Tecumseh Golden Age Center
The Golden Age Center members want to send our condolences to those families who have suffered losses from the recent tragedies that have occurred from the flooding, especially in Texas. Rain and water can be so beneficial to life; yet too much brings unforeseeable sad results.
So much of life happens that way—unexpectedly! That is why my column this week is one of warnings and advice. Those of us born in the 1940’s and 1950’s were not aware of the dangers of too much unprotected exposure to the sun.
Sun bathing was even popular. A skin cancer can develop first as a pink scaly scab, a sore that continues to bleed or ooze, or a wart-like growth. As we age, we are less able to protect from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly check-ups by a dermatologist and especially for those of us with fair complexions.
Secondly, the arthritis foundation has a list of things we can do to save our joints from too much stress. 1. Choose good shoes rather than slip-ons that do not give any support for good posture. 2. Add rubber bands to bottle lids and handles to knives, etc. for a better grip. 3. Put a piece of clear tape along the side of your credit cards for grip, but be careful not to cover any chip. 4. If you take a medicine that makes you drowsy, take it in the evening. 5. Stay fit with some type of physical activity, which improves both mind and body. 6. Improve your balance by standing on one leg and try to increase the time. Be sure to strengthen both legs and brace yourself if needed. 7. Fight inflammation by eating more fiber through whole grain foods. 8. Be social; don’t be embarrassed by your limitations, but share them with someone. 9. Laughter actually triggers feel-good chemicals in your body. 10. Finally, doing a good deed for someone else will make both of you feel better.
