Senior Living by Bangor Daily News

Senior Memories of

Bangor

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, March 29, 2019

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Exercise and aging How to work out safely after 50

n an ideal world, people young and old exercise each day. But as men and women age, finding time to work out is not so easy. Commitments to work and family often take precedence over daily exercise. As a result, many people 50 and over might not have exercised regularly or at all in many years. But as children grow up or even move out, people facing down their golden years are often compelled to get back in the gym. That’s a wise decision that can increase a person’s chances of being healthy and happy in retirement. But before beginning a new exercise regimen, men and women over 50 should take heed of the following safety tips to ensure their efforts are not derailed by accident or injury. SPEAK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN. The National Institute on Aging notes that even people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis can be physically active. However, anyone with such a condition and even those who don’t fall into those categories should consult with their physicians and receive a full physical before exercising. Such a consultation and checkup can shed light on any unknown issues, and physicians can offer advice on how to safely manage any problems that may arise. BEGIN WITH LOW-INTENSITY EXERCISES. Even if you feel great and have maintained a healthy weight, don’t push yourself too hard at the start. Your body needs time to adjust to physical activity, so choose low-intensity exercises like walking and light strength training so your muscles, tendons and ligaments can adjust. Initially, exercise every other day so your body has ample time to recover between workouts.

PHOTO: ©HEDGEHOG94/ADOBE STOCK

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLACES TO EXERCISE OUTDOORS. Exercising outside provides the best of both worlds for many people, providing a chance to get healthy all while enjoying the great outdoors. When exercising outdoors, choose areas that are not remote and where others can see you and offer help if you suffer an injury or have an accident. Boardwalks, public parks and outdoor gyms are safer places to work out than wooded areas or other places well off the beaten path. STAY HYDRATED. The NIA notes that many people lose their sense of thirst as they age. But just because you aren’t thirsty does not mean you don’t need water, especially while exercising. Water regulates body temperature and lubricates the joints, thereby decreasing your risk of injury during exercise.

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SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Memories of

Bangor

BY RICHARD SHAW

henever I tell today’s teenagers that I remember a 20th century without Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, shopping malls and Lady Gaga, they may wonder why I’m not preserved in wax at the Smithsonian. But the 1950s and 60s weren’t that long ago, and living in a simpler time, when there was no TV remote to lose behind the sofa, was fine with me. As the Queen City’s self-described “unofficial historian,” I love to reminisce about old Bangor, where I’ve chosen to live for the past 66 years. There’s no other place like it on the planet, thanks to its strong families, geographical beauty and history as the world’s 19th century lumber capital. It’s also the birthplace of our favorite lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. The Cold War years were actually filled with tension over Soviet domination and nuclear war, but with only radio, newspapers and a handful of flickering black and white TV programs in homes, those problems seemed far away. Occasionally, they showed up in Bangor, though. As a young student at the Longfellow School on Center Street, I remember “tucking and rolling” in its dank basement, the proper life-saving stance while under enemy attack. And there was the day in 1962, the year everyone wondered when Soviet missiles fired from Cuba would strike the United States, that a man campaigning for local office passed our East Side home and spoke from loudspeakers lashed to his truck. I thought government officials were warning us to “tuck and roll” for the final time. But mostly, the good times rolled during the ’50s and ’60s. There was amusement at the “new” Bangor Auditorium, completed in 1955; at the old City Hall auditorium; and at skating rinks around the city. My family of five enjoyed

Autho r Rich ard S age 5 haw a with Easte round broth r Sun er Bru day o ce on n Con PHOT gress O COU Stree RTES t. Y RIC HARD SHAW

PHOTO: ©JAKKAPAN/ ADOBE STOCK

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

A Ba n 1965 gor sho pp with a Za ing cen PHO y ter c re a TO C i nch OUR or st rca TES ore. Y RI CHA RD S HAW

The East side of Main Street, Bangor in 1964. BDN FILE PHOTO

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SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Sunday tobogganing at the Penobscot Valley Country Club, later feasting on hot cocoa and toasted cheese sandwiches at the Oronoka Restaurant across the road. It’s amazing how many memories swirl around food. The aroma of Skip Rist’s Coffee Pot sandwich onions, of Frank’s Bake Shop’s hot cross buns, of the Pine Tree Restaurant’s turkey pot pies and of fresh roasted nuts at Freese’s Department Store. My first job, at age 17, was working at the F.W. Woolworth Co. lunch counter on Main Street. When I wasn’t washing dishes and mopping the five-and-dime’s wooden floors, I wolfed down an occasional hot fudge sundae left behind by some impatient customer who couldn’t wait for the whipped cream and cherry to be applied. “Remember these days and your community, because they will never come again,” were favorite words of my third grade teacher, Carrie Rowe. “You don’t have to travel far to find treasures in your own backyard.”

(Top left) The crowd outside the Bijou Theater on Exchange Street in 1960. (Top right) Norm Lambert, right, at piano, and his band at Hotel Turn Inn on Route 2 in Hermon, circa 1960. Shaw’s father, Ward Shaw, plays trumpet at left. (Bottom right) The Jesters, a Bangor-based rock ‘n roll band, circa 1965. (Bottom left) The original Frank’s Bake Shop facade in 1950. PHOTOS COURTESY RICHARD SHAW

