Fifty Plus Advocate Oct 2018

FREE | Published monthly

October 2018 | Vol. 44 | No. 10 | 24 pp.

fiftyplus advocate

Living your best life

Newton sports nutritionist offers practical advice page 10

PHOTO/ANDY WEIGL, WEIGL PHOTOGRAPHY

Nancy Clark MS RD

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Survey finds Medicare beneficiaries at risk from card-replacement scams

Con artists A don’t care how hard you worked.

By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts

They steal billions from Americans like you every year. We’re fighting back with the AARP Fraud Watch Network. It provides resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud so you can protect yourself and your family. Sign up to get watchdog alerts and stay up to date on con artists’ latest tricks. It’s free of charge for everyone – members, non-members and people of all ages. Because for over fifty years AARP has been committed to safeguarding Americans’ financial futures.

aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork

Watchdog Alerts Tips & Resources Free for Everyone

s a major federal government initiative is underway to issue new identification cards to the 1,289,320 Medicare beneficiaries in Massachusetts and nationwide, an AARP survey finds that a majority of those enrollees are at risk of being victimized by fraud schemes designed to Mike Festa capitalize on the card replacement program.

In response, AARP Massachusetts is participating in an education campaign to raise awareness among consumers about Medicare Card scams.

The year-long national effort to mail new ID cards to 58 million Medicare recipients began in May. The redesigned cards no longer contain enrollees’ Social Security numbers – a move designed to enhance security and help protect against identity theft. Instead, the new cards will feature a randomly assigned Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) made up of 11 letters and numbers. Not all beneficiaries will receive the new cards at the same time. Medicare has until April 2019 to deliver the new cards. The cards will automatically be mailed to all 58 million current beneficiaries and all new beneficiaries as they enroll. Current Medicare recipients do not need to do anything special to receive a new card.

Consumer advocates, including AARP, welcome the development but, ironically, the card replacement program has opened these new opportunities for con artists: • Scammers reportedly pose as Medicare representatives and contact beneficiaries to demand immediate payment via credit card of a processing fee for the

new card. No such fee exists.

• In other cases, the scammers falsely say that Medicare needs to “verify” a recipient’s Social Security number or other personal information before issuing the card. Medicare says it does not make such calls and does not initiate uninvited contact.

• Yet another version of the scam tells beneficiaries that they are due a refund on transactions with their old card, and asks them to provide bank account information for the processing of the alleged refund.

Results of the AARP survey, which polled Medicare enrollees age 65 and older, indicate a significant number of people could end up as victims of the scams. Among the key findings: • There is little public awareness: Three-quarters of those surveyed (76 percent) knew nothing or very little about Medicare’s plan to issue new identification cards.

• Six in 10 think they could face a fee: Although the redesigned ID cards are free, 60 percent of Medicare enrollees did not know or weren’t sure if they would be required to pay a fee.

• Half might not question a purported call from Medicare: When asked if beneficiaries could expect to receive a telephone call from Medicare asking them to verify their Social Security number, half (51 percent) said they weren’t sure.

If you get a scam call like this, simply hang up.

The AARP education campaign includes social media text and video postings, website content, and articles in recent editions of the AARP Bulletin.

AARP Massachusetts and other AARP state offices are distributing a handout that details the new card rollout and associated scams.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages. Consumers may sign up AARP page 4

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Marlborough retiree volunteers to enhance local watersheds

By Jane Keller Gordon Contributing Writer

Walk-In Urgent Care

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

Marlborough - Marlborough resident Paul Goldman’s latest volunteer project is a collaboration with metal fabrication students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School to create two monoculars and earhorns for the Assabet River Rail Trail.

For the project, titled “The Sights and Sounds of the Fort Meadow Reservoir,” will be completed in June 2019, when the devices will be sited on the trail near the reservoir.

This project is close to home for Goldman; he has lived near the reservoir since 1982.

Goldman, 68, who holds a Ph.D. in metallurgy, values his volunteer work. Many of his projects are an outgrowth of his scientific background combined with his passion for education.

“It’s always been a big driver for me,” he said.

Goldman grew up in Fairfield, Conn., one of four boys with a stay-at-home mom and dad who taught at the University of Bridgeport.

After high school, Goldman took classes at Bridgeport. and joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War. “My father was in WWII and got a Purple Heart. My mother had five brothers who served in WWII. Patriotism was still in their blood,” he said.

During basic training in Lackland, Texas, Goldman became a radio relay technician.

“I was lucky that I wasn’t sent to Vietnam. I was near skirmishes in Korea, but was never in danger,” said Goldman.

When he was honorably discharged after five years, he returned to Fairfield and obtained a factory job. During that time,

Paul Goldman and his “Trashy Fishbone Xylophone” sculpture made from two discarded bicycles

he met and married his wife Marsha.

Soon after, using the GI bill, Goldman resumed his education at the University of Connecticut. Eight years later, he had two children and a Ph.D. Goldman worked in research and development for several companies and retired at 65.

His volunteer life has always been busy and rewarding. When his kids were growing up, Goldman was involved with the Scouts.

He started volunteering at Assabet when his daughter attended the school in the 1990s.

In the late 1990s, Goldman joined OAR, now called OARS, a nonprofit focused on cleaning up the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord rivers. He has been a board member for the past 20 years.

Goldman has focused much of his effort on educating children

about water. He was part of an effort to create Water Wise Workshops, which, over the years, has educated many young students about watersheds, plants and animals, water testing, macro invertebrates, and photography.

Two years ago, combining his enthusiasm for Assabet and OARS, Goldman worked with high school students to create a sculpture made from two bicycles pulled from the Assabet River. The “Trashy Fishbone Xylophone” is located on the Assabet River Rail Trail, off Hudson’s Main Street.

Goldman is also an active member of the Fort Meadow Association and has launched an effort to maintain cleanliness of the causeway, which bisects a section of the reservoir.

