Lifestyles over 50 March-April 2018 Issue

Lifestyles over 50

™

Encouraging vibrant and healthy living in the greater Lehigh Valley!

FREE - Volume 12 - Issue 6 - Spring 2018

Walking with Purpose Pennsylvania German Easter Lore Senior Discount Golf List Spring Things to Do with Grandkids Games, Puzzles & More!

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestylesover50.com

Lifestyles over 50

TM

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

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Thrive, LLC assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions.

From The Editor

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

Art Villafane

Spring is finally arriving and there is not a person in the Lehigh Valley happier than I. Spring just makes you feel better and more alive. Many of us get out and do some forms of exercise. It is never too late to start or restart a moderate fitness regimen. To that end we have a couple of articles on walking as an exercise and the use of the now popular fitness tracker.

For some in the Valley golf is their preferred choice of exercise. In this issue we include our annual listing of golf courses in the area along with any discounts they offer to seniors (be sure to check with the golf course as there may have been changes to their policies - we do our best to confirm the rates).

A regular ritual for many people is the annual Spring Cleaning. It may surprise some that this ritual is centuries old. I think you will enjoy our article on the German history of spring cleaning. It was a necessary chore that cleansed the house after the long dreary winter.

With Easter upon us we have an interesting article on some of the German traditions surrounding Easter eggs.

It goes into some of the myths and folklore arising from the celebration of the vernal equinox.

Please note that the U. S. government is issuing new Medicare cards. They will begin to be mailed in April 2018 and will have one major difference – a new Medicare ID number, which is not based on your Social Security number. This hopefully will significantly reduce Medicare theft and fraud.

There is a new memory care community in Emmaus.

South Mountain Memory Care designed their building using the best practices and research in dementia care living. Our article describes South Mountain’s philosophy of “small house” design - an attempt to create a comforting, intimate and familiar environment for their residents with memory impairment.

Lastly, if you like to bake or even if you just like sweet desserts you might want to check out our featured recipe prepared by Chef Cheryl Feist of South Mountain Memory Care. Try it, I hope you enjoy it.

Let’s enjoy the coming Spring weather. We deserve it, don’t we?

Peace.

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But she notices four legs instead of two peeking from under the blanket!

Seized by a fit of rage, she reaches for the baseball bat and starts hitting the blanket until the screaming stops.

Still in shock, she lurches to the kitchen to have a drink.

As she enters, she sees her husband there, reading a magazine. “Oh welcome home darling,â€? he says, “my parents came for a visit, so I let them have our bedroom. I hope you said hello.â€? • Husband brings the child home from kindergarten and asks his wife, “He’s been crying the whole way home.

Isn’t he sick or something?â€? “No,â€? replies the wife, “he was just trying to tell you he isn’t our Frankie.â€? • I played our wedding video backwards yesterday. It really cheered me up to see how I take the ring off my wife’s finger, get out of the church and go drinking with my best friends.

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Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Food For Thought South Mountain Memory Care Chef Cheryl Feist

Why do you want to work in a senior living community?

I take great pride in working with the senior population who may no longer live alone and cannot prepare homemade meals any longer so sometimes they resort to prepackaged or frozen foods. Most days you become their personal chef.

How do you modify recipes to make sure they are healthy?

There are so many different options to modify recipes to make them healthier. You can use puree or mashed fruit, pureed beans or soft tofu. I like to revise and do a taste testing with staff before we serve it to our community.

What are the best substitutes for sugar, salt or foods high in saturated fat?

The best substitute for sugar is raw honey, stevia or dates which are high in fiber. The best way to eliminate salt in a recipe is by using low sodium base or natural juices of meats.

I like to use herbs and spices which we will be able to grow ourselves when our gardens are complete in the spring.

What is your approach to making consistently great meals?

I like to give residents a variety of options and an a la carte menu. Also I think it is important to follow recipes so the meals on any given day prepared by many different staff taste the same.

What is your favorite recipe to make for the residents?

My favorite recipe to make is chocolate cake with a peanut butter & ganache icing. It is by far not the healthiest, but everything in moderation!

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Dark Chocolate Cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt, 2 cups sugar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cups hot water (Or 1 cup hot water plus 1 cup hot coffee) 5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped and melted 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted), 2 large eggs 1 teaspoons vanilla extract Peanut Butter Frosting: ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons milk Chocolate Glaze: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons milk 2 teaspoons corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 oz. dark chocolate (chopped), 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted DIRECTIONS: For the Cake: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line and grease two 8-inch pans with parchment circles.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.

Mix together on low speed for 1 minute.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the hot water, melted chocolate, butter, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Add the eggs and whisk quickly until combined so they don’t cook.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all at once. Mix on medium-low speed until all combined, about two minutes.

5. Divide batter equally into prepared pans and bake for 2530 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean.

6. Cool cakes in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

For Peanut Butter Frosting: 1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and peanut on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes.

2. Add rest of ingredients and mix on low speed to combine.

Increase speed to medium and mix until light and fluffy.

3. Fill and frost cake with peanut butter frosting. Chill in refrigerator while making ganache.

For Chocolate Glaze 1. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, milk, corn syrup and vanilla extract and heat over medium heat until butter is melted. Reduce heat to low and store in the chocolate until melted. Remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth. Let glaze cool slightly until it appears to thicken. Pour over the top of frosted cake and allow drizzle as desired. Let glaze set before topping with candy. Serve!

2. Store refrigerated or an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Hawk Mountain

Kids can look for hawks and eagles at the 2,600acre Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. The site near Kempton draws families, hikers and serious bird watchers. Hawk Mountain is one of the best places to spend time outdoors and learn more about hawks, eagles and falcons. Be sure to explore the RaptorPedia to see how many hawks are flying during the migrations.

For more info: hawkmountain.org

Things To Do With Grandkids ImagiNation

An interactive, educational, entertainment experience where children ages 3-12 can role-play over 40 different careers within a realistic, kid-sized community.

Throughout the 5,120 sq. ft. metropolis, children choose professions and are paid with Biznis Bucks for the work they perform. In the ImagiNation economy, they can also pay for entertainment and shopping opportunities, or choose to save or donate their Biznis Bucks to one of our partnering charities. Included in the facility are a bank, creation station, fire & police station, health & dental center, manufacturing & engineering center, media center and more.

For more information go to: imaginationexp.com

Wildlands Conservancy

A tomorrow for conservation is only as secure as the minds we educate to foster it. Whether it’s an inner-city child experiencing a canoe-side view of the Lehigh River, or a mom and daughter keeping an ear out for spring peepers – Wildlands’ program offerings cultivate an appreciation for nature’s gifts by immersing school-age children, as well as community members, Scouts and families, in it.

For more info go to: wildlandspa.org

Easter At Roadside America

Spring is in full bloom beginning April 1st!

The Easter Bunny will have eggs hidden inside the miniature village and the beautiful spring flowers will be back from the frost of winter. Visit any time through the month of April and help us find all the colorful Easter eggs while enjoying the colorful blooms of the season. Running April 1st through April 30th.

For more info go to: roadsideamericainc.com

Lehigh Valley Laser Tag

Here’s an idea for the grandkid’s next birthday party or special event: laser tag. Sit and watch as the your grandchild and friends chase each other and have great fun. Maybe you can get in on the action and do a bit of chasing the kids. The facility also features an arcade.

For more info go to: palasertag.com.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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Studies show that games and puzzles stimulate cognition and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

Please send comments and suggestions to editor@lifestylesover50.com.

1960’s Movie Trivia Quiz

1. Katharine Ross plays a role in all of these movies, except which one?

• Shenandoah • The Singing Nun • Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner • The Graduate

8. Who were the lead actor and actress in the movie “The Music Man”?

• Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette • Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine • Andrew Howard and Glenn Close • Robert Preston and Shirley Jones

2. What genre of films were directed by Sergio Leone?

• Comedy Horror • Romantic Comedy • Spaghetti Western • Pornographic film

9. This is a quote from which movie: “You finally really did it. You maniacs! You blew it up!”?

• Planet of the Apes • On Her Majesty’s Secret Service • The Apartment • 2001 A Space Odyssey Movie Trivia Answers on Page 23

3. Can you recall the name of the 1961 film which was coincidentally the last film made by both Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe?