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Miss Rowe’s favorite field trips were behind the Mary Snow School, where she pointed out plants that once grew in ancient Egypt (how was that possible?), and to the Bangor Historical Society museum, where a captured Japanese World War II flag was fascinating, if out of place. The only time I saw Miss Rowe lose her temper was the day our school bus, loaded with students bound for another field trip to Grant’s Dairy on Union Street, crossed the old Morse covered bridge connecting Harlow Street to Valley Avenue. A wiseacre cracked that she might want to get off the bus before crossing the bridge since it had a two-ton weight limit. So many of my earliest 1950s Bangor memories are of the last vestiges of a city in which my parents grew up. Street vendors and men playing accordions frequented Pickering Square, and home deliveries, now practically extinct, were the norm. Dairies left glass milk bottles on our

under the stars at drive-in theaters in Hermon and Brewer. We soon discovered, however, that our 1949 green and black Plymouth sedan, with a bar down the middle of the windshield, was not designed for a family of five. To avoid having the bar ruin the show for one of us children, we switched places every 20 minutes. Cars, in all their makes, models and colors, seemed to define family friends. Grace Gilmore, my seventh-grade science teacher, drove a Studebaker. Dr. Edmund Laing owned a green Pontiac that he loaded with trash barrels each Saturday and drove to the city dump, now the city forest. And Merton and Gertrude Cleveland drove a two-door sedan, possibly unique to Bangor, called the Henry J. Gasoline stations lined Harlow Street and it was said that, to serve pre-Interstate 95 travelers, there was a filling station on every State Street corner from Broadway to Otis

Street vendors and men playing accordions frequented Pickering Square, and home deliveries, now practically extinct, were the norm. Dairies left glass milk bottles on our doorstep, dry cleaners picked up and dropped off clothing and the Fuller Brush man stopped by with life-improving products. doorstep, dry cleaners picked up and dropped off clothing and the Fuller Brush man stopped by with life-improving products. And who could forget the Tiny Tot diaper delivery man? Going to the movies was a favorite family pastime. My parents had spent a lifetime entertaining people as musicians, and all three of their children took piano lessons from Harold Annas, a renowned local classical teacher. So it was fun to sit back and let Pinocchio, Martin and Lewis or Maria Von Trapp entertain us for a change at the palatial Bijou Theatre or Opera House. One day, my brother and sister saw the 1954 Technicolor classic, “The Long Long Trailer,” at the Park Theater. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz drive a travel trailer through the Rockies and milk every laugh along the way. The Park is the same theater where my mother, in the 1930s, came into a show late. Eyes adjusting to the darkness, her hand fell onto a large mass of flesh — a screaming bald man’s head. No movie experience could top watching “Bambi” or “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Street. Competitive “gas wars” involved station managers climbing onto ladders and lowering prices, sometimes on the hour. Today, numbers are controlled digitally from inside a store. Today’s world is probably a cleaner, safer place in which to live. There is help for people with substance abuse problems. During my youth, a drunk would be tossed in jail for the night. But there was something special about gathering the family around the TV set Sunday nights to watch another episode of “Lassie,” and laughing until our sides hurt as local comic Eddie Driscoll told another randy joke. Never again will a canopy of elms line lower Broadway as they did before succumbing to the Dutch beetle in the 1960s. And gone are the late-summer TV fashion shows with downtown clothier Mitch Sleeper, who had the courage to broadcast live. “You’ll miss this someday,” my mother used to say, as I sometimes longed for a more exciting life in a bigger city. Now, in the year 2019, I realized she was right, as mothers always are.

Bangor’s Main Street following a storm in 1962. BDN FILE PHOTO

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Know: The various types of arthritis

rthritis is not a single disease. In fact, the word “arthritis” is something of an umbrella term and an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. While these conditions may produce some common symptoms, such as swelling, pain and stiffness, learning to distinguish between some common types of arthritis can help men and women manage their conditions more effectively. OSTEOARTHRITIS Osteoarthritis, which is sometimes referred to as “degenerative joint disease” or “OA,” is the most common chronic condition of the joints. The symptoms of OA vary depending on the joints that are affected, but pain and stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after resting, are common. OA can affect the hips, knees, fingers, or feet, and those with OA may feel limited range of motion in their affected areas. Some with OA may hear clicking or cracking sounds when the affected joints bend, and pain associated with OA may be more intense after activity or toward the end of the day. INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS Inflammatory arthritis occurs when the immune system, which can employ inflammation to fight infection and prevent disease, mistakenly attacks the joints with uncontrolled inflammation. Such a mistake can contribute to joint erosion and even organ damage. Psoriatic arthritis, which the Arthritis Foundation notes affects roughly 30 percent of people with psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis are two examples of inflammatory arthritis. Genetics and environmental factors, such as smoking, may trigger instances of inflammatory arthritis. INFECTIOUS ARTHRITIS Bacterium, a virus or a fungus that enters the joint may trigger inflammation and lead to infection arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation notes that the most common bacteria to cause infection arthritis is staphylococcus aureus, or staph. The majority of infectious arthritis cases occur after an infection somewhere else in the body travels through the bloodstream to the joint, though some infections may enter the joint directly through a puncture wound near the joint or during surgery near the joint. Intense swelling and pain, typically in a single joint, are the most common symptoms of infectious arthritis, which is most likely to affect the knee, though it can affect the hips, ankles and wrists. Some people with infection arthritis may also experience fever and chills. METABOLIC ARTHRITIS The body produces uric acid to break down purines, a substance found in many foods and in human cells. But some people produce more uric acid than they need, which they then struggle to get rid of quickly. As a result, uric acid can build up. The Arthritis Foundation notes that this buildup can lead to the formation of needle-like crystals in the joints that cause sudden spikes of extreme pain. Arthritis can affect people of any age, race or gender. More information about the various types of arthritis is available at www.arthritis.org.

