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Playing The Game

Baseball Game

Again we have watched Baseball’s World Series. Even if the outcome was not what we wished it is still a great event.

Goose GoslinMany years ago one of the most amazing games in the series was played. In 1924 the World Series between the New York Giants and the Washington Senators was tied after six games. Griffith stadium in Washington was packed for the final game on October 10, 1924. They came to the ninth inning with the game score tied at three runs each. New York was put down in order and Washington came to bat. The home team fans screamed for one lone run, which would win the series and the world championship. The first two men made outs and it looked like extra innings. Then a player named Leon “Goose” Goslin came to the plate.

Two strikes were called and then two balls. The crowd was watching every pitch. On the fifth pitch, Goslin stepped into the ball and slammed it to left-center field. The crowd became delirious; it looked like a home run, but it hit inches below the top of the wall and fell back into the field of play.

Bucky HarrisGoslin was slowing down for a triple when the third base coach waved him on to try for an in-park home run. The shortstop took the peg from left-center, and fired the ball to the catcher. Goslin slid into home in a cloud of dust, seemingly a split second before the tag. The catcher followed the routine of throwing the ball around the bases, just in case, while waiting for the umpire to make the call. The umpire made a delayed call, consulting the other umpires, and then cried, “You’re out!”

Early McNeely

Washington player/manager, Bucky Harris, along with his team and fans, rushed onto the field, protesting the call. The umpire secured order, and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the batter is out because he didn’t touch first base!”

The game went into extra innings and in the bottom of the twelfth inning, Early McNeely hit an infield ground ball, which should have been an easy out but took a bad bounce over the third baseman’s glove into left field. That was enough to score Washington catcher Ruel from third base with the winning run. This was the first world championship Washington won and it was on, what some would call, an unearned run.

Muddy RuelA 20th Century evangelist named Angel Martinez used this story in his sermon, “Play Ball.” First Base represented salvation, Second Base, baptism and church membership, Third Base was Christian service and Home Plate stood for heaven. In his sermon’s conclusion, Martinez, building upon the 1924 Series even said “you can be baptized and join the church and do many good works but if you miss the first base of salvation, you too, will be called out at the home plate of heaven.

The Bible describes first base in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him… .” This gift is freely offered to us by the Lord. Have you received it yet? All the other bases in life are important but if we miss first base it matters for nothing. Let me say again we’ll never make heaven if we skip salvation.

Which base are you on today?

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

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Resident Spotlight: Dr. Thomas Hickey

Dr. Thomas Hickey

A BLESSED LIFE

November is the month in which we as a nation pay special tribute to the veterans of the armed services and their families. We have many veterans who live at Kirby Pines and we are thankful every day for their sacrifices. This is the story of one of them, Dr. Thomas Hickey.

Tom has many titles: doctor, psychologist, professor, businessman, musician, father and veteran. He has had a full life with challenges and tragedies. But, in Tom’s words, “I have lived a blessed life”. Tom was born and grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas. According to Tom, “You knew everybody and had the opportunity to experiment with almost everything”. He enjoyed being able to walk to the movies, see a double feature for a dime and enjoy a bag of popcorn for a nickel. Since both parents worked, Tom was left in the care of the maid who basically allowed Tom to live as a “free spirit”. Tom wonders how he survived all the mishaps of his childhood, remembering at age 6 being dared to drop a match in a vacant field. The nearby houses nearly caught fire. Fearing the worst, Tom ran home and hid under the kitchen stove. His parents were able to convince him that bad deeds have consequences. He remained good friends with his childhood friends for many years.

Tom inherited his musical talents from both parents. His father played all musical instruments except strings. His mother, a contralto, was in demand as a soloist. At the age of 17, Tom was invited to play in the Arkansas Symphony. Following graduation from high school, Tom enrolled at Northwestern University to study music. However, he fell in love with a girl from Dallas and decided to transfer to SMU to work on a business degree. When he graduated with a BBA, the Korean War was going on and he enlisted in the Navy. He was selected to play in the Navy Band and spent 4 years in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Being in the band was demanding but also afforded Tom the opportunity to meet professional musicians as well as obtain free tickets to all events. In NYC he had encounters with such stars as Ethyl Merman and Judy Garland.

Tom wanted to marry but needed more income to support a family. He applied to OCS and was transferred to the Navy Supply Corps in Jacksonville, Florida. He married and had a son, James while stationed there.

