Senior News: October 4, 2016

The Argyle Senior Citizen club enjoyed a Salisbury dinner with potatoes, gravy, squash casserole, and green beans with oatmeal cake last Thursday.  Thank you to Tom and Judy Yutrzenka who once again shared garden produce of potatoes, beets, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes as well as Mick Rapacz who brought in more apples for the cooks and bakers amongst the group.

Last week we reported on Fall Prevention week and the need for regular exercise to prevent falls.  This week we’ve started two exercise classes led by volunteers, Karen Michalski and Bev Fulks, as noted below.  So far we are getting good feedback on the newer of the two classes – SAIL.  SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) replaces the Bone Builders class.  Both classes are free and open to all – both seniors and younger.

• Tai Chi – Benefits include improved postural stability, awareness and mindful control of body positioning in space, functional walking, coordination, range of motion around the ankle and hip joints, and lower-extremity muscle strength. Wednesdays 10:00 AM.
• SAIL (formerly Bone Builders) – Benefits include increased bone density and muscle strength, improved balance, increased flexibility, increased energy and mobility. Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 AM.

We will be sharing other tips to prevent falls in the coming weeks.  So many of the changes we need to make to prevent falls has to do with being mindful of our surroundings.  To stay safe at home:

• Keep your path clear – put clutter away
• Take your time when moving about and be mindful of pets if you have them
• Turn on lights as needed if you are moving from room to room
• Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and if you use scatter rugs, use non-skid rug pads.

If you would like to learn more about the exercise classes or would like more information on fall prevention, call HOPE Program director, Nina Platt, at 218-437-8431, stop by the HOPE office to discuss your interest, or just join us for a class.

Senior News: September 27, 2016

The Argyle Senior Citizen club enjoyed a ham dinner last Thursday followed by Senior Bingo where Lorraine Yutrzenka and Elaine Yell won the blackout game.  Inez Johnson brought a guest, Phyllis Nowacki and Tom and Judy Yutrzenka once again shared garden produce consisting of potatoes and beets.

September 22^nd – 28^th is Fall Prevention Awareness Week sponsored by the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence.  Falls are the number one cause of injury, hospital visits, and death from an injury among people age 65 and older making fall prevention one of the most important issues for seniors and their families to focus on.

One way to help prevent falls is to exercise regularly to build balance and keep muscles limber.  Walking helps build endurance and keeps the heart healthy but building and then maintaining balance takes a special approach.  To support this need the Argyle HOPE Program offers exercise classes with new classes starting on October 4^th.  They are:

Tai Chi – Benefits include improved postural stability, awareness and mindful control of body positioning in space, functional walking, coordination, range of motion around the ankle and hip joints, and lower-extremity muscle strength.  Wednesdays 10:00 AM.

SAIL: Bone Builders – Benefits include increased bone density and muscle strength, improved balance, increased flexibility, increased energy and mobility. Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 AM.

All classes are led by volunteers Karen Michalski and Bev Fulks and are free and open to all – both seniors and younger.  If you would like to learn more about these programs, call HOPE Program director, Nina Platt, at 218-437-8431, stop by the HOPE office to discuss your interest, or just join us for a class.

Senior News: September 6, 2016

The big news here at the Argyle Senior Center is the selection of Inez Johnson as 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen at a program at the State Fair last week.  Inez was stunned to receive such an honor but we all know that no one could deserve it more.  As one of the letters submitted in support of her nomination said:

Inez is a very special woman who has spent a lifetime volunteering – becoming a full-time volunteer upon retirement and continuing to be an active volunteer during the last 29+ years.  As a volunteer at the age of 94, Inez continues to ask, “What more can I do?” You couldn’t ask for a better role model for volunteerism.

Over the years, Inez has volunteered to work for her church as well as worked with the Senior Club, Senior Meals, Community Education, Pre-school Reading Buddy Program, Grade School Classroom Volunteer, Foster Grandparent Program, Argyle HOPE Program, and RSVP.  She has also supported Relay for Life and Hospice as well as been a member of the Argyle Garden Club, Marshall County Homemakers Club and the Senior Club where she has been in various officer positions and supported fundraising efforts.

Please join us for an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, September 11^th from 2-4 PM at the Argyle HOPE Senior Center when we celebrate Inez’s dedication to helping others and honor her for always being willing to ask as noted above, “What more can I do?”

One of the ways that Inez volunteers for the Argyle HOPE Program is to call Bingo for the 5^th and 6^th graders who also volunteer to assist seniors with their recycling.  The day before the recycling is picked up, these volunteers go with a volunteer driver to help the seniors get their recycling containers out to the curb for the next day pickup.

When they are done, Inez calls Bingo as a way of thank you to the kids to encourage them to come back and volunteer next month.  The recycling program gets them thinking and acting as volunteers at a young age.  In fact, some of our best adult volunteers were part of this program when they were kids.

If you would like some help with your recycling, you can call HOPE Program director, Nina Platt, at 218-437-8431.

Senior News: August 30, 2016

It’s the last day of August with Labor Day and the start of school next week – both marking the end of summer as we know it.  Here at the Argyle HOPE Senior Center, fall means the return of exercise classes when Karen Michalski and Bev Fulks return to lead classes in mid-September.  More on that next week.

As mentioned last week, the Seniors who come to the Thursday Senior Meal play HOPE Bingo the 3^rd week of the month with Senior Bingo following during the 4^th week.   Last week was Senior Bingo where Ethel Safranski won the blackout game.

As for the Senior Meal, last week we enjoyed a meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, cucumbers and rolls, with a cherry cobbler dessert.  Joyce Haugen joined us as a guest and Tom and Judy Yutrzenka once again shared their bountiful harvest in the form of potatoes, carrots, corn and cucumbers.

