Boone County Senior News February - 2016

Page 7

February 4, 2016

Belvidere Funeral Home Inc.

203 Logan Ave., Belvidere

February February

Family Owned & Operated Since 1906 Colin A. Jensen - Funeral Director

We Offer: • Tradition Services • Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services

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brereton inc.

Health Insurance Serving Belvidere/Boone County Since 1950 Major Medical - Medicare Supplements & Long Term Care

BOONE COUNTY

SENIOR LIVING

Independent Agency Offering The Products Of:

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Fred Brereton

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Exploring The Connection Between The Heart And Love

Ric Brereton

Hearts & Valentine’s Day are forever intertwined. One of the most recognizable symbols of love is the modest heart, and hearts adorn candy boxes and cookies.

527 S. State St., Belvidere, IL 61008 • 815-544-3180 “Your Future Is Our Concern Today”

A symbolic heart bears no resemblance to an anatomical heart, yet it is used to represent the deepest feelings of affection a person can share. Some may wonder just how the emotions of love became tied up in the shape of a heart, even though it’s widely known that the brain, not the heart, governs affections.

Barr’s Flowers 119 S. State St. 815-544-3141 Belvidere’s Only Complete Florist Seasonal Giftware, Purses & Scarves, Greeting Cards, Truffles & More!

Family Owned & Operated Same Day Delivery Available Monday-Saturday! www.barrsflowers.com Proud member of the teleflora network ©

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Cemetery Lots $800 - $850 Grave Openings $900 (Weekends Slightly More)

BCelvidere emetery Association

1121 N. Main Belvidere 815-547-7642

In ancient times, people believed that the heart was the center of all human emotions. Since the heart is prominently located in the center of the chest, it became the cornerstone of human feelings. Love is considered to be one of the most profound & strongest human emotions, therefore it was reasoned that the feeling must emanate from the heart.

Surprisingly, the heart has not always been the only organ associated with love. During the Middle Ages, the heart was deemed a useless organ. Followers of the Greek physician Galen theorized that the liver actually was the seat of the soul & love.

The first depictions of a symbolic heart date back to the 11th century, when the heart was drawn to resemble a pinecone held upside down with the point facing upward. The scalloped heart that is more familiar today first arose in the early 14th century. Around the same time, the heart was depicted with the point facing downward & the indentation at the base.

Naturally, as time passed & more was learned about human anatomy, it became obvious that the brain was the seat of all emotion & thought processes. However, as the brain was something intangible in a living body in ancient times, & the beating heart could be much more readily monitored - with a pulse rate speeding up when a person is excited or aroused - it’s easy to see how the link between the heart & love has endured. Red has long been associated with passion, so it made sense to depict the heart in a bright red hue.

Lent

Come late winter, diners may notice more meat-free selections available on restaurant menus. That’s thanks to the Lenten season that precedes Easter Sunday. During Lent, Christians traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Lent is an ideal time for men and women looking to get healthier to include more vegetables, whole grains and seafood in their diets. Try substituting ground beef with tofu, and incorporate vegetables where meat may be used. For example, layer lasagna with slices of zucchini instead of filling it with sausage. Plus, eat more fish. Research shows that fish high in omega-3 fatty acids decreases the risk of abnormal heartbeats, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque and lower blood pressure.

Specializing In Short & Long Term Care Quality Healthcare Provided By A Professional Staff In addition to the highest quality care, we also strive to maintain the highest quality of life.

MapleCrest

4452 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere, IL 61008 tel: 815.547.6377 • fax: 815.547.3857 www.maplecrestcare.com

For A Private Tour Call Our Admissions Department Today

Rehabilitation Services Our rehab services extend far beyond the physical - it is about serving every aspect of an individual with care, kindness and respect. Our goal is to provide the necessary approach to facilitate a complete return to health and successful return to home.

Serving Boone County Over 40 Years!

Nor thwoods Northwoods

2250 Pearl Street, Belvidere, IL 61008 tel: 815.544.0358 • fax: 815.544.5006 www.northwoodscare.com

Page 8

February 4, 2016

HAVE YOU HEARD?

30% SENIOR DISCOUNT FRAMES & LENSES (Includes designer frames & progressive bifocals)

BOONE COUNTY

SENIOR LIVING

Dr. Eric Coy Dr. Sarah Gregg Dr. Norbert Kulpinski

Financial Pointers For Older, Unmarried Couples

Inside Schnucks (E. State)

Moving in together is something typically associated with young couples, but more and more unmarried men and women over the age of 50 are choosing to cohabitate. According to an analysis of 2012 U.S. Census data conducted by the Performance Reference Bureau, roughly 10 percent of the 15.3 million opposite-sex unmarried cohabiting partners in the United States are between the ages of 55 and 64, while 15 percent are between the ages of 45 and 54.