Following discharge from the Navy, Tom moved with his family back to Jonesboro to take over his father’s advertising business. Becoming dissatisfied with a business life, he took advantage of the VA counseling services. They recommended a future in psychology. Tom took their advice and enrolled in psychology at Vanderbilt University, finishing with a PH.D in 4 years. Tom used this degree in several fields, first with a management consulting firm and later teaching at the University of Arkansas and Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was here “during a mid-life crisis” that Tom and his wife divorced. Tom moved to the VA Hospital in Little Rock as a psychologist. At the VA, he fell “madly in love” with his co-therapist, Sherry Faulkner. However a great offer was made to become the Clinical Director of East Arkansas Mental Health Center. Tom accepted and moved to West Memphis, AR. While there, he served as President of the Arkansas Psychological Association and had the opportunity to introduce Bill Clinton at one of their meetings. In 1976, after 5 years of long range dating, Tom and Sherry married.

Following the cut of funds and closures of mental health centers, Tom was again seeking employment. An opportunity became available with the Memphis Police Department as they were seeking someone to set up psychological services. Of this, Tom says, “I never thought I would like working with cops so much, but they are a great bunch of guys. I did a little bit of everything from consulting with the Chiefs, counseled officers and their families, screen-tested new applicants, did crisis intervention and talked people down off the bridge. It was never dull”. In 1979, Tom’s son James was killed by a drunk driver and in 2016, on their 40th wedding anniversary, Tom’s wife Sherry died of ovarian cancer.

After retirement from the MPD, Tom became tired of living along and because he could not cook, investigated several retirement facilities. He chose Kirby Pines. “I made the right choice”, says Tom. Presently, Tom has 2 step-daughters who live nearby, 6 grandchildren (1 deceased) and 4 great-grandchildren. Tragedy struck again when Tom’s oldest grandchild, a grandson, died while running a marathon in Memphis. He had just graduated from law school and was looking forward to a clerkship with a Federal Appellate Judge.

Tom and His Saxophone

Tom enjoys playing golf, bridge, poker, ping pong, trivia and especially his music. He continues to take saxophone lessons in Jazz. He plays the saxophone with The Memphis Wind Symphony and clarinet with Santifica, the band at St. George Episcopal Church and has entertained with both instruments at Kirby Pines. Also, Tom says, “I love to travel and have traveled extensively to all 50 states, Europe and South America. I continued to do testing for small police departments and security firms after my retirement from MPD but gave that up so I could travel”.

Thank you Tom for your service to our country, to our police department and for your decision to move to Kirby Pines. You have enriched our lives with your beautiful music and your warm and generous personality. We are blessed to have you at Kirby Pines!

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines

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Choosing Healthy Meals

Eating healthy food at The Virginian

10 HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR PEOPLE AGE 65+

Making healthy food choices is a smart thing to do—no matter how old you are! Your body changes through your 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond. Food provides nutrients you need as you age. Use these tips to choose foods for better health at each stage of life.

  1. Drink plenty of liquids. With age, you may lose some of your sense of thirst. Drink water often. Lowfat or fat-free milk or 100% juice also helps you stay hydrated. Limit beverages that have lots of added sugars or salt. Learn which liquids are better choices.
  2. Make eating a social event. Meals are more enjoyable when you eat with others. Invite a friend to join you or take part in a potluck at least twice a week. A senior center or place of worship may offer meals that are shared with others. There are many ways to make mealtimes pleasing.
  3. Plan healthy meals. Find trusted nutrition information from ChooseMyPlate.gov and the National Institute on Aging. Get advice on what to eat, how much to eat, and which foods to choose, all based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Find sensible, flexible ways to choose and prepare tasty meals so you can eat foods you need.
  4. Know how much to eat. Learn to recognize how much to eat so you can control portion size. MyPlate’s SuperTracker shows amounts of food you need. When eating out, pack part of your meal to eat later. One restaurant dish might be enough for two meals or more.
  5. Vary your vegetables. Include a variety of different colored vegetables to brighten your plate. Most vegetables are a low-calorie source of nutrients. Vegetables are also a good source of fiber.
  6. Eat for your teeth and gums. Many people find that their teeth and gums change as they age. People with dental problems sometimes find it hard to chew fruits, vegetables, or meats. Don’t miss out on needed nutrients! Eating softer foods can help. Try cooked or canned foods like unsweetened fruit, low-sodium soups, or canned tuna.
  7. Use herbs and spices. Foods may seem to lose their flavor as you age. If favorite dishes taste different, it may not be the cook! Maybe your sense of smell, sense of taste, or both have changed. Medicines may also change how foods taste. Add flavor to your meals with herbs and spices.
  8. Keep food safe. Don’t take a chance with your health. A food-related illness can be life-threatening for an older person. Throw out food that might not be safe. Avoid certain foods that are always risky for an older person, such as unpasteurized dairy foods. Other foods can be harmful to you when they are raw or undercooked, such as eggs, sprouts, fish, shellfish, meat, or poultry.
  9. Read the Nutrition Facts label. Make the right choices when buying food. Pay attention to important nutrients to know as well as calories, fats, sodium, and the rest of the Nutrition Facts label. Ask your doctor if there are ingredients and nutrients you might need to limit or to increase.
  10. Ask your doctor about vitamins or supplements. Food is the best way to get the nutrients you need. Should you take vitamins or other pills or powders with herbs and minerals? These are called dietary supplements. Your doctor will know if you need them. More may not be better. Some can interfere with your medicines or affect your medical conditions.
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Why Strength Training For Seniors?

