55 and Better — July 25, 2023

SUE FINKAM FOR MAYOR IS

(FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE)

“The Carmel FOP Lodge 185 is once again proud to announce the endorsement of Mayoral candidate Sue Finkam in the upcoming general election. Sue demonstrated her tenacity and drive for success in the primary election. She won a hard-fought campaign through prioritizing public safety, transparency, and listening to what Carmel residents want from their next Mayor. While working alongside Sue during this campaign, we have heard from numerous residents that crime prevention is their top priority.

Our city is constantly targeted by those who want to take what we have built. In the past year we have seen a 27% rise in thefts, 22% rise in motor vehicle thefts, and 20% rise in burglaries. We must stand strong to keep our community safe and protect our quality of life. The Carmel FOP remains steadfast that this community deserves nothing less than the finest police officers in the nation, through recruitment and retention. Sue Finkam understands the need for a stronger police force now more than ever, so that we continue to remain one of the safest cities in America. Please join us in voting for Sue Finkam as your next Mayor of Carmel on November 7, 2023.”

What is elder law and how can it help you?

Commentary by Lisa Dillman

Elder law is a specialized legal practice area that focuses on the unique legal needs of older adults. Here are some interesting statistics and points highlighting the importance of elder law:

AGING POPULATION

The population of older adults is growing rapidly. According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of Americans 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. This demographic shift underscores the increasing need for legal services tailored to the elderly population.

Estate planning is a crucial aspect of elder law. However, a significant number of Americans, including older adults, do not have essential estate planning documents in place. Elder law attorneys play a vital role in guiding individuals through the estate planning process, ensuring their wishes are documented and their assets are protected.

LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING

Long-term care is a significant concern for older adults and their families. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70 percent of individuals aged 65 and older will require long-term care services at some point in their lives. Elder-law attorneys assist with planning for long-term care needs, including navigating Medicaid eligibility, setting up trusts, and developing asset protection strategies.

ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE

Older adults are vulnerable to financial exploitation and abuse. According to a study by the National Council on Aging, financial abuse costs older Americans $2.9 billion annually. Elder law attorneys play a critical role in preventing and addressing financial exploitation by establishing safeguards, advocating for their clients’ rights, and pursuing legal remedies when abuse occurs.

GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP

Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings are essential tools for protecting the rights and well-being of incapacitated older adults. Elder law attorneys assist families in initiating guardianship or conservatorship proceedings when necessary, ensuring that vulnerable individuals have responsible and trustworthy individuals appointed to make decisions on their behalf.

HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING

Advanced health care directives, including living wills and health care proxies, enable individuals to express their health care wishes and designate someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. Elder law attorneys assist older adults in creating these important documents, ensuring that their healthcare preferences are respected and that they receive appropriate medical care.

ELDER LAW ADVOCACY

Elder law attorneys play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and protection of older adults. They work to address legal issues specific to older individuals, such as elder abuse, age discrimination, access to healthcare, and social security benefits. Some firms, including Applegate & Dillman Elder Law, offer life care planning services, including Elder Care coordinators who assist older adults navigate the aging world.

Elder law encompasses various legal areas, and its importance lies in addressing the unique legal challenges faced by older adults, protecting their rights, and ensuring their well-being and dignity in the later stages of life.

Lisa Dillman is an attorney at Applegate & Dillman Elder Law. The firm has offices in Indianapolis, Carmel and Zionsville. Find out more at applegate-dillman.com.

Is walking regularly enough exercise?

Commentary by Katrina Archer

As an ACSM-certified personal trainer working with older adults at Motion 4 Life Fitness, I often hear these three frustrations:

• “I walk regularly, why isn’t that enough exercise?”

• “I’ve been walking for exercise, but I still struggle when climbing stairs, carrying groceries and getting up from a chair.”

• “I’m worried about my balance.”

