2014-15 Senior Resource Directory

2014-2015

S enior r eSource g uiDe A publication of the

Cottage Grove Sentinel October 29, 2014

SOUTH LANE COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE The Only Emergency Medical Transport Service in South Lane County

Community Public Education: • CPR/AED • Heart Attack Recognition • Fall Prevention • Stroke Prevention • Fire Prevention • Fire Extinguishers • Fire-Med Membership Call 541-942-4493 for info.

FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911 Serving South Lane County.

www.southlanefire.org

Top Notch Care!

Our goal is optimal recovery, which means that we help our residents achieve the highest level of function possible. We strive to duplicate as many real life experiences as possible, allowing you to practice and prepare for the move back home.

Creswell

Coast Fork

735 S. 2nd St. Creswell, Oregon 97426

515 Grant Ave. Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424

Health and Rehabilitation Center Ph:

(541) 895-3333

Rehabilitation Palliative Care

Nursing Center Ph:

(541) 942-5528

Nursing Care Respite Care

www.PrestigeCare.com

2014-2015

S enior r eSource g uiDe TABLE OF CONTENTS

SMITH-LUND-MILLS ............................................................ PAGE 13 COAST FORK NURSING .......................................................... PAGE 2 AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALTIES ..................................................... PAGE 3 PRIME MED MEDICAL CLINIC ............................................. PAGE 21 PEACEHEALTH COTTAGE GROVE COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION .......................................................................... PAGE 6 MIDDLEFIELD OAKS SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY......... PAGE 6 & 19 MIDDLEFIELD GOLF COURSE ............................................... PAGE 15 SOUTH LANE WHEELS ......................................................... PAGE 20 LEAHY, VAN VACTOR, COX & MELENDY ............................ PAGE 14 SOUTH LANE FIRE & RESCUE................................................ PAGE 2 PEACEHEALTH COTTAGE GROVE COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER .............................................................................................. PAGE 7 GRANTS HEARING CENTER .................................................. PAGE 10 OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE............................... PAGE 17 OREGON SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFIT ASSISTANCE ..PAGE 11 CRESCENT PARK SENIOR LIVING ......................................... PAGE 24 COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL ................................................. PAGE 6

Cottage Grove Sentinel 2014-15 Senior Resource Guide is a special publication of the Cottage Grove Sentinel P.O. Box 35 • Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541) 942-3325 • FAX (541) 942-3328 Published October 29. 2014 Jessica Baker – Publisher Jon Stinnett – Editor Matthew Hollander - Reporter Gary Manly – Advertising Manager Robin Reiser – Sales Representative Carla Williams – Office Manager Ron Annis – Composition Manager Contributor to the Senior Resource Directory - Sally Foster

Senior Services Phone Directory

Automotive Service Automotive Specialties .............................541-942-8022 Community Services Community Sharing ..................................541-942-2176 Education Osher Lifelong Learning Institute..............541-346-0697 ...................................................................800-824-2714 975 High St., STE 110, Eugene, OR 97401 Financial Services Commonwealth Financial..........................541-942-7300 Fire & Ambulance Service South Lane County Fire & Rescue, FireMed ..............................Office 541-942-4493 Emergency 911 Funeral Home, Crematory, Cemetery Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Fir Grove Cemetery ...................................................541-942-0185 Golf Middlefield Golf Course........................... 541-942-8730 91 Village Drive, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Hearing Grant’s Hearing Center............................. 541-942-8444 1498 E. Main, STE 108, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Home Health & Hospice Sacred Heart Hospice................................ 541-461-7550 Hospital Foundation PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Medical Center Foundation .................................................................. 541-767-5461 Insurance Medicare (general).................................... 800-633-4227 Oregon Health Plan................................... 800-359-9517 Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefit Assistance (SHIBA) Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation 250 S. 32nd St, Springfield, OR 97477......541-736-4421 Law Enforcement Cottage Grove Police Department............ 541-942-9145 Creswell Police Department .....................541-682-4150 Legal Services Lane County ..............................................800-575-9283

