Generations - Winter 2024

Control diabetes with diet

Repurpose bedrooms

What to give instead of cash

Better recovery. Right here.

If you have a muscle, bone, or nerve that isn’t working properly, Rehabilitation Services can help. Here’s just a sample of some of the ailments we can treat:

Burns: Rehab can prevent infection, minimize scarring, restore range of motion, regain strength, and help you regain independence back from a serious burn injury.

Cancer Treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery impact your body in significant ways. Rehab before, during, and after your cancer treatments can help your body and mind recover quicker.

Communication Challenges: Delayed development, stuttering, difficulty swallowing, and even cognitive understanding are all issues that our Speech Language Pathologists can treat.

Concussions: Rehab can improve the symptoms like dizziness, balance, stimulation tolerance, and headaches. In addition, rehab can also reduce long-term effects that can arise.

Falls Prevention: For seniors, falls are the leading cause of injuries and death. Our physical therapists can help you increase your stability, balance, and flexibility.

Incontinence: With pelvic floor muscle exercises, we can help men, women, and children strengthen the muscles that control bladder and bowel function.

Injury/Surgery: Surgery, like a serious injury, can cause major trauma to your body. Rehab is essential for a healthy recovery back to independence. We promote independence versus reliance. We coach you on how to restore your range of motion, build up strength in the affected area, reduce/prevent pain, work with you to personalize your functional goals, and address any underlying issues that can often times accompany trauma.

Neurological Issues: Our experts can help patients recovering from a stroke or traumatic brain injury, and increase the quality of life for those living with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other conditions that affect the brain.

Pediatric Development: Our therapists can help children of all ages (even infants) with delays in development. Whether it be mobility, dexterity, or communication issues, our team can help your child achieve their fullest potential.

Pre/Postpartum Care: Giving birth to a child means significant changes for the mother’s body. Rehab can help you prepare for, and recover better after delivery.

Ask your provider today about the benefits of recovering close to home with our highly trained therapists in Rehab Services.

FINANCE: WhattogiveinsteadofcashPage14

GENERATIONS

WINTER 2024

for a vibrant, ageless lifestyle

HEALTH & WELLNESS

4 Taking control of diabetes with healthy eating

5 Tips for seniors to safeguard their mental health

8 Alomere Health’s neuro rehab team works with a variety of diagnoses, disorders

EDUCATION

6 Lean on ‘Preparedness Pals’ when emergencies strike

10 How to handle selling a home

11 How empty nesters can repurpose bedrooms

HEALTH: Neurorehabteam

EDUCATION:PreparednessPalsPage6

Selling a home Page 10

12 Tips to find the right assisted living facility

15 First senior center opened during World War II

FINANCE

12 3 tips to catch up on retirement savings

14 What to give instead of cash

CONTROL DIABETES with healthy eating Page 4

Taking control of diabetes with HEALTHY EATING

By Brooke Loeffler Registered Dietician, Alomere Health

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it can be an overwhelming diagnosis to process. We instantly think we need to cut out all carbohydrates from our diet. Thankfully, that is not the case when it comes to managing your blood sugar with carbohydrate intake and diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association has developed the Diabetes Plate Method to help you visualize your plate to assist with carbohydrate balance at meals.

The Diabetes Plate Method breaks your plate into three sections – non-starchy vegetables, carbohydrate foods and protein foods. Here’s a look at each section to review what would fit within each category:

PROTEIN FOODS

Protein foods should fill one-fourth of your plate. This amount is equivalent to 3 ounces of cooked protein, which is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards. These foods include

lean cuts of beef, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, pork (lion chop, roast, tenderloin), seafood, tofu, edamame, chicken and turkey.

CARBOHYDRATE FOODS

Carbohydrate foods should fill one-fourth of your plate. The key is to look at the quality of your carbohydrate in this section. Whole grains and whole fruits are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. For grains, aim to fill your plate with whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats/oatmeal, quinoa and other whole grain products (bread, pasta, tortillas). Beans and lentils are another starch item that provides both protein and fiber. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, potatoes, peas, butternut squash and acorn squash are starchy vegetables you want to have a half-cup serving of to stay within the one-fourth section.

