LIVING Longer, Living Well - June 2016

LIVING Longer, Living Well

A resource guide for 55+

Celebrating Men’s Health Month

JUNE 2016

2

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Friday, June 10, 2016

Celebrating Men’s Health Month Jeannette Suter, Marketing Director, Home Instead Senior Care

June. For most, it is with great joy that we say ‘hello’ to warmer temperatures, hosting backyard bar-b-ques, watching school years come to a close, and yes – celebrating the special men in our lives on Father’s Day. Hand-in-hand with celebrating dads, husbands, brothers or special friends is to also encourage them to be mindful of their health as June is Men’s Health Month.

Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country to raise awareness about health problems most often faced by men, and more importantly, to increase awareness about screenings and prevention tactics. Generally, it is women who are more likely to seek annual examinations and other preventative services. Unfortunately, men statistically rank higher in numbers facing heart disease, cancer, injuries and stroke.

Celebrate the men in your life this month with Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month. Remind yourself or the one’s you love to take advantage of screenings, make smart and healthy decisions, and to seek medical advice early for disease detection and prevention.

Harrisonburg, Va.

Living Longer, Living Well A collaborative partnership of the Daily News-Record, and ElderAlliance, Inc. ElderAlliance Workgroup Members: Jeannette Suter, Workgroup Chair Marketing Director, Home Instead Senior Care Beth Bland Director of Senior Services, Harrisonburg/Rockingham VPAS Wendy DeLawder Clare Bridge Program Director, Brookdale, Harrisonburg Stacy Hansen Program Director, Caregivers Community Network Lavenia “Lev” Norford Director of Publications, Bridgewater Retirement Community Maureen Pearson Director of Communications, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Glennette Poland Intergenerational Activities Director, Generations Crossing Susan Ribelin Coordinator, RMH Lifeline and Senior Advantage Annie Shaffer Wellness Director, Sunnyside Retirement Community Cristin Sprenger Extension Agent,Virginia Cooperative Extension

MISSION: Sunnyside Resident, Lloyd Bishop, gathering information at Sunnyside’s 15th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day Health Fair on May 25, 2016.

COVER PHOTO: John White, former professor at Bridgewater College, and his wife Gene, (former elementary teacher) enjoy their daily workout routines at the Bridgewater Retirement Community Wellness Center. John and Gene stay active as well by participating in volunteer activities throughout the greater community.

Photo courtesy of Bridgewater Retirement Community

The Education Workgroup mission is to develop and promote education and public awareness programs to enhance the health and well-being of older persons, care providers, and families.

Living Longer, Living Well is published quarterly and focuses on issues and topics pertinent to aging.

ElderAlliance – Living Longer, Living Well P.O. Box 473, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 No statement or advertisement in this publication is to be construed as an endorsement of any person / business / organization or as a recommendation to buy advertised products / services.

The ElderAlliance Education Workgroup welcomes the submission of articles to be considered for use in Living Longer, Living Well. The Living Longer, Living Well Editorial Committee reviews all submitted material and reserves the right to decide which selections will be included in the newsletter.

Please Note: This publication contains educational and illustrative materials, narratives, and ideas of an informative nature ONLY. Neither the author, the publisher, not this organization is engaged in rendering medical, legal, or tax advisory services. For advice and assistance in specific cases, the services of physician, attorney, or other professional advisor should be acquired.

The ElderAlliance Education Workgroup is very interested in any comments or suggestions you might have. Please email your ideas for stories or feature articles, suggestions, or “pet peeves” to the editor at jsuter@homeinstead.com, or mail them to Living Longer, Living Well, P.O. Box 473, Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Harrisonburg, Va.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Friday, June 10, 2016

3

Do You Know Who Your Beneficiaries Are? When was the last time you checked the beneficiary designations on your individual retirement account (IRA), employer retirement plan, annuity or life insurance policy? If you haven’t examined it since the account was set up, you are not alone. But do not hesitate. It’s an important but often overlooked or forgotten aspect of wealth transfer.

Due to changing circumstances and shifting priorities, you may find your named beneficiaries are no longer in keeping with your estate plan or wishes. If you have switched jobs, divorced or survived a spouse or a child, your current beneficiary designations may need to be updated.

