Encore Life, Vol 2, Spring

The All-in-One Concept Home Will Your Current Home Meet Your Future Needs?

Highlights Of A European Tour Gourmet Friendly Healthy Snacks Don’t Fall Prey to the Silent Killer

Tune In To Our New Radio Show!

Encore Living - A radio show that talks about Better Living In The Second Stage of Life.

Hosted by Joyce Joneschiet (Encore Living Interiors/ Encore Life Magazine with Aaron Murphy (ADM Architecture LLC/Empowering the Mature Mind).

It will be a power-packed hour with all kinds of guests and features that will help you design your encore life!

Special features include:            

Interior design tips How interior design & architecture can help you age in place The newest products for your home Best travel destinations for baby boomers What is a referral agency and how can they help you with your options Nutrition for Adults Only How in-home care is not a luxury Easy no-cook meals Encore careers Inspirational baby boomers The 5 Wishes and so much more!

For more info on how you can be a sponsor, click here!

2 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

We’re broadcasting the second Monday of every month from 8:00 to 9:00 AM (PST).

You can listen live locally here in Seattle on 1150 AM KKNW or from anywhere by live-streaming on http://1150kknw.com.

We’re on the Chat With Women Network!

Contributors

10

30

43

52

46

50

18

23

25

14

16

33

Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 3

Contents features 41 46 25 33

Is It Really An Emergency?

Life Lessons Learned Skiing 5 Ways To Make Time To Write The All-in-One Concept Home: Universal Design Living Laboratory, the National Demonstration Home & Garden

transitions & aging in place 52 13 43 37

41

A Moving Story (Part 4) Senior Living With Ease (Part 3) Senior Housing admits “Aging In Place” is the FIRST CHOICE Will Your Current Home Meet Your Future Needs?

travel & career

50 Developing The Leader in Tom 48 Highlights Of A European Tour 18 Beth’s Top 10 Travel Tips (Plus A Bonus)

4 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Contributors (Cont.)

32

37

13

20

39

48

From You, For Us Letters From Our Readers are always appreciated and welcomed. We hope to hear from you about this issue and want to get your feedback on what you would like to see in future issues. This helps us tailor this magazine to your needs so we can provide the content that you’re looking for.

If you’ve received a benefit from a particular article or video, tell us about it!

We will be using this page to mention your letters and emails and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

Please send all your letters to:

Please send your emails to:

Encore Life Magazine

CustomerService

1911 SW Campus Dr, Ste 487

@encorelifemag.com

Federal Way, WA 98023 5 | Encore Life © | Fall 2012 | encorelifemag.com

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 5

Contents (Cont.) money & relationships 23 39 14

Driving The Road To Financial Independence How to Avoid Financial Pitfalls When Your Encore Life Includes a New Spouse Respect for the Elderly - A Prerequisite for Proper Elder Care

health & nutrition 10 16 32 30 20 28

Don’t Fall Prey to the Silent Killer Gourmet Friendly Healthy Snacks Is A Home Care Company Right For You? Sometimes, Breaking Convention Creates A Better Way You Can Change Your Water For Better Health What Can An Occupational Therapist Do For You?

in every issue 3, 5 7 4 10 50 18 5 8 54 6 54

Contributors Editor’s Letter—From Me, For You Online Glimpses Nutrition For Adults Only Encore Careers Encore Travel From You, For Us On Our Bookshelf Subscription Info Advertising Info In The Next Issue...

6 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

28

From Me, For You Just a note...

I always look forward to Spring right after Valentine’s Day. I just can’t wait to see the hills turn green and see the itty bitty crocuses peek up out of the dirt. The birds start singing out my bedroom window and I start planning what I will put in my outdoor pots & garden. I somehow miss planting the sweet peas every year—maybe this year I will do it!

What are you planning for this Spring? Is it your garden or is it a new relationship or business? As we awaken from our long winter’s nap, I hope that you will find joy and fulfillment this time of year.

This issue has just what you need to start planning your vacation this year, books from our Bookshelf to get your garden growing, ideas to freshen up your home and healthy recipes to nourish you.

Make sure to have your friends and family sign up for a FREE subscription today so you can each have access to all the good stuff that is coming your way. Click here to sign up!

Here’s to your Encore Life!

Joyce Joneschiet (Jonah-shite) Publisher & Editor in Chief

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 7

On Our Bookshelf Click on the book images for more info!

Tiny World Terrariums: A Step-byStep Guide to Easily Contained Life

By Michelle Inciarrano, Katy Maslow

The Kitchen Gardener's Handbook

By Jennifer R. Bartley

No longer content with separating the plants they grow to eat and the plants they grow for beauty, gardeners are discovering the pleasures of incorporating both edibles and ornamentals into their home landscapes. The Kitchen Gardener's Handbook makes it easy by showing how a welldesigned landscape can yield both bounty for the table and beauty for the soul.

Whether she's sharing tips on planting radishes in spring, harvesting tomatoes in summer, or pruning perennials in winter, Bartley's friendly advice gives gardeners the tools they need to build and maintain a kitchen garden. Readers will learn how to plant, grow, and harvest the best vegetables, fruits, greens, and herbs for every season. They'll also find seasonal recipes that celebrate the best of the harvest, monthly garden chores, eight sample garden designs, and information on using cut flowers for decoration. The Kitchen Gardener's Handbook is a guide for gardeners who want it all — the freshness of fruits and vegetables and the beauty and simplicity of hand-picked bouquets.

Accessible Gardening for People With Physical Disabilities: A Guide to Methods, Tools, and Plants

By Janeen R. Adil

People who feel that their gardening days are over or those who think that enjoying gardening is not an option due to physical limitations imposed by such conditions as spina bifida, arthritis, or cerebral palsy will be delighted by Janeen Adil's approach to outdoor work in Accessible Gardening. Adil has done thorough research into methods, materials, information sources, and specially designed gardening equipment to provide a new way of looking at gardening.

For example, if getting down to ground level is a potential problem for a gardener, raising planting beds to wheelchair level will bring the ground up to the gardener.

This useful book will allow thousands of people to get back out into the garden.

8 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Terrariums are a vibrant, unique way to inject a little greenery into any home. In Tiny World Terrariums, authors Katy and Michelle of Brooklyn’s celebrated Twig Terrariums offer step-by-step instructions for building your own, from selecting glass containers to layering soil and filtration to adding moss, succulents, and other plants. To give each terrarium a whimsical, personal touch, Katy and Michelle demonstrate how to use tiny figurines and toys to create to-scale scenes, such as a couple at their wedding, a CSI crime scene, and Central Park in springtime.

Photos of gorgeous finished terrariums and detailed instructions will empower anyone—whether green-thumbed or not—to create their own Lilliputian worlds.

Praise for Tiny World Terrariums: "Terrariums have been popular with adults since Victorian times. But Katy Maslow and Michelle Inciarrano, authors of Tiny World Terrariums, make a case for younger enthusiasts too . . . Their enclosed gardens range from sophisticated to silly, with dinosaurs, unicorns and an array of other figurines telling enchanting stories in mossy tableaux.

Their wonderful book provides detailed instructions to guide you through the process." —Chicago Tribune

Nutrition for Adults Only This is the second installment of our new column about health, nutrition and wellness!

We’ll have a recipe in each issue.

Don’t Fall Prey to the Silent Killer

By Jennifer Beck, RNC Did you know that there is a silent killer roaming around out there that could be attacking you at this very minute?

It is called Silent Inflammation. Silent inflammation is one of the leading contributors to Cancer, Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s. We call it silent because it is not like typical inflammation where there is pain associated with it. You may experience pain, but it is not the typical joint or back pain associated with inflammation. This is inflammation that will surface in areas that you may attribute to “just getting older”. Silent Inflammation leads to toxicity, weight gain and inability to lose weight. Silent Inflammation will also age you faster by affecting your hormones.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if you are suffering from Silent Inflammation: Do you wake up and look in the mirror at a puffy face?

Do you have bags under your eyes?

Do your joints and/or muscles ache?

Do you have allergies and/or asthma?

Do you have weight that’s impossible to lose?

Ladies: inter-tube Guys: beer belly/distended hardened abdomen Do you take ibuprofen, Tylenol, Excedrin, Motrin, Aleve one time/week or more?

Are you bloated and/or gassy?

Do you become easily irritated?

Do you suffer from brain fog?

Do you feel fatigued upon waking or mid-day?

Can you leave an imprint in your ankle or forearm with your finger?

Do you crave sweet or salty foods?

Do you eat hydrogenated oils, non-organic dairy, processed grain, commercial/packaged meats, drink soda or consume artificial sweetener?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, You are Inflamed.

Inflammation is a contributing factor to Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, and virtually every disease process (including skin conditions, allergies, asthma).

Inflammation is perpetuated in our population – children included – by our food supply and lack of public education.

It is caused By: Increased Refined Carbohydrate Consumption, Sugar, Trans and Saturated Fats, Processed Grains, Increased Omega-6 Consumption, Toxic Dairy (anything not organic), Saturated Fats/ Trans-fats Other toxic substances: Alcohol, Caffeine, Carbonated Beverages FOOD!!!! and the lack of the body’s ability to detoxify.

Stress

10 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

So, what can you do about it?

Start by eating a Healing Diet. This is a diet loaded with low Glycemic foods, meaning that they have a minimal effect on your blood sugar. This is a diet packed with a rainbow of vegetables on a daily basis, combined with lean proteins and healthy fats with each meal and snack.

Replace bad fats with good fats. Eliminate saturated fats (with the exception of coconut) and replace them with good fats, things like natural nuts & seeds, avocados, olive oil & coconut oil. Avoid all fried foods as most of these contain either high levels of saturated or transfats.

