Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this flu season? Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned, There are actually three different types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included flu, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the different vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare.
Senior-Specific Flu Shots For people age 65 and older, there are three flu vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional flu shots.
These FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot does, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous flu complications compared with younger, healthy adults. The three senior-specific options include the: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection. Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) flu vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular flu shot.
There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for seniors.
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side effects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent.
All flu vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.
New RSV Vaccines Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo).
These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older.
The new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans.
Updated Covid Booster If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.
The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB.
Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.
When and Where Most health officials agree that it’s safe to receive the flu and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the flu and/or the COVID shots.
You can find all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov.
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.

mailto:csibleyinsures@gmail.com

Fortune® magazine has again named Legend Senior Living among the Top 25 Best Large Workplaces in Aging Services. The 2023 list has just been released, and this is the second time Legend has been included in Fortune’s Top 25 list of large workplaces. Legend is a Wichita, KS-based, privately owned senior living provider with over 50 residences in six states, including independent living, assisted living, personal care and memory care.
Fortune partners with Great Place to Work to determine the Best Workplaces in Aging Services. Surveys of more than 140,000 employees are analyzed from Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies in the aging services industry. Employees share confidential quantitative and qualitative feedback about their employer’s culture, rating it as a great employee experience in terms of “trust, respect, credibility, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.”
To be considered for the list, companies must be Great Place to Work-Certified™ and be in the aging services industry. Companies with 1,000 employees or more are considered for the large category.
“It’s especially humbling to be named to the top 25 Best Workplaces in the country because the ratings come from our employees and are completely confidential and objective,” said Matt Buchanan, President of Legend Senior Living. “We have the best-trained, most dedicated employees in senior living, and they know the culture better than anybody. A great workplace has a direct impact on delivering great service. It means we’re supporting an overall culture of independence, dignity and purpose.”
Legend residences are recognized as Great Places to Work®, have ranked among the Top 25 Best Senior Living communities in the country by Fortune magazine, and appear on U.S. News & World Report’s Best of Senior Living.
Wichita, Kansas-based Legend Senior Living® is a privately held senior housing and services company and one of the nation’s leading senior living providers. The company owns or operates over 50 senior living residences across six states – in Florida, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
To explore career options with Legend Senior Living CLICK HERE.
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LEGEND SENIOR LIVING OKLAHOMA RESIDENCES INCLUDE:
ACCLAIM LIVING – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
ARBOR HOUSE OF MIDWEST CITY – MIDWEST CITY, OK
ARBOR HOUSE OF MUSTANG – MUSTANG, OK
ARBOR HOUSE OF NORMAN – NORMAN, OK
ARBOR HOUSE REMINISCE – NORMAN, OK
GREEN TREE SAND – SPRINGS, OK
LEGEND AT COUNCIL ROAD – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
LEGEND AT JEFFERSON’S – GARDEN EDMOND, OK
LEGEND AT MINGO – ROAD TULSA, OK
LEGEND AT RIVENDELL – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
LEGEND AT TULSA HILLS – TULSA, OK
PRAIRIE HOUSE BROKEN – ARROW, OK
RIVERMONT ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE – NORMAN, OK
RIVERMONT INDEPENDENT LIVING – NORMAN, OK
THE STONEHAVEN – TULSA, OK

