19

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 5, 2023 Page 19 ~ The SAVE Living Column ~ Should I Recycle my Bottle Caps and Lids? W hen fi lling your recycling bin, you may fi nd yourself wondering “What do I do with the caps and the lids?” The answer is: Put a lid on it! All plastic and metal caps and lids should be reattached to empty containers before you recycle them. That includes soda and water bottles, milk jugs, juice containers, yogurt tubs and mason jars – pretty much anything that has a cap or lid that can be securely reattached. This is true even if the lid and container are different types of material (i.e., a metal lid on a glass jar). Loose lids and caps should go in the trash. When not attached to a container, they are too small to be captured by the the can a little pinch. (Source: recyclesmartma.org/) Saugus Action Volunteers recycling machinery and will fall through the cracks during the sorting process. Bottle caps from glass bottles (for beer or soda), for example, should go in the trash because they cannot be reattached securely. Tips for metal can lids: You can either leave a bit of the lid attached and bend it into the can, or plop them down in the can’s bottom and give for the Environment (SAVE) is a nonprofi t organization that organized and incorporated in 1973 “to promote a better quality of life in Saugus through environmental concern and action.” Since that time, we’ve had an eventful history and achieved many fine results. Learn more about us at www. saugus.org/SAVE/ SAVE will have a regular column every few weeks; we will do our best to answer questions we are often asked. If you have a question for us to answer, please send your question to Co-Presidents Ann Devlin (at adevlin@ aisle10.net) or Stephanie Shalkoski (at stephaniems@ gmail.com). A Bicycling Pilgrimage across the United States By Th e Rev. John Beach t is with excitement and dread that I look forward to a bicycle pilgrimage this summer from Seattle to Saugus. This has been a long time in planning, and I have come to realize that the years I have available to do this have become few in number. Though I have never been much of an athlete, I fi nd that the exhilaration of biking has contributed significantly to my physical and emotional well-being. The connection between body and machine has allowed me to see the world very diff erently. My reasons for embarking I on what some would view as a foolish enterprise are three-fold. First, bicycling over an extended period of time becomes a contemplative activity. This is due to a combination of silence, elevated heart rate, and the removal of external stimuli (it is not only unsafe to listen to headphones while biking, it also clutters the mind). Having time alone with my thoughts allows me to discern between the neurotic and the meaningful. It is a prayerful exercise in which I become aware of voices The Rev. John Beach will be embarking on a cross-country bike ride soon. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) which are not of my own fabrication. Secondly, it allows me to be in communion with surrounding geography.Ernest Hemmingway stated, “It is by riding a bicycle that you can learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” Driving in a car is like being in a hermetically sealed cocoon which removes you from the sounds, smells, and tactile sensations of the world around you. The feel of the wind in my face, the smell of the vegetation unique to every location, making eye contact with people who have lives very different than mine, allow me to participate in something much larger than my own small life. Watching the road before me change from urban centers into towering mountains and later into open prairies offers PILGRIMAGE | SEE PAGE 20 avvy Senior y Senior avvy av Dear Savvy Senior, I have some hip and back problems and could use a walking cane to help me get around. Is there anything I should know about canes before I buy one? Limping Linda Dear Linda, When it comes to choosing a cane, most people don’t give it much thought, but they should. Walking canes come in many diff erent styles, shapes and sizes today, so you need to take into account your needs and preferences to ensure you choose one that’s appropriate for you. Here are some tips that can help. Types of Canes The fi rst thing you need to consider is how much support you need. That will help you determine the kind of cane you choose. The three basic types of canes you’ll have to choose from include: 1. Straight canes: These are basic, single point canes that typically incorporate a rounded “crook” handle or “L-shaped” ergonomic handle. Usually made of lightweight aluminum or wood, most of the aluminum models are adjustable in height and some even fold up. 2. Offset-handle canes: These also are single point straight canes but come with a swan neck curve in the upper part of the shaft that puts the user’s weight directly over the cane tip for added stability. These canes are typically aluminum, adjustable-height and come with a flat, soft grip handle that’s easy on the hands. Some straight canes and off set-handle canes also come with triple or quad tipped bases that can add gripping support and allow the cane to stand up on its own when you let go, which is very convenient. Both straight and offset-handle canes are best suited for people with a slight walking impairment. 3. Quad canes: These work best for people who need maximum weight bearing and support. Quad canes come with four separate tips at the base, they usually have an off set fl at handle, and can stand up on its own. Fitting the Cane n eni r nior by Jim Miller How to Choose and Use a Walking Cane Once you decide on the type of cane, you need to make sure it has the weight capacity to support you, and it fi ts your height. To do this, stand up with your arms hanging straight down at your side. The top of the cane should line up with the crease in your wrist, so your arm is slightly bent at the elbow when you grip the cane. The cane should also have a rubber tip at the bottom to prevent slipping. A worn or torn rubber tip is dangerous, so check the tip frequently to ensure it’s in good condition and replace it when necessary. The grip is also very important, so choose one that’s ergonomically designed, or one that has a molded rubber or foam grip that’s comfortable to hold on to. And if you travel much, consider getting a folding cane that can be packed or stored away easily. How to Use When using a cane, it should always be held in the hand opposite of the leg that needs support. For example, if your knee pain is on your left side, you should use the cane in your right hand. The cane should then move forward as you step forward with the bad leg. If you have to go upstairs, you should lead with the good leg. And when you go downstairs, you should put your cane on the step first and then step down with your bad leg. The Mayo Clinic offers a slide show at MayoClinic. com/health/canes/HA00064 that will show you how to choose and use a cane. It’s also a smart idea to work with a physical therapist. Where to Buy You can buy canes at drugstores, discount retailers, medical supply stores and online, usually between $10 and $50. You’ll also be happy to know that Medicare covers canes with a written prescription from a physician. 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.

20 Publizr Home