Replace toxic meat with clean meat choices. Many of the meat choices you see on the store shelf, including many that are labeled “All Natural” are chock full of hormones and antibiotics. Some animals were even fed animal by-products in their feed, which is not only toxic to the animal, but then is passed on to you and I when we eat the meat and dairy.

Buy only organic meats or from small local farms where you have discussed the growing conditions with the owner. Organic certification is a costly process and it is the only certification that provides any documentation about the quality of the food. Do not be deceived when you see “Natural” on the label. The organic certification is the only designation on packaging that confirms the crop/facility and growing conditions have been inspected at all.

Eliminate all sugar and processed grains. These are highly inflammatory substances. Sugar has actually been proven to feed cancer as well as increase triglyceride levels. Processed grains, especially wheat due to the high levels of gluten, have been proven to be detrimental to the body. In fact gluten can affect other areas of the body such as joints (Rheumatoid Arthritis), the heart, thyroid, bone and most notably the brain.

There have also been connections with gluten sensitivity and type 1 diabetes, ADHD, Addison’s disease, as well as infertility.

Increase consumption of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. These are found in deep cold water fish, like salmon, cod and tuna. If you do not enjoy fish, you can also add flax seed oil or ground chia seeds to your meals.

If you are currently dealing with silent inflammation, I would recommend increasing your Omega 3 consumption to 2-3000mg per day.

Consume a Whole Food Antioxidant 1-4 times daily. Antioxidants, especially Resveratrol, Glutathione and SOD’s have an incredible impact on inflammation. Make sure it is whole food based. I personally use and recommend Genesis from Symmetry. It has all of the above mention antioxidants as well as 14 additional healing herbs to fight inflammation and dramatically reduce your risk of other diseases by helping to heal the body at a cellular level. (Available online at www.SymmetryCincinnati.com) By making these 6 simple changes in his diet, a recent client has been able to lower his blood pressure from its previous range over the last 20 years of 118/80 to 128/85 to a consistent 106/60. He has eliminated the chronic pain in his knees and has also lost 20 pounds without dieting.

Providing your body with the proper building blocks and removing the pollutants in your food can create Advanced Wellness in your life.

Refer to www.AdvancedWellnessCoaching.com or Jennifer@advancedwellnesscoaching.com as your Silent Inflammation resource and eliminate it from your body for good.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 11

Meet our new nutritionist! Jennifer Beck is a Registered Nutrition Consultant, corporate health coach, speaker, and author. She is passionate about helping individuals optimize their health, shed unwanted pounds, and live a long life of vibrant great health, medication free! She helps individuals break through the confusion around “eating healthy”, discover and eat for their personal Metabolic Design and supports individuals in crafting a plan to incorporate healthy eating into a busy lifestyle allowing them to create a true sustainable lifestyle change. She is the owner of Advanced Wellness Coaching and offers wonderful tools, resources and practical advice to create Simple Wellness for Life! Don’t forget to grab your Free gift...10 Simple Things You Can Do to Maximize Your Health Now!

Here is a recipe for a delicious and healing salad:

Israeli Salad • 2 tomatoes, chopped • 1 cucumber (halved, seeded, and chopped) • 1 large kosher dill pickle • 1/2 cup green olives w/ pimentos • 1/2 cup black olives • 1/4 cup parsley • 1/4 cup olive oil • juice of 1 lemon • salt/pepper to taste Add all ingredients in a bowl, mix together and viola, your salad is ready!

12 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Senior Living with Ease—Part 3 12 Living Room and Kitchen Updates For the Comfort and Safety of Loved Ones

By Linda Hunt It seems that the kitchen and the living room/family room are the most used rooms in the home. Everyone seems to gravitate there. A big part of daytime living is done between these rooms. There are a lot of design things that can be done for the safety and comfort of seniors in these areas. The living/family room is the place to indulge a little in furnishings for comfort and beauty. Also, seniors like to have some of the things that remind them of the home they left. The living/family room area is the perfect room to help them incorporate their treasured items into their décor.

This segment will give you ideas you can implement easily and quickly.

1. Use only the 2 lowest shelves of the upper cabinets in the kitchen keeping their contents within easy reach.

2. Install lights under the upper cabinets to make it easier to see while working in the kitchen countertop. These lights are available at local home improvement centers.

3. Have slide-outs installed on the shelves of lower cabinets. They will roll out making it very easy to see all of the contents at a glance without stooping.

4. Get easy grip kitchen utensils. Good Grips offers a wonderful variety.

5. Use more plastic dishes, glasses and bowls. When they are dropped, there are no glass shards to deal with .Ones marked BPHA free are the safest to use.

6. Check the hot water tank temperature setting. Ask your plumber for assistance with this. Senior skin is thinner and more delicate and can suffer scalds and burns.

7. Wall mounted shelves and bookcases are ideal for displaying treasured items and saving precious floor space.

8. Move all electric cords out of walkways. It is best if they can be placed behind furniture. Use a safety rated power strip extension cord where needed to hide cords. There are clips you can use attach cords to the walls at the baseboards.

9. Check furniture cushions for firmness. If they sink too much, it can be hard to get up and down. Replace them with denser foam that will offer the correct support.

10. Check lamps for proper brightness and height for less eye strain when reading and sewing. Use lamps and tables that are tall enough so the light will come over your shoulder on to your project.

11. Create a “desk area” and designate it as the one place for all mail, bills, and important papers, etc. This cuts down on the chance of them being misplaced. Appointments and bills are easily at hand then for the senior or the caregiver 12. Hang lots of treasured photos and favorite wall art to create that homey atmosphere.

A successful downsizing is one that recognizes the emotional, physical and sentimental attachments we all have to the things that are our lifetime. These tips can help it to be a smooth transition for our loved ones.

Linda is a WFCP Specialist Certified interior designer with 25 years of experience working on residential design and is an active member of International Furnishings and Design Association. She specializes in custom window treatments and downsizing design for over 20 years. She’s written several ebooks on interior decorating topics.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 13

Respect for the Elderly - A Prerequisite for Proper Elder Care

By Amy Trenton Having respect for our elders is one of the oldest and most universal societal manners recorded. Throughout history, we have seen many examples of the wise elderly leading people to redemption or mentoring great leaders. However, in today’s modern world, we are also seeing a trend of ageism, which can become detrimental to society, especially as studies have predicted that over 58 million people across the planet will turn 60 years old in 2013. Predictions also suggest that by the year 2050, there will be a considerable amount of elderly adults living on earth, outnumbering the amount of children under the age of 15 for the first time in world history. The rising numbers of older adults and ever increasing ageism demand a change in the way we treat and establish proper elder care.

The Rise in Ageism In a survey conducted by Duke University, reports found that 84% of the age 60 and older survey participants had experienced a form of ageism in one way or another. 58% of respondents reported experiencing prejudice through being the butt of a ageist joke, while 31% told the Duke team that they experienced ageism in the form of being ignored or not treated legitimately due to their older age.

As ageism continues to rise, we are also seeing surprising results in the impact of these stereotypes beyond hurt and humiliation. A study performed by Yale University reported that humans over the age of 50 who had been treated positively and had an upbeat outlook towards aging had improved mental health, better physical balance, and lived an average of nearly 8 years longer than those who viewed aging in a negative way. Because of ageist jokes, disregard, and disrespect towards the elderly, we may indeed be impacting the elderly in a negative way, hurting their overall health and life spans as well as affecting their care.

Gaining Respect is the First Step Having a deep respect for the elderly is the most important prerequisite for proper elder care. Whether as a neighbor to an elderly adult, a caregiver to an aging parent, or a worker in a elder care facility, it is vital in the health care of the increasing amount of older adults that respect is given. If there are problems with perceived ageism amongst a person, there are a few ways to learn a new respect for those who have shaped the lives we have today.

1. Stop Assuming One of the key characteristics of ageism is an assumption that because an individual is elderly, they are no longer valid in society, that they need constant assistance, or that they are boring. By broadening a view point and not assuming, one can see all that the elderly adults in our society can offer.

2. Take Notice and Be Considerate Take notice of all the active aging adults that are in society and be considerate of their space, feelings, and roles within a community.

3. Use Good Manners and Polite Language Opening doors, using the titles of “Sir” or “Madame” and using polite language are basic skills necessary for all human interaction, but with elder adults, it can go a long way in defeating ageism and creating opportunities for elderly acquaint-

14 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

ances.

4. Strike Up a Conversation Establishing common ground with an aging adult is a quick way to see that they are not so different, regardless of age.

5. Step Outside Your Own Generation Volunteering at community events for senior adults can help those with a tendency for ageism gain a respect for those outside of their own generation.

6. Look Towards the Future We will all become elderly at some point. It is inevitable. If someone is experiencing a lean towards ageism, it may be time to look towards the future of how they would like to be treated when they become considered an elderly adult.

Proper Elder Care The world is seeing a rise in senior adults living on the planet, and reports indicate that throughout the world, over 46% of those over the age of 60 have a disability that results in the need for elder care. That equates currently to more than 250 million older adults having a moderate to extreme disability that limits them during their golden years. These disabilities come in a variety of forms with most older adults affected by hearing loss (nearly 44 million seniors globally,) visual impairment (94.2 million elders) and osteoarthritis, which affects 19.4 million aging adults across the planet.

These disabilities require our elders have proper health care and through battling against ageism and ensuring the care and respect required for healthy senior adults is provided, we can see happier elderly adults. Having respect for our elders is one of the oldest and most universal societal manners recorded, and the rising numbers of older adults and ever increasing ageism demand a change in the way we treat the senior citizens within our society and establish proper elder care.