He can also be found a local open mics, playing the guitar and harmonica, and performing songs that he composes.

Survey finds Medicare beneficiaries at risk from card-replacement scams AARP Continued from page 2

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for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver information about scams, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. The Fraud Watch Network website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive scam-tracking map,

fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Fraud Watch Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale.

Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

Mike Festa is the state director for AARP Massachusetts. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + October 2018 + fiftyplus advocate

october Inside this issue

Index of Services

A passion for art and education leads Whitman woman full circle

page

8 Singer-actress prescribes laughter for young patients

22

Departments Money Matters ..............19 Housing Options ...........20

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Publisher: David Bagdon Managing Editor: Bonnie Adams ext. 14 Creative Director: Tina Berthiaume

Serving the fifty-plus community since 1975 www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Attorneys, Elder Law Durbin & Veglia, Attorneys ......17

Medical Research Studies Harvard University ..................18

Financial Services Avidia Bank ............................13 Tailwind Wealth Management ..........................21

Mortgage Financing Helping Hands ......................22

Fitness YMCA of Central MA ..............13 Funeral Homes Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home..16 General Senior Services AARP of MA .............................2 Hearing Services Audiology Affiliates.................10 Home Care Services Care Solutions...........................7 Hospice & Primary Care Hope Health Hospice ...............6

Travel .............................12 Caregiving Tips ...............18

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Assisted Living/Rest Homes Oasis at Dodge Park .............14 Tatnuck Park at Worcester .......6 Goddard Homestead ................1

Housing Options Bigelow Village .........................6 Colony Retirement Homes .....23 Green Hill Towers ...................11 Illyrian Gardens .......................15 Sherwood Village, Natick...........24 Sitkowski Apartments..............8

Adult Day Care Adult Day Club at Dodge Park...12

page

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Hospitals Athol Hospital ............................3

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Oxygen Supplies Oxygen Shoppe .....................24 Political Candidates Katie Toomey, Registry of Deeds .................10 Real Estate Services Berman Property Solutions ....15 SellMomsHouse.com ..............9 Rehabilitation St. Mary Healthcare ................8 HealthSouth Rehabilitation ....21 Veterans Services VA Boston .............................16 Walk-In Medical Centers ReadyMed................................4

Diane Sabatini: ext. 12 Cindy Merchant: ext. 15 Mary Ellen Cyganiewicz: ext. 17

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

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.

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Northborough man advocates for organ transplant awareness as he himself awaits new kidney institutional carpenter at Clinton Hospital. In 1995 he began working for the Fitchburg public schools as a custodian/maintenance worker which led to him being offered a position as an Occupational Education Instructor at the former B.F. Brown School in Fitchburg. There, he worked with at- risk students in the alternative education program. When funding was cut for the program he went back into construction and carpentry for a number of years. In 2014 when he was no longer able to continue in this field due to health reasons he enrolled at Mount Wachusett Community College, earning his Energy Management Certificate, a field he hopes to one day return.

For his longtime life partner, Cindy Merchant, Robledo’s

Rene Robledo with Danny Ferrante, the grandson of his life partner, Cindy Merchant.

By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor

PHOTO/DAVID BAGDON

Northborough - Throughout his life, Rene Robledo has always been a man who found joy and meaning in his work.

But Robledo, 60, who lives in Northborough, has been beset by multiple health issues over the past few years and now has end stage renal disease. His situation is so critical that he is now on a list awaiting a new life saving kidney.

He began working in construction at age 15 working on jobs throughout high school and then while attending the University of Puerto Rico where he earned bachelor of art degrees in humanities and education.

Robledo moved to Fitchburg in 1990 and began work as an

Robledo page 7

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Northborough man advocates for organ transplant Robledo Continued from page 6

health is heartbreaking to watch.

Yet, at the same time, she is bolstered by his courage in the face of such a daunting illness and at the same time, his willingness to still offer compassion to others.

“He is very, very sick now,” she said. “He is also a very private and proud man. But he knows by sharing his story he can help spread the awareness about the importance of organ donation.

So even if he can’t be helped, maybe by sharing his story, someone else can be. He tells me every single day how lucky and how grateful he is” Like many in his family, Robledo developed diabetes and high blood pressure. Diagnosed with diabetes over 15 years ago, he no longer requires medications to control his condition; diet and weight loss (albeit from his illness) have negated the need. But the years of the disease’s impact on his body have taken its toll. Like many patients who have diabetes he has peripheral neuropathy, which is a disease that damages the peripheral nerves, can cause weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet but also other parts of the body. Over the past few years he has endured multiple hospitalizations in Boston and Worcester, including a toe amputation as his body has been ravaged by his illness. For the past three years he has been receiving dialysis three times a

...He knows by sharing his story he can help spread the awareness about the importance of organ donation.

blood type A or AB and someone with blood type B may donate to a person with B or AB. A person with blood type AB may only donate to an individual who has that same blood type.

“As I said, he absolutely hates to be the center of attention,” Merchant said of Robledo. “He would much rather be the one to donate a kidney – which he ab-

Cindy Merchant week for four hours at a time.

According to statistics compiled in 2016 by the National Kidney Foundation (www. kidney.org), there are nearly 122,000 people in the United States waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Of these, approximately 100,000 are awaiting kidney transplants. The median wait time for an individual’s first kidney transplant is 3.6 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility and availability of organs. The majority of transplants come from deceased donors. On average, the website cites, over 3,000 new patients are added to the kidney waiting list each month.; one is added every 14 minutes. Sadly, 13 people die each day while waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant.

Robledo is blood type O+.

Recently, it has been discovered that some donors with blood type A may donate to a blood type O recipient. Person with

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solutely would do if he could – than have to be the one to receive it. But if by sharing his story he can help bring attention to the need [for organ transplants] then he is grateful for that.”

