William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2015-01-01 / 1. szám
Aging Well with Cathy Graham Two feet closer to wellness HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN since you have taken a really good look at your tootsies? In my opinion, feet are not all that attractive, but we do need to know if they are getting uglier or holding their own. Just like everything else, our feet change with time. Tiny baby toes are totally sweet and kissable; most adults I know have marveled at the feet of their young with no apologies. However, once those little piggies start wearing socks and shoes, then the kisses change to a hand shake. The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 120 muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Look at your feet: they are pretty small compared to the rest of you, and they have the job of receiving the impact of your body with each step you take. That adds up to hundreds and hundreds of pounds each day. No wonder they smell; it is the only way they can revolt. Our feet have been called "the mirror of health." When something bad happens to our feet, it may be a sign of something haywire elsewhere. Most of the 300 foot ailments stem from the cumulative effects of wear and tear. Just imagine what the tires on your car would look like if you ran them for 65 years! The good news is that many foot ailments can be successfully treated by a podiatrist. It may be a proactive move, but you may want to see a podiatrist even if your feet seem healthy. That way there is a bench- mark if more serious problems occur. Family doctors are good at spotting inconsistencies, as well, so they should check your feet, too. Observing preventative foot care can increase comfort, limit additional medical concerns and reduce the chance of infection. Red flags for the feet include very dry skin, brittle nails, burning and tingling sensations, cold, numbness or discoloration. Call the doc if these occur. Foot problems can also lead to knee, hip and lower back trouble. Be aware of what is going on and note any changes. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to gloom and doom. Like most other body parts, our feet change. Get the right size and style of shoe for you. Mile after mile our feet have been at our beck and call. Take proper care so you never have to say, "Feet don't fail me now." Cathy Graham is director of the Graceful Aging Wellness Center at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, Pa. Game On! I f his evening after dinner, skip the .X_droning of the television and reach for a board game. You remember your old friends-Monopoly, Scrabble, Othello and Backgammon-don’t you? It’s high time to get them out of hiding from the spare closet and dust them off for an evening of fun. Board games are incredibly good for your mental health and your sanity. I know, I know-board games are sooooo oldfashioned compared to the new, tech-savvy electronic games, but they offer wonderful benefits that electronic games cannot. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that challenging your brain with mentally stimulating leisure activities, like board games and card playing, is great for your mind. Sitting down with your family members to play a board game can also encourage conversation, friendly competition and lots of laughter. Even a family of two can engage in checkers, chess or one of my favorites, Battleship. Board games are a terrific way to relax, unwind and relieve stress. A good round of Candyland can restore a sense of calmness to overactive young ones while teaching them to count. Playing games with children will help them sharpen their learning skills and build an even tighter family bond. Experts say designating one evening a week for game night will establish mental balance and ensure a healthy form of comfort for participants. Board games have been around for thousands of years as a reliable source of entertainment. Bring out a board game from the closet and show the younger generation how we roll. We’ve had many good times playing Uno and Mad Gab in my home. Take a break from dozing off in front of the TV this evening and shuffle the cards, set up the checker board or bust a gut with my favorite game, Twister.- Cathy Graham 8 0 January 2015 0 William Penn Life Photo © Can Stock Photo Inc./Kurhan
