Forever Young October 2023

OUR 35TH YEAR 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12 Amherst, NY 14228

Phone 716.783.9119

Fax 716.783.9983

www.foreveryoungwny.com

CORPORATE

President Sharon C. Levite

Vice President / Chief Revenue Officer / Publisher Barbara E. Macks

EDITORIAL

Executive Editor Sabrina Kahwaty

Managing Editor Donna Hoke

Assistant Editor Reagan Zuber

Contributing Writers Carol Ann Harlos, Judith A. Rucki, Carol DiPirro-Stipkovits, Ashley Ziomek

Proofreader Sharon C. Levite

ART & PRODUCTION

It’s that time again

Fall is my favorite time of year (and not just because I love all things apple and pumpkin). The change in weather and scenery reminds me to take a breath and slow down a bit; there are very few things in life that aren’t improved with a deep breath.

Creative Director

Jean-Pierre Thimot

Lead Designer Nicholas Vitello

Senior Graphic Designers / Illustrators

Graphic Designers

Joshua Flanigan, Kim Miers

Taramarie Mitravich, Rachel Kaznica

Photographers kc kratt, Luke Copping, Stephen Gabris, Nancy J. Parisi

Director of Sales & Advertising

National Ad Director

Senior Account Executives

ADVERTISING & SALES

Barbara E. Macks

Terri Downey

Mary Beth Holly, Caroline Kunze, Robin Lenhard

Account Executives Keren Green, Rachel Wasserman

Sales Coordinator Robin Lenhard

MARKETING & CIRCULATION

Director of Audience Development

Social Media Director

DIGITAL

Impending Medicare eligibility can be overwhelming, especially as there are significant changes every year. So if the weather and scenery don’t do it, let me be the one to remind you to take a breath and slow down. You’ve got this, and Forever Young is here to help. In this issue, we spell out important changes and introduce you to Andrew Hibbard, who provides resources and assistance to Western New Yorkers enrolling in Medicare. And that’s not all we’re helping with. This month, we’re thrilled to host our annual Forever Young

Expo on Thursday, October 26 from 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara. Get a free health screening, talk with experts specializing in products and services for our readership, chat with your favorite Forever Young columnists, and more. Learn more about the Expo on page 17.

Until then, take a deep breath and enjoy this beautiful Western New York fall.

See you at the Expo!

Robin Lenhard

Robin Lenhard

Web Master Kim Miers

FINANCE

Sabrina Kahwaty Executive Editor

Finance Manager

Dominic Caruso

Forever Young is published monthly, with an annual Senior Directory. Copyright ©2023 by Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228 and is open Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The entire contents of Forever Young are copyrighted 2023 by Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. All rights reserved. Display advertising information and rates may be obtained by calling (716) 783-9119 ext 2250. For home delivery by mail, send check or money order for $12.00 payable to Forever Young. Standard mail postage paid at Amherst, NY 14228. POSTMASTER send change of address to Forever Young, 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228. Manuscripts and free calendar listings should be sent to the editor (skahwaty@foreveryoungwny.com) at 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self addressed, stamped envelope of adequate size and strength. The publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertising message or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the paper.

FOREVER YOUNG *OCTOBER RESOURCES

*PLEASE CONTACT EVENT/PROGRAM ORGANIZERS TO CONFIRM INFORMATION PROVIDED Do you have an event or resource to list? Email it to skahwaty@foreveryoungwny.com.

Buffalo HEADWAY SUPPORT

GROUPS For individuals who have sustained brain injuries, their families, and caregivers; exchange information and resources, and find mutual support and encouragement. Info: 408-3100 or headwayofwny.org

Buffalo PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP United Way – Room 219, 742 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Contact: Stephanie Mruzek. Email: eastamherstDSM@ solsticeseniorliving.com. Visit parkinson.org for a full listing of Parkinson’s support groups in WNY.

Buffalo ZERO/US TOO! PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT

GROUP meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Buffalo VA Hospital (3495 Bailey Avenue, Room 301) 7-9 p.m. and at Sisters Hospital, St. Joe’s Campus (2605 Harlem Road in the First Floor Community Room) 7-9 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month. Free and open to all.

Buffalo LGBTQ MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVERS

PROGRAM: The Pride Center of WNY offers support and education for people providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. For information: 852-7743 or pridecenterwny.org

Clarence WNY MEDICARE SMART START PROGRAM offers free help applying for Medicare.

WNY MEDICARE SMARTSAVER PROGRAM offers free help to review, research, maximize coverage, and minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Services offered through WNY Medicare Resource Center. Info: 833-0252 or wnymedicare.org

Depew BREAST CANCER NETWORK OF WNY Call 706-0060 or visit bcnwny.org for more information.

Gowanda HEALTHY COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

Activities open to the public age 50+, (no residency requirements), Concord Senior Center, 1 School Street, Gowanda; for schedule, visit communityalliance.org; 532-1010

Hamburg ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP for males; call 626-0600 or visit alz.org/wnyc for info.

Kenmore KENTON COMMUNITY RESOURCE HUB offers health and wellness and providers, WIC, SNAP, veterans’ assistance, and more. Third Thursday of each month, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. Kenmore United Methodist Church (32 Landers Road). For info, email kumcoffice32@gmail.com.

Niagara Falls SENIOR COMPANION/FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

Looking for seniors who enjoy working with their peers or children. Volunteers receive a tax-free stipend, transportation assistance, and supplemental insurance coverage while volunteering. If you are 55+ and want to make a difference, call 285-8224 Jennifer Britton (ext. 217) for Senior Companions and Kelly Carr (ext. 228) for Foster Grandparents

Niagara Falls SINGLES SOCIAL CLUB: This active 50+ crowd holds Meet & Greets second Fridays at Tim Hortons (8500 Niagara Falls Boulevard) and dances third Friday at Buff Social Club (2565 Young St.). For more info, see Facebook: SINGLES SOCIAL CLUB or call 550-1232

Northtowns SOARING SPIRITS

WNY Widowed people meet for conversation, meals, and support. Ongoing meetings take place at Hillview Restaurant (6135 Transit Road) and Family Tree Restaurant (4336 North Bailey Avenue). Learn more at soaringspirits.org and Facebook. For information, contact Toni (admucilli@gmail.com) or Debbie (howndeb@hotmail.com).

Online IMAGINE BUFFALO SPEAKER SERIES Presented by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in conjunction with C-SAAHN and ImagineLifelongLearning.com via Zoom every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Each week features a local speaker and Q&A. FREE. Visit website for Zoom link: buffalolib.libcal.org

Online LAUGHTER WELLNESS

Come as you are, just bring your laughter! Tuesdays at 11 a.m. FREE. Visit facebook.com/BuffaloLaughers for information.

