Fall Prevention & Tips for Seniors

Friday, September 16, 11:00 am

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of Americans aged 65 and older falls each year: every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall; falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults; falls result in more than 2.5 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 734,000 hospitalizations and more than 21,700 deaths.  If that doesn’t impress, the financial toll for older adults falling is expected to increase as the population ages, and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020.  With or without injury, falls also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
 

On Friday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m., Crowell Public Library will present “Fall Prevention & Tips for Seniors,” a program that will demonstrate how many falls are caused by common hazards in the home and how easy they are to fix.  With a few modifications, seniors are able to avoid the potential life-altering impact a fall can cause.  If you think you are immune to a fall, think again.  Whether one currently enjoys good health, has a medical condition or takes four or more medications, everyone is at risk.   This program will be led by a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, and Continuing Education Instructor.

Come to the Barth Community Room at Crowell Library and learn some easy safety tips for health and well-being.

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness -- In Our Own Voice

Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 pm

National Alliance on Mental Illness’ In Our Own Voice is a free presentation designed to shatter negative stereotypes of people with mental illness.  Two trained speakers share their compelling personal stories of living with mental health challenges, from the dark days of a mental health crisis to the successes, hopes and dreams they are now experiencing in recovery.  Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and other brain disorders are discussed.  While audiences benefit from the inspirational stories of the speakers, presenters increase their confidence and develop leadership skills while helping to inspire and motivate others. 

NAMI In Our Own Voice demonstrates that recovery is possible.  It allows audience members to connect on a personal level with the presenters via question and answer sessions and provides an opportunity for audience members to gain insight into the experience of life with mental illness, while encouraged to share their own experiences. This exchange helps combat the stigma and misinformation which surrounds these illnesses.  The presentation also features a DVD with eight other individuals from diverse backgrounds sharing the impact of and recovery from the trials of mental illness.

NAMI California is a grassroots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. They advocate for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all constituents. They provide leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California.  Presenter Emily Wu Truong is an award-winning advocate for mental health awareness and alumna of the San Marino Unified School District.  She serves on the Board of Directors of National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley and is Chair of the Asian Coalition & spokesperson for the California Mental Health Movement, Each Mind Matters.  While sharing her own journey from depression to self-actualization, Emily encourages others to find meaning in their own life struggles. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Don’t miss this important opportunity to learn about mental illness from those who have recovered, Tuesday September 13^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room.

Sunday, September 11^th Verdi’s Macbeth

Sunday, October 9^th Philip Glass’s Akhnaten

The popular LA Opera Talks return to Crowell Public Library on September 11^th with Verdi’s Macbeth, followed by Philip Glass’s Akhnaten on October 9th.  LA Opera Talks are programs presented by community educators featuring fascinating facts and musical excerpts from the operas that are playing downtown at the Music Center.  Opera is not just magnificent music.  It is dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage. It can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life.  It is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting!

Sunday September 11th at 2:00 p.m. learn all about the LA Opera production of Macbeth, featuring Giuseppe Verdi’s music, and of course, Shakespeare’s story:  how can one go wrong with this dark political parable?  A victorious general returns home from battle and encounters a coven of witches who predict his future — he will become king of Scotland. Blinded by ambition, and spurred on by his power-hungry wife, Macbeth commits multiple murders to attain and keep the throne. Verdi's score elevates the tragedy and horror through electrifying vocal lines and propulsive energy.

With a powerful, mesmerizing score by Philip Glass, Akhnaten depicts the ancient Egyptian pharaoh with driving rhythms and exquisite choral harmonies.  Akhnaten ascends to the throne along with his bride Nefertiti. He has a vision for his people, a vision that abandons the worship of many gods for just one: the Sun God who reigns supreme. Akhnaten's bold attempt to alter the course of history with a single revolutionary idea ultimately leads to his violent overthrow.

Explore the world of opera through LA Opera’s education programs. Opera has something for everyone. Come early as seats are limited, but open to all opera aficionados and first timers. 

 

Lip Reading Made Fun with Francine Katz

Mondays & Tuesdays starting September 12

Challenge your memory, improve your language skills, and ease the burden of hearing loss by learning to lip read.  In these fun and stimulating classes, students will enhance their verbal skills by analyzing how language looks and sounds.  Instructor Francine Katz challenges the class to memorize sentences, play word games and focus on lip-reading skills.  Spouses of the hearing-impaired are also encouraged to attend to better understand how their patience and consideration can pay off with better communication.  According to Ms. Katz, the human eye can see only eight or nine mouth movements per second, whereas the ears can hear 13 or 14 sounds per second, so slowing speech for the benefit of lip-readers makes sense.

Francine Katz, MA, SLP, CCC, is a graduate of Northwestern University and a licensed speech-language pathologist and lip reading specialist.  Mrs. Katz was with Pasadena City College for over twelve years.  She was “Teacher of the Year” at PCC in 2005.  She was also listed in “Who’s Who in America,” Western Section.  Ms. Katz has taught this class at various locations for over 45 years and students rave how their mental agility has improved after participating. 

Get your brain in shape with a free weekly two-hour workout in the Barth Community Room at Crowell Library in a relaxed atmosphere with rewarding results.  Classes begin September 12 and 13.  Choose either Mondays from 12:30 pm or Tuesday mornings at 9:30, or sample a class and then return ready to do some work as a regular attendee.

Boosting your brain power can only help you age with grace!