Physical therapist makes presentation to RTA group

Physical therapist Jeananne Elkins spoke to the Lampasas County Retired Teachers Association Feb. 5 at the Lampasas ISD board room.

Mrs. Elkins has been in Lampasas since 1984 and operates The Physical Therapy Clinic. Many of those present are patients or former patients.

She began by discussing safety in the home -- especially in an elder resident's home. Most of her patients with broken bones blame a rug or a cord they tripped over -- one that had been there for quite some time.

Mrs. Elkins suggested asking someone with an objective eye to look over an environment for dangerous items. Most important, she said, is to have a light -- such as a night light -- to light the way.

The therapist stressed the importance of building up strength and suggested the easiest exercise is simply walking (outdoors, in a large store or mall or another indoor place).

She cautioned members to do some investigation and/or try out exercise equipment advertised on television before purchasing. She also stressed building and/or maintaining mental health, with the easiest way to do that by working crossword puzzles or other things that keep the mind active.

Surgeries were her next topic. Hip and knee replacements are quite common among the older population, she said. Mrs. Elkins suggested anyone facing such an operation become more informed about it before undergoing surgery and talking to others who have been through it.

Find out about doctors and materials used for replacements, she said. Mrs. Elkins also recommended that those over 60 have a bone density test and repeat it as necessary.

The subject of MRSA was raised, and she discussed the antibiotic-resistant staph infection with those present. MRSA colonizes in the nostrils and healthy individuals can be carriers, she said.

Mrs. Elkins indicated that MRSA is prevalent among children, adolescents, horses, pigs and dogs.

In the business session, Kay Gray Fox, president, conducted the club's business.

Peggy Wolfe, legislative chair, shared the choices facing the legislature and promised printed copies at the next meeting for members to indicate their priorities.

Ruthie Martin, information and protective services chair, reported she turned in just under 10,000 volunteer hours from members.

Mrs. Fox also discussed the meeting she attended with the Killeen chapter where TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee spoke on concerns the state legislature might lower the active teacher's contribution to TRS, which could lower the retired teachers'.

Next meeting is March 4 during Public School Week. The group will eat lunch at Lampasas Middle School cafeteria.