Wisdom Warriors: Elder Summit Provides Education, Encouragement
- IHCRC
- Aug 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 18
Due to overwhelming interest, July 25's "Wisdom Warriors: Just Move It!" Elder Summit, a community collaboration event between Indian Health Service and Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, quickly reached its reservation capacity. The event focused on promoting physical fitness and healthy aging education, but as IHCRC CEO Carmelita Wamego Skeeter noted while speaking at the event, it was also beneficial to our American Indian elder community to be among such a large group of their peers.
"One of the big health issues today is loneliness and we want to prevent that, because so many of us have children that have moved away, relatives that have moved away, and so, we are alone," Mrs. Skeeter said. "And some of us like to be alone, and some of us don’t, and we need to try to help each other in any way we can."
The CDC notes that older adults, adults living alone, and low-income adults are among the highest at-risk groups for loneliness. Health impacts of social isolation and loneliness include:
Heart disease and stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Depression and anxiety
Suicidality and self-harm
Dementia
Earlier death
Besides the healthy benefit of togetherness, "Wisdom Warriors: Just Move It!" also featured fun physical activities and guest speaker presentations on dementia care, elder abuse prevention, and healthy aging. If you didn't have the opportunity to attend, you can see photos, videos, and more information from the entire event below:
Encouraging Elders to "Just Move It!"
ROUND DANCING:
Before the summer heat settled over the back patio of Centennial Center at Veterans Park, Elder Summit participants gathered outdoors for a round dance, blending movement, tradition, and community spirit. A special thank you to the entire Bible family for leading the activity with traditional drumming and dancing!
The CDC notes that adults ages 65 and older need at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (such as dancing). Participating isn't just fun, but can also:
Lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
Reduce the risk of falls.
Improve bone health.
Increase the chance of living longer.
GARDENING:
As noted in a previous blog entry, gardening provides many physical and mental benefits, including:
Strengthen muscles
Mitigate stress
Improve mobility
Build endurance
Like most parts of the Elder Summit, gardening was also a wonderful social activity, as participants helped each other move potting soil into containers and choose the perfect flowers. With an array of plants at their fingertips, participating elders created diverse arrangements ranging from purely decorative to practical—like lavender and rosemary, chosen for their natural ability to repel pests and mosquitoes.
TAI CHI AND CHAIR YOGA:
IHCRC Fitness Educators Jennie and Jordin led participants on a journey of movement and mindfulness, introducing a new audience to the gentle power of Tai Chi and Chair Yoga. These accessible practices are especially beneficial for individuals with mobility challenges or those who find it difficult to stand for extended periods. In addition, the CDC says that Tai Chi improves:
Muscular strength
Flexibility
Fitness
Range of motion
"Tai Chi improves balance, prevent falls, and helps our elders move through life with confidence." - IHCRC Fitness Educator Jennie H.
IHCRC Fitness Educators Jennie and Jordin lead weekly classes at our new Fitness Center located at IHCRC 530. To participate, active IHCRC patients can fill out a Fitness Activity Interest Form at our program page.
RESISTANCE BANDS:
Like Chair Yoga, working with resistance bands is another physical activity that can get your heart rate up without needing to stand up.
Elder Summit participants did arm curls and other exercises to promote upper body strength. Interested in strength improving exercises you can do at home? The CDC offers further guidance on how to do arm curls at its website, including these tips:
Try to work all the major muscle groups of your body, from your legs to your arms.
Work on muscle strengthening at least twice a week.
Workout with repetitions and sets in mind: Do eight to 12 repetitions per activity (one set) and aim for two or three sets each workout.
MAKING MEDICINE BAGS:
Elder Summit attendees also had the opportunity to participate in the American Indian tradition of making a medicine bag. The craft improves hand dexterity and mental focus as threading together the pieces of the medicine bags can be a challenging, but fun social activity. The NIH notes that taking part in tribal traditions is also important for:
• Building resilience
• Reinforcing support networks
• Acting as a buffer against trauma effects
Educating Elders on Dementia, Preventing Abuse
DEMENTIA BASICS:
Morgan Hamilton, MPH, is the Oklahoma State Department of Health Healthy Brain, Heart, Diabetes, and Tobacco Program Manager. Ms. Hamilton said that it is important to know that just like there are many types of cancer, there are also many different types of dementia. Alzheimer's is the most common and other types include frontotemporal, Lewy body, mixed, and vascular.
She also noted that while more than an estimated 70,000 Oklahomans live with Alzheimer's, this number only includes those that acknowledge the condition, and that it is likely higher. Warning signs in earlier stages in life, including less education, bad diet, and head injuries, can put people at increased risk.
Another guest speaker at "Wisdom Warriors" was Ron Eppes, International Association for Indigenous Aging and Director of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Projects. He took questions on caregiving, diagnosis, and more, noting that a close family member lived 20 years with dementia. He encouraged people to think about the condition with several things in mind:
Dementia is a disease.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
The disease is a thief that steals who that person was.
Talking about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is key to breaking the stigma attached to the condition, Ms. Hamilton said.
Resources are available with more information online from both the Oklahoma State Department of Health and International Association for Indigenous Aging:
PREVENTING ELDER ABUSE:
Cassie Rebeor, CFLE-P, is a later in life outreach/client advocate with Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). As noted in June's blog, approximately 1 in 10 people aged 60 and older who live at home experience some sort of abuse. Ms. Rebeor spoke about recognizing the warning signs of elder abuse, although she emphasized that adults of any age can be a "vulnerable adult."
One warning sign that friends and family should be familiar with is "self-neglect," Ms. Rebeor said. This includes:
Refusing or being unable to meet personal hygiene needs.
Hoarding and not keeping areas clear.
Not seeking assistance when it is needed.
Ms. Rebeor also expanded on other common warning signs of abuse:
Abuse includes taking away mobility devices.
Emotional abuse includes not allowing friends and family to visit or talk on the phone.
Abandonment includes caregivers intending on leaving elders at a hospital or nursing facility without prior arrangements.
Additional resources for identifying, preventing and reporting are available at:
File a report online at: AbuseIsNotOK.org
Call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-522-3511.
Additional 'Wisdom Warriors' event photos:
