Many local businesses and religious organizations are offering enjoyable social and cultural activities for Heights seniors and their families.

Events are free, unless otherwise noted. Please call ahead to confirm times, make reservations or learn about handicapped accessibility, if needed.

Happy holidays to all of our readers, and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

On Dec. 3 the Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) will host a breakfast and a concert featuring a trio from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. and the concert begins at 11 a.m. (One Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-691-7377)

Another event on Dec. 3 (2–3:30 p.m.), at the Homewood Residence at Rockefeller Gardens, is “Treasure the Memories.” Guests will create a treasure chest with remembrances of departed loved ones to keep them close at heart during the holidays. (3151 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights, 855-308-0877)

An Advent Festival will be held at Church of the Saviour on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring free trade merchandise. (2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-8880)

A community shopping event to benefit the Shaker Lakes Nature Center will be held at Ten Thousand Villages on Dec.12, from 6–8 p.m. Fifteen percent of the net sales will be donated to the Nature Center. The store features handmade and fair trade gifts from around the world. (12425 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-575-1058)

At 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, Fairmount Presbyterian Church will host a performance by the Choir of Clare College from Cambridge, England. The choir will sing Advent songs as part of its U.S. tour. Admission is $1. (2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5800)

Cleveland Heights poet laureate Kathleen Cerveny will read the Dylan Thomas classic A Child’s Christmas in Wales in the Meeting Room at the Coventry Village Library on Dec. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-3400)

On Dec. 14 and 18, at 6:30 p.m., the movie theater at Severance Center will be telecasting live performances by the Metropolitan Opera of Verdi’s Falstaff on the big screen. Admission is $22 for seniors, $18 for children, and $24 for all others. (3492 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-291-3942)

The 114th annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count will be held at the Shaker Lakes Nature Center Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. This is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world. It provides critical data on bird population trends. Bird walks will be held on Dec. 21 and 28, from 8–9 a.m., to locate and identify local resident winter birds. (2600 South Park Blvd, Shaker Heights, 216-321-5935)

A Holiday Centerpiece Workshop will be held at the Cleveland Heights SAC on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m.  Fresh greens will be provided, plus decorations suitable for any holiday. A materials fee of $7 and advance registration are required.

The local chapter of AARP will be holding its annual holiday party at the Cleveland Heights SAC on Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m. A hot lunch and entertainment will be provided. Admission is $13 and non-members are welcome.

Also on Dec. 19, the Heights Youth Theatre will perform the Ohio premiere of “A Little Princess” at the Wiley Middle School auditorium, at 2 p.m. The musical is based on Francis Burnett’s children’s novel, as well as on the 1936 Shirley Temple film. Admission is $9 for seniors and children under 6, and $10 for all others. (2181 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, 216-923-1583)

The Noble Road Presbyterian Church invites the community to its yearly Advent Festival on Dec. 22. It starts at 11:30 a.m. with a silent auction, followed by an Advent Community Meal. The festival will include other activities, as well. (2780 Noble Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-382-0660)

On Dec. 25, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will offer its annual Chinese Food and a Movie Day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes two films and a kosher Chinese buffet. Movies are free with museum admission ($10 for seniors, $5 for children 5–11, free for children under 5, and $12 for all others). Registration for the buffet, which is $12 for everyone, is required by Dec. 20. (2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-593-0575)

The Cleveland Heights SAC is holding a New Year’s Day party on Jan. 1, starting at noon. A hot lunch and entertainment will be provided. Admission is $12 and advance registration is required.

On Jan. 15, the Mandel Jewish Community Center (JCC) will host an intergenerational winter sing-along with children from the center’s preschool. The JCC also provides free live musical entertainment at the Warrensville Community Apartments in Cleveland Heights on Sundays from 1–2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:30–1:30 p.m. A hot lunch is available for $1. Pre-registration is required for lunch. (1500 Warrensville Center Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-831-0700, ext. 1210)

From December through February many local churches will be offering free meals to those in need. For dates and locations please call SAC at 216-691-7377 or go to www.lovinghandsgroup.com.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Because many older adults own their homes outright, have retirement savings, and were taught by their parents to be trusting and polite, they are often targeted by unscrupulous people looking for easy money. According to the FBI, “con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say no.”

