Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries carries out the healing mission of

March 2016
vol. 6 no. 3
Do you tend to look on the sunny side, or
do you see a future filled with dark, stormy
skies? A growing body of research suggests
that having a positive outlook can benefit
your physical health. National Institute of
Health funded scientists are working to
better understand the links between your
attitude and your body. They’re finding
some evidence that emotional wellness can
be improved by developing certain skills.
Having a positive outlook
doesn’t mean you never feel
negative emotions, such as
sadness or anger, says Dr.
Barbara L. Fredrickson, a
psychologist and expert on
emotional wellness at the
University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill. “All emotions—
whether positive or negative—
are adaptive in the right
circumstances. The key seems
to be finding a balance between
the two,” she says.
“Positive emotions expand our awareness
and open us up to new ideas, so we can
grow and add to our toolkit for survival,”
Fredrickson explains. “But people need
negative emotions to move through
difficult situations and respond to them
appropriately in the short term. Negative
emotions can get us into trouble, though, if
they’re based on too much rumination
about the past or excessive worry about the
future, and they’re not really related to
what’s happening in the here and now.”
able to bounce back from difficulties faster. This quality is
called resilience. Another sign of emotional wellness is being
able to hold onto positive emotions longer and appreciate
the good times. Developing a sense of meaning and purpose
in life—and focusing on what’s important to you—also
contributes to emotional wellness.
Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state
and improved health, including lower blood pressure,
reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood
sugar levels, and longer life. But
many studies can’t determine
whether positive emotions lead to
better health, if being healthy
causes positive emotions, or if
other factors are involved.
“While earlier research suggests an
association
b e t w e e n
p o s i t i v e
emotions and
health,
it
doesn’t reveal
the underlying
mechanisms,”
says Dr. Richard J. Davidson, a
neuroscientist at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. “To understand
the mechanisms, I think it will be
crucial to understand the
underlying brain circuits.”
Dr. Richard Davidson
By using brain imaging, Davidson
and others have found that positive emotions can trigger
“reward” pathways located deep within the brain, including
in an area known as the ventral striatum.
“Individuals who are able to savor positive emotions have
People who are emotionally well, experts
say, have fewer negative emotions and are
Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries
carries out the healing mission of the Catholic
Church through the Alexian Brothers
ministries by identifying and developing
effective responses to the health and housing
needs of those we are called to serve.
(continued on page 14)
3
8
10
15
“Virtual”
Colonoscopy
Cataract
Surgery
Step by Step
March
Club Alexian
Events
“Irish
Trivia”
Crossword
Puzzle
Myths of Aging
Many of us grew up hearing and seeing things that didn't
make old age a very exciting time in life to look forward to.
Perhaps we had older relatives who were "old before their
time" or were "stuck in their ways." Fortunately, times have
changed and today's seniors are healthier, more engaged in
the world, and maybe even sexier than ever before.
Here are some of the common myths about growing old and
the reasons why we shouldn't believe them:
Myth: To be old is to be sick.
Fact: Even in advanced old age, most people are not
disabled, and the proportion
of older Americans who are
disabled is going down, not
up. Only a small percentage
of older people live in
nursing homes; the
remainder live in the
community at large.
minds as we age are regular physical activity, a strong social
support system, and a belief in our own ability to handle
what life has to offer.
Myth: Older adults don't pull their own
weight.
Fact: One-third of older people work for pay. One-third
work as volunteers in churches, hospitals, and other
organizations. Many others provide much-needed assistance
to family members, friends, and neighbors.
Myth: It's too late or it's pointless to change
bad habits in later life.
Myth: Older adults
are more depressed
than younger adults.
Fact: Depression occurs
more commonly in people
who have medical problems.
Some older people have
more medical conditions
than younger people do, so
it may seem as if more
older people are depressed.
Older adults who do face
depression are finding that it
doesn't carry the same
stigma that it did years ago.
In fact, many well-respected
Adapted from the book “Successful Aging”
people like the newsman
by John W. Rowe, M.D., and Robert L. Kahn, Ph.D.
Mike Wallace have found
helpful treatment for their
depression. They've also
spread the word that depression—and treatment for it—are
not things to be ashamed of.
Myth: Sex stops after 65.
Fact: Sexual activity does not have to stop once someone
gets older. Researchers at Duke University's Center for the
Study of Aging and Human Development surveyed 254 men
and women between the ages of 60 and 94 about their sexual
activity. They found that these older individuals were still
interested in sex and continued to have active sex lives.
Myth: You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Fact: As we age, we may not be able to learn new things as
quickly as we did when we were younger. However, learning
is a life-long process. Three things that are good for our
Fact: Certainly, it's better to
start healthy habits early, but
the truth is, it's almost never
too late to benefit from
healthy living. Even damage
from decades of too much
alcohol or fat-laden food, lack
of exercise, or smoking can be
reversed or limited. A fresh
start can help a person recover
lost abilities and decrease the
risk of certain illnesses. In
some cases, it can even
improve a person's health.
