Senior Health: 'A Matter of Balance'

Find out about falls – dangerous, predictable and preventable.

Falls are a major cause death for older adults and the leading cause of injury. Falls in older adults are common, dangerous, predictable and preventable so consider taking "A Matter of Balance," an eight-week, two-hour-a-day course at the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montco SAAC).  Classes help participants to: "A Matter of Balance" is a structured group intervention, which uses a variety of activities to address physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting fear of falling and to learn fall prevention strategies. The activities include group discussion, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, videotapes, sharing practical solutions and exercise training. The program will run from May 2 and …

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Sequestration in Montgomery County

Sequestration: A Cut for Montco's Seniors

Part Two of a Four-Part Series: How budget cuts may impact local senior citizens.

Another 24 hours is lost, and Congress has yet to agree on a plan that would stop sequestration. The automated budget cuts will deliver a hit to Montgomery County programs, including those designed to assist area senior citizens. In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, House Speaker John Boehner said the cuts would be a product of Obama's "failed leadership." "Most Americans are just hearing about this Washington creation for the first time: the sequester," Boehner writes in his column. "What they might not realize from Mr. Obama's statements is that it is a product of the president's own failed leadership. There is nothing wrong with cutting spending that much -- we should be cutting even more -- but the sequester is an ugly and dangerous …

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Tai Chi Continues at Timberlake Apartments

Research shows Tai Chi is an effective therapy.

Tai Chi is a form of exercise that guides the body through gentle, flowing poses. Research is showing that Tai Chi may be an effective therapy for improving a person’s ability to walk, move steadily and balance. It may also reduce the chances of a fall. [Web MD] The Timberlake Tai Chi class is held in the beautiful community room. The calming voice of instructor Peter Judd and the relaxing music inspire a peaceful unhurried atmosphere.  It is theorized that the focus on the body’s movements is what produces the beneficial effects. A new session of Tai Chi will be starting Wednesday, March 6 and will run through April 24. Classes will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and cost $45 for the 8 sessions. Preregistration is required. Payment must …

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Montco SAAC presents Healthy Steps at Timberlake

Falls are dangerous for older adults. Learn how to avoid them with Healthy Steps!

The goal of the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montco SAAC) is to keep older adults on their feet and out of the hospital with its Healthy Steps Program. The seminar, held in the Timberlake Apartment Community Room, will take place on Feb. 28, 2013 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. During the morning session, Healthy Steps focuses on preventing falls, looking at common factors that contribute to home mishaps, such as irregular eating, medication side effects, and home hazards. The afternoon focuses on the individual, evaluating physical skills, strength training and foot care. The program wraps up with a take home action plan. After a four-week period, follow up calls will be made to participants encouraging …

Montco SAAC Creates Holiday Ornaments for the State Capitol Tree

Natural ornaments were made by SAAC members to contribute to the State Capitol tree.

Every year senior center participants throughout Pennsylvania are asked to create and donate ornaments for the Capitol tree located in the Main Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa. The tree is located in the rotunda from Dec. 4 throught the holiday season.

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SAAC Adult Day Services Celebrate National Long Term Care Month and National Family Caregivers Week

SAAC Day Services thank caregivers and spread the word about National Long Term Care month.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montco SAAC) Adult Day Services are celebrating National Long Term Care Month with an open house on Monday Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a family luncheon on Nov. 27 at 11:30 a.m. The Adult Day Services are located on the Chain Street side of the SAAC building at 536 George Street. The Adult Day Services provide a structured program of activities and daily exercise, encouraging social interaction with peers for individuals who can no longer stay by themselves. Coordinator Rondi Bedor, RN, explains, "This program serves a dual purpose. It offers the attendees an opportunity to interact with a peer group while participating in mentally stimulating and enjoyable activities in a …

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Tai Chi at Timberlake Continues

Tai Chi is good for flexibibity, balance and coordination. Classes run for Nov. 28 to Dec. 19 and Jan. 9 to Feb. 27.

Two new sessions of Tai Chi will be offered at Timberlake Apartments, one during and one after the holidays. Just as the stress and overeating of the holiday season are creeping up on us, we can look to Tai Chi for a respite. The list of benefits that regular practice of Tai Chi can bring is long, according to advocates. It can improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Some research also suggests that Tai Chi may help to improve heart function and decrease blood pressure. According to Web MD, one of the most significant benefits is stress reduction. The Timberlake Tai Chi class, a satellite program of Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montco SAAC), is run by instructor Peter Judd. The lovely community room…

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Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Oct. 15; Examine Your Options with APPRISE

Make sure your Medicare plan is still the best one for you. Learn about the program at Montco SAAC.

The Medicare open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and RSVP volunteers from the APPRISE program are preparing to educate recipients and new consumers of their Medicare and health coverage choice options. Counselors will be at Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center (Montco SAAC) every Tuesday through the open enrollment period to meet with seniors by appointment. The open enrollment period offers beneficiaries the option of keeping or changing Medicare coverage. It also offers Medicare plans the opportunity to change coverage, as well as their lists of doctors or medications. At this time it is especially important to check the changes to your plan and make sure it is still the best plan for you. In addition to their understanding…

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Montco SAAC Hosts Health Fair

Focus on senior health and wellness with Montco SAAC.

Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center’s Annual Health Fair will be held Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the community center at 536 George Street in Norristown. The health fair is organized every year to allow patrons to discover the many services available to senior citizens an in many cases to compare providers. Admission is free. Attendees can park in the lot. This year the center will be expanding the scope of the yearly Health Fair to include more services, testing and information than ever. Be there from 9:30 a.m. to noon as a wide variety of service providers and social service personnel help you find just the products and help you need. Already scheduled are blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests and a variety of …

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