Healing for Seniors

By Karen E. Mortenson, C.M.T. Advance Health Massage Center

Did you know massage greatly benefits people who suffer from spinal stenosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a host of other illnesses and injuries?

Many seniors who are suffering with these conditions are unaware that massage therapy can offer them better quality of life.

If you have injury or illness affecting muscle, what do you do to bring health back to the injured area? What do doctors advise? Usually not massage, but more often physical therapy, which constitutes exercising and stretching the weakened area. How many people have not found physical therapy beneficial or healing by itself?

I believe muscle, which enters protective mode when injured or ill, must be soothed,
strengthened and re-educated. My clients are proof that health can be achieved even after decades of problems.

Although I do deep tissue work, I do it without inflicting pain or stress to the tissue and I don’t watch a clock. If massage is the appropriate therapy, by the third session we will know if healing is taking place.

Without continuity to massage, sessions are always “first sessions.” Approaching healing in that manner is a waste of your money. That is why I schedule three lengthy therapy sessions at a time.

Since my practice is about health, and I believe health must be affordable, my fees are
more than reasonable. Please call if you think I can help. References are available.

Advance Health Massage Center, 908-233-4997.

Senior Spirit

Senior Spirit Adult Medical Day Centers are committed to serving the needs of our community’s senior and disabled populations. Senior Spirit offers a variety of services, including medical care, social services, balanced meals and engaging activities. Social events, field trips and activities are structured around the philosophy that companionship and an active lifestyle can enhance the effects of quality medical care. Services are 100 percent covered by Medicaid. Private pay and insurance are also accepted.

Senior Spirit is proud to announce the opening of their brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Roselle Park.

Senior Spirit, 908-620-1889; www.seniorspiritdaycenter.com.

Mental Exercise

Most people start losing their car keys soon after they learn how to drive, but it’s only when they reach middle age that adults begin regarding forgetfulness as anything more than a passing annoyance. They worry that it’s the first telltale symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

For the vast majority, there’s no cause for alarm. While it’s true that our memories lose some sharpness once we pass our 40TH birthday, there’s a lot we can do preserve our mental agility. Research has highlighted a number of techniques that can produce significant gains in memory and information processing.

Try something new. Puzzles, riddles, chess are all good brain teasers, but the key is to try something new. If you’re a crossword puzzle fanatic, try bridge. Even rearranging the photos on your desk or taking a different route to work can strengthen the connections between brain cells.

Act on your creative impulses. We all have poetry in our souls. Take the time to express it. Explore your artistic side by taking up photography or learning how to play an instrument.

Write it down. The act of writing something down or talking aloud helps lock it in your memory. Keep a small notebook handy to write down the things you want to keep in mind.

If your mental exercises tire you out, so much the better. Scientists have shown that sleep helps consolidate learning that takes place during the day. So if you want to try to remember something, recall it before you settle in for the night and then sleep on it.

Sunrise Senior Living is the nation’s largest provider of senior living services. Sunrise currently operates 420 communities in the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom with a combined capacity for more than 52,000 residents. Sunrise also now has 38 communities under construction in these countries with a combined capacity for over 3,900 residents. Sunrise offers a full range of personalized senior living services, including independent living, assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss, as well as nursing and rehabilitative care.

To learn more about Sunrise Senior Living and receive a free online newsletter, visit
www.sunriseseniorliving.com. Sunrise has two facilities in Union County: Brighton Gardens of Mountainside, 1350 Route 22 West, Mountainside, 908-654-4460; Sunrise of Westfield, 240 Springfield Ave., Westfield, 908-317-3030.

Free Tax Help for Seniors

SAGE Eldercare, a community resource providing services for the elderly, is pleased to announce free income tax assistance to senior citizens living in SAGE’s service area of Union, Essex, Morris or Somerset counties.

John McDonnell, a trained volunteer counselor of the AARP Tax Aide Program, will be at SAGE Eldercare, 290 Broad St., Summit on Thursdays beginning Feb. 16 through April 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling Ellen McNally, SAGE InfoCare director, at 908-598-5509. As space is limited, seniors are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Participants should bring copies of appropriate materials including real estate tax bills, social security statements, W-2 forms, 1099 forms and last year’s tax return.

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