Southtowns NEW HORIZONS

MUSIC Calling all musicians 50+. For info, email Janet Stout at 354janet@gmail.com and visit newhorizonsmusic.org.

West Seneca AMANA GARDEN CLUB OF WEST SENECA, is welcoming new members interested in gardening, floral arrangement, and more. For more information, contact Marie: 884-8543

Williamsville MCGUIRE GROUP MEMORY CARE SUPPORT: Coordinated with the Alzheimer’s Association, with caregiving tips and coping mechanisms. Info: 6323700 or mcguiregroup.com

Multiple Locations TOPS CLUBS

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Clubs offer tools, programs, support, and fellowship for healthy living and weight management.

Akron For info, call Diane 542-4980

Niagara Falls For info, call Beth 385-7558

Farnham For info, call 934-9619

Lancaster For info, call Eva 407-0539

Silver Creek For info, call 680-0313 Tonawanda For info, call 693-5161 www.tops.org

West Seneca For info, call 474-9125

THEME:

ACROSS

1. Brainchild

5. Gravestone wish

8. Paleozoic one

11. Pressing tool

12. Senegal’s neighbor

13. Literary theme

15. Scissors sound

16. Final notice

17. *Notre Dame’s Fighting ____

18. *Home of the first Super Bowl winners

20. National League Pennant series, acr.

21. Steer clear

22. “Glee” actress ____ Michele

23. Befuddled

26. *One of 4 NFL teams sharing a home field

29. Fish story

30. Stockings

33. “Doggone it!”

35. Rand McNally book

37. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo”

38. Whiskey drinks?

39. Comedy act

40. Be more of a fox

42. Dead or Black, e.g.

43. Obliquely

45. Roof supporter

47. High or low card

48. Employer’s good news

50. Hyperbolic tangent

52. *College player not using eligibility

55. Beastly person

56. Double-reed instrument

57. *Nike Pegasus 39

59. Smidgeons

60. Paddleboarding acronym, pl.

61. Seaside bird

62. *Thirty-____ teams in NFL

63. *Ravens’ or Lions’ time, acr.

64. *Rushing unit

DOWN

1. “____ Now or Never”

2. “Shoot!”

3. Arabian bigwig

4. Fund-raising letter

5. Torah teacher

6. Homer’s famous poem

7. Feel for

8. Larger-than-life

9. A Supreme singer

10. Emerald ____ borer

12. Poet’s death lament

13. Fungal skin infection

14. *Home of the Citrus Bowl in Florida

19. Not odds

22. Lily, in French

23. Unfortunately, exclamation

24. *a.k.a. Iron Mike

25. Charcuterie stores

26. Nibble away

27. Have faith

28. Ranee’s wrap

31. Lummox

32. Calendar abbr.

34. Russian autocrat

36. *Home to College Football Hall of Fame

38. Secret supply

40. *Extra point

41. Van Gogh flowers

44. Partners of pains

46. Spirited

48. Puzzle with pictures and letters

49. Take as one’s own

50. Think, archaic

51. Grand theft target

52. *The oldest college football Bowl

53. Actress Perlman

54. Millimeter of mercury

55. Took the bait

58. *Defensive one

The solution for this month’s puzzle can be found on page 28.

FOOTBALL

To overwinter or not Bringing garden plants indoors

October fills me with both joy and sadness regarding the garden. I understand that many plants enter a time of rest. Some die as their life cycles complete. And some we can choose to overwinter in our homes.

Why bother? Well, we hate to see plants die unnecessarily. Saving plants means saving money next season. We can share plants with other gardeners. It’s an interesting challenge and satisfying if successful. Isn’t that what gardening is about?

Plants need nourishment, water, light, and a place to rest safe from the cold. Can you commit to the time, minimal expense, and setting up proper light conditions for overwintering?

The easiest plants to overwinter are those with bulbous roots—fleshy bulbs, corms, and tubers. These include tuberous begonias, sweet potato vines, dahlias, oxalis, caladiums, and cannas. Since the roots hold moisture, they need little water to sustain them over the winter; tropical plants need winter rest! However, they need a first frost to trigger that rest, so don’t be in a hurry to dig them up; when hard frost makes the tops die back, it’s time to bring them inside. (Some plants such as banana, brugmansia, datura, and jasmine need to be dug up before the first frost.)

Dig them up and place them in containers in a cool dark place; if they are already in pots, you may leave them there. I don’t wash the roots, but some gardeners do. Some people cut them back, but I don’t because I worry about introducing bacteria or fungi into wounded tissue.

I don’t water them over winter, but I do sprinkle them every so often to maintain humidity. Many of these plants will begin new growth sometime in April. In the spring, they will need to

be re-potted in fresh soil and hardened off before their return to the garden.

You can also overwinter some plants as house plants. This is most easily done if they’re growing in pots. Examples include caladiums, Boston ferns, hibiscus, coleus, and geraniums. If you do this, give these plants sufficient light or they will get spindly and untidy!

Sometimes, when plants are too big to easily move and you don’t want them to die, it’s more convenient to take cuttings from them rather than bring them indoors. Coleus, impatiens, and rosemary fall into this category, but have fun experimenting with some true annuals as well! Make leafstem cuttings of marigolds, zinnias, and other annuals; the resulting plants will be identical to the parents! Remove the flowers and most leaves from your cuttings and leave several nodes (growing spots where the leaves or branching were located). Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone. Poke a hole into moist vermiculite and plant your cuttings. (I discovered a little trick:

after I poke a hole into the vermiculite, I put some rooting hormone in the hole; this improves root formation!) When the cuttings are well rooted, transplant them into potting mix and supply them with moisture and light. This is really fun! Who said the gardening season was over?

I love hearing from you: caharlos@ verizon.net FY

Carol Ann Harlos is an awardwinning retired math and science teacher, Master Gardener, beekeeper, writer, and speaker. She tends extensive gardens, including herbs, and loves learning from others and sharing her knowledge.

CAROL ANN HARLOS

FAN research Exploring the people who surround your ancestors

Acommonmistake in genealogy research is focusing on a relative with blinders on. At the start of our research, we locate records and learn about our ancestors’ lives by connecting them to biological and genealogical relatives—siblings, parents, spouses, and children. But by stopping there and not exploring the circle around subjects, we can overlook clues that could extend both our knowledge about the ancestor and our family tree.

