Boone County Shopper Senior Living April 2023

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The Significance Of Various Symbols Of Easter

Easter Sunday is a day when Christians across the globe celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates there are approximately 2.4 billion Christians across the globe, which accounts for nearly one-third of the global population. Though certain Christian groups do not celebrate Easter, many consider it the holiest day of the year. Given that significance, it’s no surprise Easter is steeped in symbolism. The following are some of the many symbols of Easter & what they represent to faithful Christians. Eggs - Eggs might now be more instantly associated with Easter egg hunts for children, but the American Bible Society notes that eggs are symbolic of more than just fun for kids. Eggs represent the new life that’s symbolic of spring, which is when Easter occurs in the northern hemisphere. Christians view eggs as a reminder of the resurrection of Jesus. Interestingly, though colored eggs are often seen as a fun Easter activity for kids, the ABS notes that the tradition dates back to the early days of Christianity, when red-colored eggs were used to represent the resurrection.

Crucifix - The crucifix, which is a distinct representation of a cross with Jesus Christ on it, is symbolic of the crucifixion & subsequent resurrection of Jesus. The ABS notes that the resurrection of Jesus symbolizes his victory over the power of sin & death.

The Lamb - Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the “Lamb of God” (Revelation 5:6-14), so the lamb is another important Easter symbol for Christians. In addition, in John (1:29), Jesus is referred to by John the Baptist as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Easter Bunny - Another symbol, like Easter eggs, that people could be forgiven for mistaking as purely secular, the Easter Bunny is not entirely separate from the spiritual meaning of the holiday. As noted, Easter, even though it’s a moveable feast, takes place in spring in the northern hemisphere each year. Spring is symbolic of rebirth, & the hare was a symbol of fertility among the ancient pagans. The spirit of rebirth associated with rabbits, particularly in spring, also is reminiscent of the resurrection of Jesus from his tomb. Easter is celebrated across the globe. Those celebrations feature many significant religious symbols that have withstood the test of time.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Join your local healthcare & service organizations for a FREE interactive community fair at the Belvidere Community Building, 111 West 1st St., Belvidere. There will be 50 health & services vendors on hand to answer any questions you may have. The event is sponsored by: Symphony Maple Crest, Symphony Northwoods, Heritage Woods of Belvidere, Palliative Care, ProMedica Hospice & UWHealth. Pre-register and be entered in a drawing for door prizes, call 815-544-9495.

Property Tax Assessment Freeze 2023

This program allows a qualified senior citizen to have your home’s assessed value “frozen” at a base year value to prevent increases due to inflation. This does not mean that your property taxes will not increase because other factors affect your tax bill. To qualify you must: Be 65; have household income of less than $65,000; have lived in your home for 2 January 1st’s; own the property; have the property tax bill in your name. You must reapply every year with proof of your household’s annual income. The deadline for filing is November 1st, 2023. The Keen Age Center will have forms available & will also be processing applications for 2023. For more information contact The Keen Age Center at 815-544-9893.

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5 Common Identity Theft Scams

Consumers can never let their guard down when it comes to identity theft. Personal information is much more accessible in an increasingly digital world. Consequently, instances of identity theft & fraud continue to grow.

• The Identity Theft Research Center (ITRC) reported a record number of data compromises in the United States in 2021, amounting to a 68% increase over 2020.

• The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network received more than 5.7 million reports of fraud & identity theft in 2021.

• Many North Americans have been victims of COVID-19-related fraud, including scams involving fake testing, vaccines & treatments, & charities.

The FTC says identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your consent. Commonly stolen data includes addresses, credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, or medical insurance numbers. Though thieves can gather information by intercepting it through digital channels or simply by stealing mail or going through trash, many times people inadvertently share personal information with scammers themselves. Here’s a look at five common scams.

1. Phone scams Phone scams involve telemarketers trying to sell you something in exchange for personal information, as well as people impersonating government agencies or credit card companies. “Please confirm account info” or “We’ll need your financial info to process” are some of the phrases utilized. Never give out personal information over the phone unless you’ve confirmed the individual you’re speaking to is legitimate.

2. Text links The Pew Research Center says 81% of adult mobile phone users use text messages regularly. Scammers utilize text messages to try to gain information. The text includes a link to a site that will request personal information. Do not respond to such texts & avoid clicking on the links.

3. Phishing emails Phishing emails look like they are coming from legitimate sources, but they often contain malware that can infiltrate computers & other devices to steal identity data. Phishing increased during the COVID-19 lockdowns as more people were working from home, according to the ITRC.

4. Medicare card verification Older individuals long have been targets of criminals. Seniors are now being called, emailed or even visited in person by scammers claiming to represent Medicare. Perpetrators of this scam offer new services or new chipped Medicare cards in exchange for verification of Medicare identification numbers. Medicare numbers should be carefully guarded, & seniors should keep in mind it’s highly unlikely Medicare representatives will contact them in this way.

