aging answers, january 2015

il Li i At It B t

JANUARY 2015

A Supplement to

LISTENING CLOSE TOHEARING PROBLEMS

CAREGIVER QUESTIONS: AFTERMATH OF

HEART ATTACK ORSTROKE

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Contents January 2015

A Supplement to

10

7

65 Worth Noting

Preparing for a winter emergency.

6 Hearing HelpCommunicate better about ear health.

7 Pets & Winter WeatherProtecting canine and feline friends.

8 On the MoveStay fit with indoor walking programs.

10 Caregiver QuestionsAftermath of a stroke or heart attack.

12 Is There Life After Retirement?Finding new work or volunteer options.

13 Calendar

January 2015 Aging Answers 3

8

On the cover: W

illiam and

Carole H

awke at G

reat Lakes Mall

in Mentor d

uring the Lake H

ealth Mall W

alking p

rogram

.

03 Contents_Layout 1 12/30/14 11:07 AM

It’s January and there are some sobering realties that

hit us Northeast Ohioans squarely between the eyes

once the ball drops, the Buckeyes play and the kids

head back to school. We know that these winter days

will be cold and dark. Our spirit will be tested as we

try to persevere when the hope of spring seems so far

away.

We are in this struggle together. And, we are here to

cheer you on to embrace this new year with a fresh

new attitude to positively impact mind, body and soul.

Our families count on us to be strong and help forge a

path for successful living — for the kids as well as our

aging loved ones.

It's time to examine the basics, take inventory and

help our parents at whatever stage they are in.

Did we hear anything over the holidays that we need

to address? What did you observe or hear that is wor-

risome? What was unspoken? Did Mom forget how to

make that wonderful sweet potato casserole that’s

been a family holiday tradition? Are there some health

or financial concerns that you may need to get

involved with in 2015? How long can Dad stay in the

house by himself?

After the busy holidays, we may be tempted to get

back to the business of our own lives, however, take

time to pause, reflect and start having the conversa-

tions that are needed — even if they can be awkward

at first. Showing you care and speaking in love will al-

ways be welcomed, even to the most stubborn of our

parents.

Start with a list of priorities and help your aging

parents make realistic goals for 2015 and beyond. We

need to listen to their desires and help find some of

the answers for them. There are countless resources

available through our area agencies on aging, local

senior centers, health care facilities, and advisors and

professional services.

If your parents are able to get out, plan for ways to

help them get up and going. Nothing can conquer the

winter blues more than an outing to a stimulating

environment. Sign up for a class, volunteer, visit the

museum or take in some live theater. How about the

library where there are great new resources for every

generation to enjoy? And of course, there’s the mall

with smaller crowds this time of year and walking

groups to encourage one another to stay motivated.

For all of us, it’s the time of year to check in on an

elderly neighbor to make sure all is OK during these

winter months. Ask if you can bring in the mail or

newspaper. Maybe one of the kids can shovel their

driveway. Consider making a double batch of soup and

sharing with them.

So, while some of the snowbirds will fly to warmer

environs, we are here to enjoy the snowflakes, and

inspire our parents to make 2015 a time for renewal

and hope. It is our desire that Aging Answers will be a

faithful companion for you during

the adventure this year.

A Time for Reflection and Action By Brad Mitchell

Supplement to

Northeast Ohio Parent

Aging Answers is a property of

Mitchell Media LLC.

[email protected]

PublisherBrad Mitchell

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EditorialAngela Gartner, Editor

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Publisher’s Perspective

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Advertising SalesChris Geer, 330-670-1234 ext. 246

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Older Ohioans and

their caregivers

should take steps

now to prepare for

winter’s worst.

“About the only

thing you can pre-

dict about an Ohio

winter is that it

will be unpredictable,” says Bonnie K. Burman, di-

rector of the Ohio Department of Aging. “As we age,

it often becomes harder for us to adapt to extreme

and changing weather conditions. That’s why plan-

ning ahead and being prepared is so important. En-

suring the safety of Ohio’s most vulnerable residents

is our plan, and we ask that you have a plan, too.”

To make sure your aging loved ones are ready for

winter, a good idea is to have a plan in place should

your loved one be unable to leave home due to

weather conditions for at least three days. See the

following suggestions for what you need.

