Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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SENIOR CORNER Older Adults May Need Help to Stay Mentally Fit by MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY You've probably heard the phrase "use it or lose it." As it turns out, it's more than just a cliché. Research confi rms it's true. A study in Psychological Medicine found that individuals with high "brain reserve" have a 46 percent decreased risk of dementia as compared to those with low brain reserve. What is brain reserve, you ask? Well, it looks at how mentally stimulating pursuits can prevent cognitive decline. And more good news — the study pointed out that even a late-life surge in mental activity can ward off the effects of dementia. So what are today's seniors doing to keep mentally fi t? Many have said goodbye to traditional games such as bingo. They're gravitating more to group activities such as Scrabble® and bridge tournaments. According to the latest studies, it all helps. Here are some suggestions to help seniors keep their minds active. • Video Action: Interactive video games have become popular for family members of all ages. Some games, such as Nintendo's Brain Age, and the Wii home video-game system, may be particularly good for stimulating seniors' minds. • Computer Savvy Not Required: Seniors can start playing Solitaire, a variety of other computer games or joining an online bridge game. • Organize Game Night: Board or card games offer a great avenue for mind stimulation. Encourage your senior loved one to get a few friends together to join in the fun. • The Magic of Music: Many seniors were avid musicians in earlier years and some may still have instruments in their homes. Ask them to play you a tune or challenge them to learn an instrument. • Tournament Fun: Bridge and Scrabble tournaments for seniors are springing up around the country. Check with the local senior center to learn of any activities in your area, or encourage your older adult to join a bridge group. • Think Big: Large-piece jigsaw and large-type crossword and Sudoku puzzles are great pastimes for seniors who need a mind-stimulating activity when they're alone. • Out and About: Most communities have concerts, lectures and other pursuits that can interest seniors and their families. If your loved one is able to get out, consider activities such as these. • In the News: Many seniors maintain their interest in politics and current events. For their next birthday (or another special date), why not renew a subscription, regular — or large print if needed, to a newspaper or popular news magazine. Or, you can organize a news-discussion group. • Just the Two of You: When it's just you and your senior loved one, remember there are more things you can do than just watching television. For instance, Hasbro Inc. — the largest U.S. game company — has introduced three fast versions of classic board games: Monopoly® Express, Scrabble® Express and Sorry!® Express. They don't take long to play. • Companionship Counts: Companionship is an important part of stimulating seniors' minds. If your senior has no one to spend time with, consider hiring a companion — such as a Home Instead CAREGiver. • Guided Conversations: Purchasing Top Mind-Game Activities For Seniors Based upon 17 years of experience serving thousand of clients around the world, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network suggests the following activities as great mind–sharpening exercises for seniors: • Scrabble® • Bridge • Crossword Puzzles • Dominos • Jigsaw Puzzles • Word Searches • Sudoku Puzzles • Card Games • Video Games items that prompt topics of discussion such as Caring Cards™. This set of cards was produced by Dr. Amy Inc, a leader in caregiver wellness. Caring Cards™ features more than 50 questions on a wide range of topics to help engage seniors in meaningful conversations and keep those conversations going. Contact Home Instead Senior Care for more information. During these winter months of limited outdoor activity, focusing on mental stimulation can produce healthy results as well as fi ll many hours with enjoyable activities. FTCC Provides Affordable, High Quality Education by HARPER SHACKELFORD Are you considering going back to school? Many jobs are skill specifi c and without the right education it can be diffi cult to break into the job fi eld of your dreams. Today, many high-paying jobs list a community college education as the foundation for entering into positions requiring specialized skills. This is good news because your neighbor, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), has more 120 exciting programs to choose from — and at an affordable cost! As with all new endeavors, you are probably wondering if you can afford to attend school. The cost to attend FTCC is affordable, and Fayetteville Tech also offers fi nancial aid. In fact, the annual cost for tuition and fees to attend FTCC is approximately $1,686. Students who are interested in pursuing a four-year degree can use FTCC as a stepping stone to take their fi rst two years of study and then transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the fi nal two years. It's not only a smart way to earn a four- year degree, but it's also a smart way to get a solid foundation on your education. Below are some of the major funding programs available to students at FTCC: • Pell Grant: This is a major United States government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is in school. • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These are low-interest loans made by the DOE to students who do not qualify for a subsidized loan. Unlike the subsidized loan, the DOE does not pay the interest on this loan. Loan interest accrues as long as the student is in school. Six months after the last date of school attendance, the student must begin making payments to pay back the loan. This represents a quick overview of some of the major sources of educational funding available to students. Why not get started on a new career path today? To get started, there are two important steps that must be accomplished: 1. Apply for Admissions: Go to the FTCC website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/. On the lefthand side of the page, click on Getting Started. You will be able to access the online admissions application at this location, and you can also see other items you may need to accomplish. 2. Apply for Financial Aid: Go to The Federal Student Aid website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. As you fi ll out this application for fi nancial aid, you will To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Technical Community College also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. Entitlement available to qualifi ed applicants. The maximum amount available is $5,500.00. • Scholarships: Scholarships are a popular form of fi nancial assistance because the money from scholarships does not have to be paid back. Qualifi cations and award amounts from scholarships vary. • Federal Direct Subsidized Loans: The Department of Education (DOE) offers this loan to students who demonstrate fi nancial need. Students must pay back this money once school attendance has stopped. However, the federal WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM be asked to provide the FTCC school code. The FTCC school code is 007640. FTCC offers many programs of study leading to the awards of diploma, certifi cate, and associate degree. To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Tech also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. With the start of the new year, we invite you to invite FTCC into your life to help you achieve new skills, enhance your existing skills or help you change to a completely new career path. The choice is yours, and the opportunities awaiting you are endless. Learn more about FTCC at www.faytechcc.edu. HARPER SHAKELFORD, FTCC Dean of Student Enrollment, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Stephanie@ upandcomingweekly.com JANUARY 18-24, 2012 UCW 11 MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY Owners of Home Instead Senior Care, COMMENTS? Stephanie@ upandcomingweekly.com