Community Connection Newsletter | October 2020 | News & Announcements
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Seniors Reveal:
10 Reasons Why Aging is Awesome
by: Emma Rodbro, seniorly.com
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Believe or not, there’s more to life for those 65 and older other than game night and golf courses. You feel wiser. You know yourself better. And you also become a part of a powerful demographic. To celebrate this special time in your life, we’ve shared some interesting facts about older adults that may surprise you. |
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1. Age doesn't determine success.
The founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Harland David Sanders (a.k.a. Colonel Sanders), started Kentucky Fried Chicken at the age of 65!
2. We lose a few bones along the way.
We are born with 350 bones in our skeleton. Over the course of time and during our aging process, our bones fuse together leaving us with 206 bones as adults.
3. Seniors hold the most voting power.
When it comes to voting in the United States, those 60 and over cast more ballots than any other age group.
4. Creativity doesn't diminish with age.
Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish Little House in the Big Woods until 65. Millard Kaufman didn’t publish his first novel until 90!
5. Seniors are living longer.
Due to advancements in health care and technology, people are living longer. By the year 2040 the population of seniors over 85 is expected to triple from 5.7 million to 14.1 million.
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6. ...and growing faster.
According to the US Census Bureau, older adults make up the fastest growing age group within the United States.
7. You (mostly) have control over aging.
Studies argue that only 30% of the characteristics associated with aging are controlled by genetics. The remaining 70% is controlled by chosen lifestyle factors.
8. There's less stress after 65.
Despite citing other health and money concerns, those 65 and older experience less stress.
9. Learning can save your brain.
In response to learning, senior citizens can grow new neurons over time which can help fight off dementia.
10. Sleeping habits alter over time.
Our sleeping patterns change as we age: we get tired earlier and wake up earlier.
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We asked a few of our seniors about their scariest memories. Take a look at the information below to see what they had to say. |
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Joe Schictel
Q: Do you believe in ghosts?
Well, I call them spirits.
Q: What was Halloween like for you as a kid?
It was fun, we would go trick or treating and sometimes we would give a little trick instead of getting a treat.
I remember when my kids were of trick or treating age, there was a problem with people putting pins and such in candy. At the time I was an x-ray tech and told people if they had suspicions I would x-ray their candy. Folks did bring in candy but I never found anything in it.
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Sharon Gugin
Q: Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes, I have seen them.
Q: What do you think is the most iconic scary movie?
Friday the 13th
Q: What was your favorite costume?
I was the devil once.
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Dee Beemer
Q: Do you believe in ghosts?
Yeah, it’s just the dead who can’t find their way home. They’re left behind in the snow storm.
Q: Do you like scary movies?
I like them all but the last one to scare me was The Exorcist. Some I’ll never watch again, I don’t like too much blood.
Q: What was your favorite costume?
My favorite is a witch, but I’m a good witch.
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Mary Brown
Q: Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes, I’ve been haunted by ghosts.
Q: What did you do for Halloween?
Go to Mesick, the stores would hand out candy apples.
Q: What was your favorite costume?
Homemade costumes, I was a witch because I am a witch.
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Linda Sizeland
Q: So you like scary movies?
I love them! My favorite is Independence Day.
Q: What was Halloween like for you?
We trick or treated.
Q: What was your favorite costume?
I was always a witch.
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Shirley F.
Q: What was Halloween like for you?
It was fun we always went trick or treating.
Q: How do you feel about Halloween?
I think it’s a wonderful thing for the kids but also for the joy it brings the parents to watch the children squeal with excitement.
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Ivan Kline
Q: What was Halloween like for you as a kid?
I would dress up and go trick or treating. Also, we made jack o lanterns.
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Employee of the Month
Congratulations Lora Duncan!
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Lora has been with Samaritas for 14 years in the housekeeping department. She has four boys between the ages of 13 and 18, each with a very different personality. Carmel, her female American Bulldog, has the biggest personality of them all. Lora has lived in Cadillac her entire life and has rarely left the state of Michigan. When she’s not at work Lora enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin and hunting.
She loves working at Samaritas because she loves the residents and says she has some pretty great co-workers.
Lora’s future plans are to continue working at Samaritas, watch her kids grow up, and continue to enjoy her life until it’s time to retire.
Congratulations Lora, you are a Samaritas Rock Star!
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Five New Monthly 'Ripple Effects' Donors Needed
Are YOU our next member?
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Earlier this year, Samaritas launched its new monthly giving club, Ripple Effects. For as little as $5 a month, you can help provide safety, peace, love, and enrichment to many in need.
The Ripple Effects Monthly Giving Club may provide a convenient opportunity for you to become a donor or increase your annual giving.
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Through your gift, you support critical programs that help strengthen and preserve families. You assist us in finding loving foster homes for vulnerable children. You help provide affordable choices and a sense of independence for fellow seniors and persons with disabilities. You also help build a pathway for refugee families in our New Americans program to become self-sufficient. As a member of Ripples Effects, you can make a difference in your community and beyond.
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Ways Your Monthly Gift Makes A Ripple Effect
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$5 MONTHLY
$50 annually - could pay for craft and project therapy supplies for our Samaritas House Heartline women transitioning from incarceration, homelessness and/or human trafficking.
$8.33 MONTHLY
$100 annually - could pay for an individualized life skills class for a young adult aging out of foster care.
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$10 MONTHLY
$120 annually - could provide a six-week exercise or enrichment class for resident in one of our senior living or affordable housing communities.
$12.50 MONTHLY
$150 annually - could purchase a car seat for foster families/birth families, or pay for a foster child’s extracurricular activity.
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See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
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Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.
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