50 Plus - March 2013 by Gannett Wisconsin Media

50 March 2013 | The magazine for active, mature lifestyles

plus!

social security: Spring into retirement

Savvy Senior

ADRC

health column: Alcohol Not Only Cause Of Liver Problems

William Alvarez, MD,

Financial column: Converting Savings to Retirement Income

Randall Behnke

Artist Stephen Mickey poses with his artwork at his home studio in Manitowoc He colors velveteen posters for his Smile Project and donates his artwork and poetry through missionary work in India, Africa, Jamaica, Haiti, North Carolina and locally at the Manitowoc County Hope House. For more about Mickey, see pages 6-7. Sue Pischke/50 Plus

FEATURE STORY:

6 Smile Project Despite obstacles, Manitowoc man bringS joy to world through â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;painting,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; poetry

social security

Spring Into

Retirement plus!

Staff

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

By KEN HESS

Here are a few important items about Social Security retirement benefits and how to apply for them. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits. We determine the amount of your benefit by both how long you work and how much you earn. The

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James Travis Tritt (born Feb. 9, 1963) is an American country music singer from Marietta, Ga. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct Category 5 Records. Seven of his albums (counting the Greatest Hits) are certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Michael Jordan (born Feb. 17, 1963), also known by his initials, MJ, is an American former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, and majority owner and chairman of the Charlotte Bobcats. His biography on the National Basketball Association (NBA) website states, “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.

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Your age at the time you start receiving Social Security retirement makes a difference in your benefit amount. The full retirement age (the age at which 100 percent of retirement benefits are payable) has been gradually rising from age 65 to age 67. You can take “early retirement” as early as age 62, but if you start collecting benefits before you reach your full retirement age, your monthly payment will be reduced. You can find out what your full retirement age is by referring to the convenient chart at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/retirechart.htm Just as you can choose an early retirement and get a reduced payment, you also can choose to not take your benefit till you are beyond your full retirement age to take advantage of a larger payment. Generally, your benefit will increase automatically by eight per-

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higher your lifetime earnings, the higher your monthly benefits. If there were some years when you did not work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily or earned more.

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cent each year from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. The decision of when to retire is personal and depends on a number of factors. To help you weigh the factors, we suggest you read our online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. You may want to consider your options by using our Retirement Estimator to get instant, personalized estimates of future benefits. You can plug in different retirement ages and scenarios to help you make a more informed retirement decision. Try it out at www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator. You also can set up an online my Social Security account. You can use your my Social Security account to obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see future estimates of the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. Visit www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

How to Divvy Up Your Stuff

Be sure to have your bank account information handy so you can receive your payments electronically. Electronic payment of federal benefits is now mandatory, with few exceptions. Spring is a great time to turn a new leaf. Spring into retirement now! Learn more by reading our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10035.html. Ken Hess of Manitowoc is Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Wisconsin.

Dear Savvy Senior: What’s the best, conflict-free way to divvy up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and five grown kids that don’t always see eye-to-eye on things. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Seeking Peace Dear Seeking: Divvying up personal possessions among adult children or other loved ones is a task that many parents dread. Deciding who should get what without showing favoritism, hurting someone’s feeling or causing a feud can be difficult, even for close-knit families who enter the process with the best of intentions. Here are some tips to consider that can help you divide your stuff with minimal conflict. Problem Areas

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Family battles can also escalate over whether things are being divided fairly by monetary value. So for items of higher value like your jewelry, antiques and art, consider getting an appraisal to assure fair distribution. To locate an appraiser, visit appraisers.org. Ways to Divvy The best solution for passing along your personal possessions is for you to go through your house with your kids (or other heirs) either separately or all at once. Open up cabinets, drawers and closets, and go through boxes in the attic to find out which items they would like to inherit and why. They may have some emotional attachment to something you’re not aware of. If more than one child wants the same thing, you will have the ultimate say.