• The Misfits • Some Like It Hot • Run Silent Run Deep • Let’s Make Love

WordSearch Animals

4. Who directed “Psycho”?

• Paul Greengrass • Orson Welles • Roman Polanski • Alfred Hitchcock 5. Who had a henchman named Oddjob?

• Francisco Scaramanga • Dr. Kananga • James Bond • Auric Goldfinger 6. Who wrote the lyrics to the Oscar winning song “Moon River”, song by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”?

• Danny Williams • Andy Williams • Henry Mancini • Johnny Mercer 7. Who played Captain Virgil Hilts in the 1963 film “The Great Escape”?

• Charles Bronson • James Garner • Steve McQueen • Richard Attenborough

6

Cat Bird Chicken Iguana Fish

Guinea Pig Rat Dog Ferret Hamster

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Lizard Snake Gerbil Turtle Mouse

Sudoku

The objective of Sudoku is to enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, so each horizontal row contains each digit once, and each column contains each digit exactly once.

Medium

Difficult

Sudoku Answers

Medium

Difficult

Answer on page 23

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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Pennsylvania German Easter Lore

By Sarajane Williams

In addition to its religious tenor, Easter time conjures up images of brightly colored eggs, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and pastel foil-wrapped chocolate candy in baskets, delivered by the Easter Bunny. But before you bite off the head of that chocolate bunny, let’s take a moment to consider where our Easter and Lenten traditions originated.

morning. The eggs’ colors were derived by boiling the eggs in Prior to the European Medieval period, Germanic Anglo- water with onion skins, roots, indigo, wheat or various types of bark. Traditional designs such as hearts, tulips, butterflies and Saxon tribes celebrated the return of the light during the distelfinks were scratched on the vernal equinox (March 20).

Eastre (also Ostara), goddess of “While some of these customs may seem like colored shells. Some other early the radiant dawn, rebirth, fertility silly superstitions, ritual acts often provided a traditions included crafting egg sense of security during difficult times, when trees and making saffron nests. and spring and her companion the settlers were totally dependent on the Edible bunnies, made of pastry hare, were worshiped during weather, their soil and toil, and their faith.” and sugar, didn’t appear on the the annual festivals with joyful scene until after the 1800s, and dance, while bonfires illuminated chocolate bunnies were produced around 1890, when those goddess-like maidens, dressed in white, and offerings of food traditions began in Germany.

In Western Christianity Ash and drink were presented.

Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of forty days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. On Ash Wednesday in Renowned for fertility, it is little wonder that Eastre’s companion would be a hare. Nocturnal for most of the year, the Pennsylvania German villages, the last child to get out of the hare or jackrabbit springs to life when the March mating bed was called, throughout the day, an escha-puddel or ash pile.

On that day, ashes were also sprinkled on livestock to promote season begins. The hare, in contrast to cottontail rabbits good health. which bear their young underground, typically delivers her large litter of fully-furred, wide-eyed leverets in a shallow nest of grass in the spring. According to legend, Eastre found a wounded bird during the late winter. She saved its life by changing it into a hare, however it still had the ability to lay eggs. The hare decorated the eggs and left them as gifts of appreciation for Eastre.

In order to win converts, early Christian missionaries were wise to pair the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ with the festival for Eastre. The Christians portrayed Eastre’s eggs as a symbol of Christ’s empty tomb and the resurrection. In 325 A.D., The First Council of Nicaea established that ‘Easter’ would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. Both of the spring celebrations, which symbolized rebirth and rejuvenation, occurred at a time when Mother Nature provided a lush backdrop of green meadows, dandelion, pussy willows, daffodils, lilies, tulips, hyacinths and forsythia. Christian Easter traditions are also calendrically and symbolically linked to the Jewish Passover, with Christ portrayed as a sacrificial lamb.

In the late 1600s, Lutheran Pennsylvania German settlers brought the Oschderhaas (Easter Hare) tradition with them to the New World. On the night before Easter, a child would use a bonnet or hat to make a nest that would be placed in a secluded spot in the garden, home or barn.

If his or her behavior had been good, a reward of colored eggs (Oschdereier) would be found in the nest on Easter

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Allentown 5151 Hamilton Boulevard Allentown, PA 18106 610.366.9010

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Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Palm Sunday was the day to hunt for tender dandelion shoots. Large leaves or plants with flowers were never chosen because they were deemed to be bitter. It was a laborious chore to soak and clean each of the leaves, but when the dandelion was smothered with hot bacon dressing on Maundy Thursday and Easter, the effort was well worth it.

Three days before Easter, on Maundy Thursday or Griener Dunnerschdawg (Green Thursday), greens like dandelion, endive, cabbage, alfalfa, clover or turnip tops were eaten to bring good health. If you didn’t, you risked developing “the itch” or a fever. Mowing grass on this day would ensure that it would grow well and if cabbage and clover seed were not planted, the harvest later in the year would be in jeopardy. It was also said that speckled chickens would be hatched from eggs laid on Griener Dunnerschdawg The Pennsylvania Germans believed that it would always rain, even if only a few drops, on Karfreidawg (Good Friday). No baking was allowed, only primary chores could be performed and gardening was forbidden until after Easter.

However, one important chore for the day, to prevent a lightning strike, was to place an egg in a crock in the attic.

On Easter Sunday, an egg laid on Maundy Thursday was eaten to avoid a fever. Good health could be expected for the following year, if one drank water from the shell of an egg that was laid on Good Friday.

While some of these customs may seem like silly superstitions, ritual acts often provided a sense of security during difficult times, when the settlers were totally dependent on the weather, their soil and toil, and their faith.

However the Pennsylvania Germans were very practical, as well. The Easter ham tradition, probably began with the bountiful feast and celebration of the end of the long, cold winter season, during which stored root vegetables and cured foods were eaten sparingly so that supplies would last. Easter would mark the beginning of a season that provided fresh game and nutritious, green plants.

Savory ham, served with potatoes, fresh dandelion with hot bacon dressing, asparagus and pickled red beet eggs, followed by homemade potato candy, chocolate-covered coconut and chocolate-covered peanut-butter eggs, makes a traditional meal that is still served for Easter dinner in many local kitchens, and is fitting for a goddess.

Sarajane Williams is president of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society (LMTHistory.org). Free educational programs are on the calendar of Events page.

Camp Olympic Barn, 3120 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus.

Sundays 1-4 or by appointment (excluding holidays) free.

Colonoscopy Saves Lives

By Mary DeHaven, St. Luke’s University Health Network Reduce Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. In fact, according to cancer.net, the average age at the time of diagnosis for men is 68 and for women is 72. For rectal cancer, it is age 63 for both men and women. Older patients who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer face unique challenges, specifically with regard to cancer treatment. But, fortunately, colonoscopy can help reduce your risk.

“Colonoscopy saves lives in two ways,” says gastroenterologist Loveleen Sidhu, MD. “First, should cancer be present, colonoscopy helps us to detect the disease in its earliest stages when treatment is more effective.

Second, colonoscopy enables us to identify and remove precancerous growths, called polyps, consequently preventing the cancer from ever developing.” A polyp is a small clump of cells on the inner wall of the colon and rectum commonly found in adults over 50. While most are harmless, some can develop into colon cancer.

During a colonoscopy, a physician uses a thin, flexible tube equipped with a video camera to look into the patient’s colon. The camera projects pictures onto a screen of the inside of inside of colon and enables the doctor to remove polyps and abnormal growths. The procedure usually last about 30 minutes and patients usually receive anesthesia. A day or so before the procedure, the patient is provided with very strong laxatives to clean out the colon.

Even though it has been shown that colonoscopy saves lives, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a third of adults aged 50 to 75 years have not been tested for colorectal cancer.

“If we could persuade more people to get a colonoscopy, just think of the needless suffering we could prevent,” says Dr. Sidhu. He suggests that individuals get a screening colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50. Should polyps be found, colonoscopy should be repeated sooner.

He also recommends the procedure at a younger age, or more frequently, should the patient have: • A personal history of colorectal cancer • A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) • A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps • A known family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome If you are over 50 and have not had a colonoscopy talk to your family doctor. To schedule a colonoscopy, call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

9

A Clean House Means Peace of Mind: A History of Spring Cleaning

By Vicki Bezems, Lifestyles over 50

The first signs of spring create excitement in the Lehigh Valley and throughout the Northeast. After four months or more of staying inside because of cold, snow and rain, we can hardly wait to breathe fresh air, feel the sun on our faces and shed our heavy coats and boots. But before we can enjoy the cool grass under bare feet and sip lemonade under the oak tree, we face that centuries-old ritual that’s as sure as anything: spring cleaning.

