Lifestyles over 50 Jan-Feb-2019

Lifestyles over 50

Encouraging vibrant and healthy living

FREE - Winter 2019 - LEHIGH VALLEY

Retirement: Will It Live Up to Your Expectations?

Getting to Know Carol Burnett A Salute to Valentine’s Day Things To Do With Grandkids Health Screenings for Women Age 50 and Older

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Lifestyles over 50 A THRIVE Media publication 4847 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown PA 18106 855-233-7034 editor@lifestylesover50.com Lifestylesover50.com

Copyright© 2019 by Thrive, LLC. 4847 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18106. The contents of this publication may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher. Thrive, LLC assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions.

From The Editor Art Villafane

Winter is here.

As I write this in late December the temperature has

been in the 30’s and 40’s - hardly what we might call winter weather. While I am not complaining about the lack of cold, we still need to be aware of the planet’s warming trend and what it might mean for our futures.

We also need to be cautious with our health. We can do this by getting our flu shots and taking simple and practical steps to avoid illness. We have an article on protecting your health during the winter. We should all keep them in mind to ensure a happy winter season.

We are still making some design and content changes to keep the magazine interesting and appealing. We have more changes in the wind so please let us know your thoughts on the changes. We are also offering a subscription to our magazine. If you would like it delivered to your mailbox please send us your name and address. We can be reached at 855-233-7034 or editor@lifestylesover50.com.

Thanks and we will see you next issue.

Peace.

Ar t

Subscriptions. Call, write or email us (see above contact info) to sign up for an annual subscription. We will mail each issue directly to your home for just $10.

Jokes to Make You Smile • E.R. Doctor: So, what

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•

•

•

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brings you here?

Patient: An ambulance!

What do you think?! “Got a frantic call from a woman who claimed she had overdosed and needed help immediately.

We arrive on scene, and she hands us an empty mint container, saying she took them all. That night she learned that you cannot overdose on mints.�

A scientist tells a pharmacist, “Give me some prepared tablets of acetylsalicylic acid.� “Do you mean aspirin?� asks the pharmacist. The scientist slaps his forehead. “That’s it!� he says. “I can never 
remember the name.�

When asked for his name by the coffee shop clerk, my brother-in-law answered, “Marc, with a C.� Minutes later, he was handed his coffee with his name written on the side: Cark.

When a soldier came to the 
clinic where I work for an MRI, he was put into the machine by an 
attractive, young technician. Sometime later, when the examination 
was over, he was helped out of the machine by a far older woman. The soldier remarked, “How long was I in there for?�

Man: “Honey, on this Valentine’s Day, I want to tell you

something... I’m not rich like Jack. I don’t have a mansion like Russell. I don’t have a Porsche like Martin. But I do love you and I want to marry you.�

Woman: “Oh, dear, I love you too! What was that you said about Martin?â€? • An older woman runs into her friend at the mall. “You’re not going to believe this,â€? she said. “I found an old lamp the other day. I rubbed it and a genie popped out.

He explained that genies don’t give three wishes anymore, but he did offer me a choice between one of two wishes. He could give me a better memory or turn my husband into the greatest lover ever.� ‘Tough choice,� said her friend. “Which one did you choose?� “That’s the thing. I can’t remember.�

Articles Inside Health Screenings for Women Age 50 and Older Page 4 6 Social Security Changes to Expect in 2019 Page 6 A Salute to Valentine’s Day

Page 7

Getting to Know Carol Burnett Page 8 Will Retirement Live up to Your Expectations Page 10

Things To Do With Grandkids

Page 14

Senior ER Meets Needs of Older Patients

Page 16

Puzzles Page 20

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Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

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3

Health Screenings for Women Age 50 and Older

By Mary DeHaven, St. Luke’s University Health Network

A

s we grow older, a lifetime of daily choices related to our health tends to catch up with most of us. Choices like diet, exercise, (or lack thereof) and the use of tobacco, drugs and alcohol can contribute to the development of diseases and other health conditions.

One of the best defenses against these health risks is to identify them in their earliest stages and promptly begin to treat them, says Alaa-Eldin Mira, MD, chief of Geriatrics, St. Luke’s University Health Network.

screening tests are available, but colonoscopy is considered the gold standard.

Dental Screening – Age 50 Once or twice a year for checkups and cleaning. Your dentist can identify certain health conditions, including certain types of cancer.

Diabetes Screening – Age 50 Every three years. Commonly referred to as an A1C test, the test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months.

The first step is to see your primary care physician regularly, even if you are healthy.

During your checkup, your doctor will assess your overall health and screen for such things as high blood pressure. Every few years, your doctor will order a series of blood tests that screen for conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Dr. Mira suggests the following screenings for women aged 50 and older. (Note: These are general recommendations. The frequency of tests or the time that age at which you should begin will vary based on your individual family, personal health history and previous test results.)

Cholesterol Screening – Age 50 Every five years or more frequently if you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or certain other conditions or if past tests have indicated that you have high cholesterol.

Colorectal Cancer Screening – Age 50 to 75 Beginning at age 50, you should have a baseline colonoscopy and then every 10 years thereafter (or more frequently as advised by your physician). Other colorectal

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An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates that you have diabetes. Your doctor may order a blood sugar test.

Eye Exam – Age 50 50-54 every two to three years; 55-64 every one to three years; 65+ every year; and every year if you have diabetes.

Eye exams can indicate diseases, such as glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration, that left untreated could cause blindness.

Flu Shot – Age 50 Every year. Each flu season is different, and the vaccine is developed to prevent or reduce the effect of the strain that is most expected in any given year. Flu can lead to hospitalization and even death.

LDCT Lung Cancer Screening – Age 55 to 80 If you are between 55 and 80 and have a history of heavy smoking and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page

Mammogram – Age 50 Every one to two years. Mammograms screen for breast cancer. Should the mammogram indicate an abnormality, your doctor may order a diagnostic mammogram, a breast MRI or a breast ultrasound.

Osteoporosis Screening (Bone density test) – Age 65 Once after age 65 unless you have a greater than average risk factor, such as frequent fractures. Osteoporosis screening checks bone strength.

Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear – Age 50 Every year you should have pelvic exams and you should have a Pap smear every three years. Regular pelvic exams may help in early detection of certain cancers, which increase with age.

Pneumococcal Vaccine – Age 65 Once after age 65. Two different vaccines are recommended. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against illnesses like meningitis and bacteremia. You should receive a dose of PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23 at least 1 year later.

Shingles (herpes zoster vaccine) – Age 50 Once after age 50. Protects against shingles a painful skin rash, often with blisters. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tap) vaccine – Age 50 Once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines if you did not receive it previously as an adolescent. You should have a booster every 10 years.

Specializing in working with Seniors Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS, CMRS 610-573-0386 elissaclaus@gmail.com

Allentown 4124 West Tilghman Street ALLENTOWN, PA 18104 610-395-4500 x5435

Tips for Success in a Real Estate Transaction

By Elissa Clausnitzer, SRES, SRS, CMRS

People looking to buy or sell a home want a smooth process.

Having an experienced and professional realtor is a greater way to accomplish this, but there are also things that you can do to ensure that you do everything possible to facilitate the process. Here are some tips.

Work with only one real estate agent You might think that using more than one agent will get you a better deal. There is no law preventing you from doing so. However, real estate agents have a code of ethics that keeps agents from this type of activity. Most agents are commission based. They are doing their professional best to help you succeed. You should put your trust in them.

Be realistic about your budget It is only human to want and wish for a home that might look like your fantasy house. You might even be tempted to “just sneak a peek”. This is a waste of your time and a waste of your agent’s time. Additionally, most agents won’t even show you homes they know are beyond your means. Even if you somehow got that dream home you will spend the rest of your life trying to pay for it. So it is best to get a pre-approval from a mortgage company.

Control your emotions There may be times when nerves are frazzled and hopes are dashed. Keep the objective in mind and treat everyone fairly and with respect. Negotiations can get testy, that is not unusual, but remember why you are negotiating - you are pursuing a home you truly desire.

It rarely goes according to plan The road to ownership can be rocky. There might be questions as to the proper owner of the title. The seller or buyer may change their mind at the last moment. You may get a negative report from the inspection of the house. Try to stay as flexible and open-minded as possible.