CONSIDER THE “WHAT IF?” In the heat and emotion of divorce proceedings, for example, the task of revising one’s beneficiary designations can be forgotten. A court decree that ends a marriage also terminates the provisions of a will, but it does not automatically revise the beneficiary status of an IRA or an employee-sponsored retirement account. For example, if an IRA owner remarries and has a new family but fails to change the beneficiaries on the account, the original beneficiary may have a legal claim to the assets in the event of death.

Also, keep in mind that the law requires that a spouse be the primary beneficiary of a 401(k) or a profit sharing account, unless he or she waives that right in writing. A waiver may make sense in a second mar-

riage if a new spouse is financially established, and the children from the first marriage may need the money.

STEPS TO STAY CURRENT Make a list of all accounts that have named beneficiaries: this may include 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, IRAs, pension plans, life insurance policies, annuities and bank accounts.

Contact the plan administrator or financial institution that maintains or services your account to verify your current beneficiary designations.

Keep it safe. Store this list in a safe place and make sure your designated executor has a copy.

Register for online access. If you do not already have online access to your accounts with beneficiary designations, consider registering online so you can view and update your account info whenever you need to.

Consolidate. If you have changed jobs and left your assets in your former employers’ plans, you may want to consider moving these assets into a rollover IRA. Consolidating multiple retirement plans into a single tax-advantaged account can make it easier to track your investment performance and streamline your records, including beneficiary designations.

If you would like to learn more, please write or call care of this publication.

Looking for a Patient Centered Medical Home?

at

2 x5 ad

VMRC - Park Gables

2 x5 ad Now accepting new patients Open to Everyone 1491 Virginia Avenue Harrisonburg VA 22801

540.574.3895 (Phone) 540.564.3582 (Fax) www.hburgchc.org Hours - Monday-Friday 12-4:30pm Christopher Benjamin FNP-C On-site lab available

4

Friday, June 10, 2016

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Memory problems with a family member?

Tips to ease a doctor’s visit Annie Marrs, LCSW, Family Services Director, Alzheimer’s Association

Whether you are currently a caregiver or are concerned that someone you love is showing signs of memory or cognitive impairment – initiating a doctor’s visit can be difficult. If someone you care about is reluctant to visit a doctor, there are some tips that can make the conversation, planning and trip more enjoyable.

If someone has not yet been diagnosed with dementia, it is understandable there can be fears as to what the physician may feel is the underlying cause. Try to reassure the person that there are some treatable conditions that cause similar symptoms. You can validate his or her fears, while also stating your concern, such as ‘I know you are healthy, and you feel you don’t need to see a doctor, but I am concerned about some of the things I see and would feel better getting the doctor’s opinion about what’s going on.”

You may also be able to call the doctor’s office and ask them to call the individual and schedule an appointment. You could encourage the physician

to call if it has been a while since your loved one’s last visit; they could also encourage an annual wellness visit (covered by Medicare), or maybe daily medications need to be renewed. For many individuals, going to the doctor for a physical reason (such as a pain in their hip, hands hurting, or sight changes) is more comfortable than for reasons such as a cognition or memory change.

Once you schedule an appointment, make sure it occurs during the best time of the day for the individual – when he or she has the most energy and is most agreeable.

You may want to pair the appointment with another stop at a place that the person enjoys (a coffee shop or favorite store).

Doctors have limited time to see their patients so it is a good idea to make the most of your visit. Write a list of concerns ahead of time to bring with you or leave with the physician. This can also be helpful if there are changes that you are worried about that can be difficult to share in front of your family member, or if you are not invited to the visit. The Alzheimer’s Association has resource sheets that you can print and use; go to www.alz.org/ knowthetensigns and fill out the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Worksheet and Doctor’s Appointment Checklist or call the association 24-hours a day at 1-800-272-3900.

Harrisonburg, Va.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Free Medicare Health Screenings Howard Houghton, VICAP Counselor, Valley Program for Aging Services

Medicare expanded the list of preventive health screenings offered to all Medicare beneficiaries with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

It does not matter whether you receive your medical care through original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

According to the 2016 Medicare & You handbook, you pay nothing for most covered preventive health screenings if you get them from a doctor who accepts assignment, meaning they agree to accept the Medicare approved amount as payment in full. There are a few tests that require Part B copay and/or deductible, but most tests are free. You could be charged for additional tests ordered by your doctor so be aware.

