David Laschinger
Each month the Living Well committee invites experts in their field to talk with Robson residents about various health topics. The June 6 program was for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden (GOLF).
Before the guest professionals teed off, the 34 men in attendance were briefed on the Living Well website. This included tips, proper grip of the computer’s mouse, navigating the website and using its key features. Upcoming events were also highlighted.
Then Denton area cardiologist, Dr. Daniel Caldwell, stepped into the tee-box. He gave “Heart to Heart,” an hour-long presentation on what it takes to keep our hearts in the game. He elaborated on the often-heard instruction for maintaining a healthy heart—diet and exercise. He provided the latest heart-related information and commented on recent scientific studies related to medications for blood pressure, plaque and blockages, stress and sleep tests and nutrition. In recent years, his group of cardiologists began giving sleep tests because many patients, generally older ones, were not getting enough oxygen as they slept.
His prescription for exercise was thirty minutes of moderate to extensive activity at least five times a week. A person’s peak heart rate during exercise should be 220 minus their age. For a 66-year-old, the maximum heart rate would be 220–66=154 beats per minute.
Simplifying nutrition, his recommendation was to divide a plate of food into four parts. On one quarter, there should be a portion of meat or protein, preferably chicken or fish. The other three parts of the plate need to be “colorful” with plant-based foods. If people would follow this advice, he believes all the extra vitamins and supplements that so many Americans take would not be necessary.
The second expert to tee up that afternoon was Ryan Bennett, a licensed Hearing Instrumentation Specialist. He described the two most common types of hearing loss, sensorineural and conductive. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when a person loses the ability to understand speech in situations such as in the presence of competing noise, competing conversation, or in environments where sound can echo. Conductive hearing loss is the ear’s inability to conduct sound into the inner ear as it is blocked or reduced.
“Most patients”, Mr. Bennett said, “Wait about seven years too long in getting a hearing evaluation.” The worse the hearing loss, the more difficult it is for the patient to adjust to wearing hearing aids. In such cases, the person must relearn to understand certain speech sounds such as soft consonants.
Before the event adjourned to the 19th hole, a representative from the event sponsor, DATCU, gave away door prizes. DATCU also provided refreshments for the meeting.
More top-notch programs like this are coming. The August 22 speaker will be Andrew Crocker, Gerontology and Health Specialist, who will address, “Am I Losing My Mind”. Upcoming workshops include “A Matter of Balance” starting August 28 and “Dealing with Chronic Pain” starting September 19. The remaining programs in 2018 will be open to all Robson residents. For more information about all the Living Well programs and events, please visit www.rrlwc.com.
All presentations sponsored by the Living Well at Robson Ranch Committee are intended for general information and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither the LW at RR Committee, RR Denton HOA, nor Robson Communities is responsible or liable for the content and do not endorse any product or service mentioned.