Common scams targeted at seniors include miracle cures, sweepstakes prizes, health surveys, foreclosure rescue and investment offers. According to the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), “con artists are smart, extremely persuasive and aggressive, and present themselves as well mannered, friendly and helpful. They purposely devise complex offers that confuse their targets.”

If a telephone or door-to-door salesperson talks quickly, doesn’t answer your questions, or leaves you confused about the details of the offer, something is probably wrong. Tell him or her you’d prefer to think about it and may call them back. Do not let anyone rush you into signing anything. Say you need time to have someone you trust look it over. If it is a legitimate salesperson, he will honor your request. If he insists that you make a decision or sign something right away, he probably does not have your best interest in mind.

The NCPC advises seniors to remember one easy rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. NCPC further advises never to give your credit card, bank account or social security number over the phone, through the mail, over the Internet, by text message or to someone who comes to your door, unless you have initiated the contact. Also, be sure to shred, and not just throw away, any papers that contain this information.

Other advice offered by the NCPC includes not buying health products that claim quick cures, never accepting offers from home repair companies who “just happened to be in the neighborhood,” not wiring money to someone you don’t know, and not paying for something you receive in the mail that you didn’t order. Remember not to carry your social security card with you, and never to write your social security number on a check.

Monitor your credit activity by ordering your credit report at least twice a year and checking for unusual activity. Be sure to check your monthly bank account and credit card statements carefully.

If you think that you have been the victim of fraud, don’t feel embarrassed to report it. Con artists are very good at what they do, and even the most astute people have been tricked. Report fraud by contacting your local police department and the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) at the following numbers: Cleveland Heights Police 216-321-1234, University Heights Police 216-932-1800, NFIC 800-876-7060.

You can order your credit report by calling Trans Union at 877-322-8228, Experian at 888-397-3742 or Equifax at 877-322-8228. Order a report from all three companies, because reports can vary. By law you are entitled to one free report per year from each of these companies. You do not need to purchase a membership or monitoring service.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted after a blood vessel breaks or a blood clot blocks an artery. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. According to the National Stroke Association, when brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities might include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.

The Mayo Clinic lists several symptoms to watch for that may indicate that someone is having a stroke:

• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination
• Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding
• Numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg
• Blurred, blackened or double vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden, severe headache which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or confusion

If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Quick action is critical to stroke recovery because early treatment can minimize brain damage, and brain damage caused by stroke is irreversible.

If you’re not sure if someone is having a stroke, follow the act FAST guidelines. FAST is an acronym to help you remember what to look for and what to do:

FACE – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can they do it accurately and without slurring?

TIME – If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is critical, and you should seek medical help immediately.

If someone you love has a stroke, it is important to understand that stroke rehabilitation cannot reverse the effects of a stroke; it simply helps the individual return to independent living as much as possible. This can place a strain on the stroke victim’s personal relationships. According to Today’s Caregiver magazine, “Caring for a stroke survivor can be emotionally, mentally and physically stressful”.

Caregivers will need to be prepared to help the person get the mobility equipment they need, assist with bathing and other personal care needs, help with cooking, and perhaps help manage the person’s finances. “Caregivers can support their loved one and encourage small accomplishments, which mean a lot to someone who has to relearn a once-mastered skill,” said Janie Rosman, staff writer for Today’s Caregiver.

Fortunately there are some things that can be done to prevent the risk of stroke. The Neurological Institute at University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center identifies these factors as contributing to the risk of stroke: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and smoking. Controlling these factors may help reduce the risk of stroke.