Emergency Supplies – Create an emergency kit

that contains: a battery-operated radio, a flashlight,

extra batteries, a signaling device (such as a loud

whistle, horn or bell), food that can be opened and

prepared easily, water (one gallon per person per

day), extra blankets and a first aid kit. Have a phone

that will work if the electricity goes out.

Medications – Keep a backup supply of the medica-

tions they take every day (check expiration dates

every couple of months and replace if necessary).

They should ask their doctors for extra copies of

their prescriptions for their emergency kit. Have an

ice chest on hand and keep ice packs in the freezer

for medications that need to be kept cool. Keep a

backup stash of medical supplies such as bandages,

alcohol, etc.

Equipment and Assistive Devices – Make sure

medical equipment and assistive devices (such as

canes, walkers, wheelchairs, lifts, oxygen tanks, etc.)

are easy to locate in an emergency. Have spare bat-

teries or non-powered options for any equipment

that will not work if there is no electricity. Keep writ-

ten instructions on how to operate and move medical

and adaptive equipment in the emergency kit.

Readiness – Make sure you or your loved ones know

where the main valves and switches are for gas,

water and electricity, and make sure you can operate

them. Have at least one fire extinguisher. Designate

a safe place to go (such as a friend or neighbor’s

house or shelter) and have a plan for getting there if

it becomes unsafe to stay at home.

Your area agency can also help them identify

resources, such as energy assistance, chore service

and minor home repairs that can help them stay

warm and safe this winter. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be

connected to the agency serving your community, or

visit aging.ohio.gov for local contacts.

Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Committee

for Severe Weather Awareness. This article was

adapted from “Emergency Management Be

Prepared Kit,” available at disabilityrightsohio.org.

Worth Noting

Winter Preparednessfor Your Aging Loved Ones

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Hearing well is essential to communicating in all

aspects of life. Social interactions, business dealings

and family relationships are all impacted when

someone’s hearing is bad. Often, family members

will notice signs that a senior family member is

experiencing hearing difficulty or loss. Some of these

signs include:

• Asking to repeat often;

• Having a hard time hearing on the phone – passing

the phone to someone else;

• Increasing the volume on radios and televisions; or

• Missing parts of conversations.

While wanting to assist a loved one is admirable,

there are times when enabling the hearing problem

can become a road block to getting the person the

help they need. In a restaurant setting, for example, by

clarifying or repeating a waiter’s question rather than

allowing the person to hear and answer for him/her-

self, you may be inadvertently contributing to the per-

son’s dependence on others, rather than encouraging

independence.

Getting TestedIf you are noticing any of the issues described above,

the best solution is to encourage a hearing test with a

qualified hearing health care professional. Consult

with family, friends or your physician to find an audiol-

ogist who has an established practice.

Ideally, this professional would offer you expertise,

compassion, and a commitment to providing individu-

alized solutions.

When the hearing test is conducted, it should

include a visual inspection of the ear and ear canal

(otoscopy), getting a measure of hearing sensitivity

(pure tone thresholds), determining how well you

understand speech (speech discrimination ability) and

assessment of middle ear health (tympanometry).

Here are some following tips to help your loved one

navigate this process:

• Make sure they’ve had a hearing test within the

past year to ensure they are purchasing aids that

are appropriate for their current hearing abilities.

• Consider their lifestyle: how frequently are they in

quiet situations? Noisy environments? Group

activities?

• Determine the situations in which they have the

most difficulty hearing and understanding speech.

Their audiologist can recommend aids that are

suited to their individual needs.

• More advanced technology allows them to hear

better in noisy environments; however, these aids

may be more expensive.

• Don’t settle for products that don’t fit or are not

suited to their needs. Work together with the

audiologist to identify the hearing aid that is right

for them.

Hearing AidsIf hearing aids are recommended, the hearing health

care professional will consider the degree of hearing

loss, lifestyle, manual dexterity, visual acuity and

budget to suggest appropriate solutions.

The audiologist should offer communication strate-

gies in addition to recommending a device. Buying

hearing aids can be confusing. Your loved one’s audiol-

ogist should be a trusted advisor.