Make Your Transaction a Priority Realtors understand that their clients are busy. To facilitate a smooth transaction and have the best possible outcome, it is imperative that you are timely when communicating with the realtor via phone or in other communications. Keep a flexible schedule to visit a property or keep your property clean and available when selling.

Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS, SRES, CMRS is a licensed Realtor with Weichert Realtors and has over 30 years of experience in real estate. She specializes in helping boomers and seniors achieve their goals in their next step in life. For a free Comparative Market Analysis you can call her at 610-573-0386.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

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5

Six Social Security Changes to Expect in 2019

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50

each year until it hits 67. So, for anyone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age will be 67. (You can see your full retirement age here.)

If you delay collecting Social Security past your full retirement age you can collect more than your full payout. In fact, if you put off claiming until age 70 you will receive a 76% higher annual payout than if you started receiving benefits at 62.

Every October the Social Security Administration announces changes to the Social Security program. Here are the changes set for Jan. 1, 2019, according to the SSA’s annual fact sheet. Increased payments actually begin Dec. 31, 2018.

1. Beneficiaries will see a 2.8% increase in payments.

For 2019, more than 67 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This increase is meant to counteract the effect of inflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), and this calculation ensures that your Social Security check has the same buying power that it did the previous year. If the CPI-W increases more than 0.1% year over year between the third quarter of the previous year and the third quarter of the current year, Social Security will raise your check by the same amount.

The 2.8% bump in 2019 represents a 0.8% increase over last year’s 2% COLA and the largest increase since 2012 when benefits went up 3.6%. For the average Social Security recipient, however, this 2.8% raise will amount to just $39 per month, as the average monthly payout increases from $1,422 in 2018 to $1,461 in 2019.

2. Maximum taxable earnings will increase to $132,900.

In 2018, employees were required to pay a 6.2% Social Security tax (with their employer matching that payment) on income up to $128,400. Any earnings above that amount were not subject to the tax. In 2019, the tax rate will remain the same at 6.2%, but the tax cap will increase to $132,900.

The flip side of this is that as the taxable maximum increases, so does the maximum amount of earnings used by the SSA to calculate retirement benefits. In 2018, the maximum monthly Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age was $2,788. In 2019, the maximum benefit will increase $73 per month to $2,861.

3. Full retirement age will continue to increase.

The absolute earliest you can start claiming Social Security retirement benefits is 62. However, claiming before your full (or normal) retirement age will result in the payout being permanently reduced. For those who turn 62 in 2018, full retirement age is 66 and four months. But for those who turn 62 in 2019, the full retirement age will increase to 66 and six months. Full retirement age is set to increase by two months

6

4. Earnings limits will increase.

If you work while collecting Social Security benefits you may find all or part of your benefits temporarily withheld, depending on how much you earn. However, those income limits will increase slightly in 2019.

Prior to reaching full retirement age, you will be able to earn up to $17,640 in 2019. After that, $1 will be deducted from your payment for every $2 that exceeds the limit. The 2019 annual limit marks a $600 increase over 2018’s limit of $17,040. If you reach full retirement age in 2019, you will be able to earn $46,920, up $1,560 from 2018’s $45,360 annual limit. For every $3 earned over the 2019 limit, your Social Security benefits will be reduced by $1, but it will only apply to money earned in the months prior to hitting full retirement age. Once you hit full retirement age, no benefits will be withheld if you continue working.

5. Social Security disability thresholds will increase.

About 10 million Americans qualify for Social Security disability payments, and those thresholds are also increasing slightly in 2019. The legally blind will receive a maximum of $2,040 a month, an increase of $70 a month over 2018.

For the non-blind, the maximum benefit will increase $40 a month to $1,220.

6. You can view your COLA notice online.

For the first time this year, most Social Security recipients will be able to view their COLA notice online through their mySocialSecurity account in December. In the past, that notice was mailed. Notices will still be mailed this year, but in the future, recipients will be able to choose whether to receive their notice online or by mail. As always it’s a good idea to be aware of additional changes that could be announced in the coming months.

For additional information go to: ssa.gov and ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2018/#10-2018-1

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

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A Salute to Valentine’s Day - Stories of Love

By Art Villafane, Livestyles over 50

“My first Valentine’s Day with my fiancé was amazing. That January, I looked for a puppy online and found a little Chihuahua I loved. My fiancé said he’d call and talk to the breeder for me. Later, he called to tell me the puppy had been sold.

I was crushed. On the day before Valentine’s Day, I walked into his apartment and found a card waiting for me. As I was reading it, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this tiny little dog run past me with several bows around his neck. I started squealing as my fiancé said, “Do you recognize him?” He had not only bought my Chihuahua, Tony, but had arranged for him to be driven from Missouri and had picked him up at 1 a.m. Tony is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me — and that Valentine’s Day remains the very best one of my life.”

Roseann Sdoia was watching the 2013 Boston Marathon when the bomb went off. The explosion severed the bottom of her left leg, but the firefighter who helped save her life never left her side.

Mike Materia held her hand, calming her down as they rushed to the hospital. He later visited Sdoia as she recovered, waiting with her for hours at doctors appointments. Almost four years later, he proposed to the woman he helped rescue, and their love story even inspired a book.

After hearing about a coworker’s cousin in need, a man donated his liver to a complete stranger — and then married her. Former Marine Chris Dempsey decided to get tested even though he’d never seen or heard of Heather Krueger before. It turned out, they were a match in more ways than one. After undergoing the major surgery, the two quickly became more than friends, and tied the knot over a year later.

“On Feb. 14, 1980, my parents received a phone call from a local lab letting them know that they were pregnant, My mom waited nine months and when she gave birth, she was blessed with her baby girl (me). Every year, she makes it special by giving me something that warms the heart, and many years ago, I received a large bouquet of flowers at work. I moved away from my hometown for six years and she still continued the tradition! I have kept the cards through the years and have wonderful memories of Valentine’s Day. It’s not the typical day most women hope for, but for me, it’s the perfect day, as I was blessed with the two most loving, caring and dedicated parents ever.”

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7

Getting to Know Carol Burnett

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over Sometimes it is hard to believe that Carol Burnett has been in show business for more than 5 decades. To say that she is an American icon is an understatement.

Carol Burnett is known for her comic genius but she has shown talent in stage,

TV and film.

Carol was born in San Antonio, Texas, on April 26, 1933, where she was born to Jodie and Louise Burnett, both of whom suffered from acute alcoholism. Her story is well known as she has shared her life story with her audiences.

After her parents divorced in the late 1930s, Burnett moved with her grandmother, Mabel Eudora White, to a small apartment in Hollywood, California. She attended Hollywood High School, graduating in 1951. This is the same grandmother who we learned about through Carol’s famous tug on her ear at the end of her shows.

After studying theater arts and English at the University of California, Los Angeles, Carol left school early to travel to New York City with the hope of breaking into acting.

Carol’s first big TV breaks came at age 22 when she appeared on “The Paul Winchell Show” in 1955, and as Buddy Hackett’s gawky girlfriend on the shortlived sitcom “Stanley”. In 1959, Burnett became a regular on the “Gary Moore Show”. where she won quite a few Emmy Awards.

During that time she appeared on CBS specials. She also went on the star on Broadway. She began as Princess Winnifred in the 1959 Broadway musical “Once Upon a Mattress” which earned her first Tony Award nomination.

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With a decade worth of experience she got her own comedy-variety show, “The Carol Burnett Show”, in 1967.

Her stable of super-talents included Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, and lookalike type Vicki Lawrence. A bit later Tim Conway became a beloved and hilarious fixture on the show.

The show became an instant sensation, and earned 22

Carol Burnett has deservedly received numerous awards over time, including the 2003 Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1985.

Emmy Awards during its 11-year run. The show usually opened with a question-and-answer session with the audience, and then the madness started. Some of her classic parodies involved playing Gloria Swanson, Shirley Temple, Vivien Leigh or Joan Crawford. She was not only a physical comic she also showed her singing and dancing skills in skits with stars like Jim Nabors, Steve Lawrence, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tormé. Never forgetting how hard show business is she mentored or introduced stars like Bernadette Peters and The Pointer Sisters.