Robledo’s transplant team is located at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. For more information contact BWH.donorscreen.org.

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A passion for art and education leads Whitman woman full circle

By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Many people throughout their careers change jobs at least several times. Cheryl Digaetano McPhee of Whitman has done not only that but has also changed her career path, earning degrees and certificates along the way. But now her first love, art, combined with her passion for education, has brought her full circle, as a teacher at the Edgar B. Davis School in Brockton.

McPhee first earned an associate’s degree at Dean Junior College in visual arts before going on to receiving a bachelor of arts degree in art history and studio art at Framingham State University.

She then decided to pursue an executive secretarial certificate program at Katherine Gibbs.

“It was a 10 week crash

learned the skills necessary to become a medical secretary, as she worked at New England Baptist Hospital and Boston IVF for 12 years.

During this period she also married her husband Bill, with whom she has three girls, twins Angela and Victoria, and Kimberly.

“I knew that we had to find a way to put the girls through school someday,” McPhee said, “so I decided to get my paralegal certification at Stonehill College.”

She finished the program as well as completing an internship but ultimately decided it was not what she wanted to do after all.

Throughout the years, art continued to play an important part of her life. She set up a small studio so she could make jewelry and took courses in advanced metal work.

“It was not just a hobby though,” she said. “While I was trying to figure out the next steps in my life, I treated it as a job.”

As a busy mom she also started substituting in the Whitman-Hanson school system, particularly enjoying time

Cheryl Digaetano McPhee

course,” she recalled. “It gave you a great experience in business.”

Using that base, she further

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working in the elementary classes.

“I was doing it so much that several people asked me if I had ever considered teaching, particularly as I already had a [bachelor’s] degree,” she said.

The idea intrigued her. So once again, she decided to enhance her own personal education.

“At age 49 I started studying for the MTEL Com and Literacy test,” she said. “And then on my 50th birthday I took the subject test!”

A month later she found out that had passed, earning her certification to teach art in Massachusetts.

In January 2012 she started substitute teaching in the Brockton school system, teaching kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Towards the end of the school year in 2013, she was offered a fulltime position.

“Other than getting married and having kids, it was one of the biggest thrills of my life,” she said. “At age 52, it was a wonderful opportunity! I l felt like I had arrived!”

In 2016, she received her master’s degree in secondary education from Endicott College.

“I did this online, it took a few years,” she noted. “”It wasn’t always easy but its proof it can be done!”

As a teacher at the school, McPhee works with children of many nationalities, some of whom who have had little to no McPhee page 9

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•9

A passion for art and education leads Whitman woman full circle McPhee Continued from page 8

art exposure.

“It’s so awesome to see a student learn about art and really start to understand it,” she said.

She does not just teach art, she emphasized, but rather links art across the entire curriculum.

In doing so, she said, she helps the students learn how art is

connected with the traditional subjects of math, English, history, and more.

“I teach them how art is has a relationship to everything they will learn in school,” she said.

“They learn about the elements such a color, shapes, space, value, textures, lines and form,” she added. “And

the seven principles of art – balance, proportion, emphasis, patterns, rhythm, harmony and contrast.”

McPhee is grateful for a life of different work and educational experiences, as well as motherhood, all of which she said helps her now as a teacher.

“If I did this 20 years ago, I would not be where I am now in

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Newton sports nutritionist offers practical advice to help you live your best life

By Jane Keller Gordon Assistant Editor

Newton - You don’t have to be a star athlete to benefit from the deep nutritional knowledge of sports dietitian Nancy Clark, a board certified specialist in sports dietetics. You just need to want to live a healthier life.

Clark’s primary goal is helping people find “peace” with food and fitness.

“The ‘e’ in eating is for enjoyment, not excess, and the ‘e’ in exercise is for enjoyment, not excruciating,” she said.

Clark has helped many collegiate, elite, and Olympic athletes improve their fitness and performance. She has published six books, blogs, speaks internationally, and has worked with the Bruins and Celtics and has been Team Nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox. Clark completed her undergraduate degree in nutri-

tion from Simmons College in Boston, her dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, and her graduate degree in nutrition with a focus on exercise physiology from Boston University. She has been honored with many awards from groups such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the New England chapter of American College of Sports Medicine and the American Society of Nutrition’s Media Award for her nutrition science writing.

She also had her photo and advice printed on the back of the Wheaties box for the company’s 2004 Olympic series.

But it’s not just high-level athletes who seek her advice.

She also works with many seniors who seek her out in her Newton Highlands office.

She describes them as: “Gung-ho folks who have retired and immediately start training for an Ironman Tri-

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athlon; People who say life is short.

Too many of my friends have cancer and heart disease and I don’t want to go there; The spare tire group who are unhappy with midlife body changes and undesired weight gain.”

While acknowledging that each person’s body is different, and no one diet or food plan fits every case, Clark offers this important nutrition tip for all seniors: protein pacing.

“Today’s buzz word is protein pacing, which means eat protein every four hours,” she explained. “For example, eat protein when you have breakfast at 7 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m., a snack at 3 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 or 7 p.m.”

“Fueling during the active part of the day and losing weight while you’re sleeping,” is important, she noted. “Have a good breakfast, lunch, and af-

ternoon snack, and eat less at dinner. The goal is to wake up ready for breakfast. That means you didn’t overeat the night before.”

“Lots of people think that oatmeal for breakfast, salad for lunch, a granola bar for a snack, and salmon for dinner is a good idea. It’s not! They need to divide that salmon into four portions of protein, and eat it evenly throughout the day.”

“A good breakfast has at least three or four kinds of food, like grain (cereal) to fuel your muscles, dairy (milk) that gives you calcium for bone-health, fruits and/or veggies for vitamins and minerals, and protein (nuts) to build and repair muscles,” she added.

