50 Plus

A guide to good living in the Brazos Valley

Inside...

Memory

How to be a super ager

Pg. 5

Physical therapy

Dealing with balance issues

Pg. 8

November 2014 • Vol. 12, Issue 4 • A monthly publication of the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Recognizing those who serve Assistance and benefi benefits ts for veterans, local Veterans Day events PAGE 6

50 Plus is a monthly publication of Bryan-College Station Communications Inc. 1729 Briarcrest Drive Bryan, Texas PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

SPECIAL PROJECT PR S EDITOR/ PUBLICA PUBLICATION DESIGNER Shauna Lewis shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

Ron Prince

DISPL ADVER DISPLAY ADVERTISING VERTISING MANA MANAGER Linda Brinkman

CONTENTS

SP SPECIAL PROJECTS/ PROJECT OJECTS/ MARKETING COORDINATO ORDINA R ORDINATO Erika Liesman

Financial: Do big rocks ensure long marriages?

Memory: How to be a super ager Feature: Benefits, assistance for veterans Physical therapy: Balance issues

4 5 6 8

FREE 90-Dayy Trial 90-Da

on all digital hearing devices

nn Ronny nny Baker B.S.,A.C.A. 2805 Earl Rudder Freeway S. College Station • 979.696.7291 rdabaker@yahoo.com

Over 30 Years Experience Caring for the Hearing Needs of the Brazos Valley 2 | November 4, 2014

50PLUS

2010 Business Performance Award

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

November is National Hospice Month. How is that important? want you free to focus on your loved You’ve probably seen, “This is one, while we take the burden of National Such-and-Such Month,” the clinical, emotional and spiritual or something similar numerous support. We often say to family times. I always wonder who decides members, “You’re our patients, too.” such things. There’s a day, week or month for just about everything: • Hospice isn’t a job. It’s a calling job appreciation, cause awareness and an honor. We feel privileged to and even foods. In case you were walk with others through this deep, wondering, July was National Ice often murky valley.

Cream Month. June 4 was National • Hospice isn’t merely about Hug Your Cat Day. May 13 was National medical care. Our diverse team of Leprechaun Day. Wish compassionate, specially trained I had known, especially physicians, nurses, aides, social about the ice cream. workers, chaplains, volunteers and a To be serious, host of support personnel are in this November is National with you. We’re your private platoon, Hospice Month, and committed to fighting this battle I believe hospice is a alongside you. You’re far from alone. topic that honestly • Hospice isn’t some acceptable form Gary roe deserves attention and Hospice of assisted suicide. Hospice is about discussion (not that ice personal dignity, comfort and allowing cream, cat hugging and the body to take its natural course. We leprechauns don’t). How we live the aggressively treat certain infections last months of our lives is important. and conditions related to our patients’ It’s a critical time for the one dying and comfort. Our goal is the greatest their family and friends. quality of life for as long as possible.

The word “hospice” frightens most Here it is from the lips of some of us. That’s natural. It’s associated family members of our patients: with death, and who wants to go there?

However, in my years as a hospice chaplain, I’ve come to understand that hospice isn’t so much about death - it’s about life. Here’s what I mean: Comfortt K Keepers provides the • Hospice isn’t about kind of non-medical in-home care hastening death. We’re services that help people maintain focused on giving each full and independent lives, liv all in the comfortt aand familiar surroundings patient peace of mind of their ow own home. We would be with the greatest quality 244 Southwest uthw Pkwy E. uthwest happy to arrange a ffree in-home of life.

College Station, TX 77840 visit to help you learn more.

• Hospice isn’t about,

“He only has a few days.”

If someone is terminally ill and, in the opinion of a physician, has six months or less to live, they can qualify for hospice.

Statistics show the sooner a person gets on hospice, the more comfortable they are and the greater quality of life they have.

• Hospice isn’t just about the patient. We’re focused on supporting the family as well. We

S E RV I C E S

• Light Housekeeping Errands, Shopping • Incidental Transportation • Laundry •R Recreation, Crafts • Grooming, Dressing •P Personal ersonal Care Care Services Serv Se rvices ices

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

“What a relief ! Your team has been incredible. You took the worry and wondering out of it, and that allowed me to just be a wife again. He’s comfortable now, and I can’t thank you enough for that.”

“I wish we had gotten you on board sooner. Our fear held us back. We had no idea what we were missing. You’ve made this terribly difficult time as easy as it could have been. I can’t imagine going through this without you.”

“When she passed, I felt so lost.