Myth: Mental sharpness
declines with age.
Fact: An active mind and clear
thoughts go hand in hand.
Reading, doing puzzles, and
taking classes are excellent
ways to challenge our brains.
Writing to friends and hobbies
like knitting and woodworking
are also good for our minds.
While turning 50 may be the new 30, it also comes with its
own challenges, unlike any other age — be it mental,
emotional, or physical. This is also the time your doctor
will likely start urging you to get a colonoscopy, even if
you do not have a history or any symptoms.
traditional colonoscopy to remove anything using this new
technology. However, the vast majority of exams don’t
find anything wrong and the virtual test has been shown to
dramatically increase screening rates. Still not convinced?
The virtual colonoscopy has the seal of approval from the
American Cancer Society as a recommended screening
exam, and even President Obama opted for a virtual
colonoscopy over the standard test.
However, what used to be a dreaded, albeit necessary and
routine procedure, has now become much less invasive,
thanks to new technology.
T h e
“ v i r t u a l the virtual exam inserts only about a two-inch soft
colonoscopy” (or CT tube that sends small puffs of gas to fill the colon
colonography) is now an
option for most people
who can’t or don’t want
to get a standard
colonoscopy and is being
embraced by many
doctors and insurers
nationwide.
Like its traditional
counterpart, the virtual
colonoscopy requires
drinking a laxative 24
hours prior to the
procedure. Unlike the
traditional colonoscopy,
which involves a long
camera-tipped tube, the virtual exam inserts only about a
two-inch soft tube that sends small puffs of gas to fill the
colon so that a low-radiation dose computer-assisted CT or
“CAT” scan can produce two- and three-dimensional
views of the colon. The entire procedure takes about 15 to
20 minutes, so no anesthetic is needed and you can return
to daily activities immediately.
“It’s very good in screening and the patient’s downtime is
less,” Dr. Guy Barat, a radiologist at Community Hospital
in New Port Richey, Florida, told the St. Petersburg Times
in an interview.
Experts say that the new
technology can detect polyps
the size of small blueberries,
as well as cancer and other
diseases. For the more than
140,000 Americans who are
diagnosed with colorectal
cancer every year, with nearly
50,000 dying largely due to
late detection, this screening
is vital.
The exam has been FDAapproved since 1995 and
major insurers including
Cigna, United Healthcare,
Unicare, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield and others now cover
their members for virtual
colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) says the last
obstacle to tackle is to somehow get Medicare to cover
beneficiaries for this life-saving exam so that seniors can
have the same screening alternative as those with private
insurance.
Currently, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force
(USPSTF) is examining virtual colonoscopies. A “passing”
grade from the USPSTF could lead directly to Medicare
coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
Some traditionalists say that you would still need a
A LEXIAN H EALTH & R EHABILITATION C ENTER
Enriching Lives through Person Centered Care
Compassionate and superior service is the hallmark of Alexian's Health &
Rehabilitation Center. Services include rehabilitation following orthopedic or other
surgery, extensive nursing care and specialized memory care for Alzheimer's Disease
and other dementia. Alexian Village provides quality service with the intimacy and
friendliness of a homelike environment. Please call Amie Alioto, (414) 507-7941
or Cindy Telford, (414) 507-6536 for more information and a tour.
S YMPTOMS
OF
F IBROMYALGIA
spontaneously; sometimes, one or more specific muscles are
affected again and again.
Pain
Exhaustion
Some people complain of
constant stabbing pain
throughout their entire body,
while others experience a duller
form of continuous aching. One
of
the most vexing things
about fibromyalgia is that the
pain it causes has no apparent
cause.
Fibromyalgia syndrome itself seems to drain patients of
energy, even if they aren’t overexerting themselves
physically or mentally and may be exacerbated or even
caused by sleep disturbances. The pain and muscle spasms
caused by fibromyalgia cause most sufferers to lose sleep.
Over time, this chronic sleep deprivation can lead to
constant feelings of tiredness, which becomes a vicious cycle
when the patient tries to sleep and can’t because of the
pain.
Sensitivity to Touch
Trouble Concentrating
Hyperesthesia describes an increased sensitivity to the
sensory input of touch; for example, being under a light
blanket may make you feel as though you’re trapped under
a heavy lead weight. Hyperalgesia, on the other hand,
describes an increase in pain sensation; for instance, you
might stub your toe on a table leg, only to feel an
excruciating and throbbing pain for hours or days
afterwards.
What is known is that the patient’s short-term memory can
be noticeably compromised. Patients have a hard time
retaining information, recalling newly learned facts and skills
and tend to find it very difficult to sustain concentration for
an extended period of time.
Environmental Sensitivity
A person with fibromyalgia may be extremely sensitive to
cigarette smoke, or feel nauseous upon stepping into a
freshly painted room. Chemical-based cleaning products
also seem to trigger these types of sensitivities. Sounds and
light even in moderation can seem extremely loud and
bright, and can even cause headaches and other extreme
reactions.