So, why is it important to add strength training to your walking routine? Although walking will help with cardiovascular health and help maintain endurance, muscular strength, power and flexibility have a tremendous impact on your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. For example, climbing stairs requires muscular strength and power, which also can improve your golf or pickleball game. Everyday activities like gardening, biking and even walking become easier when you have a well-rounded

Take a moment to reflect on the last time you were with your grandkids. Were you able to get down on the ground and play with them – and get back up? Were you able to lift them for a hug? Were you able to play catch or kick a ball? As we age, our bodies change, and while we think we can still do what we did when we were younger, at times like these, we realize it often is not the case.

For many of us as we age, we plan to travel. Are you worried about that upcoming trip? Walking through busy airports and moving through new environments can be challenging. Carrying luggage requires strength and balance as we maneuver through airports and hotels.

I’ve had the joy of watching my older adult clients improve their balance, strength and mobility. They are often amazed at the difference in their lives. So, keep up your walking routine and try to add in a little strength conditioning and balance with the guidance of a trainer. You deserve to have an active and mobile lifestyle.

Katrina Archer is a certified personal trainer for Motion 4 Life Fitness in Carmel.

“Walking is a great, lowimpact way to improve cardiovascular health, but it is just one component of a wellrounded exercise program.”

RN, LPN, CNA Monday-Friday

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f you are an avid walker, keep up the good work! Walking is a great, low-impact way to improve cardiovascular health, but it is just one component of a well-rounded exercise program. Muscular strength and power naturally decline as we age, and the rate of decline is even higher after the age of 60. Strength and power training have proven to be beneficial additions to the older adult’s exercise routine.exercise program -- which, by the way, will reduce your risk of injury.

*Offer incentives are valid on or after July 1, 2023 on purchase agreements, not contingent on the sale of another home, accepted by affiliates of Epcon Communities, on a limited number of inventory homes in specified communities and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time without notice. To qualify for the incentive the purchase of the home must close on or before December 31, 2023. The incentives are available only for certain financing options and do not apply to all lenders and loans. Some conditions, limitations, and restrictions apply. Offer may vary locally. See your Sales Consultant for more details. Finance incentives are capped at no more than $20,000 based on participation in this offer, including financing through Go Mortgage, LLC, (NMLS 1018). May require at least 10% down. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. The 4.99% interest rate (5.124 APR) incentive is based on qualification and financing with Go Mortgage, a conventional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, sales price of $600,000, loan amount of $420,000 with a 30% down payment, and a 760 FICO score and payment of 1.13 points. Some buyers may not qualify for this loan or this rate. A Higher rate or a different loan scenario may apply based on credit score and applicant characteristics. Additional closing costs will apply. Rates fluctuate daily based on market conditions and may increase until the rate is locked. Ask for a Loan Estimate. Loans are subject to underwriting guidelines and lender approval. Go Mortgage, 4215 Worth Ave., Suite 320, Columbus OH 43219. Ohio Mortgage Residential Mortgage Lending Act Certificate of Registration Number MB.804284.000, Indiana Mortgage Lender No. 10882. Additional licensing information may be viewed at: https://gomortgage.com/licensing-information. Prospective buyers are free to shop for the best rate and terms and use any mortgage lender of Buyer’s choosing in the purchase of their Epcon home, subject to the terms of the buyer’s home purchase agreement with Epcon. The purchase price for the house

Summer 2023

Recognizing dementia symptoms, preventing falls in patients

Commentary by Linda Barnes

Dementia is an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities to function. Symptoms include difficulty problem solving, communication, and decreased memory.

Which stage of dementia do falls happen the most?

Stage 6 is high risk for falls because of confusion, decreased physical coordination and disorientation, although, falls can happen at any stage of dementia.

Incidence of falls with dementia

Falls happen almost twice than that of cognitively intact individuals. Most falls occur at home, about 6 percent

happen in the bathroom, on the stairs, or in the bedroom. Problems with memory, poor judgement/insight, depression and inability to express their needs. Other problems include weakness, lack of exercise, decreased balance, decreased vision and depth perception.

What are the risk factors?

The fear of falling, medication side effects, depression, visual-depth perception and wearing the wrong type of shoes. There are many other intrinsic and external risk factors that play a part as well.

