Editor’s Desk
RTC Blue Ribbon Committee to Review Funding Options
for Public Transportation
Transportation is the economic driver of productive communities The Regional Transportation Commission has assembled a Blue Ribbon Committee for Transit to guide decision making for Washoe County’s ailing transportation system. RTC is facing tough decisions in 2015, which include either a cut in service, increased fares, or new sources of revenue to foster growth and productivity. Reports show the recession in 2007 caused a 14.7 percent reduction in ridership and hours of service. And even though both ridership and service have remained flat since 2010, strategic changes led to a 7.7 percent ridership increase in a down economy. In 2008, Washoe County voters approved a plan to index fuel taxes to inflation, a move that helped bring in more funding during the recession. Additionally, gasoline sold has declined, while fuel tax revenue has grown at
a compound annual rate of 26 percent from 2010 and 2013. The RTC made a strategic change in the motor vehicle fuel tax revenue with implementation of the PPI index in January 2010 and June 2013. With a total of $152.1 million in projected revenue for 2015, expenditures however are anticipated to increase substantially at a estimated $242.8 million. Federal funds that RTC anticipates to plan its budget are also in question. Due to sequestration and less federal earmarks and grants, funding has fallen considerably since 2011. RTC has planned many infrastructure and capitol projects with federal funds and earmarks that include completing the second phase of the SouthEast Connector. Another source of federal funding in jeopardy is Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement funding. These funds enabled operation of the Bus RAPID Transit in 2009-2011. RTC has future plans to expand (Transit page 15)
2014 Contents page 3 - Editor’s Desk
page 27 & 28 - Calendar
Based Insurance Plan, Can
page 36 - Eclectic Observer
page 11 - If you Have A JobYou Buy On The Marketplace? page 14 -Nursing Home
Report Card Gives Nevada F page 16 -For People with
Dementia, Cataract Surgery Improves Vision, Cognition page 23 - Ways to Help Improve Your Vitality page 26 - MorningStar Grand
P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510
(775) 348-0717
e-mai l : S eni orspectrumnv@aol . com S eni orspectrumnewspaper. com
Publishers: Chris & Connie McMullen Senior Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain. Publication of advertising contained does not constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. Copyrighted publication. All rights reserved.
page 38 - this ‘n that page 39 - Crossword
page 42 - Seniors4Travel
Health page 10 - CMS: How to Use Your New Health Insurance David Sayen, Region 9 page 12 - AARP: Avoid
Opening Celebrated
Doughnuts This Summer
page 29 - Senior Fest 2014
page 17 - Center for
page 30 - Erika Paul and the Swingin’ JazzKats at the Fest page 31 - Senior Flash Mob
Senior Spectrum Newspaper
page 34 - Resources
page 32 - Lecture Series
page 33 - Corky Bennett page 41 - Spectra
Every Issue
Healthy Aging - Aging Body Images & the Impact of Media Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. page 22 - Ophthalmology: Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D.
Financial
page 4 - Opinion: Sen. Heller
page 7 - Personal Property
page 6 - Community Giving
Bradley B. Anderson, Ltd.
page 5 -Opinion: Sen. Reid
in Your Estate Plan -
August • 2014 • 3
Opinion U.S. Senator Dean Heller
Our Nation’s Veterans "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." -Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Sen. Dean Heller Lincoln made that pledge to America’s veterans during his time in office. Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington has failed to live up to it. Recently, it’s been brought to light how the VA health system is failing those it was designed to serve and protect. To receive the most basic health care, some veterans are subjected to long wait times and/or must
4 • 2014 • August
travel extremely long distances. It’s a shame America’s bravest are receiving this type of treatment from Uncle Sam after having sacrificed so much for this great country. Don’t get me wrong, there are many men and women working within the Department of Veterans Affairs who aim to serve our nation’s veterans with excellence. For example, I am grateful for the quality care that my father received at the Reno VA hospital. However, veterans should be able to access the care they earned while in service to this country. Lengthy delays are simply unacceptable. In our state, the Reno and Las Vegas VA offices are ranked in the
nation’s bottom third for average wait times for new patients to see a doctor. Reno’s average wait time, just over 53 days, is worse than Las Vegas. I have pressed VA officials at the local and national level for answers about how they plan to tackle these issues and will continue to pursue this issue moving forward. Poor management at the VA has been a problem that veterans have faced for far too long. I am concerned new patients are having a difficult time securing appointments, as well as the fact that ongoing investigations are needed at Nevada facilities. The VA can and must do better. I will see to it that the VA does do so.
Opinion U.S. Sen. Harry Reid
Legislation Passed by Congress Will Get Nevada on Track to Meet Veterans Needs
Last month, Congress passed important bipartisan legislation to improve accountability at the Veterans Administration and address patient wait Sen. Harry Reid times at VA hospitals. The VA Inspector General’s office released its report last month detailing many troubling, systematic failings that are unnecessarily putting our nation’s veterans at risk. The report is especially troubling considering the veteran population in Northern Nevada grew beyond the Reno VA hospital's capability to adequately serve our veterans. Sadly, as a result, veterans in Northern Nevada had to experience some of the longest wait times in the country to receive the care they deserve. But I am confident the legislation passed by Congress will help all VA facilities in Nevada get back on track to meet the needs of our veterans.
Veterans’ affairs have always been extremely important to me; increasing veteran access to education and healthcare are among my proudest achievements. Naturally, I was devastated to learn the results of the Inspector General’s audit showing the VA is not serving the needs of Nevada’s veterans. Instead of receiving the proper care they deserve, the health of thousands of veterans has been put at risk. Our service members have fought to protect our country and ensure our democratic freedom. It is our duty to provide our veterans with the best care, but we have allowed them to fall through the cracks. This is simply unacceptable. The bipartisan legislation that passed last month starts the process of fixing the VA by expanding access to quality health care; veterans facing long delays in health care will now be able to seek care outside of the VA, at private doctors’ offices, com-
munity health centers, or military bases. Additionally, it increases accountability throughout the Veterans Affairs Administration, holding senior officials responsible for poor job performance or manipulating the system. Most significantly, the legislation improves the reliability of the health care our veterans receive by giving the VA the essential resources it needs to hire more doctors and nurses to decrease wait times. The passage of this legislation is a clear indication that legislators on both sides of the aisle are willing to cooperate to fund vital services for the sake of our nation’s heroes. The sacrifice and service of veterans should never be forgotten and our obligation to them must never falter. I am committed to continued cooperation to ensure that Nevada’s veterans will receive the health care they need, it is the least we can do to thank our brave veterans for their service to our country.
August • 2014 • 5
Charity is Different for Older Adults Chris Askin, President and CEO Community Foundation of Western Nevada Charity isn’t for the faint of heart. It is tough to make a gift that really has the intended impact. Fortunately, through experience, most of us are able to find ways to give that give us the assurance our gift is really helping. Many older adults through a lifetime of experience have become wise in this area, and we at the Community Foundation benefit from their experiences. It is really important that we learn from our experiences with charitable gifting because as we get older we tend to have more assets to give. You may have noticed that you receive more solicitations for gifts as well, and this is no coincidence. Charities know that older adults may have greater capacity Chris Askin
6 • 2014 • August
to give then younger people; older adults also have a predisposition to giving tied to the strong family and community values we learned growing up. Older adults tend to have more free time; thus, many of us volunteer. How wonderful it is that we have the opportunity to give back in a multitude of ways that not only help others but that also give us a richer and more meaningful life. One of the resources the Community Foundation provides to generous and caring older adults is the wisdom we have learned ourselves through the interactions we have with dozens of charities in the region each year. We know the staff and their programs; we’ve looked at their tax returns and spoken with people using their
services. And we have learned from you, the people who give to and volunteer with these organizations. We often talk with people who wish to become more engaged in their community; we help them identify charities they can help that are closely tied to their values and the specific impact they wish to make. Being connected with a charity that does the kind of work you care about most can be life changing… for you and for them. But, sometimes life isn’t a bed of roses and, as we age, we also have more needs of our own, particularly in the areas of health, transportation, and social outlets. I have seen people’s giving priorities dramatically shift to include organizations that support these (Charity page 20)
Include Personal Property When Creating Your Estate Plan Brad Anderson
Brought to you by Bradley B. Anderson Anderson, Dorn, & Rader, Ltd.
