See also: Boomers and Beyond: A Summit on Business and Aging

Nutrition and Brain Health as You Age
Do you ever wish you knew just what foods to eat to keep your brain fit and functioning well?  Interestingly, research indicates that eating the “right foods” may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  In this fascinating workshop, Western Carolina University assistant professor of nutrition and health sciences, Sally Feltner, Ph.D., RD, LDN, will share the latest research regarding brain health and nutrition.  She will discuss brain healthy foods, how they should be prepared for greatest health impact and the quantity of food needed as we age.  She will also offer guidance to help us develop sample meal plans that work for us.  Hot topics in nutrition related healthy aging research such as the use of vitamins and other supplements, the calorie restriction diet and its impact on the aging brain and much more will be shared.  Your questions and her answers will follow. 

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Cost:  $22, at Pardee Hospital, 800 North Justice St., Hendersonville, NC.  Use free valet parking at the front entrance and proceed to the Jamison Conference Room.
 
The Color Advantage as You Age
Did you know that when we wear the “right” colors, it can actually make us look and feel better?  Likewise, the use of color in our home environments can affect our behavior, mood and safety.  In this fun and creative workshop, professional color consultant and owner of The Color Company Linda Oliphant will share her knowledge about the effective use of color in our lives and surroundings.  We will learn how to identify our best colors based on skin tone, eye color and personality. The psychological benefit of proper color selection for various occasions in our lives and surroundings will be shared.  Join us for a fun morning out with the girls!

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Cost:  $22, Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Season’s Blvd., Hendersonville, NC
 
Dizzy, Woozy, Lightheaded…Improving Your Balance, Avoiding Falls! 
Good balance enables us to walk without staggering, get up and down out of a chair safely and climb up and down stairs. Balance problems are serious threat as we age because they can trigger falls.  They may also be a symptom of medical problems that need attention.  In this workshop, Pardee Hospital’s licensed physical therapist, Chloe Egan, MSC, will explain the common symptoms and causes of balance disorders and how they are diagnosed and treated. She will demonstrate exercises that can improve balance and suggest lifestyle choices that can help us control and maintain body position so that we avoid falls. She will explain symptoms that may be medical emergencies.

Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cost:  $22, at Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Season’s Blvd., Hendersonville, NC

Financial Health and Aging: Challenges, Opportunities...Adjusting Your Game Plan
 ccording to the American Association of Retired Persons, the current economic downturn has triggered one in 10 middle-aged and older Americans to borrow money to meet everyday living obligations. Coupled with lower than expected performing retirement investments, this workshop, led by Vice President of Dixon Hughes Wealth Advisors, Suzanne Holbert, CPA, PFS, will discuss the importance of financial planning as we age, especially during tough economic times.  She will share various financial strategies including creative ways to maximize insurance assets if policies are no longer needed, the value and need for long term care insurance, the concept of reverse mortgages to fund aging in place in lieu of institutional living, basic and advanced investment strategies, tax planning, estate planning, and charitable giving.  Putting together a financial plan has never been more important than now.  Join us for advice from an expert.                                                                                           

Friday, March 13, 9 a.m. – 11:45 p.m., Cost: $22, at Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, Hendersonville, NC

Managing Your Health and Medical Safety as You Age
Do you or someone you are providing care for seem to spend a lot of time in doctors’ offices or the hospital?  In this workshop, “Great 100 Nurse,” Pardee Care Manager, Jean Sitton, RN, BSN, MHS and Western’s Regional director of education outreach and Marcia Caserio, MA Ed focus on enhancing our health and medical safety.  They will guide us in creating our own Personal Health Record.  They will discuss ways to manage our medications, how we can track doctor visits, lab test results and other important medical information.  They will offer guidance regarding the frequency and purpose appropriate preventive care testing.  A list of “nevers” that we want to avoid as we interface with the healthcare system will be shared along with an explanation of some of the National Patient Safety Goals. They will suggest websites that can guide and support us as we discern how best to get our healthcare needs met. 

Wednesday, March 18, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cost $22, at Pardee Hospital, 800 North Justice St., Hendersonville, NC.  Use free valet parking at Pardee’s front entrance and proceed to the Orientation Room (a short walk from the front entrance).

Cool, Calm and Resilient, Dealing with Stress and Anxiety as You Age
The longer we live there is one constant…change will always be part of our lives.  For some of us, it seems that change ushers in opportunity, and for others, change may make us feel we are falling off the cliff.  Certainly, at this time of economic downturn, many of us have feelings of anxiety, stress and fear that can make life miserable and affect our health.  In this fortifying workshop, life coach and specialist in mind/body medicine, J. Crit Harley, M.D. will provide us with a toolkit filled with strategies for managing stress, anxiety and change throughout our lives.  Developing resilience and a glass half full mentality as we age is a key to living a good quality of life and maintaining good health.