Strength training at Kirby Pines

Yes, you’ll get stronger and more toned – but those aren’t the only reasons to strength train. Scientists continue to discover benefits of strength training or resistance training. It can be done using light weights, elastic bands or even your own body weight (think wall push-ups, mini squats and calf raises). Here are four more good reasons to start.

  1. IT REDUCES PAIN. A small study, published in the July 2012 International Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that men with rheumatoid arthritis affecting their knees had a 23 percent reduction in pain intensity after following a three-day-a-week strength-training program for eight weeks. Other studies show strength training relieves the pain of osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, too. In the Oasis, the leg extension and seated-leg-curl machine will help with strengthening the muscles around the knee.
  2. IT INCREASES RANGE OF MOTION. Another small study, published in the December 2011 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, found that participants who practiced resistance training three days a week for five weeks had the same flexibility improvements as those who did a regular stretching routine. Stretching and strengthening are both important. Water aerobics can help with both.
  3. IT BLASTS CALORIES – even when you’re not working out. Muscle burns calories, so adding muscle mass naturally amps up your calorie burn. In fact, an analysis of several studies, reported in the July-August 2012 Current Sports Medicine Reports, shows the number of calories you burn at rest rises about 7 percent after several weeks of resistance training.
  4. IT BOOSTS BONE DENSITY. Women lose up to 50 percent of their bone tissue in their lifetime post-menopause. By age 65 or 70, men begin to lose bone mass at the same rate as women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Lifting weights can help slow that loss and increase bone density, according to a 2015 review in the scientific journal of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Seniors are often overwhelmed by all the different machines and other fitness tools a gym has to offer. However, a distinction can be made between two main kinds of exercises: free weight exercises and machine exercises. Machines can be very useful to anyone that wants to isolate a certain muscle. Free weights are dumbbells and barbells, and often people make use of both free weights and machines.

To start a workout program: You’ve probably heard people talk about reps and sets. Sets are the amount of times an exercise is done. Every set consists of reps (repetitions), which is the number of times the movement (for example bicep curls) are done 4-6 repetitions for strength training, 6-12 reps for muscle growth, 12-15 reps for toning the muscles and endurance. Another thing that is important, is to rest between sets. Rest as long as it takes to resume normal breathing again, which is usually, between 60 to 90 seconds. Most exercises are between 2 and 3 sets, and 8 to 12 reps, however, this depends on your goals and whatever feels good to you.

Safety is very important, so start off slow. Furthermore, proper form and good intensity is most important. It is recommended to consult your doctor before starting a workout program. Start slow, build up and stop doing an exercise as soon as it starts to feel uncomfortable or starts hurting.

Get trained. Make an afternoon appointment with Mary Hand to learn the best techniques for using free weights and the resistance equipment in the Oasis.

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It’s Time To Be Thankful at Kirby Pines

Well it is that time of the year again, when the phrase “Happy Thanksgiving” can be heard throughout the community. The phrase itself can bring up memories of family gatherings, special “secret” recipes for stuffing and the American tradition of sitting down at a table and sharing food with one another. We have after all, an abundance of things for which to be thankful.

For example, we can be thankful that fun activities and delicious meals are provided for us daily. That services such as healthcare, housekeeping and maintenance are available to us daily. That old friendships can easily be maintained and new friendships easily made. In fact, just being able to live in a LifeCare Retirement Community such as Kirby Pines is a way of thanking ourselves for years of hard work and good planning. After all, so many others are less fortunate, having little more than the clothes on their backs after the devastating hurricanes earlier this year and the more recent fires in California.