What are some consequences of falls?

Acceleration of the dementia process, decrease socialization because of fear of falling, loss of independence,

chronic pain and depression. Fractures can occur because of bones being more fragile, which can lead to surgery, and recovery time from healing can be increased. Limit distractions when walking, slower paced walk, ensure a clutter-free environment and the avoidance of overuse of narcotics. The use of contrasting colors, adequate lighting in a room, adaptive equipment such as rails, etc., can assist in the avoidance of falls. Regular exercise and an exercise program can potentially slow the progression of dementia.

I’m Darrell Blackburn, a licensed sales agent in Boone, Hamilton and Central Indiana. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs. Take advantage of my knowledge and experience to:

• Take the confusion out of Medicare

• Get help comparing plans

• Receive one-on-one service

• Make enrolling in a plan easier

I look forward to helping you explore your Medicare options so you can enroll in a plan with confidence. It’s

317-326-2332, TTY 711 bst3262332@gmail.com

www.MyUHCagent.com/darrell.blackburn

Linda Barnes is an occupational therapist and owner/president of Therapy On Wheels. For more on Therapy on Wheels services, call 317-332-9861.

CONCERNS FOR GRANDPARENTS TO KEEP IN MIND

SUMMER SAFETY: HEALTH

By Dr. Dan Slubowski, emergency medicine physician at IU Health North Hospital

The summer months are a great time for grandparents to play outside with their grandkids. However, before participating in these activities, it is important to know potentially dangerous situations so you can avoid them. Here are some common child health concerns and tips to keep in mind this summer.

ASTHMA

Asthma is a condition in which the airways become narrowed, causing people to cough, wheeze and have difficulty breathing. Asthma is particularly relevant in the summer months because kids are typically more active, which can cause asthma flare ups. Common asthma irritants or triggers include cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, chemical fumes and even pet dander. After your grandchild encounters these triggers, they may start coughing and have trouble stopping. Asthma symptoms include experiencing shortness of breath, chest tightness, difficulties taking a deep breath, and whistling or squeaking when you breathe, commonly called wheezing. If your grandchild experiences one or more of these symptoms, let their physician know.

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

Three common heat-related illnesses are sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat exhaustion is the body responding to losing an excessive amount of water and salt. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine output. If you think a child is experiencing heat exhaustion, call 911, take off excess clothes, have them slowly drink water and give the child a cold compress on their head, face and neck.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Signs of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, dry skin or profuse sweating, seizures or very high body temperature. You can help by calling 911 immediately, getting your grandchild cold by putting them in a cold bath or moving the child to a cool area.  Finally, leaving children alone in the car during summer months is extremely dangerous. When left alone in the car for even a short period of time, children are at risk for injury, dehydration or even death.

WATER SAFETY

Before getting into a pool this summer make sure your grandchild knows how to swim or at very least tread water. They should swim with adult supervision. More children ages one to four die of drowning than any other cause of death, according to the CDC. Make sure your grandchild is wearing some kind of flotation device when they are swimming as well.

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE

When accidents, injuries or illnesses occur suddenly and unexpectedly, it can be hard to know the best place to seek medical care. Serious, complex or life-threatening medical emergencies always require evaluation and treatment in an emergency department. But for less severe, more common illnesses and conditions, neighborhood urgent care centers offer a variety of benefits, including lower costs, shorter wait times and less risk of exposure to ill patients. If you’re uncertain where to seek care, go to the nearest healthcare facility or arrange for emergency transportation for more serious situations. Be familiar with the healthcare services offered by your local urgent care center, and if it’s not an emergency, call the urgent care center to find out if they’re equipped to treat the situation.

While summer activities can be fun and lead to lasting memories, they can quickly go wrong without the proper preparation. IU Health North has a skilled Emergency department team, including Riley Children’s Health physicians and nurses, ready to care for patients of any age. If a serious injury does occur, call 911 or go to your local emergency department immediately.

Dr. Dan Slubowski

ER

Kids’ care beyond compare, when you need it most.