I turned around and you guys were there. You checked on me. The support groups were a lifeline. You let me know I wasn’t alone and I wasn’t crazy. That made all the difference.”

These statements may sound like I’m tooting our horn. Maybe I am.

We’re here to serve. We’re here to help.

We’re here to support, encourage and comfort. We’re with you through your

loved one’s death and beyond - we follow our families for at least a year afterwards. We’re committed to helping individuals and families grieve well, heal, and adjust to their new normal.

Hospice is about hearts. Your heart and the heart of your loved one. And our hearts, too.

We’re on a mission of compassion -- to give the best quality of life to as many people for as long as possible.

For me and many others, hospice isn’t about death – it’s about life.

So from our heart to yours, thank you for allowing us to serve you. It is indeed an honor and a privilege.

Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley. Visit him at www.garyroe.com, or contact him at 821-2266 or groe@ hospicebrazosvalley.org.

979-764-3076

Individually In dividually ow owned ned and operated. operated.

50PLUS

November 4, 2014 | 3

Do big rocks ensure long marriages?

Note to brides: Even a perfect wedding day can’t guarantee a perfect marriage.

A new study shows that marriage duration is inversely associated with spending on the engagement ring and wedding ceremony. Andrew Francis and Hugo Mialon, two economics professors at Emory University in Atlanta, published a research paper in September titled “A Diamond Is Forever and Other Fairy Tales: The Relationship between Wedding Expenses and Marriage Duration.” The study Tracy STewarT Financial literacy was based on the wedding budgets and marriage track records of more than 3,000 U.S. adults.

This doesn’t mean that extravagant weddings cause divorce. But financial strain can cause marital stress. Money troubles are at the top of the list of causes of divorce. This is just one

It’s a

reason why I have a busy practice advising couples on the financial issues of splitting up.

According to “Cinderella dreams: the allure of the lavish wedding” (University of California Press), in 1959, Bride’s magazine recommended that couples allocate two months to prepare for their big day with a 22task checklist. In the 1990s, Bride’s recommended allowing 12 months to prepare, along with a 44-task checklist. Messrs. Francis and Mialon cite that “prior to World War II, in Western countries, only 10 percent of engagement rings contained a diamond. By the end of the century, about 80 percent did.” To tie the diamond engagement ring to the promise of a long marriage, in the 1980s the diamond company De Beers introduced a marketing campaign, “Isn’t two months’ salary a small price to pay for something that lasts forever?”

Based on respondents, Messrs.

Francis and Mialon note that: • Men say that spending between

$2,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring is associated with 1.3 times greater hazard of divorce compared to spending between $500 and $2,000.

• Men and women both say that spending $1,000 or less on the wedding is associated with a significant decrease in the hazard of divorce.

• Ladies say that spending $20,000 or more on the wedding is associated with 1.6 times greater hazard of divorce.

• Evidence suggests that weddings that are relatively inexpensive but are high in attendance are associated with a lower likelihood of divorce.

It is fairly easy to figure out how to spend less on a ring and a ceremony, but how do you have high wedding attendance and avoid high wedding costs? According to CostOfWedding. com, in Brazos County a single guest could add between $147 and $180 to the overall cost of a wedding. A quick search of online comments from across the country showed me that a wedding can be both large and lower cost when held in a public park (including the cost of renting a tent

beautiful lifestyle at

to hedge against the weather). This website tells you the average wedding cost based on geographic location. The average wedding in Brazos County costs $16,085, while 45 percent of local weddings cost less than $10,000.

Fourteen percent of local weddings cost more than $30,000. You can find all kinds of details on this site about the average cost of wedding items, from guest books to venues to catering.

When I help clients budget, some of them ask me for percentage guidelines such as the percent of food costs relative to their entire spending.

This, of course, is highly individual.

Wedding costs are also unique to the families. With that in mind, here is a list of relative costs based on nationwide information from newly married couples.

• 45 - 55 percent - Reception (including venue, food, cake and beverages)

See Financial literacy page 9

•Transportation & Activities • Fully Equipped Kitchen • Light Housekeeping • 3 Meals a Day • Linen Service • Private Patio

“W want “We want you to ask ask yourse urself self, lf “Why lf, “Why did di I wait wa so long ng?”

CALL WILLIAM TO ARRANGE A PRIVAT IV E TOUR • 979-774-1298 • 2410 MEMORIAL DRIVE • BRYA IVAT BR N 77802 4 | November 4, 2014

50PLUS

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Super agers exist: Tips for how to be one Will you be immune to mental aging? Most seniors are not. But some people in their 80s, on the order of 10 percent, seem to have ha full mental capacity. We know this from common observation, but one published research report confirmed this observation and demonstrated what is dif ent in the brains of super agers. differ A research group at Northwestern Uni rsity recruited volunteers in two Unive age groups, 50 - 60 and over 80, and gave ga them a battery of memory tests.

