Senior Lifestyles Publication of the Addison Independent • April 8, 2013
Think it through when charities come calling By MARY CONLON Think no one uses regular mail or oldfashioned landline telephones anymore? Think again. Especially when it comes to soliciting charitable contributions from senior citizens, a population known among fundraisers for three things: opening their mail, answering their phones and being generous and trusting with their money.
Sorting out the many organizations that call and send small gifts like labels, notepads and calendars with their requests for contributions can be challenging and very confusing. Many national organizations hire professional fundraisers who take a percentage of the contributions to cover their costs and profits. Many groups have similar names, then buy and sell lists of contributors
and others still may be nonprofit (even if their hired fundraisers are not) but do not qualify as charitable contributions for tax purposes. Other solicitors are not nonprofit organizations at all, but businesses interested in getting at your bank account in order to sell you marked-up questionable products. Combine this with recent research showing that as people age, they become less able to
discern suspicious behavior, including from telephone solicitors. Aging Americans simply become more trusting at a time in their lives when they also become more generous. Just how confusing and difficult can giving be, especially in an age of aggressive mail and telephone campaigns? Veterans groups provide one example of running the (See Contributions, Page 18)
Dancing is a great way to exercise and to socialize
Contra dance lets you move at your own level By CHRISTY LYNN ADDISON COUNTY — Dancing, a longcelebrated source of socialization, exercise and simple fun, can be a great outlet for people of all ages. In Addison County, opportunities to go out dancing may be more plentiful than you think. Community centers and town halls have for many decades offered public dances, often contra dances, swing dances or square dances. One of the most wonderful qualities of dancing is that “you can come and engage at whatever energy level you feel is appropriate for you,” says Kristin Bolton, one of the organizers of a monthly contra dance series offered at the Cornwall Town Hall. So even if you’re not up for the fast-paced salsa, or polka, you can wait a song or two and join back in for a waltz. Many seniors have been dancing their whole lives, Bolton acknowledges, which allows them to celebrate an activity they have
enjoyed for many years. Bolton, who also works at Elderly Services, has been organizing the contra dance series at Cornwall Town Hall for close to three years with her husband, Andrew Munkres, and their “old time” band, Red Dog Riley. She says that part of the appeal for seniors (as well as young and middle-aged people), is the variety of participants at the events. “There is often a core group of mature dancers,” Bolton says, “but there is always a surprising mix of people who show up. “There aren’t a lot of events in the community where you get such a multigenerational mix of people.” For seniors, the positive energy of live music, dancing and buzz of new people offers an easy way to stay optimistic about life. Contra dancing events are usually informal and open to anyone who shows up. Dancing skills and a strong memory for all the steps and sequences are not required, (See Dancing, Page 21)
At nifty fifty you may find losing weight gets harder
SHELLY HARE LEADS a senior fitness class at Vermont Sun last Thursday morning. The class puts seniors through stretching, aerobic and small-weight workouts. Independent photo/Trent Campbell
(MS) — Losing some weight is a goal for many people regardless of age. While youngsters and young adults might be able to get away with a few extra pounds without suffering any significant consequences, older adults carrying some extra weight might be putting their overall health at considerable risk. Shedding weight after the age of 50 is not always easy. As a person ages, muscle mass tends to dwindle while body fat has a tendency to increase. Since fat burns fewer calories than muscle, weight gain as a person ages seems bound to happen. But that doesn’t mean such weight gain is inevitable. In fact, men and women willing
to make certain changes with regard to diet and exercise can shed pounds after 50 while preventing future weight gain. Diet — Men and women need fewer calories as they age. For example, men and women in their 40s may need as many as 200 calories more per day than they will when they reach their 50s. Counting calories might seem difficult, so men and women in their 50s and older who don’t think they can count calories can try to eat more low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Consuming fewer calories often requires changing dietary habits, not only with re(See Weight control, Page 24)
PAGE 18 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
Contributions
THE VERMONT SUN aqua arthritis class forms a circle in the pool during class last week. Exercising in a pool provides an excellent low-impact workout for seniors.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell
(Continued from Page 17) gamut from worthy use of donations to heavy use of donations for fundraising to outright scams. The confusion is understandable when one looks at the names of three out of many organizations: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Disabled Veterans of America (DVA). Using Charity Navigator, an online tool that lists nonprofit organizations and how they spend their money on programs and fundraising, we learn that the DAV spends more than 90 percent of its money on its programs and less than 5 percent on fundraising — an admirable ratio. The PVA, according to Charity Navigator, spends nearly 60 percent of its money on fundraising and less than 35 percent on programs. And the Disabled Veterans of America does appear to exist, but in November, a Michigan man was sent to prison for using the name and soliciting donations by phone. Another area of confusion is the professional associations that hire out-of-state telemarketers to do their fundraising by phone. These include, for example, the unions representing professional firefighters and police officers. While one can debate the merits of these Vermont organizations using paid fund-raisers, many people who receive the telemarketing calls do not readily realize that these organizations are unions and contributions to them are not tax-deductible, even though that is stated in the pitch for donations or follow-up (See Charities, Page 19)
Ask Elderly Services
I need a break from caregiving, but my mom refuses to stay with anyone else! Most caregivers will know what you’re talking about! The elder needing supervision often says, “My family can take care of me,” or “I’m fine by myself.” As the caregiving adult child you are probably hesitant to insist that your parent accept new help. You might say, “I feel guilty leaving Mom with someone else, like I’m being selfish.” The decision to begin “paid help” is a major one for a family. In our opinion, most families wait way too long. Adult children can become frustrated and irritable. Homebound elders can suffer boredom and loneliness.
