50 Plus March 2014 by Gannett Wisconsin Media

INSIDE: Dr. Jim Hoftiezer Retires after 33 years ADRC The Savvy Senior Boomers & Technology Colorectal screening can save your life By Dr. Tom Saphner

6 Exercise FEATURE STORY

March 2014

The magazine for active, mature lifestyles

plus!

& Diet Key to health as we age

doctor retires after 33 years

Long-time Manitowoc

plus!

BY MELISSA SHAMBUREK Holy Family Memorial The year was 1980. The “Miracle on Ice” won a gold medal at the Lake Placid Olympics. Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter to win the presidential election. Mount St. Helens erupted. And, it was the year that Dr. Jim Hoftiezer came to Manitowoc to start the area’s first gastroenterology specialty clinic. Hoftiezer didn’t always know he wanted to be a doctor. In fact, he wasn’t even sure of that when he started college. He describes himself as a linear thinker, and was always interested in science and math, concrete disciplines that always had a yes or no answer. Science classes were his favorite in college, and he always saw himself with a career in biology or chemistry.

Staff

Pat Pankratz, 50 Plus! Editor 920-686-2138 ppankratz@htrnews.com Dale Mahloch, Advertising Manager 920-686-2124 dmahloch@htrnews.com 50 Plus! is published monthly by the Herald Times Media. It also is distributed to select businesses in Manitowoc County.

Halfway through his undergrad education at Stanford University, however, he realized he could put his science and critical thinking skills to use by becoming a doctor.

Dr. Jim Hoftiezer posed with some of the technicians he worked with. From left are Wendy Kuenstler, Faye Kirt, Tamma Loritz, Hoftiezer, Danielle Uhlir and Mikki Reindl.

He attended medical school at the University of Illinois, then completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Missouri. During his time at the University of Illinois, he met his future wife, Mary Jo, a nurse who was working on her master’s degree in nursing and hoped to become a professor. They graduated, married, and a decision needed to be made as far as whether they’d stay in Missouri for her to pursue her career path, or find a job for him.

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After much discussion, they decided he’d look for a job and they’d relocate, ideally within a 300-mile radius of their families, who lived in the northern Illinois area.

Obstacles In 1980 Manitowoc, there

ON THE COVER Tom Steffenhagen works out on exercise equipment at the Holy Family Memorial Health and Wellness center recently. Experts say a combination of exercise and proper diet can enhance our chances of remaining healthy as we age. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

were not too many medical specialists of any kind, especially gastroenterology. His first obstacle was that none of the three local hospitals at the time had any GI equipment at all. “I bought the equipment; a portable light source, and used an air pump that you’d use in a fish aquarium,” said Hoftiezer. “I took my scopes in a suitcase, put it in the backseat of my car and I just drove to whatever hospital where there was a need for endoscopy.” He cleaned his own instruments and trained the nurses on how the procedures were done. The hospitals soon realized that there was a market for this service in the Lakeshore area, and started to purchase their own permanent equipment for him to use. As demand for his services grew, the first gastroenterology outpatient clinic was started at what is now the Medical Arts Building on York Street, Manitowoc. Over the years, the clinic, now known as HFM Gastroenterology, joined the HFM network, continued to expand, added additional doctors, and moved to its current location on Woodland Drive. “We do more procedures here at the

clinic in one day than the hospital probably does in a month,” said Hoftiezer. “Most places around the country still do their GI procedures in either a surgery center or hospital. Our clinic location makes it both more convenient and more economical for the patient.”

Sad and excited Dr. Hoftiezer wrapped up his 33-year career in the Lakeshore area this past December. He looks forward to moving to Medford, Oregon to be nearer to his two sons, William, lives right in Medford, and the other, David, lives a short plane ride away in Honolulu, Hawaii. He looks forward to a more moderate climate and kinder winters than Wisconsin has to offer, as well as the opportunity to pursue some volunteer opportunities, be closer to their sons, and continue learning new things for the rest of his life. “We don’t see it as leaving Wisconsin, we see it as moving on to a new place,” Hoftiezer said. “We have many good friends, we’ve had many good experiences and love the area. We’re sad to leave but we’re excited to go! For the first time in our lives, we aren’t sure

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Dr. Jim Hoftiezer posed with some of the doctors he has worked with in the gastroenterology field. From left are Jeremy Anclam, William Alvarez, Hoftiezer and Mansoor Shariff

what the future holds, and that’s a strange feeling, but we’re excited about new opportunity.” What advice does Hoftiezer have for those first entering the medical profession as he looks back on a successful career? One of the main things he stresses is to maintain a sense of self. He feels that new doctors can burn out quickly if they sacrifice their personal lives for their profession. He believes you can

“I have worked with a great bunch of people throughout my career,” said Hoftiezer. “We have a great team and I’ve been so fortunate to work with a team who treat each other as equals.”

