55+ Living Summer 21 Issue by 55+ Life

Summer | 2021

r e m m Su Vibes Get out on the water with Stand-Up Paddleboarding

TREEHOUSE TRAVEL TREEHOUSES AREN’T JUST FOR KIDS

DOWNSIZING INNOVATIONS WHAT’S TRENDING AND WHAT TO CONSIDER

SALADS & WINES SUGGESTIONS FOR HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

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CONTENTS

Summer 2021

40 10

EDITOR’S NOTE

UP CLOSE: 55+ Living Publisher & Editor in Chief celebrates turning 55

66 THE VINE

A Second Chance

FOOD & DRINK

LIFESTYLE

Lighter wines to serve with summer meals

49 SUMMERTIME WINES 60 NO TIME TO COOK?

Salads are a great option for a hot summer’s night dinner

REIMAGINING DOWNSIZING

Trending living options beyond the traditional

32 WHAT’S SUP?

What you need to know to try paddleboarding

DEBT-STRESS-FREE HEALTH & WELLNESS 38 ARETIREMENT

18 STAYING SHARP

Sanjay Gupta’s new book shows how to improve your brain health

62 ON PINS AND NEEDLES

Acupuncture may be the treatment you didn’t realize you need

Retiring debt-free may not be possible, but living stress-free is within reach

46 THE GIFT OF LETTER WRITING 54 BACK TO THE FUTURE

For some families, intergenerational living is the perfect next step after downsizing

TRAVEL

23 HISTORY INSIDE AND OUT:

Outdoor living history museums offer safe summer travel

18 6

Summer 2021

40 UP, UP AND AWAY

Looking for a new experience? A treehouse could be just the ticket. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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HOSTED BY THE AUTHOR OF PAIN CULPRITS!

Publisher & Editor in Chief Alison Michael

Consulting Editor Janet Reynolds

Sales Consultant Teresa Frazer

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Contributing Writers John Adamian Frank Buck Diane Cameron Joanne Cleaver Rebecca Gatto Christopher Michael Tony Pallone Janet Reynolds Danielle Smyth

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Summer 2021

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UP CLOSE

editor’s note

55+ Living Publisher & Editor in Chief celebrates turning 55 BY ALISON MICHAEL

his issue marks my first as the

official age of the magazine so I thought it would be fun for our readers to learn more about me and my journey. What does being 55 mean to me? 55+ Living is your partner in navigating aging to live your best life and I'm excited to be on this journey with you.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I had no idea, but as far back as I can remember I had an entrepreneurial spirit and drive. From an early age I was imaginative, independent, and ambitious. As a young girl I used to set up my version of a retail store in our upstairs bathroom. I would price the products my mom had lying around and pretend customers would shop. My first real job, as a teenager, was working in a local bakery. As I got older, I moved onto working at Lord & Taylor, Chess King, and CVS. I grew up in Northern New Jersey in proximity to New York City, which I frequented growing up and where I later

Summer 2021

attended The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, to study textiles and began to find my career path. Upon graduating, I moved into my first apartment in the city and launched a career selling woven Italian textiles to women’s apparel manufacturers in the garment district which I did for many years. I've always thrived on learning new businesses, so it wasn't surprising that I found myself with an opportunity to own my own publishing business. It felt natural to me, like a place I always belonged 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Is being 55 anything like you thought it might be?

If I’m being honest, it wasn’t something I thought a lot about. I have always been a late bloomer. I got married at almost 40, had our son at 42, got into a completely different career in my late 40s and bought a business at 54. I believe age is just a number. It doesn’t define you; you define you. Hearing someone saying she’s 55 doesn’t seem real. It doesn’t fit how I feel. I think at this time in my life I reflect on how far I have come and how I got to where I am and how I want to live out my life.

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What advice would you give a younger version of yourself?

Don’t worry so much about what others think. Be you and strive to be the best version of you, not what you think you're expected to be or become. Learn from your mistakes along the way. I believe this is what gets you closer to where you’re supposed to be. If you love what you do, success will follow. Work hard, love what you do and if you don’t work towards finding work that fills your purpose.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Where don’t I want to go would be an easier question. I have always loved to travel. I got my first taste exploring islands in the Caribbean as a young girl because my mom was in the travel industry. I feel at home in Jamaica where I have been several times and even got married there. During my work in the fashion business, I got to visit Paris, Italy and Germany. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and the beauty of visiting new places. The Polynesian Islands are definitely high on my list, if I can get beyond the many hours in flight. Provence, France for the wine lover in me and exploring the Greek Isles with friends.

What's the best part of being 55?

Being comfortable with who I have become, yet excited about where I’m still going. I have the self awareness to be a better version of myself today then I was yesterday. The work we do on ourselves is continual, it’s a journey. Being 55 means a new freedom. A self acceptance. An appreciation. A contentment. Happiness.

It’s a beautiful day. Don’t let it get away — U2 Summer 2021

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COMING FALL 2021

Reimagining

DOWNSIZING Trending living options beyond the traditional BY REBECCA GATTO

Summer 2021

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

any people in middle age and early retirement look at their living situations and suddenly find themselves feeling like Goldilocks, wandering uncomfortably around the three bears’ cabin. A large, single-family home can be draining to care for, while traditional senior housing, such as independent living communities and continuing care communities can seem too restrictive when there are plenty of active years ahead. As boomers age, imaginative housing options are emerging that bridge the gap for people who are ready to downsize on their own terms, providing a solution that fits just right. Ranging from ultra-flexible to deeply rooted and communal, these alternatives are transforming the once-dreaded process of downsizing into an adventurous new beginning. Those who spend their days ordering lunch, a ride share, and an afternoon cappuccino with a quick swipe of the smartphone screen will be excited to learn that they can streamline their living situation just as easily. One such service is UpsideHōM, which is currently available in several Florida cities but has plans for expansion to new states later this year. The company is using technology to turn regular apartments into flexible spaces for seniors. Co-founder Jake Rothstein says UpsideHōM was inspired by another company he helped found in 2017 called Papa, whose tagline is “Family On Demand.” Rothstein says the idea was born after seeing his grandmother struggle to care for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s. There was no easy way to hire someone to help out for an hour or two so his still-active grandmother could meet friends for coffee. “This was 2014 and everyone was talking about ‘Uber for everything,’ so I said, ‘Why don’t we make Uber for

Summer 2021

grandkids?’” Rothstein says. Just a few short years later, Papa was connecting energetic college students with older folks who needed a hand. UpsideHōM came about much the same way—by observing the needs of loved ones and imagining modern solutions. The company provides furnished living spaces with housekeeping, utilities, and visits from Papa pals included. Prospective residents can be matched with a roommate in a two-bedroom apartment starting at $1,500, or rent an individual unit starting at $2,100. In addition to the simplicity of a turnkey apartment, UpsideHōM attracts many of its renters with the promise of a diverse community. Unlike traditional senior housing, the company establishes its units in

As boomers age, imaginative housing options are emerging that bridge the gap for people who are ready to downsize on their own terms, providing a solution that fits just right.

Mary Ellen Eardsley is one of the Cantine's Island founders. Photo by Rebecca Gatto. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

A beautiful privately-owned home on Cantine's Island Cohousing. Photo courtesy Cantine's Island Cohousing.

vacant apartments within larger buildings. The nextdoor neighbors could be anyone, and that has turned out to be a draw. “The reality is people still feel like they’re young,” Rothstein says. “They don’t want to be surrounded by people who are only their own age.” Another alternative for imaginative downsizing is cohousing, which can be similarly diverse and deeply communal. Rather than renting, people who choose cohousing typically purchase private homes within an established community where decisions are made collaboratively. Cohousing also uses common spaces, such as dining areas and gardens, and organized events to bring people together. Decisions are made collaboratively for everything from holiday celebrations to allowing residents to change the appearance of their houses. Cantine’s Island, in Saugerties has been a cohousing space since 1997. Here, on the scenic banks of the Esopus Creek, residents range in age from nine months to 90 years. Mary Ellen Eardsley, one of the community’s founding members, arrived at cohousing through the process of downsizing. “My husband died, my children left— grew up—and I sold my house,” she says. Summer 2021

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

In 1992, Eardsley was becoming disenchanted with her rental property when she saw an article about a cohousing project in a local newsletter. The group had acquired a property from an eccentric, wealthy couple who had built a dojo for martial arts practice and lived in a houseboat that they docked in the creek. After five years of meetings, the group managed to attract a dozen households, and they decided it was time to start building. More than 20 years later, in 2019, Laura Paskell-Brown found her way to the Cantine's community through a national cohousing registry called cohousing.org. She had been interested in cohousing for some time, and after becoming divorced, she took advantage of her newfound freedom and purchased a home on Cantine’s Island.