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

The free 2023 Second Half Expo connecting seniors to valuable resources begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, October 21st, and finishes at 1 p.m. for the third year at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in northeast Oklahoma City, which offers free parking.
In its fifth year, organizers call it the largest senior expo in Oklahoma and bill it as “Everything for the 50+ Generation.” It features more than 100 exhibits tailored to people in the “Second Half” of their lives. This is for those Oklahoma seniors looking to connect with the latest products, services, and educational resources needed to live as they have imagined. Oklahoma’s largest senior-related businesses will be present, providing education and demonstrations of their products and services.
Not just for the retired, the day will be loaded with fun and activities, including free educational seminars, food samples, drawings for prizes and music from some of Oklahoma’s best talent.
“We firmly believe the senior years can be lived with dignity and purpose with the right guidance and resources,” said founder Bob Loudermilk. “We strive to support seniors and their adult children, honoring and assisting their aging parents.”
This year’s free panel session at 10 a.m. is titled “Is Your Estate Plan Retirement-ready? – Asset Protection Strategies in an Ever-changing World.” It offers four community thought leaders sharing their expertise. This timely information for seniors approaching the Second Half of life is about securing their financial future. The panelists will explain how asset protection strategies are paramount for folks entering the Second Half of life, particularly concerning retirement, investments, asset management, Medicare, and new marriages.
Entering new marriages later in life necessitates asset protection to preserve pre-existing assets and ensure desired distribution. Older individuals relying on Medicare must protect these benefits to maintain a stable income during retirement. By proactively implementing asset protection strategies, Americans can secure their financial well-being, preserve retirement funds, and safeguard assets for themselves and their loved ones.
The panel session featuring Brian Hill, David Chaney, Tim Hast and Susie Brown will begin at 9 a.m. with coffee and pastries, allowing for networking. The discussions begin at 10 a.m. and end at 11:30. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your Meet the Panel – Second Half Expo seat. Details of topics and bios of the four panelists are available on this page.
Hill is a partner at Ball Morse Lowe, PLLC, whose practice is focused on Estate Planning and Probate. Hill has guided clients in estate planning, probate, and trust administration for more than 18 years. He has served as an Oklahoma Bar Association Estate Planning Section officer. As a frequent speaker for various organizations, he has provided insight and practical advice to estate planning professionals.
Chief Executive Officer and founder of Legacy & Succession, LLC, Chaney, ChFC, CLU, has received numerous industry awards and accolades in his more than 35-year career. He holds multiple industry designations, including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), which he obtained in 1997.
Hast provides coaching and training in leadership, team building, and people skills and helps people in the workplace get along. He is the author of “Powerful Listening, Powerful Influence,” available on Amazon in paperback, e-book and audiobook.
Brown is the co-owner of Senior Benefits Consulting and has 24 years of experience with Medicare and employer benefits. She teaches educational events on how Medicare works and meets with groups and individuals to consult with them on their Medicare options.
The panelist will impart crucial steps to safeguard your retirement, investments, and assets while ensuring a secure future. This session will equip you with valuable insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape, from managing risks to maximizing growth potential.
Ball Morse Lowe, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, is this year’s presenting sponsor. It is also presented by “OKSenior Journal,” with “The Oklahoman” as the National Media Partner and Oklahoma’s News 4 as the media sponsor. Also a sponsor, “Senior News and Living” and “Oklahoma Nursing Times” will provide their publication at their booth all day.
Produced by Second Half Events, Inc., the expo is hosted by The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum at 1700 Northeast 63rd St. For more information visit https://secondhalfexpo.com/.

A discovery at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation could lead to a new treatment for a heart valve condition impacting more than 6 million Americans.
In mitral valve prolapse, the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t open and close completely, leading to inadequate blood flow. The disorder results from a birth defect or natural wear and tear over time. It can cause fatigue, stroke and, in severe cases, heart failure.
OMRF scientist Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D., studies the lymphatic system, which transports tissue fluid throughout the body with the assistance of lymphatic valves. He wondered whether lessons learned from the lymphatic valves could also be applied to the heart valves.
“Lymphatic and heart valves are different, but we wondered, do the same molecules play roles in their function?” Srinivasan said. “It turned out to be a good guess.”
Srinivasan’s study, published in the journal Circulation Research, found that two proteins essential for lymphatic valve function – PROX1 and FOXC2 – are also key for good heart valve function.
In people who don’t have one or both of the proteins, Srinivasan said, valves continue to enlarge out of check. Preventing this overgrowth may be an effective new approach to treat dysfunctional valves.
“We tested a treatment that can imitate the job of the two proteins in research models, and the valves showed major improvement in function,” Srinivasan said.
This discovery is just the beginning, said Yen Chun Ho, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in Srinivasan’s lab.
“We have observed that other molecules known to operate in the lymphatic system are also present in the heart valves, so we know this is a promising direction for future work,” Ho said.
The research was supported by grant R01HL163095-01A1 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and funding from the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, a program of TSET.