NON-STARCHY VEGETABLES

Non-starchy vegetables are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help fuel

Brooke Loeffler

Registered Dietician, Alomere Health

you for your day. It is important to add in the non-starchy vegetable that you like best and try different cooking methods with these items. By roasting broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts or mushrooms, you can have a crispy and crunchy texture.

Non-starchy vegetables that fit into this section are asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (green, red, napa, bok choy, Chinese), carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, leafy

DIABETES

Continued on page 14

UNSTUFFED EGGROLL

TURKEY AND BARLEY SOUP

Recipe Ccourtesy of the Diabetes Food Hub

Makes 5 servings (serving size is 2 cups)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion (peeled and diced)

2 medium carrots (diced (1 ½ cups))

2 stalks celery (diced)

8 oz sliced mushrooms

½ cup quick cook barley

4 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth

2 cups water

2 cups (about 10 oz) cooked turkey breast (shredded or diced)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Add the olive oil to a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pot. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the onions start to turn clear. Add the barley, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the turkey. Season with the salt and pepper. Cook until the turkey is heated, then serve.

Recipe courtesy of the Diabetes Food Hub

Makes 4 servings (serving size is 1 ½ cups)

INGREDIENTS:

1 lbs ground pork

½ tsp (divided use)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic

1 (16-oz) bag packaged coleslaw mix

2 tbsp lower sodium soy sauce

1 tsp ground ginger

3 green onions (sliced)

DIRECTIONS:

Season pork with 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the garlic powder. Sauté pork in a large skillet over medium-high heat until completely cooked. Drain fat if needed. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Heat olive oil in a pan and add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add coleslaw, soy sauce, ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pork back to the pan and top with green onions; heat 1–2 minutes. Serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice if desired.

The wide-ranging impact and reach of mental health issues garnered considerable attention during the COVID19 pandemic, when the virus as well as mandates designed to reduce its spread led to increased feelings of anxiety and isolation.

Since then, life has returned to normal for billions of people across the globe, but many people, including seniors, continue to experience mental health issues.

The Pan American Health Organization reports that at least one in four older adults experiences a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety or dementia. And those figures will likely only grow, as population estimates indicate seniors will make up a greater percentage of the global population in the years to come. Seniors dealing with mental health issues may feel help-

less, but there’s much they can do to safeguard their mental health.

Socialize regularly. A 2019 study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences found that older adults who socialized with people beyond their circle of family and close friends were more likely to have greater positive moods and fewer negative feelings.

Speak with a mental health professional. Among the more troubling aspects of the mental health crisis affecting seniors is that the PAHO reports two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not get the treatment they need. Speaking with a mental health professional can help older adults in myriad ways. Such professionals can identify the issue that is prompting seniors to seek help and offer suggestions that can

improve overall health and quality of life.

Volunteer. Many older adults are retired, and while ample free time may have seemed like the ultimate reward after a lifetime of working, many retirees experience a void once their life no longer has the structure that work can provide. According to the independent nonprofit HelpGuide.org, retirement depression can compel retirees to feel as though they miss the sense of identity, meaning and purpose that came with their jobs, which can make some feel depressed, aimless

and isolated. Volunteering can help fill the void created by retirement, and the positive mental health effects of volunteering are well-documented. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown volunteering increases positive, relaxed feelings and gives volunteers a sense of meaning and appreciation.

No one is immune to mental health issues, including seniors. But older adults can take various steps to address their mental health and improve their overall health as a result.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connections

Lean on ‘Preparedness Pals’ when EMERGENCIES STRIKE

By Julie Anderson Douglas County Emergency Management

Let’s face it, preparing for what could go wrong is not on most people’s list of things they want to do. But it simply has to be on the list of things people need to do.

As the Douglas County Emergency Manager, I propose every resident finds a “Preparedness Pal.” Not only is it more fun to plan with someone, it’s also a key component of a solid emergency plan.

Ideally, a Preparedness Pal is someone who lives nearby but is not a neighbor. The Pals agree to be each other’s first contact in the event there is an evacuation or shelter-in-place recommendation given by local authorities.