The National Stroke Association can be reached at 800-787-6537, the University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center can be reached at 440-585-6137, and the website for Today’s Caregiver Magazine is www.caregiver.com.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Although memory loss can be a normal part of the aging process, it is a cause for concern to many older adults. While normal age-related memory loss is common and natural, it can be slowed and even prevented through diet and certain activities.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Some degree of memory problems, as well as a modest decline in other thinking skills, is a fairly common part of aging.” Normal memory loss can include occasionally misplacing your glasses or car keys, forgetting a person’s name, or not being able to remember a word that is “right on the tip of your tongue.”

The National Institute on Aging reports that these minor declines in memory and cognitive ability may occur because “certain parts of the brain that are important in learning, memory and planning shrink with age.”

Research has also shown that brain neurons become less able to communicate efficiently with each other, and blood flow in the brain is reduced because arteries narrow with age.

To help preserve memory, Harvard Medical School recommends that older adults keep learning new things, maintain a social network of friends and family, engage in regular exercise, refrain from smoking, get 6–8 hours of sleep a night, consume proper amounts of vitamins C and E, and eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends learning new things by adding small changes to your daily routine. You may consider adding a daily walk, attending a lecture or play, reading a book, researching a subject of interest, playing a game or starting a new hobby.  Crossword and other types of puzzles and word games have also been shown to help enhance brain function.

The Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers a variety of classes to help you keep learning new things. It also offers several exercise programs to help you maintain physical fitness and social interaction.

Lumosity, a memory training program on the Internet, offers a personalized game program to help enhance memory. Daily exercises help train a variety of cognitive functions, and are designed to improve overall brain performance, based on target training priorities that you set for yourself. Some exercises are free, others require payment.

It is important to note that there can be other causes of memory loss besides natural aging. The Mayo Clinic lists medication interactions, head injuries, mental health disorders, alcoholism, vitamin B-12 deficiencies, hypothyroidism, and brain tumors as other possible causes of memory loss.

In some cases, memory loss can indicate beginning stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re concerned about memory loss, it is important to see your doctor. He or she can conduct tests to judge the degree of memory impairment, diagnose the cause and offer a course of action.

SAC can be reached at 216-691-7377 and the Lumosity website can be found at www.lumosity.com.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

The National Senior Games held in Cleveland last month brought attention to the importance of physical fitness for older adults. The games, held in a different city each year, promote healthy and active lifestyles for athletes age 50 and older.

While most of us may not consider ourselves athletes, the games, and the presentations held during the games, educate seniors at all levels of ability about the importance of physical activity and staying healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Regular physical activity . . . can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others.”

The CDC recommends that senior adults choose from three target levels of activity: (1) two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week; (2) one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity every week; or (3) an equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.

Aerobic activity is any activity that causes ones heart to beat faster and makes it harder to breathe, such as pushing a lawn mower, dancing, biking, or taking a brisk walk.

On a scale of zero-to-ten where zero is sitting and ten is working as hard as you can, the CDC defines moderate-intensity aerobic activity as a five or six. It makes you breathe harder and causes the heart to beat faster. You should be able to talk, but not sing. Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity is a seven or eight on this scale.  At this level, you should not be able to say more than a few words without stopping to catch your breath.

The CDC also recommends that older adults participate in muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) two or more days a week.

The Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers many exercise and fitness options for local seniors. Classes include aerobics, dance, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, table tennis and Wii bowling. Some classes are free while others require a small fee. Seniors are invited to walk on the fitness track free of charge three days a week.

The Cleveland Heights branch of the Mandel JCC offers a Lunch Plus program three days a week that includes chair yoga, tai chi, a hot kosher lunch (suggested donation $1), and free transportation to seniors living in any East Side suburb. Jamie Cohen, JCC supervisor, said, “We also stress simple exercises seniors can do at home for balance, flexibility and strength, and to prevent falls.”

Cumberland Pool offers both water aerobics and beginning swimming classes suitable for seniors. Summer passes are available at half price ($17.50).

It is important for seniors to exercise safely.  Find an exercise program that is appropriate for your level of ability, and learn with a live instructor rather than a video. Trained instructors can help senior adults get in shape, while ensuring that they are exercising correctly and safely.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.