Lake Country Weekend Post

MILWAUKEE — Cancer and obesity are the top health concerns for Wis- consinites, according to a report released Monday by Aurora Health Care. The most recent Quar- terly Health of Wisconsin Report found 23 percent of those surveyed feel cancer is their greatest health concern, a finding that matched national senti- ment, according to the Aurora report. The second greatest health concern for Wis- consinites is obesity, the survey found. Nearly 20 percent cited obesity as a concern, compared to just 13 percent nationally. Women were more likely then men to cite concerns about obesity. According to the most recent Center for Disease Controls Self-Reported Obesity Report in 2014, nearly 30 percent of the state's population is obese. Other findings of the Aurora report included: Wisconsinites are less likely to consider their current lifestyle healthy compared to the rest of the nation, 68 percent to 75 percent. Fewer Wisconsin resi- dents set annual health and wellness goals as com- pared to the rest of the nation, 57 percent versus 62 percent. With 19 percent using one, Wisconsinites are also slower to use health- related apps currently using digital fitness track- ers like MapMyRun, etc., versus 24 percent nation- wide 63 percent of men in Wisconsin believe they exercise enough to live a healthy lifestyle, com- pared to only 50 percent of women. Women are likely to be moderately to extreme- ly stressed when com- pared to men, both nation- ally, 28 percent versus 18 percent, and in Wisconsin, 31 percent versus 21 per- cent. Men believe they do a better job managing their stress, both nationally, 41 percent of men versus 24 percent of women, and in Wisconsin, 36 percent of men compared to 26 per- cent of women. — Enterprise Staff Report: Cancer, obesity top health concerns in Wisconsin By Karen Pilarski Special to the Enterprise MILWAUKEE — We are made up of lifelong memo- ries and stories, that is what makes us different and unique. As we age, things change, especially memory and stamina. We can't run or think as fast as we did when we were younger. According to Dr. Piero Antuono, neurologist at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, "These are normal age related changes. As we grow older, we don't lose our memory, it may take us longer to analyze and store information such as facts and numbers. We can still do it, we are just easily dis- tracted." Mild cognitive impair- ment is isolated to short term memory that does not initially alter daily activi- ties such as working, dress- ing and driving. Approxi- mately 50 percent of patients with MCI will develop Alzheimer's dis- ease. People with MCI are aware of what is happening with this, in contrast to people with dementia. Antuono said: "With dementia, they forget that they are forgetting. There is a sense of content because they are not aware of severity of the deficit." Antuono explains that physical activity and cogni- tive stimulation are the strongest tools to potential- ly delay progression. Optimize program "Optimize: Your Brain and Body Health" is an eight-week course offered through Froedtert & the Medical College of Wiscon- sin for people with mild cognitive impairment to minimize its progression. The Optimize program was created in 2013 by Beth Meyer-Arnold, a partner at Cygnet Innovations Group and former director of adult day care service at Luther Manor; and Lyn Geboy, an environmental gerontologist at Cygnet Innovations Group LLC. Geboy doesn't want peo- ple to be labeled as "patients." She said the per- son is still a whole individ- ual, not his or her disease. In fact, participants of the program are called 'The Optimizers.' According to Geboy, there are four principles of the program: Physical exercise is good for the brain; Learning new ideas; Socialization; New experiences. Session activities include puzzles, group activities that require association and reminiscing. "Interac- tion helps keep the brain healthy," said Geboy. During the program Opti- mizers create, observe and discuss art. Geboy said: "Homework is given for participants to visit a museum and respond to art. They come to the next session ready to discuss it. Art improves quality of life." She said the program gives participants a sense of purpose. Meet the Optimizers Eighty-year-old Gary Peterson was diagnosed with MCI. Gary and 79- year-old Jan Peterson of Cedarburg have found many advantages of Opti- mize. The program allows the Petersons to meet interest- ing people while working on different functions of the brain. Jan said, "Every week has some exercise time to promote balance, blood circulation, strength and flexibility. There is an art element to sessions." Optimize creates oppor- tunities for socialization and a companion class for care partners. Geboy prefers that term over care- giver. "Care partners are not caregivers," she said. "It suggests care is a one way street. Partners share in decision making together." During sessions the care partners meet and discuss how other people handle problems that arise. "It is not just spouses but fathers, brothers, sister-in- laws; we learn about differ- ent circumstances and viewpoints," said Jan. Care partners help each other, develop coping strategies, and build enriching friend- ships. Gary has taken the pro- gram's advice to heart and made changes in his lifestyle. He stopped driv- ing after hearing a lecture from a program speaker. While the transition was hard at first, he is happy to share how he overcame the change. Gary said: "My wife has adapted well to taking over the