Assisted Living Residences

Week in the United States in March of 1980. He also quoted Gerda Lerner, the historian who established the first Women’s History programs in the country. According to Lerner, “Women’s history is women’s right.” Before Lerner, as late as the 1960s, our study of history was limited to the study of men.

At Youville, we pay tribute to the visions of Lerner and Stanton with a variety of programs celebrating Women’s History Month. On Thursday, March 22, actress Judith Kalaora will present the stories of courageous women who fought against the fascism during World War II. On Tuesday, March 27, Anne Barrett will trace the history of the women’s rights movement in America and throughout the world.

It’s only been 32 years since Gerda Lerner established the first Women’s History program at Sarah Lawrence College. Today there are around 575 Women’s Studies programs, including 16 doctorate programs. This is a heartening reminder that our orientation toward history can be a force of progress unto itself.

“The most shocking and unnatural incident in the history of womanity.”

Such was one journalist’s response to the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York. At the time, women could not vote or participate in the legislative process. Educational and professional prospects were limited, as were the most basic property and inheritance rights enjoyed by men. For the few service-sector jobs available, women could expect to earn half of what men earned for similar jobs.

The organizer of the convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, drafted The Declaration of Sentiments for the occasion, a document modeled after The Declaration of Independence, with a list of grievances and a call for equal rights.

A century later, the Seneca Falls Convention is regarded as the first major step in the women’s rights movement. United States President Jimmy Carter invoked Stanton by name as he proclaimed the first Women’s History

CRLS Portrait Art Class Meet & GreetMonday, March 5 at 2:00 PMGet to know high school students from Elizabeth Menges’ portrait art class! Residents will have the chance to model for the students every week as they make sketches and prepare a full-scale portrait.

March 2018March is Women’s History Month

Featured March ConcertsOn St. Patrick’s Day, Everyone’s IrishShall We Dance?with pianist Sivan EtedgeeFriday, March 9 at 2:00 PMSince the dawn of humankind, we have sung and danced. This presentation will explore how changing styles of dance have influenced musical genres as we know them today. Pianist Sivan Etedgee will focus on classical music from Renaissance Spain, Parisian ballrooms and even the streets of Argentina. He will perform selections from Bach, Chopin, Villa-Lobos and Piazolla.

Traditional Irish Favorites with violinist Rachel Panitch & guitarist Max NewmanFriday, March 23 at 3:00 PMViolinist Rachel Panitch and guitarist Max Newman present a lively set of Irish fiddle tunes, reels, jigs and polkas! In addition, the duo will ensure that every toe in the room starts tapping as they bow/strum through dance music from Scandinavia, Appalachia and Quebec.

An Evening of Music with Nancy DayTuesday, March 27 at 7:00 PMAn accomplished pianist, singer and composer, Nancy Day consistently thrills audiences with her dynamic performances. She draws from a wide-ranging repertoire that includes jazz, country, ragtime, musical theater and enchanting love songs.

The inclusive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day is an essential part of its charm. You don’t have to have Irish ancestry to march proudly in a parade or to celebrate Irish-American history. St. Patrick himself was not Irish. Born around the fourth century, he lived a comfortable life in Roman Britain before being kidnapped at the age of 16 by marauders and brought to Ireland. After his escape back to Great Britain, he became a priest and resolved to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He returned to the scene of his teenage captivity to begin spreading Christ’s message of salvation, a wandering evangelist in a foreign land, using the Shamrock to explain to the Irish the concept of the Holy Trinity. Centuries later, famine and persecution would drive millions of Irish from their homeland in the mid 19th century. Like St. Patrick, these immigrants were displaced from their homes by circumstance, facing uncertainty and hardship in new lands. After decades of anti-Irish sentiment and prejudice, Americans now embrace Irish culture in the same way the ancient Irish embraced St. Patrick. March has been observed as Irish-American Heritage Month since 1991 in the United States. St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, is a culmination of our celebration of Irish culture, but it’s also much more. It’s a celebration of immigrants in a foreign land overcoming hardship and intolerance, and ultimately gaining acceptance. As it is written on a beam in the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”