Senior Services Phone Directory

Leahy, Van Vactor, Cox & Melendy, LLP 188 West B St, Bldg N., Springfield, OR 97477 ..................................................................541-746-9621 Meals On Wheels Cottage Grove & Creswell ........................541-682-4038 Medical PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center 1515 Village Drive, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 ...................................................................541-767-5500 Prime+Med Medical Clinic ......................541-942-7000 Mental Health South Lane Mental Health ........................541-942-2850 Senior Center Cottage Grove Senior Center ....................541-942-8751 Senior Connections Cottage Grove ...........................................541-682-7800 Creswell Villa ............................................541-895-2338 Senior & Disabled Services Cottage Grove Office................................ 541-682-7800 Senior Meals Dining Centers Cresview Villa........................................... 541-895-2338 Riverview Terrace .....................................541-942-9261 Senior Living Consultants Social Security Administration .................800-772-1213 Tax Aid (AARP) .......................................888-687-2277 Transportation South Lane Wheels....................................541-942-0456

veterAnS ServiceS Eugene ............................................................................

541-465-6918 Caring ........................................................................ for your health in your community.

Roseburg Services Include: 800-549-8387 (Ext. 44) - Primary Care Portland ...........................................................................

- Laboratory 800-949-1004 (ext. 5) - Physical Therapy - Imaging - Home Health - Emergency Department

1515 Village Drive | Cottage Grove541-942-0511

Leave your legacy in your community.

By including Cottage Grove Community Hospital in your Estate Planning, you can make a difference today in your community.

Call us to ask how.

1515Village VillageDrive Drive| |Cottage CottageGrove Grove541-942-6600 1515 | 541-767-5460

Matthew A. Parsons Financial Advisor 525 N. 9TH STREET, COTTAGE GROVE, OR 97424 PHONE: 541.942.7300 • FAX: 541.942.0707

MATT@COMMONWEALTHOREGON.COM WWW.COMMONWEALTHOREGON.COM

SECURITIES AND ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK ,® MEMBER FINRA/SIPC, A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER.

Live in Affordable Luxury!

Assisted Living and Memory Care Apartments

Our beautiful community is designed for those who need assistance or have memory impairments. You can be assured that you or your loved one will receive the best in care along with compassionate personal attention from our well trained staff.

Call or stop by for more information and a personal tour!

We are available 7 days a week!

1500 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 T 541-767-0080 • www.MiddlefieldOaks.com

cottage grove Senior center The Cottage Grove Senior Center is located at 700 Gibbs Avenue in the Cottage Grove Community Center Building. Hours are 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The Center welcomes adults 55 and older. The facility is manned by senior volunteers which are always needed and appreciated.

The Senior Center has a kitchen, snack area, and quilting room.

There are areas for visiting and a small library of books and videos for members to borrow.

On a weekly basis, members have the opportunity to play pinochle, quilt, attend painting and sewing/craft classes, and play Bingo.

Offered monthly is pot luck, scheduled bus trips, and Bunco. Foot Care and Senior Law are also available. For more information, please phone 541-942-8751.

The purpose of the Cottage Grove Senior Center is to provide an environment which encourages and enables seniors to make new friends and share interests with others. Classes and programs are offered with the intent to stimulate and challenge seniors, promote good mental and physical health, and give a sense of enthusiasm and well-being.

The “Welcome Mat” is always out and the Coffee Pot’s on!

Cottage Grove We’re Here For You! Your community hospital provides 24-Hour Emergency Care, In-patient Medical Care, Primary Care Clinic, Weekend Clinic, Walk-in Clinic, Digital Radiology, Lab Tests, and Outpatient Physical Therapy.

1515 Village Drive  Cottage Grove, OR 97424

541-942-0511  www.peacehealth.org/cgch

The Adventure Awaits

Some say retirement has its advantages and that can be said of Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove is filled with great opportunities to make the best of retired life. Before retirement, life can be busy and hectic, especially today, compared to the times our parents told us about. You can find many opportunities to help you enjoy your retirement and almost all of them are free and within a short walking distance, bike or car ride away.

Even better right? Let’s see what’s in store for our retirees.

Tour the Covered Bridges Centennial Bridge

This bridge was constructed in 1997 by volunteer labor to celebrate Cottage Grove’s centennial. It rests on abutments of the old Main Street Bridge, which stood until the 1950’s.

Swinging Bridge

Located a half-mile upstream from Centennial Bridge, Swinging Bridge was built for foot and bicycle traffic and was mostly used by children crossing the Coast Fork to get to school.

