Gov. Sisolak Says State to Fund More Senior Meals
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by Connie McMullen ters. Nutrition is viewed as one of the main services that help keep older people living independently in their homes. For some, the nutrition pro gram is the only meal of the day an older person may be receiv ing.
Governor Steve Sisolak
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak says the most impor tant thing for seniors in the state is their health care. Sisolak made the comment at the annual César Chávez Celebration held at the Grand Sierra Resort, March 27, in Reno. Gov. Sisolak said his adminis tration has worked to enhance spending for meals for aging adults. The Governor’s Recommended Budget has allocated addi tional funding to provide a 50cent per meal increase for fixed fee providers of meals to eliminate the waitlist of elders waiting for services statewide. The budget raises the cost per meal from $3.15 to $3.65 for meals provided in the home and congregate meal programs served at local community and senior cen
Currently, SB433, spon sored by the Senate Committee on Finance, is working its way through the state legislature that would allocate $1.5 million in spending to the Nevada Division for Aging and Disability Services to establish rates of reimburse ment of $3.20 for congregate and homedelivered meals for foodinsecure persons who are over age 60. Regarding health care, Nevada Medicaid is on tap to spend $47 million in FY 20, and $21 million on FY 21 for the Medicaid expansion approved under Gov. Sandoval. Medicaid is serving approximately 660,000 Nevadans per month, and an additional 28,000 children covered by CHIP/Nevada Checkup programs. For the first time, the state has also combined funding of $3.7 mil lion to expand Elder Protective Services.
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April 2019 THIS ISSUE
Page 3 Senior Meals Page 10 Sparks Council Appoints Senior Citizen’s Advisory Committee Page 13 Mountain Lakes Estates Groundbreaking Page 25 More Older Adults with Joint Replacements Recover at Home
EVERY ISSUE
Page 4 Opinion: US Senator CortezMasto Page 6 Opinion: Sparks Councilman Dahir Page 11 Medicare Can Help You Stay Healthy Page 14 What is Positive Aging and Why Think That Way? Dr. Larry Weiss Page 16 Eclectic Observer
Page 1819 Calendar Page 20 New Moves for Seniors, Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Com. Page 2122 Arts & Entertainment Calendar Page 23 Biggest Little City MAPES Page 28 Tinseltown Page 30 Smart Travel Page 31 Crossword Page 33 Resources
FINANCIAL Page 8 I was Appointed Trustee of a Trust Gerald Dorn, Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd.
Senior Spectrum Newspaper P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, Nv 89510
775-348-0717
email: SeniorSpectrumnv@aol.com Website: Seniorspectrumnewspapers.com
Publishers
Connie & Chase McMullen
Opinion:
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto
The BOLD Act Will Boost Treatment and Care for Alzheimer’s Patients
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ast
Catherine Cortez Masto
month, the Alzheimer’s Association released their 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which came with some alarming news for Nevada residents. The report showed that Nevada has the third largest growth rate for Alzheimer’s diagnoses in the country.[1] Fortyfive thousand Nevadans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, with that number expected to grow by 42 percent over the next six years.[2] This disease touches
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the lives of so many in our state, including the nearly 51,000 Nevadans who pro vide care to a relative, friend or loved one with dementia. My grandmother, Katherine, was one of the most impor tant people in my life. She was smart, tough, and loving, and she instilled in me the work ethic and values that guide my work to this day. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my entire family was affected. My grandfather, mom, aunt, sis ter, cousins and I had to become her caregivers and her advocates. We were
lucky to have that strong support system, yet it was still difficult for us to watch her health decline and feel as though there was so little we could do to help. That is why as a Senator, I’ve fought to find new ways to tackle Alzheimer’s Disease. There actually is much we can do to support new treat ment options, improve public awareness of the disease, and support patients and caregivers across the coun try. I’m so proud that my leg islation, the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s
Act, passed into law. This leg islation strengthens our fight against Alzheimer’s by desig nating the disease as a public health crisis, making it a national priority for funding and research. The BOLD Act takes ground breaking steps to address the Alzheimer’s epidemic by cre ating Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence – the first centers of their kind – to promote innovation in dementia edu cation and intervention. These centers will partner health care professionals and public health officials with
Cortez Masto / page 4 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and implement interventions, increase early Alzheimer’s detection and diagnosis, and reduce health disparities. They will also pro vide support for unpaid care givers and train health care practitioners on the latest care techniques for people with dementia. In addition, the law will help state, local and tribal health depart ments accommodate the growing number of diagnoses by providing grants to fund research on cognitive decline and caregiving techniques as well as implement interven tions identified by the Centers of Excellence. Through increased aware ness, the BOLD Act also hopes to reverse a concern ing new trend; according to the 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, only 16 percent of seniors get reg ular cognitive assessments, even though Medicare’s annual wellness visits are supposed to include a check for warning signs of demen tia. Primary care doctors are often hesitant to perform these regular assessments on seniors unless patients raise concerns. Joanne Pike, chief program officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, says that patients rarely broach the subject with their doctors because of fear, stigma or the misconception that early detection won’t make a dif ference. That means many seniors are diagnosed too late for them to enter clinical trials or plan for the future, limiting their treatment options. A cornerstone of the BOLD Act is educating both physicians and the public about the importance of rig orous, early detection pro grams that can help patients receive holistic treatment along with the support they need.
Alzheimer’s is currently the most expensive disease in America, costing a quarter of a trillion dollars per year, and the costs are expected to continue growing. Twenty percent of Medicaid funding is already spent on people with dementias.[3] That’s why I’m also fighting any attempt to gut Medicaid and Medicare funding, including the Trump administration’s newly proposed budget that takes over $1 trillion away from vital health programs over the next decade.[4] I’ll continue to fight to protect Medicaid and Medicare pro grams so Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers have access to professional medical advice, mental health evaluations and new clinical trials and treatments. Fighting Alzheimer’s takes a village, and I’m grateful for the work Nevadans are doing to ensure Alzheimer’s patients have the care and support they deserve. From Washoe County’s Daybreak Center to the Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada Reno, Northern Nevada is emerg ing as a leader in addressing the needs of people with dementia. These care cen ters excel in creating robust networks of support groups, adult care centers and online resources for Alzheimer’s patients and their families. The Dementia Friendly Nevada also does incredible work across the state to support people liv ing with dementia and their care partners through a multisector approach that bolsters education, commu nity and care. I’m also proud of the stateoftheart care offered to patients with brain diseases by the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. Some innovative new programs are also emerging, like the Savvy Caregiver Training
program offered by the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada. This six week course provides clini callevel training for family members caring for loved ones with dementia in Reno and Carson. Arbors Memory Care in Sparks takes a cre ative approach to care through programs like Moments of Memory, a pro gram that gives dementia patients an artistic avenue to exercise their cognitive skills.[5] I’m so grateful for caregivers, doctors and advocates in Nevada who provide count less hours of support for Alzheimer’s patients, and I’m proud to have passed legisla tion that empowers and advances their work. It’s the dedication of advocates in Nevada and the legacy of my grandmother that continue
to inspire my work in the Senate. Fighting for federal funding and a health infra structure that creates first class research, treatment and support for Alzheimer’s patients and their families will always be one of my top priorities. Together, we’ll continue to strive for a cure. [1] https://www.alz.org/media/ Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures-2019-r.pdf [2] https://mynews4.com/news/localwhere-did-they-go-the-faces-ofalzheimers-in-northernnevada%5d %20https:/mynews4.com/news/local/ where-did-they-go-the-faces-ofalzheimers-in-northern-nevada [3] https://www.orangeleader.com/ 2019/02/23/old-act-will-promoteinnovative-effective-alzheimers-interventions/ [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/ national/health-science/trump-proposes-big-cuts-to-health-programs-forpoor-elderly-and-disabled/2019/03/11 /55e42a56-440c-11e9-aaf8-4512a6fe 3439_story.html?utm_term=.6727c98 c19bc [5] https://mynews4.com/news/local/
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 5
Nevada Veterans Memorial Sparks City Councilman Kristopher Dahir City Council Ward 5
Sparks Councilman Kristopher Dahir
W
hat does it mean to pass down our values from gener ation to generation? For me it means we take our most precious stories and share them with others especially those younger than we are. It means even when the next generation don’t understand how important it is for them to learn our lessons, we find
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creative ways to allow them to discover our truths. The Nevada Veterans Memorial is our way of sharing the sto ries of 894 men and women who gave their lives to create and protect the freedoms we have in this great country called the United States of America. On Friday, March 29, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Sparks Marina to celebrate a com munity coming together to declare the foundational truths.
events, and serve as a desti nation that shows respect for each branch of the military. It will include a historical pres entation that will creatively show a timeline of every large military movement and battle we have fought since Nevada became a state in 1864. It will also serve as a tool to help us preserve our state history and teach future generations about the sacrifices made. It will have every name listed who died while in the line of duty. It will help assure a legacy of honor.