Daylight Saving Time BeginsLonger Days are Just Ahead!Sunday, March 11Spring forward, fall back! Be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday evening. On Sunday evening, enjoy an extra hour of sunlight!When the sun comes out, most of us feel a surge of well-being. This feeling comes from serotonin, a chemicalin the brain that elevates mood. Sunlight actually sends

signals to our brain to produce more serotonin. One study found that production levels of serotonin increased in proportion to the amount of exposure to sunlight. The more time you spend outside, the happier you feel! During long, dark winters, our reduced exposure to the sun causes us to make less serotonin and more melatonin, a hormone responsible for making us sleepy. In the summer and spring, more sunlight leads to better mood, memory and concentration.

2

become increasingly difficult to define, branching into a multitude of styles and subgenres.

Steps inTime: Ballroom Dancewith Michael WinwardTuesday, March 13 at 2:00 PMHave you ever wished you could take ballroom dancing lessons? Now you can! With instructor Michael Winward leading, dancers of all abilities are able to get moving in a supportive and joyful environment. Inspired by the idea that people of all ages and abilities should have opportunities to dance, Mr. Winward has led social Ballroom and Latin dance workshops throughout Greater Boston, witnessing firsthand the many benefits that dancing provides for the “Over-55” community. Dance encourages good posture, offers low-impact, cardiovascular exercise, and connects people through the skills of leading and following. Most importantly, it’s fun!

Character Actress Judith KalaoraWorld War Women: Unsung Heroines of WWIIThursday, March 22 at 2:00 PMIn World War Women, character actress Judith Kalaora portrays some of the most courageous heroines of the World War II era. As fascism threatened the world order, women throughout the world organized the resistance, rescued downed pilots, tested new aircraft and flew dangerous missions. You won’t want to miss their amazing stories!

A History of Women’s Rights with Anne BarrettShort Skirts, Oh My!Tuesday, March 27 at 2:00 PMWhen Abigail Adams begged her husband to “remember the ladies” in drafting a new code of laws, John Adams wrote back that he “could not but laugh” at her extraordinary suggestion. Less than 150 years later, women were working, voting and experiencing the first taste of freedoms unheard of just a generation earlier. This lecture traces the exciting social and historical milestones in the fight for women’s rights.

ArtMatters Presents . . . Post-ImpressionismThursday, March 1 at 2:00 PMThe Impressionists were the first painters to use color and technique as a means of expressing emotion in their work. They influenced a generation of subsequent painters known as the Post-Impressionists, bold visionaries who pushed the boundaries of painting further away from realism and forged new creative ground in the 20th century. Join us for a look at the iconic works of the Post-Impressionists.

Broadway Seated Dance with Phyllis RittnerTuesday, March 6, 13, 20, 27 at 9:30 AMBroadway Seated Dance is a music and dance program for older adults who love the upbeat tunes from movie musicals, Broadway and the popular performers dazzling audiences between the 1930s and 1960s. This program includes a gentle warm up, easy-to-follow body movements and a relaxing cool down. The exercises are designed to improve cardiovascular function, range of motion, muscle tone, posture, circulation and flexibility. Be sure to join us on Tuesday mornings!

History of 1950s Music with John ClarkRock & RollThursday, March 8 at 2:00 PMIn the words of a popular eighties song, “The heart of rock and roll is the beat.” This presentation will survey the major rhythmic sources of rock and roll: booggie woogie, swing, rockabilly and more. Along the way, lecturer John Clark will recount the stories of major rock and roll breakout artists such as Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Pat Boone and Ricky Nelson.

History of Jazz Series with Ross PetotModern Era and Loose EndsSunday, March 11 at 2:00 PMThe History of Jazz series covers two centuries of America’s most treasured musical heritage. In this final presentation, jazz pianist Ross Petot explores jazz in the modern era. Now considered “art music,” jazz has

Monthly Highlights...

