Celebrating Healthy Aging Month
This month, we’ve had a lot to celebrate, including healthy aging! As a trusted healthcare provider in our community, we believe it’s important to spark conversations about what it means to age well and how to stay connected to your health as the years go by.
The truth is, aging looks different for everyone. Genetics, lifestyle, and personal circumstances all play a role. But no matter where you’re starting from, taking care of your health is essential.
So, what does it really mean to “age healthfully”? At its core, healthy aging is about maintaining and improving your physical, mental, and social well-being as you grow older. And here’s the best part: it’s never too late to start.
Small, intentional steps today can lead to a better quality of life tomorrow. Building healthy habits early (and sticking with them) can make all the difference in how you feel, function, and enjoy life for years to come.
Five Pillars of Healthy Aging
Healthy aging doesn’t happen overnight or by accident. It takes intentionality and daily habits that support both mind and body over time. By focusing on a few key pillars, you can give yourself the best chance of staying healthy, active, and independent in the years ahead.
1. Stay Active
Movement matters. Staying active keeps your muscles, bones, and heart strong. The CDC recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, but even short bursts of exercise add up. Go for a walk, pull weeds in the garden, ride your bike, or push the lawn mower. Every bit of movement makes a difference.
2. Prioritize Nutrition
Food is fuel, especially as we age. While our bodies may need fewer calories, they often require more of certain nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, protein, and fiber. Choose nutrient-dense foods to keep your energy steady and your body strong.
A balanced plate might include:
- Vegetables & Fruits: Fill half your plate with colorful options like leafy greens, orange veggies, berries, or citrus for vitamins and antioxidants.
- Whole Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, or quinoa provide fiber for digestion and heart health.
- Protein: Lean meats, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, and nuts help maintain muscle strength. (Aim for seafood twice a week for omega-3s.)
- Dairy or Fortified Alternatives: Yogurt, milk, or fortified plant-based options deliver calcium and vitamin D for bone health.
- Healthy Fats: Olive oil, avocado, and nuts support brain and heart health while adding flavor.
The bottom line: build meals around variety and color. The more balance on your plate, the better your body will thrive.
3. Keep Your Mind Sharp
A strong mind is just as important as a strong body. Challenge your brain with activities that stretch memory, focus, and creativity. You could read a book, try a new hobby, or play games like trivia, sudoku, or crosswords. Mental exercise is health care, too.
4. Build Connections
Humans are wired for connection, and positive relationships are vital for mental health. Friends, family, and community can provide support, prevent loneliness, and improve overall well-being. Staying connected is just as important as staying active.
5. Get Preventive Care
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Stay ahead with preventive care. Regular checkups help your provider track changes, manage chronic conditions, and catch issues early, when they’re easier to treat. From blood pressure checks to cancer screenings, preventive care can add years of health to your life and give you back your peace of mind.
When Surgery Supports Healthy Aging
While healthy habits play a big role in aging well, sometimes lifestyle alone isn’t enough. If joint pain, vision changes, or other health challenges are keeping you from doing the things you love, medical intervention can make all the difference.
At St. Cloud Surgical Center, our outpatient procedures are performed by experienced specialists and designed to deliver comfortable, high-quality care that supports your long-term health and independence.
Some of the most common procedures that support healthy aging include:
- Joint Replacement: Total hip and knee replacements reduce pain and improve mobility, helping you stay active.
- Cataract and Eye Surgeries: Restore clear vision for driving, reading, hobbies, and daily activities.
- ENT Procedures: Improve breathing, sleep, and overall comfort.
Many of these procedures are minimally invasive and can be truly life-changing. Don’t let pain or discomfort hold you back from living fully. With more than 50 years of trusted care in Central Minnesota, the physicians, nurses, and technicians at St. Cloud Surgical Center are here to provide a supportive, well-informed experience for every patient and their families.
Healthy Mind. Healthy Body.
Taking care of your mental health is a key part of healthy aging.
Prioritizing your emotional well-being will give you even more reason to live a long, vibrant life. Stress, anxiety, doubts, and fears are all natural parts of being human, but they don’t have to hold you back. With the right tools, resources, and support, you can navigate these challenges and feel more grounded.