Taking the house apart to give it a thorough cleaning in spring is a centuries-old tradition which not only rose out of necessity, but also had its origins in religion, culture and our biochemical make-up. In the days before electricity and clean heating methods, everything in the house was covered with soot from coal heaters, oil lamps and candles by the end of winter. It would have been unthinkable not to open up the doors and windows, wipe down the furniture and the walls, and take the linens and carpets outside to air.

The Pennsylvania Dutch are well-steeped in these practices. Their standard for cleanliness came from their German ancestors, who are said to be the “cleanest people in the world, next to the Swiss (who are actually extreme Germans).” Johann Wolfgang Goethe, nineteenth century German writer and philosopher, said, “Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.”

Twentieth century German philosopher Otto Friedrich Bollnow once said: “’When the tradesman has straightened his shop, when the housewife has put the whole house into clean and shining condition and has even swept the street in front of the house ... then a deep warm feeling of resting settles down over the people.’” 1 In other words, cleanliness equates to peace of mind.

In some parts of Germany, spring cleaning is known as “Kehrwoche,” (sweeping week). Residents in apartment buildings are each assigned a particular week during which they are responsible for cleaning the building’s steps, cellars and sidewalks. Everyone is enthusiastically dutiful about keeping the schedule.

Clean laundry is paramount in German culture. It was in Germany that the wise old saying, “You should always wear clean underwear because you might get into an accident and end up in the hospital,” originated.

Even the beer has to meet the standards of the German Purity Law (Germany Purity Law).

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Sarajane Williams, President of the Lower Macungie Historical Society, comes from six generations of Pennsylvania Dutch. Sarajane remembers her mother, who spoke Pennsylvania Dutch before she spoke English, always wearing an apron. During spring cleaning, the family stripped the beds, wiped the walls, and washed the windows with white vinegar and crumpled newspaper. They cleaned out closets and took the rugs outside to hang them and beat the dust out of them. She remembers washing and ironing the curtains or hanging them outside in the sun.

In spring, the Pennsylvanian Dutch clean more than just the house. They also refresh the soil for planting, and they eat dandelion greens, wilted with hot bacon dressing, to clean the liver.

Spring cleaning is linked historically to religious traditions in Catholicism, Judaism, and other faiths. The Catholic church cleans the altar on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. The Orthodox Greek has a traditional house cleaning period, called “Clean Week”, during Great Lent. The Jewish tradition is to search the house and remove all traces of leaven, or chametz, from the house, leading to a general, thorough cleaning, just before Passover. Iran still continues the Persian New Year practice of “shaking the house” on the first day of Spring, while the Chinese often prepare for Chinese New Year by cleaning their homes. The Scottish practice the Hogmanay tradition of a new year cleaning on January first. Even though mid-winter might not seem like the best time to open the doors and start giving the home a good dusting, the Scots have never let a little bad weather get in the way of anything. This New Year’s tradition extends to Australia and New Zealand, where there Scottish ancestry is a common thread for many.

During the cold of winter humans produce more melatonin, which can lead us to feel less motivated and generally lazier. But when the days get longer and warmer, we usually feel a surge of energy which leads us to tackle projects around the house, like spring cleaning. Spring is officially around the corner. Are you ready for spring cleaning?

Sources: 1 Deutsche Well: dw.com/en/germans-andhygiene/a-16459423 2 Apartment Therapy: apartmenttherapy.com/a-quickhistory-of-spring-cleaning-230072

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Diabetes and Heart Disease: An Unhealthy Relationship Mary DeHaven, St. Luke’s University Health Network

Diabetes, which is prevalent among older adults, significantly increases one’s risk of developing heart and vascular disease, including stroke. In fact, about two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes actually die from complications of cardiovascular disease. “If you have diabetes, your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke is the same as someone who has already had a heart attack,” says Bankim Bhatt, MD, chief of endocrinology, St. Luke’s University Heart Network.

“In fact, people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people without diabetes.”

Dr. Bhatt is leading an educational program at St. Luke’s to raise awareness about connection between diabetes and heart disease. The program, For Your SweetHeart: Where Diabetes and Heart Disease Meet, urges individuals to talk to their doctors about diabetes and encourages people to talk with their loved ones who they believe might have – or be at risk for developing – diabetes. St. Luke’s is working in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, which developed the national For Your SweetHeart campaign.

One’s risk of developing diabetes increases with age.

In fact, for adults age 65 and older, about one in four have

diabetes, according to the 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Diabetes Statistics Report.

The report states that of an estimated 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in 2015 among adults in the United States. More than half were among people aged 45 to 65 with the percentage of men and women being about equal. About 17 percent of people 45-64 have diabetes.

“Although diabetes is irreversible, patients can manage their diabetes by eating right and exercising regularly,” Dr. Bhatt says. “I tell my patients that everyone is capable of exercise. All they need is a good pair of sneakers to start walking.”

The report found that as of 2015, 30.3 million Americans – 9.4 percent of the U.S. population – had diabetes. Another 84.1 million have pre-diabetes, a condition that if not treated often leads to type 2 diabetes within five years. Both nationally, and here in the Lehigh Valley, diabetes and obesity, which usually accompanies the disease, are leading health concerns. Unfortunately, the incidence of diabetes and prediabetes is growing quickly.

“The good news is that people with pre-diabetes, meaning they have elevated blood glucose, can stop the condition from developing into diabetes,” Dr. Bhatt adds. “By eating healthy food, losing weight even a small amount of weight, and being physically active, you can bring your blood glucose level back to the normal range.”

Caregivers of Lehigh & Northampton Counties, get additional support through the Caregiver Support Program!

Contact Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services at 610-782-3200 or Northampton County Area Agency on Aging at 610-829-4540 for more information: • Care receiver is age 60 or older, or is under age 60 with diagnosis of dementia.

• Household income is at or below $62,548 for 2 people or $46,132 for 1 person; cost sharing is based on the total number of people in the household and total household income • Care receiver has a need for a caregiver and the program does not replace the role of the caregiver • Caregivers receive reimbursement for their out-of-pocket caregiving expenses.

What you can receive: Financial assistance through a cost-sharing approach where families may be eligible for some reimbursement to help with out-of-pocket expenses for respite care, home care services, and consumables and supplies, such as adult disposable products, bed pads, and other supplies. CSP cannot reimburse for any prescriptions and/or pharmaceutical items.

Home Modifications such as building a ramp or modifying the bathroom to make the home more livable for the frail, elderly care receiver through a one-time grant up to $2,000 for those who qualify.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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How Many Steps Did You Take Today?

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50

Inactivity can lead to a number of health and personal issues, including weight gain, onset of chronic and acute illness and even low productivity in work and daily life.

Constant activity can prevent and may even reverse many of these issues. Moving around – by walking, running, even fidgeting in your seat, can help boost a person’s overall health.

Fitness trackers are one popular way to keep track of your progress. Depending on the tracker, wearers can track steps, calories, distance traveled, caloric intake, and even heart rate and sleep. Some even offer GPS tracking to map your distance and pace.

Personal Accountability

Fitness trackers track your goals and your progress, psychologically encouraging you to walk more steps than you did yesterday, to sustain that peak heart rate for just a little longer. Research shows that wearing a fitness tracker – even if it’s just a basic pedometer! – can increase a user’s activity levels by 30 percent!

Individually Tailored Goals

Most fitness trackers have workouts, tips, and realistic goals you can set for yourself. It puts you in charge of your fitness and health.

Financial Motivation

Many models of fitness trackers are retail-priced at over $100. This is part of that psychological encouragement. If you’re dropping the cash for it, you might as well use it.

Up-to-date Weight Loss Tool

to your health.

Tracking it can help guide you toward better health.

Local Fitness Organizations

Women’s Workshop If you are not a regular walker or runner, First Strides, for women only, can help you learn to safely embark on a regular fitness routine. The 12-week workshop teaches training principals, injury prevention and other tips; each week you will walk or run farther. For info: firststrides.wordpress.com.

Get Out! The Lehigh Valley Health Network is a consortium of hospitals, health centers, clinics and physicians in the Lehigh Valley. Get Out! is a healthy outdoor activity program. Walks usually range from 1 to 3 miles and last for a few hours.

