Palouse Seniors Fall 2011

Seniors

Palouse

fall

2011

A special publication of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Overcoming depression: Social worker Sarah Rial offers advice.

Page 2

Senior centers:

Friendship, activities and more.

Page 5

Seniors and criminals:

Are they really so different?

Page 7

Supporting seniors:

Idaho both leads and lags.

Page 9

2 | Saturday, October 8, 2011 |

Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Losses late in life can lead to depression Medicine, exercise, getting involved can help

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

If an older family member or friend becomes depressed, how would you know?

“It is a lot more subtle than people think,” said Sarah Rial, a licensed master social worker at Gritman Adult Day Health Care in Moscow. “Many think it is just a case of people getting old. Older people experience a lot of losses — spouses, friends, perhaps their home. There are a lot of reasons.”

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also a big problem in our area, according to the 56-year-old Rial, who lives in Moscow.

“This is true throughout the Northwest,” she said. “It begins to happen when we start losing daylight and worsens when the daylight decreases.

SAD is an episode of depression that occurs at a certain time of the year, usually during winter. Like other forms of depression, it occurs more often in women than men.

There is also a type of depression that occurs after a stroke, bypass surgery and other physical disruptions.

“People start experiencing fatigue, getting forgetful and not caring for themselves, which sometimes results in a pseudo See DEPRESSION, Page 3

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10 am Lecture: Living Well with Chronic Disease 10:30 am Lecture: Senior Nutrition 11 am to Noon: Group Exercise 12:30 pm Lecture: Spine Care 1:30 pm: Water Aerobics Sampler (bring a swimsuit) 1:45 pm Lecture: How to Be Your Own Health Care Advocate 2:15 pm Lecture: Senior Mental Health

815 SE Klemgard Pullman, WA 99163 www.BishopPlace.net For more information, please contact Susan Newman or Deb Penner at 509-334-9488.

Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

Sarah Rial, right, talks with Sue Trottier, left, and Judy Ramsey during a supportive counseling group meeting at Gritman Adult Day Health in Moscow on Sept 30.

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Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

| Saturday, October 8, 2011 | 3

Making a connection One-on-one counseling near where you live

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

Geoff Crimmins/Daily News

Sarah Rial, left, talks with Lorna Hanrahan during a supportive counseling group meeting in Moscow on Sept 30.

Depression from Page 3

dementia diagnosis,” Rial added.

But there are some good medications that create a calming effect.

Rial suggests Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), as well as newer mixed receptor antidepressants like Effexor (venlafaxine). Even newer ones like Celexa (citalopram) are very helpful at treating the symptoms of depression.

“Of course, you need a prescription from your doctor but these medications are extremely helpful as is counseling,” she said.

During the nine years Rial has worked at Adult Day Health Care she has dealt with myriad problems with her senior charges.

“It is a day treatment facility where we try to help people improve and maintain to slow disease processes to the ability we are able,” she explained. “We do this by becoming part of the health care team — doctor, family and participant.”

The goal is to keep people active mentally and physically to the best of their ability.

“It is based on the old philosophy of either ‘use it or lose it’,” she said.

About four years ago, Rial and crew formed a supportive counseling group, which meets at 10:45 a.m. every Tuesday at the facility. They

deal with many senior issues, including depression.

“We have about 20 people a day at Adult Day Health, but not all of them attend the support group meetings,” she said.

Adult Day Health Care is located at 225 E. Palouse River Drive in Moscow.

Rial concurs with national statistics showing senior depression is a growing concern, resulting in a rise of suicides among older Americans.

“Suicide rates have become higher, especially in older men,” she said. “The second largest group who commit suicide in Idaho are elderly white men.”

Depression can affect a person’s ability to rehabilitate from an illness or to cope with drastic changes in their lives.

“All we’re hoping for in such cases is for them to heal quickly and get better,” Rial said.

Older adults are less likely to seek treatment for depression than those younger. They also need to make sure becoming more forgetful and confused are not symptoms of an underlying depression.

