten’s age has brought her plenty of attention.
“I am enjoying many things because I’m this old,” she said, noting she’s had a lot of interview requests and has been contacted by researchers. “There have been so many changes.
Who would have thought we would have gone to the moon or astronauts would live on a space station.” While she admits the current technology “boggles my mind” she regularly uses a computer, an iPad and an iPhone, which she uses to text her family.
If you would like to find out more information or participate in the project you can contact Holland at 405-235-5000 or email her at mholland@okala.org.

The Oklahoma City Lion’s Club gifted $6,000 to the Metro Tech Foundation, funds that will be utilized to cover costs outside tuition such as uniforms, tools, certification fees and equipment.
OKC Lion’s Club Board Member Tom Springer said historically the club has supported college scholarships for area high school students and had a desire to help adult students pursuing technical education as well.
“Many of the Lion Club members attended vocational school at some point in our lives and wanted to support students who graduate with a trade and might need a little help getting started in their career. Welding tools, nursing accessories, certification test fees – we don’t want any student to miss an opportunity due to lack of funds at the beginning of their career,” Mr. Springer said.
Metro Tech Foundation Executive Director Ashleigh Gibson expressed gratitude for a gift that will allow the Foundation to remove financial barriers from student success.
“These financial gifts often make the difference between giving up and succeeding for students who are working hard to achieve their dreams,” Ms. Gibson said.
Metro Tech is an Oklahoma technology school that offers free tuition to Oklahoma City Public Schools, Crooked Oak Public Schools and Millwood Public Schools students. Full-time and part-time training is offered for adult students, as well as customized Business & Industry training.

By Darlene Franklin

I’ve never been to war. Aside from a few skirmishes, neither had anyone in Israel’s army. After being freed from Egypt and spending forty years wandering, the desert-hardened Israelite army prepared to fight for the land promised to them by God. How did they feel? Nervous, anxious for their first battle, wanting to get it over with, so they could get on with their new lives?  I’ve never been to war. Aside from a few skirmishes, neither had anyone in Israel’s army. After being freed from Egypt and spending forty years wandering, the desert-hardened Israelite army prepared to fight for the land promised to them by God. How did they feel? Nervous, anxious for their first battle, wanting to get it over with, so they could get on with their new lives?  They set up camp, all 600,000 of them, spreading out from Jericho’s front gates. Expecting war, imagine how they felt when all they did was to march around the walls one time every day each day for a week with trumpets sounding. You may know the story. At the end of the week, they marched seven times, the instruments blared, the men shouted—and the walls fell down. The battle ended before they threw a spear (Joshua 6).Centuries later, the judge Gideon led a small group of three hundred men to fight the Midianites, Amalekites, and others who’d oppressed the Jewish people. Again, God used the weapon of music—a blaring trumpet—to defeat the opposition (Judges 7).During Jesus’ final week on earth, the crowds sang hosanna when He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. A few days later, the disciples “sang a hymn and departed” after the Last Supper, beginning the countdown to Jesus’ death. Is it any wonder that Isaiah links strength and music?Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2 KJV)His words echo Moses’ song after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2,), as well as the psalmist’s words in Psalm 118:14.  Music composed at the height of war has become national anthems (the United States’ Star Spangled Banner and France’s La Marseillaise). In the mid-twentieth century, songs like “We Shall Overcome” played a vital role in the civil rights movement. It’s easier to imagine the connection between music and patriotism than between music and war. There are narratives (probably not factual) of children marching to the Crusades while singing “Fairest Lord Jesus.” Many translations of Isaiah 12:2 plainly place music in war’s arsenal (the Lord is my strength and my song, see the KJV and many others.)  Some changed the English word from “music” to “defense” instead. None of the commentaries or lexicons I consulted gave me a clue as two such different words have been used. Neither commentaries and Hebrew word meanings helped me understand how the same word means two such different things, or why the translators changed their work. Was it possible that music was defense?It is for me. When I’m tired, discouraged, unable to sleep, I hum “Abide with me.” If rejoicing in God’s good gifts? How about “Joy to the world, the Lord is come?”When I checked a website for hymns based on Isaiah 12:2, I found over over thirty songs. Here are a few of my favorite phrases: “Jesus! ’’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘Tis life, and health, and peace”—Isaac Watts“I am trusting Thee for power, Thine can never fail”—Frances Ridley HarvergalAnyone who’s ever been moved by a song on the radio or at a concert can testify to the power of music. It slips into the heart, curls up next to the spirit and warms it even before we take in the words. Who doesn’t want to stand and shout when they hear “I’m Proud to be an American” on the 4th of July? Not to mention Katherine Lee Bates’ immortal words about “America the Beautiful.” Music has the capacity to bypass logic and doubt and stir our worship to God. If we wonder what to sing about, we can look at everything we learn about God in Isaiah 12:2. Our Creator’s creation calls for songs of praise. Yahweh, the great I AM, is the beginning of everything and the source of songs of praise. He was Salvation for those before Jesus took on human form, born of the virgin Mary. The love demonstrated at the cross “demands my soul, my life, my all.” (Isaac Watts) God my salvation and strength is also my defense. Let His praise be continually on my lips.