Branching out into film she starred in the films “Pete ‘n’ Tillie” (1972), “The Front Page” (1974) and Robert Altman’s “A Wedding” (1978). Some of her TV roles included her memorable portrayal of anti-Vietnam War activist Peg Mullen in “Friendly Fire” (1979), and convincingly played a woman coming to terms with her alcoholism in “Life of the Party: The Story of Beatrice” (1982). a true story that eerily mirrored some of her own background as the child of alcoholics.

Carol Burnett has deservedly received numerous awards over time, including the 2003 Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1985.

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Personal Life Her personal life has been charmed but not without its difficulties--tears in between the laughs. Married three times, her second union with jazz-musician-turnedvariety-show-producer Joe Hamilton produced three daughters. Eldest girl, Carrie Hamilton, an actress and former teen substance abuser, tragically died of lung and brain cancer at age 38.

Trivia

Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence were the longest running cast members. The two were the only series regulars to stay with the program throughout its 11 seasons.

Burnett has said that Ms. Wiggins’s signature waddle was because the skirt she was given was too big — Burnett walked that way to keep it from falling off.

Tim Conway was known for improvising and deliberately trying to get other cast members to laugh during taping. Korman fell for Conway’s tactics nearly every time.

The “family” sketch called for Eunice to wear a “Tennessee Williams”-type dress. Costume designer Bob Mackie found the perfect 1930s frock in a thrift shop.

Mr. Tudball was a toupee-wearing businessman who had an airhead for a secretary. What was her name?

- Mrs. Wiggins - Mrs. Tudball - Mrs. Lawrence - Mrs. Hudson Carol’s hilarious spoof of “Gone with the Wind” was entitled “Went with the Wind”. Which guest played the role of Melody in the skit?

- Cher - Maggie Smith - Nanette Fabray - Dinah Shore A frequent skit involved an old man who didn’t move very fast. His inability to speed up was always an inconvenience to a character played by Harvey Korman. Who played the old man?

- Lyle Waggoner - Carol Burnett - Tim Conway - Steve Lawrence Who played the flamboyant character named Mother Marcus in “As the Stomach Turns”.

- Harvey Korman - Tim Conway - Lyle Waggoner - Dick Van Dyke

Quiz

A recurring skit performed by Carol and Harvey Korman, based on Lunt and Fontanne, was about a married couple who were stage stars. What did Carol call her couple?

- “Bundt and No Rain” - “Blunt and Rundown” - “Funt and Mundane” - “Runt and Great Dane”

A very popular skit, called “The Family”, involved Eunice, her husband Ed, and Eunice’s mama.

Which of these guests did NOT play one of Eunice’s siblings?

- Betty White - Madeline Kahn - Roddy McDowall - Alan Alda

Carol performed a recurring character named Nora Desmond, an aging star of the silver screen who was a few bricks short of a full load. Harvey Korman played her faithful manservant. What was his name?

- Max - Rex - Otto - Hans

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9

Will Retirement Live Up to Your Expectations?

By Vicki Bezems, Lifestyles over 50 Not so long ago, retirement was a period in life that most Americans could count on and look forward to. After working for 30, 40 or 50 years, both men and women eagerly anticipated receiving a pension, having a clear calendar, avoiding the morning rush, and hitting the early bird specials.

Retirement was supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation, slowing down and taking life easy.

That’s not necessarily an accurate picture anymore. This scenario has changed dramatically in the last 20 to 30 years. For many people, changes in the economy have resulted in the need to keep working past 62, 65, even 70.

There are various reasons: Not as many companies offer pension plans as in the past. The 2008 financial crisis caused most people’s net worth to dive along with the stock market and housing prices. And many Americans do not plan for retirement early enough, or even at all.

Life expectancy is a huge factor in the changes to the face of retirement. In 1985, men were expected to live 14 years past retirement age (65) and women were expected to live until 84—19 years after retirement. Today, men’s life expectancy is 91 and women’s is 94.

While all these factors influence the age at which men leave the workforce, there are even more trends affecting women’s lives. Women make up the majority of primary caregivers for aging relatives. Many women are forced to take early retirement (with less than full retirement benefits) to take care of disabled parents or spouses. The rising number of single parent families is also responsible for women leaving the workplace to care for grandchildren.

In addition to these demographic changes, people are staying in better health and living life more fully into later years. After decades of working outside the home, many people simply get bored staying at home. Studies on the effect of retirement on health have shown mixed and

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complicated results, but there is no question that maintaining an active lifestyle has positive effects on both physical and mental health.

Lifestyles over 50 talked with Angie, a recent retiree from Emmaus, PA. Angie stopped working after more than 25 years as an administrative assistant in a doctor’s office.

Although she was at the right age to retire, Angie had not done a lot of planning for retirement when she had to leave the workforce abruptly because of her husband’s health. He had severe back pain and surgery was a strong possibility; but when his condition improved and became more manageable, Angie’s role as a stay-at-home caregiver was no longer necessary. “At the beginning,” she says, “there was a real need to be home. But physical therapy has helped and now he doesn’t need me at home all the time.”

Less than two years after leaving the work-force, Angie is now more than ready to go back to work. Between home projects, knitting, volunteering at her church and keeping her grandchildren occasionally, Angie stays busy. But it isn’t enough. “There’s nothing I have to do on a daily basis,” she says.

So, she updated her resume and began looking for a job.

She applied primarily for jobs in retail, working 16 to 20 hours per week. She wanted a job she would not have to “take home at night”. The job search wasn’t easy, and she was told that she was either under- or over-qualified for every position she applied for. Finally, she saw an opening for a substitute cafeteria worker in the East Penn School District, applied and was hired. Even though it isn’t the retail position she was hoping for, she is happy that she will now have the people contact that she so missed after she left her job with the doctor’s office.

Angie’s advice to women on the cusp of retirement is to have a part-time job or volunteer position lined up before leaving work.

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When I think about the women I know personally who have recently retired or are eligible to retire at any time, there are examples of the circumstances described in this article, and more.

There’s a neighbor, a teacher who retired just in time to care for her elderly mother at the end of her life, and at the same time began taking care of her infant granddaughter full-time.

My friend who is a massage therapist, at age 75, has no intention of retiring but sometimes struggles with fitting all her clients into her schedule, balancing her work with caring for her husband who has kidney disease and visiting their three children and five grandchildren, who live on both the East and West coasts.

And there are the women in my own family. My maternal grandmother was asked to come out of retirement and go back to work at age 80, making patterns for the textile company where she had worked for many years. She lived to be a healthy 106. After my mother retired from a 50-year

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long career in banking at age 70, she served two terms in the elected office of county commissioner, went to work for an investment firm at age 80 and worked 10 more years. She lived to age 98.

Representing the third generation in the family, I am being forced into partial retirement as the CEO of my home, as my children are both in college and I now have an empty nest.

At the same time, I am holding on tightly to my part-time career as a writer and editor for Lifestyles over 50. Along with singing at church, keeping up with my own family’s events, staying in touch with my extended family 600 miles away, and training my energetic rescue dog, working in publishing gives me purpose. I don’t get bored because I don’t have time. And that, to me, is a healthy way to live.

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1. For only $20, members receive an annual mail subscription to Lifestyles over 50; includes six issues plus the annual directory and savings guide!

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4. Access to Lifestyles over 50’s Care Team for general guidance and connection to experts in the health and senior care industry.

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• Retirement is wonderful. It’s doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.

• The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does.

• How many retirees to change a light bulb? Only one, but it might take all day.

• My wife and I have started aggressively planning for our retirement, and by that I mean we’re playing the lottery 3-5 times per week.

• The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is because they have a common “enemy”.

• Male, 1922, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves.

Isn’t in running condition, but walks well.

• Sexy, fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, 80’s, slim, 5’ 4” (used to be 5’ 6”), searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt a plus.

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Fun Facts • • • • • • • • • •

• • • •

• • • • • • • • •

Sloths have more neck bones than giraffes. There are seven vertebrae in the neck of giraffes, and in most mammals, but there are ten in a sloth.

The original oranges from Southeast Asia were a tangerine-pomelo hybrid, and they were actually green.

A cow-bison hybrid is called a “beefalo”.

Johnny Appleseed’s fruits weren’t for eating. “Johnny Appleseed” didn’t expect his fruits to be eaten whole, but rather made into hard apple cider.