Strengthening muscles — by lifting weights or doing push ups, for example — and eating protein before and after exercise is all about maintaining muscuClark page 11

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Newton sports nutritionist offers practical advice to help you live your best life “We either use it or lose it when it comes to muscle. We need to avoid becoming frail by giving our muscles the exercise and food it needs to stay strong.”

Clark Continued from page 10

lar strength, Clark said.

“We either use it or lose it when it comes to muscle. We need to avoid becoming frail by giving our muscles the exercise and food it needs to stay strong,” Clark said. “We’re either fueling up or refueling.”

Clark recommends active people enjoy a combination of carbohydrates (to build) and protein (to repair muscle).

“For example, fuel up with a small portion of cereal and milk before you work out, and refuel with egg and toast or Greek yogurt with granola after you work out,” she said.

She believes that many of the diseases of aging — type-2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis — can be avoided or minimized through regular exercise and weight management.

Clark encourages each

- Nancy Clark

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

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member of the over-50 crowd to, “… appreciate their body for all the wonderful things it does for you. It runs. It bikes.

It carries you back and forth to work. Maybe there’s a little bit more of you to love right now, but it’s never too late to start to improve your fitness and take good care of yourself.“ “My best advice to seniors is to fuel evenly throughout the day, do protein pacing, don’t go hungry to dinner — whether at home or at a restaurant — and stay active and stay strong.

Do push ups and sit-ups. Lift weights. Build activity into your lifestyle. Get a dog!” she said.

On her website’s blog, she also addresses many topics such as white flour, dairy, GMOs and “clean eating”.

To learn more about Clark visit her website at www.nancyclarkrd.com. To contact her call 617-795-1875 or email info@nancyclarkrd.com.

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12 •

fiftyplus advocate + October 2018 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

travel and entertainment

Cruises offer fun for every interest

By Victor Block Travel Writer

American Constellation - American Cruise Lines

C

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

ivil War buffs Tom and Elaine Preston wander through reconstructed forts where a major battle of that conflict was fought. Betsy and Andy Cross follow a guide slogging through a dense rainforest.

Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman enjoy an exciting Go-Kart track and exhilarating water slide.

As inviting as these disparate experiences are, they have something in common. All take place during cruises that appeal to people who are seeking something a bit different.

The Prestons are passengers on an American Cruise Lines boat sailing on the Mississippi River out of New Orleans. Along with the battlefield tour, they visit plantations and other sites along the way. On-board activities include informative lectures by historians and naturalists. The company offers river and coastal trips to 25 states. (800-460-4518 or americancruiselines.com) Betsy and Andy Cross are exploring a very different locale.

Their voyage aboard the Motor Yacht Tucano penetrates the vast Amazon rainforest which is home to some 15,000 species of wildlife. Launch rides and land hikes provide animal sightings and visits to isolated villages

along the shoreline. The boat offers comfortable accommodations for up to 18 passengers.

(800- 510-5999 or latinamericanescapes.com) The Norwegian Cruise Line ship that Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman chose exemplifies the expanding choice of activities available at sea. Passengers may zip around a Go-kart track at

speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

The Ocean Loop water slide propels thrill seekers through a series of twists and turns including a transparent section that extends over the side of the vessel.

(866-234-7350 or ncl.com) The choices are equally imaginative aboard some Royal Caribbean Cruises ships. If glowin-the dark laser tag and bumper

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cars don’t provide enough excitement, there’s the highest slide at sea and simulated sky diving.

(866- 562-7625 or royalcaribbean.com) The pace is much slower on sailings touted as “Cruising with a purpose.” Craft Cruises specializes in planning voyages for people who share a penchant for

Travel page 13

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + October 2018 + fiftyplus advocate

Cruises offer fun for every interest Travel Continued from page 12

knitting, crocheting and similar pastimes. Along with the usual cruise ship activities, they take classes from experts in their area of special interest. (877-9727238 or craftcruises.com) Learning opportunities aboard Maine windjammer boats focus upon nautical pursuits. Passengers may try their hand at steering, get instruction in navigation and participate in other sailing tasks. As they do, the graceful wind-powered tall ships sail along the picturesque coast of Maine. The 13 member vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association also offer special interest trips that focus upon themes ranging from whale watching and birding to chocolate and wine. (800-807-9463 or sailmainecoast.com) Mother Nature’s formations dwarf boats that ply the calm

Passengers learn about navigation on a Maine windjammer.

water, which include everything from rowboats and kayaks to fishing craft and bamboo vessels.

The ship that I called home for several days and nights, as part of a Myths and Mountains tour, replicated a traditional “junk,” yet provided very comfortable

accommodations and served sumptuous buffet meals. (800670-6984 or mythsandmountains.com) Do you have time to go to sea for weeks or even months? Can you make do without the fancy, upscale amenities of a modern

• 13

cruise ship? Are you happy as a member of a small group, rather than mingling with hundreds of other passengers?

If so, you may be a good candidate for freighter travel. A tiny percent of ocean-going vessels carry passengers along with cargo. They include container ships whose decks are laden with truck-size metal boxes, and general cargo carriers that transport an A (automotive parts) to Z (zucchini) alphabet of goods.

A good source of information and bookings is Maris, a freighter cruise specialist that operates a membership club which offers discounts on voyages and periodic newsletters. (800 - 9962747 or freightercruises.com).

Another helpful contact is Stride Travel. It includes listings of river and small ship cruises among thousands of packages offered by hundreds of tour companies. (Stridetravel.com)

adventurous energetic

positive 800-508-2265

14 •

fiftyplus advocate + October 2018 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Shrewsbury couple fosters community’s performing arts

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTO/ED KARVOSKI JR.

Shrewsbury – Communityminded couple Joanne and George Smith of Shrewsbury are focused on finding ways to foster the town’s performing arts programs. Their volunteer efforts for several years benefited the Shrewsbury public schools’ performing arts department. Now, they’re fulfilling various behindthe-scenes responsibilities with the Shrewsbury-based community theater group, Regatta Players.

