Cigarette Starts Fire At Senior Citizen Apartment Building

FREDERICK, Md. -- A smoldering cigarette is being blamed for a fire at a senior citizen apartment building in Frederick. The state Fire Marshal's Office said hot embers from a 74-year-old woman's cigarette fell and lit paper on fire. Some people had to be rescued from the Taney Village Apartments. Five people were hospitalized, and dozens were displaced.

Longevity Gene Also Protects Memory, Cognitive Function

Those with gene variant twice as likely to have good brain function December 26, 2006 - A gene variation that helps people live into their 90s and beyond also protects their memories and ability to think and learn new information, according to a study published in the December 26, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The gene variant alters the cholesterol particles in the blood, making them bigger than normal. Researchers believe that smaller particles can more easily lodge themselves in blood vessel linings, leading to the fatty buildup that can cause heart attacks and strokes. The study examined 158 people of Ashkenazi, or Eastern European, Jewish descent, who were 95 years old or older. Those who had the gene variant were twice as likely to have good brain function compared to those who did not have the gene variant. The researchers also validated these findings in a group of 124 Ashkenazi Jews who were between age 75 and 85 and found similar results. “It’s possible that this gene variant also protects against the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” said study author Nir Barzilai, MD, the director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. Barzilai noted that many studies have identified risk factors associated with developing age-related diseases. “But little effort has been made to identify the reasons for longevity in exceptionally old people, and why they don’t develop disease. In studying these centenarians, we hope to learn what factors lessen their risk for diseases that affect the general population at a much younger age. Our results bring us a step closer to understanding the role that genes play in longevity.” Work is being done to develop drugs that can mimic the effect of this gene variation, Barzilai said. Approximately one in 10,000 people in the general population lives to the age of 100. The study was supported by grants from the Einstein Aging Study, the Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar in Aging Award, the Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award, the National Institutes of Health, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Baltimore VA Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 20,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.

Senior Citizen Dating Joke

Senior Citizen Dating Dorothy and Edna, two "senior" widows, get together for their regular weekly tea date. Dorothy is always asked Edna advice. "That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date," she says. "I know you went out with him a few times, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer." "Well, I'll tell you the honest truth," Edna answers. "He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 P.M., dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car... a limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all. Then he takes me out for dinner... a marvelous dinner... lobster, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. Then we go see a show. Let me tell you, Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL! Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me -- two times!" "Goodness gracious!" Dorothy says. "So you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?" "No, no, no," Edna replies. "I'm just saying, wear an old dress!" Merry Christmas from RTG Consultants!

CMH rehab services promoting healthier senior lifestyles

Exercise. It's something we all need but don't do enough, especially when we graduate to senior citizen status or have health conditions that make physical activity more challenging. CMH Regional Health System's Rehabilitation Services staff understands and works with residents in the CMH service area in a variety of ways to promote healthy activity. "Our exercise classes provide benefits even beyond better physical health," says CMH physical therapist Brent Robinson. "People find a source of social support, a place to share experiences with others who have the same goals, the same problems." Rehabilitation Services manager Carolyn Koynock is finishing the second phase of a program aimed at healthier senior citizens. "A member of our Wilmington Senior Citizens Center first approached us," Koynock says. "She asked our help in applying for a grant through a federal program called the National Blueprint. The objective was to promote activity for people 50 years and older. Our plan had to address ways to increase strength, flexibility, endurance (cardiovascular exercise), and balance - all essential to staying healthy and active." Koynock saw this as a great opportunity to work with the community outside the walls of Clinton Memorial Hospital, base for CMH Inpatient Rehabilitation, and the CMH Rombach Health Center, base for CMH Outpatient Rehabilitation. The program required collaboration among different organizations and across county lines. "And it had to be a program that could continue beyond the life of the grant," Koynock says. As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Koynock called on a network of professionals for help and used an APTA program as the basis for the grant proposal. CMH Rehabilitation Services is doing or has done programs at senior citizen centers in Wilmington, New Vienna, Sabina and Lebanon. A series of four weekly one-hour classes are held, led by CMH physical therapists Donna Snyder and Jennifer Jensen, and athletic trainers Mindy Smith and Kelli Veidt. To ensure continuation of the program, the CMH team videotaped the exercises, created a manual with color photos and details of the program, and established a point person at each center to keep the classes going. "Each series begins with participants establishing fitness goals for themselves," Koynock says. "It might just be walk down the driveway to get the newspaper without feeling tired or winded. We feel it's important that seniors determine why they need to exercise and how it will help their lives." Each participant must have approval from his or her physician. They call the program "Maximize Your Exercise, Maximize Your Life." The program has been a measurable success. "We had a great turnout for our January-February classes in Clinton County - 30 to start our first class and 47 when we offered the class again," Koynock says. CMH's expertise in physical therapy helped overcome physical barriers that might have excluded some participants, such as developing activities for wheelchair bound seniors. The result was that everyone who wanted to participate could benefit from the exercise program. "It's amazing how increasing someone's stamina, strength or balance can change their lives," Koynock says. "It can prevent falls that break hips or allow someone to continue to live alone. The program is a great way to share our expertise with community."