GOOD MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAYS DISCUSSED AT SENIOR-WISE

To view the video of this presentation click this link 

               (Casper, WY) -- To borrow a phrase from a popular song, for most of us the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. But it can also be a time of great stress and even loneliness and that's why good mental health is so important this time of year. That was the message from Kelly Shipley of the Central Wyoming Counseling Center during her presentation at Senior-Wise at the Casper Senior Center. "We have many demands on our time during the holidays," she said, "with shopping and family gatherings and holiday programs. But for some people the holidays are stressful because they don't have family around and they feel lonely -- and that can be just as bad."

                She encouraged seniors to recognize what's really important to them personally. "You're a grown-up," she chuckled, "and so you get to choose what to do. But determining how to make good choices -- that's the tricky part." She said if buying presents is important to you and you stay in your budget, then go for it. But she said it's also okay to say no.

                She also cautioned that it's easy to give in to the demands of others and not take care of yourself. "Self care is the key," she noted. "Set limits, make a plan, and do what's important to you personally. Set a budget for buying presents and entertaining and remember how important it is to exercise and eat well." She noted that it can be difficult to eat a healthy diet during this time of year because the served food at holiday parties -- even though it's delicious -- frequently is not nutritionally sound.

                For those who have recently lost loved ones she said it's perfectly all right to be sad and shed some tears. "But please remember," she encouraged, "that it's okay to have fun, too, even if that special person is no longer with you."

                If you'd like professional help with stress or grief during the holidays, she noted that the Central Wyoming Counseling Center is open for walk-in visits Monday through Friday from 9am until 2pm. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income. "Someone will be there to see you if you walk-in and need to talk," she said.

                Senior-Wise is an information and discussion program held Tuesdays at 12:30 at the Casper Senior Center.

HOME BURGLARY PREVENTION DISCUSSED DURING SENIOR-WISE

Watch the video of this presentation by clicking this link

                (Casper, WY) -- Protecting your home against break-ins and burglaries is mostly common sense. That was the message from Sgt. Joe Nickerson of the Casper Police Department during Senior-Wise, the weekly information and discussion program held at the Casper Senior Center. "We tend to take things for granted because people feel safe here in Casper," he said, "and I'm glad of that. But as our population grows that means the number of criminals grows too." He told the audience that 70% of burglaries happen during the day because that's when criminals assume the homeowner is at work.

                Casper is a safe community, he noted. We don't have a problem with violent person crimes against strangers and we don't have many muggings or home invasions. "However," he said, "the cases like that we DO have are what we call doper on doper crime, where someone breaks into a house to settle a drug debt." Sgt. Nickerson said homicides and other violent crimes in Casper are usually domestic related or drug and alcohol related. "So in that sense," he said,  "we are a pretty safe city." 

                He cautioned that the houses that ARE broken into usually have unlocked doors and unlocked windows. "Again, it's common sense," he reminded. "Keep your house locked, even when you're home. Criminals are like cockroaches -- they don't like the light and they don't like being seen. Casper criminals aren't professional, they're looking for quick opportunities to score some easy money."

                Being protected isn't just a matter of keeping your doors and windows locked. He said homeowners also need to pay attention to landscaping, suggesting trees and bushes are kept trimmed back.  "Criminals don't like being seen from the street so you should trim trees so the branches are at least seven feet higher than the ground. And trim bushes and shrubs below the windows on your house," he said.

                Home security alarms are good a good way to protect your belongings but Sgt. Nickerson issued the reminder that if you have them installed in your home you'll need to get a city permit, at a cost of about $15 per year. "And I like audible alarms rather than silent alarms," he said. "Audible alarms are more likely to scare the bad guys away. It makes it harder for us to catch them but they're more likely to keep your home safe." He said the Casper police department's average response to top priority emergency calls is between three and four minutes.

                Unfortunately, if your belongings are stolen the odds of getting them back are not very good. "That's because people fail to mark their belongings or write down serial numbers," he said. "That's especially true for items like cameras, TVs, and computer equipment. "The number one way of getting your stuff back," he noted, "is through recording serial numbers. Also, take photos of unique items without serial numbers, like jewelry."