3

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance10:15 Food Forum 2:00 Ballroom Dancing w/ Michael Winward 3:15 Craft Connection 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: La Dolce Vita 7:15 Movie: Glass Spring begins... 9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 11:30 Lunch Trip: Cafe Barada 2:00 Writing Workshop w/ Tom Daley 3:15 Book Review w/ Janet 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Jezebel 7:15 Movie: Sense & Sensibility

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Flower Arranging 2:00 World Views w/ Herb P. 3:00 Nurturing Room 4:00 St. Patty’s Pub @ Happy Hour 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: The Magic Flute 7:15 Movie: GoodFellas

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Flower Arranging 2:00 Forever Fit! 3:00 Nurturing Room 4:00 Happy Hour in Full Bloom 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: Full Metal Jacket 7:15 Movie: Jezebel

9:30 Yoga w/ Nicole10:30 Knitting & Crocheting 1:00 Trip: Birds of the World at the Harvard Museum 3:15 Bible Study w/ Matt 7:00 Movie: GoodFellas 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: The Magic Flute

9:30 Balance Challenge10:00-12:00 Open Art Studio10:15 Shopping Trip: Assembly Sq. 2:00 Shall We Dance w/ Pianist Sivan Etedgee 3:15 Storytelling w/ Leah 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: District 9 7:15 Movie: Forrest Gump

9:30 Balance Challenge10:00-12:00 Open Art Studio10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 2:00 Drumming Circle w/ Soulworks Rhythm 3:30 Student Recital 7:00 Movie: The Kids Are All Right 7:15 Movie: La Dolce Vita

9:30 Balance Challenge10:00-12:00 Open Art Studio10:15 Shopping Trip: Target 2:00 Storytelling w/ Leah 3:00 Irish Favorites w/ Violin/Guitar Duo 7:00 Bonus Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: Camelot

9:30 Balance Challenge12:45 Shopping Trip: Star Market 1:20 CRLS Portrait Art Class 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: Apostolic Fathers 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: 8 1/2 7:15 Movie:The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2:00 The History of Jazz Series: Modern Era & Loose Ends w/ Ross Petot 3:00 Bridge Club 7:00 Movie: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 7:15 Movie: 8 1/2

Dayligh Saving Time begins... 2:00 Matinee Movie: Good Morning, Vietnam 3:00 Bridge Club 7:00 Movie: Sense & Sensibility 7:15 Movie: Good Morning, Vietnam

Catholic Mass Daily at 10:45 AM

Beauty Salon OpenWednesday & Friday

9:30 Balance Challenge12:45 Shopping Trip: Trader Joe’s 1:20 CRLS Portrait Art Class 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: Apostolic Fathers 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 4:00 Poets Corner 7:00 Songs by Roy

4

11

18

12

19

26

6

13

20

7

14

21

28

1

8

15

22

29

2

9

16

23

30

3

10

17

24

27

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance10:15 Writing w/ Leah 2:00 Bible Series: Esther & The Comedy of the Bible w/ Rabbi Neal Gold 3:15 Craft Connection 4:00 Rosary 7:00 Movie: Tuesday With Morrie

9:30 Balance Challenge12:45 Shopping Trip: Whole Foods 1:20 CRLS Portrait Art Class 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: Apostolic Fathers 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 4:00 Poets Corner 7:00 Movie: Tuesday with Morrie 7:15 Movie: Life of Pi

9:30 Yoga w/ Nicole10:30 Guided Meditation 2:00 World War Women: Unsung Heroines of WWII w/ Judith Kalaora 3:15 Bible Study w/ Matt 7:00 Silent Movie w/ Richard Hughes

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Flower Arranging 2:00 Forever Fit! 3:00 Nurturing Room 4:00 Happy Hour @ The Awards 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: The Apartment 7:15 Movie: CATS

5

25

9:30 Yoga w/ Nicole10:30 Nurse’s Chat 2:00 History of 1950s Music: Rock & Roll w/ John Clark 3:15 Bible Study w/ Matt 7:00 Movie: CATS 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: The Apartment

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Stretch & Flex 2:00 Matinee Movie: My Fair Lady 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: Death Of A Salesman 7:15 Movie: My Fair Lady