Every individual needs to create an effective estate plan describing their wishes as to the disposition of assets, care of minor children, and burial arrangements. However, even people who meticulously prepare their estate plans often overlook their personal property. When you create a Will or Trust, you can make specific provisions for distribution of items of personal property among your heirs. Lack of a Plan Can Lead to Problems Among Heirs Failure to outline who should receive your family heirlooms and other emo-
The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys www.probatebusters.com • blog.wealth-counselors.com
tionally valuable personal property can lead to problems and family feuds. A widower, Dan, thought he planned out every detail of what would happen after he was gone, including family discussions about how his major assets were to be divided. However, Dan never considered his personal property in his estate plan, which tore his family apart at his death. After Dan passed away, there was disagreement among family members over the tangible personal property he had owned. His daughters thought they would each receive their mother’s
favorite jewelry. Friends and relatives demanded his prized gun collection that they claimed the widower had promised them. However, verbal promises cannot be used in estate distribution and probate of a Will. Dan’s family and the executor faced problems that could have been avoided had he included his personal property along with his financial assets in his estate plan. Using a Tangible Personal Property Listing and Inventory Other problems can also arise from (Estate Plans page 8)
August • 2014 • 7
Estate Plans / page 7
ignoring tangible personal property in preparing and maintaining your estate plan. It is quite common to have family or friends to take personal items before the estate is settled. This can significantly delay assessing the estate’s value, especially if items of substantial value are taken before a proper inventory is conducted. By having a detailed list of tangible personal property items and intended recipients you will avoid this problem for your heirs and executor. With some effort on your part, you can minimize the complications that could arise after you’re gone. To accomplish this, you can create and sign a formal dis
8 • 2014 • August
tribution plan as part of your Will or Trust, assigning items of importance to heirs by name. You can also direct how non-specified property should be distributed. For example, you can direct that all of your clothing be given to the Salvation Army, or furniture to a local church thrift shop. As with every aspect of your estate plan, you should seek the assistance of a qualified estate planning attorney to make sure your plan is legally valid in your state and meets your intentions. It is better to choose the specifics of how your personal property will be distributed now and prevent any potential conflicts in the future.
The Law Firm of Anderson, Dorn & Rader is devoted exclusively to estate planning. We are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
and offer guidance and advice in every area of estate planning. For more please contact us at (775) 823-9455 or www.wealthcounselors.com.
August • 2014 • 9
How to Use Your New Health Insurance David Sayen Regional Administrator, Medicare Region 9
David Sayen
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who recently obtained health coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP), here are some steps you can take to make the most of your new coverage.
1 - Put Your Health First • Staying healthy is important for you and your family. • Maintain a healthy lifestyle at home, at work, and in the community. • Get your recommended health screenings and manage chronic conditions. • Keep all of your health information in one place. 2 - Understand Your Health Coverage • Check with your insurance plan or state Medicaid or CHIP program to see what services are covered. • Be familiar with your costs
(premiums, copayments, deductibles, co-insurance). • Know the difference between in-network and outof-network services, and the out-of-pocket costs to you. 3 - Know Where to Go for Care • Use the emergency department for a life-threatening situation. • Primary care is preferred when it’s not an emergency. • Know the difference between primary care and emergency care. 4 - Find a Doctor or Other
Health Care Provider • Ask people you trust and/or do research on the internet. • Check your plan’s list of providers. • If you're assigned a provider, contact your plan if you want to change. • If you're enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, contact your state Medicaid or CHIP program for help. 4 - Make an Appointment • Contact your provider’s office and mention if you’re a new patient or have been there before.
• Give the name of your insurance plan and ask if they accept your insurance. • Tell them the name of the provider you want to see and why you want an appointment. • Ask for days or times that work for you. 6 - Be Prepared for Your Visit • Have your insurance card with you. • Know your family health history and make a list of any medicines you take. • Bring a list of questions and things to discuss, and take notes during your visit. • Bring someone with you to help if you need it. 7 - Decide if the Provider is Right for You • Did you feel comfortable with the provider you saw? • Were you able to communicate with and understand your provider? • Did you feel like you and your provider could make good decisions together? • Remember: it’s okay to change to a different provider! (Return to Step 4.)
10 • 2014 • August
8 - Next Steps After Your Appointment • Follow your provider’s instructions. • Fill any prescriptions you were given, and take them as directed. • Schedule a follow-up visit (Insurance page 11)
Kaiser Health News
If You Have A Job-Based Plan, Can You Buy On The Marketplace? by Michelle Andrews
Q. It is my understanding that people who are employed and have insurance through their jobs that offer individual coverage for less than 9.5 percent of their income are not eligible to enroll through the state exchange. Am I confused? A. Yes, you are, but yours is a common misperception. Almost anyone can buy a health plan on the health insurance marketplaces. As long as you live in the United States, you’re a U.S. citizen or someone who’s lawfully present here, and you're not in jail, you can probably buy a marketplace plan.
Insurance / page 10
if you need one • Review your explanation of benefits and pay your medical bills. • Contact your provider, health plan, or the state Medicaid or CHIP agency with any questions. We have a number of tools available to help answer questions you might have about your new health care coverage, and to use it appropriately to get the care and preventive services that are right for you. You can find these tools at our Coverage to Care website, at marketplace.cms.gov/c2c. They include educational brochures and videos. Many are available in both English and Spanish, and more
Having access to employer coverage doesn’t change that fact. It may, however, affect your eligibility for subsidies that can make marketplace coverage more affordable. Premium tax credits are available to people with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (currently $45,960 for an individual), and cost-sharing subsidies are available to those with incomes up to 250 percent of poverty ($28,725).
be eligible for subsidies on the exchange. A plan is considered affordable if the cost for self-only coverage doesn’t exceed 9.5 percent of your
household income, and it’s adequate if it pays for at least 60 percent of covered medical expenses, on average.
If your employer offers coverage that meets the health law’s standards for affordability and adequacy, you won’t
resources will be developed over the next few months. Still have questions? Contact your insurance company directly or contact us at 1800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855889-4325). Trained representatives are available at the Marketplace Call Center 24hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage, contact your state agency for more information. David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
August • 2014 • 11
Health Tip: Avoid Doughnuts This Summer! By Nicole Duritz The dog days of August are the most likely time for Medicare Part D participants to fall into the “doughnut hole” and see Nicole Duritz their prescriptions costs rise. With AARP resources, you can see if you’re at risk of falling in, and find options for lowering your drug costs. The Doughnut Hole Each year, 19 percent of Medicare Part D beneficiaries fall into the “doughnut hole.” Once the amount of money you and your insurance company pay for your prescription drugs reaches $2,850,
12 • 2014 • August
you hit a temporary coverage limit, aka, the “doughnut hole.” For 2014, you will receive a 52.5 percent discount on brand name prescription drugs and a 28 percent discount on generics while you’re in the doughnut hole. These discounts will continue to grow until 2020. That’s when the doughnut hole will close for good. This change came about as part of the Affordable Care Act. How much you pay out-of-pocket for each drug while you are in the doughnut hole will vary widely depending on the Part D plan you’ve chosen and the price your plan has negotiated with drug manufacturers.