“Not doing your normal activities is another thing to look for, as is anger and irritability, which is seen more predominantly in men,” Rial said.

One of the saddest things for Rial is seeing people forego treatment for depression, fearing the possible stigma of having mental health problems and being considered “crazy.”

“We can help people so much, but they need to buck themselves up and start having exchanges with other people,” she said. “Exercise is a huge help as well.”

Rial said other risk factors for depression is lack of a social support network, and being either widowed or divorced. Chronic pain also has a negative feedback.

Rial said geriatric psychiatry services areavailablethroughDr.EliseAugenstein of Palouse Psychiatry in Moscow or Dr, Stephen Holmes at St. Joseph Mental Health Center in Lewiston. Neither was available for comment.

“It is really important to be screened medically to rule out any underlying physical conditions, so seeing your physician or psychiatrist is really important,” she said.

Rial laments the loss of a depression support group that met monthly at Gritman for several years.

“It was run by community volunteers, but they quit last year,” she said. “I know at least one person that was really sad when that happened.”

Rial recently talked to Jane Pritchett, longtime board member with Latah Alliance for the Mentally Ill. “She didn’t know of any ongoing depression support groups but said they night consider it in the future if there was enough interest,” she said.

For additional information, Rial can be contacted at (208) 883-6483.

Vera White can be reached at vnwhite@ cableone.net

Jennifer Schwartz is a one-woman show and quite capable in her job of caring for older adults, according to those who know her.

The licensed clinical social worker lives in Pullman and comes highly recommended by such professionals as Sarah Rial, a licensed master social worker at Gritman Adult Day Health Care in Moscow.

The 36-year-old Schwartz is licensed in both Idaho and Washington.

“I have a passion for helping older adults and have actually worked with them since I was a teenager,” she said. “My goal is to provide a service that is convenient and can help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. I also hope that people suffering from depression know they don’t have to go through this alone.”

Schwartz said if one finds oneself struggling with depression there are many things that can help.

“When people feel depressed they tend to want to isolate themselves,” she said. “I strongly encourage people who are feeling depressed to try and connect with other people. This can feel difficult. However, connecting can be something as simple as a phone call to a friend or loved one, or going to activities that one enjoys in the community.

Other possibilities include trying to engage in other things they enjoy like listening to music, reading books or making a list of hobbies or activities they used to enjoy and taking them up again.

“One should also make sure they are sleeping and eating well,” she said. “Also, if they have the ability, they should try to get some exercise.”

At times, these seemingly simple activities can feel overwhelming or See CONNECTION, Page 4

4 | Saturday, October 8, 2011 |

Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Connection from Page 1A

even impossible to a person suffering with depression.

“It is important to know there are resources in the area to help,” Schwartz said.

A professional counselor can help people understand what they are feeling and devise ways to deal with depression, she said.

She said many older adults

suffer from feelings of depression and anxiety for a variety of reasons: losing loved ones, transitioning out of their homes and/or careers, and suffering from other physical ailments.

“Many seniors who suffer with depression and anxiety tend to feel they are the only ones,” she said. “However, these are conditions that many older adults struggle with and they should be attended to.

Like many other medical ailments, seeking treatment is

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Many seniors who suffer with depression and anxiety tend to feel they are the only ones.”

Jennifer Schwartz Clinical social worker the first step toward improving your health, and not a sign of weakness.”

Schwartz received her master of social work degree at the University of St. Thomas/ College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn.

“I did my training with older adults at a number of agencies in Minneapolis, including a geriatric psychiatry clinic at the Veterans’ Administration,” she said.

Schwartz has been providing counseling and case management services for older adults and their families in a “variety of settings” for over a

decade.

“I provide counseling and case management services for older adults (and their families) in their homes as well as assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and adult family homes,” she explained.

“Therefore, I do not have an office where I see people.

