Palouse Seniors, July 2018

Palouse

Seniors

July 2018

Inside: Discounts available to the over 50 crowd Palouse Seniors is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

2 | July 21, 2018 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

How empty-nesters can transform their homes

PALOUSE SENIORS

room, home-brewing station • Living room or an artist’s studio, now is redo: When fter bringing home a an ideal time to do just that. there’s an bubbly baby boy or girl, entire soccer it can be hard for parents Figure out which supplies you will need and begin reworking team coming to imagine that a day will that former bedroom into over to hang come when their kids are off a new sanctuary for leisure out, that large to college and then onto their interests. sectional sofa own apartment or house. After or modular • Guest suite: If you’ve never spending decades nurturing seating may had a spare bedroom to and caring for children, parents be ideal. Now entertain guests, a child’s are then left with a suddenly that the kids former bedroom can fit quiet house and probably much are out of the the bill. It may not be that more time to spare. If saying house and difficult to transform such goodbye to the kids also means their friends spaces into relaxing and extra house, there’s the option Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial are no longer inviting rooms for overnight to downsize or make that extra coming over An empty bedroom can be turned into a cozy guests. Be sure there is at space more useful. for movie sitting room. least a queen-sized bed and a Homeowners who choose to night, living soaking tub separate from dresser or chest of drawers to stay put can renovate vacant rooms can be made more the shower, and fill the room stash belongings. Select paint rooms into spaces that meet intimate with small-scale with other amenities, such as a colors and linens in neutral their newfound needs. seating.

A small sofa and two warming lamp or even a small tones so the room will be • Hobby haven: If you’ve always inviting to guests. comfortable chairs may be a sauna. meant to set up a crafting more fitting option.

• Home office: Working from • At-home gym: Save on gym home a few days a week membership fees by building may be more plausible when IN PRINT: Palouse ENJOY PALOUSE SENIORS a mini studio right at home.

Seniors is published every nearing retirement, as it will other month, with 6,500 Choose one of the larger be a smoother transition from copies distributed in the bedrooms and then fi ll it with Palouse Moscow-Pullman Daily heading to the office each some fitness equipment, such News and Lewiston Tribune. day to spending more time at Readers can also pick up as an elliptical trainer, a bench home. Turn a bedroom or den a copy at the Moscowpress bench and some free Pullman Daily News and into an office space with a new Lewiston Tribune offices. weights. Store rolled-up mats desk and bookshelves.

ONLINE: Check out in the closet for yoga or Pilates An empty nest can be a the latest edition in sessions. digital format online at bittersweet experience, but www.DNews.com, • Expanded bathroom: If space parents can make such situations just click on the has always been at a premium work for them by transforming Special Sections tab.

Inside: in the bathroom, borrow area their homes to better reflect Discounts available To advertise your business to the over 50 crowd from an empty bedroom and their current needs. or service, contact Sally Imel at simel@lmtribune.com turn it into a spa. Install a

A

Courtesy of Metro Editorial

Seniors

November 2017

Palouse Seniors is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

PALOUSE SENIORS

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 21, 2018 | 3

Cruising tips and tricks ruising can be an ideal vacation for people of any age, but particularly for seniors. Cruises combine all-inclusive meal packages with accommodations, breathtaking ports of call and pre-arranged activities, so vacationers do not have to lift a finger for days on end. Cruising also can be a social activity, meaning singletons can meet up with other like-minded people and enjoy the cruising experience together.

Cruise Lines International Association, a global organization advocating for the cruising community, found that 25.8 million passengers expected to take a cruise in 2017, and various cruise companies invested more than $6.8 billion in new ocean vessels.

Whether a person is new to cruising or is a seasoned ocean or river traveler, there are always techniques to try to score great deals or enjoy the experience even further. Consider these tips and tricks, courtesy of Royal Caribbean, The Cruise Critic, the Travel Channel, and other vacationing experts.

• Research the ships, and not just the cruise lines. Cruise lines each offer their own amenities and are known for certain features. One cruise line may be a better match for

•

•

•

•

young singles, while others may cater to families. In addition, certain ships may have their own special features such as water slides, athletic events, casinos, and more.

Choose a ship that meets your needs.

Arrive the night before. There’s no need to rush to the port to board the ship. Extend the vacation a little further by arriving a night or two before and checking into a nearby hotel. Some hotels may offer free parking or shuttle service to the ship.

Choose a close port. Select a port within driving distance to avoid airline costs and the extra hassles of coordinating luggage and travel to the port.

