Sun, Mar 26, 2023 at 03:40 PM

Seniors fill hospital’s monthly luncheons

More than 100 GoldCare55+ members celebrated the arrival of spring by sharing a meal and learning about keeping their brain healthy, thanks to a program sponsored by Marshall Medical Centers.

The March Lunch N’ learn is the second this year after the program for seniors was able to resume following a three-year hiatus for Covid. The crowd filled the Guntersville Recreation Center, enjoying a lunch catered by the Marshall North cafeteria and competing for door prizes of various Easter décor.

Featured speaker was Dr. Sheri Swader of Neurology of Marshall County, who explained that neurologists deal with the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.

Stroke sufferers account for large part of neurology patients. The Southeast is commonly referred to as the Stroke Belt due to a much higher incidence of stroke compared to the rest of the country. Statistics show that those born in the Stroke Belt are twice as likely to have a stroke than those born elsewhere in the US.

In addition to stroke, other common reasons for seeing a neurologist include:

• Falls
• Dizziness
• Tremors
• Atrophy or brain shrinkage
• Seizure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Neuropathy
• Memory loss/dementia

“The older you get, the less your brain will work like it used to,” Dr. Swader said, urging seniors to stay active. “If all you do is sit, all you will be able to do is sit.”

Dr. Swader and her family moved to Guntersville in 2022. She previously practiced in Cullman for 15 years. She graduated from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 2001 and then completed her residency at UAB.

The next GoldCare55+ Lunch N’ learn is April 20 featuring Dr. Tyler Hughes of Arab, a Marshall North ER physician and vice president of medical affairs for the hospital system. Cost is only $7 to attend. Call (256)571-8032 to register. Mail a check, pay with a card over the phone, or stop by 2320 Homer Clayton Drive. Registration with payment must be received by the Friday before the event.