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ADRC

BY JUDY RANK | For 50 Plus!

Affordable Care Act deadline is March 31 Enrollment into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be ending March 31. Only individuals with a qualifying circumstance will be able to apply after that time until the next open enrollment starting in October. BadgerCare Plus recipients who received letters stating their insurance ends March 31, HIRSP recipients, and those without insurance, have until March 31 to get insurance through the Marketplace, which can be accessed at HealthCare.gov. You may also see a participating insurance agent for assistance. However, in order to have coverage on April 1, you must enroll prior to March 15 and pay the first month’s premium. Individuals who had attempted to enroll through HealthCare.gov and were found to be eligible for BadgerCare Plus prior

to Feb. 3 should have had their account information transferred to Wisconsin. It is uncertain whether this information will be passed on because of the glitches in the software in the beginning. In some instances the Marketplace incorrectly applied the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) and the enrollee should not have been determined eligible for BadgerCare Plus. Wisconsin will be re-running eligibility and if found ineligible, those individuals will receive a letter the week of March 24, stating they are no longer eligible for BadgerCare Plus. This loss of insurance will qualify them for a special enrollment period. Partners continue to assist people with understanding the ACA. They also have staff at the Manitowoc Public Library the first and third Thursday of the month to assist with BadgerCare Plus enrollments. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. For BadgerCare Plus assistance, appointments can be made by calling (920) 459-2784. Individuals may also enroll themselves online at ACCESS.WI.GOV.

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ing propane if their annual income is less than 80 percent of the state median income. For a single person that amount is $32,923, while a couple is $43,053. To get help, please contact the local Economic Support Department at (920) 683-2888. To help with the propane shortage, individuals are being asked to call for a refill when the tank is at about 30 percent, and to turn down the thermostat on the furnace and hot water heater a degree or two. If you are using an electric heater, be cautious of the type and surroundings. More money has been allocated for other sources of fuel to heat your home. People who have already applied for and received assistance may find additional help is available. The annual income must be below 60 percent of the state median income, which for a single person is $24,692, while a couple’s income may be $32,290. Please contact the same department for assistance.

Tax help Income Tax and Homestead Credit assistance is available for the senior population and those with a disability at the Manitowoc and Two Rivers senior

(920) 793-1396 (920) 775-4433

The VITA program will serve all lower income people with taxes at the Manitowoc Job Center, Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland and the Sheboygan Salvation Army. Please call (920) 693-1398 to make an appointment with the VITA program.

Drug assistance The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has a part-time staff person who is able to assist low-income individuals with getting help paying for prescription drugs. She is also able to do presentations to housing, church and other groups looking for a speaker. Please call the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 and ask for Beverly.

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interest-free loans with no loan payment required until the home is sold, refinanced, or is no longer the primary residence of the applicant, or 30 years, whichever comes first. The loan is secured by a mortgage on the property. Activities may include private septic system replacement, private well replacement, roof repair/replacement, lead paint and asbestos remediation, door/window replacement, plumbing/electrical repairs, siding repair/replacement, accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities and other general improvements. Gross household income must be below 80 percent of the median county income. Please contact Lakeshore CAP at (920) 682-3737 for an application.

Volunteer opportunities The ADRC is looking for volunteers for several of its programs. LEEPS, an exercise and social outing program for people with memory loss, is looking for volunteers to provide both physical and mental stimulation in the home of individuals with memory loss. Training is provided by the ADRC and volunteers are matched with an individual in the program. The ADRC is also looking for volunteers to serve as either a facilitator or a peer helper

in the Stepping On program. This is a sevenweek, evidence-based program for the individual who is at risk of falling or has had a recent fall. The training for this program will take place June 10, 11 and 12 at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. The ADRC transportation program is always looking for more volunteer drivers to take people to medical appointments. The county has two vans and a sedan and provides training on operating the van as well as assisting riders. Training for individuals interested in being a co-facilitator in a six-week program “Healthy Living with Diabetes,” will be held March 26, 27, and April 2 at Aurora Hospital in Two Rivers. A six-week class for those living with diabetes is set to start March 12 at the Technical College in Chilton. Please call the ADRC to register for this class. There is no cost to become a volunteer in any of these programs. Trained facilitators are asked to provide two classes per year. To register for any of the upcoming trainings or to become a volunteer in the LEEPS program or a driver, please contact the ADRC at (920) 683-4180 or (920) 416-7083. Judy Rank is executive director of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore.