United States Representative Tom Cole received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of his significant contribution in the fight against cancer to increase research funding.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Representative Cole has repeatedly distinguished himself as a leader and true advocate on cancer advocacy issues, particularly through his commitment to increased biomedical research funding,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “His introduction of the Strengthen the Pediatric Research Initiative Act, to provide additional funding for childhood cancer research, is a true testament of his commitment to save lives from pediatric cancer. ACS CAN appreciates his steadfast leadership in investing in cancer research to improve public health nationwide.”
“Representative Cole is a true cancer leader”, said Howie Jackson, cancer survivor and ACS CAN Oklahoma CD-04 ACT Lead volunteer. “His commitment to providing additional funding for child cancer research is a testament to the value he sees in our next generation of Oklahomans.”
The award was presented on Sept. 19 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and address barriers that prevent diverse populations from enrolling in clinical trials.

Story by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

The Oklahoma Senior Games provided a demonstration area at the Oklahoma State Fair, featuring Cornhole and Pickleball for the whole run of the Fair while recruiting volunteers for the remainder of this year’s events.
The largest interactive demonstration court for seniors at the Fair was one of the fastest-growing recreational sports, Pickleball. It is now widely embraced by seniors for its excellent health outcomes.
Pickleball is a recreational paddle sport for all ages and skill levels. Grandparents who welcome the opportunity to try new fitness outlets can play with their grandkids to stay active.
Whether seniors are looking for a way to exercise or want to be challenged at a competitive level, there is a place in the pickleball community.
Also displayed in the demonstration area were the uniquely Native American-influenced T-shirt and medal designs that earned the National Senior Games Association’s highest award for this year, recognizing the highest standards of excellence. The Oklahoma Senior Games T-shirts and medals were cited for demonstrating innovation in program development and following the NSGA’s and its athletes’ mission. It is rare for a state to earn national awards in both design examples in the same year.
The Games organizers say they count on the warm hospitality and strong sense of community spirit our citizens have shown as volunteers to allow the Games to thrive.
“Our volunteers are a major part of how and why our state has proven itself as a great place to compete in senior games each year,” longtime volunteer Regina Stewart said. “We have grown to offer more games because of the time and energy Oklahomans who do not compete have invested in offering the Games to those who compete.”
Oklahomans with a flair for community service can help. Volunteers can help promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging active seniors 50 and over to enhance their lives through athletic and recreational competitions.
Stewart, also a Games’ senior track athlete, directly supports the concept. “This keeps me motivated to stay active and compete, which allows me to be healthy,” Stewart said.
Volunteering opportunities abound as the statewide events grow to more than 2,000 competitors this year. She said your fellow citizens need your help conducting the many activities required to allow events to run smoothly as they finish in October.
Stewart said she knows the community will continue embracing what has come to be known as the “Oklahoma Standard.” The Games promote healthy lifestyles for seniors through education, fitness and the spirited competition of sports and recreational games. This inspires everyone to embrace health and enjoy the value of sports-related exercise.
Officials ask that corporations organize groups of volunteers of 10 or more employees who can be assigned to specific sports in Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Muskogee, Norman, Shawnee, Bixby, Perry, El Reno, Catoosa, Lawton, and Owasso. These groups will be kept together to spark morale within the volunteering ranks.
Senior volunteers are the largest resource for the sanctioned state organization to produce yearly state games. This help allows the events to be the qualifying sites in the Sooner state for the NSGA national competitions.
The Games provide 29 sports, games and activities, some with variations, that provide athletic training opportunities and social interaction.
These are just some of the ways to volunteer for the 10 remaining sports on the schedule in October. For Cycling at Ft. Sill, the organizers seek help with check-in, course monitors, bike holders, refreshments, and medals. The other nine sports, such as Badminton, need check-in and refreshments help. Shuffleboard organizers need scorekeepers, while Tennis needs help with check-in, refreshments, water coolers, t-shirt sales, and ball retrieving/distribution. This gives senior volunteers willing to help an idea of the help needed in Cornhole, Volleyball, Pickleball, Golf, Table Tennis, Weight Lifting, Fitness Challenge, and Racquetball.
Please visit the newly expanded https://okseniorgames.com for more info on volunteering and all the sports and games offered. Call (405) 821-1500 for general questions or email info@okseniorgames.org.