Chambers Railroad Bridge

Built in 1925 by lumberman J.H. Chambers to cross the Coast Fork of the Willamette River from his sawmill to the timberlands west of town, this is the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi River.

Unfortunately it was in use for just seven years before the sawmill burned down.

Mosby Creek Bridge

Constructed in 1920 and restored in 1990, this is the oldest bridge in Lane County. Its one lane remains open to traffic today.

Stewart Bridge

Constructed in 1930 and restored in 1996, this structure has semi-circular portal arches, ribbon openings at the eaves, and decorative S-curve brackets. The deep water below the bridge is considered one of the best swimming holes in the county.

Dorena Bridge

Constructed in 1949 and restored in 1996, this bridge was built after the construction of Dorena Dam on the Row River, forming the present day lake. The Dorena Bridge once tied the roads on the north and south sides of the lake. Closed to traffic, the bridge is a popular wedding site.

Currin Bridge

Constructed in 1925 and restored in 1995, this bridge features white portals and red sides. Currin Bridge replaced an earlier covered bridge built in 1883 by a prominent local bridge builder, Nels Roney.

How about a game of Golf ?

Hidden Valley Golf Course 775 N. River Road, Cottage Grove Phone: (541)942-3046 playhiddenvalleygolf.com Located at the foot of Mount David, Hidden Valley Golf course is home to gigantic old oak trees and bounded by Bennett Creek and coastal Willamette rivers. The course is charming, peaceful and secluded, but with two par fives in the first four holes, it’s also a challenge. It is also known for its exceptional value with the following green fees: Everyday after 4 p.m.: $10 for 9 holes, $15 for 18. Weekdays before 4: $12 for 9 and $17 for 18. Weekends before 4: $14 for 9 and $20 for 18.

Middlefield Golf Course 91 Village Drive, Cottage Grove Phone: (541) 942-8730 www.middlefieldgolf.com

Middlefield greets visitors to Cottage Grove coming from the north as it sits on both sides of Interstate 5 just north of Exit 174. A par-67 course, it totals 5,000 yards. The course has a lone par-5 hole, No. 15, which is a 492-yard dog leg. Call the course for more information.

The prices are: After 1 p.m. Mon-Fri: $20 for 18, $12 for 9 holes.

Weekdays before 1: $25 for 18, $16 for 9, Weekends before 1: $28 for 18, $18 for 9. Senior rate (Mon.-Fri.): $20 for 18, $14 for 9.

Annual memberships and punch cards are available.

Emerald Valley Golf Club 83301 Dale Kuni Road, Creswell Phone: 541-895-2174 www.emeraldvalleygolfandresort.com Emerald Valley is located about 10 miles north of Cottage Grove. A championship-length course measured at 7,148 total yards, it plays to a par 72 for men and par 73 for women. The 14th hole, a 438-yard par 4, is Emerald Valley’s toughest.

Greens fees Monday through Thursday cost $45 for 18 holes. On weekends, Friday through Sunday, 18 holes cost $50. Seniors and students are eligible for a $5 discount: $40 on Monday-Thursday and $45 Friday-Sunday. Emerald Valley offers various memberships, as well as a summer program for junior golfers.

Great fishing opportunities.

South Lane County offers the water enthusiast several unique opportunities for fishing, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, boating and more. Two popular lakes and a number of streams are located minutes from Cottage Grove.

Dorena Lake is located in rolling, partially wooded hill country about six miles east of Cottage Grove. The lake is five miles long and covers 1,900 acres when full. Dorena Lake has four parks, including Baker Bay Park, operated by Lane County, and Harms, Bake Stewart and Schwarz parks, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Cottage Grove Lake, on the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, is about five miles south of Cottage Grove. The lake is three miles long and covers an area of 1,158 acres when full. The Army Corps of Engineers manages five parks around the lake. For information call 541-942-5631.

More To Do in Cottage Grove

Bowling The Cottage Bowl 541-767-BOWL (2695), at 740 Row River Rd, features an Arcade, 12 Synthetic Lanes, Bumper Bowling, Restaurant, full service pro shop, Oregon lottery, birthday parties, discount days and Leagues. Call for hours.

Swimming Warren H. Daugherty Aquatic Center 1440 S. Eighth St.