Review pages 43-64 of the 2016 Medicare handbook to learn more about the tests for which you may qualify. Note that all tests have certain rules; if you do not follow the rules, you will be liable for the charges. For example, it is easy to misunderstand the rules regarding a Welcome to Medicare visit, or a yearly Wellness visit, with what used to be called an annual physical.

Do not ask for a physical since they are not covered. Learn more about the differences on page 68 of the Medicare handbook. Keep track of your preventive services using the charts on pages 69-70 of the Medicare handbook.

Check with your doctor to determine which services are right for you.

Direct questions to Medicare at 1-800-Medicare (800-633-4227) or your local VICAP Program at 540-568-5253.

HH: 5-2-16

Friday, June 10, 2016

Medicare-covered Preventative Services Page 68 68 43 43 45 45 46 47 48

51 51 51 55 55 56 56 56 58 58 59 61 62 63 64

Medicare-covered Preventative Service “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit (one time) Yearly “wellness” visit Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening Alcohol misuse screening and counseling Bone mass measurement (bone density) Breast cancer screening (mammogram) Cardiovascular disease screenings Cervical and vaginal cancer screening Colorectal cancer screenings Multi-target stool DNA test Screening fecal occult blood test Screening flexible sigmoidoscopy Screening colonoscopy Screening barium enema Depression screening Diabetes screening Diabetes self-management training Flu shots Glaucoma tests Hepatitis B shots Hepatitis C screening test HIV screening Lung cancer screening Medical nutrition therapy services Obesity screening and counseling Pneumococcal shot Prostate cancer screenings Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling

Source: Medicare and You 2016

Misplaced your Medicare & You 2016 Handbook?

Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to request a replacement booklet, or visit medicare.gov for an electronic copy to print or download.

5

6

Friday, June 10, 2016

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Reducing Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease with the Help of Exercise Annie Shaffer, Wellness Director, Sunnyside

Call C all for for a tour tour ttoday! oday!

Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone. However, for people with Parkinson’s disease it may be vital to maintaining balance, mobility and daily living activities. Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which passes messages on from one neuron to another. Disruption of this function results in tremors, muscle rigidity and changes in speech and gait. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, these symptoms may be reduced by medication and exercise.

Current research has shown that exercise may provide benefits in two important ways: symptom management and slowing disease progression. Exercise may provide the key element in improving gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination.

Many physicians and physical therapists agree that improved mobility decreases the risk of falls and some other complications of Parkinson’s. Exercise can also ease the disease’s secondary symptoms such as depression and constipation. One study proved that people with Parkinson’s disease who vigorously exercise for 2.5 hours per week show a slower decline in quality of life, and the sooner they begin vigorous workouts after diagnosis, the better.

Exercise is also highly recommended to individuals with a strong family history of Parkinson’s disease in hopes that it will delay or lessen the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, the loss of neurons begins well before Parkinson’s motor symptoms start to show. In fact, by the time most people are diagnosed, nearly 80 percent of their dopamine neurons are already gone so being proactive about maintaining good health and getting early diagnosis is critical.

Studies indicate that any exercise is helpful, but many Parkinson’s patients say they get the best results from boxing and cycling. Parkinson’s disease patients have reported not only reduced symptoms during these forms of exercise but also for hours following the exercise sessions. The research continues, but recent findings are encouraging.

Boxing may work better than other forms of exercise to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms because the exercise is intense and involves footwork to improve balance and coordination while also helping strength and endurance. While boxing, the mind is challenged and engaged as participants learn and execute combinations of jabs, uppercuts, crosses and hooks.

Cycling on stationary bikes also seems particularly beneficial, especially if cycling hard and fast. High-cadence cycling has recently received increased media attention for its potential to retune central motor control processes and reduce tremors and rigidity. Regularly cycling at high intensity may cause regions of the brain that deal with

Harrisonburg, Va.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Sunnyside resident, Bill Ingham, practices boxing moves with Obie Hill (Former State and Golden Glove Boxing Champion), while Sunnyside resident, Pete Fundinger, waits his turn.

movement to connect to each other more effectively.