This year as you celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to be thankful for even the small things in you life. Such as the small framed photo of spouse, or family member on your nightstand; or the personal note in a greeting card you have been saving for years. It is all too easy to forget how much these small things mean to us, until they are lost or damaged. More importantly, make time to let your fellow Kirby residents know just how thankful you are that they are here to dine with you, or play cards with you or just check-in on you from time to time. Remember, Thanksgiving is more than just sharing that “secret” family recipe for stuffing; it is a time to reflect on our blessings, past and future. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Michael EscamillaMichael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

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The High Cost of Divine Live

John Griffin, an Oklahoman in his early twenties, newly married and blessed with a beautiful baby was deeply shattered in the 1929 Great Stock Market Crash. Brokenhearted and sad, John packed up his few possessions and headed East with his family. John found a job tending one of the great railroad bridges across the mighty Mississippi.

Day after day John would sit in the control room and direct the enormous gears of the immense bridge over the river. He would watch as the bulky barges and splendid ships glided gracefully under his elevated bridge.

In 1937 John had a new dream in his heart. His young son, Greg, now eight years old developed great interest in his father’s work. To John this brought hope that Greg would follow his father in a future bridge operation career.

One day they packed their lunches and headed toward the immense crossing. Greg looked in wide-eyed amazement as his Dad pressed down the huge lever that raised the vast bridge. His father must surely be the greatest man alive to control the movements of such a stupendous structure.

When noontime arrived John elevated the bridge to allow some scheduled ships to pass through. Then he and his son left the control room and found a place to have lunch.

John told Greg stories of his work at the bridge until a startling reality took place. It was the shrieking whistle of a distant train. The bridge was still raised and the Memphis Express would be at the bridge in minutes.

John calmly instructed Greg to “stay put.” He quickly leaped to his feet, jumped on the catwalk and ran toward the ladder leading to the control house. Once there he searched the river to make sure no ships were in sight. Then, as he was trained, he looked down to be sure everything was all right below the control house. What John saw was devastating. His son had attempted to follow his Dad but fell off the catwalk, wedging his leg between the teeth of two main cogs in the gearbox.

John was faced with an unbelievable decision—to save his son or save the passengers on the approaching train. He thought of how he might get to his son and pull him free. But there was not enough time. The 400 passenger train would soon emerge from the trees and speed across the bridge. Burying his face under his left arm John plunged down the lever. The cries of his son were quickly drowned out by the noise of the bridge grinding into place. In a matter of seconds, the Memphis Express rolled over the bridge.

John lifted up his tear-stained face and looked into the windows of the passing train. He saw a businessman reading the morning newspaper, a uniformed conductor glancing at his vest pocket watch, ladies sipping afternoon tea, a small boy, looking strangely like his son, enjoying a dish of ice cream and many others engaged in idle conversation or careless laughter.

No one even looked John’s way. No one cast a glance at his gigantic gearbox that contained the mangled remains of his son.

In anguish John pounded the glass in the control room. He cried out, “What’s the matter with you people? Don’t you know? Don’t you care? Don’t you know I’ve sacrificed my son for you? What’s wrong with you?”

No one answered. No one heard. No one even looked. Not one of them seemed to care. The train moved rapidly over the waters and disappeared. – Christianity in Crisis-21st Century, vol. 4

This remarkable story deeply moves me. It is a faint glimpse of what God the Father did in sacrificing the Son of His love, Jesus. His sovereign will and purpose and His great love made it all possible. Like those in John’s story we just don’t notice the sacrifice that was made. We just push on with our lives, not really caring at all what God has done for us.

Consider these special truths:

“All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone unto his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isiah 53:6

But He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The question is “Would God save His Son or redeem the world?” The Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection was not to save 400 passengers on the Memphis Express. It was to change the whole world, millions upon millions. Such an unbelievable choice allows us to avoid terrible disaster and safely cross to our heavenly destination.

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

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Keeping Cognitive

Retired men playing chess

What Are Cognitive Skills and Why Are They Important?

Cognitive skills refer to the way your brain works – how you process and recall information. Here are a few cognitive skills that impact your daily life:

Thinking, speaking, learning, reading and writing, using critical thinking skills and remembering events, experiences, and more.