Most of the 80 and over group had lower memory scores, but about 10 percent scored as well as those in the younger dr. BILL KLeMM group. Brain MRI scans revealed that the tHe MeMory MeDic cerebral cortex of these super agers had not shrunk, as was the case for the others in their group.

Moreover, the super agers actually had one part of the cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, that was enlarged more than that in the younger group.

The anterior cingulate cortex is on the brain’s midline, lying along the boundary where the two hemispheres come together. The cingulate has important connections with other areas of the cortex and with several sub-cortical structures that mediate emotion. Thus, it is strategically positioned for both top-down and bottom-up mental operations. Perhaps most relevant to memory, memory the anterior cingulate normally functions to resolve mental conflicts and distractions, a problem which grows in most of us as we age. Perhaps super agers are born with a larger cingulate cortex or they ha generated a large one through have years of focused mental activity acti .

Maybe mental aging is not preordained. The possibility that people can generate longer-lasting memory capability and a larger anterior cingulate cortex is supported by the observation that super agers often have ha lifestyle differ dif ences from most other people.

Good diets, reduced stress, exercise and suffi suf cient sleep slow the mental

aging process. A lifetime of vigorous mental activity acti has been reported to reduce mental decline as one ages.

A college education, for example, reportedly slows brain aging by up to a decade. Elsewhere I have ha listed famous people who were high achievers in their old age. Other examples include stand-up comedians who can rattle off of a string of jokes for an hour or more.

Many of these comedians have ha unusual life spans (like Bob Hope and George Burns still perfor perf ming when over 100).

Ear -life mental activity Early acti definitely seems to influence how we turn out in old age. The most famous study providing documentation was the famous “nun study” where nuns who were more mentally capable when they entered the conve con nt were less likely to exhibit mental decline than their sisters when old age arrive ri d. rive Similar results were found in another longitudinal study that controlled for sex, education and even brain abnormalities. Reading, writing and other mentally stimulating activities acti at every age reduced memory decline with age. The inve in stigators tracked

294 elderly elder people with memory and thinking tests over an average of six years. Questionnaires were used to document the level of their mental acti activity at various stages of their life.

After the subjects died, their brains were examined for deterioration and Alzheimer lesions. The more mentally acti people had less brain damage active and better mental function. People with the lowest level of mental stimulation in their later years had a 48 percent faster decline compared to the average.

Take special encouragement if you are not yet elderly elder . One study examined 84 cognitive gniti ly normal people gnitive who were tested for memory ability every seven years from 52 to 87. Brain MRI scans revealed that those who had memory improvements in middle age (43 - 63) had a larger hippocampus during their elderly elder years (66 - 87) than everybody else. The hippocampus is the brain structure that conve con rts declarative ti memories from temporary tive

See Memory mor Medic mory pa 9 page

The Most Important Thing in any Relationship

Are you suffering from

of the

leg pain ∙ swelling ∙ cramping ∙ restless legs spider & varicose veins

Winner

2012

The cause of these symptoms CAN be treated. · Fast recovery · Covered by most insurance companies · Minimally invasive procedures

F RE E V EI N S CR EE NI NG S Call 979-776-WALK to schedule yours today!

Robert Herring, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

2 6 05 OS L ER BL V D. , B R YA N , T E XA S 7 7 80 2 Free screenings subject to availability.

3091 University Drive East, #410 Bryan, TX 77802 www.listenhearaudiology.com

Gordon Mitchell ’77, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.C.C.P. | Gloria Jean Mays, M.D., F.A.C.C. Ricardo Gutierrez ’92, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I.

979-776-WALK (9255) | www.BrazosVein.com T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

50PLUS

November 4, 2014 | 5

Recognizing those who serve

Benefits and assistance available to Brazos Valley veterans

By STAC STACY ACY CANTU Special to The Eagl Ea e

Veterans have ha earned their right to be cared for, and there are several organizations in the Brazos Valley area that offer of services and benefits for them.

“It’s important to provide benefits to veterans because they gave ga in defense of our country,” country said Johnny Yeppez, Brazos County Veteran Services officer of . “Without them there would be no United States. Asking someone to put their life on hold for 20 years to defend our constitution, we owe it to them. They went in our defense.”