5. Data breaches It’s not just a home computer or phone breach you need to worry about. According to ARAG Legal, security experts indicate many major companies are being breached. By the time it’s discovered that data was stolen, your personal information, which usually includes credit card numbers, email addresses & home addresses, has been circulating for some time. While it’s impossible for private citizens to prevent this type of data breach, a credit monitoring service can alert you if your information shows up where it doesn’t belong.

Identity theft is an ever-present threat & consumers must exercise due diligence to protect their information.

The Dangers Of Letting Cats Roam Outdoors

House cats make peculiar, interesting & lovable companions. Cat owners often go to great lengths to make their furry feline friends feel good, & some may allow cats to roam outside. Though such a decision may be wellintentioned, it could lead to some troubling consequences. Allowing indoor cats outside could jeopardize their health & safety in a number of ways.

Health - Cats allowed outside may encounter feral cats, which can be carriers of disease. A 2014 study estimated that between 60-100 million feral cats live in the U.S., & that figure could be even higher today. PETA notes that contagious diseases such as herpes viral conjunctivitis, feline AIDS, leukemia, & infectious peritonitis are common in feral cats. Cats who catch these diseases could suffer serious consequences, including death. Infection with parasites is another potential outcome for indoor cats allowed outdoors. Though parasites are not usually life-threatening for cats, they can cause a multitude of symptoms, including scratching, skin infections, vomiting, & diarrhea. Fleas, ticks, ear mites, gastrointestinal worms, & ringworm, which can be passed on to people in certain situations, are just some of the parasites cats can pick up if allowed outside. Safety - Safety is another factor cat owners must consider as they ponder whether or not to let their cats outside. American Human disputes the notion that cats have an innate instinct to avoid busy streets. Reliable estimates regarding how many cats are struck & killed by cars each year are hard to come by, but it bears noting that cats’ small stature makes them hard for motorists to see, which could make them more vulnerable to being hit by cars. Vehicles are not the only outdoor safety threat to cats. Loose dogs & wild animals, including raccoons & foxes, may hunt cats allowed outdoors. Cats also could ingest toxins such as antifreeze, which has a pleasant taste but could prove fatal for cats. And though the image of firefighters saving cats from high perches in trees is common, trees are a significant threat to cat safety. Curious cats may climb trees & then be afraid to come down. Though owners may allow cats outdoors out of kindness, this decision could put these pets in serious jeopardy.

Lowering Blood Sugar May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

Aging is associated with certain ailments, some of which concern seniors more than others. One of the conditions many older adults worry about is dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Though there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, recent research suggests reducing blood sugar may be associated with a lower risk. Doctors & researchers have determined a link between high blood sugar levels & the formation of dementia, which includes a loss of memory & thinking skills that afflicts millions of older people. A 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that, even when diabetes was not evident, there is a correlation between sugar & dementia. A blood sugar level above normal levels (depending on activity level & weight, among other factors) can contribute to an elevated risk of developing dementia. Furthermore, a longitudinal study published in 2018, which followed 5,189 people over 10 years, found those with high blood sugar had a faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal blood sugar - whether or not those blood sugar levels classified the people as being diabetic.

The link could be due to an enzyme that breaks down insulin. Insulin-degrading enzyme, a product of insulin that breaks down both insulin & amyloid proteins in the brain, which are the same proteins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, is a factor in the connection to dementia. Melissa Schilling, a professor at New York University, reviewed studies & found that people who have type 1 diabetes & don’t produce enough insulin can’t break down the amyloid proteins naturally. Furthermore, those who take insulin to treat diabetes can end up with a surplus of insulin in the body. The insulin-degrading enzyme gets used up trying to break the surplus down. This doesn’t leave enough enzyme to tackle amyloid brain clumping proteins. These same scenarios can occur in people if their blood sugar levels are elevated, even if they don’t have diabetes yet.

Data published by Harvard Health Publishing indicates “any incremental increase in blood sugar was associated with an increased risk of dementia.” Individuals who have elevated blood sugar levels, or roughly 100 mg/dL or higher after a fast, can tame sugar levels by exercising, losing weight & shifting away from highly refined grains. Individuals also may want to favor a Mediterranean style of eating, which focuses on fish, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, & beans over a processed carbohydrate- & sugar-laden diet.

High blood sugar is another factor linked to the formation of Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias. Making lifestyle changes can keep seniors healthy throughout their golden years.

This Month’s Healthy Recipe

The Basics Of Fertilizing A Lawn

Spring marks the return of lawn & garden season. Lawns often bear the brunt of winter’s wrath, so spring is a great time to nurse them back to health, & fertilizing can be an essential component of that process. An array of fertilizers, with each seemingly designed to address a different issue, can make homeowners’ heads spin when visiting their local lawn & garden center. However, fertilizing is a simple task that any homeowner can tackle.

• Identify which type of grass is in the yard. Turfgrass is divided into two categories: cool-season & warm-season grass. A local lawn & garden center can help you identify which type of grass is in the yard, & this often depends on location. Identifying the type of grass in the lawn is important because that will indicate when to fertilize. Coolseason grasses are typically best fertilized in early spring, while warm-season lawns can benefit from an application just before especially warm temperatures.

