Senior Living - Winter 2012

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Amber Yaw leads a class through Zumba fitness last week at the Mower County Senior Center.

Dancing to fitness Senior Center opens its doors to all ages with Zumba fitness classes Story by Jason Schoonover • Photos by Eric Johnson A group of local women is out that the class is for all ages. In fact, dancing away calories and many elderly participants stopped atsidestepping to toner muscles tending to “hibernate” for the winter, in one of the newest fitness Yaw said. fads: Zumba.

The classes are aimed at differing skill “It’s a total body workout,” instructor levels. The regular Zumba class, which Amber Yaw said. meets at 5:35 p.m., Yaw is leading two is probably the HOW TO JOIN ZUMBA Zumba classes at the most rigorous Mower County Senior workout. Zumba Next classes: Center. The class mixes gold offers a more •Feb. 2 - March 29, 17 classes Latin, Indian and jazz basic class with no for $60. dancing into a extensive jumping and less •April 3 through May 31, 17 workout. Don’t be fooled impact. classes for $60 by the location of the “The people •Join for both sessions and only classes, the dance-fitnever leave the pay $100 for 34 classes. ness regime is open to ground unless Classes meet Tuesdays and people of all ages and all they’re comfortThursdays fitness levels. able doing it,” Yaw “It’s fun and people said.

Classes come in at different levZumba toning •Zumba Gold: 4:05 p.m. els,” Yaw said. mixes in more •Zumba: 5:35 p.m.

Yaw teaches two weights for the Zumba toning: 7 p.m.

Zumba classes: Zumba first portion of the For more info, contact Amber Yaw and Zumba gold. Zumba class. But by no at 507-402-2029 or gold is intended for peomeans is Zumba amberyaw@yahoo.com ple who are middlelimited to people in aged, senior citizens or tip-top shape, as someone looking for a Yaw said people slower pace. can even sit in a chair and participate in “It’s really just about having fun,” Yaw a more limited workout. said.

Yaw has been working to get the word See ZUMBA, Page 3

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Inside: Read about what one community is doing to help seniors meet meal costs.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Man accused of bilking seniors out of thousands Abraham’s family learned of the payments to Redden and sought repayment, ST. PAUL — A St. Paul man faces po- the department said. Redden allegedly tentially thousands of dollars in civil said that the $40,000 investment propenalties and possible revocation of his vided a 50 percent surrender fee if the insurance producer license for al- investment was canceled prior to the legedly befriending vulnerable senior four-year term, at which time Abraham citizens and encouraging them to invest would have been 90. more than $71,500 in fictional annuities.

Department investigators deterThe Minnesota Department of Com- mined the promissory note was purmerce’s case against James Ronald Red- chased 10 days after the check was den of JRR Enterprises LLC, will be cashed, among other inconsistencies, considered during a prehearing confer- according to the department. ence Feb. 16 at the OfIn the case of Anderfice of son, Redden recomAdministrative Hearmended and sold ings. He faces eight equity-based annuities administrative violato him between 2004 and “Establishing tions, including fail2008. One annuity proding to repay a loan. phony friendships uct was bought through The department isAviva Life and Annuity with sued Redden an inCo., which was fined by surance producer the department in 2007 impressionable license in 1988. The lifor deceptive sales pracseniors is exactly cense lapsed effective tices and unsuitable anOct. 31. nuities, the department how many He faces a potensaid. unscrupulous tial penalty of $10,000 Anderson loaned per violation, accord- fraudsters get their $21,500 to Redden, the ing to the departdepartment said. Of foot in the door.” ment. that money, $5,000 was “Establishing used to buy stock that -Mike Rothman Redden claimed would phony friendships Commerce Commissioner quickly double in value. with impressionable seniors is exactly Redden allegedly how many unscruputried to persuade Anlous fraudsters get derson to place 90 to 95 their foot in the percent of his retiredoor,” said Commerce Commissioner ment funds in annuities with a 10 perMike Rothman. cent surrender fee that extended over 10 Redden allegedly scammed Lloyd years. That product was unsuitable for Abraham, an 85-year-old retired St. Paul Anderson because of his advanced age, police officer who’s now deceased, and the department said.