31 9:30 Balance Challenge10:15 Programs Planning Mtg. 12:45 Shopping Trip: Star Market 1:20 CRLS Portrait Art Class 2:00 Great Courses on DVD: Apostolic Fathers 3:15 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: Silkwood 7:15 Movie: Loving Vincent

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Stretch & Flex 2:00 Double Woodwind Quintet Open Rehearsals 2:00 Caring Canines 3:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: Forrest Gump 7:15 Movie: Distric 9

St. Patrick’s Day 9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Stretch & Flex 2:00 Matinee Movie: 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: The Kids Are All Right 7:15 Movie: Good Morning, Vietnam

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Stretch & Flex 2:00 Matinee Movie: An Officer And A Gentleman 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: Camelot 7:15 Movie: Murder On The Orient Express

March 2018

Parkinson’s Support Group Tuesday, March 20

at 3:00 PMDance w/ Parkinson’s

Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 10:30 AM

RosaryTuesday at 4:00 PM

9:30 Broadway Seated Dance 10:15 Writing w/ Leah 2:00 Short Skirts, Oh My! w/ Anne Barrett 3:15 Craft Connection 4:00 Rosary 7:00 An Evening of Music w/ Pianist Nancy Day

Transportation HoursMonday - Friday

8:00 AM- 2:00 PM

9:30 Balance Challenge10:00-12:00 Open Art Studio10:15 Shopping Trip: Porter Sq. 2:00 Acrylic Painting Class w/ Eddie Bruckner 3:30 Storytelling w/ Leah 7:00 Movie: My Fair Lady 7:15 Movie: 20,000 Leaugs Under The Sea

2:00 America 1968 Lecture Series The Great Society w/ Gary Hylander 3:00 Bridge Club7:00 Movie: Life of Pi 7:15 Movie: Death Of A Salesman

Personal Training w/ Forever FitWednesday, March 14 & 28

at 2:00 PM

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Flower Arranging 2:00 Behind the Venetian Mask 3:00 Nurturing Room 4:00 Venetian Happy Hour 7:00 Willie’s Movie Pick: Born Yesterday 7:15 Movie: Pride & Prejudice

Palm Sunday 2:00 Matinee Movie: Murder On The Orent Express 3:00 Bridge Club 7:00 Movie: Murder On The Orent Express 7:15 Movie: Silkwood

9:30 Yoga w/ Nicole 2:00 ArtMatters presents... Post Impressionism 3:15 Bible Study w/ Matt 7:00 Movie: 20,000 Leauges Under The Sea 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: The Loneliness of Long Distance Runner

Holy Thursday 9:30 Yoga w/ Nicole10:30 Knitting & Crocheting 2:00 Resident Management Mtg. 3:15 Bible Study w/ Matt 4:00 Holy Thursday Mass 7:00 Movie: Pride & Prejudice 7:15 Willie’s Movie Pick: Born Yesterday

Good Friday Passover begins at Sundown 9:30 Balance Challenge10:00-12:00 Open Art Studio 2:00 Storytelling w/ Leah 3:00 Good Friday Mass 7:00 Movie: Lady Bird 7:15 Movie: An Officer And A Gentleman

9:30 Stretch & Flex10:15 Stretch & Flex 2:00 Matinee Movie: Lady Bird 2:00 Bingo w/ Carol 7:00 Movie: An Officer And A Gentleman 7:15 Movie: Lady Bird

It’s a fact: women live longer lives than men. The most recent data from the US Census gives women an average life expectancy of 81 years, compared with 76 years for men. Are women making healthier lifestyle choices? Are they just luckier?

In 2012, researchers at Lancaster University found that certain harmful genetic mutations in mitochondria–– the parts of our cells that make energy–– affect only males. Mitochondrial DNA is different from other DNA, in that it is passed on solely from the mother. Over the years, as mothers pass on mitochondrial DNA to their offspring, natural selection has filtered out the harmful mutations in women while leaving males vulnerable. A more recent theory from 2015 posits that the difference is mostly hormonal. Female estrogen is an antioxidant that keeps women’s bodies healthier, whereas male testosterone causes inflammation and can lead to heart disease, cancer and other ailments over time.

