MATURE
Lifestyles April, 2013
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2 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
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TheIntelligencer.com - April, 2013 - Mature Lifestyles - 3
A commune-like alternative offered to aging By JIM FITZGERALD Associated Press CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) — At the Fellowship Community’s adult home, workers are paid not according to what they do, but what they need; aging residents are encouraged to lend a hand at the farm, the candle shop or the pottery studio; and boisterous children are welcome around the old folks. It’s a home for the elderly in a commune-like setting — 30 miles from Manhattan — that takes an unusual approach, integrating seniors into the broader community and encouraging them to contribute to its welfare. “It’s a great place to live, and I think there’s probably no better place in the world to die,� says Joanne Karp, an 81-year-old resident who was supposed to be in her room recovering from eye surgery but instead was down the hall at the piano, accompanying three kids learning to play the recorder. The 33-bed adult home is at the center of Fellowship Community, a collection of about 130 men, women and
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children founded in 1966 that offers seniors — including the aging baby boom generation — an alternative to living out their final years in traditional assisted-living homes or with their grown sons and daughters. At most adult homes, a resident in decline would eventually have to go to a hospital or nursing home. But Fellowship has an exemption from state law that allows dying residents to stay there because “people have wanted to stay, and we have wanted to keep them,� said administrator Ann Scharff, who helped found the community. “We provide a space in which people can prepare to die in a way that is accepted and nourishing to them and fraught with meaning,� Scharff said. “It’s not something you run away from, but it’s part of the whole spectrum of life, just as birth is part of life and is prepared for.� Situated on a hilltop in suburban Rockland County, Fellowship looks a bit like a village out of the past. Besides the farm and the pottery and candle shops, there are a dairy barn with 10 cows, a print shop, a metal shop, a “weavery� and a wood shop. See “AGING� on Page 4
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Aging Continued from Page 3 The 33-acre farm goes beyond organic, running on “biodynamic,” or self-sustaining, principles, as much as a small farm can, said Jairo Gonzalez, the head gardener. Solar panels sparkle on the barn roof, and cow manure becomes compost. Most of the adult home workers live in buildings surrounding it, as do about 35 independent seniors who don’t yet need the services but plan to live out their days in the community. At meals, elders, workers and children dine together. “We don’t subscribe to ‘Children should be seen and not heard,”’ Scharff said. Caring for the elderly is the main activity, but all the workers also have other responsibilities. “In a typical work week, someone will be inside helping the elderly, meaning bringing meals, bathing, meds,” said Will Bosch, head of the community’s board of trustees. “But they’ll also be doing building and grounds maintenance, planting, harvesting, milking.” Organizers decline to call it a commune but concede the spirit is similar. The philosophy behind it is called anthroposophy, “a source of spiritual knowledge and a practice of inner development,” according to The Anthroposophical Society in America. Elder care is practiced in somewhat similar fashion in at least two other anthroposophy-inspired communities:
Camphill Ghent in Chatham, N.Y., and Hesperus Village in Vaughan, Ontario, near Toronto. The area around Fellowship has several other organizations with ties to anthroposophy, including a private school, a bookstore and a co-op grocery that sells some of the community’s crops. Fewer than half the adult home residents at Fellowship Community have any connection to anthroposophy, at least when they enter, Scharff said. “We’re an age-integrated community built around the central mission of care of the elderly,” Bosch said. “The members want to be of service. They come because they know this is a place where they can contribute.” So Karp, the 81-year-old, teaches music and entertains the community at the piano. “I think the reason people really appreciate this place is because they can be active and they can contribute and there’s always something that needs doing,” Karp said. “And it’s nice when kids are glad to see you.” Other residents, or members, as they’re called, have found similar niches. Gwen Eisenmann, 91, a retired poet, leads poetry discussions and also likes to set the table before meals. Larry Fox, 74, a psychologist, treats patients at the Fellowship’s medical office and said, “Where could I be at my age and be so happy to get up in the morning and look forward to the day?” It’s difficult, Bosch said, to find people to sign up for the communal life and work. It appeals to “people who are dismayed with the materialism of the world and are trying to get above it,” he said. See “AGING” on Page 5
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Associated Press
Joanne Karp, left, a resident at the Fellowship Community adult home in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., leads a music lesson with aide Chela Crane on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Residents at the home are encouraged to contribute their talents to the community.
