The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden partnered with Oklahoma Forestry Services to celebrate the 75th birthday of America’s favorite fire prevention personality, Smokey Bear. The celebration took place July 26th at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails, Big Rivers Building.
“Together with Oklahoma Forestry Services, we were honored to commemorate this historical occasion celebrating one of the world’s most recognizable animal ambassadors,” said Barry Downer, OKC Zoo’s Deputy Director. “Like Smokey Bear, the OKC Zoo is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of our natural world and this event is a memorable way to connect Oklahomans to this vital campaign and its message.”
Smokey Bear’s birthday party featured Oklahoma Forestry Services firefighters, fire prevention information, fun Smokey giveaways, birthday cake—and of course, the bear himself! Plus, the OKC Zoo’s grizzly and black bears received their own birthday cakes created by their caretakers as part of the festivities. Grizzly bear brothers, Will and Wiley, received enrichment treats as did the black bears, Maynard and Woody Both the grizzly and black bear enrichment sessions were viewable from inside the Big Rivers Building and were free with regular Zoo admission.
For 75 years, Smokey Bear has been educating the public about fire prevention and the importance of protecting America’s wild places from unwanted, human-caused fire. Smokey, one of the most beloved ambassadors of our time, and his signature catchphrase, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” are truly iconic. His message of wildfire prevention is the center of the longest-running PSA campaign in our nation’s history.
“We are excited to partner with the OKC Zoo to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 75th birthday,” said Mark Goeller, Director, Oklahoma Forestry Services and State Forester. “Smokey’s fire prevention message is as relevant today as it was in 1944, and we hope it continues to resonate with generations to come.”
Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

integrisok.com/seniorwellness

Benefits include vehicle discounts, equipment service and access to mobility specialists

The Oklahoma Assisted Living Association (OKALA) is pleased to offer benefits to members through a collaboration with United Access. As the second largest provider of customized accessible vehicles and equipment in the nation, United Access provides vehicle sales for wheelchair vans, trucks and SUVs, as well as wheelchair and scooter lifts, hand controls, power transfer seats and more.
“With United Access our members will have the advantage of working with a local dealership and local mobility specialists who know, live and work in our community,” said Melissa Holland, Executive Director OKALA. “Being able to meet in person with United Access will not only be convenient and comfortable, but also critical to their developing a deep understanding of our members’ businesses and specific accessible vehicle needs, as well as knowing the local resources necessary to keeping your vehicles operating at peak performance.”
Incentives offered by United Access will enable OKALA members to receive the maximum possible value on their vehicles by working with dedicated mobility specialists. In addition to special discounts on vehicle acquisition, OKALA members will receive mobility equipment servicing and access to nationwide remarketing experts for selling vehicles, among other benefits. Dealer sales, service and financing and leasing also are available for retail and commercial wheelchair vans in Oklahoma.
Specific benefits and discounts include:
*Local, dedicated mobility specialists
*Up to 5 percent savings on vehicle acquisition costs
*Free annual mobility equipment service
*Factory ordering, manufacturer and volume incentives
*Access to nationwide remarketing experts for buying and selling vehicles
“United Access is dedicated to giving people the power of freedom and independence by providing the safest and most trusted accessible driving solutions and we are pleased to be able to offer these special benefits to OKALA members across the state,” said Jim Thurmond, commercial sales manager for United Access. “Our vehicles provide an affordable transportation solution for independent living and senior living communities for non-emergency medical transport and ambulette paratransit.”
All United Access’ wheelchair accessible vans comply with National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and include top quality vehicles from trusted companies including BraunAbility, Vantage Mobility International (VMI), Bruno, Harmar lifts, and ElDorado. Selections include wheelchair vans with side- or rear-entry ramps, as well as full-size vans with lifts. Rentals also are available.