If you use brand-name drugs, the full cost of the drug – what it costs before your discount, counts toward your outof-pocket costs. So even though you would get a $52.50 discount on a $100 prescription while you’re in the doughnut hole, the full $100 counts as out-ofpocket costs. This is important because once you reach $4,750 in out-of-pocket costs, you’re out of the doughnut hole. You’ll then pay just 5 percent of the cost of your prescriptions for the rest of the year. A simple way to determine when and if you’ll fall into the “doughnut hole” is by using the Doughnut Hole Calculator at www.aarp.org/doughnuthole. The tool will help you predict if or when you (Medicare page 13)
Medicare / page 12
might fall into the doughnut hole and offers recommendations for less expensive drugs for you and your doctor to consider. Don’t have Medicare? If you don’t have Medicare you’re not thinking about the doughnut hole, but when it comes to prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, your expenses can creep up as the months go by. AARP offers an easy online tool at www.aarp.org/drugsavings that lets you compare your current prescription medications to lower cost alternatives. Simply type in your medication to get a list of generics or other similar drugs. Print the list and take it with you to your next doctor’s appointment. It’s worth checking out; the savings can be substantial. Appointment Time! Of course, avoiding doughnuts is also good for your health (pun definitely intended). Now is a good time to take
stock of your health care plan to see if it’s meeting your needs, and to get those annual appointments on the books for 2015. Remember to get your screenings and other annual appointments no earlier than one year after your last ones. Otherwise, insurance may not cover the visits. Go ahead and get those appointments on the calendar now – even if they are months away. Doctors these days are often booked months in advance. Get started with making plans for the fall and the year ahead before the pace of the world around us picks back up. And don’t forget to sit back and enjoy some quiet time while you have the
chance! Nicole Duritz is Vice President of the Health & Family issues team in the Education and Outreach group. She leads AARP’s educational and outreach efforts on health education issues, including Medicare, the health law, prescription drug affordability, long-term care, and prevention and wellness.
August • 2014 • 13
Nursing Home Report Card: Nevada Receives F Grade Health Care Association Says Staffing Shortage and Financing Move Skilled Nursing Homes Away from High Care and Dementia Patients Nevada’s nursing homes received an F grade on the Nursing Home Report Card earlier this year according to the non-profit, Families for Better Care. The Nursing Home Report Card listed three areas for improvement: Direct care staffing, sanctions levied on providers, and the number of complaints fielded by the State Ombudsman program. The Nevada Health Care Association (NHCA) told the Legislative Committee of Seniors, Veterans, and Adults with Special Needs, July 9, that the number of Certified
14 • 2014 • August
Nursing Assistants in Nevada averaged 2.14 per Nursing Care Hours Per Patient Day (HPPD), while the US average was 2.42, making Nevada the 2nd lowest in the nation. The statistics do not surprise anyone considering the state is suffering a shortage of health care professionals in almost every industry. This is also a problem nationwide, a situation exacerbated by the Affordable Care Act that has opened health care to the nations low-income population. A second area the report
card cited pointed to the acuity levels of patients in the states skilled nursing homes. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) looked at nine areas that were measured for care. Nevada ranked the highest in the nation regarding skin integrity of nursing home residents. Regarding Pressure Sores, Nevada scored highest in the nation with 9.18 percent, compared to the national average of 6.16 percent. On Pressure Sores at Admission, Nevada’s average was 7.39 percent while the national average was 3.45 percent, again the highest in the nation. The last area in the report involved the number of complaints fielded by the State Ombudsman program. The report authors said “Despite the state’s lousy track record, Nevada’s ombudsmen verified the second fewest number of registered complaints.” The report also looked at 5 quality measures and the occupancy percentage of skilled nursing facilities. The report card said Nevada Medicaid is reimbursing skilled nursing facilities below the allowable reported costs. Daniel Mathis, CEO/President of NHCA said the state’s nursing homes have no other choice other than to stop accepting Medicaid Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to remain solvent. NHCA is proposing a three tiered rate level to help
Nevada Key Findings
Every Nevada nursing home was cited a deficiency and fewer than 25% of Nevada’s nursing homes scored an above average health inspection, by far the worst record in the nation. There is a profundity of abuse and neglect sweeping through Nevada nursing homes as regulators cited more than 1 in 3 facilities with a severe deficiency. fray the costs of accepting patients needing more care, as opposed to accepting Daniel Mathis, CEO/President, NHCA only healthier cases to balance the costs. The tiered rate levels would give the state skilled nursing facilities an incentive to care for sicker Medicaid patients. Mathis says the proposal has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for approval. The issue will also be taken up in the upcoming legislative session. Nevada’s 2013 Nursing Home Report Card is available for download at http://www.nursinghomereportcards.com.
Transit / page 3
younger generations it is a choice. On the paratransit, ACCESS, revenue costs have increased while ridership and fare costs have also climbed. Riders with disabilities currently pay $3 to ride one way, and double in the non-ADA zone or in rural Washoe County. RTC Commissioners have some difficult decisions to make in the coming years to keep pace with the growing population in hard economic times anticipated for Northern Nevada. For the regional transportation sysThe first phase of the SouthEast Connector is substantially complete 6 months ahead of schedule. tem to maintain service for the service to include the University of transit service in 1978 with five buses people to travel to work, school, and Nevada and Midtown District. serving 4 routes. The work of the three other activities, new idea’s are necessary RTC is operating on less revenue BRCs resulted in voter approved motor to map the future. and employees in a time of growth. fuel tax increases in 1994, 2004, and Senior Spectrum has long stood Administrative costs resulted in less 2008. behind and supported fixed route and wages and employee benefits. In 2003 Today RIDE operates on 26 routes paratransit service in Washoe County, RTC had 86.75 full time employees, but with over 70 buses. There is an estimat- as well as supportive infrastructure that in 2014 only 58.5 FTE were employed. ed 25,000 people riding both fixed route promotes ADA access. The importance The BRC consists of businessmen, and paratransit service daily. While pas- of good streets and roads cannot be community leaders, and advocates who senger revenue has dropped since 2010, overstated. That is why Senior will work into February 2015 to make fixed route ridership has increased due Spectrum’s publisher Connie McMullen recommendations to the RTC Board of to the economy. People are driving has become a member of the BRC and Commissioners. The RTC has convened vehicles less and riding public transwelcomes input from our readers. a BRC only three times since it started portation more out of necessity, and for
August • 2014 • 15
For People With Dementia, Cataract Surgery Improves Vision, Cognition And Quality Of Life COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -Cataract surgery for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias not only improves vision but can slow decline in cognition and improve quality of life for both people with the disease and their caregivers, according to clinical trial results reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® 2014 (AAIC® 2014) in Copenhagen. "This study supports the Alzheimer's Association view that people with dementia retain, and benefit from, full
16 • 2014 • August
healthcare treatment," said Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations. "Too common attitudes such as, 'There's no need for extra care' or 'Why put them through all of that' are not justified and are bad medical practice." "Appropriate thoughtfulness and restraint are necessary when considering surgery or other procedures for people with Alzheimer's or another dementia. However, we should not assume that medical procedures cannot be pursued or are too risky. As these new results show, improving sensory abilities, for example, can provide benefits in a variety of ways – for people with Alzheimer's and also for their caregivers from whom unnecessary burden can be lifted," Carrillo said. At AAIC 2014, Alan J. Lerner, M.D. of Case
Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center and colleagues reported interim results from an ongoing clinical trial to determine the effects of cataract removal on several measures of visual ability, cognitive measures, and quality of life in people with dementia. Study participants are recruited from dementia and ophthalmology clinics at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and are divided into two groups: (1) immediate surgery following recruitment and (2) delayed or refused surgery. Vision and cognitive status, mood, and capability to complete daily activities are evaluated at baseline and six months after recruitment, or six months after surgery. Preliminary analysis of results from 20 surgical and eight non-surgical participants showed that the surgical group had significantly improved visual acuity and quality of life, reduced decline in memory and executive functioning, and improvements in behavioral measures compared with the non-surgical group. Levels of perceived burden for caregivers of people in the surgical group also showed improvement.
Adding Life to Years
Aging Body Images & the Impact of Media Dr. Larry Weiss • Center for Healthy Aging
How are you affected by Larry Weiss what you see in the media?