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Then you need to sit down and make a list of who gets what on paper, signed, dated and referenced in your will. You

Jim Miller can revise it anytime you want. You may also want to consider writing an additional letter or create an audiotape, CD or DVD that further explains your intentions. You can also specify a strategy for divvying up the rest of your property. Some fair and reasonable options include: Take turns choosing: Use a round-robin process where family members take turns picking out items they would like to have. If who goes first becomes an issue, they can always flip a coin or draw straws. Also, to help simplify things, break down the dividing process room-by-room, versus tackling the entire house. Have a family auction: Give each person involved the same amount of “play money,” or use “virtual points” to bid on the items they want. This can also be done online at eDivvyup.com, a website for families and estate executors that provides a fair and easy way to distribute of personal property. For more ideas, see “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” A resource created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service that offers a detailed workbook or interactive CD for $12.50, and DVD for $30, that gives pointers to help families discuss property distribution and lists important factors to keep in mind that can help avoid conflict. You can order a copy online at yellowpieplate.umn.edu or by calling 800-876-8636. It’s also very important that you discuss your plans in advance with your kids so they can know ahead what to expect. Or, you may even want to start distributing some of your items now, while you can still alive. 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.

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For starters, you need to be aware that it’s usually the small, simple items of little monetary value that cause the most conflicts. This is because the value we attach to the small personal possessions is usually sentimental or emotional, and because the simple items are the things that most families fail to talk about.

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When you decide to retire, the easiest and most convenient way to do it is right from the comfort of your home or office computer. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, there are no forms to sign or documents to send; once you submit your electronic application, that’s it! You’re done!

683-3042 50 plus! . March 2013 . 3

ADRC: Classes for adult caregivers planned By JUDY RANK The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is taking registrations for its upcoming Powerful Tools for Caregiving program. This is a six-week class for the family caregiver that will be held on Mondays, beginning April 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at Aurora Medical Center. Attendance at all six sessions is highly encouraged, as each class builds upon previous skills acquired. The focus is on the caregiver and self-care. You will learn techniques to reduce personal stress, communicate effectively with family, friends, and medical professionals, reduce guilt, anger, depression and tension. You will practice relaxation techniques, and build confidence in handling difficult care-giving situations, emotions and decisions. Respite care for your loved one, during the class, can be provided by Generations Elder Care, but must be arranged in advance. An admission assessment is required prior to attendance for all new Elder Care participants. Please call Lynn at the ADRC at (9200 6834180 to arrange for this service or to register for the class. Class size is limited.

New Provider LogistiCare, the medical assistance transportation provider for the State, had given notice to the state that it will be terminating its contract to provide nonemergency medical transport for BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid recipients on Feb. 17. The state has issued a

request for proposal for a new contractor of this service. A new provider will not be in place until at least May 1 of this year. Until that time, LogistiCare is required to continue to provide this service. Members should continue to call LogistiCare at 1-866907-1493 to schedule a ride. Rides may be scheduled up to a month in advance or at least two business days before a routine appointment. Urgent calls can be made 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. If your ride is more than 15 minutes late, you should call LogistiCare’s “Where’s My Ride” number at 1-866-907-1494, to ask about your ride.

Program for Widows Holy Family Memorial Hospice and a group of local widows are offering a two-day workshop to help widows who are struggling as a result of the loss of a loved one. The first session will be held on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is titled “Ropes, Boats, and Life Preservers for Staying Afloat.” This session will include information on home safety and maintenance, investments, taxes and probate and estate planning. The second session is scheduled for April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This session will touch upon the personal feelings that accompany the loss of a loved one which includes faith, depression, grief, the blues, and identifying who you are and what to do next. Please contact Holy Family Memorial at (920) 3202519 for more information or to register by Feb. 27 for one or both programs.

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Tax Assistance A reminder that help with income tax, both federal and state, is available to the elderly by AARP volunteers at both the Manitowoc and Two Rivers Senior Centers. Please call the center to schedule an appointment. Accounting students from Lakeshore Technical College will also provide assistance to people with incomes less than $50,000

by assisting with preparation of returns free of charge at the Manitowoc County Job Center, 3733 Dewey St., Manitowoc. Silver Lake College will assist the LTC students through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), which is under the oversight of the IRS. They will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through April 6. Please call (920) 693-1398 for a reservation with the LTC program.

Dementia Care The ADRC has hired a dementia care specialist and is now ready to accept family caregivers of a person with dementia into its Memory Care Connection program. Its goal is to provide knowledge and support to people caring for their family member with dementia. Alisha is able to help caregivers and their family, understand Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and how the disease may progress over time. She will work with the family on discussing strategies, provide coping tools and problem solving skills and help in getting community resources. Alisha may be contacted at the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 or 1-877-416-7083. The program is also looking for volunteers to work with the person with the dementia diagnosis through a program called “LEEPS.” This program matches volunteers to individuals in providing physical and mental stimulation. Training is provided by the ADRC.

