NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2013 Council Communicator

COUNCIL

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COMMUNICATOR Delaware County’s Bimonthly Guide to Aging Services

V OlUME 21 NO. 6

www.growingolder.org

Caring for Those Who Care for Others

By Jeff Robinson

NOVEMbER / DECEMbER 2013 You might not be able to put a price on the caregiver services offered by the Council for Older Adults, but Nancy Shapiro can put a time frame on them.

Shapiro, the assistant health commissioner for the Delaware General Health District, took advantage of the Council’s caregiver services when her mother was ill. She estimates that the help she received as a caregiver allowed her mother to stay in her own home a full two years longer than she otherwise would have stayed.

“Over the course of her seven years in Delaware County, my mother relied at different times on Meals On Wheels, homemaker services, an emergency response system and care management,” Shapiro said. “She started out having Meals On Wheels, and as her condition worsened she went into needing homemaker services and personal care services. The Council assisted both of us in assuring that we were accessing all of the services that my mother needed and that those services were available at an affordable price, which was always based upon her income.”

Shapiro said the homemaker assigned to her mom by the Council went above and beyond with her level of care.

“She called me at work and said, ‘Your mom is not looking good.’ Then she stayed with her until I could get there, even though she was off duty. I remember being so thankful CARING continues on page 16

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Polly Horn – Caretaker and Caregiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 2 Managing Diabetes During the Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 10 Remembering the ‘Snow Bowl’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 13 Senior Center Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 24 Community Invited to Heroes Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 26

Center for Older Adults • 800 Cheshire Road • Delaware, OH 43015 Phone: 740-363-6677 • www.growingolder.org

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polly Horn — Myers inn Caretaker, family Caregiver If you want to learn a thing or two about Sunbury history, most people in the know would point you in the direction of Polly Horn.

Horn, the curator of the Myers Inn Museum, is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Sunbury and the surrounding Big Walnut community, but she knows quite a bit about another topic, too. Her years of taking care of her late mother and her husband have made her well versed in the art of being a caregiver.

Horn, who retired in 2005 as director of Sunbury’s Community Library, cared for her mother for 10 years as her health declined.

“She came to live with me when she was 87,” Horn said. “I used the Council for Older Adults to get her

sixth was his worst.

“I had to adjust. It really was like SeNiOr prOfile having another child,” Horn said of caring for Bob. Jeff rObiNSON Horn said it’s been eight years since Editor COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR Bob’s last stroke. His health has improved, but Horn said she still has to Meals On Wheels and (a medical alert be prepared for his not-so-good days. button). She passed away in 2007, “When he needs me, he needs when she was 97.” me. It’s usually unexpected how he’ll be For part of that time, Horn was from day to day, but I can tell if he’s doing double-duty, also looking after having a good day,” Horn said. her husband, Bob, who has suffered When asked what advice Horn nine strokes since they married in would give to those who might sud1986. denly find themselves in the role of “He had six of those in the first caregiver as the result of an illness or year we were married,” she said. accident, she cites advice she was given With no family history of strokeby a Presbyterian minister. related health issues, Bob’s strokes were “After one of his strokes, she said completely unexpected. Horn said his to me, ‘He had the stroke, not you.

Don’t drop what you’re doing,’” Horn said. “It was the best thing she could have said. So I go on and do what I need to do, and if Bob needs me I go, and if not I don’t. But there are so many cases where people just give up and the caregiver ends up dying first.”

Horn said Bob, who’s now 75 (she’s 74), is doing pretty well. They took a trip to see the California Redwoods last fall, and Horn said he usually finds something to keep him busy close to home, which allows her to stay busy.

Her latest endeavor was brought to the square in downtown Sunbury in late September. A monument dedicated to Civil War Major General William Starke Rosecrans, now graces the square.

SENIOR PROFILE continues on page 4

Two New Senior Dining Centers Open The Council for Older Adults is pleased to announce the grand opening of two new senior dining centers in Delaware County. In response to the county’s changing needs, a new dining center will be open at Ashley Villa Apartments, 240 Main St., Ashley, on Monday, Oct. 28. The second new dining center is located at St. Michael’s Community, 35 Lexington Blvd., Delaware, and it will open Nov. 4. These are the Council’s first new dining centers to be opened in several years, and will join three previously established dining centers throughout the county.

Including these new additions, the Council for Older Adults Meals On Wheels Program will now operate five dining centers in Delaware County, providing lunchtime meals Monday through Friday in a group setting. The goal of this program is to encourage seniors to remain active and engaged in their community while enjoying a hot, nutritious meal with friends. At both Ashley Villa and St. Michael’s, lunches will be served family style, and alternative menus will be available.

The dining centers are designed to serve individuals age 60 and above who reside in Delaware County. Meals are served on a donation basis. Advance reservations are required for most sites. For more information about dining center services, please call the Council’s nutrition office at (740) 203-2432.

The dining center located at Senior Citizens, Inc. on Park Avenue in Delaware will permanently close as of Nov. 1.

CounCil the Council Communicator newspaper is a publication of Delaware County’s Council for older Adults, 800 Cheshire road, Delaware, oH 43015. the Council Communicator is published six times a year during the first week of January, March, May, July, september and november.

Jeff robinson, Editor Cynthia Croce smith, Design snP Printing, Print Production Donna Meyer, Production Coordinator the Council for older Adults is a non-profit organization serving the older population throughout Delaware County. the Council was created to plan, coordinate and develop services designed to enable older persons living in the county to remain independent in their own homes and community.

Board of Directors PrEsiDEnt: larry Harris, Delaware ViCE PrEsiDEnt: roger Van sickle, Delaware sECrEtAry: Ali solove, Powell trEAsurEr: tansukh J. salgia, Ph.D., Galena PAst PrEsiDEnt: Karen Pillion, Sunbury Alice frazier, M.D., Delaware robert Gaffey, Ph.D., Delaware Dwayne Gardner, Ph.D., Delaware Jan Garlock, Westerville George Kannapel, Powell susan lasley, Powell ross long, J.D., Delaware Jane nance, r.n., Galena Dick skuce, Powell George speese, Delaware robert sprengnether, Galena John Watkins, Radnor the Council Communicator is made possible through the generosity of advertisers, donations from individuals, and the contributions of volunteers. the appearance of advertising in this publication does not represent an endorsement of products, services, or political candidates and issues by the Council for older Adults. the Council Communicator cannot guarantee the return of articles or photographs submitted for publication.

About 45,000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed throughout Delaware County. in the City of Delaware, the Council Communicator is distributed in The Delaware Gazette. to sunbury residents, the Council Communicator is distributed in the Sunbury News. the Council Communicator is also distributed to subscribers of the Columbus Dispatch, wherein it is included as part of the sunday paper with the release of each new issue of the Communicator. in addition, the Council Communicator is available at social service agencies, healthcare providers, public offices, libraries, and over 50 other locations throughout Delaware County. if you do not receive The Delaware Gazette or the Columbus Dispatch and would like to find a nearby pick-up site, please contact the Council for older Adults at (740) 363-6677 or (800) 994-2255 or visit www.growingolder.org. to advertise or to submit articles or for comments, please contact Donna Meyer, Associate Director of Communications, (740) 363-6677, (800) 994-2255, or donna@growingolder.org.

We reserve the right to refuse advertising from any business or organization whose mission may conflict with the Council’s.

the Board of Directors of the Council for older Adults meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at noon, at the office of the Council for older Adults, located at the Center for older Adults, 800 Cheshire road, Delaware, ohio. meetings are not held in June and August.

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full steam Ahead Just as every person we serve is unique, so is every day here at the Council for Older Adults. And as we approach the end of 2013, another unique year is nearing conclusion.

Each year seems to be busier and more fulfilling than the last, and so as we scramble to keep pace and reach our goals this year, we are already looking forward to next year with excitement.

We are wrapping up the last year of our current senior services levy; as we began 2013, our preeminent challenge was to present the community with a solid plan and rationale to approve a new levy so that necessary funding would be continued in 2014 and beyond. While our staff remained focused on the job of continuing to provide quality service for those needing assistance, a lot of extra effort was required from everyone to meet this levy challenge. Thankfully, our community once again gave us a resounding vote of confidence as a new five-year senior services levy was approved by a wide margin.

Every indication is that the growth of our older population will continue to outpace the rapid growth of our county, and it gives us great relief to know that a large portion of the funding that will be needed for quality local senior services will be stable. We know how valuable these funds are to us and to the voters who approved our levy, and we will continue to focus on providing the highest-quality services to effectively and efficiently care for those seniors in need.

With this assurance of funding, it has been full steam ahead this year as we plan to hit the ground running in 2014. As the number of clients grows, we realize that our organizational structure will need to change in order to meet the challenge, and this restructuring is well under way. Our board has been busy updating its

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Code of Regulations and recruiting many highly qualified and motivated new board members. We achieved another clean financial audit and are putting people and processes into place to ensure that this high standard of accountability continues as we grow.

In terms of our facility, we have made major improvements in the area surrounding our warm water therapy pool, and by the time you read this, much-needed parking lot repairs will be under way. We are about to open two new dining sites at senior housing locations in Ashley and Delaware to expand the reach of our award-winning nutrition services program. Our fantastic team of volunteers continues to grow as we add new and meaningful opportunities for volunteer service.

And, of course, service opportunities are growing as the numbers of people we reach continues to swell. In fact, there is too much going on to cover it all in detail in the space allowed here.

We don’t rest on our success here; in fact, we can’t if we are going to keep pace with the change around us and the growth of our older population. These are exciting times, and as we look to 2014 they are going to be even more exciting. Representatives of the board of the Council and the board of Senior Citizens Inc., which

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manages programs at the Center for Older Adults, have been meeting for some time to bring improvements to Center operations, programming and customer service. And while not everything is final, we hope to be moving forward on these changes soon. I can say that one aspect of the change should involve some improvements to the Center facility.

While our levy funding is secure, our five-year plan requires us to raise an additional $7 million from non-levy sources. Some of this will come from state and federal grants, but we will also be mounting an expanded effort to raise funds from private sources.

You will be hearing more about this in the months ahead. Look for the Council to focus on new ways to reach out to the community, to educate the public about our services and to get more people involved. The days when you could just send out a press release are far behind us; today, nonprofits need to be everywhere at once, and you can expect the Council to meet this challenge by building on our outreach efforts and embracing all the opportunities created by technology and new media. With this in mind you will begin to see some changes — and we think improvements — in this publication, our Council Communicator newspaper. We will continue to build on and improve our delivery of quality social services for seniors. Already in our plans is an expansion of our services for caregivers and improvements in how we manage our home repair service.

With all the positive changes that are envisioned for 2014, one thing does remain the same: our commitment to you to do all that we can do to improve day after day and to continue to deliver the best in quality service in a well-managed, effective manner. We look forward to working with you to achieve the best for our community.

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A HEAP of Help The Ohio Department of Development offers several programs to help lowincome residents pay their utility bills and improve the heating efficiency of their homes. These programs include: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – Assistance usually consists of a credit on the heating bill account each year.

Winter Crisis Program (E-HEAP) – This program assists households where the source of energy has been disconnected or is threatened with disconnection, or that have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. This program begins Nov. 1.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP-PLUS) – A special payment plan that requires eligible customers to pay a portion of their household income each month to maintain utility service.

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) – Assistance comes in the form of reducing the energy use by providing insulation, air leakage reduction, heating system repairs, health and safety inspections, and testing, as well as other services.

Applications for 2013-2014 are available at the Council office at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware.

SENIOR PROFILE continued from page 2

“He is the only upper-echelon Civil War General without a statue,” Horn said. “I researched his life for about three years, and the more I learned the more impressed I was.”

