FPA Dec22

as a state of mind

Providing Opportunities

By Sharon Longo ContriButing Writer

BRIDGEWATER - When Louis Ricciar di landed a paper route at the age of nine, he never dreamed that one day the College of Business at Bridgewater State University would bear his name.

Ricciardi, President and CEO of Bristol Wealth Group/Raymond James Financial in Taunton, is the son of working-class parents, his paternal grandparents settling here from Italy. He mentions how his father worked hard, fought in the war and gave him his work ethic. “My dad worked three jobs and managed to somehow do what he had to do before he passed,” he recalled. “It’s been 37 years since he passed, but he continues to be an inspiration. He died with two years’ worth of vacation.”

“Some of my dad’s examples were very simple, but I remember them to this day,” said Ricciardi. “He always said if you had something to say, you needed to be able to also roll

Taunton financial advisor gives back to the state university that made him feel ‘prepared for life’

Louis Ricciardi’s decades of service to and support of Bridgewater State University were recognized when the College of Business was named in his honor in 2012.

I hope that when you’re given an opportunity to lead, which I’ve been afforded many times in my life, that you use it to actively get things done.

— Louis Ricciardi

Heat your home for less this winter

We're in Your Corner

People today can spend nearly half their lives over the age of 50. That's a lot of living. So, it helps to have a wise friend and fierce defender like AARP in your corner and in your community so your money, health and happiness live as long as you do.

AARP offers information and support for caregiving, financial planning, volunteering and events to help you achieve your goals and stay connected.

Find us at aarp.org/ma.

By Mike FeSta, State DireCtor aarP MaSSaChuSettS

Massachusetts residents are see ing a significant increase in their utility bills this winter, with electricity prices up 64% and natural gas prices up nearly 30%. This spike in energy costs has left many struggling to pay their utility bills.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides help to people with low, moderate, and fixed in comes to pay their utility bills. The program has seen its funding doubled by Con gress. Many eligible customers don’t take advantage of the option simply because they are not aware of it or think they may not qualify.

In these inflationary times, the bills can add up and cause concern. Massachusetts residents have some protections against having their util ities shut off. Utility Companies can’t shut off electricity between November 15 and March 15.

Home Energy Assistance pro grams play a critically important role to protect public health and safety by ensuring that all families and individ uals have safe access to home heat ing. Homeowners and renters are el igible – including households whose cost of heat is included in the rent and not subsidized. Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member over the age of 18.

If you have any questions about

this program, please go to www. aarp.org/ma and locate our LIHEAP resource page. The recording of our LIHEAP telephone town hall that we conducted on November 16 in collab oration with MASSCAP is also available on our resource page. This tele phone town hall worked to inform residents of the Commonwealth about the benefits of this program and get their questions answered.

Your local utility provider may also offer some assistance. Ask about special discount rates for in come-qualified customers, setting up a payment plan, and enrollment in energy efficiency and weather ization audit programs to help you save money by reducing your energy usage. If you have further questions about eligibility for the LIHEAP pro gram, you can also contact MASSCAP at www.masscap.org.

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest non profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide pres ence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s larg est circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/ma, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @ AARPMA on twitter and AARP Mas sachusetts on Facebook.

Mike Festa is the State Director for AARP Massachusetts. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

Mike Festa

 /AARPMA  @AARPMA

What is CBD and what ailments can it help?

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - There is a misconception with CBD and what it is. Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a chemical derived from the cannabis sativa plant. It is not psychoactive or intoxicating like its cousin, THC, while derived from the same plant. It was federally illegal prior to the 2018 Farm Bill that was passed.

Now widely available

It is now common to walk into a health food store, pharmacy, some gro cery stores and more and find numerous products available that contain CBD. Topical ointments, tinctures, lotions, gummies and more all cater to those seeking to alleviate some sort of pain or symptom. Some proponents of CBD oil claim it is beneficial in treating inflam mation, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, migraines, nausea, epilepsy, auto immune diseases, sleep disorders and other ailments. There are some side ef fects associated with the use of CBD that might include drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medi cations like blood thinners so it’s best to check with your doctor before you begin

using it if you are on any medications. Some people find using CBD to be very helpful while others conclude that it does not cure what is ailing them. Re gardless, it is big business.

A variety

Carol Stamm of Northborough feels differently. She was in a lot of pain after undergoing a knee replacement surgery. CBD was recommended and this is what she shared from her expe rience. “I tried a CBD spray to alleviate knee pain post-surgery,” she said. “It was expensive and did not work for me at all.”

Many massage therapy business es offer a CBD massage to their clients. Their feeling is that adding CBD to the massage emphasizes the existing bene fits of massage. There is an extra level of relief from muscle soreness and inflam mation.

ers attest to the relief they get. The only drawback is they come in liquid form and don’t taste very good,” he noted.

Debra’s Natural Gourmet offered an informational workshop called the Massachusetts CBD Summit six months into the pandemic on Zoom. It was moderated by Stark and led by three different CBD experts with differ ent viewpoints. He hopes to have an other one in the near future.

of experiences

“I work a physically demanding job and use NSAIDs like Advil to control pain,” said Steve Bahn of Bolton. “Re cently, I had a single episode of Afib and was immediately put on blood thinners to cut the risk of strokes. Tylenol, in my case, doesn’t have enough impact,” to relieve his pain, he explained. “CBD was suggested to me by my physical thera pist and many friends who use it. I find it works well to control my muscle pain and can be reapplied as needed.”

Soaring sales as public learns more about it Adam Stark of Debra’s Natural Gourmet in Concord explained his store’s CBD offerings. “We are very knowledgeable with all our products, and we do a great job as an independent natural store,” he said. “Most of our cus tomers who purchase our CBD products are middle age and older. The store car ries many brands that contain CBD like Potter Company, Sunsoil and more,” Stark explained. “I am partial to Potter simply because they offer the best price per milligram and many of our custom

CBD sales have soared since it be came federally legalized. In an article in Forbes titled, “The Future of the CBD Industry In 2022 And Beyond” written by Mike Sill, CEO and co-founder of Sunday Scaries, a CBD company with stress relief products, he noted the me teoric growth in sales. “CBD sales in the U.S. hit $4.6 billion in 2020, a massive number just two years after hemp-de rived cannabinoids became legal,” Sills wrote. “The growth is only expected to accelerate with two notable forecasts projecting a U.S. market of $15 billion to more than $20 billion by 2025 and 2024 respectively.”

CBD can be a helpful tool to man age many challenging ailments. It is im portant to figure out what works best for you as, like any product, everyone’s body responds differently.