Phone: 541-942-5533. Year-round indoor swimming pool at the old high school. Depth ranges from 3 to 10 feet and features include two one-meter diving boards. The pool offers times for open swims, family swims, lap swims and summer classes, as well as a swim team and water polo. Call for available times and fees.

Tennis Coiner Park Tennis Courts Phone: 541-942-3349

Keys for accessing the courts on the east side of the park are available through the city Public Works department at City Hall. Keyholders must be at least age 14.

Trap/skeet shooting

Cottage Grove/Eugene Sportsmen’s Club 81078 Pacific Highway, between Cottage Grove and Creswell Phone: 541-942-2021. Shoot trap, skeet targets or the new five-stand sporting clay. See website for prices: www.cottagegroveeugenesportsmensclub.com.

Cottage Grove Senior Center Activities Schedule MONDAY Bingo 12:45pm

TUESDAY Woodcarving & Painting 10am Bunko (1st Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm) Charity Quilting (1st & 3rd Tuesday at 10am) WEDNESDAY Sewing and Handwork 1-4pm Pinochle 1-4pm THURSDAY OPEN - no activites currently scheduled FRIDAY Sewing and Handwork 1-4pm Pinochle 1-4pm Senior Law (2nd Friday of the month 10am-12pm) Call us at the Cottage Grove Senior Center if you have any questions or would like to start or have a new activity at 541-942-8751.

HEAR CLEARLY! Today’s hearing aids are barely visible, highly effective and easy to afford.

Come hear for yourself with a FREE 30-day trial!

Celebrating 20 years of providing the best customer service in the business.

Grant Gording, BC-HIS Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences

FREE Hearing Screenings FREE Hearing Aid Checks & Cleanings Just call to schedule an appointment!

Grant's Hearing Centers www.grantshearing.com

Cottage Grove 1498 E. Main Street

541-942-8444

Cooking for one or two Seniors face many changes as they move into their golden years.

Downsizing living spaces and vehicles is common, as is implementing certain changes to improve quality of life. Many seniors also scale back in the kitchen, where some must make changes because of medical conditions. While it seems like reducing food portions would be easy, those used to prepping meals for a large family may find it difficult. The following tips can make meal preparation efficient and cost-effective.

• Divide and store. Supermarkets are increasingly offering larger packages of food products as well as “family size” offerings to compete with warehouse clubs. Buying in bulk can help individuals save money, but it may not always be practical for people living alone or with just a spouse. If you must buy in bulk, invest in a food vacuum sealer or freezer storage bags. Immediately separate meats and poultry into smaller portions before storing them in the freezer. Otherwise, look for bulk items that are individually wrapped to maintain freshness. Many canned and jarred items can be covered and stored in the refrigerator after containers are opened.

• Plan meals with similar ingredients. To reduce food waste, use leftovers to create casseroles or mix them in with new meals. Broiled or grilled chicken can be used to make soups, stir-fry dishes, fajitas, and sandwiches. The fewer ingredients you have to buy, the smaller the risk of spoilage.

• Cut recipes in half. Recipes can be cut down depending on how many mouths need to be fed. When baking, cutting back on proportions of ingredients can be challenging. Search online for recipe-scaling programs that can make the work easier.

• Cook on the weekend. Use a weekend day to prepare food and package it into small containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Then the containers can be taken out as needed and heated quickly in the microwave for fast meals.

• Organize a meal-sharing club. Get together with a few friends who also have empty nests and split cooking duties. If you’re accustomed to cooking larger portion sizes, do so and then spread the wealth with others in the group. Then sit back and relax when it is your opportunity to have meals delivered to you.

Keep Medicare Working for you Mistakes? Waste? Abuse of the system?

Tell Someone! • 541-736-4421

Free assistance through the Senior Medicare Patrol.

Report Medicare Fraud

Hospice of Sacred Heart Supporting dignity and quality-of-life choices.

There may come a time for some patients when doctors recommend comfort care only. At these times, families are often at a loss for words. It may seem that nothing can be done for their loved one. In fact, much can still be done: • to keep him or her comfortable and free of pain • to help loved ones say good-bye in a memorable and meaningful way • to express love and gratitude for the life of this person While the medical staff keeps the patient comfortable and free of pain, the staff of Spiritual Care can help families find peace and create a meaningful way to say goodbye.