Horn said she and a group of local historians, some from the Big Walnut Historical Society, worked to raise the funds to bring a statue of Rosecrans to Sunbury.

“It was a true community effort,” Horn said. “We’re excited.”

The dedication of the statue took place on Sept. 28, the culmination of a celebration of Rosecrans’ life for which Horn said she tracked Polly Horn stands in front of the Myers Inn down several of his descendants.

Museum in Sunbury.

“I think I have about 2,300 relatives of General Rosecrans in our said. database. As of today, 85 of those will And of course, she’ll be there for be coming to the dinner (on Sept. 28).

Bob. After 27 years of marriage (they’ll It will be a really nice event for the fami- celebrate their anniversary in ly members,” Horn said.

November), she knows when she’s Looking ahead, Horn said she’ll needed, even if male stubbornness have more time to devote to the Myers might make it tough for Bob to admit Inn now that the festivities surrounding it.

General Rosecrans have concluded.

“He’s dependent on me, even “I’ll be able to get back to recruiting though he doesn’t want to be,” she and training volunteers for the Inn,” she said.

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4th Annual Senior Health & Safety Day Scheduled for Oct. 31 Mark your calendar and plan to attend the fourth annual Senior Health & Safety Day at the Center for Older Adults on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, organized by the Council for Older Adults and hosted by Senior Citizens Inc., will feature exhibits and demonstrations by various companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout central Ohio which are interested in keeping seniors safe in all aspects of their lives. In addition, it will be Halloween! So please dress up if you want!

In addition to exhibits, Senior Health & Safety Day will offer a number of free health screenings

for those age 60 and older.

Screenings may include: vision, memory oxygen, social isolation, chiropractic, blood pressure, blood sugar, HIV, hearing, speech, balance, foot and Ankle, hearing, flu and pneumonia vaccines, cholesterol, depression and dermascan.

You can visit the aquatic pool and fitness room which will be open during the day for regularly scheduled classes. You will be able to talk with a trainer about questions or issues that you may feel would be of help to you in you starting your own personal exercise program, if you become a member of the Center We hope you will join us and

our many community partners at Senior Health & Safety Day. For more information on the event, please (740) 363-6677.

Details will also be available on our web-

site at www.growingolder.org., and on the Senior Citizens Inc. website at www.delawareseniorcenter.org.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s The Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio chapter, is hosting the annual Delaware Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Ohio Wesleyan University’s Selby Football Field. This year’s Walk honors Harvey Garner, a former walk steering committee member and former resident of Willowbrook at Delaware Run, who passed away earlier this year.

Harvey was known by many as both a caregiver and a scholar, already ready to offer a smile and words of wisdom. He attended the committee meetings and shared his experience, as well as his beliefs about how to improve the walk and the overall experience for the caregivers and those families touched by the Alzheimer’s disease. Harvey has been missed

in many facets around the community. He was an advocate for research to find some type of help for Alzheimer's patients and their family members.

Donations will be accepted for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s through the end of the year. You can make a donation online at http://act.alz.org/delawareohio or you can mail your donation to: Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Please indicate “Delaware Walk” in the check memo line.

Advertise Here for $35 Advertise Here for $35

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Financial Focus Investment Planning In Retirement — Setting a Sustainable Withdrawal Rate Investment planning during retirement is not the same as investing for retirement and may be more complicated. When you retire, spending rather than saving becomes your focus. Your sources of income may include Social Security, employer pensions, personal savings and assets, and perhaps some income from working part-time. Typically, you want to maintain your lifestyle and have assets last as long as necessary. This can be difficult due to the uncertainty. You don’t know how long you’ll live, what investment returns will be, what impact inflation will have, and your ability to tolerate risk is lessened because you have less time to recover from losses.

An important planning approach that you should consider is setting a withdrawal rate for your retirement assets.

Choosing a Sustainable Withdrawal Rate A key factor that determines whether your assets will last for your entire lifetime is the annual rate at which you withdraw funds. The more you withdraw, the greater the likelihood you’ll exhaust your resources too soon. It is vital that you estimate an appropriate withdrawal rate for your circumstances so that it is sustainable for your life.

Your withdrawal rate is typically expressed as a percentage of your overall assets, even though withdrawals may represent earnings and/or principal. For example, if you have $500,000 in assets and decide a 4 percent withdrawal rate is appropriate, the portfolio would need to earn

$20,000 a year if you intend to withdraw only earnings; alternatively, you might earn $10,000 in income and take the remaining $10,000 from the principal (ideally from the growth in principal). A sustainable withdrawal rate depends on many factors including your expected rate of return, life expectancy, tax rates, the inflation rate and your risk tolerance.

Many studies have tackled this issue, resulting in the creation of tables and calculators that can provide you with a range of rates that have a probability of success. The current discussion among advisors is what withdrawal rate is sustainable in the current low interest rate environment.

Order of Withdrawal from Accounts Another element of this approach is strategically choosing which accounts to draw from first. Many retirees have assets in various types of accounts — taxable, tax-deferred (e.g., traditional IRAs), and tax-free (e.g., Roth IRAs). Given a choice, which type of account should you withdraw from first? The answer is — it depends.

Retirees who will not have an estate — For retirees who do not expect to leave assets to beneficiaries, the general rule is: Withdraw money from a taxable account first, then a tax-deferred account, and lastly, a taxfree account. This will provide for the greatest growth potential due to the power of compounding. Of course, you always need to meet the minimum distribution rules for retirement accounts in order to avoid penalties.

Retirees who will have an

estate — For retirees who expect to leave assets to beneficiaries, the analysis is even more complicated. You need to coordinate your retirement plan with your estate plan. If you have appreciated assets, it may be more advantageous for you to withdraw from tax-deferred and tax-free accounts first in order for the appreciated assets to receive a step-up in cost basis in your estate, thereby reducing taxes for your beneficiaries. There is no single right answer. If the beneficiary is your spouse or a “stretch” IRA, the order is likely different.

The overall benefit of this approach is that you have a plan and an annual benchmark to check how you are doing, so that you can make mid-course adjustments and keep your retirement on track! Given the complexity of factors involved, you’ll probably need some expert help to ensure that this important decision is made carefully.

— Copyright © 2013 Delaware County Bank Investment Partners

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CARegIVeR CORNeR Caregiver Workshops

The board and staff at the Council for Older Adults would like to express our appreciation to our talented graphic designer, Cindy Smith as this will be her last issue working on the Council Communicator. For more than 10 years, Cindy has dedicated her artistic gifts to creating the layout, lead article graphic and many of the ads for this publication.

Cindy recently welcomed a new grandchild and will be devoting more time to family and her many artistic pursuits.

A new staff member, Alison Yeager has joined our outreach team and will be taking over many of the graphic responsibilities related to this publication. Look for some exciting changes in the future.

Catering 4 a Cause Offers Holiday Dinners Catering 4 a Cause will serve holiday dinners in November and December, in the surroundings of the Radebaugh Room at the Center for Older Adults.

Proceeds from these dinners benefit Meals On Wheels and other senior services in Delaware County. Reservations are required. Call (740) 203-2362 for reservations and prices.

Join us Wednesday, Nov. 13 for our Thanksgiving Dinner. The menu includes tossed salad, herb roasted turkey breast, chef carved ham, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, mixed vegetables, corn, pumpkin crème brulée, apple pie, and citrus cranberry sauce. Assorted rolls and butter and beverages will be included. Cost is $13.95 for adults and $6.95 for children under 12.

Then, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, we will serve our Holiday Season Dinner with a menu consisting of tossed salad, garlic rosemary roast beef with wild mushroom demi-glace, spinach and bacon stuffed pork loin with au jus, parmesan truffle mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, green bean almandine, garlic and Romano roasted cauliflower, assorted cookies, cakes and petit fours. Assorted rolls and beverages included. Cost is $14.95 for adults and $6.95 for children under 12.

The Council for Older Adults provides monthly support opportunities for active caregivers who provide assistance to their family members and friends. These workshops allow caregivers to learn, grow, and gather support. Presentations are provided by various members of the community and focus on a host of topics. Workshops are held on the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming workshops include: Nov. 12: “Elder Law Planning: Health Care & Asset Protection for Older Adults,” presented by Louis Borowicz of Baxter & Borowicz Dec. 10: “Family Dynamics & Caregiving,” presented by Paula Taliaferro of Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Workshops are free and are held at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware. Please feel free to bring a friend! To register, please RSVP to Jen Spicer at (740) 203-2377.

Visit the Council for Older Adults online.

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Attention – Be informed Public employees retirees inc. (delaware Chapter) meetinG dAte: Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

LoCAtion: Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Rd., Delaware ProGrAm: Cathy Lopienski, Pharmacist, Total Wellness Center ContACt: John McDavid, President, Delaware Chapter 740-625-5979 or email - jormc@embarqmail.com

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CROssWORD PUzzLE BEJEWELED

By Ed Canty

By GFR Associates Visit our Web site at www.gfrpuzzles.com answErs on pagE 10

Are you puzzled about your medical bills? our Insurance and Medical Bill specialist can help. this free service, offered to older adults, can identify and correct billing errors.

Call (740) 363-6677 or 1-(800) 994-2255

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Managing Diabetes During the Holiday Season November is American Diabetes Month, and it also marks the start of the holiday season, which can be a difficult time to manage diabetes with road trips, special feasts and gatherings taking place. But the Delaware General Health District reminds you that there is a way to enjoy all these traditions while also keeping your blood sugar in check.

All it takes is preparation.

During the holiday season we all change routines, especially with traveling, so it’s important for those with diabetes to remember a few simple preparations when celebrating with friends and family: • Check your blood sugar more often than usual, because changing schedules can affect levels.

• Pack twice the amount of diabetic supplies, including snacks, glucose gel or tablets in case your blood glucose drops.

• Know what you will be eating so you know how to fit it into your meal plan.

• Prior to the get-together, eat a healthy snack to avoid overeating at the party.

• Enjoy the traditional treats, but limit your portions.

• Be cautious of heavy holiday favorites such as honey-glazed hams,

FROM THE DELAWARE

GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT TRACI WHITTAkER

Public Information Officer

DELAWArE GEnErAL HEALtH DIstrIct

mashed potatoes and gravy, and buttery side dishes. Choose dishes that offer leaner options such as turkey without gravy and side dishes that do not include high sodium or extra fats or sugars.

Most importantly, get a flu shot!

Getting a flu vaccination before traveling and get-togethers helps prevent you from developing a serious illness that could affect your ability to manage your diabetes.

The Health District is dedicated to the prevention and education of diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Through the Healthy U Chronic Disease Self-Management Class, DGHD public health nurses help participants cope with diabetes and

other lifelong conditions. The six-session class offers guidance on improving the management of your disease, medication use, nutrition, communicating effectively with your doctor and how to evaluate new treatments.

The free course begins Jan. 15 and meets every Wednesday through Feb. 19 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Older Adults. Interested participants are asked to register with DGHD public health nurse Melissa Smetiouk, RN, who can be reached at (740) 203-2048. In addition to the Healthy U course, the Health District also offers free blood sugar screenings at our daily morning walk-in clinic or through our neighborhood clinics. Also, for a fee, we can test for Hemoglobin A1c with same day results in our morning walk-in clinics.

Managing diabetes during the holidays can be a challenging task, but with the right preparation you can still enjoy the spirit of the season.