“My grandmother, she needed something in between the house she raised her kids in and a true assisted living facility” — Jake Rothstein

UpsideHo–M showcasing one of their properties available in Boca Raton, Florida. Photo courtesy UpsideHo–M.

Summer 2021

When she lived in New York City, Paskell-Brown was aware of the loneliness of being surrounded by strangers. “You walk down the street, people don’t know you. There’s a good chance the people in the next apartment don’t know you, honestly,” she says. “After six years of that, I yearned for those little, daily interactions that build up over the years, that mean something.” In contrast to the radical flexibility of tech-based solutions like UpsideHom, cohousing is marked by close, permanent relationships and reliable routines. “It is expected that people contribute in some way to the community,” Eardsley says. “We have people that facilitate meetings; we have a committee that organizes activities.” As she spoke, a group of children with sticks and plastic swords chased each other around a central courtyard, shaded by trees that Eardsley herself planted more than two decades prior. While there is still a place for traditional senior housing options— Rothstein emphasized that UpsideHōM is a complement to, not a replacement for independent living communities, assisted living and nursing homes—these and other exciting alternatives are creating a promising landscape for those considering downsizing and looking for something different. Rothstein says the goal of any downsizing solution should be to help people create meaning during the “second stage” of their adult lives. “My grandmother, she needed something in between the house she raised her kids in and a true assisted living facility,” he says. “We can make aging in place safer and more practical.” 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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STAYING SHARP Sanjay Gupta’s new book shows how to improve your brain health BY JANET REYNOLDS

sk most people in middle age or beyond to name their greatest aging fear and you’ll likely hear the words dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Yes, the C word and heart disease are a concern but virtually no one wants to lose their cognitive ability. Statistics suggest our collective fears around cognitive decline are not hyperbolic. Globally, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease will increase to 152 million by 2050, a 200 percent increase from 2018. By 2060, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive impairment is expected to climb from 6 million to 15 million. At that point, a new case of dementia will be diagnosed every four seconds. Enter Dr. Sanjay Gupta. A noted neurosurgeon and professor at Emory University School of Medicine, Gupta is also chief medical correspondent for CNN. His new book Stay Sharp: Build a Better Brain at any Age, is aimed at helping us realize that brain decline is not inevitable. Yes, brain changes can begin 20-30 years before any overt cognitive symptoms, but you can improve your brain function at any point by following some of his straightforward strategies. The book is divided into three basic parts: fundamental facts about how the brain works and biological risk factors for cognitive decline; strategies you can take to protect and heighten our brain function, in-

Summer 2021

cluding a 12-week program you can follow to improve your brain; and finally the challenges of diagnosing and treating brain diseases. Some readers might find the first part the scariest. That’s the chapter where Gupta asks 24 questions to help you assess your risk. He says it shouldn’t scare you but…see the first sentence in this story. Questions range from “do you avoid strenuous exercise” and “are you a woman” to “do you sit most of the day” and “are you over the age of 65.” If you answer yes to five or more of the questions (which is not that hard to do), your brain, he says, may be in decline or could be soon. Gupta quickly moves to potential solutions, though. He dispels 12 destructive myths around brain health, such as that older people are doomed to forget things and can’t learn new things, and then offers what he calls the Five Pillars that can help you maintain or improve brain health. These include exercise, staying connect55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

ed, relaxing (especially sleep), trying new things, and eating healthily. None of those ideas is particularly shocking. It’s virtually impossible to get through a day without at least one story or advertisement touting the potential benefits of exercise or maintaining a healthy weight. Following these general tenets, though, can often feel overwhelming. Gupta breaks down how little it can take to make a difference. Take healthy eating. Rather than insisting that eliminating sugar entirely is the only way to brain health, Gupta instead advises us to limit intake. (Also included in that group to limit are red meat, whole-fat dairy, fried food, and processed foods.) To help people implement the Five Pillars, he shares a 12-week program to better brain health. He suggests habits to adopt each week, all of them designed to be manageable. Not enough time to exercise for 30 minutes in one stretch? No worries, he says. Research shows that 3 10-minute stretches of activity can be just as effective to your general health. Not sure exactly how to manage eating healthily? Keep this SHARP acronym in mind: S for slash the sugar, H for hydrate smartly, A for add more omega-3s from natural sources like wild cold-water fish, R for reduce portions, and P for plan meals ahead. The book ends with a look at diagnosing and treating the unhealthy brain. Gupta looks at symptoms and offers ideas about treatments as well as information for caregivers looking for support and suggestions. Overall, he is hopeful. Vaccines are being explored as are other new therapies. “I am convinced that we have created many of the problems that plague us,” he writes, “and this presents an opportunity.”

The Heart of Senior Living in Saratoga When it’s time to make a transition, we provide a carefree lifestyle in a friendly community that offers independent and assisted living apartments.

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SPONSORED CONTENT Pinnacle Behavioral Health

Two Depression Treatments: TMS and ECT

What’s the difference between TMS and ECT? Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. The problem is, ECT has many complications. Sean Chappin, MD, a psychiatrist at Pinnacle Behavioral Health, focuses on people suffering from addiction and substance abuse and depression. He highly recommends the non-invasive TMS over the ECT route. “With ECT, you have to be in the hospital, and especially during these COVID times, no one wants to be in a hospital if they don’t have to,” he said. “Those undergoing ECT may have seizures, it requires someone be sedated and has long-lasting side effects, one of the major ones being memory loss. With this population, you really want to hold on to the positive memories.” Additionally, some ECT patients report difficulty concentrating and retaining new memories as well. Pinnacle’s Laura McMahon, MD, who is certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry, said that

Summer 2021

while most people have heard of ECT, many are still unfamiliar with TMS, and that needs to change. “There are many risk factors with ECT, just look at the anesthesia piece,” she said. “You’re hospitalized with 12 treatments every other day. The risk of anesthesia every other day is a huge exposure, and that in itself can cause memory loss and complications. Most patients don’t remember what happens the day of treatment. That’s disturbing to people, not being able to remember time.” With TMS, there is no memory loss and no neurological dysfunction. Pinnacle utilizes BrainsWay Deep TMS, which has proven to be more accurate and efficient in targeting the brain while maintaining safe levels of stimulation. “It’s safer than ECT,” Dr. Chappin said. “It can have side effects, as with all things, but compared to other treatments, it’s almost a walk in the park.” Jay Hamer, PhD, a psychologist at Pinnacle, says while people tend to benefit from ECT as well, the fact that you can do something that has the same effectiveness but not have to stay in the hospital or experience the memory loss and side effects, TMS just makes perfect sense. Pinnacle Behavioral Health 518-509-4867 pinnaclebehavioralhealth.com/TMS

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Summer 2021

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History Inside and Out

BY JOANNE CLEAVER

Outdoor living history museums offer safe summer travel Summer 2021

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Re-enactors at Old Sturbridge Village. Photo courtesy Old Sturbridge Village.

or many eager to venture out in an ever-evolving pandemic world, but perhaps still feeling a bit leery about public spaces, visiting a living history museum might be just the ticket to get out of the house and enjoy a little travel. Museums comprised of historic houses, churches and farms have long held many of their programs outside. The distance between buildings offers natural social distancing. And leading living history museums, such as Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, New York, have adapted many of their go-to activities around current public health directives. In fact, the temporary changes have actually created some shortterm advantages for visits by older adults, though COVID-avoidance adjustments have also created some barriers. Calico face masks are more historically accurate than one might think, given that such masks were one of the few modes of personal protection in the 19th century. That’s why it’s actually in character for costumed interpreters at the Genesee Country to wear bright calico masks that match their print dresses. “Mask-making was a piece of cake for our staff, mainly for the women, who often sew their own costumes,” says Becky Wehle, president and CEO of the living history complex, which includes a village that demonstrates daily life 150 years ago.