Macaroni “Mackee”, a 10-year-old Dalmatian therapy dog, walks close by owner Jane Neely and settles on the floor surrounded by children and books at the Midwest City Library.
After a little girl reads a book to Jane, while showing pictures to Mackee, a young boy comes in near the spotted dog and begins reading a book about cougars.
“Children are so open. They just sit down without any inhibitions and pet Mackee or read to him,” said Jane, a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Central Oklahoma volunteer since 2005. “Sometimes they read to me and sometimes they like me to help them with their reading. Mackee is patient and just loves the kids.”
Jane is an active member of Therapy Dogs International, the leader in training and certifying therapy dogs, and Mackee is a certified therapy dog. She has had a love of Dalmatians for years, having owned nine. When she first began volunteering with RSVP, she gave her time delivering meals, but the love she has for her dogs and sharing them with others blossomed into a new volunteer opportunity reading to children at libraries and visiting nursing homes, where sometimes Mackee performs tricks for the residents.
Laura McPheeters, RSVP of Central Oklahoma volunteer coordinator, said that Jane’s dog is an icebreaker and comfort to children and the elderly, and that people feel no judgment and feel unconditionally supported by the dogs almost instantaneously.
“I think it’s fun to be a volunteer with RSVP and share my dog with people,” Jane said. “Dogs are born to love.”
Since 1973, RSVP of Central Oklahoma has helped senior adults continue to live with purpose and meaning by connecting them with rewarding community volunteer opportunities, including RSVP’s Provide-A-Ride Senior Transportation Program. RSVP is a partner of Senior Corps and the United Way of Central Oklahoma. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, call Laura McPheeters at 405.605.3110 or visit rsvpokc.org. You can also follow RSVP on Facebook at facebook.com/RSVPokc.

www.fullcircleok.com

In the first six months of 2019, the Oklahoma Insurance Department recovered double the amount of money for policyholders compared to all of last year. More than $5.1 million in claims disputes have been settled with the Department’s help.
“These recovery amounts make a real impact on peoples’ lives, and Oklahomans should expect their insurance companies to keep the promises made to them” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “Today’s numbers show our Department’s continued commitment to protect insurance consumers.”
OID’s Consumer Assistance/Claims Division processes and assist consumers seeking help with their insurance companies. The division opened 3,061 files from January to June of this year. They’ve also answered 7,110 phone calls. The money recovered from January to June of this year totaled $5,129,962.81. Last year, the recovery amount for the entire year was $3,549,619.17.
Policyholders who have an issue with their claim can file a “Request for Assistance” for the following types of insurance: auto, home, commercial, life and health, service warranty, title or workers’ compensation. To learn more about the complaint process, go to oid.ok.gov or call the Consumer Assistance Division at 800-522-0071.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.