Cluster and FAN—friends, associates, and neighbors—research are terms used interchangeably because they are essentially the

same thing. As an example, I’ll use one of my own ancestors, Marie. Marie’s records include census records from both the US

and Canada from 1910 to 1950. I also found marriage records, border crossing records, church records, and city directories. All

these records helped me determine where Marie lived and traveled, but more information would paint a broader picture. Who traveled with her, who married her, and who filed for a marriage license just before or after hers?

Census records can show us who our ancestors’ neighbors were and who else lived in their community. Who voted immediately before or after the ancestor? By whom were they employed? These people are their FAN Club and may be connected, though initially you may not see it. By fanning out to research these people, we open new avenues of information.

F is for Family: Look at family members who lived nearby, in the same town and county. Do this by looking at census records and vital records. Who lived closest to them? Were the neighbors family or just associates? Who witnessed marriages and baptisms? Looking at Marie’s marriage record to Adrien, I found her brothers Antoine and Felix directly before and after her record. Imagine my surprise to find Felix married Adrien’s sister, Loretta, and Antoine married Adrien’s sister Marguerite all on the same day! Both sets of parents witnessed the events.

A is for Associates: Research the family’s associates by considering whom they may have encountered, e.g. who did they serve with in times of war? Who owned or worked in the local store? Who belonged to the same church or social group? Check local newspapers for clues for possible associates. An associate could be a witness on a document or a business partner. After finding the above marriages, I looked for a connection between the two families. Researching their small town’s history, I found that Adrien’s family owned the town bakery where Marie’s brothers, bakers by trade, were employed.

N is for Neighbors: The obvious place to find neighbors is the census, but don’t forget to turn the page! Sometimes a neighbor is not on the same page as your ancestor.

CAROL DIPIRRO-STIPKOVITS

Also, just because a person appears directly before your ancestor on the census doesn’t mean they were neighbors; this only indicates the order in which the census taker visited their homes. Don’t disregard neighbors in the cemetery! I always photograph my ancestors’ neighboring graves. Although it’s a stretch that they would be connected, it recently paid off. My paternal grandparents arrived from Italy separately as was the norm

at that time. When reviewing my grandmother’s manifest, I found the next name to be her cemetery “neighbor”. After further research, I confirmed that they traveled together to the US (with six children under age four), settled in the same area, and remained neighbors throughout their lives— and beyond.

We tend to focus on our direct ancestors, but don’t let that focus get too narrow. Take some time to build their FAN clubs; the more you know about their family, associates, and neighbors, the more you will learn about them. FY

Carol DiPirro-Stipkovits is a member of both the National Genealogical Society and Association of Professional Genealogists. Carol is also Vice-President and Board Chairman of the Niagara County Genealogical Society. Contact her at noellasdaughter@gmail.com.

Preparing for the holiday rush

BY JUDITH A. RUCKI

ThoughHalloween won’t arrive until the end of this month, candy corn has been around since mid-August. We just about toss the pumpkins, and we’re hauling out the holly. Thanksgiving gets lost somewhere between goblins and Santa Claus. Chanukah, Eid al-Fitr, and Kwanzaa are also celebrated during this time.

So ready or not, the holiday rush is coming. And as we all know, what we want to be a joyful season with family and friends can easily turn into an overwhelming and stressful time.

Take a deep breath and let’s figure out how to get a jumpstart on preparing. In other words, how can we stay on an even keel mentally and emotionally, not to mention financially, from now until the New Year?

First, create a plan. Separate “must do” and “want to do” tasks. We are under no obligation to attend every party, entertain hordes of people, or drive ourselves broke. Start with adjusting and managing expectations. Be realistic. Holidays are meant to be festive, not perfect.

Next, create a budget. Set spending limits, track all spending, and shop smart. Avoid pricey impulse purchases. Shop for bargains. Something homemade can be better than a storebought gift.

It’s great when we can buy the ideal gift for everyone on our list, but it can be a lot of time and money. Large families may want to draw names to reduce expenditure of both.

When hosting a holiday party, plan the menu ahead of time. If preparing everything from appetizers to desserts is too much, request help. Ask someone to bring their special dish. Delegate tasks like setting the table and loading the dishwasher. Don’t leave cleaning and decorating for the last minute.

Amid the hustle and bustle, remember that holidays are about being thankful for what we have and spending time with those we love.

At Sonima.com, a wellness brand that empowers people to live healthy, balanced lives, writer Sanjeev Verma recognizes that people have mixed feelings about the holidays. “It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of burden when contemplating the holidays and what they signify,” he says, but notes that from a spiritual viewpoint, “the holiday season is about rejuvenation. Taking the weeks leading up to the holiday to go inward and put things in perspective is one of the best ways you can mentally and spiritually recharge.”

Whether or not you celebrate religious aspects of the holidays, “taking this time to appreciate the

compassion, empathy, and love that is part of your life is a great way to enter the coming year feeling refreshed. If the holidays are typically stressful, focusing on these aspects more than anything can, in fact, modify how you feel about the holidays in general,” Verma says, adding that the holidays are “an ideal opportunity to take stock and express gratitude for all the good things you have going on.”

They are also a time to connect, Verma reminds us. If we look at the season as taking up a lot of time, being expensive and stressful, we won’t enjoy it. Look at the positives, especially where family is involved; Verma advises seeing family time as an opportunity, not burden.

“You have the chance to give gifts to the people you care about; that is a wonderful chance to show your gratitude,” he says. “This shift in your understanding can add joy to your holidays, so that you can take on the whole season in a fresh, appreciative way.”

Here a few more tips to reduce holiday stress, courtesy of The National Alliance in Mental Illness:

• Stick to normal routines as much as possible.

• Get enough sleep or rest.

• Take time for yourself, but don’t isolate yourself.

• Eat and drink in moderation, and don’t drink alcohol if you are feeling down.

• Get exercise, even if it’s just a short walk.

• Listen to music.

Remember that holiday blues are short-term, so be patient and take things day by day.

With mindful attention, you’re in a better position find the holidays an uplifting time to look forward to! FY

Judith A. Rucki is a public relations consultant and freelance writer.

Advertorial JFS Program Liaison Starts Group Session for Caregivers at Local Place of Worship

BY MACY CLAWSON & TODD GEISE

In the early part of the year, our agency connected with a local woman in her sixties who was the primary caretaker for her aging mother. We explained the many services JFS has to offer and acknowledged the challenges faced with those who are deemed caregivers.

is brief yet all important interaction led to the beginning of many group sessions at one of our partners, a local place of worship.

ese group sessions were specifically designed for caregivers to share their experiences and resources, and to collectively learn the necessary skills to aid with the emotional challenges that can arise with caregiving.