Scotland has 421 words for “snow”.

The “Windy City” name has nothing to do with Chicago weather. Chicago’s nickname was coined by 19th-century journalists who said that its residents were “windbags” and “full of hot air.”

Octopuses lay 56,000 eggs at a time.

Firefighters use wetting agents to make water wetter.

Cats have fewer toes on their back paws.

Kleenex tissues were originally intended for gas masks.

When there was a cotton shortage during World War I, Kimberly-Clark developed a thin, flat cotton substitute that the army tried to use as a filter in gas masks. The war ended before scientists perfected the material for gas masks, so the company redeveloped it to be smoother and softer, then marketed Kleenex as facial tissue instead.

Giraffe tongues can be 20 inches long.

That tiny pocket in jeans was designed to store pocket watches.

Cows don’t have upper front teeth. Where you’d expect upper incisors, cows, sheep, and goats have a thick layer of tissue called a “dental pad.”

Dogs sniff good smells with their left nostril. Dogs normally start sniffing with their right nostril, then keep it there if the smell could signal danger, but they’ll shift to the left side for something pleasant, like food or a mating partner.

No number before 1,000 contains the letter “A”.

The # symbol is not officially called hashtag or pound.

Beethoven never knew how to multiply or divide.

A waffle iron inspired one of the first pairs of Nikes.

Penicillin was first called “mold juice.”

Bananas glow blue under black lights.

Wimbledon tennis balls are kept at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Adult cats are lactose intolerant.

The Pope can’t be an organ donor. The Pope’s entire body must be buried intact because his body belongs to the universal Catholic Church.

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Fast Food Way Back When What Fast Food Used To Cost Way Back When • Ray Kroc opened a McDonald’s in Illinois in 1955.

The price for fries and soda were each ten cents, while a burger cost 15 cents.

•

In 1967, McDonald’s introduced the BigMac sandwich that became iconic.

It cost 45 cents..

•

Ten years earlier, Burger King released its flame-broiled signature sandwich in Miami.

The price in 1957? 37 cents.

•

When Wendy’s first opened in 1969, a Frosty cost 35 cents.

•

In 1965, when Fred DeLuca opened the sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that would grow into Subway, a sub started at 49 cents.

•

Entrepreneur Glen Bell took a no-frills approach when he opened the first Taco Bell. His first franchise opened in Torrance, California. The menu? Tacos, burritos, frijoles, and tostados. They kept the price simple too: every item cost 19 cents.

•

When White Castle opened its first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, they charged five cents for their pint-sized burger.

•

Launched in 1985, the Blizzard quickly became a major moneymaker for Dairy Queen.

Back then, a 12-ounce Blizzard sold for $1.29

•

Kentucky Fried Chicken first franchise opened in Utah in 1952. In the 70’s a family bucket cost $4.90

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

Playtime in the 1950’s and 1960’s Who can forget “Hide and Seek”?

To this day it is the prototypical game for children.

All you needed was a sidewalk chalk and you were set for “Hopscotch”.

“Let’s choose up sides and play ball.”

Jump rope could be a solo activity or it could involve friends and even teams. Remember “double dutch”?

“Stickball’ - where visions of baseball greatness began.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

13

Things To Do With Grandkids Book & Puppet Company

Known for their puppet theatre, Book & Puppet Co. is a familyowned book and gift store in downtown Easton.

Bring the whole family for free and low-cost events daily, including story hours, costume characters, and puppet shows, or browse the unique items that have been selected to delight and surprise you. Hilarious improvised puppet shows with live music - perfect for all ages. Daily free story hours with expert storytellers, featuring the best and most engaging children’s books. Costume character appearances every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. 466 Northampton St., Easton (484) 541-5379 bookandpuppet.com Imagi Nation Imagi Nation is an interactive, educational, entertainment experience where children ages 3-12 can role-play over 40 different careers within a realistic, kid-sized community including a bank, market, health center and even an ice cream flavor lab.

3313 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown imaginationexp.com Moravian Museum of Bethlehem The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem introduces guests to the earliest history of the Bethlehem community. On tours, guests discover the remarkable stories behind Bethlehem’s founders, including early Moravian medicinal practices, communal living, missionary work, and a progressive educational system.

The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem complex includes some of the most important and oldest buildings in the Lehigh Valley. Due to its incredible history and architecture,

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the Gemeinhaus has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is part of Historic Moravian Bethlehem’s National Historic Landmark District. historicbethlehem.org/?historic-site=moravian-museum Nurture Nature Center NNC provides arts programming that fosters both individual growth and community resiliency. Our model for community engagement blends art, science and dialogue to facilitate robust, inclusive community learning that can be applied to everyday life. This art-infused approach focuses on creative self-expression and a sharing of knowledge.

The center’s four gallery spaces host a variety of solo and group exhibits throughout the year. NNC works in partnership with regional organizations to further promote the arts within the community. 518 Northampton St, Easton nurturenaturecenter.org

LEHIGH VALLEY

All of the care you need at our LIFE Health and Wellness Center.

And in your home.

Senior LIFE is the local LIFE Program that provides all of the healthcare and personal support services seniors need to continue to live in their home and not a nursing home.

No cost to enroll for those who qualify.

Call today to schedule a FREE LUNCH and TOUR of your local LIFE Health and Wellness Center.

SeniorLIFEPA.com | 610-954-5433 3365 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18017

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Home Today. Home for LIFE. Lifestyles over 50.com

Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over

I

50

f you are like most people, you feel cold every now and then during the winter. What you may not know is that just being really cold can make you very sick.

Older adults can lose body heat fast—faster than when they were young.

Changes in your body that come with aging can make it harder for you to be aware of getting cold. A big chill can turn into a dangerous problem before an older person even knows what’s happening. Doctors call this serious problem hypothermia.

Keep Warm Inside Living in a cold house, apartment, or other building can cause hypothermia. In fact, hypothermia can happen to someone in a nursing home or group facility if the rooms are not kept warm enough. If someone you know is in a group facility, pay attention to the inside temperature and to whether that person is dressed warmly enough.

You may be tempted to warm your room with a space heater. But, some space heaters are fire hazards,LIVING and others canAT cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

People who are sick may have special problems keeping warm. Do not let it get too cold inside and dress warmly.

Even if you keep your temperature between 60°F and 65°F, your home or apartment may not be warm enough to keep you safe. This is a special problem if you live alone because there is no one else to feel the chilliness of the house or notice if you are having symptoms of hypothermia.

• When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and use extra covers. Wear a cap or hat.

• Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don’t eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you to stay warm.

• Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat.

• Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.

• You may be tempted to warm your room with a space heater. But, some space heaters are fire hazards, and others can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Call 9-1-1 right away if you think someone has warning signs of hypothermia.

What to do after you call 9-1-1: • Try to move the person to a warmer place.

• Wrap the person in a warm blanket, towels, or coats—whatever is handy. Even your own body warmth will help. Lie close, but be gentle.

• Give the person something warm to drink, but avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, such as regular coffee.

• Do not rub the person’s legs or arms.

• Do not try to warm the person in a bath.

• Do not use a heating pad.

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Here are some tips for keeping warm whileMedication you’re inside:Reminders, Bathing/Grooming, • Set your heat to at least 68–70°F. To save on heating Meal bills, close off rooms you are not using. Close thePreparation, Companionship, 1 Hour -1 Hour 24/7 - 24/7 Light Housekeeping, & More vents and shut the doors in these rooms, and keep the Transportation, Laundry Medication Reminders, Bathing/Grooming, Medication Reminders, Bathing / Grooming, basement door closed. Place a rolled towel in front of Meal Preparation, Companionship, Light Housekeeping, Transportation, Laundry & More 484-387-0852 | CareGiversAmerica.com all doors to keep out drafts.

Meal Preparation, Companionship, 484-387-0852 | CareGiversAmerica.com • Make sure your house isn’t losing heat through Light Housekeeping, Transportation, windows. Keep your blinds and curtains closed. If Laundry & More you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.

• Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in CareGiversAmerica.com the house. Throw a blanket over your legs. Wear socks and slippers.