by Vickie Jenkins
Staff Writer

There are a few churches around the metro area that offer a food pantry to those people that need a little extra hand every now and then. Mayfair church of Christ is one of those generous churches.
Meet David Ellis where you will find him here at the church different days of the week, different times of the day, and a lot of his time is spent in a room at the back of the church; designated as The Food Pantry. He will be doing his job as he serves as the food pantry coordinator.
“It all started fourteen years ago with a man named Jerry Bostick who actually started the food pantry at the church. Things were a little different back then,” David said. “There was a closet, literally, a closet, on the other side of the church, where a few boxes of food were stored and a few people picked up a few things. It was twelve years ago that I volunteered to help out. I’m still doing it,” he said with a smile. “Sometimes, I feel like maybe I got shanghaied into it, he laughed. “I really do enjoy it and it makes me feel good to be helping out. Since I am retired, I consider this my full-time job.”
Just for an update, In June, the pantry served 84 households consisting of 251 persons, (40 seniors, 122 adults and 89 children) we have received 34 cases (40 pounds each) of canned food as our portion of the Mail Carriers Food drive held in May. Distributions will begin when the Pantry opens on July 10, 2019. The hours of the Pantry will be each Wednesday 3-5 and the last Monday of each month 10-noon.
How do people hear about the Food Pantry? “Word of mouth is the biggest. Most of the people that come by to pick up food have been coming for several years. On the other hand there are some people that come one time during the whole year. We are here, come rain or shine,” David replied.
David explained how the people get approved to accept food from the food pantry. “The people have to qualify to register for the food pantry; they have to be in one of the six approved zip codes, meet federal income guidelines, show a picture ID and bring some type of document that verifies their address. We get shipments of food from the food bank which includes USDA meats, bread, vegetables, fruit, staples, canned goods and dry goods. We then take special care to bag the groceries according to the size of their family.”
How does David feel about being the food pantry coordinator? “It makes me feel good about the situation, especially when the people come in the very first time. They are not sure what to expect or not sure how to accept the help. I just want to make them feel comfortable and let them know that we are willing to help them,” David replied
“Even though I am the food pantry coordinator, there are plenty of others that use their time to serve others too; the volunteers…say there is a lot of work that goes into the food pantry but it is all well worth it. I am thankful for the people here at the church that are willing to serve,” David said. “I call that teamwork, he added.
On a personal note, David and his wife Elaina just celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 21st. Their families, along with their four grandchildren, were fortunate to be in town for the big celebration.
Because of his past experiences in life, his organizations skills were remarkable. ‘I didn’t realize it at the time, but God was preparing me for this job back then,” he said with a smile. “Running the food pantry takes a lot of organization, from ordering the food, to making sure there is enough for the families each month. We usually distribute about 3000 pounds of food, a little less than a ton. That is a lot of food!”
Asking if David had any words of encouragement, he said, “Well, my daughter said, ‘you are really a glass-half-full guy, aren’t you?’ I agreed with her, wondering what she meant. I laughed at the thought. All in all, yes, I am the Food Pantry Coordinator at Mayfair Church of Christ. I am happy to serve others.”
If you would like more information about Mayfair Church of Christ, located at 2340 N.W. 50, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or call 405-842-2993

www.harborchase.com

Story and photos by Bobby Anderson

The first rule of Rock Steady Boxing at Concordia Life Care Community is that everyone is encouraged to talk about Rock Steady Boxing.
Resident Ramona Duff says the weekly classes are packed with useful information, stress relief and good, old-fashioned fun.
“It’s really good for balance,” said Duff, who attends Monday and Friday classes. “I had watched other people box and I knew we wouldn’t be hitting each other. It keeps me on my feet longer.
“I like the camaraderie. It’s a great group of people.”
Chris Coleman is the wellness coordinator at Concordia and is responsible for bringing the program to the community.
“We brought it here for the Parkinson’s program and after we got trained in that we realized the same principles could be applied to anyone who wants to reduce falls, build stamina and just be a little bit more active,” Coleman said.
Wednesday classes are open to anyone in the community affected by Parkinson’s. Attendees are encouraged to call first for an evaluation.
“We had to let people know it was just going to be fun and not anything that’s going to be aggressive,” Coleman said.
Concordia’s Dovie Kasper has been coming to the classes since they started five months ago.
“I just love hitting those bags,” Kasper said. “It gets you a lot of energy when you start.”
When she’s hitting the bag Kasper said she may or may not picture a particular face or annoying situation while she punches away.
“It’s good for that, too,” she laughed.
I FIGHT BACK
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation estimates there are more than one million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year. Rock Steady Boxing is the first gym in the country dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s.
As word of this unique program spread and the demand for the classes increased, Rock Steady Boxing created classes to meet the fitness levels at all stages of Parkinson’s – from the newly diagnosed to those who had been living with it for decades plus.
“When I think about exercise it’s diversifying the muscles you use,” said Coleman, who obtained Rock Steady certification. “It’s just an excuse to work on a new movement pattern. At the very least it can create new neural pathways. Do what you can but take what you can from the principles.”
SPARRING SCIENCE
Various studies in the 1980s and 1990s supported the notion that rigorous exercise, emphasizing gross motor movement, balance, core strength, and rhythm, could favorably impact range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait, and activities of daily living.
More recent studies, most notably at Cleveland Clinic, focus on the concept of intense “forced” exercise, and have begun to suggest that certain kinds of exercise may be neuro-protective, i.e., actually slowing disease progression.
Rock Steady Boxing, the first boxing program of its kind in the country, was founded in 2006 by former Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s.
Work done through the Parkinson’s Outcome Project, an ongoing study involving more than 12,000 patients in five countries, suggests that patients should exercise at least 2.5 hours each week to slow decline and maintain a better quality of life. A similar study advised that patients should begin regular exercise at diagnosis.
Still, this research stops short of recommending a specific exercise regimen as a best strategy.
In Parkinson’s, neurons in a brain area called the substantia nigra that are responsible for producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine gradually die off, leading to motor symptoms such as tremor and bradykinesia (slow movement).
Levodopa — which works to increase dopamine levels in the brain but cannot rescue damaged neurons — is currently the front-line treatment for the disease.
Some evidence suggests that, like levodopa, exercise may exert some of its effects by increasing dopamine.
At Concordia, the benefits are evident. Walk into the gym and you’ll see people laughing and smiling, before they even strap on the gloves.
Coleman likes the more intimate environment and says people can let their guard down – pun intended – while raising the level of their health and well being.
“We all kind of laugh at ourselves,” Coleman said. “It’s a camaraderie builder.”