The Nevada Veterans Memorial will be for personal reflection, yearly memorial
Our goal is to create a space where young and old will be faced with the truth of our
history that will lead to a proper perspective for the present and the future. The Details: • The plaza will be located in Sparks, Nevada, at the west end of the Sparks Marina. • The anticipated cost will be 1.6 to 2 million dollars. We have currently raised $500,000. in both cash and inkind donations. • We are diligently working to have the first phase com pleted by Memorial day. • A large, polished, black granite depiction of the state of Nevada will be mounted at the focal point of the feature wall with the state’s motto, “All for Our Country,” inscribed upon it. • The commemorative brick plazas are intended to allow the public to purchase bricks to commemorate a friend or loved one’s service, and will be unveiled yearly at annual Veteran’s Day events. • Six granite benches will be engraved with the logos, motto and other pertinent dates pertaining to the vari ous branches of service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and one designated for our miss ing in action (MIA). • There will be 17 trees planted which represent the 16 counties of Nevada, plus the capital of Carson City. • Names of those who have died in service will be listed for all to see. • A timeline showing each and every battle in which we (Medicare page 7)
The Nevada Veterans Memorial
have fought will be on dis play. The Nevada Veterans Memorial is a 501c3 non profit organization that is comprised of veteran groups, local residents, community activists, political leaders, and business partners. The Chair of the Board is Sparks Mayor Ron Smith and the Vice Chair is myself, Sparks City Councilman Kristopher Dahir. We have a strong Board of Directors and an amazing group of volunteers that help keep the project moving for ward. Please feel free to join the team if you want to get more involved. We have four ways for you to get involved: 1. Purchase a donation brick for your name, business, or an honorable statement. We have bricks that are $100, $250, $500, or $1000. The bricks are different sizes, and all proceeds go directly to seeing the project completed. 2. Attend our yearly dinner. Our next Silent Auction Fundraising Dinner will take place on November 2, 2017, at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. This will be our third dinner and we hope that many people come ready to donate to ensure the comple tion of the project.
3. Give. This can be with finances and/or inkind dona tions. You can give at any time and with any amount. We are thankful for every gift, large and small. We will have a donor garden with a small display listing all indi viduals and businesses that have given $10,000 or more to the project. We have a list of supplies and work that needs to be bought and paid for. If you want to contribute, either with your business or individually, please contact us. 4. Come to our meetings, volunteer and get involved. We cannot complete this project on our own, and we really don’t want to! We hope that this will truly be a community project, where each of you can be proud in the knowledge that you have been a part of creating a place of honor and leaving a legacy for generations to come. The Connection: Please contact us by calling (775) 3455153. For more information, please visit us at: www.Nvmp.info. In months to come, I will be bringing you information that will help keep you informed of what wonderful things are happening in Sparks.
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 7
I was Appointed Trustee of a Trust. Now What Do I Do?
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By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Gerald M. Dorn, J.D., EPLS, AEP Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. Legacy and Wealth Planning Attorneys www.wealth-counselors.com
uring the cre ation of a Trust, a num ber of decisions Gerald Dorn must be made. One of the most important of those deci sions is who the Trustor (the person who establishes creator of the Trust) will appoint as the Trustee. Ideally, the Trustor will discuss the appointment with the prospective Trustee at the time the Trust is created; however, that does not always occur. Sometimes, the appointment comes as a complete sur
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prise to the Trustee. If you have been notified recently that you are a Trustee, you are undoubtedly wondering what your duties and responsibilities will be over the lifetime of the Trust. You are likely wondering what to do next. Trust Basics First, it helps to understand the basic concept behind a Trust. A Trust is a rela tionship whereby property is held by one party for the benefit of another. A Trust is created by a “Trustor”, also referred to as a “Grantor” or “Maker,”
who transfers property into the Trust. The Trust is managed by a Trustee who holds that property for the beneficiaries of the Trust. Trusts were once used pri marily by wealthy families as a way to avoid taxes and retain a certain degree of control when passing down family wealth. Trusts are now an integral part of any estate plan. Trustee Basics Although Trusts come in many forms and can accomplish a wide variety of estate planning goals, all Trusts require
a few basic elements. One of those is a Trustee. A Trustee may be an individual or an entity, such as a bank, law firm, or professional corpo ration. A Trust should also appoint a Successor Trustee and/or provide provisions for appointing one in the event the original Trustee is unwilling or unable to serve. If you were recently notified that you are a Trustee, your first task is to find out whether you are the current Trustee or the Successor Trustee. If you are a Successor Trustee, you do not have to do anything unless the current Trustee resigns, dies, or becomes incapacitated at some point. If one of those three events happens, the terms of the Trust should include a provi sion explaining what you need to do in order to take over the position of Trustee. Trustee Duties and Responsibilities As the Trustee, your job is to administer the Trust’s terms and manage the Trust’s assets. Think of the Trust as a corporation and the Trustee as its CEO. As Trustee, you have a number of important duties and responsibilities, including: • Communicate with bene ficiaries – You have a responsibility to communi cate with all beneficiaries of the Trust and keep them informed regarding Trust business. • Fiduciary duty – As Trustee you owe a fiduciary duty to all present and future beneficiaries of the Trust. It is important that you understand that fiduci ary duty means you must use the utmost care with
Trust assets and invest ments. When making finan cial decisions, be even more careful than you would be with your own money. • Duty to follow the “pru dent investor” or other applicable standard – The “prudent investor standard” requires you to take a con servative approach when investing Trust assets. Do not invest in risky or specu lative investments. Always consider what is in the best interest of current and future beneficiaries of the Trust when making invest ment decisions. • Follow Trust terms – You need a clear understanding of the Trust’s terms created by the Trustor. As a general rule, you must follow and abide by those terms unless they are illegal or uncon scionable. Your personal opinion regarding the terms of the Trust cannot interfere in the administration of the Trust. • Distribute assets – The Trust’s terms will dictate how the Trust assets are to be distributed. As the Trustee, you are responsible for making sure the distribu tions are made accordingly. Sometimes, the Trustor gives the Trustee discre tionary powers with regard to making distributions. In that case, you must consider the Trustor’s intent and the best interest of the benefici aries when deciding whether or not to make a discre tionary distribution. • Prepare and pay taxes – A Trust is a separate legal entity, so a separate tax (Trustee page 10) SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 9
Sparks Council Appointments Sparks Senior Citizen’s Advisory Committee
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he Sparks City Council appointed members to the newly formed Sparks Senior Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SSCAC) to represent the Rail City’s growing senior population. The SSCAC held its first meeting in March at the Sparks Senior Center to network and discuss goals. Each City Council member selected one representative to serve their ward
and an alter nate, while the Sparks Mayor selected two members, and two alternates. Councilman Donald Abbott worked hard to make the SSCAC a reality. A liaison on the Washoe County Members of the SSCAC and the Sparks City Council. Senior Services Advisory Board, Abbott aging and disabled adults and is looking said he understands the needs of forward to making a difference.
Legislation / from p. 6
return must be filed for the Trust each year. It is the Trustee’s respon sibility to make sure that state and/or federal tax returns are prepared and any taxes owed are paid each year. • Recordkeeping – As the Trustee you must keep detailed records of all Trust business, including accounting records. Conclusion
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The fact that someone appoint ed you as a Trustee indicates that a consider able amount of trust and confi dence has been placed in you and your abilities. Administering a Trust, however, can become a complex and timeconsuming endeavor. Be sure to work closely
with an experienced estate planning attorney who can help you understand the legal aspects of a Trustee’s duties and responsibilities. Gerald M. Dorn has been practicing estate planning law for 23years and is the managing shareholder of the law firm. Mr. Dorn is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning Law and an Accredited Estate Planner by the National Association of Estate Planning Councils. Mr. Dorn has also been awarded the designation of Academy Fellow from the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. The law firm of Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. is devoted exclusively to estate planning and estate and trust administration. The attorneys at Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. offer guidance and advice to clients in every area of estate planning and estate and trust administration. For more informa tion or to attend an upcoming seminar, please contact us at (775) 823WILL (9455) or visit us online at www.wealthcounselors.com.