The following programs are designed to support the needs of dying patients and their families with compassion and respect for their individual dignity and worth. the compassion room is a designated room within Cottage Grove Community Medical Center that offer patients and their families an alternative to in-home hospice care.

Hospice of Sacred Heart is a home-based program that addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the dying person and his or her family. palliative care addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the dying person and his or her family while the person is a patient at Sacred Heart Medical Center. no one dies Alone is a volunteer program at Sacred Heart that provides the reassuring presence of a volunteer companion to dying patients who would otherwise be alone. continuation Quilts are handmade by volunteers. They are given to hospital patients at the point when the focus of care transitions from trying to cure the patient to trying to provide comfort through his or her final hours. the Handprint project helps families of hospital patients come to terms with a sudden, unexpected death by providing a handprint and other mementoes from the patient.

Grief Support is available from the staff of Pastoral Care, Medical Social Work, and Hospice and from support groups for adults and children.

Spiritual Care has chaplains to assist patients at all stages of life who are dealing with emotional and spiritual issues. Article submitted by Hospice of Sacred Heart.

Volunteer Opportunities

Today’s retirees recognize that an active retirement tends to be more rewarding than simply sitting around the house, and that attitude is reflected in the vast number of retirees who volunteer with various nonprofit organizations and other programs across the globe. The following are a handful of volunteering opportunities for those retirees who want to give back and make the most of their retirements.

These local organizations are looking for volunteers and could use your help.

Bohemia Gold Mining Museum.................................541-942-5022 Community Sharing....................................................541-942-2176 Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center..............................................................541-942-2411 Cottage Grove Community Hospital Hospice............541-942-0511 Cottage Grove Genealogical Society

Jane Meyers .................................................541-942-9570

Phyllis Pruitt..................................................541-942-3068

Library...........................................................541-942-9570 Cottage Grove Historical Society................................541-942-2176 Cottage Grove Public Library.....................................541-942-3828 Cottage Grove Senior Center......................................541-942-8751 Habitat for Humanity Cottage Grove affiliate............541-767-0358 Humane Society of Cottage Grove.............................541-942-3130 Meals on Wheels Program..........................................541-942-9261 South Lane School District.........................................541-942-3381 South Lane Wheels.....................................................541-942-0456 This & That Corner Humane Society Thrift Shop......541-942-3130

D D D D

Funeral & Memorial Planning Cremation Options Monuments & Memorials Cemetery Services 123 South 7th Cottage Grove, Oregon 541-942-0185 www.smithlundmills.com

Kay Hyde-Patton 188 West B Street, Bldg. N Springfield, OR 97477-4500 (541) 746-9621 FAX (541) 746-4109 khp@emeraldlaw.com www.emeraldlaw.com

Senior Living & Care Facilities

Assisted Living Communities Magnolia Gardens.......................................... 541-942-0054 1425 Daugherty Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Middlefield Oaks Senior Living Community ....................................................................... 541-767-0080 1500 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT CommunitY Crescent Park Senior Living ......................... 541-359-1218 2951 Coburg Rd, Eugene, OR 97401 Memory Care Magnolia Gardens...................................

541-942-0054 1425 Daugherty Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Middlefield Oaks Senior Living Community ....................................................................... 541-767-0080 1500 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Nursing Facilities Long Term Care Coast Fork Nursing Center........................... 541-942-5528 515 Grant Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Rehabilitation Center Creswell Health & Rehabilitation Center ................................................................ 541-895-3333 735 S Second St., Creswell, OR 97426 Retirement Housing Jefferson Park Apartments....................

541-942-4808 325 South 5th Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Riverstone Mobile Home Park..........

541-942-4147 7750 South 6th St., Cottage Grove, OR 97424

Your 18-hole publicly owned golf course Tournaments • Tee Times • Leagues • Special Rates

91 Village Drive

Phone: (541) 942-8730

www.middlefieldgolf.com

Managing money after 50 Investors know that money management can be difficult. The ebb and flow of the economy can be similar to a roller coaster, with soaring highs followed by steep drops, and those changes all affect investors’ bottom lines. It’s no wonder then that many investors over 50 envision the day when they can get off that roller coaster and simply enjoy their money without having to worry about the everyday ups and downs of the market. But managing money after 50 is about more than just reducing risk.