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REACH THE COUNTY, PLACE YOUR AD HERE. CALL 388-4944
Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013 — PAGE 19
Charities (Continued from Page 18) mailings. What can a person do to keep charitable giving from turning from a joy to a chore and to protect themselves from scams? Here are a few suggestions: • Focus on your areas of interest to streamline your giving. Those areas could be a few local organizations you know well and just a couple national organizations in your interest area. Discard and decline solicitations from others. • Research before donating. There are several guides available in print and online that rate charities for their use of donations. Online help can be found at charitynavigator.org or charitywatch.org. Each has a simple search engine and ratings. For those without online access, a printed “Charity Rating Guide” is included with membership in the American Institute of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 578460, Chicago, IL 60657. • Examine your mail carefully. Many organizations try to look “official” and they are sophisticated in their marketing, sometimes even making an envelope look like a bill, a renewal or membership dues that you owe. • Get help. Ask a trusted friend or relative to review charitable requests with you (they can even do the background checks online) or get together with friends to open the
envelopes together. Often a second set of eyes can catch the fine print. • Keep a list of the gifts you make. Some national organizations will increase their requests the more you respond. It can be confusing and you may forget that you just made a gift last month. Never give a gift without checking your list first. • Make an annual charitable budget. Think about your interest areas, including geographic interest. Many national organizations inundate you with mail and phone calls and without intending to, you may end up giving more to them than to organizations in your local area. • Make it a rule never to give financial information out over the phone to someone soliciting money – not credit card numbers and especially not bank account information, most notably the numbers from the bottom of a check. Any reputable organization will respect your wishes to only receive information by mail. • If you do not wish to receive phone calls, tell each caller to remove your name from their list. The government Do Not Call list made an exemption for charitable organizations, so the organizations must be told individually. Editor’s note: Mary Conlon of Cornwall is a daily money manager and member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers.
STUDENTS IN A Champlain Valley Agency on Aging tai chi class practice the Sun style, which promotes the energy flow inside the body.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell
Cash in on the upsides of getting older (MS) — The standard for people entering their golden years has long been to fib about their ages. Growing older hasn’t always been seen as a positive. But increasing perks for seniors have made it more advantageous for older adults to be proud of their age. It used to be that a senior discount
meant a reduced fare on the bus or a couple of cents saved on that morning cup of coffee. However, as more of the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement years, businesses are catering to Boomers’ active lifestyles with discounts and perks in a variety of ways. “It pays to do a little research,
especially at stores where you shop frequently,” says Albert, a retail store manager in New York. “They don’t often advertise their discounts, but many stores do have a policy for senior savings if you simply ask.” Discounts may vary by franchise or retailer, so it’s important to (See Upside, Page 20)
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PAGE 20 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
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Upside
The Addison Independent All the news you need twice a week and at www.addisonindependent.com
(Continued from Page 19) inquire with customer service or the manager about age requirements and the percentages off purchases. Stores like Kohl’s offer discounts on a certain day of the week. Other businesses may have a standard percentage that they take off regardless of the day or time the purchases are being made. Dunkin Donuts, KB Toys, Banana Republic, and many other retailers offer anywhere from 10 to 15 percent off on purchases. That can add up to considerable savings, especially for older adults living on fixed incomes. And individuals need not be retirement age to reap store perks. Some businesses offer discounts for customers over the age of 62. Many others start the cutoff at 50 to 55. The earlier Boomers find out about discounts, the sooner they can start saving. Stores aren’t the only ones offering perks to seniors, either. Discounts may be available on airline flights and other modes of transportation. Reduced rates on hotel rooms, car rentals and other travel industry items are also available.