Thursday, March 26, 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Cost:  $22, at Pardee Hospital, 800 North Justice Street. Use free valet parking at the Pardee’s front entrance and proceed to the large Education Room (just a short walk from Pardee’s front entrance).
 
Spring Excursion:  Fiddler on the Roof and Dinner
Join us for a delightful daytrip to Western’s campus for dinner and the matinee performance of Fiddler on the Roof directed by Broadway veteran, WCU’s Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre, Terrence Mann. Written by Joseph Stein with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock, the award winning Broadway play is based on a short story by Sholom Aleichem with special permission of Arnold Perl.  Known for its humor, warmth and honesty, “Fiddler” is the story of a milkman trying to teach his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community. Set in 1905 on the eve of the revolutionary period in the Russian village of Anatevka, the show features memorable songs “Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and many more. 

Sunday, March 29, Cost:  $56 per person includes coach ride, theater ticket and dinner. 

Schedule:  12:30-12:45 p.m. - Board coach at the Belk parking lot near First Citizens Bank at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1600 Four Season’s Blvd. in Hendersonville. 
12:45 - Coach departs for Western Carolina University.  3 p.m. - Matinee performance with dinner to follow on campus, 8:30 p.m. - Approximate arrival time back in Hendersonville.
 
Living Well as You Age in Spite of Your Aching Back 
If your back hurts, you are not alone.  In fact, about 80% of us experience some form of back pain as we get older, but we do not have to live with such chronic pain.   In this workshop, Pardee Rehab and Wellness Center’s licensed physical therapist, David Gerrer, COMT will explain how the spine changes as we age, what is normal aging and what is not.   He will discuss the lifestyle related causes of back pain and how we can avoid injuring our backs.  The typical medical conditions that cause back problems as we get older will be highlighted along with risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment considerations. Various physical therapy treatment techniques that can help us manage and get past chronic back pain will be discussed including technology resources and other equipment. We will learn proactive exercises to help us strengthen our backs so that they carry us to better health for the rest of our journey.

Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Cost: $22, at Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, Hendersonville, NC

Working as You Age, Retooling, Finding and Landing the Right Job
Have you retired once already and miss the work environment, or are you contemplating employment again due to low performing investments?  Whether you are considering a career change, volunteer work, part-time or full-time work, if you want to re-tool and find a vocation that you feel passionate about, it is important to put your best foot forward.  In this workshop, Job Link coach, author, and national speaker, Peggy Collins and former New York fashion model, personal fashion consultant, and Regional Governor of Toastmasters, Susan Stewart will team up to share their lifetime and professional experiences in guiding us with strategies for landing the “right job.”  They will share advice regarding how to search for the right job, tune up your resume and establish your references.  They will coach us regarding attitudinal adjustment and motivation, proper interview techniques, the value of networking and follow-up.  You will come away with greater confidence to bolster your effectiveness as you pursue employment or that volunteer position as you chart the course for your next stage of life work.

Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Cost: $22, at the Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Season’s Blvd., Hendersonville, NC
 
April Excursion -  “Almost Maine” and Dinner
Your afternoon will be filled with laughter and love as we take a daytrip to Western’s campus for the delightful performance of the acclaimed romantic comedy, “Almost Maine” and dinner.   The show was written by Broadway actor and playwright, John Cariani and directed by Peter Savage. Set in a mythical town on a snowy evening in Maine, the show explores the mysteries of the human heart, with humor, heartbreak and hope. The Wall Street Journal selected “Almost Maine” as a best regional production of 2004-05. 

Sunday, April 26, Cost: $52 per person includes coach ride, theater ticket and dinner. 

Schedule:  12:30-12:45 p.m. - Board coach at the Belk parking lot near First Citizens Bank at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1600 Four Season’s Blvd. in Hendersonville.  12:45- Coach departs for Western Carolina University.  3 p.m. - Matinee performance with dinner to follow on campus.  8:30 p.m. - Approximate arrival time back in Hendersonville.
 