You can’t predict when kids will need emergency care. But you can always count on us to provide highly skilled, compassionate ER care for your kids anytime, day or night. We give you 24/7 access to current emergency room wait times when every minute counts. And your kids get the highest level of care to feel better. Soon.

To view emergency room wait times, scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit RileyChildrens.org/ERnorth

Inala Movement Studio instructor helps older adults stay flexible

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Leslie Whitesell knows how important movement is to stay flexible.

“As we’re aging, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for people to keep moving,” she said.

Whitesell, a Carmel resident, opened Inala Movement Studio in Fishers in the summer of 2020.

She had lived in New York City for many years, working for two different studios. She then worked for a studio in Cincinnati before moving to the Indianapolis area.

Whitesell teaches the GYROTONIC Method, which is trademarked by the company.

“It’s a method of teaching movement to basically anybody,” Whitesell said. “It helps with mobility as well as strength. It’s a combination of things, so you’re not getting just strength training and you are not getting just flexibility. You are getting a lot of mobility, which is flexibility supported by strength, especially in the joints and spine, which, as we get older, in their 40s and 50s, people are starting to have their low back or hips hurting all the time. It allows you to keep the mobility and strength to go about your life with ease to deter many of the aches and pains that come with aging.”

Whitesell said the method helps improve posture.

When she teaches private lessons. Weights and tension resistance are involved.

“You are working with weight-bearing exercise as well, which is good as you age for your bones,” Whitesell said. “All of that is combined with work with breathing, which is important for the nervous system and your sense of well-being.”

Whitesell said some people don’t know how to breathe properly. She said improper breathing contributes to not feeling good.

“The equipment is unique to this work,” she said. “You want to be able to work in the full range of motion in the joints.”

Whitesell said group classes are conducted on a stool.

“It’s seated and standing work and sometimes on the floor, but there is no special equipment,” she said. “It’s sort of like a yoga class, but it’s not yoga.”

Whitesell works with a range of clients, including professional dancers in their 20s.

“I have people all the way up to their 70s,” she said. “They choose what they are most comfortable with.”

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Inala Movement Studio owner/instructor Leslie Whitesell, left, works with Deborah Barlow. (Photo by Adam Seif)

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She has been teaching the method for more than 10 years.

Whitesell, 47, previously was a competitive ballroom dancer.

“When I moved to Indianapolis, I was still competing and dancing and working at a ballroom studio and teaching GYROTONICS on the side,” she said. “In 2020, I decided I was done competing. I wanted to have my own studio where I can teach GYROTONICS and ballroom dancing.”

Indianapolis resident James Brown is a firm believer in the method.

Brown’s former job was golf course maintenance.

“I’ve done yoga five times a week for 24 years because my job was so physically demanding,” Brown said. “I did yoga to alleviate back pain. I did it as a maintenance to keep from being injured. I didn’t want to take muscle relaxers. Yoga worked great but I started doing this and it’s like yoga on steroids. I’m as strong as a cat. I wrestled in high school and I’m as strong now at almost 65. It makes you engage all your muscles.”

Brown said there are a lot of wavy movements.

“But once you figure it out, you are standing straight for the first time in your life,” Brown said. “When you are driving a car, you are looking 4 inches above the windshield, so it’s like a weird body reformation.”

Brown said he takes two private lessons and two classes a week at Inala Movement Studio. He also does yoga one day a week and has taught yoga in the past.

“I feel like I’m 45 years old,” he said. “I’ve built six golf courses, so my body got beat up. I feel younger.”

When a session is over, he said he feels a natural high.

Brown learned about it through Miriam Resnick, who owned Mindful Movement Studio before it closed in 2019. She now gives private lessons.

Resnick, 65, said she loves Whitesell’s GRYROKENISIS classes.

“She is an excellent teacher,” the Carmel resident said. “She guides us through all the movements with beautiful imagery and important nuances to help everyone get the best experience. I always leave class a little taller and have a big smile on my face.”