Community services may be made possible for seniors as well, including low- or no-cost financial counseling. Health companies also may have discounted programs for seniors, including fitness clubs, prescription programs and therapy. Anyone age 50 and up is eligible for enrollment in AARP, which boasts its own collection of discounts and recommended businesses. Let’s not forget senior housing, which has evolved way beyond the retirement communities of the past. Today’s senior living facilities often boast state-of-the-art fitness centers, theaters, pools, transportation for shopping, recreational activities, and much more in addition to the steeply reduced purchase price for a home. Retirement homes are often several thousand dollars cheaper than an on-par house of similar size sold to a younger buyer. Before anyone 50 years or older pays full price when shopping, dining out or traveling, he or she should investigate whether there are discounts in place that can quickly add up to savings.
Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013 — PAGE 21
Dancing (Continued from Page 17) as the caller dictates each move throughout the dance. The music is typical of old-time Appalachian music, featuring fiddles, banjos, guitars and sometimes a bass. Popularity for contra dancing seems to be rebounding, after a few years of decreased interest, as described by Alison James, a musician and folk-music enthusiast who in the past has helped organize a contra dancing series at Holley Hall in Bristol. Now, after about a three-year hiatus, James is restarting the contra dance series at Holley Hall. “It seems to be the right time to start up again,” James says, noting other dancing and folk music venues drawing crowds around the state. James attributes this shift to a renewed interest in local folk music. “It used to be that you could see a local band play anywhere, anytime. Now that it’s less common, when they do play, people come.” Despite age, dancing and enjoying live music at a contra dance, square dance, salsa dance or swing dance, can help keep spring in your step and a smile on your face. “Dancing is an important thing for the senior crowd,” says John Danyew, a dance instructor who teaches at many venues around the state. “It is a physical activity that can be low impact if you pick the style of dance appropriately — and keeps you feeling young!” Danyew says he dances with people of all ages, but many of them are retired and are finally getting the chance to learn how to dance. “You can probably waltz until you’re 90,” Danyew says. “As long as you’re not trying to breakdance to keep up with hip-hop, dancing can be an option for your whole life.”
RED DOG RILEY plays “old timey” music at one of its monthly contra dances at Cornwall Town Hall. Dancing can be a low-impact activity that lifts the spirit and gives people of various generations an opportunity to mingle.
PAGE 22 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
Understanding your financial needs is key
(MS) — Though many people • Monthly expenses: Once you are delaying retirement, the day will have an idea of what’s coming in, still come when they leave their jobs estimate how much will be going behind and retire. Retirement can out each month. Certain costs be a difficult adjustment that takes associated with working, such as the some getting used to, but it can also cost of commuting and maintaining prove an exciting time, a professional wardrobe, especially for those who Once you have can be removed from planned ahead to ensure the ledger. But other their retirement was a an idea of expenses, including time to be cherished and your projected utilities, car payments income and not feared. and possibly even a Whether retirement is your expenses mortgage payment, will right around the corner during still need to be made. or still a decade or so Once you have an idea retirement, away, men and women of your projected income should consider several you can get and your expenses during factors to make sure to work on a retirement, you can get their retirement years are prospective to work on a prospective an enjoyable time that budget to budget to show you what allows them to live life to show you you will need to live on the fullest. during retirement. • Income: Just what you will • E m p l o y m e n t : because you’re no longer need to live Many people now look working doesn’t mean on during at retirement as the end you won’t have income. retirement. of one career and the Government benefits, beginning of another. retirement accounts and perhaps As retirement draws closer, men even some light consulting work and women might want to consider are just a few ways retirees can earn turning an interest or passion into a an income. Though your retirement second career. Such a move might income will likely pale in comparison make retirement more exciting while to your income as an adult working removing some of the fear of finding full-time, estimate what that income enough things to pass the time that will be so you can get at least an idea many people have with regard to of how much will be coming in each retirement. month. • Relocation: Where to spend
TAI CHI STUDENTS 50 and over enjoy a class at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury last week under the direction of teacher Ruth Barenbaum. The class is offered free through the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. Independent photo/Trent Campbell
your retirement years is another thing to consider before the big day arrives. Do you, like many retirees, prefer to stay in your own home? Do you want to relocate to a warmer climate or move to another country? Do you want to move closer to your children and grandchildren? Do you want to split your time in separate cities? Is a retirement village something you might be
Planning for your funeral, the smart thing to do... Many people are planning for their funeral in advance in a sincere effort to ease the stress loved ones will face at an emotional time.
amenable to? Each of these options is different, and each requires a different financial commitment, so carefully consider where you want to spend your retirement and then consider how you can make those wishes a reality. • Medical costs: Private insurance or government-sponsored programs likely won’t cover all of your medical costs, which typically increase as a
person ages. There are various ways to prepare for the medical costs that might arise during retirement, and the earlier you start that preparation the less stressful paying for medical care as you age figures to be. Retirement should be an exciting time for men and women, especially for those who have spent years planning their retirement to ensure it’s as enjoyable as possible.