Of course, everyone who regularly exercises vigorously has fewer unwanted changes in their brains caused by aging. So, the benefits are there for all of us – trying a new exercise routine can also provide a spark to your usual fitness routines. Everyone is encouraged to consult with their physician before starting or increasing an exercise program. Maintaining safety is always fundamental to good health.

Save the Date!

Rockingham County Fair, August 15-20, 2016 Thursday, August 18: OLDER ADULTS DAY All adults age 60 or older enter Fair gates for $2.00 each.

Other adults $5.00 each; Children 7-12 $2.00 ea; kids 6 & under FREE

Friday, June 10, 2016

7

8

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Friday, June 10, 2016

Food for Thought Annie Shaffer, Wellness Director, Sunnyside

Combining brain healthy foods and mind aerobic strategies can be fun as well as beneficial for your brain well-being.

Sunnyside Retirement Community often hosts “Food for Thought” meals that combine “smart” foods with engaging activities such as eating with chopsticks, memorizing fun facts about table mates, and doodling Sunnyside residents enjoy attending with your non-dominate hand.

Food for Thought meals that include The meal begins with a chalbrain healthy foods and mind lenge as place cards are prepared challenging activities. using scrambled letters of each attendee’s name. Surprising scientific facts about cognitive functioning are displayed on colorful placemats. Place settings have reversed utensils and backwards dishes. The experience is further enhanced with tables decorated with three-dimensional puzzles and bright colors such as lime green, hot pink and yellow which have been proven to increase mental alertness.

The Food for Thought meal can be easily replicated in one’s home. Start by planning a simple menu low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol, and high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy. Add smart foods such as

AUGUSTA AUDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES, PC Julie Farrar-Hersch, PhD Licensed And Certified Clinical Audiologist

“Celebrating Over 2 Decades of Service to the Community” Including Assessment Of Hearing, The Vestibular System, And Auditory Processing STATE-OF-THE-ART HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY We Follow You Every Step Of The Way To Ensure Your Hearing Aids Are Comfortable, Beneficial And Meet Your Communication Needs.

30 Day Trial Period OUR SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE: Evaluation And Management Center For The Assistive Technology For Personal Shenandoah Valley And Surrounding Areas Over 35 Years of Experience listening, T.V., And Telephone Augusta Health Medical Off. Bld. SPECIALIZED EARMOLDS FOR: Suite 204 MUSICIANS • MP3 PLAYERS • HUNTERS 70 Medical Center Circle • SWIMMERS • NASCAR FANS Fishersville, VA 22939 • INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES AND MORE www.augustaaudiology.com We Care About You And Your Family!

We Are Here To Serve You!

540-332-5790

COMPREHENSIVE HEARING SERVICE

Financing Available

Harrisonburg, Va.

dark leafy greens, garlic, wild salmon, sardines, herring, walnuts, seeds, avocados, blueberries, freshly brewed tea, dark chocolate, pomegranate juice, red grape juice, or red wine. Plan at least one activity per course. Try placing discussion cards on the table to spur thought-provoking conversations or play a game such as Name that Tune. Invite one or more friends to join with your family members to share in the food and laughter. Remember socializing is very good for brain health too!

Strengthen Your Diet with Power Foods Maureen Pearson, Director of Communications, VMRC

Call them power foods, functional foods or super foods. They are known for the same reason – providing benefits beyond basic nutrition.

For registered dietician Lauren Beach, they are known as “nutritionally dense foods.”

These are foods which provide the most vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients for the fewest calories. The most basic of these foods are fruits, vegetables, milk, grains, fish and meat.

Popular nutrient dense foods are: Bananas, berries, melons, grapes, oranges, peaches; vegetables – broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, sweet potatoes and tomatoes; eggs, lean ground beef, pork loin, salmon, skinless poultry; dairy - reduced fat cheese, lowfat cottage cheese, low-fat milk; grains and breads- whole wheat or grain breads, cereals or crackers, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa and spelt. Healthy canned foods are beans and lentils, fruit in water or its own juice, lowsodium soup and vegetables. Packaged snacks such as dried fruit, unsalted nuts, sunflower seeds and lite popcorn are all healthy choices. Finally, use low fat or low sodium sauces and dressings, herbs and canola and olive oils as bases for toppings.