Boomers embrace

technology to facilitate more graceful aging

Generation X and Millennials get credit for being the most tech-savvy generations, but a growing group of baby boomers are demonstrating that the generation gap has nothing to do with digital know-how. Folks 50 and older are embracing technology to help them age more gracefully than ever. Whether they’re using devices to hear better in challenging situations, or social media to reconnect with friends they’ve not seen since high school, baby boomers are demonstrating they’re not afraid to use technology to make life easier. Here are a handful of ways boomers are using technology:

Four in five people age 50 to 75 are active on social media, and of them 75 percent are on Facebook, according to a survey by technol-

Coping with auditory challenges In our noisy, fast-paced society we commonly encounter many situ-

important

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TECHNOLOGY continued on page 11

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ations such as a business meeting, family gathering or phone call, in which hearing may be difficult, even for people who don’t need a specialized hearing aid. Savvy boomers are using a Bluetoothenabled amplification device to discretely improve volume and clarity in a variety of challenging environments. Personal Sound Amplifiers look like any other sleek, high-tech mobile phone headset, but also provide amplification boomers can easily adjust and control themselves.

50 plus! . March 2014 . 5

intermittent exerciser, having joined the Holy Family Memorial Wellness Center in 2010, two years after retiring from the Manitowoc Public School District, where he taught.

two nights at the hospital.

Ironically, he was on a treadmill at the fitness center around 9 a.m. when had his first heart attack symptoms.

Changes

It started with burning pain in his chest that lasted two or three minutes. He then got off the treadmill and walked two laps on the track. Steffenhagen still didn’t feel right, so he sat in the locker room where he started to feel well enough to go home. After a shower, he walked around the house and the burning in his chest continued.

Exercise & Diet Key to health as we age Tom Steffenhagen works out at the Holy Family Memorial Wellness Center. Matthew Apgar/50 Plus

BY TARA MEISSNER 50 Plus Correspondent Tom Steffenhagen has no family history of heart disease, and he wasn’t technically overweight or obese.

“I’m only 62 years old. How can I be having a heart attack?” Steffenhagen thought on March 4, 2013 — the morning of his heart attack. Steffenhagen describes himself as an

“I think I’m having a heart attack,” he then said to his wife. It was nearly three hours later, when Steffenhagen made his way to the hospital.

His workouts are cardiovascular, with some stretching before and after. For an hour, he uses the treadmill, stationary bike and elliptical to add variety, but generally prefers the treadmill.

At first, he thought his wife could drive him to the hospital, rather than calling 911 for an ambulance. When he got outside to the car, he felt like he was about to throw up. Sweat was dripping from his face. Reluctantly, he called an ambulance, which he now knows he should have done with the onset of the first symptoms. Paramedics are trained to begin treating heart attack symptoms immediately, saving valuable minutes for treatment. Forty-two minutes after arriving at Holy Family Memorial’s Cath Lab, Steffenhagen had a stent in his heart. By 1 p.m. that day, he felt ready to walk home. He later learned he had 97 percent blockage in an artery of the heart. He stayed just

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6 . March 2014 . 50 plus!

“It’s not rocket science — eat smart and exercise,” he said. “It is a bunch of common sense.” The message Steffenhagen said he received during recovery was, “Get off your butt. There’s living to do. You have a damaged heart. This is a lifetime thing.” Tara Meissner is a freelance writer in Manitowoc. She can be reached at 920-860-6957 or tarameissner@yahoo.com.

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Steffenhagen also extinguished his occasional smoking habit, which he doesn’t miss. He also lost 20 pounds by eating healthy with tips he learned from a dietitian, such as avoiding fast food and fried foods.

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Often he is in the parking lot waiting for the doors to open. In the colder months, he works out at 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. “In hindsight, I probably should have eaten better and been taking better care of myself,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be here.”

