Free

Educational

Reading Materials

Back Pain

Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

Food Allergies

Dry Mouth

Osteoporosis

What’s On Your Plate?

Get the Stats on Traumatic Brain

Injury in the United States

Hearing Loss

A Good Night’s Sleep

Medicines: Use Them Safely

The History of Violence as a Public

Health Issue by the CDC

Call Patty at 405-752-3935 for your

free copies.

*******************************

Health Tip:

Boost Your Balance Balance exercises can help reduce the risk

of falling and dangerous fractures. The

CDC lists these exercises that can help

improve balance:

Practice Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art

Walk backward, stepping to the side

or walking heel to toe

Practice standing on one foot and

holding the position

Take group exercise classes that focus

on balance

Outreach Mercy connecting with the community

May/Jun 2012

What are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency? Sleep deprivation is a condition that occurs if you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep

deficiency is a broader concept. It occurs if you have one or more of the following:

You don’t get enough sleep

You sleep at the wrong time of day

You don’t sleep well or get all of the different types of sleep that your body needs

You have a sleep disorder that prevents you from getting enough sleep or causes poor

quality sleep

Sleeping is a basic human need, like eating, drinking, and breathing. Like these

other needs, sleeping is a vital part of the foundation for good health and well-being

throughout your lifetime. Sleep deficiency can lead to physical and mental health

problems, injuries, loss of productivity, and even a greater risk of death. The 2

basic types of sleep are REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM. Non-REM

sleep includes what is commonly known as deep sleep or slow wave sleep.

Dreaming typically occurs during REM sleep. Generally, non-REM and REM

sleep occur in a regular pattern of 3-5 cycles each night.

Your ability to function and feel well while you are awake depends on whether

you’re getting enough total sleep and enough of each type of sleep. It also depends

on whether you’re sleeping at a time when your body is prepared and ready to

sleep. You have an internal body clock that controls when you’re awake and when

your body is ready for sleep. This clock typically follows a 24-hour repeating

rhythm (circadian rhythm). The rhythm affects every cell, tissue, and organ in your

body and how they work. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, are sleeping at the

wrong times, or have poor quality sleep, you’ll likely feel very tired during the day.

You may not feel refreshed and alert when you wake up. Sleep deficiency can

interfere with work, school, driving, and social functioning. You might have

trouble learning, focusing, and reacting. Also, you might find it hard to judge other

people’s emotions and reactions. Sleep deficiency also can make you feel

frustrated, cranky or worried in social situations.

The signs and symptoms of sleep deficiency may differ between children and

adults. Children who are sleep deficient might be overly active and have problems

paying attention. They also might misbehave, and their school performance can

suffer.

Sleep deficiency is a common public health problem in the United States. People

in all age groups report not getting enough sleep. Sleep deficiency is linked to

many chronic problems including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood

pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression. It is also associated with an

increased risk of injury in adults, teens and children. For example, driver

sleepiness is responsible for serious car crashes and in the elderly, it is linked to

increased risk of falls and broken bones.

In addition, sleep deficiency has played a role in human errors linked to tragic

accidents, such as nuclear reactor meltdowns, grounding of large ships, and

aviation accidents. A common myth is that people can learn to get by on little sleep

with no negative effects. However, research shows that getting enough quality

sleep at the right times is vital for mental and physical health, quality of life and

safety. Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

May & June Programs Elder Law Day Friday, May 4

9:30 to 2pm

Mercy Conference Center

This year includes:

Scott Hines, KFOR News,

“Scammers, Threats and Bad Guys,

Oh My!”

Sgt. Jason Ruegge, “Firearms Laws

of Oklahoma”

Shirley Cox, JD, “Legislative Up-

date”.

Midwest City Police will discuss

“Securing Your Home” and we will

also have a uniform fashion show

during lunch. This event is FULL at

the present time, as it was listed in

the previous OUTREACH, however,

you may call 752-3600 to check on

cancellations. You must have a res-

ervation to attend.

AARP Driving Course Wednesday, May 9

9am to 4:30pm

Mercy Conference Center, C

$12 AARP members

$14 non-members

Need to tune up your driving skills

and update your knowledge of rules

of the road? If you can’t make the

May class, our next class will be

July 11th. This class is for anyone

wanting to improve their defensive

driving skills.