Medicare and Medicaid Services
Medicare Can Help You Stay Healthy Greg Dill, Regional Administrator Medicare District 9
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Greg Dill
ou may have heard something lately about “preventive health care.” What does that mean? At its most basic, preven tive health care means living a healthy lifestyle. Eat a bal anced diet. Exercise regular ly. Maintain a healthy weight. And stop smoking. Like anyone else, people with Medicare can benefit from healthy living habits. But Medicare covers a wide variety of shots to help you stay healthy. It also covers numerous tests to help detect diseases early, when they’re in their most treat able stages. You pay nothing for most Medicarecovered preventive services if you get them from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who “accepts assignment,” mean ing they accept Medicare as payment in full for their serv ices. For example, you pay nothing outofpocket when you get a “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. This onetime exam is offered during the first 12
months after you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part B. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health, and education and counseling about preventive services, including certain screenings, flu and pneumo coccal shots, and referrals for other care if needed. If you’ve had Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly wellness exam. You pay nothing for this visit if you’re doctor accepts assignment. And the Part B deductible doesn’t apply. The wellness exam is designed to help prevent dis ease and disability based on your current health and risk factors. Your provider will ask you to fill out a question naire, called a “Health Risk Assessment,” as part of this visit. Answering these ques tions can help you and your provider develop a personal ized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit, which can also include: • A review of your medical and family history. • Developing a list of current providers and prescriptions. • Height, weight, blood pres sure, and other routine measurements. • Detection of any cognitive impairment. • Personalized health advice. • A list of risk factors and (Medicare page 12) SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 11
Medicare / from p. 11
treatment options for you. • A screening schedule (like a checklist) for appropriate preventive services. However, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply if: • Your doctor or other health care provider per forms additional tests or services during the same visit. • These additional tests or services aren't covered as Medicare preventive bene fits. Medicare also covers shots for flu, pneumococcal disease (which can cause pneumonia), and Hepatitis B. Flu, pneumococcal infec tions, and Hepatitis B can be lifethreatening for older people. Flu and pneumococ cal shots are recommended for people over age 65. People with Medicare also can get screened for cardio vascular disease and differ ent kinds of cancer, including breast, prostate, cervical/vaginal, and colorec tal cancer. Take colorectal cancer, for example. Medicare covers screen ing tests to help find precan cerous growths or find can cer early, when treatment is 12 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
most effective. Medicare covers the multitarget stool DNA test, screening fecal occult blood test, screening flexible sigmoidoscopy, screening colonoscopy, and screening barium enema. You pay nothing for fecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and screen ing colonoscopy if your doc tor accepts assignment. (Note: If a polyp or other tis sue is removed during a colonoscopy, you may have to pay 20 percent of the Medicareapproved amount for the doctor’s services and a copayment if the proce dure was done in a hospital outpatient setting.) For people who have or are at risk for diabetes, Medicare covers screenings, certain supplies, and self management training. If you need help to stop smoking, Medicare pays for up to eight facetoface counseling sessions per year with a doctor or other quali fied provider. Medicare also pays for tests for lung cancer, HIV, and bone mass (to see if you’re at risk for broken bones.) People with Medicare don’t use preventive health services as much as they should. But getting screened can help you stay healthy and live longer – and save the government billions in healthcare costs. It’s a classic winwin. Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can get answers to your Medicare questions by visiting www.Medicare.gov or calling 1800MEDICARE (1800633 4227).
Groundbreaking of Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Community in Reno
Groundbreaking ceremonies recognized several Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living project partners: (left to right) Mike Deines, Mission Senior Living; Tara Alto, Mission Senior Living, Fernley Estates; Doug Treganowan, MSL Development; Cher Haack, Mission Senior Living, Carson Valley Estates; Nate Dahl, Dahl Pharmacy; Cliff Springmeyer, Western Pacific Electric; Jake Griffen, Western Pacific Electric; Darryl Fisher, Mission Senior Living; Chris Rogers, RFI Framing.
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roundbreaking ceremonies were held March 18, for Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living in Reno, the first independent living community built and managed by Carson Citybased Mission Senior Living. Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living will be completed in the spring of 2020. The 121,000 squarefeet, fourstory building will offer 130 apartment homes for active adults 55 and better in South Reno, located off South Meadows Parkway near Renown South Meadows and many retail and restaurant establish ments. Mission Senior Living President, Darryl Fisher, said “Moving to Mountain Lakes Estates gives you the freedom and resources to live a healthy, fun and purposeful life – whatever that might mean to you. Gone are the responsibilities and upkeep of home ownership. You’re left with more time to do what you love, like travel, golf, attend concerts, hike in Tahoe or relax with a good book after enjoying a meal you didn’t have to cook.”
In addition to spa cious apartment homes, the communi ty features welcoming courtyards and wind ing walking paths, expansive common areas for gatherings and entertainment, a dining area where chefprepared meals are served, a billiards room and fitness cen ter, and outdoor gar dening areas. Mountain Lakes Estates is expected to employ approximately 25 full and parttime team members trained in the organi zation’s Mission, Values and Principles. For more information about Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living, call (775) 384 1026 or visit http://www.moun tainlakesestates.net.
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 13
“Adding Life to Years”
What is Positive Aging and Why Should We Think That Way? Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging
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Larry Weiss
any scientists have explored the attrib utes of successful aging for years, concentrat ing on the positive scenarios. They have highlighted tech niques and policies that can help us to develop more resilience while strengthen ing our sense of fulfilment and control, despite the chal lenges that are associated with growing older (Bowling, 1993; Ranzijn, 2002). Collectively, these techniques are considered positive aging, also known as aging well, healthy aging, or suc cessful aging. This positive aging is a concept promoted by the World Health Organization in 2015. Positive aging consolidates the better choices we can make for our later periods of life and gives us the opportu nity to live our old age happi ly productive and delightfully active. It is a positive and constructive view of growing older which accepts aging as the continuous and normal development which occurs in human life. Nowadays, posi tive aging is viewed as an important goal for health organizations, health care
professionals, and for our selves the older people. The concept has grown into a multidisciplinary approach which includes social factors that place emphasis on socie tal opportunities and public responses which invite older adults to experience a better life (Kendig & Browning, 2016). In short, the positive aging movement is about striving to create a society for all ages that prepares for and celebrates the aging process.
Positive aging aims to reach this goal through: Supporting people of all ages to achieve their full potential; Respecting older adults’ engagement in economic, social, cultural, and family life; Fostering better solidari ty between generations; Creating a society where equality, independence, par ticipation, care, selfactual ization, and dignity of all peo ple are the prime objectives. Those of us who have con stant psychological stress develop negative attitudes of aging, live shorter lives and less quality. Biological researchers have studied the effects of stress on the body and found that our telomeres shorten, creating more dis ease and shorter lives. Those subjects in the studies that perceived their stressful situ ations as a challenge, actually reduced the perceived stress.
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Clearly the way we respond to life’s stressors is under our control and can result in bet ter health.
So what can we do? Some research has found that if we practiced meditation for 12 minutes/day for two months we can improve our mainte nance level of telomeres, resulting in better health. In addition, researchers have found that if you change your attitude from negative to positive, your body chemistry changes. With a negative attitude your body gets a surge of the stress hormone cortisol which has a lasting effect. A negative attitude hurts your telomerase and telomeres. However, by changing from a negative attitude to a positive chal lenge – the change in body chemistry is only temporary. As a result, your telomeres remain fine which in turn facilitates good health. Other concerns about short ening telomeres are experi encing violence, bullying, and racism. These social factors have a longterm negative affect on a person’s telom eres. People living in danger ous neighborhoods with no sense of community, have shorter telomeres. Healthy communities, being in a mar riage longterm, and having lifelong friendships, maintain telomeres. In short, we affect each other.
