THE{FULL}LIFETOUCHMARK ON WEST PROSPECT

October 2015

ICAA Champion: introducing Neal GamskyIn 2011, the International Council on Active Aging® launched ICAA’s Changing the Way We Age® Campaign to promote positive views of aging and the value of aging actively. ICAA Champions serve as role models and advocates. Touchmark resident Neal Gamsky was featured in the July/August issue of The Journal on Active Aging. The article is reprinted here.

Dr. Neal Gamsky describes himself as “a high-energy person.” The 84-year-old leads an active life with Irene, his wife of nearly 60 years, at the Touchmark on West Prospect community in Appleton, Wisconsin. Born into “abject poverty” in nearby Menasha, Neal met Irene in elementary school. The two later became high school sweethearts. At age 25, after graduating from college with bachelor’s degrees in education—and Neal’s two-year stint in the US Army completed—they married.

Education and working with young people have played a central role in the couple’s lives. Irene, a teacher, earned a master’s degree in counseling. Neal followed his time in the army with law school, a master’s in psychology, and three years as a high school counselor. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Neal says of their two daughters, who also have advanced degrees.

In 1962, a persistent professor persuaded Neal to pursue a doctorate—and the degree opened a new life chapter. He worked in a psychiatric facility at the University of Wisconsin and for the state in mental health. This led to an opportunity at Illinois State University (ISU). “They brought me there to start a counseling center and teach

clinical psychology,” shares Neal. “I became a full tenured professor, and I taught for several years before being appointed Vice President and Dean of Students”; he continued to teach clinical psychology for another 20 years. Today, three awards at ISU are named after Neal.

Since moving to the Touchmark campus, the couple have become involved in numerous activities offered through the Full Life Wellness & Life Enrichment Program™. They continue to participate in outside activities as well. Neal enjoys trophy fishing, gardening, and photography; reads medical research and financial reports (“it keeps my brain sharp”); and attends plays, musicals, and lectures with his wife. In addition, he exercises for two hours on most days of the week.

Travel is a particular passion. Every year includes a three-month stay in Florida for the couple, who’ve “been to all 50 states and visited every presidential home, museum, birthplace, and many of their graves,” Neal shares. The world travelers have explored every country in Europe, plus Finland, Russia, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. His (cont.)

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Dianna LawrenceVice President, Wellness

October is BOUNTI{FULL}

When I hear bountiful, I think of a healthy harvest. This stimulates images of natural, colorful, nutrient-rich foods. Research proves that eating a balanced mix of foods every day has many health benefits and reduces the risk of: • Heart disease, stroke • Type 2 diabetes • Bone loss • Some kinds of cancer • Anemia

If you already have one or more of these chronic diseases, eating well and being physically active may help you better manage them and a nutrient-rich diet gives you the building blocks needed to keep your body healthy throughout your life.

Age-related changes in physiology and immunity may result in a greater need for vitamin and mineral supplementation. Vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12, B6, and folate, are associated with cognitive impairment.

Is eating local more nutritious? The vitamin and mineral content of fruits and vegetables depends on decisions and practices all along the food system—from seed to table. Transportation distances contribute to how nutritious produce is, because many fruits and vegetables lose nutrients after they are picked.

Today, more people are interested in eating food produced locally. Indeed, the growing movement has generated a new word: locavore, defined as someone who eats foods grown locally.

Bottom line: While the jury is still out on the specific health benefits of eating locally produced food, there’s no question that choosing a bounty of fresh food is better for you than eating processed foods, which are usually high in sodium and fat.

once or twice a year travelogues are enjoyed by Touchmark residents.

For Neal, active aging “means engaging yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally in the community and for yourself. You have to stay active—exercise, be involved intellectually and emotionally, and interact socially. It means having a sense of curiosity.”

Neal also finds that a positive attitude to aging makes a difference. “I’m trying to grow old cheerfully,” he stresses. Someone who naturally jokes a lot, he cites the example of his mother, who died at age 96 and “always chose to look forward to tomorrow.”