When their son, Justin, entered freshman year at Shrewsbury High School (SHS) in 2010, they joined the Shrewsbury Schools Music/Theater Association (SSMA). The nonprofit organization raises funds to help support the district’s music and theater programs. George and Joanne were ultimately voted

Joanne and George Smith

president and vice president respectively. After Justin graduated from SHS in 2014, his parents continued serving as SSMA officers through 2016.

“It took two or three years of rebuilding SSMA until it be-

came desirable for a parent to be part of the organization,” George acknowledged. “We continued as officers until we felt comfortable that it could be handed over to others and then SSMA would be taken to the next level.”

Joanne added, “We not only enjoyed the work we were doing for SSMA, but also the people who we were doing the work with.”

In 2014, Joanne accepted an invitation from another active SSMA member to get involved with Regatta Players as assistant production manager for “Godspell.” When Regatta needed a production manager in 2015 for its production of “The Wedding Singer,” Joanne volunteered to fill the position. She has subsequently been production manager for Regatta’s “9 to 5: The Musical,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” “First Date,” “Evita,” “Shout” and “Young Frankenstein.”

“The production manager is a jack of all trades,” Joanne explained. “You need to coordinate all parts of the production and make sure that everybody communicates well together. I’m the Smiths page 15

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Shrewsbury couple fosters community’s performing arts Smiths Continued from page 14

‘go to’ person.”

In 2015, Joanne asked George if he’d build a shelf onto already-constructed platforms for “The Wedding Singer.”

George deemed the platforms were unsafe and needed steps.

“At that point, I rebuilt the entire set,” he relayed. “I loved the camaraderie with everybody pulling together for the common goal of the show. It was infectious.”

Since then, George has volunteered alongside Joanne on the Regatta production team.

He collaborates with each show’s director on set design and then helps build them. A director heard George singing “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of la Mancha” while building a set and encouraged him to audition for Regatta’s next musical.

In addition to set building

• 15

It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Rehearsing with people three or four nights a week for two to three months is like building a family with each show. It’s true community theater because we are a community.

Joanne Smith for “First Date” in 2016, George made his onstage debut portraying the show’s waiter. This past August, he returned onstage to play the singing Hermit in “Young Frankenstein” and also danced with the ensemble.

“I danced very poorly at our wedding and there I am onstage with a professional choreographer showing me how to do a pas de bourrée,” George shared.

“How wonderful is America that a guy like me can get onstage

with a bunch of great people and do a pas de bourrée?”

Joanne’s major challenge as production manager is accomplishing the most with a tight budget while producing largescale musicals. George managed to save expenses by attaching wheels onto set pieces formerly used as doors in “Shout” and recycle them as revolving walls for “Young Frankenstein.”

“Everybody pitches in and does whatever needs to be done

to make our productions successful,” George said.

“It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun,” Joanne noted. “Rehearsing with people three or four nights a week for two to three months is like building a family with each show. It’s true community theater because we are a community.”

Learn more about Regatta Players at regattaplayers.com and facebook.com/regattaplayerstheater.

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Character actor continues adding iconic roles to his resume J.T. Turner as Moonface Martin with Leigh Barrett as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” at Reagle Music Theatre

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTO/CYNTHIA AUGUST

J.T. Turner

career as a character actor.”

Turner moved to Boston to study theater at Emerson College. After graduating in 1981, he worked “a real job” in banking while performing with community theaters. Auditions and voice-over work in New York City prompted him to join the actors unions and pursue profes-

PHOTO/HERB PHILPOTT

Waltham – While J.T. Turner of Waltham performs voice-over work for films and television, he’s continuing to add credits to his resume for playing iconic musical-comedy roles at regional theaters. Concurrently, he’s entertaining and educating audiences with his portrayals of historical figures.

Performing onstage became Turner’s passion while attending high school in New Jersey. His first memorable role as a young actor is playing the money-hungry brothel owner Marcus Lycus in the musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

“I auditioned against the Student Council president and a very popular basketball player,” he relayed. “As a humble freshman, I got cast over both of them.

That’s really when I launched my

Actor page 17

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• 17

Character actor continues adding iconic roles to his resume Actor Continued from page 16

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fiftyplus

J.T. Turner as William Shakespeare

PHOTO/PAUL LYDEN

sional theater jobs.

“I decided that I’d never work in a cubicle again,” he declared. “From that point on, I became a fulltime actor. I also decided that there would be enough theater work for me in the Boston area.

The Boston theater community is incredibly close and supportive.”

Throughout Turner’s career, he has been cast to play some of his favorite musical-theater characters includ- J.T. Turner as Mr. Fezziwig in “A Christmas ing Alfred P. Doo- Carol” at North Shore Music Theatre little in Lyric Stage Company of BosThis past July, he got the ton’s multiple-award-winning chance to play a character that “My Fair Lady” in 2015. Underhad topped his “bucket list”: standing that it’s a familiar role Moonface Martin in “Anything in a classic show, he challenged Goes” at Reagle Music Theatre himself to create a unique porof Greater Boston in Waltham. trayal through his dancing, cho“It was a ton of fun playreographed by David Connolly, ing Moonface, an over-the-top and his overall performance, digangster character, constantly rected by Scott Edmiston plotting and finding himself in “I looked to some of my ridiculous situations,” he said. physical comedian heroes – spe“This is a great time to perform cifically, Charlie Chaplin and ‘Anything Goes’ because it’s pure Buster Keaton – and tried to entertainment and escapism for adapt their movements into the a couple hours.” dances I did, as well as my other A particular credit on movements onstage,” Turner exTurner’s resume has become a plained. “Playing Alfred in that steady gig. For his ninth year, production is among my favorite he’ll return to North Shore Muroles of all time.”

sic Theatre in Beverly as Mr. Fezziwig in “A Christmas Carol” from Dec. 7 to 23.