Aging Continued from Page 4 “People who are interested in an alternative lifestyle , not based on pocketing the most money they can for the least amount of work.� When elders come in, they pay a “life lease� of $27,500 to
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$50,000, depending on the space they will occupy in the adult home or the “lodges� surrounding it. In addition, they pay $700-$1,500 per month in rent, and up to $3,000 a month for care, depending on what they need. Revenue from the adult home provides 60 percent of the nonprofit Fellowship Community’s $3 million operating budget, with the rest coming from donations and the sale of produce, milk and crafts, home officials said. Donations completely fund the capital budget, make up any annual shortfall and subsidize the adult home. See “AGING� on Page 13
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Hepatitis C a concern to boomers (BPT) - When Martha Saly, director of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), learned she had hepatitis C, a virus that attacks the liver, she was in disbelief. Saly never suspected she might be infected with the hepatitis C virus, and unfortunately, cases like Saly’s are not uncommon. In fact, 3.2 million Americans are living with hepatitis C, and most do not know they are infected. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released hepatitis C screening recommendations calling for all adults born from 1945 through 1965, also known as baby boomers, to get tested for hepatitis C. “This test can mean the difference between life and death - it did for me,” says Saly. Saly knows firsthand the importance of testing baby boomers for hepatitis C and offers five reasons why CDC’s new hepatitis C testing recommendations matter to you: 1. Anyone can get hepatitis C Millions of Americans have hepatitis C and many of them don’t know how or when they were infected. People born from 1945 through 1965 are five times more likely than other adults to be infected with hepatitis C and account for more than 75 percent of all American adults living with the disease. 2. Don’t assume you’ve been tested “More than a decade ago, I was fortunate to have a proactive doctor who tested me for hepatitis C, but that wasn’t the norm then and unfortunately hepatitis C is still not typically included
in routine blood tests,” says Saly. The CDC’s recommendations aim to address this silent epidemic by recommending people in this age group get tested. 3. It’s a one-time test that will ease your mind For more than 95 percent of boomers, the simple hepatitis Cblood-test is followed by reassuring news. But for the people who are infected, the test and resulting treatment could mean the difference between life and death. “Knowing whether or not you have hepatitis C can help you make important decisions about your health,” says Saly. 4. Treatments are available For those who find out they have hepatitis C, medicines are available that can effectively treat up to 75 percent of infections and additional, promising treatments are currently in development. “Treatments for hepatitis C can delay or even reverse the effects of liver damage and in some cases can eliminate the virus from the body,” says Saly. 5. This test could save your life “It saved mine,” says Saly. “I was very lucky to be tested, treated and cured 12 years ago. But for every person like me, there are three people with hepatitis C out there who don’t know they have it.” These testing recommendations from CDC could help identify an estimated 800,000 people with hepatitis C and save tens of thousands. “Baby boomers need to talk to their doctor about getting tested for hepatitis C,” says Saly. “It’s a no brainer.”
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8 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
Associated Press
In this March 1, 2013 photo, Dr. Marisa Cruz is photographed at the University of San Francisco VA Medical Center in San Francisco. Cruz is the lead author of a study showing that a 12-item list of health questions can help predict chances for dying within 10 years for patients aged 50 and older. The “mortality index” is designed for doctor-patient discussions about which treatments may be too risky for patients with limited life expectancy.
Will you see 2023? CHICAGO (AP) — Want to know your chances of dying in the next 10 years? Here are some bad signs: getting winded walking several blocks, smoking, and having trouble pushing a chair across the room. That’s according to a “mortality index” developed by San Francisco researchers for people older than 50. The test scores may satisfy people’s morbid curiosity, but the researchers say their 12-item index is mostly for use by doctors. It can help them decide whether costly health screenings or medical procedures are worth the risk for patients unlikely to live 10 more years. It’s best to take the test with a doctor, who can discuss what the score means in the context of patients’ own medical history, the study authors say. The index “wasn’t meant as guidance about how to alter your lifestyle,” said lead author Dr. Marisa Cruz of the University of California, San Francisco. Instead, doctors can use the results to help patients understand the pros and cons of such things as rigor-
ous diabetes treatment, colon cancer screening and tests for cervical cancer. Those may not be safe or appropriate for very sick, old people likely to die before cancer ever develops. The 12 items on the index are assigned points; fewer total points means better odds. • Men automatically get 2 points. In addition to that, men and women ages 60 to 64 get 1 point; ages 70 to 74 get 3 points; and 85 or over get 7 points. • Two points each: a current or previous cancer diagnosis, excluding minor skin cancers; lung disease limiting activity or requiring oxygen; heart failure; smoking; difficulty bathing; difficulty managing money because of health or memory problem; difficulty walking several blocks. • One point each: diabetes or high blood sugar; difficulty pushing large objects, such as a heavy chair; being thin or normal weight. See “2013” on Page 19
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Understanding yourself is a key to managing pain.