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After the heart attack, Steffenhagen started to take exercise more seriously, coming to the Wellness Center four to five times a week. He plays golf daily during the summer and fall at 7:30 a.m., so he makes it a priority to get up early and get a workout in at 5 a.m.

He didn’t want to alarm his wife, so he didn’t say anything at first. The pain got worse and worse and then started to travel down both arms.

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Q&AMaddie

weight and keep you limber.

Q. Why it is important to include aerobic exercise?

It is great for the heart. You should try to put in 150 to 300 minutes a week, but not all at once. People who are overweight can do 10 minutes here and there and that is just as good as 30 minutes all at once. Regular exercise is important for heart health and also can help weight loss, which makes it easier on the heart.

Schmitt HFM Wellness

Center personal trainer and fitness specialist

Q. When is the right time to begin an exercise routine?

Q. How can reluctant exercisers

It is best to start right now, because the perfect time will never come. (Consult a physician to make sure you are healthy enough to start.)

Q. What is a good place to start for people new to exercise?

New exercisers should do low impact, low intensity workouts that are easy on the joints. These elevate the heart rate, but not too high. Examples include water exercises, low-intensity classes like forever fit, walking on treadmill or cushioned track, or easy bike riding. You want to avoid jumping or running that is going to put a lot of force on the joints.

learn to love exercise?

They just need to find something they enjoy. If they don’t like walking, try biking or maybe personal training or a class. Working out with a group of friends makes it seem like you are getting together to talk and have fun, but you are exercising while you are doing it. Join a class and those people in the class will become your friends.

Q&A Jeanne Edwards HFM Clinical Dietitian

Q. What might a regular exerciser be missing from their routine?

is the importance of eating A. They are going to missing va- Q. What good fats and avoiding bad fats? riety. People often get stuck in routines and do the same thing over A. The fats you choose to eat and over again, which can lead to boredom and lead to quitting. Strength training and flexibility training are also often overlooked and important to help you lose

can have an impact on your heart. For some individuals, avoiding unhealthy fats may prevent them from having to take medication to lower their cholesterol. You can 929 S. 31st Street

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lower your LDLs (bad cholesterol in your blood), raise your HDLs (good cholesterol in your blood) and decrease your risk for heart disease by making smarter choices in the types of fats that you eat. Select “good fats” (polyunsaturated and mono unsaturated fats) found in olive and canola oils, in place of “bad” fats, (trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol) found in vegetable shortening, animal fats, and higher fat dairy products.

Q. What are some heart healthy

foods that should be included in healthy meal plans?

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week (preferably fatty fish such salmon, lake trout, tuna and sardines). Research shows that eating oily fish containing Omega 3 fatty acids may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Include a generous amount of fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and low in calo-

ries. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help control your weight and blood pressure. Choose whole grained foods as they contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight. Choose low-fat dairy products and lean meats to help control blood cholesterol levels.

Q. Is it important to adopt a heart healthy supplement routine?

A. A healthy diet will be more

beneficial than supplements. Some individuals may benefit from fish oil supplements, but should consult their physician first as there may be an interaction with other medications. Vitamin D may be beneficial, because there is a possible link between low levels of this vitamin and heart disease. The recommended intake for up to age 70 years is 600 IU, over age 70 the recommended dose is 800 IU, however many physicians are recommending higher amounts of 1000-2000 IUs/day.

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50 plus! . March 2014 . 7

CROSSWORD: WICKED WEATHER

SUDOKU 47. Poverty 48. Joseph Stalin, e.g. 50. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ show 52. Dog tags, e.g. 53. Solomon-like 55. H+, e.g. 57. *Tornado visual 60. Swell 64. Japanese-American 65. Victorian time, e.g. 67. Mountaineer’s tool 68. Mountain ridge 69. “Swan Lake” steps 70. Fossil fuel rock deposit 71. Chipper 72. CafÈ alternative 73. Christian virtue, pl.

ACROSS 1. Hesitates 6. Cranberry habitat 9. ____ Cola 13. Tropical vine 14. Hole punching tool 15. “_____’s Heroes” 16. Type of window 17. “Young” prefix

18. *_____ warning system for tsunamis 19. *Twists around an eye 21. *Polar ______ 23. To boot 24. Long, long time 25. Communications regulator 28. *Like frostbitten fingers 30. Snake, usually

35. Porcine fat 37. Hawk’s aerie, e.g. 39. Japanese animation 40. Popular three-layer cookie 41. Delivery bird? 43. Singles 44. Out in the open 46. Twelfth month of Jewish civil year

DOWN 1. Eastern ____ 2. Ethereal 3. Flock member 4. Genuflected 5. Old West hangout 6. Misery cause 7. Be obliged 8. *Stops wind from nipping fingers 9. *Wear a heavy one in winter storm 10. Princess Fiona, at night 11. Mineral residue 12. Take your pick 15. Lifting injury 20. People, places and things 22. Goes with “aah” 24. Let off the hook

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.