Reducing risk as retirement draws near is a sound financial strategy that can safeguard men and women over 50 from the fluctuations of the market That’s true whether investors put their money in stocks, real estate or other areas that were not immune to the ups and downs of the economy. But there are additional steps men and women can take after they turn 50 to ensure their golden years are as enjoyable and financially sound as possible.

• Prioritize saving for retirement. Men and women over 50 know that retirement is right around the corner. Despite that, many people over 50 still have not prioritized saving for retirement. It’s understandable that other obligations, be it paying kids’ college tuition or offering financial assistance to aging parents, may seem more immediate, but men and women over 50 should recognize that their time to save for retirement is rapidly dwindling. Just because you are retired does not mean your bills will magically disappear. In fact, some of those bills, such as the cost of medical care, are likely to increase. So now is the time to make retirement a priority if you have not already done so. It might be nice to finance a child’s college education, but that should not be done at the expense of your retirement nest egg. Kids have a lifetime ahead of them to repay college loans, while adults over 50 do not have that much time to save for retirement.

• Start making decisions. People retire at different times in their lives.

Some people want to keep working as long as they are physically and mentally capable of doing so, while others want to reap what their lifetime of hard work has sewn and retire early. Finances will likely play a strong role in when you can comfortably retire, so start making decisions about your long-term future. Do you intend to stay in your current home or downsize to a smaller home? Will you stay in your current area or move elsewhere? These decisions require a careful examination of your finances, and many will hinge on how well you have managed your money in the past and how well you manage it in the years ahead. Managing money after 50 requires more than just allocating resources. Sound money management after 50 also means making decisions about your future and taking the necessary steps to ensure those decisions come to fruition.

• Pay down debt. Men and women over 50 are not often associated with debt, but that’s a misconception. Thanks in part to the recession that began in 2008 and led to high unemployment, many people in the baby boomer generation, which includes people born between the years 1946 and 1964, went back to school to make themselves more attractive to prospective employers. While that might have been a sound decision, it left many deeply in debt. According to a 2013 report from the Chronicle of Higher Education, student loan debt is growing fastest among people over 60, and that debt is not inconsequential. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported in 2013 that the average student loan debt of those over the age of 60 who still owe money is more than $19,000, a considerable increase from 2005, when

the average debt was $11,000. Men and women over 50 who are still carrying debt should eliminate consumer debt first, as such debt tends to be accompanied by higher interest rates than mortgages and student loan debt. Paying down debt can help reduce stress, improve your quality of life and free up money for living and recreational expenses once you retire.

• Examine your insurance policies. Your approach to insurance should change as you get closer to retirement. For example, you want to maximize your liability insurance on homeowners and auto insurance policies. This ensures the money you have set aside for retirement won’t be going to a third party should you be at-fault in an auto accident or if someone suffers an injury at your home. Experts recommend liability insurance be substantial for men and women over 50, with some suggesting it be as high as twice your net worth.

If it wasn’t already, securing long-term disability insurance should be a priority once you have turned 50. A sudden accident or illness at 55 that prevents you from working could prove devastating to your financial future if you do not have disability insurance. Some employers offer long-term disability, though many people are left to secure policies on their own. Regardless of how you get your disability insurance, make sure you have it and that it provides adequate coverage should you succumb to an illness or injury and be unable to work.

Indulge Your Mind Lectures, discussions, and study groups for adults who know that learning has no age limit.

No tests, no grades— just learning for the joy of it!

At the University of Oregon

Convenient off-campus location at the UO Baker Downtown Center in Eugene.

EXPLORE • DISCOVER • SHARE LEARN 800-824-2714 • 541-346-0697 MORE: http://osher.uoregon.edu EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity. © 2014 University of Oregon.

Steps involved with estate planning

Although inevitable, death is an emotional subject that’s difficult to discuss. While estate planning can make people uncomfortable, it is an essential part of securing assets for future generations and can make a death in the family easier for loved ones to handle.

Estate planning is an umbrella term that refers to a host of things that must be done prior to a person’s death, including writing a will and even making funeral arrangements. Estate planning attempts to eliminate financial uncertainties and maximize the value of an estate, and allows men and women to state their wishes with regard to long-term healthcare and guardianship for their children.