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Such figures indicate that living together as an unmarried couple is no longer exclusive to younger couples. The incentives for older, unmarried couples to cohabitate are similar to those for younger ones, but older couples should heed a few financial pointers before deciding to move in together. * Iron out the financial details ahead of time. Young couples who move in together often do so as a precursor to getting married. Such couples do not typically have much in the way of financial assets and, as a result, do not need to come to any formal agreement regarding their finances. Older couples, however, might be bringing a more substantial financial portfolio into the relationship, and these finances can complicate matters. Before moving in together, older couples should document their finances and how household expenses, including a mortgage if one exists, will be paid. Decisions regarding who will receive the tax breaks you might be eligible for when paying a mortgage should also be considered. Documenting your financial situation can protect your assets should you break up. If these arrangements are not documented, unmarried couples who break up could find themselves in a contentious financial battle not unlike couples going through a divorce. * Maintain some financial independence. Older, unmarried men and women who choose to cohabitate with their partners should still maintain some financial independence after moving in together. A joint checking or savings account might work down the road, but initially keep these accounts separate to avoid any disputes. Keep paying your own bills, including car payments and credit cards, at the onset as well. * Update certain documents and policies. Upon your death, a partner with whom you cohabitate does not have the same legal rights of inheritance as would a spouse. As a result, it’s important for unmarried individuals who cohabitate with their partners to update their wills, especially if they have been cohabitating for an extended period of time and want their partner to be taken care of in case of their death. In addition to updating information regarding beneficiaries, older men and women might want to update certain information regarding their health, like who should take legal responsibility for medical decisions should one partner become incapacitated.

In addition to updating your will, update any existing life insurance policies and retirement benefits to include your partner if you so desire. * Discuss any changes with your family, especially any children. When you make changes to your will, those changes will affect your beneficiaries. Upon making these changes, discuss them with your existing beneficiaries so your partner does not have to deal with relatives whose feelings might be hurt upon your death. This might not be an easy discussion, but you will want your partner to have your family as a support system upon your death.

Older, unmarried couples are choosing to cohabitate more and more. While the incentives to doing so are numerous, there are some precautionary measures couples should take before moving in together.

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Page 9

February 4, 2016

SHARE YOUR GOOD HEALTH

BOONE COUNTY

SENIOR LIVING

with Others.

Best Response To Volatile Markets? Stay Calm

BE A BLOOD DONOR.

Article Contributed By Eric R. Dahl, AAMS Financial Advisor, EdwardJones In recent months, stocks have fallen sharply from their record highs, with one-day drops that can rightfully be called “dizzying”. As an investor, what are you to make of this volatility?

For one thing, you’ll find it useful to know the probable causes of the market gyrations. Most experts cite global fears about China’s economic slowdown, falling oil prices and anticipation of a move by the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates as the key factors behind the stock market’s decline.

On the other hand, the U.S. economy is still doing fairly well. Employers are adding jobs at a pretty good clip, wages are rising, home prices are up and overall economic growth has been reasonably solid. In other words, we are in a vastly better place than in the period before the Great Recession of 2008 and early 2009, when the financial markets bottomed out.

Nonetheless, it’s only natural that you might feel some trepidation over what’s been happening in the financial markets over the past few weeks. So, what should you do? Here are a few suggestions: • Expect more of the same. Be prepared for more volatility, potentially including big drops one day followed by big gains the next. Until the factors considered responsible for the current volatility – that is, China’s slowing economy, low oil prices and the Federal Reserve’s decision on rates have been fully absorbed into the market’s pricing mechanisms, big price swings, one way or another, are to be expected.

• Don’t panic. The headlines may look grim but volatility is nothing new, and the financial markets are more resilient than you may think.

(877) RRVBC-99 (877-778-2299) rrvbc.org

• Look for opportunities. By definition, a downturn occurs when investors sell massive amounts of stocks, but it actually may be a good time to buy them, while their price is down. Look at the most successful businesses and their products and services. If you can envision these companies still being around and thriving in ten years, why wouldn’t you want to buy their stocks at potentially lower prices?

• Diversify. During the downturn, just about everyone’s portfolio was affected. But if yours took a particularly large hit, it might be because your holdings are over-concentrated in stocks, especially the types of stocks that fared the worst. You may need to further diversify your portfolio through a mixture of domestic and international stocks, bonds, government securities, real estate, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other vehicles. Diversification, by itself, can’t guarantee a profit or prevent against all losses, but it can help blunt the harshest effects of volatility.

• Review your investment strategy. Unless your goals have changed, there’s no reason to revise your longterm investment strategy, even in the face of wild fluctuations in the financial markets. Still, it’s always a good idea to review your strategy at least once a year, possibly in consultation with a financial professional. You may need to make smaller-scale adjustments in response to changes in the economy, interest rates, and so on, but don’t abandon your core principles, such as maintaining a portfolio that reflects your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

Investing will never be either risk-free or predictable. But by taking the steps described above, you can relieve some of the stress associated with volatility and help yourself stay on track toward your financial objectives.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should understand the risks involved of owning investments, including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. The value of investments fluctuates and investors can lose some or all of their principal. Special risks are inherent to international investing, including those related to currency fluctuations and foreign political and economic events.