Here are a few simple ways to support your emotional well-being:
- Relax and de-stress: Try yoga, meditation, or another calming activity
- Stay connected: Join a book club, share a meal with a friend, or take the grandkids to a ballgame
- Get creative: Start that new painting or build a birdhouse for the first time
- Enjoy the outdoors: Take a walk through the neighborhood or read on the porch
Your mind and body work together to keep you strong and resilient. When you nurture both, you set yourself up for the best possible health as you age.
Your Healthy Journey Starts Now
This September, celebrate Healthy Aging Month by committing to a few simple habits that can make a lasting difference. Whether you’re 22 or 82, it’s never too early (or too late) to invest in yourself. From scheduling preventive checkups and adding movement to your day, to exploring procedures that restore independence, St. Cloud Surgical Center is here to support your journey toward a healthier, happier life.
Freedom in Every Step: How Knee Surgery Changed Everything
Have you ever done something so impactful that it completely changed your life? For many of our St. Cloud Surgical Center patients, joint replacement surgery does just that. It gives them the chance to live the life they deserve—whether that’s keeping up with family, returning to favorite hobbies, or simply moving without pain.
That’s the kind of transformation we’re sharing today.
Louise Kalland, a proud grandmother from Princeton, Minnesota, came to us after a remarkable 42-year career as a nurse, with experience spanning ICU, med-surg, administration, and the final 20 years in hospice care. Her desire to stay active with her family became the driving force behind seeking surgical treatment for her knees.
Referred to Dr. Kim Schaap by a family member, Louise worked closely with Dr. Schaap and her team at St. Cloud Orthopedics before coming to our center for her first surgery in November 2024. By early 2025, she had completed surgeries on both knees using Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery, and in just six months, her life had transformed for the better.
Enjoy this inspiring St. Cloud Surgical Center patient interview.
SCSC: Hi Louise, thank you for joining us today. We’ll start off easy. What brought you to St. Cloud Surgical Center?
LK: I came to St. Cloud Surgical Center for knee surgery, actually twice in the last year. My brother, who has had several procedures done here, referred me to St. Cloud Orthopedics. I ended up seeing Dr. Kim Schaap, who performed both of my knee surgeries, one in November 2024 and one in May 2025.
SCSC: Surgery is not typically someone’s first choice for relief. Was there something that ultimately made you decide to move forward with surgery?
LK: My biggest concern was my quality of life. I felt like I couldn’t participate in what my grandchildren were doing. The final push came when I attended a Down Syndrome walk in honor of my young grandson. It was a two-mile walk, and I couldn’t do it. Emotionally, that was very hard for me. That’s when I made the decision that I would have my surgery.
SCSC: Grandkids have a way of doing that. They are special, and it’s great you get to be here for those moments. What was the surgery experience like for you?
LK: For me, it was amazing. Everything at St. Cloud Surgical Center went so smoothly. Everyone was professional and reassuring. Once I was here, I had no concerns about the surgery itself. My biggest worry was recovery afterward, but the team put me at ease. I was very happy with my experience.
SCSC: We love hearing that! As a nurse yourself, how would you describe your experience with the support staff during your time here?
LK: The entire experience was incredible. From the moment I walked in, the secretaries and admissions staff were welcoming. The nurses, anesthesiologists—everyone was just wonderful. I told my husband when we left that this was the happiest place I’ve ever been. Everybody seemed to love their job, and that was so reassuring to me. Having been a nurse for 42 years, I know that’s not always easy to achieve, but here it really showed.
SCSC: Forty-two years, what an incredible career. Surely, you’ve worked with your share of doctors and surgeons. What was it like being a patient of Dr. Schaap’s?
LK: I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Schaap. She listened to me and made me feel heard. She’s very experienced and professional, but also so supportive. I could tell she cared not just about the procedure itself, but about my quality of life. I’ve already referred others to her because I greatly believe in her care.
SCSC: Dr. Schaap is very special! What does life look like for you after surgery?
LK: It’s completely different. A year ago, I couldn’t do that two-mile Down Syndrome walk. Now, after two knee surgeries, I feel fully recovered. I know my legs will continue to get stronger, but I can already keep up with my grandkids and take care of them again. I watch them one day a week, and now I can do it without pain. I feel normal again, and I have no pain in my knees at all. For two years before surgery, I struggled more than I realized. Now, I’m just so happy with how it all turned out.