I have seen or read in the media about an auto accident where they report the age of the person causing the accident if they are “old”. For example, just the other day a news person reported that a 74-year-old ran into another auto causing injuries. How often do you hear of the age of a person causing an accident, unless they are old? Ageist, yes! But how much impact does this type of negative media have on our selfperceptions. Studies have shown for decades that negative images of aging can have powerful psychological and physiological
impact on people, including “old” people. A Harvard Medical School study found that viewing either positive or negative images of aging had a significant effect on older people’s ability to walk (Hausdorff, Levy, & Wei, 1999). Older individuals who were shown positive images walked faster and appeared spryer, while older individuals who were shown negative images walked more slowly and more hunched over. Researchers have noted that media images influence
our body self perceptions. So if we constantly hear, see, and read about how (Aging page 18)
August • 2014 • 17
Aging / page 17
old is bad and causes negative events, such as accidents, then we start to believe and internalize a negative selfimage. Americans are extremely concerned about their physical appearance. According to the TODAY/AOL Ideal to Real Body Image Survey, women spend an average of 55 minutes every day working on their appearance which amounts to 335 hours every year or 14 days on their looks. Of course there is nothing wrong with women caring about their appearance. Part of caring for yourself is paying attention to the way you look, but there's a difference between self-care and investing too much of yourself in your appearance. The survey found that 60 percent of adult women have negative thoughts weekly about themselves. That's compared to 36 percent of men. Even more alarming, 78 percent of teen girls are plagued with this kind of self-criticism. Obsessing over your appearance is terribly unhealthy and can lead to mental health problems like anxiety, depression and eating disorders. We must avoid over-investing in our appearance for self-worth. Appearance is only one aspect of the self. In our culture, we spend too much time focused on the external while neglecting the internal. Physical appearance fuels a huge component of the U.S. economy, extending across clothing, makeup, hair care, weight control, and cosmetic surgery industries. This concern about physical appearance is not totally illfounded, given that research studies show that attractive people fare better than those perceived as less attractive in many business and social situations. With all the obsession over smooth faces, perfect skin and youthful figures in advertising and media, you might think young people would be happiest with their looks. But a new Gallop poll has found that older adults feel best 18 • 2014 • August
about their physical appearance. Twothirds of Americans aged 65 and older said they always feel good about their looks, compared to 61 percent of 18-34year-olds. Middle-aged people were the
70 is the new 50
least likely to express satisfaction, with 54 percent feeling good about their appearance. As we age, our identity becomes more established and we have the wisdom of years that contribute to what really matters. Being older and more experienced foils the naiveté of the belief that if your body looked like X, then your life would be all positive, like the things you see in the magazines. Our concern about appearance is clearly rooted in a combination of subjective and objective factors, and thus it differs according to a variety of demographic and cultural variances including gender, age, and racial and ethnic background. As we age, a different set of societal expectations and appearance standards lead us to a renewed sense of identity and confidence. In an imageconscious society where beautiful men and women flood the screens and pages of the media, it isn't surprising that many of us are left feeling inadequate. For whites, who are the least likely to feel confident in their physical appearance across all age groups, societal pressure to conform to conventional standards of physical attractiveness takes an even bigger toll. Research indicates that the media consider older adults to have an average or normal body type, as do the majority
of older adults themselves, with only a few shown as very thin or overweight. However, the research on body image disturbance that focuses on the mediagenerated “idealized images” or “thin ideal” observes that these images do have an influence on young women who attempt to model these behaviors in order to look like actresses or models. Studies have shown that older women, who are subjected to an ideal female image in the media, can be affected the same as young women (Hsu & Zimmer, 1988). Given that older people make comparisons from media images of peers and the potential for many to suffer from these comparisons in terms of eating disorders, feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, a concern arises over the prevalence of the “ideal” body image that abounds in these portrayals. The concern is most pronounced for older adults who are heavy magazine readers. For such readers, the cumulative message from these magazines is one in which most older people are living vibrant, healthy, content, socially active lives and doing so in a fit and functioning body. In many respects this is good news, especially given research showing that many media sources have placed older people in harmful and negatively stereotypical depictions, such as the 74-year-old causing the accident. Perhaps the answer is not to place so much importance on what you don’t have in comparison to the media images that results in immobilization, but to view those images to create positive change and still maintain your total value internally. This in turn will add life to your years. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@addinglifetoyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.
Charity / page 6
areas; sometimes wonderful gifts are made to address specific needs such as helping people with macular degeneration, supporting personal care assistance so people can stay in their homes, helping with pet adoptions and medical costs for pets, and many more. The compassionate giving of older adults is truly inspirational. And because many people include charitable bequests in their estate plans, the level of giving is often spectacular. As we age, the donation solicitations sent to older adults frequently begin to come from the hospitals they visit and hospice services that assist their family
20 • 2014 • August
members. They also see increased solicitations from investment firms, legal services, and more inquiries from family as well regarding assets and estate plans. These requests can be confusing and add pressure during a time of life we expect will be full of joy and opportunity. As a result of all of these “asks,” philanthropy really is different for older adults. Many of the people I have spoken with about their plans and dreams have failed to act until it is too late. Sometimes they become caught between something they wish to do with some of their assets and family who is pressuring them to save it all for
their inheritance. Sometimes older adults feel they have plenty of time to decide, so there is no need to do anything now. But the people who put plans in place now, even if they change things later, are truly the ones who feel the least amount of pressure; even if they don’t have the perfect plan, they do have plans. And that is very reassuring-particularly when those plans provide for family and the charities they love. If you don’t have your plans on paper yet, I urge you to take care of this now. If you’d like advice regarding how you may wish to leave a legacy, to your family and your community, we would be pleased to help.
August • 2014 • 21
Ophthalmology
Shining Light on Diabetic Eyes Michael J. Fischer, M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon
Michael Fischer
Retinopathy is a long-term complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness.
Macular edema, caused by fluid leakage, involves swelling of the central portion of the retina and poses a further threat to vision. Over time, retinopathy can progress to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which entails the abnormal growth of blood vessels on the optic nerve. While injections of corticos-
22 • 2014 • August
teroid can be useful in reducing the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy, new research shows that steroid treatment does not prevent the progression of macular edema or improve the vision of patients with diabetic retinopathy any better than laser photocoagulation. Thus, because using steroids in the ey has been linked with glaucoma and cataracts, lasers are the treatment of choice. It should be noted, about 700,000 people in the United States has proliferative diabetic retinopathy. If you would like further information on today’s topic, please call Dr. Fischer’s office at (775) 882-2988. He is located at 3839 N. Carson Street, in Carson City. Hours: 8-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri., by appointment. M/C, Visa and Medicare Assignment are accepted.
Ways to Help Improve your Vitality: Giving your body some choices The demands people place on themselves today wreck havoc with our health. Yet the desire to live with vitality, free of aches and pain, appears to be a myth. For many, it would appear to be only two options: pharmaceuticals and/or surgery. But, I'm here to tell you there are many options available. Our ability to be healthy starts in our mouths and travels the length of our bodies through the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and colon. If our digestive tract is compromised, the cascading effects on our bodies is seen. Each section of our digestive track (including mouth) is an integral part in the defense against illness and promotion of vitality. Our small intestines are where most of our immune system is housed and about 80 percent of our nutrients are absorbed. If we are unable to break down our food, our ability to absorb is compromised. As we get older and deal with the stress of life, our levels of stomach acid drops. Having low stomach acid can cause broken capillaries, adult acne, and rosy cheeks (Rosacea). Have yellowish skin? This can be caused by low levels of Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the stomach, but in order to do this, one must have their production of stomach acid and hormones to help break it down. The old adage, “You are what you eat” has never been more true. Many people are battling food allergies without their knowing it. Gluten sensitivity/Celiac disease is very prominent among people and can cause many neurological diseases to manifest. Specifically, Celiac Disease has been shown to cause peripheral neuropathy, inflammatory neuropathy, and ataxia. Becoming aware of what is in your food
and eliminating the onslaught of added chemicals and additives will help. Many times, inflammation of your intestines will show up as referred pain to your low back, hips, knees, and abdomen. Stop drinking soda!! It takes the body 6 days to eliminate one 12 oz can of soda, and it leeches Calcium out of your bones. If you do drink soda (pop for you northeners), drinking regular soda instead of diet is better. Diet soda has been found to have an additive that causes addiction, hence making you drink more to satisfy the craving. A way to help maintain your joints in addition to helping you digest your meals: Proteolytic Enzymes. Studies suggest that patients who take proteolytic enzymes between meals had reduced swelling, pain, and inflammation while also experiencing faster recovery rates. Taking proteolytic enzymes with meals will help digest the food.