Norman Anderson, 88.

According to the administrative In October 2009, Redden persuaded charges against Redden, Anderson sued Abraham to lend him $10,000, according him in October 2009 over the $21,500 in to the Department of Commerce. After unpaid loans. That lawsuit was apparhe sold his mobile home and moved into ently settled and Redden paid Anderson an assisted-living center, Abraham then a “substantial” sum, the department invested $40,000 from the proceeds of said. that sale into JRR Enterprises. His famRedden was ordered to appear before ily members and other neutral third the department in June to provide a parties weren’t consulted. sworn statement and to produce certain Before he died in September 2010, records. He did not show up.

Associated Press

Baby boomers: Don’t neglect eye care ARA Content

The baby boomer generation makes up an estimated 76 million people -— roughly one-fourth of the U.S. population. This means that either you or someone you love is part of this aging group. According to Eye on the Boomer, a recent survey by the Ocular Nutrition Society, almost as many baby boomers say they worry about losing their vision as those that say they worry about having heart disease or cancer. What’s more, 78 percent of those surveyed ranked vision as the most important of the five senses. Yet, more than half of the survey respondents ages 45-65 said they don’t typically have a recommended annual eye exam, and even fewer are aware of important nutrients that can play a key role in eye health.

Experts recommend that disease prevention, including lifestyle modification, attention to dietary intake and vitamin supplementation must become

a greater focus of primary vision care.

Studies indicate that proper nutrition promotes healthy eyes, however many American diets are found to be deficient of the critical nutrients that help protect eye health.

“If people are at risk for heart disease they typically make lifestyle modifications,” says Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, president of the Ocular Nutrition Society. “This survey found that people are as concerned about their eyes but do not know the simple steps they can incorporate into their daily lives to take care of them.”

While people take a variety of supplements to support health, vitamins specifically formulated to help protect the eyes are often not in the mix — and for many people, they should be. While more than half of those surveyed are taking supplements to protect their joints, bones or heart health only 18 percent say they take supplements to support their eye health.

Senior Living

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

3

Zumba: ‘You feel good after you’ve done it’ Continued from Page 1 Though the classes are not limited to those with a senior discount, Yaw said the classes are beneficial for senior citizens.

“It’s really good because they’re gaining bone density,” she said. “We do a couple songs with light weights in with it.”

Yaw described the classes as a social activity, as people are able to talk over the music and have fun.

“They’ll talk and they’ll laugh,” she said. “It gets them out, gets them moving.”

The classes have quickly gained popularity. They’re taught at the Senior Center for all ages, and Yaw teaches classes in Albert Lea at community education in Albert Lea. Between all her classes Yaw estimated she now teaches about 80 people.

“I love her class,” said Shirley Deepsong.

“She’s energetic and smiling all the time,” she said of Yaw. Sisters Nancy Brede and Susan Srock started the class this summer for exercise.

“We heard it was the new trend and we thought we’d try it out,” Brede said.

“We tried it out, and we like it.”

Plus, the class is one of the few places people can go dancing in the area.

“We like to dance, and this is about as close as we get to dancing without having a partner,” Srock said.

Nancy and Susan both belong to Anytime fitness and go there most mornings, but still love going to Zumba in the afternoons to break the repetition of the gym.

“You feel good after you’ve done it,” Nancy said. “There’s just something kind of exhilarating about it that just makes you feel good and you want to come back for more.”

Yaw strives to keep the classes fun and energetic. Instruction only makes up a small portion of the class, as Yaw stands on a stage and leads the class by action with occasional commands.

Yaw said people should just come and have a good time.

“You just can’t over-think things,” she said. “Participants will tell you can’t think about it.”

The music is mostly upbeat, and it’s mostly Latin tracks and songs people don’t know.

“The time just kind of flies faster,” she said, because people don’t necessarily know where they are in the song.