PHOTO: ©PETZSHADOW/ ADOBE STOCK

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Assisted Living: Is it right for you or a family member?

he answer is, of course, highly personal, but here are a few thoughts to consider. There are usually a couple of factors that help drive decision making. One is often real estate. Elders find that they are “over housed” and maybe calling children or hiring paid help to clean gutters, mow lawns, rake leaves, or shovel snow. Even doing laundry, if it’s located up or downstairs from a main living area, can be a dangerous undertaking. Then there is the often-daunting task of paying taxes, keeping up insurance, and the many homeowner-related business transactions. Most assisted living situations will enable the tenant to have a private apartment with utilities included, so payment is one transaction a month and “done.” The second, less-desirable situation is a medical setback that clearly indicates life may be looking different. This is

BY JANE O’LOUGHLIN FRENCH | SYLVIA ROSS HOME especially so if that event causes long-term impairment to mobility or decision-making. Certainly, a fall with a serious fracture or a stroke may be a clear game changer, and then a situation that provides 24 hour support is needed. The need for help may be intermittent, or more predictable. With a staffed facility, help can be summoned as needed and also planned for key times of the day such as morning and evening care. Medications can be administered by staff and refills of prescriptions arranged as well. Some people, if cleared by the personal physician, do and reorder their own medications. The services offered vary, so an onsite visit and interview with intake personnel is essential. A shared space is usually only offered if the facility and the resident use Medicaid (Mainecare) as a payment source. Not all facilities accept Mainecare as a

payment source, so that needs to be close to the top of questions asked. Overall, assisted living assumes competency and it is rather rare that a person who lives in assisted living is under legal guardianship. As such, most facilities encourage choice, independence, and offer a variety of activities and programs to appeal to many preferences. Meals don’t typically follow a “therapeutic diet,” but rather offer education to residents, then step back and allow mature people to choose what they like to eat. About the last thing an elder wants or needs is a food lecture at this point in the life cycle. Chiefly, assisted living is a response to a

need for some safety net structures and supports for elders which are not medically focused or institutionally based. The model helps to normalize the environment providing personalized support in a “just in time” and “as needed” matrix.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Age in place at Parker Ridge

eniors find themselves in the position of determining where they want to age. Realistically, there are two choices—figuring out how to age in place in your home or aging in place at a retirement community. Aging changes us all. There are inevitable physical, mental and emotional changes that affect the daily life of seniors. While not all changes are negative, they do present challenges to aging in one’s home. Many do not have family or friends close by to help. A community like Parker Ridge is designed to make aging in place easy. Parker Ridge is a hidden gem in the lovely seaside town of Blue Hill, Maine. Nestled on 28 acres, surrounded by woods with views of beautiful Blue Hill Bay, Parker Ridge is minutes away from all the Blue Hill Peninsula

COURTESY MEREDITH TOWNSEND The upkeep of one’s home can be overwhelming as people age. Even when the time comes that you can no longer do the work yourself, it is a job in itself to schedule snow removal, lawn care, trash removal, home repairs or even keeping your home clean. Parker Ridge makes home maintenance stress free. All the work is done for you in a timely manner and is included in your monthly fee. Dining with friends and family is a vital part of being happy and healthy. Meals don’t just sustain the body, they add joy to our lives. Parker Ridge has established a first-class reputation for offering some of the finest meals available. With a choice of three different entrées nightly, evening meals range from simple to spectacular

The flexibility in a retirement community means that help is available when you need it. The sense of security and belonging that comes from a small community is something that cannot be found at home. has to offer. Blue Hill is a vibrant little town bursting with cultural, musical and theatrical activities. With the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club, Blue Hill Country Club, Blue Hill Heritage Trust and their numerous walking trails, a renowned public library, and a nationally recognized hospital, there is always something to do. Parker Ridge offers three living options to ensure seniors can continue to live the lifestyle that they choose. Set up as a co-op ownership model, there are 24 cottages that offer the most independent living option. Parker Inn is home to Residential and Assisted Living. 34 Residential Living apartments are available in a variety of sizes. Residential Living offers the flexibility and convenience of renting your own private apartment and the peace of mind that comes with on-site services and staff who are available 24 hours per day. The Assisted Living neighborhood, called Parker Court, consists of 13 suites with 24-hour nurse care and individualized care plans for each resident.

and feature homemade soups and desserts, quality cuts of meat, the freshest seafood, and local produce that can be customized to meet dietary specifications. Social activities help to keep seniors mentally engaged, maintain self esteem and boost quality of life. Parker Ridge offers a wide variety of social activities both on campus and off with transportation included. Whether it is a trip to the symphony in Bangor, weekly cocktail hours, lunch and a poem, exercise classes, art activities, guest lectures or a game of bridge, there is something for everyone. You have a choice in the place you want to age. The flexibility in a retirement community means that help is available when you need it. The sense of security and belonging that comes from a small community is something that cannot be found at home. Knowing that there is always someone looking out for you without intruding is a priceless comfort. Parker Ridge strives to ensure all residents are Happy, Healthy, Safe and Secure.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Bangor is becoming a ‘livable community’ for older adults BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

angor citizens have a lot of say these days when it comes to having a livable, age-friendly community in Maine. The Bangor Livable Communities Committee has been tasked with a three-year plan of making the Queen City a friendlier place in which to live and to navigate with ease. A “livable community” allows for independence, civic engagement, and overall safety for older adults and residents of all ages. “It’s a very citizen-driven committee approved by city leaders,” said Bangor’s Public Health Director Patty Hamilton. Hamilton is also co-chair of the Bangor Livable Communities Committee.