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PAGE 24 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
Weight control (Continued from Page 17) gard to what you’re eating but also how you’re eating and even how you shop for food. Men and women used to dining out for lunch every day can start bringing their own lunches so they can gain greater control of their daily caloric intake. For those who find they’re frequently too exhausted to cook each night, they can prepare meals in advance to have healthy, homemade meals waiting instead of always ordering takeout or delivery. When shopping for food, people should avoid doing so on an empty stomach so they’re less inclined to buy unhealthy snacks. Exercise — Exercise is another essential component to shedding pounds after 50, though men and women over 50 should always consult a physician before they begin a new exercise regimen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that regular exercise can help older men and women prevent the onset of a host of ailments, including heart disease and diabetes. In addition, the CDC notes that regular physical activity as one ages helps muscles grow stronger, which increases the chances that an individual will be able to perform necessary daily activities without the assistance of others. Maintaining that independence into older adulthood is a goal for
many men and women, and it’s a goal that’s far more realistic for men and women who exercise than it is for those who don’t. When coupled with a healthy, low-calorie diet, routine exercise can help men and women over 50 shed extra weight and keep the weight off once it’s gone. According to the CDC, older adults need at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 more days a week. These muscle-strengthening activities should work all the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. Muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, working out with resistance bands, exercise such as push-ups and sit-ups that use body weight for resistance, and yoga. Even gardening that involves digging and shoveling can be considered a muscle-strengthening activity. Weight gain is often an expected side effect of aging. But men and women don’t have to gain weight as they get older. Some simple dietary changes and a commitment to routine exercise is all it takes to shed weight after 50 and keep that weight off once it’s gone.
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Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013 — PAGE 25
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PAGE 26 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
Going green helps the environment and can also help with your wallet (MS) — The senior demographic is quite to the notion that products are disposable, possibly the best generation to emulate when preferring instead to hold onto appliances, trying to live an environmentally responsible electronics, clothing, and other items because lifestyle. That’s because so many of the they still have utility, not because the current guidelines for being green are concepts that season dictates they should be upgraded. have been a part of seniors’ lives for decades. In 2008, Harris Interactive polled Baby A portion of today’s seniors Boomers ages 45 to 62 about grew up during the Depression, During the their interest in the environment. when recycling and conservation Depression, Ninety-four percent of respondents weren’t the trends du jour, but cars were a said they took steps in the past 6 survival strategies. In a time when months to do something green. luxury many money was scarce, many people More than 80 percent were made do with the resources they people could concerned about the environmental were dealt, stretching dollars not afford. legacy that would be left for their just to stay afloat. Many of the Walking or grandchildren. concepts associated with today’s taking a bus While many seniors are going environmental movement are or train were green today for altruistic reasons, strikingly similar to the ones it also makes good financial sense. some popuemployed during the Depression. Recycling items, conserving The behaviors of an elderly lar modes of utilities and fuel and making smart parent or grandparent that may transportachoices can stretch a fixed income have seemed eccentric or odd at tion, and such even further. Choosing to walk one time are now turning out to be options are or ride a bike instead of getting what many people are embracing the wheel may be not only still available behind in order to live green. Concepts like environmentally friendly, but it’s relying on reusable handkerchiefs today. financially savvy as well. instead of disposable tissues; Here are some ways of living reusing lightly soiled napkins; collecting straight out of the Great Depression that can discarded items from the curb and repairing be put to use today. them for renewed use; saving cans or food jars • Use the milkman. Although it may seem and using them to store other items; buying like the milkman is extinct, milk and other local products from smaller vendors; and dairy products can still be delivered straight similar things are methods of living ingrained to a person’s home from a local dairy or in the persona of many older people. farm. Adding reusable milk bottles reduces Frugality and awareness of what things cost the reliance on disposable containers, while and what constitutes waste are other concepts buying local cuts down on the fuel costs seniors know well. Many have never adapted necessary to transport products.