Muscle & Joint Stiffness
People with fibromyalgia develop muscle and joint stiffness
for no immediately apparent reason; a stiffness can be
generalized throughout the body, or it might affect one or
more localized muscle or joint groups.
Muscle Spasms
Fibromyalgia patients tend to experience extreme spasms,
even after medical investigations uncover no root physical
cause of the problem. Muscles seem to go into spasms
A LEXIAN V ILLAGE
Chronic Headaches
It is also common for headache pain to seem to extend
further down the body, into the neck, shoulders and even
the upper back. In some cases, fibromyalgia headache pain
can be strong enough to cause ongoing sleep disturbances.
Bowel Troubles
Fibromyalgia can also cause irritable bowel syndrome. Over
time, matters become more difficult to clear, which can lead
to reliance on and overuse of laxatives, which itself can
cause further complications.
Depression
In all likelihood, depression results from having to deal with
constant pain, loss of sleep, lack of energy, and being forced
to give up activities the patient once enjoyed. Researchers
aren’t sure whether the proverbial chicken or the proverbial
egg comes first. The good news is that fibromyalgia seems
to respond well to certain antidepressants.
OF
MILWAUKEE
Enriching Lives Through Vibrant Community Living
Discover for yourself the freedom and enjoyment of retirement living at Alexian
Village. Redefining "retirement" is Alexian Village's specialty. Fitness programs,
multiple activities, outings, fine dining and the fellowship of community living await
you. Please call (414) 357-5105, Mary B. Krenzelok, extension 5554,
(mkrenzelok@AlexianBrothers.net) or Sean Brittman, extension 5569
(sean.brittman@alexianbrothers.net) for more information and a tour.
Irish Blessing:
May the road rise
up to meet you
May the wind be
always at your
back, May the sun
shine down upon
your face, And the
rain fall soft upon
your fields, Until
we meet again May
God hold you in
the hollow of his
hand.
Alternative Irish
Toast
gradually worked inland, slashing and burning as they went. The
giant Irish Elk, with its vast antler spread, died out about this time.
Farmers
A robust hunter gatherer society was eventually replaced by more
settled farmers and metal workers. These folks erected huge stone
edifices like the burial mound at Newgrange long before the
pyramids, or even Stonehenge, were built. The pattern of society
set at that time remains largely unchanged in the countryside scattered farms with a central place of worship tying the
community together.
The English
The 1100's brought the English, or more accurately, the Normans.
Their castles began to dot the countryside, and an uneasy
accommodation began between native clans and the conquerors.
A meld of the two cultures ensued, but under Elizabeth the Great,
new English armies gradually conquered all.
Here's to our wives
and girlfriends:
May they never meet!
Ireland remained Catholic while England turned to Protestantism.
Deposed English kings found the restive populace a natural source
of manpower. Cromwell invaded and put the countryside to torch,
killing thousands. When William of Orange triumphed over the
Catholic armies of King James II, punitive laws deprived Catholics
of any rights. Catholic churches were forbidden, schooling was
forbidden, holding land was forbidden.
More Irish Toasts
A Nation Once Again
May the dust of your carriage wheels blind the eyes
of your foes.
May you live as long as you want, and never want
as long as you live.
May your fire never go out.
May your well never run dry.
May we be alive at this time next year.
May the roof above you never fall in and those
gathered beneath it never fall out.
A bird with one wing can't fly (said to encourage
someone to take a second drink.)
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.
In 1916, an Easter Uprising was put down by the English and the
leaders of that revolt were shot. Their martyrdom galvanized the
Irish populace as nothing else could, and guerrilla warfare
eventually succeeded in dislodging the British. But, the price of
British exit from 26 counties of Ireland was the retention of 6 of
Ulster's counties where the majority of the people were
Protestant. Ulster's fate remained the great battleground of
modern Irish politics. Only in 2007 was a political settlement
reached in the north.
Europe and Beyond
A Brief History of Ireland
In 1973 Ireland joined the European Economic Community, which
is now the European Union. The result has been dramatic. A
lackluster, agricultural economy was transformed into the "Celtic
Tiger," the most rapidly growing economy in Europe. A mostly
rural populace has become mostly urban, and an island on the
periphery of Europe has become the largest exporter of software
in the world. Ahead of Japan, Britain, Germany, the U.S.!
10,000 years in one line! Ireland was far from Europe, close to
England, and now it's torn between the two.
Ireland is now the world's most export driven economy. Most of
what we make ships overseas.
Far from Europe meant that only a small assortment of plants and
animals managed to colonize the island before melting glaciers
flooded any land routes to England and the mainland. One result
- no snakes in Ireland. They just didn't make it here in the short
space of time between ice and island.
Inflationary government policies drove a huge housing boom in
the 1990’s but it all went bust in 2008. A hands-off regulatory
atmosphere resulted in grossly stupid lending policies that have
wrecked most of Ireland's banks. The Irish people are picking up
the unbelievably vast tab.