Some research has shown that more than 57% of age 50-plus residents have lived in their community for more than 25 years and most have no plans to move. Rather, they plan to age in place. In 2015, the AARP commissioned a survey to help the city of Bangor learn more about its age 50-plus population, specifically in community life needs. Feedback to the survey included detailed comments, including that there is “a huge need [for] an affordable way to keep seniors at home and able to age in a decent place.” Following this survey, the city secured a grant to conduct a more in-depth analysis. This eventually led

to the city’s three-year plan to be the 100th “Livable Age-Friendly Community in the U.S.” Bangor would join other Maine communities like Milo, Sullivan, Caribou, Jackman, Woodstock, Dexter, and more. There are 63 communities in Maine that are at different stages of planning and implementation, said Dyan Walsh, the executive director of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging and co-chair of the Livable Communities Committee. According to AARP’s Age Friendly Consultant Patricia Oh, there are eight different aspects of

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BDN FILE PHOTO

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

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(Above) Members of the Bangor Livable Communities Committee and supporters sit on a bench in front of the Cross Insurance Center. From left to right, (front row) Patty Hamilton, Dyan Walsh, and Marcia Larkin; (back row) Blake Henry, Durrall Carroll, Nelson Durgin and Eileen McAvoy. (Below) The 2018 AARP summer event at the Bangor Public Library, in which the concept of a “livable community” was introduced. PHOTOS COURTESY THE BANGOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE.

making a community age-friendly and livable. She said livability goes far beyond just housing. Social opportunities, civic engagement, health services, outdoor activities, transportation, and employment are all considered when creating an environment that’s “just right.” “It’s an inclusive model,” she noted of the model from the World Health Organization. “Changes that make the community more livable for wealthy residents of a community also make it more livable for those who struggle financially.” The plan is ongoing under the direction of committee members representing various Bangor municipal departments, the Downtown Bangor Partnership, UMaine’s Center on Aging, St. Joseph Healthcare, Maine DOT, AARP, and others. The committee also includes volunteers. In July, then-mayor Ben Sprague wrote, “Luckily we have a cadre of older adults who have the knowledge, experience, and know how to help our community make the changes needed so everyone can participate.” Walsh claimed the plan, in its first year, takes into account feedback from the ongoing Walk ‘n’ Roll survey about navigating on foot, focus groups, and months and months of work from people who are invested in Bangor’s future. “We want to build on existing work that is already happening in the city, and transportation, housing, and places for socialization are the three top goals,” she said. With these goals, though, the plan comes with flexibility. “The plan is molded as interest is heard,” said Hamilton. “We have great partnership, advocacy, and people have a voice, so by year three of the plan some items may have been taken over by another group or a business or no longer needed at all.” One of the main goals by the end of year three is to have a senior center again. Lack of funds led to the 2015 closure of the Hammond Street Senior Center that once had a membership of over 500 people and had been an active center for some 17 years. Additionally, Hamilton noted an everyday goal is to encourage older adults to volunteer in the community. To date, benches have been installed inside and outside of the Cross Insurance

Center and, Walsh said, “The Cross Center staff are definitely open to adding more.” In addition, downtown business owners have been vigilant in keeping their sidewalks cleared for safe winter walking and work is ongoing to have a senior center return to the city. The incentive beyond community commitment is to receive the Golden Shovel Award at the end of the snow season in recognition for keeping Bangor’s downtown safe and accessible. “What is good for older adults is good for young people, too, because we all have the same challenges,” said Hamilton. “We all want to get around easily and safely, be it someone pushing a stroller and carrying a toddler or a 70 or 80 year old person getting around.” Volunteer Karen Campbell agreed. “The great thing about the livable communities movement is that it encompasses all ages, so everyone has a role. Thriving communities understand the need to be attractive to all individuals.” Campbell moved to Bangor close to a year ago from southern Maine. “While living in Cumberland, I worked with a similar group on age-friendly issues. When I had the opportunity to attend a Bangor Livable Communities meeting and saw the high level of commitment to making Bangor a livable community for all, the volume of ideas the group hoped to accomplish, and the joy and creativity those around the table brought to the work, I was hooked,” she said. Campbell is excited to see the plan at work already: “This allows for a rich sharing of ideas, successes, and not-quite-successes, and it prevents communities from having to reinvent the wheel.” Aside from the everyday implementation of Bangor’s livable community plan like increased benches and cleared sidewalks, Hamilton said there is a trend which needs to be overcome. “Volunteerism has dropped over time,” she said, “so we need to figure out what volunteerism looks like in this new era. We know older adults need to be socially involved.” Because aging is a lifelong process, a livable community is not just a great place to grow older. It’s a great place to live, work and play at any age, and that is the mission in Bangor.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Life Enriching Dementia Care at Birch Bay Village

irch Bay Retirement Village is a member of the Mount Desert Island Hospital Organization (MDIHO), a non-profit health care provider for residents of rural Downeast Maine. Birch Bay was founded in 2001 to complement MDIHO’s commitment to the region’s health and welfare. Birch Bay’s campus includes retirement cottages, independent apartments, residential and memory care neighborhoods as well as an adult day program. The 55-acre campus neighbors Acadia National Park and shares views of Frenchman Bay and the Schoodic Mountains. There are walking paths, garden spaces and a rich assortment of recreational activities. Located on Mount Desert Island, Birch Bay serves a unique population of residents including hardworking Downeast fisherman and seasonal summer residents. All of Birch Bay residents share a love of the ocean, our national park and the desire to spend all their years living on the coast of Maine.

COURTESY BIRCH BAY RETIREMENT VILLAGE

The Safe Harbor Memory Care neighborhood at Birch Bay is the only dedicated dementia care program in the Downeast region. Safe Harbor’s innovative Life Enrichment Program was established in 2016 to respond to the unique needs of memory care residents. A weekly routine was created to encompass all realms of life—physical, natural, spiritual, mental and daily living, while testing and challenging participant’s knowledge and skills: sensory, social, cognitive, motor, functional, creativity and more. The Life Enrichment Program is innovative because it allows residents with dementia to thrive. The old philosophy of dementia care was to reorient people with the disease and bring them back into “our reality.” The LE philosophy is to engage residents, not confront them. Life Enrichment has consistently reduced problematic behaviors and the need for psychoactive medications. All staff at BBRV,

from maintenance to dietary, receive training to learn best practices for relating to, connecting with, redirecting and supporting our memory care residents. The Lifeline Enrichment program also includes music therapy. A board-certified neurological music therapist provides group and individual therapy using music as a tool that stimulates parts of the brain and enhances language skills. While Safe Harbor is a locked space, residents still feel vital and are contributing to a communal household in ways that are meaningful. This provides consistent benefits to residents relationships with caregivers and family members. Through Life Enrichment, the combination of sensory

experiences and therapies increases the likelihood of resident engagement, enjoyment and quality of life. For more information or a tour of our community, call 288-8014 ext. 5211 or visit birchbayvillage.us.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Wrinkles:

What causes them

(and how to avoid them) S ome people begin fighting wrinkling long before their first wrinkle even appears. A poll of 2,000 women conducted by DermStore found that around 30 percent of

women under 35 regularly use anti-wrinkle products. The average millennial user starts at age 26 compared to the average currently 55-year-old woman, who began using wrinkle-reduction products at around age 47.