What we have learned from this is that there is a need for additional caregiver support opportunities. We are actively looking at this as a way

to enhance our services and meet the needs of the caregiving community.

When we consider that Erie County has a population of more than 922,000 persons and that 20% of these persons are age 65 and older, that’s more than 184,000 who are caregivers for aging parents or who are receiving caregiving themselves.

We will continue to connect with those who need us, take in valuable feedback, and adapt our services to provide the necessary support to those who need it most.

For additional information on agency services, please visit www. jfswny.org or call 716.883.1914.

Macy Clawson is a former Jewish Community Services Liaison and Todd Geise is Director of Marketing.

The Foster Grandparent Program matches volunteers age 55+ with children in classrooms throughout Niagara County.

Foster Grandparents provide support to children with special needs

Income-eligible volunteers receive a small, tax-free stipend.

Please call event organizers to confirm information provided. Listings are alphabetical by day.

MONDAY

AMERICAN LEGION MCKEEVER POST

1770 South Park Ave., Buffalo

7:30 p.m. ..........................................822-6400

HAMBURG–KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

36 Pierce Ave., Hamburg

7:30 p.m. 649-9830/649-4340

MATTHEW GLAB POST

1965 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna

7 p.m. ............................................. 825-3733

ST. AMELIA

2999 Eggert Rd., Tonawanda

7:15 p.m. 836-0011

TUESDAY

AMVETS MEDALLION POST NO. 13

25 Review Pl., Buffalo

7:30 p.m. 874-0559

ASSUMPTION PARISH

435 Amherst St., Buffalo

7:30 p.m. 876-1038

ARMOR VOL. FIRE CO.

4932 Clark St., Hamburg

7:30 p.m. 649-9821

Bingo Calendar

Bingo Calendar

FATHER JUSTIN K OF C 2735 Union Rd., Cheektowaga

1 p.m. 681-7251

HARTLAND VFC 8945 Ridge Rd., Hartland

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m. (second Tuesday)

OUR LADY OF POMPEII

129 Laverack Ave., Lancaster

7 p.m. ...............................................683-6522

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

1525 Sheridan Dr., Kenmore

7:30 p.m. 873-6716 ST. ANDREW CHURCH 111 Crocker St., Sloan 7:30 p.m. 892-0425

WEDNESDAY

AM. LEG. MCKEEVER POST 1770 S. Park Ave., Buffalo 7:30 p.m. ..........................................822-6400

FATHER JUSTIN K OF C — SPONSORED BY THE JUSTINETTES 2735 Union Rd., Cheektowaga

7

LANCASTER

OUR LADY OF HOPE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

THURSDAY

ASSUMPTION PARISH 435 Amherst St., Buffalo

DALE ASSOCIATION CENT. 33 Ontario St., Lockport

7 p.m (first and third Fridays).. 433-1886

SENECA GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

11099 Route 5, Irving

7 p.m. 1-800-421-2464

ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA

157 Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga

7:30 p.m. 833-1715

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

1525 Sheridan Dr., Kenmore

7:30 p.m. 873-6716

ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE 950 Lossen Rd., Cheektowaga

SATURDAY

BUFFALO GAY BINGO/ AIDS PLUS FUND OF WNY

Amvets Medallion Post 13, 13 Review Pl., Buffalo

7 p.m (2nd Sat.) 874-0559

CARDINAL O’HARA HIGH SCHOOL

39 O'Hara Rd., Tonawanda

7:30 p.m. 695-2600 x326

OUR LADY OF BISTRICA

1619 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna

Holy Mother of the Rosary

MONDAY

Weekly Queen of Hearts Game

Bingo Calendar (continued)

SENECA GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

11099 Route 5, Irving

1 & 7 p.m. 1-800-421-2464

ST. AMELIA’S RCC

2999 Eggert Rd., Tonawanda

1 p.m. 836-0011

ST. ANDREW CHURCH

111 Crocker St., Sloan

7:30 p.m. 892-0425

ST. JOHN XXIII

1 Arcade St., W. Seneca

7 p.m. ............................................. 239-2787

SUNDAY

CARDINAL O’HARA HIGH SCHOOL

39 O'Hara Rd., Tonawanda

1 p.m. ...................................695-2600 x326

DELEVAN VFC

N. Main St., Delevan

7 p.m. 492-1910

LOCKPORT ELKS LODGE 41

6791 N. Canal Rd., Lockport

7 p.m (first and third Sundays). 434-2798

OUR LADY OF POMPEII

129 Laverack Ave., Lancaster

2 p.m. 683-6522

SENECA GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

11099 Route 5, Irving

1 & 7 p.m. 549-4389

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

1525 Sheridan Dr., Kenmore

7 p.m. 873-6716

BINGO IN CANADA

GOLDEN NUGGET

655 Garrison Rd., Fort Erie

1 & 7 p.m. daily • 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

4 p.m Saturday and Sunday. .. 905-871-1277

DELTA MONTE CARLO

4735 Drummond, N. Falls

1& 7 p.m 905-356-8104

CASINO

SENECA GAMING Broad St., Salamanca

1 p.m. Sunday • 1 & 7 p.m. Wednesday

7 p.m. Thursday and Friday • 1 & 7 p.m. Saturday 945-4080, 877-860-5130

ONEIDA INDIAN HIGH STAKES

Do you need nursing home or assisted living Medicaid?

BY SUMMIT HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

Submitting a Medicaid application for a loved one living in a nursing home or assisted living is overwhelming and something one can never be fully prepared for. e process is complex, time-consuming, and incredibly di cult. Summit Health Care Solutions will do the work for you!

Summit Health Care Solutions is a Western New York hidden gem. Its team of Medicaid experts has been representing and applying for Medicaid for individuals like your loved ones for more than twenty years. And unlike any other rm, Summit o ers a 100 percent guarantee that, if eligible, your loved one will be approved.

Darlene Maclay, National Certi ed Medicaid Planner and President of Summit Health Care Solutions, is quick to state that Medicaid is not what Summit does—it’s all it does!

Not only does Summit provide Medicaid services to more clients in New York State than any other company, but it also o ers representative and Medicaid planning services across the country. So if your loved one lives out of state in an elderly facility, Summit is the company to contact. If you believe your loved one is not eligible for Medicaid, Maclay and her expert team of National Certi ed Medicaid Planners can meet with you to ensure you are preserving as many of your hard-earned resources as possible.

