A Healthy Diet Can Prevent Accidents

According to The Centers for Disease Control there's an estimated half a million Americans, over 65, who fall unexpectedly every year. However, some of these falls may have been prevented with a good diet and adequate hydration, here are some helpful facts to always remember:

Drink Water - Drinking half the amount of water you weigh each day, in ounces, can help maintain body temperature, transport oxygen and remove waste. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink at least 50 ounces, or five glasses of water, a day.


Eat regular meals and snacks - To avoid a dizzy spell, make sure to eat your meals regularly and snack often. Concentrating on foods with Vitamin D, calcium, protein, and sodium can greatly affect and maintain healthy bones. For a steady amount of energy and help with the regenerative process it is important to balance your carbohydrate and protein intake.


With a little research and healthier choices, you can prevent a fall that may limit your mobility and independence. You can visit mmlearn.org to view a video Falls: A New Look At A Difficult Problem.


What if you have fallen? Then we're here to help you get back on your feet. Morningside Ministries offers rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Call 888-806-5004 to get more information about our services.

Helping out Our Veterans

Are you a war veteran or surviving spouse who needs help easing the cost of your daily expenses? If so, there is a program that can help pay for the care you need in your independent living, assisted living or nursing community. The Veteran's Administration Aid and Attendance Pension, otherwise known as A&A, is a federal pension for veterans and surviving spouses who require paid assistance for retirement living. Some of the benefits paid in the pension include help with bathing, dressing, hygiene, medication management, ambulation, transferring and/or other daily needs. There are several criteria needed for eligibility: veterans must have served 90 days during war time, but it’s not required that they served in a war zone during that time.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Jim Hanna, a Vietnam War veteran and accredited agent with the VA. In 2007, Mr. Hanna discovered that many veterans were unaware of the available pension they could receive. He has since helped educate thousands of men and women of the rights and resources available to them. With Mr. Hanna's help with the application process, thousands of our veterans have received more than 11 million dollars in aid. These honorable men and women can have peace of mind knowing the money received from the United States military will help assist in their needs.

If you are interested in finding more information about the A&A Pension, you can call Morningside Ministries at 210-731-1202. There will be a information session held at The Meadows on July 31 at 10:30 am. This session will provide further information on receiving your A&A benefits.

Beat the heat this summer

As the temperatures outside rise, it is important to be aware of your body’s temperature and the signs of a heat-related health problem.

Seniors especially are at high risk of heat stress, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, because their bodies can have a harder time adjusting to higher temperatures and are more likely to be taking medications that impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature or that inhibit perspiration. Also, chronic diseases of the heart or lungs can upset normal body responses to heat.


It is important to know the signs of heat stroke, such as flushed face, high body temperature, headache, diarrhea, nausea, rapid pulse, breathing problems, dizziness and confusion, and seek help if you feel any of these symptoms coming on. Here are 10 tips you can use to help you beat the South Texas heat this summer:


1. Keep cool. Use your air conditioning if you have it. Temperatures inside the home should not exceed 85 degrees for prolonged periods of time. If you do not have air conditioning, head to a cool place like a movie theater, library or shopping center.
2. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Try to avoid beverages with caffeine or alcoholic beverages that can cause dehydration.
3. Dress appropriately. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in white or light colors and natural fabrics, such as cotton. When outdoors, wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect your head, use sunglasses and a sunscreen of 30 SPF or more.
4. Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. During outdoor activity, take frequent rest breaks and drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
5. Limit salt use.
6. Take a cool bath or shower to lower your body temperature on extremely hot days. Ice packs and wet towels can also be helpful.
7. Close your blinds and curtains during the day to block the sun.
8. Curtail physical activity and strenuous chores during extremely hot weather. Activity adds to heart strain.
9. Eat a few light meals, such as salads, fruit or cold soups. Don’t eat big heavy meals. Foods that are heavier on your stomach take a lot of energy to digest which slows down your body’s cooling process.
10. Use fans to help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.


In the summertime, staying cool means staying healthy. Use these tips and listen to your body – if it’s telling you that you are too hot, take steps to cool yourself down immediately. For more information on staying hydrated and cool, please click the link below to watch a video on hydration/dehydration.

http://msm.mediasite.com/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=01e8944fb2fe47e497a808773116e6791d

Pillows for Veterans

A year into the American Revolution against Great Britain, a committee of five, led by Thomas Jefferson, wrote a formal Declaration of Independence. The publication was written July 2, 1776 and approved two days later by the Second Continental Congress.

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776.

Generations later, Americans commemorate the brave soldiers who fought and died for this country as well as give thanks to those who protect our rights and freedoms today.

John Privitera, the Activity Director for Kaulbach Assisted Living, had a creative idea to make small patriotic pillows for San Antonio's veterans. With the help of several Morningside residents, Mr. Privitera planned to give the pillows to the veterans of the VA Hospital's Spinal Injury Unit over 4th of July weekend.

After announcing his activity, Mr. Privitera purchased the material believing he could immediately begin making pillows. Much to his surprise, pillows weren't an easy activity at all. With the help of a gracious woman--Ms. Marilyn Peterson—Mr. Privitera spent the next few days learning to sew.

Once Mr. Privitera was acquainted with a needle and thread, he tirelessly sewed his patriotic pillows every Thursday thereafter. Ms. Peterson, Ms. George, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Seiller and Ms. Taylor, residents of Kaulbach Assisted Living helped by stuffing the pillows alongside Mr. Privitera.