Hearing Help for Your Loved Ones


By Dr. Karen Kantzes, Senior Audiologist,Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

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My family has indoor-only cats, so

this is not a frequent topic of conver-

sation in our household, but I do

know others have pets that go out-

side on a regular basis. This is what

you need to know about pet safety

during the winter.

Shelter Your home is the best place for your

pets to get out of the elements

(snow, ice, cold, etc.). Have a place in

your home that your pets can claim

as their own. Make sure that they can

get out of the elements when they

are left alone outdoors.

A garage can be suitable shelter in

the right circumstances. Just make

sure to keep all chemicals (even salt)

in a safe cabinet away from pets.

Antifreeze tastes sweet to a pet and

can cause a painful death for pets if

consumed.

Coats People wear coats to stay warmer,

but coats for pets? Are they neces-

sary? While most dogs and cats

come with their own fur coat, they

may not be well adjusted to spending

long periods of time outdoors. Limit

the time that cats and dogs spend

outside in the cold.

Dogs with short fur coats may

need a fitted sweater (not too tight or

too loose) when taking them out for a

walk.

Ask your veterinarian to help you

find the right fit for a coat since the

wrong fit can cause health problems.

BootsPeople wear boots to keep their feet

from getting wet and cold. Why not

for pets? I’ve never seen booties

made for cats, but I have seen them

for dogs. While dogs look like they

don’t like wearing them, booties can

help prevent the pads of their feet

from getting exposed to salt and

other chemicals. Proper fit is a must

here as well.

Also, dogs and cats have fur in

between the pads of their feet that

can collect snow, ice and chemicals,

so wipe their paws before they come

back inside.

Pools, Ponds and Lakes Even if a body of water looks like it’s

frozen, you cannot be sure every area

can carry the full weight of your pet

walking, running or playing on it. A

pet (or person) can quickly drown in

cold water.

Don’t risk your own safety if you

don’t know the proper way to save a

pet (or person) if they fall through the

ice.

Car SafetyIf you like heating up your car before

getting in, be sure to thump on the

hood beforehand since cats have

been known to find a cozy place near

the engine to get warm. Needless to

say, this can cause severe injury to

cats (or other animals) if you drive

off. Also, just as you wouldn’t leave a

pet in the car in warm or sunny

weather, the car can get very cold

pretty quickly.

These are just a few tips for keep-

ing your pet safe this season. If you

have specific questions about winter

weather safety for your pet, contact

your veterinarian for advice.

Did you find a creative solution for

keeping your pet happy and healthy

during the winter? We’d love to hear

about it! Email Info @OneHealth.org

with your stories.

Weathering the Winter with PetsCold and icy conditions affect pets too asthey spend time outdoors this season.

By Dr. Anna M. van Heeckerenat One Health Organization

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For approximately four years, William and Carole

Hawke of Eastlake have been getting up early to get

to the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.

The couple isn’t there to shop, but instead walk

the one-mile lap around the mall’s pathways.

“It’s better than walking outside,” William says.

“(It’s) warm and the floors are safe to walk on.”

During winter, community members such as the

Hawkes take advantage of mall’s walking programs,

which provide benefits beyond physical health

goals.

Walk This WayFor people who don’t have a regular exercise

routine, walking is an opportunity to stay fit. While

not as strenuous as an aerobic workout, it has

advantages.

“It’s good for your heart, circulation and blood

pressure, along with good for your bones,” says

Laurie Pfahler, registered nurse and community

nurse at Southwest General Hospital. “It doesn’t

put a lot of stress on your joints. It helps people

maintain a healthy weight, and is a stress reliever.”

Pfahler, who also works with the ParkFit Mall

Walkers Club, which is a Southwest General Hospi-

tal and SouthPark Mall in Strongsville based pro-

gram, says the mall-walking program gives some

consistency to a workout program.

“I think it’s important we are at the mall, it’s a

safe, warm environment,” she says.

“(The mall walkers) don’t have to be-

long to a fitness center and there’s

no need to worry about the ice and

temperature outdoors.”

The program at the SouthPark

Mall, with about 200 members

enrolled in the club yearly, has many

physical benefits, but also social

ones.

“(The walkers) make friends and

meet new people,” Pfahler says.

She notes some might find an

“exercise buddy” who helps motivate

them to keep coming back to the

program.