“Fezziwig, to me, embodies Christmas,” he said. “Doing this show is so much like coming home for the holidays. It’s such a great celebration for me to come back each year.”

In between doing musicals, Turner creates and performs solo shows in which he portrays

historical figures via The Actors Company at venues such as schools, libraries and historical societies. His first solo show many years ago was as Charles Dickens presenting a one-man version of “A Christmas Carol.”

He has since added Benjamin Franklin, Robert Frost, William Shakespeare and others.

“I love the connection with the audience during the solo shows,” he noted A stage-musical credit that he’s determined to add to his resume is the fast-talking, con man role written by a multitalented comedy legend.

“High on my bucket list now is the terrific character Max Bialystock in ‘The Producers’ by Mel Brooks – I admire his work,” Turner shared. “One of these days, I will play that role.”

For more information about J.T. Turner, visit jtturner. org.

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caregiving tips

Ten common mistakes people make when selecting a long term care facility for a loved one diagnosed with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease

By Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM

Part one of two. Part two will be in the November issue of the Fifty Plus Advocate.

W

hen families and seniors select a long term care community, it’s a momentous, life changing decision. You want to get it right the first time.

It can be such an intimidating choice that many families come down with “analysis paralysis” and indefinitely postpone a decision out of fear of making the wrong choice. Fortunately, the decision becomes easier as you expand your knowledge.

Here are five of the ten most common mistakes that families make during the process of selecting a senior community:

Caregiving Tips

1. Not being realistic about current or future needs It’s important to balance optimism with a dose of realism.

It can be such an intimidating choice that many families come down with ‘analysis paralysis’.

Be realistic about your needs as well as your loved one’s current and anticipated care needs. Ideally, you will choose a community that is equipped to provide care now, and in the future as your loved one ages. For example, if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, it may be prudent to choose a community where dedicated memory care is available, even if it’s not necessary at the moment. Moving a loved one from facility to facility is not only burdensome and costly on the long term financial planning for your family, it can also be emotionally and physically detrimental to the senior, particularly a loved one is affected with dementia, which makes adapting to changes especially difficult.

2. Judging the book by its cover People provide care, not facilities. Sometimes families assume a community is right for their loved one because it has

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lavish features, but later realize fancy furniture and beautiful landscaping are not telltale indicators of quality care. They often find that they need to move their loved one to another community, one that’s perhaps less shiny but more appropriate in terms of care or atmosphere. Quality of care is not something you can discern just by driving past a community to see how green the lawn is, or by poking your head in the lobby door to gauge the ambiance and whether or not it smells nice. Yes, comfort is important and some seniors appreciate a posh lifestyle, but try to look beyond the overstuffed pillows and other trappings of luxury to get a more balanced view of the communities that you are considering. Most importantly, check the facility’s reviews online and see what others have to say.

3. Choosing a community to match your tastes instead of your parent’s Often the adult child chooses the place that they like most instead of thinking about what their loved one likes. For example, such as choosing a place with new chandeliers and a wonderful heated pool but in reality, Mom’s house is homey and she never liked swimming. Obviously, we

encourage families to get their older loved ones as involved as possible in the decision making process, but if your loved one is too frail or too afflicted with memory loss to participate in this, carefully consider his or her personality and preferences rather than your own as you weigh the options.

4. Overplaying the importance of proximity Another mistake that families make is overemphasizing the importance of finding the closest community possible. Sometimes the adult child chooses the nearest community based on the intention of visiting their parent every day even though another facility 10 or 20 miles further away may be a much better fit.

Remember that your parent will be engaged in many activities at the community and that visiting every day is usually an unrealistic expectation to put on yourself.

5. Making a decision too quickly In the introduction we noted that some families become so overwhelmed with the choice that they need to make that they don’t make a decision at all. But sometimes families do the opposite. They are in such a rush to resolve a difficult crisis that they choose the very first open room they find in the very first facility they visit, which is probably even less effective than choosing randomly. While delaying necessary care is obviously dangerous, choosing too quickly is also problematic.

Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM CADDCT is the co-owner of The Oasis at Dodge Park, Dodge Park Residential Care and The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park located at 101 and 102 Randolph Road in Worcester. He has a master’s degree in health care management and is a graduate of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners program, as well as a well-known speaker covering Alzheimer’s and dementia training topics. He can be reached at 508-853-8180 or by e-mail at m.shalev@dodgepark.com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + October 2018 + fiftyplus advocate

money matters

• 19

Reverse mortgages – FEAR or F.E.A.R.?

By Alain Valles, CRMP, MBA, CSA Managing Director Helping Hands Community Partners, Inc.

F

EAR: (1) an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; (2) anxious concern; (3) reason for alarm.

OR F.E.A.R: “false evidence appearing real,” as the famous personal development coach Zig Ziglar would say.

Reverse Mortgage

What are your answers?

• How do you feel about your current or pending retirement?

• Do you or will you have sufficient monthly cash flow for your desired quality of life?

• Do you have access to funds for home repairs or improvements?

• Are you concerned by ever increasing real estate taxes and other living expenses?

• What about existing or future medical expenses?

• Will your living standards be hurt from loss of employment or spouse’s income?

• Do you have rainy day funds if a Plan B is needed?

If any of your answers cause a slight stomachache and you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, then you should take action to change FEAR to F.E.A.R. And to change from being frozen in place to fully understanding

available options to remain financially independent in your home.

For qualified seniors, a reverse mortgage may be the best answer to solving the above questions. But before taking action, you must get the facts. As managing director of Helping Hands Community Partners, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to educate people about senior housing options and, when appropriate, arrange reverse mortgages for qualified individuals.

What are the top reverse mortgage questions asked?

Before being able to decide if a reverse mortgage is right for you, you must know the answers to: • Do I qualify?

• How much money is available?