Driving Course If there are any older drivers, with computer skills, looking to enhance their driving skills, AARP is offering an online course at a discounted rate of $5. The course is usually offered through the local Senior Center at a cost of $15.95 for AARP members and $19.95 for nonmembers. The AARP Driver Safety Black History Month Promotion is available on the website: www.aarpdriversafety.org. Click the “Sign Up” button and enter the promo code BHM2013 when prompted. Participants must register by Feb. 28, but will have 60 days to complete the course from the day of registration. It’s nice to see the days getting longer. This means Spring is right around the corner. Judy Rank is executive director of the Aging and Disability Resources Center of the Lakeshore

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Alcohol Not Only Cause Of

mation of the liver that lasts for many years. The way most people contract the virus is through contact with blood from an infected person. Transmission occurs most commonly when drug users share needles or the straws they use to snort cocaine. The virus can also be passed via contaminated needles used in tattoos William Alvarez, MD, is with Holy Family or body piercing. Blood Memorial’s gastroenterology department. transfusions prior to 1990 were a potential source of infection but now the odds of getting hepatitis C from a transfusion are 1 in 2 million. In some By WILLIAM ALVAREZ, MD patients, no risk factor Most people know that long-term alcohol use can is identified. Hepatitis C is usually diagnosed in incause liver damage but few are aware of two other dividuals between the ages of 40 and 60. In fact, the causes of liver damage, which are unrelated to alco- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recomhol consumption. The first is viral hepatitis C, which is mended that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 usually related to behaviors from the past, and the sec- (“baby boomers”) be tested even if they do not have ond is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which is related any known risk factors. more to lifestyle choices. Individuals with hepatitis C often do not complain of any symptoms, although some patients experience faHepatitis C tigue or abdominal pain. The infection can lead to cirThere are three main viruses that infect the liver, called rhosis or severe scarring of the liver, which can cause “A,” “B” and “C.” Four out of five people that come swelling of the legs and abdomen, yellowing of the into contact with the hepatitis C virus will have inflam- skin or mental confusion, and may lead to liver cancer.

Liver Problems health column

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Although not all patients will develop these complications, hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Not everybody with hepatitis C needs treatment. For those that do, treatment is dictated by the type of the virus contracted. Type 1, the most common, is currently treated with a weekly injection and two daily medications. Treatment lasts from six to 12 months with 70 to 80 percent of patients able to clear the virus from their body. Types 2 or 3 only need six months of treatment with the injection and one medication and have cure rates over 80 percent. Some patients cannot tolerate the side effects of treatment; however, medications with fewer side effects are under investigation and will hopefully be ready for use within the next few years. Patients with hepatitis C who either don’t require or cannot tolerate the necessary treatment can protect their liver by avoiding alcohol and marijuana, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis The other common liver disease is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Similar to hepatitis C, NASH causes little to no symptoms yet it can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. The cause of NASH, however, is related to the growing epidemic of obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes. These health conditions can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver or fatty liver LIVER PROBLEMS continued on page 10

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Smile Project

Despite obstacles, Manitowoc man bringS joy to world through ‘painting,’ poetry By TARA MEISSNER | 50 Plus Correspondent MANITOWOC — Steven Mickey, 65, is a polio survivor who uses a walker and eats pureed food. Among his 15 chronic condition diagnosis are bipolar, diabetes, and sleep apnea. “But I smile,” he said. “I’m a free spirit – whimsical, fun.” And it’s that smile that fuels a personal mission to spread joy throughout the world packaged in unlikely velveteen posters, which Mickey “paints.” He describes the posters as childlike, but not childish. The completed posters have made their way to nursing homes and homeless shelters locally, throughout the continental United States and as far as Haiti as part of a program Mickey calls the “Smile Project.” He works with a local priest who takes the posters on mission trips serving people living in extreme poverty. Mickey had polio as a toddler and was paralyzed for

6 . March 2013 . 50 plus!

about six months. According to Mickey, doctors didn’t practice physical therapy at that time, but his father worked with him so he was able to regain the ability to walk. From there, he had a normal childhood with his five siblings in a Catholic family on the East coast.