For many of the mall walkers, it

also becomes a social event after

the walk is done.

During the programs, which are

By Angela Gartner


Keeping Pace with Mall Walkers in Northeast Ohio

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usually held a couple of hours before the mall

opens, you might see groups gathered at the food

court tables having a morning coffee.

For the Hawkes, they have seen benefits, physical

and social.

“Our cardio is a lot better,” the couple says. “It

gets you going and keeps your weight down.”

Laray and Nancy Salsberry of Akron have been

walking regularly at the Summit Mall in Fairlawn

since being retired.

The couple does 35 to 40 minutes of walking and

Laray says the exercise helps his blood pressure.

“No uneven sideways or dogs at your heels,” he

adds. “I feel better when I walk.”

Added Benefits to ProgramsMall-walking programs’ main idea is to provide an

opportunity to come to the mall early and walk free,

however, some have additional service offerings.

Programs like the ones at SouthPark, Beach-

wood, Great Lakes and other malls have teamed up

with area healthcare providers to deliver wellness

checks and monthly speakers.

For example, at the Great Lakes Mall, Lake

Health system sponsors the mall-walking program.

“The major benefit of the Lake Health Mall Walk-

ing sponsorship is that it provides mall walkers

benefits such as screenings and information,” says

Renee Sanden, director of marketing at the Great

Lakes Mall.

The sponsorship, which began in December, will

have its first program on Jan. 9 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

“Nurses, doctors and healthcare staff will provide

various screening opportunities, demonstrations

and information to mall walkers,” Sanden says.

ParkFit Mall Walkers Club also has monthly blood

pressure screenings performed by the community

outreach nurses at Southwest General Hospital as

well as brings in speakers for walkers.

For those looking to get started in a mall-walking

program, it’s always a good idea to check with your

health professional before giving it a try.

If you are caregiver, Pfahler says to offer to go

with your loved one if they are nervous about going

alone.

“There’s no start-up fee, you don’t need special

equipment,” she says. “Just go out for a little bit. At

the mall, (while you walk) you can look in the store

windows and you can play up the social piece,

which is an added benefit.”

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Recovery from a heart attack or stroke takes time

and patience on your part as a caregiver. Be pre-

pared that your loved one may not be able to do all

that he or she could before the heart attack or

stroke. At the same time, remember that the reha-

bilitation process enables many people to do much

more than they ever expected.

Here are answers to some caregivers’ questions

when helping a loved one after a stroke or heart at-

tack:

My loved one is so angry about this heart attack. Is this normal?

It’s not at all unusual for heart attack and stroke

survivors to be angry and agitated. After all, they —

and perhaps, you — have to change the way things

are done in daily life. Change like that is hard. It also

takes time and skill. It’s especially important for

everyone involved to recognize the signs of depres-

sion. It’s a common after-effect of a stroke or heart

attack.

My loved one had open-heart surgery, and I’mafraid he or she is overdoing rehabilitation. Howcan I know how much is too much?�

It’s great that your loved one is so motivated, how-

ever, the rehabilitation process should be done in a

sensible manner. Each survivor has a different

capacity. Find out from the healthcare professionals

what is considered “too much.” You may find that his

or her pace is OK, but if they’re overdoing it, gently

share your concerns without nagging or being over-

protective. Your loved one’s surgery has affected you

too, and they need to know what you’re feeling.

My loved one weighs 200 pounds, how can Iattend to bath needs?

If your loved one is disabled from a heart attack or

stroke or weak from heart surgery, you may not be

able to take care of all his needs by yourself. Contact

your healthcare provider for home-health resources

in your community. They can help you in this and

many other ways. At the very least, they can show

you how to give a sponge bath by yourself. Or, they

can provide staff to bathe him regularly. Putting a

stool in a shower or bathtub with a rubber mat

underneath it helps patients who are weak or dizzy.

How can I give my loved one the care neededwhen he or she won’t/can’t speak to me?

Your loved one may not be able to speak clearly,

especially if he or she is a stroke survivor. Aphasia is

common after strokes. Be sure your loved one has

been fully evaluated to see if a there is a medical or

physiological reason for not speaking. Depression

from a major medical trauma may also cause this.