When it comes to achieving centenarian status, women have men beat handily. For every one man over the age of 100, there are nine women. If your goal is to beat the world record for longest life in recorded history, you should know who you’re up against: Jeanne Louise Calment, a French woman spent most of her life in the town of Arles and lived to the age of 122 years old!

Reporters first discovered Calment during the 1988 centennial celebration of Van Gogh and the art he produced in Arles. The reporters were amazed to encounter a 113 year old woman living in town who had met Van Gogh, and who could distinctly recall sellingsupplies to the then-obscure, hapless painter at her uncle’s shop.

She attributed her life to a diet rich in olive oil and chocolate, as well as regular consumption of port wine.

“Oh strong-ridged and deeply hollowed nose of mine, what will you not be smelling?” ––William Carlos Williams, from the poem “Smell!”

Like the nose in William Carlos Williams’ poem, our noses are busybodies, mingling in everything and even encroaching on our other senses. For example, our noses do more tasting than our taste buds. Taste buds can only recognize four properties of food: sweetness, sourness, bitterness and saltiness. Smell recognizes all the other flavors.

You owe your enjoyment of these various delicious tastes to the millions of olfactory cells located in the upper regions of your nasal cavity. It’s a wonder that dogs, who have millions more olfactory receptors than we do, can control themselves in our kitchens, and no surprise when they do lose control and lunge for the food on the counter.

When our sense of smell diminishes, the way we taste food changes. The same complex and sophisticated flavors we used to enjoy don’t come through as well, leading to increased reliance on our taste buds. Why does our sense of smell fade?

Olfactory receptors transfer aromatic signals from the environment to the brain. Like all cells, these start to wear out with age. Anosmia, the loss of ability to smell, is a normal part of the aging process, but it can also cause health risks. Healthy foods we were once able to savor can be much less appealing when we don’t taste them as well. People who can’t taste their food are also likely to take solace in extremely sweet or salty foods with intense flavors. Too much of these foods can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and a diet poor in essential nutrients.

If food doesn’t taste quite the way it used to and you find yourself eating less or turning to junk food, talk to a healthcare professional. Your doctor can assess any changes in your diet and may recommend supplements and vitamins to help keep you in good health.

Why Women Live LongerOur Multi-Tasking Senes of Smell

“Like” us on FacebookVisit our Facebook page any time for updates, photos, videos and more. When you “like” us on Facebook, we will send you updates and links to our most recent news. Just search for Youville Assisted Living on Facebook and click “like.” See you on the web!

6

Acrylic Painting Class with Eddie Bruckner Friday, March 2 at 2:00 PMThis 1.5 hour class will guide participants through a traditional landscape painting. Working with acrylic paints, instructor Eddie Bruckner will demonstrate different techniques during hands-on painting such as the preparation of materials, color mixing and specific brush techniques.“America: 1968” Lecture Series with Gary HylanderThe Great SocietySunday, March 4 at 2:00 PMPresident Lyndon Johnson’s political hero was Franklin Roosevelt, but he was determined to pass legislation that would surpass the achievements of Roosevelt’s New Deal. During a commencement speech at the University of Michigan, Johnson explained the philosophical implications of his Great Society. He told the graduates that “an order of plenty for all has become a reality,” and questioned whether this material growth was adequate. Johnson went on to outline his vision of a Great Society that would serve as the basis not just for material prosperity, but for a “richer life in mind and spirit.”Bible Series with Rabbi Neal GoldEsther & The Comedy of The BibleTuesday, March 6 at 2:00 PMThough it is not known as a “comedy,” the Bible is in fact full of humor. This lecture explores many examples of how biblical narrative employs humor, including one book that is a comedy through and through: the Book of Esther. Silent Movie Presentation with Richard Hughes Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 PMMaster pianist and film expert Richard Hughes takes you back to the magical era of silent movies. It was a time when films flickered in black and white on the big screen and the action unfolded in pantomime, accompanied by dramatic “mood music” performed live on an upright piano. In this signature presentation, Mr. Hughes provides live musical accompaniment to a handpicked silent film.