From everyone at the Delaware General Health District — have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Answers: BEJEWELED

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support Groups Alzheimer’s AssociAtion DelAwAre county support Group Contact: Bernie Sanders, (740) 363-1365, bsanders@alz.org Meetings: Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Support Group meets at Willow Brook Delaware Run, 100 Delaware Crossing, on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and at Asbury UM Church, 55 W. Lincoln Ave., Delaware, on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Please call with any questions. “Reflections: A Forum for Individuals with Early Stage Memory Loss and Their Care Partners,” a sevenweek educational and supportive series to explain the whats, whys, and hopes to individuals with early stage memory loss and their care partners. Sessions will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on

Fridays from Oct. 11 through Nov. 22.

For more information or to be added to the interest list, contact Bernie Sanders at (740) 363-1365 or 1-800272-3900. Reflections is funded by The Healthcare Foundation of Delaware County.

Arthritis FounDAtion, centrAl ohio oFFice Contact: Morgan Patten, mpatten@arthritis.org Ongoing Activities: Warm-water exercise classes are offered at the Comfort Inn, the Center for Older Adults, the Powell/Liberty Township YMCA, and the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Tai Chi is hosted at Willow Brook Communities. Schedules and class fees vary; please contact the facility or the Arthritis Foundation for more information.

cAnDiD cAreGiver workshops Council for Older Adults Contact: Jen Spicer, (740) 203-2377 The Council for Older Adults provides monthly opportunities for caregivers to learn, grow and gather support.

Presentations are provided by various members of our caregiving community and focus on a host of topics, ranging from self-care/recreational activities to informative discussions on various services available within our local community. Please feel free to bring a friend.

To register, please RSVP to Intake & Referral Specialist Jen Spicer at (740) 203-2377. Workshops are held at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Suite A in Delaware.

Future Activities: Nov. 12: “Elder Law Planning: Health Care & Asset Protection for Older Adults,” presented

by Louis Borowicz of Baxter & Borowicz No workshop in Dec. DelAwAre AreA pArkinson’s support Group Contact: Ed Robinson, (740) 3690290, erobin4@columbus.rr.com We meet at 1:30 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Delaware Township Hall, 2590 Liberty Road, Delaware. Parkinson’s disease

affects about one in every 1,000 persons. Medication helps, but there is no cure for this brain disease. Symptoms include tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, a forward lean, absence of arm swing, low voice volume and drooling, to name a few. Daily exercise does help.

Ongoing Activities: In addition to our regular meeting, we offer the following: Speech classes meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 2:30 at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware; Exercise Class: Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at Willow Brook Christian Communities, on U.S. 23 across from Bob Evans. thursDAy niGht tops Take Off Pounds Sensibly, #OH 2079, Delaware Contact: Georgeanna Mills, (740) 881-4497, Gam740@aol.com Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weightloss support club. We meet on Thursday evenings at William Street United Methodist Church, 28 W. William St., Delaware, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with weigh-in from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.

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2014 senior pen pal program ready for Writers Connections Volunteer Center is recruiting for the 7th annual Senior Pen Pal Program.

This year’s program will once again partner with Delaware City Schools’ fifth graders at Willis Intermediate School.

Last year marked the first time this program was hosted by Delaware City Schools and it was a huge success. Of the 59 senior adults who participated in last year’s program survey, 100% said they enjoyed the pen pal experience, and 97% of those surveyed plan on being pen pals again for the 2014 program.

To make this year’s program successful, we will need approximately 60 senior adults to take part. Even with those returning,

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ConneCtions sherri FitzpatriCk

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many are still needed to fill vacant spots.

The pen pal program runs from January through May and consists of reading one book and writing six letters over four months. Each senior is paired with two students. During the first half of the program, the senior exchanges three letters

A C C E P T I N G

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with Student A. After that, the senior then exchanges three letters with Student B. The senior adult then meets both students in person at the “Meet the Pen Pal Party” in early May. The same book is used with both students, and questions are provided to the seniors so they know what to cover in their writing. The book is of historical significance, and the seniors are encouraged to share their personal stories as they may relate to the history in the book.

Letters may be exchanged by dropping them at the senior center, by regular U.S. mail, or by emailing your letter to a coordinator so it can be passed to the student. Return letters can come back to you the same way. Distance shouldn’t be a barrier for seniors; we have a number of seniors who participate who spend their winters in sunny Florida and just mail or email their letters.

Last year’s book was Cracker, the Best Dog in Vietnam and focused on dog handlers and their dogs and the important part they played during the Vietnam War. This year’s book will likely be about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Seniors in this pro-

gram are encouraged to share their personal histories, travels and work histories. Many of the students who participate in this program do not have access to an older adult with whom they can converse, and most of these students have never traveled outside of Ohio.

Past program participants shared these comments about the Pen Pal Program: “I loved the chance to communicate and get to know young people. Reading a book together is a good vehicle to do that. I loved meeting them — great program!”

“I loved writing back and forth, but the best was actually meeting the kids. There was an instant bond. They were so excited, it was awesome.”

The program can make a big difference in students’ lives, and the seniors who participate feel it has impacted them positively too. Please consider participating this year. There are some vacancies, but they are expected to fill quickly. For more information or to register for the program, please call (740) 3635000 or email sfitzpatrick@helplinedelmor.org.

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Golden Reflections Remembering the ‘Snow Bowl’

By Mary Lee Stocks, Creative Writing student at the Center for Older Adults I’m not sure how many of our earliest memories are truly our personal remembrances, or how much of them are formed and honed by viewing old photographs and conversations around dinner tables, or on front porches on warm summer evenings.

But one thing I know for certain is that my grandfather adored any game that was played with a ball. In his younger days, he had played ball, and throughout his life he listened to games on the radio and later, watched them with bated breath on television. He’d yell, “Great Caesar’s Ghost! What are you doing?” when things weren’t going well from his perspective; and he was the first on his feet to cheer when his team scored or when it blocked the opposing team’s efforts. One other thing is for sure, if the team in question hailed from Pittsburgh, PA, his childhood home, or played for The Ohio State University, Grandpa was an unabashed fan.

The game described in this tale was played two days after Thanksgiving in 1950. The Ohio State Buckeyes were challenging their arch rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, in the hallowed ground of the Ohio Stadium, otherwise known as “the Horseshoe” or “the ‘Shoe." Grandpa and my Dad had looked forward to the Big Game all week. They had beer and soft drinks, cheese and crackers, popcorn and all sorts of other goodies to enjoy during the game. But by Friday, the weather forecast had turned ominous; heavy snow and punishing winds were predicted for Saturday afternoon.

“They won’t call the game,” Grandpa said. “They play football no matter what the weather is like!” By Friday night, the temperature had dropped, and looked like it could dip even further.

“It’s a good thing that we have

our nice, big radio set here,” Grandpa said, noting our free-standing, floor model radio. “This will be a good one to listen to from a warm living room.”

By Saturday morning, the snow had begun. By game time, a full nine inches of snow had fallen on Columbus, and 30-mile-per-hour winds whipped around “the ‘Shoe."

“They won’t call the game,” Grandpa predicted, and sure enough, they didn’t. Grandpa and Daddy cozied up to the tall radio, and strained to listen as the plays were announced.

“Great Caesar’s Ghost!” Grandpa said. “What’s State think it’s doing? I don’t think those boys can even see the ball for the snow, let alone the yard markers.”

From what the announcers described, neither team was doing much beyond slipping and sliding all over the field. By the middle of the first quarter, it was announced that the Ohio State officials had suspended selling and taking tickets.

“Guess they figure that anyone who is crazy enough to show up for a football game in that weather deserves to get in for free,” my dad said.

By halftime, Michigan had scored a touchdown by falling on an Ohio State punt in the end zone. It was to be the only touchdown of the game.

The snow continued and the winds blew, and it seemed that the team from “Up North” was a little more conditioned to that kind of weather than were the Buckeyes. There was a record LOW number of fans in “the ‘Shoe"; about 79,000, by some estimates, watched as Michigan scored again on an Ohio State punt, and finally beat Ohio State by a score of 9 to 3. Grandpa marveled that not a single first down was scored by either team in the entire game, not to men-

tion the nine pass attempts that failed and that all told, there were 45 punts!

The worst part was that this miserable game, and its equally miserable outcome, cost Ohio State the Big 10 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day of 1951.

“What in the world happened to my Buckeyes?” Grandpa asked. “All I hope is that it’s 100 degrees in the shade at the Rose Bowl so those darned Wolverines will be so overheated they won’t be able to play worth a hoot!”

I don’t know who won the Rose Bowl in 1951. But I do know that the Ohio State/Michigan game in 1950 went down in history as one of the worst games for weather in the history of college football; and that it has been known ever since as “The Snow

Bowl." For years, Grandpa said he told the story of the “Snow Bowl” whenever he wanted to cool off in the summer. For me, I proudly carry on Grandpa's and Dad’s tradition of cheering for Ohio State — especially when they play the Michigan Wolverines. In recent years, the Buckeyes have beaten Michigan almost every year. I think that is only just desserts; they have owed us since one Saturday in 1950 when the wind and snow cost OSU any number of plays, and a trip to sunny California.

The Creative Writing class meets on the last Monday of the month from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Call (740) 203-2410 for details.

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county’s Generosity shines at inaugural event When people ask me about my job, it’s sometimes hard to explain. I have the great fortune of seeing the generosity of so many people and businesses throughout the county. There are those who give large dollar amounts and those whose gifts may be small but are the largest they can manage. All gifts help others in our communities.

People give of their time to volunteer and to do work behind the scenes with our nonprofit organizations. They create programs to help others and make Delaware County a better place.

Therefore, it seems fitting that in such a vibrant county we showcase shining examples of generosity. Most givers usually do not seek recognition, yet their actions inspire others to give back to their community. Such is the case for the four awardees recognized in the inaugural year of an “Evening of Generosity” being conducted by the Delaware County Foundation.

The call for award nominations was publicized in the Council Communicator, newspapers, mailings, announcements at community group meetings, email, and the Foundation website and Facebook page. A broad group of community leaders representing businesses, nonprofits, civic and professional organizations participated in the selection process. Below is a summary of the awardees recognized at the October event.

Delaware County Bank & Trust — Outstanding Business This award is given to a business that demonstrates outstanding sustained commitment to building a culture of civic and charitable engagement through financial support and the creation of a corporate culture

delaware county

foundation Marlene a. casini President

DELAWARE COUNTY FOUNDATION

that encourages and motivates employees to take leadership roles in philanthropy and the community.

The community involvement and financial contributions of DCB are numerous. In 2012, DCB employees contributed more than 5,000 community service hours. DCB led the way with a multi-year, $125,000 gift to the renovation of the Strand Theatre in Delaware. DCB’s financial contributions in the community also include the Central Ohio Symphony, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Olentangy Relay for Life, Main Street Delaware, and a significant increase to the United Way of Delaware County campaign. Supporting education in our community, DCB endowed a scholarship fund with Ohio Wesleyan University for students from the county’s public high schools.

A major investment in the renovation of its downtown Delaware office revitalized and enhanced the area. The bank was founded in 1950 by local Delaware farmers, a car dealer, beer distributor, a chicken hatchery operator, FOUNDATION continues on page 18

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AARP Tax Volunteers Needed Another tax season is just around the corner, and AARP, the nation's largest FREE tax preparation and assistance service, is looking for volunteers.

Individuals are being sought to assist seniors in preparing their tax returns.

AARP's Tax-Aide program begins in February and focuses on older adults who are unable to afford costly professional tax service.

Volunteers will work a minimum of one day per week from February until April 15. A training course will be held on Dec. 5 and 6. If you can volunteer or would like more information, please call Phillip Packard at (740) 369-8913 for more details.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2013

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Caring continued from page 1

for that,” Shapiro said. “I was able to work, plus my mom was where she wanted to be. Without those services, you don’t know what to do. All those services helped me keep my sanity and we were able to have her wishes carried out.”