The handful of species that did arrive thrived. The native
landscape was dominated by mature oak forests. About 9,000
years ago people landed on the East and South East coasts and
And the Irish history continues.
Call (414) 357-5105, extension 5712 to schedule an appointment, unless otherwise noted.
Take advantage of these services offered conveniently at Alexian Village
on the ground floor of the Health & Rehabilitation Center, 9255 N. 76 Street.
Audiologist
Jeanne Rivera & Pam Gjertson
Tuesday, March 15, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Optometry
Thursday, March 11, call for an appointment
Podiatrist
Dr. David LaBadie, Friday, March 25, 8:00 a.m. - Noon
Dentists
Dr. Charles Hajinian & Dr. Stacy Hajinian-Michels,
Tuesdays at Alexian Village. Call (414) 259-9400
to schedule an appointment.
Psychiatrist Services
Jeannette Wade, Behavioral Solutions,
Please call extension 5712 for an appointment.
Dr. Bruce Rowe, MD, Tuesday, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Pat Noonan RN, CNS, Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call (414) 270-8150 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Ismail Quryshi, MD
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Call (414) 874-1201 to schedule an appointment.
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies. Call (414) 357-5105, extension 5745.
THE SANDWICH GENERATION
S UPPORT G ROUP
Discuss critical issues, share solutions and offer
encouragement. Join us on the third Monday
in the Clubhouse, 9255 N. 76 Street. Monday,
March 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
GRIEF
S UPPORT G ROUP
Meets Monday, March 7 in the Private Dining Room,
10:30 a.m. Questions, call Alexian’s chaplain, Jessi
Smedal, (414) 357-5105, ext. 5524.
EXPIRED MEDICATION
Only One Proper Disposal Method!
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Find encouragement and listening friends at Alexian
Village’s support group, the first Thursday in the
Clubhouse, 9255 N. 76 Street. March 3, 2:00 - 3:30
p.m. Please RSVP to (414) 357-5105, extension 5759.
Any expired or unused medications can be dropped
off in the Health Services Department (L1, West
Building) Thursday, March 24. Alexian residents and
Club Alexian members are welcome to use this
service.
A LEXIAN A SSISTED L IVING
Enriching Lives Through Neighborhood Living
Designed for socializing and safety, the Village Square & Courtyard offer attractive
choices. The Village Square offers four cozy neighborhoods and the Courtyard is in the
heart of Alexian Village. Activity specialists offer stimulating and enjoyable daily
programs. Spacious private rooms make assisted living at Alexian Village an ideal choice
for seniors. Please call Carrie Hensel, Administrator for more information or a tour, (414)
357-5105, extension 5800 or (chensel@AlexianBrothers.net.)
A LEXIAN A DULT D AY S ERVICES
Enriching Lives Through Connections
Try a day for free!
Stimulating conversations, simple exercises, complete lunch along with fun and laughter
await your loved one at Alexian Village's Adult Day Services. Take advantage of your time
for personal obligations knowing that your loved one is safe, secure and enjoying life among
new friends. Please call Fran Lange, Assistant Director, (414) 357-5105, extension 5759
(flange@AlexianBrothers.net) for more information and a tour.
Cataract surgery, usually an outpatient procedure, takes
an hour or less to perform.
improving within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at
first as your eye heals and adjusts.
First, your doctor will place eye drops in your eye to
dilate your pupil. You'll receive local anesthetics to numb
the area, and you may be given a sedative to help you
relax. If you're given a sedative, you may remain awake
but groggy during surgery.
You'll usually see your eye doctor a day or two after your
surgery, the following week, and then again after about a
month to monitor healing.
During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and
a clear artificial lens is usually implanted. In some cases,
however, a cataract may be removed without implanting
an artificial lens.
Surgical methods used to remove cataracts include:
Using an ultrasound probe to break up the lens for
removal. During a procedure called phacoemulsification
(fak-o-e-mul-sih-fih-KAY-shun), your surgeon makes a
tiny incision in the front of your eye (cornea) and inserts
a needle-thin probe into the lens substance where the
cataract has formed.
Your surgeon then uses the probe, which transmits
ultrasound waves, to break up (emulsify) the cataract and
suction out the fragments.
The very back of your lens (the lens capsule) is left intact
to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest.
Stitches may or may not be used to close the tiny
incision in your cornea at the completion of the
procedure.
Making an incision in the eye and removing the lens. A
less frequently used procedure called extracapsular
cataract extraction requires a larger incision than that used
for phacoemulsification.
Through this larger incision your surgeon uses surgical
tools to remove the front capsule of the lens and the
cloudy portion of your lens comprising the cataract.
The very back capsule of your lens is left in place to serve
as a place for the artificial lens to rest.
This procedure may be performed if you have certain eye
complications. With its larger incision, stitches are
required to close the incision.