The mission of the Brazos County Veterans Service Office Of is to ensure that Brazos County veterans and their families receive cei all the rights and ceive entitlements provided for veterans by federal and state law, according to the office’s of website. It is the advo ad cate for veterans, their families and their survi rs. survivo Services offer of ed through the office of include death benefits, such as burial

6 | November 4, 2014

allowance and memorial plots; disabled benefits, such as a clothing allowance and blind aid and services; educational benefits, such as a special training program for vets and a special program for unemployable vets; healthcare, such as alcohol and drug treatment and hospitalization; and survivo survi rs’ benefits, such as compensation.

For more infor inf mation on the Brazos County Veterans Service Office Of , visit www.brazoscountytx.gov or call 979-361-4360.

The Brazos Valley Veterans Association also offers of services for area vets.

“I strongly recommend that veterans join the Veterans Association,” Yeppez said. “Through the association, veterans participate in functions and build a real camaraderie with other veterans.”

The Veterans Association website states that the association offers of peer support, camaraderie, resources and outreach for veterans. The site also lists upcoming events and activities acti that will keep vets invo in lved in the community throughout the year. For more infor inf mation on the association, visit www. brazosvalleyveterans.com.

Veterans Services at Texas A&M Unive Uni rsity has two offices of so that it can support student veterans and military dependents -- the Veteran Services Of Office and the Veteran Resource and Support Center.

Nick Kilmer, Kilmer assistant director of Veterans Services at Texas A&M Uni rsity, Unive rsity said, “The Veteran Services Office Of is a part of the Office Of of Scholarships and Financial Aid and is responsible for processing and ad advising students in regards to veterans’ educational benefits, as well as maximizing college funding for military affilia af ted students. The Veteran Resource and Support Center is a part of the Division Di of Student Affa Af irs and is responsible for connecting military affilia af ted students to campus and community resources, as well as coordinating campus programming for current and transitioning military affilia af ted students.”

The Veteran Services Office Of awards dozens of scholarships to military af affilia ted students each year; has streamlined benefit processing to allow students to apply for benefits online and has automated processing to allow benefits to be processed within five to seven business days; and processes federal and state veterans’ educational benefits for over 2,600 military af affilia ted students each semester, semester Kilmer said.

The Veteran Resource and Support Center advises ad veteran focused student organizations; collaborates with the unive uni rsity to provide a veteran only history course that give gi s student veterans the opportunity to meet one another and learn together in a military-focused military-f class setting; and partners with the Texas A&M Unive Uni rsity Career Center, Center to meet with potential employers who are active acti ly seeking veterans, and with the Texas Veteran Commission Employment Offices Of , to provide additional resources for student veteran employment, Kilmer said.

The two offices of collaborate to provide services to military affilia af ted students, such as a New Student Conference Orientation for veterans and acti duty military; Vet Camp, which is offer active of ed to all new student veterans and their spouses, where representative ti s from across campus and the tive community infor inf m new student veterans of the resources, services, student groups and community organizations that are in place to support them; and The Veteran Graduation Cord Ceremony, where veterans and active acti duty military are give gi n their red, white and blue veteran graduation cords to wear at graduation, Kilmer said.

50PLUS

Veterans at Texas A&M Unive Uni rsity and their dependents can receive cei ceive either federal (VA) (V or state veterans’ educational benefits.

“The primary federal benefit our students take adva ad ntage of is the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and the primary state benefit which they take adva ad ntage of is the Hazlewood Exemption,” Kilmer said. “The Hazlewood Exemption allows recipients to be exempted from paying for all tuition and required fees charged for up to 150 credit hours of enrollment. Over 1,700 military af affilia ted students, 240 of which are student veterans, have ha been awarded the Hazlewood Exemption this fall at Texas A&M.” For more infor inf mation on Veterans Services at Texas A&M Unive Uni rsity, rsity visit http://veterans.tamu.edu or call 979 845-8075.

For veterans needing healthcare services, the Bryan-College Station Community Based Outpatient Clinic, part of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, offers of primary care services for veterans in the Brazos Valley area. Other services of the clinic include behavioral beha health services, including individual indi group and family counseling and programs such as tobacco cessation. The clinic also offers of blood drawing services and is able to provide routine prescriptions.

In addition to these services, the clinic is able to bus patients to medical facilities in Temple and Waco, facilities that are also part of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, if they need further care. To book a bus ride to one of these centers, patients need to visit the clinic at 1651 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 100 in College Station, or call the clinic directly at 979-6800361.

In addition to local benefits, Brazos County veterans can take adva ad ntage of benefits offer of ed by the state. The state of Texas provides several veteran benefits, including housing benefits, financial assistance benefits, education benefits and employment benefits, among other state-sponsored benefits, such as no-cost medical records and free park par admission for disabled vets.