Patti Wise, of Radnor, had an equally rewarding experience with caregiver services. Wise serves as caregiver for her mother, who lives with Wise and her husband.

“Soon after she came to live with us I requested help from the Council for Older Adults of Delaware County

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for services such as adult day care and respite care,” she said. “Mother’s care consultant is a delightful person and treats her with much respect. Because of the Council we are able to have my mother at home with us.”

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and if you can’t yet relate to Shapiro’s and Wise’s stories, chances are you soon will.

Consider the numbers, provided

by AARP - 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day. The 65-andolder population, which numbered 35.1 million in 2000, is expected to jump to 71.5 million by 2030. Already there are 52 million caregivers who are providing some level of care to a family member or friend with a disability or illness, with one in six Americans balancing caregiving with a full-time job. Caregivers in the “sandwich generation” are caring for aging parents while still raising minor children in the home, often creating

Spicer said a phone call to the an even more hectic schedule.

Council can provide caregivers with The Caregiver Action Network information about the various noncites four reasons for celebrating medical, in-home services offered, National Family Caregivers Month: such as Meals On Wheels, homemak1) To raise awareness of family ing services and emergency response caregiver issues; 2) To celebrate the efforts of fam- services.

“And we’ll provide respite if careily caregivers; givers need a break,” she said.

3) To educate family caregivers The Council also offers free about self-identification; and monthly caregiver workshops (see 4) To increase support for family page 7 for upcoming schedule) that caregivers And while the spotlight is turned provide caregivers with education and support opportunities. on family caregivers in November, “Someone from the community providing support to caregivers — comes to presmuch like careent a topic relgiving itself — evant to carecan be a 12givers, and it month-a-year SHAPIRO SAID THE COUNCIL’S also serves as job.

CAREGIVER SERVICES ALLOWED a support The HER MOM TO STAY IN HER HOME group where Council offers caregivers a variety of TWO YEARS LONGER THAN SHE share their stoprograms and WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ries, experiservices that WITHOUT THE SERVICES. ences, and provide support to care“I WAS ABLE TO WORK, PLUS challenges,” Spicer said. givers as well MY MOM WAS WHERE SHE “It’s a message as their loved that I wish ones. Jen WANTED TO BE,” was getting Spicer, the out to more Council’s intake SHE SAID. “WITHOUT THOSE people.” and referral SERVICES, YOU DON’T KNOW Spicer said specialist, said WHAT TO DO. ALL THOSE SERVICshe often caregivers ES HELPED ME KEEP MY SANITY hears from shouldn’t spend so much AND WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE HER people who time caring for hadn’t been WISHES CARRIED OUT.” a loved one aware of the that they negCouncil’s carelect taking care giver services. of themselves.

“Our Outreach Department is “We want caregivers to know working hard to reach those who that they are not alone. They can eas- work or are otherwise so busy they ily feel overwhelmed and when don’t take advantage of or know fully they’re trying to maintain all of those about our services,” she said. “And responsibilities, they feel isolated,” we’re looking at caregiver concerns Spicer said. “But it’s important to ask and how we can be more effective in for help, and for the caregivers to supporting them.” care for themselves. Often, when carThose who have taken advantage ing for a loved one, caregivers let of the Council’s caregiver services their own health go by the wayside.” agree that they’ve had a positive

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impact on their caregiving experience.

Delaware resident Rozella Miller said the in-home services provided to her mother by the Council enabled her Mother to live on her own for several years.

“She recently moved in with us, and her case worker was most helpful in identifying services that will continue to assist her,” Miller said. “As a caregiver, I appreciated the support.”

Spicer said there are challenges to providing help to caregivers. Often, clients want only their primary caregiv-

er to do things for them, particularly, Spicer said, if the client has dementia.

“That can be challenging, and it adds that extra component of guilt for the caregiver,” Spicer said. “And sometimes, with good intentions, caregivers will promise loved ones that they won’t send them to a nursing home.

But sometimes a nursing home is a healthy decision, as you need a facility that has a whole staff.”

Rather than promising anything, Spicer always suggests to caregivers that they say, “I’m going to do the

best I can.”

“Often, it’s just a matter of exploring other options if they don’t want an aide coming in,” Spicer said. “Adult daycare is another program that gives the caregiver some respite.”

With adult daycare, typically scheduled at a nursing facility, the client can go from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or have the option of going for half a day.

“They provide activities, and often provide a lunch. It offers the person receiving the care the opportunity to meet new people and socialize and

connect with others, while giving the caregiver some time for themselves,” Spicer said. “There’s a per-day charge, but if you go through the Council, our sliding fee scale does apply.”

Spicer encourages those caregivers who haven’t taken advantage of the services offered by the Council to call and see what might be a good fit for them. Even a little bit of caregiver support can go a long way, for the caregivers as well as their loved ones.

A Project for Caregivers

Delaware home-and communitybased service providers, a Delaware employer and a working caregiver.

Employers will learn of working caregiver issues and the availability of community resources. They will take away a local elder care resource guide, collateral information materials and a simple “elder care” display kiosk. Employers will also be asked to complete a survey. Employer needs, opinions and observations will be collated and distributed to luncheon participants, all Delaware County elder care service providers and chamber of commerce member employers. There is no intent to charge employers for program services. Viewed narrowly, the project is a shared marketing program of community elder care service providers that will connect working caregivers and their employers with the programs and services of these same providers.

Caregiving statistics show that nearly one in four households has a member caring for someone age 50 or older. The majority of family caregivers (74%) have worked at a paying job at some point during their caregiving experience, and fully 58% currently have either full-time or parttime employment.

The profile of the typical caregiver is a 49-year-old female who works outside the home and will spend more than 20 hours each week pro-

viding unpaid care to her mother for nearly five years. On average, she will spend $5,531 annually on out-ofpocket caregiving expenses for her loved one. In order to manage these expenses, more than a third of caregivers report that they have used savings or found it necessary to reduce or stop saving for their own futures.

As a result of caregiving duties, the working caregiver over his or her lifetime will lose $566,433 in wage wealth, $25,494 in Social Security and $67,202 in pension benefits.

Nearly 69% of working caregivers

report needing to make accommodations because of caregiving responsibilities, including arriving late, leaving early, taking time off, cutting back on work hours, turning down promotions, changing jobs or leaving the workplace entirely. Caregivers who provide the most intense level of caregiving (20 hours of care each week) and shoulder the highest burden of care (assistance with activities of daily living) more frequently report the need to make workplace accommodations.

National Church Residences and the Council for Older Adults are partnering on a project funded through a grant provided by MetLife. The goal is to create an innovative program with the intent of educating and establishing relationships with every Delaware County employer interested in improving the balance of work life and home life for their employees who may be caregivers for elderly loved ones.

In 2011, Delaware County employers provided work to 88,000 people. Excluding construction, manufacturing and retail trade (employer categories that may be difficult to penetrate), approximately 66,000 working individuals are currently caregivers or will someday become one.

The goal is to reach the employers of 50 percent of these working caregivers in the first two years of this initiative.

The initiative will kick off with the first of four planned luncheon seminars for Delaware County employers.

The first luncheon will be Nov. 13, and other luncheons will be scheduled every six months. it is expected that 100 employers will attend each luncheon. These free seminars will be at the Center for Older Adults in Delaware County. The program format will include panelists representing

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hardware dealer, restaurant owner, an industrialist, and a common pleas judge. They were interested in establishing a bank to service the city and county. That legacy continues today.

Jane VanFossen — Spirit of Philanthropy Award Generous of her time and with her financial support, Mrs. VanFossen is a longtime resident of Powell. She and her husband moved to the area when it was a village. She became involved in community leadership as the mayor of Powell, and guided the expansion of the village as it grew to become a city. Today, she continues her community service as a member of Powell’s finance committee.

Mrs. VanFossen served on the committee that researched the establishment of a community foundation for Delaware County. She is a founding board member of the Delaware County Foundation, and served as its board chair and treasurer. Jane and her late husband, Jack, established one of the first endowed donor-advised funds at the Foundation. Their gift continues to support the community through annual grants to a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout the county. She is passionate about the importance of philanthropy to improving the quality of lives in our community.

Dr. Kent Doherty & Dr. Kevin Doherty — Outstanding Volunteers While maintaining full-time medical practices, these twin brothers give hundreds of volunteer hours each year to help the most needy members of our community. They are the driving force behind the Grace Clinic in Delaware County. For nearly seven years, the free weekly clinic has provided primary

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care to anyone in need of medical attention but who lack the financial means to receive care. As a result of their passionate work, Grace Clinic has been able to recruit and maintain the more than 130 volunteers, including other physicians, nurses, dentists, and other clinicians. They accomplish their work with a loving attitude and respect for people who often get very little attention from healthcare systems.

They have successfully encouraged the establishment of four other free medical clinics in central Ohio.

Abbey Fields — Outstanding Youth A 2013 graduate of Buckeye Valley High School, Abbey Fields developed the grassroots bullying prevention program, Thank Goodness I’m Female (TGIF). Miss Fields was motivated by her own experiences with relational aggression, a pervasive yet unnoticed or hidden form of bullying. She researched and developed the program for girls to deal with relational aggression while forming, encouraging and maintaining healthy, positive friendships. The program is now in a number of Delaware County middle schools.

TGIF parents, family members, school faculty, community members, and TGIF middle and high school peers have been impacted by TGIF and Miss Fields’ efforts. In three years, the student-designed and student-led program received national recognition.

Miss Fields also regularly attends STAND UP Leadership Team meetings and serves on Youth to Youth’s Summer Leadership Training Conference youth staff, where she leads hundreds of drug-free teen leaders. Now a college freshman, Miss Fields has left a positive influence in our schools, our communities, and our youth.

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what is aphasia?

You might have heard the term “aphasia” in passing, whether in conversation with doctors, family members or friends. It might have been one of those medical terms that went in one ear and out the other, without truly understanding the meaning.

Aphasia is a term that means a language disorder. It can result in difficulty with understanding, speaking, reading and writing language. Aphasia is caused by a stroke or head injury that results in brain damage, usually to the left side of the brain where the “language centers” are located. Each person with aphasia has different skills and difficulties, depending on the location and severity of the brain injury. One individual may have difficulty listening to a simple direction and following it. Another may not be able to “get out” the word he/she is trying to say. Still others might not be able to speak at all.

There are three main types of aphasia: expressive, receptive, and global aphasia. An expressive aphasia diagnosis is made when people have difficulty with speaking (sometimes known as “Broca’s aphasia”) and writing. Individuals with receptive aphasia have difficulty with understanding language (sometimes called “Wernicke’s aphasia”) and reading. Global aphasia, the most severe type of aphasia, is a combination of expressive and receptive aphasias, with the individual often demonstrating difficulty in all four areas of language mentioned above.

Individuals with aphasia may also demonstrate dysarthria (difficulty forming sounds and putting them together into words), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), or difficulty with cognition (thinking) skills.

A person’s skills may improve naturally as his or her brain heals — even up to six months after the stroke or injury. However, it is important that the individual be evaluated by a speech-

delaware

SPeeCH & HearING MeGaN MaSterSoN, Ma CCC-SlP Speech Language Pathologist

Delaware Speech & hearing

language pathologist (SLP) and, if necessary, begin therapy as soon after a stroke/head injury as possible. Therapy immediately following an injury can help add to natural (or spontaneous) recovery. Speech-language therapy might occur while the individual is still in the hospital after a stroke, or during inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation and/or through home health. SLPs conduct testing to determine an individual’s strengths and weaknesses; address his/her weaknesses and utilize strengths; work with the individual and his/her family on the use of strategies in order to communicate more easily at home; and help find other ways to communicate if the individual is unable to talk.