484-387-0852

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

15

Senior ER Meets Needs of Older Patients

By Mary DeHaven, St. Luke’s University Health Network

Even the savviest health care consumer can find navigating an unplanned hospital visit daunting. This is even more true when the patient involved has some level of agerelated impairment such as vision, hearing or mental decline.

Recognizing that the typical emergency department does not address the particular needs of older adults, some hospitals have developed special programs.

One such example locally is St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem, which offers a program designed to meet the needs of older emergency department patients. Called the Senior Emergency Room, it was designed by a team of physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals including Janice Concilio, vice president of patient care.

Recently, Janice, a nurse, found herself in the role of the daughter of a patient receiving treatment at the Senior Emergency Room. At age 90, her father fell and was rushed to the hospital via ambulance.

Suddenly finding yourself dealing with an unexpected threat to your love one’s health and well-being is distressing, Janice said. The stress of the situation makes it difficult to think and express yourself as well as you would normally.

“Fortunately, from the moment my father arrived my parents were comforted by the staff, who carefully explained what was happening and listened to what he wanted,” she said. “My father didn’t want to be admitted so the staff worked with us to develop a plan to get him home safely as soon as was possible. They didn’t over-test. They only did what was necessary to the visit, to the circumstance and to assure his safety.”

Every staff member of the St. Luke’s Senior Emergency Room receives training in geriatrics, which includes sensitivity training, so whether the patient arrives in the trauma bay with a life-threatening injury or in the waiting room with a stomachache, they are cared for by a staff member sensitive to their needs.

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In addition, the Senior Emergency Room is outfitted with special features including: • Environmentally friendly, subdued lighting • Walls and anti-slip flooring with colors and patterns to enhance depth perception. The walls are painted a neutral gold color, which studies have shown to have a calming effect.

• Guardrails to assist with balance • Lower stretchers • Volunteer-manned carts stocked with comfort items for seniors Janice said she was pleased to see that the unit operates according to plan. Due to its success in terms of patient and family satisfaction, St. Luke’s intends to duplicate the Senior Emergency Room at other hospitals within its network.

“We have a place that is focusing on the care of the senior, and develop their plan to support their wishes,” she said. “We are committed to this initiative and will continue to look at opportunities to assure optimal care and safety for our seniors and all our patients.

Offering Studio & One-Bed Room Apartments Independent living for residents 62+ Call for a Tour 610-821-0311

Episcopal House Amenities: • Activity Rooms • Beauty Salon • LANTA Bus Line • Laundry Room • Library • Resident Activities • Grocery Delivery • Social Service Coordinator

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

1440 Walnut Street Allentown, 18102 610-821-0311 Episcopalhouse.com

Lifestyles over 50.com

New Medicare Card

By Rebecca L. Nurick, PA-SMP Program Manager, Medicare Fraud Division

As of July of 2018, all Pennsylvania Medicare beneficiaries should have received their new Medicare cards.

The new cards should safeguard individuals from a wide range of identity theft-related crimes as the Medicare benefit is no longer associated with an individual’s Social Security number.

In summary: • All existing Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania should have received their new Medicare cards. If consumers have not received their new cards, they should contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY).

Individuals who receive their Medicare benefit through the Railroad Retirement Board should contact 1-800-MEDICARE if the new card has not been received.

• Medicare will not make unsolicited calls to beneficiaries to verify personal information, offer a new card, or request information to issue a new card.

• If Medicare beneficiaries have given out their new card number to a suspicious caller or someone online, or they have lost their Medicare card, they should call Medicare to request a new card with a new unique identifier.

If you have any questions or believe you have been a target of Medicare fraud, please call the PA-SMP toll-free at 1-800-356-3606. Help is always free and confidential. You can also visit carie.org for more information.

Even so, scams surrounding the release of the cards have been reported throughout the state. Therefore, people should guard their Medicare unique IDs. For example, in Franklin County a Medicare beneficiary’s spouse received a call from “Linda from Medicare”, asking whether his wife received her new Medicare card. The consumer correctly responded that he wasn’t aware that Medicare would call anyone and asked for her telephone number. The caller hung up when questioned again.

SMP staff have also received reports about a scam where consumers are told that the new Medicare cards should contain a “chip”. Consumers are then asked for personal information so that a card with a chip can be mailed. This is a scam- the new cards do not contain chips.

So, what can people do if their Unique ID number has been compromised? Another benefit of the new Medicare number is that, unlike a person’s social security number, it can be changed if it is compromised. To do so, beneficiaries should contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, and explain that their card number was compromised. After Medicare verifies the caller’s identity, a new card with a new unique ID will be issued.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

17

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center Community Programs - Winter 2019

By Lauren Forster, Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor Jacobsburg Annual Winter Bird Count Saturday, January 12, 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Join us as we spend the day counting birds at Jacobsburg and other places within a 5-mile radius of the Visitor Center.

Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, warm beverages and a lunch. Van transportation available for all day participants.

Participants must drive their own vehicle if they have to leave early. Registration is required.

Family Night: Fish Printing

Introduction to Snowshoeing

Saturday, January 26, at 9:30am to 11:30am Learn how to use snowshoes and trekking poles to explore Jacobsburg’s trails in the winter. You may bring your own equipment or borrow ours. We will also learn how to prepare ourselves for outdoor excursions in the winter time. If we don’t get any snow we’ll hike in our boots with the trekking poles. The hike will be about two miles. Bring water and a snack. Wear waterproof boots and dress for the weather. Registration is required. You will be asked to specify your weight range when registering; this is to determine what size snowshoe you will need.

Friday, January 11 at 6:30pm to 7:30pm Learn the Japanese art of Gyotaku or fish printing. We’ll use paint and model fish to make prints of various Pennsylvania species. We will also study their anatomy and habitat needs to create accurate paintings of fish in the wild. Paper will be provided, but you are welcome to bring a bandana or t-shirt to print on.

It is recommended that you wear old clothes or a smock.

Registration is required.

Snowshoeing for Scouts Saturday, January 26, at 1:00pm to 3:00pm Scouts will learn how to prepare for being outdoors in winter as well as how to use snowshoes. We’ll go for a hike in snowshoes, stopping along the way to talk about winter outdoor scenarios and how to prepare for them. If we don’t get any snow we’ll hike in our boots. The hike will be about two miles. Bring water and a snack. Wear waterproof boots and dress for the weather. Registration is required. You will be asked to specify your weight range when registering; this is to determine what size snowshoe you will need.

Annual Winter Bird Count Saturday, January 16 at 8:00am to 4:00 pm. Join us as we spend the day counting birds at Jacobsburg and other places within a 5-mile radius of the Visitor Center.

Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, warm beverages, and a lunch. Van transportation available for all day participants. Participants must drive their own vehicle if they have to leave early. Registration is required.

Friday, February 1, at 6:30pm to 8:00pm Join us for a movie and craft night.

We will be screening “Raccoon Nation” from the PBS Nature series.

This film investigates whether the increasing complexity of our urban/suburban habitat is advancing the brain development of our raccoon neighbors. Registration is required.

18

Family Night: Raccoon Nation

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

Winter Plant Hike Saturday, February 9 at 10:00am to 12:00pm Join us as we take a walk through the woods and fields of Jacobsburg in search of winter plants that provide food for birds and other animals as well as a few that can be used in a survival situation. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking shoes. If we have snow we will hike in snowshoes! Registration is required.

Winter Tracking

Saturday, February 9 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm Could you tell if a bobcat was in the area?

An owl? Join us as we walk through Jacobsburg in search of animal tracks and signs. Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking shoes. If we have snow we will walk in snowshoes! Registration is required.

Birding at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Saturday, February 23 at 10:00am to 4:00pm Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is a premier birding spots in eastern PA. Join us for this birding tour of Middle Creek as we enjoy the sights and sounds of Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, and other waterfowl. Cackling Geese and the rare Ross’s Goose have been located during previous trips. Bald Eagles and sometimes Golden Eagles have been seen. Dress for the weather and bring a lunch and binoculars. This is a great opportunity for photographers. Meet at the Middle Creek Visitor Center at 10:00AM. Leaders stay until dusk to look for Short-eared Owls and listen for American Woodcocks for those who are interested. Registration is required.