Friday, July 2nd, The VA Hospital's Spinal Injury Unit was pleasantly surprised with these tokens of appreciation. Mr. Privitera and the Morningside residents proudly passed out many of the pillows, saving only a few for the veterans who will be returning from the Vet Games in Denver on July 10th.

Mr. Privitera and several residents of Morningside Ministries plan to meet these brave men at the airport to show their gratitude and appreciation for all the soldiers who have selflessly protected our nation's freedom.

Americans like Mr. Privitera, Ms. Peterson, Ms. George, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Seiller and Ms. Taylor are important to Morningside Ministries. The thought and care that went into creating these pillows is what makes the employees and residents of Morningside Ministries so undeniably great.

The American Dream

The American Dream includes a promise of prosperity and success, where citizens of every class believe that they can achieve a better, richer and happier life. Here at Morningside Ministries, we have a resident that represents this idea to the fullest.

Jose Arias was born in Monterrey, Mexico, on February 4, 1918. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 38. As a clothing tailor by trade, when an employment opportunity arose at Sugar Uniforms, a store his boss owned in U.S, Jose accepted the offer. Six months after coming here to San Antonio, he moved his family and kids from Mexico. He was chasing a dream of prosperity. The same dream immigrants arriving at the gates of Ellis Island in New York Harbor in the early 1900s had. And similarly to those early migrants, Jose arrived here with just the clothes on his back.

He was asked once by his boss about his goals in life, and Jose told him that he wanted to provide the opportunity for his children to receive a college education, he wanted to be the proud owner of his own home and he wanted to own a convertible car. His boss’ response to Jose’s humble goals was that he would never have any of those things because he was nothing but a clothing tailor. Jose did not accept the cynical fate his boss had predicted, stopping at nothing to get what he desired. He worked 80 hours a week for 11 years. After his employment at Sugar Uniforms, he opened his own shop in his home and tailored for Dillard’s for 3 years and JC Penny for 13 years.

Not only is Jose a skilled tailor, he is an talented Latin dancer. He learned to dance by watching TV. He loved to tango, swing, and bolero (a type of dancing style with slow-tempo Latin music). He became such an accomplished dancer that he went on to win two major dancing contests. He was asked to go on a tour all over South America, but said no because he didn’t want to leave his business.

Jose retired from his tailor work in 2007 at the age of 89. Although he no longer dances professionally, he occasionally likes to kick up his heels here at Kaulbach Assisted Living.

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers stated that we hold certain truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is the dream that Americans value very much. In case any of you were wondering, Jose ended up fulfilling his goals.

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by watching An Age for Justice, a documentary film by Witness, free at www.mmLearn.org . Simply go to the website, click An Age for Justice and follow the prompts. You’ll be asked for your zip code. Then click on continue.

Watch An Age for Justice on your personal computer. Set up a projector and laptop with internet connectivity, and show it to a group—or just gather your family around your home computer.

Awareness is the first step in identifying and preventing elder abuse. Pass this information on to colleagues, family and friends. It’s a simple action you can take and be part of change in protecting older adults.

Here are ten important reasons for you to watch An Age for Justice and to pass the link on to others.

1. Nearly five million cases of elder abuse occur each year, but 85% go unreported.  
2. The typical victim of elder abuse is a woman over 75 who lives alone.
3. Some 14,000 allegations of abuse, neglect or gross negligence are reported in nursing homes.  
4. Close to 50% of those with dementia experience some form of abuse.
5. Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who are not mistreated.
6. Elder financial abuse costs older Americans more than $2.6 billion per year.
7. Family, friends, caregivers and neighbors are the culprits in financial abuse cases more than half the time.
8. Less than 2% of federal abuse prevention dollars go to elder mistreatment efforts. 91% is spent on child abuse and 7% on domestic abuse.  
9. Financial abuse accounts for nearly 21% of the allegations of mistreatment investigated by Adult Protective Services.
10. By 2030, the numbers of older Americans over age 85 – those most at risk for abuse – will more than double.

Residents showcase talents at TAHSA Art Show

Congratulations to our Morningside residents who were named winners in the 2010 Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging "Art is Ageless" Art Show! We are proud of the participating residents who were involved. This year there were over 200 entries from more than 30 communities around Texas. The winners received their award at a reception Saturday, May 15 at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston. We commend and thank all of those who participated in the event.

The hard work that had gone into this spirited event was greatly noticed. The following is a list of winners from Morningside: The winners in the Poetry category included John Jarvis, having ranked first place for the piece he wrote titled: “Sand and Sea.” Additionally, Adelene Eldridge also received recognition for her poetry, titled “Another Year,” ranking 3rd place. For the Prose section, the first place winner Bill Scales, “Sing Me to Heaven.” In the Master works section, Betty Lynn Allen won 2nd place.

Neva June Shadden

“Scraps”

Second Place

Sewing Category

The Meadows 

Bill Scales

“Lonliness is a Tactless Tyrant”

Third Place

Visual Arts Category

Menger Springs 

Doris Pinner

“Red Wing Black Bird”

Third Place

Oil & Acrylic Category

Menger Springs 

Ruth Milligan

“Afghan”

Second Place

Textiles Category

Menger Springs

Betty Lynn Allen

"Lovely Blues"

Second Place

Master Works Category

The Meadows

David Bickoff

Second Place

Watercolor Category

Menger Springs - Kendall House