Matthew Pierce

Owner/Innkeeper of The Monastery at Forest Lake in Oklahoma City

Story and photo by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

When Matthew Pierce purchased The Monastery at Forest Lake, located at 3500 North Coltrane Road in Oklahoma City, he knew the property had sat vacant for a decade.
What he didn’t realize was the amount of time and money it was going to take to bring the historic property, which served as the mansion home of Oil Baron and Oklahoma Governor Robert S. Kerr, back to life.
“Within the first few months of buying the house and as the hidden catastrophes kept emerging, I thought it appropriate to watch the old Tom Hanks movie, “The Money Pit,” and I began to realize what a financial and architectural challenge I had signed up for,” Pierce said. “Within 12 months I had gone through my entire life savings, almost $400,000, trying to get the 100 year old stone castle-like structure back in shape.”
The Monastery at Forest Lake features a 10,000-square-foot stone fortress on 14 acres, a swimming pool, two lakes, a wedding chapel, and starting in October, the 5-star Bed and Breakfast will transition into an Airbnb.
“We’re going to still offer The Cottage as an Airbnb, (which was Governor Kerr’s servant quarters until 1949) as our most historic suite,” Pierce said. “The Cottage also serves as one of our bridal suites for the wedding venue. And, the old bakery building from the monks’ time here, which is still on-site, that’s a big three-room stone building which is going to be restored into another big cottage so that families can come and stay. It will have a waterfront view and a deck that extends right out to Forest Lake.”
Pierce said the mansion was completed in 1926, and it has a plethora of Oklahoma history and characters. (STORY CONTINUED BELOW PHOTO)