Instead, I come directly to a client’s place of residence. My hope is that this makes my services convenient and accessible.”

Schwartz sees clients throughout the Palouse, including Pullman and Moscow, and even some in Spokane. She

currently has openings for new clients and is a Medicare provider in both Idaho and Washington.

“If someone needs counseling services, Medicare will cover,” she said. “There is a small co-pay that some secondary insurances will pick up.

However, I am more interested in providing a needed service and do not want it to be cost prohibitive. I am always happy to work out a payment plan if people should need it.”

She also accepts private insurance.

“Medicare does not cover my case management services so if someone were to need that, I would be happy to discuss what I charge and again, set up a payment plan if necessary,” she said. “My counseling services for depression would be covered by Medicare.”

Schwartz may be reached at (509) 432-3071; or jenniferschwartzlicsw@gmail.com Vera White can be reached at vnwhite@ cableone.net

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Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

What exactly is a senior center?

| Saturday, October 8, 2011 | 5

LIVING WITH

It may be a lot more than you imagine As Pullman’s senior Aging; part-time helpers coordinator I am asked and a multitude of volunmany, many times, “What teers. do they do, anyway, at the Today , the center offers Senior Center?” a large variety of activities A common misconcep- that include: n Healthy meals twice tion is that it is much like a week a retirement center n Free-pickup or nursing home transportation to where most people the center and on live there, are in trips wheelchairs, use n Special walkers and need events help to participate n Bridge in any activities. n Canasta Not the case. n Movies Even though we Steve Bell n Games have members who n Bingo use wheelchairs n Wii bowling Pullman and walkers, the n Computer majority drive their Senior Center classes own cars, live in director n Exercise their own homes or classes apartments and are n Educational classes eager to continue staying n Driver’s safety classbusy during their retirees ment years. n Birthday parties Senior centers across n Medicare prescripthe nation have also evolved through the years tion assistance n Music and entertainand today they have become really “active” ment.

The center has become organizations.

It has been my goal, as the “melting pot of the well as that of our board Palouse” for senior citizens (Pullman Senor Citizens and retirees who enjoy Association), to direct the active living and travelPullman Senior Center to ing. It’s a great place to follow this trend so that socialize, meet people and we become a more active develop new friendships.

Membership is just $10 and a more friendly place for a full year and those to come to.

To accomplish this goal, older than 90 are free. it takes many different Come visit the Pullman people and organizations Senior Center at 325 S.E. working together. Our Paradise St. in City Hall center would not succeed and see how you can join without the help from the others who like to have following: Pullman Senior fun and stay busy.

For more information Citizens Association; city of Pullman; Pullman you can call (509) 338Parks and Recreation 3307 or email steve.bell@ Department; Council on pullman-wa.gov.

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6 | Saturday, October 8, 2011 |

Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWďšşPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Nonprofits working for seniors My Own Home services to start in 2012 invited to tout themselves To start with small bites, says former transit boss

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

For the past several years, our quarterly editions of Palouse Seniors has offered free column space to nonprofit groups on the Palouse to help raise awareness of the good works done by them on behalf of seniors. We also allow space for a photo or two.

This year, Steve Bell, manager of daily operations at the Pullman Senior Center, has let readers know about all the exciting things happening at his facility and we thank him for his contributions.

Steve’s last column will run in the December edition of Palouse Seniors, so we’re looking for another group to take over for 2012. The first edition is scheduled tentatively for February.

This column space is open to nonprofit groups on the Palouse to help raise awareness of the good works done by then on behalf of seniors.

The series kicked off three years ago with contributions from The Friends of Hospice and Family Home Care & Hospice. In 2010, Friendly Neighbors of Moscow was the featured organization.

Anyone interested should contact me.

Vera White can be reached at (208) 746-0646, or by email to vnwhite@ cableone.net

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

Tom J. La Pointe officially started his new job as executive director of My Own Home this week, and from all indications, he is raring to go.

The 58-year-old Moscow man previously served on the MOH board for about a year.

