Summer 2003 Vol 1, No 1

Enjoy a Long, Healthy Life

Today people enjoy longer, healthier lives than ever before, and it’s possible that you can too, by following a few simple guidelines. To make the most of your life, you should always keep in mind your physical, social, and psychological well-being, according to Jeanne Wei, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice Chair of the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics, UAMS College of Medicine.

To maintain your best physical health, you should eat a well-balanced diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in fat. You may want to take a multivitamin tablet to make sure you are getting enough nutrients in your diet. Also remember to get enough fiber and drink plenty of fluids, Dr. Wei advised.

“One of the best ways to age well is to eat well,” Dr. Wei said in her book Aging Well (see related article). “Just as when you were younger, you need to eat enough protein, vitamins, and minerals - but not so much food that you gain too much weight. Obesity itself can create a number of health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.”

Weight loss can be an important part of improving your overall health. However, you should not concern yourself with a few extra pounds or become obsessed with losing weight. As long as you are not obese, physicians rarely recommend that older patients lose a significant amount of weight. Studies have shown that people who are up to 40 pounds above their ideal weight are often just as healthy as those who are closer to the ideal weight, while being underweight often contributes to certain health risks, such as osteoporosis and some cancers.

“Even if you have never been physically fit, starting an exercise program now can still definitely benefit your body and mind,” Dr. Wei said.

If you decide to begin exercising, first be sure to talk to your doctor about your plans. Any exercise you do should be light or moderate intensity and last for 20 to 30 minutes a day.

Once you begin your new exercise program, you may notice that you feel better mentally, as well as physically. Good mental health is another cornerstone of aging successfully. You may find peace in meditation or prayer, or in other forms of relaxation, such as yoga or Tai Chi. In addition, you may find a great deal of happiness from family and friends, and from your community. Social interaction, including volunteer work, keeps your mind alert and your heart content. By finding new and interesting ways to enjoy life, you’ll be better able to manage stress, and you’ll strengthen your ability to cope with health problems.

As you continue to make healthful changes to your life, don’t forget the importance of regular medical checkups. As you get older, your risk of developing illnesses such as high blood pressure or cancer increases, and your doctor can often detect any such illnesses before they become a serious health threat. A regular checkup is another easy way to make sure you can enjoy your life to the fullest.

Exercise Means Energy!

If the Nutrition, Metabolism and Exercise Laboratory at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging had a “poster child” it would undoubtedly be Irene Sims. She has more energy than a sugar-loaded kindergarten class, but prior to her involvement in the program, she admits that she was quickly becoming a stereotypical couch potato.

The 72-year old North Little Rock resident already knew she needed to “get involved” in some sort of activity before her daughter encouraged her to inquire about the research program at the Reynolds Center on Aging. Fitness was not at the top of her list of interests, but Irene wanted to get out and do something so she decided to give the program a try. Reluctant as she was, she knew she needed to tone up her body. “If I didn’t hurry up the stairs, I would have to stop half way,” she confessed. “My legs would ache and hurt so bad.”

Today, Irene says she feels ten years younger. “It’s just a wonderful program,” she said. “I have energy now to run after my grandchildren.”

Dr. William Evans, Director of the Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory at the Reynolds Center on Aging, examines the relationship between exercise, nutrition and aging. His landmark studies have demonstrated the ability of aging adults to improve strength, fitness and health through exercise. Most recently, Dr. Evans has worked with NASA to study the similarities between muscle loss during space flight and aging. He uses the age-reversal program he designed for astronauts in his studies at the Reynolds Center on Aging.

The exercises Irene faithfully completes are super-slow E-centric exercises designed by Dr. Evans for training in weightless conditions aboard the space station. The two-second lift following by a slow, six-second release actually forces muscle tissue to make new muscle. In fact, you can feel the muscle-building strain as you lower the weights!

“Like I’ve said before, it’s just a wonderful program,” Irene reiterated. “I can carry my groceries up the stairs. I can even lift things that weigh more than I weigh myself!”