Once the cataract has been removed by either
phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction, a clear
artificial lens is implanted into the empty lens capsule.
This implant, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), is made
of plastic, acrylic or silicone. You won't be able to see or
feel the lens. It requires no care and becomes a
permanent part of your eye.
A variety of IOLs with different features are available.
Discuss the benefits and risks of the different types of
IOLs with your eye surgeon to determine what's best for
you.
After cataract surgery, expect your vision to begin
It's normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple
of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your
eye. Your doctor may ask you to wear an eye patch or
protective shield the day of surgery and a few days after.
Your doctor may prescribe eye drops or other medication
to prevent infection, reduce inflammation and control eye
pressure.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of
the following: Vision loss, Pain that persists despite the use
of over-the-counter pain medications, Increased eye
redness, Light flashes or multiple new spots (floaters) in
front of your eye, Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing
Your doctor will let you know when your eyes have healed
enough for you to get a final prescription for eyeglasses.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor usually
schedules a second surgery a month or two later to
remove the cataract in your other eye.
So, I guess the man was
“you can’t go home again”
until you take some sage advice
Look --- within, within, within.
Matriarch?
Many times I’ve heard it said
“You can’t go home again”
This cryptic line intrigued me
thus my quest for home began
My birth in Oklahoma,
just the place to start me search
but hennaed soil and fire ants
weren’t a roost I’d pick to perch
Wichita, my Kansas home,
on the crooked road called life,
shoveling coal dust storms, and snow
those days seemed filled with strife.
The sun shone bright in Texas
Austin welcomed us that spring
two years, initiation
then Houston’s call did sting
Then war’s interruption
people’s lives were all askew
I worked for the navy
Houston years were only two
But this was the city
tho’ I met my husband there
Marriage had a long long wait
War, first would take its share
The folks then moved to San Antone
right next to a railroad track
worked for Braniff Airlines
a fun job, when I look back
Memories and marriage vows
still dwell on this frontier
surely this must be the spot
mom and dad are buried here
Still the years in Wisconsin
gave me roots implanted deep
the pain, love and joy I feel
reminiscences, I’ll keep
Seems home is all these places
where I’ve lived and loved and cried
remnants stay in each of them
for it’s there I still abide
I am now the matriarch
in my family
everybody thinks I’m wise
I’m dumb as I can be
All the years it took to learn
stuff I still don’t know
it fills me with great pleasure
for ‘kin’ to think it’s so.
They ask me all these questions
about life’s mysteries
but who am I to tell them
those things they cannot see?
A Little & A lot
It takes a little music
to brighten up your day
it takes a little sunshine
to chase the clouds away
It takes a tiny baby
to bring a smile or two
it takes those rollicking kids at play
to think your home’s a zoo
It takes a heap of lovin’
to wipe away the tears
it takes a lot of livin’
to total up the years
It takes some heavy thinkin’
to know which path to take
is it left or is it right
which one is a mistake?
It takes a prayer to guide you
thru times of stress and strife
God had some sense of humor
when he created life.
“Kit” Helen Miller was a long time Alexian Village resident
Upcoming Events Description
Planning for the Club Alexian 2016 year of events
has been well under way with a number of new
and exciting events which will be offered
throughout the year. There is one area I would
appreciate your feedback. Club Alexian wishes to
present a monthly educational topic. These topics
can range from current events to health issues,
living with peace of mind, real estate, etc.
What topics would you like to see offered?
1.__________________________________
2.__________________________________
3.__________________________________
4.__________________________________
The first ten people to return a completed survey
will each receive two movie tickets to any Marcus
Theater for the movie of your choice.
Name_________________________________
Telephone_____________________________
Address_______________________________
City__________________________________
Zip Code____________
Please return by mail to:
Alexian Village of Milwaukee
Att: Jean Boothby
9301 N 76th St
Milwaukee, WI 53223
A quote from a Club member
“Club Alexian is such a wonderful program. So many of
our friends have passed away. It’s been through Club
Alexian and the “Young at Heart” movie that we’ve
been able to meet and make new friends. Thank you”
– Susan Dobran
Tour the LaLune Furniture Factory & the Florentine Opera
Center, Thursday, March 3
We will depart the Clubhouse at 9:30 a.m. to tour the
LaLune Factory and then walk next door to the Florentine
Opera Center for a tour and a sneak peek of an actual
rehearsal. Lunch will be at the Coquette Café. The allinclusive fee is $30.00. RSVP by 2/29.
Lunch & Classic Movie: “GiGi,” Friday, March 4, Noon
Enjoy a noon lunch for $5.00; the 12:30 p.m. movie is free.
RSVP by 3/2.
Creative Writing, Mondays, March 7 & 21 , 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Everyone has a story to tell! Nancy Martin, the instructor
is happy to help you share it. Let us know if you will plan
to attend. Drop-ins are also welcome. Each session is $5.00.
RSVP by 3/5.