Power fruits and vegetables are those foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk and classified based on a nutrient density per 100 calories, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper on “Defining Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables: A Nutrient Density Approach.”

Most experts categorize these foods as green leafy, yellow, orange, citrus or ‘cruciferous items’ or high in potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K. The best way to find the healthiest foods is to know how to grocery shop.

“Do most of your grocery shopping around the perimeter of the grocery store where all the freshest foods are,” said Lauren Beach. “And remember the rainbow.”

A nice rainbow of colors in foods throughout the day will provide different nutrients.

Tips for maximizing food’s nutritional value: • Buy locally. When you buy from local farmers or vendors, the food retains its nutritional value longer.

•. Buy and shop in season. Eat fresh or frozen – which are picked and frozen immediately without much of the added salt like in canned foods.

• Balance your plate in quarters: a quarter of protein, a quarter of starch, (sweet potato) and half being vegetables.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Our Bladder Health as We Age Susan Ribelin, Sentara RMH Lifeline and Senior Advantage

So many things change as we are blessed with birthdays. Gray hair, wrinkles, aches and pains are gradual changes we notice as we get older. Usually, they happen slowly and subtly. In the same way, our bladder and kidneys are also experiencing changes associated with aging.

More than 15 million Americans experience urinary incontinence.

Kidneys lose their effectiveness to concentrate urine over time. There are several types of incontinence.

Stress Urinary Incontinence is common and is defined by the loss of urine during activity – walking, exercise, sneezing or even coughing. Urge Urinary Incontinence happens when the urge to urinate is uncontrollable but getting to the bathroom quickly enough is unsuccessful. Overflow Urinary Incontinence is more common in men than women and occurs when the bladder is full but is not able to empty and leaks. Any leakage of urine is abnormal, and a person may suffer from more than one type of incontinence.

Gender plays a factor in bladder health. Although men and women can experience these issues, women are often impacted greater due to the loss of estrogen after menopause. The length (shorter in women) and elasticity of the urethra, which is passage from the bladder to the outside of the body along with the weakening of the sphincter muscle often leads to repeated urinary tract infections.

Some women find that treating an overactive bladder reduces the frequency of urinary tract infections.

Men find that change in their prostate gland has the largest impact on continence. Prostate en-

largement is common among aging men, but can press on the urethra and cause interference with urine flow. Common symptoms include: difficulty urinating, a weak stream, dribbling at the end of urination, increased frequency, sudden urges to urinate and nocturia. Nocturia is the need to wake and pass urine at night; one time is considered normal.

Preserving bladder function and maintaining healthy bladders requires thought and effort. A few things you can do to achieve good practices include: good toileting habits, don’t ignore the urge to urinate and overstretch your bladder muscle to cause a loss of elasticity and tone. Position yourself properly on the toilet, feet resting firmly on the floor or a small stool which allows proper emptying. Avoid frequently emptying your bladder “just in case,” because this decreases bladder tone as it doesn’t stretch to fill. Urinating every three to six hours is ideal. Certain foods or beverages are known to irritate the bladder. Limiting or removing carbonated beverages, spicy and acidic food, caffeine, chocolate and alcohol in your diet might improve incontinence issues.

Dehydration isn’t kind to your bladder. Too little fluid can lead to concentrated urine which can irritate your bladder. Urine the color of water is the goal, urine the color of lemonade is ok, but urine the color of apple juice means you need more fluids. If your urine is as dark as cola, see your doctor.

Regardless of your age – 55, 65, 75 or 95 it’s never too late to understand, maintain or improve your bladder health.

Friday, June 10, 2016

9

Men’s Health Focus: Prostate Screening and Cancer Susan Ribelin, Sentara RMH Lifeline and Senior Advantage

Recently, there’s been a lot of controversy about whether or not men should be screened for prostate cancer. The biggest concern seems to be around finding the balance between screening with diagnosis and treatment for this slow-growing disease. Currently, recommendations by the American Cancer Society suggest that men make an informed decision with their physician about whether to be screened for prostate cancer.

The choice should be made after collecting information about uncertainties, risks and possible benefits of prostate screening. Age, overall health, risk factors and chronic disease should be evaluated.

The biggest risk factors are age and genetics.

