It seems that so many of the people who once entertained or informed us have passed away, along with the "good old days." But there are some wonderful celebrities who are not only still living, but who are living actively.
 
The actress Eva Marie Saint, who was born in 1924, continues to keep busy. Best-remembered for playing opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront in 1954, she has won many awards, including one from the Academy. But even in her eighties she was appearing in movies and television, and recently she campaigned for Californians to stop texting while driving. In 2018, she was a presenter at the Academy Awards. And she still looks beautiful!
 
Jimmy Carter, the former President of the United States, was also born in 1924. Since he left office, he has been continually involved in political and charitable projects, including Habitat for Humanity. He can still swing a hammer, and in 2002 he received a Nobel Peace Prize. 
 
Bob Barker, the former host of "The Price is Right" television game show, is 98 years old. He believes in physical exercise and healthy eating, and he actively supports humane treatment of animals.
 
June Lockhart is another celebrity in her 90s. She achieved excellence in theater, movies and television, and is probably best remembered for playing mothers in the TV series, "Lassie" (1954) and "Lost in Space" (1965). But even in her nineties, she has acted in television and movies.
 
These people, and others, like Norman Lear and Henry Kissinger, have never retired, but continue to be useful and interested in life well into their ninth decades.
 
 
Charlene Frazier 
Community Coordinator, Residence 600
600 E. Elm, Salina KS 67401
785-822-1300
residentservices.600@gmail.com

 According to The National Institute on Aging, more than one in three people age 65 years old older falls each year. Studies show that if a person falls once, they are even more likely to fall again. Taking a tumble is not just ungraceful or embarrassing, it can result in broken bones, head injuries, hospital stays or permanent disability.
 
Falls are not inevitable, even with aging. Here are some ways to minimize the likelihood of falling.

• Wear the right clothes. Sturdy, comfortable shoes with non-skid soles are the place to start, but also check the wardrobe for sleeves or hems easily caught on doors or chair backs. House slippers are sometimes just that: slippery!

 

• Speak with your health care provider about the medications they have prescribed. Do any of them cause dizziness or confusion? Knowing the side effects can help with awareness of falling possibilities. The doctor might also prescribe some physical therapy sessions to help with balance and strength.

 

• Eat right. Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D will help strengthen bones and minimize damage if you do fall. Limit alcohol intake. Weight-bearing exercise, like walking or lifting light weights also help slow down osteoporosis, a bone weakness.

 

• Be careful around pets. Pets, especially small ones, like to stay close! But underfoot, they are just as much of a hazard as a non-stick rug. Keep an eye on Fluffy or Fido when moving about.

 

• Don't climb. There are wonderful "reach stick" tools designed to help get to high shelves or grab something off the floor. Climbing up on a stepladder or standing on a chair to see into to the upper cabinets is just asking for trouble. Better to ask someone else for a little help.

 
Being independent is everyone's goal, and one way to keep this a reality is to avoid falls.
 
Charlene Frazier 
Community Coordinator, Residence 600
600 E. Elm, Salina KS 67401
785-822-1300
residentservices.600@gmail.com