He was hired last month to oversee the organization whose goal is to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible with needed assistance only a phone call away.

La Pointe is well aware of the challenges facing him with the first of the Baby Boom generation hitting 65 this year. “They are very active and different in many ways and it is going to be an active group to serve,� he said. “We’re about

E

to be avalanched. There is going to be a huge increase in demand for services.�

In fact, La Pointe referenced an La Pointe expression going around these days: “Surfing the Silver Tsunami.� “This will be the largest group of seniors in American history and you either surf or drown,� he said.

La Pointe said seniors aging in place: n Ease the capacity limits for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. n Pay property taxes, shop, eat out and ultimately have more economic impact on their communities. n Provide financial relief and peace of mind for adult children helping to care for

their parents. n Keep contributing to their home neighborhoods.

La Pointe will work in an office donated by Gritman Medical Center and is hoping for “lots of volunteers� to help staff it. “We’re anticipating being open for services before Jan. 1, 2012,� he said. “We’re going to hopefully start by taking small bites within the bounds of the city limits of Moscow. We then hope to expand to where our services are needed throughout the Palouse.�

Recent AARP research shows that 90 percent of people want to grow old in their home and community.

La Pointe’s job as MOH executive director will be a half-time position for the time being and according to him, salary and benefits are still being negotiated. “We received a donation to cover the first-year salary cost

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Services from Page 6

from a donor who at this time prefers to remain anonymous,” Barbara Wells, chair of the 10-member MOH board, said. “It’s thanks to this very generous donation that we were able to hire Tom.” La Pointe previously served as executive director for Regional Public Transportation Inc. (Valley Transit) in Lewiston, resigning in August 2010. Prior to that he served two years as a historical research associate at the University of Idaho.

In his business profile, La Pointe describes himself as a “seasoned, successful professional with more than a decade of experience in all aspects of the operations of a non-profit corporation.” In addition to being fiscally conservative and a systemsoriented problem-solver, he enjoys working with people and finding common ground.

La Pointe is a member of many national, regional and local organizations including both the Community Transit Association of Idaho and America respectively, member of both the Moscow and Lewiston chambers of commerce and the Moscow/Latah County Easter Seals Project Action Team.

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

The new executive director said he first became involved with MOH because of personal experiences with his 88-year-old mother who lives in California.

“All of us have mental images of being young forever and unfortunately that is not the case,” he said.

La Pointe plans to start his job at MOH by “building small blocks.”

“We need to be very good at what we do, and that includes being very reliable and to inspire confidence with our membership,” he said.

One of the first items on La Pointe’s agenda is to attend a conference in Oakland where he hopes to pick up useful tips on fundraising, organizational skills, and providing the best services possible for MOH clients.

“My goal as executive director is having a firm foundation and as strong an organization as possible,” he said.

La Pointe is married to Kathy Barnard La Pointe, director of communications and marketing at Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. They have two children — daughter Elizabeth Gill, who works at Gritman and son Marc, who spent a year in London studying at the University of the Arts and is now working on his bachelor of fine arts degree at the UI.

| Saturday, October 8, 2011 | 7

COMMENTARY

The difference between seniors and criminals The grass looks greener on the other side of the bars

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

It took moving into an assisted living facility early this summer for me to grasp just how much truth was contained in the following piece-intended, I’m sure, to be humorous.

My brother forwarded it to me from a social services coordinator for a large senior housing facility in Washington.

“A resident of mine brought this by for me to read,” she wrote.

“I thought it was so good I copied it down to send to all of you.”

I agreed and can’t wait to show it to the administrator here at Juniper Meadows in Lewiston

the next time I go into complain about something. I might add that since this is a frequent occurrence, I usually preface such complaints with, “This behavior is not because of old age. I’ve always been this way. Just ask anyone who has known me for years!”