As we age, some of these cognitive skills aren’t as sharp as they once were. Fortunately, your brain is like any other muscle, and with regular exercise, you can keep it limber and healthy. To keep your brain active and healthy, let’s look at some activities that you can work into your daily or weekly routine. Engaging in these cognitive games is easy when you live at Kirby Pines. Regular mental exercises, like ones listed below, can have a positive impact on your cognitive skills.

Arts and Crafts

Creative thinking is always a good way to keep your mind active. Using your creative skills on arts and crafts projects not only helps you keep your mind busy, it keeps your hands active, as well. These projects don’t have to be elaborate or too expensive either. In fact, many of you may already have arts and crafts hobbies that you engage in each day, like knitting, needlepoint, woodworking, painting, or anything else that gets your creative juices flowing.

Trivia Games

Trivia games are fun and popular activities for people of all ages, but they can be especially helpful for seniors who want to exercise their recall skills and engage with family or friends. These games encourage you to think back to past events or facts you have learned throughout your lives.

Puzzles

There are few activities as relaxing as quietly doing a puzzle on a rainy day. Puzzles are another great way for you to stretch mental muscles and stimulate brain function. Cognitive games like puzzles are problem-solving activities, requiring you to look for patterns and pay attention to details.

Sudoku

Instead of looking for image or word patterns, you can look for numeric patterns with Sudoku puzzles. Sudoku puzzles will keep your problem-solving skills sharp, and it comes in multiple levels of difficulty. The feeling of accomplishment will motivate you to keep going and do more puzzles. Plus, buying a book of Sudoku puzzles is one of the more inexpensive cognitive games for you to try.

Board Games

Everyone loves board games! Not only are board games fun, they also help your mind stay active. Strategic games like Chess and Checkers are great for working out those mental muscles. They require players to consider the pros and cons that come with each move, anticipate the moves of their opponents, and develop a strategy for the game. Traditional board games like Clue or Sorry! can be fun, helpful options, too.

Socialization

Finally, while it might seem pretty basic, having an engaging conversation and socializing with others is a really helpful way for you to stay mentally active. Remembering names and keeping up with topics discussed helps to avoid loneliness and boredom, while keeping your mind engaged, as well. Although many people have a tendency to avoid over-socialization as they age or their memory starts to fade, these personal interactions can benefit you tremendously. When you live at Kirby Pines, it’s easy to interact with staff and other community members as much as you want each day.

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Resident Spotlight: Barbara Logan

Barbara Logan

A Ray of Sunshine

Roll out the welcome mat! This is the current mantra of Barbara Logan. Although she says Kirby Pines is a friendly place, she would like to see more visiting and socializing in each other’s homes. “I think our homes offer an opportunity to really get to know each other better and to form special friendships”, says Barbara. To know Barbara is to feel that optimism and joy radiating from her. Perhaps this stems primarily from her strong faith in God. She currently worships with Germantown Presbyterian Church.

Barbara moved to Kirby Pines from Colorado Springs in 2016. She chose Kirby Pines over other places because of the “happy atmosphere” and the numerous opportunities to interact with other residents. Barbara quickly entrenched herself into all things Kirby and has formed many friendships. One of her friends said, “I was drawn to Barbara because she is always positive and I love her infectious laugh! Overall, she is a very fun friend”. When Barbara was asked what she liked most about living at Kirby, she replied, “I like Kirby because it is a happy place and I appreciate the excellent medical care I receive here”.

Certainly, many of Barbara’s characteristics were formed from her childhood. Born in a small town in Louisiana, life was hard but idyllic. Summers were spent climbing trees, riding bicycles and horses (bareback) and using her imagination to make up games to include as many children as possible. She recalls being talked into eating a green persimmon. One time was enough! Because both her father and mother were teachers/principals, there was no income during the summer months. Life was sustained with the family garden and a tight budget.

At the age of eleven, Barbara, along with her parents and younger sister, Elizabeth, moved to Ruston, Louisiana. It was here, at Louisiana Tech, Barbara graduated with a B.S. in Education and met the love of her life, Jim Logan, an art major. After marriage, their first move was to Nashville where Jim had a scholarship to the prestigious Vanderbilt George Peabody College. After graduation, Jim joined the U.S. Air Force.

Eventually, after living in various places, including outside the states, the family moved to Colorado Springs for Jim to serve at the Air Force Academy. Barbara always taught school wherever they lived, introducing her to a variety of challenges. During the midst of all this, two children, Whit and Cheryl, were added to the family. Barbara earned a Masters from University of Colorado while the youngest child was in college. Barbara is now grandmother to five grandchildren.