What once afflicted a small percentage of the population, Dementia and Alzheimer's is now the fastest growing concern among seniors today. Taking Essential Fatty Acids daily will help feed the brain. To help battle the onset of Dementia/Alzheimer's, learn a new skill, sing, complete puzzles, or better yet, teach a skill to a child. Fish Oil/Omega-3 fatty acids have shown to improve cardiovascular profiles as well. Two grams of EPA/DHA taken daily help reduce chronic pain and inflammation. Studies also suggest supplementation with fatty acids can help reduce depression, and in some people weight gain. Pain is not your enemy. It is your body telling you that something is not right and to take notice of what is happening. Its your warning siren. There are things you can do to help quiet down the fire. To help with the aches and pains; dance, laugh, yoga, play with a (Vitality page 24) August • 2014 • 23
Vitality / page 23
pet/child, people watch, Chiropractic adjustments, Acupuncture, massage. Stimulate those 'feel good' endorphins! Our brain releases chemicals that give us the euphoric feeling. Get up and move! Our joints are static by nature, meaning it takes movement for the joint to be fed the required nutrients and removal of waste byproducts by the muscles contracting and expanding. Stiffness starting out can be normal, but ALWAYS listen to your body. Pain is your bodies way of
saying you may be going a little too far. For Diabetics, once a month get a pedicure. It helps stimulate circulation in your feet, and frankly, it just feels good. And guys, you can have a pedicure without fear of polish. Taking supplements of cinnamon can help stabilize your blood sugar, and boost your immunity. Vitamins and Supplements are your friend! But, with anything, you get what you pay for and without proper knowledge of what to take and how
much, ignorance is not bliss! They should be from a reputable company, certified through either Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), or Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Optimally, they will have Vitamin E, carotenoids, zinc, magnesium, copper, full complement of B vitamins, and microcrystalline calcium hydroxyapatite. Vitamin D. This is an essential vitamin required by the body for the proper absorption of calcium, bone development, control of cell growth, neuromuscular functioning, proper immune functioning, and alleviation of inflammation. Studies suggest supplementation of Vitamin D may help relieve chronic low back pain, and decrease the frequency and severity of autoimmune diseases. Getting effective, restorative sleep. Our bodies recover and heal during our sleep. But, in order to do this we must go into the deep stages of sleep several times throughout the night. Hence why having sleep apnea is so damaging. When we stop breathing throughout the night, our bodies 'wake up' to force us to breath not allowing us to go into the deeper stages of sleep. The more we do this, the less chance our system has of 'resetting' itself. Laugh often, dance like no one is watching, and never stop believing! Having faith, even if only in yourself, is critical. Dr. Sandra Saville, DC, CNIM is a practicing Chiropractor and Neurophysiologist who specializes in functional medicine and nutrition. Her office is located at 305 W. Moana Lane Ste B-3 Reno, NV 89509.
24 • 2014 • August
August • 2014 • 25
MorningStar Senior Living Celebrates a Grand Re-Opening Under New Management MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks held a celebration July 24, to mark its re-opening of the retirement community.
Several dignitaries, business representatives, political leaders, and senior residents turned out to participate in
MorningStar CEO, Ken Jaeger, cuts the ribbon for the re-opening. MorningStar offers independent and assisted living, as well as memory care.
the celebration. Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said it was the second time he had attended a grand opening for the Spanish Springs facility. He said this time he hoped the company would have plenty of success, and when the time comes he may end up moving there. Ken Jaeger, MorningStar founder and CEO, said he was excited about the project. He said the name MorningStar came from a passage in the bible. “There are three principles I live by.” • Honor God, and meet the spiritual needs of the residents. • Value seniors as individuals in today’s society. • Invest generously in our employees so they too will like working with seniors.
26 • 2014 • August
While Colorado is home Jaeger said MorningStar is not the first senior commu-
nity he has worked with in Northern Nevada. He said he had a relationship with a nursing home in Carson City and in Sparks, Cascades of the Sierra. Jaeger has been managing properties across the country for eleven years. “It’s a great industry working with seniors.” Geriatrician Dr. Denver Miller said, “MorningStar provides care to a special population. It offers a product that is functional to the family.” People moving from other states are finding MorningStar and people with acute illness are transitioning to the property for care. “It’s fitting in nicely in the Sparks,” he said, adding, “It’s becoming a pearl in the community.” MorningStar resident Andy Swall said he felt at home right away and likes the staff. “I love it here,” he said.
Calendar Aug. 1 17 Lake Tahoe Summerfest, Sierra Nevada College, 1 1 a.m. Aug. 1 Mad Hatter Garden Party with Corky Bennett Trio, Nevada Governor’s Mansion, 5 7:30 p.m. For details and a complete schedule of events, see JazzCarsonCity.com or call Mile High Jazz Band at (775) 8834154. Aug. 1 Basic Computer Class, 10 a.m., Sierra View Library, (775) 3278312. Aug. 1 Lifescapes, 2 4 p.m., Incline Village Library, (775) 8324130. Aug. 2 Jazz & Beyond,Music Festival, entertainment, Nevada Sesquicentennial Fair Saturday, Carson City. For more information, call the Mile High Jazz Band at (775) 8834154, or visit the web site: JazzCarsonCity.com. Aug. 2 EBook Cafe, 11 noon, Sierra View Library, (775) 8273232. Aug. 4 10 RenoTahoe Senior Summer Games, City of Reno Parks & Recreation, call (775) 6574602. Aug. 4 Free Yoga Classes for MS Patients, South Lake Tahoe, (775) 5806463. Aug. 5 Livestock: Dealing with Drought, Cooperative Extension workshops, 6 p.m., Elko, Great Basin College, 1500 College Parkway, Health Science Building, Room 108. Register at http://livestock
elko85 2014.eventbrite.com. Aug. 5 Ordinance 7 Open Forum, IVGID Admin. Bldg., 3 5 p.m.; Aug. 19, 5 7 p.m., (775) 832 1310.
a.m.; Aug. 10 @ 4 p.m., www.stmarysart center.org. Aug. 11 Mile High Jazz Band, Trombonist Bill Watrous in con cert, 7:30 p.m., Carson City Community Center, $15, (775) 8834154.
Aug. 6 Sept. 10 Senior Golf Program: open to 55+ golfers Trombonist Bill Watrous will appear in concert and a master of all abilities,12:30 class on Aug. 11, Carson City. Photo credit: John Dugan, Portland, OR. 1:30 p.m., $161/per Aug. 14 Sparks Downtown Reno, Criterium. son/6 weeks; w/IVGID pass Summer Walk Series, 7 p.m., $129/person/6 weeks, Pah Rah Trail and Golden Aug. 9 St. Mary’s Summer Championship Golf Course, Eagle Sports Complex, 6400 Workshop and Classes. Learn Vista Blvd. (775) 8321310. to draw and Paint like a mas ter with Stephane Cellier, 10 Aug. 6 Washoe County Aug. 16 3rd Annual Party in Senior Citizens Advisory Board, 3 5 p.m., Washoe County Senior Center, game room, (775) 3282575. Aug. 7 Sparks Hometowne Farmers’ Market, downtown Sparks. Aug. 7 Summer Walk Series, City of Sparks, 7 p.m., Paradise Park. Aug. 7 Bats booming in Reno, AARP, Reno Acres Field, 6 p.m., Game 7:05 p.m. Aug. 8 Thunderbird Wine & Cheese Tour, Lake Tahoe, his toric Thunderbird Lodge. Aug. 8 9 Lake Tahoe Concurs D’Elegance, Obexer’s Boat Co., Homewood. August 8 Sara Bareilles, Little Black Dress Summer Tour, 8 p.m., Silver Legacy. Aug. 9 Tour De Nez
August • 2014 • 27
Calendar / page 27
the Garden, 5:30 8 p.m., Burke Garden, Wilbur D. May Arboretum, Rancho San Rafael Regional Parks, $50 before Aug. 14/ $60 at door, call (775) 7854153, or www.mayarboretumsociety. org.
Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Burning Man, Black Rock Desert.
Aug. 19 Aging and Disability Services, Regional Meeting, Alzheimer’s Association Office, 1 p.m.
Aug. 27 Sept. 1 Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff, Victorian Square, downtown Sparks.
Aug. 20 Improving Dementia Care in Nevada, 10 noon, Alzheimer’s Association Conference Room, (775) 7861920 or jharmon@alz.org.