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Did You Know?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, research has shown that strengthening exercises are safe and effective for men and women of all ages, including seniors. The CDC also notes that men and women with heart disease or arthritis may benefit the most from exercise regimens that include lifting weights several times per week. A strength-training program at Tufts University enlisted older men and women with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.

The program lasted 16 weeks, and by the end of those 16 weeks, participants reported that their pain had decreased by an average of 43 percent while also decreasing the disability caused by their conditions. In addition to the benefits uncovered in the Tufts program, strength training can benefit older men and women by improving balance and flexibility, which can decrease their likelihood of falling and the severity of those falls if they do slip.

Belvidere Family

YMCA

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Patrick 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere

Stephen

815-544-2616

Diann

Jeffrey

www.AndersonFCS.com

Our mission is to celebrate one’s life and help families navigate the journey of loss with a sense of hope. One of the most painful events we experience in life is the loss of a loved one. At Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, we believe that finding an appropriate and meaningful way to celebrate your loved one’s life while giving thanks to God for their life is the necessary foundation to healing. - Stephen Anderson

Page 10

February 4, 2016

DISPILL Medication Packaging System

BOONE COUNTY

SENIOR LIVING Heart-Healthy Foods For The Year Ahead According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart disease is the leading causing of death in both men and women. Certain factors beyond an individual’s control, such as family history and age, affect his or her risk of developing heart disease, but men and women are not helpless against heart disease.

Diet can be a friend or foe with regard to heart disease. A bad diet may elevate a person’s risk for high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke, while a diet rich in heart-healthy foods can lower that risk.

The following are a handful of heart-healthy foods for men and women who want to begin the new year on a nourishing foot.

HOME HEALTH CARE DEPT.

WH O NEEDS A DRI V E-TH RU WH EN WE

• Salmon: Though its label as a fatty fish may lead some to question its nutritional properties, salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can decrease a person’s risk of developing an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia), slightly lower blood pressure and slow the growth of atherosclerotic plaque, the buildup of which can contribute to heart attack, stroke or even death.

• Whole grains: Whole grains help men and women maintain healthy weights while lowering their risk for heart disease, making them perfect dietary additions for anyone who resolves to lose weight and protect their heart in the year ahead. According to the American Heart Association, whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats/oatmeal, rye, barley, and brown rice, are great sources of dietary fiber, while refined grains like white rice and enriched bread contain little fiber. That’s an important distinction, as dietary fiber can improve blood cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Tomatoes: Researchers at Boston’s Tufts University analyzed data in an effort to discover the effects of lycopene, which is the antioxidant responsible for giving tomatoes their familiar red color, on the cardiovascular system. They discovered that people who regularly consumed foods with lycopene over an 11-year period reduced their risk of coronary heart disease by 26 percent. The lycopene found in tomatoes may be even more accessible when they are cooked.

Aspiring to eat healthier is a goal for many people come the dawn of a new year. For more information about heart-healthy foods, visit www.heart.org.

This Month’s Healthy Recipe Salmon Melts Nutrition Facts

Ingredients 1 can (6 ounces) salmon, drained 1/4 cup green onions, chopped 1/4 cup celery, chopped 1/4 cup low-fat or lite mayonnaise 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. dill weed 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 4 hamburger buns/rolls, sliced in half 1 cup low-fat shredded cheese

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• Raisins: Researchers from the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center found that consuming raisins three times a day may significantly lower blood pressure among individuals with mild increases in blood pressure. Raisins can help combat the growth of a type of bacteria that causes gum disease, which few people may know is linked to heart disease.

This Recipe Courtesy Of University Of Illinois Extension

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Servings per Recipe: 4 servings

1. In a medium bowl, combine first seven ingredients Amount Per Serving (through garlic powder) and mix well with a fork.

Calories 280 2. Place rolls, sliced sides facing down, on a broiler pan Fat 10g and broil until lightly browned and crispy. Remove from Sodium 650mg Total Carbohydrate 24g oven.

Fiber 1g 3. Turn rolls over and spread 2 to 3 tablespoons salmon Protein 22g mixture on each half.

4. Top each with 2 tablespoons grated cheese.

5. Return to oven and broil until the cheese melts on top. Serve immediately.

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Assisted Lifestyle Communities For Seniors Of All Incomes

815-544-9495 4730 Squaw Prairie Rd., Belvidere

Belvidere Office 600 S. State Street, Belvidere, IL 61008 Phone: (815) 547-5200 Fax: (815) 544-7221 East State Street Office 6838 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: (815) 231-2710 Fax: (815) 231-2825 www.bankalpine.com/investments