If you or someone you know has aphasia, you likely learned quickly just how much of an impact difficulty with language has on everyday life.

Although the journey with aphasia is challenging, it is important to work closely with your doctor, SLP, therapists and family to achieve the best recovery possible.

For more information, visit the following websites: • American Speech-Language Hearing Association – www.asha.org • American Stroke Association – www.strokeassociation.org • Aphasia Hope Foundation – www.aphasiahope.org • National Aphasia Association – www.aphasia.org

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VOlUNTeeR VIsIONs Ways to Volunteer Make a Difference in the Life of an Older Adult How would you feel if you were unable to get needed medical care because you could no longer drive?

Volunteers are needed to drive older people to their doctor and other needed appointments. The Council for Older Adults provides complete training and mileage reimbursement to volunteers who are able to provide this service. You can pick and choose your own schedule. Make a difference in the life of an older adult today! Call Amy Brown at (740) 203-2355 for more information.

Are You a Winter Warrior?

Like the birds, many of our volunteers fly south for the winter. If you brave the cold Ohio weather and are interested in assisting with delivering meals to older people in the Delaware County area, now is the time to start.

Our volunteers are reimbursed for mileage and receive a free lunch on the day they volunteer. This muchneeded volunteer opportunity is one day per week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. through the spring. Bringing a smile and a meal to a home-bound senior can make their day; contact Amy Brown at (740) 2032355 for more information.

Enjoy the Outdoors and a Crisp Fall Day? Join us for our annual Leaf Raking Day on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Groups, individuals and families are welcome. Join us for a light breakfast, and then you will be assigned to rake leaves at an older person’s home for the morning.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own rakes and gloves. All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Sharon

Fryer at (740) 2032368 for more information.

Volunteering – It’s Good for Your Heart!

sure levels at the first interview.

Looking to experience the health benefits that come from volunteering? The Council for Older Adults is currently recruiting for: If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amy Brown at (740) 203-2355 or amyb@growingolder.org.

Engaging in 200 hours of volunteer work a year may keep hypertension at bay.

That’s according to researchers with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, who found that volunteer Breakfast with Bob work could be an effective non-pharmaceutical option to help prevent hypertension in older adults.

Study results showed that those who reported at least 200 hours of volunteer work during an initial interview were 40 percent less likely to develop hypertension than those who did not volunteer when evaluated four years later. The specific type of volunteer activity was not a factor; only the amount of time spent volunteering led to increased protection from hyperRosie Wood and Dick Skuce received tension. the Gold Badge.

“As people get older, social transitions like retirement, bereavement and Volunteers attended a breakfast the departure of children from the with Council for Older Adults home often leave older adults with Executive Director Robert Horrocks on fewer natural opportunities for social Tuesday, Sept. 24. Volunteers that interaction,” the study states. reached 100 hours were given a COA “Participating in volunteer activities hat, 300 hours were given polo shirts may provide older adults with social or sweatshirts, and the 1,000-hourconnections that they might not have plus volunteers were given a gold otherwise. There is strong evidence badge. that having good social connections Volunteers were recognized for promotes healthy aging and reduces the following milestones: risk for a number of negative health 100 Hours: Steve Boham, Janet outcomes.”

Garlock, John Hood, Linda Hood, The study — published in the Dennis Howe, Jim Masters, Ruska American Psychological Association’s Sencic, Laura Sewalk, Mary Lee Stocks, Psychology and Aging journal — Gail Tolene. focused on more than 1,100 adults 300 Hours: Kathy Amos, Dale between the ages of 51 and 91 from Bell, Carl Bruene, Karen Burger, Marla across the United States. Participants Crouch, Karen Johnson, Veronica were interviewed twice, in 2006 and Jones, Jan Larson, Steve Sun, Darlene 2010, and all had normal blood presWiesner, John Wiesner, Kristine Wolfe.

Gold Badge: David Confer, David Hardcastle, Dick Skuce, Rosezetta Wood.

Volunteer Picnic On Oct. 6, we had more than 100 volunteers gather for a picnic at the Mingo Park shelter house. The Council provided hotdogs and bratwurst for the event and volunteers brought their favorite dishes. The nutrition department planned a fun scavenger hunt filled with items for volunteer teams to collect, and there was plenty of laughter and competition among the teams. Local businesses donated items for the picnic for door prize drawings.

We would like to thank the following companies for their donations to the event: Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Delaware, Funny Bone comedy Club & Restaurant, Kroger, McDonald’s – Delaware and Sunbury, Salon Schools Group, Skate America Roller Skating & Fun Center, Walmart.

New Volunteers (Thru 9/18) Denise Clark, Jim & Cindy Eakins, Liam Fordham, Bob Goelz, Maria Kuzel, Barb Mayo, Gloria (Jean) Nolan, Rebecca Price, Ann Sanderson, Libby Trucco.

Volunteer Spotlight - Vicki Mills This month’s spotlight volunteer is Vicki Mills. Vicki can be found at the Council for Older Adults nearly every day of the week in different volunteer areas. From delivering meals to Council clients to helping pack the meal bags, Vicki rolls up her sleeves and serves.

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Vicki Mills is an enthusiastic Meals On Wheels driver.

Vicki has been trained and volunteers as a kitchen and catering assistant, Meals On Wheels driver, special events helper, office assistant, community events planner and commodities volunteer. She also serves as one of the Council's Community Ambassadors and serves on the COA’s Volunteer Advisory Committee. She also promotes Council services on CareVan outings and helps with training classes. In addition, Council staff depends on Vicki when she's called and asked if she can fill in as a substitute (99% of the time, she says yes).

Her favorite duty is serving as a Meals On Wheels volunteer because she cares for the clients so much and they are so happy to see her.

She has developed many relationships over the years and looks forward to seeing the clients on her routes, and the feeling is mutual.

Vicki delivers meals on the south route on Monday and on the west route on Friday, with help from her husband, Ken. Vicki has been a substitute driver on more than 15 dif-

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ferent meal routes in Delaware County.

“Vicki is committed to making a difference in the lives of others, and she serves as she does because she believes in the mission of the Council,” said Sharon Fryer, the Council’s Meals On Wheels volunteer specialist.

Vicki has also developed strong friendships with the other volunteers and is a natural advocate for volunteers and clients. She has a wonderful attitude and sense of humor and is a great asset to the volunteer team.

Vicki won the Council’s It Takes Teamwork Award at the annual volunteer recognition event in March, and she has received more than 30 Star Awards for going above and beyond in her service to the COA. She has also received her milestone award for more than 1,000 hours of service in the last six years.

Vicki and Ken have been married for 19 years and Vicki has one daughter, Jennifer. She also has a Cocker Spaniel named Zack and a Husky named Kia. Vicki loves to travel and her favorite place to visit is Branson. MO. Her hobbies include bowling and working out at the Senior Citizens Inc. fitness center. She loves to read and her dream vacation would be taking her husband to Alaska for a dog sled ride and sightseeing, then taking a cruise back.

Vicki is a great example of how to make a difference in your community, and she does it every day. If you would like to make a difference, please visit our website at www.growingolder.org to complete your volunteer application, or contact Sharon Fryer at (740) 203-2368 to take the first step to become a volunteer.

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nurse navigators serve as Guides for Cancer patients senior Facing breast cancer can be a scary proposition, but patients at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital do not have to go through it alone. A specially trained breast health nurse navigator will be with them every step of the way.

Grady assigns a breast health nurse navigator to every woman, from the moment she receives an abnormal screening through post-treatment. We accompany patients for their breast health appointments at the Delaware Health Center and through their hospital experience.

Our goal is to take the fear and confusion out of the process.

Patients can count on seeing a familiar face every time they come to an appointment. They also can expect better outcomes. Our breast health navigation program has decreased the days from detection to diagnosis to half the time of the national average.

Advances in cancer treatment have saved millions of lives, but they also have been responsible for complex treatment decisions and follow-up options that did not exist in the past. A breast health nurse navigator can help you maneuver through the maze of mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy into survivorship.

Some studies have indicated that patients with nurse navigators are more compliant with their care and have better treatment results.

One of our mottos is “No surprises.”

With nurse navigators to assist them, patients always know what the next step will be in their treatment and recovery.

We help patients make appointments, understand test results, cope with treatments and surgery, and talk with physicians. We also connect patients with resources for support groups, wigs and

health

stephanie allensworth, rn, Bsn, oCn Grady Memorial Hospital

OHiOHealtH

other supplies, financial assistance, transportation, and nutritional advice.

We coordinate care among the different physician specialists and make sure patients understand and follow their care plans.

Nurse navigators are part of a growing field of specialists helping patients absorb a barrage of information during a stressful time. Nurse navigators can answer many of the questions patients forget to ask their physicians.

Emotional support is one of the most important services we provide. Because we spend so much time with our patients, we become a trusted resource for them and their family members.

Patients often express fears and concerns with their nurse navigators that they are reluctant to share with anyone else.

More than a dozen breast health navigators work throughout the OhioHealth system in central Ohio, and their work has been so successful at Grady that the hospital is beginning to employ nurse navigators for other cancers besides breast cancer.

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming. Nurse navigators empower patients with knowledge and cut through the confusion to help patients take one step at a time toward long and fulfilling lives.

To schedule your mammogram, call 614-566-1111 or 877-566-1112.

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COMMunICaTOR

Three Holidays, and Three (Very) Different Ways to Celebrate We at Preservation Parks of Delaware County love the holidays as much as anyone, and we’ve come up with some holiday traditions that you won’t easily find elsewhere. In a nutshell, you can join us in the parks to enjoy a 1621 (yes, the year) Thanksgiving feast, to roast chestnuts and otherwise celebrate Christmas like they did in 1930, and to get the New Year off to a good start with a beautiful morning walk.

So here are the details.

We all know the story of the first Thanksgiving, and we’ll take you back to the fall of 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated making it through their first year in the New World. Like the Pilgrims, we will not be feasting on turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Those staples of our traditional Thanksgiving dinner came much later.

Instead, we’ll dine on native foods: perhaps leeks, venison or duck, and possibly cabbage, corn and squash.

This is the fourth year that Preservation Parks has held this feast, which we call “Native Harvest.” Besides enjoying the meal we’ll provide, you’ll learn the truth behind some myths associated with the first Thanksgiving.

(No, it was not a serious religious celebration, for example.)

“Native Harvest” will be on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at Deer Haven Preserve, 4183 Liberty Road. This event is for ages 7 and older, and is free; however, registration is required by Nov. 10. Call (740) 524-8600, ext. 3, or email register@preservationparks.com.

Fast forward 310 or years or so, and you’ll find yourself at Gallant Farm Preserve, our 1930s-1940s living history farm. Life on the farm was not always easy during the Great Depression, but families still managed to celebrate the

candy. always, visit After the hike, we’ll enjoy hot www.preservationparks.com for inforchocolate and tea, and some of the hik- mation on parks, programs and events.

Sue Hagan Marketing & Communications Manager ers always manage to bring a tin or two of holiday cookies. (You know, of Preservation Parks of Delaware County course, that cookies eaten after a hike are guilt-free.) We can’t guarantee perfect snowy weather, but we can guarantee a good time and the lift for your spirits that comes from being outdoors in nature.

The New Year’s hike will be held at our newest park, Shale Hollow Preserve, 6320 Artesian Run, Lewis Center. We’ll Christmas holiday. Their decorations start the walk at 10 a.m. and warm up may have been homemade, and pres- afterward in front of the fireplace ents small and inexpensive, but that inside. simplicity is something for which many Three holidays, three ways to celeof us yearn in this era of high expecta- brate. Join us in the parks! And, as tions and over-the-top celebrations.