“In the summer of 1926, this mansion and the E.W. Marland mansion in Ponca City were both finishing construction,” he said. “This was all oil money. The financiers were Oklahoma oil barons of the 1920s, as well as politicians, law-enforcement, and even an occasional gentleman gangster. They formed a “Hunting Lodge” in name only, cleverly incorporated as “The Anglers Association”, which disguised the real purpose of the massive structure with 150-pound doors and 18-inch walls: an illegal speakeasy bar on 50 acres of walled and gated forest. The Twin Hills Golf and Country Club was built in 1918, so that predates it, there was a small lane that led to the Lodge from there.”
Pierce said that there is a tunnel under the speakeasy that allowed bar patrons to quickly escape to the lake, accessed by a hidden staircase.
Pierce said the membership of the lodge held a high-stakes poker game weekly, featuring high rollers of the state’s petroleum Industry. He said one night, the card game was moved to Oilman Charles Urschel’s home in Heritage Hills, and it became the scene of an infamous kidnapping involving Oklahoma gangster “Machine Gun” Kelly.
“His wife, who gave him the moniker “Machine Gun”, put him up for one last final caper, and then to retire from his life of crime,” Pierce said. “The poker game was here most Thursdays and it unknowingly presented a lucrative target for a big “score “, but on that particular night, they had moved the card game to oilman Charles Urschel’s house on NE 18th. Machine Gun Kelly kidnapped Urschel and another man, ultimately transporting Urschel to Texas in the middle of the night.”
According to Oklahoma Historical Society archives, on July 22, 1933, using his trademark machine gun, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, along with Albert L. Bates, interrupted a bridge game at Charles F. Urschel’s residence in Oklahoma City, abducting Urschel and Walter Jarrett at gunpoint while their wives helplessly watched.
The widower Urschel, oilman Tom Slick’s brother-in-law and a trustee to his estate, had married Slick’s widow, Berenice Slick, and combined their fortunes, creating one of the wealthiest couples in Oklahoma City. A criminal of relative obscurity, Kelly, born George Kelly Barnes in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1895, married Kathryn Thorne in 1930. Kathryn has been credited for creating Kelly’s underworld persona, because she bought him his first Thompson submachine gun and dubbed him “Machine Gun.”
After kidnapping Urschel, the criminals took him to a farmhouse in Paradise, Texas, and held him there for more than a week. The kidnappers released him on July 30 after a representative for the family paid $200,000 in documented bills. Kelly was convicted and sentenced to life in prison and served 21 years at Alcatraz, inmate No.117.
Pierce said the hunting lodge closed in 1933 when Prohibition ended nationally, but Oklahoma elected to continue prohibiting alcohol statewide (until 1959).
“The oil company executives freaked out, despite running an illegal bar for over a decade,” he said. “They’re like, “Nope, we’re done.” They shut the doors”.
Pierce said Kerr decided to buy the lodge sometime after it closed.
“He watched it sit for three years and said, “He said this is stupid. I’ll close the lodge. I’ll buy out my brothers. I’ll own the place. I’ll make it my home,” Pierce said.
Kerr later sold the home to Oklahoma City Children’s Hospital pioneer, Dr. John Colmore.
“Colmore bought it in 1949, and raised seven children here,” Pierce said. “We’ve been honored to have four of his now elderly children come and stay in the resort, in their old rooms from their childhood. “He was here until 1970”.
His widow, Mrs. Colmore, sold the house to 13 Russian Orthodox-leaning monks in 1971 for $38,000.
“They were a rather eccentric sect of Monks from Illinois, led by Bishop Burke and Brother John,” Pierce said. “They were here from 1971 to 1988. They raised ostriches for the OKC Zoo and were known citywide for their amazing baked bread.”
Pierce said Dr. Andrew John bought the property from the monks when Burke moved the church to Nebraska, and he was there until 2004.
“Dr. John modernized the air conditioning, the plumbing, added 4,000 square feet of living space, put in the pool, and put in the whole north wing where the pool table is,” Pierce said. “He did all of that work, but his masterpiece was eventually sold at Sheriffs Auction in 2004. Retired World Cup soccer player from Peru, Chico Villar, and his wife Judy bought the empty mansion and enjoyed it as a weekend lake house, and I bought it from them.”
Pierce said the monks operated a bakery called Brother John’s Bread for over a decade.
“Most of us here locally, we remember that the monks were the Forest Park Volunteer Fire Department,” Pierce said. “One day I was sitting in my office and I saw an older gentleman, in full monk garb with a rope for a belt, step out of a vehicle in the parking lot. Incredibly, it was Brother John stopping by unannounced for a visit.”
Pierce said it was Brother John’s first trip back to the Monastery since 1982.
“We had a grand time visiting, and I finally got to ask Brother John a question I had wondered about since childhood: “How in the world did you guys become the Fire Department? Pierce said. “I told him I had a copy of the NBC television feature which was aired in April 1979, of him and the “Firefighting Monks”. He remembered NBC filming it but he had never seen it.”
Pierce said Brother John told him the story saying the fire department was across the street where the school is now, and one day he accidentally caught the bakery on fire.
“We waited and we waited and we’re running around with little water hoses and we’re trying to put this fire out,” Brother John told Pierce. “We could see the windshields of the fire engines just 50 feet away in the station. Finally, the volunteer firefighters, they arrived, they jumped in the trucks, drove across the street, and put the fire out.”
Pierce said the local fire chief asked Brother John if the monks would consider helping them fight fires because they were literally just steps away from the fire station.
“With Bishop Burke’s approval, we agreed that that would be a righteous community service. And so that’s how we became firefighters,” Brother John told Pierce.
Pierce said The Monastery has also been home to several businesses.
“The Colmore’s raised national award-winning AKC Dobermans until the late 60’s,” he said. “The same structure which became Brother John’s Bakery, was originally built as a kennel for Dr. and Mrs. Colmore’s show dogs.”
Pierce said there were so many unknown money pits discovered during renovations of the property. At one point they were constructing a parking lot for the bed-and-breakfast resort, and Pierce’s contractor could not figure out why the gravel base would seemingly disappear overnight.
“Every time we would pour a semi-tractor load of gravel out here in the parking lot area, within a day, it was gone. It would sink and mud would bubble up,” Pierce said. “Finally, the contractor’s like, “Dude, you’ve got a natural spring out here.”
Pierce said a University of Central Oklahoma professor did some research on the property, and found the cause of the water issue.
“Greg James starts looking at the abstract and some photos from the Oklahoma Historical Archives and says, “You know Matt, this place had a commercial fish hatchery on it in 1928.”
Pierce said there are some exciting projects beginning over the next few months, including several custom lakefront homes slated for construction by his business partner, Mike Menzel, on the east side of Forest Lake.
“It’s exciting to see my original vision take shape, at such an important place of my childhood memory. My grandmother and I would stop at the bakery here and buy bread from the Monks in the early 1970s.” he said.
For more information visit https://themonasteryatforestlake.com or call Mattew at (405) 760-9984.