Sources: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/how-in-the-world-will-we-care-for-all-the-elderly/ http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/02/even-as-a-joke-ageism-isnt-funny/

Guest post provided by Amy Trenton. Amy works as a marketing assistant and writer for RescueAlert.com – specializing in medical alarms and medical alert bracelets.

Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 15

Gourmet Friendly Healthy Snacks

By Don and Peg Doman According to Automatic Merchandiser the top five vending machine snacks by total sales are Snickers, Doritos Big Grab; Peanut M&Ms; Cheetos Crunchy; and Cheez-It Original. The five positions change only slightly over the years. Snickers is almost always number one; it’s side by side sweet and salty. Doritos is almost always number two, fulfilling the salty side of snacks.

In high school, between classes, I would grab a Washington Delicious from an apple vending machine at Clover Park, but when I was working in the 9 to 5 world I raided the vending machines and it wasn’t for fruit . . . although if there had been an apple vending machine I might have dropped a coin or two.

Candy bars and chips are convenient, but they sure aren’t good nutritional choices. They won’t help us grow older healthfully, only rounder. When people are craving a snack at work or school, they head to a vending machine, or they go to a fast food drive through. But if you plan your snacks, you’ll have healthy options.

We've been trying to cut down on calories and processed foods in favor of healthy, fresh choices. However, the need for a snack sometimes attacks you when you’re really busy. You don’t want to stop and make something; but, we need to answer the question, “Should I cook something or go for fast food?” Go for the homemade snack. Your body will appreciate it.

When I was a kid, my favorite snack was a piece of toast. When I was in high school, we moved to a little German village. (My Dad was in the military.)

The bread man delivered two very large loaves of rye bread twice a week.

With seven kids in the family, we could devour a loaf after school. The whole grain has such a delicious, nutty flavor, I’ve been a convert ever since.

Whole grain toast is always an option.

Here’s a collection of four healthy snacks: two savory offerings, condiments, and something sweet. You can make these ahead or wait until the craving starts if you work at home. It's best if you share, but you can put the rest in the fridge for tomorrow.

Prunes and Pâté A little Pâté goes a long way. In case you don’t know what pâté is, it’s ground liver and fat from ducks, geese, pork, or veal. Various wines, fruits and nuts are added for taste and texture. It has a strong salty/savory flavor. Variations of this gourmet food can be found at most upscale markets. Prunes in pâté is hardly unusual, but pâté in prunes is.

Take a pitted prune and enlarge the opening where the pit was removed. Insert a hazelnut followed by half a teaspoon of pâté and then add another hazelnut. Pack up six for you and a few more for your friends. Bring along an apple to complete an interesting and healthy snack break. The liver is good for you, the nuts have healthy oils, the prunes and the apple provide sweetness, nutrients, and fiber. Pair with hot black tea for extra energy coming back from your break.

16 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Pickled Condiments I grew up with fresh cucumbers in vinegar and I've added some fresh twists. Put thinly sliced carrots in a bowl. Pour in enough rice vinegar to cover. Add some sliced cucumbers (vary the thicknesses) and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt. Cover all with rice vinegar. Add slices of your favorite apple (Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, or whatever crunchy delight takes your fancy) and cover with vinegar. Open a can of pickled beets and add some to the mixture for color, texture, and taste. Add a little fresh ground pepper and lightly mix.

Add in radishes for additional color and bite.

The cucumbers, carrots, apples, and beets are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This is a good package of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese and dietary fiber. At parties, no matter what size bowl we make, one of our friends will pretty much eat the entire contents. He doesn’t eat the veggies for their nutrients, he does it for the taste.

Smoked Trout Wrap I could eat this every day, but that's not a good idea with the nitrates involved in smoking. The process removes the carbohydrates, so you're left with only about 45 calories per ounce of trout. This snack is even easier than the first two. Debone a smoked trout. Spoon the sweet oily flesh onto lettuce leaves.

Add a squeeze of lime juice and roll up for a fresh wrap. Yum! For an extra boost of omega-3 fatty acids you might try smoked salmon, but to get the soft texture of trout you’ll probably have to purchase expensive King salmon.

Sweet and Tasty Take one fresh egg and break it into a shallow bowl. Add a tablespoon of water, and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix and lay a slice of stale whole grain bread into the mixture. Spray some healthy oil cooking spray into a frying pan and heat it up.

As the pan reaches cooking temperature, turn the bread over, covering on both sides with the egg mix. Carefully lay it into the hot skillet. If there’s left-over egg mixture, pour it on top of the bread to soak in. Turn the bread once to cook and brown both sides. Remove the pan from the heat and then the bread from the pan. Cut the bread in half and cover one side with dark chocolate chips. (Dark chocolate good!) Add some sliced almonds and cover the bottom later with the other half piece of toast. Pop the French toast into a microwave for 10-15 second or until the chips melt. Cut the half sandwich in half again and place in a baggie.

When you’re ready for your snack place the French toast on a paper towel and cover with a paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds, just long enough to melt the chocolate again and warm the toast. Serve with green tea and lemon.

These snack items can be used as appetizers for your next party as well. Invite the people from work who have been watching you eat and begging for a sample. There are probably slightly healthier snacks, but the ease and taste of these sweet and savory foods makes them a great alternative to candy bars, chips, and double cheese-burgers with bacon. Your heart will love you for your choice.

Don and Peggy Doman are published authors, professional industrial video producers, and marketing experts. They write stories of their adventures and travels in the Pacific Northwest with play reviews as well as food and restaurant reviews (www.nwadventures.us). In August 2012 they launched a website featuring articles about nutrition (www.live2agewell.com), based on scientific studies from the Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute (lpi.oregonstate.edu) in Corvallis, Oregon. The site is sponsored by the Roman Meal Company (www.romanmeal.com), makers of Natural Whole Grain Goodness ®.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 17

Encore Travel Beth’s Top 10 Travel Tips (Plus A Bonus)

By Beth Young 1. Define the purpose of the trip. Are you looking for pure relaxation, cultural activities, active pursuits like hiking and biking, shopping, nightlife, kids activities? Choose your destination and hotel/resort/cruise based on these desires.

2. Involve everyone in the planning. Each person should contribute one must do thing for them during the trip that everyone can share in.

3. Plan your travel days to be part of the vacation. Instead of finding the shortest connections for your flights and having to run through the airport to make the connection, give yourself enough time to get off the plane and have some lunch.

Wander around the airport and get some exercise. A lot of airports have interesting art or exhibits you can look at. Take family or group photos at the airport. This way you won’t feel like you’ve “lost” part of your vacation to travel days.

4. Packing. It is really true that you should take half the clothes and twice the money than you originally planned.

Take clothes that coordinate with each other and that you can wear more than once. Wrinkle proof fabrics. Shoes are big space takers, I take my walking shoes, some flip flops (because I always go somewhere warm) and one pair of dressier shoes. I also roll my clothes – they fit better in the suitcase, and if you flatten them out well first, then roll them they don’t wrinkle. My hero is my Aunt Ann who can take a carry on for a 6 week Safari trip – when I grow up I want to pack like her.

5. Join Loyalty Programs. Hotels, airlines and car rental companies all offer these and some even give you some perks on your first stay. Even if you don’t travel often, it’s worth the couple of minutes it takes to join.

6. Read the fine print! If you are booking your own travel make sure you read all the fine print. If you are using your travel agent, make sure they tell you about any exclusions, as well as inclusions. Have them send you a copy of the terms & conditions for the supplier they are using. Check for resort fees, parking fees, taxes that might not be included, airport transfers, that sort of thing.

18 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

7. Look for Value not price! I can’t stress this enough. This is your vacation that you have saved all year (or more) for, you’ve planned and researched for hours. Choose a hotel or resort property that offers you the most value for your money. If you are taking the kids it should have a great pool and activities that they enjoy (no one wants to hear “I’m bored” for a week!). Look for free nights, breakfast included, etc. (This is where your travel agent can be your best friend, she/he might have specials that you will never see on your own.) Don’t end up at the budget property with the broken floor tiles, refrigerator door hanging off the hinges, and the local’s dogs swimming in the pool.

8. Pre-book any excursions that you really don’t want to miss out on! But don’t over schedule. Leave some time for relaxing, exploring with no time frame, and just seeing what the day brings.

9. Buy Travel Insurance! I know what you’re thinking – we will go no matter what. Then, on the way to the airport your taxi gets in a fender bender and you miss your flight. What are you going to do? Or, you get to your destination and your luggage went somewhere else? Or…….well, there are a million things that can happen so why not protect your investment?

10. Use All of Your Vacation Days! You’ve earned them and you need them. You will be more productive if you take them (even if you just stay home). American’s earn fewer vacation days per year than other industrialized countries AND THEN YOU WASTE THEM. 448,000,000 days were wasted last year. (That is 448 MILLION days) That is like giving $67 Billion (yes, I said BILLION) back to your employers. Do you love them that much?

Bonus Tip – Use a qualified Travel Agent. Again, I know what you’re thinking. She is a travel agent so, of course, she wants me to use her services. And I do, if you don’t already have one and if you’re planning a vacation to a tropical destination, taking a cruise, or traveling to pretty much anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. If not me – find another qualified travel professional who specializes in the area you are planning to travel. Most of the time it won’t cost you anymore than booking it yourself, it will save you hours of research, and you have an advocate if you have a problem.

Even if you do have to pay a planning fee – isn’t it worth it to make sure that your precious vacation that you have saved & planned for comes off perfectly and stress free?