“A Holiday Evening on the Farm” will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Gallant Farm Preserve, 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road. This event is free and for all ages, and reservations are not necessary. Visitors can expect holiday music provided by a local chorus or two, wassail and cookies in the farm house, and chestnuts roasting on an outdoor fire (depending on the weather). Plus, we’ll offer a craft or two in the granary.

Finally, Jan. 1 will find me out on the trails, helping with our annual New Year’s Day hike. Nature will provide the perfect way to help us keep our fitness resolutions, no matter what the weather. In past years, we’ve had hikes with no snow and warm temperatures, drizzly days, and slushy hikes. Last year, we hiked through what could only be called a winter wonderland. About six to eight inches of snow had fallen the night before; it was that perfect snow that sticks to the trees and makes the landscape look like it’s spun in cotton

fun

OuTDOORS

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CoMMUniCator

Library renovation a reason for Celebration If you visit the Delaware County District Library’s main building or the Ostrander Branch this month, you may be surprised to hear hammers banging and other construction noise. Each of these two locations is getting a bit of a facelift, to brighten them up and make them a friendlier place for you.

As part of the Library’s levy campaign in 2009, we promised to build the Orange Branch and to make needed improvements at the Powell, Ostrander and Main branches, too.

The Orange Branch opened its doors in 2011, and renovations to the Powell Branch were accomplished in late 2012. The final renovation work at the other two locations will be completed before the end of the year, fulfilling our promises to you.

senior

reading

Mary Jane santos Director

Delaware County DistriCt library

The Ostrander Branch was opened in 1991, and the Delaware Branch opened in 1992. Library collections have changed a lot in the past 20 years, in shape, size and format. The dozens of shelves needed for videocassettes have shrunk to accommodate

much smaller DVDs. Similarly, the number of shelves needed for audio cassettes is greater than those needed for books on CD, MP3 and Playaways.

And digital collections of eBooks and magazines don’t take up any shelf space at all. We looked at the use of space at these locations and reasoned there were more efficient and practical ways to position the collections, making it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, and to provide more space to enjoy the branches’ ambience and resources.

The Ostrander Branch is also having its walls painted, and the 20-plusyear-old carpeting will be replaced.

Along with a fresh new color palette of paint, the new carpet will certainly freshen up this location.

At the Delaware (Main) Library, you will see a dramatic transformation.

We are combining the existing three information desks into one, a change that will improve service and efficiency.

We are also adding self-pick-up of holds and additional self-check computers in the circulation area, giving you choices to check out your items.

The “New Book” shelves will be relocated to allow room for comfortable seating near them, and the magazine shelves are going to be moved

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away from the windows so we can make the best use of the wonderful natural light for reading and relaxing.

We will be moving all of the DVDs and audio books into a more central location, and the computer room will house more computers, quiet study space, and more tables for laptop use.

Teens will find a new space to call their own when the renovations are completed. We will be repurposing the former reference office into a vibrant and exciting room for teens, tricked out with televisions, computers, tablet armchairs, and gaming systems — all designed to make teens feel much more welcome in the Library.

And finally, the Large Print shelves will be reduced in height and moved closer to the front of the building to make accessing this collection easier for all.

When all of the renovations are done, I think you will be delighted with the new look and feel. We will still have the collections of books, DVDs, magazines and audio books that you have come to expect to find at the Delaware County District Library, but the buildings will offer a more “people-friendly” place to enjoy with your friends and families. Along with providing you with library items, DCDL also wants to provide you with a comfortable, peaceful and convenient gathering space in which to enjoy them. I believe our renovations will accomplish that goal beautifully!

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HAPPENINGS Senior Citizens Inc. of Delaware County 800 Cheshire Road, Suite B (740) 369-5133 President: John McDavid Director: Charlene Browning Membership Dues: Delaware County Residents, $25 *NOTE: Check our website, www.delawareseniorcenter.org, to get the latest information on programs and to find out who the instructors are for the various programs.

Weekly Events: We are open Mon.Thurs., 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., and Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Sat.) Warm Water Exercise – Aquatics: Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.

Classes cost $36 for a six-week series.

Warm Water Exercise – Pool Walking: Mon.-Thurs., noon -12:45 p.m. and Fri., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Cost $2 for 45 minutes. Tues. & Thurs., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cost is $4 for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Meals Site: Studio 60, 800 Cheshire Road. Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.

Call (740) 203-2432 or (740) 203-2433.

Reservation required by 8:30 a.m. the day of the meal.

Drop In Programs: Mon.-Fri. Our pool tables, table tennis, poker throw and dart board are open — just walk in! We also have board games and cards available for those who walk in. Our Wii is available on Wed. afternoons.

AT THE

Village – blood pressure, pulse, pulse ox, blood sugar: Mon. Nov. 25, Dec. 9, & 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Bridge Lessons: Mon., 10 a.m. – noon Bridge Open Play: Mon., 10 a.m. – noon Chair Yoga: Mon., 11 a.m.

Mat Yoga: Mon., noon Book Club: 3rd Mon., noon Oil Painting Group: Mon., 1 – 3 p.m.

Seniors Anonymous: Support group: 1st, & 3rd, Mon., 1 – 2 p.m.

Bridge: Mon., 1 – 3 p.m.

Euchre: Mon., 1 p.m.

Hiking Club: Mon., 1:30 p.m. we hike at the Preservation Parks in Delaware County.

Creative Writing: Mon., Nov. 25 & Dec. 30, 2 p.m.

Tai Chi – Introduction: Mon., 5 – 6 p.m.

Zumba Basic: Mon. & Wed., 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY PROGRAMS Wood Carving: Tues., 9-11 a.m.

Zumba Basic: Tues. & Thurs. 9 – 10 a.m.

PACE: Tues. & Fri., 10 – 11 a.m.

Line Dancing (Beginners +): Tues., 11 a.m. – noon Romeo Club: (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Tues., Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m., lunch (on own) at G & R Tavern in Waldo. Red ball caps are a must!

MONDAY PROGRAMS Romeo Club: (Retired Old Men Eating Full-Body Workout: Mon. & Wed., 8 – Out) Tues., Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m., lunch (on own). Call (740) 369-5133 for location.

9 a.m.

Red ball caps are a must!

Do For Others: (Park Avenue) Mon., 9 – Potluck & Annual Meeting: Tues., Nov. 11 a.m. make quilts for Grady Hospital and do some sewing and needlework for 12, noon. We will have turkey and dressing furnished – please bring dishes to “Project Linus” (Sewing & Crafts). share.

The Annual Meeting will follow OSU Extension Office – Good Food for Dummies: 2nd Mon. and 4th Fri., 9 lunch. Make your reservations early!

Christmas Potluck: Tues., Dec. 10, a.m. noon. This special potluck will feature Table Tennis: Mon. 9 a.m. – noon our entertainer Johnny Steiner. Bring a Screenings by Wexner Heritage dish to share – the meat will be meat-

CENTER

loaf. Entertainment is sponsored by Kingston Residence of Marion, and Arbors at Delaware Subacute & Rehabilitation Center.

Make your reservations early!

Scrappy Crafters: Tues., Nov. 19 & 26 and Dec. 17, 24 & 31, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Duplicate Bridge: Tues., 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Dominoes: Tues., 1 p.m.

Darts: Tues. & Thurs. 1 p.m.

Open Line Dance: 4th Tues., 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Water Volley Ball: Tues. & Thurs., 2 – 2:45 p.m.

Chime Choir “Del Chimers”: Tues., 2 – 3 p.m.

Quilters Rule: Tues., 3 – 5 p.m.

Pool Walking: Tues. & Thurs., 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Aquatic Low Impact Aerobics Class: Tues. & Thurs., 5:30 p.m.

Experience Yoga Class: Tues. 6 – 7 p.m.

Bookmobile: Wed., Nov. 13 & Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – noon Health & Wellness Seminars – Wexner Heritage Village: Wed., Nov. 13 & Dec. 11, 10 – 11 a.m.

Creative Expressions – Open Studio: Wed., Nov. 6, 27, Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Special Art Classes – Spindle Snowman: Wed., Nov. 13 & 20, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Table Tennis: Wed., 1 p.m.

Parkinson’s Support Group – Speech Therapy: 2nd & 4th Wed., 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Mah Jongg: Wed., 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Please sign up at Center if you want to attend these classes. We play the National League Rules.

Bingo: Wed., 1 – 3 p.m.

Evening Euchre Club: Wed. 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Learn To Knit: Wed. 6 – 7:45 p.m. – through Dec. 11.

THURSDAY PROGRAMS Pinochle: Thurs., 10 a.m.

Line Dancing (Early Beginners): Thurs., 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS Line Dancing (High Beginners): Thurs., Foot Care: 2nd Wed., 8:30 a.m., & 4th 11 a.m.

Thurs., 8:30 a.m. Please call to make Life’s A Stitch: Thurs., 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. reservations on the first working day of Red Hat Society “Delaware Dollies”: month.

Thurs., Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m. at Coffee and Conversation: Wed., 9 Giammarco’s on State Street in a.m. Nice time to meet new friends and Westerville. Wear your red hat and pursee those you have not seen for a while. ple outfit!

Do For Others II: (800 Cheshire, Suite Red Hat Society “Delaware Dollies”: B) Wed., 9 – 10:30 a.m. This group will Thurs., Dec. 12 – will not meet because be working on several different projects. of holidays.

Massage Therapy: Wed., 9:15 a.m. – 1 ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Play: 1st & p.m. Call to make appointment.

3rd Thurs., 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Delaware General Health District Computer Classes: Thurs., 1 p.m.

Clinic: 4th Wed., 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Please call the Center regarding the classes that will be taught and to sign up.

MediGold: 1st & 3rd Wed. 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Dominoes: Thurs., 1 p.m.

Stock Market Discussion Group: Photography Group: 4th Thurs., Nov. Wed., 10 a.m.

14 & Dec. 12, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

The Music Gathering: Wed., 10 a.m.

HAPPENINGS continues on page 29

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travel Note: All rates are per person and lunch. We leave the Olentangy unless otherwise stated.

Center at 9 a.m. and arrive area seniOr back in Delaware around 6 citizens p.m. Fee for this trip is $86 You are invited to member in county; $88 memtravel, at your own ber out of county; and $96 expense, with the non-member.

Olentangy Area Seniors on escorted December 12: Deck the package tours. All Halls – Stan Hywet We will motor coach tours travel to Akron for a fun expedepart from rience! Our first stop will be McDonald's at U.S. 36/Ohio 37 and I-71, Donzelle’s Greenhouse to do some shopeast of Delaware, and from Bob Evans, at ping while we experience their holiday 960 E. Dublin Granville Road, displays and pick up our step-on-guide Worthington. For additional information for the afternoon. From here we will or for a detailed flier, call 614-882-6822 depart to West Point Market for shopor 800-686-9640. ping time, gourmet foods, a bakery and, if you want, enjoy a coffee and treat on seniOr citizens inc. Of your own. After this experience we will delaware cOunty travel to Stan Hywet for the Deck the Halls event with a tour of the mansion For additional information on trips, call and grounds. Then we are off to dinner (740) 369-5133. Stop in to tour Senior at Papa Joe’s in the Valley. Papa Joe’s is a Citizens Inc. at the Center for Older Adults and get a list of the new programs family-owned icon in Akron. We will we will offer! Delaware County non-resi- leave the Center at 12:30 p.m. (eat lunch dents will pay $2 more for trips and non- before we leave) and arrive back in members will pay $5 more per trip cost- Delaware around 11 p.m. The fee for this trip is $91 member in county; $93 meming $59 and under, and $10 more per trip for a trip costing $60 or over. For all ber out of county; and $101 non-memtrips – you must sign up and pay at least ber, and this fee covers transportation, two months to five weeks in advance of driver’s tip, entrance fees, and dinner. the departure date.