“Our services are personal, compassionate, and professional,” says Maclay. “We take great pride in the service and relationships we develop with our clients.” As a former Nursing Home Administrator, Maclay understands how valuable and precious time with loved ones is after they are admitted to a facility. Summit gives families a peace of mind so that they can focus on meeting loved ones’ needs instead of being distracted by the arduous Medicaid application process.

It is with great pride that Maclay shares that when families call Summit (716-332-6487), they

speak with a Medicaid Expert at the Bu alo corporate o ce. “At Summit, you will not speak to a recording or an answering service,” she says. “A Summit Medicaid expert is available to answer questions and put the family at ease.”

If you have questions about Medicaid eligibility or think that it is time to apply, it is time to call the experts: Summit Health Care Solutions, the best kept secret in New York, at (716) 332-6487.

• AARP

• Aetna

• Amigone Funeral Home

• Bath Fitter

• Beechwood Continuing Care

• Bu alo Energy

• Bu alo Rehab Group

• Cardinal O’Hara Bingo

• Caring Transitions

• Care Patrol

• Clarity Group

• Community Care Home Health Services

• Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home

• Dent Neurologic Institute

• ECMC

• Elderwood

• FayeBrooke Apartments

• Feel Rite Fresh Markets

• Field of Dreams Allegany

• Glendale Development

• GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center

• Healthforce

• Heathwood Assisted Living and Memory Care

• Icircle Care

• Independent Health

• Inspire Dental

• Jewish Community Center/ Camp Centerland

• Jewish Family Service of Bu alo & Erie County

• Liberty Home Care

• Nascentia Health

• People Inc.

• Precious Memories

• Riverview Professional Pharmacy

• Schofield Care

• Stern At Home Therapy

• The McGuire Group Health Care Facilities

• Turtle Creek Apartments

• United Healthcare Community Plan

• Univera Healthcare’s Medicare

• WellCare

• Western New York Railway Historical Society

• WNY Heritage Press, Inc.

AND MANY MORE!

iCircle Care

860 Hard Road Webster, NY 14580 585-667-2527

icirclecny.org

Join Us at the Expo!

BY SABRINA KAHWATY

We are thrilled to invite you to join us at the 2023 Forever Young Expo from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26 at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara, 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst. The event is held in partnership with BIG WECK Radio.

The free event is open to the public and there is no registration necessary. The day includes free health screenings, giveaways at the door every hour, and more.

Stop by and say hello to your favorite Forever Young columnists, talk to more than thirty Western New York experts specializing in products and services for the fifty-plus crowd, and vote for your Forever Young Faves. Plus, enjoy product giveaways, contests, free parking, and a photo booth!

The Expo is designed for those enjoying life over fifty and is a great way to learn more about everything available to help you get the most out of life in Western New York.

For more information on the Forever Young Expo, call 972-2230 or visit foreveryoungwny.com.

See you there! FY

Sabrina Kahwaty is Executive Editor of Forever Young.

Clarity Group

4976 Transit Road Suite 4 Depew, NY 14043 716-393-3437

claritygroupny.com

The best in senior care, the best in senior lifestyle.

• Licensed Assisted Living and Memory Care

• Adult Day Care and Socialization Program

• Independent Living Cottages

716-543-4200

fieldofdreamsallegany.com

Alison Potter 716-580-4822

Caringtransitions.com

Heidi Maher 844-236-3281

Turtle Creek Apartments 2730 N Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068

716-748-8440

BenchmarkTurtleCreek.com

Buffalo Energy, Inc. 5800 Seneca Street Elma, NY 14059 716-677-4899

Buffalo-Energy.com

Glendale Communities

The Famous Williamstowne Senior Apartments

716-892-2262

Meyer Pointe Senior Apartments 716-242-8888

glendalecommunities.com

Not for Profit Senior Care Community

Skilled nursing, rehab services, independent and assistive living and hospice

716-810-7000

beechwoodcare.org

Buffalo Niagara Rochester Syracuse

1500 Union Road Suite 201 West Seneca, NY 14224

716-463-2966

email: buffaloniagara@carepatrol.com carepatrol.com

Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Homes

Amherst and Kenmore

716-636-1111

Denglerrobertspernafuneral.com

Hoy Funeral Home West Seneca

716-674-3636 Hoyfuneralhome.com

815 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221 716-688-0111

heathwoodassistedliving.com

Independent Health 511 Farber Lakes Drive Buffalo, NY 14221

716-635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405 (TTY: 711) Mon.-Sun., 8a.m.-8p.m. (Oct 1-Mar 31) Mon.-Fri., 8a.m.-8p.m. (Apr 1-Sept 30) Independenthealth.com/Medicare

3 Locations: Amherst, Buffalo and West Seneca

716-362-4800

inspiredentalgroup.com

Kyle Palmer Regional Broker Manager

Greater Rochester and Southern Tier 585-645-2451

PalmerK4aetna.com

• Affordable Senior Apartments

Health Force 3409 Genessee Street Cheektowaga, NY 14225 716-855-2273

healthforcewny.com

By Appointment Only

716-622-0064

preciousmemorieswny.com

WNY’s Leader in Physical & Occupational Therapy

716-458-1990

BuffaloRehab.com

Your Full-Service Home Health Care Provider for Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus & Monroe Counties

716-274-5000

libertyhomecare.org

• Senior Companion Program

• Senior Outreach Program

716-880-3890 people-inc.org

Serving 13 Locations in WNY 2600 Sheridan Drive Tonawanda, NY 14150 716-836-6500 amigone.com

Community Care Home Health Services

2495 Main Street, Suite: 235 Buffalo, NY 14214 716-852-5900

communitycarehhs.com

Bath Fitter 2851 Broadway Street Suite 800 Cheektowaga, NY 14227 716-242-8980

bathfitterbuffalo.com

Nascentia Health

1050 West Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13204

1-888-477-HOME (4663) Nascentiahealth.org

1805 Maple Road

716-630-0070

1055 Youngs Road

716-320-8200

Williamsville, NY 14221

fayebrooke.com

Western New York Heritage Magazine

495 Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard

Cheektowaga, NY 14225-2503

Call today for an evaluation right at home.

Samantha Piechowiak

716-913-1271

for more information.