RSVP to 752-3600

Care for Caregivers Support

Group Thursday, May 17

2 to 3:30pm

Mercy Conference Center

(check monitor for room assign-

ment)

RSVP to Wendy, 936-5821

14th Annual

Caregiver Survival Skills Conference “Embrace, Overcome and Celebrate” Friday, June 22

8:30am to 2:30pm

Mercy Conference Center, Room C

Suggested Donation: $10

More than 65 million people, 29% of the US population, provide care

for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during

any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing

care for their loved one. Research has shown that family caregivers

experience extreme stress and this can take years off a caregiver’s life.

We want to celebrate caregivers at our annual caregiver conference

and offer a day of support and inspiration.

Our speakers this year include:

Marla Mercer Cole, LPC, “Finding Joy in the Journey of Grief”

Jill Watskey, JD, “Surviving Legal Issues”

and

Dona Zanotti, PhD, “Maintaining Hope: For Your Loved One and

Yourself”.

The conference includes lunch, a Resource Fair, and limited in-home

respite care if needed. For availability of respite care, call 936-5821

and leave a message. Please join us for this informative, motivating

and comforting day for caregivers.

RSVP to 752-3600

A Woman’s Guide to Money Matters Thursday, June 28

9 to 10am

Mercy Conference Center, Room B

A strong financial strategy is important for women of all ages. Bring

your sister, mother, daughter, friend and learn what you can about:

Your options to pay for a child’s or grandchild’s education

Developing a strategy to achieve your financial goals

Seminar will be presented by Candace Hobbs, with Edward Jones.

Seating is limited, so reserve yours early.

RSVP to 752-3600

Foster Grandparent Program

WANTED…...Grandparents to

volunteer in your neighborhood!

If you are 55 or older and want

to make a difference in a child’s

life, call Susie or Ladonna K. at

1-800-522-1064

Possible benefits include 2.65

per hour plus meals, paid leave,

holidays, transportation

assistance and more.

*************************

TOTAL WELLNESS

The Oklahoma City/County

Health Department is offering

Summer Total Wellness

(Free) classes to meet one hour a

week for 12 weeks. The goal of

the class is for everyone to lose

5% of their body weight and

become more active. Learn to

develop new healthy habits and

balance diet with physical

activity. Feel better and enjoy a

more positive self image. Must

be 18 or older to attend.

Pre-enrollment is required by

May 14th

Classes to be held at

Edmond Metro Library

First Baptist Church Bethany

ASTEC Charter School and

Ralph Ellison Library

Call 405-425-4352

to enroll

37th Annual Oklahoma

Conference on Aging Secrets of Aging:

Hidden Treasures

May 15-17, 2012

Embassy Suites, Norman, OK

The annual conference is the pre-

miere aging event in Oklahoma

and will highlight and celebrate

older Oklahoman’s—our state’s

treasures.

Senior Day is May 15th and is free

to Oklahomans 60 and older. Sen-

ior Day is filled with fun, informa-

tive workshops, special events, a

Wellness Fair, Film Festival and

Exhibit Hall.

Visit okagingconference.com or

call 405-325-1022 to register.

Mystery Trip Thursday, May 31

Tuesday, June 26

Departs: 8am

Returns: Approximately 6pm

$50

Send your check payable to Turner

Tours, to Guy Turner, PO Box 1012,

Oklahoma City, OK, 73101. Please

indicate if you are wanting the May or

June trip. Your check reserves your

seat. Meet the bus at Chase Plaza,

behind Sonic, at Memorial Road and

Portland/Hefner Parkway.

Guy Turner, at 405-850-2821

Theratubing Mondays and Wednesdays

2:30 to 3:30pm

Mercy Neuroscience Institute Atrium

$2 per class

One of the best ways to increase your

strength is to exercise with theratub-

ing. This class will help you not only

strengthen your muscles, but increase

range of motion, and improve flexibil-

ity and balance. For more informa-

tion, Call Mercy Fitness Center,

405-752-3725.

Community Events Martin Nature Park is offering

some fun things to do this May and

June, such as Mother’s Day Flower

Pots, First Annual Prairie Health and

Productivity, Friday Afternoon Club,

Status of Prairie Chickens, Making

Bird Feeders, and Herp Hunt with

the Oklahoma City Herpetology

Society. Contact Naturalist Emily

Hiatt at 755-0676 for dates, times

and details. Hours are Wed-Sun

9am to 6pm.