• What is the cost?

• What are my responsibilities?

• What happens if a spouse is under 62 years old?

• Do I have to take all the money upfront?

• May I sell my home without penalty?

• What are my children’s responsibilities at the end of the day?

• May I not use the money today and just have it available if ever needed?

• How long does the application process take?

• Does one qualify if they currently have a mortgage?

• Are there options if I’m behind on my taxes or have poor credit or lack of income?

• Where do I go to get unbiased information?

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Reverse mortgage page 20

“Tech company closings” (answers on page 20)

20 •

fiftyplus advocate + October 2018 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Avoiding the mark

By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D.

“

I

t is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” — J. K. Rowling

Bad things happen to good people. If we let the fear of bad things rule our lives we will never leave the house. So we live our lives, and when bad things do happen, we teach other people the lessons we learned so that they can avoid the school of hard knocks.

Consider Judy, who was a recent victim of crime at a local mall. When she realized her wallet, including several hundred dollars in cash was stolen, she moped and cried and cursed for an entire weekend.

The next Monday, however, she got busy. She called me and

Housing Options

asked me to write a column about her story so that others would not have to live through the same experience. And here is what she told me: “I was at the mall, just walking into one of the stores when a woman caught my eye. She approached me, looked me in the eye, paused, and then complimented me. I thought the interaction odd, but did not think about it again until I was done shopping and I realized my wallet was not in my bag.

“When I thought back, I remembered that the woman who approached me was near a man who must have come up behind me and taken my wallet while she had eye contact with me.

“Of course, I approached the police, but they don’t have much to go on. It occurred to me that if I shared my story, however, it might bring me closure.”

And so, here are Judy’s quick tips for crime prevention for the elderly: 1. Don’t carry cash. As a generation, we prefer cash, but only carry that which you

Reverse mortgages – FEAR or F.E.A.R.?

Reverse mortgage Continued from page 19

Take action today A great place to get information is the 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 National Council on Aging. Also, the free “25 Ways to Use a Reverse Mortgage” from the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association lists the many ways a

reverse mortgage can help with retirement.

Please give me a call or email with your questions and to receive your free copy of “Use Your Home to Stay at Home” and “25 Ways to Use a Reverse Mortgage.” We are available to explain Reverse Mortgage details by phone or happy to visit with you at your home. At no time will you ever feel any pressure to move forward. For us, it’s all about changing fear of the unknown to having the facts to live your best life possible.

Alain Valles is Managing Director of Helping Hands Community Partners, Inc. and was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England.

He obtained a master of science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Valles can be reached directly at 781-724-6221 or by email at av@hhcp.org. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www. fiftyplusadvocate.com.

expect to need that day. Use credit or debit cards when possible.

2. Don’t make eye contact.

Don’t make it easy for them to approach you in the first place.

3. Keep your eyes on your surroundings. Be aware of people all around you, where they are, and where the exits are.

4. Carry only what you need. If you are fumbling for your wallet, you make a good target. Keep your purse closed and close to you until you get to the register.

5. Make a list of what is in your wallet and keep it at home. If someone steals your wallet, you will have to quickly cancel many cards. Make sure you know what they are.

6. Make yourself invisible – don’t wear jewelry or other carry fancy bags. If nothing about you seems worth stealing, they will look for a better target.

7. Involve the police. They may not crack your case, but with your information they might find a pattern and be able to prevent more crimes down the road.

8. Don’t let yourself be victimized after the fact. The police and your family will ask you a lot of questions, some of which may sound like they are blaming you. “Why were you out after dark?” “Why did you talk to that person?” Don’t let them make you think this is your fault. You did not invite this in.

Luckily, Judy is an optimist.

She realized Nietzsche was right, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Judy decided that turning the theft into a lesson for others meant she was no longer the victim, she is now the hero of her own story.

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.colonyretirementhomes. com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www. fiftyplusadvocate.com

fiftyplus advocate

Do you believe, as we do, that those of us over 50 are vibrant, engaged, and talented, and deserves to be showcased?

Are you looking for flexible part-time income?

Do you have an interest in writing?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then we should talk.

The Fifty Plus Advocate (est. 1974) is the state’s largest circulation newspaper for people age 50 and over.

We believe that this age group is vibrant, engaged, and talented, and deserves to be showcased.

We are looking for freelancers to join our team covering things such as: • Human interest stories • Legislative issues • Arts and Entertainment • Second stage of careers This is your chance to share your passion in print, on our website and on social media!

If interested, contact Managing Editor Bonnie Adams at 508-366-5500, ext. 14 or news@communityadvocate.com.

Answers to Super Crossword (puzzle on page 19)

What would you eat if….?

By Janice Lindsay

I

once conducted a Lindsay Food Preference E-Mail Survey. After answering the onequestion survey, one participant wrote, “I can hear my arteries clogging and I’m getting very hungry.”

The survey question was: “What foods would you eat if you base your choice only on how much you enjoy eating them?”

In other words, assume, for a moment, the following. All foods are equally nutritious. You can live healthfully on any foods you choose. No food has negative health consequences.

All food is equally available and affordable. All is equally easy to prepare.

In other words, your only criterion is that you like to eat it.

Answers immediately come to mind. We all know the foods we love and would like to eat all the time even if they’re not good for us and/or we can’t afford them.

The tested population was scientifically defined as “people who know Janice Lindsay.”

Answers came from 48 individuals. For most, the survey triggered extravagant fantasies of foods craved but denied, usually for health reasons, occasionally because of expense. Participation left some respondents complaining of excess salivation. One begged me not to share her answers with her

Inklings

I N V E S T M E N T

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + October 2018 + fiftyplus advocate

We all know the foods we love and would like to eat all the time even if they’re not good for us and/or we can’t afford them. doctor.