FREE DELIVERY of all your prescriptions to your home

716-423-2313

Short Term Rehab, Long Term Skilled Nursing, Home Health Care, Adult Day Health Program, Hospice and Palliative Care

Erie County Medical Center Corporation

462 Grider Street Buffalo, NY 14125

716-898-3000

www.ecmc.edu

sternathometherapy.com

3980 Sheridan Drive Amherst 716-250-2000 dentinstitute.com

Cardinal O’Hara BINGO 39 O’Hara Road Tonawanda, NY 14150 716-695-2600 ext. 326 cardinalohara.com

AMHERST

Assisted Living Subacute Rehab Skilled Nursing

Visit: Elderwood.com

Jewish Family Services of WNY

70 Barker Street Buffalo, NY 14209

716-883-1914

jfswny.org

WEST SENECA

1445 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst, NY 14228

2141 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216

6000 South Park Ave, Hamburg NY, 14075

3521 Seneca St, West Seneca, NY 14224

Compassionate, Comprehensive Care including: Post-Hospital Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Care, Memory Care, Hospice Services, Dialysis & Respite/Short-Term Care.

LivingLegendsHealth.com

rxriverview.com

GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center 5949 Broadway Street Lancaster, NY 14086

716-684-3000

TheGreenFields.org

Benderson Family Building 2640 N. Forest Road Amherst, NY 14068

716-688-4033

Holland Family Building 787 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209

716-886-3145

jccbuffalo.org

716-893-4011 wnyheritage.org WNYRHS Inc. / Heritage Discovery Center 100 Lee Street Buffalo, New York 14210

716-821-9360

www.trainweb.org/wnyrhs

Each year, Forever Young asks readers to vote for some of their favorite things in Western New York. We tally the votes, determine the winners, and announce them in our December issue. Ballots must be received by November 1.

DO

Favorite Weekend Activity

Favorite Theater

Favorite Outdoor Event

Favorite Park

Favorite Nature Trail

Favorite Place to Bring Kids

Favorite Outdoor Music Venue

Favorite Senior Community Center

Favorite Senior Living Swimming Pool

Favorite Senior Living Food Service/Dining

Favorite Senior Living Entertainment

Name:

Address: Email: Phone:

Complete the survey online (website below) or mail completed surveys to:

Forever Young Faves, 1412 Sweet Home Rd. Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228

VOTE ONLINE at www.surveymonkey.com/r/FAVES2023

Favorite Senior Living Exercise Program

Favorite Senior Living Outdoor Space

Favorite Volunteer Opportunity

Favorite Farmers Market

Favorite Veterans Program

SHOP

Favorite Garden Shop

Favorite Liquor Store

Favorite Pet Store

Favorite Local Brewery

Favorite Eyewear Store

Favorite Gift Shop

Favorite Estate Sale Company

Favorite Local Winery

Favorite Clothing Shop

Favorite Local Bookstore

EAT

Favorite Takeout Place

Favorite Italian Place

Favorite Chinese

Favorite Taco Place

Favorite Breakfast

Favorite Local Coffeeshop

Favorite Donuts

Favorite Bagel

Favorite Deli Sandwich

Favorite Hot Dog

Favorite French Fries

Favorite Beef on ’Weck

Favorite Fish Fry

Favorite Pizza

Favorite Wings

Favorite Greek Salad

Favorite Omelet

Favorite Sponge Candy

Favorite Custard

Favorite Ice Cream

Navigating Medicare “Mr. Medicare” shares tips and tricks

The first part of the book discusses general information about applying for Medicare. The second part is a guide with questions; choose one and you’re sent to the page with the answer.

Additionally, Hibbard has put out a workbook, My Medicare Smart Path.

“This is a fill in the blank [in which you can] go through the book page by page and fill in timelines,” he explains. However, if that feels daunting, the Hibbards will sit with you and assist, making it a more conversational task.

“While most Medicare information focuses on which Medicare plan to pick, we focus more on education,” says Hibbard, “If you are turning sixty-five and eligible for Medicare, you have to do one of two things three months before you turn sixty-five.”

BY ASHLEY ZIOMEK

“We weren’t getting much good information,” says Hibbard, owner of Medicare Management of WNY.

As Hibbard researched accessible insurance, he found that many human resources departments have been moved out of state or had

become virtual, leaving many folks at sea as they tried to sort out health insurance after retiring.

And so Hibbard took matters into his own hands. He and wife Lyndsey became self-proclaimed human resource assistants for retirees,

especially those coming of age to apply for Medicare.

Published this year, Hibbard’s book, Starting Medicare Smartly, is a guide that addresses questions and concerns about optimally navigating the Medicare world.

Senior Housing Designed With

These tasks include either signing up for Medicare or filing a form to suspend Medicare coverage along with proof of current insurance. Failure to do one of these two things results in financial penalties, which can lead to paying higher monthly rates.

“You’re actually paying more for Medicare every month [forever],” says Hibbard. “This is obviously a lot of moving pieces before they even start thinking about what Medicare plan should I buy?”

Coverage is customized to suit each person’s needs, and Hibbard has done the leg work to help with the options. “We have a secure software program that we developed called ‘Medicare Smart IQ’,” explains Hibbard. Exclusive to him, the software narrows down over 200 plans into a handful of options that are likely to provide best outcomes.

We never seem to notice what’s missing until we need it most, and that goes for everything from a certain item of clothing to services in our community. Andrew Hibbard experienced this a few years ago after his grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he searched for a reputable insurance company to help.

Andrew Hibbard and wife Lyndsey help Western New Yorkers understand Medicare. Photo courtesy of Andrew Hibbard

“People enjoy that we can take off their plate,” says Hibbard. “If they do need to apply for Medicare, we’re able to get them signed up for their federal benefits, [and] get their federal ID card issued.”

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) has put forth notice that Medicare needs to provide more, and better, educational information to those born in 1958 or later, and that it needs to be done sooner. Hibbard has looked into these rules and regulations, and hosts seminars geared towards folks as early as age sixty-three. His seminars are free with dinner provided, and attendees are given a free copy of his guidebook, My Medicare Smart Path. More information to attend can be found online at wnymedicare.org, or by calling 833-0252.

Through their work, the Hibbards hope to relieve the stress of finding the best insurance plan. “[Also,] because we cater to and try to support the working crowd, one of the big things is our office hours for those folks,

specifically Fridays and Saturdays, [so] we can help them avoid having to use a sick day,” says Hibbard, who adds that confusion often stems from never having had to choose a plan at work. “A lot of people coming in are like, ‘I’ve never had to think this much about my health care because [it’s given by employers].’”