Aug. 28 Summer Lecture Series, Stone Valley Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, 3 5 p.m., RSVP by Aug. 21, call (775) 7873000, or Abbey.Kent@atriasenior living.com.
Aug. 21 Summer Walk Series, City of Sparks, 7 p.m., Crystal Peak Park. Aug. 21 Meat Handling, Cooperative Extension Office and College of Agriculture, class held at Wolf Pack Meats, $110, 8311 Cleanwater Way; also Aug. 28, call (775) 9453444, ext. 12.
28 • 2014 • August
Aug. 27 Beach Bocce Ball Sunset Socials, Wine and BBQ, 4 5:30 p.m., $15, $12 w/IVGID pass, (775) 832 1310.
Aug. 28 Humane Society’s 5th annual Duck Race & Festival, Wingfield Park, (775) 8562000, ext. 335.
Sept. 2 Senior Fest, Reno Town Mall, 8 a.m. health screenings, 9 2 p.m., resources, entertainment, call Senior Spectrum at (775) 3480717.
Sept. 5 7 The Great Reno Balloon Race, Rancho San Raphael Regional Park, 5 10 a.m. Sept. 10 14 National Championship Air Races, Reno Stead airport, (775) 9726663. Sept. 18 Northern Nevada Literacy Council, Spellbinder 2014, 5:30 p.m., Boys and Girls Club. Sept. 18 Sweet Honey in the Rock 40th Anniversary,7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR, African American History, $30/Senior $24, www.sweethoneyintherock. org. Sept. 27 Sparks Marina, Walk to End Alzheimer's. Oct. 9 Vaud & the Villains, 7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR, jazz swinggospeltheater, $24/senior $20, visit www.vaiudandthevillains. com.
Oct. 11 12 33rd Annual Eldorado Great Italian Festival, downtown Reno.
Casino Entertainment Aug 2 The Beach Boys, Silver Legacy, 8 11 p.m. Aug. 9 Gabriel Iglesias, Reno Events Center, 8 p.m., $39.50, $49.50 and $59.50 Aug. 9 Chris Isaak, 8 11 p.m., Montbleu Casino, Lake Tahoe Resort. Aug. 19 Spectra, Mesmerizing production of fire and light, opens at the Eldorado, Reno. Aug. 31 Chinese Concert Starring Tsai Chin, down town Reno Ballroom, 8 p.m., $68. and $188. Sept. 12 Air Supply, 9 11 p.m., Montbleu Casino, Lake Tahoe Resort.
Senior Fest 2014
Health Screenings Available Health screenings will be provided at the 19th annual Senior Fest, Sept. 2. Screenings begin at 8 a.m. in the front parking lot of Reno Town Mall. Look for the tents at 4001 S. Virginia Street, Reno.
Seniors fill out paperwork as they get ready for health screenings.
Nurses provide an immunization to a senior attendee.
Health Screenings Senior Care Plus, a Medicare Advantage Plan from Hometown Health, will offer these free screenings to attendees age 50 and older, regardless of your health insurance carrier: • Basic Metabolic Panel and Lipid Profile to check for electrolytes, kidney chemistry and cholesterol levels • Glycohemogloben (Hemoglobin A1C) to check for long-term control of diabetes • Blood pressure check • Body Mass Index (BMI) • Pharmacist review of medications Fasting is recommended for 10 hours prior to the first two tests listed above. Take morning medications as usual and drink water during the fast. Flu and Pneumonia Shots Flu and pneumonia shots will be given as available for ages 50+ while supplies last. Must meet CDC criteria for pneumonia immunization.
August • 2014 • 29
Erika and the JazzKats Play Senior Fest
E
30 • 2014 • August
rika Paul and the Swingin’ JazzKats are performing for Senior Fest 2014, September 2. This is Erika’s first appearance at
Seasoned professional musicians and educators the band’s introduction is: Erika Paul - bandleader on piano and vocals, Barb Molt on
Senior Fest and the organizers are excited about the performance (10:30 - 1:30 p.m.). Erika and the band can play over 15-hours of music without repeating a tune! Erika has presented her Swingin' JazzKats band at the annual Tahoe Yacht Club Concours D'Elegance Antique Wooden Boat Show for the last 16 years.
trumpet, Bob Barker on trombone, Tom Delaney on sax, Gary Douglas on upright bass and vocals, Dave Reigert on drums and Dwight Carlson sitting in on guitar and vocals. The band brings upbeat classic jazz band music from the 1920s to the 1970s for a listening and dancing good time!
Senior Flash Mob A live Flash Mob of seniors and boomers dancing to boom box music was featured under the Reno Arch in downtown Reno July 15, for a television show programmed to air soon. The Mob followed a senior with a boom box who stopped under the Arch to listen to the Bee Gees song “You Should Be Dancing.” Immediately boom boxer Jo Anne Edwards was joined by a group of aging disco dancers all moving in sic to the tune. Video from the event will be used to kick off a new local "Senior Discovery" TV show, produced by seniors about seniors. The Senior Discovery show will highlight senior programs at the City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Development Department. It will also feature things for people to do in the community.
August • 2014 • 31
Senior Lecture Series
Putting the Pieces Together A Summer Lecture Series for caregivers and health care providers was held at the Stone Valley Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in July titled “Putting the Pieces Together of Senior Living.” The lecture was presented to connect those looking for assistance with resources. It is often said that sixty-four percent of caregivers pass before the loved one they are caregiving. Learning how and where to find assistance reduces much of the stress. Geriatrician Dr. Jeffery Gingold, M.D., who specializes in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, talked about transitions of care and the importance of having a geriatric care manager to help families as a loved one leaves a hospital for a skilled nursing facil-
32 • 2014 • August
ity or to come home. A geriatric care manager works with social workers and nurses, everyone involved in the patients care. The care manager will assess the needs of the patient, look at their medical and psychological health, as well as finances and determine what their problems are. “Transitions of care is the hottest thing in medicine,” Dr. Gingold said. The next lecture will be held August 28th, 3-5 p.m., at the center. Speakers will be Dr. Peter Reed, Sanford Center for Aging, UNR; Mary Brock, Seniors in Service; Sina Ward, Senior Outreach Services, UNR; and Susan Haas, Rural Counties RSVP Program.
Dr. Jeffery Gingold, M.D., speaks with 35 caregivers, health professionals.
Corky Bennett Funny Music Man fect act for seniors! (The dinner is served at 6 p.m., the show begins at 7:30 p.m. To learn more visit: http://www.corkybennett. com/reno_show.htm) The Early Days Corky Bennett is a music writer, teacher, jazz pianist, virtuoso accordionist, singer, and stand-up comedian… an accomplished professional in all categories.
C
Polo Lounge, Corky Bennett, 72, is able to set the tone for audiences who like to have fun.
His lifelong musical career and his joy of making people laugh keeps him completely engaged. Whether he is playing for seniors with the 9th Street Band at the senior center on Friday nights or singing Sinatra classics at the
Once a year, Corky presents an annual Dinner Show. This year, “The Music and Comedy of Corky Bennett” concert will be held Saturday night at the Airport Plaza Hotel, October 11th. It is the one time of year that Corky introduces his special blend of comedy and music audiences do not usually hear. Joining the show is musician Larry Bolin on guitar. A per-
orky Bennett is a wellknown entertainer in Northern Nevada. He came to Reno to be close to his daughter, but soon made himself a permanent fixture on the music scene, first at Colombo’s and then Bistro Roxy at the Eldorado.
