Senior Services Helpline (678) 377-4150 Senior Services is a section of Gwinnett County Health and Human Services

“There’s No Place Like Home!”

“Dear A,I have been a resident of Gwinnett County for many years. I recently retired but I want to stay active. I have a lot of energy and experience that I would love to share and give back to my county and the seniors of this community. How can I get involved?” – Ready to Get Started

Dear Ready to Get Started,It is always exciting to hear from those who, after years of being involved in a busy career, are still willing to give more to their community. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to use your skills and experience in a way that directly benefits those in need. Gwinnett County Health and Human Services’ volunteer program offers several hands-on volunteer opportunities to assist local seniors. Another way to get involved is by joining a local nonprofit organization. The Gwinnett Council for Seniors and Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services are both excellent nonprofits that are focused on senior issues in Gwinnett County. These organiza-tions are very supportive of local seniors and offer some creative ways to use your skills and experience to help out. I have included contact information for those organizations below:

Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Volunteer Program: (678) 377-6716Gwinnett Council for Seniors: (770) 822-5147Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services: (770) 822-8775

April 2012

Spring is in the air

Ask A – By Adrienne Noble, Information & Assistance Specialist

It’s official – winter is over and spring is in the air! That means it’s time to shake off the winter doldrums and start thinking about some of the ways we can take advantage of the great

spring weather to maintain our physical health and mental outlook. If we take these steps now, it will be easier to maintain a healthy outlook when the heat of summer is upon us.

One great way you can begin to improve your health is by taking short morning walks in and around your neighborhood. Be sure to start walking slow and stretch afterwards. Ask a friend to walk with you if you don’t feel comfortable walking by yourself.

Walking for 15 minutes a day will help to improve muscle tone, increase circulation, and help us to feel healthier and more energetic. Remember, while a healthy diet and regular exercise is still the best way to stay fit, every little bit helps.

Another great way you can learn ways to improve your health is by attending our annual health fair at George Pierce Park in Suwanee. This year’s health fair will be held on Friday, April 27 from 9:00am – 12:30pm. The theme is To Health – Sing, Dance, and Relax. There will be line dancing classes, beneficial health screenings, and healthy cooking demonstra-tions designed to help you age well and stay healthy. For more information, please call Harriet Wharton at (770) 614-2537.

LawrencevilleRhodes-Jordan Park225 Benson Street

Lawrenceville, GA 30046(770) 822-5180

Buford2755 Sawnee Avenue

Buford, GA 30518(770) 614-2527

Norcross5030 Georgia Belle Court

Norcross, GA 30093(770) 638-5683

Gwinnett County Senior Center Locations

Senior Services Helpline (678) 377-4150 www.GwinnettSeniorServices.com

According to a recent study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, eggs are now healthi-er than previously thought. New data shows that a typical large egg, yolk plus white, now provides at least 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vita-min D; a 64 percent increase from measurements taken in a 2002 study.

Eggs are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Some researchers believe these changes could be related to a combination of improvements farm-

Egg-citing news for egg lovers

The benefits of volunteering – By Julie Lucas, Office Assistant to Health Services

There are many benefits to vol-unteering your time and talents to those in need. Some of these benefits include: meeting new people, making a difference in your community, and gaining a sense of pride and accomplish-ment in a worthwhile cause.

Recent research by the Corporation for National and Community Service suggests that volunteering is particularly valuable to older adults. According to this study, individuals 70 or older who volunteered at least 100 hours per year reported less health problems, experienced lower levels of depression, and generally lived longer. Fewer incidences of heart disease were also observed in seniors who frequently volunteered in the community.

ers have made to the hens’ feed and advancements in chicken breeding.

Contrary to popular belief, eggs are not the culprit for causing high cholesterol. In fact, recent studies found that eggs are now 14 percent lower in choles-terol. All the cholesterol and fat in an egg is found in the yolk, but the yolk is also where vitamins and other nutrients are found. An egg white provides about the same amount of protein as an ounce of meat and has traditionally been considered to be one of the best sources of protein in our diets.

Moreover, the benefits of volunteering are not limited to personal well-being. Volunteerism by older adults can bring substantial benefits to nonprofit organiza-tions, governments, and community groups. It’s a win-win situation for both older volunteers and the organizations that reap the benefits of their service. April is National Volunteer Month – what an ideal time to see if local volunteer work is your calling, or if there is a particular cause you are drawn to. Remember, by reaching out to help those in need you also help yourself to live a happier, healthier lifestyle. If you are interested in volunteering to assist someone in need, please contact Volunteer Specialist Shawn Valadez at (678) 377-6716 or e-mail shawn.valadez@gwinnettcounty.com.

Adapted from www.nationalservice.gov/about/volunteering/benefits.asp

Healthier egg preparation: Try making an omelet with one whole egg and two egg whites. You have the flavor and texture of eggs with less cholesterol and saturated fat.

Adapted from: “Chef Charles Says”, August 2011, Iowa Nutrition Network