So how can we foster a posi tive aging attitude and find ourselves flourishing later in life? I have written about this many times over the years, but it is worth repeating. First, we need to stay physi cally active. At least 30 min utes of movement or exer cise every day. Aerobic exer cise is good for us and aids brain function in older adults while strength training is good for bones, muscles and joints. Physical activities help keep us active and feeling good in general. Exercising outdoors can also provide social interactions and friend ships. Everyone’s health is different so be sure to check with a health professional before engaging in any physi cal activity. The Center for Healthy Aging has a senior healthy walking program every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. at Meadowood mall. Second, exercise your brain by engaging in mentally chal lenging activities and never stop learning new things. Embrace what you love and seek opportunities to exer cise your mind through read (Life to Years page 15)
Life to Years / from page 14
brains to do some thinking. Simple activities such as reading a book or doing crossword puzzles can keep our brains alert. Third, adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food, getting eight hours of sleep, maintaining a good weight, not smoking, and moderate to no drinking. This lifestyle can help you to feel fresh and energetic. Fourth, connect with people and nur ture the relationships with your spouse or partner, your family, friends and neighbors. Social isolation is deadly! Reach out to others in your community, including young people. Stay involved with news and latest developments, engage in a positive community atti tude. Maintaining social interactions and relationships can help you feel more optimistic about life. Volunteering is healthy, the Center for Healthy Aging can help with that. Keep in mind, other people matter.
Fifth, perceive the world as positive and experience positive emotions. This atti tude and approach to emotions is good for your body, your mental health, and for how you relate to the world around you. Practice positive emotion exercises and learn to feel good about your age. View the glass as have full, not half empty. Being optimistic and feeling good about yourself can help you to cope with its challenges. Sixth, all of us have weaknesses and things we cannot do, learn to accept what you cannot do and ask for help. If you stress over what you cannot do, it will slowly kill you. Don’t worry too much, ask for help, most people enjoy helping. Keep flexible and go with the flow. Seventh, think through what it is you want realistically as you age and then seek it. It is important to have goals in life and to take control to achieve them. Having a sense of purpose and meaning
in life enables you to achieve positive aging. Stress is a part of everyone’s life, and it’s very natural. As discussed above, stress can affect our lives negatively, however, we have the ability to decide how we let it affect us. We won’t be able to prevent stress completely, but we can manage it so it doesn’t affect our lives too much. Learning how to cope with stress can promote positive aging. A great way to control or even eliminate stress is to practice mindful ness. Try to minimize your stress. Learn to unwind, relax, and “smell the roses”, what better way to “add life to years”. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss wel comes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@addinglife toyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 15
ECLECTIC OBSERVER Janet Ross
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re you a news junkie? It didn't occur to me that I was. Then I realized that every week day I was turning on the tel Janet Ross evision set at 4 pm and watching nothing but news until 7 p.m.
tures on the arts and the Friday conver sation with Shields and Brooks.
My viewing began with KNPB's PBS Newshour on Channel 5. (We have on air television with an antenna, no cable.) As Anchor Judy Woodruff provid ed the headlines and special interviews, the program included numerous corre spondents to present coverage around the world, but mostly from Washington, DC. I especially enjoyed the brief fea
By now it was 5:30 pm, and I'd nor mally watch Lester Holt on NBC at KRNV, Channel 4. In March my routine was challenged by more competition on KUNR with another halfhour of foreign news, DW from Germany. Germany's news covered the entire world with a focus on Europe, and brought yet another perspective. Come 6 pm there was more news at KUNR, this time BBC World News from Great Britain. My favorite commenta tor there is Mike Embley, but he's often replaced by other male and female news anchors. There are frequent interviews on BBC from around the world. My favorite shots are of Parliament in action with the Speaker shouting “Order!” Now it's 6:30 and I'm ready for some thing local. Channel 8, KOLO, has cur rently replaced Channel 4, KRNV, that was recently acquired by Sinclair with its “be afraid” agenda. (I do miss anchor Joe Hart,
16 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
Next up on KUNR was a halfhour of NHK Newsline from Japan, in English. Although the focus here was on Asian news, more often than not the lead sto ries were from the United States. There was a lot of cultural information to broaden my knowledge of Japan, China, Thailand, India and the two Koreas.
though.) One might think I'd have had enough news for an entire week in one night, but I do continue on (occasionally) by checking the Fox news from California's Bay Area on Channel 11 at 10 pm. Luddite that I am, I rarely check for news on my computer and I don't have a smart phone or tablet. I do have a radio, however, and it is permanently tuned to KUNR, 88.7, – either its regular station or the new one, KNJC, 89.5 (jazz and classical music with news on the hour). On KUNR I can get the BBC Newshour at 1 pm. Other newsbased programs continue through the day, many with indepth exploration of cur rent events. On Saturday or Sunday morning at 10 am there's a delightful news quiz humor show, “Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.” I have a friend who reads at least four newspapers daily, all on the Internet via one of her several devices. My newspaper, the Reno Gazette Journal, is delivered daily. This ever thinner publication, that rarely qualifies as a paper with news, does start my day … and it is often late due to printing or distribution problems from from its Carson City plant. (Still it's nice to have something to read with my morning cup of tea.) It's been years since I regularly read news magazines like Time. In the age of instant communication they do seem redundant, especially as they rarely offer indepth coverage to flesh out major news events. Junkie can be considered a synonym for addict. Considering that, I see no reason to feed my addiction with such a heavy, daily dose of news. I'm cutting down … tomorrow I'll forgo the PBS Newshour for a start … unless some thing happens.
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 17
April
Center locations
CALENDAR Day/Puzzle Corner, 10 a.m., TPPAC. • April 10 Intermediate Bridge, 10 a.m., TPPAC.
• April 8 Sit and Get Fit, 8:309:30 a.m., TPPAC. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. • April 8 Pickleball, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 910 a.m., EMNECC, $10. • April 8 Sunshine Quilters, 14 p.m., TPPAC, dropin fee. Every Monday. • April 9 Senior Bingo, 9:30 a.m., SVSC. Also April 10, 23, 24, 30. • April 9 Ballroom Dancing, 23:45 p.m., EMNECC, every Tuesday, 2 p.m. Also every Friday, 67:45 p.m. • April 9 Qigong, 5:306:30 p.m., EMNECC, $5. • April 9 Western Squares, 6:30 p.m., TPPAC. • April 9 Senior Outreach Services Education Talk: Affordable Housing, OLLI Bld., 604 W. Moana Lane, 911 a.m., Reno. • April 10 Mat Yoga, 1011 a.m., NRRC. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. • April 10 Mat Yoga, 121 p.m., EMNECC, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. • April 10 Board Game
• April 10 ThisNThat Exchange, 1 p.m., NRRC. • April 10 Clover Squares, 6 p.m., TPPAC. • April 11 Knitting and Crochet, 9:30 a.m., SVSC. Also April 12, 18, 25. • April 11 Pickleball, NRRC, 1:303:30 p.m, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. • April 11 Zumba Gold Fitness, 1011 a.m., TPPAC, $10 dropin fee. Also Mondays@TPPAC, 5:30 p.m. • April 11 Tai Chi Class, 1 p.m., EMNECC, $5. Also every Monday, EMNECC, 6 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays@EMNECC, 12 p.m. • April 11 RPEN Board Meeting, 12:302 p.m., WCSS. RPEN General Meeting, 13 p.m. • April 12 Mat Yoga, noon, EMNECC. • April 12 Senior Bingo, 1 p.m., NRRC. • April 12 Hawaiian Music, 10:3012:30 p.m., WCSS. Also April 26. • April 12 Beanbag Baseball Practice, 1:303:30 p.m.,
18 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
Cold Springs Senior Center (CSSC): 971-8542 Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center (EMNECC): 334-2262 Gerlach Senior Center: 1-775-557-2206 Incline Community Center: www.washoecounty.us/ seniorsrv/incline_community center Lazy 5/Spanish Springs: 1-775-328-2786 Neil Road Recreation Center (NRRC): 689-8484 Sparks Senior Center (SSC): 353-3110 Sun Valley Senior Center (SVSC): 673-9417 Teglia’s Paradise Park Activity Center (TPPAC): 356-3176 Washoe County Senior Services (WCSS): 328-2575
NRRC, dropin fee; every Monday, and Friday.