Darlene Franklin is both a resident of a nursing home in Moore, and a full-time writer.

Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to find good, trustworthy, qualified people who can help seniors with home chores or small jobs? Looking for Mom

Dear Looking,
Getting help at home for any number of household tasks is a lot easier than it use to be thanks to a number of web-based tools that can quickly and easily connect you and your mom to a wide variety of skilled, carefully vetted workers. Here’s what you should know.

Finding Qualified Help
One of the best ways to find qualified, reliable, trustworthy people that can help with home chores and other small jobs is through referrals from people you trust. But if your friends or family don’t have any recommendations, there are a number of online companies you can turn to now like TaskRabbit.com and Takl.com.
These are on-demand service companies that can quickly and easily connect you to skilled workers to handle a wide variety of household chores and small jobs, like cleaning and housekeeping, moving and packing, lawn and yard cleanup, handyman tasks, grocery shopping, running errands, furniture assembly, picture hanging, closet organizing, and much more.
TaskRabbit currently has more than 60,000 Taskers (workers) in 47 U.S. cities, while Takl currently serves 75 U.S. cities with around 35,000 workers.
All you need to do is download their app, or go to their website, and select the service your mom wants done and set a time when she would like the worker to show up. The software then matches your request and provides you a list of qualified, feedback rated workers (including their hourly rate) from which to choose. Once the job is complete, payment is done through the company’s app.
You should also know that all TaskerRabbit and Takl workers have to go through a thorough vetting process before they can join their respective company including extensive background checks.
If, however, you can’t find a skilled worker through TaskRabbit or Takl, or if they don’t serve your area, another option is Amazon Home Services at Amazon.com/services. Like TaskRabbit and Takl, Amazon will connect you to qualified workers that handle dozens of household chores and other small jobs.
Amazon also screens all workers through media searches, online interviews, reference checks, and background checks. And all experts need to have licenses and insurance.
To purchase and book a service, you can either buy a pre-packaged service with a fixed price (like two hours of cleaning) or you can submit a custom request and receive estimates. When booking, you select three different dates and time frames and the pro confirms an appointment. All payment is done through your Amazon account.

Need a Tradesman
If your mom primarily needs of a tradesman like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter for home repairs or remodel projects, you should also check HomeAdvisor.com and AngiesList.com. Both of these sites can connect you with prescreened, customer-rated service professionals in your area for free.

Senior Specific
Another option you should know about is AskUmbrella.com, which is a fee-based membership service for seniors 60-plus that provides qualified, vetted workers to do small jobs in and around the house for only $16 per hour. Currently available in New York, they are expanding nationally over the next year.

Lower-Income Option
If your mom is on a tight budget, you should also contact her nearby Area Aging Agency (call 800-677-1116), who can refer you to services in her area, if available. For example, some communities have volunteer programs that provide chore and handyman services to help seniors in need. And some local non-profit’s offer residential repair services that offer seniors minor upgrades and adaptations to their homes.
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.