Overnight trips:

day trips (out of the area): November 21: LaComedia “A Christmas Spectacular” Join us this holiday season as we travel to LaComedia for the musical “Christmas Spectacular.”

You don't have to travel to New York to experience a high-kicking Christmas celebration as they present a “LaComedia Christmas Spectacular!” This musical journey features spectacular dancing, funloving characters and Santa Claus himself. Then, with the warmth and beauty of the Nativity, they will celebrate the wonder of the true meaning of Christmas, featuring their traditional rendition of “O’ Holy Night.” The fee covers transportation, driver's tip, the musical

December 4-6: Biltmore in Ashville, NC Enjoy two nights at the Double Tree Hotel in Ashville, North Carolina along with a full hot breakfast each morning during our stay. Some of the highlights of this trip are dinner on the Biltmore Estate grounds, self-guided tour of the Biltmore House for an illuminated evening complete with candles and a reentry to the estate grounds to visit the Biltmore House during the daylight hours, and a visit to the winery on the grounds.

Dinner at the Grove Park Inn and a guided city tour also are included.

Please call the Center for more information if you are interested in any of these trips.

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Medicare & the new Health insurance Marketplace The Health Insurance Marketplace that starts in 2014 is designed to help people who don’t have any health coverage. If you have health coverage through Medicare, the Marketplace won’t have any effect on your Medicare coverage.

Your Medicare benefits aren’t changing. No matter how you get Medicare, whether through original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have the same benefits and security you have now, and you won’t have to make any changes.

The Marketplace provides new health coverage options for many Americans. If you have family and friends who don’t have health coverage, tell them to visit HealthCare.gov to learn more about their options.

You don’t need to do anything with the Marketplace during Open Enrollment, and Medicare’s Open Enrollment isn’t part of the Marketplace.

Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) is the time when all people with Medicare are encouraged to review their current health and prescription drug coverage, including any changes in costs, coverage and benefits that will take effect next year. If you want to change your coverage for next year, this is the time to do it. If you’re satisfied that your current coverage will continue to meet your needs for next year, you don’t need to do anything. For more information on Medicare Open Enrollment, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800MEDICARE.

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The Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period runs Oct. 1, 2013-March 31, 2014 and overlaps with the aforementioned Medicare Open Enrollment period.

If you have Medicare, make sure that you’re reviewing Medicare plans and not Marketplace options.

To review Medicare plans, use the Plan Finder on Medicare.gov. It’s against the law for someone who knows that you have Medicare to sell you a Marketplace plan.

The Affordable Care Act & Medicare Here are the top five things to know about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if you have Medicare: 1. Your Medicare coverage is protected. Medicare isn’t part of the Health Insurance Marketplace established by ACA, so you don't have to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage.

No matter how you get Medicare, whether through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have the same benefits and security you have now. You don’t need to do anything with the Marketplace during Open Enrollment.

2. You get more preventive services for less. Medicare now covers certain preventive services, like mammograms or colonoscopies, without charging you for the Part B coinsurance or deductible. You also can get a free yearly “Wellness” visit.

INSURANCE continues on page 26

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Keep Accurate Track of your Assets Dorothy was the loving mother of three. She had two sons, Dave and Mike, both of whom lived out of state, and a daughter, Nancy, who lived less than a mile away. As caring, attentive, and loving as Dave and Mike were, they lived so far away that the day-today responsibilities of caring for Dorothy fell to Nancy.

Even though Nancy was pulling more than her fair share of the weight in taking care of Dorothy as she aged, Dorothy’s Last Will continued to require an equal split of the estate between Dave, Mike, and Nancy. Dorothy believed that as long as her will said that everything would be divided equally, that is what would happen.

After all, she had an “official” Last Will and Testament. She was proud of that.

She made sure that she did special things for Nancy little by little: nice Christmas gifts, paying the mortgage every now and then when Nancy and her husband were in a pinch. In

Nancy took a Thursday off of work and the two of them went from bank to legAl BrIefs bank setting things up so that Nancy JAson seABury, esq. could begin taking care of the bills. So, Manos, Martin, & PergraM Co., on some of her accounts (like her IRA), LPa she set up beneficiary designations to the three children equally. But on most of her accounts that she regularly used to invest and pay bills, she just added Nancy as a joint owner because that was the easiest thing to do. At least that’s what the bank manager said. All Dorothy knew was that Nancy was Dorothy’s mind, it was her way of com- going to be able to take care of paying pensating for all the things she did that the bills after doing that, which is her brothers didn’t have to do. But exactly what she wanted.

Dorothy worked hard to keep things Time went by, and Dorothy passed “fair” (at least in her mind) because away. When she passed, she was when her time came, she wanted her worth $900,000, which meant exactly estate to be divided equally between $300,000 for each of her beloved chilher three children. dren. Before she passed it made her As time went on, it became harder happy and proud to know that she for Dorothy to manage her own finan- was going to leave such a handsome cial affairs, and frankly, she just didn’t inheritance. want to bother with it anymore. So But the week after the funeral

things started to get confusing. It turned out that her $300,000 IRA was to be distributed equally among the three kids. Everything worked on that asset. And there was $180,000 worth of CDs that had each of the three kids as equal “transfer on death” (TOD) beneficiaries. But the remaining $420,000 passed to Nancy after Dorothy's death because she and Dorothy had been joint owners ever since Nancy started taking care of Dorothy’s affairs.

Now this puts Nancy in a difficult position. This kind of situation presents all kinds of difficult legal (and moral) challenges. Many families disintegrate into conflict as a result of fighting over the money after Mom and Dad are gone.

Here is the moral of the story: Go to your bank, your broker, your financial advisor, your attorney. List each of your assets to them. Ask what would happen to that asset if you died today.

Who would it go to? The answer might surprise you, and as Dorothy's family learned, it matters.

Community Invited to 11th Annual Heroes Breakfast The 11th Annual American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast will honor nine categories of heroes in our community who have shown courage, dedication and character through extraordinary

acts of heroism and kindness.

Categories include Community Impact, Firefighter, Health Care, Military, Youth Good Samaritan, Law Enforcement, Older Adult, Work Place, and Pet Hero.

INSURANCE continued from page 25 3. You can save money on brandname drugs. If you’re in the coverage gap (aka “donut hole”), you’ll get a 52.5% discount when buying Part Dcovered brand-name prescription drugs and a 28% discount on generic prescription drugs in 2014. The discount is applied automatically at the counter of your pharmacy — you don’t have to do anything to get it. The donut hole will be closed completely by 2020.

4. Your doctor gets more support.

With new initiatives to support care coordination, your doctor may get additional resources to make sure that your treatments are consistent.

5. The ACA ensures the protection of Medicare for years to come.

The life of the Medicare Trust fund will be extended to at least 2029 — a 12year extension due to reductions in waste, fraud and abuse, and Medicare costs, which will provide you with future savings on your premiums and coinsurance.

In addition, student hero essay winners from grades K-12 will be recognized.

The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m. at Ohio Wesleyan University’s Hamilton Williams Campus Center, in the Benes Room, 40 Rowland Ave. in Delaware.

Proceeds benefit your local American Red Cross. Doors open at 8 a.m. with the program from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Tickets are $25 and table sponsorships are available.

“This truly is one of the most inspirational ways to spend the morning,” said Shelia Thomas, of the American Red Cross’ Delaware office. “We like to say it’s the feel-good event of the year, and you really will be uplifted hearing the stories of these heroes. Jason Janoski, CEO of Central Ohio Blood

Services Region, will be there to share the importance of blood donation, and attendees will also meet Madeline Richardson, one of our blood recipients who continues to fight her battle thanks to blood donors.”

For tickets to the breakfast, please RSVP by Nov. 1 to Sheila.thomas@redcross.org or (740) 362-2021, ext: 115. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.redcross.org/oh/delaware/Delawa re-Heroes-Breakfast-2013.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the Council for Older Adults, Delaware Area Career Center, Nationwide, OhioHealth, Richwood Bank and Wal-Mart.

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ClUB NeWs Ashley seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Ashley Villa, 240 S. Main St., Ashley Regular meeting date and time: 3rd Monday at noon Contact: Dave Thurston, (740) 7472658 or dmthurston2@msn.com Dues: $5 per year Ongoing Activities: We have a potluck at noon followed by entertainment and business meeting. Come and enjoy the fellowship and good food. We play euchre every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Villa. All are welcome.

BellpOINT seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Buehler’s Community Room, 800 W. Central Ave., Delaware Regular meeting date and time: Every Monday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Contact: Bob Burr, (740) 369-0652 Ongoing Activities: We play cards on Mondays. We also walk inside Mingo Park, 7-9 a.m. every weekday morning.

BIg WAlNUT seNIOR CITIzeNs ClUB Meets at: PJ’s Pizza, 571 W. Cherry St., Sunbury Regular meeting date and time: 1st Thursday (except July) at 11:30 a.m.

Contact: Janey Cook (740) 936-5109, Sharon Souder (614) 855-9243 Dues: $8 per year Ongoing Activities: Guest speakers cover many areas of interest and are entertaining, informative, funny and educational. We are an active and friendly group and would welcome new people to visit and join us. We have our picnic in July and play bingo in December. There is no meeting if Big Walnut Schools are closed for bad weather.

DUBlIN COMMUNITy seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Monday (except May & December) at 11:15 a.m.

Contact: Wanda Kamler, 614-4104550.

Ongoing Activities: For information about activities and trips, contact the City of Dublin Senior Adult Program Office at 614-410-4550. geNOA TWp. seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Genoa Community Bldg., 5111 S. Old 3C Hwy., Westerville Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Thursday at noon Contact: Beulah Fritsche, (740) 9652640 Dues: $10 per year Ongoing Activities: Seniors 55 and over in Genoa Township are encouraged to attend. Come with fresh ideas. At our regular meetings we usually have our potluck but sometimes we have a catered meal. We offer a variety of programs. hyATTs AReA seNIOR gROUp Meets at: Fireside Room, Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Tuesday Contact: Barb Spellman, (740) 3693500 Ongoing Activities: Our meetings usually begin at noon; however, the location and starting time may differ depending on the activity for the day.

If you have questions about times or locations, please call the president. The goal of the club is to provide members with a social time, a learning activity, a

new experience, and a good meal. Our club is open to new members in the area at all times.

OleNTANgy AReA seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Orange Township Hall, 1680 E. Orange Road, Lewis Center Regular meeting date and time: 1st Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

July and November meet 2nd Wednesday.

Contact: Sheri Scott, (740) 879-3233 Meeting: Music soothes, laughter heals and fellowship bonds. A potluck luncheon followed by a program of music, fun, fellowship and shared community to brighten your day and lighten your spirit is held the first Wednesday at Orange Township Hall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for all interested persons 55-plus years young. The Delaware General Health District will be available for free screenings beginning at 10 a.m. before each luncheon. All are welcome! Please feel free to join in the upcoming festivities.

