Spring Senior Living 2020 by Bangor Daily News

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

A Financial Checklist for Retirement BY JOSH DEAKIN

Thinking about retirement may not be on the minds of those new to the workforce, but it never hurts to get a jumpstart on this important part of your life. It doesn’t matter if you’re fresh out of school or a few decades into your career, it’s important to plan ahead for this chapter of your life. Audrey Klein-Leach is a trust officer with Camden National Wealth Management and has some insight about what it means to prepare for retirement. “It’s never too early to start saving for retirement,” Klein-Leach said. “The sooner you start, the longer your savings has to grow and compound.” Many companies offer a contribution match to a 401k or 403b. If this is the case with your company, be sure to take advantage of it. “A match is free money – grab it!” advises Klein-Leach. Another important thing to consider is working with a financial advisor to assist in planning for retirement, as well as using the planning tools provided with a retirement plan. “John Hancock’s 2015 Financial Stress Survey found that 70% of those who work with a financial advisor are on track or ahead in saving for retirement, versus 35% of those not working with a financial advisor,” Klein-Leach said. A financial advisor can assist you with making the best investments for your financial situation. A younger generation with minimal exposure may under-estimate retirement expenses, and not take things like medical care into account. It’s important early on to think of your ideal retirement budget – while you are still working. “Having a clear understanding of what you spend and how that will shift in retirement is important,” said Klein-Leach. Consider your family’s medical history and prepare accordingly. While it may not

be something anyone enjoys thinking about, you may need to consider having to pay for long-term medical care. “Have an estate plan so your wishes are followed should you become ill, incapacitated, or pass away,” Klein-Leach added. Having debt upon retirement may not be your ideal situation but it’s becoming more common than previous generations. Klein-Leach provided this statistic from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College: “Americans over the age of 60 are more than three times as likely to have mortgage debt in 2015 compared to 1980, a 24 percentage point increase.” When it comes to saving money, any amount is helpful in the long run, but the standard rule of thumb for savings is between 10% and 15% of your income. One way to ensure you’re hitting your target amount would be to open a retirement plan such as a 401k, 403b, or a ROTH IRA. It’s important to keep your contributions in mind when receiving raises at work and think of raising your per-paycheck deduction amount. “This is a painless and simple way to reach the 10-15% savings level,” Klein-Leach said. “Whether you save in a traditional 401k or 403b or a ROTH, having the funds automatically debited from your paycheck is an effective way to save.” Whether you’ve been planning for many years or have recently decided to begin, retirement is more to think about than just saving money. “It is also an opportunity to create a legacy by funding education programs for grandchildren, like 529 plans, or doing lifetime gifting to family members or making charitable contributions,” Klein-Leach said. No matter what your retirement plans are, keep this crucial piece of advice in mind from Klein-Leach: “Retirement is another chapter in life. Write a good story!”

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Games that can challenge the brain Games are as popular as ever. For evidence of that, one need look no further than his or her own smartphone. The number of hours people spend playing games on their smartphones might surprise even the most ardent players. According to the mobile research firm Apptopia, between May and July of 2018, mobile users spent a whopping 3.38 billion hours playing the wildly popular strategy game “Clash of Clans,” making it the most popular smartphone game in the world during that time period. Games might be seen as a way to unwind, but some games can potentially do more than merely provide a way to escape the daily grind. Brain teasers, riddles and crossword puzzles are just some of the types of games that can help people engage and challenge their brains while still providing a bit of escapism. A Healthier Michigan, which is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan and aims to help locals adopt healthier lifestyles, notes that the following exercises, games and platforms can help men and women challenge their brains in unique ways.

BrainHQ According to Posit Science, which created the system, BrainHQ (www.aarp. brainhq.com) is a system of training the brain that was developed by neuroscientists and other brain experts. The BrainHQ platform includes various brain training exercises with hundreds of levels that can help people improve their brain function, including memory and retention.

Writing in the Stars Similar to a crossword puzzle, this game provides a list of nine words to users, who must then find the six words that connect to from a six-point star before they can move on the next level. Available at www.happy-neuron.com, Writing in the Stars aims to help users improve their logical reasoning.