Marquette is a not-for-pro t senior living community, giving you the life you want to live. With a wide variety of beautifully designed residential options and maintenance-free living, our community gives you the exibility and control over everything you do.

Spiritually connect with us at 4 p.m. daily for Mass in our beautiful chapel. Our community also offers various dining venues, a state-of-the-art aquatic center, and wellness programs for endless opportunities — and it’s all just steps from your front door.

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ON THE COVER: James Brown works out at Inala Movement Studio. (Photo by Adam Seif)

Younger patient benefits from Copper Trace rehab facility

Submitted by CarDon & Associates

Leah McManus never imagined she would find herself learning to walk again, especially while living in a senior community at the age of 34. Fortunately for her, rehab stays are available for all ages at Copper Trace, CarDon & Associates’ Westfield community. And that’s where she ended up taking her first steps while recovering from a horrific car accident.

In December 2022, McManus was on active duty as a military dietitian for the Navajo Nation in Arizona. While driving from the hospital there to a satellite clinic in a smaller community, she was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. The accident left her femur and pelvis broken, her knee fractured, her ankle shattered — and the left side of her body impaired after a stroke. The Copper Trace staff’s experience with older stroke patients proved to be vital during her recovery.

“It was just a weird time in my life,” McManus said. Last month, Copper Trace rolled out the red carpet for Leah’s “graduation” from rehab therapy. Her journey to that point was rocky yet rewarding.

While McManus was initially in intensive care in Arizona, her aunt and uncle visited and took care of her 3-year-old daughter. Given the fact that McManus had to be transferred to an acute rehab facility, her

relatives agreed to bring her daughter back home with them to Indianapolis. But McManus felt like she couldn’t fully recover without her daughter.

“I really needed to be near my daughter,” she said. “For mental health reasons and to heal. It was really hard being separated from her because we’re so close. She’s my only child, and I’m her only parent.”

Fortunately, the stars aligned for McManus to receive the rest of her therapy at Copper Trace. She took a military medical flight from Arizona to Indianapolis, where she made the most important milestones in her journey toward recovery.

“Mary was my favorite therapist at Copper Trace,” McManus said. “She really pushed my limits. She taught me how to use a cane, and she challenged me to climb my first flight of stairs — which was really scary, but she was wonderful. Learning to walk again was very exciting.”

Although fellow residents in the community were surprised to see someone so young among them, McManus appreciated the chance to socialize and engage in activities.

“It was great to get out of my room and get out of my head,” she said. “There were all sorts of fun things to do like arts and crafts, nail painting, bingo, games. That put me in a better mental state during recovery. And my daughter appreciated having things to do.”

While she looks forward to being back on duty, McManus is cherishing the time she has now at home with family. And she appreciates Copper Trace for making that possible.

Leah McManus recovered at Copper Trace’s rehab facility. (Photo courtesy of CarDon & Associates)

Sycamore Reserve resident follows passion

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

At 94, Sycamore Reserve Senior Living resident Eleanor Best is still able to follow her passion.

“I’m still doing my machine embroidery,” she said. “I have a large machine here and I’ve been able to do quite complicated work. We’ve been making aprons for some of the residents. I amuse myself with the weaving and sewing.”

Best has lived at Sycamore Reserve since shortly after her husband, George, died at age 97 in September 2020. The couple, who were married for 68 years, previously lived nearby in Lawrence Township.

Best has written 15 books on weaving, which are available on Amazon. She switched to machine embroidering.

“I used to do workshops all over the country,” said Best, who was a member of the Indiana Weaving Guild. “I also belong to a sewing group that meets once a month. It originated 30 years ago and there are still a few of us left.”

Best said she is very active working on the computer.

“My husband made programs for me for weaving designs,” she said. “I

have three computers working.”

Best learned to weave while trying to get her daughter, Susan, interested in it while she was in school.

Best was born in Toronto and moved to Michigan before eventually moving to Indianapolis.

Best’s daughter, Susan Best, Indianapolis, died last year. She has two other children, Nancy, and Neil, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“My children went to Lawrence Central and Lawrence North (high schools),” she said.