For more infor inf mation on benefits offer of ed through the state, visit www. military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/texas-state-veterans-benefits. html.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

VETERANS DAY EVENTS Veterans Park:

• Bryan Rotary Field of Valor – Nov. 9 – 16 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station. The park will feature a display of 1,000 American flags, providing a public tribute to veterans, active duty soldiers and first responders.

• Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Veterans Day Program – 4:40 p.m., Nov. 11 at Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza of Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, 3101 Harvey Road in College Station. During the program 133 names of military service members recently added to the park’s Memorial’s Wall of Honor will be recognized.

Bryan ISD: • Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. - Johnson Elementary fifth grade Veterans Day Music Program. All Veterans in the community are invited.

• Nov. 9, 2 p.m. - Bryan High School Band will perform at Brazos Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial unveiling at Clara Mounce Library in Downtown Bryan.

Nov. 11: • 9 a.m. - Jane Long Middle School Advanced Orchestra will perform at Veterans Day Assembly.

• 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - Mitchell Elementary Veterans Day Program “Saluting our Veterans: Uncle Sam is Who I Am.” • 1:30 p.m. - Kemp-Carver Elementary School will participate in the Suddenlink Veterans Day program in the cafeteria. All third through fifth graders will attend. Fourth graders will put on a musical performance of patriotic songs, and there will be a guest speaker. Refreshments will be available for attending veterans.

• 6 p.m. - Sam Houston fourth grade Veterans Day Concert.

• 5:30 p.m. - Henderson Elementary Parent Night, and 6:30 p.m. – fourth-grade Veterans Day Musical.

• 6:30 p.m. - Bowen Elementary fifth grade’s Veterans Day Program.

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

50PLUS

Nov. 13:

• 6 p.m. - Crockett Elementary second and third grades will perform “Songs of America” and honor local veterans.

College Station ISD: Nov. 11: • 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - Creek View Elementary music students will sing selections to honor military personnel and veterans in attendance. Open to the public.

• 10 – 11 a.m. - College Station Middle School’s program will include performances by the band, choir and orchestra programs, along with a guest speaker. Light refreshments for veterans served in the Lecture Hall from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Open to the public.

• 2:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. - Southwood Valley Elementary third graders will present a program of patriotic music. Open to the public.

Texas A&M University: • Nov. 11 – A&M is planning a Veterans’ Lunch on campus. The campus will also participate in the National Roll Call. For more information, visit http://aggieveterans.tamu. edu.

• Nov. 15 – A&M will participate in the Military Appreciation Game against University of Missouri. A&M will be formally recognized as a “Purple Heart University” by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Combat Marine Outdoors will also be visiting during the game, with 10 wounded warriors from San Antonio; they will be joined by seven or eight current A&M students who are also Purple Heart recipients. For more information, visit http:// aggieveterans.tamu.edu.

November 4, 2014 | 7

Dealing with balance issues Vision for the way you live.

I’ve noticed that I am more mor anxious about falling these days da . I have no idea wh I am 75 and in good shape. I do why! lose my balance occasionally ll when lly getting up too fast or when turning, ning but ning, I haven’t fallen. I’m afraid afr my fear is going to make me fall. Can you sugge sug st something that might help? -- J.W., College Station

You are not alone. Not only do people fear falling, there truly is an increase in falls as we age. According to the CDC, more than one-third of adults 65 and older fall each year and 30 percent of those who fall suffer suf moderate to severe injuries. Physical therapists can help in risk reduction and prevention of falls.

Leon Bradway dw dway First let’s talk p Hysical t Her Herap apy about the risk factors that make someone more prone to falling and then discuss what someone can do to minimize the risks, and finally what to

do if you do fall.

Risk factors (source: American Physical Therapy Association): • 80 years or older • Muscle weakness • Balance problems or walking problems • Vision problems (cataracts, macular degeneration, bifocals) bif • Medical conditions that limit mobility (Parkinson’s ar arkinson’s , stroke) • Conditions that cause confusion (dementia) • Depression • Taking multiple medications • Using a cane or assistive assisti device • Hazards at home and outside (throw rugs, pets) • Low blood pressure • A history of falls • Arthritis

See Phys Ph ical therap erapy erap apy pa 10 page

Proudly serving the Brazos Valley for over 25 years.