Private Eye With a goal of helping users improve their focused attention and concentration, Private Eye (www.happy-neuron.com) asks players to peruse a grid full of intricate layers and symbols in an effort to find the item that does not belong.

Braingle With more than 200,000 members, Braingle (www.braingle.com) is a popular online community where users can go to access brain teasers, trivia quizzes, IQ tests, and more. Users even rank the games, allowing novices to find games that might help them hone certain skills or ease their way into challenging their brains with games. Millions of people across the globe play games every day. Though players often play games to have fun, they might be helping their brains without even knowing it.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Experience Fine Dining at Parker Ridge BY CHEF TIM LEWIS OF PARKER RIDGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

For seniors, dining is a vital part of being happy and healthy. Meals don’t just sustain our body, they add joy to our lives. Our mission at Parker Ridge Retirement Community in Blue Hill, Maine has been to set the culinary bar high in the senior living setting. Using the latest culinary trends, we aim to create a unique dining experience every day. Farm-to-table cuisine and focusing on individual tastes has been the key to our success. From the comfort foods our residents have enjoyed for years, to the nightly experience of fine dining, we offer the variety that is essential to any menu. Meals range from simple to spectacular and feature homemade soups and desserts, quality cuts of meat, the freshest seafood and local produce. Heart healthy diets are becoming more popular and our team is happy to accommodate any special dietary needs. With a choice of three different entrees nightly, Parker Ridge has established a firstclass reputation for offering some of the finest meals available. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to food. Executive Chef Tim Lewis collaborates with residents during menu talks to ensure that their expectations are met. By using locally sourced foods and researching and

PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKER RIDGE

experimenting with plant-based options, Chef recognizes that as new generations retire, he needs to stay on top of the current culinary trends while balancing the palates of our current residents. Dining is more than eating a meal, it is a social experience. Combining activities with food is a great way to bring residents together in a casual atmosphere to socialize. One of our most popular activities is our monthly themed Happy Hour that finds residents enjoying fine wine and cocktails while eating hors d’oeuvres and listening to live musicians in our living room. Our Sunday Brunch is served buffet-style with interactive stations that include carving stations and made-to-order crepes and omelets. Residents enjoy the opportunity to create their own combinations. With future plans including food festivals, local celebrity chef competitions, the return of our Chef’s Dinners and outdoor patio dining, our goal is to create a dining experience and atmosphere that set Parker Ridge apart from other retirement communities. Our residents love living here, we’re confident you will too.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Pickleball Gains Traction With Maine Seniors BY ERINNE MAGEE

When Gerry Huber’s racquetball buddies started moving away she thought pickleball could be a “decent” substitute. But she wasn’t completely sold on the sport that is growing so rapidly with seniors. “It was awful,” said Huber, 71, of Augusta. “I thought, ‘this is too slow,’ but now everyone has improved a lot and I love it.” Huber joins a group of 12 other seniors every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at the Buker Recreation Center in Augusta to hone their pickleball skills while, of course, enjoying the sociability of the game, too. “My serve has been terrible,” Huber said. “And one of the women told me I was moving my shoulder wrong. So she literally held on to my shoulder while I served so it would stay straight.” While Huber admits she has a competitive spirit, the camaraderie is a big part of the draw to pickleball. That and she also just likes to stay active. The health benefits, as reported by Mueller Sports Medicine, show a reduction in stress and an increase in brain function for those who play. A 2018 Western State Colorado University study found playing pickleball regularly (three times a week for one hour) can lower blood pressure and help endurance (in particular, the function of the heart, lungs and muscles during moderate to high intensity activity). Each year, over 3 million people find themselves on a pickleball court, with 75 percent of the participants aged 55 or older, according to the USA Pickleball Association.