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Genesee Country Village & Museum

“Our interpreter staff is conscientious about their costumes being authentic. To have a mask that fits with the times as well as it could is important.” With 500 acres, Genesee Country offers wide open spaces for visitors who want to keep their distance, says Wehle. Genesee Country, like other leading living history museums, such as Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, have scaled back performances and demonstrations designed to attract crowds, even outdoor crowds. But, plenty of options exist to make your visit worthwhile. Continued on page 26 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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Continued from page 24

Touring historic houses is selective and, surprisingly, even easier. For instance, at Colonial Williamsburg, a restored Colonial-era historic district in the eastern Virginia hamlet of Williamsburg, guides direct visitors to space themselves along rows of benches outside the doors of historic buildings. While the guides provide the kind of detailed introduction to the lives of the people who once lived, worked, played and legislated in the buildings, one small group is invited inside at a time. Once in, visitors are asked to look around quickly and keep moving. Admire the aquamarine carpet in the Governor’s Mansion or ask costumed interpreters about the traveling outfit they are hand-sewing in the milliner’s shop, but understand that no other visitors can enter until you leave. The same public health guidelines translate to closed-off second floors. That makes it easier for visitors with limited mobility or stamina to keep up with their companions. And, many historic houses are flanked by equally historic gardens where visitors can ask follow-up questions of interpreters stationed among the rosemary and strawberry plants. Rhys Simmons, director of interpretation for Old Sturbridge Village, says the staff is constantly rebalancing its mission with public and staff safety. For many activities, the adjustments are nominal. For instance, the front and back doors to the OSV blacksmith shop are now kept open, creating a constant flow of fresh air. Blacksmiths still hammer iron bars on an anvil but rotate to the crowd to explain what they are doing, instead of letting the crowd gather close around.

Summer 2021

Cannon demonstration at Old Sturbridge Village. Photo courtesy Old Sturbridge Village.

Pottery in the works at Strawbery Banke. Photo courtesy Strawbery Banke. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

HOME TO A NEW GENERATION — Craftsman Style Cottages—

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Tasting history at onsite taverns is a more rarified experience than ever, given that most eateries may be operating at half-capacity. Many Colonial Williamsburg onsite restaurants are closed and the only way to have a meal at the few that are open is by reservation. Even then, visitors must be prepared for close quarters. In The King’s Arms restaurant in Williamsburg, social distancing is nigh impossible, even with tables in opposing corners of the small interior, candle-lit rooms of the historic tavern. It’s worth it, though, for a leg of lamb so tender you can nearly hear it bleat, followed by blackberry crumble, all served with cheerful efficiency by a costumed server who provides instructions in how to use wedges of toast as spoons. As the pandemic morphs into new ways of operating, Strawbery Banke, for one, is finding a fresh way forward, says Veronica Lester, director of marketing. The museum fast-tracked its expansion of new exhibit, People of the Dawnland, which shows and tells the history of the Abenaki, the Native Americans who originally occupied the site. This year, says Lester, the Strawbery Banke staff is building a birchbark wigwam outside, making the process part of the exhibit. It’s an innovation that might otherwise have been kept inside, she says, but, thanks to new public health directives, is outdoors where it belonged all along.

Preparation is key when visiting any living history museum. Here are a few tips to keep in mind. Don’t expect: Water fountains and easily purchased bottled water. Fountains are shut off and many small beverage outposts are not open. Bring your own water. Rich inventories for shopping. Iffy attendance has translated to weak sales of souvenirs, art, handcrafts and toys, and selection is spotty. Drop-in fine dining. If eating at a tavern with a vintage menu is a priority, make dinner reservations as soon as you have secured your lodging. If the pandemic has shown one thing, it’s that COVID-19 protocols change regularly. Please check ahead to learn the latest details and options for your visit.

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Outdoor Living History Spots Within Driving Distance • Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH shakers.org

Fortunately, the Shakers, a 19th century religious sect known for their austere lifestyle and prescient design, loved big, open indoor spaces that are more accommodating of pandemic protocols than most. The village has 700 acres that includes a network of nature trails and ponds, leaving room for plenty of outdoor exploration beyond the historic buildings.

• Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA colonialwilliamsburg.org

Adjacent lodging lets you park the car for the duration of your visit to this restored pre-Revolutionary former state capital with its 600 historic buildings. Plenty of outdoor activities are happening, including nightly haunted walks in the historic village.

• Genesee Country Village & Museum, Mumford, NY | gcv.org/explore/historic-village

As the largest living history museum in New York State, this sprawling complex is open through fall and centers around pioneer farm life. Wednesdays are Senior Days, with $10 admission for people 62 and older. Events include Civil War Living History Days in July.

• Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA nps.gov/places/hancock-shaker-village.htm

Run by the National Park Service, the village complies with federal standards for COVID safety, which translates to strict mask and access rules.

• Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA osv.org

The village green and farm fields offer open-air venues for a revolving slate of activities. Check the website to see what events are occurring on the day you’ll be visiting. Be aware that onsite dining has been reorganized around public health priorities.

• Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, NH strawberybanke.org

Integrated into historic downtown Portsmouth, the museum complex features historic homes as well as four centuries of gardens, ranging from a colonial kitchen garden to a 1943 Victory Garden.

Ron Cooper standing in front of his shop at Strawbery Banke. Summer 2021

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Outpatient Neck and Back Surgery Ambulatory surgery center, a more comon place for spine surgery

n the complex world of neck and back conditions, some require surgery, while the vast majority can be treated through non-operative measures. For those requiring surgery, there have been many modern advances. Many techniques have become less invasive, allowing for quicker recovery and return to normal life. In addition, these techniques have given us the opportunity to perform procedures in the outpatient setting, where patients go home the same day. The ambulatory surgery center is becoming a more common place to see spine surgery, whether it is for neck or back problems. Patients with symptoms, such as pain, radiating from their neck or low back into their extremities sometimes qualify for these types of procedures. One example of a type of minimally invasive surgery that can be performed is a decompression, or removing compression on the nerves in the low back, also known as the lumbar spine. The nerves can become compressed from a piece of cartilage that has moved out of place, or an overgrowth of tissue that is irritating the nerves. When the nerves in the lumbar spine are irritated it can produce leg pain, weakness, and or numbness, commonly referred to as radiculopathy. All of these symptoms can negatively impact quality of life and function. Most often, these nerve irritations will calm down on their own

Summer 2021

with time and conservative treatments over a period of a couple of weeks. However, if the symptoms do not subside, we now have the ability through minimally invasive techniques to decompress these nerves effectively. Alleviating the pressure on the nerves gives them the best chance to start to heal and help the patient to start feeling better. This technique, among others, can cut down operative time, blood loss, and the need to stay overnight in the hospital. The use of minimally invasive techniques can also decrease the amount of muscle dissection done around the spine and help to prevent destabilization of the spine. Preventing destabilization can help to decrease the need for fusion operations which are much larger surgeries. At the Bone and Joint Center we offer a variety of spine surgery techniques that can be performed in our outpatient surgery centers in Albany and Malta. Dr. Alexander Riccio is trained in neurosurgery with sub-specialty fellowship training in orthopaedic spine surgery. He is from the capital region and very happy to be back in his hometown helping people who have spine related conditions. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Riccio, please call the Bone and Joint Center at 518-4892666, or visit theboneandjointcenter.com for more information. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE. EXCEPTIONAL CARE.