*****************************

The EPA says the average home can

have as much as 100 pounds of

environmentally harmful products in

the basement, garage and other

storage areas. Dispose of household

products safely, call Earth 911 or

1-877-EARTH-11 or visit

www.earth911.org. Try alternative

products when available. Follow the

same rules for storage and never mix

these products together.

Glass Cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon

of vinegar or lemon juice in 1

quart of water

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Use a

toilet brush and baking soda or

vinegar

Furniture Polish: Mix 1

teaspoon of lemon mix in 1 pint

of vegetable oil

Rug Deodorizer: Sprinkle

liberally with baking soda and

vacuum after 15 minutes

Plant Spray: Wipe leaves with

mild soap and water and rinse

Mothballs: Use cedar chips,

lavender flowers, rosemary,

mint, white peppercorns

NEVER pour harmful household

products down a sink, toilet or

bathtub drain unless the products are

made for that purpose.

NEVER pour products like used oil

or bug killer on the ground or into

storm drains. NEVER store leftover

products in food or beverage

containers. Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Gratitude unlocks the

fullness of life. It

turns what we have

into enough, and

more.

Melody Beattie

752-3498

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

A landmark study revealed that nerve cells in the brain form a

simple checkerboard grid pattern. The new technique will

help researchers better understand how the brain develops and

may give insights into disorders like epilepsy, autism and

schizophrenia. A new field of research called connectomics

aims to understand the connections between neurons (nerve

cells) in the brain. This type of wiring diagram can provide

useful information about the healthy and diseased brain. How-

ever, analyzing these connections is extremely complex and

time-consuming. The wiring diagram of a roundworm brain

with 300 neurons took almost 10 years to complete. Mapping

of the human brain, with 100 billion neurons, is daunting. The

highly folded structure of the cortex (gray matter) makes it

difficult to follow neurons and their connections. Added to the

complexity is the fact that connections in the brain are con-

tinuously changing with age and in response to environment

and experiences.

Traditionally, brain connections have been seen by injecting

dyes into nerve fibers and tracing them. This technique does-

n’t provide very detailed structures and is unsafe in humans.

Researchers have developed a technique called diffusion MRI.

Scanners detect the movement of water inside nerve fibers,

which is then used to assess their location. Diffusion MRI can

visualize the network of crisscrossing fibers with 10 times

COMPLEX BRAIN HAS SIMPLE GRID STRUCTURE….NIH Research Matters

4300 W. MEMORIAL ROAD OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73120

Mercy Community Outreach is committed to

improving the health and wellness of our community.

If you know of someone who could benefit from this

newsletter, please call us to add them to our mailing

list.

Senior Outreach - 405-752-3935

Patty Porter, M.Ed.

Health Ministry Outreach - 405-936-5226

Glenda Bronson, R.N.

Caregiver Outreach - 405-936-5821

Wendy Mobley, M.Ed.

Manager - 405-752-3604

Gaylene Stiles, M.Ed.

greater detail than conventional MRI. It is also harmless, so it

can be used in humans.

In the March 30, 2012, issue of Science, the researchers reported

that the nerve fibers of the brain aren’t just a crisscross tangle of

wires. Rather, they form a highly structured geometrical pattern

that looks like a curved 3-D grid. The nerve pathways run paral-

lel to each other and cross each other at right angles. The

brain’s grid structure appears to guide connectivity like lane

markers on a highway, limiting options for growing nerve fibers

to change direction during development. Instead of randomly

changing paths while growing, the fibers have just 4 options:

up, down, left or right. This would enforce a more efficient,

orderly way for the fibers to find their proper connections—and

for the structure to adapt through evolution.

“Far from being a tangle of wires, the brain’s connections turn

out to be more like ribbon cables-folding 2-D sheets of parallel

neuronal fibers that cross paths at right angles, like the warp and

weft of a fabric,” Dr. Van J. Wedeen of Massachusetts General

Hospital says. “This grid structure is continuous and consistent

at all scales and across humans and other primate species.”

This is a landmark in neuroanatomy and the new technology

may reveal individual differences in brain connections that

could aid in diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.