“We play for fun and the joy of exercising with like-minded people,” said Jane Thompson, who along with Huber, helps coordinate the email list of players at Buker. When Buker closes for renovations at the end of May, Huber said as long as she and Thompson can provide measurements, the crew will lay down permanent markers for the pickleball court. Currently, blue tape determines the boundaries. Of course, in warmer months, teams can take to the outdoors to compete but Huber notes the humidity and wind can make it difficult. “Where the wind blows the ball goes,” she said. The ball used is similar to that of a wiffle ball. Those who are looking for a competitive edge can start the summer off in Augusta where the Maine Senior Games holds a pickleball tournament each year. The event, June 13-14 this year, draws players from across Maine and even beyond. “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport at the moment and not just with seniors,” said Jo Dill, Maine Senior Games coordinator. “There is a place to play in almost every town in Maine and folks love it.” Places like recreation and community centers, the local YMCA and school gymnasiums around the state have added pickleball to their regular schedules, and oftentimes, the game is offered free of cost, something that makes a big difference in attendance Huber confirmed.

How it’s played In many locales where the sport is booming, Pickleball has its own court that is the same size as a badminton court (or one can improvise by marking boundaries on a basketball or tennis court, for example). Like other racquet sports, the game is played most commonly with solid wood paddles, a ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and a net, similar to tennis, between the teams or individuals. Scoring may also sound familiar: the side serving (which is done diagonally, from the right side) is the team who has the potential to earn a point (whether this is done by an opponent who fails to return the ball, one who volleys into the non-volley zone or hits the ball out of bounds). The game goes to 11 and the team must win by two. Players of all ages are encouraged to properly warm up (and cool down) and wear a good pair of athletic shoes when participating in pickleball.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

How to Downsize Like A Pro BY SARAH COTTRELL

Now that spring is definitely on its way, Mainers are starting to think about spring cleaning. But for some folks, spring cleaning might mean more than scrubbing baseboards and putting away winter sweaters. Downsizing is what is needed but where to start? For people wanting to move into a smaller home or a retirement community or for those who just want to get rid of the clutter in their lives, downsizing a life’s worth of stuff can feel overwhelming and emotionally charged. But don’t worry, we’ve got a plan to help you stay focused.

Get Prioritized While it may feel like an insurmountable project, sorting through decades worth of things can actually be a quick process if you have the right plan. Sallie Tyler, owner and designer of Happy Girls Co., a Maine-based organizational company, says that the best place to start is with a goal and not let emotions get in the way. Whether your goal is to move into a smaller space or just free up space in your current home, keeping focused on a plan is key. “I have a system I use to work through the process with my clients,” Tyler explains. “Essentially, we go room by room. We take a space and clear an area in the house to work from, usually the dining room table is our spot. Then, we begin!”

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Sort Belongings into Categories: Keep, Donate, and Sell

Tyler advises her clients to think about their belongings as categories of stuff that can be sorted into ‘Keep,’ ‘Donate,’ and ‘Sell’ piles. For trash, she suggests having trash bags or even ordering a dumpster to make sure that throw-away things are removed. “This is where things can get really difficult and emotional. These things represent years of memories for seniors,” Tyler says. “It is good for a family member or friend helping them to practice patience but also tough love. Often, I am hired by the family, as a neutral party, to work with the seniors.”

Avoid Duplicates and Collections Tyler explains that kitchens tend to be crammed with excessive dishes and cutlery and even decorative pottery. By getting rid of duplicates, you can easily cut down on clutter. “Either offer these items to a loved one, check their worth and sell online, or donate. Sometimes, an estate sale is organized,” Tyler says. “When offering items to loved ones, it is important to not be offended when the offer is declined. Styles change.” Sometimes it helps to enlist friends and family to help sort through the objects in your home. But for those thinking that perhaps they can sell their old things and make some money, an estate sale can easily be arranged. “When it comes to costs of downsizing, it can vary on many levels,” Tyler says. “The reality is though, at this point, it usually is a must. When going into some type of assisted living, seniors need to be gently reminded that their focus from this point forward is their health and happiness. Things are just things. Our possessions are not meant to rule our lives, be the cause of family strife or worried over. Let it go!” So, if you’re looking at your home and wondering where to start, remember to keep it simple and focus on your goals. If space is what you need and things are in the way, organize your efforts around keeping only what truly matters to you and let the rest go. For more information on Sallie Tyler’s expert tips, check out her website www.happygirlsco.com.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Beginning Genealogy BY NANCY BATTICK