25. *Spring threat 26. Turn pumpkin into Jack-o-Lantern 27. Native American people in parts of Canada 29. Boundary line 31. *Winter bank matter 32. Biblical mount 33. Make corrections 34. The defense _____ 36. Small town or hamlet 38. Test choice 42. Designing Calvin 45. Local in a college bar

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49. Black __ event 51. Type of sausage 54. Slumbered 56. Jack Black’s Libre 57. *Lightning can cause this 58. “Breaking Bad” victim 59. Profit 60. Facilitate 61. Cut the crop 62. *Outburst 63. Donald and Ivana, e.g. 64. Siesta 66. Repeated at rallies

Colorectal screening can save your life HEALTH BY DR. TOM SAPHNER Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal (cancer of the colon or rectum) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Each year about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. Research confirms that a high percentage of colorectal cancers could be avoided if people over age 50 had regular screening tests. Yet despite the benefits, fewer than half of Americans age 50 or older have been screened for colorectal cancer.

The important “take home” message is that if you’re 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could end up saving your life. Colorectal cancer can often be prevented by removing pre-cancerous polyps (growths) found during a colonoscopy, which is considered the “gold standard” of colorectal screening procedures. By removing precancerous polyps before they turn cancerous actually prevents colorectal cancer from ever developing. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment often leads to a cure. When the disease is detected and treated early, it has a five-year survival rate of up to 90 percent.

Risk factors Known risk factors for developing

colorectal cancer include: being age 50 or older having a family history of cancer of the colon or rectum having a personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium or breast having a history of polyps in the colon having a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease having certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer

The symptoms Consult your health care provider if any of the following symptoms appear: a change in bowel habits blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely stools that are narrower than usual frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps weight loss for no apparent reason

feeling very fatigued vomiting It’s important to remember that the above may be symptomatic of colorectal cancer, but these same symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions as well. It is recommended that everyone age 50 and older be screened in one of the following ways: Colonoscopy every 10 years (a long flexible tube is used to examine the full length of the colon). This has become the preferred test strategy. Fecal occult blood test every year (a simple test to find unseen blood in the stool). Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (a flexible tube is used to examine the rectum and lower colon). Both the fecal occult blood test (every year) and sigmoidoscopy (every five years). Double contrast barium enema every five years (x-rays of the colon and rectum). Colorectal Screening continued on page 10

Step

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Bridging the gap between hospital and home

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The Care Team’s Goal: Return you to your highest level of independence quickly and successfully.

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50 plus! . March 2014 . 9

COLORECTAL SCREENING

mission to get calls from the company on the other end, the call is illegal. In addition to the phone calls being illegal, their pitch most likely is a scam.

answer and it’s a robocall, you should just hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator and don’t press any other number to complain about the call or get your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, you’re signaling that the auto dialer has reached a live number and will probably lead to more robocalls.

Some common robocall scams that are making the rounds these days are offering lower credit card interest rates, mortgage relief, free vacations, medical alert devices or home security systems, or they falsely notify you about changes in your health benefits or bank account. But be aware that new scams are constantly evolving, and they all have only one goal in mind – to get your personal and financial information.

You should also consider contacting your phone provider to ask them to block the number, and whether they charge for that service. But keep in mind that telemarketers change caller ID information easily and often, so it might not be worth paying a fee to block a number that will change.

continued from page 9

Those identified at higher risk for colorectal cancer, or with a family history of the disease, may need to have these tests done earlier and more often. Both men and women are more likely to be screened for colorectal disease if they are encouraged by their personal physician (or spouse) to do so. In addition to regular screenings, studies have shown that increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may decrease the risk for colorectal cancer. Research is underway to determine whether dietary changes may also decrease the risk. Currently there is no general consensus on the role of diet in preventing colorectal cancer.