• Survey the lawn to identify which spreader to use. A small yard or a thriving lawn with only a few bald or unsightly patches may not need a full application of fertilizer. In such instances, a hand spreader can suffice. For larger lawns, a broadcast spreader is the ideal option. Spreaders have multiple settings, & the fertilizer package will indicate which setting to utilize when using the product.

• Test the soil prior to purchasing fertilizer. A simple soil test can reveal soil pH & phosphorous & potassium levels. Soil tests can be purchased at most home improvement stores & can help determine which fertilizer will most benefit your lawn.

• Water the lawn prior to fertilizing. The experts at Scotts® recommend a good watering a few days prior to fertilizing a lawn. Such an approach ensures the soil is ready to accept the fertilizer once it’s applied.

• Follow the instructions carefully. Detailed instructions are typically provided on fertilizer product packaging. Fertilizing in spring can help a lawn recover from the previous summer & winter.

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

Free Kidney & Health Screenings

Boone County Council on Aging is teaming up with the National Kidney Foundation to provide a free kidney & health screening on Thursday, April 27, 2023 for all community members. The screening will be held at Keen Age Center Community Room from Noon - 4 PM. There is no cost to be screened, & appointments are not necessary.   Please go on their website at https://mobilescreening.nkfi.org/preregistration to pre-register & complete your questionnaire prior to screening. Volunteers are needed to help make this a success, so please consider this short-time volunteer opportunity.

The screening will be offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois’ Kidney Mobile, the nation’s only custom mobile unit that travels across the state screening individuals for kidney disease & its two main causes: Diabetes & high blood pressure. In additional to a free screening, attendees will also be able to talk privately with a healthcare provider about their results.

Each year, kidney disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, but while the majority of Americans can recite the common tests for breast & prostate cancer, many do not know the risk factors & tests that could keep them off dialysis & the transplant waiting list.  Because kidney disease often develops slowly with few symptoms, it can frequently go undetected until it is very advanced. Simple steps such as controlling blood pressure & blood sugar, keeping weight down, exercising regularly, quitting smoking & avoiding excessive use of pain medicine, can help reduce risk.

“One in three American adults is at risk for kidney disease, while one in seven already have the disease” said Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. “That means hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois are affected. Our goal is to educate the community about the risks for kidney disease & detect it early so that they can manage the disease & slow its progression.”

About the NKFI: The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois improves the health & well-being of people at risk & affected by kidney disease through prevention, education & empowerment.  To learn more, please visit www.nkfi.org.

Wishing you the best this season has to offer – Happy Spring! Kelly

STORM CHASERS - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12TH AT 6 PM

Join the Ida Public Library as Illinois Storm Chaser, Nick Bartholomew explains severe weather, local climatology, and storm chasing. Nick will share photos/videos & there will be a Q&A session at the end of the program, so bring all your weather & mysterious Boom questions! Register for this event at idapubliclibrary.org/registration or call 815-544-3838.

The library is located at 320 N. State Street in Belvidere.

Budget-Friendly Ways To Freshen Your Home’s Exterior

As any homeowner knows, renovation projects tend to cost a lot of money. Navigating such an expense at a time when inflation remains high might be difficult for some homeowners looking to maintain the appearance of their home exteriors. However, there are budget-friendly ways homeowners can tend to the exterior of their properties.

• Power washing: Power washing won’t break the bank but it can revive the look of a home. Power washing removes dirt & grime from the siding of a home & power washing can be used to clean porches, walkways & patios as well. Hardware chains like Home Depot & Lowes typically rent power washers, but homeowners who don’t want to do it themselves can hire a professional for a few hundred dollars, if not less. A good power washing before spring & summer season can give a home a fresh, clean look without breaking the bank.

• Furnished front porch: A front porch can serve as a welcome sign to neighbors & provide a great place to relax. Homeowners with a small porch won’t need to bust their budgets to upgrade their front porch furnishings. Some small chairs with bright cushions, a small table & a rug underfoot can revamp an entryway at low cost.

• Window box installation: Installing window box planters is another cost-effective way to brighten up a home’s exterior. Homeowners can hang window boxes outside windows on the front of their homes & then fill them with brightly colored flowers to add an inviting pop of color to their home exteriors. Homeowners should take weight into consideration before buying window planters. Keep in mind that soil & developed plants can be heavy, so look for a sturdy box as well as one that has drainage holes.

• Replace hardware: Another simple way to freshen up a stale exterior is to replace hardware. Door knobs, knockers, house numbers, & even the mailbox can appear dated after a while. Replacing these items is inexpensive & quick but can have a profound impact on how the exterior of a home appears. Exterior renovations need not break the bank. Various simple & inexpensive tweaks can revitalize your home.

Letter From: Kelly Hillan, Exec. Director of The Keen Age Center