At some point in our lives, many of us desire to learn more about our ancestors. This usually manifests itself in our senior years as we shed some of the preoccupations of our youth and middle years such as education, work, marriage and raising a family. The beauty of retirement is you finally have leisure time to scratch that itch and begin learning about your ancestors. But where do you start? Here are a few tips as you pursue your family tree. I recommend you start by going online to www.familysearch.org, the website of the LDS Church. The website has a section called “FamilySearch Research Wiki.” It contains learning videos on pursuing genealogy, tips about researching in every state and most countries, and forms such as pedigree charts and family group sheets, which you can download and use to help you organize your research. And, this is all free. No computer? Seek out your nearest LDS Family Center (in Bangor on Grandview Avenue) and your local library. Here in Bangor the wonderful ladies in the Bangor Room at the Bangor Public Library will help you. You can also learn about genealogy on the library’s free subscription to Ancestry.com. I should also warn you that you may find something about an ancestor that reveals they were human with all the flaws that implies. If learning something negative about an ancestor would truly devastate you, genealogy might not be for you. Genealogists love finding the rascals in the family tree because there is more information about them. Genealogists, like detectives, love information. Many of us come to genealogy when there is no one left to answer questions. If you have living relatives or family friends who know some of your family history, you should

talk with them. Keep in mind that the information someone gives you may not be completely accurate, so be prepared to note it all down and then see if it can be verified. The internet is a great source, rife with websites and posted ancestral trees, but not all you find online will be accurate. Don’t trust it until you can prove the information is right. However, there is much good on the internet such as online original records. More and more digital images, ranging from censuses, passports, draft cards and marriage records, are now becoming available. Don’t lay out hundreds of dollars for a genealogical website or genealogical software. Look for free usage at a library or the LDS Center. If you think you want to purchase a membership or software be sure to ask for a free trial. Try it out before purchasing. Always make a note of where you find information, even in an interview with a cousin. You probably think you’ll remember where you found something, but trust me, you may not. I highly recommend you attend some meetings of your local genealogical society. Nothing can be more helpful than meeting other genealogists. Don’t be shy. Making genealogical friends is one of the joys of genealogy. These groups offer programs on different aspects of genealogy. For example, I just did a program on researching probate records and deeds for Wassebec, the genealogical society in Dover-Foxcroft. I wish you the very best in following your ancestral trail. Remember, don’t feel overwhelmed and don’t give up. Genealogy is a great hobby but I must caution you that once you are exposed to the genealogy virus it’s with you for life. Enjoy yourself, have fun, and welcome to the wonderful world of tracing your family.

Nancy Battick is the past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, and has been researching, teaching and writing about genealogy for over 30 years. Her genealogy column, Family Discoverer, runs twice a month on thecounty.me, FiddleheadFocus.com, and in print in The Piscataquis Observer, The Star-Herald, the Houlton Pioneer Times, the Aroostook Republican, and the St. John Valley Times.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Senior Companions Make Independence a Reality BY DONALD LYNCH, DIRECTOR OF SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

Volunteering not only helps your community, it can also support brain health! Research has connected volunteering with a variety of positive impacts for older adults. In fact, volunteering can help you maintain your brain health by helping you to learn new things, meet new people, and stay physically active. Senior Companion Volunteers are adults age 55 years and beyond who are willing to commit between 10 – 32 hours a week in a volunteer role. Senior Companions must live independently, have an income within 200 percent of the poverty guideline, and be physically able to visit with other older Maine residents. The rural and frontier nature of our service area combined with Maine’s harsh winter conditions, can put rural Maine seniors at risk. Senior Companions help other Maine seniors avoid institutionalization and remain living independently. Senior Companions all have unique stories to tell about their volunteer experience. One Senior Companion recently wrote, “I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life that may be without family. Many of my clients are blind or going blind. Some have no family. Without my visit, reading mail and taking them out, they would not be able to live independently. It is a lonely, fearful life and I am honored to help fill that need.” Senior Companions serve 10 Maine counties including Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Somerset, Franklin, Oxford, Androscoggin, and Kennebec. A staff of 2-full time and 2-part time employees provide supervision, training, and education for all our Senior Companions. The UMaine Center on Aging Senior Companion Program, which began in 1974, helps frail seniors and other adults maintain their independence in their own homes.