Artist Stephen Mickey colors a velveteen cross at his home studio in Manitowoc. Mickey colors the velveteen posters for his Smile Project and donates his artwork and poetry through missionary work in India, Africa, Jamaica, Haiti, North Carolina and locally at the Manitowoc County Hope House. Sue Pischke/50 Plus

Vehicle To Happiness

In 1980, he was diagnosed with post-polio, which gradually weakened his muscles. He was able to live on his own for eight years, before he had a social worker set him up with home care and a cleaning service.

“Becky” is his main caregiver, who worked with him to find a vehicle toward happiness. Together they went to Hobby Lobby and found the Velveteen felt posters and Crayola markers.

About two-and-a-half years ago, Mickey was living in a nursing home disabled with depression; the longer he stayed the worse the depression got so he said he knew he had to find a way to leave and regain some independence.

“Painting” the designs with Christian themes helps Mickey fight depression. Mickey says his creative work is assisted by the Holy Spirit, who helps him choose the colors, because he is colorblind.

He now is qualified for an Independent Residential Option, where he has home care seven days a week, two hours each weekday and a half-hour a day on the weekends, with additional hours for shopping and laundry. Mickey also receives Hospice services.

“If I have a manic attack, my colors become very vibrant,” Mickey said. Mickey receives validation for the “Smile Project.” He keeps thank you cards in a thick binder and has framed photos from recipients, which he reviews when he is

Devoted To Work The following passage of Scripture inspires Mickey to continue: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40. In addition, he repeats the following personal mantra, “Life is to live. Life is to give. And talents are to use for the good that you choose.” Mickey is a devoted Catholic, who goes to church every Sunday at St. Mary’s, because it is wheelchair accessible. However, the ramp is too steep for Mickey to navigate independently, so he relies on a friend to push his chair. Because Catholics can receive Holy Communion daily, Mickey has friends bring communion to his apartment two additional days each week.

Artist Stephen Mickey at his home studio in Manitowoc. Sue Pischke/50 Plus down emotionally. The smile on the faces of the recipients shows Mickey how much good the “Smile Project” is doing, he said. To date, Mickey has completed more than 5,000 paintings — many of them 8 x 10 crosses.

Poetry As Well Prior to painting, Mickey was a poet. He wrote eight books of poetry, mostly inspirational and many with religious themes. These are part of the collection at the Manitowoc Public Library. He had a business for 20 years, Poetic Expressions. In this business, he sold his original poetry on cards, in books, and as framed pictures. “I still write poetry, but not as much,” he said. “I am now more prolific in painting than I was in writing.”

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Mickey spends five hours a day each weekday in a windowless second bedroom of his apartment, which he has set up as a studio with a bench work station, a desk, and card table. On weekends, he spends upwards of 10 hours a day there working on the posters using markers. “Painting is a release; it relaxes me,” he said. He likes to play Christian music in the background while he works in the humble apartment with just a small kitchenette and living room. “I don’t have any luxuries,” he said. Mickey has a $75 weekly allowance, which he uses to purchase everything for the “Smile Project.” Donations help keep the project going. “When I’m down on funds, God provides donations,” Mickey said. He shops at Hobby Lobby when they have a 30 percent off sale. He also has a friend order supplies online. If Mickey becomes dependent to the point of needing the care at assisted living, he would lose his allowance and would not have room to work on the Smile Project. “I want to stay here as long as I can,” he said. Mickey is a graduate of Silver Lake College in a selfdesigned major of human services for the elderly. If you would like to donate to Mickey’s “Smile Project” efforts, you can call him at (920) 682-4845. Tara Meissner is a freelance writer in Manitowoc. She can be reached at (920) 860-6957 or tarameissner@yahoo.com.

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50 plus! . March 2013 . 7

Crossword: U.S. PRESIDENTS

sudoku 48. Scraps 50. Brewer’s kiln 52. Word for a nod 53. Second word of many fairytales 55. Poison ___ 57. *First to have been divorced 60. *First Rhodes Scholar 64. Model-building wood 65. Boiling blood 67. Nobody 68. Open up 69. Belonging to us 70. Capital of Tunisia 71. Big first for a baby 72. Meaning literally “born” 73. Cancel, as in correction, pl.

