Page 6 - NBY December 2020 Issue
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                                    “Pandemic Changes”                           2 2 2 2 2 2
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                          “Senior Moments” by Jan Fowler
                          “Senior Moments” by Jan Fowler                         2 2 2 2 2
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                          “Senior Moments” by Jan Fowler
                          “Senior Moments” by Jan Fowler
                          “Senior Moments” by Jan Fowler
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                                        d Winning Columnist
                                        d Winning Columnist
                                        d Winning Columnist
                                A A A A Aww ww warar arar ard Winning Columnistd Winning Columnist  2 2 2 2 2 2
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                                                   Many of us already know of an
                              Submitted by  older person who may be isolated and
                               Jan Fowler   feeling lonely.  Here are some suggested
            Jan Fowler                      ways to outreach to them to help them
                                            remain connected while quarantining.
         The coronavirus has dramatically          We can easily bring an older person
       changed how we work, play, think, and  good cheer either in person or by phone,
       learn.  Not only have schools and    by calling them once or twice a day at
       universities shut down, but sports   pre-arranged times so they can have that
       activities have been called off, travel  phone call to look forward to. It also
       plans have been cancelled for millions,  helps if we take an interest in whatever
       symphonies and theater are no longer  happens to be on their mind and is
       performed live, and families are     important to them to talk about.
       disrupted by the deaths of loved ones       Since we live in a zoom society, if
       because the virus has spread to nearly  we are computer savvy and know of an
       every continent in the world.        adult who is not, why not show that
             The odds of developing Covid-19  person how to send and receive a live
       increase with age so people over sixty are  connection on their electronic device,
       encouraged to stay home. But staying  including their cell phone, so they can
       home can lead to depression. And while  have the enjoyment of seeing family
       social distancing and                            members who are distant?
       quarantining are necessary to                           When feasible, we can
       slow the spread of the                           invite a senior who is
       coronavirus, we mustn’t let                      living alone to join us on a
       such measures lead to social                     walk or even a short ride
       and emotional isolation for                      around town.  We can
       this high-risk group.                            always offer to take them
             As we deal with this                       through a drive-through
       evolving pandemic, it’s                          for a milkshake or french
       important to remain aware of                     fries, then head for a park
       the devastating effects of                       where the food can be
       isolation and loneliness                         enjoyed.
       among men and women who                                 Showing someone         Facts Related to December
       live alone.  In fact, studies have proven  how to watch an online event, such as
       that people in retirement die 45% sooner  sports, music, and book clubs can give  DECEMBER Birthstone is turquoise, a symbol of good fortune and success.  The
       if they’re lonely, which is why the  them a lift. We might also invite them to  birth flower is holly and the paperwhite (a relative of the daffodil).
       loneliness epidemic has been receiving so  join us in a game of cards, scrabble,  Historically speaking, December 14, 1807 was the first documented meteorite
       much attention these days.           checkers, etc. Or even allow them to   recorded in the New World, near Connecticut. Fragments still exist in the oldest
             We are all living longer lives thanks  reminisce by sharing a photo album with  meteorite collection, housed at Yale University.
       to space-age medicine, improved diet, and  us.                                  December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Hawaiian U.S. Naval
       exercise.  And according to the medical       Social isolation and loneliness of  base was attacked by Japanese fighter planes and submarines in 1942, launching the
       community, we tend to eat better, sleep  older adults present a serious public  United States into World War II.
       better, and think better when we’re not  health risk. It is by bringing people of  Decmeber 10 - the Jewish Hanukkah begins in the evening and ends in the evening
       feeling deeply lonely.  Shared love and  different generations together in order to  of December 18.  A candle holder known as a Menorah signifies the 8 day ritual.
                                                                                     December 25 is the Christian day of celebration for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
       laughter are keys to wellness.       integrate the energies of a combined     December 26 to January 1 celebrates Kwanzaa, an African-american feast of faith
             It has been proven that loneliness  community.                        and gift-giving. Seven candles in a ‘kinara’ symbolize the seven principles.
       can weaken the immune system, raise                                           December 26 is celebrated in the United Kingdom as Boxing Day. Although,
       blood pressure, put us at risk for heart  Jan Fowleris author of the best-selling book,  sounds like a good day to box up all of the holiday decor, it started by sitting out
       attack and stroke, lead to depression, and  “Hot Chocolate for Seniors”(winner of   na-  metal boxes to collect items and money for the poor.
       contribute to the onset of dementia. Once  tional & international awards); winner of Gold
       upon a time, marriage was the norm for  Halo Award from the So.California Motion Pic-
       adults in America, but now single people  ture Council for Outstanding Literary Achieve-
       outnumber marrieds so here is another  ment; winner of First Place Excellence in Jour-
       reason why loneliness is prevalent.   nalism Award (SPJ –Southern CA); Town &
             Nowadays families tend to be split  Gown “Phenomenal Woman”Award; former
       apart geographically and scattered all  television host & KSPA radio host of “Senior
                                             Living at its Best with Jan Fowler”; speaker;
       over the world. So, though it may help  founder of Starburst Inspirations, Inc. 501(c)
       when adult children make efforts to stay  (3) nonprofit which supports Redlands Drug
       virtually connected to their aging parents,  Court.      www.janfowler.com.  Jan welcomes
       social media or zooming are not nearly as  feedback and comments about her columns
       personal as receiving a hug from a live  and invites you to leave her a message on  Lilly  - Turquoise  - Paperwhites
       person.                               her     website      or      email
                                             janfowlerusa@yahoo.com.

        6                                                                                                                               December 2020
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