The 4th Annual Family Picnic and Kite Day will be held on Sunday, April 1st from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the McFarland Living History Ranch at 8899 Orr Road, Galt. The Galt Historical Society hosts the free event that celebrates old-fashioned fun for kids and their families. Kite making will be the featured activity with free makings and lots of help for constructing your very own kite. Ron Jacobson is the director of the Living History Ranch and said a hot dog lunch will be offered for $1.50. “This event is just a whole lot of fun,” said Jacobson. “The kids have a great time making their kites and flying them. It’s a ball to watch them run and chase kites. It just makes your heart throb. Bu

Maybe it comes from having folks that lived off the land, but I have always had affection for dirt. I remember making mud pies in the backyard of my L.A. home. I was three and there was just something about getting my hands dirty that felt good. In case you were wondering, yes, I did try a bite or two. Even the taste didn’t turn me off to playing in the dirt. It makes me now ponder how children seem to know that dirt is associated with food. My connection to dirt didn’t stop with that good L.A. mud. I found another connection to dirt in the backwoods of Oklahoma. It was where my daddy grew up. The air smells different in Oklahoma. There’s a sweetness to it along with a humidity you canno

The transition into a care home can be traumatizing for elders especially if they suffer from dementia. It’s important to visit them often because it is a well-known fact that residents whose family checks up on them regularly receive better care than others. It’s also important to engage your loved one in conversation. It keeps their mind working. It is more difficult with dementia patients who become frustrated at not remembering the recent past. I suggest talking to them about things they do remember. I use this theme with the elders I visit in an Elk Grove assisted living home. We do this in a group setting where the residents can learn more about each other and engage in socialization

If you died today, what would you leave behind? For most of us, the first thing we think about is the material items that would remain. But perhaps the most important thing you could leave is the story of your life – your Legacy Letter. Wisdom is hard won and if you’ve lived very long, you’ve learned many lessons that have made your life better. What’s more remarkable is that remembering, talking and writing about those experiences can make you healthier and happier. Numerous studies have been conducted over the past 30 years on how reminiscence therapy alleviates depression, promotes understanding and encourages socialization. Remembering is a brain exercise that nearly everyone can par

Sacramento, Ca. – A full night of entertainment has been planned for the “Evening at Sea” gala hosted by the non-profit Eskaton Senior Services on April 29 at the Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa. Attendees will enjoy dinner, wine tasting, a Polynesian performance, a casino and auction to benefit deserving seniors in the greater Sacramento region. Prizes including day trip on a private yacht for ten, a week’s stay in Maui Kaanaplai Ocean Resort, a cruise for two to the Caribbean and two tickets to the Ellen Show with airfare and accommodations. The master of ceremonies for the night will be KFBK’s Kitty O’Neal. "I love attending the Eskaton Gala because the event has so much heart,” said

Carmichael, Ca. – There’s no doubt that moving can be a difficult event for anyone, but for a senior those difficulties escalate. A move for seniors usually involves downsizing which means deciding what to do with possessions that have accumulated over many years. Physically, most seniors are unable to do the actual lifting and moving. Many feel emotionally traumatized by having to leave the place they’ve called home for decades and that is often compounded by the fear of letting strangers handle their treasured household goods. The good news for seniors in the greater Sacramento region is found in a moving company designed just for them – The Eskaton Moving Connection. More than just a

  My last interview was with a lovely elder living in a beautiful retirement community in Sacramento. An accomplished artist, she conveyed how comfortable she was living there and was enjoying the camaraderie of people her age. She now has time to indulge herself in art and writing which is another passion she enjoys. But when I asked about why she left her private residence, she became very serious. A medical crisis snowballed and she no longer felt safe to remain in her home. Her story is similar to so many elders who felt compelled to leave their homes. In Mrs. D’s case, an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication nearly cost her life. Her family members, which all live close by

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH FOUND IN EXERCISE By Karen Everett Watson Roseville, Ca. – How do you prevent falls, build stronger bones, stay socially connected and lose weight? According to Lynell Ross, nutrition and wellness coordinator for the Village Center at Eskaton Roseville, the answer is . . . exercise. “Exercise is the fountain of youth,” said Ross. “If I could bottle it, I would be a millionaire.” Ross emphasized that exercise is the key to fall prevention which is the number one cause of fatal injuries to seniors. “If you have strong muscles you can catch yourself before you fall,” said Ross. “Exercise improves balance and creates flexibility. These are very important as we age.” Mill

Seniors are like people in every age group – they have their own ideas about home and happiness. We all are intricately linked to our environment, or homes. Home is the place where we can be ourselves and the structure itself is often a reflection of ourselves and our lives. But, as we grow older, many of us will have to consider moving to another home. The reasons can vary. Yard work and home maintenance might become too much for us to handle. Our physical abilities might change and our home might become harder to live in. We might even suffer a health crisis and need help in our everyday activities of life. We might consider moving to free up the equity in our home. Whatever the reason,

According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, over 600,000 elderly Americans are seen each year in hospital emergency rooms from accidents in their homes. You can help make your home or your parent’s much safer and often it doesn’t take a lot of cash to do so. Since falls are the number one cause of fatal injury for seniors, pulling up those throw rugs and removing any clutter from the floors will do a lot to keep your parents safe. Not all improvements are this easy but many are. Experts have studied home safety and handy checklists are available on many websites. On the California Department of Aging website you can use the search words “home safety” to find a good list. Bu