As skin ages, its natural tendency is to become less elastic. However, other factors also contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Understanding the main culprits behind wrinkles can help people combat them more effectively. EXPOSURE TO UV LIGHT: The Mayo Clinic says that ultraviolet radiation speeds up the natural aging process and is the primary cause of early wrinkling. UV from the sun can break down the supportive connective tissue in the skin, which includes collagen and elastin fibers. Using sunscreen and staying out of the sun as much as possible can help.

EXPOSURE TO POLLUTION: Pollution can cause free radical damage that contributes to wrinkling, advises Maral Skelsey, M.D., director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington. Other data indicates those who live in urban settings have more wrinkles and age spots than those who live in rural areas. Washing off skin contaminants from the air each day may be beneficial.

SMOKING: The contaminants in cigarette smoke can damage the skin, promoting wrinkles, states the skincare company Nivea. Also, dragging on a cigarette purses the lips and can form deep wrinkles around this area of the face.

POOR DIET AND STRESS: Stress and eating unhealthy foods, such as a diet high in sugar, may contribute to premature aging of the skin. According to Kristina Goldenberg, MD, board-certified dermatologist of Goldenberg Dermatology, after sugar is ingested it goes through a process called glycation, which involves binding to different proteins in the body. These proteins include collagen and elastin. By binding to these building blocks of the skin, sugar weakens collagen and elastin and will lead to an appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Stress can increase cortisol levels that affect the skin’s ability to stay hydrated and elastic.

Avoiding wrinkle triggers and following a dermatologist’s advice on skincare products and care can help people stave off wrinkles.

PHOTO: ©MILAN ILIC/ADOBE STOCK

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

It’s time to #StopRxGreed

AARP ON THE FRONT LINES FIGHTING SOARING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES. COURTESY AARP MAINE

mericans pay the highest drug prices in the world. Over the last ten years, prices have continued to skyrocket. Congress, the Administration, and, importantly, our own Maine legislators must take action now to address this issue. In Maine, 62 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have one or more chronic diseases, many of which require patients to take multiple medications. In some cases, prescription drugs represent the only defense Mainers have against crippling pain and their fight against serious conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. In 2017, retail prices of some of the most popular medications older Americans take to treat everything from diabetes to high blood pressure increased by an average of 8.4 percent. That is four times the rate of inflation.

No one should have to choose between food and medicine, but some Mainers are doing just that. The truth is that drug companies make a fortune in profits from older adults and hardworking Americans. The tens of billions of dollars drug companies spend on advertising each year is shameful and results in drugs being more expensive. Drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them. That’s why AARP is launching a national campaign urging federal and state policymakers to Stop Rx Greed by cracking down on pricegouging drug companies. AARP is calling on lawmakers to enact solutions that will provide long overdue relief not just for older Americans, but for all consumers. Several Maine legislators have introduced bills to confront the issue. Senate President

Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) has introduced multiple bills focused on improved access through safe drug importation and affordability through the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. On the national front, AARP endorsed the CREATES Act which would deter brand name pharmaceutical companies from participating in certain practices that can delay or block the availability of less expensive biosimilar and generic drugs. Maine’s U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) joined a bipartisan group in introducing the legislation.

To learn more about AARP’s Rx advocacy work and to make your voice heard, visit aarp.org/rx. If you are willing to work with us to bring down prescription drug prices, or if you have your own Rx story to share, please email me@aarp.org. Drug companies must be kept from overcharging older Mainers and their families for the medications they need to stay healthy. People of all ages depend on prescription medications, and unfair prices are putting them out of reach. It’s time to #StopRxGreed NOW.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

The Bangor Region YMCA: More than a place to just sweat it out

COURTESY BANGOR REGION YMCA

oining the Bangor Region YMCA is more than just a place to wear legwarmers and sweatbands, living out our own version of an ‘80s workout video montage or Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” music video. It’s more than a fitness center with equipment, swimming pools with lap lanes, and studios with instructors. When you sign up for a Senior Membership at our Y, you’re joining a community. You’re joining our Second Wind Program, a fun health & wellness program for older adults, and a community where everyone knows your name and people notice when you’re not here. You’re building relationships with our staff and members who will help you stay active and encourage you to be your best self. You’re joining people who will understand what a feat it is to finally walk up the stairs without having to stop mid-way to catch a breath or to be able to keep up with your grandchildren on the playground. Every aspect of our Second Wind Program is designed to give seniors the boost they want to improve their overall wellness in mind and body. Mary Banfield, an active Second Wind member says, “Before retirement, I had no time for social activities and gatherings like book clubs, craft groups, potluck, and movies, exercise programs designed for older adults, etc. To paraphrase David Bowie, retirement is an extraordinary time where you can become the person you always wanted to be. The Second Wind program at the Y has allowed me to become an extraordinarily happy and social person, the person I wanted to be, by offering all the above-mentioned activities.” Our senior-friendly classes are designed to help seniors improve their balance, strength, mobility, flexibility, and cardiovascular. Our 50+ ’N Fit classes were created to help seniors improve their overall fitness, especially in both every day and recreational activities. Those struggling with joint pain or osteoporosis can increase their range of motion and reduce pain through our Healthy Bones & Joints classes or Pump & Cycle classes. And if you’ve recently had joint replacements or

have arthritis, fibromyalgia or other neuromuscular complications, then you’ll benefit from our Joint Ventures water fitness classes. At our Y, it’s not just about improving your health but also staying connected. Yes, you’re getting your cardio in when you’re in the pool taking Jodi’s 8:45 a.m. Aqua Addicts class but you’re also laughing all the way through it. Yes, you’re noticing your balance improve and your overall muscle strength increase as you continue to take our 9 a.m. Strong for Life with Katie or our 9 a.m. Pump & Cycle class with Jenn but you’re also encouraging and motivating