Finally, be patient. Your lives have changed. That

takes some getting used to. Don’t let your loved

one’s silence keep you from communicating with him

or her.


The Aftermath of aHeart Attack or Stroke

Questions and answers on how caregivers can help a loved one’s recovery process go smoother.

10-11 Aftermath of Heart Attack or Stroke_Layout 1 12/30/14 11:16 AM


My loved one has nothing to say to family andfriends when they come to visit. How can I encourage participation?

It’s possible that the stroke caused some injury to

your loved one’s brain. They might not fully compre-

hend what’s going on around them or what people

are saying. Talk to the healthcare professionals to

determine if the injury was in an area that could

affect hearing, comprehension or speaking ability. If

so, find out what course of rehabilitation is needed to

recover as much of those functions as possible.

My loved one acts as if nothing has happened.I’m afraid he or she is going to have anotherheart attack. What can I do?�

There’s a fine line between being supportive and

being overprotective. Your loved one is the best judge

of how he or she is feeling at any given time. Take

steps to reduce the risk of a future event, such as

staying physically active, not smoking, eating low-

saturated-fat and low-cholesterol meals, taking

medications as prescribed, and checking in with the

doctors as recommended.

I take my loved one’s blood pressure often. Howhigh can it go before I should worry?�

The goal in preventing another heart attack, stroke

or heart surgery is to keep blood pressure at the goal

level set by the doctors. Find out the danger zone.

Then keep a chart of the different readings each day

for several weeks. Be sure to take the chart to the next

doctor’s visit so the doctor knows how well treatment

is working. The preferred blood pressure level is less

than 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. A

blood pressure of 120 mm Hg systolic and/or 80 mm

Hg diastolic to 139 mm Hg systolic and/or 89 mm Hg

diastolic is considered “prehypertension” and lifestyle

changes are recommended to lower it. A reading of

140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic or

higher is high blood pressure and is dangerous.

My loved one talks about dying, feels less than aperson and refuses to go see a doctor. What canI do?

This is very serious and needs quick attention.

Contact the doctor and explain your concerns. The

doctor will tell you the best way to get your loved one

in for an appointment.

I don’t want to push too hard, but he or she justdoesn’t want to get moving. Any suggestions?

First, the doctors should clearly outline how much

and what type of physical activity your loved one

needs. If your loved one says that’s too much, take it

up with the doctor. You can help by coming up with

ideas that will make being physically active easier for

your loved one. Offer to take a walk together. Get a

stationary bike they can ride while watching televi-

sion. Start being more active yourself and then draw

your loved one in. Be patient and don’t nag. Your

loved one might be afraid that exercising will cause

something else to happen. Get the doctor to help

calm those fears and explain the health benefits of

physical activity and the health risks of staying

inactive.

Article courtesy of the American Heart Association.

For more information, visit heart.org/Cleveland.

10-11 Aftermath of Heart Attack or Stroke_Layout 1 12/30/14 11:16 AM

Retirement years belong to your aging loved one to

use as they choose. The key is to have a plan, so

have them think about the following:

How much do they really want to work? Or would

they prefer part-time, so they can still do some of

those “retirement” activities? How about consulting

— project by project — would that be a good fit? How

do they feel about volunteering? While they were

working, what were those things that they saw

others doing that made them yearn for more time?

Working is certainly a choice, but few of us live in a

vacuum, so they need to look at the relationships

they have when making a plan.

The answer to these questions will hold the truth

about what they should be looking for next.

Making It Happen Once they have come up with an idea, the next step is

to put some action behind it. The world is full of

people who need their talents and time.

Sit down and talk about their ideas before they

launch a search. You may have friends or connec-

tions you are unaware of that could help them get

started.

If it’s a paying job they are after, all the usual

routes to getting a job apply, but the newest and best

avenues are local job clubs and job search coopera-

tives where they can learn the latest job search

strategies and collaborate with other older workers

and social networking sites like LinkedIn, along with

staffing agencies and Internet job search sites.

Local libraries can often get them started on

where to look for each of these, and they are sure to

find one that suits their personal style. Whether the

job is full- or part-time is a matter of preference.