Grow as a Person Opportunities this Month

Porter SquareFriday, March 2 & 16Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PMWhole FoodsMonday, March 5Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PMAssembly Sq.Friday, March 9Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PMStar MarketMonday, March 12 & 26Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PMTrader Joe’sMonday, March 19Time: 12:45 PM Return: 2:00 PMTargetFriday, March 23Time: 10:15 AM Return: 12:00 PM

Shopping Trips

Community OutingsHarvard Museum of Natural History Exhibit: Birds of the WorldThursday, March 15Depart: 1:00 PMReturn: 3:30 PM Cost: $ for lunch Boasting over 10,000 species, birds are the most diverse land vertebrates on the planet, surpassing the biological diversity of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. In celebration of these beaked and feathered marvels, the Harvard Museum of Natural History has opened the new Birds of the World gallery. This exhibition is the culmination of months of cleaning and restoring mounted bird specimens from the ornithology collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, completely refurbishing antique cases, and redesigning the exhibit displays. This new exhibit’s displays reveal the staggering diversity of birds with many hundreds of stunning specimens, and includes the very latest in surprising scientific discoveries about the evolution of these modern dinosaurs.

7

March Meetings

Nurse’s Chatw/ Director of Wellness, Lydia KirundaThursday, March 8 at 10:30 AMFood Forum w/ Director of Dining Services, Dan MacRaeTuesday, March 13 at 10:15 AM

Programs Planning Meetingw/ Director of Programs, Katie BlanchardMonday, March 26 at 10:15 AM

Resident Management Meetingw/ Youville DirectorsThursday, March 29 at 2:00 PM

Meal TimesMain Dining Room

Breakfast7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

LunchFirst Seating - 11:30 AMSecond Seating - 12:45 PMDinnerFirst Seating - 4:30 PMSecond Seating - 5:45 PM

Catholic Mass Monthly schedule posted in lobby

Youville House Management TeamNicole Breslin CEO/President Joanne Scianna COOLydia Kirunda Director of WellnessKatie Blanchard Director of Programs Yanira Motto Director of MarketingBob Salamanca Director of Environmental ServicesVirginia Ellis Director of Community LifeDan MacRae Director of Dining ServicesTom Landry Director of Human ResourcesPaula Desmond-Wallace Regional ControllerIldiko Szabo Community Life Coordinator

Programs / Menu Hotline... Hear a recorded list of the daily programs and the menu for lunch and dinner at Youville House. Simply call (857) 253-2024 directly or call the Reception Desk and the receptionist will connect you.

Car/Van Transportation Monday through Friday8:00 AM - 2:00 PMPlease submit your requests for transportation to the Reception Desk forty-eight hours before the date of your appointment. Requests with less than forty-eight hours notice will be accommodated whenever possible, but not guaranteed. The fee for transportation is $10.00 for Cambridge and $20.00 for surrounding communities. As always, we will do our best to meet your needs. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by or call.

Katie Blanchard, Director of Programs

Shopping RequestsYouville offers concierge service for your shopping needs on Mondays and Fridays. Shopping forms are available at the Reception desk. A surcharge of $5.00 will be charged for requests exceeding five items.

Spiritual

Physical

Cognitive

Nutritional

People with Parkinson’s seek out support for good reason: they confront chronic physical and non-physical symptoms that become increasingly difficult as the disease progresses. Parkinson’s disease affects a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, whose neurons produce an important neurotransmitter called dopamine. Without adequate levels of dopamine in the brain, people with Parkinson’s experience a loss of control over their physical movements, and may develop a variety of non-physical symptoms. Support networks provide a setting where people can manage symptoms and learn more about how they relate to their overall illness.Support networks provide a setting where people can manage symptoms and learn more about how they relate to their Parkinson’s diagnosis.