SCSC: Would you recommend St. Cloud Surgical Center to friends or family?
LK: Definitely. I already have. Everything was seamless: the process with Dr. Schaap, the care at the orthopedic clinic, and the surgery center itself. I felt so well cared for during the whole process. It was amazing from start to finish, including the surgery, the care before, and the care after.SCSC: Louise, thank you for sitting down with us and sharing more about your experience at our center, Dr. Schaap, and our Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery. Your willingness to share your story is going to impact future patients.
For Louise, getting back to life meant more than just walking without pain. It meant being present for the moments that matter most, like joining her grandson and family on a two-mile walk. Her experience at St. Cloud Surgical Center left her reassured, inspired, and pain-free, and it’s easy to see why she calls it “the happiest place I’ve ever been.” If joint pain is holding you back from the life you want to live, don’t wait—schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward your own transformation.
If you or a loved one is struggling with joint pain and wants to regain your quality of life, St. Cloud Surgical Center is here to help. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward a life without limits.
Back-to-School Health Check: When ENT Surgery Is a Must
Between checking off school supply lists, hunting down lunchboxes, and wondering how your kid’s shoes shrank two sizes over the summer, it’s easy to forget about health checkups, especially the kind that go beyond the standard physical.
But if your child has been dealing with things like chronic ear infections, snoring, or nonstop sinus trouble, the start of a new school year is the perfect time to take a closer look. These issues might seem minor on the surface, but they can impact your child’s sleep, focus, hearing, and even behavior in the classroom.
If this sounds familiar, a quick consultation and outpatient procedure might be all your child needs to feel better. At St. Cloud Surgical Center, we work closely with the experts at St. Cloud Ear, Nose, and Throat to provide top-tier ENT care for Central Minnesota families. Our practices are so close, they even share a parking lot — how’s that for teamwork?
So, if you’re ready to tackle your child’s ENT concerns before summer wraps and sick season begins, here’s what you need to know.
The Red Flags: When Your Child Might Need an ENT Referral
One of the hardest things as a parent is knowing when your child needs medical attention. It’s a constant balancing act between worrying too much and worrying too little. But the truth is, your gut instinct is usually right. If something feels off, it’s probably worth digging into.
That doesn’t mean you need to hit the panic button, but it might be time to ask your child’s primary care provider about an ENT referral. To arm you for that ask, here are some warning signs that may tell you a more specialized ENT evaluation is in order.
Frequent or Chronic Ear Infections – If your kiddo has had more ear infections than birthday parties lately, you’re not alone. Chronic ear infections, especially those that stick around for more than three months or just keep coming back, can mess with hearing, sleep, and day-to-day comfort.
Trouble Hearing or Delayed Speech – Does your child seem not to be quite catching what you’re saying? Are they behind on speech milestones? ENT-related hearing issues can show up as slow responses, trouble following directions, limited vocabulary, or simply acting a little “tuned out.” Yes, sometimes, it’s not a behavioral issue.
Snoring, Restless Sleep, or Mouth Breathing – Loud snoring or restless nights might just seem like quirky sleep habits, but they can also point to issues like enlarged tonsils or adenoids, nasal polyps, or chronic allergies. If your child always breathes through their mouth or wakes up crankier than they went to bed, it’s worth a closer look.
Recurring Sore Throats or Swollen Tonsils – If your child constantly battles sore throats or their tonsils always look red and inflamed, it might not just be another virus. When sore throats show up more than seven times in a single year, or consistently year after year, a tonsillectomy might be the long-term fix.
Persistent Sinus Infections or Nasal Congestion – No one wants to see their kid struggle to breathe clearly. Chronic congestion or sinus infections that just won’t quit can also lead to issues like blocked eustachian tubes (which affect balance and hearing). If tissues and allergy meds aren’t cutting it, something deeper may be going on.
While some of these issues clear up with time or medication, others become repeat offenders, and that’s when surgical treatment may be the better, more permanent solution.Lucky for you and your sweet kiddos, we have a team of expert physicians to find relief and long-term peace of mind. We know making decisions about your child’s health can feel heavy, but we’re here to guide you with expertise and empathy.