If they want to make a difference in the world, they

will find no shortage of organizations anxious to wel-

come them at the door. Aside from the more com-

monly known organizations, there are many local

and small community programs that would love

someone willing to give them 10 or 15 or 20 hours a

week. For volunteering, they can use sites such as

nationalservice.gov/impact-our-nation.

For more information on employment and other

services, go to matureservices.org.

Is There Life After Retirement?


By Kathleen McLaughlin

12 - Jobs For Seniors_Layout 1 12/30/14 11:17 AM

MonthlyOngoingAlzheimer’s Support, First Tuesday (7-8:30p.m.) and second Friday (1:30-3 p.m.) of themonth. For caregivers and memory-im-paired individuals. University Hospital’sParma Medical Center’s Health EducationCenter, 7300 State Road, Parma. Call 440-743-4900.

Fitpaths Too (Geared for Seniors), Tues-days and Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. A completeworkout for active seniors. $35 for 10-classcard. Register at fairviewhospital.org/wellnesscenter or call 440-356-0670, op-tion 5. Fairview Hospital Wellness Center,3035 Wooster Road, Rocky River

MondaysHEALTHY U — Free 6-Week Workshop,Mondays, Jan. 12-March 2, 10:30 a.m.-1p.m. Tips and support to deal with pain andfatigue, discover better nutrition and exer-cise choices, and learn better ways to talkwith your doctor and family about yourhealth. The classes are free to Lorain Countyresidents 55+ years. Register by calling440-326-4805. North Ridgeville Senior

Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road, NorthRidgeville

TuesdaysSweet Life Programs, 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 6-May 12, This free, 15-week program pro-vides practical ways to help improve yourhealth. Summa Rehab Hospital, 29 N.Adams St., Akron. Contact Summa Center atNew Seasons Center for Health Equity 1493S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. Call 1-800-237-8662.

Caregiver’s Support Group, 5:30-7:30p.m. First and third Tuesdays of the month.Join this free, open group at any time. Callthe Outpatient Social Work Department at216-778-5779. MetroHealth Old BrooklynHealth Center, 4229 Pearl Road, Cleveland

Caregiver Support Group and ResourceCenter, 7-9 p.m. Third Tuesday of themonth. Topics include community servicesfor caregivers; coping with the dynamics ofcaregiving; planning for the future; andlearning caregiving techniques. Free. South-west General Health Center, 18697 BagleyRoad, Middleburg Heights, 440-816-5018

Wednesdays Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi, 11 a.m.-noon. Fees: resident $40, nonresident $48.Mentor Community Center, 8600 MunsonRoad, Mentor, 440-974-5720, cityofmentor.com/play

Stroke Support Group, 11:45 a.m. FourthWednesday of the month. Director SandyMcLeod, 440-729-2782; facilitator, PaulaLeonette. West Geauga Senior Center,11414 Caves Road, Chesterland, 440-285-6569

Breast Cancer Support: “Staying inTouch,” 6-7:30 p.m. Last Wednesday ofevery month. Hillcrest Hospital Ross Audito-riums A & B, 6780 Mayfield Road, MayfieldHeights. No registration fee required. Call440-312-6636.

ThursdaysMemory Care Support Group, 1-2 p.m.Typically meets the second and fourthThursday of the month. This is a free sup-port and discussion group for caregivers.Mentor Senior Center, 8484 Munson Road,Mentor, 440-974-5725, cityofmentor.com

Event Listings

January & February


13-15 Calendar__Layout 1 12/30/14 11:22 AM


Sudden Death Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m.First Thursday of each month. This group isfor adults who have experienced a suddendeath. This sudden loss experience can bedifferent from an expected loss. Free.Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hos-pice, 18659 Drake Road, Strongsville, 877-794-2328

Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program10 -11 a.m. Based on Tai Chi for Arthritiswhich was developed by Dr. Paul Lam and isendorsed by both the Arthritis Foundation

and the CDC. It is a safe and effective evi-dence-based practice to increase flexibilityand reduce both pain and falls. TriPoint Medical Center, Physician Pavilion, 7590Auburn Road, Concord, Suite 201. Call 440-953-6000.

FridaysLife After Stroke (Stroke Support Group), 10 a.m.-noon, second Friday of everymonth. Provides a forum for stroke survivorsand their families to share ideas and solveproblems. Summa Rehab Hospital, 29 N.