When done right, estate planning can prevent family feuds and ensure that the deceased’s estate stays in the hands of family rather than being relegated to the government. Estate planning can be a complex process, so men and women should seek help to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Getting started Estate planning should begin early in a person’s life, especially for young parents. It’s easy to talk about saving for a home or retirement, but it’s not so simple to discuss who will care for your children should you die while they are still minors.

Those who are not able to sort through these answers on their own should enlist the help of an attorney or a financial adviser, both of whom can take some of the emotion out of the discussion and put it in more practical terms.

The will A will is an important component of estate planning. Without

clearly and legally spelling out your wishes, there is no guarantee that those wishes will be honored. It will be up to a state or province to make potentially life-altering decisions that can impact your surviving family members, and the only way to ensure your wishes will be carried out is to put them into a will.

Although men and women can write their own wills, many people prefer to seek the assistance of an attorney, who can make sure all necessary details are included in the will.

Medical directives In addition to a will, estate planning includes your wishes if you become incapacitated or suffer from a serious medical condition that precludes you from making decisions about your care and finances. Spouses can be named to make important health decisions, but you may want to indicate other information, such as life support measures or organ donation, as well. If you have strong opinions on treatment, medical directives and living wills are a necessity.

Funeral arrangements Another aspect of estate planning concerns funeral arrangements.

Many people prefer to make their own funeral and burial plans so that these heart-wrenching decisions do not fall on the shoulders of grieving family members. Funeral planning may include choosing a burial plot, selecting a casket, indicating cremation, and paying for everything in advance so there is no financial burden on surviving family members. According to the funeral planning website Efuneral.com, the average cost of a funeral in the United States in 2012 was more than $8,500 for a burial service and $3,700 for a cremation. That’s a considerable expense that you may not want surviving family members to pay.

Estate planning is a process that is difficult to discuss, but one that is essential to maximize your assets and ensure your end-of-life wishes are honored.

Live in Affordable Luxury!

Assisted Living and Memory Care Apartments

Our beautiful community is designed for those who need assistance or have memory impairments. You can be assured that you or your loved one will receive the best in care along with compassionate personal attention from our well trained staff.

Call or stop by for more information and a personal tour!

We are available 7 days a week!

1500 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 T 541-767-0080 • www.MiddlefieldOaks.com

Exercise and aging Addressing common concerns about exercise after 50

Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Including exercise in your daily routine can lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and exercise can even sharpen mental acuity, reduce anxiety and improve mood. But as beneficial as exercise can be, many men and women, particularly men and women over the age of 50, who have not laced up their sneakers in years are hesitant to begin an exercise regimen for a variety of reasons, potentially putting their long-term health at risk.

Regardless of a person’s age, beginning a new exercise regimen can be intimidating. But it’s especially so for men and women over the age of 50, who might not know where to begin or how to approach adopting a healthier lifestyle. According to the National Institute on Aging, the following are a few points men and women should know as they attempt to improve their physical fitness with a more active lifestyle.

• Exercise is safe even if you have not been physically active in a long time. Many older men and women worry that suddenly embracing physical fitness after years of inactivity may be detrimental to their health. But that’s only true if men and women don’t exercise caution at the outset of their routines. When beginning the routine, take things very slowly at first, choosing to walk or bike every day rather than hitting the treadmill and adjusting it to maximum resistance. When strength training, start off with very little weight so your muscles can grow acclimated to the motions and you can get the exercises down pat. As you grow more comfortable and your body starts to feel more up to the challenges of daily exercise, you can begin to gradually alter your cardiovascular and strength training workouts to make them more challenging.

• Exercise can make existing medical conditions more manageable.

Men and women over the age of 50 who have preexisting medical conditions are likely to find that exercise alleviates rather than exacerbates their physical problems. The NIA notes that studies

NE RYO E E V E RID CAN

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have shown that regular exercise and physical activity can benefit people with arthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. But it’s still recommended that men and women with preexisting medical conditions consult with their physicians before making any lifestyle changes. Some conditions may affect a person’s ability to be active, and it’s best to get the go-ahead from a physician before beginning an exercise regimen. Doctors may even suggest certain activities that have been known to alleviate particular conditions.