Three Common ENT Surgeries That Help Kids Thrive
1. Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Let’s talk tonsils and adenoids, those sneaky little tissues at the back of the throat and nose that can cause big problems.
While the number of tonsillectomies has decreased since the 1970s, they are still very prominent, with over 500,000 tonsillectomies being performed on children under 15 annually.
Why it’s done: If your child has frequent bouts of tonsillitis, strep throat, or trouble sleeping due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, this procedure might be recommended. It’s especially helpful for kids with obstructive sleep apnea or chronic mouth breathing.
How it helps: Removing the tonsils and/or adenoids can drastically reduce throat infections and improve airflow, meaning your child breathes easier, sleeps better, and wakes up ready to tackle their spelling test.
2. Ear Tube Insertion (Myringotomy)
If your child has had more ear infections than snow days, ear tubes might be the answer. And that’s saying something in Minnesota.
Myringotomies are the most common surgery performed on children in the United States, with an estimated nearly half a million kids in the US receiving ear tubes each year.
Why it’s done: Children with repeated ear infections or fluid buildup behind the eardrum (called otitis media with effusion) can experience pain, hearing loss, and speech delays.
How it helps: Small tubes inserted into the eardrum allow air in and fluid out, reducing infections and restoring normal hearing. Most parents say their kids are totally different humans after this: more engaged, more vocal, and less cranky. It is a true game changer for many children and their families.
3. Sinus Surgery (Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)
Did you know kids can need sinus surgery? It’s true, especially those with chronic sinusitis that don’t respond to antibiotics or allergy medications. While the numbers are certainly smaller than in adults, we have performed many cases on children 15 and under at the center.
Why it’s done: If your child’s been congested for months or constantly fights sinus infections, blocked nasal passages might be to blame.
How it helps: Using a tiny camera and tools, surgeons gently open up the sinus pathways to help everything drain properly. The result: fewer infections, less pressure, and a major improvement in breathing and quality of life.
Why Summer Break (and Back-to-School Season) is Prime Time
Every seasoned parent knows that schedules pick up once the school year begins, and sickness does too. Why wait until the next school year for an infection? We never recommend waiting, and late summer and early fall (think August and September) are perfect for ENT procedures. Here’s a closer look.
- More recovery time: Kids can heal without missing critical class time.
- Fewer absences later: Solving ENT issues now helps avoid sick days during the year.
- Flexible schedules: Families often have a bit more leeway before fall routines fully lock in.
ENT problems don’t just disrupt sleep or cause a few sniffles. They can impact your child’s ability to focus, learn, and enjoy school.
If your child shows signs of chronic ENT trouble, it might be time to take action. A simple, safe outpatient procedure could be the difference between another year of missed school days and one filled with confidence and healthy memories.
Schedule a Pediatric ENT Consultation Today
We know surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s your child heading into the OR instead of you. That’s why we’ve created a pediatric-friendly environment designed to make the process as calm, smooth, and stress-free as possible.
With over 50 years of care in Central Minnesota, we’ve built an efficient outpatient experience that often gets patients in and out the same day, sometimes before the sun even comes up! And if you’ve been a patient here yourself, you already know that our team is as kind and compassionate as they are skilled. From pre-op to post-op, your child will be in the best hands imaginable.
If you’re looking to start the school year with fewer sick days and more peace of mind, contact St. Cloud Surgical Center to learn more or book a consultation with one of our experienced ENT specialists at St. Cloud Ear, Nose, and Throat.
St. Cloud Orthopedics Named Minnesota’s Best!
Thank you for voting for us in the Minnesota’s Best Readers’ Choice competition! We are honored to be the Gold Winner in Orthopedic Surgeon and Urgent Injury Care Clinic, and the Silver Winner in Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.
We are committed to serving Minnesota with expert non-operative and surgical care. When you need the BEST orthopedic treatment at fair cost, choose St. Cloud Orthopedics.
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Murphy is always a patient advocate who genuinely cares about his patients and tries to ensure that the right treatment is provided.”
“Dr. Reynolds explained things thoroughly, and I didn’t feel rushed. Sympathetic to my condition, yet honest and up-front.”
“Dr. Perkins is a friendly, helpful, informative and knowledgeable doctor. I felt comfortable with his recommendations!”
“Dr. Botterill was thorough, communicative and empathetic. What a great combination!”
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