Hibbard is licensed through New York State but is not directly employed with any insurance company. He and his wife both have connections to local social security offices and insurance companies, as well as the ability to outsource as needed. Sums up Hibbard: “Plan earlier than you think, and don’t feel like you have to figure it all out on our own.” FY

Forever Young readers are eligible for a free copy of Starting Medicare Smartly. To order, visit StartingMedicareSmartly. com.

Ashley Ziomek is a freelance writer living in WNY.

E is for eight percent

Spelling out

What you need to know and recent changes

BY REAGAN ZUBER

Whetheryou’re new to Medicare plans or have been enrolled for a while, navigating the system can be complicated. Every year parts of plans are altered, and it can be difficult to keep up. Read ahead for info on this year’s changes (in bold) as well a refresher on the basics.

Advertorial

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY,

Inc.

Newest Senior Housing Community

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. is accepting applications for its newest housing community, Alberta Place. Located at 64 Amsterdam Avenue in the Town of Amherst, Alberta Place is a 46 unit a ordable development with 38 one-bedrooms and 8-two bedrooms apartments for seniors 55+ years of age. e property will provide a ordable housing opportunities to 27 senior households whose annual income is less than 60% of the Area Media Income (AMI) and 19 senior households whose annual income is less than 50% of AMI. ere are 5 accessible units for persons with mobility impairments and 2 for persons with hearing/vision impairments.

Alberta Place features ample inunit storage, a community room with

kitchen area, laundry rooms on each oor, a lounge and computer room for resident use, on-site property management, o street parking and an exterior patio. Alberta Place is pet friendly and has a smoke-free campus. One-bedroom rents are $546 and $658 and two-bedroom rents are $576 and $750 and all include water. Alberta Place has close proximity to Wegmans on Alberta as well as retail on Niagara Falls Blvd. and Maple Road.

For information and an application, call Belmont Housing Resources for WNY at 716-817-0707.

716-817-0707 TDD 711

M is for multiple parts

There are four parts of Medicare that all serve different functions. Part A (Hospital Insurance) relates to inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care. Part B (Medical Insurance) relates to services from healthcare providers including doctors, outpatient care, home health care, medical equipment, and preventative services. Part D (Drug Coverage) relates to prescription drugs, including many vaccines. Original Medicare includes Parts A and B, and you can join a separate Medicare drug plan to gain coverage under Part D. Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an approved plan from a private company that serves as an alternative option to the original Medicare for coverage on health and drugs. Medicare Supplemental Insurance, or Medigap, can be additionally purchased from private companies to help pay the share of original Medicare costs.

Those collecting social security will automatically be sent a Medicare card three months before becoming eligible. Costs for Medicare can also be assisted through Supplemental Security Income, a program through Social Security for people with lower incomes. Additionally, Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment increased benefits by more than eight percent this year (not exactly a Medicare change but still good news!). Part B premiums tend to be deducted directly from monthly Social Security payments, so for people enrolled in both programs, that’s more money in pockets than last year. To collect social security, contact a local Social Security office or visit medicare.gov to apply online.

D is for deductibles

Part B’s annual deductible decreased seven dollars this year and now stands at $226. The limit on Part D deductibles set by the government has increased to $505 compared to $480 last year. Additionally, the deductible charged for each hospital stay under Part A has increased to $1,600 per stay, an increase of forty-four dollars over last year.

I is for immunizations

New this year, vaccines recommended for adults by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are available to Medicare recipients free of charge with prescription drug coverage. Shots for the flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 initial shots and boosters, and hepatitis B for some enrollees are already free under Part B, as well as vaccines to treat injuries or exposure such as hepatitis A, rabies, and tetanus. Part D prescription drug plans will now include other vaccines, most notably the two-dose Shingrix that guards against shingles. Starting this year, recommended vaccines will be free to beneficiaries that before required partial pay. This coverage will occur even if the Part D deductible has not been satisfied.

C is for caps on insulin

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has now made it so copays for a thirty-day supply of any insulin covered by a Medicare drug plan will be capped at only thirty-five dollars, even before meeting Part D deductibles. Enrollees who take insulin through a pump under Part B benefit will not have to pay a deductible and benefit from this copay cap as well. Not all insulins are covered.

A is for age

At age sixty-five, you automatically become eligible for Medicare, and you can enroll the first day of your birthday month. You must be an American citizen for at least five years when enrolling. In some circumstances, you can receive Medicare earlier; for example, if you receive Social Security Disability benefits or have specific diagnoses. A licensed agent can help you determine this.

R is for research

Medicare coverage options are available to suit each person’s needs. Informational sessions are sometimes held through local school districts or your health insurance provider. A plethora of information is available online as well. Do the work, compare plans, talk to your healthcare workers, and find what works for you. Remember, many people try to profit off of confusion so a wellinformed customer often reaps the best results.

E is for expanded enrollment

Previously, if someone signed up for Medicare outside of the designated period, generally within three months of turning sixtyfive, they might have to wait two to three months for coverage to go into effect. This year, if you register in official enrollment periods, coverage will take effect at the beginning of the following month. Special enrollment windows have been expanded including for people who did not sign up when they were first eligible through no fault of their own. This includes people affected by natural disasters, misdirection by an employer, or lost Medicaid coverage.

Check medicare.gov for the most up-to-date information and to find information most useful to your unique situation. FY

Reagan Zuber is Assistant Editor of Forever Young.

“Whether you’re new to Medicare plans or have been enrolled for a while, navigating the system can be complicated.”

Keeping health in focus

Eye disease often has no symptoms

BY DONNA HOKE

Once at a holiday party in January—coincidentally Glaucoma Awareness Month—a friend told me her mother had been diagnosed with a rare eye cancer and, that while her mother had experienced some blurred vision, most people who get this disease have no symptoms at all.

As someone who had 20/20 vision until age-related farsightedness set in, I’d never gone for eye exams. At the urging of my sister, I finally went for my first comprehensive exam with an ophthalmologist about a year ago, and was told if drugstore cheaters were working fine that I should just keep using them. I took that to mean yearly exams weren’t necessary. And, since I knew that any eye disturbance—blurred vision, sudden floaters, shadows, blind spots, double vision, “curtains” over the eye, sudden flashes of light, web-like obstructions—is cause for immediate attention, I felt in the clear.

But. No symptoms. That freaked me out.