The Most Comprehensive Outpatient Spine Program in the Region At The Bone & Joint Center, we are committed to providing exceptional spine care to make you stronger. That’s why our dedicated experts proudly offer outpatient spine surgery. Performed by our fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons at our state-of-the-art Capital Region Ambulatory Surgery Center in Albany—and soon to be performed at the Center for Advanced Ambulatory Surgery, our brand-new, one-of-a-kind ambulatory surgery center in Malta—our outpatient spine procedures provide the following benefits: • No overnight stay—patients go home the same day • Quicker recovery time • Reduced risk of infection/COVID-19 exposure due to avoiding the hospital environment

To learn more about outpatient spine surgery or to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated spine experts, please call (518) 539-4174. w w w . T h e B o n e A n d J o i n t C e n t e r. c o m

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What you need to know to try paddleboarding BY JOHN ADAMIAN

f you love water, and exercise, paddleboarding just might become your next favorite summer water activity. Thanks to the many lakes, rivers, large ponds, and creeks in the Hudson Valley and Albany region, finding places to get started, rent equipment and receive a few choice pointers from seasoned guides is easy to do. If you decide to give stand-up paddleboarding a try, you’ll be in good company. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest-growing trends in the world of paddle sports. The Outdoor Foundation, which studies all paddle water sports, reported in a 2019 study that 3.5 million Americans now enjoy paddleboarding, with people 55-64 one of the fastest growing age groups. The interest isn’t that surprising. Paddleboarding is good exercise, building core strength and balance. It also doesn’t require a big investment to give it a try. Rental spots abound in the Capital Region. A cross between kayaking and surfing, variations on paddleboarding can be done on still and moving water, and because of the mix of gentle motion and balance, many yoga instructors now offer paddleboard yoga as a way of blending the relaxation of rippling water with the peace of deep breathing and stretching. And, while it is called stand-up paddleboarding, you don’t have to stand if you prefer to sit until you’re more comfortable. Hudson Paddles in Hudson is one of numerous regional outfits that connect people with the paddleboard experience. I spoke with co-founder and co-owner of the enterprise, TJ Macchiaroli, about emerging trends in the paddleboard world, about how first-timers can jump in to the fun, and about some of the challenges and perks of paddleboarding for newcomers to the sport. Paddleboarding isn’t necessarily as easy as putting one foot in front of the other and walking, but it can become second nature in the same way, with muscle memory and body-balance kicking into gear without requiring a ton of thought. Boards are longer and wider than surfboards, and they tend to weigh about 30 pounds, though lighter inflatable models are on the market as well. First-timers should be prepared to have a few minor awkward moments when trying to find your footing and equilibrium, but once those initial challenges are overcome, expect a deeply satisfying mix of relaxation and physical exertion. “It’s much more active than kayaking,” says Macchiaroli. “But

Summer 2021

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the whole thing is that it’s supposed to be fun.” If some find maintaining their balance standing on a paddleboard in a moving current on the Hudson River challenging, there are other calmer ways to ease into the activity. “If you’re on still water, ideally at a place where you can walk in the water and get on at waist height, I wouldn’t discourage anybody from just jumping in to paddleboarding,” says Macchiaroli. Macchiaroli grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, close to the beach, where he developed an early love of the power of water and the deep relationship that people have to water, currents and tides. “There’s real science about how being close to water is beneficial for us as humans, being that we’re made up of 80 percent of water,” says Macchiaroli, referencing the 2014 book Blue Mind by Wallace J Nichols and Céline Cousteau. The book explores the meditative state of calm and wellbeing that many find by being on, under, or near water. “That’s why people vacation at the beach and go to the lake house. There’s something about it.” Paddleboarding, many enthusiasts say, offers a unique way of experiencing that bond with water. If the Macchiarolis eased into

paddleboarding and SUP yoga from the holistic health and wellness end of their interests, for others, like the folks at Kayak Shak in Saratoga Springs who have been involved in all things paddling for decades, the paddleboarding boom has been an organic evolution of their paddle-centric approach. Suzanne Carpenter is a manager at the Kayak Shak in Saratoga Springs, which has been open for 20 years, and where paddleboard rentals have been on the menu for the past eight years. SUP Yoga is offered as well. If the currents of the Hudson River might occasionally present a few challenges for first-time paddleboarders, Carpenter says the waters of Fish Creek, which flows out of Saratoga Lake, are gentle enough for most folks to get their footing on a board. “We’re in a nice, beautiful stretch,” says Carpenter. And if standing up proves tricky, Carpenter encourages paddlers to remain undeterred, since sitting cross-legged on the board or with legs dangling over the side, is also an option. “If you’re uncomfortable to stand, then you can always sit,” she says. The chill-out factor is strong at Kayak Shak. “People do tend to bring a little cooler out with them and just sit in the lily pads and relax a little bit.” Both Carpenter and Macchiaroli say that last summer was one of the busiest at their respective businesses, a point that could reflect the trending growth of paddleboarding or the spike in regional outdoor activities during the Covid crisis, or both. In either case, making advance reservations for summer weekends is recommended.

Got a board already? Here are some choice spots to start paddleboarding. • The Lower Hudson and Great Sacandaga Lake in Hadley offer a mix of calm water and current. • Lake Lonely Inlet in Saratoga Springs offers a gentle and tranquil spot without a lot of boat traffic. • The Batten Kill River in Cambridge offers plenty of beautiful scenery and pristine water. • Kinderhook Lake in Niverville features public access spots.

Covid-19 Caveat Regarding Rentals Many of the SUP rental outfits are up and running, but due to the health and safety precautions involving driving buses of paddlers to or from their spots on the water, some companies have had to scale back their offerings during the pandemic. Call ahead to confirm scheduling and availability. • Kayak Shak, 251 County Rd 67, Saratoga Springs, 518-587-9788, kayakshak.com • Hudson Paddles, 108 Water St., Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Hudson, hudsonpaddles.com

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A DEBT- STRESS-FREE RETIREMENT Retiring debt-free may not be possible, but living stress-free is within reach BY TONY PALLONE

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” This oft-quoted line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet may have been good advice in the 16th century, but it’s not terribly realistic today. According to the National Council on Aging, older adults increasingly are retiring with debt and are carrying greater amounts of debt than ever before. Recent research published on real estate site Clever compounds this fact with the impact of the pandemic, noting that retirees more than doubled their debt in 2020. So, what to do? For starters, take the long view. “People look at retirement… like this drop-dead date. It’s this monumental time that is coming, and it’s looming,” says Conor Boyd, managing partner of Thoroughbred Advisors. Boyd sees clients put undue pressure on themselves about their retirement date, despite the fact that they won’t need access to all their assets on day one. Proper financial positioning, he says, can transform that stress into a manageable challenge to be solved gradually, which “allows you to enjoy your retirement along the way.” Here are some tips to make your retirement more stress-free. 1. Consider your overall financial picture. “You don’t want to give up your retirement for debt,” says Frank T. Guiffre, a certified financial planner with Halliday Financial. In other words, while it might be possible—and feel great—to liquidate your assets and achieve zero debt, leaving yourself with no money in the bank doesn’t exactly prepare you to retire. Likewise, says Boyd, it might make sense for recent retirees to defer taking a distribution from an IRA or 401(k) to pay off debt until the following year, when their taxable income might be significantly less. 2. Structure debt strategically. Both Boyd and Guiffre make a distinction between different types of debt. Credit cards, for instance, currently have interest rates averaging around 16 percent. Roughly speaking,