By SanDi Barrett ContriButing Writer

REGION - Tromping through the snow drifts searching the forest for the perfect family Christmas tree evokes memo ries of a down-home, old-fashioned Christmas. It’s fun to start a new fam ily tradition with or continue a long standing annual event of selecting and cutting your own tree. After the group tree selection consensus and chopping it down are completed, sip on a steam ing mug of hot cocoa or sweet cider to warm your fingers. Sharing a glass of cheer by a roaring fire pit caps off an ex cellent tree-hunting adventure.

Nowadays, we venture out into the woods of a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm where farmers provide sea sonal lumberjacks with a handsaw and will wrap your tree for transport. The trees are trimmed throughout the year and are well filled out and a perfect con ical shape―no Charlie Brown Christ mas trees here.

Finding the perfect tree is a festive way to kick off the holiday season and involve your entire clan. When you get it home, you can have a deck the halls party and commence decorating your perfect Christmas tree.

Christmas tree cut-your-own farms

Below is a selection of Central Mas sachusetts Christmas tree farms that have announced their 2022 schedules.

You can find a comprehensive list of Christmas tree farms and stands at the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Asso ciation website at http://www.christ mas-trees.org.

The tree farms are listed alphabetically by town for your perusing conve nience.

• Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm, Ashfield

• Luks Tree Farm, Auburn

• Highfields Christmas Tree Farm, Grafton

• Wood’s Tree Farm, Greenfield

• Chestnut Mountain Christmas Tree Farm, Hatfield

• Riverwind Tree Farm, Lancaster

• Squire Farm, East Longmeadow

• Vandervalk Farm & Winery, Mendon

• Ellsworth Tree Farm, Northborough

• Kenburn Orchards, Shelburne

• Harrod Tree Farm, Shirley

• Wolf Hill Farm, Southborough

• Coward Farms, Southwick

• Evergreen Farm, Sterling

• Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm, Stow

• Taproot Tree Farm, Stow

• Sleighbell Farm, Sutton

• D. J. Hussey Farm, Townsend

• Arrowhead Acres, Uxbridge

Cut your own in the woods

A little farther out of the way, in New Hampshire actually, you can cut your own Christmas tree in the White Mountain National Forest. A small fee is required to obtain a permit from Recreation.gov(recreation.gov/ tree-permits/).

Christmas tree merriment must follow the regulations stipulated on their permit page. However, if you are looking for a quintessential tree-cut ting adventure, this is the way to go.

Tips for cutting your own Christmas tree

A few quick tips to consider before you embark on your Christmas tree cut ting adventure. Most of these tips work for cut-your-own and pre-cut trees.

1. Measure the planned tree space, al lowing you to select the right size tree.

2. Check weather advisories before hit ting the road.

3. Avoid cutting a tree on private prop erty. Cut trees only in designated ar eas.

4. To help thin out the trees, select a tree in an overcrowded area or cluster.

Cutting your own Christmas tree at a place like Taproot Tree Farm in Stow, pictured here, can turn holiday preparations into a fun family outdoor adventure.

Christmas tree farms | 7

How it all started

He began saving and investing ev erything he earned as soon as he was legally able to do so at age 18. When he got accepted to Boston College and Bridgewater State University, it was an easy choice. “I insisted on paying my own way. Boston College was $6200 a year, and Bridgewater State was $250 per year.” Between the cost, the opportunities afforded him at Bridgewater, and the fact that he could commute, he continued his lifetime love of learning.

“I liked the very cosmopolitan, diverse background that Bridgewater provided,” he said. “I wanted to learn more formally about economic prin ciples. I wanted to hone my writing skills.” Starting out with a humanities background, majoring in English and economics, he was able to combine the two by writing a column for the college

newspaper on the stock market. That led to writing a column a week for 21 years at The Enterprise, the city of Brockton’s daily newspaper. “Wheth er it’s poetry, journalism or lyrics― that’s always fascinated me,” Ricciardi observed.

Music soothes the soul

Ricciardi not only dabbles in writ ing lyrics, but as someone who has enjoyed music his entire life, he plays the piano and guitar, as well. “I played at some restaurants, once upon a time, when I had the time, and it’s a great stress reliever and a great way to meet people,” he said. “To this day, that’s my release from the craziness of the stock market.” Whether he was play ing for friends or jumping in with the band at an event he attended during his stint as the chairman of the board of trustees at Bridgewater State Uni versity (BSU), people would be sur prised to see him in that capacity.

“I was blessed to be able to play varsity baseball and run cross coun try at a competitive level but playing music, at this point in my life, is the

one thing I’m so glad I stayed with all these years.”

Providing opportunities

Ricciardi has a vibrant personali ty, speaking with zeal about the many undertakings in his life, but when he is asked about his years at BSU, his passion comes through even more. “I felt so prepared for life, having the confidence to start my own business in the 1981 recession,” he explained. “There weren’t a lot of young people doing that, at that age, at that time.” He wants to be sure that students going forward also have those same opportunities or have opportunities that he didn’t have. He has been for

Newly Remodeled Apartments with a contemporary flair

mally involved with the college for 30plus years, his first time as chairman of the board of trustees, from 1990 to 1994. “The first thing we did in ’90 and ‘91 was add an economics major and a music major,” he noted. “Over the years, I have funded a student in vestment fund at Bridgewater State, as well as at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.”

He also helped raise money for the new baseball and softball fields back in the 1990s. “The field that we played on was… pathetic doesn’t even begin to describe it,” he remembered. “Home plate faced into the sun; there was a dip in the outfield. We got people on board, and we raised funds. I’ve been

It really is that sense of whatever you’re doing in life, at the end of the day, you’re really just passing it to the next group.

— Louis Ricciardi

blessed to have invested well, from the start, and that I could put up matching funds on a regular basis to get some of these projects done.”

Giving back

“Bridgewater State had a pro found effect on me,” he affirmed. “My advisor from 1977 is still a dear friend of mine. He just turned 80.”

“It really is that sense of whatever you’re doing in life, at the end of the day, you’re really just passing it to the next group,” he mused. “Whether it’s suc cession planning in my own business today, where I’ve been actively train ing some folks in their twenties and thirties for down the line, or at the uni versity to better prepare our students.”

His goal has been to take the mys tery out of the financial markets and make complicated terminology that goes with finance into something that is more understandable. “I like help ing people understand; it’s not magic, it’s math,” he emphasized. “The way money compounds; the relationship of money to itself. In my 42 years in busi ness, I still love meeting with children and grandchildren of my customers and students, whether it’s at Bridge water State or at the Boys and Girls Club of Metro South, where I’ve been on the board for 23 years. I try to re move the mystery of Wall Street, that faraway place.”

Advice to older people

After admitting that he recently turned 63, he stated, “People always say I don’t look or act like someone in their 60s, whatever that’s supposed to look like. A big part of that is stay ing engaged with your communities; especially with the young people of those communities, and while they don’t admit it right up front, they’re looking for that guidance,” he explained. “They want encouragement; they want guidance, and I think stay ing engaged keeps you young and cu rious.”