Snowshoes and Hiking Poles Available Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM-2:30 PM Jacobsburg Visitor Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth Borrow snowshoe equipment to use on Jacobsburg’s trails this winter! Snowshoes are available for folks of any age or shoe size, including small children. Snowshoes will not be made available during times of insufficient snow cover, usually at least six inches of snow is required. To borrow equipment, you must provide a driver’s license or other form of state issued identification. For more information call 610746-2801 or email jacobsburgsp@pa.gov. You can check our website for current winter conditions and snow depth.

You can also view and register for community programs online at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/. If you need an accommodation to participate in a program please contact the park office at 610-746-2801 or jacobsburgsp@pa.gov.

With at least three days notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Road Nazareth, PA 18064 (610) 746-2801 dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ JacobsburgEnvironmentalEducationCenter/Pages/default. aspx

Health Benefits of Enjoying Outdoor Winter Activities

• People who are consistently exposed to cold often have speedier metabolisms. Even spending an hour or two outside every day can help you burn more energy, as long as you are doing it consistently.

• Try taking a walk around the block every day or build a snowman with your kids. In addition to the cardio benefits you’ll get from those activities, just being outside in the cold will help you stay slim.

• It can help cure the winter blues. Getting outside and into sunlight can help drive away winter depression.

When the days are shorter and many people feel trapped inside, seeing a little sunlight can work wonders.

• Sunlight causes your body to make vitamin D. Even 15 minutes of sunlight on your face and hands two or three times each week will help you get enough of the vitamin.

• Cold can cause your body to burn fat. Your body likely burns up stored fat when you get cold, according to some preliminary studies. Researchers have discovered that a certain type of fat starts to fuel itself when you get cold by using up regular fat in your body.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

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19

Riddles What 8 letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes a word. Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on doing that until you have one letter left. What is the word?

Word Find Puzzle State Names

David’s father has three sons : Snap, Crackle and _____ ?

Mr. and Mrs. Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?

What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I? They have not flesh, nor feathers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet they have fingers and thumbs of their own. What are they?

A man is found hanging in a room 30 feet off the ground. There is nothing else in the room except for a large puddle of water on the ground. The police can’t see any way the man could have climbed the walls to get to where he is hanging.

How did this man hang himself ?

A man is found murdered on a Sunday morning. His wife calls the police, who question the wife and the staff, and are given the following alibis: the wife says she was sleeping, the butler was cleaning the closet, the gardener was picking vegetables, the maid was getting the mail, and the cook was preparing breakfast.

Immediately, the police arrest the murderer. Who did it and how did the police know?

More Riddles Two convicts are locked in a cell. There is an unbarred window high up in the cell. No matter if they stand on the bed or one on top of the other they can’t reach the window to escape. They then decide to tunnel out. However, they give up with the tunneling because it will take too long. Finally one of the convicts figures out how to escape from the cell. What is his plan?

You are on an island in the middle of a lake. The lake is in a remote part of the country and there has never been a bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Every day a tractor and wagon gives hay rides around the island.

Puzzled as to how the tractor had gotten onto the island, you ask around and find out that the tractor was not transported to the island by boat or by air.

Nor was it built on the island. Explain how the tractor got there.

Answers to the riddles, puzzles, crossword and Wuzzle puzzles are on are on Jane Schiff’s website: janehasthesolution.com

Sudoku

Wuzzles

WUZZLES are word puzzles consisting of combinations of words, letters, figures or symbols positioned to create disguised words, phrases, names, places, sayings etc.

Crossword answer on page 2

Happenings: Events, Groups, Activities & More Submit your Happenings to editor@lifestylesover50.com

Volunteers Needed Phoebe Allentown seeks people to assist with memory support 610-794-5362 jwickel@phoebe.org.

Volunteers: Phoebe’s Spirit Alive: New Spiritual Care program for residents with dementia. Share stories of faith, interact with older adults with dementia, lead group sessions.

Info: Alisha Tatem atatem@ phoebe.org or 610-927-8554 Meals on Wheels Northampton City and Calvary United Methodist provide meals to seniors in Easton area. Janet Soos janets@mealsonwheelspa.org Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County - Teams of 2 deliver in Lehigh County. Drive or ride along. 610-398-2563 or dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc. org.

Compeer of LV- volunteer 4 hrs. a month with a person with mental illness. Listen, go for a walk, watch a movie, enjoy a cup of coffee, etc. Main duty – Have Fun! 610-432-3919 x2261.

Heartland Hospice seeks volunteers to offer bedside support and presence to those facing terminal illness. Training,

Do you have old classic records that you want to sell?

Call Julius Vitali of VINYLALLY HEAR at

610-217-1629 (cell) 610-966-6202 (phone)

Buying classical records and collections

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flex hours. Robin Trexler, Social/Support Groups 610-266-0134 Compassionate Care has a variety ENCORE (female cancer of volunteer opportunities with a support / exercise group) Tues. training and support programs.

6:30-8pm & Fri. 9:15-10:30am.

Carolyn at 610-770-6500.

Allentown YMCA 425 S. Center for Vision Loss seeks 15th St. 610-434-9333, x 313. volunteers to assist blind and allentownymcaywca.org. visually impaired people as companions, drivers and mall walk Vision Loss Support Group helpers. Office assistants and vision for LV residents facing vision screeners are needed. Training loss. First Thurs., 10-11:30 am. provided. 610.433.6018, x.231 610-433-6018 Center for Vision rita.lang@centerforvisionloss.org.

Loss, 845 W. Wyoming St., Allentown.

Drivers: ITNLehighValley provides rides for seniors over AARP Chapter #4150 First 60 and visually impaired adults.

Thurs 12PM Community Drive riders to appointments in Room Lower Macungie Library LV. Requires vehicle, good driving 3450 Brookside Rd. .), Jack record, some free time. Training, Schuon talk about Macungie’s flex schedule 610-419-1645. past. Victor will recall Crises I Lehigh Valley Hospice provides by Paine. Guests welcome. Ice cream and coffee, tea for $1.00 volunteers for individuals who (bag lunch). 610-285-4563 believe that life is a journey.

Discover how enriching it is to AARP #5415 First Thurs. spend meaningful time our patients. 12PM St. Timothy’s Church, Lynn Schiavone 610-402-6054.

140 So. Ott St., Allentown, New Horizons Senior Ctr Narberth Borough Hall, 100 Conway Ave, Narberth, PA Opportunities: Contact Judy Ringold, 610-664-2366. Grocery Shopping Escort: Ride the bus every other Wed. morning. Front Desk Helper: Answer phones, register people for programs, lunch servers, dance instructors for line dancing and Zumba.

Social hour with refreshments at 12, business meeting 1 p.m.

Program: Poet Shirley Binkley.

Guests welcome. Bring nonperishable food for Allentown Food Bank, 610-437-4265

Jordan United Church of Christ, 2nd Sat. 10:30 Like gardening? Rt 309 & Walbert Ave Allentown, peace garden, custom peace sculpture, peace Volunteers Needed for Spirit Alive: pole, worship areas, biblical A New Spiritual Care Program for plant, children’s bed, gazebo, Residents with Dementia, for info: trails. 610-395-2218.

Trina Johnson-Brady,Community Relations Specialist Phoebe St. John’s Friendly Fifties Ministries, Allentown, 610-794will meets Monday, January 5150, tbrady@phoebe.org 14th, at 1:00 in the church’s social hall 1434 Newport Apprise Counselor or Volunteer Avenue, Northampton. If Ombudsman, for info call Northampton schools are (610) 782-3034. delayed or closed due to snow, the meeting will be January 21 Rosary - 11:30, luncheon after.

Prayer and Share Together

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

for Emotional Wholeness, 2nd Mon. Truth for Women, 3400 Bath Pike, Suite 110, Bethlehem. Also meet at Asbury Methodist Church Tuesday after the 2nd Monday.

Both 7-8:30 pm.

Prayer & Share Second Tues, 7-8:30 pm. Emotional wholeness, women’s support group, family struggling with depression, bi-polar, etc. Asbury Methodist Church, Allentown.

610-395-8756.

Parkinson’s Support Group 3rd Wed. St. Luke’s Hospital Allentown 17th and Hamilton St. Refreshments and presentation 6:00 - 7:30 Topics related to PD. 866-STLUKES. LV Military Affairs Council Third Wed, Saucon Manor in Hellertown. 12-1:30pm, 484788-0196, info@lvmac.org, or www.lvmac.org for info.