• April 17 Veterans Suicide Prevention, SSC, 111 p.m.
• April 13 Grumpy Old Men, 10 a.m., WCSS. Also April 20, 27.
• April 17 Chair Yoga, 1:30 p.m., EMNECC.
• April 13 Veterans Resource, 9:3011:30 a.m., SSC. • April 14 Washoe County Senior Services Meeting, 10 11 a.m., SSC. • April 14 Nevada Button Society, 12 p.m., WCSS. • April 14 NV HOPES Blood Pressure Clinic, 911 a.m., WCSS. Also March 21, 28. • April 14 Movie Day!, 12:15 p.m., SSC. • April 14 NV HOPES Blood Pressure Clinic, 911 a.m., WCSS. Also April 21, 28. • April 15 Senior Dance Club, 7:30 p.m., WCSS. Also April 22. • April 15 Catholic Charities Outreach, 10noon, WCSS. Also April 22. • April 15 Badminton, 7 p.m., NRRC. • April 16 Renown Grief Support, 23:30 p.m., SSC.
• April 17 Ceramic Workshop, 9:3012:30 p.m., McKinley Arts & Culture Center, $45. Register: (775) 3342417. • April 17 Reno Rodeo 100th Anniversary, Guy Clifton, 5:30 pm., Norwest Reno Library. • April 18 Northern Nevada Food Bank Distribution, 9 a.m., SVSC. • April 18 Bunco, 12:15 p.m., TPPAC. • April 18 Silver State Super Seniors, 8:30 a.m., EMNECC. • April 19 Renown Grief Support, 23:30 p.m., SSC. • April 19 Assistance League Food Pantry, 8 a.m., (come early), WCSS. • April 19 Washoe County Animal Services Pet Food, 8 10:30 a.m., WCSS. • April 19 SNAP Food Stamp Signup, 812 p.m., WCSS.
a.m., EMNECC. • April 24 Catholic Charities Food Pantry, 9:30 a.m.
• April 19 Northern Nevada Food Bank Distribution, 10:15 a.m., CSCC. • April 19 Pinochle, 1 p.m., Friday, NRRC. • April 19 Computer Classes: Introduction to Email, 13 p.m., Sparks Library.
• April 24 ThisNThat Exchange, 13 p.m., NRRC, dropin fee. Every Wednesday. • April 24 Veterans Resource Officer, Gerlach Senior Center. • April 24 Veterans Suicide Officer, 11 a.m., CSCC.
Party, Live Music by Cool Change, SVSC.
• May 2 SHIP Counselors, 101 p.m., NRRC, free.
• April 27 21st Annual Silver Syringe Awards, 6 p.m., Reno Renaissance, speaker Tamika Felder from Cervivor, Silver Syringe Awards winners.
• May 2 Open Lab, noon, NRRC.
• April 28 Reno MoMo, ZoAnn Campana discusses architects of the past, 12:30 p.m., downtown Reno Library.
• May 3 Senior Bingo, 12 p.m., NRRC, dropin fee. • May 3 Ballroom Dancing, 67:45 p.m., EMNECC, Friday, dropin fee. • May 6 Pinochle, 102 p.m., TPPCC, dropin fee.
• April 28 Accordion Players, 1011 a.m., WCSS.
• May 6 Table Tennis, 7 p..m., NRRC, dropin fee.
• April 25 Jeff Wayne Sings, 10:3012:15 p.m., WCSS.
April 28 AARP Driver Safety Class, SSC, 12:304:30 p.m., register at (775) 583 8208.
• April 20 Friends on the Go, 111 p.m., SSC.
• April 25 AARP Driver Safety, 12:304:30 p.m., SSC.
• April 29 Cribbage and Minnesota, 1 p.m., NRRC.
• April 21 Easter Day
• April 25 Veterans Service Officer, 10 a.m., SVSC.
• April 29 Mat Yoga, 10 a.m., TPPAC.
• May 7 Sparks Senior Golf Classes, May 7 – June 11, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. June 18 – July 23, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Cost: $100. Register online at www.sparksrec.com or call (775) 3532376 for more information.
• April 25 Seniors Eating Well Class Series, 23 p.m., WCSS.
• April 30 Ballroom Dancing, 2 p.m., EMNECC.
• May 10 Computer Classes: Beginning Word, 13 p.m., Sparks Library.
• May 1 Older Americans Month Celebration and Information Faire, 911 a.m., WCSS.
• May 17 Computer Classes: Introduction to Computers, 13 p.m., Sparks Library.
• April 20 Renown Grief Support, 6:158:15 p.m., WCSS.
• April 22 Sparks Fire Department Blood Pressure Check, 1112 p.m., SSC. • April 22 Basic Art, 1 p.m., TPPAC. • April 22 Care Chest of Northern Nevada, 10noon, WCSS. • April 22 Movie Day!, 12:15 p.m., SSC. • April 23 Bread Drop, 10 a.m., TPPAC. • April 23 The Voices, 11 a.m., EMNECC.
• April 24 Genealogy Part 1, 5:30 p.m., North Valleys Library, Sue Malek.
• April 25 Aging and Disability Resource Center Outreach, 10;30 a.m., SVSC. • April 25 Tech Assistance with David Perez, noon, CSCC. • April 26 Ostomy Support Group, 5:30 p.m., WCSS. • April 26 Blood Pressure Checks, SVSC, 10 a.m.
• April 23 Bread Drop, noon, NRRC.
• April 26 Sparks Fire Department Blood Pressure Check, 11 a.m., SSC.
• April 23 24 Bingo, 9:30 a.m., SVSC.
• April 26 Ask a Lawyer, 9 noon, WCSS.
• April 24 Senior Tap, 9:30
• April 26 Monthly Birthday
Gerry Mifsud, 74, stands at a crosswalk bearing the sign reading Seniors Crossing, on Paradise Drive. Mifsud was able to convince the city of Reno to install the sign in front of Sierra Manor, located near Reno Public Housing consisting of several blocks off Silverada Blvd. SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 19
New Moves for Seniors by Donna Clontz, Chair Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee
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n April 1, the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (SCAC) is changing its liai son services with the City of Reno from Parks and Recreation to the Donna Clontz new Neighborhood Services Department. Neighborhood Services, formerly known as the Office of Communication and Community Engagement (OCCE), is the home of the city’s media services, community out reach and engagement, Reno Direct, city website, Neighborhood Advisory Boards, Human Rights Commission and more. We’re looking forward to chang ing SCAC’s agendas to hear from staff on a regular basis from RTC, Regional Planning, Reno Housing Authority, Community Development, Code Enforcement, Traffic Engineering, Police
Department, Parks & Recreation, and more. We’ll have broader ability to alert the senior community to come to our meetings, learn about upcoming plans and issues affecting us and grow seniors’ involvement and input to poli cymakers before and while decisions are being made. At our March SCAC meeting, we recom mended funds to continue more out reach and programs this year to: • Support a new project at OUR Center to create a safe space for LGBTQ seniors who don’t often attend current pro grams because of feeling unwanted or unwelcome. The LGBTQ population locally is not mixed well with the gener al senior population, so this project would welcome a mix of all seniors to monthly ongoing informational lunches and breakfasts, social activities including dances, arts and crafts, beanbag base ball, walking groups and more. The new program will kick off in June this year; and • Support Senior Discovery TV with needed studio equipment and a more powerful editing computer to allow them to produce higher quali ty videos; and • Subsidize our annual Older Americans Month Day at the Aces so seniors get a game ticket and meal vouchers for just $10 each. Look for it in the next Senior Connect and sign up right away as it sells out fast! In March, the Recreation and Parks Commission approved a fee sched ule at the same rates as approved by council last October and kept age 50 for senior programs for
20 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
FY1920. This fee schedule will be on council’s agenda in May as part of the city’s proposed budget. Senior Services staff is also considering allowing seniors who pay $50 worth of $1 dropin fees to show their receipts and receive a Senior Activity Pass for the rest of the year. The scholarship program has been updated. Pickleball league play is in the planning stages. Older Americans Month is coming in May. This year’s national theme is “Connect, Create, Contribute”. Our three senior advisory committees Reno, Sparks and Washoe Countyare working hard with staff from the three governments, RTC, Food Bank, Reno Aces and 1868 FC, Sam’s Club and Channel 8KOLO Cares to create a fun filled and informative month of activi ties for folks over 50 and their families and caregivers. The program booklet is available online (and hard copies at sen ior centers and other agencies) by mid April at www.washoecounty.us and phone information at 7753282575; social media hashtag is #WASHOEOAM2019. You are invited to two kickoff events in midApril when the Washoe County Commission pres ents its proclamation on April 16 at 10 a.m., followed a few days later on April 22 at 2 p.m. with the Sparks proclama tion. Opening Ceremonies and Senior Information Fair will be held on May 1, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Washoe County Senior Center, 1155 E. 9th St. in Reno. Stuff a Bus for Seniors will be held May 23 and 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Sam’s Club at 4835 Kietzke Ln., Reno. For more information and to join the seniors at any of these events, please contact Donna at 7752402745 or don nanorm1@yahoo.com.
