Village Press. Chanukah. Celebrating December. Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the. December Bingo Month.

Transcription

1 Village Press December 2012 The Newsletter for Village Apartments Celebrating December Chanukah Bingo Month Tie Month Cookie Cutter Week December 1 7 Pearl Harbor Day December 7 First Full Day of Hanukkah December 9 Violin Day December 13 Crossword Puzzle Day December 21 Winter Solstice December 21 Christmas Day December 25 Boxing Day December 26 Kwanzaa Begins December 26 Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Chanukah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays. Related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited. After reciting the blessings, the first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and is placed in its holder. Each night, another candle is added from right to left. On the eighth night, all nine candles are lit. It is traditional to eat fried foods on Chanukah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes. The traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money. Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah, an illegal activity would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top whenever an official or inspector was within sight. Wishing all JCHC residents and their families a joy filled, healthy and happy Chanukah!

2 By: Maryann Webber Housecalls Nurse Practitioner The Balancing Act In 2008, an estimated 14.8% or American adults 65 years of age and older, approximately 33.4 million people, reported having either a balance or dizziness problem. Having good balance means having control with walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair or bending over without falling. Good balance is your independence to carry out activities of daily living with quality of life. When people have balance issues is leads to falls and fall related injuries. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly more than 1/3rd of adults, 65 years and older, fall each year because of the aforementioned problem which lead to their incapacitating injuries and/or deaths. There are a myriad of reasons why balance may become a problem. It may be caused by an inner ear problem, medical problems; such as respiratory infection, viral infections, circulatory problems, stroke, low blood pressure, smoking, medications, to name a few. Finding the correct diagnosis for a balance disorder is essential. Questions you should ask yourself and then report the same to your Health Care Provider are: Do you feel unsteady? Do you feel as if the room is spinning? Do you feel you are moving when you know you are standing? Do you feel as if you are falling? Do you feel disoriented? Do you remember to take your medications? You can help your HCP make a definitive diagnosis by writing down answers to the following questions: How would you describe your dizziness? How often does your dizziness happen? Have you ever fallen? When? Where? How? Do you drink alcohol? How much alcohol do you drink? What health problems do you have? Are your family members or friends concerned about these problems? Based upon your answers, your HCP can then make professional recommendations for treatment based upon his/her diagnosis. Some recommendations might be strategies to help reduce the effects of a balance disorder such as exercise or refer you to a specialist if your problems are related to an inner ear problem, Multiple Sclerosis, Meniere s disease, or medication problems. Whatever the cause you can protect yourself from getting a balance disorder by doing the following: Diet and lifestyle changes can manage certain balance related problems such as Meniere s disease. Choose a low salt diet. Choose caffeine free beverages. Avoid alcohol which can make symptoms of vertigo less severe. Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly walking is the best exercise: 20 minutes daily increase by 5 minutes weekly to tolerance. It is important to always check with your HCP before beginning a new exercise routine. Recommended fluid intake of water is at least 1500 ml minimum if not fluid restricted. It is also important to practice good body posture and movement. Also avoid crossing legs when eating and/or sitting. In conclusion: Take control, avoid a fall, protect yourself, and keep balanced. If you do fall, apprise your PCP.

3 Buckle Up For Good Contributed by Village Resident: Marvin Strauss For too many years, our riders in the USA tour buses and intercity motor coaches have been exposed to possible serious injuries and death from crashes. Other countries, like European Union, with 27 countries, plus Australia and New Zealand, have mandated seat belts for all riders, preventing serious injury and harm to their passengers. Our federal government has finally taken action to protect our riders in tour buses and intercity motor coaches. On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed an important bill, MAP-21, to require seat belts on all tour buses, intercity buses for the entire United States. This requirement takes effect July 6, This new law will give required protection and safety to our riders, finally. The leadership was provided principally by Senator Lautenberg, with the assistance of staffer Zoe Baldwin for MAP-21. Senator Lautenberg covered many safety measures in addition to seat belts, bill FMCSA. Thank you Senator Lautenberg, Zoe Baldwin and staff for your tireless effort and leadership. My thanks to Star Ledger reporter, Steve Strunsky for giving me information and encouragement. Village Apartments resident Marvin Strauss has been on a mission to develop laws designed to increase safety of rider s on commuter buses for over 5 years. We wish to congratulate him for his leadership, hard work and tenacity which helped to make this new law a reality.

4 VILLAGE UPCOMING : The following events will take place during the month of December. Please be sure to check your calendar for dates, and locations of each event: Village Apartments resident, Rima Nemet entertained residents with a hilarious comedy hour. All in attendance enjoyed the show. Kid s Cookies n Concerts (Temple Beth-el) FDU Holiday Celebration It s Never2Late Movie Medical Center Pharmacy Health Fair Supper Club Winter Wonderland/Hanukkah Celebration The Importance of Touch Karen Frank Chat with Maryann Moonlight Serenade-Live Classical Music Concert Morris Museum & at Minuteman Diner Much, much more Ohab Shalom Kid s, Cookie s n Concerts event. Oheb Shalom provided a therapy dog for residents to enjoy.

5 HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY Murray Burn Florence Dove Joan Bender Meron Solomon provided the ladies with a special treat. We enjoyed A Day of Beauty at Village Apartments. December 12 December 19 December 27 Your Life, Your Legacy Preplanning Seminar provided by representatives of Bernheim Apter Kreitzman. Supper Club members enjoyed a special Chinese themed dinner in November.

6 December 2012 VILLAGE Calendar is subject to change Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 Kid s Cookies n Concerts (Beth-el) 1:30 MOVIE MOVIE 9 Hanukkah Dining Closed - 2:00 for Private Party 3:00 MOVIE 16 Senior TV Matinee Club A Taste of Hanukkah p.m. 1:30 MOVIE MOVIE 23/30 1:30 MOVIE MOVIE 3 10:30 Irvings & Farmers Market 10 Winter Wonderland/ Hanukkah 17 10:45 Trader Joes Florham Park 24/31 4 9:15 Exercise 10:45 Shopping 1:00 Bridge 2:30 Art with Flo 4:00 FDU Holiday Concert Never2Late Movie 11 9:15 Exercise 10:45 Shopping 1:00 Bridge 2:30 Art with Flo Hirschhorn- Karen Frank The Importance of Touch 18 9:15 Exercise 10:45 Shopping 1:00 Bridge 2:30 Art with Flo Moonlight Serenade 25 Christmas Office Closed 5 9:00- Health Fair by Medical Center Pharmacy 10:15 Rt 22 Christmas Tree Store 4:00 KNITTING 8:00 Movie 12 10:30 Rockaway Mall 4:00 KNITTING 8:00 Hanukkah Movie 19 10:15 Walmart Rt 22 1:00 The Holiday Blues & How to Beat Them by Housecalls 4:00 KNITTING 8:00 Movie 26 10:30 Essex Green 4:00 KNITTING 8:00 Movie 6 9:15 EXERCISE 10:30 Essex Green 13 9:15 EXERCISE 10:30 Rt 10 Shopping 20 9:15 EXERCISE 10:30 Livingston Mall 27 TBA Morris Museum Minuteman Diner 9:15 EXERCISE 7 1:30 RELIGIOUS 14 1:30 RELIGIOUS Senior TV Matinee Club A Taste of Hanukkah p.m. 21 Winter begins 1:30 RELIGIOUS 28 1:30 RELIGIOUS 8 Hanukkah begins at Sundown WISHING YOU A HAPPY & HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON 15 Senior TV Matinee Club A Taste of Hanukkah p.m