Cataract Screening & Surgery Diabetic Eye Exam Routine Eye Exams In-Office Laser Surgery Lasik/PRK Refractive Surgery Contact Lenses & Glasses Call today for a Free Cataract Screening

979-776-7564

or 1-800-338-7864

MARR EYE CENTER William H. Marr, M.D., P.A. Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthamology

Jamie Houser, O.D.

2801 East 29th at Memorial Drive • Bryan WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS, WE’RE THE ONES TO SEE

Services Include Nursing:

www.healthquesthomehealth.com

Kimberly John, LVN Trini Perez, Owner Cody John, Marketing

Locally Owned and Family Operated “At HealthQuest, we understand that quality home health care begins with respect, compassion, and understanding.”

• Medication Administration • Diabetic Management • Blood Pressure Monitoring • Wound Care/Wound V.A.C. • Catheter Care • Colostomy Care • Enteral Feeding • PEG Care • PICC Central Line Care • IV Therapy

Medical Social Work:

- Trini Perez, Owner

HealthQuest Home Health

MSW helps with social and emotional concerns related to the patient’s illness. That includes, but is not limited to, the education of community resources.

Phone: 979-846-7870

Payment Options: Medicare (covers 100% in most cases) •Medicaid • Limited Private Insurance • Self-Pay • Worker’s Comp 8 | November 4, 2014

(but are not limited to)

50PLUS

Certified Nurse Aide: • Bathing • Toileting • Dressing • Linen Changes

Therapy:

• Physical Therapy • Ultrasound Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Financial literacy from page 4

• 10 percent - Attire (gown, tux or suit and accessories) • 8 – 12 percent - Photography and videography • 5 – 10 percent - Entertainment • 2 – 5 percent - Wedding rings • 2 – 4 percent - Gifts and favors • 2 – 4 percent - Invitations and other cards • 2 percent - Ceremony (venue, officiant and marriage license) • 2 percent - Transportation • 5 – 8 percent - Taxes and gratuities • 10 percent - Miscellaneous (insurance, overtime, etc.)

Memory Medic from page 4

to permanent memories. What this suggests to me is that it might pay off for mid-life people to develop their memory skills. You may not have thought much about memory at this age because you don’t have

C

Another factor that predicts marital strife is in the process of planning the wedding. Family therapist Faith Wilson has advised countless couples on preserving their marital relationship.

“Brides who want their grooms to help make every decision of the wedding preparations are presenting a complication. Her groom is not in charge of the budget but is being asked to help make financial decisions. She is also asking him to help with decisions in areas in which he has little or no working knowledge. This is a sticky situation, and that is what makes it so valuable to their relationship. In this first major collaborative project, his behavior is an indicator to her as to how he will communicate in regard to other important decisions in their marriage.” The same goes for the bride’s behavior as to how she is likely

to handle stress during their marriage.

Ms. Wilson summarizes groom participation into three main types: • Groom #1 does not participate or grudgingly participates.

• Groom #2 tries to control decisions.

• Groom #3 participates, but will readily admit when he does not have experience in an area. “I don’t know about china but I think what you have chosen is beautiful.”

Ms. Wilson advises brides to take note of their partner’s character traits during the wedding planning stage. These behaviors will appear later in their relationship. This is fine as long as the bride sees these traits and recognizes what she’ll be dealing with during the coming years. Ms.

Wilson realizes that most brides are starry eyed, but she still urges them to understand that character traits (whether his or hers) will continue to develop. “We always think people will change for us. ‘If he loves me, he will change.’ But when it is a basic character trait, people usually choose not to make those changes.”

Weddings are wonderful and joyful events. They are opportunities to experience the value of budgeting and starting a lifetime of sound financial decisions. They are rehearsals for making compromises in relationships and increasing chances of a lifelong and loving marriage.

much of a memory problem. Think of memory training as a form of preventive maintenance. I have written extensively in my columns, blog posts and books on the things one can do to improve memory capability.

Sources: Borhesani, P. R. et al. (2012). Midlife memory improvement predicts preservation of hippocampal volume

in old age. Neurobiology of Aging. 33: 1148-1155.

Klemm, W. R. (2012). What happens to aging brain. Nov. 14. http:// thankyoubrain.blogspot.com Klemm, W. R. (2013) Does humor make you live longer? July 25. http:// thankyoubrain.blogspot.com Wilson, R. S. et al. (2013).

Life-span cognitive activity, neuropathological burden, and cognitive aging. Neurology. 10.1212/ WNL.0b01313e31929c5e8a

Contact Tracy B. Stewart, CPA, PFS, CFF, CDFA, CFP® through her blog at www.TexasDivorceFinance.com.