As mutually agreed upon contacts, they will be available to monitor where the other person is if he or she needs to immediately leave their residence and that they’re okay if they have to shelter in place. Severe weather-related incidents, events involving hazardous materials, train derailments and/or other emergencies can be especially chaotic in the first 24 hours.

Preparedness Pals should live far enough away from each other that they won’t be impacted by the same event. This allows one of them to remain calm and able to collect and share information not readily available to the person who is directly impacted by the emergency. They must be available to communicate with each other at all hours so they can provide support as the incident unfolds.

Preparedness Pals also agree to allow each other to stay in their home or apartment during an evacuation and provide a ride if needed.

Douglas County Emergency Management will work with the American Red Cross to have shelters open during a

large or longer-term evacuation, but it’s much more comfortable and comforting to stay with someone familiar. A good example is the train derailment in Raymond. Residents impacted needed to be out of their homes for about 10 hours. The local emergency managers did a great job working with volunteers to make the two shelter locations comfortable. Iif Douglas County had a similar incident, an arrangement with a Preparedness Pal would still be less stressful.

Preparedness Pals can also work together to each pack a “Go Bag”. A Go Bag is something a person can grab immediately if there’s a need to evacuate. At the bare minimum it should have: a bottle of water, snacks, a couple of pills of any critical medication and a sample size of products like an asthma inhaler.

The bag should also have a device

to charge a cell phone, a spare pair of reading glasses, tissues, a notepad and pen, and a small game or deck of cards. These items won’t necessarily save a life, but they will make time away from home easier to get through.

If the emergency requires a person to shelter-in-place, the Preparedness Pals should agree to monitor emergency text and phone messages from authorities and reports from local media stations to learn what exactly that order means. If it’s a hazardous chemical, it will require people in the area to shut their windows and turn off their heat or air conditioning systems. It’s not only important to know when to start sheltering in place, but also when it’s safe to end that sheltering.

For more information contact Douglas County Emergency Management at 320304-7115.

Linda Fenelon, left, and Carol Hedlund are Preparedness Pals. They show items that could be included in a bag in case of an emergency.

Julie Anderson / Douglas County Emergency Management

Where Advanced Technology

Meets Personal Care

Vance Thompson Vision in Alexandria, led by Dr. Deborah Gess Ristvedt, is dedicated to providing the most advanced treatment options available in cataract, laser vision correction, cor nea care, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. Combining precision technology with world-class care, Vance Thompson Vision believes in working with each patient to meet their unique vision goals. Contact the clinic to schedule your consultation.

Alomere Health’s neuro rehab team works with a variety of

DIAGNOSES, DISORDERS

By Celeste Edenloff Alexandria Echo Press

The Alomere Pavilion opened its doors to patients in January. The Pavilion, a service of Alomere Health, is a new outpatient rehabilitation center that focuses on physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and more.

The first floor of the facility is about 16,000 square-feet and is dedicated solely to rehabilitation services. The second floor is roughly 12,000 square-feet and will allow for more expansion as the hospital continues its long-range planning and growth of other services to best meet the needs of patients throughout the region, as stated on the Alomere Health website.

Located within the Alomere Pavilion is the neuro rehab team, which according to Richelle Dack, PT/DPT and Chrissy Haugen, OTR/L, includes occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language pathology.

This team of specialists works closely together to address a variety of diagnoses and disorders in order to help patients return to or participate more fully in meaningful daily activities, said Dack.

Haugen said some of the more common diagnoses treated include the following:

Concussion

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Vertigo and other inner ear disorders (including BPPV)

Stroke

Parkinson’s Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Spinal Cord Injuries

Dementia/Memory Loss

Visual deficits or dysfunction

Speech or swallowing difficulty

The therapy used for theses diagnoses can focus on or be specific to the following, said Dack:

Memory and/or attention

Word retrieval

Production of language (speaking)

 Comprehending language (understanding)

Planning and problem solving

Social communication

Strengthening

Visual and visual/motor skills training

Postural control – seated, standing and with walking

Vestibular rehabilitation

Balance retraining

Gait training

Assistive device training

Falls prevention

Adaptive equipment training

Both Dack and Haugen said neuro rehab will also include emphasizing growth of the concussion program.