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ACROSS 1. Ruler sides, e.g. 6. Toward the stern 9. Hit the bottle 13. “La traviata” composer 14. Tokyo, formerly 15. *First President to resign 16. One of three hipbones 17. Bruin legend Bobby

18. Some tournaments 19. *First to be assassinated 21. Protests 23. Corn spot 24. Mischievous Scandinavian god 25. Actress ___ Gasteyer 28. Famous Christmas guests 30. As much as necessary

35. Follows ding? 37. Sold in bars 39. “Tonight’s _____ be a good night...” 40. Allege 41. *Andrew Johnson’s tribulation, e.g. 43. Clever tactic 44. Bouncing off the walls 46. Sports award 47. Equal

DOWN 1. *Reagan’s description of Soviet Union 2. Hero place 3. Smiley face 4. Something concluded 5. Arabian sand-laden wind 6. Quite a stretch 7. *First to appear on black-and-white TV 8. Body center 9. Cone-shaped quarters 10. Farm team 11. French-American soprano Lily ____ 12. Ensign, for short 15. Paying close attention 20. Minimum

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 11. 22. *First to appear on color TV 24. CIA connection, e.g. 25. *First to live in White House 26. Star bursts 27. Beside, archaic 29. *Clinton’s number two 31. “My bad!” 32. Untwist a rope 33. Garden creature 34. *Rutherford _____ 36. “True ____,” starring John Wayne 38. Pop 42. Disinfectant brand 45. Courtney Cox’s

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character 49. Hot springs resort 51. Contaminates or corrupts 54. Tear jerker 56. Type of whip 57. Deliver a tirade 58. Dresden’s river 59. Hurry up! 60. Wrap in waxy cloth 61. Voice quality 62. “Get __ __!” 63. “The Untouchables” leader 64. *Presidents Obama and Bush both campaigned from one 66. Street in Paris

Converting Savings to

Retirement Income

a key issue in retirement planning and presents many challenges.

Why? Take out too much too soon, and you might run out of money. Your withdrawal rate is especially important in the early years of your retirement, as it will have a lasting impact on how long your savings last. There Randall Behnke is a financial advisor is no standard rule of and president of Integrity Investments thumb that works for ev& Insurance Mgmt., 3121 Calumet Ave., eryone — your particular Manitowoc. He can be contacted at withdrawal rate needs to take into account many (920) 686-8222 or www.livelifesecure.com. factors, including, but not limited to, your asset allocation and projected By Randall Behnke rate of return, annual income targets (accounting for During your working years, you’ve probably set aside inflation as desired), and investment horizon. funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your Which assets should you draw from first? You may challenge during retirement is to convert those savings have assets in accounts that are taxable (e.g., CDs, muinto an ongoing income stream that will provide ad- tual funds), tax deferred (e.g., traditional IRAs), and tax free (e.g., Roth IRAs). Given a choice, which type equate income throughout your retirement years. of account should you withdraw from first? For retirees Set A Withdrawal Rate who don’t care about leaving an estate to beneficiaries, The retirement lifestyle you can afford will depend not the answer is simple in theory: withdraw money from only on your assets and investment choices, but also on taxable accounts first, then tax-deferred accounts, and how quickly you draw down your retirement portfolio. lastly, tax-free accounts. Figuring out an appropriate initial withdrawal rate is For retirees who intend to leave assets to beneficiaries,

Financial column

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the analysis is more complicated. You need to coordinate your retirement planning with your estate plan. However, this may not always be the best strategy. If you intend to leave your entire estate to your spouse, it may make sense to withdraw from taxable accounts first. This is because spouses are given preferential tax treatment with regard to retirement plans. The bottom line is that this decision is also a complicated one. A financial professional can help you determine the best course based on your individual circumstances. Certain distributions are required. The law requires you to start taking distributions — called “required minimum distributions” or RMDs — from traditional IRAs by April 1 of the year following the year you turn age 70½, whether you need the money or not. Roth IRAs aren’t subject to the lifetime RMD rules. It’s important to take RMDs into account when contemplating how you’ll withdraw money from your savings. Why? If you withdraw less than your RMD, you will pay a penalty tax equal to 50 percent of the amount you failed to withdraw. The good news: you can always withdraw more than your RMD amount.