Senior activities like weekly arts and crafts, instructional poker, monthly book club meetings, and potluck and movie events are scheduled in the historic Isaac Farrar Mansion (located at our Y). each other to push yourself a little more. Yes, you’ll notice your endurance and lower body strength improve as you’re Ridin’ to the Oldies with Rachel and Carmen, singing along to the classic rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s (don’t worry, singing is optional) but you’re also bonding with everyone in the class through the music. No matter how many or which classes you take, whether it’s just taking our 11:45 a.m. Senior Fit Yoga with Rollin once a week or all 45 of our seniorfriendly classes, you’re always leaving our classes feeling energized and ready to take on the day. What many people—and maybe even you— don’t know is that our Second Wind Program includes fun social events and activities

throughout the year. We offer these activities to create a greater sense of belonging and to continuously engage minds. These wonderful activities are organized by members of Second Wind and Jennifer Crane, our health & wellness director. Senior activities like weekly arts and crafts, instructional poker, monthly book club meetings, and potluck and movie events are scheduled in the historic Isaac Farrar Mansion (located at our Y). In addition to the weekly and monthly social activities, we organize excursions around Maine for our seniors. Our Second Wind members love to celebrate “Friendsgiving” at our beautiful Wilderness Center at Camp Jordan, located on the shores of Branch Lake in Ellsworth. We also head

up north for a Moose Tour during the summer and down to Boothbay during the holidays to walk through the beautifully lit Gardens Aglow. It’s hard to believe that all of this—all 45 senior-friendly classes, weekly and monthly social activities and events—are included in our Senior Membership for $36 a month. And for those who like to know how much this breaks down to per class, if you picked a class to take during each available time, it would be $0.90 per class! If you’re not interested in our senior-friendly classes but want to take advantage of our social activities, seniors have the option to sign up for a special Social Membership for $20 per month. Scholarships are also available to help those in need of financial assistance. As a Y, we want to help all seniors in our community have the same opportunities regardless of their financial situation. If you’re interested in becoming a member of The Bangor Region YMCA and our Second Wind Program, stop by our Y at 17 Second Street in Bangor, call us at 207-941-2808 or email Jennifer Crane at jcrane@bangorY.org.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

Why traveling after 50 is great M any people face turning 50 with a little trepidation. They may miss the things they did during their youth and might feel like the hands of time are moving much too quickly. But instead of looking at aging as growing older, men and women can embrace turning 50 and the growing freedom that typically accompanies reaching this milestone. Increased opportunities to travel is one aspect of reaching 50 that excites many men and women. Nielsen reports that, over the next five years, around 80 million Americans will fit into the 50+ age bracket. Many of these people will have extra time to devote to leisure activities. AARP, the leading nonprofit organization for aging adults, says that of the people with AARP memberships, nearly two-thirds take advantage of travel discounts and other benefits in a typical year. The following are some such travel perks. • AGE CAN MEAN DISCOUNTS. The minimum age to qualify for “senior” discounts

varies among companies and for different products and services, so it’s up to travelers to see what is available to them. Not all companies advertise their senior discounts. Read reviews in travel forums or on travel websites to find out which brands or places offer the best deals. • MORE DISCRETIONARY TIME. Even if retirement is a ways down the road, older adults may have accrued more vacation time than their younger colleagues. That time can be translated into longer or more frequent trips.

• AGE-BASED MEMBERSHIPS. Reaching age 50 or 60 may entitle people to join groups that negotiate deals for their members. For example, the minimum membership age for AARP is 50, meaning travelers who join AARP can enjoy discounts roughly five years before they’re eligible for senior discounts offered by other organizations.

• TRAVEL DURING OFF SEASONS. When not constrained by school schedules, men and women over 50 can travel during times of the year when prices are most affordable. This means savings and smaller crowds. This flexibility also can translate into airline discounts, as men and women over 50 with no time constraints can choose to be standby passengers in exchange for discounted or free tickets.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

MHC: improving access to quality end-of-life and palliative care

COURTESY MAINE HOSPICE COUNCIL

he snow falling in Warren, Maine, on Valentine’s Day evening in 2014 did not stop ticket holders from attending the sold-out concert in the Maine State Prison Visitor’s Center. “Sounds of Comfort,” a music group of prisoner Hospice Volunteers, was holding a CD release concert to launch their music therapy CD “Born Again,” professionally recorded in the prison chapel. This “first,” and many others, have been the brainchild of Kandyce Powell, the executive director of the Maine Hospice

Consumer Protection and End of Life Care, Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council, Robert Gordon University Visiting Professorship, Hospice Veterans Partnership and the Greater Bangor Area Community Collaborative. MHC has also been a placement site for dozens of interns, most recently from Maine, Alabama and Canada. In 2015, Maine surveyed hospitals and hospices regarding the provision of palliative care programming. Palliative