The once reluctant exerciser views the research program as a life-changing experience. “I’m going to continue this program,” she says. “I don’t want to stop. Even when the research is completed, I’ll be in the gym.”

Watch for those posters!

From the Chair

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the first edition of Generations, the official newsletter of the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging at UAMS. Generations will be dedicated solely to the Reynolds Center on Aging and will contain information about volunteers, Advisory Board members, senior health, programs and activities. It will be “our” newsletter for “our” special group of friends and supporters.

As Chair of the Reynolds Advisory Board, it pleases me to have a publication that we can use to trumpet the early success and ongoing activities of our endowment campaign. Even in this quiet phase of the campaign, response to our needs has been tremendous – before we can contact them, donors are calling us to offer their support! The consensus is that they want our programs to continue to thrive. Donors are not content with the status quo; they want us to keep moving and growing! To quote Dr. David, it’s “go, go, go!”

And it’s no wonder people continue to be impressed with the Reynolds Center on Aging. In the last year our clinic visits have increased to nearly 20,000, and research funding we receive from NIH (National Institutes of Health) for geriatric projects now exceeds Harvard’s portion! U. S. News & World Report currently ranks the Reynolds Center on Aging #9 in the Top 10 Geriatrics Programs in the United States. We are enjoying recognition and validation for our efforts – and that’s a wonderful feeling!

Let’s face facts – we’re all aging. And, thanks to the Reynolds Center on Aging, “we’re aging well.” I am so happy that you are part of our efforts!

Charlotte Gadberry
Chair, Community Advisory Board
Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging

The Reynolds Challenge

The Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics has grown into one of the most influential programs in the UAMS College of Medicine, a healthcare leader on the UAMS campus, and one of the most recognized geriatric centers in the nation. It is the first academic program at UAMS to be ranked in the Top 10 by U.S. News & World Report, in addition to a separate Top 40 ranking among patient care departments.

With the future of aging Arkansans in mind, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has offered a $15 million challenge grant to help establish an endowment to support our efforts. This endowment will guarantee operational funding for years in the future.

Less than a year ago, we began planning this endowment campaign. Currently we are in the silent, leadership phase of the campaign, but already many friends of the Reynolds Center on Aging have approached us and offered to give their support in areas of special interest to them. In the months to come, we will continue to pursue leadership gifts from individuals, foundations, and businesses.

This exciting, donor-driven campaign is going very well. We are off to a great start! The interest throughout the state in what we are doing at the Reynolds Center on Aging is overwhelming. In the near future, we plan to reach out to the entire state to help us meet our goal to ensure a healthy future for Arkansas’ older citizens. Watch for campaign updates in future issues of Generations.

For further information about how you can help secure the future for the Reynolds Center on Aging, contact Carolyn McCone, CFRE, director of Marketing and Development, at (501)686-8401, or E-mail her at cpmccone@uams.edu.

Get Fit at the Ottenheimer Therapy & Fitness Center

Physical fitness offers many benefits, including a healthier heart, greater flexibility and strength, and even a brighter outlook on life. The Ottenheimer Therapy and Fitness Center, located on the first floor of the Reynolds Center on Aging, is the perfect place for older individuals to get fit and have fun.

Anyone 50 years of age or older may join the Ottenheimer Therapy and Fitness Center. New members are required to participate in an orientation session before using the facility. During this session, staff members will ask you about your medical history, exercise history and fitness goals. They will also demonstrate the principles of exercise and show you how to use every piece of equipment in your fitness program. Staff members are always available to answer your questions or to assist you.

If extra assistance is needed to reach your fitness goals, a special Supervised Fitness Class is available from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Ottenheimer Therapy and Fitness Center offers the following programs for members: weight training with Keiser weight machines and free weights, cardiovascular equipment, supervised fitness classes, educational programs, and special exercise classes such as Tai Chi and Yoga (these may require a special fee).

Ottenheimer Therapy and Fitness Center membership is $30 per month; for $35 a month, members may also use the Stephens Therapy Pool.