Clients served by Senior Companions face issues including but not limited to chronic health conditions, low-vision, mobility challenges, mild dementia, poverty, social isolation, limited or non-existent family support systems, and limited access to transportation to physical and mental health facilities and senior social and fitness facilities. Senior Companions provide much needed social connections, well-being check-ins, and help locating needed programs and services. Senior Companions connect with other seniors in need in their communities and reduce the chances of becoming isolated themselves through volunteering. Through monthly training, provided by the program, the Senior Companion Volunteers also gain information about programs and services available to Maine seniors, thus helping their clients and themselves. Senior Companions receive a federally protected tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, and volunteer insurance coverage which enables the Senior Companions to serve their clients without impediment while adding much needed flexibility to their personal budgets. The Senior Companion Program is federally-funded by the Corporation for National & Community Service in Washington, D.C. and also receives private funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation as well as other donations. The University of Maine Center on Aging offers a variety of research, education, and community service programs. If you or someone you know is looking for ways to serve as a volunteer that are fulfilling, exciting, and make a difference, we have terrific volunteer program opportunities with our Senior Companion Program. In the words of a Senior Companion, “I feel I am making a difference in their lives. I enjoy seeing their smiling faces and being greeted with a ‘I’m glad you are here’ with a big hug.”

Did you know...

VOLUNTEERING IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN HEALTH! SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM (SCP) If you or someone you know is a Maine resident age 55 and older and interested in helping homebound or isolated adults age in place, this may be for you! Income eligible volunteers will receive a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

WHAT DOES A SENIOR COMPANION DO?: • Serve 10+ hours per week visiting homebound or isolated seniors • Provide companionship by talking, reading, taking walks, shopping, and being a friend • Provide respite for family caregivers

CALL 207.262.7927 OR E-MAIL donald.r.lynch@maine.edu Center on Aging

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Healthy eating options for seniors COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

“Let food be thy medicine” is a quote attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient scholar considered to be the father of modern medicine. The saying relates to the notion that what people put in their bodies can heal and/or prevent certain conditions.

For seniors with medicine cabinets full of over-the-counter and prescription medications, the idea of relying predominantly on food to promote optimal health may be tempting, and various foods can be particularly useful to the 50-and-over demographic. According to the World Health Organization, poor diet is a major contributor to many of the diseases that affect older people. Poor diet has been connected to the development of diabetes, and degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis also may be linked to the foods ones eat. The National Council for Aging Care says micronutrient deficiency is often a problem among the aging due to factors like lack of variety in diet and reduced food intake. Eating a variety of foods can help provide all of the nutrients people need to stay healthy as they get older. Certain foods may be particularly helpful.

Brain-friendly foods

Foods such as avocado, leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, blueberries, and salmon are good sources of vitamin E, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that may help ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, advises Sonas Home Health Care.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent inflammation that can cause cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Aging.com says foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, should be consumed at least twice per week.

Fruits and vegetables

Fresh, canned or frozen produce tend to be high in micronutrients, including a variety of important vitamins that are essential for all components of health. The

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises eating dark green vegetables, such as leafy greens or broccoli, and orange vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

Energy-boosters

Choose whole grains that can provide sustained energy by way of healthy carbohydrates over processed grains.

Bone-friendly foods

Calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, can prevent calcium from being leached from the bones, which contributes to conditions like osteoporosis.

Digestive system-friendly foods

The digestive system slows down as the body ages, as the walls of the gastrointestinal tract thicken and digestive contractions that push waste along may slow down and become fewer. Foods rich in fiber can promote proper digestion by moving food through the digestive tract more easily. High-fiber foods also may help naturally reduce blood cholesterol levels.