MHC remains the only independent, state-wide, non-profit organization focused entirely on improving access to quality end-of-life and palliative care. Council (MHC), who had the vision 14 years earlier to train and certify prisoners as Hospice Volunteers. Powell’s primary goal was to improve quality of life for seriously ill, dying and bereaved inmates within the Maine prison. Her secondary goal was to “tease out” the potential of each prisoner to become his authentic self in service to others. Eighteen years later, the program has accomplished its goals and more. The prison program is but one example of the council’s work since 1992—developing collaborative programs that improve the quality of life for people who are underserved or disenfranchised. MHC remains the only independent, statewide, non-profit organization focused entirely on improving access to quality end-of-life and palliative care. MHC accomplishes this through education, advocacy, innovation, creativity and collaboration. MHC also strongly supports an amazing statewide network of Hospice Volunteers. The list of MHC’s collaborative programs is extensive, including, but not limited to, the Maine Pain Initiative, Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Coalition, Consortium of Palliative Care and Hospice, Annual Wellness Retreat,

care is care offered by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and others, in consultation with a patient’s primary physician, to manage symptoms of serious illness. Palliative care’s goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life, to help them stay at home and out of the hospital. After MHC’s survey revealed only 10 out of 34 Maine hospitals self-reporting any palliative care services, MHC made seven recommendations for advancing palliative care including tracking current and new program development; improving clarity and understanding of palliative care; and improving access to palliative care. These recommendations—and others— are included in the strategic plan for the palliative care and Quality of Life Advisory Council, a partnership with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and many palliative care experts in the field. The Advisory Council is seeking funding to accomplish its goals through resourceful, innovative means, in part using social media outreach to educate consumers, students, policy-makers, and healthcare professionals. Pain and symptom management are keys to quality of life, so please join us this year on May 1 on the beautiful University

of New England campus where MHC is hosting its 22nd Annual Pain Symposium: “Balancing Pain Management with the Opioid Crisis: Are We Making Progress?” We hope you can attend! To learn more about our work; to make a donation to support our work; to attend the May 1 Pain Symposium at UNE, the National Hospice Volunteer Conference on October 18 in Portland, or the Hospice Wellness Retreat on October 25-27 in Rangeley, please visit mainehospicecouncil.org or call the MHC office at 207-626-0651.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

What you should know about creating wills

rafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one. Putting wishes down on paper helps avoid unnecessary work and sometimes heartache upon the death of a loved one. Wills allow heirs to act with the decedent’s wishes in mind, and can ensure that assets and possessions will end up in the right hands. Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. Attorneys who specialize in estate planning will no doubt discuss the following topics with their clients.

ASSETS OWNED: Make a list of known assets and figure out which assets are covered by the will and which will have to be passed on according to other estate laws, such as through joint tenancy on a deed or a living trust. For example, life insurance policies or retirement plan proceeds will be distributed to your named beneficiaries. A will also can cover other assets, such as photographs, clothing, cars, and jewelry.

money or property to help care for those pets. that go against the decedent’s wishes. To However, pets do not have the legal capacity avoid this outcome, a will and other estate to own property, so one shouldn’t gift money planning documents are crucial. directly to pets in a will. EXECUTOR: An executor is a trusted person who will carry out the terms of the will. This person should be willing to serve and be capable of executing the will.

GUARDIANSHIP: Parents’ wills should People who die without a valid will include a declaration of who they want to become intestate. This means the estate become guardians their underage children will be settled based on the laws of where or dependents. that person lived, and a court-appointed administrator will serve in the capacity to PETS: Some people prefer to use their will to also transfer property. This administrator will dictate guardianship for their pets and to leave be bound by laws and may make decisions

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

What is cremation? B

COURTESY BROOKINGS-SMITH FUNERAL HOME

y definition, cremation is the process of reducing the body to bone fragments through the application of a thermal and a mechanical process. Today there is a large trend to be cremated, but what does that mean? Does it mean having some kind of ritual or memorial service, or not? Does it mean being buried, scattered, or both being buried and scattered? Does it mean using your local funeral home, or a cremation service provider? Where does the cremation take place? Let’s look into this more closely. In Maine, there are many guidelines that cremation providers must follow. For instance, there is a 48-hour wait requirement from the time of death before the cremation can be completed. One common misconception is that we take the remains directly from the place of passing to the crematory. Prior to a loved one’s cremation, a good question to ask may be, “Where is my loved one being held?” For instance, at Brookings-Smith, we hold the remains in refrigeration for the 48-hour grace period. Another requirement is that the next of kin needs to sign a cremation authorization form which discloses the procedures of the crematory. So it is important to have your closest next of kin know your wishes. If you have no next of kin, a suggestion is to have this form signed in advance so your friends will know your clear directive—that you wish to be cremated. Many people say things like “just cremate me,” or “all I want is a cremation.” Cremation is simply a means of final disposition, not a form of a ritual. We encourage people to try to identify what their needs or wants may be in terms of a ritual. Is it having a service or some kind of gathering with family and friends, or something more structured with music, rituals, and poems? A funeral or a memorial is about the person who passed, but it is for their survivors. Does being cremated also mean being buried? Burial is not a requirement, although we would encourage a final resting place for the survivors to

visit. These can be very difficult decisions for surviving loved ones who have not really thought it through. Both funeral homes and cremation providers help surviving families with cremation today. Many people use funeral providers so that they can help with things like viewings before cremation, the obituary, a place for memorialization, as well as maybe even a reception. Funeral homes offer a wide range of services and merchandise to consider. There are also direct cremation providers. “Direct cremation” means having cremation completed without any viewing or memorialization.