Adams St., Akron. Contact Dr. Cathy Torcasio, 330-686-4455 or 330-572-7300.

SaturdaysCaregiver Support Group, last Saturday ofthe month. This gathering provides a timefor caregivers of parents/grandparents/chil-dren to connect and talk about their experi-ences and challenges. Live speakers areprovided every other month. Free. WestbayRehab and Care Center, 27601 WestchesterParkway, Westlake, 440-930-0431

January 8 BF4LFC Snowshoe Hike 101 Lesson, 5-6p.m. Attend a short lecture on snowshoeing,then snowshoe through Chapin Forest Partin Kirtland. In the event of no snow, therewill be a hike at this location. Equipmentprovided at no charge. Wear appropriateclothing. Chapin Forest Lodge, 10381 HobartRoad, Kirtland

January 15Catching some ZZZ’s: Importance ofSleep To Your Health, 7-8 p.m. MetroHealthAdvanced Nurse Practitioner Valerie Rosswill discuss how sleep deficiencies impactyour health and techniques for getting agood night’s sleep. Visit cuyahogalibrary.orgto register. Brook Park Branch Library, 6155Engle Road, Brook Park, 216-267-5250

January 20Music as Healing 7:30-8 p.m. How do ex-periences in music, both listening and par-ticipating, make a difference in our physical,mental and emotional well-being? Programpresented by Kira Seaton of Cuyahoga Com-munity College. Stewart’s Caring Place: ACancer Wellness Center; free for thosetouched by cancer. 2955 W. Market St.,Akron, 330-836-1772, stewartscaringplace.org

January 20, 27 and February 18, 25Free Basic Computer Classes, 1:30-3:30p.m. Learn basic computer concepts.Classes require no previous experience orknowledge. First priority will be given to

Event Listings January & February



Send your event listings to: [email protected]

Lake County residents who are 60 and older.Call 440-205-8111, ext. 226. Lake CountyCouncil on Aging Computer Lab, 8520 EastAve., Mentor, lccoa.org

January 21New Year, New You Help with ManagingYour Weight, 6:30-8 p.m. Physician creden-tialed in medically supervised weight losswill speak on the best plan and new tools tohelp women lose weight. Free. UH Women’sHealth Institute, 730 SOM Center Road, May-field Village, 440-720-3263

January 22 The Brooklyn Sr. Center is hosting Dr.John Kandare, noon-12:30 p.m. about hear-ing loss and the health impacts of untreatedhearing loss. Afterward he will be conductinga free hearing screening. Registration is en-couraged. Lunch is provided at 11:30 a.m. for$6. Call 216-738-2067 to RSVP. You do notneed to be a member to attend.

January 23 Program sponsored by Zounds Hearing“Time does not wait,” noon. Enjoy a freelunch and special at Mayfield Village CivicCenter. The talk will be given by Dr. JohnKandare, audiologist for Zounds Hearing ofMayfield Heights. Call Mayfield Village SeniorServices at 440-919-2332.

February 5Free Blood Pressure Screens, 11 a.m.-noon. Parma Heights Senior Center, EducatorApartment Building, 9275 N. Church Blvd.,Parma Heights, 440-888-4416

Know Your Numbers, 6-7 p.m. MetroHealthcardiologist Grace Cater discusses importantquestions. Learn tips for a heart-healthylifestyle. Visit cuyahogalibrary.org to registerfor this free event. Middleburg Heights Library,15600 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights

February 9Caregiving Strategies: Energy Conserva-tion, 6-7 p.m. Overview of the day-to-day,hands-on strategies and skills needed foryou to care for your loved one at home. Pro-

vided by Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates– part of the Akron General Health System.Stewart’s Caring Place: A Cancer WellnessCenter; free for those touched by cancer.2955 W. Market St., Akron, 330-836-1772,stewartscaringplace.org

February 21Annual Gala to honor the 2015 Kidney

Foundation of Ohio Person of the Year,6:30 p.m. Dr. Joshua Augustine will be pre-sented with the Person of the Year Award.The night will also offer silent and live auc-tions and live entertainers. Held at ClevelandMarriott Hotel Downtown at Key Center. Formore information, contact Sara Nunney at216-771-2700 or [email protected]. Visitkfohio.org.


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