The vital ingredient for chronic pain relief: self-management (BPT) - For the 100 million American adults living with chronic pain, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Just as the causes of pain vary from person to person, the therapies that will bring relief are many and diverse. Yet one approach has proven universally helpful for people living with chronic health challenges: self-management. The concept of self-managing your pain doesn’t mean simply taking matters into your own hands, or abandoning your relationship with your doctor. Rather, self-management includes defining your personal goals for treating pain, acting as your own advo-
cate with your doctors, and overseeing the integrated efforts of your team of health care providers. “We know that chronic pain can be disabling for one in three people who experience it,” says Jan Chambers of the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association. “Effective self-management of chronic pain encompasses all aspects of one’s life, from working with your doctor to identify treatments, to making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising and eating well.” In its report on chronic pain - “Relieving Pain in America: A
Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research” - the Institute of Medicine emphasizes the importance of self-management. “Pain management takes place through self-management, primary care, specialty care and pain centers,” the report states. “However, the majority of care and management should take place through self-management ...” The report calls for health care providers to educate people with chronic pain and their families on the value of self-management and effective strategies for achieving it. See “PAIN” on Page 19
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Safety effort targets older drivers COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Officials unveiled a public health campaign recently aimed at helping get aging Missouri men and women off the roads when it’s no longer safe for them to drive and at preparing them for life without a license. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety’s kicked off its “Arrive Alive After 65” effort with a Columbia news conference that featured two state residents who lost a family member in traffic fatalities caused by older drivers. The program aims to train doctors, nurses and peer educators to identify vulnerable seniors whose medical conditions may unknowingly pose safety threats. Organizers will start with a pilot project at University Hospital in Columbia and Mercy Hospital in Springfield and later look to take the effort statewide. Dr. James Kessel, a trauma surgeon and chief of staff at the Columbia hospital, called for a more realistic conversation about aging drivers. A licensed pilot, he used an analogy from his hobby. “Every pilot knows that you are going to lose your license,” he said. “There will come a day when you are grounded.” The Missouri Department of Transportation reported 126 traffic deaths statewide in 2012 involving drivers 65 and older. Another 435 older Missourians were seriously injured while driving last year, with another 3,500 less serious injuries among older drivers. People 55 and older accounted for more than one in four traffic deaths in Missouri last year.
University of Missouri senior Nina Bolka, whose older sister’s death led to successful family efforts to change Texas driving laws, invoked a phrase more commonly heard by new teen drivers, not those with decades of experience behind the wheel. “Driving is not a right, but a privilege,” Bolka said. A 2007 law named for her sister requires Texas drivers 79 and older to appear in person for license renewals. Previously, such drivers — or their adult children — could renew licenses online. Drivers older than 85 must renew their Texas licenses every two years. The news conference was held at OATS Inc., a nonprofit senior bus service that serves 87 counties. Even as her counterparts were urging for fewer drivers on the road, executive director Dorothy Yeager spoke of expected service cuts, primarily in rural areas, as the nonprofit faces a loss of federal support due to sequestration. “When you’re talking about taking away the keys from someone, especially in a rural area, you’re taking away their independence,” she said. Organizer James Stowe emphasized the aging driver program will be voluntary, and is designed to educate, not intimidate. As more baby boomers started turning 70 and 80, what is now an uncomfortable decision could become a necessary one for many. “We need to normalize the conversation of driving cessation,” Stowe said. “It’s not something that is normally talked about.”
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“The thought of what it was going to cost us was overwhelming,” she says. Vanderploeg is not alone. In this struggling economy, many Americans face the painful choice of filling a prescription or eating or paying for housing. Forty-eight million Americans did not fill a prescription due to cost in 2010, according to a report released by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund. See “DRUGS” on Page 17
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Helping the brain use alternative fuel may ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s (BPT) - Whether a patient faces a simple health problem, such as a head cold, or one as complex as Alzheimer’s disease, relieving the symptoms is often as important as resolving the issue itself. Yet for the more than 5 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s, treating the symptoms is even more vital. Some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that disrupts daily life, mood and personality changes, and difficulty solving otherwise simple daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Of the top 10 causes of death, it is the only one for which there is no cure or preventive measure. However, research suggests that addressing one early facet of the disease - decreased blood sugar in brain cells, also known as diminished cerebral glucose metabolism (DCGM) - may help relieve symptoms for certain people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. In a healthy brain, glucose is the primary energy source. A brain affected by Alzheimer’s doesn’t process glucose into energy as efficiently as a healthy brain. “Unlike other cells in the body that can metabolize fats as fuel, brain cells rely on glucose (sugar) for their primary energy source,” says Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, associate professor of clinical neurology and vice chair of education at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. “One aspect of Alzheimer’s is that it hinders the brain’s ability to use glucose, and this significantly affects brain function.” “DCGM is an early feature of Alzheimer’s disease, represented by region-specific declines in brain glucose - or energy - metabolism,” Isaacson says. “DCGM correlates with both the cognitive decline and the pathology associated with Alzheimer’s. Research suggests that addressing DCGM may help mitigate symptoms for some patients.”