Beth Young is the owner of Perfect Paradise Vacations, specializing in “Sun Spots”. Places like the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and South and Central America, both land vacations and cruises. Although she books many individual clients her true love is working with groups, both large and small. She has worked with corporate, affinity, and family & friend groups, from 6 people up to 200. Beth is well organized and enjoys all the details that group travel requires, ensuring that transfers and activities are included along with all of the usual - and some unusual - travel arrangements.

Customer service is her primary goal, making sure that clients' travel planning needs are met from the idea stage until their return home. Personal, knowledgeable and complete travel planning from beginning to end. She is affiliated with Anderson Travel Planners in Gig Harbor, WA which allows her to fully serve her clients by adding their expertise to her knowledge.

She has earned her Caribbean Destination Specialist designation from The Travel Institute, as well as certification from several Caribbean islands, Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas and several cruise lines. She continues to take courses and add to her knowledge by attending local seminars and presentations. She can be reached at 206-433-0721.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 19

You Can Change Your Water For Better Health

By James Jackson This article is provided to those who realize that water is a crucial factor in maintaining better health. As our bodies mature with time we begin to hear repeated by our health care providers, �Drink more Water�. According to my wife, a RN in the direct health home health care service through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, most clients she see through out the year are visably dehydrated. They find that following her instructions for proper hydration many times reduces the stiff, achey feelings in their hands, hips, knees and back. Why? The reason is found in the term Acidosis.

Correct body acid alkaline balance - the pH body secret to good health.

One of the major advances in complementary medicine in recent years has been the realization of the vital importance of correct body acid alkaline balance and how optimizing your body pH can lead to significantly better health, increased energy, improved immunity and a slowing down of the aging process. This page gives you an overview of how you can determine your own acid alkaline balance and what you can do to correct imbalances to help you overcome health problems and live a healthy energized life.

Why is body acid alkaline balance so important?

Our body is alkaline by design but acid generating by function. There are several buffer systems to help keep the pH levels of our bodies at the correct level. Modern living has unfortunately meant that these buffer systems struggle to cope with the acidic load leading to imbalances with very detrimental effects on our health. This is reflected in high levels of heart disease, cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and other degenerative conditions.

When we refer to body pH we are referring to the pH of the blood and the intracellular and extra cellular fluids i.e. the fluids inside your cells and the fluids surrounding your cells.

The body pH level of our internal fluids affect every single cell in our bodies. The pH level of our blood should be in the range of 7.34 to 7.38 with an ideal of 7.365- that is slightly alkaline. Deviations outside this normal level can have major negative impacts on our health. The commonest tendency is towards acidity (acidosis) and if left unchecked can affect all cellular functions with negative effects on all our body systems. Excessive tissue acidity is corrosive and is believed by many researchers to be the root cause of all sicknesses and diseases.

What causes imbalances of body acid alkaline balance?

There are several main factors that affect the acid alkaline balance of our body tissues and in particular lead to acidifying effects. It is important to recognize the root cause of our imbalances so that we can take practical steps to restore the proper acid alkaline balance and our body to health.

We live in an age where the toxic load in our environment is significantly greater than ever before experienced. Changes in eating habits, high levels of stress, electro- magnetic stress and other environmental pollution pose a continuous daily burden on our bodies which we must take action to counterbalance if we want to enjoy good health. In particular the following are the principal things that contribute to the acid burden on our bodies: Diet. Ideally 80% of our diet should come from foods that leave an alkaline residue in our bodies with only 20% from acid

20 | Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

residue foods. Alkaline residue foods are primarily vegetables and foods- acid residue are animal products and most grains. The ideal proportion will vary from person to person depending on our metabolic type. Unfortunately typical Western diets comprise mostly acid residue foods. · Stress and Negative Emotions. High levels of stress and negative emotions produce biochemical reactions in our bodies which acidify our blood and tissues.

Harmful Pathogens. When our body pH tends towards acidity it creates an internal environment which is conducive to the colonization of harmful pathogens such as Candida. These parasites metabolize your nutrients and dump their metabolic wastes in your body. These wastes are acidic and toxic adding to the acid load on your body. ·

· Environmental Pollution – Toxic fumes from traffic, electromagnetic smog, toxins from household chemicals and some personal care products all can add to the toxic, acidic load on our bodies, adversely affecting our body acid alkaline balance.

The increased acidic load on our blood will result in lowered oxygen transfer throughout the body which is critically important to optimal cell functioning

How can I measure my body pH and determine my acid alkaline balance?

Correct acid alkaline balance slows down aging

There are two simple things you can do to get an indication of the acid alkaline balance of your body. That is measure the pH of your saliva and also your urine. These readings will give you a picture of the current status of your body pH and allow you to monitor your progress as you bring your body back into proper balance.

There are a number of different recommended ways to test your acid alkaline balance, but the simplest is to check your saliva levels and urine levels first thing in the morning after you have fasted for at least 8 hours. You can use simple pH test papers to give you a trend as to your pH. You will probably see a greater variation with saliva testing. You should not regard the value of a single reading as being absolute but look for a trend over several days.

You can also check the readings after meals.

If your system is well balanced you will consistently see your morning pH readings in the order of 6.5 to 7. If your readings are between 5.5 and 6.5 on a consistent basis then it is a sign that the body pH is deviating towards acidity and you need to take action to correct the situation. If the pH is consistently below 5.5 then your body has insufficient alkaline reserves to buffer the acids in the body and you are setting yourself up for chronic degenerative disease.

As your body pH rises to its desired levels you will feel increased energy levels and improved immunity as the body becomes alkalized and oxygenated.

Correct acid alkaline balance gives high energy levels

What health problems are caused by poor acid alkaline balance?

Poor alkaline acid balance can lead to many diseases in the body. In fact several doctors working at the leading edge of natural medicine have said that it is the root cause of all disease. Increased levels of acidity lead to reduced levels of oxygen in the blood and also result in less than optimal absorption of nutrients then this will adversely affect every cell in the body. In particular excess acidity in the blood and tissues and poor hydration is implicated in the following health problems: Cardiovascular problems- in particular arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol and high blood pressure Diabetes and metabolic disorders Cancers

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 21

Osteoporosis Arthritis Digestive problems, in particular acid reflux, stomach ulcers and helicobacter, colitis and Irritable bowel syndrome Hypothyroidism Auto immune disorders Chronic Fatigue Asthma Depression Kidney Problems

What can be done to restore optimum body pH through proper acid alkaline balance?

There is lots you can do to improve body acid alkaline balance with the consequent knock on effect of better health, irrespective of your current health status. In particular the focus should be on the following: Eliminating from your diet excessive consumption of acid forming foods. There are many good books on the subject of acid alkaline balance diets, several of which are listed in our shop.

Drink plenty of alkaline ionized water. Most people who are suffering from excess acidity are dehydrated. Drinking alkaline ionized water helps to neutralize acids and flush them from the body. Additionally alkaline ionized water has antioxidant properties helping to neutralize harmful free radicals. Drinking alkaline ionized water is the simplest way to help restore your body to alkaline health.

Take a green super food. It is not so easy and does not appeal to the palate of many of us to take lots of green vegetables and fruits. The easy way, which is tremendously effective, is to take a green super food powder that is highly concentrated green nutrition which is very nutrient dense. The high chlorophyll content of green drink powders help to transfer oxygen throughout the body in addition to supplying alkaline nutrients.

Look positively on life. Positive emotions will positively affect your acid alkaline balance.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Educating those interested in knowing about healthy drinking water. "Healthy Drinking Water" - Where can we find it as we return to the "Tap" and away from the environmentally unfriendly and unhealthy bottled waters on the market? Helping people discover what those in Japan & Korea have implemented for over the past 30 years. Go to my web site: www.ionways.com/mjbiologic to learn more!

22 | Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Driving The Road To Financial Independence Using a Reverse Mortgage to Keep the Drive Smooth

OR

By Brian Cook The way to retirement is really a road to Financial Independence. In other words, how can I maximize my retirement savings and investments, as well as my social security benefits, so that I am financially independent from working again. This road starts with our first job and goes all the way into our retirement. We try to keep the road straight by saving and investing, but unfortunately the road comes with twists, turns, bumps, and the occasional road work that cause us to get off schedule.

When we reach the part of the road called “Retirement,” there can be gaps, pot holes, tolls and many other spots that need to be addressed. Unfortunately many seniors do not have the financial means to address these issues and end up breaking down or not moving at the speed needed to stay on schedule.

This is where the reverse mortgage can act as a permanent maintenance plan to keep them running all the way to obtaining “Financial Independence.” By using a reverse mortgage correctly, the turns, gaps, hills, potholes, and potential hazards are avoided and we can move at the speed to get to where we want to be. There is no longer the worry that we will break down and start moving slower along the way.

By obtaining a reverse mortgage early in retirement, a senior can delay drawing on social security, thus adding thousands more to their benefit amount over their life time; widening the road, creating less traffic.

By using a reverse mortgage comprehensively with their portfolio during retirement, they can lower their disbursements, and corresponding tolls (income tax), from their retirement savings and/or investments. This ensures the road leading to Financial Independence lasts and they are paying less tolls along the way.

By using a reverse mortgage to supplement medical costs and/or long-term care, we help fill the gaps in the road that can come later from health issues.

