RSVP Newsletter February 2016 February 2017 Keeping Up With RSVP Have you finally stopped writing 2016 on your checks? Are you sticking to your resolutions? This issue is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals for the new year. Plus, take note – March is National Nutrition Month! Volunteering is a great way to help others but it’s also good for you. Studies show that volunteering can help reduce depression, lessen chronic pain and give your brain a boost. You may even live longer! Come to our next Open House Wednesday, March 8, at 11 am at ARC headquarters to learn about the exciting volunteer opportunities available with Metro Atlanta RSVP. Find out how volunteering can help improve your life and outlook. ARC is located at 40 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta. For more information contact us at volunteer@atlantaregional.com. Are You Interested in Volunteering? Do you have a passion for educating and empowering others? Consider joining us as an RSVP volunteer! A Check Up for the New Year When was the last time you had your annual physical? It’s a good idea to schedule your visit early in the year so that you don’t forget to go. It’s also important to plan your visit. Following are some tips:
For more help, here are some worksheets to assist you with planning doctor visits. (Source: nia.nih.gov) Watch Out for These New Scams! Scammers are always looking for new ways to confuse and take advantage of older adults. It’s important to stay aware of new tricks and schemes. Here are three that you should know about:
Visit NCOA.org for more information and tips. (source: NCOA.org) You Are What You EatBrain Food We’ve all heard the phrase ‘brain food,” but did you know that certain foods really do have an impact on your brain function? Here are some foods to avoid, with replacement suggestions:
(Source: nextavenue.org) The Smart Brain Diet Here is a diet designed to minimize your risk of dementia. It’s called MIND, and is based on the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association Diet.
Click here for more info on the diet! (Source: cbsnews.com) Try This Delicious Recipe - Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Ingredients
Directions Bring the broth and garlic to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the garlic clove and scrape the quinoa into a large bowl. Gently stir the chicken, onion, bell pepper, spinach, olives, feta cheese, parsley, chives, and salt into the quinoa. Drizzle with the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Stir until evenly mixed. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold. (Source: allrecipes.com) Make Fitness a Part of Every Day One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more…but University of Scranton research suggests that just 8% of people achieve their goals. Go4Life is a program from the National Institute on Aging, designed to help you make fitness a part of your everyday life. Gym memberships can be expensive and a hassle, but Go4Life can help you work out wherever you are, in whatever amount of time you have. There is no such thing as being too out of shape to start. Go4Life has tips for beginners too. Do you have a bad knee or a bad hip? Don’t worry – you can still stay fit. First Step: Determine your fitness level. Think about how active you are and test your fitness with some easy activities. Second Step: Find an activity that you like such as ancing, gardening or playing with your dog or your grandchildren. Third Step: Be active in small periods of time every day. Five minutes here, 10 minutes there can make a difference. Parking at the far end of the parking lot and walking counts. Remember to check with your doctor before beginning any fitness program. Need some help setting goals and keeping track? HERE are some worksheets for short- and long-term goals! (Source: nia.nih.gov) Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Follow These Tips for Winter Warmth & Safety The Atlanta Area Agency on Aging is a good source of information about available community programs that help eligible older adults with heating costs. Atlanta area residents can contact Agewise Connection at 404-463-3333 to ask about LIHEAP -- the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federally funded program helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters pay heating bills. Depending on where you live and eligibility, your local energy supplier will receive a one-time payment to cover your home-heating costs. Be mindful that there is an application deadline for assistance. Meet Our Volunteer of the MonthInuka MidhaInuka has been a volunteer with RSVP since 2012, focusing on the diabetes and clinical preventive services presentations. She works closely with refugee and non-English speaking communities in Clarkston and in Gwinnett County (in addition to Hindi, she speaks several other languages). She will be now be working with the Gwinnett Council for Seniors to support the RSVP Program in Gwinnett. A visiting assistant professor at Emory University since 2009, Inuka works with undergraduate global health students to form collaborations with refugee and immigrant resettlement agencies, community organizations, the state of Georgia and local health departments. She conducts health workshops in these communities to better understand culture specific barriers and shares health information to the communities involved to increase their self-awareness of specific health issues. Inuka has received numerous awards including two University Gold Medals from the University of Delhi,India; All India Junior and Senior Research Fellowship; a post doctoral fellowship from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and, most recently, the highly prestigious 2013 Open Society Award by the Society for Public Health Education. We are most fortunate to have someone with her unique and valuable skills working with RSVP! Upcoming Volunteer Training Sessions – Sign Up Today! Registration required. Contact mnewton@atlantaregional.com. All classes take place at ARC Headquarters, 40 Courtland Street, NE.
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