Corky began his career as a young child growing up in Seattle. Influenced by accordionist Dick Contino, a huge star in radio in 1948, Corky took to the accordion easily and by age 13 was teaching others. “It was the biggest thing in the world until Elvis came along with rock ‘n’ roll in 1955 and the guitar. Before that Dick Contino was the Elvis on the accordion,” he said. “Ironically, I became Dick’s conductor and musical director years later.” Corky began his first job working with long-time Las Vegas entertainer Tony Martini playing keyboards on national tour from 19611964. In 1964, he teamed up with entertainer Buddy Raymond to become Raymond & Bennett. “He sang and I was the frontman,” Corky said. “I was the crazy one.” Raymond & Bennett toured nationally until 1971. “We played Chicago, Oregon, Alaska,
by Connie McMullen Lake Tahoe, Seattle and many other cities.” He joined Sam Ramsey & The Chosen Few in Seattle, and stayed for five years till 1976 when Las Vegas called. “The greatest entertainers worked there. I dreamed of working in Las Vegas, actually I dreamed of working in Nevada…period.” His first job in Las Vegas was working at a supper club in Searchlight. “I thought I hit the big time,” he said. “We backed up a comic who could remember everyone’s name in the audience. I also worked with Peggy DeCastro of the DeCastro Sisters, and a knife throwing act.” “When I worked in Searchlight there was one hotel, one gas station, one casino and one hooker. Today it’s still the same.” Corky Bennett’s Las Vegas Revue lasted till 1979 when he became a member of a band called the Goofers (1979-1981). It was his Las Vegas stay that he enjoyed the best. He played at Harrah’s, the Frontier, and the Tropicana. “I saw Sam Butera, Louis Prima and Keely Smith perform. Corky glows recalling old times. “When the Goofers played the lounge of the Frontier, which is gone now, all the stars would come to see us after their show.” (Corky Bennett page 35)
August • 2014 • 33
RESOURCES • NEVADA INFORMATION.....................211 • Aging and Disability Services ........................................................688-2964 • ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION 1301 Cordone Ave, Suite 180, Reno........786-8061 • CARE CHEST 7910 N. Virginia Street, Reno.....................829-2273 • COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY, 1090 East 8th, Reno.........................................786-6023 • ELDER PROTECTIVE SERVICES ADSD.…................................................................688-2964 • FOOD BANK (TRUCK)....................331-3663 • FOSTER GRANDPARENt........358-2768 • HAWC CLINIC, 1055 S. Wells, Reno........................................................................329-6300 • MEDICATION MANAGEMENt, Sanford Center for Aging.............................784-1612 • NV STATE WELFARE.....................684-7200 • CENTER FOR INDEPendent LIVING, 999 Pyramid Way, Sparks......353-3599 • RTC ACCESS TRANSPORTATION Information.........................................................348-0477 • RENOWN MED. LOW INCOME CLINIC, 21 Locust, Reno..........................982-5270 • RSVP, Reno...................................................784-1807 • RSVP, Rural Counties Carson City..........................................................687-4680 • SANFORD CENTER FOR AGING, UNR........................................................................784-4774 • SENIOR COMPANION.................358-2322 • SENIOR Community Services Employment, AARP, 1135 Terminal Way, Reno........................................................................323-2243 Job Connect, Reno...........................................284-9600 Sparks....................................................................284-9520
34 • 2014 • August
• SENIOR LAW PROJECT....334-3050 • SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES .........................................................................784-7506 • SENIOR SAMPLER (Assist. League) 1701 Vassar St., Reno...........................324-2003 • SHIP (State Health Ins. Adv. PGM) ...............................................................800-307-4444 • SilVER COLLEGE, 5270 Neil Rd., Reno…….....................................................829-9010 • Social Security 1170 Harvard Way, Reno..........888-808-5481 • Veteran’s REsource Center, 419 Plumb, Reno...........284-8387 • Veteran’s Benefits 5460 Corporate Drive, Reno....688-1653, X1
Corky Bennett on the radio program Senior Spectrum’s Editor’s Desk on America Matters Media 101.3 FM.
In 1981 Corky got that chance to perform with Dick Contino, an opportunity he recalls as “the job of his life.” “Contino was a big star,” he said. “He had me on airplanes with him 13-days a week, for 13-years. We landed in every airport in this country three times.” Corky was a part of the Contino band from 19811993, a relationship that continues today. There is a scheduled show in Chicago and a stop in North Dakota this August. Readers can watch previous performances with Contino at https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=FFvpWIC9f30 Corky found his way to Reno answering an ad his daughter
found in the local paper. A singer was looking for an arranger who could write and arrange songs. Corky got the job after an audition thinking it was a short stay. Then out of the blue he got a job at Colombo’s Restaurant that started “his real career”. “The first months I was there no one came in. Then these two girls came in and became regulars. Pretty soon it became so busy on Friday nights. I nicknamed them the Corkettes. It ended up being the busiest part of town.” Corky stayed there until 1997 when Colombo’s was flooded by the Truckee River. He then gravitated his way across town to the Eldorado’s Bistro Roxy piano bar. “Gregg Carano built that for me, and it’s still there.”
Today Corky is a regular every other Friday night at the Washoe County Senior Center. He plays with the 9th Street Band; the senior center is located on 9th Street and Sutro. “We have a ball. We draw probably 85 to 100 people. It’s fantastic,” he said. “It gives seniors a chance to get out and spread their stuff. They dance every single dance beginning with the Foxtrot.”
then take turns.” (Senior Center Dance Club: 1155 E. 9th Street, Reno: 8-10:30 p.m., $7 members/$9 nonmembers)
The band will play everything from Sinatra to Elvis to Dwight Yoakam. “We do the whole spectrum of music,” he adds. “The first is the Foxtrot, Swing, a Waltz, a Paul Jones Medley, Cha Cha, and Polka. If we play out of sequence they get upset. They have certain partners they like to dance with and
On the alternate Wednesday’s Corky can be seen at Abel’s Mexican Restaurant in East Verdi (Abel’s, 2905 US Hwy. 40 West, Verdi: 6-9 p.m.).
Corky also plays the Polo Lounge in Reno on the first and third Wednesday (Polo Lounge: 1159 S. Virginia Street, Reno: 7-10 p.m.). “All the locals come and see me. Many I make come up on stage and sing.”
To read more about Corky and his schedule of appearances visit www.corkybennett.com/ August • 2014 • 35
Eclectic Observer by Janet Ross
T
Brushstrokes & Balladeers
he book arrived as an unexpected gift from my friend, Ann Henderson. Ann and I met years
ago when she was on the staff of Nevada magazine. More recently, after relocating to Las Vegas, Ann has been a highly valued contributor to RANGE magazine and it was this association that brought BRUSHSTROKES & BALLADEERS Painters and Poets of the American West to my door. The handsome book is published by Range Conservation Foundation and RANGE magazine with C.J. Hadley, publisher and editor. It’s a loving tribute to Western life, as it was and as it remains. C.J. Hadley has done a magnificent job in putting together, in this single volume, a marriage of Western art and poetry that makes the book a perfect gift or personal treasure. I’m a Westerner, but one of the city slicker kind. My only ranch experience was as a child when my Dad briefly owned an almond orchard.
In later years I rode a horse ... once. Still, despite my lack of experience in the “other” West, I can appreciate and enjoy a painting like Bill Owen’s “Winter Work” that depicts a seasoned cowboy/rancher heading a heifer homeward on a golden afternoon. Baxter Black once had a radio program on KUNR/NPR and I always looked forward to his humorous slice-of-life poems. (Here’s a brief example from his “The Buckskin Mare” that fills four pages in the book: “He was every burnt out cowboy/That I’d seen a million times/With dead man penny eyes/Like tarnished brass/That reflected accusations/Of his critics and his crimes/And drowned them/In the bottom of a glass ...” What makes Brushstrokes & Balladeers unique is the quality of its production; some would call it a “coffee table” book; however, it’s anything but and so much more. The size is an easy-tohold 8 ½ x 11 with 142 pages assembled to enhance both the poetry and paintings. As an example, Karen G. Myers’ “Cowgirls and Dust” painting of horses racing across an expanse of sagebrush is combined with William Henry Ogilvie’s poem, “Hoofs of the
36 • 2014 • August
Brushstrokes / page 36
C.J. Hadley
Horses” with this evocative line, “On the wings of the morning they father and fly ...” Hadley has provided a brief biography for every artist and poet included in the book. Many turn out to be Nevadans, but all are Westerners. Hadley explains her choices of the poets in this way: “From twenty-nine years attending the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada ...dozens of cowboy poetry books, hundreds of tracks on CDs ...” Art director for the book, John Bardwell, selected many of the artists and they are a supremely talented lot, including Bardwell himself with his high desert scenic painting, “Kickin’ Up Dust”. The final poem in Brushstrokes & Balladeers
may say it best, with the accompanying painting by David Graham entitled “Sandstone Sanctuary” of a single cowpuncher sitting astride his trusty horse as the sky darkens with the threat of thunderstorm. From Red Steagall we have this excerpt from his tribute titled “Hats Off to the Cowboy”: “The city folks think that it’s over. The cowboy has outlived his time– An old worn-out relic, a thing of the past, But the truth is, he’s still in his prime ...” Brushstrokes & Balladeers is available from Washoe County Library, but you’re sure to want a copy to keep and you can find one at Sundance Books, Reno. August • 2014 • 37
this ‘n that
by Anne Vargas annevargas3@gmail.com
Perspectives
Everything old is new again? NOTE: This is not the sort of article I usually write; there is nothing light-hearted about it. I don’t claim to be especially knowledgeable about world affairs but I would like to share an interesting experience we had last month. As I sit in front of the computer, nations around the world are reeling from the shock of the Malaysian plane crash and speculating as to blame. There is mounting concern about the extent of Russian involvement and news analysts are providing hourly updates. Much of that is focused on President Putin’s questionable reaction along with concern as to what will transpire.
