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1777-A Capitola Road, Santa Cruz 95062 www.seniornetworkservices.org A Nonprofit Community Agency Santa Cruz County's Official Information & Assistance Provider call: 831-462-1433 email: info@seniornetworkservices.org Unbiased, No Cost Medicare Counseling Santa Cruz call: 831-462-5510 San Benito call: 831-637-0630 email: hicap@seniornetworkservices.org Shared Housing I Housing Navigation I Home Help call: 831-462-6788 email: housing@seniornetworkservices.org Respite Registry I Respite Grants call: 831-462-0880 email: respite@seniornetworkservices.org SENIOR NETWORK SERVICES Mackenzies...continued from page 1 Senior Outreach peer-counselors (55+) provide in-home counseling free of charge to adults 55 and older residing in Santa Cruz County. As we age, transitions can sometimes be painful and hard to adjust to. It may be helpful to talk to someone near your own age to help work through the issues at hand. Peer-counselors bring their lived experience and counseling skills as they support their clients through grief, loss, loneliness, change in independence, illness, relocation, family conflicts, situational depression, access to resources, and other age-related issues in a safe and confidential environment. There is someone who will REALLY listen to you. PLEASE CALL 831-459-9351 SENIOR OUTREACH (a program of Family Service Agency of the Central Coast) WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME SOMEONE REALLY LISTENED TO YOU? Leave a message for a call back within 24 hours. Contributed Photo while the shop is closed. Ian and Mary Rose greatly appreciate their loyal and longstanding staff member Juan Garcia, who plays a key role in the manu- facturing. "He has been with us for over 18 years," says Mary Rose. "He is responsible for the bulk of our beautifully decorated items. He is also the only employee we have." Until 2020, Mackenzies had more employees and was open longer hours. Like many small business- es, the pandemic had a big effect on the shop. "Ob- taining the raw ingredients and packaging has been a large challenge since COVID," says Ian. There are many reasons Ian and Mary Rose enjoy operating Mackenzies. "It's rewarding seeing the smiles on children's faces and hearing the excite- ment as they view the dozens of small chocolate animals and figures," says Ian. "The handprints on the glass cases are testi- mony to that!" adds Mary Rose. They also appre- ciate receiving positive feedback from customers. Frequent comments have included the quality of their products and service, and that people enjoy be- ing served by the owners. Indeed, the fact that Mackenzies is family- owned-and-run brings a special quality to the atmosphere. And photos on the walls include baby pictures of Ian and Mary Rose's son, daughter, and nephew "covered in choc- olate by their Grandma Mackenzie." Some Mackenzies customers, and former staff, are multiple gen- erations of the same family. For example, long ago a young girl used to roller-skate into the store to buy goodies. When she grew up and got married, she came to Macken- zies to get custom-made wedding favors. Now, she sometimes visits the store with her own children. "We have also hired past employees' children to work in our store," says Ian. Contact information/ website: (831) 425-1492, 1492 Soquel Ave. (at the corner of Frederick St.), Santa Cruz, Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Website: https://macken- zieschocolates.com/ Contributed Photos Contributed Photo Arthritis in the feet and ankles can produce swell- ing and pain, deformity, loss of joint function and loss of mobility. Whereas previous generations had to accept this as a normal part of aging, an explosion of new therapies and sur- gical treatments is offering patients today both hope and relief. For best results however, foot and ankle surgeons urge early inter- vention. "When it comes to arthritis, it's important not to tough out symptoms or bear the pain," says Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow member of the Ameri- can College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). "Earlier treatment is not just about alleviating symptoms sooner. In many cases, we can even slow the progression of the symptoms, and use less invasive procedures to treat the condition than we would otherwise." Understanding the early warning signs of arthritis, the progression of differ- ent forms of the disease and the new treatments available are important for getting the proper treat- ment and managing your symptoms. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degen- erative condition charac- terized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. One common area where osteoarthritis occurs is the big toe. The big toe makes it possible for you to walk and run upright, absorb- ing forces equal to nearly twice your body weight when walking. With all it endures, it's no surprise that overuse can erode cartilage, causing serious pain and even physical deformities. Nevertheless, many people confuse big toe arthritis, also known as hallux rigidus, with bunions. Early signs of hallux rigidus include pain and stiffness during use, or during cold, damp weather, difficulty with activities like running and squatting, and swelling and inflammation around the joint. Additional symptoms may develop over time, including pain during rest, bone spurs, limping, and dull pain in the hip, knee or lower back due to changes in gait. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a foot and ankle surgeon. Conservative treatments like shoe modifications, orthotic devices and physical therapy, may prevent or postpone the need for surgery. If you have mid- to end-stage arthritis in your foot or ankle, you may require next steps, such as ground-breaking cartilage regeneration treatment, implant surgery or the surgical removal of dam- aged cartilage and spurs, all of which have quick recovery periods. "People with this disor- der tend to suffer much longer than they need to," says Dr. Butto. "They're often pleasantly surprised when they find out their problem can be fixed." Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthri- tis (RA) is a disease in which certain cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints. Foot problems caused by RA commonly occur in the ball of the foot near the toes, although RA can also affect other areas of the foot and ankle. The most common signs and symptoms are pain, swell- ing, joint stiffness and difficulty walking, as well as a range of deformities, including rheumatoid nodules, dislocated toe joints, hammertoes, bun- ions, heel pain, Achilles tendon pain and flatfoot ankle pain. As part of a team that includes a primary doctor or rheumatologist, your foot and ankle surgeon will develop a treatment plan aimed at relieving as- sociated pain, which may include orthotic devices, accommodative shoes, aspiration of fluid build- up and steroid injections. When RA produces foot pain and deformities not relieved through other treatments, surgery may be required. "Listening to your body and seeing a foot and ankle surgeon are so important. With today's scientific advances, treatment can reduce pain and restore you to your previous mobility, strength and functionality," says Dr. Butto. For more information on foot and ankle arthri- tis or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts. org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Pain in Your Foot or Ankle? It Could Be Ar thritis By Statepoint Staras / iStock via Getty Images Plus