The program will include the following, they said:

Community education on the importance of concussions – early detection, removal from sports or at-risk activities during recovery, therapy addressing impairments and for the safe return to sports/work/daily living.

Evaluation identifies areas of focus –may be any combination of the following: vestibular, ocular, migraine, anxiety/ mood, cognitive/fatigue with modifiers of cervical spine dysfunction or sleep.

“Our team works closely with an individual’s primary care provider and other treatment team members in order to assist in increasing participation in daily activities,” said Dack.

Haugen noted that the rehab team works to create individualized therapy programs designed to maximize patients’ potential.

“Our highly skilled speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists treat a wide range of needs for young and old alike, and we look forward to supporting you and your family,” she said.

Richelle Dack – PT, DPT Alomere Health

Chrissy Haugen – OTR/L Alomere Health

How NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

change with age

Metro Creative Connection

Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop properly. As one ages, various changes take place in the body, making healthy eating even more essential.

According to Healthline, nutritional deficiencies can affect aging individuals, which can decrease quality of life and lead to poor health outcomes. Individuals should pay attention to their vitamin and mineral intake at various ages so they do not miss out on important nutrients. As a person ages, here are some approaches to consider.

Consume fewer calories. According to Connie Bales, PhD, RD, associate director of the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at Durham VA Medical Center, people need fewer calories every decade. That’s because individuals are moving around less and have less muscle. This causes a decline in metabolic rate.

Include more nutrient-dense foods. Even though caloric needs go down with age, it’s important to pack as much nutrition into the calories a person does consume. That means finding nutrientrich foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, beans, vegetables, fish and lean cuts of meat.

Consume more lean protein. Muscle loss and loss of strength can develop as a person ages. Healthline says the average adult loses 3 to 8% of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. Eating more

protein could help aging bodies maintain muscle.

Eat fortified cereals and grains. The ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease as one gets older and with the use of certain medicines. Many health professionals recommend patients get more vitamin B12 by consuming foods enriched with this vitamin. Vitamin supplements may be needed in addition to food.

Drink more fluids. Health.com says the sensation of thirst declines with age. Drinking water and other fluids becomes a priority to stay hydrated. It also helps with digestion.

Prioritize bone health. Osteoporosis is a concern for older adults, particularly women who have reached menopause. Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and can break from only the slightest bump or fall, says the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D and calcium help strengthen bones, and older adults may need more of these nutrients.

Individuals should speak with their health care providers and nutritionists for further insight into their changing nutritional needs. Such professionals can help customize diets to address specific health concerns.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connections

Metro Creative Connection

Families must make a number of important decisions when an aging relative decides the time is right to move into an assisted living facility. Such facilities help older individuals who are having troubling living independently. In addition to finding the right facility for a loved one, many families have to decide what to do with their aging loved one’s home.

Aging individuals with companions such as a spouse or a live-in partner may not need to sell their house if that person will not be moving to the assisted living facility with them. However, many partners choose to move as well, and family members may need to sell their current home in order to pay for their loved one to stay at an assisted living facility. The senior care experts at Caring.com note that selling a home when a loved one decides to move into an assisted living facility can present some emotional aspects that will not necessarily be present when selling one’s own home. In recognition of that and some additional difficulties associated with this unique situation, Caring.com offers the following tips to help families navigate the process as smoothly as possible.

Consider assigning some-

one power of attorney. Individuals move into assisted living facilities for a number of reasons, so not everyone will do so because of diminishing cognitive abilities. However, Caring.com notes that selling the home of a loved one diagnosed with dementia can present unique challenges, as only a homeowner can transfer a home to a new owner. In such instances, someone may need to step in and assume power of attorney. Contact an elder law attorney to facilitate that process, if necessary. Such professionals also can provide insight into laws that can help families determine if it’s best to sell the home or hold onto it if proceeds from a potential sale are not needed to pay for a facility. Arrange for power of attorney or even a guardianship prior to putting a home on the market.