Ricciardi also mentions not taking yourself too seriously, doing whatev er you consider to be fun, and being willing to learn new things. “Wheth er it’s dancing more, learning an in strument―we talk about life-long learning, to circle back to the college world. Whether it’s traveling or taking a course, going to a talk that you might not have otherwise gone to,” he said.

The impact he will make

When asked about the legacy he will leave or the impact he will make, he responded thoughtfully. “Anybody from anywhere can achieve anything.

You can be born in a region, you can go to school in a region, you can come back and start a business,” he noted. “You don’t have to run away. It’s fun to travel, but the answer…it’s right there

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

in your backyard, if you want to truly make it that way. One person can have an impact; you can make a difference if you’re relentless in what you be lieve,” said Ricciardi. “It’s not so much trying to make everybody else believe what you believe. We’ve got too much of that. Let them see by your exam ple and your engagement. I hope that when you’re given an opportunity to lead, which I’ve been afforded many times in my life, that you use it to ac tively get things done.”

He then refers to having the Col lege of Business named for himself. “Perfect example. That was complete ly flattering…I was only 52 years old.” He goes on to explain how that hon or led to the next question. “I said, ‘If you’re going to do this, what can we do with it?’ He mentioned some of

the problems he’s attacked. “Whether it’s setting up the student-managed investment funds or starting an en dowment. The current president of the university and I co-founded the initial endowment campaign back in ’99,” Ricciardi explained. “So that’s been the impact I ultimately have had here. I hope above all else, that when people start listing the things they think I’ve done that are worth listing, it’s that,” he said. “Anybody can do this if you’re passionate enough about what you’re doing and truly engaged and truly lis tening.”

“I think the legacy, I suppose, is you can grow up in this region and make a difference,” he concluded. “You can raise your family in this re gion and give back, and hopefully still be relevant.”

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Serving the fifty-plus community since 1975

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Publisher/Sales Director:

David Bagdon 508-366-5500

Managing Editor: Brett Peruzzi

5. Cut the tree close to the ground, leaving about a six-inch stump.

6. For roof racking, have a rope and tarp to tie your freshly cut tree to the car.

7. Tie your tree securely to make sure it stays on your vehicle all the way home, also allowing for clear lines of sight.

Many tree farms offer pre-tagging options for the holiday decorating afi cionados who want to reserve a specific, perfect tree in advance.

When you venture out and cut your own tree, you can enjoy spending time outdoors with your family―that’s the best reason to visit a local Christmas tree farm.

REST HOMES

Advertising Sales:

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Cindy Merchant: 508-736-4332

Fifty Plus Advocate is published monthly, 12 times annually by Bagdon Advertising, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

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Fifty Plus Advocate accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or materials and does not return them to sender. Retractions for any inaccuracies will be printed when necessary.

Unsolicited letters to the editor become the property of this newspaper and can be reprinted in part or in whole unless otherwise stated. Fifty Plus Advocate columnists writing under a byline are expressing their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the newspaper.

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Happiness as a state of mind

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - Abraham Lincoln once said, “We’re just about as happy as we make up our minds to be.” If that is true, then it truly gives us the power to choose. A person’s attitude can help to make a very big difference.

There are many exercises used to help people be more positive, which results in their happiness. To start, focus ing on what you have and being grate ful is important. Journaling can play a role in this type of exercise and can also be beneficial. It can lead to feeling energized, which gets your endorphins flowing, creating feelings of happiness.

Our thinking certainly affects how we feel. Some people start every morn ing with a positive thought. This con scious task can bring positivity and joy. Certain activities like social interaction and being with family and friends can increase our happiness.

Physical benefits

There are so many physical traits that occur when you are happy that it has been said that happiness can actu

ally increase your lifespan. Blood pres sure lowers, your immune system is stronger, you have a quicker recovery from illness, there is a lower risk of heart disease, your pain resilience improves, inflammation decreases, you are better able to combat stress, you have a quick er recovery time from illness, your affin ity for exercise increases, resulting in a healthier diet, which, in turn, improves

digestion and lowers your risk for dia betes and stroke.

“When working with clients, I try to help them address and come to terms with past wounds, have gratitude and remember to practice this daily. I also remind them to take time to be pres ent with loved ones, and not on their phone,” said Kellsey Forest, LICW, TCT SY-F, RYT, a psychotherapist in West ford.

Accept disappointments and stay present

It doesn’t seem possible for a per son to be genuinely happy all the time. It’s natural to face disappointments. Contentment and joy are both charac teristics of happiness. Happy people tend to focus on the positive and ap preciate all the good that they are sur rounded by. They tend to be respectful, warm and pleasant to be around.

Life is complex with ups and downs and many challenges along the way. Sadness and pain are normal ex periences that should be embraced, just like happiness. Some people feel that if they go down their checklist of “must accomplish” things then they will achieve true happiness. It doesn’t al

ways work out this way and many still feel unfulfilled as they climbed that lad der of success and even reached finan cial stability. What they failed to do was acknowledge what was missing, which was true connections with people and things that made them truly happy.

“Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose,” said Ma yumi Kimura, LICSW, of Mind Body Dimensions Psychotherapy in Andover. “It’s not clearing your mind. It’s being mind-full as opposed to mind-less. Mindfulness practice can help use the power of time travel by giving us the skills to decide when, where and how long we stay in the past and future by centering us in the present,” she added. “Many of my clients have never had a structured mindfulness practice so we start small.”

Perspective is everything

In a very moving TEDx Talk in 2014, Sam Berns, a junior at Foxbor ough High School shared his philoso phy for a happy life. Afflicted by pro geria, a disease that causes individuals to age rapidly, Sam, who weighed only about 50 pounds, was desperate to join his marching band and perform at the football halftime show. He was faced with many obstacles but insisted on fo cusing on what he was able to do and ultimately achieved his goal. He always had a positive outlook and chose to surround himself with people that he wanted to be around. Although he has since passed, he acknowledged that he had a very happy life.

“My close friends and family have always provided a positive influ ence,” said Berns. “When I make mu sic, which I love, the music supersedes the progeria. I always concentrate on moving forward. For me, staying in a ‘forward-thinking’ state of mind is helpful.”

Walt Disney said, “Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”

Spending time with close friends and surrounding yourself with those you love can result in feelings of happiness.

Sleeping in a chair

A solution for people with some health problems

By DaviD WiLkening ContriButing Writer

REGION - Going to sleep sounds sim ple. But it’s not if you’ve ever had in somnia. But that’s only one reason why growing concerns over mental and physical health have escalated in recent years, ballooning the sleep economy to emerge today as a multibillion-dollar pillar of the U.S. wellness market.

No wonder. You’ve already heard all the promised health benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Half the population has sleep issues

But upwards of 50 percent of Amer icans report some experiences with sleeplessness. And it may not surprise you that people over the age of 60 are the age group with the highest reported levels of insomnia.

