The Senior Scene

(Pictured: A set of resistance bands is an inexpensive alternative for strength-training.)

Gym memberships can be expensive and may lock a member into long-term contracts. Some at-home equipment on the market can also carry big price tags and possibly monthly subscription charges, too. But keeping fit doesn’t need to be a workout for the wallet. Here are some ways to save:

Stream workout videos for free.

Whether gentle yoga, heart-pounding cardio, or sensible strengthening routines, there are thousands of workout videos—available free—online (one easy place to start is aarp.org/fitness) or through some cable television providers and streaming services. You don’t need much for most of these workouts—just a yoga mat for floor exercises and enough space for a few steps (or lunges).

Buy studio classes in bulk.

If you prefer the community feel of in-person classes, most studios offer a free or highly discounted trial class or two. Once you’ve found one you love, consider buying a package of classes up-front—as long as you’re certain you’ll use all the classes in the allotted time limit. “If you pay for six months’ worth of classes at once, it’s cheaper than paying for the classes as you go,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website.

Discounted gym memberships.

High demand for memberships from New Year resolution-makers means that gyms tend to charge higher prices in January. You’ll get a better deal later, Ramhold said. Pay even less by taking advantage of discounts offered through workplace benefits or programs such as Silver Sneakers, available through some Medicare Advantage plans.

Make thoughtful gear purchases.

Looking to strength-train without spending hundreds of dollars on dumbbells? A set of resistance bands is a cheap alternative and will still provide a full-body workout. If you’re interested in larger equipment, like a treadmill or stationary bike, check out sites such as Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace, where neighbors may be selling barely-used equipment for much less than you’d pay at retail. “There are a lot of people who buy exercise equipment and don’t use it,” said Lorraine C. Ladish, a certified yoga instructor and over-50 fitness influencer. “Often it’s secondhand, but it’s in pristine condition.”

Join a fitness retailer’s loyalty club.

While it’s rarely necessary to purchase purpose-made workout clothing, new threads can give some added motivation. The rewards programs at athletic-apparel stores may give you access to exclusive deals and discounts on merchandise. Some stores, such as Athleta, Reebok and Nike, may also provide access to community fitness events and classes.

Source: AARP

(Pictured: Regular eye exams are important for good eye health).

Maintaining health and quality of life as we age requires us to prioritize eyesight. Regular eye exams and early detection are essential for maintaining good eye health, just like many other aspects of overall health.

Lighthouse Guild, a non-profit organization supporting blind and vision-impaired persons, notes that low vision (vision loss that can’t be corrected with eyeglasses, contacts, or surgery) can impact many people as they get older and lead to difficulty performing everyday activities such as driving, reading, and hobbies. Symptoms can include loss of central and/or peripheral vision, blurred or hazy vision, and difficulty seeing at night.

occurs, lifestyle factors can play an important role in protecting vision. For instance:

• Eat a balanced diet including dark, leafy greens and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.

• Maintain a healthy weight, and exercise.

• Get enough sleep to rest your eyes.

• Don’t smoke.

• Keep diabetes and blood pressure under control.

• Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors.

• Wear protective eyewear during activities such as sports, gardening, and construction work.

• Discuss your family’s eye health history with your eye care professional.

Source: Lighthouse Guild

(Pictured: Dr. Anne Tournay, seen here with her dog, has EGPA. It took her more than two years for the illness to be diagnosed correctly.)

An estimated 5,000 people in the United States are living with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), a rare form of vasculitis that causes inflammation or swelling in the small and medium blood vessels. While it can cause damage to organs throughout the body, it most often affects the lungs.

The American Lung Association’s new EGPA Educational Campaign, provided with support from AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, strives to educate people living with EGPA, and their families and caregivers about this serious but treatable disease. Here’s what they want you to know:

Symptoms

They’re varied. EGPA can manifest differently based on what organs are affected. However, nearly everyone living with it will experience these signs and symptoms:

• Feeling frequently ill and tired.

• Loss of appetite, resulting in weight loss.

• Fever.

• Asthma and/or sinus polyps.

• A higher-than-normal level of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.

Patients may also experience shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, rashes, muscle and joint pain, nasal discharge, facial pain, abdominal pain or bloody stools, numbness or loss of strength, tingling in hands and feet, and kidney disease.

Persistence, patience in diagnosis.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are critical to optimally managing and minimizing symptoms. But getting the right diagnosis may take years and involve a clinical exam, blood tests to check white blood count, a urinalysis, a chest X-ray or CT scan, and a biopsy. Those who have been through the process say it can be frustrating, and persistence is needed to get proper care.

 Dr. Anne Tournay started to learn she had EGPA with symptoms that included severe adult-onset asthma, congestion due to nasal and sinus polyps, arm pain due to neuropathy, and urticaria, a condition that causes hives.

“Despite being a physician myself and asking repeatedly if I had EGPA, I didn’t receive the right diagnosis and treatment for two and a half years. Eventually I paid out of pocket to see an EGPA expert and enrolled in an EGPA clinical trial. After various medication adjustments, I’m now 10 years out from diagnosis and have had no active symptoms for five years,” Tournay said.

Treatment can help.

There is no cure, but treatment can reduce symptoms, decrease the risk of organ damage, and improve quality of life. Because EGPA can affect multiple organs, a patient may need to work with more than one healthcare provider. They’ll review disease severity, the organs involved, current medications, and other health conditions. Medications may be prescribed, such as anti-inflammatories, which help reduce swelling in the body; immunosuppressants, which can lower the immune system’s activity; and biologics, which target inflammation caused by eosinophils.

Lifestyle changes.

Good health practices, such as keeping vaccinations up to date, eating a well-balanced diet, staying active, and getting adequate sleep can help a patient feel their best. It’s also important to quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke and fumes, dust and chemicals. Other strategies include tracking any new, worsening or changing side-effects or symptoms, managing asthma, and seeing a healthcare provider regularly.

Support is available.

 EGPA is rare, but questions can be answered and support can be found from:

• The Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA, where you can talk to trained lung health professionals and receive a free health journal.

• Living with Lung Disease Support Community and Living with Asthma Support Community, which provide anonymous 24/7 peer-to-peer support at Inspire.com.

The American Lung Association will host a free webinar on March 5, intended for those with rare and complex lung diseases that may be misdiagnosed as asthma or another more common lung disease. Dr. Sanober Kable, a pulmonologist and critical-care specialist, will discuss different examples of rare lung diseases, signs and symptoms to watch for, and the steps to ensure you have the correct diagnosis. Registration for the webinar and more information about EGPA are at Lung.org/EGPA.

Source: StatePoint Media