"Comfort Crafters," 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Clubhouse
Creating lap blankets for Alexian Village and Horizon Home
Care & Hospice. All levels of knitting or crocheting are
welcome. Supplies are provided. Comfort Crafters meets
weekly on Monday afternoons.
Lunch & Bingo, Wednesdays, March 2, 9 & 16
Noon lunch is $5.00; Bingo at 1:00 p.m. is free. Win cash
prizes, RSVP by 2/29, 3/7 & 3/14.
Home Instead: How to Select an In-Home Care Provider
Tuesday, March 8, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
In many cases it may not be necessary to move into a
nursing home or an assisted living facility provided you are
knowledgeable of the various resources available through
In-Home Care services. This workshop will help you
determine and recognize the signs of when in home care
may be needed. RSVP by 3/6.
“NEW” Chop & Chat, Tuesday, March 8, 3:00-4:00 pm
Is your meal time getting stale? If so, plan to attend the
new program “Chop & Chat”. Learn some fresh and
creative ideas to change up your meal time. Each person
will leave with their prepared new entrée. RSVP by 3/4,
$6.00 fee.
the theatre before the scheduled Young at Heart Movie
date. In that instance pass holders are welcome to choose
a movie of your choice on the same day as the scheduled
“Young at Heart” movie between 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Memory Minders, Tuesdays, March 8 & 22, 1:00 - 2:00
How about a game of “Hand and Foot?” Monday,
p.m., Clubhouse
Want to remain quick thinking and sharp? Plan to attend
Memory Minders - Brain Wellness, every 2nd and 4th
Tuesday of the month, $5.00 per session. These
sessions will highlight and provide instruction on various
cognitively stimulating games and activities with an
emphasis on challenging your brain in a fun, engaging
and social environment. Space is limited, RSVP by 3/6.
March 14 & 28, 10:00 a.m. - Noon, Clubhouse
Beginner classes/groups has been established. All levels of
experience are welcome. However, if you’ve always wanted
to play the game, and yet never had the chance to learn,
this is your perfect opportunity. Call Jean Boothby for more
details: 414 357 5105, Ext 5867. RSVP by 3/11. (Let Jean
know if you’ll be staying for lunch, $5.00)
NEW CLUB ALEXIAN MEMBER OFFER
Spread the news of Club Alexian with your friends!
For each friend (household, 60 and older) that enrolls as a new
Club Alexian member, you and your friend will each receive a $20.00 Visa Debit card.
Offer is good through April 15, 2016.
Audibel Hearing Screening & Cleaning
Wednesday, March 9, 9:00 a.m.-Noon in the Health
Center Clinic. This service is free regardless of where
your hearing aids were purchased. No appointment
is necessary.
A Stitch in Time Quilting Bee, Thursday, March 10,
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Those interested in quilting, (this includes beginners
and experienced quilters) are invited to attend. Bring
your stitch work and ideas. You do not need to be a
Club member to participate. RSVP by 3/8.
Marcus Noon North Shore Cinema
Friday, March 11, the “Young at Heart”
movie is “London Has Fallen”
PLEASE NOTE: You can reserve your $2.00 movie pass
by calling: 414-357-5105, ext. 5867. The passes are
distributed on a first call, first serve basis. You may pay
and pick up your pass during regular business hours at
the Clubhouse or the Health and Rehab center reception
desk.
On occasion the preselected movie may be pulled from
Chess Club, Monday, March 14 & 28, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
Whether you’re an avid chess player, or a little rusty, plan
to join other chess players in Clubhouse. Bring a friend, all
are welcome! (If you have a chess board and chess pieces,
feel free to bring them). A library of Chess books is now
available to you. Please feel free to peruse the selection
of books and check them out.
Book Club, Thursdays, March 17, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Ease into spring by immersing yourself in a good book.
The March book is “Prisoner of Heaven,” by Carlos Ruiz
Zafon. Please call 414-357-5105, ext. 5867 for further
information or to RSVP by 3/15.
Lunch & Movie, Wednesday, March 23, “McFarland”
Noon lunch is $5.00; the 1:00 p.m. movie is free.
Enjoy lunch followed by a free movie. RSVP by 3/21.
Brunch and the Nicolet High School Play, “Legally Blond,”
April 13. Reserve your seat now for brunch and the Nicolet
play. Brunch will be served at 10:45 a.m. We leave the
Clubhouse by 12:15 p.m. $15.00. RSVP by 4/6.
The RSVP HOTLINE is (414) 371-7811
C LUB A LEXIAN
Enriching Lives Through Connections
Enjoy the growing list of benefits and opportunities by joining
"Club Alexian." Membership is free! Please call Jean Boothby
(414) 357-5105, extension 5867 (jboothby@AlexianBrothers.net)
for more information or visit us at www.ClubAlexian.com.
UW-Madison weekend trip, April 15 &16
We leave the Clubhouse by 1:00 p.m., on Friday and return
on Saturday before 6:00 p.m. If you have not already
done so before March 15, please pay your final balance
payable to and mailed to: to Alexian Village of Milwaukee.