Dr. Bill’s latest book is “Mental Biology, The New Science of How Brain and Mind Relate.” See his website, WRKlemm.com and blogs, thankyoubrain.blogspot.com.

Thoughtful, Individualized Care.

T h e D i f f e re n c e Yo u D e s e r v e .

Independent Living Assisted Living

You’ve got a lot of living to do; why not live your life the way YOU want in a community designed just for you? From exceptional dining to social events galore, Carriage Inn can provide you with all you need to celebrate life...each day.

979.731.1300

4235 Boonville Rd. • Bryan, TX 77802 • www.rcmseniorliving.com T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

50PLUS

License# 136844

November 4, 2014 | 9

CALENDAR Ongoing

Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Get a workout while sitting in a chair. Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. For more details, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 979764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All

Physical therapy from page 8

• Cardiovascular deficits • Wearing inappropriate footwear or none at all What can you do to minimize the risk?

Obviously, as you age more of these will apply, but keeping active so your muscles, balance and gait (way you walk) stay stable and strong is very important. Many of the problems with aging can be minimized with regular exercise (i.e., walking) and proper hydration and nutrition. Other ways to mitigate the risks are to make sure you remove hazards from your home.

Remove the loose rugs; they may be beautiful, but it isn’t worth the risk of a fall. Make sure that if you are dizzy or light headed, you check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medications or combination of medications could be the problem.

Make sure you stay on top of your blood pressure readings and medicine.

Check it periodically and make sure to take your medication daily as instructed. If you have vision problems, take care of them now; don’t wait. If you use a cane or walking device, make sure it is the right height and in good condition. Make sure to wear proper footwear. If you don’t feel steady, if the heels catch, if the heels are too thin or tall, if shoelaces are too long and/

10 | November 4, 2014

979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

levels welcome. Bring string instruments and a friend. For more details, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors every Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-7646351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Learn how to play 42 dominoes - Learn the popular game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. New players welcome. For more

details, contact 979-764-6351, 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact Annie Williams at 979-764-3779 or awilliams@ cstx.gov for more information.

or if the shoe is worn, replace them.

In addition to these suggestions, a physical therapist is trained to identify and help you remove these risks. If you have any doubts, check with your physician or call our office at 979-7762225 for a free consultation where we can take a look for you.

falling increases after 80, it is a good 3. Strength training idea to stay active and if ever in doubt, 4. Aerobic training come in for a screening. (Please see our 5. Education. website for several pamphlets on fall If it turns out the problem is related prevention, BVphysicaltherapy.com). more to disorders of the inner ear, a physical therapist can also help in the Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical following ways: therapy and director of the Sports, Back 1. Canalith repositioning maneuvers and Pain Management Clinic. See www. (reposition dislodged crystals in the bvphysicaltherapy.com. inner ear) 2. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (exercise program to help nervous system compensate for inner ear issues) 3. Therapeutic exercise (customized muscle strengthening program) 4. Balance and gait training (improve balance and promote safe and correct gait techniques).

The bottom line is you don’t want to continue to Making life less complicated fear falling. Fear is a red for families and their loved ones flag that you should come in for a balance or falls screening. Screenings are an evaluation tool 979.204.7273 that can get you the www.rahcentex.com assistance you need if necessary and minimize Your choice for Senior Home Care! your fears and concerns.

Since you are 75 years of age and the risk of

What a physical therapist can do to help If you are worried about falling or have recently fallen, make an appointment with a physical therapist for a screening. Prevention is so important, so don’t wait. We recently had a falls prevention screening clinic in honor of Physical Therapy Month and were able to identify several people who were at risk for falls and would benefit from assistance. We were also able to eliminate the fears of a few people by sending them home with some suggestions for maintaining their status. You might also join a gym or a one-on-one exercise assistance program like our E-4 Life program. A physical therapist has several tests that can be performed that show whether a person is at risk for falls. If the tests reveal there is a problem, the physical therapist can do a more thorough evaluation to determine the causes and design a program to improve balance, strength and confidence. The program might include: 1. Balance training 2. Walking and movement improvement

Nov. 5

Computer Club for Seniors: “What’s New in Computer Retail” - The Computer Club is open to all seniors interested in learning more about the computer world. Come and learn what is new in the market of technology and gadgets. Held at the Waste Water Facility Training Room, 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Free and no pre-registration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at

50PLUS

Nov. 6

Free Senior Fitness class - “Yangsaeng”, a Korean senior exercise program, has become a common health practice among older adults in Korea. This exercise class is being offered free to seniors every Thursday in November from 9 to 10 a.m. at Southwood Community Center. Register by calling 979-764-6351 or emailing mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Nov. 10

Beginning Computer Class for seniors This class is designed for seniors who would like

See Calendar page 11

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Untreated athlete’s foot leads to serious issues

By CECIL SCAGLIONE SCA

Matur Life Mature Lif Features atur atures

Instead of shopping around for comf table shoes, you might be better comfor of walking barefoot. off ef efoot.