By using a reverse mortgage to ensure financial stability and peace-of-mind for a spouse, we avoid the stop in the road if something happens to one of them. The other spouse will continue to live in Financial Independence and not have to take another road somewhere else.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 23

Whatever the road may contain along the way, it is important to consider the different routes (retirement instruments), including the reverse mortgage, a senior can utilize to reach Financial Independence. To help ensure it is the right route for their needs, they’ll want to make sure that you are working with an experienced maintenance professional (Reverse Mortgage Advisor) that educates each senior they work with about their plan options and the road ahead.

If you were to choose your road in retirement, would you prefer smooth and straight, or bumps and curves? The reverse mortgage is simply another route to keep the drive smooth. And as with any route, if you find it is not for you, at least you made an educated choice and can turn around.

If the Reverse Mortgage could help a senior travel all the way to Financial Independence, then the route should explore it. Even if that route couldn’t be used now, the route will be available should the others not work. By finding the right professional, a senior or retiree can discover their road to Financial Independence.

Brian Cook "HELPING RETIREMENT MOVE FORWARD IN REVERSE" Alpine Mortgage Planning, A Div. of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, NMLS 81395 | WA CL-81395, Equal Housing Lender

24 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

5 W AYS T O M AKE T IME T O W RITE

By Karen Lynn Maher You have the desire to write and you’re not doing it. It’s a common experience. So, what’s the deal? Here’s the truth…Finding time to write can be difficult. Fortunately, if you really want to write, you can make the time you need. This article outlines five ways to help you set aside time to write, even during your busiest day.

1. Set aside time every day and make that time non-negotiable.

This tip might seem impossible to do, but it’s not as hard as it seems. Many writers have full-time jobs and responsibilities in addition to their commitment to write. If you want to write, you have to make a solid decision to make the time. Finding the time starts with your commitment and then sharing your commitment with your family and others who depend on you. You might start with waking up thirty minutes earlier or spend half of your lunch hour writing. Two great ways to start.

2. Replace one unimportant activity with writing.

How much TV do you watch each evening? How much time do you spend playing games on the computer? If you stopped watching or playing for just 30 minutes, you could devote that time to writing. In one week you will have spent three and a half focused hours on your writing. Consider what you’re spending your free time doing and whether you’d rather be getting some writing done.

3. Learn to say “no” to distractions that tempt you away from writing.

Are you always doing for others? Are you doing things for people that they could easily do for themselves? If you start saying no to some of the things you are asked to do, you will free up a lot of time for yourself. The next time your child, spouse or friend asks for something during your writing time, simply tell them, “I’m busy writing. I will be available when I’m finished.” When you take a stand for your commitment to write, your family and friends will realize how important writing it is to you. You are also being a role model for them.

4. Write while you wait.

Do you spend a lot of time waiting? Think about all the times you wait…for children, for trains, for a nurse or

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 25

doctor to call your name, for a self-service kiosk to become available. These are all minutes you can use to jot down a few thoughts. Always keep a pen and pocket-size notebook with you to write down your amazing thoughts.

5. Open yourself to unexpected inspiration.

Understand that when you are committed to writing you are constantly engaged in the writing process, not just when you’re sitting in front of a computer or with pen in hand. Ideas, words and whole sentences will reveal themselves to you at any moment throughout your day. Be prepared to capture them day and night. Keep a journal and pen on the nightstand next to your bed.

When you really want to write, you will find the time to make it happen. Follow one or all of the above tips. I know you can do it!

“I didn’t know that if you want to write and don’t, because you don’t feel worthy enough or able enough, not writing will eventually begin to erase who you are.”

-- Louise DeSalvo, Ph.D., Writing as a Way of Healing: How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives

Karen Lynn Maher is a book writing strategist and coach. She helps business professionals write and self-publish the book that reveals their expertise and establishes them as a leading authority in their field. She focuses a writers energy to efficiently write a quality manuscript ready for print and guides them through the publishing process.

Karen began writing professionally in 1983. Since 2001, she and her team of publishing professionals at LegacyONE Authors have successfully helped men and women fulfill their dream of writing their book.

26 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Making Every Life a Living Legacy What do you want to remember before you forget?

Spending less than an hour a day you can easily create your personal Living Legacy LifeBook that will: Help you process and harvest a lifetime of memories.

Serve you as a memory aid when memory becomes problematical.

Become a living Legacy and posterity for your family and scholars for generations to come.

Offer you many hours of enjoyment with family and children as they listen to you tell and retell life and stories.

You will have: An answer to what you talk about after “Fine.” (How are the kids, fine, work, fine, your health, fine…)

Spent hours upon hours with your spouse, children, and your friends listening to you as you tell and retell your family, life, and times.

An enhanced sense of self and of your own achievements A memory aid for when your memory becomes problematical.

A Living Legacy that will last for generations to come. Oral History, a true immortality.

So that is it and much more. A flexible structured document of documents an easy, enjoyable, satisfying, step by step, do it at your own pace, Living Legacy LifeBook.

Your life is worth far far more than a 100 word obit in the local paper… Give the gift of a Living Legacy LifeBook to yourself, your spouse, your children, your best friends – then work it with them. A gift that never ceases giving. The Living legacy LifeBook.

Order yours today!

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 27

What Can An Occupational Therapist Do For You?

By Kathleen Martin Occupational Therapy is based on the understanding that human beings have a built in need to participate culturally in meaningful work, perform daily living tasks and play in the contexts of one’s physical and social world.

This translates into the fact that people need to do things that they value and feel are important throughout their lives. What is valued will be different to each person and at different stages within one’s own life as well as from culture to culture. That is the beauty of Occupational Therapy; the focus is on what is important to the client and on the knowledge of how disease and aging affect the body. This uniquely gives the Occupational Therapist (OT) the ability to have the best understanding of a person’s abilities and limitations.

OT’s pride themselves on the ability to adapt situations and environments to suit the individual and, in doing so, maximize their independence.

It has been shown that happiness is a factor in wellness just as depression is a factor in illness. People are happier at home; people live longer more productive lives in a home setting. Some may feel that it is likely, at some point in their lives, they may have to leave their home, but that is a far cry from choosing to live in a nursing home.

Now, back to “What can an Occupational Therapist do for you?” When you are working with an OT, you have a health care professional working on your side who is focused on what is important to you. The OT will look at your home, taking into consideration your abilities, risk factors and barriers that may exist. Once an assessment has been made, the next step is to work with a building professional who has the knowledge and expertise to make necessary changes in the home while utilizing the proper materials and complying with building codes that are in place. The end product is a home environment that will be structurally sound, safe and functional for the homeowner.

It is my goal to provide a home environment that will allow people to age in place. This result can best be achieved by the pairing of a building professional and an OT to provide the individual with a home that will be safe, preventing falls and accidents and where he/she can spend many years aging gracefully in their own home. An OT with a CAPS certification has gone through the process of becoming a Certified Aging in Place Specialist with the Home Building Association and is a great resource for you to work with.

You may ask, “Why do I need to modify my home? I have never fallen and my house is just fine.” Falls at home are a major cause of injury in the elderly. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states the following in their Home and Recreational Safety web page, “One out of three adults, age 65 and older, falls each year. Many of those who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases their actual risk of falling.”

Among older adults (those 65 or older), falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries which result in hospital admissions for trauma.

28 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade. Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas (CDC).

These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently and increase the risk of early death.

Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hands (CDC). So my question is, why risk it? Why live in a home with steps and stairs, a shower/tub combination, no grab bars or railings, etc.? All of these things are possible dangers as we get older.

With the aging process and diseases that affect many as we age, it becomes more difficult to step up and over things; we become less agile which leads to balance difficulties. All of these things make the home we have lived in for years less safe, not because the house is different, but because we have changed.

In a study cited by the CDC, seniors who received medical screening by a doctor as well as home safety assessment by an Occupational Therapist were, after 12 months, 60% less likely to fall once and 67% less likely to fall repeatedly.

(Jacqueline Close) Why not be proactive and prevent an accident from affecting your independence? We know the importance of eating well, staying hydrated and exercising to maintain strength and agility. Home modification can eliminate possible falls and injuries. Why not put them all in place and do your best to enjoy your life right where you are? If it all works, you’ll just enjoy your life at home.

Works Cited Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls among Older Adults: An Overview. 20 September 2012. 25 January 2013 <www.cdc.gov/Home and RecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls/html>.

—. Home and Recreational Safety . 17 September 2012. 25 January 2013 <www.cdc.gov/homeandRecreationalSafety/ falls/fallcost.htn>.

Jacqueline Close, MD. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 24 May 2011. 25 January 2013 <www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/ compendiuim/3.2_profet.html>.

Kathy has been an OT since 1988, when she graduated from the University of New Hampshire. She’s worked in adult rehab for the majority of her career, always with an interest in home modification and promoting aging in place. She recently earned her CAPS (certified aging in place specialist) certification from the National Association of Home Builders and completed many courses on home safety and home modification through the American Occupational Therapy Association. She believes that people want to live at home and that at home they will realize the greatest quality of life.

An important aspect of her life is her family. Her husband, George, of 24 years, her 4 children; a daughter studying to be a biology teacher, a son in Air Force ROTC, one son in high school and a son in kindergarten.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 29

Sometimes, Breaking Convention Creates A Better Way: Making a case for an Alzheimer’s Friendly Healthcare Workforce™

By Ethelle Lord Millions of individuals are living with Alzheimer’s and receiving a form of care-giving. The 7 stages of Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association) often require close supervision in the early stages; an aid-in-attendance in the middles stage; and specialized care in the late stages. The cycle can take up to 20 years or more from start to finish.

Criticism of the quality of care and quality of life in long-term care has been a saga that seems to have no end.