Most doctors recommend men who are • Age 40 and have several first-degree relatives who were diagnosed with prostate cancer younger than 65 • Age 45 and high risk; African American men, men who have a father, brother, son who were diagnosed with prostate cancer •Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and expected to live at least 10 years A blood sample to test levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one of the screening options. Elevated levels can indicate a prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement or cancer. A digital rectal exam (DRE) is the second option. During this exam, a physician examines the texture, size and shape of the gland. While these screening options can detect a problem, they are not successful in clarifying whether the issue is cancer or a less serious condition.

If prostate cancer is diagnosed, the PSA test can act as a baseline to determine if a CT or bone scan is needed. It helps clarify if cancer has spread, if treatment is working and when to pursue active treatment if a patient has chosen a “watch and wait” treatment approach.

Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, most of the time prostate cancer is slow-growing and highly survivable.

Do you have questions about hearing aids and how they can help but aren’t sure where to start or who you should ask?

We are audiologists.

The best and most knowledgeable resource you have for information on your hearing health, diagnostic testing and hearing aid technologies.

Dr. Diane Schwalbach Audiologist

590 Neff Ave., Suite 5000 Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Dr. Scott Murray Audiologist

Honest Answers. Expert Advice. Incredible Results!

10

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Friday, June 10, 2016

Harrisonburg, Va.

Grand-parenting – the New Frontier Lev Norford, Director of Publications, Bridgewater Retirement Community

What better gift than to find out you’re going to be a grandparent! Well, some parents say ‘yes,’ and some say ... ‘maybe.’ What if it’s a surprise because all the other grandchildren are half grown? What if the parents are expecting twins or triplets and suggest that it’s a really good time for you to move in or closer to help? Your husband just had a hip replacement, and you need to be with him and your daughter who is having a baby.

Grand-parenting used to seem a simple thing, until I was one. I liked going to my grandmother’s farm -12 miles away - on Sundays, summers and holidays. With multiple cousins for entertainment, my grandmother didn’t seem very involved except to feed us or break up a spat. We rode bikes, swam in the pond and played in the woods for hours.

As a teen, I spent short visits with my grandmother. Though well loved, she was a peripheral figure.

Not so calm a world for today’s grands.

At a recent dinner with about 12 friends, we discussed some of the issues facing grandparents. Establishing a good relationship with our children’s spouses seemed essential to figuring out the answers to haunting questions about how to behave, when to show up and how to be a constant part of ever-changing lives.

Then there are the logistical issues: How do you get six grandchildren to the park in one car when four of them have to have car seats of regulation and varied sizes? How do you visit and establish relationships with grandchildren who live far away? What do parents do when day care is closed? How often do you want to baby-sit? How do you deal with the emotional issues of missing the first step, the first tooth, potty training, the first black eye, the first homerun? What kind of food is a child allergic to? What’s a bedtime? The other grandparents did “WHAT?” Whose turn is it to fly this Christmas? And ... so it goes.

Weren’t we just figuring out a schedule for

holidays and vacations? Now we’re working around different school systems and soccer tournament schedules. Most agreed that it’s great to be included, but our opinions are best kept quiet until requested.

Facetime and Skype assist with long distance relationships. Restaurants now serve a wider variety of foods to help with health, allergies and picky eaters. We all have a flight nightmare to share. But, at the end of the evening, everyone agreed being a grandparent is a great thing. As for the Hallmark version of “a perfect grandparent,” there is none.

Our group agreed that the best way to be a good grandparent is the same as being a good parent --- do what works for your family. Be there for your children, their spouses and your grandchildren, whenever and wherever you can. Communicate often and honestly. Know that it’s not always possible to be fair. Most of all love them, honor them, cherish them each day. The rest will work out.

Harrisonburg, Va.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Friday, June 10, 2016

11

Community Calendar of Events Any reader interested in attending an event is asked to call the contact person for that event to determine if registration and fees are applicable. To contribute information to the Living Longer, Living Well Community Calendar, please e-mail Jeannette Suter at jsuter@homeinstead.com or call 540213-7800.

In the Loop Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Hospital Campus, 2010 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg Parking Lot B Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., as weather permits Call 564-7001 for more information.

Quarterly Book Club Sentara RMH Senior Advantage The Atrium, 2000 Beery Road, Harrisonburg Tuesday, June 14, 1 p.m.