Still, Yaw mixes in popular music into the class, as she and her group danced to the Black Eyed Peas last week.

Yaw said people shouldn’t hesitate to come out, and she said people can attend the class once for free to see if they like it.

“It’s a new thing, and people are always unsure of new things,” she said.

Julie Olson is one of several people who take part in the Zumba fitness class at the Mower County Senior Center.

LEFT: Deb Mickelson participates in the Zumba class at the Mower County Senior Center last week. RIGHT: Zumba instructor Amber Yaw leads a class last week at the Mower County Senior Center.

Have phone handy when driving on slick roads Keep your cell phone on your person when you are driving, particularly in wintry weather conditions.

The story by reporter Sarah Stultz that appeared in Sunday’s Albert Lea Tribune and Austin Daily Herald detailed how one driver spent more than six hours waiting for help after hitting an icy patch and leaving Interstate 90.

“At times I would start yelling, especially if I heard a car slow down. At other times I figured I had to save my strength,” the 53-year-old driver told Stultz.

He had a cell phone. He set it beside him while driving, but he couldn’t find it. In the crash, it had fallen somewhere. It remains lost to this day.

It illustrates the importance of keeping your cell phone in a coat pocket, something most of didn’t think about, until we read that man’s tale.

It could speed up your rescue. It could save your life.

—Albert Lea Tribune

Others’ opinion

Senior rules go too far A state requirement that seniors call a consultation line before moving into an assisted living facility smacks of overreach, isn't sure to save taxpayers much money and annoys some seniors.

On the other hand, it was seen as a way to save the state and taxpayers money on part of the budget that is growing 8.5 percent per year.

The plan, approved by the Republican-led Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton, was sold as something that with little effort could save the state up to $3.5 million a year. The idea was that if seniors knew all of the options available to them upon considering moving from their homes to assisted living or other facilities, they might choose less expensive options and save the state money as it was footing the bill. It might also save the state from paying relatively higher nursing

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sen a different, and presumably less costly option than assisted living had they know all their choices. And they also figure the consul-tation gets seniors to delay nursing home admittance by about a year. Hence the estimated savings of $3.5 million.

However, the consultation does cost the state about $600,000 a year to administer, so some of the projected savings would be mitigated by that amount.

It appears the Legislature will address the issue and perhaps modify the law in 2012. That would be wise.

Certainly, all seniors and their families should try to be educated on the best options for care and the one that makes the most sense for their budget and the budget of the state. And families should take that re-sponsibility seriously. If they don't, there could be even more severe cuts to these programs, which will leave seniors even less choice.

home costs eventually.

Even those who pay their own way must call the consultation line and provide proof, in the form of a verification number, that they did so before they can sign an assisted living contract.

Seniors are asked to answer a few questions when they call the consultation line. The questions are said to help the senior assess what might be the most appropriate housing option for the next stage of their life. But seniors can decline to answer the questions and they are still allowed to pass through the system and sign up for assisted living.

But only about 10 percent of seniors in assisted living have the state pay their bills. Some 90 percent pay their own way. Chris Thro, president of Thro Companies that runs assisted living and nursing homes in Mankato, wonders why the state is even involved if the savings won't impact 90 percent of the people.

The state points to a study that showed many seniors would have cho-

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Senior Living

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

A special supplement to the AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Helping solve senior hunger Albert Lea food pantries aim to fill rising need for food Story by Brandi Hagen

aving to choose between bills and food is increasingly becoming a problem in Minnesota seniors age 60 and older.

As the first baby boomers turn 65 this year, the number of seniors in Minnesota will rise as well as the hunger among them.

In Freeborn County, there are three food pantries that work to help the hungry. Two are in Albert Lea — the Salvation Army and the Ecumenical Food Pantry housed at First Presbyterian Church — and one is in Alden at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Between the Salvation Army and the Ecumenical Food Pantry, help is available five days a week in Albert Lea. Also, in the warmer months, the Albert Lea Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays and has started accepting credit, debit and EBT cards.

Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota, encouraged seniors to enroll in the support system if they can’t afford the food one needs to stay healthy.

