Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 MEMORIES | FROM Page 6 to freedom,” said Nevo. Rev. Xavier Arulraj of St. Anthony’s Parish was among those who called for spiritual healing prior to the lighting of candles of remembrance by those in attendance at City Hall. “It’s true we’ve struggled a lot to handle the pain of the losses of the people who have died of COVID-19,” said Arulraj. “Physical pain can be handled by medications, but the emotional, psychological and spiritual pain can be healed by only God.” ELECTION | FROM Page 1 Keeping Your Balance as You Age Dear Savvy Senior, A fl uid number of candles on City Hall’s lawn represented residents who died from COVID-19. PAUL CARUCCIO Republican such as DeLeo, RoseLee Vincent, and Kathi-Ann Reinstein. Issues of importance to Turco include substance use disorder and mental illness, and housing. Turco has talked about losing two siblings recently to substance use disorder. Another focus for Turco is vocational education and improving the quality of education across the state. He has said that education is the equalizer that can help young people and families climb up from the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder and give them the opportunity to succeed. Caruccio is a businessman who owned and operated Michael’s Hallmark Gold Crown Shop in Winthrop center for 34 years. He has said he is the conservative candidate for state representative and is seeking to restore trust and balance in the government and strengthen the community. While he is the conservative candidate, Caruccio said he seeks to return a civil process to government and listen to the issues and concerns raised by the residents of Revere and Winthrop. Some of the issues Caruccio has touted include fi ghting the gas tax and any other newly proposed taxes, providing safe communities by not defunding the police, and protecting basic civil liberties. Fucillo is a 2017 graduate of Winthrop High School whose priorities in the race include education, opening up the In What can you tell me about balance exercises? I’ve fallen a few times over the past year and have read that balance exercises can help me regain my steadiness, but I’m not exactly sure what to do. Unsteady at 70 Dear Unsteady, Most people don’t think much about practicing their balance, but they need to. As we age, our balance declines if it isn’t practiced, which can lead to falls that often result in a broken bone. Every year more than one in RICHARD FUCILLO, JR. Independent ternet market to competition, fi ghting rising water costs, supporting police and fi re, ending the opioid crisis and reforming family court. He has advocated for more aggressive funding for local businesses through grant funding and low-interest loans. Fucillo has stated that he also supports organizations, such as the National Parents Organization, in their eff orts to reform family court. Fucillo has said that what he lacks in political experience, he will make up for with hard work, dedication and integrity. four people age 65 and older fall, and the risk increases with age. Here’s what you should know about balance problems, along with some different exercises that can help you improve it. Aging Aff ects Balance Balance is something most people take for granted until it’s challenged by a medical condition, medication or advanced age, which dulls our balance senses and causes most seniors to gradually become less stable on their feet over time. Poor balance can also lead to a vicious cycle of inactivity. You feel a little unsteady, so you curtail certain activities. If you’re inactive, you’re not challenging your balance systems or using your muscles. As a result, both balance and strength suff er. Simple acts like strolling through a grocery store or getting up from a chair become trickier. That shakes your confidence, so you become even less active. Balance Exercises If you have a balance problem that is not tied to illness, medication or some other specifi c cause, simple exercises can help preserve and improve your balance. Here are four exercises you can do that will help: • One-legged stands: Stand on one foot for 30 seconds, or longer, then switch to the other foot. In the beginning, you might want to have a wall or chair to hold on to. Or, for an extra challenge try closing your eyes, or standing on a throw pillow or Bosu ball (an infl ated rubber disc on a stable platform). • Heel-to-toe walking: Take 20 steps while looking straight ahead. Think of a sobriety test. • Standing up: Without using your hands, get up from a straight-backed chair and sit back down 10 to 20 times. This improves balance and leg strength. • Tai chi: Research has shown that the Asian practice of tai chi – which uses a combination of slow, graceful movements, meditation and deep breathing – can help reduce the risk of falls. For more information on different balance exercises you can do at home, there are a variety of balance and strength exercises and beginner Tai Chi DVDs you can purchase at Amazon.com or through Amazon Prime video. There are also senior fi tness programs, like SilverSneakers (silversneakers.com) and Silver&Fit (silverandfit.com), that off er online classes that can guide you through a series of exercises you can do at home during the pandemic. See a Doctor I do, however, want to emphasize that if you’ve already fallen, are noticeably dizzy or unsteady, or have a medical condition aff ecting your balance, you need to see a doctor. They might refer you to a physical therapist or to an appropriate balance-training class in your community. It’s also important to know that many medicines and medical conditions – from Parkinson’s disease to diabetes to inner-ear disorders – can affect balance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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