There are way too many excuses given by management and staff to justify the less than acceptable care and treatment of residents, especially those living in memory loss units (Wagner et al., 2001). Leadership enhancement programs which include interpersonal skills, clinical skills, organizational skills, and management skills continue to be weak and below average (Harvath et al., 2008; Wagner et al., 2001). Based on the author’s experience with her husband who has been living in a memory loss unit at a nursing center for about 2.5 years, there are more CNAs (Certified Nurse Assistant) with a minimum of only several months of training and LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) with limited training of about a year who are given way too many responsibilities and held accountable for the very life of residents in longterm care. These individuals often must provide full services for 10 to 12 residents each (some examples of care include dressing, changing, bathing, feeding, redirecting and supervision). I have seen one CAN left with as many as 22 patients in her care for periods of 30 minutes at a time, a humanly impossible task.

Nurses with only a few years of formal training and with little to no leadership training are left in charge for entire shifts of workers, sometimes covering a double shift or 16 hours straight, and the welfare of 70 or more sick residents in their charge (Harvath et al., 2008). Nursing homes do hire more low-end and low-paying staff in comparison to RNs (Registered Nurse) and NPs (Nurse Practitioner) who have a master’s degree in nursing (Christian & Baker, 2009). State governments will only approve a minimum number of workers for reimbursement and do not make a distinction between a rehab unit, nursing home unit or a memory loss unit. This one-size fits all is erroneous and for every worker in a memory loss unit, 7-10 totally dependent residents are assigned to his/her care. This problem is compounded by the fact that the nursing home business, whether it is a for profit or a not-for-profit entity, also refuses to hire more workers than the minimum dictated by state regulations ~ a major reason for unnecessary hospitalization of nursing center patients transported by ambulance on a daily basis (Christian & Baker, 2009).

Based on experience and facts such as listed above, nursing centers are broken down. They no longer, and maybe never really could, provide dependable services. Certainly the safety and wellbeing of those in their charge continues to be at risk on a daily basis. Frustrations from visitors and family caregivers are obvious when you visit such a center. A lack of teamwork stems from under-trained administrators/management, steady and impossible working conditions for institutional caregivers. Nursing homes are drowning in responsibilities they cannot deliver and if they continue to operate with such staff deficits, they will become unacceptable as a solution to providing care of frail older adults and especially Alzheimer’s patients in America.

Terms like person centered care and quality of care are just that, terms. What’s needed is a culture change and a

30 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

very big shift in leadership training. The time has come to break convention where long-term care is concerned and adopt a new system of healthcare that is known as the Alzheimer’s Friendly Healthcare Workforce™. A basic theorem of the Alzheimer’s Friendly Healthcare Workforce™ is cooperation versus competition where a selected number of family caregivers are given the opportunity to complete their cycle of care with the assistance of a larger professional team.

A number of family caregivers are anxious to continue providing hands-on care to their loved ones even after placement in long-term care. Family caregivers have first-hand experience of the exhaustive demands of providing complete care and therefore do empathize with professional caregivers. Such care may involve assisting in bathing, attending and assisting at center activities, assisting with feeding, and companionship. This desire is largely driven by reality that nursing centers are drowning in their own inability to provide adequate care and provide the comfort their loved ones deserve in the late stage of life. Nursing centers do not have the time to get to know each resident despite an original request at intake as to dislikes and likes of each new resident. There is simply no time for that. Family caregivers already have this knowledge and experience which is a perfect fit in a very serious missing link in the service wheel.

Barriers, such as difficulty in communicating with staff and lack of teamwork in nursing centers, will need to be examined and removed (Lindman Port, 2004). Adopting an Alzheimer’s Friendly Healthcare Workforce™ program would improve the way services are delivered, increase teamwork, improve morale among workers and management, lower sick leave and burnout among the professional caregiver workforce, and increase the quality of life and care for persons in memory loss units as well as the general population in long-term care. Such a program requires training and commitment on the part of everyone.

Question: Is your care center ready to receive and effectively cope with the millions of patients that will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and requiring specialized care over the next decade?

References used for this article:

Alzheimer’s Association, Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/ Harvath, T.A., Swafford, K., Smith, K., Miller, L.L., Volpin, M., Sexson, K., White, D., & Young, H.A. (2008). Enhancing nursing leadership in long-term care. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 1(3), 187-196.

Christian, R., & Baker, K. (2009). Effectiveness of nurse practitioners in nursing homes: A systematic review. JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, JBL 000254, 7(30), 1332-1351.

Lindman Port, C. (2004). Identifying changeable barriers to family involvement in the nursing home for cognitively impaired residents.

The Gerontologist, 44(6), 770-778.

Wagner, C., van der Wal, G., Groenewegen, P.P., & de Bakker, D.H. (2001). The effectiveness of quality systems in nursing homes: A review. Quality in Health Care, 10(4), 211-217.

Dr. Lord is a former president of the Maine Gerontological Society in the State of Maine, currently President and Professional Alzheimer’s Coach offering Alzheimer’s coaching and consulting with businesses at Remembering4You.com, and is a professor of Organizational Behavior at several universities. Dr. Lord has a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Her 10-year experience as a family caregiver originated with her husband who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in Jan. 2003. In that decade she has seen a daily influx of new Alzheimer’s cases. Dr. Lord realized there is an urgent need for a change in perspective with regards to providing individual and institutional care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s. She is married to Maj. Larry S. Potter, USAF retired, and lives in Mapleton, Maine. Dr. Lord is available for presentations, training, and Alzheimer’s coaching/consulting.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 31

Is A Home Care Company Right For You?

By Randy Walden Today’s seniors are living longer and are more active than at any other time in history. Many are spending time traveling, engaging in sports or other leisure activities and becoming involved in their communities. Some are even working at part-time jobs or have developed entirely new second careers. Most have no desire to relinquish their independence by moving into an assisted living facility prematurely. The truth is that it shouldn’t have to be that way. With the right home care for elderly service, seniors can remain living comfortably at home for decades after they retire from the work force.

You may be wondering what types of services are provided by home care companies. Home care professionals tailor a plan based on the individual needs of the specific clients. For instance, if your elderly parents have difficulties performing basic household cleaning chores, a home care worker can be scheduled to come in on a regular basis and clean as needed. Examples of household duties that a home care worker may have are vacuuming, sweeping and mopping, doing dishes, dusting, cleaning bathrooms and doing laundry. Meal preparation is also a common chore performed by home care workers.

Home care workers can also provide your parents with transportation to social events, shopping centers and medical appointments. Many seniors find that driving is difficult for them, so it is a great help to them to have someone available to d r i v e t h e m w h e r e t h e y n e e d t o g o .

Personal care and grooming are also performed by home care workers on an as-needed basis. For instance, if an elderly person needs help bathing, taking a shower, doing his or her hair or getting dressed, home care workers can help them with these things. They can also offer medication reminders and provide one of the most necessary components of anyone’s life: companionship. Many home care providers develop special bonds with their senior friends that last for years.

Basically, home care companies provide services that help elderly people live quality lives while remaining independent in their own homes. If you have questions about how we can serve you, feel free to contact us for a consultation at your convenience. Heartwarming Care (253) 460-1574 or www.heartwarmingcare.com

Randy Walden is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) for a leading home care company, Heartwarming Care and a Registered Cognitive Retention Counselor. He also co-founded the Senior Resource Alliance of Tacoma-Pierce County and has served on the Pierce County Memory Walk Committee, the Board of the Health Care Providers of Pierce County, and the Board of the Washington State Private Duty Association. Randy is the President for the University Place/Fircrest division of the TacomaPierce County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the chamber executive and finance committees.

In 2008 his company won the Spotlight On Business! Award by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

In 2012 his company was awarded "Best in Home Care" for the third year in a row. 2012 Randy was asked to join the Advisory Board for Cornerstone Financial Strategies a financial planning, securities and advisory services company in Tacoma, WA. Beginning October 2012 Randy will serve on the City of University Place Economic Development Commission.

32 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

The All-in-One Concept Home: Universal Design Living Laboratory, the National Demonstration Home & Garden

By Rosemarie Rosetti On June 13, 1998, our third wedding anniversary weekend, my husband, Mark Leder, and I went for a bicycle ride on a rural wooded bike trail in Granville, OH. After riding for a few minutes, Mark thought he heard a gunshot and slowed down to investigate.

As he scanned the scene he saw a large tree falling. He shouted, “Stop!” But the warning was too late. Instantly, I was crushed by a 3 ½ ton tree and paralyzed from the waist down.

Coming home from the hospital in a wheelchair in July 1998 after my spinal cord injury, I realized how my home intensified my disability. I was unable to roll on the carpet; fit through bathroom doorways; reach the clothes in my closet; access food in the pantry; reach glasses and dishes in the kitchen; take a shower or bath independently; do the laundry; use the oven or microwave; get food out of the freezer; access any of the landscape; come and go out of any door independently; and get to the second floor or basement. My husband and I knew that we had to sell our home and find something more suitable.

In September of 2004 we hired architect, Patrick Manley to draw the house plans for our new home. In January 2005, Mark and I were encouraged by our mastermind group to make our home a national demonstration home and garden and to acquire corporate sponsors.

We hired Robert August in October 2005 to help us with branding, marketing, and contacting international and national corporations to partner with us by contributing products and services.

He named our national demonstration home and garden the Universal Design Living Laboratory. (www.udll.com) After many years of research and hiring a design team, we contacted companies to contribute products and services.

Mark and I bought an acre and a half lot in December of 2006 and continued with the planning and design process. We broke ground on September 23, 2009. In addition to being accessible, universal design and green building construction principles were followed. On May 18, 2012 we moved into our new home located in Columbus, Ohio. There are currently 188 contributors.