We welcome people to come to our Cremation Workshops for a complete tour of our facility and all the safeguards we have put into effect to achieve the highest standards possible. Some of these providers are affiliated with a funeral home. In our case, Memorial Alternative Cremation Services is affiliated with Brookings-Smith. This is important information for several reasons. We do not know when or how we will die and we may need additional help from a professional funeral provider. If you are considering preplanning and/or prepaying your funeral plan, making sure you are using a firm with a good reputation should be a must. We have experienced many families that have initially wanted basic direct cremation services but, after the passing has happened, they realized they needed more. Being affiliated with a firm that has the ability to help with memorialization could be important. Also, using a local firm helps with the initial call at the time of passing. If the passing happened at home, it may take hours for a provider to be there. We

recommend that you fully check out the services that direct cremation providers offer—they are not all the same. Some important questions to consider are: do they allow for a viewing? Do they help with an obituary or getting death certificates? Do they help with veterans benefits? Do they have a place for memorialization? Having worked with families for many years, it is one thing to think about how the passing may go – but it is another thing to experience a death. Because this can be such an emotional time, sometimes needs change and families need a firm that can help meet those needs. Many people want to know where the cremation will happen. This facility is called a “crematorium” and each one has its own set of rules and standards. Does the crematory allow for you to be present to witness their operation and to see firsthand their procedures that give dignity to

your loved one? Through BrookingsSmith, we operate Pine Grove Crematorium in Bangor. We have found many families want to be present, as it gives peace of mind knowing that we are overseeing their loved one and can see the process all the way through. Another question is often where one can pick up the cremated remains. At Pine Grove Crematorium, you can pick them up right at the facility. We welcome people to come to our Cremation Workshops for a complete tour of our facility and all the safeguards we have put into effect to achieve the highest standards possible. People have many concerns and questions about cremation. The staff at Brookings-Smith are the true cremation professionals. Please call with any questions or concerns or to make a no-obligation appointment to see us to discuss your cremation plans. We would appreciate your time to discuss anything from a basic direct cremation, to a very detailed celebration of life memorial. Brookings-Smith Funeral Home is a family owned and operated funeral home providing the greater Bangor area with complete mortuary services. For more information, visit BrookingsSmith.com.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

The benefits of preplanning your funeral

oping with the death of a loved one is never easy. Dealing with a sudden, unexpected death of a beloved friend or family member can be even more difficult, especially for those people who have to make important financial decisions while grieving. To remove the burden and stress associated with funeral planning, many adults preplan their

funerals. Adults can be as specific as they prefer to be when preplanning their funerals, and doing so gives relatives peace of mind knowing that their loved ones’ funeral services were conducted in accordance to their own wishes. · PREPLANNING PROVIDES TIME TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS. Men and women who

preplan their funerals have ample time to decide just what they want their memorial services to be like and how they want to fund those services. Men and women trusted to make those decisions upon the death of a loved one will need to make those decisions more quickly and likely won't be in the correct frame of mind to make decisions that will honor their loved one’s legacy. · PREPLANNING ENSURES YOUR WISHES ARE HONORED. Men and women who formalize their funeral plans will ensure their wishes are honored. That can give men and women peace of mind and will provide peace of mind to the loved ones they leave behind, who can attend funeral services knowing those services are being conducted in adherence to their loved one's wishes. Even men and women who discuss their wishes for their funerals with loved ones may not have those wishes honored if they are not put in writing.

· PREPLANNING CAN HELP CONTROL COSTS. Preplanning often includes men and women setting aside money for their funerals before they pass away. Instead of worrying that their relatives will be forced to handle the burden of financing their funerals, men and women who preplan can rest easy knowing their insurance money and life’s savings will be going to their surviving loved ones and not toward paying for funeral expenses. · PREPLANNING PROTECTS FAMILIES FACED WITH SUDDEN DEATH. Few people want to think about their deaths, and fewer still want to think about dying suddenly and/or dying young. Preplanning a funeral and setting money aside early can protect and help families faced with sudden deaths. That can be especially important for young parents, who won't want to leave their spouses and children financially destitute should they suddenly pass away.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019

A gentler, greener cremation is an option D

irect Cremation of Maine has served the state for over three decades from their only office in Belfast, Maine. In that time, they have made the wishes of customers seeking a more environmentally-friendly cremation alternative a priority. Direct Cremation of Maine is the only licensed funeral home in the state offering “Natural Green Cremation.” In fact, the company was the first in the country to offer licensed, no-pressure natural cremation. “As we saw the entire country turning to more environmentally-friendly solutions, this natural process just seemed to be the future and the right thing to do for the environment,” said Funeral Director Katherine Riposta. While Direct Cremation of Maine does offer flame cremation methods, Riposta said

Direct Cremation of Maine funeral director explains. the no-flame “green cremation” method known as alkaline hydrolysis offered by their family’s funeral home is a much more environmentally-friendly option. “Some people choose it because they want to leave an 80-percent-plus lower carbon footprint in their death, and some people choose it because they don’t like the idea of fire consuming their remains,” Riposta said. “It’s quite a gentle process compared to all the available options for final disposition.” Once the natural process is completed, the cremated remains are given back to the family in a variety of urns. One popular option is the biodegradable line the company offers. “Typically, with a green cremation process, we place the cremated remains in a biodegradable enclosure similar to rice

paper. So you could either put the urn right in a source of water or put it in the earth. Most families we serve place the urn somewhere in nature rather than keep the remains at home,” said Riposta. The number of folks who reach out in preparation for a green cremation and burial is on the rise, Riposta said. “I’d say ten to fifteen percent of people prearranging their cremations are selecting the water or green cremation method,” she said. “And about ninety-five percent of the time, people are unaware that a gentle water-based cremation is available in place of flame cremation.” Typically, Riposta said, an individual pre-arranging a funeral or that of a loved one begins by discussing final plans with the family and then meeting with Direct

COURTESY DIRECT CREMATION OF MAINE Cremation and putting their wishes on paper. “We have several funeral directors on staff that will sit with you or speak to you by phone or even email, whatever is preferable, and get your wishes written down,” she said. The next steps would be settling on how to prefund the cremation by creating a mortuary trust, which keeps cremation costs at current prices. Riposta credits her father for keeping the family’s funeral home ahead of the curve by providing an eco-friendly option and being the only funeral home and crematory in the state to provide alkaline hydrolysis: “He looked to the future and knew people were going to want to have less of a carbon footprint,” she said. For more information, visit directcremationofmaine.com.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 29, 2019