Best used to play tennis to stay active, playing on an adult tennis team. She skated and skied when she was younger.

“My husband and I traveled quite a lot,” she said. “We’ve been to Europe, the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland.”

Best likes the social aspect of Sycamore Reserve.

“We have some good chats,” she said.

Best gave up driving when she was 90.

“I just felt I was more of a menace than anyone else,” she said, laughing.

Common causes of foot and leg cramps

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan

Do you experience painful cramps in your feet or legs?

Muscle cramps of the feet and legs are most often felt in the arch of the foot and the calf of the leg but may include the toes. Here are some common reasons for foot and leg cramps:

Exercise and dehydration

Intense physical activity can make your muscles contract, resulting in a cramp in your foot or leg. Insufficient fluid and electrolytes in your body can lead to muscle spasms and cramps, especially when exercising. Too much caffeine can also lead to dehydration and cause cramps. To prevent dehydration, try to drink 64 ounces of water daily.

Shoes and hard surfaces

Pointy-toed shoes, high heels or shoes without proper support can induce fatigue and cramping in the foot muscles. Hard surfaces can intensify the problem. Restrictive footwear impedes blood flow and oxygen.

Medical conditions

Nerve disease, including peripheral neuropathy, can cause foot or leg cramps. With neuropathy, the nerves don’t send proper messages from the muscles to the brain, causing the muscles to fire or cramp at the wrong time.

Leg cramps are a classic symptom of peripheral arterial disease. With PAD, the arteries narrow, and the legs and feet don’t get enough oxygen to support activity. Leg cramps show up when walking or exercising, and the

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I’m working again!

Pain-Free! Day center focuses on senior care, activities

bottom, back behind the toes. It was miserable to go to work. Since being treated by Dr. Sullivan, I feel so much better, and I am more energetic since I am not in pain anymore.”

By Jeff Decker editorial@youarecurrent.com

An adult day center in the Castleton-area offers its 55-and-older guests life-enriching activities, faith-based routines, individual-focused care … and smiles.

According to Diana Keely, executive director of Still Waters Adult Day Center, 7160 Shadeland Station Way on the campus of Castleton United Methodist Church, smiles and laughter are contagious at the center.

“The guests uplift one another and support each other even on a tough day,” Keely said. “I love watching two ladies walking down the hallway to lunch together holding hands; the one man redirecting the other man that is having a difficult day; the guest that begins crying while petting the therapy dogs, remembering the dogs she had in her past.”

Still Waters opened in 2011 and is one of two adult day centers in Indianapolis focusing exclusively on seniors, according to Keely. The center has 32 registered guests that visit two to five times a week. Still Waters has a 1-to-4 staff-to-guests ratio, with an RN and LPN on staff and all direct caregivers CNAs.

Guests can participate in activities that promote physical, sensory, cognitive, social and spiritual health. Still Waters has received grants from the Central Indiana Community Foundation to provide art, music and expressive therapists weekly, Keely said. A grant from the AARP helped the center create a community garden, and

guests have enjoyed watching it grow, she said. Church volunteers and members of community organizations visit regularly to provide programming.

Many guests come from faith-based backgrounds, and the center opens with a daily devotional and a blessing before lunch. One guest is an ordained minister and leads a brief monthly church service. Guests also can attend a monthly service in the Prayer Chapel.

“Many of our guests are not physically or mentally capable of the activities that used to be such an important part of their lives,” Keely said. “However limited they are, their faith and Christian upbringing are still a very important part of who they are today, and we make every effort to respect and support them right where they are, both mentally and physically.”

For more, visit stillwatersadc.org or call 317-284-0837.

sive alcohol consumption.

Diagnosing foot and leg cramps

cramps improve when at rest. PAD is a serious medical condition and it’s crucial to be seen immediately.

Medications

Some of the most common medications include diuretics, statins and medications to lower blood pressure.

Diet

Diets low in potassium, calcium or magnesium, or deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin D can cause foot and leg cramps. Another reason is exces-

If your foot or leg cramps don’t improve, you should schedule an immediate appointment with our office. Once we see you, we can diagnose the cause of your cramps and get you on the path to feeling better!