ARTS & Entertainment • April 14 Caravana del Amor, 7 p.m., Grand Theatre, GSR. • April 4 May 23 Dyani White Hawk, artist gallery talk: 11 a.m., on April 6, Lilley Museum of Art, University Arts Bldg., tickets free. • April 4 A Body in the OA, performance, lecture and rant by Tim Miller, 7:30 p.m., Redfield Studio Theatre, Church of Fine Arts, tickets free. • April 5 New Vintage Baroque, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church of Fine Arts, tickets: TBA. • April 5 Jose Gonzalez, 8 p.m., Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. • April 6 Alan Parsons Live Project, 8 p.m., Grand Theatre, Grand Sierra Resort. • April 6 Harp Plus, 11th Annual, 7 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, free for UNR students with ID. • April 10 Tsurunokai, 4
Tsurunokai, April 10.
The Pixies, April 11.
p.m., Verdi Library; May 1 4 p.m., Sierra View Library; May 21, 4:30 p.m., Duncan/Traner Community Library; June 5, 4 p.m., Incline Village Library.
• April 15 Mark Combs: Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, April 1525, Public lecture, 5 p.m.; April 18, reception 68 p.m., Student Galleries South, Jot Travis Bldg., tickets free.
• April 12 Nevada Chamber Opera; Gianni Schicchi, 7:30 p.m., April 1213; April 14, 2 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church of Fine Arts, tick ets: $20; $5 for UNR stu dents with ID.
• April 13 Steven Wright, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy. • April 13 14 Alice in Wonderland, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. • April 13 NPC Mother Lode, 10 a.m., prejudg ing; 6 p.m. final; body building show, Grand Theatre, Grand Sierra Resort. • April 14 Movie: Teen Titans Go To The Movies, 11 a.m., down town Reno Library.
• April 19 Sammy Hagar & The Circle, 9 p.m., Grand Sierra Resort, Grand Theatre. • April 23 House of Waters, 4 p.m., down town library; 4/24, 4 p.m., Incline Village Library; 4/26, 4 p.m., North Valleys Library; 4/27, 4 p.m, 11 a.m, Sparks Library; 4/27, 2 p.m., South Valleys Library.
• April 11 Pixies, 7 p.m., Grand Theatre, GSR.
• April 12 Hozier, 8 p.m., Grand Theatre, GSR.
Sammy Hagar, April 19.
Street Band, 8 p.m., Atlantis Ballroom.
The Illusionists Experience, April 17.
• April 16 20th Century Kaleidoscope with Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio, violin and viola; James Winn, piano, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church of Fine Arts, tickets free. • April 17 Bruka’s Theater for Children, 4 p.m., Incline Village Library. • April 17 The Illusionists Experience, Eldorado Showroom. • April 19 The World’s First Tribute to Bruce in the USA, Bruce Springsteen and the E
• April 24 Nevada Wind Ensemble and Chamber Wind, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church of Fine Arts, $7; students free. • April 25 Reno Jazz Festival: Walter Smith III + The Collective, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church of Fine Arts, tickets: $29; $24 for RJF participants, $15 for UNR students with ID. • April 26 Girls Nights In, 10 p.m., $10, LEX Nightclub, GSR. • April 26 Reno Jazz Festival: Melissa Aldana Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Lawlor (Entertainment page 22) SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 21
Entertainment / from p 21
Events Center, tickets $29; $24 for RJF participants, $15 for UNR students with ID.
• April 30 University Percussion Ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts, tickets $7; UNR students free with ID. • May 3 The Lightning Thief, through May 5, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
Girls Nights In, April 26. • April 27 Reno Jazz Festival: Showcase and Awards Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., Lawlor Events Center, tickets $18; $15 for RJF par ticipants, $11 for UNR stu dents with ID.
• May 4 The American West, Elko Convention Center, Reno Phil, gen eral admission $20; children $10. • May 4 Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy. • May 7 Pure McCartney, 8 p.m., Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. • May 10 Youth Orchestras, also May 11, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
Willie Nelson, May 10.
• April 26 Old Dominion, 7:30 p.m., Reno Events Center. • April 27 28 Classix Series: Requiem, Reno Phil and guest Alexandra Schoeny, Reilly Nelson, David Walton, and Thomas Dreeze, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. April 27@7:30 p.m.; April 28@4 p.m. Call (775) 3236393.
• May 10 Willie Nelson & Family, 9 p.m., Grand Theatre, GSR. • May 10 LOCASH, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy.
Pure McCartney, May 7.
• April 29 Mahedi Anjuman: Existence: Sensing Myself in You, April 29 May 9; public lecture, 5 p.m., May 2; reception, 68 p.m., May 2, Student Galleries South, Jot Travis. 22 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
• May 11 Bruka’s Theater for Children, 11 a.m., Northwest Reno Library. • May 11 Apocalyptica, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy.
BIGGEST little City Harry Spencer
Memories of the Mapes II
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ast month we ended Harry Spencer our column about the Mapes Hotel with a description of its manager, Walter Ramage. Walter was the premier hotelier of all time in the Biggest Little City. He would have been at home running a hotel in any of the major cities in the country including New York and Chicago. At the Mapes, standing ramrod straight, Ramage cruised every square inch of the building on a daily basis. Once, shortly after I moved my office to the hotel, I accompanied him on what he called his “inspection tour”. We started in the boiler room, where you could lit erally eat off the floor and subsequently visited every department on the hotel and checked every nook and cranny. I was especially impressed that we walked up to the Sky Room and then rode the elevator down. Figuring he was somewhere between 50 and 70 years of age, I asked him why we didn’t reverse the procedure. His response was, “Son, I’ll do about sixteen hours in this building today and this is the only time I have to exercise.” Other than that first time, I don’t recall ever accom panying him again. Ramage did two stints at the Mapes, in between serving as manager of the prestigious San Francisco Press Club (the main reason that the Mapes became the darling of the Bay Area media). His métier was never equaled at the hotel although we had a string of highly qualified managers that included the ubiquitous Arthur Allen, Joe New (who once approached Charles Mapes with the idea of adding “New” to the
hotel’s name so that it could be called the New Mapes hotel. I don’t recall seeing Joe around much longer after that meeting), Harold Baker and Gordon Hooley among others. As Ramage demanded so much of him self in fulfilling his post, the pride and “work ethic” extended to other depart ment heads. Adeline Murphy, who ruled the roost of the popular Coffee Shop, was probably the most visible and wellknown employee – particularly to the locals who frequented her domain – it was said she pulled a twentyfour hour shift and I don’t think it was said in jest. The hotel always had the top chef in town. The consensus of most town folk was that this was indeed true because eating well was one of the owner’s pro clivities. That owner was the redoubtable Charles Mapes. A native son, he took one of the biggest gambles ever seen in this gambling town when, in his twen ties, he spearheaded a project so large that it defied the imagination of most locals. Postwar America was a little scary in 1947. Somehow, World War II had snatched the country out of the Depression, but no one could foresee what was on the horizon. The great mass emigration to the West Coast was only beginning. California was still a state of large farms and orange groves. Industry was fitful at best, as most of the California plants and shipyards had been built to produce war materials. Dwight Eisenhower had yet to offer his plan for freeways and superhighways across the nation and the torturous trip from Reno to San Francisco over narrow Highway 40 took longer than a quick run to Los Angeles via almost empty 395.