Men of Retirement Age Club, 4th Wed 1-2:30pm Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Rd, Hanover.

Fogelsville Seniors Meets every Wednesday at 1 at the Fogelsville Fire Company’s Social Hall, 7850 Lime Street, Fogelsville. New members are welcome!

St. John’s Friendly Fifties will have their annual picnic, rain or shine, on Monday, July 9th, from 12noon to 5PM at the 26th Street Playground in Northampton.

Palmer Senior Group Tues 1:30-4:30, meet seniors, play cards, share good times. Charles Chrin Community Ctr Palmer Township 610-252-2098 palmercommunitycenter.org

Lifestyles over 50.com

Happenings: Events, Groups, Activities & More Please note that some groups do not meet in the summer Schnecksville Senior Group Thurs: games and social activities 12 pm. Schnecksville Fire Company Rt 309.

610-769-7570 Transitions and Changes Support Group - 1st Mon 610.664.2366. Support group helps create well-being amid life’s changes. Free private counseling by appt.. 610-6642366 with Joan Niles, LCSW

Exercise Bethlehem YMCA. For info www.ymcabethlehem.org/ or 610 867-7588.

Allentown YMCA. For info allentownymcaywca.org/ 610434-9333. Pgms include Tai Chi, Yoga I, Zumba Gold ThirdStreetAlliance.org.

Easton YMCA. familyymca.org 610.258.6158 Salvation Army Senior Program 610-867-4681. Tues play bridge 10-12; Thurs varied Social Programs at 10:45 a.m.

Senior Activity Program & Lunch at Noon. Salvation Army, 521 Pembroke Road, Bethlehem (seniors 50 & over) 610-867-4681 Women’s A Cappella Chorus Come sing barbershop with us.

Call Angie. 610-730-6711.

Weisenburg Fall Festival Sept 8-9 12-6PM, 4585 Werleys Crner Rd. New Tripoli

Memory Cafes Memory Cafés are for those who have memory concerns and/or their caregivers to talk with others in similar situations; see what others are doing; see about available resources; share experiences with new and old friends in a judgment free space.

4 memory cafés in the Valley –

1 English and 3 Spanish. Free.

Led by professionals from LV Health Network’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Pgm (GWEP), For info visit lvhn.org/GWEP. Schedule January – March Mondays, January 14; February 11; March 11 Lehigh Valley Active Life (Spanish Speaking Session) 1633 Elm St., Allentown, PA 18102 For more information or to RSVP, please contact Luz at 484-633-0844.

Tuesdays, January 15; February 19; March 19 Fleming Memory Center (Spanish Speaking Session) 17th and Chew Sts., Allentown, PA 18102 (inside Lehigh Valley Hospital) For more information or to RSVP, please contact Dalila at 610-969-2241.

Wednesdays, January 23; February 27; March 27 Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (English Speaking Session) 345 Zion’s Church Road, Shoemakersville, PA 19555 For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kim at 484-862-3095.

Fridays, January 11; February 8; March 8 Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley/Centro Hispano (Spanish Speaking Session) 520 East Fourth St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 For more information or to RSVP, please contact Yendira at 484-633-5801.

Caregiver Support Groups

Monthly: 1st Thurs 11am Arden Courts 5151 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown Monthly: 3rd Sat 3:15pm Country Meadows 410 Krocks Rd. Building 3 Fitness Room Allentown Monthly: 3rd Wed 6:30pm

Luther Crest Senior Living Community 800 Hausman Road Allentown Monthly: 2nd Tues 6:00 PM Sacred Heart Hospital Conf.

Room 2AB 421 W. Chew Street Allentown Monthly: 1st Wed 10:30 am Sarah Care Adult Day Care 7010 Snow Drift Rd. #100 Allentown Monthly: Last Monday 6pm Woodland Terrace at Oaks 1263 S. Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown Monthly: 3rd Thur 6:00 pm Saucon Valley Manor 1050 Main St. Hellertown Monthly: 1st Thursday @ 6:00pm Whitehall Manor 1177 6th Street Whitehall To register for the classes and programs below and many more, visit our on-line event calendar at sluhn.org or call St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

Speech and Swallowing Problems with Parkinson’s Disease With Maria Kushner, MSCCSLP, Speech and Language Pathologist Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6 pm. St. Luke’s Dimmig Education Center, First Floor, St. Luke – Allentown Campus, 1736 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Discusses speech and swallowing problems experienced by patients with Parkinson’s. Light refreshments available at 6 pm followed by discussion at 6:30. The talk is free but registration is required.

St. Luke’s Plastic/ Reconstructive Surgery Grand Reopening Thurs, Jan. 17, 5:30-7:30 pm St. Luke, 74 West Broad St., Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA Celebrate the night in white and meet our team. Dress in white is preferred, but not required.

Learn about Globiotics Skincare and Injectables. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and champagne.

Diabetes Community Talk With Thomas Gallagher, DO Thurs, Jan. 17, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Upper Bucks YMCA, 401 Fairview Ave., Quakertown, PA OR Tuesday, Jan. 22, 4-6 pm Upper Perkiomen YMCA, 1399 Quakertown Rd, Pennsburg, PA. St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus offers free community talk on diabetes that includes info about diabetes symptoms, treatments and the seriousness of the disease. Healthy refreshments will be included.

Journaling Our Way Through Alzheimer’s Monday, Jan. 28 and Feb. 25, 10:30 am-12. Center for Spiritual Awakening at Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 W. Hamilton St, Allentown.

Jo-Ellen Darling, whose father is in his sixth year with the disease, leads participants in journaling in a group contest as a way to ground to share these precious experiences in a safe environment. Please bring your journal and pen.

Diabetes and Your Heart Talk With Frank Lombardi, DO Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, 10:4511:45 am. St. Luke’s Fitness and Sports Performance Center, Hillcrest Plaza, 755 Memorial Parkway, Suite 305, Phillipsburg, NJ. Dr. Frank Lombardi will discuss “Diabetes and Your Heart.”

Diabetes and Stroke Intervention with Frank Lombardi, DO, Wed, Mar. 6, 10:45-11:45 am St. Luke’s Fitness and Sports Performance Center, Hillcrest Plaza, 755 Memorial Parkway, Suite 305, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Dr. Frank Lombardi of St. Luke’s Village Medical Center will discuss “Diabetes and Your Heart.”

A Stranger in a Manger

By Alan Allegra

Studies show that the time of year that produces the most babies is summer, with August leading the way. I’m no expert, but I disagree with them.

I believe the most prolific time for babies is the Christmas season. Babies appear everywhere: stores, malls, plazas, family rooms, schools, bars — you name it. They range from life-size to miniature, paper to plastic to cloth to ceramic, incandescent to inflatable. Some of these babies are brandnew, while some are hundreds of years old. All of them have the same parents, the same bed, and the same name.

You know I am referring to the baby Jesus in the crèche, or nativity scene. At Christmas, nativity scenes come out of storage and make their appearance. When the last gingerbread man is eaten, the babies go back in storage to be forgotten as being out-of-season.

What about the real baby Jesus? Where does he go after Christmas?

Christ cannot to be relegated to a decoration or forgotten most of the year. Jesus did not remain a baby, although it seems that baby in the artificial manger never gets older from year-to-year.

But that baby did grow older. As important as that birth was (being born of a virgin doesn’t happen every day [Matthew 1:23]), Jesus did not remain that innocent little babe in a manger: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). He was not put away and was not forgotten: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all” (Luke 4:14–15).

That innocent babe grew up to be an innocent man: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Although — and because — he was sinless, Jesus could die for our sins and give us his righteousness: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We are born, and then we die. Jesus was born as well, but he was born to die. The night before he was betrayed to his killers, Jesus said, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of him” (Matthew 26:24). Why did this innocent-babe-turnedinnocent man have to die when he had done nothing worthy

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of death? “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ was born specifically to die in our place.

We were all born at some point (probably longer ago than we like to think!), but few of us have baby statues on display; our birth is not that noteworthy. Being born once gets us here; however, it does not get us where we should be.

Only a second birth can get us into the kingdom of God. As miraculous as the birth of Christ was, so is the reality of the second birth.