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Providing brain cells with an alternative energy source may help ease the effects of DCGM, while enhancing memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. One prescriptiononly medical food aims at helping Alzheimer’s patients by addressing DCGM - Axona by Accera, Inc. The easy-to-mix, once-daily drink is currently the only prescription therapy for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s that addresses the link between the brain’s inability to process and use glucose with the degenerative symptoms of Alzheimer’s by providing the brain with an alternative energy source. The liver digests and metabolizes Axona to produce the naturally occurring compounds - ketones- that the brain can use as an alternative energy source. Patients or caregivers mix the powder with other liquids or foods and take it once a day in conjunction with commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s medications. “More research is necessary to determine the exact reasons why DCGM can have profound effects on cognition over the long term,” Isaacson says. “When blood glucose drops rapidly, significant decline in cognitive function occurs and may be accompanied by confusion, coma and even brain death.” While Axona is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, it can help some patients mitigate the symptoms of the disease. Doctors and caregivers of patients using Axona have reported patients appear more alert and engaged in daily activities and conversations. “If you or a family member experience symptoms such as poor short-term memory, changes in behavior and difficulty with language, see your doctor for a full evaluation,” says Isaacson. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information on DCGM and Axona, visit www.about-axona.com.
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Bosch said. “One might have children, one might not.” Matt Uppenbrink, 44, a former businessman in the fashion world who now lives at Fellowship with his wife and two children, is on the community’s “financial circle” but also does his bit in the adult home.
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Take the steps necessary to be confident about your retirement savings.
Take the intimidation out of saving (BPT) - Saving for retirement is a scary prospect for many Americans. In fact, just 14 percent feel confident they will have enough money to live on when they retire, according to the 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. And 60 percent say they have less than $25,000 saved for retirement, the survey reveals. Retirement planning and saving doesn’t have to be frightening or fruitless. Knowledge is power, and when it comes to preparing financially for retirement, the more you know, the more likely you are to succeed - and feel secure about your future in your golden years. How much is enough? Uncertainty over how much they need to save is a big concern among workers. Thirty-four percent of Americans have no retirement savings at all, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. How much you need to save now in order to have a good life when you retire depends on many factors, including your current income and age, the age at which you plan to retire and the expenses you anticipate you’ll face during retirement. Fortunately, retirement calculators can help you get a better picture of how much you need to save. You’ll find plenty of calculators and information about saving for retirement from resources like freecreditscore.com. The calculators can give you an idea of how much income you’ll need from invest-
ments to live on during retirement, and how much of your current income you need to save between now and retirement. Crunching credit numbers Another important consideration is how you will interact with credit when you retire. It’s important to manage credit wisely during retirement, just as it is throughout your adult life. Studies show that many Americans don’t regularly monitor their credit, which can be a costly mistake. In fact, 65 percent of Americans have not ordered a copy of their credit report within the past year, and 31 percent don’t know their credit score, according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s Financial Literacy Survey. Your credit report and score are important during retirement for a number of reasons. First, your score directly affects the cost of many important financial needs, such as auto insurance and interest rates. Also, while you should strive to minimize debt during retirement, it may not be practical - or even desirable - to completely eliminate credit use in your golden years. Finally, not keeping an eye on your credit report and score may mean you fail to quickly catch instances of fraud or identity theft. Senior citizens are often a favorite target for identity thieves and scammers. See “SAVING” on Page 17
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The need for care differs between women and men.
