Fitness and health briefs

Oct. 23 fitness and health items

 
By Ken Raymond | Published: October 23, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

photo - Monica Rostykus <strong> - Provided</strong>
Monica Rostykus - Provided

Multimedia

Integris Health has entered a video in the contest. The inspiration for the local video was Monica Rostykus, who worked for nearly 30 years in the surgery department at Integris Baptist Medical Center. Rostykus was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in April 2008 and was rediagnosed four times. She underwent 14 surgeries and repeated chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Despite that, she became the top fundraiser at Integris and the second best individual fundraiser in Oklahoma City for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She was among more than 200 dancers in Integris' video.

“Many hours were put into creating the Integris video by numerous people from videographers to dance coordinators,” an Integris news release states. “Monica was at the heart of it all, appearing in the video shoot dancing in the Integris Baptist … operating room.”

A few days later, she began feeling more pain and had difficulty breathing. Soon she was unable to remain at home; she entered the Integris Hospice House. She watched the video at the hospice, even performing some of the dance moves from her bed. She died Sept. 27.

Integris dedicated the video to Rostykus. To view or vote for it, go online to www.integrisok.com/pinkglove.

Voting ends Friday. Winners will be announced Nov. 2.

AGING

Check up on older relatives

Sometimes older loved ones need help but aren't willing to ask for it. Visiting Angels, a national company providing compassionate home care, provides this checklist to help you determine how the seniors in your life are doing.

Appearance:

• Are they wearing appropriate clothing?

• Are their clothes clean?

• Do they smell bad? (Could be a sign of difficulty bathing, washing hair or brushing teeth.)

• Are there significant changes to their appearance? (Wearing more or less makeup, not wearing dentures, etc.)

Around the home:

• Is the refrigerator stocked?

• Are the dishes and laundry cleaned regularly?

• Is there expired food in the pantry?

• What are they eating, and how much? Are they drinking enough water?

• Are medications organized and up to date?

Daily life:

• Ask about activities and friends. Are they still having fun? Are they able to go where they want?

• Have they missed or skipped any doctor appointments? Do they understand their medication?

• Are they paying bills on time, or is the mail being ignored?

These things may indicate difficulty in managing daily life.

For more information, contact Visiting Angels at 259-9155 or go online to www.visitingangels.com/midwestcity. Local offices serve Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Moore, Norman and all communities east to Shawnee.