• Exercise reduces fatigue, so sitting around to preserve strength is not effective. Exercise improves strength and energy levels, so sitting on the sideline to preserve your strength is counterproductive and could lead to serious medical problems. The “Report on Physical Activity and Health” from the U.S. Surgeon General’s office noted that men and women who are inactive are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. While getting adequate rest and giving your body ample time recover from physical activity is essential, your body won’t benefit by avoiding exercise to preserve your strength.

However, even moderate physical activity performed on a regular basis can reduce fatigue.

• No one is too old to exercise. It’s not uncommon for men and women in their golden years to think they are too old to exercise.

Some may feel that their toned down workouts cannot possibly be making much of an impact thanks to the physical limitations old age has put on their bodies, while others may think it’s unwise for someone in their 70s or 80s to be physically active. But no one is too old to exercise, as exercise helps the body stay strong and fit even when you can no longer max out on the bench press or squat hundreds of pounds. Scaling back your exercise routine will be necessary as you get older, but that does not mean you cannot still enjoy and benefit from physical activity.

Continuing to exercise as you age is a great way to improve your quality of life and stay as active as possible well into your golden years.

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Memory loss is not an automatic side effect of aging

No one, regardless of age, is immune to random bouts of memory loss. While misplaced car keys or forgetting items on your grocery list are nothing to get worked up over, many men and women over 50 do start to worry about memory lapses, especially when they start to occur with more frequency than they might have just a few years ago. But while memory loss might be quickly associated with aging, increased forgetfulness is not an inevitable side effect of getting older, a fact that those at or approaching retirement age should find comforting.

When considering the relationship between memory and aging, it’s important that men and women recognize the distinction between memory lapses and dementia, as the two are not one and the same. As a person ages, his or her hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories, often deteriorates. This can affect how long it takes to learn and recall information. But just because this process is slower does not mean it’s a warning sign of dementia, which is the loss of certain mental functions, including memory. Though taking longer to recall information can be frustrating, many people still retain their ability to recall information. In addition, while dementia brought on by conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease is untreatable, there are things men and women can do to strengthen their memories and reduce their momentary lapses in memory.

• Start playing games. Games that test the mind have long been believed to benefit the brain, though some remain skeptical about the true impact of brain games. However, a University of Iowa study funded by the National Institute on Aging found that brain games may in fact pay numerous and long-term dividends. In the study, 681 healthy volunteers over the age of 40 were divided into four groups. One group played computerized crossword puzzles, and three other groups played a brain training video game from Posit Science designed specifically to enhance the speed and accuracy of visual processing. The volunteers showed less decline in visual processing as well as in other tests that measured concentration, memory and the ability to shift quickly between tasks, and the benefits from the training games lasted as long as seven years after training. Brain games are now more accessible than ever before, as players can access such games on their smartphones, tablets, ereaders, and computers. And in addition to being effective, the games also provide entertainment value.

• Alter your routine. Many working professionals recognize that each day tends to have its mundane moments. The brain can grow accustomed to these moments, which tend to be a routine

part of the day. But altering your daily routine can jar the brain awake, forcing it to focus during those times that had become mundane but now present new challenges. Something as simple as alternating driving routes to work from day to day or preparing some new, yet healthy, breakfast each morning can help the brain stay alert and sharp.

• Become a social butterfly. Maintaining a social life as you age is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. But there’s another reason to continue to be socially engaged. A 2008 study spearheaded by the clinical trials administrative director at Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group and published in the American Journal of Public Health found that older women who maintained large social networks were 26 percent less likely to develop dementia than women with smaller social networks. In addition, those who had daily contact with friends and family cut their risk of dementia by nearly half.

The study also noted that regular social interaction can delay or possibly even prevent cognitive impairment.

• Continue your career. While the idea of retiring poolside and watching the world go by might seem nice, such a scenario is not necessarily good for your brain. Numerous studies have shown the benefits that staying engaged in professional activities can have on brain health. The brain does not thrive if it’s sitting on the sideline. Staying active in your career will continue to provide the challenges your brain needs to stay sharp and avoid memory loss and struggles with concentration. Men and women who want to leave office life behind can branch out on their own and work as consultants or put their years of experience to use by teaching at a nearby university or secondary school. But heading off for the hammock once you have hung up your briefcase can prove troublesome for your brain.

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