Book dining ahead of time.

Cruise ships often have a main dining room and then specialty restaurants. If you want a particular meal, make reservations before leaving port. Certain restaurants may offer discounts or perks, such as a free bottle of wine or premiere seating.

Understand what’s included.

Cruise ships have many foods and drinks that are included in the packaged price. Certain branded items, such as specialty coffees or ice creams, may be available at an additional charge, as are premium drinks. But chances

Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial

A cruise can be an ideal vacation for seniors who have the time to get away. are you can find a free, similar version elsewhere on the ship.

• Explore special discounts.

When shopping for a cruise, see if there are discounts available for seniors, teachers, people in the military, or those who belong to certain clubs. Cruises often love to incentivize, so it pays to ask about discount pricing.

• Make a list of activities. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the offerings on a cruise ship, so much so that there’s some stress over trying to fit it

all in. Recognize that you can’t see or hear it all, and prioritize what’s important to you. Make sure you have plenty of time to relax.

• Book at the right time. Cruises may be more available after Labor Day when kids go back to school and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when others are too busy to travel.

Cruising can be an ideal vacation for travelers who are savvy enough to do their research.

Thinking of Pre-planning Your Funeral or Cremation

Dennis Hastings

• Prepayment guarantees the cost of services and merchandise at today’s price.

• Ensures your wishes are met • Pre-plan in your home, our office, by phone or online

Vassar Rawls Funeral Home

Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home & Crematory 920 21st Avenue, Lewiston • www.vassar-rawls.com 208-743-6541 • 800-584-8812

535086G-18

C

Courtesy of Metro Editorial

4 | July 21, 2018 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

PALOUSE SENIORS

Seniors’ senses of smell and taste change with age because smell enables a person ging comes with several to detect the dangers of smoke, gas, spoiled food, and more. The sensory changes, many of which people expect. National Institute on Aging says Loss of hearing or diminishing that, as a person gets older, his vision are widely associated with or her sense of smell may fade, aging. But one’s senses of smell and that will also affect taste.

The Mayo Clinic says some loss and taste may diminish with of taste and smell is natural and aging as well. can begin as early as age 60.

The senses of taste and smell Adults have about 9,000 taste work in concert. The sense of buds sensing sweet, salty, sour, smell is vital to personal health, bitter, and umami flavors, or not only because inhaling those corresponding to the pleasant aromas can provide comfort and stress relief through flavor of glutamates. Many tastes are linked to odors that begin at aromatherapy and help trigger the nerve endings in the lining important memories, but also of the nose. Medline says the

A

Courtesy of Metro Editorial

Prepared and confident Over 7 million people have counted on Philips Lifeline to feel safe at home and on the go

Good Samaritan There’s a Lifeline solution for you Lifeline offers a range of choices to help you maintain your independence. Whether you need the go-anywhere protection of GoSafe, the automatic fall detection of AutoAlert, or the peace of mind offered by HomeSafe, we have you covered.

Call today! Ashley Meyer

208-882-6560 Coverage outside the home provided where AT&T wireless network coverage is available. AutoAlert does not detect 100% of falls. If able, users should always push their button when they need help.

number of taste buds decreases as one ages, and that remaining taste buds may begin to shrink.

Sensitivity to the five tastes also begins to decline. This can make it more difficult to distinguish between flavors.

Similarly, especially after age 70, smell can diminish due to a loss of nerve endings and less mucus in the nose. With the combination of the reduction of these important sensory nerves in the nose and on the tongue, loss of smell and taste can greatly affect daily life.

Changes in these senses can contribute to feelings of depression, diminish one’s enjoyment of food and cause harmful conditions, such as extreme weight loss from disinterest in food to problems associated with overusing salt or sugar.

Although aging is often to blame, loss of smell and taste also may be tied to early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease.

Cancer treatments, medications, lack of saliva, colds, flu, and other factors may contribute to sensory loss. Changing medications or treatments may help.

It’s important to bring up diminished flavors or smells with a doctor to rule out something more serious and to determine what might help restore pleasure from smells and flavors. An otolaryngologist, or a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose and throat, may be able to help fix the problem, though some people may be referred to a neurologist or another specialist.

Continuing to use one’s sense of smell and taste by cooking, gardening, trying new flavors, and experimenting with different aromas may help slow down the decline these senses. Although age-related loss of taste and smell cannot be reversed, some such cases may be treatable.

