Franciscan Senior Promise Meeting - April 12

The public is invited to attend the April meeting of the newly formed Franciscan Senior Promise group.

Peter Gregory will conduct a demonstration of “Tai Chi Chih” during the meeting, which will take place at 10 a.m. at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave.

Franciscan Senior Promise is a newly club offers people aged 55 and older information on health issues and advice on lifestyles choices, along with the opportunity to socialize and make new acquaintances.

Meetings take place monthly, with game days, movie and popcorn days, defensive driving courses, a yearly flu shot clinic and daytime and overnight trips among scheduled activities.

Annual membership fee is $15.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322 or visit FranciscanStMargaret.org.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month.

The early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be overlooked because they resemble signs of natural aging. However, extreme memory loss or other cognitive changes that disrupt normal life are not typical signs of aging. In addition, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease do not begin abruptly; they develop gradually and worsen over the course of months or years.

Older adults who begin to notice a persistent mild memory loss of recent events may have a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI may be a sign of early-stage Alzheimer's in older people. Studies suggest that some, although not all, older individuals who experience such mild memory abnormalities can later develop Alzheimer's disease.

Patients may be aware of their symptoms or may be unaware that anything is wrong. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that everyone learn these 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Memory changes that disrupt daily life. Forgetfulness, particularly of recent events or information, or repeatedly asking for the same information
• Challenges in planning or solving problems. Loss of concentration (having trouble planning or completing familiar tasks, difficulty with abstract thinking such as simple arithmetic problems)
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
• Confusion about time or place. Difficulty recognizing familiar neighborhoods or remembering how you arrived at a location, confusion about months or seasons
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Difficulty reading, figuring out distance, or determining color.
• Language problems. Forgetting the names of objects, mixing up words, difficulty completing sentences or following conversations
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Putting objects back in unusual places, losing things, accusing others of hiding or stealing.
• Impaired judgment and decision making. Dressing inappropriately or making poor financial decisions
• Withdrawal from work or social activities. No longer participating in familiar hobbies and interests.
• Mood and personality changes. Confusion, increased fear or suspicion, apathy and depression, anxiety. Signs can be loss of interest in activities, increased sleeping, sitting in front of the television for long periods of time.

Source: A.D.A.M. Health Library. For more information on Alzheimer's disease be use to check out our In-depth Report.

Mallwalkers Learn to Balance Aging with Strength, Control

A healthy number of participants received lessons in balance and strength control, as they relate to the aging process, during the Aug. 24 Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall in Hobart.

Jane Bogordos, exercise physiologist at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville, discussed the benefits of balance and core strength and led audience members in related exercises, including a number using a seated ball, during the program.

In case you missed it...here is a video recap:

Pulmonary function screenings were offered by Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

The program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana, takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month on the mall’s lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.