Meetups You can find people with similar goals in some of the Meetup groups in the Lehigh Valley. Search the Internet at meetup.com.

Lehigh Valley Road Runners Promotes running and walking in the greater LV area.

Over 400 members who participate and volunteer at club races and events. For more info: lvrr.org.

Get Your Tail on the Trail A continuous 165-mile multi-use D&L Trail that stretches from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, PA. The free program aims to help people of all ages and abilities to meet their personal fitness goals through day-to-day challenges, public events, and incentives. For more info: tailonthetrail.org

Seeing your activity levels, noticing whether you are in the correct heart rate zone and comparing your weight on the scale after a few weeks can determine whether or not you’re on the right track to your desired weight.

Group Dynamic

Many people also enjoy the benefits of posting their activities on social media. That in itself can motivate you to keep fit.

Painless Record-keeping

Most trackers will automatically sync tracking activity via Bluetooth to your smart phone.

Some trackers have the option of being manually plugged into a computer via USB to upload information. Sleep too! – Some fitness trackers can determine the quality of your sleep based on your movement during sleep. Sleep is important

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Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Walk with Purpose! Walking for Weight Loss, Fitness, Cardio

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50

Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay physically fit. It can be done indoors (many malls and public buildings offer walking routes) or outdoors.

• Before starting a walking program, check with your doctor if you have a chronic medical condition, or if you have had a recent injury. You can still walk as exercise, just follow your doctor’s advice.

• Invest in good shoes. Since these are the only expense and equipment you’ll need, pay attention to the fit and quality of your shoes. Shoes should fit when you try them on without any areas of pinching or pressure that could cause blisters or calluses. Wear the type of socks you’ll wear when walking.

• Always warm up by walking at a slow or normal walking pace for five minutes before picking up the tempo of your workout.

• Pay attention to your heart rate and breathing. Walk at a pace that challenges you and elevates your heart rate, but don’t overdo. You should be able to talk and carry on a conversation while you are exercising; if you can’t, you may be working too hard.

• Use good walking posture. Swing your arms. Keep your head up, back straight, and abdomen flat. Point your toes straight ahead. Take long strides, but don’t strain.

• Consider getting a pedometer or tracker like a Fitbit to track the distance you’ve walked or the number of steps you’ve taken. Watching your improvement over time is a terrific source of motivation.

• Be sure to carry water if you’re walking long distances or are exercising in hot weather. In very hot weather you may need fitness drinks or other sources of electrolytes as well. Be mindful of the sugar and calorie content of some of these drinks.

• In the heat of summer, don’t forget to wear a hat with a brim and to apply sunscreen to exposed areas.

• Vary your route if you’re getting bored. To increase your fitness, add a route with some hills or changes in terrain, or alternate routes on different days of the week. Keep your workout interesting.

• Use the buddy system. Many people walk with a buddy or in groups for support and motivation.

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

Living With Vision Loss?

We’ve got you covered!

Schedule a Low Vision Exam with our Low Vision Specialist, Dr. Anthony Silvetti, OD Shop in our Low Vision Aids Store

Two Offices to Serve You Better In the Lehigh Valley 610-433-6018 In Monroe County 570-992-7787 CenterForVisionLoss.org

Facebook.com/lowvision845

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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Five Real Estate Terms You Need to Know

By Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS, CMRS

“In almost 40 years in real estate one of the most important things that I have learned is to have clear communication with clients and not to assume that we are all speaking the same language.” Below are the five real estate terms that Elissa reviews with her clients to ensure clear communication and the best possible outcome:

Good Faith Estimate

A frequent stress point where clients get caught in the crosshairs of the sometimes inevitable is the Good Faith Estimate. Most clients see this number as what they’ll need to close. However, make sure you pay attention to the last word in Good Faith Estimate. These “estimates” can vary drastically when it comes to closing time. You should probably save a bit more to make sure the deal doesn’t fall apart at the end of the road.

Preapproval

A preapproval is just that — a preapproval. Too often clients think that their preapproval is as good as money in hand. And yes, it does give you permission to shop, but you need to be aware that changes in your habits or the market can affect your ability to close. Yes, most people (hopefully) know not to buy a car while shopping for a home. You need to understand that you don’t have the loan until you have closed, and that means both being conservative with your credit and time.

Specializing in working with Seniors

The “Comp”

On the seller’s side, the most common catchphrase that can trip you up is the almighty “comp.” A “comp” is a comparable property; and yes, they are helpful when it comes to pricing. However, you need to understand the difference between the “comp” and a comparative market analysis (CMA). Your CMA takes into account a number of factors, and if your agent does not take the time to explain them properly, you might lean on sites like Trulia or Google as an authority for pricing advice. When I recommend a pricing strategy, I show you what road I traveled to get there. We are much more likely to reach an agreement on price if you see the process and how it affects price.

MLS - Multi Listing Service

To many people the MLS is a magic place where properties go to get sold. But there is much, much more that goes into marketing. I make sure you understand what a multiple listing service is. I show you how it fits into an overall marketing plan. This has two major benefits. First, it gives you a good idea as to your property’s value. Second, you get to see all of the resources and tools I use to move your home.

Agent

The fact is that most people hire an agent without having a clue as to what agents actually do. There’s a lot of conversation around whether or not agents earn their commissions. That is why I show you things like the marketing plan, positive recommendations and reviews, and other resources that break down what I do to ensure a satisfactory outcome.

Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS is a licensed Realtor with Weichert Realtors and has over 30 years of experience in real estate.

Elissa specializes in helping boomers and seniors achieve their goals in their next step in life. Call her at 610-573-0386.

Better sleep, health & energy - At home sleep studies - No more CPAP - Stop Snoring - Medical billing - Simple process

Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS, CMRS 610-573-0386 elissaclaus@gmail.com

Located in Mountainville Dental

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

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2004 South 5th Street Allentown, PA 18103

(610) 791-2307

Dr. Dave Burt DDS DentalSleepMedicineLV.com mountainvilledental

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Flash Those Pearly Whites How to Get a Brighter Smile

By Dave Burt, Mountainville Dental

Most people really don’t know why their teeth become more yellow with age and are frustrated with a smile which doesn’t have that pizzazz nymore.

There are many factors that can create a dingy yellow smile, including medications early in life, tobacco and even some foods and drink. But the real culprit is Father Time because the dentin underneath the enamel of our teeth darkens as part of the aging process.

Most tooth whitening products contain peroxides that actually pass through the enamel and lighten the dentin inside. When used over time, they can change the shade of teeth to resemble what you had when you were 10 years old.

Or push your teeth to a whiteness they never had before! The chemicals work on all teeth but the degree of whitening can vary from person to person. So what kind of system do you pick to get the pearly whites back? There are three basic types of treatments.

• The first type you can buy at a store and are plastic strips coated with the peroxides. The strips are placed on the teeth. Usually this type contains enough for about 10 applications.

• The second is a take home system from your dentist.

The strength of the whitening agents can be higher than the store bought and you usually get more material to work with for more applications. Along with that, the trays are custom fabricated by your dentist to fit only you and are usable for a very long time.

• The third type is in office treatments done by your dentist. These are the most expensive usually since they require time in the dental chair. All the treatments work, but the more expensive types tend to be quicker and achieve better results.

There is no known permanent side effects and no age limit established as to when one can start treatment, but generally, it is not recommended for children and early teens. Temporary side effects are sensitivity to cold and gum irritation, but these are usually resolved by shortening the treatment time or stopping treatment for a day or two. Teeth whitening is a wonderful and conservative approach to taking years off your look and is easy and affordable.

Dr. Dave Burt has been practicing dentistry for more than 38 years in the Lehigh Valley and owns Mountainville Dental in Allentown.

Free Help to Have Questions Answered About Senior Care Betsy called and she was frustrated and concerned for her husband of 47 years. He was becoming forgetful and the daily tasks of caring for him was taking its toll on her health too.

Her worry was also about physically helping him around their three story row home in Emmaus as well as uncertain about their financial ability to fund care. Tired, concerned and in need of help Betsy called the Lifestyles over 50 Care Team.

The Lifestyles over 50 Care Team is now available to answer your questions about your situation and help connect you with the resources and the services that you need. For 12 years Lifestyles over 50 has worked intimately with senior business across the Lehigh Valley; government agencies and programs, senior living communities, home care agencies, memory care professionals, elder law attorneys, and many other experts.