High-iron foods

Without enough iron in the body, a person may feel tired and lethargic from a reduced production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. A lack of oxygen in body tissues from anemia can be serious, says the National Council for Aging Care. Tofu, spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and fortified breads and cereals are high in iron. Smart food choices can help seniors live long and healthy lives.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

A gentler, greener cremation is an option Direct Cremation of Maine funeral director explains. Direct 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 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

COURTESY OF DIRECT CREMATION OF MAINE

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 pre- arranging 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 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 6, 2020

The Bangor Region YMCA: Chicken Soup for our Seniors’ Souls COURTESY YMCA

Signing up for a membership to The Bangor Region YMCA is more than just gaining access to our fitness center, two swimming pools and fitness classes. 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 and wellness program for older adults, which includes special social events, clubs and fitness classes for all fitness levels — from those who want to stay active to those living with chronic conditions. Learn about how our YMCA has helped four of our amazing members improve their health and wellness — mind, body and soul.

Staying Social

John Long and his wife, Nancy, are long-time members of our Y and have started attending our senior-friendly classes the last few years. “We’ve been exercising at the YMCA for decades and in the past few years started joining classes designed to keep seniors on the go. We both enjoy the 50+ ‘N Fit classes which include strength, balance and aerobic training,” said John. “In addition to the physical benefits, we have fun. It’s a good time with a group whose members soon become your friends. I also love the Ridin’ to the Oldies cycling class which follows. You can push yourself hard or not, you decide on how fast you want to go. There is a fair amount of teasing, singing and joking and lots of sweating. The instructors are great and make it fun for everyone. Water Warriors is another excellent class. We work out in the deep end of the Aloupis Pool and most of us wear flotation belts and use water weights to exercise nearly all the muscle groups. There are many other great classes for seniors to help us get and stay fit, socialize and have fun.”

Getting Stronger

Jack Merrithew was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago which ended his career as a high school teacher in 2012. When Jack retired, he became quite isolated, spending most of his time watching television — that is until he joined our Y. “I’ve never been a person who had many friends; I was busy all the time,” Jack said. “But now I have time to have friends. There are wonderful people who come here. The instructors are great, the people who greet you at the door are great. You say ‘good morning’ 25 times coming from the parking lot. In the classes, we go at our own pace and we laugh at each other, we cry with each other and we have excellent trainers. Every exercise we do, they adapt to us in particular. It’s made it so I can come back, I can function—go to the grocery store, drive a car, and walk with my wife. We can do those things and it’s only because the Y is here to provide me with the strength I need to do it.”

Just Like Family

Richard C. and his wife, Linda, joined our Y almost two years ago and have really enjoyed our water fitness classes, not just because it helps them stay active but because of the relationships they’ve made. “A Y membership is a great deal,” says Richard. “My wife and I use the pool four times a week to exercise and we gained two new daughters — our instructor Jodi and lifeguard Shannon. The staff members of the Bangor Region YMCA are the best!”

Moving and Connecting

Carolyn Russell was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s a few years ago at 62 years old. In addition to Alzheimer’s, Carolyn also lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her family brings her to the Y twice a week to take part in Joint Ventures, our water fitness class designed for members with recent joint replacements, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other neuromuscular complications. “Joint Ventures is the perfect way to get my mom’s body moving and it’s an amazing social connection,” says Carolyn’s daughter, Emerald Forcier. “On days when she goes to the Y, my mom is sharper. My mom has that social connection and she moves her body. In the afternoon, she is more likely to remember her granddaughter, remember things that they are doing together and the days just go so much easier.” Carolyn and her husband, Ed, also take part in the Second Wind social events, furthering their social connection. Senior-friendly classes, weekly and monthly social activities and events are included in our Senior Membership for $39 a month. Financial assistance is available for those in need. 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 Carmen Perez, Second Wind Coordinator, at cperez@bangorY.org.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Funeral And Estate Planning BY KATIE SMITH

Planning a funeral for a loved one is a daunting task to say the least. With the added emotions that come with loss, piling on how to celebrate their life and what to do with their home and belongings can leave family members and friends wondering if they are making the right decisions and taking care of everything properly. By sorting out your funeral plans and taking care of your estate in advance, you can relieve your family of some or most of the emotional and financial burden, as well as help ensure that your wishes are met.