“Seniors who are hungry can be out of sight and out of mind,” Lucas said.

Orville and Dorothy Simonsen, volunteers on the board of directors at the Ecumenical Food Pantry, said that in December there were only 15 people over the age of Orville and Dorothy Simonsen pose for a photo Friday at the Ecumenical Food Pantry, which is housed at First Presbyterian Church 65 who came in and received help.

Seniors under 65 were included in the age group of 18- in Albert Lea. Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune 64. In this group, the Ecumenical Food Pantry helped 353 cessing the Minnesota food support system. people.

Freeborn County is no exception. Seventeen percent of The Simonsens believe part of the reason seniors may not be coming in is because they have no way of getting to residents often miss meals because of financial conthe food shelf or to one of the three full-service grocery straints.

Dr. Stacey Stockdill, president of EnSearch, Inc., said stores in Freeborn County, which are all in Albert Lea. If family members or friends are unavailable to drive in 2010, the average grant for seniors was $76 a month, a meaningful extenseniors, they must sion to a senior’s rely on public transfood budget. portation. In Albert In 2011, a single Lea, public transperson household portation ends at 4 was eligible if they p.m. during the week had a monthly inand taxis require come below $1,498. cash or a voucher.

“It’s important The Simonsens that seniors and also speculate seniors community memmay not take advanbers are aware that tage of the food shelf this support is availbecause of their able,” Stockdill said. pride.

“Enrolled seniors “The seniors now can shop at their reggrew up through the ular grocery store Depression, and they with an electronic aren’t used to taking transfer from someone,” One of Freeborn County’s ecumenical food pantries is located in First Presby- benefit (EBT) card that elecOrville said. terian Church on Water St. Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune tronically transfers They have no reamoney to the store son to be ashamed or embarrassed though. Eighty-eight percent of hungry sen- when they purchase their food.”

The cards look like credit cards so others in line at the iors are U.S. citizens who have paid into the system all of grocery store don’t know the difference. their working lives and now the system is there to help.

For those needing assistance or have questions, please There are currently 88,000 seniors living in Minnesota below the poverty line and less than half of them are ac- contact the Minnesota Food Help Line at 1-888-711-1151.

Ideas for ‘re-feathering’ your empty nest on the cheap ARA Content

The kids are finally on their own and you’re ready to reclaim some spaces in your home that were previously dedicated to child’s play. Even though as emptynesters you probably won’t spend so much on food, education and gas money, you’re still not ready to go into debt to redecorate the once-kid-centric rooms in your home.

Fortunately, it’s easy to find redecorating options that pack grown-up appeal without a grown-ups only price-tag. You can make over bedrooms and play rooms with a few budgetfriendly tricks.

Not sure where to start?

Here are a few helpful hints: Your teen barred you from making decorator decisions about her room long ago. Now that she’s moved out, it’s time to tear down those rock band posters, empty the closet of clothes she’ll never wear again, and do something more sedate with those awful candy pink walls.

Whether you’re planning to sell your empty nest

and downgrade to something smaller, or just want to enjoy all the rooms in your home again, redecorating a child’s room has many advantages.

Start by repainting walls in neutral, sophisticated tones. Then, spice things up — in a mature, adult way — with an accent wall. For those that are afraid committing to wallpaper, repositionable peel and stick wallpaper is a great option for creating a unique decorator feature in a room. Whether you’re looking for beach wall murals to evoke the relaxed feeling of your last tropical vacation, or a city skyline to create a sophisticated aura, you can find many

options online at websites like DecorPlace.com.

Clear all the excess toys out of the playroom, and put their X-box on eBay. (If they really wanted it, they’d have taken it with them.) Now you’re ready to put that space to adult use — as a home theater, craft room or office.

Bring in that big-screen, high-def TV you didn’t buy before because you couldn’t bear the thought of sticky fingerprints all over it. Buy that awesome surround-sound system you passed on for years because you feared how it would sound with your kids’ favorite cartoon blasting out of the speakers.

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