Barbara & Jim Logan
Barbara & Jim Logan

Barbara retired from teaching after 35 years. Her husband, Jim, retired after 20 years in the Air Force. “Just for the fun of it and because Jim was such an excellent watercolorist, we decided to open an art gallery”, says Barbara. While Jim painted all day, Barbara ran the gallery. “It was certainly a learning experience but fun”. Sadly, Jim passed away in 2000. Barbara continued living in Colorado until her move to Memphis and Kirby Pines. Her daughter lives close by in Collierville.

Barbara’s life has been very active. Living in various places and traveling the world has made her appreciate what she has. Life was never dull, from attending the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, surviving five typhoons while living in Guam, becoming rabid tiger fans of LSU, jeeping in the jungles of Panama and the mountains of Colorado. She also fondly recalls entertaining 76 USAF officers and wives as well as having private showings of Jim’s paintings in their home. While in Guam, they hosted a student from Kusaie so he could obtain a high school diploma.

Of this, Barbara says, “Through this active life that we have lived as a family, we were so blessed with being able to find churches and groups of believers that helped us mature and realize the significance of our belief in Jesus Christ and the many times we have been rescued by a loving God.”

Barbara's Needlepoint of Jim's Painting
Barbara’s Needlepoint of Jim’s Painting

Barbara’s hobbies are reading, needlepoint, baking and having friends in for fun and fellowship. One of her needlepoint pieces of the nativity scene is beautifully framed and displayed in her home. She is certainly faithful in sending notes to others to thank them or to encourage them.

Hopefully, we can learn a lesson from Barbara – that our outlook on life is our own choosing and not the responsibility of others. We are so fortunate at Kirby Pines to have someone like Barbara who sets an example of sharing, service and hospitality.

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines

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Exercise for Your Brain

Retired couple jogging

When you think of exercising your brain, do you think about Sudoku, crosswords, and other mental puzzles? Studies are beginning to demonstrate that we need to put down that pencil and stand up and go for a walk. Physical exercise is proven to be better for your brain health than memory quizzes.

Our brains need the stimulation of aerobic exercise; that is, exercises that raise your heart rate and respiration. Just 30 minutes a day 5 days a week (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity exercise can make a difference in mental as well as physical and emotional wellbeing.

That extra blood flow to the brain creates higher levels of BDNF, a protein that
stimulates brain cell healing and growth. Studies show persons that are physically active have less dementia/memory/Alzheimer issues.

Here at Kirby Pines, we have many opportunities for aerobic exercise: walking, water aerobics, sit and stand classes. In the Oasis, we have the recumbent bicycle, Nustep, and treadmill to give you a safe aerobic workout. For strengthening exercises, try the Tai Chi or yoga classes or free weights and resistance equipment in the Oasis.

So leave your puzzles behind and step it up to exercise your brain. See the schedule for an exercise class, you can enjoy or visit the Oasis anytime.

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It Takes a Village at Kirby Pines

In September, we reflected on the past thirty-six years of Kirby Pines, and expressed our thankfulness for the “path” taken to make Kirby Pines, what so many refer to as “the best retirement community in Memphis”. In fact, Kirby Pines was once again selected by the readers of the Commercial Appeal as “THE BEST Retirement Community” for the thirteenth consecutive year in the tristate area; and by the Memphis Business Journal as The TOP Retirement Community for the tenth consecutive year.

Of course, these awards of recognition would not be possible if it weren’t for the individuals who live and work at Kirby Pines. And what better way to begin the month, than by acknowledging the International Day of the Older Person, October 1st. Designated by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990, all countries are encouraged to enable men and women to age with dignity and to integrate aging issues into everyday life. Kirby Pines is a daily example of doing just this.

This month we also celebrate: October 2nd, National Custodial Worker’s Day – a day when we should all make an effort to thank the men and women in our housekeeping and laundry department for the hard work they do for us each day; October 4-10th is National Health Care Food Service Week, these dedicated employees are an essential part of our integrated services; October 20-26th is National Pastoral Care week, and we should all make time to thank our Chaplin, Don Johnson, and the numerous residents that coordinate such activities as our Men’s Bible Study group and Thursday night Vespers.

Please join me in thanking these many individuals for the time they dedicate to make a difference in our life. You can join this amazing group on October 26th, which is Make a Difference Day. After all, we all have the ability to do something small that makes a difference.

Michael EscamillaMichael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines