Ecumen Lakeview Commons Artists Weave a Tapestry of Smiles

A weaving class at Ecumen Lakeview Commons exceeded all expectations.

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Senior man and woman having coffee at table seen through window

The Day Ecumen Prairie Lodge Became a Dance Hall

A spirited dance troupe recently transformed Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center into a makeshift dance hall full of smiles, memories and movement. 

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Senior man and woman having coffee at table seen through window

Tips for Recognizing Heat Stroke in Older Adults

Older adults (that is, people aged 65 years and older) are more prone to heat stress than younger people for several reasons:

  • Older adults do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
  • They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat.
  • They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Warning signs vary but may include the following:

  • An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
  • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Warning signs vary but may include the following:

  • Heavy sweating
  • Paleness
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fainting
  • Skin: may be cool and moist
  • Pulse rate: fast and weak
  • Breathing: fast and shallow

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

You can follow these prevention tips to protect yourself from heat-related stress:

  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause cramps.)
  • Rest.
  • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
  • If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment. (If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off.)
  • Wear lightweight clothing.
  • If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
  • Do not engage in strenuous activities.

What You Can Do to Help Protect Older Adult Relatives and Neighbors

If you have older adult relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat-related stress:

  • Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
  • Encourage them to increase their fluid intake by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages regardless of their activity level.
  • Warning: If their doctor generally limits the amount of fluid they drink or they are on water pills, they will need to ask their doctor how much they should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems.

What You Can Do for Someone With Heat Stress

If you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person. Do the following:

  • Get the person to a shady area.
  • Photo of water coming out of shower head.Cool the person rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the person in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the person with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
  • Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101°–102°F
  • If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
  • Do not give the person alcohol to drink.
  • Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Original article can be viewed at: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.asp. Content provided and maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 


The Growing Realization That Older People Are at the Height of Creativity

Those who think older people can’t be creative are “Wrong.  Deeply wrong,” writes prominent journalist Chris Farrell.

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89-Year-Old Grandmother Stole the Show as a Bridesmaid

When thinking of who she wanted to stand with her on her wedding day, Christina Quinn said it was a no-brainer to ask her 89-year-old grandmother, who she considers to be one of her closest friends. 

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Star Tribune: How ArtSage Programs Inspire the Elderly to Create

ArtSage, a nonprofit which trains artists to teach older people and helps match them with senior organizations, is featured in a Star Tribune article exploring the benefits that the arts bring to aging.

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ArtSage Hosting Conference on Arts and Aging

ArtSage, a Minnesota nonprofit that connects the arts with aging, is presenting its second Midwest Arts & Aging Conference at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on June 19, 2015.  The day-long session convenes arts and aging experts, teaching artists, aging services organizations, and funders.

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Three Ecumen Communities Awarded Minnesota State Arts Board Grants To Enhance Creative Experiences for Seniors

The Minnesota State Arts Board has awarded grants totaling just over $46,000 to three Ecumen communities to encourage artistic development and creativity among older adults through the Partners in Arts Participation program. 

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Top 5 Blog Posts - January 19

Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting: 

Honoring Ecumen's Longest Tenured Ecumen Employee: Dawn Bolhuis, LPN, Kindhearted and Compassionate Nurse

Her shift starts at 6 a.m. Dawn Bolhuis, LPN, a long-term care nurse at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, Minn., will not be late. Her residents depend on her, and, like every other morning, she can't wait to see how they are doing today. And they can't wait to see her.

Oscar Contender "Still Alice" Dramatically Captures Alzheimer's

Critics are raving about the movie "Still Alice" and Julianne Moore's compelling performance as a 50-year-old mother, wife and college professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. In the clip below from NBC News, the actress talks about her determination to give an accurate portrayal of the disease that affects more than five million Americans.

An Extraordinary Act of Appreciation and Generosity at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley

On New Year's Eve, a family brought 82 sealed holiday cards to the frotn office at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley. Their Mom and Dad live there, and they asked the office staff to hand out a card to each employee.

Ecumen Centennial House Resident Charles Hearn Went to Battel on the Silver Screen

Charles (Chuck) Hearn was a good soldier who took a few bullets over the years. He was always comfortable on the battlefield - a place where he could feel connected to the memory of his relatives who fought in the Civil War.

Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Eleanore Ebeling

Ecumen honors Eleanore Ebeling, who is 100.

You can read these articles and more at www.ecumen.org.


Top 5 Blog Posts - November 3

Music legend Glen Campbell, rural health care, a 40-year-old veteran nurse's story and connecting the arts and aging lead our list of most popular blog posts this week. In case you missed out, here are the stories our online visitors found most interesting:

"Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me" Opens Today in Minnesota, Alabama and Missouri (October 31)

Ecumen's Janet Green Speaks on Creating an Innovative Rural Health Care Center

Ecumen Awarded Grant to Reduce Hospital Readmissions Through Improved Medication Management for Seniors

Ecumen Employees: St. Mark's Living Nurse Debbie Klouse Embraces Her 40 Years in Long-Term Care

Ecumen and ArtSage Team Up to Connect Aging and the Arts

To read more Changing Aging sotries or Ecumen news, visit www.ecumen.org!