For years, Youville House has prioritized optimizing day-to-day life for Parkinson’s residents through specialized programs, support groups, staff education and community presentations. This variety of approaches reflects the varied scope of Parkinsonian symptoms. Dance with Parkinson’s, held on Tuesday mornings at Youville, engages mind and body through the joyful medium of dance. Often, participants find themselves moving with a sense of freedom and coordination that they hadn’t thought possible with Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s Support Group, held monthly on Tuesday afternoons, offers a more direct form of group sharing and discussion around living with Parkinson’s. Each group meeting focuses on a discussion topic such as exercise, sleep, depression, medication management, etc.

How Parkinson’s Effects Daily LifeThe physical and emotional challenges of Parkinson’s can feed back into one another in a frustrating loop. An internet writer named Bev Ribaudo characterized her own experience with Parkinson’s as a communications problem between the brain and the body. She has shared her insights online, on the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation website (www.pdf.org). She compares Parkinson’s to the squirrel that sabotaged her friend’s car in high school. “This car seemed to have a mind of its own,” she writes. “One day, you would turn on the radio and the headlights would come on. The next day, you would turn on the wipers and the horn would blow or the turn signals would come on.” Her friend eventually discovered seeds on the floor of the car, leading to the discovery of the squirrel’s secret habitat behind her dashboard and its effects on the car’s wiring.

Like the friend whose car kept acting up, people with Parkinson’s are often unsure what to expect from their bodies on a daily basis: will they be able to make the walk to the convenience store? When they get there, will they be able to articulate what they are looking for?

March 2018Building a Community of Support for Parkinson’s

continued

Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©

Youville House • 1573 Cambridge Street • Cambridge, MA 02138 • 617.491.1234Youville Place • 10 Pelham Road • Lexington, MA 02421 • 781.861.3535 • www.youvilleassistedliving.org

Assisted Living Residences

Common Physical Symptoms Associated with Parkinson’sSymptoms vary and can be difficult to recognize. In the early stages they can be too mild to notice, and even after they progress they can be confused with other conditions. Symptoms can be treated and alleviated through medication, group support, specialized physical therapy and a variety of exercises. • Tremor: Approximately 70 percent of people first experience slight shaking in a hand or finger on one side of the body. • Slowed movement: Movements that were once automatic, such as taking a step forward or reaching for the phone, become more difficult and require deliberate effort. • Rigidity: Stiffened leg muscles can impede taking steps forward. A person with Parkinson’s may not be able to swing their arms while walking.• Postural instability: Loss of control over muscle movement leads to a lack of balance and an increased risk for falls. • Speech Problems: Neurological changes in the brain make it difficult to speak loudly, to intonate, and to articulate words clearly. Parkinson’s symptoms are not limited to movement disorders. Non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, depression, loss of bladder control, constipation and insomnia can impact quality of life even more than the movement-related symptoms. The good news is that many of these are treatable. It is important for people with Parkinson’s to let their doctors know about non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms. The Parkinson’s Foundation recommends keeping a “symptom diary.” This will help you monitor how your symptoms fluctuate throughout the day and will enable your doctor to make more informed, effective adjustments to your treatment and medication regimen. Specifically, “keep track of your pattern of ‘on-times’ (when medications work effectively) and ‘off-times’ (when medications wear off).”While there is not yet a cure for Parkinson’s, millions of dollars are invested each year in learning more about effective treatments for this elusive disease. Specialized voice treatment is available for those experiencing speech problems. Physical therapy and the regular practice of Tai Chi and dance have been found to improve postural stability and reduce falls.

Balance Challenge Broadway Seated Dance Forever Fit Stretch & Flex Yoga w/ Annie Hoffman

Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids and dietary fiber. Antioxidants can help prevent hypertension, diabetes, herat disease and som forms of cancer.

Catholic Mass Bible Study with Matt Rosary Humor & The Book of Esther w/ Rabbi Gold

ArtMatters Presents ...Post-Impressionism World War Women w/ Judith Kalaora America, 1968: The Great Society w/ Professor Gary Hylander

History of Jazz Series: Modern Era w/ pianist Ross Petot Irish Favorites on Fiddle & Guitar Steps in Time: Ballroom Dancing w/ Michael Winward Acrylic Painting Class w/ Eddie Bruckner

Get fit. Stay sharp. Age well.©