As I was writing this piece, I was reminded that Sept. 11 through 17 was National Assisted Living Week. Even though I’m late in my salutations, I take this opportunity to wish Juniper Meadows Executive Director Theresa Wessels and staff, especially those dishing up those gourSee CRIMINALS, Page 8

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8 | Saturday, October 8, 2011 |

Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Criminals from Page 7

The Daily News

met meals in the kitchen, the best. Or to quote the NALW motto, “Forever Proud!

Jails and nursing homes: Here’s the way it should be: Let’s put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.

This would correct two things in one motion: n Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks. n They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheelchairs, walkers etc. n They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.

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n They could receive daily phone calls. n There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints, and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection. n The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered, to with attorneys available at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse and neglect.

As for criminals: n They would receive cold food. n They would be left alone and unsupervised. n They would receive showers only a couple of times a week. n They would live in tiny rooms for which they would have to pay as high as $5,000 per month. n They would have no hope of getting out.

Sounds like justice to me!

However, I also liked the idea proposed in a forward sent to me a couple of weeks ago by my old friend S. M. “Ghazi” Ghazanfar of Moscow.

“So you’re a sick senior citizen, and the government says there is no nursing home

available for you. What do you do?

“Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and four bullets. You are allowed to shoot four congressmen.

“Of course, this means you will be sent to prison where you will get three meals a day, a roof over your head, central heating, air conditioning and all the health care you need.

Need new teeth? No problem.

Need glasses? That’s great.

Need a new hip, knees, kidney, lungs or heart? They’re all covered.

“And as an extra bonus, your kids can come and visit you as often as they do now.

“And who will be paying for all of this? It’s the same government that just told you it couldn’t afford to pay for you to go into a home. Plus, because you are a prisoner you don’t have to pay income taxes anymore.”

Is this a great country or what?

Vera White can be reached by email to vnwhite@cableone.net

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n They would have constant video monitoring so they would be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance. n Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them. n A guard would check on them every 20 minutes. n All meals and snacks would be brought to them. n They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. n They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool, education and free admission to in-house concerts, sometimes by wellknown artists. n Simple clothing such as shoes, slippers and pajamas would be provided. n Legal aid would be provided upon request. n There would be private, secure rooms provided for all and an outdoor exercise yard. n Each senior would have a personal PC, TV, phone and radio in their room at no cost.

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Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

Idaho both wins and loses when supporting elderly

By Vera White Daily News staff writer

The first ever nationwide long-term care scorecard finds Idaho both “leading and lagging,” according to David Irwin, AARP Idaho director of communications.

The review was geared to show how states are performing in the delivery of care such as nursing home and home and community-based services, which help people avoid costly nursing homes.

A September AARP news release out of Boise said Idaho gets both good and bad grades when it comes to long-term care support and services to the elderly and disabled — ranking tops in the nation in some areas, but coming in dead last in others.

The report released jointly by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation ranks

Idaho 19th in the nation in delivery of long-term services and support.

Idaho gets high marks for providing home and community-based services (8th) and providing support to caregivers, who are often family members (6th).

However, it ranks near last when it comes to affordability and access, with an overall ranking of 48th. It ranks last for providing resources to help people find the long-term care they need and 47th for the low level of disabled and people with low incomes who receive help with Medicaid.

The report examines four key dimensions of state support for long term care: affordability and access; choice of setting and provider; quality of care; and support for family caregivers. It assesses each state’s performance as a whole and on 25 individual indica-

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tors, some of which were measured for the first time.

“This report shows that, while Idaho is tops in the nation in some areas, we have a lot of room for improvement to ensure the Gem State meets the needs of the larger number of boomers who are headed into the long-term care system,” said Jim Wordelman, state director for AARP in Idaho.

“Idaho has a strong track record of helping family caregivers and ensuring the elderly get the care they need in the community. But we also rank dead last in helping people get information to access the care they need for themselves or a loved one.”