PALOUSE SENIORS

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 21, 2018 | 5

Prepare for visiting elder guests Courtesy of Metro Editorial

H

omeowners may ďŹ nd themselves hosting senior guests several times throughout a typical year. These occasions can be wonderful opportunities for making memories, but homeowners may need to take certain precautions to ensure that guests are safe and comfortable.

This may involve making some minor modiďŹ cations around the home.

Mobility and comfort needs for seniors may dier • If possible, add a ramp over those necessary to accommodate stairs that lead to the front other guests. Meeting the needs door. Ensure handrails are of senior guests may involve any sturdy. of the following. • Remove clutter and excess • Make sure pathways leading to furniture if a guest visiting will and from the home are level, be using a walker or a manual/ cleared and easy to see. motorized wheelchair.

BIďšşANNUAL

ORCHARDS SHOE SHOP 546 Thain, Lewiston • 208-743-0981

OPEN MON.-FRI. 9 A.M. TO 5:45 P.M., SAT. 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

*

IN SALE PROGRESS NOW! Orchard Shoe Shop

• Remove accent rugs from a home, and be sure that any mats are secured with nonslip material. • Increase lighting in entryways, staircases and hallways, especially areas leading to kitchens or bathrooms. • If guests will be staying overnight, arrange sleeping accommodations on the ďŹ rst oor and/or in a room closest to the bathroom. • Well-placed grab bars in the bathroom can be an asset.

See if you can borrow a portable shower seat to make bathing or showering easier for

overnight senior guests. • For long-term guests, consider replacing round doorknobs and other pulls with leveraction ones that are easy to grab. • Concessions may need to be made concerning interior temperature, noise levels and television viewing.

Several easy modiďŹ cations can be made to make senior guests feel comfortable when visiting others.

Five-Star Quality Care You Can Count On. Life Care Center

e • The Valley's only skilled Memory Care e Unit with 24-hour certified nursing care • Specialized activity programs • Limited private rooms now available • Therapy offered 7 days a week • Accepting Private Pay & Medicaid

Call to schedule your tour: 208.798.8500 325 Warner Drive | Lewiston, ID LifeCareCenterofLewiston.com *

6 | July 21, 2018 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

PALOUSE SENIORS

Safety renovations for seniors’ homes As people age, their balance, eyesight and general physical eeling safe and secure at home is a priority for any abilities can begin to diminish. homeowner. But safety is Furthermore, a fall or incident that may only bruise a younger of particular concern for aging individual can cause more men and women who are at greater risk of being involved in serious breaks or damage for accidents at home than younger seniors, resulting in potentially lengthy recovery times. men and women.

The Home Care Assistance Harvard Health Publishing organization says that one says that accidents at home are million elderly people are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United admitted to the emergency room States. The chances for fatalities for injuries every year. People increases as one ages, and by age concerned about the safety of their homes or the homes 75 and older, men and women are almost four times as likely to of their aging loved ones can die in a home accident as people retrofit such properties to make them safer. a decade younger.

F

Courtesy of Metro Editorial

What You Need to Know About Prearranging Why Should I Prearrange Services?

It’s the right thing to do for you and your family. Here are five important reasons to plan your funeral now: 1.

You’ll protect your family from unnecessary pain & expense.

2.

You’ll say goodbye in a way that uniquely reflects your personal style — not someone else’s.

Shorts Funeral Chapel 3.

You’ll lessen the financial burden. Our easy payment plans make it easy for you to comfortably pay for your funeral over time, at today’s prices, so your family won’t have to find the money later.

4.

You’ll minimize disputes between your well-meaning relatives.

5.

You’ll show your love in a way your family will never forget.

1225 E. 6th Street • Moscow, ID (208) 882-4534 www.shortsfuneralchapel.com

FALLS According to The Senior Social Club, which offers care and community services to seniors, falls are the most common accidents affecting seniors. One out of every three seniors aged 65 and older falls at least once a year.

In addition to working with doctors to improve mobility and modify medications that may cause unsteadiness, changes around the home can help. Grab bars placed in bathrooms and high-traffic areas can help seniors get stay more stable when changing from sitting to standing positions.

Potential tripping hazards should be assessed. Area rugs without nonskid backings, clutter on floors, extension cords that extend into walking areas, and uneven flooring pose tripping hazards. Anti-slip coatings can be added to floors to reduce the risk of tripping.

Poorly lit staircases and entryways also can contribute to falls. Consider the installation of motion-activated lighting so that dim areas can be automatically brightened when necessary. A nightlight or LED lights placed near molding can help guide seniors to the bathroom during

midnight visits.

PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS Arthritis can impede seniors’ ability to turn on and off appliances, water faucets or handle certain kitchen tools. Kitchen and bathroom modifications can include the installation of ergonomic and user-friendly handles and spigots.

Task lighting can make it easier to prepare meals, and appliances that automatically turn off after a certain period of time can be a safety feature for forgetful individuals.

Reorganize kitchen cabinets to make commonly used items as accessible as possible.

Certain home modifications can reduce seniors’ injury risk.

PALOUSE SENIORS

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 21, 2018 | 7

Discounts available to the over 50 crowd M Courtesy of Metro Editorial

any people may not look forward to the day they turn 50, but cracking the half century mark can have its perks. Many retailers and businesses offer discounts to men and women over 50, and the following are just a few ways that people who have turned • Ancestry: As men and women the big 5-0 might be able age, many begin to develop to save some money. a greater interest in their • Movie tickets: The cost heritage. Those who join AARP of going to the movies has (membership is available to skyrocketed in recent years, as men and women who are 50 or today’s theaters now offer an older) can receive a 30 percent array of amenities and, thanks discount on an Ancestry World to bigger screens and better Explorer membership in the technology, a better viewing first year they’re members. experience than the theaters the over-50 crowd grew up visiting. • Auto rentals: AARP members also are eligible to save up to 30 While film lovers may need to percent on base rates for vehicle wait until they turn 60 to cash rentals at Avis. The discounts in on discount movie tickets, are applicable at participating many chain movie theaters locations in both the United offer discounted tickets to older States and Canada. patrons.

• Hotels: Men and women over • Travel: Men and women 50 may have extra time on over 50 may be able to save their hands once their kids go substantial amounts of money off to college and then begin on travel simply by typing careers and families of their in their birthdays when own. Many such adults use that purchasing tickets or planning extra free time to travel, which trips. For example, men and requires staying in hotels. Many women over the age of 62 are hotels offer discounted rates to eligible to receive a 15 percent travelers over the age of 50, and discount on the lowest available such discounts may make it rail fare on most Amtrak trains. more affordable to book directly

through hotel websites instead of using popular travel sites where rates tend to fluctuate by the minute.

• Dining: Of course, many restaurants offer early bird specials for patrons who want to eat a little bit earlier than guests typically arrive for dinner. However, many chain restaurants also offer discounts to senior diners regardless of when they arrive. Such discounts are sometimes even applicable to both food and beverages.

• Mobile phone services: Men and women over 50 may not have grown up with smartphones in their hands, but chances are they now cannot imagine life without them.

Some mobile providers offer discounts to AARP members, while others may offer senior discounts to customers whether they’re AARP members or not.

Simon Audiology

534728G-18

8 | July 21, 2018 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

When is clumsiness a cause for concern?

Courtesy of Metro Editorial

W

ho hasn’t tripped over his own feet or knocked over a water glass on a table? No one is immune to the occasional clumsiness, but some people may grow concerned that their bouts of clumsiness are becoming more frequent.

For healthy people, bumping into a wall when misjudging a corner or dropping silverware on the floor is often a minor, isolated incident. Lack of concentration or multitasking

clinical instructor in the neuromuscular division of Emory University, coordination of the body is complicated and tied to both motor and senory often may be to blame. In 2007, systems. That means the eyes, Professor Charles Swanik and a brain, nerves, cerebellum, which research team at the University specializes in coordination and of Delaware studied athletes balance, muscles, and bones to discover why some seem must work together. to be more injury prone than Clumsiness can result from others. Researchers found that stroke, seizure disorders, brain clumsy athletes’ brains seemed trauma or the presence of to have Òslowed processing speed,Ó which referred to how tumors, and other conditions.

Healthline also says that their brains understand new clumsiness may be an early information and respond to it. symptom of Parkinson’s disease But clumsiness also can or Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s be a sign of a bigger issue at affects the central nervous play, namely motor problems system and can impair motor within the brain. According skills. Alzheimer’s slowly to Taylor Harrison, MD,

Tri-State Memorial Hospital

PALOUSE SENIORS damages and kills brain cells and may cause issues with coordination. This may be the case with other dementias as well.

Clumsiness may sometimes result from a lack of sleep or overconsumption of alcohol.

Arthritis also can lead to clumsiness when joint pain and restrictive movements make it challenging to get around.

Psychologists may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy or propose performing tasks with more mindfulness to reduce clumsiness. If that doesn’t work, men and women should visit their physicians, who can conduct tests to rule out certain things and provide peace of mind.