Senior Workshop Features Nutrition Advice & Expertise
Learning more about food and nutrition was a big draw for the second in a new series of D&HHS workshops for senior citizens.
Sandria Graham, a Deaf community nutrition instructor from Michigan State University Extension, led the two-hour session which featured lots of good information and many good questions and conversations between her and those gathered for the event.
Using a series of slides, as well as her own expertise and education, Graham led the group in an exploration of what she called Go, Slow, and Whoa foods.
She helped those in attendance understand what it meant to eat lots of “Go” foods, things that are good for the body. She noted that “Slow” foods could be okay, but that they needed to be consumed in moderation. As for “Whoa” foods, be very careful Graham cautioned her audience with a warm smile.
She also talked to the seniors about the importance of moving and getting exercise, 30 minutes a day, five days a week, she recommended, and she even had those in attendance take a little movement break about halfway through her interactive presentation.
“The group was great,” Graham said. “Several Deaf Seniors came to me and said they learned a lot. I was glad that they enjoyed my presentation.”
Graham, who presented using American Sign Language, noted that she presents on nutrition frequently, and for Deaf audiences, she always tries to tailor her talk in ways that will make the material as accessible as possible, including big text on her PowerPoint presentation. She also has numerous online presentations built for Deaf audiences.
Afterwards, attendees raved about the event, about D&HHS and about the organization’s new home at the Special Olympics Unified Sports and Inclusion Center at 160 68th St SW in Grand Rapids.
Jan McQueen is hard of hearing and also has two Deaf sons, age 50 and 47. She has been advocating for them since they were babies she said, adding that D&HHS has been a valuable partner at every step of the way for the past 27 years (since it was formed in 1995).
“I was invited today by Tim, my son,” she said. “He’s trying to be better healthwise, so I’m here to support him.”
McQueen said the event and the new location both were terrific.
“This was so helpful,” she said with a broad smile. “Sandy breaks it down into visual pictures and because she is Deaf, she understands what it means to present information to others who are Deaf. And having this new space is wonderful. What a blessing.”
Gilbert Branagan, who is Deaf, was equally enthusiastic.
“I’m curious to know more about what good nutrition looks like,” he said. “This was very interesting, and I learned a lot. Maybe it will help me lose 10 pounds!”
D&HHS board member Alan McCall is on the committee that plans the monthly sessions for seniors and said it was great to see a good turnout for the nutrition event.
“I think it went well,” he said. “I was very happy with the content of the presentation. Events like this are important for Deaf seniors as a place to learn valuable information which is fully accessible and also meet new or old friends and socialize at the same spot all in one.”
D&HHS executive director Deb Atwood told the seniors that it gave her goosebumps to see everyone together again.
“Thank you for your support,” she added. “It’s been a long ride to get to this point, but here we are.”
The August 4 workshop for seniors will again be at the new D&HHS home at the SOMI Unified Sports and Inclusion Center at 10 a.m. It will feature Tanya Hammersmith, a Deaf presenter from New York Life, who will talk about items of specific concern to seniors as they enter their golden years, including long-term care planning.