38 • 2014 • August
Coincidentally, we recently had occasion to hear about other deeply rooted fears about Russia. My husband’s latest lecture-engagement cruise took us (at the end of June) to Russia via the Baltic. We have traveled there many times and never tire of the incredible art, beauty and history of St. Petersburg; there is so much to see in that city that cruise ships usually remain for several days. While we were there this time we had a fascinating exposure to two contrasting perspectives.
national music and, while well done, wasn’t what the audience had expected. Our guide, however, was clearly excited about it and spoke extensively about his feelings of patriotism. The following day we took a boat ride along the Neva and had a guide whose feelings were just the opposite. A native of St. Petersburg, he had been schooled in the west and is vehemently and vocally anti-Putin and anti-establishment; two radically different points of view from two young men in their 30s.
We had tickets one evening to attend a Russian Folklore show but instead of the traditional dancers we had seen in the past, the Russian Army Band put it on. The majority of the performance was
The others ports of call were familiar since the Balkin itinerary is invariably the same with every cruise line; Berlin, Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn. (Perspectives / page 40)
August • 2014 • 39
Perspectives / page 38 tour guide spoke perfect English and gave us a non-stop history lesson focused primarily on what life had been like under Soviet rule and how grateful the people of Lithuania are for the life they now live.
But this time there was the delightful addition of Lithuania, where we had never been before.
The sun was shining the day we arrived, a welcome change after ten days of rather dreary weather. Our
She spoke extensively about current antiRussian feelings and fears about President Putin’s dream, to reunite the Baltic nations under a Eurasian Union. (Mr. Putin has stated that the greatest disaster of the 21st century was the dissolution of the Soviet Union.) She also told us they are afraid that what happened in Ukraine with the acquisition of Crimea by Russia could happen in Lithuania and the neighboring nations. This was particularly interesting to us because several of my husband’s lectures on this cruise were on that subject. There were three stops on the tour, the first being a village where we were met by a group of women in their eighties. They wore identical attire and welcomed us by singing several national songs and telling stories. One of them talked about her grandfather who, at the age of 6, was sent with his mother and three siblings to Siberia where they lived for ten years under unbelievably harsh conditions. She showed us on a map the many places they had been forced to go, always without warning, each being worse
40 • 2014 • August
than the last. Many people died during their internment; her grandfather’s family was among the fortunate because they all survived and were ultimately even reunited with their father, after 13 years. All the Lithuanians in the Siberian labor camps sang songs, which is what kept them going. One of the songs contained the word Volga. The Russians couldn’t speak their language but assumed that since the word Volga was in it, it must be about Russia (the Volga River). They didn’t realize the song was actually antiRussian, about staying together, about outlasting the Soviets and upholding their heritage while waiting for peace. Every one of the women had a personal story like this. It was very poignant and I learned much that I should have known but didn’t. Everyone was so clearly grateful for the fact that for the last 20 years they have been able to enjoy the freedoms most of us take for granted. They can own property, or more accurately, re-claim the property that had been theirs in the first place. However, they fear that could all end if Putin’s new objective becomes a reality. Without question we found the tour to be very meaningful and the cruise itself to be significant in terms of enlightenment. So I wanted to share this with readers; something to think about as we follow the news.
Spectra Comes to Reno Show Opens August 19
F
rom the producers of Illuminaire comes Spectra, a second mischievous excursion into the spectrum of light and fire. This show has a more edgy, raw, European feel with elements of live percussion, the New Berlin style Circus as well as powerful lasers and effects. This combination of fabulous costumes, aerial acrobatics, exotic contortion and a unique blazing fire performance will appeal to anyone who enjoys a fun show with a high visual impact. This is where elegance in dance meets the wild of circus, where traditional shows are inverted and steam is the fuel of laughter. A dazzling display of light and fervor of flaming passion. Reserve tickets for “Spectra” in the Eldorado Showroom today! Tickets prices start at just $25.95 with dinner and show packages from only $39.95. Children ages 5 - 12 and Seniors over 60 receive a discounted price for regular seating.
August • 2014 • 41
Seniors4Travel
What’s Your Most Memorable Trip?
Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa
W
hat was your most memorable trip to date? Although we’ve taken numerous trips we consider memorable, the most memorable was in September 1991 to Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic. It was our second visit there in as many years. The first visit in May 1990, five months after the country’s Velvet Revolution (break-away from communist rule), was meaningful, as well. But for reasons we’re about to share, the 1991 trip had special significance. It had long been Carolyn’s desire to find the long-lost relatives her grandparents left behind when, in 1912 and 1914, they left their homes in Bohemia (which was at that time part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire) for America. The two later met and married in Omaha, Nebraska. Carolyn’s grandparents passed away and her father, aunt and uncle were unable to provide any helpful information. With the little clues we had (a picture and a letter) we’d been unsuccessful in locating any family during our first trip. Our second trip to Czechoslovakia coincided with that of Oley Hrdlicka, a Czech American friend who had returned to Prague for the first time after escaping communist Czechoslovakia in 1948. Without Oley as our guide and interpreter, our unmatchable experiences the following days in Czechoslovakia would not have happened. After sharing with Oley our meager clues, he studied the maps and plotted our course. The following morning in 42 • 2014 • August
our rental car, a Czech-made Skoda, the three of us headed south for Tlumacov. It’s not on the map but we’d been told that was near the town of Domazlice. Through the beautiful, serene countryside we traveled. Then, there was Tlumacov, a village that looks like it came straight out of a children’s farcialize. Rounding the bend was an older lady dressed in traditional Bohemian garb (colorful skirt and apron, long red stockings and babushka on her head) herding her gaggle of geese down the road. At the only store in town we inquired about my grandmother’s Vitek family, and were directed around the corner and down the block. And there, before the day was over, we were warmly welcomed by my father’s first cousin, his wife, son, daughter-inlaw and three grandchildren. They also walked us down the road to meet another family of cousins. After a long, emotional day of sharing family stories and meals, late in the evening we headed back to Prague. As we drove away from those loving, gracious people – our family – little did we know what the following day would bring. It was raining hard the next morning as we and Oley drove into Eastern Bohemia in search of my grandfather’s brother and family. We had our photo from an old family album with the name “Havlickuv Brod” stamped on the bottom. Nobody back home knew who the people in the picture were, only that it came from the Old Country. After
arriving in Havlickuv Brod and making inquiries we learned that Grandfather’s brother was no longer living but that the brother’s daughter lived in a nearby hamlet of Kvetnov. She had no telephone so off we went, unannounced, in search of her. Frantiska Havlickova answered our knock at the door. Oley introduced ourselves, and we showed her the picture. “It is of me”, Frantiska said. “It is my wedding picture.” Another first cousin to my father! She invited us into her modest home and before we could protest put meat into the oven to cook. She had a large jar of red berries fermenting on the counter and a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table. We learned that she worked in a potato factory. Had we arrived any other day we would not have found her at home. After several hours of eating and sharing, we bid Frantiska farewell. This trip was the beginning of an enduring relationship between Carolyn’s American and Czech families. As it happened, we returned again the following year. The purpose of that visit was to find a flat for us in Prague – where we lived for the next two years.