WLEN- Worcester LGBT Elder Network, is a joint effort of Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc.,Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and the Worcester Senior Center, with ongoing collaboration with the LGBT Aging Project in Boston. |
Rainbow Lunch Club Bus Service Did you know that you can reach the Rainbow Lunch Club via public transport? The outbound WRTA Route 8 bus from Union Station to the Greendale Mall stops on Shore Drive across from the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot. The inbound trip from Greendale Mall to Union Station stops at the bottom of the parking lot. A bus leaves the Union Station Hub at 11:30 a.m., from City Hall at 11:33, and arrives across from the church at Shore Drive and Holden Street at 11:43 a.m. Buses from Greendale Mall to Union Station leave the UUWC parking lot at 1:08 p.m. or 2:08 p.m. They arrive at City Hall at 1:26 and 2:26 and at Union Station at 1:30 and 2:30. |
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Elder Services and its programs receive funds administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs; and federal financial support under the Older Americans Act provided by the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Other funders include the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Tufts Health Plan Foundation,, local Councils on Aging & governments, participant donations, grants and individual support. We also contract with Senior Care Organizations, One Care Organizations and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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What water does for you?
It's finally summer! Most of us welcome a respite from cold weather. However, with the sun at its highest, hot weather will certainly follow. Drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration is good at any time of the year, but it's especially important during summer heat spells. Joan Anderson, LGBT Peer Worker, has put together the following hints on avoiding dehydration.
When you get thirsty this summer, what are you going to drink? Consider water. It's readily available, calorie free and good for you in so many ways.
- Did you know that up to 75% of our body weight is water? To begin with, water flushes toxins out of all our organs, carries nutrients to our cells, lubricates joints and helps regulate our body temperature. Water also affects our brain function and energy level. Even mild dehydration has been associated with negative mood, including fatigue and confusion, especially with the aging population.
When you lose more fluid than you take in, you get dehydrated, and that's easy to do when you get sick or you're active outdoors on a hot summer day. By the time you realize you're thirsty, you may already be in danger of dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Lightheadedness
- A flushed face
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Swollen tongue
- Increased thirst
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Altered mental status (confusion)
- Heat rash
- Producing less or darker urine
Make a habit to drink water regularly and often. The average adult needs approximately one quart (4-8 ounce glasses) per day to prevent the onset of dehydration. Don't like the taste try adding citrus or fruit of any kind.
Dehydration Prevention Tips:
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Attempt to stay hydrated.
- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
- Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, which cools your body.
- Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
- Check with your community for information about possible local 'cooling centers'.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%.
- Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
- Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
- Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Make sure that pets have plenty of drinking water.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors.
Older adults and young children are more prone to dehydration. Senses have weakened and older adults may not feel that they are even thirsty.
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"My Husband's a Woman Now"
 Leslie and Deborah Fabian are a social worker and an orthopedic surgeon who've been married since 1991. They've survived Deb's 2011 transition (from David) intact, and relatively unscathed. Join Leslie and Deborah at the Rainbow Lunch Club on July 9th for a spirited discussion about relationships and their new book "My Husband's a Woman Now".
Lunch on July 23rd will be followed by a "social hour".
Lunch is always served at noon. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester is located at the corner of Holden Street and Shore Drive in Worcester, next to Bancroft School. Access to the parking lot is off of Shore Drive. See the sidebar for information about WRTA bus service.
Reservations are required a week in advance, so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone who shows up. You may call Joan Anderson at (508) 756-1545 ext. 404 or email her at wlen@eswa.org. You may also join the Rainbow Lunch Club Meet-Up Group at http://www.meetup.com/Rainbow-Lunch-Club/ and reserve from the meet-up page.
MENUS:
July 9th: Roast Pork, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Rice Pudding. July 23rd: N.Y. Pastrami Sandwich, Soup of the day, Fresh Fruit.
Upcoming Dates: August 13,
August 27, September 10, September 24,
October 8, October 22.
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Farmers Market Coupons
 Senior Farmers Market Coupons will be available sometime after mid-July. ESWA will make a special announcement once the distribution details have been worked out.
Recipients must be at least 60 yrs old and eligible for food stamps, SSI, Section 8 housing, fuel assistance, Medicaid or commodity food assistance or otherwise meet income requirements.
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