Call toll free 855-234-7034 to confidentially discuss your situation. You will be connected with professionals who can directly address your circumstance. The call is free. They are able to answer some basic questions and put you in touch with a professional who is best able to address your situation.

Meet Jill

Avid volunteer. Vibrant woman.

Traditions of Hanover resident.

Traditions of Hanover encourages seniors, like Jill, to maintain a happy, healthy and socially engaged lifestyle.

Learn more about “the easy life” by calling Jennifer at 610-628-1339!

www.traditionsofhanover.com

Affordable All-Inclusive Monthly Rent • No Buy-ins FULL KITCHENS • MEALS • HOUSEKEEPING • SOCIAL EVENTS • TRANSPORTATION

5300 Northgate Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

15

New Medicare Card

By Rebecca Nurick, Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) New Medicare ID cards are coming, and people with Medicare in Pennsylvania will be among the first to receive them! The new cards will begin to be mailed in April 2018 and will have one major difference – a new Medicare ID number, which is not based on your Social Security number.

To curtail identity theft and Medicare fraud, Social Security numbers will be replaced by a random, 11-digit number that is unique to you. The new cards will be automatically sent to you in the mail by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

If you have moved, make sure to update your address with Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or online with Social Security at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Tips to Remember: • In Pennsylvania, the new Medicare cards will be mailed starting in April 2018. Mailing everyone a new card will take some time so you may not receive your new card at the same time as your friends and neighbors.

• You do not need to do anything! This change will be automatic. If someone calls you and says they need to confirm your identity, or your Medicare number, or that they need to “register” you for a new card, it’s a SCAM. Medicare and Social Security will not call you.

Do not give out your personal information. If you get a call from someone and you’re just not sure, hang up and call Medicare.

• Your benefits will stay the same. The new Medicare cards will not change your coverage, and may be used upon receipt. When you receive your new card, please shred the old one.

• There is no charge for the new card. The card is free.

No one should tell you there is a one-time fee, or that you will lose benefits if you don’t pay a fee or answer their questions.

Senior Humor • Question: Why do retirees smile all the time?

Answer: Because they can’t hear a word you’re saying!

• Question: When is a retiree’s bedtime?

Answer: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.

• Question: Why don’t retirees mind being called seniors?

Answer: The term comes with a 10 percent discount.

• Question: How do you know you’re old enough to retire?

Answer: Instead of lying about your age, you brag about it!

A reporter was interviewing a 103-year-old woman: “And what do you think is the best thing about being 103?” the reporter asked.

She simply replied, “No peer pressure.”

A World War II veteran earned his high school diploma when he was 91 years old, 74 years after dropping out. When asked what happens next, he said: “College girls.”

Hey, retired guy, how many days are there in a week?

Retiree’s answer: Six Saturdays and one Sunday.

How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb?

Only one, but it will take 2 or 3 days to complete the job.

If you have questions, or suspect Medicare fraud, please contact the Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol (PA-SMP) at the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) at 1-800-356-3606 or visit www.carie.org.

CARIE’s services are always free and confidential.

For more information about the new Medicare cards, please visit: www.cms.gov/newcard.

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Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Senior Golf Discount List

Although no one likes getting older, for the golfer the game becomes less expensive as you mature. We compiled a list of local golf courses, the age that they consider you officially to be a “senior”, and the senior greens fees.

Please note that rates were taken off the courses’ websites (weekday, walk only, some may include cart). Rates are subject to change and we included phone numbers to call and confirm pricing and details.

Golf Course Allentown Municipal Course 60+ senior rate The Club at Morgan Hill 60+ senior rate Bethlehem Golf Club 62+ senior rate Green Pond Country Club 62+ senior rate Iron Lakes Country Club 60+ senior rate Olde Homestead Golf Club 60+ senior rate Riverview Country Club 60+ senior rate Southmoore Golf Course 62+ senior rate Whitetail Golf Club 62+ senior rate

Address

Fee

3400 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104 allentowngolf.org 610-395-9926 100 Clubhouse Drive, Easton, PA 18042 theclubatmorganhill.com 610-923-8480 400 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017 bethlehemgc.com 610-691-9393

$19 to walk, $35 to ride

3604 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020 greenpondcc.com 610-691-9453 3625 Shankweiler Road, Allentown, PA 18104 ironlakescountryclub.com 610-395-3369 6598 Route 309, New Tripoli, PA 18066 oldehomesteadgolfclub.com 610-298-4653 1 Riverview Place, Easton, PA 18040 riverviewcountryclub.com 610-559-9700 235 Moorestown Drive, Bath, PA 18014 southmooregolf.com 610-837-7200 2679 Klein Road, Bath, PA 18014 whitetailgolfclub.com 610-837-9626

$28 to walk, $36 to ride

$35 to walk $23 non-resident, $20 resident both walking rates

$18 to walk, $28 to ride

$27 to walk, $37 to ride $30 to ride $21 to walk, $37 to ride $15 to walk

Support to Caregivers of the Lehigh Valley

By Heather Strohm from Lehigh County Aging & Adult Services Caregiving is a true act of compassion. The rewards of caring for someone you love really are unmeasurable.

However, along with this, we cannot dismiss the emotional and financial stressors which can be very overwhelming without the right support. To maintain the confidentiality of the caregiver and care receiver, we have altered the names of the participants.

As a Lehigh Valley resident, Frederick has been utilizing the Caregiver Support Program to help care for his wife, Carol. Carol was diagnosed with dementia several years ago and is no longer verbal.

When asked about his caregiving experience, Frederick said “It’s like Groundhog Day,” referring to how each day is exactly the same as the day before. “What helps me out is the person coming in three times per week to bathe her and do the laundry. It gives me the time on my own to break the routine,” Frederick states, referring to the home care aides he is able to hire and be reimbursed for through Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services’ Caregiver Support Program.

Northampton County Area Agency on Aging also offers the same assistance to their caregivers through this program.

Caregivers, you are not alone. According to a study through AARP, there were 40 million caregivers nationwide in 2013. With the annual growth of those turning age 60, we can assume an increase in 2018. Additionally, these 40 million unpaid informal caregivers provided about 37 billion hours of care [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015).

Caregiving in the U.S.]. And in 2016, another study showed that, on average, caregivers spend close to $7000 annually, out of pocket, to care for their spouse, parent or other family member [AARP Research. (2016). Family Caregiving and Out-of-Pocket Costs: 2016 Report].

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recognizes all caregiving efforts as a true value to our community and our seniors. Caregivers in both Lehigh and Northampton Counties may be able to benefit from the Caregiver Support Program, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

The Caregiver Support Program aims to reduce stress on primary, informal unpaid caregivers, by providing benefit and resource counseling and financial assistance through a cost share approach. A care manager is there to direct the caregiver to the right supports, especially as care needs change.

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Frederick expressed that he is considering sending his wife to an Adult Day Center. With Carol being non-verbal, he states that “the most difficult part is not being able to converse with her”. Frederick feels that an Adult Day Center will help to keep his wife more stimulated than he is able to do at this time, while also giving him a much needed break. As part of the resource counseling benefit of this program, he spoke with his aging care manager to get a list of Adult Day Centers in the area.

Through the Caregiver Support Program, caregivers may be eligible for some monthly reimbursement to help with out-ofpocket expenses for respite care, services through a home care agency, and consumables and supplies, such as adult disposable products, bed pads, and other supplies.

Home Modifications such as building a ramp or modifying the bathroom to make the home more livable for the frail, elderly care receiver may also be reimbursable through this program, with a lifetime grant up to $2,000.

To qualify, the care receiver must be age 60 or over, or under age 60 with a diagnosis of dementia, and have a regular caregiver. This is a cost sharing program based on total number of people in the household and total household income. Caregivers receive a cost-share reimbursement for their own out-of-pocket caregiving expenses.

Lehigh County residents can contact the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services at 610-782-3200 or Northampton County residents can contact Northampton County Area Agency on Aging at 610-829-4540 to inquire about the program and apply for assistance.

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.

610-867-2538 gws-legal.com

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

“Small House” Design Nurtures Residents with Dementia

By Vicki Bezems, Lifestyles over 50

Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is challenging. In addition to the emotional difficulty of seeing a loved one struggle cognitively, there are marked differences in how one’s life, activities and environment must adapt to accommodate their needs.

Dementia experts encourage families not to mourn what is lost, but to hold on to the life that remains.

