As temperatures drop and communities prepare for the winter months ahead, UPHS Portage is encouraging residents to prioritize their health with a special program designed to help them prepare for their golden years.
The program, scheduled for Monday at noon at the Finnish American Heritage Center, will feature medical professionals from Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center and legal experts from U.P. Ward Legal, PLC discussing both the medical and legal aspects of aging.
“We have Dr. Zainab Almahrous and Zach Roloff from Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. They’re going to be talking about the medical side of things. Some of that is going to be preventative, but then also, you know, when we are in the later years of life, what are some of the things that we can do?” said Angela Luskin, community health coordinator at UPHS Portage.
The medical portion of the program will focus on preventative health screenings that residents should discuss with their physicians during annual check-ups. These screenings vary based on age, family history and personal background.
“Mammograms come to mind, the colonoscopies, different, like a calcium scoring test. Those are all different screenings that the team from Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center will be talking about on Monday,” Luskin said.
Medical professionals emphasize that four key factors significantly impact overall health: sleep, nutrition and diet, activity levels, and stress management. These elements are closely interconnected, with each affecting the others.
Research has found that physical activity can alleviate stress levels, while the quality of sleep directly affects how individuals handle acute and chronic stress throughout the day. Diet also plays a crucial role in sleep quality, particularly the timing of caffeine consumption.
“A lot of that preventative stuff, we’ll be talking about physical activity, nutrition, those are two that come to mind right away, but there’s also you know a sleep aspect, a mental health aspect, keeping our stress low. And then also you know what preventative screenings can we do,” Luskin said.
Luskin recommends that residents looking to stay active during fall and winter consider low-impact activities such as walking and spending time in nature, even during Michigan’s winter months.
“That’s pretty low impact for most people and most people can do that without a lot of pain. Also being outside, even in the winter here, I think we get strong, just stress relief benefits from being outside in nature. We have a lot of great places again that we can do that. Even just sitting on our front porch,” Luskin said.
Maintaining healthy eating habits and connecting with the community are also important components of staying healthy as residents age.
The second half of Monday’s program will address the legal aspects of aging. Traci Ward from U.P. Ward Legal, PLC will lead a discussion on essential legal documents that residents should have in place for their families.
Luskin emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and having legal documents prepared, as this can significantly reduce stress for family members during difficult times.
“We also have Traci Ward with U.P. Ward Legal. What legal documents should we have in place? I think that’s a big one that we don’t always put emphasis on, you know, and it can leave our loved ones, you know, with, you know, it’s already a challenging time when they lose somebody, but then having to sort out the legal matters makes it even more difficult,” Luskin said.
The program will also include the Case Management Team from UP Health System – Portage, who will provide additional resources and guidance.
The program will provide residents with practical guidance on preparing for aging both medically and legally, helping them take proactive steps toward a healthier future.
Organizers ask that attendees register for the event in advance. For more information and to register, visit UPHS Portage online. The program is free to attend, and lunch will be provided.
Luskin says there are several other programs and events in the fall for the community to look forward to. In October UPHS-Portage will host the annual Breast Cancer awareness dinner and presentation, and in November the hospital will host the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. There are many great ways to stay active during the winter. The Copper Country Mall allows walkers a place to stay active during the winter, and many residents enjoy hobbies such as cross country skiing or snowshoeing.