Attention Jean Boothby, 9301 N 76th St. Milwaukee, WI
53223.
AARP Tax-Aide Program
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers
with low and moderate income, with special attention to
those 60 and older. Through a cadre of trained volunteers,
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has helped low- to moderateincome individuals for more than 40 years in every state
and the District of Columbia. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
is offered in cooperation with the IRS. Thursday from 9:00
a.m.-2:00 p.m. March 3 through April 14. Appointment is
required. Please call Jean Boothby at 414-357-5105,
extension 5867 to schedule your appointment.
The RSVP HOTLINE is (414) 371-7811
April 4 & 18 Creative Writing, 9:30-11 am.
April 12& 26 Memory Minders, 1-2 pm. RSVP by 3/6.
April 12 Home Instead – “How to Communicate with
Health Care Providers,” 10-11am.
April 19 Fisher Family Chiropractic, “How to Maximize
Your Mobility,” 10-11 am.
April 21 Book Club, 2-3:30 pm, “The Girl on the Train,”
by Paula Hawkins.
April 21 & 28 Concept Therapy, “Functional Fitness,”
also 5/5, 5/12, 5/19 & 5/26. 10-11am. (No charge)
April 26 Concept Therapy, 10-11am. “Value of Fitness
for Overall Wellness,.” RSVP by 4/22.
April 29 Club Alexian Striders – Grafton/Cedarburg –
Chocolate Factory.
May 14 Milwaukee City Tours – “Churches &
Chocolate,” with a mystery lunch. We leave the
Clubhouse at 9:30 am and will return mid to late
afternoon. All inclusive fee
of $75.00.
Club Alexian would like to enter this year’s Brown Deer’s “Fourth of July” parade, 12:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to ride on our Alexian bus and at times walk part of the parade route.
There is also a second opportunity, should you choose to participate, in the Alexian Village “St.
Alexius Week” parade, tentatively July 13, at 10:00 a.m. This parade is very short but also a lot
of fun. If you are at all curious about this opportunity, please complete the form below and
return it to Jean Boothby, Alexian Village of Milwaukee, 9301 N. 76 Street, Milwaukee, WI 53223.
Please feel free to call with any questions, 414-357-5105, extension 5867. All volunteers will receive
a free “Club Alexian” T-shirt.
I,____________________________________ want to volunteer to ride/walk in the Brown Deer “FourthAn
of July”
s w eparade.
rs
please print name
I, ___________________________________ want to participate in the “St Alexius Week” parade.
please print name
Telephone number:________________________
Cell number: _______________________
Please select a T-shirt size: S , M , L , X , XXL 
TRIVIA
1404 12th Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024
(262) 376-1404
10% off your purchase
www.bloominolivellc.com
Down
1) GREGORYPECK
2) FORT
3) WHISKEY
7) GALWAY
9) ABITOFGAS
12) SCOTLAND
13) BRENDAN
Bloomin Olive
Across
4) HARP
5) BOILEDPIGSFEET
6) DRUM
8) HAPPYDAYS
10) THEQUIETMAN
11) GUINNESS
13) BELFAST
14) CPR
15) APPLE
16) AMERICA
Business Partner Spotlight
WEDNESDAY
30
Lunch and Bingo, Noon -2pm
29
Drawing
23
Lunch and Movie,
“McFarland,” Noon-3 pm
22
Memory Minders, 1-2pm
Artistic Creations, 4-6:30pm
21
Creative Writing
9:30-11:00am
Comfort Crafters, 1-3pm
Sandwich Generation
Support Group
6:30-7:30 pm
28
Hand & Foot
Chess Club
10-Noon
Comfort Crafters, 1-3pm
16
Synergy Home Care
Bingo Sponsor
Lunch and Bingo, Noon-2pm
15
9
Audibel Hearing Screen &
Cleaning, 9am-Noon
Lunch and Bingo, Noon-2pm
Lunch and Bingo, Noon-2pm
Horizon Home Care
Bingo sponsor
2
14
Hand & Foot
Chess Club
10-Noon
Comfort Crafters, 1-3pm
“Meal Preparation for
One,” 3-4pm
TUESDAY
8
Home Instead: “How to
Select an In-Home Care
Provider,” 10-11am
Memory Minders, 1-2pm
Chop & Chat
1
7
Creative Writing
9:30-11:00am
Comfort Crafters, 1-3pm
MONDAY
31
AARP Tax prep, 9-4pm
24
AARP Tax prep, 9-4pm
17
AARP Tax prep, 9-4pm
Book Club, 2:00-3:30 pm
“Prisoner of Heaven,”
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
All events are held in
“The Clubhouse,”
unless noted.