Our home could not have been built without their support. Mark and I have personally funded the UDLL and served as the general contractors with Mark doing much of the work himself.

Independence As others plan to remodel or build a new home, they need to build in features that allow the occupants independence.

Empowerment is a primary objective of a universal design home. Accessibility, safety, convenience and usability features need to be top of mind in the design phase.

One example of a universal design feature is a no step entrance. Rolling into our new home is achievable independently

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 33

Selected Products Used at the Universal Design Living Laboratory

at any entrance. There are no steps except those leading to the basement. The low door thresh- Adhesives – Henkel www.henkelna.com/index.htm olds and wide doorways are espe- Art Glass Doors – ODL www.odl.com cially appreciated. There is an ele- Cabinetry – KraftMaid www.kraftmaid.com vator to the basement and loft.

The cabinetry in the UDLL was contributed by KraftMy favorite room is the kitchen Maid. We selected their Passport series because of and the independence it's design the 9” X 6” toekick. All cabinents were standard sizes and appliances offer. Visitors are and it was easy to have the kitchen cabinets made so most surprised when they see the side hinged oven in the center island. The microwave is located just there were multiple heights of countertops. Features left of the oven. This island has include: full extension drawers in the wall cabinets three countertop heights: 30 ½ and center island; large under counter drawers for inches, 34 ½ inches, 40 inches. dishes, pots and pans; pull out spice racks; pull out The countertop by the sink and pantry cabinet; floor to ceiling narrow pantry shelves; cooktop is 34 inches. The lowest pull out closest organizer for cleaning supplies/ section provides me access for products; rolling cart for food preparation and servfood preparation, as well as enjoy ing. a meal. Guests gravitate to the countertop height of their choice. Cellulose Insulation – Nu-Wool www.nuwool.com/ The convenience electrical outlets on the center island are useful Central Vacuum System – Vacuflo www.vacuflo.com/ when plugging in small appliances.

All light switches and electrical Closet Storage System – ClosetMaid outlets are reachable from a seated www.closetmaid.com position. More than 50 percent of Drywall – National Gypsum www.nationalgypsum.com the storage space is accessible from my wheelchair.

Elevator – Garaventa Lift www.garaventalift.com The cooktop and sink have plenty of knee space underneath. In addi- A Garaventa Lift,model Elvoron HR residential elevation to having three burners at the tor, 42” wide X 60” deep, three stop elevator with cooktop, there is an in-counter steamer/pasta automated clear acrylic accordion car gates; roped/ cooker. Water in this cooker can be drained by hydraulic drive. This elevator was sized to hold a perturning a knob, so there's no risk of getting son using a power wheelchair or scooter and boxes. scalded. Having the pot filler at the cooktop is It is quiet and has self closing car gates allowing total convenient when filling the steamer and pots.

There is a control panel at waist height for the independence to get from floor to floor. There is amventilation fan and light above the cooktop. The ple room to turn my manual wheelchair in a circle in dishwasher is raised 15 inches off the floor and the cab, as well as room for boxes that I transport easy to utilize. The side-by-side refrigerator/ with me. freezer has full extension adjustable height Hardwood Flooring – Mannington www.mannington.com shelves and drawers, reachable from a seated position.

Heating & Air Conditioning – Lennox www.lennox.com The 4 foot by 7 foot master shower is build for

Ironing Board System – Iron-a-Way www.ironaway.com 34 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Landscape Pavers – Reading Rock www.readingrock.com

Microwave, Ventilation Hood – Thermador www.thermador.com/ Oven, Cooktop, In-counter Steamer/Pasta Cooker – Gaggenau www.gaggenau.com/us/ Paint – Sherwin-Williams www.sherwin-williams.com Refrigerator & Dishwasher – KitchenAid www.kitchenaid.com Silestone Countertops – Cosentino www.cosentinousa.com Sinks, Toilets & Faucets – Kohler www.kohler.com All plumbing fixtures including: toilets, sinks, faucets, and the step free shower stall at the UDLL were contributed by Kohler. The toilets are Comfort height providing an easy transfer and using only about a gallon of water. The sinks are stylish and allow me access for my knees. The hand held shower nozzle is light weight, and conserves water , yet is powerful in delivering water where you need it. The Freewill barrier-free shower stall was complete with the fold down shower bench, hand held shower nozzle and grab bars.

Stains – Gemini Coatings www.gemini-coatings.com Tile Flooring – Florida Tile www.floridatile.com Washer and Dryer – Whirlpool www.whirlpool.com/ Windows & Patio Doors – Marvin Windows and Doors www.marvin.com

two. The adjustable height handheld shower nozzle that I use is on the wall to the left of my shower seat.

This seat is mounted on the wall and is adjustable in height. The opposite wall has a stationary shower nozzle for Mark. We each have grab bars for safety.

The heated tile floor is sloped allowing water to exit by way of the channel drain. The 42 inch wide doorway allows easy access for me in the wheelchair.

Doing laundry is no longer a frustrating experience as it was in our previous home. The wardrobe/laundry room is adjacent to the master bathroom. It contains a sink with knee space; pull out ironing board system; 34 ½ inch high center island with drawers and hampers; full length mirror; hanging rods; and shelves for shoe and clothes storage. The washer and dryer are front loading and are on pedestals for great access. There is plenty of room for me to navigate around the center island and appliances. Natural light comes into the room from the high windows on the east wall as well as the skylight. LED can lights are activated by a motion sensor and illuminate the room at night.

Our home has lots of windows to take advantage of passive solar heating. We selected casement windows because the cranks are easy to operate, and the locks are reachable from a seated position.

Better Health

The first noticeable improvement when I moved into our new home was the ease in navigating on the hardwood and tile floors. My shoulders were no longer strained as they had been on carpeting. I realized that my carpal tunnel syndrome pain and numbness in my hands was lessened.

The central vacuum system in the walls provides a much cleaner way to remove dirt from the floors. Dirt is sent through hoses in the walls into a canister in the garage. By not having carpet, there is a lot less dust in our home. I'm not sneezing and blowing my nose as often and my nose isn't stuffy at night. This could also be due to banning our cat from the bedroom by closing doors!

The air filtration system uses a MERV 16 air filter which removes airborne particles. The

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 35

clean air quality has also been preserved by not using paints, stains, and adhesives with volatile organic compounds that pollute the air.

With 3500 square feet in the home and access to the 2000 square foot landscape paver area, I have plenty of room to walk with my walker. This gives me the opportunity for more exercise and weight bearing as I stand. The frequency of leg spasms is directly related to how often I walk and stand. As a result, I don't need to take anti-spasm medicine and get a good night’s sleep.

My muscles, bones and joints benefit from walking and standing. I've noticed a big improvement in my health since moving into our home.

Privacy For the first time since my injury I can close the door in our home when I use the toilet. The 2 1/2 bathrooms were sized to accommodate wheelchairs with pocket doors, privacy panels and telescopic doors to ensure that the occupants have adequate space for any size wheelchair.

My husband and I each have a home office at opposite ends of the house.

Mark’s office was built with a sound damping drywall and recycled cellulose wall and ceiling insulation to keep his conversations private. Both of our offices have art glass doors to ensure a quieter day.

The home design considerations for me have not had a negative impact on Mark who is 6’4”. Our home is usable and inclusive to people of various sizes and abilities. That’s the beauty of universal design!

Doing the Impossible Takes a Lot More Time Mark and I approached this project with a passion and dedication that has been with us since the idea was initiated. We have learned to persevere in spite Click on these images to of adversity and setbacks. We have met get more information amazing people who have championed our about Rosemarie and her cause and helped us along the way. By puthome! ting a team of architects, designers, marketing experts, public relations specialists, law- The home picture below yers, manufacturer representatives, and construction managers together, we will take you to a photo learned the importance of pre-planning and getting advice from a variety of gallery. people. As we look back and see the immense challenges we faced and financial investment we made, we turn our attention to the project’s mission.

Our home serves as a catalyst for change in the building and design industry. We are hopeful that our home makes a significant positive difference in people’s lives and gives others hope.

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is an internationally known speaker, trainer, consultant, and author. To contact Rosemarie and learn about her speaking services, go to: www.RosemarieSpeaks.com To learn more about her national demonstration universal design home, the Universal Design Living Laboratory, go to: www.UDLL.com

36 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Will Your Current Home Meet Your Future Needs?

By Kim LaMantia You’re planning for your retirement; financial planning, estate planning, goals and dreams. Your home is a part of your financial portfolio. Is your current home going to meet your future needs?

There are things you can do now which will make your retirement years easier both financially and physically. Taking care of larger maintenance items now while you’re employed will save you from using limited retirement income. Plan for that roof replacement, replacing flooring, updating the bath and kitchen. Replace the roof with a 30 – 50 year product will most likely eliminate the cost of replacement in your 80’s or 90’s. Replacing flooring with hardwoods or laminates will keep your home looking great for many years while making it easier to clean. Update your kitchen and bath to allow better flow, increased safety and ease of getting around. Bathroom updates may include such items as shower safety bars, shower heads with attached cords, low step-ins for showers, and seating in the shower. Installing grip bars for the bathtub will increase safety and ease of getting in and out. Installing slip proof flooring products in the shower and bath reduces the risk of falling while bathing or entering/exiting the bath. As for remodeling the kitchen, removing walls to create an open concept between the kitchen and living area will improve walk ability.

