November 13, 2021 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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Community November 13, 2021 = Mp SS Oe” Coffeetine Colamn ae= With Andy & Renie Bowman | “Constantly reliving pain ain’t worth it” Waking up that morning, you don’t wrestle with any of reading this are hurting badly. Renie heard dripping outside those attributes, then I would And that grief and pain is not the house. Opened the blinds love to spend a few weeks tap- something to gloss over, but to of the bedroom window and ping into your Super-Human- walk through at your own pace. saw a soggy lead-gray sky. Im- ness. Or, more likely, have the But your future peace and hap- mediate reaction? “Oh, NO! A opportunity to look you in the piness will depend upon how alt horrible, gray, depressing, end- eye and call you a liar to your you handle the memories of lessly rainy day. I'm going to face. this depressing time. sink into depression. In fact, Do yourself an enormous ‘Cause the fact is, as hu- favor. Tm already there.” Then the thought hit. ‘You man beings who live on planet Accept that you have hurt- Earth with all its pain and do have a choice, Reeno. You ful memories. Deliberately can be gloomy and depressed problems, everyone of us have acknowledge those memories all day about the cold and the bad experiences. Those days - don’t refuse to admit they rain, or you can remember that leave their mark on our psyche exist. Realize they have an the grass and flowers need and in the form of painfully un- extreme impact on your cur- comfortable memories. And love this.’ Perspective. when something happens to rent emotions and thoughts. How we choose to look at a trigger those memories and If possible, when the pain hits, situation makes a huge differ- the feelings that result, then find gratefulness in that mem- ence. It determined why Renie we have to make a choice. Wal- ory. And dwell heavily on that turned on all the lights, put on low in the negative emotions, gratefulness to change your happy music, and went to work or realize we can deliberately mindset and your emotions. choose to find a positive. feeling grateful for the heaven- You can’t change memories — Difficult to do? Yes. Worth- only your perspective. sent automatic watering sys- while to try? Absolutely. tem. Rather than spiraling After all, living through the If you are not at the point downward emotionally into actual situation that created in your life to be able to do a dark quagmire of unhappy the pain was bad enough, why this, then I beg you to seek out childhood memories of black, make yourself relive that pain, someone whom you can trust lonely, freezing, drizzly days. anger and depression again and with your thoughts, and TALK. If you are anything like the again? Much better choice? To A friend, a counselor, a pastor, rest of us mere mortals, you somehow find gratefulness in ora person on the other end of Elk City Elementary had a visitor Thursday for Veterans Day. School nurse, Lindsay have weaknesses, fears and that same memory. a H-E-L-P Hotline. Marks’ dad, Kevin McAuliffe, came and discussed his twenty years in USAR. He has con- emotional struggles. And if Yes, I realize many of you You are worth it. tinued to worked with the Air Force for the last twenty-two years in training current military members. Courtesy photos. Visiting your parents for the holidays: Time for. something = = Tips to evaluate your parents well-being more}irel iable?)s OKLAHOMA CITY —The ways involved and social older primarily of fast food? Poor holidays are all about spend- loved one withdrawn from nutrition can contribute to a ing time with loved ones. This favorite pastimes and orga- variety of health conditions, as could also be a great time to nizations? It might be a sign well as increase their risk for a reconnect and check in on an they are having problems with fall. aging parent or loved one who transportation or that they are If you notice more than one is living alone. It can be hard aware something is wrong but or two of these behaviors in to tell how your senior par- aren't sure what it is. a senior you love, it might be ents are really doing at home Home Maintenance and time to talk about making a when you don’t live near them. Housework: If your parent has move to a senior living com- ‘The thought of a parent aging always kept a tidy house, it is munity. These communities of- can bring on feelings of anxi- usually easy to spot when there fer older adults a combination ety for many adult children, might be a problem. Is laundry of safety and independence, in but instead of letting these piled up? Is the trash overflow- addition to a wide variety of feelings of anxiety and stress ing? A dirty house is not only a life enrichment and wellness overwhelm you this holiday sign a loved one is struggling, activities. season, create a plan. but it can also present health Understanding the available Here are several warning and safety risks. care options will be extremely signs to look out for: Nutrition: When you visit helpful in conversations you Personal Hygiene: An early your loved one this holiday have with your parents. Con- indicator that a parent or other season, look inside their refrig- tacting a local senior living ad- senior loved one is struggling erator. Are they full of out-of- visor is a wise option to evalu- is their personal appearance. dated foods? Does your senior ate the wide variety of senior Have you noticed a change in loved one’s diet seem to consist living services and options. their hygiene habits? Is their clothing appropriate for the time of day and season of the year? Changes in this area can be signs an older adult is hav- ing trouble with personal care. Depression: Along those same lines is a case of the blues that goes on for many months. yadurance Seniors who are isolated or live alone are at higher risk for de- pression. If the older adult in your family seems tired, unin- terested in carrying on a con- versation or is sleeping a lot, it might be time to intervene. Make an appointment with Federal Credit Union their primary care physician. Falls: Have they experi- enced any falls or near falls? Is your senior loved one strug- gling with balance problems or are they a little unsteady on their feet? Older homes may IAPR (Anal Percentage Rate) is be not be the safest environment includes a $50 documentation fee The" APR’aisoincludes a°0.2 ie payment) for a senior who is experienc- ‘ACH transfe' See nang ar see secon ‘additional 1/0710%"ARR"aaa ane formate rayon tomar an ing mobility issues. Falls re- C@arinc - HEARING AID SERVICES Endurance FCU main the leading cause of fatal (inside Family Medical Practice) and non-fatal injuries among 601 W. 3rd Street, Elk City seniors. Socialization: Has an al- 580-821-2299 + Lowest Prices