This is the philosophy of South Mountain Memory Care, a personal care home specifically designed for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Nestled in the quaint neighborhood of Emmaus at the foot of South Mountain, South Mountain Memory Care (SMMC) was designed for excellence in residents’ care.

The new building just opened with facilities, amenities and programming for those with cognitive challenges. Below are the features of the community:

“Small House” Design

SMMC was designed using the “small house” model that has been found to be the most successful environment in providing a sense of home, connectedness and ultimately, resident happiness. Research indicates that residents in small house communities were significantly more socially engaged and displayed few non-aggressive behaviors, such as wandering, than residents in larger, traditional settings. Small house features also include: • Separate bedroom suites with clear paths from bedroom to bathroom • Abundance of natural light • Wayfinding and orientation with the use of colors, aroma therapy and artwork, including views to the outdoors that promotes use of exterior spaces and walking.

• Safety and security - not only is it important for residents to be safe and secure they must perceive themselves to be safe and secure. This can be achieved with restricted window openings and secure garden fences. Secure outdoor spaces give people with dementia a secure place to go outside and helps reduce elopement attempts because residents no longer feel enclosed.

• Consistent staff assignments with the same staff assigned to the same house at the same time in order to foster a sense of familiarity, an ability to truly know each individual and cater to their needs.

• Smaller, intimate gathering places for those residents who feel overwhelmed by larger crowds.

The design and layout of SMMC minimizes overstimulation as many residents become overwhelmed by large groups and spaces and can be susceptible to confusion and distraction.

To achieve this, the 24-room building is divided into two, 12-room neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own common area for arts and crafts, dining and other activities. Both areas also feature an aviary that studies show promote life and tranquility.

The staff is also specially trained and experienced in caring for those with dementia. All programming is done with purpose either to stimulate cognition, social interaction, range of motion or other objectives. Dementia expert Teepa Snow says, “Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity, it’s our reaction to them that does.” SMMC implements all the best practices in dementia care to nurture each resident.

South Mountain Memory Care is the only locally owned, standalone memory care community in the Lehigh Valley.

If you seek memory care living for your loved one you are encouraged to call Executive Director Victoria Snyder to schedule your personal tour at 610-965-7662 or visit southmountainmemorycare.com.

We add color to your Business World NEWSPAPERS FULL COLOR BROCHURES & MORE

1-800-443-0377 LEHIGHTON, PA 18235

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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’Sno Time Like the Present

By Alan Allegra

Twelve hours ago, I was fast asleep, and there were 3-4 inches of fresh snow on the ground. Now, there is barely a trace on the ground, and the temperature is in the mid-40s.

Welcome to February in the Lehigh Valley!

There is an old word with a new meaning drifting around these days: Snowflake. In current parlance, it refers to someone who is fragile and delicate, who can easily melt down like a snowflake.

When I shovel more than I really think is fair, I think about how futile it all seems to be. We labor and toil to remove the snow, knowing it will soon melt away anyway.

Sometimes, we get to build a snowman, but it eventually soaks into the ground. We just cannot depend on Mr. Frosty, can we?

What can we depend on? Can we depend on our money?

Mostof us have more than most people in the world and store it up for tomorrow (and next month and next year . . .). Many think money can shield them from troubles. “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination” (Proverbs 18:11). Notice the words, “in his imagination.” The final truth is, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5).

Can we depend upon our own strength to see us through life? Moses reminds us, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). It is because of the curse of sin that life is so transitory. We have read about pharaohs and dictators and caesars and czars and madmen who thought they would live forever, or at least leave behind lasting legacies to proclaim their greatness. Alas, God’s words have proven true for millennia: “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7).

LIVING AT

Since we are fragile as snow and melt away and sink into the ground, and our possessions and dreams will vanish, what hope do we have? The Word of God: “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. […] The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6-8).

The promise for the believer is summed up in the ancient words of Job: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another” (Job 19:25-27).

LIVING AT HOME HOME MADE EASY MADE EASY

LIVING AT HOME MADE EASY Who doesn’t enjoy seeing the beautiful colors of the leaves in the fall? And who doesn’t not enjoy watching the fall leaves 1 Hour - 24/7 fall on their lawn? This was a freak year for leaves in the Lehigh Valley. Many trees didn’t really change colors; they just Medication Reminders, Bathing/Grooming, gave up and let go. The maple trees in our area didn’t even do Meal Preparation, Companionship, that; those leaves hung on until the last minute (meaning the 1 Hour -1 Hour 24/7 - 24/7 leaf pickup had ended for the season).

The melting mantle Light Housekeeping, Transportation, Laundry & More Medication Reminders, Bathing/Grooming, of snow revealed a layer of mangled maple leaves, a reminder Medication Reminders, Bathing / Grooming, Meal Preparation, Companionship, of the fate that awaits us all: “We all fade like a leaf, and our Light Housekeeping, Transportation, Laundry & More Meal Preparation, Companionship, iniquities, like the wind, take us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

484-387-0852 | CareGiversAmerica.com

484-387-0852 | CareGiversAmerica.com

Just one more note of gloom before we get to the good stuff: Can we stake our life on tomorrow being a better day?

James, the Lord’s brother, opined, “[Y]et you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

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Light Housekeeping, Transportation, Laundry & More

484-387-0852

CareGiversAmerica.com

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Weirdest Jobs in the World Professional Sleeper:

A hotel in Finland hired a member of staff as a ‘professional sleeper’ to test the comfort of their beds. The individual sleeps in a different hotel bed each night and writes a review about her satisfaction with each one.

Drying Paint Watcher:

No, this isn’t a joke. Someone actually earns a living watching paint dry. A man in the UK currently has the job and he spends his days painting sheets of cardboard to test how long new paint mixes take to dry and watching for changes in color and texture.

Train Pusher:

If you think the London Underground is bad, you should see the trains in Japan. ‘Oshiyas’ are hired to help cram as many people onto a train as possible by pushing them from the outside until the doors will close.

Professional Mourner:

It is a tradition in South East Asia that a loud funeral will assist the dead as they travel to the afterlife, so professional mourners are hired to cry and weep loudly throughout the service.

Snake Milker:

Not for the light hearted. The job of a snake milker is to collect the venom of poisonous snakes in jars for use in antivenoms and other medication. Thank god someone’s brave enough!

Dog Food Taster:

The dog food tester’s job is to taste new dog food products, including bones, tinned meat and biscuits. They do this to test for flavor and texture in comparison to rival dog food brands and human food. Hmm…tasty?

Medical Alert Help for You at Home or on the Go. 24/7 Medical Alert Monitoring Units for landline, mobile, cell & fall detection

Make New Friends at Friendship Circle

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50 Are you 50 years of age or older? Looking for activities, friendship and entertainment?

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! Join Friendship Circle for some fun!

Friendship Circle meets each Monday 11:30 - 2 from September to June for a kosher lunch, entertainment and fellowship. We would love to have you join us.

Yearly dues are $30. The first visit is free. The cost of a delicious kosher lunch is $6.00 and that includes entertainment. We have everything from music, magic acts, dancing, sing-a-Iongs, bingo and more. So come meet, eat and enjoy the day with us.

Have questions? Want more information? Call Lucy Wahrman at 610-820-5706.

Come on...pick up the phone and make the call. We look forward to your joining us.

We meet at the Jewish Community Center. Allentown on 22nd Street.

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

Call local Lehigh Valley medical alert expert

Frank at 484-515-4683 24/7 Medical Alert Monitoring for Less Than $1 per Day. GoMYI.com Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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

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Happenings (Please note that dates and times may change) Listings free for not-for-profits. Others $15 per listing (under 75 words)

Send to : Thrive Media, Attn: Editor. 4847 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown, Pa 18106 or Editor@lifestylesover50.com Center for Vision Loss seeks Emmaus Garden Club Second Mon. 7-8:30 pm. pray volunteers to assist blind and Faith Presbyterian Church, & share together for emotional visually impaired people as First Tues 1pm North wholeness, women’s support Phoebe Allentown seeks companions, drivers and Mall 2nd and Cherokee Streets, group struggling, or have family individuals to assist with Walk helpers. Office assistants Emmaus. Public welcome. struggling with depression, memory support neighborhoods. and vision screeners are (610) 966-4181.. bipolar, etc. 3400 Bath Pike, 610-794-5362 jwickel@phoebe. needed. Training provided.