Discuss the situation and the sale. Aging individuals should be given ample time to process the idea of selling their homes before moving into an assisted living facility. Homeowners make untold sacrifices to buy and maintain their homes, so the decision to sell could elicit a range of emotions that aging individuals have a right to process before a “For Sale’ sign is erected in the front yard. Caring.com recommends maintaining an

open and honest dialogue about what can be achieved by selling the home and how their quality of life will benefit from moving to the assisted living facility.

Sort through belongings. Caring.com notes the significance of allowing aging relatives to take special items with them into the assisted living facility. It will be impossible to take a lifetime’s worth of possessions into such a facility, but sort through belongings with your aging family member and do everything possible to ensure that especially meaningful items can make the move. Remaining items can be donated, sold, given to younger loved ones or discarded.

Make sure all relevant parties remain in the loop. If one person accepts power of attorney or a similar level of responsibility, that person should ensure all interested parties remain in the loop about the sale process. Aging adults without diminished mental faculties should be routinely updated on the sale process. Keeping all interested parties in the loop reduces the risk of objections or other problems when the sale is set to go through.

Selling a home before moving into an assisted living facility presents some unique challenges that families can tackle together to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connections

How empty nesters can repurpose bedrooms

IN THEIR HOMES

Metro Creative Connection

It can be bittersweet when adult children decide the time has come to move out of the family home. Parents perhaps get their first trial run of this scenario when their children go off to college or enlist in the military. Rooms are left empty, if only for a certain period of time. Eventually, those rooms will remain empty as adult children move out of the house for good.

Converting a child’s bedroom into an area for adults may take some planning. It can be exciting to regain space, but at the same time, it can be disheartening to convert a child’s bedroom once and for all. When the

time comes and homeowners are emotionally ready to tackle bedroom conversions, these tips can help the process go smoothly.

Repurpose the space for them. Give a childhood bedroom an adult spin without changing too much. If furniture is in good shape, replace the bedding, change the flooring, swap out artwork, and remove “youthful” items like toys, trophies and other collectibles. When the child comes home to visit, he or she will still feel comfortable in the space. Create extra storage. The bedroom can be transformed into a walk-in closet or dressing space. According to the design experts at Houzz,

many clients request this type of dressing room situation. There’s a bonus if the layout allows the space to connect to the owner’s suite or bathroom. This is a major overhaul, so homeowners should enlist a professional contractor.

Make a fitness center. A bedroom can be turned into a home gym to make working out more convenient. Homeowners should take inventory of equipment they may have and then figure out where existing and new equipment will go. They may need to consult a structural engineer to ensure that the flooring can bear the weight of additional equipment.

Create a work space. One of the best ways to transform

adult children’s bedrooms is to convert the spaces into home offices. Those who have been setting up “desks” at dining room tables or elsewhere may be excited about the prospects of finally having a private, dedicated space to work from home.

Turn it into a craft room. The bedroom can be converted into a space to explore hobbies and various other interests. A dedicated craft space, a reading nook, a place to store photography equipment, or another function can serve as a useful way to repurpose an empty bedroom.

Empty nesters have many possibilities when it comes to converting their children’s old bedrooms into adult spaces.

Tips to find the right ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Metro Creative Connection

Millions of seniors across the globe benefit from residing in assisted living facilities. Such facilities feature welltrained and highly skilled staff that can help aging men and women live full lives even if they’re dealing with cognitive and/or mobility issues.

Adult children often help their parents find a facility, and the following are some strategies families can employ to find the right space for adults who need some help with the tasks of everyday life.

Get some word-of-mouth recommendations. In its 2023 Local Care Survey, the National Council on Aging found that 63% of respondents utilized family and friends as a primary source of information on senior living options. Though it’s important that families recognize seniors have their own unique needs and certain facilities may be more experienced at handling certain conditions than others, word-of-mouth recommenda-

tions can still yield valuable insight into what life is like at a given facility. And such intel also can provide useful insight as to how well a facility is maintained and how much it prioritizes communication with family members.

Decide where to look. Proximity to family is an important consideration when choosing an assisted living facility. The NCOA notes that family members willing to drive 20 to 30 minutes outside of their immediate area may have more options to choose from than those who want something closer to home. When considering proximity, each family member involved in the decision should give thought to how likely they are to visit their loved one if the facility is a significant distance away from home. Assisted living facilities often go to great lengths to ensure residents socialize amongst each other, but seniors may feel there’s no substitute for visits from their own family members. So a facility that’s within a short

drive of a resident’s relatives might make the best fit if all other boxes are checked.