RUTH BARENBAUM LEADS a free Champlain Valley Agency on Aging tai chi class for seniors at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury last week. Barenbaum is one of 10 CVAA volunteer tai chi teachers in the county. Independent photo/Trent Campbell
• Pass down clothing. Clothing that is gently worn can be passed down to children or even donated. • Walk. During the Depression, cars were a luxury many people could not afford. Walking or taking a bus or train were some popular modes of transportation, and such options are still available today. • Use cloth diapers and linens. Reusable items, like cloth diapers, handkerchiefs and linens, are more environmentally responsible. • Get outdoors. Instead of relying on television, which had yet to be invented during the Depression, children and adults went outdoors to socialize and have fun.
• Open the windows. Instead of relying heavily on air conditioning, try opening the windows on nice days and let some fresh air in. • Use clotheslines. Clothes dryers use about 10 to 15 percent of domestic energy in the U.S. A clothesline can help reduce electric bills and energy consumption. • Get into gardening. If you can grow what you eat, that reduces the dependence on commercially produced and harvested crops. Many elements of the Go Green movement are similar to those employed during the Depression, when survival mandated people reuse and recycle items.
Will Social Security meet your financial needs in the future?
(BPT) — Saving for retirement is a scary the National Foundation for Credit Counselprospect for many Americans. In fact, just 14 ing’s Financial Literacy Survey. percent feel confident they will have enough Your credit report and score are impormoney to live on when they retire, according tant during retirement for a number of reato the 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey by sons. First, your score directly the Employee Benefit Research Institute. And affects the cost of many im60 percent say they have less than $25,000 portant financial needs, such saved for retirement, the survey reveals. as auto insurance and interRetirement planning and saving est rates. Also, while you doesn’t have to be frightenshould strive to minimize ing or fruitless. Knowldebt during retirement, edge is powit may not be practier, and when it cal — or even decomes to preparsirable — to coming financially for pletely eliminate retirement, the more credit use in your you know, the more golden years. Finally, likely you are to succeed not keeping an eye on your — and feel secure about credit report and score may your future in your golden mean you fail to quickly catch years. instances of fraud or identity How much is enough? theft. Senior citizens are often Uncertainty over how much targeted by identity thieves and they need to save is a big concern among scammers. workers. Thirty-four percent of Americans Understanding your credit — leadhave no retirement savings at all, according to ing up to retirement and during — should be a poll by Harris Interactive. How much you a key part of your retirement planning. Webneed to save now in order to have a good life sites like freecreditscore.com can help by ofwhen you retire depends on many factors, in- fering enrolled members monthly statements, cluding your current income and age, the age credit reports, credit score alerts, identity at which you plan to retire and the protection alerts and fraud resoexpenses you anticipate you’ll face lution support. Another during retirement. Too often, people planning for Fortunately, retirement calcu- important retirement either rely too much lators can help you get a better Social Security or overlook it consideration on picture of how much you need to altogether. Neither route is best. save. You’ll find plenty of calcu- is how you It makes sense to incorporate lators and information about sav- will interact Social Security as part of your ing for retirement from resourc- with credit overall retirement saving plan, as es like freecreditscore.com. The long as you understand what to calculators can give you an idea when you expect from the program. of how much income you’ll need retire. It’s The Social Security from investments to live on dur- important to Administration provides every ing retirement, and how much of manage credit taxpayer with statements about your current income you need how much they can expect to to save between now and retire- wisely during receive when they retire. Your retirement, ment. SSA statement is now available Another important consider- just as it is online. Simply log on to www. ation is how you will interact socialsecurity.gov/myaccount throughout with credit when you retire. It’s for an estimate of the amount important to manage credit wise- your adult of Social Security benefits you ly during retirement, just as it is life. could receive upon retiring. throughout your adult life. Knowing how much you can Studies show that many Americans don’t expect from Social Security can help you regularly monitor their credit, which can be a plan your retirement savings strategies. costly mistake. In fact, 65 percent of AmeriSaving for retirement doesn’t have to be cans have not ordered a copy of their cred- intimidating. It’s never too late — or too it report within the past year, and 31 percent early — to take control of your retirement don’t know their credit score, according to savings goals.
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Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013 — PAGE 27
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PAGE 28 — Senior Lifestyles • Addison Independent, Monday, April 8, 2013
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Cataract surgery is performed when vision starts to affect everyday activities and is a two-step procedure performed in the operating room under local anesthesia: First, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens by using an aspirating ultrasonic device through a tiny incision in the cornea. Second, a clear artificial lens implant is inserted into the eye. Stitches or patches are rarely needed. Modern cataract surgery is highly successful outpatient procedure which can take as little as ten minutes to perform. Recovery time is usually only a few days. See your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) for a full exam if you feel cataracts may be affecting your vision.
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