Decide on services

Lauri Fernald, CFSP, of Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes with locations in Ellsworth and Mount Desert, says, “It can be a huge relief for family members when decisions have already been made. The individual who has made the plan could have decided to be cremated or embalmed and prepared for a viewing and/or service.” Once some of these big decisions have been made, then family members can use that as a guide during a time of uncertainty. “It gives them direction,” Fernald says, which is the first step in taking care of funeral arrangements. Fernald encourages people to research funeral homes by calling and asking questions, and have your loved ones involved in the process. “Have friends or family come along with you to give you a sense of how the funeral home can suit the needs of you and your family,” she says. Pam Riposta of Riposta Funeral Home with Direct Cremation of Maine, located in Belfast, agrees. “Planning your own funeral or memorial service can provide peace of mind to you and your family,” she says. “By planning your service in advance, you can design and specify the exact type of service you’d like, so that your friends and family

celebrate you as you wish.” Another important decision to consider, says Riposta, are the types and number of gatherings you would like to have. “Decide if you’d like any other funeral events such as a private viewing or visitation before the funeral, a gathering after the funeral, or if you’d like to observe your religious mourning events,” she says. All of this early planning will lift the burden off the shoulders of family members and give them more energy to focus on remembering you and taking care of themselves and others who are grieving during this difficult time.

Cost

Funerals can be a large and unexpected expense. The cost of a funeral is often determined by the types of services desired. “By prepaying with a mortuary trust, the family is relieved of having to pay the expenses that are associated when a death occurs,” says Fernald. There are times when funeral homes require a deposit before services can be provided, she notes, even when life insurance is available. Continued on page 18

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

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

COURTESY OF MAINE HOSPICE COUNCIL

The 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, were the brain-child of Kandyce Powell, the executive director of the Maine Hospice Council (MHC), who had the vision in 2000, 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. For eighteen years, 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, state-wide, 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 past and present 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, 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 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.

Jim VanKirk MD, FACP, Medical Director, Hospice and Palliative Care, Northern Light Health, presenting at the National Hospice Volunteer Conference October 18, 2019

To learn more about our work; to make a donation to support our work, or to register to attend any of our events, please visit mainehospicecouncil.org or call the MHC office at 207-626-0651.

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

“You can meet with a funeral home to set up a mortuary trust agreement in advance so the funds will be available at the time of need. After discussing the services you’d like, they can write you up an estimate and the full amount, or a portion, can be prepaid,” Fernald says. “The single most important thing you can do for your family is to prepay for your funeral and have an up-to-date will.” “Pre-funding your funeral certainly isn’t necessary,” says Riposta, “however, it does mean your funds will be set aside and protected against inflation and unforeseen increases in cost.”

Personal touches

Fernald says you can also get more involved in planning your funeral by “selecting an outfit you’d like to wear and have it ready, picking out photographs for a photo display, or a DVD or music to be used during the service.” Riposta says planning ahead doesn’t have to be hard. “You can take your time creating arrangements that best suit your needs and preferences, and all you have to do is fill out a form or meet with a member of our staff to put your plan in place. Anyone can create a plan at any stage in their life, and you can make changes at a later date if you wish.”

Your estate

Helen Johnson and Aimee Favreau are the owners of Caring Transitions franchises here in Maine. They are both Certified Relocation & Transition Specialists (CRTS) and can help anyone going through the difficult process of moving or settling an estate, and help eliminate the stress involved. It’s important to plan in advance and communicate your wishes to your family members when it comes to your home and belongings, says Favreau and Johnson. If

you feel overwhelmed by downsizing and what to do with all of your belongings, think about how it will be for your surviving spouse or children, particularly when they are grieving. Advanced planning removes the stress that often creates conflict within a family, they say. Get started by deciding who in your family wants what. After you establish that, it will become easier to start to decide what to do with the rest, says Favreau and Johnson. It isn’t necessary to do it all at once, either. Favreau and Johnson suggest doing one small task at a time. Start getting rid of clutter or unwanted items a little bit at a time, set a realistic time frame, and if you start feeling overwhelmed they suggest taking a break or asking a friend or family member to join you for some support. Favreau and Johnson also say to decide in advance what possessions you would like to gift and let someone know. It’s also helpful to start contacting charities to see if they are interested in any unwanted items and ask if they have a pick-up service. The most important tip from Favreau and Johnson when it comes to advanced planning of your estate and belongings: Set a timeline for your estate to be settled and communicate your plan of action to ensure everyone understands your expectations. Pre-planning can be a wonderful gift to give to your loved ones. It can help relieve them of many decisions and take care of the financial burden. When there are lots of friends and family involved in the planning process, everyone is sure to have different ideas of what you may want if these decisions aren’t made in advance. “Creating your own unique life celebration allows you to make sure your wishes and desires are respected upon your passing,” Riposta says. “Planning can be meaningful for your family as well. If you choose to include them in the process, it can make them feel connected to you in both life and death, knowing your arrangements reflect exactly what you envisioned them to be.”