Hours of operation for the Ottenheimer Therapy and Fitness Center are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Ottenheimer Center at 501-526-5770.

Appointments at the Senior Health Clinic

The Senior Health Center (SHC) at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging offers primary care services for patients who are 65 years or older. Clinic physicians, working with advanced practice nurses, will provide care for you or your loved one, whether it is for a routine checkup or to treat a more serious illness.

In most health plans, you will not need a referral to make an appointment, but the SHC is pleased to accept one from your family physician. If you would like to make an appointment, call (501) 686-6219. An automated answering system will ask you to select either the appointment coordinator or the operator. Either choice will help you make an appointment. The average waiting period for a first appointment is two to three weeks.

A few days after scheduling your appointment, you will receive a registration package from the clinic in the mail. Please take time to complete this information and bring it with you to your first appointment.

The SHC offers older people the best medical care available, including treatment for chronic illnesses and forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Physicians and nurses are specially trained in geriatric medicine, and the staff includes a pharmacist, dietitians, social workers, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and renal specialists. These professionals work as a team and want to help you remain healthy, active, and independent for as long as possible.

In Memory

Edward B. Dillon, Jr. died on Friday, March 14, 2003, at the age of 77. Mr. Dillon, a member of various national and state organizations, served on the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging Community Advisory Board since 1996. He served as Chair of the Library Committee and was instrumental in developing the Resource Library.

Frank D. White died on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at the age of 69. Mr. White, former Governor of Arkansas, was a strong advocate for the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging. He was serving on the Endowment Campaign Steering Committee and was co-chair of the Individuals Team prior to his death.

To make a gift in memory of Mr. Dillon or Mr. White, contact Electra Ford at (501) 526-5746.

Dr. David is Honored with Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival “ACE Award”

Dr. David A. Lipschitz was honored April 17 with an award from the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute. At a gala dinner at the Peabody Hotel, U. S. Senator Blanche Lincoln presented the “Arkansas Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Award” to Dr. Lipschitz in recognition of his contributions to Arkansas and beyond. More than 650 individuals attended the event, including several members of the Lipschitz family. This is the 6th ACE Award presented by the Documentary Film Institute.

HEALTHCARE HIGHLIGHT
Sandra Pope, Ph.D.

You want to change your life for the better… you want to be stronger and healthier, and naturally you want to live longer. But how do you know which changes will be best for you? Just take a look at your genetic profile.

This is not as farfetched as it may sound. Sandra Pope, Ph.D. is an assistant professor and epidemiologist at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is involved in a national study that may one day allow people to make lifestyle choices on the basis of their genetic profiles.

Part of Dr. Pope’s work involves identifying modifiable risk factors – those things individuals can change to improve their health. “There are factors that individuals don’t have control over, but there are many things that they can choose to do to improve their health,” she said.

Dr. Pope hopes to make these choices easier by learning how a person’s genetic makeup affects his or her response to environmental factors. “People may not be able to change their genes, but an understanding of their genetic makeup can provide a flag for certain health risks,” she explained. “If we can identify those people based on their genetic profile, then we can inform them that they are at high risk for a specific health problem and then show them ways to reduce that risk.”

Dr. Pope also has a strong interest in the role spirituality plays in a person’s health. Although she is not currently conducting research in this area, she hopes to do so in the future, particularly on the role stress reduction and stress play in the aging process.

“Spirituality is something many of us are brought up with, but it is also a lifelong exploration of our connection with the Divine and the universe as a whole,” she said.

She considers spirituality to be one of the most important modifiable risk factors in a person’s life. It is a difficult area to study, but often its effects – most notably on a person’s stress levels – are easy to identify. Biomarkers that identify high stress levels are already well-known, and Dr. Pope explained that very often people who have a strong sense of spirituality exhibit less stress and fewer of these biomarkers.