Summer 2021

that means that you’re paying a dollar for every six dollars that you borrow. By contrast, home equity loans and lines of credit have interest rates around a third of that amount. Using home equity to pay off credit card debt is a smart move to prioritize the elimination of “bad” debt—although Boyd acknowledges that this kind of repositioning can be challenging for clients, given the psychological investment many of us make in having our homes completely paid off. 3. Be careful with credit cards. While a high credit balance represents bad debt, Guiffre says, “That’s not to say that you can’t have credit cards in retirement. You have to have them responsibly.” That could mean taking a disciplined approach to paying off your balance each month, or perhaps every two months, or postponing new purchases until you pay off the previous ones. And it may be a good idea to switch from maintaining multiple cards to carrying just one. “Most people get 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

into more trouble, the more credit cards they have,” Guiffre says. 4. Don’t sweat (too much) over some types of debt. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be responsible about all your debt, but some types can be resolved relatively easily. One example is medical debt. “Hospitals have such a low rate of recovery on medical debt that they’re often just thrilled to have somebody who’s responsibly speaking to them,” says Boyd. Another example is student loans that you may have cosigned for a son or daughter who is now in the workforce. “Maybe it’s time to have them take it over independently,” says Guiffre, “getting your name off of the loan.” 5. Don’t expect debt to die when you do. Taking the long view is important not only for your lifetime but for your legacy as well. The types of debt that can be passed to your next of kin vary by state, but it’s a mistake to imagine it will sort itself out neatly on its own. “What you’re creating there is a lot of headaches for the next generation,” says Guiffre. Maintaining a life insurance policy is one way to ensure your debts get satisfied and your heirs are left with something that creditors can’t touch. “With life insurance, you can instantly create an estate,” says Boyd. 6. Work with a financial planner. An experienced outsider can see solutions that may be harder for someone mired in debt-related stress to discern. “It’s been ingrained in us from the time we were kids that you need to satisfy your debt,” says Boyd. A lot of his clients feel so burdened by it, in fact, that they’ll “inadvertently hurt themselves for the future.” Both Boyd and Guiffre note the importance of taking stock of every resource and finding a way to make them work with one another, which is of course the raison d’etre for their respective businesses. “The whole idea is simplifying,” says Guiffre. “You might have bank accounts here, investment accounts here, this credit card over here, this mortgage over here… what’s very empowering is when you feel in control.”

Word Of The Day:

FIDUCIARY. fi•du•ci•ar•y

“A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients’ interest ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust.”

NOT ALL FINANCIAL ADVISORS ARE FIDUCIARIES. We at Fagan Associates ARE. Is your financial advisor a fiduciary? If not, it’s time to re-evaluate that relationship.

RESOURCES

Registered Investment Advisors

CONOR BOYD Managing Partner, Thoroughbred Advisors (518) 608-4608 • conor@thoroughbredadvisors.com

767 Hoosick Road Troy, NY 12180 (518) 279-1044 (800) 273-6026 www.faganasset.com

FRANK T. GUIFFRE, CFP Regional Manager, Halliday Financial (518) 463-2200 • fguiffre@HallidayFinancial.com

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UP, UP AND

AWAY

LOOKING FOR A NEW GETAWAY EXPERIENCE? A TREEHOUSE COULD BE JUST THE TICKET. BY JOANNE CLEAVER

Whispering Wind Treehouse near Argyle, NY. Summer 2021

55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

orest bathing takes on a whole new element among the treetops. When Victoria Cantwell wants to watch the evening fireflies, she climbs the staircase to the treehouse she had built on her Argyle, New York, property. She can make a cup of hot tea in the kitchenette and settle in the loft, watching the light show through the clear roof. “On crisp cotton sheets with the breeze coming through, it’s pretty magical, really,” says Cantwell, 62. “It does have that wonder of being a child in a treehouse.” Riding the coattails of the now-concluded television show Treehouse Masters, which showcased the architectural feat of building fully functional houses around the trunks and in the branches of living trees, treehouses are on the rise as popular vacation rentals. Each one is unique by design, because each must be engineered to stay steady while perched 15 to 25 feet above the ground, typically supported by mature trees, steel pillars and pylons. That singularity also means that potential overnight guests can’t assume anything as they explore treehouses to rent. Some treehouses are tidy studio apartments, complete with electricity and plumbing. Others offer a nest in the sky with cooking and bathing facilities on the ground. Some are almost barrier-free, offering surprisingly smooth access for visitors arriving with luggage and groceries. Others are reached via staircase. Linda Klug and her husband Dave relocated from California to the Hocking Hills area southeast of Columbus, Ohio. They bought an oversized lodge perched on a ridge and then realized that the sharp slopes surrounding it were perfect for building a cluster of treehouses. Working with a local architect, the Klugs designed each treehouse to hover 20 feet above the hillside. Terraced parking enables guests to pull up to the landing point of the suspension bridge that connects each parking spot to the corresponding treehouse. Visitors only have to hoist rolling bags up one step to the bridge and then can trundle through the mid-air to the treehouse some 40 feet away. With decks equipped with grills and houses equipped with electricity, the Klugs’ Among the Trees houses can accommodate visitors for stays as long as a week.

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Another cozy corner at Whispering Wind Treehouse near Argyle, NY. Photo courtesy Whispering Wind Treehouse. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Treehouses at Among the Trees in Ohio. Photo courtesy Among the Trees.

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Where to Find Your Inner Tarzan Want to climb a tree? Here are some options to check out: Among the Trees Lodging, Logan, Ohio: This group of three treehouses is just down a dirt road from a large lodge that can accommodate groups of up to 30. Adjacent to the scenic Hocking Hills park network, the treehouses are easily accessed by suspended bridges and each offers a full bath and fully functional kitchen. amongthetreeslodging.com Roost, Willow, New York: A modern design by Antony Gibbons, this all-angles house cantilevers from a ledge above the forest floor and overlooking a pond. Floor-to-ceiling windows help the interior blend seamlessly with nature. Available for rent via Airbnb. Whispering Treehouse, Argyle, New York: A little slice of gingerbread architecture perched in and among maple trees, the house includes a rudimentary kitchen but toilet facilities are on the ground below. Access is via a staircase. Available for rent via Airbnb. Magical Treehouse, LaFayette, New York (south of Syracuse): Accessed by a 60-foot suspension bridge, the house is fully equipped and in the midst of a dense canopy. Available for rent via Airbnb. Sugar Maple, Hancock, Vermont: A miniature covered bridge links this house to adjacent parking. The house offers a fully functional kitchen and bath. Available for rent via Airbnb.

The romance of the treehouse is universal, but it seems especially relevant this summer as travelers center their accommodations around fresh air, say vacation planning experts. In the summer of 2020, the vacation rental site VacationRenter saw interest in accomodations near national forests double, says Chief Operating Officer Marco del Rosario. “There’s a growing rise in wanderlust-styled trips, a trend that started even before the pandemic and continues to grow as travelers crave the outdoors,” he says. The drive to outside has intersected with travelers’ urges to stay at one-of-a-kind accommodations, he adds. Treehouses deliver on each point. Because treehouses are so popular, some hosts on popular vacation rental sites, such as Airbnb.com and VRBO.com, add “treehouse” to their property description. Potential renters need to pay attention. “A house on stilts is not a treehouse,” says Cantwell. Yet, she understands why property owners would try to position houses among trees, cantilevered over small cliffs, or with treetop views, as genuine treehouses. Properly siting a treehouse takes more than finding a big tree. Architects also have to figure out how to get plumbing and electricity to connect. The support system must accommodate a certain amount of sway so the house can adjust to the wind. London architect Antony Gibbons designed a modern treehouse that looks out into pines and over a pond. “I try to work between the surrounding trees rather than clear a space for construction,” he writes in an email interview. “As long as there is no interference to the foundations with the roots of the trees and reduction of natural light into the building then placing the buildings as close as possible can create a certain atmosphere and calmness in and around the structure providing that balance between the two environments.”

Part of the fun of treehouses is taking in the view. Photo courtesy Among the Trees.