Osteoporosis:  The Latest Advice on Diagnosis, Treatment and Avoiding Fractures
Osteoporosis is presently a health threat for 44 million Americans over the age of 50, which is 57% of that segment of the population.  The incidence of the problem increases rapidly with age. Unfortunately, many of us become aware we have the disease after suffering a debilitating hip, spine or wrist fracture.  In this morning workshop, osteoporosis researcher, clinician and national speaker, Banks Hinshaw, PhD, MD, FACOG will present an in-depth workshop on bone fragility.  He will focus on what osteoporosis is, why some people get it and how we determine if we are at risk. He will explain how osteoporosis is diagnosed and the place in that process for bone density measurement. Lifestyle strategies for avoiding fragility fractures including medical treatment options and how they work will be shared. In addition, he will candidly explore the pros and cons of various medical treatments for osteoporosis based on the latest research.  Knowledge gives us power to reduce our risks of fragility fractures as we age.  Get your questions answered by this scientist, researcher and physician!

Tuesday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cost: $22, at Pardee Hospital, 800 North Justice St., Hendersonville, NC.  Use free valet parking at Pardee’s front entrance and proceed to Jamison Conference Room (a short walk from the front entrance).

Your Skin as You Age:  What You Should Know and What You Can Do
Do wrinkles, rashes, age spots, noticeable veins or itchy dry skin frustrate you?  Healthy vibrant skin enhances self-esteem and protects the body from disease, especially infections.  We may wrongly assume, however, that certain skin changes are aging related when they are actually warning us of underlying medical conditions.  In this fascinating workshop, Hendersonville’s board certified dermatologist, D. John Godehn, M.D., will share information about typical age related skin changes, what is normal and what is not. He will highlight the most common skin diseases, delving into their causes, diagnosis and treatment considerations. By exploring risk factors and symptoms of more serious and life threatening skin problems, Dr. Godehn will help us recognize when we need to see a dermatologist. A brief discussion regarding the management of aging skin problems will be offered and time for questions.  He will discuss the management of aging skin problems, and there will be time for questions and answers. 

Wednesday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Cost: $22, at the Pardee Health Ed Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Fours Season’s Blvd, Hendersonville, NC
 
May Extravaganza:  “The American Piano Show” and Dinner
Our excursion by coach takes us to Western’s campus for dinner and an evening of “WOW” as we enjoy the performance of internationally renowned pianist, Linda Gentille, star of “The American Piano Show.”  Paying tribute to America’s greatest composers, “The American Piano Show,” features the dynamic music of Gershwin, Berlin, Bernstein, Hoagy Carmichael, Rogers and Hammerstein, Scott Joplin, and more.  Coined by her mentor Liberace as “The Piano Princess,” Linda Gentille has dazzled audiences in over 1,000 concerts worldwide.  Don’t miss her exciting performance!

Friday, May 8, Cost:  $56 per person, Schedule:  3:45 p.m. - Board coach at Belk’s parking lot near First Citizen’s Bank in front of Blue Ridge Mall, 1700 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, N.C.;  4 p.m.- depart for Western Carolina University. 5:30 p.m. - dinner on campus. 7:30 p.m. Theater production, arrival back in Hendersonville, approximately 10-11 p.m
 
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, Understanding the Risk of Sleep Apnea
As we age, getting a good night’s sleep becomes so challenging that it is difficult to know what is normal and what is not.  In this workshop, Carolina Lung and Sleep Physicians partner, Gail Clary, M.D, who holds board certification in sleep medicine, internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine along with Western’s Regional director of education outreach, Marcia Caserio, MA Ed., will share strategies for getting a good night’s sleep. Caserio will discuss normal sleep and changes that aging may trigger, and she will highlight common sleeping problems and offer tips for getting a better night’s sleep.  Dr. Clary will provide in depth information on sleep apnea, a common, and under-diagnosed, life threatening cause of poor sleep in aging adults.  She will explain the risk factors and symptoms of this medical condition and how it is diagnosed and treated. We will have time for questions and answers and an opportunity to visit Pardee’s Hospital’s sleep lab.

Tuesday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Cost: $22, at Pardee Hospital, 800 North Justice St., Hendersonville, NC.  Use free valet parking at the front entrance and proceed to Jamison Conference Room (a short walk from the front entrance).

Waist Size, Diabetes and Dementia:  The Connection, the Risk, the Opportunity!
Could the size of your waist put you at risk of diabetes that could ultimately lead to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia?  Research suggests that a clustering of symptoms including a thick waist could indicate that you have metabolic syndrome. In this workshop, Pardee Hospital’s Care Manager and “Great 100 Nurse” Jean Sitton, RN, BC, BSN, MHS, and Marcia Caserio, MA Ed., Western’s regional director of education outreach, will discuss metabolic syndrome and its relationship to diabetes, brain health and dementia.  Various risk factors and how they inter-relate will be shared along with a roadmap offering lifestyle choices that research suggests may help us avoid this dangerous pathway to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia as we age.

Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cost $22, at the Pardee Health Ed Center at the Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Fours Season’s Blvd, Hendersonville, NC