Insurance? Many insurance companies will cover a screening colonoscopy for those over age 50. It is also a covered Medicare benefit, subject to usual deductibles and co-payments. Please check with your insurance carrier before scheduling a procedure, so you understand what your financial responsibility might be, especially if a polyp is removed during the procedure. In summary, there may be lots of reasons not to be screened for colon cancer — such as the time involved, the possible costs, and the advance preparation needed. There is, however, one excellent reason to do it — it can save your life. So, if you (or someone you love) is age 50 or older, please get screened today! Dr. Tom Saphner is a medical oncologist at Aurora Health Center in Two Rivers, 5300 Memorial Drive. His office can be reached at (920) 793-6100.

Dr. Heimerl Presents:

Jim Miller

HOW SENIORS CAN GUARD AGAINST ROBO-CALL SCAMS Dear Savvy Senior: Is there anything that can be done to stop the annoying robocalls my husband and I keep getting? It seems like we get two or three a day offering lower credit card interest rates, medical alert devices, home alarm systems and more. What can you recommend? Frustrated Seniors Dear Frustrated: There’s been a huge spike in robocall scams in the U.S. over the past few years. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gets more than 200,000 complaints every month about this widespread problem. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips that can help you protect yourself. Whenever you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. You’ve probably gotten robocalls about candidates running for office, or charities asking for donations. These robocalls are legal and allowed. But if the recording is a sales message and you haven’t given your written per-

The reason for the spike in robocalls is technology. Fraudulent robocallers are using autodialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost, and are very difficult to trace. When these kinds of calls come in, your caller ID usually displays “spoofed” (fake) numbers, or just says “unknown.”

Protect yourself Your first step to limiting at least some unwanted calls is to make sure your phone number is registered with the National Do Not Call Registry (see donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222). This, however, will not stop telemarketing scams or illegal robocalls. Another tip, if you have a caller ID, is to simply not answer the phone unless you recognize the number. But if you do

Another call blocking option you should check into is Nomorobo. This is a free new service and works only for people who have an Internet-based VoIP phone service. Anyone with phone service from Comcast and Time Warner Cable can use it too. Nomorobo uses a “simultaneous ring” service that detects and blocks robocalls on a black list of known offender numbers. It isn’t 100 percent foolproof, but it is an extra layer of protection. To sign up, or see if Nomorobo works with your phone service provider, visit Nomorobo.com. It’s also important that you report illegal robocalls you receive to the FTC at ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call 888382-1222. 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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TECHNOLOGY continued from page 5 ogy security company McAfee. Boomers use social media, including professional sites like LinkedIn, to reconnect with friends from high school or college, maintain contact with family and friends, date, build professional connections and develop personal interests.

Managing investments

vision are a natural part of aging, and it’s not uncommon for people to need some help reading their favorite novels. Yet traditional compensation tactics, like wearing reading glasses or choosing large-print books and periodicals, shout “fogey.” E-readers, however, are cool and allow boomers to enjoy their favorite reading material at the type size that’s easiest for them to read.

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Staying healthier for longer

Approaching retirement can make boomers feel driven to maximize their investment returns. Yet not everyone has access to or can afford working with a financial planner. Many boomers use online investing tools to fill knowledge gaps and build their nest eggs. From indepth information on tax-deferred or tax-free investment products to online brokerage accounts, technology has made it easier than ever for the 50-plus set to save toward retirement.

Boomers have rewritten history in many ways, and not the least among them is their determination to stay as active and healthy as possible into their old age. An array of fitness technology — from pedometers to in-home gym equipment that tracks BMI and heart rate — is helping boomers achieve their fitness and wellness goals.

Catching up on reading: Changes in

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(born Feb. 18, 1964) is an American actor and film director. He began acting in the late 1970s, and gained fame as a teenage idol during the 1980s. He has appeared in films such as Little Darlings (1980), My Bodyguard (1980), Tex (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), The Outsiders (1983), Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Singles (1992), Beautiful Girls (1996), There’s Something About Mary (1998), Wild Things (1998), Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), Crash (2005),You, Me and Dupree (2006), and Armored (2009). In 2013, he appeared in the comedy film The Art of the Steal as an art thief alongside Kurt Russell.

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50 plus! . March 2014 . 11

CommunityDedication -

For over six decades, Shady Lane, Inc., its local leaders who sit on our board of directors, and its staff have served our residents and our community through a philosophy of servant leadership and a commitment to providing quality affordable care.

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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.

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