“Although sleeping in a bed is the norm for most of us, it’s just not possi ble for some people,” wrote Scott Grant on the website grayingwithgrace.com. “Whether it is because they are elderly, have back pain, or suffer from a condi tion such as sleep apnea, there are many people who prefer to sleep in recliner chairs.”

“Sleeping is not a luxury. It’s a necessity for optional functioning,” said Dr. James O’Brien, medical direc tor of the Boston Sleep Care Center in Waltham.

So if you’re an ordinary sleeper who goes to bed nightly, you might wonder about that minority who sleep in some kind of comfortable or “sleeping” chair. Does that get you the recommended eight hours of restful sleep?

Apparently so.

Chair sleep can alleviate some diseases

“Back pain is common among old er adults, and many find it more com forting to sleep in a more upright posi tion. This is particularly true of people suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis,” said Christian Worstell, a writer who specializes in health and insurance issues.

He added: “Sleeping in a chair can also alleviate sleep apnea, because the tongue is less prone to sliding back ward and blocking the windpipe when in an upright position. COPD is another respiratory condition for which chair sleeping can help as an upright posi tion can keep mucus and coughing con tained.”

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pul monary Disease), is a disease caused by damage to the lungs, which makes it hard to breathe. Often, COPD is a result

of many years of smoking, which irri tates the airways and destroys the fibers within the lungs.

Sleeping in a chair can also help with heartburn and acid reflux as grav ity will keep stomach acid from reach ing the esophagus when seated up right, Worstell added. But there’s more. “Sleeping with your head elevated, such as you would in a chair, can also help suppress vertigo and those who suffer from Meniere’s Disease.”

Worstell is well known in the in surance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, help ing Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare cover age. His writing work as a Medicare ex pert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Fi nance.

As it turns out, sleeping in a nor mal bed is probably best for most peo ple. But there are exceptions and cases when you might consider the often-ad vertised “sleep chairs.”

The website Healthline says our ancestors’ long-standing tradition of sleeping in a bed continues for most of us but that the relatively new reclin er rest method is safe. And often offers health benefits.

Why opt for a chair?

Another website, Elder Guru, also found many reasons to possibly opt for “sleep chairs.” They included allevia tion of back pain, and a tendency to help pain during sleep after surgery― par ticularly after often-performed shoulder surgery for older individuals. “As we get older, the need for shoulder surgery can increase. The post-op period can be painful and make proper sleep even more difficult. Doctors highly recom mend using a recliner for sleeping for several weeks post-surgery to prevent any muscle strain from occurring,” the site said.

“As a matter of fact, doctors do not recommend sleeping on one’s back or side following shoulder surgery. The horizontal sleeping position can easily exacerbate post-surgery problems. A re cliner for sleeping is just what the doc tor ordered,” it continued.

Is a sleep recliner for you? “Espe cially for the elderly, sleeping in a reclin er can make bedtime much more com fortable. It might even allow them to sleep better and more deeply. “ conclud ed Elder Guru, even if they don’t have health problems. “Some might also pre fer it simply because they think it’s more comfortable than a bed.”

It also relieves you of one more daily chore: making your bed.

Yes – for many, reverse mortgages conjure up negative thoughts. But the reality is once one is educated about reverse mortgage then these myths disappear. Here are a few examples of recent clients:

Tom & Sue: were in financial balance but had no extra funds for home repairs, travel, or reserves. Obtaining a reverse mortgage let them receive money every month for travel, give access to funds for repairs, and have a $150,000 reverse mortgage line of credit in case of emergencies.

Bill: a widower struggling with a large monthly mortgage payment and high credit card debt. Everyone was telling him he should sell and rent. The reverse mortgage paid off the mortgage and $25,000 in credit cards creating over $1,900 a month in cash flow savings allowing him the opportunity to live in his home for life.

John & Betty: for better or worse, got divorced at age 70+. One spouse desired to retain the home and the other wanted their share of the equity. The reverse mortgage allowed the retaining spouse to pay the leaving spouse off while being able to afford to keep the home.

Carl, Cathy, and Doug: The three adult children caring for their moth er with advanced Alzheimer’s. Thankfully they had a proper Pow er of Attorney and were able to obtain a reverse mortgage allowing $10,000+ a month to be accessed to pay for 24/7 at home care.

These are just a few of the hundreds of Reverse Mortgage Success stories that I’ve had the honor of creating.

A reverse mortgage gives qualified borrowers the option to receive cash as a lump sum, a monthly check, or a line of credit with NO minimum required monthly mortgage payments. The homeowner is, of course, required to pay ongoing real estate taxes, insurance and meet other loan guidelines.

Take Action!

A great place to start is get your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36-page book. This is the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and published by the Na tional Council on Aging.

To receive your free copy or ask ques tions, please call me at (781) 724-6221 or email me at av@powhse.com

By DaviD WiLkening ContriButing Writer

REGION - More than a half million people in the state of Massachusetts have some sort of hearing problem. Often it’s age-related and neglected as well. One survey found surprisingly low numbers of individuals aged 29 to 69 with hearing loss, only 14 percent, use some sort of hearing aids. Blame that mainly on high prices.

But that’s all about to change.

It’s due to long-sought new rules from the federal government’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because of that change―in large part due to the work of a senator from Mas sachusetts―hearing aid users will be able to buy normally expensive devises at a lower cost. And the perfor mance of the devices may also be im proved.

That’s the generally accepted pos itive side of the change.

Potential drawback

But on the other side―consum ers will have to make their own medi cal decisions without the requirement of professionals, and that could be a potential drawback.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is sued the following joint statement after the Food and Drug Administra tion (FDA) finalized a key rule allow ing hearing aids to be sold over-thecounter, an effort they have worked on since 2017:

“Five years after our bipartisan Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act became law, consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss will finally have access to affordable over-the-counter hearing aids,” said Warren and Grass ley. “We’ve pressed the FDA to take action every step of the way―hold ing both Republican and Democratic administrations accountable ― and fought back against entrenched spe cial interests. We are thrilled that the FDA has finalized these guidelines and that safe, effective, accessible and affordable hearing aids will now be available over-the-counter for mil lions of Americans.”

On the other hand, “The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administra tion rule allowing consumers to buy hearing aids over-the-counter could prompt patients to become their own doctors and not receive the professional care they need,” warned one expert.

Dr. Nicole Laffan, assistant clinical professor at Bouvé College of Health Sciences and the Audiology Clinic director at the Northeastern’s Speech-Language and Hearing Cen ter, believes that the best practice is to receive professional care for hear ing loss and get a prescribed hear ing device. She is concerned that the new FDA rule encourages patients to become their own doctors and to de termine the level of their hearing loss based on perception.

Laffan feels strongly that those who treat hearing loss need to educate the public on what it means to get a hearing aid.