Dear Savvy Senior,

My 70-year-old mother has become somewhat of a hoarder. Since my father died a few years ago, her house is so disorganized and messy with stuff that it’s becoming a hazard. What should I do to help her? Troubled Son

Dear Troubled,
Clutter addiction is a problem that effects up to five percent of Americans, many of whom are seniors. The problems can range anywhere from moderate messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related to a mental health disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your mom.
Why People Hoard
The reasons most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed or showing early symptoms of dementia.
Common problems for seniors who live in excessive clutter are tripping, falling and breaking a bone; overlooking bills and missing medications that are hidden in the clutter; and suffering from the environmental effects of mold, mildew and dust, and even living among insects and rodents.
What to Do
To get a handle on your mom’s problem, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization offers a free “Clutter Hoarding Scale” that you can download off their website at ChallengingDisorganization.org.
If you find that your mom has a moderate cluttering problem, there are a number of things you can do to help.
Start by having a talk with her, respectfully expressing your concern for her health and safety, and offering your assistance to help her declutter.
If she takes you up on it, most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your mom from getting overwhelmed.
Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your mom’s stuff – one pile is for items she wants to keep-and-put-away, another is the donate pile and the last is the throwaway pile.
You and your mom will need to determine which pile her things belong in as you work. If your mom struggles with sentimental items that she doesn’t use, like her husband’s old tools or mother’s china for example, suggest she keep only one item for memory sake and donate the rest to family members who will use them.
You will also need to help her set up a system for organizing the kept items and new possessions.
Find Help
If you need some help with the decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your mom’s home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. The nonprofit group National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals has a directory on the website at NAPO.net to help you locate a professional in your area.
If your mom has a bigger, more serious hoarding problem (if her daily functioning is impaired, or if she is having financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues because of her hoarding) you’ll need to seek professional help. Antidepressants and/or talk therapy can help address control issues, anxiety, depression, and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies, and make it easier for her to confront her disorder.
To learn more and find professional help see the International OCD Foundation which provides a hoarding center on their website (Hoarding.iocdf.org) that offers information, resources, treatments, self-help groups, and more. Also see HoardingCleanup.com, a site that has a national database of qualified resources including cleaning companies and therapists that can 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.