Suite 110 Bethlehem. Linda org.

610.433.6018, x.231rita.lang@ Vision Loss Support Group 610-395-8756. centerforvisionloss.org. for LV residents facing vision Meals on Wheels loss. First Thurs., 10-11:30 St. John’s Friendly 50’s Northampton City and Drivers: ITNLehighValley am. 610-433-6018 Center meets second Mon 1pm Calvary United Methodist provides rides for seniors over for Vision Loss, 845 W. in the church’s social hall provide meals to seniors in 60 and visually impaired adults. Wyoming St., Allentown.

1343 Newport Ave, St. in Easton area. Janet Soos janets@ Drive riders to appoint ments Northampton. mealsonwheelspa.org in LV. Requires vehicle, good AARP Chapter #4150 First driving record, some free time. Thurs 12PM Community Prayer and Share Together Meals on Wheels of Lehigh Training provided, we work with Room of Lower Macungie for Emotional Wholeness, County - Teams of 2 deliver your schedule. 610-419-1645.

Library Bldg. 3450 Brookside 2nd Mon.Truth for Women, in Lehigh County. Drive or Rd. Guests welcome. Ice 3400 Bath Pike, Suite 110, ride along. 610-398-2563 or Lehigh Valley Hospice cream and coffee, tea for Bethlehem. Also meet at dstillwagen@mealsonwheelslc. provides volunteer $1.00 (bag lunch).

Asbury Methodist Church org. opportunities for individuals 610-285-4563 Tuesday after the 2nd Monday. who believe that life is a Both 7-8:30 pm.

Compeer of LV- volunteer 4 journey. Join us and discover AARP #5415 First Thurs. hrs. a month with a person with how enriching it is to spend Allentown noon St. Prayer & Share Second mental illness. Listen, go for a meaningful time with our Timothy’s Church, 140 So. Tues, 7-8:30 pm. Emotional walk, watch a movie, enjoy a cup patients. Lynn Schiavone Ott St., Allentown, Social wholeness, women’s support of coffee, etc. Main duty – Have 610-969-0127. hour with refreshments at group, family struggling with Fun! 610-432-3919 x2261. noon; program and business depression, bi-polar, etc. Asbury New Horizons Senior Ctr meeting 1:00 p,m. Guests Methodist Church, Allentown.

Heartland Hospice seeks Narberth Borough Hall, 100 welcome. Bring non610-395-8756. volunteers to offer bedside Conway Ave, Narberth, PA perishable food item for support and presence to Opportunities: Contact Judy Allentown Food Bank, Parkinson’s Support those facing terminal illness.

Ringold, 610-664-2366. Grocery 610-437-4265 Group 2nd Wed. St. Luke’s Training, flex hours. Robin Shopping Escort: Ride the bus Hospital Allentown 17th and Trexler, 610-266-0134 every other Wed. morning. Front Jordan United Church of Hamilton St. Refreshments and Desk Helper: Answer phones, Christ, Second Sat. 10:30 presentation 6:00 - 7:30 Topics Compassionate Care register people for programs, Like gardening? Rt 309 & related to PD. has a variety of volunteer lunch servers, dance instructors Walbert Ave Allentown, opportunities with a training for line dancing and Zumba. peace garden, custom LV Military Affairs Council and support programs. Call peace sculpture, peace pole, Third Wed, Saucon Manor in Carolyn at 610-770-6500. worship areas, biblical plant, Hellertown. 12-1:30pm, 484Social/Support Groups children’s bed, gazebo, swing, 788-0196, info@lvmac.org, or Do you have trails. 610-395-2218. www.lvmac.org for info.

ENCORE (female cancer old classic support / exercise group) Are you interested in taking an active role in Tues. 6:30-8pm & Fri. 9:15records that supporting our Vietnam Vets?

10:30am. Allentown YMCA We are a group of nationally recognized non-vets you want 425 S. 15th St. 610-434-9333, and vets with the AVVA, Association of Vietnam x 313.allentownymcaywca. to sell?

Vets of America, Chapter 415 Lehigh Valley. We org. participate in fundraisers, feeding the homeless and give moral Call Julius Vitali of Multiple Sclerosis Disease support and help to show our pride in our Vietnam Vets.

VINYLALLY HEAR at Support Looking for new members to help us provide for our vets’ 610-217-1629 (cell) 866-785-8537 ongoing needs. AVVA meets every 1st Thursday, Lehigh Valley 610-966-6202 (phone) Network’s Muhlenberg Hospital, Conference Room B, 6:30 Buying classical records and pm. Bob Adams 610-867-7463/Colleen 908-418-6105 collections

Volunteers Needed

Happenings (Please note that dates and times may change) Caregivers & Professionals Network Group. Second Thur, 12PM Country Meadows of Allentown, Bldg 3, 610-395-7160 Third Sat. For those caring for family member with memory loss or impairment, (908) 859-6700, X2276.

Silver Sneakers and all pgms: www.allentownymcaywca. org/ 610-434-9333. Pgms include Tai Chi, Yoga I, Zumba Gold and mat Pilates, 3rd St. Alliance. Tai Chi, Clogging, Tae Kwon Do. Schedules and fees vary. 610258-6271. www.

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

ThirdStreetAlliance.org.

Easton YMCA. For info Silver Sneakers and all pgms: familyymca.org/ or 610.258.6158,

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

OxyFit Gym 1 hour Silver Sneaker class Mon, Tues, and Wed 10:15, Thurs. 9:15 & 10:15. Yoga stretch classes Mon. & Wed. at 11:15. 610391-0040 or oxyfitgym.com.

Schnecksville Senior Group Thurs: games and social activities 12 pm. Schnecksville Fire Company Rt 309.

610-769-7570 New Horizons Senior Ctr Narberth Borough Hall, 100 Conway Ave, Narberth, PA Full Circle Support Group Mondays at 10, Primarily on life post-retirement; what to do now? Discussions on ways to use your new-found time Transitions and Changes Support Group - 1st Monday for schedule 610.664.2366. Discussion and support group helps participants create well-being amid life’s many changes - no matter what you’re going through.

Free Private Counseling by appointment 610-664-2366 with Joan Niles, LCSW

Exercise Bethlehem YMCA. For info on Silver Sneakers and all pgms: www.ymcabethlehem. org/ or 610 867-7588.

Allentown YMCA. For info

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 12:00 Noon. Salvation Army, 521 Pembroke Road, Bethlehem (seniors 50 & over) 610-867-4681

Alz. Support Groups Alzheimer’s Respite Program Hope Community Church 7974 Clausville Rd. Fogelsville, For those in early stages of Alzheimer’s. Respite time, support for caregivers.

Free, Wed - 1-5 PM Dave Bowers 484-619-0330 bowerdav@gmail.com.

3rd Sat 3:15pm 410 Krocks Rd. Country Meadows Allentown 3rd Wed 3pm Phoebe Terrace 1925 Turner St. Allentown, 2nd Wed 5:30 pm Sarah Care Adult Day Care 7010 Snow Drift Rd. Allentown, 1st Thurs 1:00pm St. Andrew’s Church 1900 Pennsylvania Ave. Allentown 3rd Thurs 4:30 Westminster Village 2156 Hanover St. Allentown.

3rd Wed 6:30pm Country Meadows Living 4005 Green Pond Rd., Bldg. 4, Bethlehem, 3rd Tues 5:00 pm Kirkland Village 1 Kirkland Village Circle Bethlehem, 4th Mon 2:30pm Moravian Village 526 Wood St. Bethlehem, Last Monday 6:30 pm Traditions of Hanover 5300 Northgate Dr. Bethlehem, Friendship Circle Mondays 11:30 - 2 Sept to June for kosher lunch, entertainment and fellowship. 1st visit free.

Kosher lunch $6 includes entertainment - music, magic acts, bingo, more. Lucy Wahrman 610-820-5706.

Jewish Community Center.

Allentown Tilghman & 22nd.

Allentown. Permanent schedule established at first meeting. RSVP by Wed, March 7 610-776-3214.

St. Luke’s Community Diabetes Day March 24 9:30 to 12. Free education, diabetes-related activities - cooking and exercise demos, blood glucose check, screenings, meet vendors from companies and community organizations.

Laros Auditorium and Medical Center Atrium, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem.