We continue to have interest in Argyle native, Noel Labine’s, recent book, Lessons Learned Through Chaos and Mayhem from Northwest Minnesota, which can be purchased it at the Argyle HOPE Program office in the Argyle Mall.  As mentioned last week, in addition to this recent book, you can also purchase the two books he published previously – Crossing the Stream and The Arizona Connection.   Again, 7.5% of the purchase price will go to the Argyle HOPE Program.

As we noted last week, we are featuring a different HOPE service each week.  This week we would like to talk about Respite Care – a service where one of our volunteers steps in for caregivers to allow them time to take care of themselves.

If you are responsible for taking care a loved one and feel that you just don’t have time for yourself or you have errands you need to run but don’t want to leave your loved one alone, you can call HOPE Program director, Nina Platt, at 218-437-8431 or stop by the HOPE office to discuss your ongoing need for support.  Taking a break reduces stress and allows us to recharge for future work benefitting both you and your loved one.

Senior News: August 23, 2016

The Argyle Seniors who come to the Thursday Senior Meal play HOPE Bingo the 3^rd week of the month with Senor Bingo following during the 4^th week.   Last week was HOPE Bingo – where there isn’t a cost to play and the prizes are sponsored by the Argyle HOPE Program.  Anita Solum won blackout and collected a prize of a lovely flower arrangement.  This week is Senor Bingo.

Speaking of the Senior Meal, last week we enjoyed a meal of Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, beets, tomatoes and rolls with a wonderful rhubarb dessert.  Betty Loranger contributed to the meal by sharing Snicker candy bars for her birthday celebration.  She wasn’t alone as the Senior Club sang happy birthday to her and Gary Durand – something that they do for all members who attend the Senior Meal.

We’ve had plenty of interest in Argyle native, Noel Labine’s, recent book, Lessons Learned Through Chaos and Mayhem from Northwest Minnesota, which can be purchased it at the Argyle HOPE Program office in the Argyle Mall.  In addition to this recent book, you can also purchase the two books he published previously – Crossing the Stream and The Arizona Connection.   Again, 7.5% of the purchase price will go to the Argyle HOPE Program.

We plan to feature the various services provided by the HOPE Living at Home Program in this column in the coming weeks and would like to start with one that doesn’t get mentioned often – Loans of durable medical equipment including walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and other types of assistive equipment doctors suggest their patients use now and then.  If you or someone you care for has a need for any of this equipment, you are welcome to take what you need on short or long term loan.  We just ask that you bring it back when it is no longer needed.

Go to http://argylehope.com/equipment/ to see photos of the equipment we have available.

We can also help with identifying sources for the purchase of the equipment that you or your family member might need for much longer periods of time.  This includes the equipment mentioned above or other equipment or assistive technology needed.  The human mind and forward advances in technology have made it possible to continue to invent new medical equipment.  If there wasn’t something that fit your need in the past, there may be just the right thing now.

Finally, Mick Rapacz brought in more apples on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 so there may be some left for anyone interested.  Also, as mentioned last week, if you would like to sign up for the Senior Meal at the Argyle Senior Center or would like to learn more about meals on wheels, contact Nina Platt at 218-437-8431 or stop by the HOPE office.

Senior News: August 16, 2016

The Argyle Seniors have been busy this summer with Marshall County Fair activities including serving on the Fair Board, volunteering to run registration and/or submit fair entries in the different premium divisions, and, of course, the selection of Inez Johnson as Marshall County Outstanding Senior Citizen.   While this has all been fun, it is nice to find things a bit slower as we move into the harvest months.

Speaking of harvest, individuals have been bringing in some of their own garden harvest to share with others. Tom & Judy Yutrzenka came to the Senior Meal with beans, corn, cucumbers, beets and onions and promise more in the coming weeks.  Mick Rapacz also shared some early Honey Crisp apples from his trees and says he will have more.  Those of us without gardens (or with spaces too small to plant everything) have been the beneficiaries of their kindness.

Those of you interested in Noel Labine’s recent book, Lessons Learned Through Chaos and Mayhem from Northwest Minnesota, can now purchase it at the Argyle HOPE Program office in the Argyle Mall. If you purchase a copy (or two or three), 7.5% of the purchase price will go to the Argyle HOPE Program to be used in furthering the mission of supporting seniors to live comfortably in their homes instead of moving to an institutional setting.

For those seniors who aren’t aware, the Argyle Seniors host a group meal every Thursday beginning at 11:45am with bingo following the meal on the 3^rd and 4^th weeks of the month.  The meal is supplied by the Stephen Lutheran Social Services (LSS) allowing us to keep the cost of a meal for those over 60 years at a suggested donation of $4.00.  Younger meal participants are asked to pay a suggested donation of $7.25.

These meals are prepared by the cooks at the Stephen Community Center, Christina Donarski and Nona Carl, who don’t disappoint.  Last week 18 seniors enjoyed a delicious baked chicken dinner supplemented with a summer salad shared by Diane Durand.  We also have to mention the wonderful fresh vegetables from Nona Carl’s garden that make up part of each harvest meal.

In addition to the Senior Meal served once per week, the Argyle HOPE Program coordinates with LSS to provide daily meals on wheels delivered by Argyle volunteers – Yvonne Kroll, Olivia Riopelle, Tom Conway, and Mary Smith.  Please thank them for their service to the community when you see them.  These meals are also available for a suggested donation of $4.00.

If you would like to sign up for the Senior Meal at the Center or would like to learn more about meals on wheels, contact Nina Platt at 218-437-8431 or stop by the HOPE office.