“I was on my feet all of the time cleaning and they were bothering me on the

Janey Cox, cleaning business owner & ball of foot pain patient

Lelola Thomas, left, and Shirley Green, both of Indianapolis, enjoy Still Waters’ New Year’s party. (Photo courtesy of Diana Keely)

A board-certified foot surgeon and wound specialist, Dr. David Sullivan is the owner of Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact him at drs@ westfieldfoot.com.

Father, daughter share love of music

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Elizabeth Lee has the perfect outlet for some daddy-daughter time.

Lee, a 31-year-old Carmel resident, and her father perform and write music together under the name Elizabeth Lee

Lee’s group includes her father Bobby Pugh, a 62-year-old Sheridan resident, and Jason McKay, a Noblesville resident who turns 64 in August.

“I think that’s the main thing for me is just being able to be together with your kid,” Pugh said. “I mean, I don’t know if I’d want to go out and play somewhere with my parents when I was a kid. So, I feel very blessed that she wants me to deal with her. No knock on my parents, it’s just a different generation.”

Lee said it’s just as fun for her as well.

“He has amazing harmonies,” she said. “I don’t think I would be gigging if it weren’t for him because I was too shy.”

The one drawback for Lee is Pugh and McKay have their dad jokes.

“I have to keep my eye on them so that they don’t do anything embarrassing in the show,” Lee said.

Lee performs on vocals and guitar. Pugh sings and plays guitar and sometimes plays keyboards. McKay plays bass guitar.

“Jason started out as a classical guitar player, so you can see that in his bass,” Lee said. “He’s awesome,”

McKay has played a few shows and performed on the recording of the single “Regal” that was released earlier this month.

“This is the first original song we’ve released in five years,” Lee said.

Lee and her father have an album out with 11 original songs called “Flyin’… Bye”.

“We’re both good at writing half songs, so we need each other,” Pugh said.

Lee said her mother, Cari, is a band mom, supporting their efforts.

Pugh said Lee started taking guitar lessons at age 9.

“My son started taking piano lessons and he would never practice,” Pugh said. “She said, ‘I didn’t want to disappoint you,’ so she kept practicing. She said she kind of liked it, so he never did play piano but she stuck with the guitar.”

Pugh said he loved to listen to his

daughter play classical music.

“Then one day she graduated from high school and went to college, (and) I thought, ‘It’s so quiet around here,’” Pugh said.

The father and daughter started playing together about six years ago.

“I wanted to major in music in college, but I got scared,” Lee said. “I had a mutual fund job, and it just crushed my soul, even though it was a great company.”

So, she got back into music five years ago. She did it part-time until this year when she went to full time.

“I talked her into working with my window cleaning business for a while and that crushed her spirit, too,” said Pugh, who retired earlier this year.

The group has been playing throughout the Indianapolis area, including wineries, restaurants and festivals.

“We’re fairly chill for the bar scene,” Lee said.

Lee said she describes their style as singer-songwriter or folk pop.

“We do covers from the 1960s on to now,” she said. “We do Jim Croce, The Beatles. I have to teach them some newer stuff, so we do some Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.

McKay has been playing bass for

about 30 years.

“Mainly I played praise and worship through church,” said McKay, a Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate.

McKay and Pugh played in a shortlived band several years ago. Pugh contacted McKay, who is retired, a few months ago to see if he wanted to play bass.

McKay said he was thinking about going into a different direction other than music before Pugh called.

“We gave him some direction,” Pugh said.

Lee said McKay is a fast learner.

“We joke that he knows some of our songs better than (we do) now,” she said.

The group’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon music.

One of the group’s songs, “Quicksand,” was used in a 2023 Lifetime movie called “Sabotaging the Squad.”

Lee said she hopes to have the group’s other original songs used in movies or TV shows.

For more, visit elizabethleeband.com.

From left, Bobby Pugh, Elizabeth Lee and Jason McKay perform together as a trio (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

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