driving responsibilities. There are people who have more diffi- culty with it. There was a stroke survivor who dis- cussed having trouble com- ing to terms with giving up driving. " Program facilitators encourage participants to take up a new hobby. Gary said: "We were asked, is there something we always wanted to do?" His new hobby included brewing his own beer at home. Results of the program The Petersons give much credit to the facilitators of the group sessions, "The RENEW sessions, in partic- ular, were so well done by Beth Meyer-Arnold and Lyn Geboy. They are so committed and concerned." Having MCI doesn't have to interfere with daily activities. For Gary Peter- son, his short-term memo- ry has not improved, but it is not worse. He said, "I can still do things around the house such as cutting grass and other chores." Even after the program, Peterson is still a diligent student. He laughs, "Exer- cise certainly hasn't hurt. I have the exercises on my computer to work on." For people contemplating the program, Gary said, "Do it. If you keep the brain active, act social and have a healthy diet, it is powerful." Jan Peterson found action is more impactful than inaction. She said. "Our feeling is it is better do it. Don't sit back and do nothing. We wanted to take control our lives." Optimize program counters memory loss, enriches participants' lives Submitted photo Gary Peterson of Cedarburg takes the Optimize program to heart. He started a new hobby of brewing beer at home. Metro Editorial Many people take advan- tage of nice weather by exer- cising in the great outdoors. Some might skip the tread- mill at the gym in favor of running at the park, while others join recreational sports leagues for some exer- cise and fun in the sun. But exercising outdoors carries its share of risk. Unlike gyms where machin- ery clearly advises members about proper form and warns against lifting exces- sive weight, Mother Nature comes with no such warning labels. As a result, it's up to men and women to make injury prevention a priority when taking their exercise routine outside. The follow- ing are a handful of preven- tive measures that can help exercise enthusiasts avoid injury as they attempt to get or stay fit in the great out- doors. Study the terrain. Part of the danger of exer- cising outdoors is that, unlike a gym fitted with machines designed for the sole purpose of exercise, nature's terrain is unpre- dictable. Safety features you take for granted at the gym, such as padded floors, are nonexistent outdoors. In addition, certain areas in nature might not be suitable to all athletes. For example, mountain biking is a popu- lar sport, but not all moun- tain biking trails are the same. Some trails are ideal for beginners, while others are best ridden by more sea- soned riders. When your outdoor exercise regimen will be taking you off the beaten path, be sure you know the terrain before you start your workout. Speak with fellow outdoor enthusi- asts about which trails or courses are best for someone of your skill level and adhere to their recommen- dations. When exercising on a trail for the first time, bring a friend along so some- one can go get help should an accident happen. Stay hydrated. Dehy- dration is another cause of injury when athletes exer- cise in the great outdoors. Gyms have water fountains that allow members to take a drink of water when they're thirsty. That water can help prevent dehydration, which can be painful and greatly increase your risk of injury. When exercising outdoors, be sure to bring along enough water so you can stay hydrated regardless of how far away from civiliza- tion you may find yourself. Honestly assess your abilities. When exercising outdoors, it's easy to overdo it. Warm air and sunshine have a way of encouraging athletes to prolong their workout routines or push themselves a little harder. But pushing yourself past your limits can considerably increase your risk of injury. While it's easy to stay within your limits when exercising indoors, where the environ- ment may encourage you to cut a workout short rather than extend it, it's easy to overextend yourself out- doors when the weather is nice. So it's important for men and women to make an honest assessment of their abilities before beginning an outdoor exercise regimen. Once you know what your body can and can't handle, you can tailor your outdoor workout to one that makes the most of nice weather without putting your health at risk. Don't challenge Moth- er Nature. One of the biggest risks with regard to exercising outdoors is the tendency some athletes have to ignore the elements. Avoid working out in espe- cially cold or hot weather, as such conditions are not con- ducive to exercise. Extreme weather also reduces the number of people outside, which means there won't be as many people around to help you if you suffer an injury, lose your way or need help with your gear. Exercis- ing outdoors is a great way to enjoy nice weather, but limit such workouts to those times of year when tempera- tures are most conducive to outdoor activity. Working out in the great outdoors is a great way to make the most of a beautiful day. But athletes must still take certain precautionary measures to reduce their risk of injury when exercis- ing outdoors. How to prevent injury when exercising outdoors Installed Tax Included $ 895 • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from • Lifetime Warranty • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 16'x7', 25 Gauge . . . 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