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THE GIFT OF LETTER WRITING BY DIANE CAMERON

omewhere in a drawer or an album in your house are some letters that your parents wrote to each other years ago. Maybe from their courtship. Or maybe when they were separated by the war or work or school. Those letters are wonderful treasures. Wouldn’t it be equally wonderful if your children had letters to cherish one day? Technology may be taking away that gift. Today most of us use email and Facebook to communicate with family. That’s fun and fast but never lasting. Saying I love you in an email is not like saying it in a letter. But a piece of paper, folded twice, and slipped into an envelope can become a keepsake. But maybe you think, “How would I begin?” or “My kids see me on Facebook. I don’t need to write things down.” True, you don’t need to write a “Dear Diary...” letter, but you could establish a tradition by writing letters for special occasions. On a nephew’s birthday, for instance, you might write a letter sharing something about his mom or dad. On a granddaughter’s birthday you could include a memory of her as a toddler: “When you were two, and taking things apart and putting them back together, I remember thinking, ‘She’s going to be an engineer.’” When you have visited family members, skip the email thank you and write a letter instead. Offer thanks for their hospitality but also add what you noticed— how good they are with their kids, the beauty in their home, the kindnesses, and the love. Other ways to build a letter-writing habit: When you give someone a book, include a note about why you chose this book for the recipient. When you send a gift,

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add a short letter about the occasion. Don’t be afraid to share something about yourself. If it’s a gift to a niece on her confirmation or Bat Mitzvah, tell her what you remember about that day in your life and the hope you have for her growing faith. When a letter accompanies a gift the letter is likely to last long after the gift is gone. Sending a gift of money? Add a letter with your check. (Yes, a check. Venmo is no way to give a meaningful gift.) One day you’ll be ready to give an heirloom. If you are giving your engagement ring, don’t just hand it over with, “This was my ring from Grampa.” Sit down and recall—in writing—how he proposed, and when you chose—or were surprised by —that ring. To make letter writing easy, have supplies on hand. Get a set of good notepaper and coordinating envelopes and treat yourself to a supply of nice postage stamps, perhaps stamps with flowers, famous people or hobbies. A friend taught me this: She chooses stamps to fit the person she’s writing to. You are more likely to write that letter if your supplies are lovely. Maybe now is the time to give away the letters of your parents to a younger family member. Don’t just hand them over—write a letter to go with them. And add your thoughts on your family. Not all families were always happy—so it can be even more meaningful to say, “You know Grandma had many struggles and I struggled with her, but we have found a way to be stronger for it.” A handwritten letter is a blessing, a piece of history, and a prayer. Pick up your pen. Share a piece of your heart. Your words on paper are a gift.

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SUMMERTIME WINES Lighter wines to serve with summer meals BY DANIELLE SMYTH

ummertime calls to mind al fresco dining, light breezes, and delicious wines to sip for a relaxing treat. The best wines for summer are as varied as the meals you're likely to serve them with. As you're planning your summer party menus or looking for something to enjoy on your own at mealtime, consider this advice from local wine experts.

Pairings for Hamburgers or Halibut When it comes to summer wine pairings, Colleen and David Rosenberg, co-owners of Brix Wine and Liquor Store in Ballston Spa, recommend the Marques de Tomares Rioja Crianza, paired with a hamburger on a bun with your favorite toppings. This selection has a saddle nose and dark cherry and licorice flavors. With a family grape growing history since 1886, Don Román Montaña founded the winery Marqués de Tomares in 1910. It is still operated by his grandchildren today, and the fruit is hand-picked in old traditions on nearly 206 hectares of family-owned vineyards. For a fish meal, such as grilled halibut with a lemon basil vinaigrette, the Rosenbergs also recommend the Daou Chardonnay. This 2020 chardonnay offers delicious “pineapple, pear and Granny Smith apple flavors,” as well as “hints of lemon chiffon, nectarine and honeysuckle.” You might also taste “star jasmine, nutmeg and vanilla bean,” they say. It is well-complemented by “lemon zest and baking spice,” making the halibut with a lemon basil vinaigrette the perfect choice. Summer 2021

Pairings for Salmon, Chicken or Vegetables The Thirsty Owl in Saratoga Springs serves wines from its own vineyard in the Finger Lakes. The vineyard is nestled on 150 acres along the western shore of Cayuga Lake, while in Saratoga Springs, visitors can enjoy lunch or dinner as well as wine tastings. General manager, Josh Cupp, suggests pairing summer wines with a lighter meal. He suggests any seafood, poultry, or vegetables for pairing with several types of wine, including Rosé, dry Riesling, and Chardonnay Rosé is a wine that sat in the background for a long time, but its popularity has spiked in recent years and is apparent for the vast majority of Rosé, to choose from in most wine stores, from lighter to fuller bodied depending on the grape blend. Pairing well with chicken, lamb, soft cheeses, salmon, and grilled vegetables. A dry Riesling is a great summer wine for light dining, says Cupp. Rieslings are an incredibly versatile white wine grape and their characteristic high acidity, as well as a bit of residual sugar, gives them that crisp, refreshing taste that works well delicate ( or raw fish, chicken, salmon, and grilled tuna. In contrast, Chardonnay continues to be the most compelling and popular white wine in the world, because it is the red wine of whites. It's complex and interesting making it a great choice all year round, but nonetheless a popular summer wine. It pairs beautifully with fish and seafood. It also pairs well with many seasonal salad recipes as well as grilled pork, creamy pasta dishes and meaty fish ( halibut and cod) and some shellfish. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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Understanding Active vs. Passive Investment Styles When it comes to investing, there are many ways to do it. Understanding the differences between active and passive investment styles can help you to find out which investment strategy suits your goals! Active investing, as its name suggests, involves a very hands-on approach to buying and selling various financial instruments, often using equities and bonds. This type of investment aims to beat the broader markets, as often measured by an index such as the S & P 500. Active investing is a strategy that can describe how an institutional portfolio manager or individual investor approaches the markets. The pandemic spawned a whole new generation of active investors who wanted to take advantage of the extreme volatility of stock prices particularly early on. Passive investing is the opposite of active investing. A philosophical pillar for this style of investing is the belief that over longer periods of time, it is very difficult to beat the broader markets. This style of investing often utilizes lower cost exchange traded funds (ETF’s) or low cost mutual funds that seek to mirror the returns of popular indexes such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq. This style of investing is very accessible, even to individuals with very little experience or time to focus on their investments. In my personal experience as a financial advisor over the last few decades, I have not personally experienced an investor beating the markets over a period of more than 5 years. I have certainly seen some significant gains in the short term, but not sustainably over many years. I know that there are these successful active investors. One of the more famous examples of this is Warren Buffet and his company Berkshire Hathaway. Interestingly, though Warren Buffet and Berkshire Hathaway can be described as active investors, in an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box with Becky Quick, the Oracle of Omaha instructed the trustee in charge of his estate to invest 90 percent of his money in the S & P 500 for his wife after his death1. This is a pretty strong vote of confidence in passive investing coming from one of the world's most famous active investors. Nick Murray, a famous author and mentor to many financial advisors, once said during a training session I attended that "the human psyche is doomed to be a failed equity investor." My experience and interpretation of this phenomenon is that the behavioral aspect of investing cannot be ignored. Whether you believe in active or passive investing, or a mixture of both, developing your overall plan and invest-

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ment strategy with a financial advisor can add value and help you stay on course, even when circumstances do not allow it. That’s why at Thoroughbred Advisors, we specialize in helping you make informed decisions about your investments by providing unbiased advice on both active and passive strategies. We’ll work with you to find out what type of investor you are so that we can tailor our services accordingly. If you want personalized investment advice from advisors who will listen to your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, etc., then contact us today. Conor Boyd, Thoroughbred Advisors Conor@ThoroughbredAdvisors.com Cell: (518) 312-3432 | Office: (518) 608-4608 www.thoroughbredadvisors.com 1 https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/26/warren-buffett-wants-90percent-of-his-estate-invested-in-index-funds.html

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BACK to the

FUTURE For some families, intergenerational living is the perfect next step after downsizing BY REBECCA GATTO

he COVID-19 pandemic has brought widespread attention to multigenerational households. The public health crisis has exerted economic pressure for many families, in some cases leaving people no choice but to pool their resources. Although the data is still catching up to reality, research released in the fall of 2020 suggested that the share of families living with children, parents, and grandparents under the same roof is growing rapidly. While COVID has cast light on the growing cohort of parents, grandparents, and children who find themselves sharing their living arrangements, it’s just one small reason families decide to move in together. In fact, multigenerational homes have been increasing in number for decades. While we’ve grown accustomed to single-generation households, they’re a fairly modern invention. They reached their peak in the 1980s and have been declining ever since. According to the Pew Research Center, even in 2014, more than 60 million Americans—nearly 20 percent of the United States population—lived in homes that contained two or more adult generations.