The following is how Idaho’s long-term care services and supports stack up nationally: n

Affordability See IDAHO, Page 10

and

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Access: 48th Last in resources and availability of support to help consumers navigate the system to find the care they need n Choice of Setting and Provider: 8th Receives high marks for the number of assisted living and residential care units available per 1,000 population age 65plus, ranking 3rd.

8th for having 67.5 percent of new Medicaid long term care users first receiving services in the community, as opposed to expensive nursing home care.

41st in providing tools and programs that facilitate con-

sumer choice. n Quality of Life and Quality of Care: 23rd 9th in having a low number of high-risk nursing home patients with pressure sores, 8.7 percent compared to a national average of 11.1 percent.

45th, for the high level of staff turnover in nursing homes n Support for Family Caregivers: 12th 6th, with 81.4 percent of adults who provided regular care to friends or family saying they usually or always received the social and emotional support they needed.

36th in providing system and legal support, such as paid family and sick leave, for caregivers.

Vera White can be reached at (208) 746-0646 or by email to vnwhite@

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Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

• Competitive prices

Jeff Seipert, Jason Harwick, Dennis Hastings

Our Family, Serving Your Family for over 110 years.

920 21st Ave. Lewiston • 208-743-6541 or 800-584-8812 www.vassar-rawls.com

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Many baby boomers face retirement of tight budgets, fading dreams

By Greg Griffin Associated Press

The baby-boomer generation is poised to blaze new frontiers in retirement as it has in other endeavors. Yet, in this case, many boomers are experiencing regret, frustration and resignation that the path their parents took is closed to them.

As a group, boomers aren’t well positioned for a leisurely or even comfortable retirement in the traditional sense — leaving the workforce by or before age 65 and living in relative high style off a combination of savings, pension and Social Security.

Many face the prospect of working further into their senior years if they are able, while accepting that their budgets for travel and recreation will be, at best, smaller than hoped. Some face the grim prospect of running out of money in their twilight years.

The decline of pensions, longer lifespans, higher debt and lower savings rates — combined with battered 401(k)s from two recessions in the past decade and the devastating impact on jobs and housing in the most recent downturn — have combined

to radically alter the reality of retirement for boomers, the oldest of whom are now well into their 60s. Adding to the anxiety are concerns about the future of programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

“My retirement plan is that I have none anymore,” said John Taylor, 54, of Loveland.

Taylor lost his job as a handyman for a commercial real estate company three years ago, watched his house slip away in foreclosure and then cashed out what remained of his 401(k), about $23,000, for living expenses.

Even those who are better prepared and more fortunate are feeling the pressure from diminished investments and fallen home values.

“It’s not what your dream was, but you have to make it as positive as you can,” said Barbara Brito-Trujillo, 64, of Brighton.

Her husband, Les, 65, is planning to continue working several more years as a marketing director for a commercial builder while BritoTrujillo works part time selling natural health remedies.

The couple expects to sell the home where they raised three children and move into a townhome, and they will trav-

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10 | Saturday, October 8, 2011 |

Your LOCAL Transitional, Post-Acute Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Specialists!

• 12 In-House Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists on staff • Inpatient therapy services available 7 days a week • Outpatient Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy

• Fully Equipped Therapy gym with state of the art equipment including Lite Gait™ and Vital Stim™ • On-Site Occupational Therapy apartment featuring a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and laundry facilities

Stefanie Elliott,

Henry Jaquez,

Suzan Rheault, PT

Kerry Douge, PT

OTR/L Occupational Therapist

OTR/L Rehabilitation Service Manager Occupational Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Angie Caverhill, COTA/L Occupational Therapy Assistant

Steve Fuller, PT Physical Therapist

Jody Hasenoehrl, PTA Lisa Meyer, PT Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapist

2011 WINNER

For more information on our post-acute care programs, inpatient/outpatient therapy programs please call or visit Life Care Center of Lewiston

208.798.8500 • 325 Warner Dr. • Lewiston www.LCCA.com

Joint Commission accredited

Cynthia Tomlinson, Jackie St. Marie, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Therapist

MA, CCC-SLP Speech Therapist

el less than they had hoped, she said.