In this blog, we will explore essential tips to help seniors lead a healthier and more fulfilling life. Aging gracefully involves taking care of both physical and mental well-being. By adopting certain habits and making small changes in daily life, you can significantly improve your health and enjoy the later years of your life to the fullest. Here are some key areas to focus on, courtesy of Senior News & Living OK.

Stay Hydrated

Water is the most essential nutrient for our bodies, and proper hydration becomes even more critical as we age. It’s not uncommon for seniors to experience reduced thirst sensations, which can lead to dehydration if not carefully monitored. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps maintain bodily functions, improve digestion, and enhance cognitive function. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water daily. Consider carrying a reusable water bottle with you, and if you find it hard to remember to drink, set reminders on your phone to sip regularly.

Quit Smoking Now

Smoking can have serious health consequences at any age, but it becomes even more hazardous for seniors. If you are a smoker, quitting now can significantly improve your health and reduce the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, lung disorders, and cancer. Understandably, quitting smoking can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Seek support from friends, family, or join a cessation program. Nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, or behavioral therapy can increase your chances of success.

Drink Less Alcohol and Seek Professional Help if Needed

As we age, our bodies’ ability to metabolize alcohol decreases, making it vital for seniors to moderate their alcohol intake. Limiting alcohol can lead to improved liver health, reduced risk of accidents, and better sleep. While occasional moderate drinking may be acceptable, excessive consumption can result in health problems. For those struggling to reduce alcohol intake, substance abuse treatment centers offer a range of professional help, including rehabilitation programs, counseling, and support groups, all of which can provide invaluable assistance in achieving a healthier lifestyle. If you’re concerned about affordability, you can find nonprofit and donation-based centers in your area.

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for anyone, but it’s especially crucial for seniors. Quality sleep supports cognitive function, mood, and immune system health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Create a comfortable sleep environment with a supportive mattress and pillow, and consider using blackout curtains to block out light. Additionally, avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, as these can interfere with your sleep.

Avoid Isolation

As we age, maintaining social connections becomes even more critical for our mental and emotional well-being. Engage in social activities that you enjoy, spend time with friends and family, or join clubs or groups that share your interests. Social interactions can reduce feelings of loneliness, enhance your mood, and even stimulate your cognitive function. Don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation or a shared laugh in enhancing your overall quality of life.

Embracing a healthy lifestyle is within reach for seniors by following these essential tips. Stay hydrated, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, prioritize sleep, and nurture your social connections. Each of these points may seem simple, but their cumulative effect can significantly impact your health and overall well-being. Remember, it’s never too late to make positive changes for your well-being. Your journey towards a healthier lifestyle starts with small, intentional steps and a commitment to your own health and happiness. Take charge of your health today, and enjoy the benefits of a more vibrant and fulfilling life as you age.

Died During the December Attack on Pearl Harbor

Robert Thomas Stout was in El Reno, Oklahoma on Feb. 27, 1920 and enlisted at Denver, Colorado as a Seaman Apprentice.
Robert reached the rank of Fire Controlman 3rd Class (FC3c) with duties included operating, maintaining, inspecting and repairing the weapons control systems used on combat ships. He also operated range finders, optical fire control equipment, repaired electrical firing circuits and manned fire control stations in action.
Robert’s Duty Stations included the USS Oklahoma in April, 1941 until death, USS Rigel in 1940, Elementary Fire Controlman School in 1940 at San Diego, USS Oklahoma in 1939 and the Naval Training Station Great Lakes, IL in 1939.
Awards and decorations included the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and the World War II Victory Medal.
Robert Thomas Stout, Fire Controlman 3rd Class died during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, will be buried in the Cottonwood, Cemetery, 20499 1st Street, Cottonwood, California on September 15.
Families of Sailors that died in the Pearl Harbor attack are offered a choice to either have the family member re-interred at NMCP, or choose an alternate location, such as a veterans’, private family site, or Arlington National Cemetery. Navy Mortuary, a branch within Navy Casualty, will coordinate the movement of remains, which typically arrive a couple days prior to the burial.

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