And sent me to Google, where I found that:

• In the early stages, age-related macular degeneration goes largely unnoticed, and can only be detected through a dilated eye exam…

• At first, symptoms of cataracts may be undetectable or very slight… (Bausch and Lomb)

• Though it’s a rare disease, CMV retinitis often presents no symptoms… (Bausch and Lomb)

• Glaucoma often develops with no symptoms, making it impossible for patients to detect until significant (and irreversible) damage has been done… (Bausch and Lomb)

• You might not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy… (Mayo Clinic)

• People with intraocular melanoma often have no symptoms. Many times, an ophthalmologist finds the melanoma during a regular eye examination. The most common symptom is painless loss of vision. (cancer.net)

These diseases can put patients at risk of severe vision loss, and yet they often present no symptoms until the disease has advanced. The most threatening are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma; cataracts are the least threatening.

“Cataracts are definitely one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, but it is definitely fixable,” says Dr. Sandra Sieminski, clinical associate professor, University at Buffalo Department of Ophthalmology. “There are some instances where its medically necessary to remove cataracts, but, for the most part, it’s an elective surgery that can be done at any time of the cataracts’ maturity.”

That’s the good news. The bad?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that sixtyone million adults in the United States—about one in five—are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past twelve months. That means at least two of those people are going to have compromised vision as a result.

Perhaps even more significant is this CDC statistic: More than seventy percent of respondents from National Eye Health

Education Program (NEHEP) 2005 Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices survey consider that loss of eyesight would have the greatest impact on their day-today life; however, less than eleven percent knew that there are no early warning signs of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. And, as the population continues to live longer, the number of people with vision problems will increase.

“CMV retinitis is a little bit of an outlier, because you’d have to be immune-compromised to have it, so you’re a sick person already, but the others are more common,” concedes Dr. Sieminski, who points to a confusion in terminology as a part of the problem with preventative eye health. “In Buffalo, I feel that getting [checked and] fitted for glasses is interpreted as getting an eye exam; [since I’ve been] here, I’ve had to change the way I [refer to procedures], because, to me, having an ‘eye exam’ is having your pupils

dilated and your eyes thoroughly checked. It’s confusing because people think they’re getting their eyes looked at when they get glasses.”

To clarify, an optometrist can examine the front part of the eye, only about one-third. “Until you dilate the pupil, you are not getting a great view of the back two thirds of the eye—the retina, the optic nerve, all those things—which is where all of these diseases, except for cataracts, are happening,” Sieminski points out. “Especially ocular melanoma and things like that, they can be off in the periphery of the retina. When you’re looking through an undilated pupil, it’s like looking at a whole room through a toilet paper roll.” And that little air puff test that optometrists do? It tests eye pressure, as ocular hypertension can be an early sign of glaucoma, but Sieminski cautions that while it can serve as a screening tool, it’s not a substitute for looking inside the eye.

Because most of these diseases are not fast moving, a yearly exam should suffice to catch them; this is particularly important for diabetic patients at risk of diabetic retinopathy. “It’s the only place in the body where you can see the manifestations of the diseases firsthand,” explains Sieminski. “In some cases, the diagnosis might be reversed; people learn they have diabetes because of something found on their dilated eye exam.”

A comprehensive eye exam is not painful or lengthy, but is critical to early intervention, because eye disease progression is individual. For example, “you can have mild diabetic retinopathy and it will be okay if your [sugar levels] are controlled, or you can go blind within a year of being diagnosed if you’re uncontrolled,” Sieminski says. “Same with glaucoma. It takes years and years to cause blindness, and it’s very slowly progressing, but there are aggressive hereditary forms

that progress much faster without treatment. Macular degeneration has two forms—dry and wet—and dry is treated with vitamins and wet is treated with lasers and injections. Wet can progress quite quickly, and dry can turn to wet suddenly, but there are people with dry who are stable their whole lives.”

Sieminski also notes that people often grow accustomed to their worsening vision or base their vision health on their ability to read an eye chart. “With glaucoma, vision can be worsening, and I’ll hear, ‘I can read the chart fine,’ and meanwhile,” she says, “it’s slowly taking away their peripheral vision and they’re accommodating.” In other words, the only way to assess your risk and vision is to get a yearly medical—not optometry— exam. FY

Donna Hoke is Managing Editor of Forever Young.

From the desk of WECK

NO OCTOBER SURPRISES

One great thing about listening to WECK, Buffalo’s Oldies Station, is you always know what you’ll get—no surprises.

BIG WECK Radio is where you hear the coolest oldies music in Buffalo with legendary, trusted, hometown DJs that you’ve listened to for decades: J.P., Roger Christian, Joe Chile, Dan Rinelli, Ronnie D, Steve Goddard, the “real” Don Steele, and more.

BIG WECK is Buffalo’s only locally owned and operated toprated radio station. It also has the distinction of being the top-rated oldies station in America.

Remember, if you receive something in the mail asking you to name your favorite radio station, always write down BIG WECK!

Listen on the dial at 1230 AM, 100.1 FM, 102.9 FM, and 100.5 FM, online at bigweck.com, by downloading our free app, or by asking Alexa.

Thanks for being a BIG WECK fan!

Buddy Shula Owner /CEO

Radio

FREE October 8

Puerto Rican Cuatro Festival

This event celebrates Puerto Rican culture and music with a day of dancing and fun. The Fabiola Mendez Trio performs folkloric, jazz, and Latin music.

2 p.m., Buffalo History Museum

(One Museum Court; buffalohistory.org, 873-9644)

October 14-15, 21-22

Arts in the Barn

See original work by twenty-five Western New York fine artists and craftspeople inside a working sugar house barn surrounded by fall foliage. Canned and baked goods, home decor, candles, soap, plants, clothing, pumpkins, apples, maple syrup, and more are available for purchase. Enjoy outdoor activities like hayrides and pumpkin chuckin’, plus Wendel’s famous chicken BBQ.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Sun.), Wendel’s Sugar House (12446 Vaughn Street, Rt. 240, East Concord)

October 10

Dining Out for Life

Make plans to dine in or order takeout for any meal on this day and donate to Evergreen Health. See a list of participating restaurants that have donated and can be supported at diningoutforlife.com/city/wny

diningoutforlife.com/city/wny

October 15

Symphonic Spooktacular

Families in costumes can parade across the Kleinhans stage while listening to classic Halloween hits performed by the BPO.

2:30 p.m., Kleinhans Music Hall

(3 Symphony Circle; bpo.org, 885-5000)

Opens October 26

Sisters-In-Law

Legends Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—polar opposites and the first and second women on the US Supreme Court— grapple with big questions and discover they have more in common than they thought.

Jewish Repertory Theatre (2640 North Forest Road, Getzville; jccbuffalo.org/jrt, 281-0092)

Fabiola Mendez Trio photo © Herminio Rodriguez