25 Good Friday
No Council meeting
18
Fallen”
11
Marcus Theatre Noon
Movie, “London Has
FRIDAY
4
Lunch & Classic Movie,
“Gigi,” Noon-3pm
March 2016
THURSDAY
3
La Lune Factory, and Florentine
Opera Tour, Lunch in Milwaukee
AARP Tax prep, 9-4pm
Alzheimer’s Support group
meeting, Pavilion, 2-3:30 pm
10
AARP Tax prep, 9-4pm
Club Quilters, 1-4pm
Enriching Lives Through Connections
(continued from page 1)
Fredrickson and her colleagues are
also studying meditation. They
found that after 6 weeks of training
in compassion and kindness
meditation, people reported
increased positive emotions and
social connectedness compared to
an untrained group. The meditation
gr oup al so h ad imp r oved
Dr. Emily Falk
functioning in a nerve that helps to
control heart rate. “The results
suggest that taking time to learn the skills to self-generate
positive emotions can help us become healthier, more
social, more resilient versions of ourselves,” Fredrickson
says.
lasting activation in the ventral striatum,” Davidson says.
“The longer the activation lasts, the greater his or her
feelings of well-being.” Continued activation of this part
of the brain has been linked to healthful changes in the
body, including lower levels of a stress hormone.
Negative emotions, in contrast,
can activate a brain region
known as the amygdala, which
plays a role in fear and anxiety.
“We’ve shown that there are
Dr. Emily Falk, a neuroscientist at the University of
Pennsylvania, is taking a different approach. Falk is
exploring how self-affirmation—that is, thinking about
what’s most important to you—can affect your brain and
lead to positive, healthful behaviors. Her team found that
when people are asked to think about things that they find
meaningful, a brain region that recognizes personally
relevant information becomes activated. This brain activity
can change how people respond to health advice.
“In general, if you tell people that they sit too much and
they need to change their behavior, they can become
defensive. They’ll come up with reasons why the message
“Sometimes people think that emotions just happen...like the weather…
but we have some control over which emotions we experience.”
big differences among people
in how rapidly or slowly the
amygdala recovers following a threat,” Davidson says.
“Those who recover more slowly may be more at risk for
a variety of health conditions compared to those who
recover more quickly.”
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson
Among those who appear more resilient and better able
to hold on to positive emotions are people who’ve
practiced various forms of meditation. In fact, growing
evidence suggests that several techniques—including
meditation, cognitive therapy (a type of psychotherapy),
and self-reflection (thinking about the things you find
important)—can help people develop the skills needed to
make positive, healthful changes.
“Research points to the importance of certain kinds of
training that can alter brain circuits in a way that will
promote positive responses,” Davidson says. “It’s led us to
conclude that well-being can be considered as a life skill. If
you practice, you can actually get better at it.”
In one study, Davidson and his colleagues found changes
in reward-related brain circuits after people had 2 weeks
of training in a simple form of meditation that focuses on
compassion and kindness. These changes, in turn, were
linked to an increase in positive social behaviors, such as
increased generosity.
doesn’t apply to them,” Falk says. But if people reflect on
the things they value before the health message, the brain’s
reward pathways are activated.
This type of self-affirmation, Falk’s research shows, can
help physically inactive “couch potatoes” get more active.
In a recent study, inactive adults received typical health
advice about the importance of moving more and sitting
less. But before the advice, about half of the participants
were asked to think about things that they value most.
The “self-affirmation” group became more physically
active during the month-long study period that followed
compared to the group that hadn’t engaged in selfaffirmation. “The study shows one way that we can open
the brain to positive change and help people achieve their
goals,” Falk says.
Being open to positive change is a key to emotional
wellness. “Sometimes people think that emotions just
happen, kind of like the weather,” Fredrickson says. “But
research suggests that we can have some control over
which emotions we experience.” As mounting research
suggests, having a positive mindset might help to improve
your physical health as well.
TRIVIA
Across
4) The shamrock is not the official emblem of Ireland.
5) What the heck are "crubeens?"
6) There’s no snakes in Ireland thanks to St. Patrick pounding this.
8) Samuel Beckett and TV sitcom have the same title.
10) 1951 film was shot in County Mayo and directed by John Ford.
11) James Joyce described this as the "wine of Ireland."
13) Titanic was built in this Irish city.
14) Frank Partridge from County Down is famous for what?
15) Armagh, "The Orchard County" is known for this.
16) The potato was brought to Ireland from where?
Down
1) Who said, "I had that stubborn streak, the Irish in me I guess."
2) Percentage of US presidents with Irish ancestors.
3) Irish coffee also contains this liquid.
7) Irish city known as "the city of the tribes."
9) "We had FUN that day," in Irish slang.
12) Gaelic is also spoken here.
13) 5th century Irish monk allegedly discovered America before Columbus.
(Answers on bottom of page 12)
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is published monthly by Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries
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The contents of the Alexian Chat are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be
a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician
or other qualified health providers with any question you may have regarding a medical condition.
Honoring an 800 year Alexian Brothers Tradition and 35 years in Milwaukee