Planning for your partner’s care (BPT) - Apparently “in sickness and in health” can mean different things to men and women. As the population ages and the need for extended health care increases, a recent nationwide omnibus survey of 1,005 American adults shows that men and women approach the issue of long-term care planning and insurance from different perspectives. Those differences, according to the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans survey, could have a significant impact on their retirement years - and their family relationships. Men vs. women With women living longer than men, there should be some concern about who will actually foot the bill of the costs should a woman require long-term care. With married couples, the woman is more likely to need long-term care - she will likely care for her husband during his final days, and then may rely on long-term care herself since she is likely to outlive him. Despite that, according to Thrivent Financial’s survey, males seem more versed in the topic of long-term care insurance than females. The survey indicated that men are more likely than women to own or plan to buy long-term
care insurance. For example: • 12 percent of females surveyed currently own longterm care insurance. • 19 percent of males surveyed currently own long-term care insurance. • 60 percent of females don’t intend to buy long-term care insurance in the future. • 53 percent of men don’t intend to buy long-term care insurance in the future. • 27 percent of both men and women surveyed plan to purchase long-term care insurance in the future. In short, men seem to be coming around to the necessity of preparing for long-term care, while women appear to be slower to acknowledge the need. The sandwich generation issue: stuck in the middle - but continuing to work? When it comes to providing care, the differences between the sexes continue. When asked how they would care for both their children and one or both of their parents or another loved one at the same time, male and female respondents had differing opinions. See “CARE” on Page 19
16 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
A common symptom of menopause D
(BPT) - Mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats are common complaints from women going through menopause. But there is another common menopause symptom that is affecting millions of women, yet only 25 percent of sufferers seek medical help. Vaginal discomfort, which may be caused by a condition called vaginal atrophy (VA), is the “silent” symptom of menopause that women rarely discuss because they think it is a natural part of growing older and that nothing can be done. When in reality, VA is a chronic condition caused by a decline in estrogens and the symptoms can be severe. VA is often characterized by dryness, itching, burning or soreness in the vagina, bleeding during intercourse, pain during urination, or pain in the vagina in connection with touching and/or intercourse. If left untreated, it could lead to serious complications. Vaginal atrophy impacts many aspects of quality of life, including couples’ relationships. According to a recent survey of 1,010 post-menopausal American women ages 55 to 65 who were living with this condition, and same-aged male partners of post-menopausal women with VA, both partners in a relationship experienced the negative effects of vaginal discomfort. The survey, conducted by global health care company Novo Nordisk, found more than half of women avoided being intimate with their partner due to vaginal discomfort, while more than three out of 10 women reported they do not feel sexually attractive anymore and had lost confidence in themselves as a sexual partner. Sixty-five percent of the men reported that they were worried sex would be painful for their partner because of her condition, and almost a third of both men and women reported that they have stopped having sex with their partners altogether because of the discomfort. “Beyond the physical symptoms that the woman endures, the sense of intimacy in the relationship, both emotional and physical, declines,” says prominent menopause expert James A. Simon, M.D., C.C.D., N.C.M.P., F.A.C.O.G., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington,
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Treatments are available for the symptoms of menopause. D.C. “The effects on sexual health and interpersonal relationships are sizeable. Women should stop suffering in silence, and start speaking up. Women are taking control of most aspects of their health, why not their vaginal health? Women should speak to their doctors. There are treatments available.” How does a woman approach this problem? Don’t be embarrassed. Vaginal atrophy is still considered a taboo subject, and many women are too embarrassed to discuss the condition, even with their health care professionals, because they think it is a private matter. Women should feel comfortable speaking with their partners and health care professionals about their symptoms and potential treatment options. Speaking with a physician is an important first step. Most women with vaginal
discomfort do not seek medical treatment. Women should speak with their health care professionals about available therapies approved to treat vaginal atrophy. Treatment options can provide relief. Many women self-treat using overthe-counter lubricants and moisturizers, which provide temporary relief of symptoms and do not treat the underlying condition. Of those surveyed who had tried local estrogen therapy, more than half of women and their partners reported that sex was less painful, and almost 40 percent reported that sex was more satisfying for themselves and their partners.Women who are experiencing vaginal discomfort can visit myvaginalsymptoms.com to assess their symptoms and get tips on how to speak with their health care professional.
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Not taking medication as prescribed leads to negative health consequences for individuals and higher costs for everyone, says Sharon Galzarano, a Washington, D.C.-based pharmacist of 20 years. “Patients can end up hospitalized, or their medical condition can worsen because they did not take their medication as their health care provider directed,” Galzarano says. “This is especially important for people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.” The most cost- effective way to manage your health is to develop a routine of consistently adhering to your medication regimen, Galzarano says. Good habits like these help prevent long-term complications such as blindness in people with diabetes or a stroke in patients with heart disease, she says. “Taking medication as directed could prevent emergency room visits and hospital admissions, which result in significant out- of- pocket costs for patients, as well as the health care system,” Galzarano adds. Spending a dollar on high-blood pressure medication saves the community
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Understanding your credit - leading up to retirement and during - should be a key part of your retirement planning. Websites like freecreditscore.com can help by offering enrolled members monthly statements, credit reports, credit score alerts, identity protection alerts and fraud resolution support. Understanding your Social Security benefits
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County, Mass. “To help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, a prescription drug discount card is now available at no cost to patients; there are no age restrictions or income requirements to access the card,” says Dan Barnes, FamilyWize CEO. Sign up for a free FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card by contacting your local United Way, visiting www.familywize.org or texting “Family” to 700700 to have an electronic card sent to your phone. Anyone can get the card, which works like a coupon to fill all FDA-approved medications at more than 63,000-participating pharmacies, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Walmart, Target, Kmart, Safeway, Kroger, Albertson’s, Publix, Stop & Shop, SUPERVALU, Ahold, Costco and Sam’s Club. Card users save money eight out of 10 times. On average, people will shave more than 35 percent, roughly $20, off the retail cost of each prescription. However, savings can be much higher, especially if card users are buying generic medications. This month, Vanderploeg saved $1,154 on her husband’s medicine. That’s a $13,848 year-end savings if his prescriptions stay the same. “The peace of mind emotionally and financially has been a life saver,” she says.