When Nicodemus asked how that can be, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3). One must be born again by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in order to be forgiven of the sins that separate us from God the Father.

Don’t hide Jesus in the closet or attic and forget about him. You can become a part of God’s family, and that’s not just the plastic Joseph and Mary; instead, take in the risen and ascended Jesus and hide him in your heart, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17).

Only then will you be able to “to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)! Don’t make the babe in the manger a year-long stranger!

The Law Office of Gail Weiner Shearer Representing the Senior in Crisis

Learn your rights, and make your own decisions before the crisis.

Hospitalizations, Nursing Home Care, Medical Assistance Applications, Estate Taxes.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

610-867-2538 gws-legal.com

Lifestyles over 50.com

Food For Thought Chef Corey Wood, Hidden Meadows on the Ridge How do you ensure that your meals are nutritionally complete? The foods we eat need to have balance.

Balancing the fats on the plate with vitamin packed vegetables and good carbs like sweet potatoes and grains will ensure that you are getting the nutrition you need for the day. Also, there are ways to use less salt and sugar. A great substitute for salt is to use fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, and parsley. For sugar, I try to use natural sweeteners like honey and agave.

RECIPE: Braised Short Ribs Ingredients:

Corey attended the Restaurant School of Philadelphia. He has experience cooking in hotels and restaurants and has 10 years working in senior living. In his free time he barbecues his favorite recipes for family and friends, and occasionally participates in Iron Chef competitions. He enjoys working with seniors because of the home-like feel of the work environment and freedom to be creative with the menu and cuisine.

• • • • • • •

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 beef short ribs, a splash of red wine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 6 thin slices of bacon - diced 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 carrots - diced 2 shallots, finely minced, 1 medium onion - diced 4 cups beef broth (enough to almost cover the ribs) 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Salt and pepper the ribs, then dredge them in the flour. Set aside.

2. In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until completely crispy and all the fat is rendered.

Remove and set aside. Drain off any excess fat.

3. Add olive oil to the pan with the bacon fat and raise the What are your all-time favorite main dishes, heat to High. Brown the ribs on all sides, about 45 sides and desserts? seconds per side. Remove the ribs and set aside.

My favorite food to cook is 4.

Lower the heat to medium. Add the carrots, comfort food and nothing says shallots and onions to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. comfort food like Southern cooking: Splash in the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan barbecue that has been slow to release all the flavorful bits of glory. Add the broth, cooking all day and homemade sides 1 teaspoon kosher salt and plenty of freshly ground to complete the meal – potato salad black pepper and bring to a boil. Taste and add more and coleslaw are my go-to options. salt if needed. Add the ribs to the liquid; they should The dessert I make most is peanut be almost completely submerged. Add the thyme and butter pie. I have been making it for rosemary sprigs (whole) to the liquid. Finally, add the years, it’s a crowd pleaser and my cooked bacon. kids always ask for it!

5. Put on a lid and transfer to the oven. Cook until the ribs are fork-tender and falling off the bone - 2 to 2 1/2 What makes a meal more appealing to older hours. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to sit people with decreased appetites? for at least 20 minutes with the lid on before serving.

Everyone likes variety and our residents are no At the last minute, skim the fat off the top of the liquid. different. Our community’s menu features a 12-week (You can also refrigerate the mixture, then remove the rotation, so there’s always something new to enjoy! We solid fat from the top.) research magazines for popular recipes and ask residents 6. For each serving arrange 2 ribs on a bed of the grits, or the what they grew up eating and add that to our menus. like, spooning a little juice over the top.

Industry News For Local Professionals Networking, news & more!

HealthNet Wed., Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13 at 12 pm. Traditions of

Hanover Bethlehem, 5300 Northgate Dr., Bethlehem.

Monthly networking group for professionals hosted monthly and features a speaker and time for networking. $5. Jan. program: “What’s New at Miller Keystone Blood”

Lehigh Valley Aging in Place Mixers

Phoebe Ministries Completes Purchase of Rodale Property in Emmaus

Lehigh Valley Senior Expo Vendor Registration is

Lifestyles over 50 Lehigh Valley 2019 Senior Resource Directory is now available, contact editor@lifestylesover50.com to request copies for groups or individuals.

Seeking an independent publisher - Lifestyles over 50 is seeking independent publishers for various regions including Bucks & Montgomery Counties, Northeast PA and other geographic regions. Contact sales@lifestylesover50.com for more information.

Wed., Jan. 16 Heather Glen Breakfast 8-10 AM, 415 Blue Barn Rd, Allentown, PA 18104.

Wed., Feb. 20 Shirley LangBerkshire Hathaway Home Services, 5036 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18106.

Wed. Mar. 20 TBD Aging in Place Coalition (LVAIP) provides an ongoing forum for professionals from private, public and non-profit business sectors to inform, educate and help older adults age in place. lehighvalleyaginginplace.org now open. Event is Thurs May 16, 9 am to 1 pm, Agri-Plex 302 North 17th St., Allentown, PA 18104 lehighvalleyseniorexpo.org

Panera Networking Group

Thursday, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21 at 9 am. Held at Panera in Quakertown on Rt 309. Informal networking group restricted to health care professionals.

The envisioned Chestnut Ridge at Rodale will maintain and enhance the walking and biking trails and green space currently on the campus. They expect to break ground in about 12 months and expect about a 12 month build cycle, so the first tenants could be moving in by late 2020.

Publishers Wanted Lifestyles over 50

Country Meadows of Allentown Networking

TM

Thursday, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21 12 pm. 3rd Thursday of month. Country Meadows of Allentown Networking at Building IV, 410 N Krocks Rd, Allentown 610 395-7160.

RSVP khill@countrymeadows.com.

There are opportunities for you to own your own Lifestyles over 50 magazine, receive training, and support to launch and grow.

Home Instead Senior Care of Lehigh County has moved

Territories are now available including Buxmont and Northeast PA.

to a new location at 2747 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052. Their former address was 3722 Lehigh St. Ste. 408, Whitehall PA 18052.

Lifestylesover50.com

a THRIVEMedia publication

Millbrook Home Care Congratulations to Terry Weber who celebrated one year as the owner in Hellertown.

Devi Adult Day Services recently opened in Bethlehem.

Devi Adult Day Services uses professionals to ensure the best treatment for your loved ones. For more info: deviadultday.com

Seniors Helping Seniors, a nonmedical home care

company with a presence in the Lehigh Valley for over 10 years has moved to a new office at 801 Lehigh Street, 1st floor, Easton, PA 18042.

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855-233-7034 I sales@lifestylesover50.com

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034

Lifestyles over 50.com

Senior Corps RSVP of Lehigh, Northampton & Carbon Counties and several area agencies are working together to help local seniors.

Will You Volunteer to Help?

We all need a little help so we can stay living safely at home.

We all want to stay safely at home as long as possible….but some of us had to give up our driver’s license or we started walking with a cane. Some of us are recuperating from surgery. Some of us can’t get out to visit with friends and our families live miles away. Some of us can no longer cook or shop for ourselves.

So we need a little help - like an occasional ride to the doctor - help with grocery shopping – getting nutritious meals delivered by caring volunteers. Some of us would like a friendly visit once in a while.

If you’re willing and able to help, contact Senior Corps RSVP. Call: 610-625-2290.

Email: RSVPLNC@hotmail.com.

Visit: www.RSVPofLNC.org.

Older Adult Meal A Healthy Meal & A Healthy Lifestyle For Adults age 65 and older

Confused about Senior Care?

You are not alone. If you have a loved one who needs help but you are unsure of your options, how to pay for care or where to start...

Start with us, we can point you in the right direction.

Call the Lifestyles over 50 Care Team at 855-233-7034 Senior living, home care, dementia care, aging in place, Medicare, financial issues and much more!

Call us to guide you.

4847 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18106

Lifestylesover50.com Call Toll Free: 855-233-7034

St. Luke’s Anderson Campus weekdays from 4 – 6 pm St. Luke’s Monroe Campus 7 days from 4 – 6 pm St. Luke’s Warren Campus weekdays from 4 – 6 pm $3.99 dinner includes entree, salad, side, vegetable, dessert and 12 oz. drink.

Please indicate you are ordering the older adult meal to the dietary staff

For more information please contact 1-866-STLUKES.