Exercise due diligence. It’s best to visit as many facilities as possible before making a final decision. Such diligence can provide insight that can be highly valuable to any family, but especially those who have never before had a relative move into an assisted living facility. Families can visit multiple facilities even in urgent situations when seniors need immediate care. In such situations, enlist various adult family members to visit one or two facilities apiece, asking the same questions and taking notes at each one. Notes can then be compared during group discussions. This approach is efficient and

ensures as many options as possible are given consideration before a final decision must be made.

Work with a loved one’s physician. If a loved one has a unique condition like dementia or greatly limited mobility, then his or her physician should be consulted. For example, physicians may know of a facility or facilities that excel in handling residents with dementia, and that insight can increase the chances a loved one gets the level of care he or she needs and deserves.

Assisted living facilities provide an invaluable service. Finding the right facility for oneself or a family member can be made simpler with various strategies.

3 TIPS to catch up on retirement savings

Metro Creative Connection

One need not look long or far to be reminded of the importance of saving for retirement. Despite the widely accepted significance of retirement planning, studies indicate that many people are behind on saving and aware that they’re behind.

According to a recent survey, 55% of respondents indicated they are behind on their retirement savings. In addition, a Gallup poll released in May 2023 indicated that just 43% of non-retirees think they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. The good news for individuals who are behind or concerned about their financial wellness in retirement is that three strategies can help them catch up on their savings.

Take advantage of catch-up rules if you qualify. Laws governing retirement accounts in the United States allow individuals 50 and older to contribute more to their retirement accounts than they’re eligible to contribute prior to turning 50. Bankrate notes that current laws allow individuals over 50 to contribute an extra $1,000 per year to a traditional or Roth IRA and an extra $7,500 annually to a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) account.

Itemize your tax deductions. The online financial resource Investopedia notes that taking the standard deduction is not for everyone. Individuals with significant amounts of mortgage interest, business-related expenses that are not reimbursed by an employer, and/or

charitable donations may lower their tax obligation by itemizing their deductions. That reduction in tax obligation allows individuals to redirect those funds to their retirement accounts.

Cut back on discretionary spending. Perhaps the simplest, though not necessarily the easiest, way to catch up on retirement savings is to redirect funds typically spent on discretionary expenses like dining out or travel into retirement accounts. One way to feel better about this approach is to remind yourself that the less money spent on dining out and travel now means more money will be available to spend on such luxuries in retirement.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connections

OUTDOOR BAR FI RE PL AC E FIRE PITS HE AT ED PORCH

110 30TH AV ENUE WES T, ALEXANDRIA

NEXT TO VI KING PLA ZA MA LL

What to give INSTEAD OF CASH

By A.J. Koewler Executive Director, Alexandria Area Community Foundation

Planned giving helps you meet your personal, financial and estate planning goals by making a lifetime or testamentary charitable gift.

Learn about the benefits and how you can partner with the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, which is a partner of CommunityGiving.

GIFTS OF RETIREMENT ASSETS

Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a charitable gift.

If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. You can make a gift of your unused retirement assets to help the causes you care about most through a fund at AACF.

You can give up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to a charitable organization like AACF without having to pay income taxes on the gift. While the legislation does NOT allow transfer to donor advised funds, they can be used for other types of funds such as designated, field of

interest or unrestricted funds.

Benefits of gifts of retirement assets:

Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets.

 Your heirs would avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis.

 Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction.

 If you have not taken your required minimum distribution for the year, your IRA charitable rollover gift can satisfy all or part of that requirement.

To leave your retirement assets to AACF, you will need to complete a beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan custodian. If you designate AACF as beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at your death. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.

If you chose to make a gift of retirement assets during your lifetime, you will have the benefit of seeing the impact your gift is having on the community right now. To make a gift of retirement assets now, contact one of our

DIABETES

Continued from 4

staff for more information.

Did you know that 60%70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to AACF. As a charity, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.

GIFTS OF INSURANCE

A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a charitable gift. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy to AACF to set up a fund to support the charitable causes you care most about. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.