So it was with little wonder that the business community looked askance at a local hotel the size of the Mapes. From where would the customers come? Well, they came – mostly by train – a few by cars and even fewer by plane and bus. But they came nonethe less and they filled the Mapes and its fame spread to the four corners of the earth. Thus, the dream of a young Charles Mapes was fulfilled. Back to the hotel: The 24hour coffee shop in the Mapes was wellabetted by the elegant Terrace Room Bar and Restaurant which fea tured almost floor to ceiling windows, through which diners were afforded a pleasing view of the Truckee River. In 1957, when the windows were covered over with a glassbottle configuration to go with the décor of the remodeled and renamed Coach Room, the reaction of patrons was mixed. I remember well seeing the everpresent Ramage having his dinner served at the small “deuce” table on the landing that separated the lower and upper levels of the Terrace Room or taking lunch at his tiny corner booth in the coffee shop that had a commanding view of First Street, which he called his “cat bird” seat. (Author’s note: The Mapes story will continue next month. The iconic hotel was probably the most elegant edifice ever constructed in the Truckee Meadows. Although small in compari son to today’s massive structures, it was still the most photographed building in recent history.) SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 23
24 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
Kaiser Health News
More Older Adults With Joint Replacements Recover At Home, Not Rehab By Judith Graham
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lder adults and their families often won der: Where’s the best place to recover after a hip or knee replacement — at home or in a rehabilitation facility? Increasingly, the answer appears to be home if the procedure is elective, friends and family are avail able to help and someone doesn’t have serious condi tions that could lead to complications. This trend is likely to accelerate as evidence mounts that recuperating at home is a safe alternative and as hospitals alter med ical practices in response to changing Medicare policies. The newest data comes from a March study in JAMA Internal Medicine of 17 mil lion Medicare hospitaliza tions of people from 2010 to 2016. All the patients were older adults and went home or to a skilled nursing facility after a medical pro cedure or a serious illness. Knee and hip replacements were the most common rea son for these hospitaliza tions. People who were sent home with home health care services demonstrated the same level of functional improvement as those who went to a skilled nursing facility (assessments exam ined their ability to walk and get up and down stairs, among other activities), the study found. And they were no more likely to die 30
days after surgery (a very small percentage in each group). Overall, costs were significantly lower for patients who went home, while hospital readmissions were slightly higher — a pos sible signal that home health
care services needed strengthening or that family caregivers needed better education and training. “What this study tells us is it’s certainly safe to send people home under many cir cumstances,” said Dr. Vincent
Mor, a professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University’s School of Public Health who wrote an editorial accompanying the study. The new report expands (Joints page 26)
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 25
Joints / from page 25
on previous research that came to a similar conclusion. In 2017, experts from New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery published a study that examined 2,400 patients who underwent total knee replacements and were discharged home or to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation between May 2007 and February 2011. There were no differences in complication rates at six months or in functional recovery and patientreport ed outcomes at two years. “As a result of these find ings, we are encouraging all of our patients to consider home discharge after TKA [total knee replacement],” the authors wrote. The year before, researchers at New York University reported in JAMA Internal Medicine that from 2009 to 2012 and 201314, discharges to rehabilitation facilities fell from 68 to 34 percent for patients under going hip and knee replace ments, from 71 to 22 percent for patients with cardiac valve replacement surgeries, and from 40 to 30 percent for patients who’d had spinal fusion surgery. Instead, more people were sent home to recover. During this period, NYU Langone Medical Center assumed financial responsi bility for “episodes of care” for joint replacements that include the posthospital recovery period — a policy that Medicare is now pro moting. Diane Rubin, 67, who lives on Long Island, had a hip replacement at the NYU medical center in January. Before the surgery, she got a list of things she’d need to do to prepare for her recov
ery; afterward, a nurse and physical thera pist visited her at home regu larly for about three weeks. “I was more com fortable recu perating at home and I’ve had absolutely no complica tions,” she said. How do physicians decide where to send patients? “In general, we tend to send patients to skilled nursing facilities who are older, sicker, more deconditioned after surgery, and who have no spouse or caregiver, fewer resources and little social support,” said Dr. Leora Horwitz, a co author of that study and associate professor of popu lation health and medicine at New York University School of Medicine. Though it’s widely believed that people who live alone might not do well going home, last year researchers at The Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia published research showing that isn’t necessarily the case. At their institution, patients are assigned a nurse navigator who provides assistance before and after hip or knee replacements. Patients who lived alone stayed in the hos pital longer and received more home health care serv ices than those who lived with others. When they recuperated at home, the Rothman Orthopaedics patients didn’t have higher rates of medical
26 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
complications, returns to the hospital or emergency room visits than those who went to rehabilitation facilities. Nearly 90 percent of people who lived alone said they’d again choose a home dis charge. Dr. William Hozack, a co author of the study and pro fessor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, acknowledged that patients who go to rehabilitation are probably sicker and more debilitated than those who go home, potentially biasing research results. Still, prac tices have changed consider ably. Today, he and his col leagues send 95 percent of patients who get hip and knee replacements home to recover, instead of directing them to institutions. People shouldn’t underes timate how much help they may require at home, espe cially in the first few weeks after surgery, said Carol Levine, director of the United Hospital Fund’s families and health care project, who has had two hip replacements. The potential downsides to going home include a greater burden on caregivers and the
possibility that complications won’t be identified as quick ly, needs will go unmet if friends and family can’t pitch in, and people won’t follow through on recommended rehabilitation regimens. And outcomes may not be as favorable if services that sup port people at home aren’t readily available Utah’s Intermountain Healthcare, a health system that operates 23 hospitals and nearly 170 medical clin ics, is bringing an array of services — palliative care, dialysis, primary care and hospital care — into the home through its new Intermountain at Home pro gram. Recovering at home after a hospital procedure is also a focus, and Intermountain has created standardized procedures for hip and knee replacements over the past few years, according to Rajesh Shrestha, the system’s chief operating officer of communitybased care. Every jointreplacement patient going home after surgery now gets a thorough assessment to determine the resources that are needed. A care plan is created and a
case manager, usually a reg istered nurse, makes sure that physical therapy, durable medical equipment and home health care are supplied. The case manager also coordinates postopera tive care with orthopedic sur geons and makes sure that patients reconnect post surgery with their primary care physicians. And a team of providers is available 24/7. During the past few years, discharges to rehabilitation facilities have declined by half at most of Intermountain’s Utah facili ties, with no notable increase in complications or hospital readmissions, Shrestha said. During 2018, 85 percent of knee replacement patients and 88 percent of hip replacement patients went home after surgery, respec tively. At Kaiser Permanente, a health plan with more than 12 million members, a sub stantial number of patients who get elective hip and knee replacements are skip ping a hospital stay altogeth er and going home the same day. In Kaiser’s Southern California region, sameday joint replacement home dis charges now total about 50 percent, according to Dr. Nithin Reddy, who oversees joint replacements for the region. Kaiser Permanente has made this possible by chang ing how procedures are done (an anterior approach for hip replacements, for example), introducing new protocols for pain management (opioids are used less frequently), altering anesthesia protocols (less general anesthesia and more regional anesthesia), reducing blood transfusions and hiring “total joint coordi nators” (typically nurses) to help with the transition from the hospital to home. All
patients go home with home health care, receive two out reach calls the week after surgery and get comprehen sive handbooks with check lists of what to do before and after surgery and common concerns to look out for. “We have very robust dis charge criteria: Patients have to have wellmanaged pain and be able to get in and out of bed by themselves and in and out of the restroom by themselves. And they need to be able to walk 50 to 75 feet unassisted, using a walk er,” Reddy said. “If they can’t do those things, they aren’t safe for a home discharge and [rehabilitation at] a skilled nursing facility would come into play.” Magdalena Ritayik, 66, one of the doctor’s patients, had a knee replacement last September after cortisone shots stopped working and pain became a constant com panion. Six years before, her husband had both knees replaced, separately, and stayed in the hospital three days each time. By contrast, Ritayik went home the after noon after her surgery, only to find a nurse and physical therapist waiting there for her. “The nurse went over all the medications, when to take them and how much. The physical therapist showed me how to do bend ing and stretching with a chair in the living room and to raise [my leg] while I was lying on the bed,” Ritayik said. “The first week you have to stay home. After the second week, I was walking almost like regular. A month after the surgery, I was at full extension and full bending.” We’re eager to hear from readers. Visit khn.org/colum nists to submit your requests or tips or write to Judith Graham: @judith_graham
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 27
Tinseltown
Nick Thomas
Michael Dante: from actor to author
I
t’s not uncommon for actors to find a second career away from the camera after spending years in front of it. In Michael
Dante’s case, that new voca tion has been writing, begin ning with his 2014 award winning autobiography “From Hollywood to Michael
Recent photo of Michael Dante
Dante Way” (www.michael danteway.com). “I received the Ella Dickey Literacy Award for it last April in Marshfield, Missouri, at their Cherry Blossom Festival,” said Dante. “My second book, ‘Winterhawk's Land,’ is the sequel to the film I starred in and played the title role, ‘Winterhawk.’” His latest Novella is called “Six Rode Home” which he says is “about six horse sol diers who come home from the Civil War and it’s a great read.” Dante is well acquainted with early American life through his films which included working alongside Audie Murphy in two west erns. “Audie was the greatest American hero of World War II, but never talked about his war experience. He was a very quiet, sensitive, and softspoken guy with a great sense of humor who also wrote beautiful poetry and song lyrics.” Dante’s first film was the 28 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
1956 biodrama “Somebody up There Likes Me” starring Paul Newman as boxer Rocky Graziano and featured Steve McQueen in his first role. During filming, a truck lost control when its brakes failed and hurtled towards the cast causing Newman to leap out of the way and sending a cameraman flying. “Then it headed towards me and Steve – I pulled him out of the way.” In “Kid Galahad,” another boxing film, Dante sparred with Elvis Presley. He says the two performed all the fight scenes themselves, with Presley landing a blow on Dante, cutting his lip. “He kept apologizing over and over,” he recalled, laughing. On TV, Dante created a memorable character in the original 1967 “Star Trek” episode “Friday’s Child” where the Enterprise crew visit an alien planet and attempt to negotiate mineral rights with a local tribe. His character, Maab, was
Michael Dante, center, as Maab, an alien warrior in Star Trek TOS, Friday’s Child, 1967.