We will be reading “Small Blessings,” by local author Martha Woodroof. Meet the author and discuss the book with others.

Call 564-7001 for more information.

Arts Fusion Sponsored by: Waynesboro Senior Center Location: Staunton Augusta Art Center, 20 South New Street, Staunton Event Date and Time: Tuesdays, July 26, August 30, 9:15 a.m. - Noon Non-members $5 (Transportation fee) Space is limited. Non-member reservations required. 540-942-1838 Walk with a Doc Sponsored by: Augusta Health Free event(s) No registration required. Call 540932-4976 for more details.

June 18, 8:30 a.m.

Location, (6/18) – Greenway Trail, Waynesboro.Meet at Dominion Shelter at Constitution Park* July 2, 8:30 a.m.

Location, (7/2) – Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton.

Meet at the Bandstand.

July 16, 8:30 a.m.

Location (7/16)—Greenway Trail, Waynesboro. Meet at Dominion Shelter at Constitution Park* August 6, 8:30 a.m.

Location (8/6) – Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton.

Meet at the Bandstand.

August 20, 8:30 a.m.

Location (8/20) – Greenway Trail, Waynesboro. Meet at Dominion Shelter at Constitution Park* September 3, 8:30 a.m.

Location (9/3) – Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton.

Meet at the Bandstand. (*Inclement Weather Location: Rosenwald Community Center) Lunch and Learn, Topic: Augusta Health Foundation, Speaker: Tami Radecke Sponsored by: Augusta Health Location: Augusta Health, Augusta Community Care Building, Conference Room 3 July 6, Noon – 1 p.m. Free Call 540-245-7900 to register.

Big Squeeze Blood Pressure Screening Sponsored by: Augusta Health Location: Valley Mission, Staunton July 6, 5-6 pm; Free Call 540-932-4976 for more details.

Your Health Now Our Aging Eyes, Michael Radoiu, OD, Rockingham Eye Physicians Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Senior Advantage Location: Sentara RMH Medical Center’s Hahn Building First Floor Conference Rooms August 1, 11:30 a.m.

Registration required. Call 1-800736-8272 Lunch and Learn, Topic: Colon Cancer, Speaker: Allan Hardy, M.D. Sponsored by: Augusta Health Location: Augusta Health, Augusta Community Care Building, Conference Room 3 August 2, Noon – 1 p.m. Free Call 540-245-7900 to register.

Family and Friends CPR Sponsored by: Augusta Health

Location: Augusta Health, Augusta Community Care Building, Conference Room 3 August 4, 5:30-8 p.m. Free Call 540-932-4976 to register.

JMU Lifelong Learning Institute 20th Anniversary Fall Activities Preview Event Sponsored by: JMU Lifelong Learning Institute Location: JMU Festival Center August 10, 1-4 p.m.

Free No registration required. 540-5682923, www.jmu.edu/lli GrandPEAS Picnic for Parents Raising Grandchildren Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Family Connection Location: Purcell Park Shelter #1, Monument Avenue, Harrisonburg Saturday, August 27, Noon-2 p.m.

Chick-Fil-A provides lunch.

Free childcare and family activities

including bingo.

Contact Marilyn Turner, 540 5647080, to register.

GrandPEAS Meeting at Lacey Spring Elementary School Sponsored by: Sentara RMH Family Connection Location: Lacey Spring Elementary School, 8621 North Valley Pike, Lacey Spring Tuesday, September 6, 6 -7:30 p.m.

Free, including dinner and childcare.

Contact Marilyn Turner, 540-5647080, to register.

EASTLAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS ❧ The Perpetual Care Fund, which is regulated by the state, will ensure proper maintanence and preserve the beauty of the park forever. ❧ Innovative concepts in burial, including Traditional Ground Burial, Mausoleum Crypts, and Cremation are offered. This wide range of options will allow each family freedom of choice at an economical cost. ❧ Forward planning has allowed for mausoleum expansion to serve future needs ❧ Eastlawn Memorial Gardens has been designed and developed to serve all families in the Rockingham and surrounding counties for decades to come. ❧ There are 27 acres to be developed for future gardens and private estates.

3289 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg, VA (540) 434-3827

12

Friday, June 10, 2016

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.