Benefits of gifts of life insurance:

 Receive a charitable income tax deduction.

 If CommunityGiving retains the policy to maturity, you can receive additional tax deductions by making annual gifts so that we can pay the premiums.

greens (kale, collards, mustard greens, Swiss chard), mushrooms, green beans, pea pods, snow peas, sugar snap peas, peppers (bell peppers and hot peppers), salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, endive or other salad mixes), squash (zucchini, yellow squash, chayote, spaghetti squash) and tomatoes.

When you are making lifestyle changes, it is important to remember that small changes make a big difference in the long

A.J. Koewler Executive Director, Alexandria Area Community Foundation

 If CommunityGiving cashes in the policy, you will be able to see firsthand how your gift supports the charitable work you care most about.

If we retain the policy to maturity, or you name us as a beneficiary, once the policy matures, the proceeds of your policy will be paid to a fund at CommunityGiving to be distributed to the charitable causes that you care about most.

To make a gift of life insurance, please contact your life insurance provider, request a beneficiary designation form from the insurer and include CommunityGiving as the beneficiary of your policy.

For more information, contact A.J. Koewler at akoewler@ communitygiving.org or visit www.communitygiving.org/ foundation/aacf/.

run. Start by creating a handful of goals you have for yourself over the next few months. Once you have that list, pick one to focus on for two weeks. After those two weeks, assess and determine if you are ready to add another goal to the rotation or if you need to continue the same goal. Either way, you are helping yourself implement lifestyle changes that will positively impact your life.

First senior center opened during WORLD WAR II

By Shelli-Kae Foster Alexandria Senior Center

Did you know during World War II, older Americans needed community, financial assistance and an overall support system so the first senior center was opened?

These needs have not changed today.

While the first senior center began in 1944 in Bronx, New York, the Alexandria Senior Community Center first opened its doors in 1984.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of serving seniors in Douglas County at its current

Location, 414 Hawthorne Street. The Center is planning a big outdoor event on Aug. 25, 2024, from 3 to 7 p.m. called “Celebrate our Seniors.”

The senior center has a rich history of partnerships, friendships, enriching activities and fun events that need to be recognized and celebrated. The event will feature Julie Lee and the White Rose Band, outdoor BBQ, dance lessons, open house and more. Everyone is welcome.

The Alexandria Senior Community Center is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to support healthy and active living for adults 50 years of age and older by providing

nutrition, socialization and educational programming.

The senior center is an active place for older adults to make new friends, renew old friendships and engage in a variety of wellness activities. It welcomes more than 1,200 members and guests each month to enjoy the engaging programming and activities.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

 Nutrition: Meals on Wheels (150+ daily), cooking classes

Social: luncheons, dances, cards and games

 Active living: yoga, bus trips, line dancing and volunteering

 Health: footcare, vaccine clinics and, education

Arts and culture: art classes and heritage foods

For more information, stop by, call 320-762-2087 or visit alexsrctr.org.

Supporting You r Ful l Therapy Journey

From short-term rehab in the aftermath of your surger y, illness, or injur y to rehabilitation from the comfort of home, our care team brings consistency to uncertain times.

“I was recovering in shor t-term rehab. After that, I graduated to home health care, and eventually outpatient therapy. I really appreciate how much they helped me ou t. ”

- David Kjos, Former Knute Nelson Client

Shelli-Kae Foster Alexandria Senior Center

G E T T I N G Y O U B A C K

T O W H A T M A T T E R S M O S T .

Our highly-trained, caring staff will help you return home stronger and back to living your best life.

– 5 - s t a r o v e r a l l C M S r a t i n g

– C o n t r a c t e d w i t h m o s t i n s u r a n c e

– O n s i t e r o u n d i n g p h y s i c i a n

– S k i l l e d n u r s i n g s e r v i c e s

– S t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t t h e r a p y c e n t e r

– P r i v a t e s u i t e s a n d b a t h r o o m s

– O u t p a t i e n t t h e r a p y o p t i o n s

– H i g h l y - r e v i e w e d d i n i n g

Y O U R C H O I C E F O R P O S T - A C U T E R E H A B .