www.acs-okc.com

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently announced that fifteen INTEGRIS Family Care Clinics earned Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition renewal.
The clinics received the initial recognition in 2016 for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.
The facilities receiving the PCMH Certificate of Recognition renewal are listed below:
INTEGRIS Family Care Baptist
INTEGRIS Family Care Central
INTEGRIS Family Care Norman
INTEGRIS Family Care Yukon
INTEGRIS Family Care Coffee Creek
INTEGRIS Family Care Edmond East
INTEGRIS Family Care Edmond Renaissance
INTEGRIS Family Care Memorial West
INTEGRIS Family Care Northwest
INTEGRIS Family Care Southwest
INTEGRIS Family Care Lake Pointe
INTEGRIS Family Care Moore
INTEGRIS Family Care Surrey Hills
INTEGRIS Family Care South
INTEGRIS Family Care Mustang
The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.
To date, sixteen INTEGRIS Family Care Clinics have achieved this distinction. INTEGRIS Family Care South Penn has a different renewal cycle.

story by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

When Deborah Wedel received a business card from a friend a few years back she tucked it safely inside her purse.
It came after a session at the gym with friend Zenetta Kendricks and an urging for Wedel to sign up for the Ms. Oklahoma Senior America pageant.
Still working at the time, Wedel appreciated the gesture but figured it wasn’t for her.
That was until a few months ago when cleaning out that purse the card once again was in her hands.
“I thought ‘Oh, I’m retired now I might try this and I did,’” Wedel said.
And that was the beginning of a life-affirming journey for Wedel that culminated when she was crowned the 2019 Ms. Senior Oklahoma winner earlier this summer in Ada.
The night of the pageant Wedel’s nerves were flowing.
“They were all firing,” she laughed. “It’s amazing. I just want to say how encouraging we all tried to be for each other. I know it was a pageant but it was more like a sisterhood.”
“I didn’t think it was going to be my name,” she continued. “I thought it would be one of the ladies who had been in it before and I was just fine with that. The people in it before were such incredibly beautiful people inside and out.”
It was Wedel’s first pageant but an experience she wanted to use to get out of her comfort zone.
START TO FINISH
Back in 2013, Wedel went to the same gym as Kendricks, the 2013 Ms. Oklahoma Senior winner.
Kendricks handed her her card.
Wedel didn’t think much of it at the time. She was flattered but thought it wasn’t for her.
She was working full-time then, finishing up a 36-year teaching career that included a stint as a counselor at Mount St. Mary’s.
She loved the experience being around high school students. To this day she felt like she never met a single student she didn’t enjoy.
“Some people are really good with younger kids and I just really love the age,” she said. “It felt like I clicked with them.”
Most days as a counselor she was working on scholarship applications, which produced about an 86 percent success rate.
She retired about the time her husband, who served as a high school principal for a couple decades. During those years the two went to a lot of basketball, football and athletic events as well as drama and band productions.
After retiring the couple spruced up their rent homes and booked a trip to Switzerland coming up in September.
Nobody planned on a pageant win in between.
“Luckily, the national contest isn’t until October,” said Wedel, who will represent Oklahoma in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“It was just incredible,” Wedel said of the experience. “I don’t think it was like a regular pageant in the fact we were all rooting for each other. Quite honestly, if I had not done anything and still been standing on the stage after they crowned that queen I would be alright with that.”
Her stage fright was in full effect when she performed a dramatic reading of an Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem.
“You would think that would go away after awhile but it doesn’t appear to,” said Wedel.
While most people expected the life-long singer to sing, she wowed the crowd with her tear-filled performance.
“Every time I read it I weep,” she said. “It’s a mother who lost both of her sons in the Italian war for independence. She encouraged them to give everything but when they actually do … she goes back and questions why.”
“I think most of us would question if we lost both of our children in a way but there are some things you can’t change.”
For Wedel it’s all about staying active with her husband, Bruce, of 46 years. She has two children of her own with a pair of grandchildren involved in the arts.
Exercise is still a priority. The other day she went over to mow her 92-year-old old mother’s yard.
She stays active at the house and civic events and sporting events as well as the local arts.
She wants to reach out to the community, helping with fundraisers and appearances. “I just stay active, hopefully helping others,” Wedel said. “I’m hoping for some events.”
Those who would like to get in touch with Wedel can contact her through her cell phone at (405) 274-2627.