Too often, people planning for retirement either rely too much on Social Security or overlook it altogether. Neither route is best. It makes sense to incorporate Social Security as part of your overall retirement saving plan, as long as you understand what to expect from the program. The Social Security Administration provides every taxpayer with statements about how much they can expect to receive when they retire. Your SSA statement is now available online. Simply log on to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount for an estimate of the amount of Social Security benefits you could receive upon retiring. Carpet • Hardwood • Ceramic • Marble
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$10 by eliminating the need for additional hospitalizations, tests, operations and other interventions, according to CVS Caremark. Likewise, per-dollar savings for congestive heart patients were $8, nearly $7 for diabetes patients and around $3 for cholesterol patients. To be sure, the entire health care system pays when consumers decide not to take their medications as prescribed. For example, the New England Health Care Institute reported in 2009 that patients who did not take their medicine properly cost the system an additional $290 billion annually. Relieving the burden Luckily, Vanderploeg’s story had a happy ending. By using a FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card, she brought down the cost of her husband’s 180-pill, three-prescription order to $146, nearly an 89 percent reduction. She’s just one of 5 million Americans who saved more than $430 million using the discount card. People who used the card to purchase diabetes and heart disease medicines also saved $1.2 billion in related health care costs. “FamilyWize makes it possible for our neighbors who are struggling, many of them older folks, to buy both the medicine they need plus pay for necessities like food, utilities and clothing,” says Dennis Carmen, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Plymouth
18 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
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2013
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The highest, or worst, score is a 26, with a 95 percent chance of dying within 10 years. To get that, you’d have to be a man at least 85 years old with all the above conditions. For a score of zero, which means a 3 percent chance of dying within 10 years, you’d have to be a woman younger than 60 without any of those infirmities — but at least slightly overweight. It’s hardly surprising that a sick, older person would have a much higher chance of dying than someone younger and more vigorous, and it’s
well known that women generally live longer than men. But why would being overweight be less risky than being of normal weight or slim? One possible reason is that thinness in older age could be a sign of illness, Cruz said. Other factors could also play a role, so the index should be seen as providing clues but not the gospel truth, the research suggests. The findings were published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Grants from the National Institute on Aging and the American Federation for Aging Research helped pay for the study. The researchers created the index by analyzing data on almost 20,000 Americans over 50 who took part in a
Pain Continued from Page 9 The first step toward self-management is recognizing your “symptom cycle,” Chambers says. Pay attention to what prompts your symptoms - perhaps a certain type of activity or time of day - and how they affect you. Discuss this cycle with your providers and explore lifestyle choices that may help manage symptoms. Tracking your pain and sharing that information with your doctor can help him or her recognize what’s working for you - and, what’s not. In addition to helping with pain relief, self-management can also help patients improve their interpersonal relationships, Chambers says. Dealing with daily pain is stressful not only for the people experiencing it, but also for friends and family. Those stresses can strain relationships. Taking control through self-management of pain can give patients a feeling
Care Continued from Page 15 • Twenty-six percent of women reported they would quit their job to be the primary caregiver for a loved one should the need arise. • Only 14 percent of men said they would consider that option. • Thirty-three percent of men said they would rely on the savings and assets of those needing care and continue working. • Only 21 percent of women would rely on the savings and assets of those needing care and continue working. And what will you do in retirement?
national health survey in 1998. They tracked the participants for 10 years. Nearly 6,000 participants died during that time. They previously used the test to predict the risk of dying within four years. They said their new effort shows the same index can be used to predict 10-year mortality. Dr. Stephan Fihn, a University of Washington professor of medicine and health quality measurement specialist with Veterans Affairs health services in Seattle, said the index seems valid and “methodologically sound.” But he said it probably would be most accurate for the oldest patients, who don’t need a scientific crystal ball to figure out their days are numbered.
of empowerment, and help relieve stress that can harm relationships. Finally, self-management encompasses lifestyle changes that can help with chronic pain, such as getting regular exercise, pursuing stress-relieving activities such as yoga or tai chi, and setting aside unhealthy habits such as smoking. “Patients should set doable goals for lifestyle choices that can help them, and work with their health care providers to find out what works for them to relieve their pain,” Chambers adds. “When you’re dealing with chronic pain, it’s like sitting in a row boat. You have one oar and your health care providers have the other,” Chambers says “You both have to row together at the same time, or your boat is just going to go in circles and you won’t get anywhere.” To learn more about managing chronic pain, visit www. practicalbioethics.org, the website of the Center for Practical Bioethics and the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy (PAINS) or www.fmcpaware.org, the website of the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association.