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Two local beneficiaries of this trend are Adele Costa, 31, and her dad, Michael Costa, 61. When the elder Costa was evacuated from his Peace Corps position in Timor-Leste, a small Asian country near Indonesia, he reached out to his daughter for help. “I got rid of everything to go into the Peace Corps,” Michael says. “When I came back, this was really the only place I could come back to.” Adele and her partner were, fortunately, wellequipped to house her father. The pair had recently purchased a two-family townhome in Albany, and they offered Michael the small basement apartment. The family had lived together as adults before, but their current arrangement represents a role reversal that Adele welcomes. During her young adulthood, “I was moving into this poor guy’s house so often,” she says. “It was so nice to be able to be like, ‘Yes, please, come live with me.’” Michael contributes to the family’s expenses, but Adele says the bigger benefits of having her dad around are less tangible. “I’m a little bit of a workaholic,” she says. “He’ll come upstairs; he’ll offer me really good 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

In 2014, more than 60 million Americans— nearly 20 percent of the United States population—lived in homes that contained two or more adult generations. — PEW RESEARCH CENTER

food that he’s made.” The three have spent their lockdown bonding over television shows, taking walks together, sharing music, and raising foster kittens. “I know old people go on about how family’s important all the time, but it’s because you keep running into the reality of it,” Michael says. “A lot of people have been suffering and I’ve been very lucky.” Adele has helped her father access services that require computer skills, like scheduling a COVID vaccine and applying for unemployment. She says that without someone tech-savvy to assist, these services would have been difficult for him to access. She worries about older people who don’t have anyone to lend a hand. “The world changes pretty fast. It’s good to have allies in your family,” Michael says. Of course, moving in with family isn’t always easy. Data collected by AARP suggests that people who feel they were forced to live together by circumstance, rather than by choice, are more likely to have negative emotions about the change. With COVID as a driving force, newly intergenerational households may face more Summer 2021

challenges when it comes to living in harmony. Vanessa Bever, a marriage and family therapist in Troy, offers some insight for families who are considering sharing their spaces. In particular, she suggests involving the entire family in an intentional discussion about the importance of personal space. “To get some privacy, we need to communicate boundaries,” Bever says. “It’s a learning opportunity for the kids. Even a five-year-old needs time alone, and they need to learn that this is an important part of everybody’s mental health.” Bever suggested being specific about what alone time might look like, whether it’s closing a door to signal that you need some space or even specifying a schedule of availability for one another. It’s important to be realistic, too, about the likelihood that things won’t always go as planned. “Somebody is going to inevitably encroach on somebody else’s individual time,” she says. A question she suggested posing to the family: “What are we going to do when that happens?” Since any change in routine can be challenging, it’s 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

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important to be aware that a major shift in something as central as living arrangements can trigger mental health symptoms. There’s even a term for the sorts of issues that come with major life changes: “adjustment disorders,” which can show up as anxiety and other emotional ailments. Families should consider contacting a therapist if the transition is causing conflict or seriously affecting the individuals involved. Still, Bever says, living with multiple generations offers benefits ranging from greater longevity to financial stability. And her expertise isn’t merely academic—she speaks from lived experience. “Culturally, I’m Peruvian,” she says. “I grew up with my maternal grandparents. That’s the home I came home from the hospital in. “I never felt alone; it’s a very collectivist kind of culture,” she adds. “I’ve thoroughly loved being a product of that.”

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Three 3-Ingredient Summer Salads Sometimes side dishes are the best part of a summer cookout. Try any of these better-for-you salads for your next barbecue. Your guests will love them, and you’ll love just how simple (and fast!) they are to assemble.

Chickpea Cucumber Salad

Black Bean Pasta Salad

Edamame Watermelon Salad

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) container Cedar’s® Chickpea Salad

1 (10 oz.) container Cedar’s® Black Bean Salad

1 (8 oz.) container Cedar’s® Edamame Salad

3 cups cucumbers, diced

1 cup Hannaford Garden Rotini, cooked and drained

3 cups watermelon, cubed

2 Tbsp. Cabot® Lite50 Sharp Cheddar Cheese, cubed

Salt and pepper, optional

Directions: 1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

1/2 Avocado from Mexico, peeled and diced Salt and pepper, optional Directions: 1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Nutritional Information (amount per serving): Calories 260; Total Fat 16 g; Saturated Fat 1.5 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 290 mg; Carbohydrate 28 g; Fiber 8 g; Sugar 11 g; Added Sugar 0 g; Protein 8 g

Directions: 1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Nutritional Information (amount per serving): Calories 290; Total Fat 7 g; Saturated Fat .5 g; Cholesterol 5 mg; Sodium 840 mg; Carbohydrate 47 g; Fiber 6 g; Sugar 6 g; Added Sugar 1 g; Protein 13 g

1/4 cup Hannaford Chopped Walnuts

Nutritional Information (amount per serving): Calories 320; Total Fat 17 g; Saturated Fat 1.5 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 180 mg; Carbohydrate 37 g; Fiber 5 g; Sugar 22 g; Added Sugar 1 g; Protein 13 g

Source: Recipes adapted from cedarsfoods.com

We’re committed to supporting your health and wellness goals. Our team of registered dietitians offer free nutritional services online and in-store. Visit hannaford.com/dietitians to learn more. Thank you to our sponsors for partnering with Hannaford to offer free dietitian services.

NO TIME TO COOK? Salads are a great option for a hot summer’s night dinner BY DANIELLE SMYTH

With the arrival of hot weather comes a conundrum for foodies: how can you prepare a delicious meal at home without breaking a sweat? It can be uncomfortable to labor over a hot stove during the summer months. We asked two area chefs for their tips on summer meal prep and their favorite recipes to help you stay cool. Summer Salad Featuring Pan-Seared Scallops This recipe, from Chef Tito Alejandro, a caterer and the head chef at Blessings Café in Albany, is perfect for dining al fresco or for when you’re craving a mouthwatering meal filled with fresh produce. Alejandro suggests using a fire-roasted tomatillo salsa verde and serving the cooked scallops over a vermicelli salad with lime dressing. While you do have to use the stove for a bit in this recipe, it’s only for a short time. “Cooking should always be fun,” Alejandro says. “Fresh ingredients and proper seasoning make for great eats.”

Summer Salad Featuring Pan-Seared Scallops Serves 4 (appetizer portion) or 2 (entree portion) INGREDIENTS: 6 medium tomatillos 1 jalapeno Cooking spray ½ Spanish onion, chopped 1 small clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp olive oil ½ cup chicken broth Juice of 1 lime, divided in half ¼ cup washed, dried, stem-free cilantro Splash of honey Salt and pepper to taste 8 ounces cooked leftover pasta like vermicelli ½ cup roasted sweet corn 1 Bermuda onion 1 small seedless cucumber, sliced ½ cup diced tomatoes, seeds removed Drizzle of olive oil 8 high-quality dry scallops

Summer 2021

PREPARATION Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. First, you’ll make the tomatillo salsa verde. To make the tomatillo salsa verde, discard the brown papery skin on the outside of the tomatillos. Wash the tomatillos and jalapeno. Slice the tomatillos and jalapeno in half and lay them, skin-side up, on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for about 10 minutes. Once they have cooled, peel the skin off. While the vegetables are roasting, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Add the chicken broth, lime juice, cilantro, tomatillos and jalapeno. Alejandro adds “a splash of honey to cut the acidity.” Simmer for 10 minutes. Then, blend the entire mixture with an emulsion blender. Add salt and pepper to taste. For the vermicelli salad, Alejandro recommends using “whatever is handy to create your own spin.” His vermicelli salad “was made from leftover pasta,” he says. Combine the pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, Bermuda onion and sweet corn in a dish. Drizzle with olive oil and the juice from the other half of lime, add salt and pepper and toss. Cook the scallops for two minutes on each side in a shallow pan. Alejandro advises using high-quality dry scallops to ensure the best and sweetest taste. Wet scallops, he says, are treated with sodium tripolyphosphate. Sear the scallops cook at a high temperature until a browned crust forms. 55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad Christopher Small, owner and chef at The Healing Meals in Albany, chose this recipe “to provide people with quick, healthy alternatives to fast food when life gets too busy.” Summer salads like this one offer the “ability to eat healthy food, conveniently and affordably” and offer a delicious blend of fruit, vegetable and protein.

Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad

More Happy!

Serves 1 INGREDIENTS: 1/3 cup fresh strawberries, sliced 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced 1/4 cup sliced red onion 3 cups mixed greens 2 ounces goat cheese 1/4 cup crushed pecans or walnuts FOR THE MAPLE DRESSING: 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1 tbsp stone ground mustard 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar PREPARATION Wash and slice the fresh strawberries, cucumber and red onion. Add them to a bed of freshly washed and dried mixed greens. Mix in the goat cheese and crushed nuts. To make the dressing, mix the olive oil, pure maple syrup, stone ground mustard and apple cider vinegar. Toss the salad in the dressing.

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Summer 2021

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On Pins and Needles Acupuncture may be the treatment you didn’t realize you need BY JOHN ADAMIAN

ention acupuncture and most people immediately jump to the needles. Don’t let your fear of needles—(and to be clear they are more like beading needles than needles used for shots)— prevent you from exploring this centuries-old practice. Acupuncture, depending on the ailment, could be just what your body needs. More and more Americans appear to be realizing just that as the Eastern healing tradition continues to grow in popularity as Americans explore non-Western medicine options and lifestyles. A 2018 study found that the number of licensed acupuncturists in the United States increased by 257 percent from 1998. The study found almost 38,000 licensed acupuncturists in 2018. The same study indicated that, after California, New York is the state with the second highest number licensed acupuncturists. Acupuncture is based on the theory that the flow of life energy, known as chi or qi, can be balanced and improved by the use of needles inserted at key spots in the body. Acupuncture can be used to treat pain associated with tooth aches, the nausea caused by chemotherapy, back pain, indigestion, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other types of pain. The treatment itself can be deeply relaxing and even meditative. In addition to the ailments and problems

Summer 2021

with which it has been known to be effective, acupuncture sessions can feel peaceful and restorative. Most courses of acupuncture treatment begin with a consultation so the specialist can evaluate a patient’s needs. Once a course of treatment is established, a patient can expect to have the needles retained for 25 to 50 minutes, depending on the particular ailment and patient’s condition. Some problems, like neck pain, can often be addressed in one or two visits; others can take longer. Rebecca Rice, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist at the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine in Delmar, exchanged emails with me on the subject. Rice, who specializes in gastro-intestinal issues, reproductive health, infertility, pain (from any cause), psycho-emotional issues, and lyme/tick borne diseases, fielded questions about how newcomers to acupuncture might approach getting a first-time treatment or learning what ailments could possibly be addressed with acupuncture. For the needle-phobic, Rice offers this salve: acupuncture needles are much thinner than hypodermic needles, comparable to a dog whisker. Nothing is put in or taken out with them, and they are required by law to only be used once. For new patients who are needle-nervous, Rice usu55PLUSLIVINGGUIDE.COM

ally inserts one needle so they can sample the sensation of treatment and realize there is nothing to fear. “If they experience what one needle feels like before getting a whole treatment,” she says, “then they realize it's not a scary thing.” The treatment itself, sometimes in a darkened room with ambient music, depending on the practitioner, is often relaxing. “The sensation of acupuncture can range from feeling deeply relaxed, to feeling like you are in a dream state,” she says. “Some people are able to feel a pulsing and then release in the area of pain they were coming in to address with acupuncture. Patients report feeling the discomfort shift or leave the body, for example. In cases of sinusitis or allergies the patient may feel drainage or the inflammation reducing while on the acupuncture table.” While acupuncture has been known to be helpful with a wide variety of conditions, Rice notes that the practice isn’t used for emergency situations like appendicitis, broken bones, or traumatic brain injuries, though hospitals in China are known to incorporate aspects of acupuncture into their emergency-room treatments in some cases. Western medicine is still in the early stage of exploring ways to incorporate some of these approaches. It may be hard to imagine people without any specific physical problem being eager to have small needles poked into their skin, but for many proponents, it’s the ultimate in self-care. Some consider a treatment to be akin to going to the gym or to the therapist—a routine type of body/mind maintenance that leaves you feeling better in a general way. “People enjoy acupuncture to reduce stress or to relax,” says Rice. “But most people that say, ‘I just want to try it,’ or ‘my friend /relative told me I should do acupuncture,’ … these folks experience a reduction in issues they weren't anticipating that acupuncture could actually address.” This may simply be a reflection of the public’s general need for subtle approaches to healing, or it could be a more specific product of the broad types of training that most licensed acupuncturists receive. “Licensed acupuncturists are not only trained in acupuncture but also herbal medicine, nutrition, energy work, tui na , cupping, gua sha,” says Rice. “These days we have the benefit of combining the East Asian medicine arts with biomedicine to form this vast understanding of health and healing. An acupuncturist is so much more than just her needles.” Summer 2021

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The Vine

BY FRANK BUCK

A Second Chance

very moment in life presents the opportunity for a second chance. If you have wronged someone saying you are sorry is one thing, but forgiveness takes a lot more strength and courage. Even though we are taught to forgive people for their past wrongs, for some it is a monumental task. We must realize that through forgiveness comes happiness and healing. National studies show that people who can forgive are happier people. Carrying a grudge for eternity cripples you as a person. We must realize that people change, we can learn from our mistakes, and we all need to be able to demonstrate this. Resetting our negative emotions towards someone is a huge reset button. We are all human and we all make mistakes. A second chance can come from many different directions. You may have been wronged or for that matter hurt someone else unknowingly or worse yet, deliberately. You may have suffered a loss of your job, your health, a loved one, a relationship or friendship. At the moment it seems almost impossible to regain it, but we can all receive a second chance. A dear friend recently shared a story about his son who had gone through a terrible divorce and had reconnected with a childhood sweetheart. A relationship long ago that had gone wrong, but still lingered in each other's hearts. They found forgiveness and the happiness that goes with it.

Summer 2021

He said with great joy, “It is truly unbelievable. They are so happy and believe it or not, he has moved to Florida to be with her. They are madly in love.” I did not have to think too long and hard about a second chance. Those words take me to my own life. Marriage can be a tough walk on occasion and is a constantly changing journey. It requires you to give, care, forgive, pay attention, smile, laugh, encourage, support, hug, kiss, and say you're sorry. The adage that the grass looks greener on the other side of the street is a falsehood. I walked over there and when I arrived, I realized I was an actor in a “B” rated movie. The walk back across the street is filled with footsteps of fear and uncertainty. It will be you wanting to walk from the darkness into the light. It will be you making that heart filled commitment to that person you hurt. It is your key to happiness and theirs as well. It was my wife who saw the real me and like an old shirt or pair of pants given to Goodwill, she gifted me with another chance and us with a new beginning. With a second chance you bring a fresh pair of eyes and a willingness to see things you never saw before. You will become the person you really are. Always share your goodness and kindness and remember that opportunities will multiply once they have been seized. There is no better time for a second chance than right now. The decision is yours. Choose forgiveness and find the happiness you deserve.

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55+ Living Summer 21 Issue

Articles inside

ON PINS AND NEEDLES

THE VINE

NO TIME TO COOK?

A DEBT-STRESS-FREE RETIREMENT

UP, UP AND AWAY

WHAT’S SUP?

SUMMERTIME WINES

THE GIFT OF LETTER WRITING

STAYING SHARP

REIMAGINING DOWNSIZING

HISTORY INSIDE AND OUT