“We’re going to have to make adjustments to allow us to be comfortable without the anxiety,” she said.

If there’s a silver lining to this story, it’s that many boomers still have time to boost their savings, better manage their investments and make other adjustments — such as working longer and downsizing their living space — to improve their retirement prospects.

Consulting firm Mercer released results of a recent survey indicating that more people are increasing their retirement savings. Over the past year, 41 percent said they increased their 401(k) contribution rate, compared with 31 percent in 2010. They also expressed greater confidence in the investments and allocation of funds in their retirement savings.

An Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America survey from June showed that boomers have become much more conservative with their money, moving away from stocks into more fixed-income investments.

The survey found that 35 percent of boomers felt they were “totally unprepared” for retirement, and about half were worried they might outlive their savings.

As a rule of thumb, financial advisers say retirees need at least 70 percent of their working income to live comfortably in retirement, including Social Security, savings and other income.

How much savings that means for each individual and couple varies depending on income and other factors.

A 64-year-old earning $50,000 a year and expecting to retire next year would need $300,000 on the conservative end, according to CNNMoney’s retirement calculator.

The same person earning $100,000 would need in excess of $750,000.

Palouse Seniors

MOSCOWPULLMAN DAILY NEWS

| Saturday, October 8, 2011 | 11

Long-term care requires long-term plan

By Patricia Greene Associated Press

The aging of America has contributed to the growing interest in long-term care issues. This interest is reinforced by government projections that about 40 percent of people aged 65 or older have at least a 50 percent lifetime risk of entering a nursing home.

Unfortunately, Medicare and standard health insurance policies don’t cover long-term care. That’s why more Americans are taking advantage of private long-term care insurance.

Insurance Essentials Long-term care insurance typically covers a range of nursing, social, and rehabilitative services for anyone who needs ongoing assistance due to a chronic illness or disability. Most policies pay a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of daily care, and they may cover a variety of

care settings, including nursing homes, home health care, assisted living facilities, and adult day care.

Reading the Fine Print When shopping for long-term care insurance, compare the features of policies. You may want to pay special attention to the following features. n Coverage parameters — Policies differ in the types of services they support. Does the policy cover nursing home, custodial, or personal care, or a combination of services? n Benefits payout — How much does the policy pay per day for care in a particular setting — in assisted living, for example? How does the policy pay out services — as a fixed daily amount, as reimbursement for the cost of care up to a daily maximum? Does the policy have a maximum lifetime limit? If so, does it differ for various settings?

ll Your In-Home Needs A r o F Family Home Care and Hospice is the only local agency to offer all types of in-home care.

• Medicare Certified Home Health Skilled Care • Medicare Certified Hospice Services • Private Duty Care (Companion, shopping, etc.)

And we’ve been doing it well for almost 40 years. Our staff of trained nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, dieticians, chaplains, volunteers and in-home aides, are ready to meet your needs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Please give us a call when you or a loved-one need any in-home care.

1610 NE Eastgate Blvd #850 • Pullman

(208) 883-2237

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B  S L • • • • •

Independent Living Assisted Living Skilled Nursing Transitional Care Therapies

Everything under one roof for your comfort and peace of mind.

Royal Plaza Retirement Center 2870 Juniper Drive • Lewiston, ID 83501 • (208) 746-2800

www.RoyalPlazaLewiston.com

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LLift up a child’s voice. A child’s life.

509-397-5308 www.whitmancountycasa.org

ADULT DAY HEALTH

A daytime home away from home for seniors.

Services include:

• Therapy • Medical Monitoring • Exercise Programs • Group Activities • Geriatric Community Education • Social Work • Nutritious Meals • Transportation Services • Flexible Scheduling

Leading the Way to Wellness

www.gritman.org

225 E. Palouse River Drive •

(208) 883-6483