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LGBT Update
August 2015
 
In This Issue

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 11:50 a.m. Buses from Greendale Mall to Union Station leave the UUWC parking lot at 1:03 p.m. or 2:03 p.m. They arrive at City Hall at 1:18 and 2:18 and at Union Station at 1:21 and 2:21.   

    



     

 

 

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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.
 
1-800-AGE-INFO

Insomnia in an aging population

In today's fast-paced, stress-filled world, our ability to  get adequate sleep is taking a big hit. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of American adults experience sleep problems. What is worrisome about these statistics is that sleep deprivation can lead to major problems, including frustration, anger, stress, obesity, and even serious traffic accidents. Then there are the medical complications of not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can have a detrimental effect on our immune system, which defends us from disease, says Michael Thorpy, MD., director of the Sleep-Wake at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. According to Dr Thorpy, "Studies demonstrated that if you wake up at 3 a.m. and do not return to sleep, your immune cells weaken for the next 24 hours. After a full night of sound sleep, your disease fighting abilities are recharged."

 

Interestingly, studies indicate that a lack of sleep produces an effect close to being intoxicated, producing the same drowsiness as the legal limit of drinking. That means that people may have a greater risk of accidents when sleep deprived.

 

Some leading health officials believe that sleep disorders are the nation's leading medical problem. Research shows that the majority of adults need eight hours of sleep in order to achieve optimum daytime alertness and performance; some people may need nine to ten hours of sleep per night to feel fully rested and others may only need six to seven hours of sleep per night. It is very individual for each person how long they need to sleep. The most important part is to wake up feeling rested.

 

Inadequate sleep (less than normal for you), even just one night can have a negative effect on mood and emotions, memory and concentration, ability to make good decisions and other cognitive functions, and such physical effects as increasing the sensitivity to pain. Cumulative sleep loss over many nights creates much more adverse effects. Feeling short-tempered, negative or down, depressed, anxious or upset, are all more likely to occur when someone hasn't had enough sleep. Most people will make the observation, asking you, didn't sleep well last night?

 

The most common complaint, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), is insomnia. It is the most common sleep disorder, affecting one in three people in their lifetimes. AASM describes insomnia as the inability to sleep, or abnormal wakefulness, usually resulting from an underlying condition or cause. It can be related to medical or psychological conditions as well. AASM notes that individuals suffering from insomnia experience a range of symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently and trouble falling back to sleep, waking too early in the morning, and not feeling refreshed after sleeping.

 

There are four stages of sleep. The most important one is REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement). This is the dream stage and the deepest part of our sleep patterns. Most adults' REM sleep happens four to five times per night at 90-110 minute intervals. As one ages these REM patterns of sleep lessen to about two to three per night which truly affects our night sleep over the aging cycle. Also, adding to this process is the early sleep-wake pattern, which means that as one ages one goes to bed earlier and gets up earlier. This isn't always true for those who get up throughout the night, they will perhaps sleep in. Along with these reasons for sleep changes one must remember that our medical conditions and psychological stressors add to the struggle of sleeping sound.

 

Sleep tips

  • Provide a comfortable, safe, quiet, dark area.
  • Follow a routine: relaxation tape, hot tub or shower, light reading, prayer/meditation.
  • Routine hours for sleep, for example go to bed at 11:00 get up by 7:00. Don't oversleep.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine and stimulants such as chocolate and sugary snacks at least three hours before bedtime.
  • Avoid over stimulation: violent movies, computer/games, the news, strenuous exercise, arguments, and disturbing topics.
  • Only use the bed for sleep and sex.
  • If you haven't fallen asleep after 15 minutes get up and have some warm milk or try a relaxation tape.
  • If you have trouble falling asleep, trying to stay awake can have the opposite effect and actually make you sleepier.
  • Experiment with going to bed later or earlier to see if you can change your own sleep pattern.
  • Avoid daily naps unless recommended by your doctor. If you do nap, do so for no longer than a half hour.
  • If you are easily awakened by noises, run a fan or humidifier or wear ear plugs.
  • Make sure you are taking your medications at the right time of day. Often people take medications that make them sleepy in the morning. MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR PRESCRIBER OR PHARMACIST WHEN THE BEST TIME IS TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION.

For more information read Elderly Insomnia: Causes & Treatment on a Place for Mom: Connecting Families to Senior Living 

 

 

 

   Farmers Market Coupons

 

The Worcester Area Nutrition Program will be distributing Senior Farmers Market Coupons to Rainbow Lunch Club diners on Wednesday August 12th. 

 

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Recipients must be at least 60 years old
  • Must meet income requirement; be at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Line
  • Valid Picture ID, proof of address
  • One booklet per household
  • Recipient signature required

 

 

 

On August 12th the Rainbow Lunch Club welcomes presenter Lynn Alexadrivich from Marlborough Hills Rehabilitation & Nursing Home.  Lynn will be discussing long term care and many other service options.

  

The second meeting of the lunch club, August 26th, will be a social get-together.


We ask people age 60 and over for a donation of $2.50. The charge for younger guests is $5.50. 

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 [email protected]. You may also join the Rainbow Lunch Club Meet-Up Group  and reserve from the meet-up page.

   
MENUS: August 12th: Bacon omelet, O'Brien potatoes, green beans & tomatoes and fruit ambrosia August 26th: NY pastrami, soup du jour, cold salad and cookie
     
Upcoming Dates:  

2015: September 9th, September 23rd  

October 14th, October 28th