Cost savings

Both sides generally agree that costs will be reduced mainly because users with low or moderate hearing losses will now be able to buy hear ing aids directly from a store or on line. They will no longer be required to have a custom fitting from a profes sional. They can shop at Wal-Mart or

Best Buy.

It’s a major change since hearing loss affects many Americans with a myriad of physical and psychologi cal problems that are not always at a high volume of awareness. About one in eight people in the U.S. ages 12 and older has hearing loss in both ears, however, and the rate increases sig nificantly with age. About a quarter of people 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and that goes up to 50 percent around age 75, according to recent figures from the federal government.

It’s somewhat of a quiet issue. If hearing loss were officially considered a disability by the government, for ex ample, it would be the largest disabili ty class in the country.

People with hearing loss who did not have hearing aids are more likely to report poor health overall, and they are less likely to leave home or exercise, studies have found.

U.S. officials estimate as many as 80 percent of the roughly 30 million Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss go untreated even though they could benefit from the most com mon type of hearing aids, known as air-conduction devices.

How did this new rule happen? But more importantly: what does it mean for you?

The rule’s long journey

The changed law acquired some strange fellow travelers: One is the unlikely alliance of former President Trump and liberal Massachusetts Sen ator Elizabeth Warren (“It’s the one is sue we can agree on,” she said).

Congress passed legislation to cre ate a category of OTC (over-the-count er) hearing aids with wide bipartisan support, and President Trump signed it into law in 2017.

But no action was taken, and Sen. Warren, a sponsor of the bill, gave the FDA a deadline to issue the regula tions. She and co-sponsor Sen. Chuck Grassley sent several letters urging the

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and her colleague Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) co-sponsored the Congressional bill that became the bipartisan Over-theCounter Hearing Aid Act.

FDA to take action.

In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order created in part to speed things along.

The FDA was in no hurry to com ply.

The FDA initially said the pandemic delayed the implementation of the October-issued rule. The agency also blamed delays on required public comments.

The Food and Drug Administra tion responded with a press release that the long-awaited change would make the devices much more widely available and would lower prices. At the same time, those hearing-impaired will be far more likely to afford them.

“Today’s action will not only help adults who have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss gain access to more affordable and innovative pro duction options, but we expect that it will unleash the power of American industry to improve the technology in a way that it will impact the enormous burden of disability from hearing loss affecting the world,” FDA Commis sioner Dr. Robert Califf said.

The rule doesn’t change how hearing aids are covered. While pri vate insurers pay for treatment after the loss of a limb and even cover the cost of Viagra, most do not cover hear ing aids. Basic Medicare doesn’t pay for them either.

Hearing aids are expensive. And five large companies have had control over 90 percent of the global market. That kind of consolidation meant there was little price competition, and high prices may be a big reason why most people who need hearing aids don’t have them.

On average, people spend at least $4,000 out of pocket for devic es for both ears, according to a 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Prices vary widely, often between $1,400 to $6,000 for one ear device, according to estimates.

The FDA estimates that the new rule could mean savings of about $2,800 a pair.

With the change, many more companies are expected to enter the market.

Experts believe that existing manufacturers will also develop low er-cost over-the-counter devices in addition to their current offerings.

How the new rule works

People in the past could get hear ing aids only with an expensive med ical exam or prescription from a pro fessional who will fit the device for the individual. Audiologists can also adjust it over its lifetime if someone’s hearing gets worse.

With an over-the-counter device, buyers may be able to adjust them on their own.

The new rule applies only to cer tain kinds of hearing aids, the FDA said. People with severe hearing loss and those under the age of 18 will still need a prescription.

To be allowed on the market, the new rule says, over-the-counter hear ing aids will need to meet the FDA’s high standards for safety, labeling and manufacturing protection like all oth er medical devices.

Health care professionals also an ticipate that many with mild or mod erate hearing loss may initially buy hearing aids over-the-counter but eventually consult audiologists for hearing evaluations.

The Boston-based Northeastern Speech-Language and Hearing Center, and the Hearing Loss Association of America are among credible sites offering guidance on what to know when shopping for hearing aids.

A very first suggestion is to get a test to gauge the degree of hearing loss, which varies widely.

They also urge that since hearing aids are a major investment, buyers make sure a purchase comes with a guarantee, and that there are some provisions for altering a device if hear ing changes.

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The FDA estimates that the new rule could mean savings of about $2,800 for a pair of hearing aids.

NextGen

By CoLin MCCanDLeSS ContriButing Writer

REGION - While still in its early stages,

it exactly, and how does it differ from what is already out there?

Free to viewers

NextGen TV is a free, over-the-air service available to viewers with an antenna in most major markets that com bines the benefits of broadcast with broadband TV viewing. All you need is a NextGen TV and an HD antenna, and you can watch a wide variety of broad cast channels at no charge. It offers 4K ultra high-definition video quality, the ater-like sound, mobile reception and innovative new features to enhance and expand the broadcast viewing ex perience. The service transforms televi sions into web browsers, allowing local TV stations to better personalize their broadcasts with information and inter active features.

“NextGen TV is sort of the pub lic-facing name for ATSC 3.0 (Advanced

Television Systems Committee) which is the soon-to-be new standard for overthe-air television,” explained Jordan Walton, executive director of the Massa chusetts Broadcasters Association. “It’s going to bring additional connectivity to homes that have NextGen-enabled televisions and/or tuners.”

Pros and cons

Some of the viewer benefits of NextGen TV include technological ad vancements to video and sound and en hanced content and interactivity.

“Over-the-air, as it stands now, the current standard is generally far better than you’ll receive for cable and satel lite because it’s not compressed,” stated Walton. “So it’ll be even a clearer picture under NextGen TV.”

He added that NextGen has audio features that level out sound between stations to avoid those vexing volume fluctuations. If a viewer has internet in their home and connects to their TV, there will be future updates. “As the technology advances, they will be able to get the updates to their set,” said Wal ton. This could prevent or at least delay having to buy a new set every time the service is improved or upgraded.

NextGen TV will allow consumers to access on-demand news stories and weather updates and enhanced sports statistics while watching games. Wal ton said that to his knowledge some PBS stations in markets where NextGen TV had gone live used it during the pan demic to provide lessons for elemen tary school kids, so it can be utilized as

an educational and digital learning re source as well.

Presently, the biggest drawback to NextGen TV is the expense. It is new technology that hasn’t been out on the market long, and as with most novel technology, the price started out high, with NextGen TV sets initially costing in the thousands. But as demand grows and more stations and markets launch the standard, the cost will gradually continue to decrease, noted Walton. And while the broadcast channels may be free, you still mostly can’t avoid the ads, although there are a couple Next Gen TV DVRs available, according to the tech and consumer electronics media site CNET.

