After 10 years of hosting Elders Conferences, the Nation’s 2010 end-of-May event at the Ray Elm Children and Elders Center celebrated its largest attendance to date: 162 guests.

Over the years, the issues tackled have run the gamut from the initial 2001 conference’s segments on dementia, elder abuse and the risks of using multiple medications or “polypharmacy,” to 2010’s rundown, which included diabetes, arthritis and eye and ear care. And every year topics are chosen to help elders live their best lives.

Carolyn Collett (Turtle Clan) was a novice conference attendee, who said, “I found it all interesting. Last year I became an elder, but couldn’t come (to the conference). I’m glad I came; it’s been fun.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Doreen White (Seneca) proclaimed: “I’ve been to every one of these and all were informative and educating. This is an enjoyable conference.”

This year’s theme, “Aging Well: Tips and Tools for Healthy Aging From Head to Toe,” was addressed by the keynote speaker Dr. Bruce Finke, a family physician who also serves as the national lead in Elder Care and Palliative Care for Indian Health Service.

The first stop on the road to long-term health includes screenings, such as mammograms, bone density tests and colonoscopies, said Finke, who added that these tests seek out “hidden risks.” In the same vein, elders should have immunizations as part of preventive care that includes a yearly flu shot, the pneumonia vaccine (given twice), shingles vaccine (a one-time shot), and a tetanus shot every 10 years.
Chronic conditions should be monitored and medications given accordingly. Daily aspirin, cholesterol and osteoporosis medications can be helpful over time to keep people healthy, said Dr. Finke.

“My health-promoting behaviors include physical activity, maintaining healthy weight, tobacco cessation and healthy use of alcohol,” advised Dr. Finke.

Elders should strive for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Exercise times can vary in increments from as little as 10 minutes each, as long as they add up to the weekly total of 150 minutes. To cut the exercise time to 75 minutes, moderate and vigorous exercise need to be mixed.

An optimal workout is exercising 150 minutes with vigorous activity or 300 minutes of moderate activity, every week. These times should include both aerobic or cardio activity – dancing, biking, pushing a lawn mower – and strengthening exercises – lifting weights, yoga, and gardening that involves digging and shoveling.

Supplementing his medical advice, Dr. Finke offered additional health-promoting tips, stressing the importance of “maintaining relationships that include family, community, spiritual and healthcare providers.”

“Wellness and prevention takes a whole family. We are a social people and are influenced by people who surround us,” he said.

The annual conference brings together American Indian elders and their health care professionals from across the state. Based upon elders’ input, topics are selected for each event, and, judging from the accolades shared throughout the two days, the organizers hit their mark.

“It’s hard to decide which part was the best; everything was interesting and educational, things you can use on a day-to-day basis,” said Margaret Splain (Turtle Clan). “There is a lot of work that goes into this conference. It’s wonderful for the elders.”

John Webster (Wolf Clan) professed to enjoy the food the best, then conceded: “I liked the eye part. I know as I get older it’s harder to read and do beadwork and drawing. My eyes get more tired. I’m going to follow the advice for glasses and resting my eyes and having them checked. I haven’t had them checked in a couple of years, so I’ll get an appointment.

“I like to see other people from the different Nations come down, too.”

One elder from Akwasasne said she comes every year because her husband is diabetic. Beatrice Bero said she likes to hear what’s new in diabetes care and also was “very interested in the ears, as my husband is losing hearing in one ear.”

Patty Reitz (Turtle Clan) said, “Everything was very interesting and fun; it was delightful.”

Meanwhile her sister, Kris Powless (Turtle Clan), had a savory bon mot herself: “The granola was delicious.”

Exactly. There was something for everyone.