Ongoing Activities: In addition to the luncheon meetings we offer the following weekly programs: Monday discussion group held in the private group room at Panera Bread on U.S. 23 in front of Meijer. The coffee fellowship begins at 9 a.m. followed by guest presenters speaking on topics and issues pertinent to Delaware County and senior citizens at 9:30 a.m. A Monday card group is held between 2 and 4 p.m. in the North Orange Park Community Room. We offer fellowship and mind-sharpening activities such as euchre, bridge and other card or board games. We also have occasional day trips to concerts, parks and movies, and other membership gatherings. Dates and times are determined by the group. For informa-

tion on any or all of the above three pro¬grams, contact Sheri Scott at (740) 879-3233 or Kathy Oster at (740) 548-1985. The current membership survey offers new and current members 19 activity and interest group selections in an attempt to meet the needs of active vital seniors.

OsTRANDeR seNIOR CITIzeNs Meets at: Ostrander Community Center, 3737 Ostrander Road, Ostrander Regular meeting date and time: 4th Thursday Contact Person: Wilma Rolfe, (740) 363-0948 Dues: $5 per year Meeting: Those over 55 years of age are invited to join.

Ongoing Activities: We have our regular meeting on the fourth CLUBS continues on page 28

How to list your club or group All clubs and support groups have received information forms for 2013. If you are not sending in your activities for the entire year, please be sure to mark your calendars so we receive your information in time for each publication. If you have not received your packet, please contact Brenda Durfey at (740) 203-2357 or 800-994-2255.

Please keep us informed of any changes in officers. Include a contact person, phone number with area code, meeting dates, times and locations, ongoing information, recent news (previous two months) and future news (next two months or any upcoming important dates). We will try to publish as much information as possible.

Send in those pictures! Trips, special occasions or recognitions such as a milestone birthday or anniversaries are great reasons to show off your members.

Pictures should be clear and bright with names of those pictured.

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cLUb neWs Thursday of each month. We have entertainment before the meeting and refreshments after. On the second Thursday we have a birthday dinner at different locations. Come out and join us for games every Thursday at 1 p.m.

The Delaware General Health District is at the building from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on our regular meeting date.

ProsPect senior citizens Meets at: Prospect Senior Citizens Building, 318 N. Elm St., Prospect Regular meeting date and time: Every Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact Person: Marjorie Fox, (740) 360-8639 Dues: $10 a year for those 55 and older.

Meeting: On Thursdays, lunch is available for $3.50 per person. We are also open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2

p.m. for games with a brown bag lunch. All card games are played such as euchre, pinochle, bridge, hand & foot, and pool. The last Tuesday of each month a potluck is held at noon with cards all day. We are located in southern Marion County and we have many Delaware County members.

Ongoing Activities: A free blood pressure clinic is held the last Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. until noon. A business meeting is held the second Thursday immediately after the noon lunch.

WesterViLLe AAUW The American Association of University Women Westerville Branch (AAUW) presents a program for women and men. These meetings are free and open to the community and held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. The meetings begin with a “ meet and

greet” starting at 7 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the monthly meeting place and topics of discussion, call 614-891-4677. Our regular meeting place is Westerville Area Resource Ministry, 175 E. Broadway Ave., Westerville.

DeLAWAre AAUW Contact: Roberta Clark, (740) 3633965 Dues: Dues are calculated according to membership status, as described on the website.

Meeting dates, time & location: Meeting dates, times and locations vary as shown on the schedule for this year. Those with an “ *” are scheduled jointly or by another group and we are attending their function. Please notify Robert Clark at (740) 363-3965 when planning to attend a dinner

meeting. All meetings are open. If there are changes to the schedule, they will be updated on the website at www.delohioaauw.wordpress.com.

LeAgUe of Women Voters of DeLAWAre coUnty Contact: Celia Vail, (740) 369-4376, lwvdelawarecountyohio@gmail.com The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization advocating citizen participation in government.

Our organization is active at the local, state and national levels of government, with each level setting priorities for study and action. Membership is open to all citizens of voting age – women and men. All meetings are open to the public. Call for more information or check www.lwvdelawarecountyohio.com.

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HAPPENINGS continued from page 24 Reminiscence Theatre: Thurs., 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Hand Work with Friends (knitting & crochet group): Thurs., 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Tai Chi Classes: Thurs., 4 & 5 p.m.

Weight Watchers Meeting: Thurs., 5 p.m.

Aquatic Low Impact Aerobics: Thurs., 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.

Senior Center Dining Group: 3rd Thurs., 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY PROGRAMS Open Play Bridge: Fri., 10 a.m.

Think Positive: A Little Bit of Inspiration: Fri., Nov. 1 & Dec. 13, 10 – 11 a.m.

Computer Help/Support: 1st, 2nd, and 4th Fri., 11 a.m.

Mind Aerobics: Fri., 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

No class on Nov. 29 – Thanksgiving Holiday!

Genealogy Class (Beginners): 3rd Fri., 1 – 3 p.m.

Bingo: Fri. 1– 3 p.m.

Creative Expressions – Open Studio: Fri., Nov. 1, Dec. 13, 20 & 27, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Liquid Stained Glass: Fri., Nov. 15, 22 & Dec. 6, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

The Golden Notes: Fri., 1:15 p.m.

PARK AVENUE ONLY: Euchre: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Cost is $1.50.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Self Defense Against Criminal Attack: Tues., Nov. 5, 2 – 4 p.m.

Matter of Balance: Wed., through Dec. 11, 3 – 5 p.m. Call Delaware General Health District at (740) 368-1700 to take part in these classes.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink: Wed., Nov. 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. topic on Estate Sales, Downsizing and Senior Moves.

Authentic Writing and Living History – to partner with Olentangy Orange Middle School: Thurs., Nov. 7, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Veterans Celebration: Mon., Nov. 11, 8 – 11:30 a.m. This year the theme is the Vietnam War and the speaker for the celebration is Pastor Dwight Cimino, a Vietnam veteran. All veterans are honored at this ceremony.

Paying for College – Ohio’s 529 Plan: Tues., Nov. 12, 10 – 11 a.m.

Center’s Annual Meeting: Tues., Nov. 12, 1 – 2 p.m.

Do You Know Beyond the Podium – Local Economy: Wed., Nov. 13, 9:30 – 10 a.m.

Health & Wellness Series/Lectures – Wexner Heritage Village – Diabetes – It Is More Than Just Sugar: Wed, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – noon Delaware Speech & Hearing Center: Mon., Nov. 18, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Departure Meeting – Biltmore: Tues., Nov. 19, 11 a.m. – noon Senior Centers 2011 – 2013 Overnight Travelers’ Party: Tues., Nov. 19, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

AARP Driver Safety Class for Military Veterans & Dependants 55 +: Wed., Nov 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. This class is free for veterans and their dependants.

Matter of Balance: Weds., through Nov. 20, 3 – 5 p.m. Call Delaware General Health District at (740) 368-1700 to take part in these classes.

Wine & Dine – ‘It Starts with a Grape’: Tues., Nov. 26, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Investing 101: Tues., Dec. 10, 10 – 11 a.m.

Rainbow Kids from Willow Brook – A Christmas To Remember Program: Wed. Dec., 11, 10 – 11 a.m.

Health & Wellness Series/Lectures – Wexner Heritage Village – Maintain No Gain: Wed, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – noon Holiday Social: Thurs., Dec. 12, 2 – 3 p.m. Sponsored by HomeWell Senior Care – Compassionate In-Home Care

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Scarlet & Gray Shindig a Big Hit Each September, the Committee to Save Senior Services hosts a fund-raiser to raise money for future levy campaigns and ensure the continuation of senior services in Delaware County. And each year, the event proves to be a fun-filled evening.

This year’s fund-raiser was once again a great time; since it coincided with the kickoff of the Ohio State football season, the event’s theme was that of an OSU tailgate party. The Scarlet & Gray Shindig was held at Brookshire on Sept. 5. More than $13,000 was raised, which will provide funding for future levy campaigns.

This year’s event could not have been possible without a team of outstanding volunteers, local donors and sponsors — all community-minded people, businesses and organizations with a deeply rooted commitment to Delaware County’s older adults.

Presenting Sponsor: Manos, Martin, Pergram & Co., LPA Gold Sponsor: Willow Brook Christian Communities Silver Sponsors: Emergency Plumbing • OhioHealth Contest Sponsor: Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc. Supporting Sponsors: Delaware Noon Kiwanis • Fred Astaire Dance Studio • Helpline/Connections • Mail Pro & More • National Church Residences Center for Senior Health • Sarah Moore Home and Health Care Center • Scotts Miracle Gro Company • The Delaware County Bank • The Franklin Foundation Auction Table Sponsors: Haller Wealth Management • Interim Healthcare • Johnsons Services • Lawyers Title Agency/Carolyn Riggle • Silver Crown HomeCare • The Inn at Olentangy Trail

Chore Program Do you or someone you know need help with leaf raking, or cleaning out gardens or flower beds? We have youth in our community who wish to perform service projects and will be assisted by an adult supervisor to complete your chore requests. You must furnish the tools necessary to complete the job.

This service is free to all people 60 years old or older in Delaware County, and who have no other means to receive assistance with outdoor chores. If you have questions or would like to request this service, please contact the Council for Older Adults at (740) 363-6677 or (800) 994-2255. The Council for Older Adults will determine each caller’s eligibility at the time a request is made.

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Veterans Day Ceremony to be held on Monday, Nov. 11 The fifth annual Veterans Day ceremony organized by Senior Citizens Inc. and local military organizations will take place on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Rd. Delaware. All veterans and active military personnel are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet at an 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. seating.

Breakfast is sponsored by Carriage Towne – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram. Non-veteran guests can attend for a cost of $7 per person and may purchase a ticket at the Center. Seating is limited, so reservations are required for

breakfast and the ceremony. All veterans are invited to wear any part of their military uniforms. Please call (740) 3695133 to inquire if tickets are available.

Following the breakfast, the ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m. All veterans are honored at this ceremony. This year the theme is the Vietnam War. Vietnam veteran, Pastor Dwight Cimino will be the keynote speaker. Twenty-one year veteran, Debbie McMillan, who served during the Vietnam era, will be the emcee for the event. Veteran Don DeShazo from the Delaware County Veterans Services and Delaware County

Commissioners will present awards to outstanding veterans. Those honored this year are: Harold B. Wolford – Army Vietnam era serving in Germany, 1970-1973 • Serves as 4-H advisor for 22 years at Delaware County Fair • As member of the Delaware County Fair Board, he coordinated the fair’s Veterans Day Program “Operation Forever Grateful” and all veterans activities • Standardized and enhanced the Fair program guide by providing expertise with editing, layout and proofing of publication • Active with the Buckeye Valley School District for over two decades serving various district wide committees addressing facilities, levies, bond issues, and athletics • He is self employed the last 15 yrs with his own technology company providing computer software/hardware support Marty Crawford – Army Vietnam veteran, 1966-1968 • Serves as Commander of VFW Reed-Miller Post 3297 in Delaware, OH. • Member of Delaware County Veterans Association. He provides funeral detail for deceased veterans in

various cemeteries throughout Delaware County • Serves as Veterans Affairs Chairman for the Hiram #18 Masonic Lodge organizing trips to the VA Hospital in Chillicothe assisting veterans in social activities. Also involved in Delaware City All Horse Parade • Active volunteer with Central Ohio Food Bank, Elks Lodge and is a member of the Delaware Chamber of Commerce and Delaware Athletic Boosters • He retired in 2002 from the grocery industry after 38 years of employment and was most recently employed as a school bus driver for 10 years with the Olentangy Local School District Those who have a brick placed in the Veterans Memorial Garden will be listed in the program. The Veterans Memorial Garden, which is located in front of the Center on Cheshire Road, honors past and current members of the military. Individual bricks cost $80 and are still available for purchase.

Those ordered before September 13 will be installed in the garden before the Veterans Day ceremony. The garden was generously started with funding from the Raymond B. Austin American Legion Post #115 of Delaware.

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