Massachusetts markets rolling out NextGen TV

Television affiliates began deploy ing NextGen TV in various markets na tionwide in 2020, and the rollout con tinued into 2021 and 2022, according to the National Broadcasters Association. NextGen TV is currently available in Springfield through WWLP-22News, and one Boston station, WCRN TV 31, launched NextGen TV in July as sort of a NextGen | 13

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“NextGen TV is the soon-tobe new standard for over-theair television,” says Jordan Walton, executive director of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.

Everyday Heroes

By Marianne DeLorey, Ph.D.

s my father was a firefighter, we took seriously the issue of family fire drills. We had a plan that included a route out of each room and a backup route in case the first one was blocked. We practiced this plan at least twice every year. He tested all the smoke detectors and made sure we knew what they sounded like. My dad was always se rious, but when it came to safety, he was particu larly so.

But practice makes perfect and when later in life, my house did catch on fire after a lighting strike, I smelled smoke and I knew exactly what to do. I did not hesitate. I did not stop to grab anything; I got out of the house.

I have been thinking about drills a lot this past month because our luck fi nally ran out at one of our sites. While we have had a few scattered cases of COVID at all Colony properties, we just had our first major outbreak. We all came into work on the Tuesday after a long weekend and learned that four people tested positive over the week end. Another two more reported being positive that morning. We ordered

100% testing of the building, manda tory masks in common areas, and shut down the dining room and started delivering meals. We made sure to post signs and communicated to the visitors and families. The 100% testing turned up another six positive cases. A few days later, we did another 100% testing, and another after that.

Twenty people in a building with 100 apartments ended up getting sick over the course of the next two weeks. But you know what? Our prep work paid off. Our previous practice helped us stay calm and do what we needed to do. We cannot know what would have happened had we not taken immediate action to stop the spread, but I think it is reasonable to guess that at a minimum, we prevented at least 10 hospitaliza tions.

We are now all healthy again, thankfully. I am so pleased with the response of our staff, our families, and especially our residents. Everyone knew that the masks and social dis tancing was needed to keep COVID from spreading further. All residents were willing to get tested repeatedly with minimal complaint. We hear on

the news so many people pushing back against mandatory masks and other public health measures. I am here to re port that the vast majority of people are cooperative and helpful during trying times.

And then there are the heroes among us that run toward the danger.

One day a while ago, I showed up to work and before I even got to my desk, some alarm sounded. It was un expected and really made me freeze. My maintenance super, however, took off running toward the noise without even a moment’s hesitation. Nobody thinks of maintenance folks when you think of heroes, but that day, I realized we need to expand our definition. He ran toward trouble, even before he knew what the problem was.

Similarly, when we were doing

testing of people in the building when we already knew there was a high like lihood of positive cases, there were co workers that stepped forward and said, “I will help test.” I am humbled by their willingness to help keep people safe at their own expense.

When COVID first hit, we realized we were in the category of “essential workers” and at the time, it felt so unfair. We work in apartment buildings, so on some level, we did not sign up for this level of risk. But that is why I think we need to redefine hero. There are heroes like my dad who knowingly ac cept a high-risk job. And then there are heroes like my staff who did not sign up for a high-risk job but take those risks anyway because they are helpers during a crisis. My hat is off to the ev eryday heroes among us. And none of us know how much longer COVID will last. My hope is that we all have five more minutes to be brave.

Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement. com and www.colonyretiremen thomes.com.

test run, with the expanded market roll out in Boston scheduled to go live in late 2022, according to Walton.

WCRN TV 31 President and CEO Frank Copsidas said that their sta tion provides three program channels through NextGen TV including France 24, Retro TV and Heartland TV. They are currently using half of their spectrum for datacasting (using TV broadcast sig nals to transmit encrypted data) for first responders and other uses.

“We’re trying things. We’re kind of a sandbox for that,” said Copsidas. “This is very much in development. After the first of the year, it will be a lot more con sumer friendly.”

He qualified though that in markets where NextGen TV is more established such as Phoenix, the public aspect of the service is much further along than in Boston, which is just introducing it.

Explaining the ATSC 3.0 designa

tion, Copsidas noted that the switch from analog to digital in 1990s was ATSC 1.0, whereas ATSC 2.0 was mo bile, which “no one did.” NextGen TV, or ATSC 3.0, is IP-based, meaning your TV screen is essentially an internet brows er, he explained.

“It went from a program broadcast platform to a data delivery service,” he noted.

New Sony TVs are currently avail able with NextGen TV technology, and other brands including LG and Sam sung are starting to offer it as well. To pick up ATSC 3.0 stations, you need a converter box, like when TV went from analog to digital, commented Copsidas.

For those early adopters itching to try the next big innovation in television, many NextGen TVs now run less than $1,000, according to Copsidas. The least expensive he has seen cost around $540. “At the end of the year, prices should come down drastically,” he said.

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

viewpoint Sensible or not, it’s tradition

By JaniCe LinDSay ContriButing Writer

Cultural traditions abound during the holidays. We honor those. But most families probably also have traditions of their own, which make sense only within the context of the family.

For instance, for Christmas Eve dinner, Chef Bo yardee Ravioli. That tradition be gan in our family when we had four people dining. The four eventually be came nine. The tra dition lasted un til long after I got married and moved away, and I honor it myself to this very Christmas.

When my sister and I were preteens with a baby brother, our second baby brother was born just before Christmas. He and Mom came home

from the hospital on December 23. So much to do to get ready for Christmas day! And two babies to tend to. On the morning of December 24, Mom told the newborn, “Not a peep out of you. I have lots to do.” And the little angel never fussed all day.

Still, there was no time for Mom to cook. My sister and I didn’t know how. Dad bought a couple of cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli. Voila. Christ mas Eve dinner. And the start of a family tradition.

In my house, an artificial Christ mas tree is another tradition. It doesn’t make much sense. Real trees are abundant, beautiful, perfect, af fordable and, best of all, they smell wonderful.

But the first Christmas after Dick and I got married, we bought and decorated a real tree. Then both of us caught a horrible cold, the kind where your head feels like a bowling ball. We were too sick to water the tree. On the first day that I was able to drag my self out of bed and actually care about

anything, the tree was dry. Dead nee dles congregating on the gold carpet offended my gradually-returning sense of tidiness.

Not wishing to clog the vacuum cleaner with all those needles – and not feeling strong enough to struggle with the vacuum cleaner anyway – I crawled around on the carpet, trying to sweep the needles into a dustpan with its companion brush. The dry needles with a dry brush in the dry house on the dry carpet had other ideas. The brush swooshing needles along the carpet gave them a static charge. I swept them into the dust pan, only to watch them jump out and re-attach themselves to the carpet. Being a person of at least moderate sense, I climbed back into bed vowing “Artificial tree from now on.” And so it is. Tradition.