                Finally, Sgt. Nickerson said if you ever feel threatened in your home call 9-1-1 even if you're too scared to speak. Leave the line open and the operator can hear what's going on in the background.

                Senior-Wise is held Tuesday afternoons at 12:30 at the Casper Senior Center.

CONSUMER FRAUD PROTECTION DISCUSSED DURING SENIOR-WISE

To view the video of this presentation click this link 

                (Casper, WY) -- Fraud is a fairly big problem in the Casper community and seniors are the demographic targeted most often. That was the message from Sgt. Joe Nickerson of the Casper Police Department during Senior-Wise, the weekly information and discussion program at the Casper Senior Center. "You all must be filthy rich," he joked with the group, "because these scammers seem to like you best. And the most common fraud -- the one we get the most complaints about -- is telephone fraud."

                He said these telephone scammers have several different approaches. "Sometimes they'll tell  you you've won a contest," he explained, "but to collect your million dollar prize they say you first need to send them a few hundred or a few thousand dollars." He also cautioned that some of these crooks will call posing as a grandchild needing money and ask you to send it to them. "Never give anyone cash over the phone," Sgt. Nickerson warned. Additionally, he said the scams can come to you on line. Some are so advanced they send you an email that appears to be from a friend, usually saying they're in a foreign country and need emergency cash.

                "The only 100% safe way to protect yourself -- other than using cash or personally watching as your card is swiped each time you make a transaction -- is to personally monitor your financial accounts," he said, adding that it's a good idea to check your accounts and account balances at least weekly. Check each entry to make sure the purchases listed are familiar to you. "If you get a call from your bank and they want to discuss your accounts, tell them you'll call them back," he recommended. "They won't be offended, and by calling them back you're assured you're actually speaking with your financial institution."

                Sometimes the crooks try going door-to-door to work their schemes, he said. "A good way to deal with someone who comes to your door is to ask to see their city business license," he advised, because every solicitor going door-to-door is required to carry a city business license. "And don't let them tell you their boss has the paperwork; they're required to have it with them when they knock on your door."

                To report a suspected scam or if you believe you've been a victim, call the non-emergency phone number of the Casper Police Department at 307-235-7598. Senior-Wise is a weekly program presented Tuesdays at 12:30pm at the Casper Senior Center.

HEALTHY HOLIDAY EATING HIGHLIGHTS "SENIOR-WISE" DISCUSSION AT CASPER SENIOR CENTER

     Watch the You Tube video of this presentation by clicking this link

           (Casper, WY) -- There are many good ways -- and many simple ways -- to eat healthy over the holidays. That was the message shared by nutritionist Karla Case of the University of Wyoming Extension Office during "Senior-Wise", the weekly informational and discussion program at the Casper Senior Center. "It's not unusual to take in 3000 calories a day during the holidays," she said, "and if you do that every other day between Thanksgiving and New Year's you can see how easy it is to put on those holiday pounds."

                She suggested a number of steps we all can take to keep from over indulging during the last several weeks of the year. We can start by doing something as easy as using smaller plates at meals, since we usually stop eating when our plate is empty. "It's also important to eat slowly," she noted, "because it takes about twenty minutes for our brain to register that our stomach is full." She also urged eating with the non-dominant hand. "I'm right handed but I find if I eat with my left hand I eat more slowly," she said.

                If you're headed to a holiday party, Case said you can keep your appetite under control by planning ahead and eating a healthy snack before you leave home. A healthy muffin, fruit dish or yogurt parfait can help you from being overly hungry when it's time to eat. Once at the party, keep in mind that liquid calories also count. "A single holiday drink can have as much as 400 calories," she warned, "and for some people that can represent 20% of their daily intake."

                She also pointed out several ways to prepare holiday meals that are lower in calories and healthier without affecting the taste. "Instead of sugar, try using honey or pure maple syrup on a 1:1 ratio," she said. "Instead of salt, you can substitute herbs like basil, thyme and Italian seasoning," she said. "And you can cut down on the fat is many dishes by using yogurt or apple sauce on a half-and-half basis with vegetable oil."

                More holiday nutritional information is available by contacting Karla Case at the University of Wyoming Extension Office. Senior-Wise is held Tuesdays at 12:30 at the Casper Senior Center.