Free Participants receive swag bags of goodies, door prize raffles free refreshments. Registration preferred, 866-STLUKES or go.activecalendar.com/ sluhn/event/communitydiabetes-day.

Good Shepherd Rehab Support Group for caregiversfor encouragement.

First meeting Mon. March 12 1-2 p.m. Good Shepherd’s Women’s A Cappella Chorus Health & Technology Center, Come sing barbershop with Middle Level Conference us. Call Angie. 610-730-6711.

Room, 850 S. 5th Street, Answers to puzzles on pages 6-7 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Spaghetti Western The Misfits Alfred Hitchcock Auric Goldfinger

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Johnny Mercer Steve McQueen Robert Preston and Shirley Jones 9. Planet of the Apes

Industry News For Professionals Networking, news & more!

Lehigh Valley Aging in Place Coalition (LVAIP). 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.

LVAIP meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Upcoming meetings are March 21 and April 18, 2018.

We provide information and solutions to older adults and their families to be proactive in planning for their future needs. lehighvalleyaginginplace.org.

Upcoming event: Dementia Education Networking Event: Wednesday March 7, 2018 - The Arts Quest Visiting Artist presented by Jameson Baxter, ArtsQuest, noon luncheon seminar, RSVP by March 2 to Wendy Scott at wendy_t.scott@lvhn.org or 610-9692278. Hosted by Heather Glen 415 Blue Barn Rd. Allentown.

Lehigh Valley Senior Expo Hosted by the Lehigh Valley Aging in Place Coalition. Join us on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 9 am to 1 pm at the AgriPlex at 302 North 17th St, Allentown, PA. The expo is open to the public looking for information and resources on healthy aging, caregiving, aging in place, care management and maximizing the golden years. There will be experts on site to answer questions. For more info: lehighvalleyseniorexpo.org

Upcoming Meetings

HealthNet is a monthly networking group for professionals hosted monthly the 2nd Wed. at 12pm at Traditions of Hanover Bethlehem, 5300 Northgate Dr., Bethlehem. Upcoming events: March 14, and April 11. Contact 610-438-9400 kimg@abingtonmanor.com.

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Country Meadows of Allentown Networking Join the networking the third Thursday of each month. Country Meadows of Allentown Networking at Building IV, 410 N Krocks Rd, Allentown, PA 18106, 610 395-7160. Country Meadows of Allentown invites the professional community to a monthly forum to network with colleagues in the health care and allied health fields.Upcoming events: March 15 and April 19, 2018 at noon. Contact Karen Hill, khill@ countrymeadows.com.

Managing Challenging Behaviors April 19, 9:30 a.m.– 12:30p.m.

Northampton County Human Services Building, 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem Challenging behaviors discussed; why behavior is occurring via identifying one’s emotions, thoughts and triggers.

Training will identify, discuss essential emotions, behavioral interventions, emotional needs and three case studies.

Objectives: Understanding behavior by identifying the deterministic process, Panera Networking Group of health emotions, thoughts and triggers, 3 case care professionals meets the 3rd Thursday studies, Emotional needs, Behavioral of the month at 9am at Panera in interventions. Seating limited! register Quakertown. at olderpa.org/event-2822211 Free training sponsored by Pa Link Lehigh/ Six Points Lehigh/Northampton Northampton.

Community Group meetings are 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10-11. Bucks County Estate Planning (March 21st, April 18th, May 16th ) at Council Elder Care Symposium II Meals on Wheels, 4234 Dorney Park May 15 Doylestown Country Club 7:30 Rd # 1, Allentown. Quality Insights am to 1pm, lunch & breakfast served collaborates with healthcare providers, Presentations: “What Everyone Needs patients and community organizations to Know About Mental Health in the to improve the quality of care across Elderly” Informative presentation the Commonwealth. We are committed of dementia and mental health to better care, smarter spending and from a psychiatric viewpoint. “New healthier people. We offer free tools, Developments in Estate Planning: Tools resources and information to help educate to Consider when Serving Families with clinical staff and patients on topics Special Needs” BCEPC Members: $60 ranging from cardiac health to adverse Non-Members & Guests: $70 Sponsor drug events. www.qualityinsights-qin.org. $500 Exhibitor $250 Info: Larry Enright, larry.enright@ikorglobal.com or Industry News 856-906-6711 The 2018 annual Lifestyles over 50 Qualifies for 3.5 PA CE credits to the Directory is available. It is a great following: Attorneys/CPAs/CFPs/ resource for professionals and the general CTFAs/Insurance public. Call 855-233-7034 to request Legend of Allentown recently had a copies (free) for friends, communities or ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the groups. opening of their facility in Allentown.

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

Do you need help finding caregivers?

Thrive’s comprehensive Home Care Benchmark report is being updated in April 2018.

The reports reveals current trends and analysis in the local market covering topics including caregiver compensation, caregiver turnover, top referral sources, average number of clients and other in-depth analysis on services and operations.

To participate in the survey please visit homecarebenchmark.com or call us at 855-233-7034.

Legend Senior Living is a privately held Senior Housing and Services company. Legend Senior Living was founded in 2001. Legend Senior Living owns and operates 35 residences representing over 2,380 units of Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Nursing Residences in Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Colorado and Texas.

They offer a variety of housing options and combinations of service designed to meet the various financial, lifestyle, and healthcare needs of residents. They individually tailor and package services and approaches to delivery according to individual desires.

The new facility is located at 6043 Lower Macungie Rd Allentown, PA 18106 610-426-0223.

All responses are anonymous and calculated into local averages. All participants receive a full copy of the report.

For more information about the home care industry or for information to buy or sell a home care agency, call Thrive at 855-233-7034.

Have business or professional news, announcements or events? Send them to us at editor@lifestylesover50.com

BUY or SELL a home care or senior care business

Don‛t Let Your Memories Fade Away Transfer your VHS movies to DVD

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Looking to acquire, grow or sell a home care or senior related business? We can help.

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Lifestylesover50.com/biz-buy-sell

Senior Care Questions? 855-233-7034 Lifestyles over 50 .com

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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.

The Back Story

Q&A with Frank Martell, President,

Consumer Trust Mortgage Corporation What was your first job?

My very first job was working for a lawn mower shop in high school. I had just received my driver’s license and was anxious to drive. My job was to pick up and deliver commercial lawn mowers and parts around the Long Island area. My first professional job was as a Financial Representative for a Financial Services Company.

How did you get into the mortgage industry?

In 1980 there was a large layoff in the industry. As a result, my boss came to me and put me in charge of the real estate lending department. After a series of promotions I was transferred to Allentown in 1984 where I purchased my first home and settled down in the Lehigh Valley.

“Success is doing what is right even when nobody is looking.”

What do you do for fun?

My grandparents had a farm in upstate New York and myself and my siblings would spend our summers there and I learned how to work with my hands. I developed good mechanical skills. As a result, I like to dabble in real estate. Before getting married I loved to work on cars. I had a Corvette, Jeep Renegade, and a Mustang to name a few. Now I enjoy travelling the East Coast with my wife.

Why did you want to start offering reverse mortgages?

I have been with Consumer Trust Mortgage since 1995. A few years ago the government made improvements to the reverse mortgage product which helped protect seniors.

As a result, a reverse mortgage originated by Consumer Trust can be an excellent tool to eliminate mortgage payments and help put seniors’ equity to work for them without selling their home or being burdened with a costly mortgage payment.

What is something that many people don’t know about you?

When I was about 11 years old I decided to take my mother’s car down to the store in town. I was used to driving tractors on the farm so I did not think much of it. I could barely see over the steering wheel and ended up getting a flat tire. It was quite an adventure. Also, I was relatively young when I became an uncle. One Christmas no one wanted to be Santa so I put on the family Santa suite and hitchhiked from one part of town to the other delivering gifts to my nephews and niece.

Frank pictured with Jill, Carole and Diane What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like to be able to cut through red tape for customers and help them achieve their financial goals.

I am also very proud of the team of people that we have at Consumer Trust Mortgage and enjoy working with them.

How do you define success?

Success is doing what is right even when nobody is looking.

Can a

Reverse Mortgage Help You?

pay bills provide an extra cushion unlock equity have greater peace of mind

If you are a homeowner 62+, call us to schedule your free consultation to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you. You can own and live in your own home with no monthly mortgage

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Faithfully serving Lehigh Valley residents for over 20 years!

2895 Hamilton Blvd Allentown, PA 18104

610-398-9500

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