Cats. For years, a friend and I ex changed Christmas gifts all about cats, because one year, my friend had gift ed me with an actual cat. In fact, two cats. As that Christmas approached,

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

our household lacked a cat. My friend was volunteer foster mother for an an imal shelter, caring for a mother cat, who had been a pregnant stray, and her six kittens. A week before Christ mas I adopted Mama Cat and one of her daughters, Peanut. My friend kept one of Peanut’s brothers. My friend’s brother adopted one of Peanut’s sis ters. So we all became family, related not by blood or marriage, but by cat. At Christmastime, she and I gave each other cat books, cat decorations, cat calendars, and other cat gifts, enclos ing treats for the cats themselves.

Here’s how it happens. You do something one Christmas. The follow ing Christmas, somebody says, “Re member what we did last year? Let’s do it again.” The next year, Christmas doesn’t seem like Christmas without it. It is now, officially, Tradition.

Even if it makes no sense to any body else.

Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net

A STUDY IN SCARLETT Answers

on page 17

By Sharon Longo ContriButing Writer

REGION - Massachusetts had almost 1.1 million residents aged 65 and old er in 2020. According to the Elder In dex, developed by the University of Massachusetts-Boston Gerontology Institute in 2019, we were second on the list of most expensive states for

What’s a senior to do?

It is best to plan ahead and pre pare for retirement before actually taking the plunge.

AARP suggests saving at least $500,000 for retirement, but a finan cial planner would be able to provide individualized suggestions according to each person’s situation. Income during retirement should come from a variety of sources, including one’s pension, if applicable, and Social Se curity as well as any investment or rental income. Some retirees may also choose to work part time. It is important to have money set aside for living expenses, but it is suggested not to risk that money by trying to increase its value. It’s also suggested

not to squander money or to be too frugal. If you are living on a budget, designer clothes aren’t necessary, but if the soles of your sneakers are flap ping as they walk, buy a new pair of shoes.

It’s also important to look at any health issues that might arise which could lead to in-home care, hospital stays or nursing home costs.

Stay physically and mentally fit

Seniors need to be more vigilant about their health. Keep up with doc tor appointments and be aware of the types of foods you eat. Will they raise cholesterol or blood pressure? Are they filled with too much sugar? Check with your doctor before beginning a healthy exercise routine such as doing toning stretches or taking a daily walk. Feel ing healthy and fit helps with one’s outlook on life during retirement.

Stay close to others

Being able to visit with adult chil dren and their families is important for maintaining happiness, but all good things must end. If seniors are sup porting their financially-capable adult children, problems can arise.

It’s also important to have a lot of friends of various ages, backgrounds and interests. Getting to know others outside of one’s career and work pro vides a plethora of activities in which to partake. Being able to meet with one friend for coffee or a movie, while hanging out with another for a day of fishing or a game night keeps life inter esting.

Stick with routines but keep it varied

Retirement is a big change in one’s lifestyle. Certain routines bring a sense of happiness, and it’s good to keep those. For example, if you always woke up at six a.m. to see the sunrise before heading off to work, and that brought a sense of peace to the day, try not to change that habit. Howev er, if the idea of sleeping in a little lat er makes retirement feel more freeing and beneficial, catch a few more winks with an extra hour of sleep each day.

It is important, however, not to stay complacent with those routines, if you think you can find something of interest that hasn’t been done before. Having a lot of interests or hobbies is also beneficial, and it is important to feel passionate about them. Trying to find those activities you never had time for while working gives a sense of ex citement, especially being able to find your identity outside of your career and work life. Many people become asso ciated with the work they do and find ing something else that brings plea sure such as reading, gardening or bird watching can help a person break away

Preparing for the challenge of moving as an older adult

By nanCe eBert ContriButing Writer

REGION - Trying to clean out an en tire home to prepare for a move in your fifties, sixties and beyond can feel like an insurmountable task. It is stressful, emotional and in some cases, simply overwhelming.

Once the decision has been made to move, there are many things that need to be considered, including de ciding where you want to move to and what that will look like. Will you be downsizing and moving to an apart ment type of setup? Will you be going closer to a family member or an assist ed living type of situation? What items will you want to bring that will realis tically fit into this new space?

Finding people who can help

If you own your home, finding a realtor to help sell it can be instrumen tal in this process. Many agents have great contacts and can direct you to the appropriate people and business es that can be very helpful. It’s great to ask around and get recommendations from friends and neighbors and meet

Preparing to move in your later years can feel overwhelming, but with proper planning you can save both time and reduce the stress of such a major life change.

with a few different realtors to see if you are both on the same page and what types of services they can offer to make this move as seamless as possi ble.

Kate McCaw, a real estate agent with Compass Realty in Concord

shared her thoughts. “Some of this may seem cliché, but I try to remind people that their memories go with them,” she said. “Leaving a physical space, especially one that holds a lot of wonderful memories, is just that, a physical space. Finding the courage

to move is difficult but it can clear the way for new memories to be made,” McCaw added. “I help my clients de clutter and find new homes for lots of their things. By helping others, it also makes them feel good.”

Packing and paring down possessions

There are many sites online to share items that you might want to get rid of. Some of these include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, MaxSold and more. It’s important to take clear pho tos of the items you are trying to sell and create concise but detailed infor mation about each item like measure ments, age, material, manufacturer, etc. It is also important, for safety rea sons, to have someone home with you if the item is being picked up in per son. In addition, cash should always be the preferred method of payment. Be aware that there are many scam mers out there trying to take advantage, especially if you are older and new to this method of selling things.

Since preparing for a move is a big job, it’s wise to tackle one area at a time. For example, set a scheduled timeline and clean out and pack one room or closet at a time. This makes it

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a bit more manageable instead of look ing at the whole space at once.

Fran Taylor of Westborough is currently preparing to move from her current home that she has lived in for quite some time. She has found searching for a home in today’s market quite challenging.

“The process is pretty much a roll er coaster,” she explained. “You get very enthusiastic about making a life change and then discouraged when the process gets interrupted by things out of your control.”

There are also many local char ities, community-run food pantries, consignment stores and more that are always looking for donations to share with their clients. Some organizations even help set up entire apartments for those in need. Think of how good it will feel to know that your donated items helped someone else.

“To get ready to list our home we sought suggestions from a local re altor about how best to position our house,” said Taylor. “We also cleaned out things we knew we wouldn’t take with us.”

Not only do you have to address the inside of your home with all your personal belongings, but if you are a homeowner, you want to make sure to tackle any repairs needed. This might include appliances, worn carpeting, painting, cabinet repairs and more. This is when your real estate agent can guide you.

“I think one of the difficult things

these days with seniors that are down sizing is that their children and grand children don’t want family items like crystal and fine china, silverware or furniture,” said McCaw. “Historically, these were cherished items that were passed down. The fact that they end up in consignment stores or charity shops is difficult to digest.”