dressed headtofoot in a sti flingly hot costume. “The exterior shots were filmed at Vazquez Rocks, near Santa Clarita, California, where it was 117 degrees,” recalled Dante. “So much perspiration drained into my boots that I squished when I walked – I lost 7 lbs on the first day of shooting!” With over 180 TV and film roles to his credit, Dante remains astonished that his
birdcage, I noticed four peo ple staring my way and they yelled ‘Maab!’ One girl even carried a thick portfolio filled with Star Trek photos. I signed some, and asked how she happened to have them with her. ‘You never know when you’ll run into a Star Trek actor’ was her reply.” A recipient of many acting awards throughout his career including the Golden Boot and Silver Spur Awards for
Audie Murphy and Michael Danti. Danti worked with Murphy on two occasions,
"Arizona Raiders" and "Apache Rifles."
50yearold “Star Trek” role still draws wide fan attention, recalling an encounter during a trip to the San Diego Zoo with his niece and nephew. “As we stood by the giant
his work in westerns, the actorturnedauthor says he’s especially proud of his new career. “Now, I am referred to as Award Winning Author Michael Dante!” SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 29
Simply Smart Travel Jeff & Virginia Orenstein
Boppard and the Middle Rhine Valley
T
he 761 milelong Rhine River has played a huge role in European history as it flows from the Swiss mountains to the North Sea. It is simultaneously a major water and rail corridor, tourist attraction and home to medieval castles, battlefields, vineyards and commerce. The most charming part of the river, the Middle Rhine gorge between Bingen and Bonn, about 80 river miles, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002 and often referred to as the “Romantic Rhine.” It is a wonderful place for a visit. The delightful city of Boppard is situ The Rhine River makes a sweeping bend just downstream from Boppard. Here is a rare quiet moment on the river at Boppard. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel ated in the heart of the region. Situated on a sweeping bend in the people is filled with picturesque half mostlyRiesling vineyards, taverns, river, this charming city of about 15,000 timbered buildings, enticing shops, restaurants and hotels. One of the highlights of our trip was just relaxing on our hotel room’s balcony after a day of shopping and exploring. Our river front hotel room proved to be an ideal place to enjoy a nice glass of local wine while watching the steady parade of boats on the Rhine, the local ferry scurrying back and forth while it dodged river traffic and between the river’s banks and the pedestrians strolling along the river prome nade.
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This frequent stop for Rhine river cruises is an ideal place to base yourself for exploring the Middle Rhine Valley. Boppard is a good place to stay because of its scenic attractions and surroundings, good hotels and restaurants, local hospitality and friendly people. (Smart Travel page 32)
Solution page 32
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 31
Travel / from page 30 Throw in its central location along this scenic stretch of the valley and its excel lent transportation connections, and it becomes an ideal place to call home awayfromhome as you explore this endlessly fascinating region. Among the nearby nottobemissed attractions whether you travel by train, boat or car are the castles along the river (especially the Katz Castle at near by St. Goarhausen), the storied Lorelie Rocks, great wine taverns and vine yards, and excellent eating and shop ping in nerby towns and cities. Before You Go Check Out: • https://www.boppardtourismu.de/1 1Home.html • https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=NNjl2I3uvLI • https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=p1KJWbBlBrc
Solution
• https://medium.com/@ germanyinuk/middlerhine oneofthemostvisitedtourist destinationsingermany 88fe211ceae3 Getting There and Getting Around: Boppard and the Rhine Valley can be reached by highway, air or train. • Boppard has a busy main rail way station as well as five near by stops. Railroad lines run on both sides of the river. There is intercity service to Frankfurt and very frequent DB Regio and other local service on the Koblenz–Bingen–Mainz– Frankfurt route. We used our Eurail pass for day trips up and down the valley and enjoyed the convenience and exquisite
from page 31
Katz Castle, dating back to the 14th century still keeps guard over the Rhine River Gorge at St. Goarhausen, close to Boppard. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel
scenery along the way. • By car, Boppard is on the Bundesstraße (federal highway) 9 which follows the left side of the Rhine. To the west is an interchange with Autobahn A61 and to the east is one with the A3. • The nearest major airport is Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN) in Kirchberg, Germany served by mostly budget air lines. It is about 25 miles from Boppard. International flights are found at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) about 45 miles away and Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is about 49 miles away. • The Rhine is a major river cruise artery. In Boppard, ships dock on the river bank next to the old town within walking distance to hotels. KD Day Cruises between Rudesheim and Boppard and return are recommended for those who want a short but scenic all day river cruise experience. (Smart Travel page 34) 32 / April / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com
SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / April / 33
Travel / from page 32
MustSees For A Short Trip to Boppard Among attractions that you should take in are: • The Boppard Center and Market Square. • The Rhine Allee riverfront promenade.
• The Roman Fort. • Sipping a glass of the local wine. Dinner at the Römerburg Weinhaus and Restaurant and/or at a riverfront restaurant like Le Chopin im Bellevue Rheinhotel.
One of the many castles along the Rhine as viewed from the train station at Bingen. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel
Boppard’s riverfront and adjacent streets are lined with enticing small hotels and restaurants. This family-owned restaurant is a great place to enjoy happy hour. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel
• The Electoral Castle. • The Boppard Museum.
This Destination At A Glance Over 50: Great, unhurried shopping, gorgeous scenery and excellent hospitality.
Mobility Level: Moderate. Some hills and cobblestones streets will be encountered. When To Go: By the end of September, many inns and restaurants already start closing for the winter. The best time to go to Boppard from April through September. The temperatures are pleasant and there is not much rain. Winters are cold, with some powder skiing in late February and early March. Where To Stay: We loved the riverfront Hotel Rheinlust with its spectacular views. The river front has many such hotels and many more are in the town We recommend staying along the river. Special Travel Interests: German history, castles along the Rhine, Riesling wine.
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Jeffrey Orenstein, Ph.D. and Virginia Orenstein are travel writers from Sarasota, Florida. Reach them at jorenstein@ SimplySmartTravel.com.