It could save sa you from developing tinea pedia, better known to most of us as athlete’s foot.

Some experts are concerned with what they believe is an ominous spread of this fungal infection of the foot that strikes some three-quarters of the population at some time in their live li s.

If not treated correctly, it can lead to possible amputation among its moreserious at-risk victims – seniors and

Calendar

from page pa 10 to learn how to use the Internet and email. Class meets for two weeks on Monday and Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center. Cost of the class is $45. To register online visit rectrac.cstx.gov, or call for more information 979-764-3486.

Intermediate Computer Class for seniors

diabetics.

While the condition has been around for centuries, the first case reported in the United States was in the 1920s. It’s been surmised that World War I troops brought it back from the trenches of Europe.

Also called ringworm of the foot, its symptoms include cracked, crusty, usty usty, peeling and blistered skin of the feet, especially between the toes, that can lead to itching, burning and swelling.

It’s often accompanied by a bacterial infection of the toe nails.

Public showers, bathhouses, swimming pools and locker rooms are atop the list of breeding grounds for

the fungus. It flourishes in enclosed shoes that keep your feet hot and humid.

The infection can spread to other parts of your body, such as the groin and under arms, usually transmitted from scratching yourself after examining your feet or from infected clothing, bedding and towels.

The foot and toe-nail conditions “are especially prevalent in the senior population,” said Dr. Bret Ribotsky, a podiatric surgeon and past president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopodics and Medicine.

He and his colleagues urge anybody spotting any of these symptoms to

check with their doctor or a podiatrist immediately.

Ribotsky said he believes the foot and toe-nail infections are undertreated significantly. He said he schedules follow-up office of visits every two weeks for patients he’s active acti ly treating for acute tinea pedia to manage the progress of his patients.

The medical community agrees that wearing airy shoes and walking barefoot, ef efoot, except in public areas where you might consider sandals or shower shoes to avoid infected areas, are good ways to avoid athlete’s food. Using foot powder in your shoes and changing socks daily are also recommended.

- Basic computer skills required. Move to the next level and learn more tips on creating and storing documents. Class meets on Monday and Wednesday for two weeks from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Southwood Community Center.

Cost of the class is $4. Register at rectrac.cstx. gov or call College Station Parks and Recreation Department at 979-764-3486.

Exploring History Luncheon - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community. Steve Beachy will present “V “Veteran’ s Memorial Long Range Statue Project” at Aldersgate Church, at 2201 Earl Rudder Fwy S. in College Station. A reservation is necessary for lunch by the Friday before; the cost is $5. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will begin at noon. Reserve by contacting 979-764-6351 or

mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Nov. 19

Senior Circle is out to expand your horizons with

Nov. 20

Movie and Popcorn - “The Monuments Men” - Seniors are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center.

Movie starts at 1 p.m. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more details.

Come play with someone your own age!

an exciting calendar of events scheduled around town and around the world. If you’re 50 or better, better want to meet new people, learn more about your health, travel and just have fun, then Senior Circle year To join or for is for you. Dues are just $15 a year. more information, call Mandy Williams at 979-764-5107 or visit CSMedCenter.com.

Become part of the Circle.

S p o n s o re d b y

Official Healthcare Provider for Texas A&M Athletics

T H E B RYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

50PLUS

November 4, 2014 | 11

The gratifying, satisfying, enriching, mind-expanding, soul-stirring, laughter-filled lifestyle.

And now, two more things you should know about Arbor Oaks independent living at Crestview. First, the new Arbor Oaks has the long-respected heritage of Crestview behind it – which means you can expect a future with as much integrity as Crestview’s past. And second, it’s ingenious: Life Care, one of the cleverest ideas in senior living, helps you manage the costs of long-term care, just in case you need it someday.

Maybe that’s why Arbor Oaks is proving so popular with Bryan-College Station seniors. After all, heritage, ingenuity and happiness-filled hearts make a pretty good plan for senior living.

NOW OPEN. Call 1.888.419.4734 to find out more.

AN MRC HEALTHY LIVING COMMUNITY

2505 East Villa Maria Road • Bryan, TX 77802 • mrccrestview.org

12 | November 4, 2014

50PLUS

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E