Long-term care in retirement is an important issue facing both men and women but it is often overlooked during the retirement planning process. According to Thrivent Financial’s survey: • Only 10 percent of women considered the possibility of caring for someone else while retired. • Only 6 percent of men considered the possibility of caring for someone else while retired. • In contrast, 43 percent of women and 41 percent of men plan to retire fully and devote their time to travel, philanthropy and/or hobbies. Unfortunately, many don’t stop to consider the impact to those plans should the need for extended care arise. What will be given up to pay the expenses? Are family members trained to
provide the type of needed health care? Who is willing to alter plans when push comes to shove? “The disconnect between our expectations for a long, healthy and independent life and the reality of the chances of needing long-term care is staggering,” says Dean Anderson, product leader at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Taking the time to discuss priorities and plans when it comes to future care needs can help alleviate worry and stress in relationships - and ensure that expectations are appropriately set and finances allocated. Women should be especially sure to consider all the benefits that long-term care insurance brings. For more information about long-term care, visit www. thrivent.com/insurance.
20 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
BPT photos
Your cellphone is one of the most important tools you have to maintain your safety.
Safety tips for seniors (BPT) - If you’re just entering retirement, chances are you have many years of good health and independence ahead. But the normal aging process still brings limitations that we all need to prepare for - such as slower reaction times and declining vision - which can lead to accidents and injuries. Many accidents are preventable though, and you can take simple
measures to enhance your safety as you age. In your home Falls are one of the greatest age-related risks inside the home. One in three adults older than 65 falls each year, and the risk of injury rises with age, according to the National Safety Council. See “SAFETY” on Page 21
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TheIntelligencer.com - April, 2013 - Mature Lifestyles - 21
Centers similar across the nation By Gail M. Williams Plainview (Texas) Herald
“Out!” is the cry as the red, light-as-air ball floats out-ofbounds during the balloon volleyball game. Balloon volleyball plays much like regular volleyball, but the players are seated in chairs. They get up to rotate and to retrieve the ball. Many of them are adept at smashing the ball over the net – which takes a lot of skill from a seated position. From another room, frequent laughter and the click of dominos can be heard as groups gather for games of 42. Balloon volleyball and dominos are just two of the activities that takes place at Hale County Senior Citizens Center in the yellow building at 1107 Smyth Street, Plainview. With a nice-looking pool table plus a snooker table, laminate floors, domino tables and pianos, the place is well-suited for an afternoon of fun. Serious players can join the duplicate bridge group, and the less serious can take a hand in the aptly named “party bridge.” Norma Casanova, center director for nearly 10 years, estimates that from 30-75 people come through the center every weekday. That includes groups, such as Millenium Singers, that take advantage of the facility and those who stop by for a filling meal at the low price of $5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each weekday. The meal, by the way, is not just for seniors. Anyone who can
Safety Continued from Page 20 Many falls are caused by hazards that are easy to avoid if you know what to look for. To prevent tripping, eliminate clutter on floors, remove throw rugs or tack them down with double-sided tape, and make sure electrical and phone cords are kept out of the way. You might need to rearrange some of your furniture as well, to ensure that there are unobstructed pathways into and out of every room. In the bathroom, use a nonslip rubber mat or stick nonslip adhesive strips to the bottom of the bathtub or shower. You may also want to consider installing grab bars. Keep a night light on in the bathroom at night, and remove any obstacles in the path from the bedroom to the bathroom. If your house has stairs, make sure they have good lighting (with light switches at both the top and bottom of the staircase) and sturdy handrails (preferably on both sides). Attaching nonslip rubber treads is a good idea if the steps are potentially slippery. The kitchen presents a slightly different set of potential hazards. To reduce
come up with $5 can eat at the center. The center’s kitchen also caters activities, both at the center and outside the center. “I don’t feel like this is a job, I feel like I get paid to have fun,” Casanova said. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere where the customers can cut up with me and I can cut up with them.” To help you get in shape, exercise classes take place three days a week. The women’s group is led by Charlotte Thurman, and the men are led by Neil Dunavant. An increasingly popular devotional takes place at 11 a.m. Friday. “I’ve heard people say (the center) is their only form of recreation, especially folks that started volleyball in last year and a half. One lady said she didn’t know what she did before,” Casanova said. Free blood pressure screenings are held Wednesday from 11:30 to noon. Health seminars are held occasionally. Activities are open to those over the age of 50. Cost is $10 for one activity for a month, or $12 for two or more activities. Bridge and “groovy games,” such as dominos, are $2.50 per head for each day of play. In all, the Senior Citizens Center employs three people, including Casanova and two part-time kitchen workers. Volunteers help with lunches and meal delivery. Hale County Senior Citizens Center has been in business since 1977. A non-profit organization, the center is funded by Plainview Area United Way, the City of Plainview, Hale County and private donations, Casanova said.
the risk that you’ll cut or burn yourself, make sure there is bright, nonglare lighting over all food preparation areas. Also, it’s better to store sharp knives in a knife block or rack rather than loose in a drawer. And make sure any hazardous substances (such as cleaning supplies) are well marked and stored in a place where they’re unlikely to be misidentified or come in contact with food. Outdoors To make your yard safer, replace or repair any broken or loose paving stones and clear the walkways of overgrown branches or any other potential tripping hazards. Make sure all handrails are firm and secure. Mark the edges of steps with reflective tape and check that there is enough light to see obstacles at night. You might want to consider a timer or motion-detector light near the front door so you don’t have to fumble with your keys in the dark. And, just in case, make sure your house number is visible and lighted so emergency personnel can find it quickly. In the car To increase your safety on the road, have your vision and hearing checked every year, and, if you need them, wear your glasses or hearing aid when driving. Know your limitations and avoid situations that make you uncomfortable - for example, you may decide to avoid driv-
ing at night or on extremely busy roads. Have your car checked regularly by a trusted mechanic to make sure it stays in good working order, and keep a cellphone with you so you’re prepared in case of an emergency, which can’t be emphasized enough. It’s good to have a cellphone on hand for any type of emergency - not just in the car. In a 2011 survey by the Pew Research Center, 40 percent of respondents who owned cellphones said that in the past 30 days they had found themselves in an emergency situation in which having their phone with them helped. Knowing that you can call for help at any time provides great peace of mind, and a cellphone doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Consumer Cellular (www.consumercellular.com), the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, is one carrier that provides no-contract, cost-effective wireless service and cellphones. Their senior-friendly Doro PhoneEasy 618 is an easy-to-use feature phone with a one-touch emergency button and a feature to store all your I.C.E. (in case of emergency) information. Most accidents don’t just happen. If you follow these simple safety tips, you’ll decrease your risk of injury - and increase your chances of enjoying a long, happy retirement in the comfort of your own home.
22 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
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TheIntelligencer.com - April, 2013 - Mature Lifestyles - 23
BPT photo
The elderly can be sensitive when it comes to talking about hearing loss.
How to talk to a loved one about the difficult subject of hearing loss (BPT) - Full of festive gatherings, this time of year brings us close to friends and family. But if you know someone suffering from hearing loss, it may be hard for you both to fully enjoy time together. You can help improve your loved one’s quality of life by addressing the problem with understanding and care. With a few simple steps, you can start the conversation and help find a solution. From not being able to hear during family dinners and having grandkids disinterested in conversations due to lack of understanding to requiring the TV or radio to be unreasonably loud, a number of different scenarios can be indications of just how much hearing loss affects normal activities and communication. Rather than simply applying short-term solutions, such as speaking louder, leaving the room when the TV is on or repeating yourself constantly, help a loved one find a better solution. When approaching someone about hearing loss, remember he or she may be in denial or self-conscious about the problem. Here are a few steps to follow to help the process go smoothly: Step 1: Conversation starters Using the phrase “I’ve noticed recently...” is a great conversation starter. Give real examples that demonstrate the hearing problem: for example, explain how you’ve noticed the grandchildren don’t want to play games with Grandma or Grandpa any longer because they get frustrated they can’t be heard. Or, perhaps you’ve noticed the person isn’t talking on the phone much anymore; suggest that you’re worried about him or her becoming withdrawn or isolated from friends. Step 2: Conduct a casual hearing test After you’ve had the initial conversation, a person with hearing
loss may still be hesitant to visit a hearing care professional, so an easy interim step is to go online and conduct a hearing test in the comfort of your own home. Visit www.Starkey.com and have your loved one answer five short questions and then listen to a series of tones. It only takes a few minutes and will give you both a basic understanding of any hearing loss issue that exists. It also provides an idea of what some parts of a professional hearing evaluation might be like to reduce fears. While online, you can browse through different types of hearing aids to see how advanced technology is creating virtually invisible, easy-to-use options for anyone. Step 3: Make an appointment Hearing loss can affect a person’s ability to learn, socialize and enjoy life. It also can affect personal safety, such as when important phone calls or alarms are not heard. Help your loved one make an appointment with a hearing care professional for an expert diagnosis so the hearing loss can be addressed. If your loved one has a trusted physician, see if there is a hearing care professional he or she recommends. Then offer to take your loved one to the appointment - this not only provides support during a difficult time, but also ensures that the appointment isn’t missed. At the appointment, feel free to ask questions about treatments and different hearing aid options. Remember, hearing loss is cumulative. By allowing loved ones to ignore the issue and delay treatment, the problem and its impacts will continue to grow. By offering your support and helping a special loved one find a solution, you both benefit from better communication and hopefully a renewed connection.
24 - Mature Lifestyles - April, 2013 - TheIntelligencer.com
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