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020

Rest in Peace of Mind COURTESY OF BROOKINGS-SMITH

There is no question that funeral arrangements are to be taken seriously, for all involved. The title of this article is a little play on words to make you think more of “Peace of Mind” as it is the goal of funeral preplanning. At Brookings-Smith, we have found that many of the people with whom we have established preplanned arrangements had thought about these plans for years. It is a relief for them to have these plans verbalized so that they can rest more peacefully, knowing things are in order. It is hard to know how and when death may occur. Our Brookings-Smith staff has worked with many surviving family members after a death has happened and we know firsthand how difficult it is for them. It is such an emotional time and trying to make clear decisions is challenging. You obviously make better decisions when you are not under duress and you have a clear mind. Many people plan for things their whole life, such as their estate, so why not have funeral plans made in advance. One of the biggest misconceptions in preplanning a funeral is that people often think you need to pay for these services at the time you arrange for them. That is incorrect. A good approach is to break funeral pre-planning into two categories: the actual plan and the funding of that plan. When you have established funeral arrangements, which we highly encourage, we, as funeral directors, are better able to inform your family about what was important to you. Having made funeral arrangements for many years, the staff at Brookings-Smith has found that each one is unique, and that many surviving families struggle with trying to figure out what their loved one would have wanted. Unlike many things in life, we have only one opportunity to get it right. Having a plan, however intricate or basic, is a gift. We encourage some kind of memorial, as a tribute, to start the healing process. Funding your plan after it is developed is optional.

So what should be included in a plan? For every prearrangement, we will keep on file the basic vital information needed for death certification. If you were considering cremation we will need a signed directive acknowledging your wishes. Many people have an obituary as part of their plan. In our experience we find that composing an obituary is challenging as you try to put into words in a few paragraphs the legacy of a loved one. Obituaries turn into keepsakes for the surviving family to treasure. Some other details may include having one or two photos, a flag graphic to show veteran status, and where donations may go in their name, spellings of family members’ names, and the list continues. Other details to plan ahead for may include the place of burial, such as a cemetery, but more specifically where on the plot and if there is a stone marker already there; place of memorialization, minister, special music, specific hymns to be played or preference about a slideshow presentation. Organ donation may also be part of your plan. For people who want a casketed burial, it is good to know about clothes to be worn, jewelry, any specific makeup or perfume to be used. Some people are very detailed with all of these questions and some are not. Although optional, many people want to pay for their plan so the survivors do not have to worry about paying for funeral services at the time of death. We, as funeral directors, are limited but the main option is establishing a Maine Mortuary Trust Agreement. You can fund an agreement with a one-time payment or make payments over time. You can also use life insurance to fund a Maine Mortuary Trust Agreement. The benefit of a Mortuary Trust Agreement is that the funds placed into the trust are an allowable spend down of a person’s estate and will always be held in trust to fund the plan. There are many details of how these trusts can be handled depending on the needs of the family. To make a plan with your funeral director of choice is free to anyone. We recommend that if you are unsure who you would like to use, shop several funeral professionals to see not only about price but also if they have the facilities and staff that can best help your family. If you want basic direct cremation services we encourage that you shop these businesses as well to see if they can best serve your survivors. Not all funeral and direct cremation providers are the same. If you are entrusting this business with your money in a Mortuary Trust make sure they have a solid reputation and that they will handle your money in a trusting manner. If you have any questions or concerns about funeral pre-planning or cremation please consider coming to one of our free workshops in April. For more information, visit BrookingsSmith.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BROOKING SMITH

SENIOR LIVING • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 6, 2020