The most frequently mentioned foods (55) fell into the fruits and vegetables category, which sounds quite wholesome except that 35 percent of those mentions were potatoes in the form of potato chips; mashed potatoes with cream, butter, of gravy; baked potatoes with sour cream and/or butter; and French fries.

Tomatoes, fresh and in sauce, were the second most popular in this category. Others receiving more than one mention were mushrooms, blueberries, avocadoes, apples, and oranges. Carrots received two mentions, but one appeared in conjunction with “cake.”

Grain products — pastas and breads — were the next-most mentioned, with 35 references, 22 for bread and rolls, 13 for pasta.

Only one person craved whole grains. The most popular “bread” was muffins. As for pasta, one person wrote, “Not the whole wheat kind that I’ve convinced myself I like.”

The third-most mentioned category was cheese (25): plain cheese, macaroni and cheese, cheese steaks, blue cheese dressing, cheesecake, cheese Danish, and cream cheese.

Fourth was chocolate (25),

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alone or in ice cream, cookies, sauce, cake, and pastries.

Fifth: beef (22) including nine for cheese steaks and six for filet mignon.

Some people sent comments: “I would never, ever eat a salad again.”

“I would never eat chicken again! [I’d eat] blue cheese dressing on just about anything (except chicken).”

“Everything Italian.”

“I’d start with any trash that I see lying around the house.” “[A friend of mine] says anyone who claims to not like bacon is lying.”

“I might eat a salad once a month. Okay, I admit it — I re-

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ally don’t want to eat spinach, kale, chard, and all that [stuff ].”

A very few respondents craved foods generally considered healthful: home-made vegetable soup, stir-fried tofu, the Mediterranean diet, oatmeal.

One intrepid soul wrote, “I don’t avoid any foods I don’t like because of health reasons, nor do I eat foods I don’t like because of health reasons.”

But the following respondent was more representative: “I would eat anything that tastes like fast food and/or anything that has butter on it…I once had a neighbor who put butter on brownies.

I myself have never tried it but in my best moments of gastronomical daydreaming I must confess that I can truly appreciate its merit. I would understand if you are too shocked [by these confessions] to want to continue with our relationship. But before you leave, would you please pass the butter?”

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fiftyplus advocate + October 2018 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Singer-actress aka Dr. Dazzle prescribes laughter for young patients Meryl Galaid as Dr. Dazzle

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By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

Burlington – Meryl Galaid of Burlington drew upon her experience gained as a cabaret singer and musical-theater actress while developing a character she frequently performs for a special audience. She entertains young patients and their families as Dr. Dazzle, a clown with the Laughter League at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Whether working onstage or in a child’s hospital room, she approaches her job with the same mission.

“It’s the love of performing and sharing it with others that gives me joy,” she said.

From the late-1970s through early-‘80s, Galaid worked the Boston-area piano bar circuit.

Those gigs led to her one-woman cabaret act featuring Broadway show tunes with tributes to Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. She has presented the show along the East Coast from the Sands Ca-

Meryl Galaid

sino Hotel in Atlantic City., N.J., to numerous venues throughout New England.

In recent years, Galaid has been performing musicals at regional theaters including Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston in Waltham, and Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University. She’s typically cast to play comedic roles.

“I love being onstage with other performers, so that’s where I’m putting my energy now,” she noted. “I’ve always loved being funny without upstaging my fellow actors. There’s a balance to approaching an ensemble production.”

In 2007, Galaid discovered Actress page 23

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + October 2018 + fiftyplus advocate

Singer-actress aka Dr. Dazzle prescribes laughter for young patients Actress Continued from page 19

e!

ic serv

a week. The program operates five days weekly. Each clown is paired with a partner when making the rounds.

“We do a lot of improvisation with each other,” Galaid explained. “There’s an incredible change of energy when we walk into a child’s room. Then it’s the most delightful sound to hear their laughter continuing as we leave. Being a part of this hospital clowning world has been a gift to my life in the past 12 years.”

Galaid and her clown colleagues are preparing for the first fundraiser to benefit and increase awareness for the Laughter League at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Laughter League Live” will be presented Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., at the Virginia Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion at Boston Center for the Arts. For more information, visit laughterleague.org

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how she could use her knack for comedic antics as therapeutic humor. She auditioned and got hired to entertain as a clown at Boston Children’s Hospital.

First, she underwent training in hospital protocol including hygiene, confidentiality, sensitivity and child development.

“The combination of performance and children appeals to me,” she said. “I volunteered at age 16 as a candy-striper at Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, so I’ve always felt comfortable being in a hospital.”

Having spent much of her cabaret career costumed in sequin outfits, Galaid named her clown character Dr. Dazzle. She accompanies herself and other clowns with her ukulele. Dr. Dazzle’s repertoire includes a longtime highlight of Galaid’s cabaret act: a particular Judy Garland classic song.

gnant time, I sang it to a mommy holding her fairly newborn baby. The mom got emotional and started to cry. Now when I’m singing that song in the cabaret world, it has a new meaning for me.

I think of the power of clown work at the hospital, and connecting with this mom and her baby. I’m invited into children’s hospital rooms where parents are living the worst days of their lives.”

The Laughter League at Boston Children’s Hospital curMeryl Galaid backstage at Wheelock rently consists of nine Family Theatre while performing in clowns with various “Beauty and the Beast” earlier this year types of performance backgrounds. When“I’ve sung ‘Somewhere Over ever Galaid’s cabaret the Rainbow’ for over 30 years and theater schedule allows time, and started singing it at the hosshe reports to work as Dr. Dazzle pital,” she relayed. “One very poian average of two or three days

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Rent is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Rent includes all utilities except phone and cable TV. Colony Re tiRe m e nt Hom e s iii : Congregate Housing 101 Chadwick Street, Worcester (508) 755-0444

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• 23

Colony Re tiRe m e nt Hom e s inC. i 485 Grove Street, Worcester (508) 852-5285

www.colonyretirementhomes.com

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