To help people find a sense of inner focus, Dr. Pope teaches an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at UAMS, which is offered at least once each year and is open to the public. Dr. Pope’s course teaches people techniques to be mindful in everyday life, encourages people to investigate their own inner wisdom, and also emphasizes the importance of good overall health.

“I have become very aware of how important it is to respect and honor the bodies we have during our limited lives,” she said. “It’s very important to do what we can to change our behavior to take the best possible care of them.”

Learning More About Alzheimer’s Disease

The UAMS Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC) sponsors several events throughout the year to help you learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and its effects on both patients and their caregivers.

ST. JAMES EDUCATIONAL SERIES
The UAMS ADC and St. James United Methodist Church, Markham campus, will sponsor an Alzheimer’s disease community education series beginning September 9. The eight-part series will be held each Tuesday evening at 6:30 at St. James Methodist Church, 9820 West Markham Street in Little Rock. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Topics include:

ADC FAMILY INFORMATION DAY
The UAMS ADC will sponsor the “Second Annual Family Information Day” on Saturday, September 13, 2003.

This year’s event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public. Information about Alzheimer’s disease, including community resources, medication updates, and nutrition, will be available. The keynote presentation will be on “Diagnosis and Management of Early Age-Related Memory Impairment.” The Hospital Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other legal concerns will also be discussed.

The free conference will be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging at UAMS. Parking and lunch will be provided. To register or for more information, please contact Tanya Terry at (501) 296-1892.

Great Books by RCOA Faculty

The Reynolds Center on Aging Resource Library has some of the most current selections on aging and health, including best-selling books written by RCOA faculty and staff.

	BREAKING THE RULES OF AGING David A. Lipschitz, M.D., Ph.D. In Breaking the Rules of Aging, Dr. Lipschitz shatters the misconceptions that most people – and many doctors – have about the aging process. He sets the record straight on many myths, including weight loss, exercise for older adults, and the value of certain medical tests. “Dr. David” offers advice developed from his 30 years as one of the nation’s leading doctors.
	AGING WELL Jeanne Wei, M.D., Ph.D. and Sue Levkoff, Sc.D. Aging Well offers invaluable advice on a wide range of topics, from lifestyle choices to retirement options, to coping with loss and other life concerns. It contains all you need to know to help you and your loved ones live fuller, healthier lives, whether you’re 40, 50, or older, and it will quickly become one of your most valued health references.
	ASTROFIT William J. Evans, Ph.D. AstroFit lays out an innovative, no-frills exercise program developed by the author after serving as a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Known as E-Centrics, this “resistance training” is designed for people of all ages and fitness levels, including the elderly and infirm.

The RCOA Resource Library has many other informative books, including:

• Community First Aid and Safety
• Elder Rage
• Enjoying Life with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• The Forgetting: Alzheimer’s Portrait of an Epidemic
• How to Care for Your Aging Parents
• The Memory Bible
• Speaking Our Minds: Personal Reflections from Individuals with Alzheimer’s
• The Truth about Chronic Pain

The Resource Library is located on the ground floor of the RCOA. Hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Reaching Out in Arkansas

The RCOA has developed several regional Centers on Aging in partnership with UAMS, regional AHEC programs, local and regional hospitals, and local communities. These regional COAs regularly sponsor educational programs to help you learn more about geriatric healthcare. To find out what’s happening in your area, call your regional COA, listed below:

Thanks for Your Help!
The RCOA is indebted to the many people who contribute their time and resources to this facility. We appreciate you!
Dorothy Barkley		Pat Reed
Madelyn Beard		Leah Ripple
Betty Brown		Bill Schulten
Haddon Brown		Bill Skinner
Rueline Cleary		Ella Smalley
Tom Gaines		James Smalley
Al Garms		Ron Stanfield
Roger Hinderer		Millie Turnbow
Sue Malcolm		Linda Vint
Gloria Minor		Shelley Wohl
Betty Moore

Copyright © 2005 Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 4301 W. Markham Slot 748 Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 296-1000 (800) 942-8267 geriatrics@uams.edu Notice of Privacy Practices