Annuity Distributions If you’ve used an annuity for part of your retirement savings, at some point you’ll need to consider your options for converting the annuity into income. You can choose to simply withdraw earnings (or earnings and principal) from the annuity. There are several ways of doing this. You can withdraw all of the money in the

important

RETIREMENT INCOME continued on page 10

Some decisions are too

TAKING

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WI-5001620653

Village Green West

50 plus! . March 2013 . 9

LIVER PROBLEMS

the precipitating conditions of obesity, high cholesterol and/or diabetes.

disease. The accumulation of fat alone does not appear to damage the liver. Some patients develop inflammation or NASH, which can lead to scarring, and damage similar to that caused by alcohol.

There is no specific treatment for NASH aside from gradual weight loss, which can improve the condition of the liver. This should be achieved by exercise and a healthy diet, which usually includes decreased consumption of sugars, especially fructose. Several drugs are under investigation but their role is not yet proven.

continued from page 5

Because most patients don’t have symptoms, it is difficult to determine how many people are affected, but current estimates suggest that 2 to 5 percent of Americans have NASH while 10 to 20 percent of Americans have fatty liver without inflammation. Most cases of NASH are diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60 although the condition is becoming more common in younger adults and even children due the increasing rates of obesity in the United States. Although NASH can lead to cirrhosis and the need for a liver transplant, many patients with NASH will not suffer any liver problems. However, patients with NASH are at increased risk for cardiacrelated illness and death as a result of

RETIREMENT INCOME continued from page 9

annuity (both the principal and earnings) in one lump sum. You can also withdraw the money over a period of time through regular or irregular withdrawals. However, if you systematically withdraw the principal and the earnings from the annuity, there is no guarantee that the funds in the annuity will last for your entire lifetime, unless you have separately purchased a rider that provides guaranteed minimum income payments for life (without annuitization).

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Since these two types of liver damage are not associated with obvious symptoms, anyone who feels they may be at risk for either hepatitis C or NASH should consult with their physician. As recommended by the CDC, anyone born between 1945 and 1965 should consider being tested for hepatitis C even if they do not have any known risk factors. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will help to keep your whole body healthy, including your liver. Please consult with your doctor if you have any further questions about these conditions.

We are local independent representatives who can analyze your personal situation and help develop an individualized plan that would meet your needs

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A second distribution option is called the guaranteed* income (or annuitization) option. If you select this option, your annuity will be “annuitized,” which means that the current value of your annuity is converted into a stream of payments. This allows you to receive a guaranteed* income stream from the annuity. The annuity issuer promises to pay you an amount of money on a periodic basis (e.g., monthly, yearly, etc). Each annuity payment is part nontaxable return of your investment in the contract and part payment of taxable accumulated earnings (until the investment in the contract is exhausted). *Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

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10 . March 2013 . 50 plus!

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This past September I was admitted to North Ridge Health Care Center for what I thought would be some short term nursing care and rehab therapy following a laminectomy and spinal fusion. The nursing and therapy care was excellent and my short term plan seemed to going smoothly. I was in for a few surprises. As a result of complications, I had the misfortune of developing blood clots in my legs and I suffered a stroke. A stroke is a frightening experience for anyone but I was lucky. I was not alone as Sheila, my therapists, stayed by my side while we waited for additional help to arrive. After recovering in the hospital, I knew I wanted to return to North Ridge for the balance of my rehab. Over the course of my stay I continued my occupational therapy sessions with Sheila and Alison and my physical therapy with Becky. These wonderful therapists answered all of my questions and concerns. I could see improvement everyday. The nursing staff, too many to mention, knew just how to handle the down days that I experienced which is common after a stroke. This talented team worked with me daily to redevelop my independent living skills. I highly recommend the experienced team at North Ridge should you be considering a rehab stay after hospitalization. If it were not for their outstanding nursing and therapy teams I would not be where I am today…at home!

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North Ridge 1445 North 7th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220 920.682.0314 • 920.682.0553 fax • www.nrmrc.com

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Dedicated to Hope, Healing and Recovery WI-5001620649

50 plus! . March 2013 . 11

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 Openings Available!

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-5001620643

12 . March 2013 . 50 plus!