“It’s hard to think of these items as ‘just things,’” she continued. “The upside is that once chosen, they go to a new family. Last year I purchased a Lenox Holiday china service for twelve at Gallery 56 in Clinton for a bargain,” McCaw noted. “It was something that I always wanted but could not afford at full price. I am thrilled to have it.”

Shop around for a mover

Start by reading online reviews of different movers to assess their reputation. Ask friends and family for recommendations as well. Then call a few reputable moving companies and request estimates. The cost of a move can be very expensive and you want to make sure that whoever you hire to handle this task is licensed and insured. Make sure you get a written, detailed estimate. It’s important to get all costs associated with the move documented clearly so that there are no surprises in the end.

Change is hard and moving can be scary. Taking steps to ensure that it goes smoothly can save you a lot of time and energy and make the transi tion easier.

Plan ahead to enjoy a fulfilling and well-rounded retirement

Plan ahead | from page 15 from that work image.

Know thy spouse

As couples near the final chapter of their lives, it’s important to know what the other spouse does. For exam ple, if one spouse handles the finances, they should sit down together and dis cuss how the bills are paid, and which bills are due when. Couples should talk about where various items are kept, from the life insurance policies to the gardening shed key. Knowing this in formation early on prevents having to try and figure it all out later on if one of the spouses should experience any cog nitive changes such as Alzheimer’s or once a partner is gone.

You’re there; now what?

According to Brad Wright, a Certi fied Financial Planner (CFP) at Launch Financial Planning in Andover, he sug gested asking yourself the following questions: Where do you want to live? What do you want to do? Who do you want to do it with?

“Most people plan to get them

selves to retirement, but never think about getting through retirement,” said Wright. “Essentially, they’ve saved and invested enough to be able to retire from a financial sense but haven’t given much thought to what they’ll do next.”

“I’ve known a few people who have retired to Florida, only to find out they hate it, and move back,” he explained. “I would suggest trying your new life out before fully committing.”

Answers to Super Crossword

Puzzle on page 14

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Long-time

By DaviD WiLkening ContriButing Writer

REGION - The “sunshine” vitamin’s bright reputation as a long-standing panacea for various health issues has been further dimmed by a national ly recognized study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The results raised the question re inforced recently by other studies: Is vi tamin D overrated?

It was the first large, randomized study in the US, funded by the federal government. Researchers found that vitamin D pills taken with or without calcium had no effect on bone fracture rates. It also found the same results for people with osteoporosis and even those whose blood tests deemed them vitamin D deficient.

That was a major finding of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There remain var ious benefits from vitamin D, however.

No support for many vitamin D benefits

But the study results also found no support for other conclusions for a long list of purported benefits of vitamin D supplements. This was reported to be a

benefits of vitamin D facing more doubts

An editorial published with the re port urged millions of Americans taking vitamin D supplements to stop. Doctors also often check for vitamin D levels as part of routine blood tests.

“Providers should stop screening for 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels or rec ommending vitamin D supplements in order to prevent major diseases or ex tend life,” wrote Dr. Clifford Rosen, an editor at the New England Journal of Medicine and Steven R. Cummings, a research scientist at the California Pa cific Medical Center Research Institute.

The benefits of vitamin D have been a popular subject of medical ex perts for years. One major media outlet wrote as recently as 2008 that it wel comed warmer summer weather be cause more people will get their vitamin D from the sun, which could help “ward off a number of serious diseases.”

“Our skin uses the sun’s rays to make vitamin D. Without it, the body can’t absorb dietary calcium, so it steals calcium from bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures,” wrote the Harvard Women’s HealthWatch.

surprise not only for the study research ers but also for long-time advocates of the sunshine vitamin.

Noted benefit exceptions includ ed patients with conditions like celiac or Crohn’s Disease who need vitamin D supplements. Also, those who live in conditions where they are deprived of sunshine and may not eat enough foods routinely supplemented with vi tamin D.

The research shows that the study is taking a “strong stand” by “taking on vitamin sellers, testing labs and ad vocates who have claimed that taking vitamin D, often in large amounts, can cure or prevent a wide variety of ail ments and even help people live lon ger,” wrote medical reporter Gina Kola ta in The New York Times.

Study involved large group of healthy people

The new research was a study called VITAL. It involved 25,781 generally healthy participants―both men and women, aged 50 and over. They were assigned to take 2,000 international units of vitamin D daily or a placebo.

“Researchers have found that it’s active in many other issues outside of bone health, including its helping to control many other tissues and cells and controls many genes, including some associated with cancer, autoim mune disease and infection….“Hardly a month goes by without news about the risks of too little vitamin D or about a potential role in warding off diseases, including breast cancer, multiple scle rosis, and even schizophrenia,” said HealthWatch.

The site said, “evidence is so com pelling that some experts already rec ommend at least 800 to 1,000 IU of vi tamin D per day for adults.”

A recent study has cast doubt on some of the benefits of vitamin D, but it is still recommended for some older adults.

Dr. JoAnn Manson, the principal investigator for the VITAL study who heads the preventative health depart ment at Brigham, said other studies are underway to determine healthy amounts of vitamin D and other issues associated with its use.

She also recommends older adults with osteoporosis, prior fracture, or other bone health problems, as well as those unable to spend time outdoors or to have adequate vitamin D intake from food, should seriously consider a sup plement of at least 1000-2000 IU daily.

“Some older adults have restricted diets and low food intake,” said Manson. “They may also have a problem with absorption of some vitamins and min erals, which can be a problem not only for vitamin D but also for calcium, B12, and other micronutrients. People who are lactose intolerant and don’t eat dairy products or other foods fortified with vitamin D will also benefit from supple ments,” she explained. “Although we generally recommend that people try to obtain these nutrients from foods, many older adults may be unable to reach tar get vitamin D levels from foods alone, especially if they spend little time out doors, and will benefit from taking vita min D supplements.”

Regarding screening for vitamin D deficiency, it should not be done rou

tinely in the generally healthy popula tion, but those with bone health prob lems and those with low dietary intake of vitamin D and limited time outdoors, will benefit from the screening, Manson said.

During the pandemic, she generally recommends continued use of Vitamin D supplements of at least 1000-2000 IUs daily, “especially for older adults.”

Possible COVID benefit

“Some evidence suggests that vita min D may boost immune function and tamp down excess inflammation, both of which may be important to avoiding more severe illness from COVID-19,” Manson explained. “We and others are doing randomized clinical trials testing vitamin D in COVID.” She said there is so far no conclusive evidence available for its benefits for COVID. She said vita min D is safe at those levels and acts a form of insurance during the pandemic.

One recent report found that an es timated one billion people worldwide had vitamin D deficiencies. The Na tional Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends healthy adults take in 600 units a day. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, tuna, mackerel and milk. And also sunlight.

Medical experts suggest checking with a physician to determine wheth er you need supplements in addition to diet and exposure to the sun.

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