The Gamskys strive to contribute to community life at Touchmark on West Prospect. Neal serves on the Touchmark Resident Council (he was formerly president), and the party-loving couple invite other residents into their home “so we can get to know them.” They are also ICAA Champions. “I like trying to get people involved in trips and other activities,” Neal says. He encourages others to eat well, exercise, and participate in intellectual activities.

Outside the community, the couple advise older friends to downsize. “Things don’t create your life, people do,” Neal observes. “We let friends know that you’re not giving up your life when you downsize. Instead, you’ll be more engaged in life, if you move out of a large, demanding home.”

Young people, too, have learned from these active-aging role models. “My wife and I gave back-to-back presentations—six of them—to high-school health classes for sophomores, juniors, and seniors combined,” Neal reveals. Pre-presentation surveys asked the teenagers their biggest worry about growing old. “You’ll never guess what most students answered,” says the former high-school counselor and grandfather of four—“getting wrinkles!” Among the words of wisdom he shared with the students? “Age is not a matter of years; it’s a matter of perception.”

Virginia Jorstad is our new Life Enrichment/Wellness director. Stop by and say hello, and look for more information about her in next month’s newsletter.

Welcome Virginia

CAPTURING DELIGHT{FULL} MOMENTS

Look for more photos on Facebook.

At a recent trip to the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin, residents were able to get up close and personal with some of these beautiful, winged creatures.

Children’s author Avery Nubson visited Touchmark to read from some of his books, including Explorasaurus ABCs, and to show how some of his drawings come together at this fun intergenerational event.

Our Mystery Ingredient Showdown was a hit! The contenders were Chef Nate Darlington (left), Executive Director Barb Pandolfo, and Building Services Director Andy Smet. Though the competition was tight, Barb was named the winner! Judges included Touchmark team members and residents.

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TOUCHMARK ON WEST PROSPECTFull-service Retirement Community

2601 Touchmark Drive • Appleton, WI 54914920-832-9100 • Touchmark.com

The events listed below are just a sampling of opportunities offered to enhance wellness and new interests. Visit our {FULL} Life calendar at the link below for a complete list of this month’s events. For additional details of an event, including registration, transportation, and participation requirements, contact a Life Enrichment/Wellness team member.

GEMS™ Workshops Just like the unique characteristics of different gemstones, changes caused by the effects of dementia can also be classified and defined. Developed by Teepa Snow, this philosophy is based on existing cognitive models but focuses more on abilities instead of losses, allowing each individual living with dementia to truly shine with the right type of care! This four-week series will be presented by Carol Brauer, owner of BrightStar Care, Certified Senior Advisor, and certified Positive Approach™ to Care trainer. All events are on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.

Oct. 7: Sapphire and diamond workshopOct. 21: Emerald workshopOct. 28: Amber workshopNov. 4: Ruby and pearl workshop

Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 amPumpkin bash. ’Tis the season for pumpkin-flavored everything! Sample brownies, muffins, pies, and more. This fun-filled day will also include games for children and adults alike, plus music by Touchmark favorite Jim Counter. Family and friends welcome. RSVP.

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3 - 5 pmHarvest Ball. Enjoy bountiful hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, live music, and plenty of dancing to celebrate the season. RSVP.

Click here to view our

{FULL} Life calendar online.

Make yourself at homeWith the changing seasons, perhaps it’s time for another type of change. Picture yourself settling in at Touchmark—and enjoying maintenance-free living in a friendly and enriching community.

Located at 2549 Touchmark Court, this Lincoln home offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a patio, fireplace, and two-car attached garage.

1410101 July 2014

Apartment

347638 sq. ft.1 Bedroom | 1 Bath

W.I.C.

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W.I.C.

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Apartment 347 has been recently renovated and offers bright and spacious living with one bedroom and one bathroom in 638 square feet.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS