50 Plus - October 2012 by Gannett Wisconsin Media

50 October 2012 | The magazine for active, mature lifestyles

plus!

Want Pristine Outdoor Spaces Next Year?

Saavy Senior

ADRC: Energy assistance funding available 4 Manage Diabetes and Its Expense

HEALTH columm: Urinary Incontinence No Need To Suffer In Silence!

Financial column: Take Charge Of Your Retirement Planning

Dr. Scott Voskuil

Randall Behnke

8 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grand Familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; FEATURE STORY:

Children raised by grandparents a growing trend

Outdoor Spaces on average more than two hours a day maintaining their outdoor spaces. While a beautiful yard takes effort, there are ways you can better utilize the time, money and energy you spend on maintenance. Keep these tips in mind when tackling the landscape during the cooler months:

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‘Grand Families’

1. Rake and pick up leaves. If leaves are left scattered on the lawn, grass won’t grow as well in the spring. Don’t worry about removing leaves from plant beds, as they actually help insulate and feed plants during the winter months.

John and Sandy Vasey pose with their granddaughter, Anika, 5, at Washington Park in Two Rivers. They are among a growing number of grandparents raising young children. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

2. Take advantage of fall planting opportunities. Plant perennial flowers, ground covers, spring bulbs, trees and shrubs in early fall so they have time to establish strong and healthy roots. Some of the best sales on perennials are in the fall when greenhouses are trying to close out their inventories.

On the Cover:

8-9

Children raised by grandparents a growing trend

Staff Pat Pankratz, 50 Plus! Editor 920-686-2138 ppankratz@htrnews.com Tami Gasch, Advertising Manager 920-684-4433 tgasch@htrnews.com 50 Plus! is published monthly by the Herald Times Reporter. It also is distributed to select businesses in Manitowoc County.

Want Pristine Outdoor Spaces Next Year?

Take Action in the Fall The cooling weather signals most homeowners to retire their lawn and garden equipment for the year. But before you stow away the rakes and hoes, remember that fall offers a unique opportunity for starting projects that can yield beautiful landscape results next year. You can save time and potentially money by doing a few simple projects now so when spring arrives, your yard reaches its full potential.

Mulch plant beds. It’s important to add a layer of organic mulch to plant beds, which helps roots get established before the ground freezes solid. Mulch

also helps to retain soil moisture and prevent future weed growth. Don’t add mulch where iris rhizomes are planted because they are prone to rotting.

Maximize your equipment with accessories. Find accessories or attachments that enhance the equipment you already own, such as your all-terrain vehicle. For example, the SnowSport ATV Plow manufactured by Agri-Cover can be used year round for landscaping projects as well as snow removal. With this versatile snowplow, a homeowner can easily level, spread or push dirt, gravel and snow anytime of the year. This turf-friendly, all-terrain plow is available in six different blade lengths, so you can find the best one for your ATV or utility terrain vehicle. Each blade is 14.5-inches high and has a 1-inch thick rubber cutting edge for efficient scraping no matter what project you’re taking on.

5. Clean out rain gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water backups that Outdoor Spaces continued on page 5

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Simplified Computer Software That Can Help Seniors Get Online Dear Savvy Senior: Do you know of any computer software that’s designed for seniors that I can download on an old computer that I have? I would like to set my grandmother up with a senior—friendly system for email and Internet access, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Cheap and Easy

Dear Cheap: There are actually a number of companies and services today that offer simplified computer software that’s designed specifically for seniors who have little or no computer experience. These software packages can transform most Microsoft Windows personal computers (PCs) – some work with Macs and tablets too – into a much simpler computer experience that provides seniors easy access to most functions like sending and receiving email, browsing the Internet, making video calls, looking at photos, playing games and more. Here are some top options to check out.

Free Software Since it’s completely free, a good place to start is at Eldy, an Italian nonprofit organization that provides

simplified computer software in 25 different languages including English. Available to download at www.eldy.eu, this software works on PCs that use Windows and Linux systems, Macs and Android tablets. Once installed, Eldy converts the computer’s desktop into a simple six-button menu that has large text, color contrasts and simplified instructions (no confusing icons) that makes it easy to see, understand and operate. The six-button menu puts seniors literally one click of the mouse away from simplified versions of email, the Web, Skype for video calls, chat groups, a simple word processing program and more. It’s also worth noting that Eldy software works on touch-screen computers too, and they also offer online tech support.

Fee-Based Services If, however, you don’t mind spending a little money, there are also a number of companies that offer software similar to Eldy, but provide a few extra enticing features. One of the best deals is offered through SeeYouLink (seeyoulink.com), which has

Skilled Nursing &

Jim Miller a three-month free trial and charges only $4.95 per month after that. SeeYouLink’s web-based software will transform any mouse-operated or touchscreen Windows-based PC, into a simplified big-button operating system with large fonts and color contrasts. This will give your grandmother easy access to a host of functions that she can select from like email, Web browsing, video calling, brain fitness games, movies, Facebook, a calendar that sends reminders and much more. In addition, this service also provides a “remote access” feature that will give you and other family members the ability to access your grandmother’s computer system from literally any computer anywhere in the world, so you can help her set things up, show her websites, scheduled appointments, or guide her through any Savvy Senior continued on page 5

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ADRC: Energy assistance funding available By JUDY RANK Manitowoc County Human Service Income Maintenance staff are in the process of scheduling appointments for energy assistance. A household of one individual whose three-month income is less than $6,071 is eligible to apply for assistance with their heating and electricity costs for this upcoming season. A household of two people may have an income as high as $7,939 for three months, while a household of three may have an income of $9,806 over a threemonth period.

Homestead credit form, current Social Security award letter, Social Security card for each household member, last 12 months printout of your fuel usage, and the last 12 months printout of your electricity bill (9-1-2011 to 8-31-2012).

centers will be booking their own appointments, while all other people should contact the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 for an appointment. Please inform the receptionist which program you are interested in so that appointments are booked appropriately.

Homebound individuals (those unable to get out of their home) may call the Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore (ADRC) for assistance. The phone number is (920) 683-4180.

Each year Part D plans change their formulary and may increase their co-pays or deductible, so it is important to check your current plan against your drugs to be sure you are in the most cost effective plan for 2013.

Open Enrollment

Income maintenance staff are setting up appointments at the Manitowoc and Two Rivers Senior Center, along with the Mishicot Senior Dining Site and the Kiel Community Center. Please watch for upcoming announcements on days and times when these sites will do energy assistance and also how to book an appointment at one of these sites.

Oct. 15 is the first day of open enrollment for those wishing to change to a different Advantage plan or Part D Prescription Drug plan. Open enrollment will run through Dec. 7. The ADRC will once again be offering appointments at the Manitowoc and Two Rivers Senior Centers, Painting Pathways, and also at the ADRC office.

This year, the staff of the ADRC is offering an opportunity for Part D recipients to learn how to check their own prescription drug plan. This workshop is set up for Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. in room 300 at the ADRC, which is located at 4319 Expo Drive. There is no cost to attend, but one must have computer knowledge, be Medicare Part D eligible, or be helping a friend or relative who is eligible for Part D.

Individuals who are clients of the Lakeland Care District should contact their care manager at the district for assistance with the application. The phone number is (920) 652-2440. Individuals who receive foodshare, medical assistance, or have their Medicare Part B premium paid for them, should contact their income maintenance worker for this help. This phone number is (920) 683-2888.

Individuals who are enrolled in a Part D plan and want assistance in reviewing it or enrolling in a different Part D plan are encouraged to set up an appointment with someone at either Senior Center or the trained specialists that will once again be helping at the ADRC.

Feel free to bring a laptop computer, but it is not required. You may also bring a list of your drugs to practice with after the workshop. To reserve a spot, please contact the ADRC. This opportunity will give you a jump start on deciding whether you need to change your plan during open enrollment.

Individuals wanting to look at and compare Advantage plans should specify that to the receptionist for additional help from the office staff. The two senior

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Savvy Senior scheduled to start Friday, Oct. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Aurora Medical Center. This is a program for the family caregiver to help them understand and deal with the stress that comes from adding on the responsibility of being a caregiver. It also teaches communication skills that are helpful in communicating with family and professionals. Generation Elder Care will open its doors during the sixweek program for the care recipient. There will be no charge to utilize these services. Please contact Lynn at the ADRC to register for this program. The ADRC also continues to offer support groups for family caregivers. The male support group meets on the third Wednesday, of the month at 9 a.m. An afternoon Alzheimers support group meets the third Thursday at 2 p.m., and an evening support group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. No prior registration is necessary for a support group.

Volunteers Needed The ADRC is looking for volunteers for its transportation program. The agency has two mini-vans and a sedan that are used for these services. If interested, please call the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 and ask for Linda to learn more about the need. Judy Rank is executive director of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore.

Outdoor Spaces

continued from page 3

continued from page 2

other questions or problems she might have. And, when you or your grandmother needs help, SeeYouLink offers free tech support both online and over the phone.

can damage your roof in the fall, and possibly create ice dams in the winter. It’s wise to clean out rain gutters and make sure water flows away from walkways and driveways, which could ice over and become hazardous in the winter.

In addition to SeeYouLink, some other companies worth a look that offer similar services include InTouchLink (intouchlink.com), which can be used on a PC, Mac or iPad and costs $13.75 per month or $150 per year. Pointer Ware (pointerware.com), which works on Windows PCs and costs a one-time fee of $149, or you can subscribe monthly for $8 per month. And BigScreenLive (bigscreenlive.com), that operates on Windows PCs and runs $9.95 per month for an annual membership.

Senior-Friendly Computers If you find that you would rather purchase your grandmother a new computer that’s designed for seniors and is ready to go right out of the box, you have options here too. Two of the most popular are the Telikin (telikin.com, 800230-3881) which costs between $699 and $999 – this same computer is also sold as the “WOW” computer through firstSTREET. And MyGait (mygait.com, 866-469-4248), which runs $799 or $899 plus a $20 monthly service fee. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Winterize pipes. Shut off water to all outdoor spigots to prevent pipes from freezing. If you have a sprinkler system, blow out the lines so that sitting water doesn’t freeze and destroy the system.

Maintain your driveway. If you have a tar driveway, popular in the cities and suburbs, you might want to consider sealing it before the cold weather hits. Ice and snow can damage the surface and cause cracks to expand. If you live in a rural area, the maintenance of a gravel driveway may also be on your fall to-do list before the winter winds start to blow. With these simple tips, you’ll make the most of fall time to create a beautiful landscape setting you can enjoy through all of next year. ARA

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50 plus! . October 2012 . 5

Manage Diabetes and Its

Your health ranked the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is now the fastest growing disease in the country,” says Agwunobi. “It is imperative that we help the millions of Americans who are struggling to manage their diabetes alleviate some of the financial burden.”

Expense

The American Diabetes Association offers these tips for people with diabetes to manage the disease and lower risk for complications and expenses: Schedule regular visits with your doctor and dentist to stay on top of the disease; your local pharmacist also can be a great resource for diabetes-related questions.

associated with diabetes management, Walmart has lowered prices on a wide selection of high-quality ReliOn brand treatment products, which could end up saving you or a loved one up to $800 a year on glucose strips alone. This commitment includes low prices on many essential diabetes treatment products, including blood glucose monitoring meters and strips, insulin and 15 different diabetes prescriptions for only $4 each for a 30-day supply.

Exercise with 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week.

“We’ve worked closely with our suppliers and found a way to significantly reduce the cost of diabetes products for all of our customers, but this is just one example of a larger commitment to provide affordable healthcare solutions to Americans,” adds Agwunobi. “We want to make sure Americans can afford to stay healthy - whether managing their diabetes or treating the common cold.”

Join a local diabetes community group to stay motivated and find a support system.

For more information, visit http:// health.walmar t.com/health-tips/ diabetes.

Managing diabetes often comes at a great financial cost. Just ask the nearly 26 million people living with the disease, many of whom pay out of pocket for treatment and self care. Whether you pay out of pocket or through your insurance co-pay system, you’re not alone if you feel you’re paying too much to gain control of your condition.

recommends insulin-dependent diabetes patients test their blood sugar three times a day, which can set a patient back $1,000 a year in average costs of glucose strips alone. It’s a costly scenario, but medical doctors such as John Agwunobi, president of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness, agree it should be considered a health priority.

Eat a healthy diet that limits carbohydrates and calories.

The American Diabetes Association

“In recent years, diabetes has been

To help people ease mounting expenses

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PARK LANE APARTMENTS • 416 PARK LANE • MISHICOT, WI Announces Dr. Kirk D. Dimitris as Orthopaedic Program Director

Dr. Kirk D. Dimitris is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon. He performs minimally invasive and muscle sparing procedures for hip and knee replacements. Dr. Dimitris has extensive training in computer-assisted knee replacement surgery, as well as hip resurfacing procedures. He is significantly experienced in complex revision surgery, management of periprosthetic fractures and treatment of infected total joint prostheses.

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Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center is honored to have Dr. Kirk D. Dimitris as a member of it’s growing health care family. With Dr. Dimitiris’s insight, Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center will be able to continue to provide the best services to the residents of Manitowoc County.

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Dr. Dimitris received his undergraduate degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University and completed his orthopaedic residency at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He completed his fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction at the prestigious Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Dimitris is the only surgeon in Manitowoc County who has completed a fellowship in hip and knee replacement surgery.

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Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center is excited to announce Dr. Kirk D. Dimitris as Orthopaedic Program Director. As Orthopaedic Program Director, Dr. Dimitris will provide extensive training to our Therapists and staff. He will also guide, approve and over see the development, implementation and evaluation of Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center’s orthopaedic and rehabilitation services.

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Urinary Incontinence health column Dr. Scott Voskuil, MD, is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Aurora Health Center in Two Rivers.

No Need To Suffer In Silence! By Dr. Scott Voskuil There is a very common problem that affects millions of women age 50 and older. This condition is frequently under diagnosed and under-reported because it’s a sensitive, personal issue. We’re talking about stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is characterized by the accidental loss of urine during a sudden movement such as coughing, sneezing, lifting or engaging in physical activity. Stress incontinence can be frustrating and embarrassing, causing women to limit their activities and lifestyles. It’s estimated that about 35 percent of women under age 50 have some degree of stress incontinence, while about half of all women age 50 or older suffer from the condition. Stress incontinence can impact a woman’s self-esteem, affecting both her emotional well being, as well as her independence. The good news is that women no longer need to cope quietly with this problem, as a variety of treatment options are readily available. Stress incontinence may increase after bearing children and as a woman ages, but women of all ages, whether or not they’ve given birth, often develop the problem. Other factors such as

weakened sphincter muscles; highimpact physical activities; loss of estrogen after menopause; obesity; urinary or vaginal infections; and smoking/chronic coughing can contribute to stress incontinence. Some other risk factors include: having chronic constipation being older than 65 having previous hysterectomy or urethral surgery diabetes, stroke or multiple sclerosis. All of these factors over time can contribute to a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (the muscles that surround the openings of the urethra, vagina, and anus), leading to poor bladder control. This makes middleaged or older women especially prone to this type of urinary incontinence.

Kegel exercises can strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor when done correctly and regularly. Tighten the muscles in your bottom as if you were holding in urine and bowel movements. These muscles contract together. Hold them as tight as you can for a slow count of 10. Relax. Repeat 10 times each session and do several sessions daily. »Medication: certain medications can help increase the contraction of the urethral sphincter muscle. »Pessaries: these are devices that are inserted into the vagina. Most are designed to improve the function of the bladder sphincter by supporting the floor of the bladder. »Physical therapy: under the direction of a specially trained physical therapist, physical therapy can also help with symptoms. Physical therapists may use various methods to help clients correct pelvic floor weaknesses, including biofeedback techniques and electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic floor muscle training:

Unfortunately, many women suffer in silence with incontinence because they may be too embarrassed to discuss this problem openly with their health care provider or are fearful that surgery is the only treatment option. In reality, most cases of stress incontinence can be successfully treated with non-surgical techniques. In summary, stress incontinence is not necessarily something that women must learn to accept or just “live with,” as many successful treatment options are available today to remedy this common problem.

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Non-surgical treatment options for stress incontinence include: Behavioral and lifestyle changes — taking simple steps such as changing a person’s fluid intake and timed urination training may improve stress incontinence symptoms. Excess weight can also aggravate the symptoms of urinary incontinence, so weight loss might be part of the treatment plan.

For difficult-to-treat cases, surgery can help support weakened muscles related to bladder function. Newer surgical techniques are usually minimally invasive and offer quicker recovery times. Surgical treatment should be considered only after thorough medical evaluation and determining the exact cause of a woman’s urinary incontinence.

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50 plus! . October 2012 . 7

John and Sandy Vasey supervise as their granddaughter, Anika, plays on the climbing wall at Washington Park in Two Rivers. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

‘Grand Families’ Children raised by grandparents a growing trend By Tara Meissner | 50 Plus Correspondent TWO RIVERS — Sandy and John Vasey are part of what has come to be known as a “grand family.” The couple, who raised two children: Christoper, 31, and Danielle, 26, found themselves drawn back into parenting after the birth of their granddaughter Anika.

“She calls me up and says she’s pregnant and getting out of the military,” Sandy said. Danielle moved in with her parents in New York and gave birth to Anika, who was born prematurely with health problems. The infant had open-heart surgery at two weeks of age and had a non-cancerous tumor removed at age 2 months.

“I thought I was done,” Sandy said. “It was the empty nest … whoa!”

During Anika’s first year, Danielle moved out of her parents’ home and was working two jobs. She left Anika in Sandy and John’s care.

Danielle was beginning a career in the Navy and living in Illoinis.

“She was struggling to find a nice, stable environment,” John said.

8 . October 2012 . 50 plus!

“We were more than happy to step in,” Sandy said. Five years later, Anika, who is living a normal, healthy life, started kindergarten at Magee Elementary School in Two Rivers with her address listed as the Vasey’s home. The Vaseys moved to Two Rivers about three years ago.

More Common The percentage of American grandchildren being raised by one or more grandparents in homes without parents present has risen over the past few decades. Whereas in 1991, U.S. Census Bureau figures show that about 1.7 percent of children in the U.S. lived in

Legal paperwork grandparents should have Grandparents taking on the role of parents should have the following documents rounded up in one place for easy access as needed: Grandchildren’s birth certificates Their parent’s death certificate, if applicable Grandchildren’s Social Security cards/numbers Medical/immunization records Dental records Grandparent’s Power of Attorney, custody or guardianship documents Consent letters from parents for obtaining medical care School report cards and/or records Proof of child support and assets for grandchildren Citizenship verification, if applicable Source: www.seniorcare.net John and Sandy Vasey give their granddaughter, Anika, a push on the swings at Washington Park in Two Rivers. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus such home environments, that number rose to 2.5 percent in 2009. In terms of actual numbers, the senior association AARP reports that nearly 1 million American children are being raised in a grandparent’s household where the parents do not live. Furthermore, AARP points out that of those grandparents who find themselves parenting a second generation, 67 percent are under the age of 60.

‘Spoiled’ Child John, 48, and Sandy, 50, say they spoil Anika

more than they did their own children. They also find themselves more relaxed and say they learned through the first time raising kids.

“It’s harder to make friends,” Sandy admits. “Basically our whole lives revolve around her (Anika).”

“It is fun having her,” Sandy said.

Things haven’t changed much since they raised their own children.

As an end-of-summer treat, the Voseys took Anika to the Kalahari Water Park in Wisconsin Dells with Danielle. “We are exhausted,” Sandy said. Raising a grandchild separates the Voseys from their peers, who are enjoying the traditional empty nest phase of life.

“The activities are all the same: gymnastics, swimming, Daisy Scouts,” John said. “We did a lot of things with our kids and we are able to with Anika too,” Sandy said. John’s previous career was in the Navy, which Grand Families continued on page 10

50 plus! . October 2012 . 9

grand families continued from page 9

had the family moving around a lot. Today, John works at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, owned by NextEra Energy Resources just north of Two Rivers. “I’m more hands on now,” he said. Sandy stays at home now, but worked when raising her own children. Sandy volunteers at the Senior Center for Meals on Wheels, at the concert series in Central Park and is helping out at the “Over 80s” party.

Sandwich Generation She is also part of what some refer to as the sandwich generation: caring for children and caring for aging parents. Her parents, Shirley and Bill Myers, who live in Las Vegas, are ages 86 and 83 and are living with health problems: COPD and congestive heart failure for Shirley and a recent knee surgery for him. Sandy visits her parents often, usually

at least every two months, and stays for two weeks at a time or for some visits up to six weeks. Generally, Anika would tag along on these extended trips. However, since she started full-time school this fall, other arrangements will need to be made. The Voseys do not have guardianship of Anika. Her mother, who now lives in Manitowoc, is as involved as possible. “She is not excluded in anything,” Sandy said. “By her letting us raise Anika, she is doing best by her. We are all raising her together.” Anika calls the Voseys “Grandma” and “Grandpa.” “We are committed (to raising Anika) until graduation if that is what it takes,” Sandy said. “We felt we were meant to do this.” Tara Meissner is a freelance writer in Manitowoc. She can be reached at 920-8606957 or tarameissner@yahoo.com.

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Crossword: CARTOON FAMILIES

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DOWN

ACROSS

18. Daytime host

1. Fastener 6. Hermey, e.g. 9. Thunderous character 13. One who avoids company 14. ___ Kilmer 15. Southern chicken stew 16. Grossly unconventional 17. One of Bo Peep’s flock?

19. *Peter or Lois or one of their children 21. Onion-like bulb 23. Blue feeling 24. Better ____ Ezra, band 25. DNA transmitter 28. Alternative for Liz? 30. *Todd or Tina or Timmy 35. Right side of U.S.

37. Seed cover 39. Like yellow polka dot bikini 40. Musical finale 41. Linear particle accelerator, for short 43. Castle material 44. Wrong 46. *Heckle and Jeckle, e.g. 47. Test answer 48. *”Rugrats” character

1. Dutchman’s wooden gear 2. Frown 3. Opposed to 4. Feudal lord’s property, pl. 5. Modular dwelling 6. Two, e.g. 7. “____ & Order” 8. “Pound of _____” 9. Sound of a bell 10. *Hank or Peggy or Bobby 11. Butter substitute 12. Smallest, as in litter 15. Jimmy Carter product 20. Vitruvian Man, e.g.

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9. Crossword and Sudoku solutions on page 15. 22. Mad Hatter’s accessory 24. “Into ____ ___” 25. Summary 26. Actress Watts 27. Echo sounder 29. Stumble 31. Catch one’s breath 32. Approaches 33. Boredom 34. *”Red _____” 36. Homework to a student 38. Batman’s cave, e.g. 42. Crocus, pl. 45. Downhill race 49. The day before 51. Jack is this and quick?

54. Test format 56. Pitch 57. Iranian money 58. Tangerinegrapefruit hybrid 59. Cry plaintively 60. A dull person 61. See him run? 62. Skidded 63. Stare amorously 64. Not far 67. *”The Jetsons” were a Space ___ counterpart to “The Flintstones”

“A Passion to Serve since 1974” RN’s • Therapists • Bath Service • Companions Hospice • Housekeepers • Money Minders

1004 Washington Street • Manitowoc

684-7155

WI-5001554773

www.homecarehealth.org

50 plus! . October 2012 . 11

Open House Thursday, Sept. 27th and Friday, Sept. 28th 10AM to 2PM both Days Manitou Manor Apartments would like to invite you to their open house on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 27th and 28th!

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Come see the newly remodeled front lobby and hallways! Meet the friendly staff who will happily give you a tour to show you some of the amenities they have to offer. Manitou Manor Apartments offers subsidized housing for elderly, disabled and low income tenants over 50 years of age.

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The open house will run from 10:00 A.M. to 2 P.M. both days.

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Refreshments will be available! They are located at 1433 No. 6th Street in Manitowoc, WI. Hope to see you there!

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Manitou Manor Apartments

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1433 NO. 6TH STREET, MANITOWOC, WI • 684-5865 http://manitoumanor.weebly.com

WI-5001552452

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WI-5001545862

12 . October 2012 . 50 plus!

WI-5001548012 ��

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E&H�� Advisors, LLC �� 920-783-6501 & 1-877-647-1075 ��

815 S. Taylor Dr, Sheboygan WI 53081 ��

Take Charge Of Your Retirement Planning

benefit may be 25 percent to 30 percent less than if you waited until full retirement age. Conversely, if you delay retirement past full retirement age, you may be able to increase your Social Security retirement benefit. If you work part-time during retirement, you’ll be earning money and relying less on your retirement savings, leaving more of your savings to potentially grow for the future (and you may also have access to affordable health care).

Financial column

If you’re married, and you and your spouse are both employed and nearing retirement age, think about staggering your retirements. If one spouse is earning significantly more than the other, then it usually makes sense for that spouse to continue to work in order to maximize current income and ease the financial transition into retirement.

Randall Behnke is a financial advisor and president of Integrity Investments & Insurance Mgmt. at 3121 Calumet Avenue in Manitowoc.

Whatever your goal, you’ll need a retirement income plan that’s designed to support the retirement lifestyle that you envision, and minimize the risk that you’ll outlive your savings.

When Will You Retire? Establishing a target age is important, because when you retire will significantly affect how much you need to save. For example, if you retire early at age 55 as opposed to waiting until age 67, you’ll shorten the time you have to accumulate funds by 12 years, and

The longer you delay retirement, the longer you can build up taxdeferred funds in your IRAs and employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s, or accrue benefits in a traditional pension plan if you’re lucky enough to be covered by one.

Comfortable 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments Include:

*Income limits apply to 1 Bdrms.

For A Showing: (920) 684-1531 or info@parkregencymanagement.com

WI-5001552447

Once you know when your retirement will likely start, how long it may last, and the type of retirement lifestyle you want, it’s time to estimate the amount of money you’ll need to make it all happen. One of the biggest retirement planning mistakes you can make is to underestimate the amount you’ll need

important

Retirement Planning continued on page 14

to be rushed.

IIt just makes sense to prepare for the inevitable while emotions are at rest and heads are clear.

Pre-planning Specialist Mike Jarzin is available

929 S. 31st Street Seniors 55+ Residence Across the street from Senior Center Shopping, Banking Grocery Store, City Busline

• Soundprooﬁng • Elevator • Cable/Dish Ready • Monthly Socials

Project Your Retirement Expenses

Some decisions are too

You can begin receiving your Social Security retirement benefit as early as age 62. However, your

Carefree Senior Living • Garages Available • Safety Features • Laundry Facilities • Community Room

We all hope to live to an old age, but a longer life means that you’ll have even more years of retirement to fund.

Medicare generally doesn’t start until you’re 65. Does your employer provide post-retirement medical benefits? Are you eligible for the coverage if you retire early? Do you have health insurance coverage through your spouse’s employer? If not, you may have to look into COBRA or a private individual policy —which could be expensive.

Regency House • Security Features • Hot Water Heat • Water & Sewer • Appliances

How Long Will Retirement Last?

You can use government statistics, life insurance tables, or life expectancy calculators to get a reasonable estimate of how long you’ll live. Experts base these estimates on your age, gender, race, health, lifestyle, occupation, and family history. But remember, these are just estimates. There’s no way to predict how long you’ll actually live, but with life expectancies on the rise, it’s probably best to assume you’ll live longer than you expect.

to answer your questions and provide the guidance you need to make educated decisions.

Mike Jarzin Pre-planning Specialist

Call Mike today to set up an appointment.

818 State Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 920.682.0118

1122 South 8th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 920.682.1568

1124 Main Street Kellnersville, WI 54215 920.732.3535

More women are working and taking charge of their own retirement planning than ever before. What does retirement mean to you? Do you dream of traveling? Pursuing a hobby? Volunteering your time, or starting a new career or business? Simply enjoying more time with your grandchildren?

you’ll increase the number of years that you’ll be living off of your retirement savings. Also consider:

WI-5001552465

By Randall Behnke

The problem is particularly acute for women, who generally live longer than men. To guard against the risk of outliving your savings, you’ll need to estimate your life expectancy.

50 plus! . October 2012 . 13

Retirement planning continued from page 13

to save by the time you retire. It’s often repeated that you’ll need 70 percent to 80 percent of your pre-retirement income after you retire. However, the problem with this approach is that it doesn’t account for your specific situation. Focus on your actual expenses today and think about whether they’ll stay the same, increase, decrease, or even disappear by the time you retire. While some expenses may disappear, like a mortgage or costs for commuting to and from work, other expenses, such as health care and insurance, may increase as you age. If travel or hobby activities are going to be part of your retirement, be sure to factor in these costs as well. And don’t forget to take into account the potential impact of inflation and taxes.

Identify Your Sources Of Income Once you have an idea of your retirement income needs, your next step is to assess how prepared you (or you and your spouse) are to meet those needs. In other words, what sources of retirement income will be available to you? Your employer may offer a traditional pension that will pay you monthly benefits. In addition, you can likely count on Social Security to provide a portion of your retirement income. Other sources of retirement income may include a 401(k)

or other retirement plan, IRAs, annuities, and other investments. The amount of income you receive from those sources will depend on the amount you invest, the rate of investment return, and other factors. Finally, if you plan to work during retirement, your earnings will be another source of income. When you compare your projected expenses to your anticipated sources of retirement income, you may find that you won’t have enough income to meet your needs and goals. Closing this difference, or “gap,” is an important part of your retirement income plan. In general, if you face a shortfall, you’ll have five options: save more now, delay retirement or work during retirement, try to increase the earnings on your retirement assets, find new sources of retirement income, or plan to spend less during retirement.

Transitioning Into Retirement Even after that special day comes, you’ll still have work to do. You’ll need to carefully manage your assets so that your retirement savings will last as long as you need them to. Review your portfolio regularly. Traditional wisdom holds that retirees should value the safety of their principal above all else. For this reason, some people shift their investment portfolio to

fixed income investments, such as bonds and money market accounts, as they enter retirement. The problem with this approach is that you’ll effectively lose purchasing power if the return on your investments doesn’t keep up with inflation. While it generally makes sense for your portfolio to become progressively more conservative as you grow older, it may be wise to consider maintaining at least a portion in growth investments. Spend wisely. You want to be careful not to spend too much too soon. This can be a great temptation, particularly early in retirement. A good guideline is to make sure your annual withdrawal rate isn’t greater than 4 percent to 6 percent of your portfolio. (The appropriate percentage for you will depend on a number of factors, including the length of your payout period and your portfolio’s asset allocation.) Remember that if you whittle away your principal too quickly, you may not be able to earn enough on the remaining principal to carry you through the later years. Understand your retirement plan distribution options. Most pension plans pay benefits in the form of an annuity. If you’re married, you generally must choose between a higher retirement benefit that ends when your spouse dies, or a smaller benefit that continues in whole or in part to the surviving spouse. A financial professional

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14 . October 2012 . 50 plus!

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can help you with this difficult, but important, decision. Consider which assets to use first. For many retirees, the answer is simple in theory: withdraw money from taxable accounts first, then taxdeferred accounts, and lastly, tax-free accounts. By using your tax-favored accounts last and avoiding taxes as long as possible, you’ll keep more of your retirement dollars working for you. However, this approach isn’t right for everyone. And don’t forget to plan for required distributions. You must generally begin taking minimum distributions from employer retirement plans and traditional IRAs when you reach age 70½, whether you need them or not. Plan to spend these dollars first in retirement.

Consider purchasing an immediate annuity. Annuities are able to offer something unique — a guaranteed income stream for the rest of your life or for the combined lives of you and your spouse (although that guarantee is subject to the claimspaying ability of the issuer). The obvious advantage in the context of retirement income planning is that you can use an annuity to lock in a predictable annual income stream, not subject to investment risk, that you can’t outlive. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fitsall when it comes to retirement income planning. A financial professional can review your circumstances, help you sort through your options, and help develop a plan that’s right for you.

Jointhe Club Welcome to the club! Christina Ann “Kristy” McNichol is an American actress who turned 50 on Sept. 11 McNichol is known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol. McNichol retired from acting when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1992.

River’s Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center

...helping people live better Bringing Social Work to the Forefront

River’s Bend Health and Rehabilitation is pleased to announce our new Referral Manager, Michael Free, CSW. Over the past six years Michael has been dedicated to the residents and their families at River’s Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in the capacity of the center’s Social Service Director. Michael attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he received his Bachelors Degree in Science with a Social Work major in 2005. Currently, Michael is working towards his Nursing Home Administrator Certification in an effort to grow as a valuable resource to the community of Manitowoc. Since 1994, Michael has resided in the city of Manitowoc and remains a resident of Manitowoc with his wife and daughter. “As a Social Worker and Referral Manager, I am looking forward to continuing my role as a patient, family and community advocate. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you and your loved one and help review your options for short term rehabilitation after an upcoming surgery or help in the process of looking for a long-term care center. For a personalized tour, please call me, Michael Free, at 920-684-1144, or on my cell phone, 920-980-8464, and schedule a time that works best for you.” – Michael Free

960 South Rapids Road ■ Manitowoc, WI 54220 920.684.1144 www.riversbendskillednursing.com WI-5001552458

50 plus! . October 2012 . 15

CommunityDedication This year, as Shady Lane, Inc. celebrates sixty one years of quality care, we reflect on the dedication of our board, our staff, our donors, our residents and our community – all those we have served through quality, affordable care.

Find out why people...

Think of Us First for comfort of skilled care Designed for living with beautifully decorated and lovely gardens, Shady Lane offers skilled nursing care for short or long-term care, therapy services, social services and hospice care. Medicare and Medicaid Certified.

for planning to get better . . . Recovering after an illness, joint replacement or surgery is a team effort. In fact, it could be called "Team You"! We offer physical, occupational and speech therapy, respiratory services, pain management and neurological, orthopedic and cardiac rehabilitation. Medicare and Medicaid Certified and some private insurances. In-patient or Out-patient Services.

for the joys of home without the work From two bedroom apartments to single bedrooms with private bathrooms, Laurel Grove offers a variety of assisted living options to meet your needs. Enjoy the gardens, optional activities and care-free living. Starting at just $1450 a month including meals!

Now Open! HFM Clinic at Shady Lane Manitowoc’s only not-for-profit citizen directed care facility. 1235 South 24th Street • Manitowoc, WI • www.shadylaneinc.com • 920-682-8254 WI-5001552444

16 . October 2012 . 50 plus!