Where is your laundry room? Downstairs? Upstairs? Perhaps remodeling an existing bath on the main floor to accommodate your washer and dryer or even designing a new laundry room on the main floor will go far in making your life easier. What does it take to maintain your yard? Will it be overwhelming or experience neglect in the future? Creating a lower maintenance yard will save you time and money now and in the future. Replacing grass with gravel and/or beauty bark will reduce maintenance time and costs associated with watering and products needed to feed and weed your lawn, keeping it gorgeous easily. The additional plus to addressing repairs and/or updating is that your home will retain its value and potentially increase more in the future. The current market trend is that home values are already increasing.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 37

As we move forward and bank owned properties and short sale properties are removed from the market, buyers will be looking for well maintained/updated homes and will be willing to pay top dollar for them.

Consider creating one level living by putting the master bedroom on the main floor. Keeping the upstairs or downstairs areas as guest rooms reduces the need for routine cleaning. Remodeling may be as easy as adding doors to the extra living room to create a bedroom. Creating a eat-in kitchen with as a smaller dining table and/or a sit down bar included in the kitchen island. By getting maximum use of the kitchen area, a master bedroom could be created in the larger dining area. Removing a wall between two smaller rooms on the main floor is an option for the master bedroom if you have bedrooms upstairs or downstairs for guests and family.

Is your current home going to meet your future needs? Perhaps you want to live closer to family and friends. Perhaps you’re planning on travelling or just need relief from all that yard work. Or, maybe, your home is too large to maintain in the future. In this scenario, purchasing another home is the answer. Purchasing before you leave the workforce will assist in qualifying for that new home, and with interest rates at all time lows, your mortgage payment will most likely be more affordable now and in the future. There are many options which include condominiums, new construction and 55+ communities. Homes like these have low maintenance or no maintenance yards, one level living, and some offer a master on the main floor. Additionally, repairs and/or updating are virtually eliminated if you’re buying a newly constructed home.

Maintaining home safety is a must. Check fire alarms to ensure they’re working property and keep extra batteries on hand for replacement. Install carbon monoxide detectors. They are very affordable and are required for resale. Are your exterior doors working properly? If they’re sticking or don’t shut easily; they need to be repaired. Additionally, adding door handles inside and out with the lever style will provide ease of opening and closing, particularly if you are susceptible to arthritis. Products such as security systems and medical alerts create security for you and your family.

Finally, declutter, declutter, declutter. I’m not suggesting getting rid of all those memorable items you cherish. Items that you very rarely use, large pots, hobby items or duplicate items, extra chairs, etc, can be disposed of. Give them to family and friends or donate to a non-profit organizations such as Goodwill or the Furniture Bank. Box up items that you’ve saved for family and store in dry, out-of-the way places so they are ready to go. Clear out closets of items that you’ll never use or wear. This will save you time, effort and create less stress for you should you decide to move.

Staying at home as long as possible is more affordable that other options. Moving in with family may not be an option, so remodeling or moving to a home that offers safety and reasonably low maintenance will enhance your future lifestyle. Making preparations now will enhance the quality of your life now and in the future.

Kim is a managing broker at Crescent Realty, Inc. She has been a senior residential specialist for 3 years. She enjoys helping people obtain their lifestyle now and for the future.

38 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

How to Avoid Financial Pitfalls When Your Encore Life Includes a New Spouse

By Stacy Willoughby Open and honest communication around money is important in any marriage, but when you choose to get married later in life, it’s absolutely critical. Encore-life marriages can be far more complex and wrought with financial complications not typically present with younger couples. More life experience has given you the opportunity to accumulate far more possessions, assets and debts along with ingrained beliefs about money. Combine that with a myriad of family members and real or perceived obligations held toward them and the puzzle gets even further involved. More and more, I counsel clients who met in their late fifties entering in to a second marriage for both of them. They are crazy in love and don’t know want to make the same mistakes the second time around that they may have made the first. They understand that conflicts over money are a leading cause of divorce today, and lying about money, often called “financial infidelity,” can destroy a relationship. But how can mistakes be best avoided?

To avoid financial pitfalls when you start your life with your new spouse, communication is key and it all begins with full disclosure. What does each of you bring to the marriage in terms of financial baggage? All assets and debts need to be disclosed and discussed. Many of us grow up believing that it’s not appropriate to talk about money, which can make this a difficult conversation for many couples. In addition to outlining the numbers, a good place to start is to get to know and understand the money personality type of your new spouse. Start slow but start someplace. You may have to sit down for bite-sized chunks over time to really put together the “big picture”. Understanding and acknowledging this money personality is essential. While the dollars and cents you bring to the partnership are certainly important, how you each view and manage money going forward will set the tone for either wedded bliss or potential misery.

To understand each other’s financial habits you’ll need to look to the past and share your money history with each other.

What part did money play in each of your lives? How was money earned and spent? Who controlled the money and decided how it was spent? Are you a binger or saver? Are you realist or an idealist? Or maybe your money personality lies

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 39

somewhere in between or in a category all it’s own. Understanding and respecting different decision-making processes and viewpoints on money will help you both make an informed plan together for your future and how you will manage your finances as a couple. Assuming that you’ll just work it out as you go along could prove disastrous as our experiences and beliefs about money forge emotional attachments that can be difficult to shake.

Once you understand what you each bring to the marriage in terms of finances and history you can begin to map out your financial future. As you grow as a couple, what must you let go of to harmoniously merge your finances (think stereotypes and hang ups as well as habits)? Talk about your priorities, hopes and dreams for your new life together.

Where do your priorities line up and where do compromises need to be made? As you merge your lives, you must openly talk about what is important to you and identify belongings and responsibilities that have special meaning to you and that you are note ready to part with, as these may not always be obvious. No assumptions.

Most of us learn the good and bad aspects of money over the course of our lives. New relationships later in life naturally bring with them more background and history, and greater emotional and financial baggage. Because schools generally don’t teach about money and personal finance, we acquire our financial habits and beliefs from our experiences. Those experiences forge our emotional attachments to money, making financial conversations with a partner especially thorny.

However, they don’t have to be so difficult. The key is to start the conversation before important financial decisions need to be made. A new marriage later in life can truly be a wonderful experience. But being madly in love won’t overcome all obstacles, particularly those surrounding money. You need to be prepared for possible pitfalls along the way and by identifying obstacles and brainstorming possible ways to overcome them ahead of time, you can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation scrambling to fix issues later.

Despite the challenges and complexities an encore-life marriage can present, a new partnership can be magical. Careful planning with open and honest communication can help solidify this relationship and set you on a path to a powerful future together. Don’t wait – grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit down in some comfy chairs, and start the conversation today.

Stacy Willoughby is the author of “What's Yours is Mine — When a Realist Marries an Idealist.” Being a romantic at heart and an eternal optimist, Stacy believes that everything is possible. When you and your spouse bring the best of yourselves to your marriage, the victories you can achieve are powerful. Knowing that you have this person in your life that you trust completely and receive unfailing support from, and who knows the secret dreams of your heart, is a potent feeling.

Stacy has worked in the financial services industry since 2001 and remains a hopeless romantic. She is passionate about helping couples, especially newlyweds; start off on the right foot financially. “When I became a financial advisor, I was a newlywed myself,” explains Stacy.

“I found myself naturally drawn to working with couples. I was captivated with how couples worked out their money issues, or how they didn’t. My husband is a union carpenter and has been in that line of work for over thirty years. This was his second marriage and I found myself as the step-mother to a teenage boy. Over the years, I have found that my stories are similar to the stories of other couples and that is what inspired me to write “What’s Yours is Mine–When a Realist marries an Idealist. ” Combining the author’s background in finance with her own story and lessons learned are what set this book apart from other books related to personal finance. A Seattle native, she lives in Bothell, Washington, with her husband, Rick, and his cat, Sophie. To learn more about Stacy, please visit www.stacywilloughby.com.

40 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Is It Really An Emergency?

By Tami Kapule When is an emergency NOT an emergency? How would you know the difference? For years, citizens have been able to access emergency services by dialing 9-1-1. However, what seems to be an emergency to one person, can be something very different to someone else. What would you define as an emergency?

More and more, fire departments across the nation are struggling to do more with less. Shrinking budgets, traffic congestion, significant population growth, an aging community with complex medical needs – all these issues and more have a direct impact on your fire departments ability to respond in your time of need. And more and more, community members have learned to call 9-1-1 for a variety of issues, many of which could be considered a nonemergency. Often times, those who call 9-1-1 for non-emergent issues, tend to call on a more frequent, or repeat basis.

So what's the problem? Given the current 9-1-1 dispatch system, regardless of the type of call (emergent or non-emergent) when you dial 9-1-1, you will get the same response. Either a 2 person aid car, or a 3 person fire engine with a 5 to 7 minute response time. Whether it is a heart attack, or a stubbed toe.

Now, for someone suffering a heart attack that would be the appropriate response, and additional resources would be added to that call type as additional information becomes available. But, is that the appropriate level of care for a less urgent, or “non-emergent” situation? Given our current 9-1-1 and emergency response system that's the only option available.

The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority has been working hard to address the ever increasing number of repeat, non-emergent requests for service. The Fire Department Community Assistance Referral and Education Services, or FDCARES program, is a non-emergency medical resource at your local fire department. The program began at Kent Fire back in July of 2010 and continues to evolve and grow to better meet the needs of our community. Whether advocating for the most vulnerable in our community; assisting those at risk for falls; working with those who have chronic mental health or medical conditions that are not being properly managed – the possibilities are endless.

Many of our referrals are a direct result of a 9-1-1 response. If while on location, fire crews feel that a citizen could benefit from additional assistance or just a follow up, a referral is generated.

More and more of our citizens are learning about our program and self referring long before they ever have a need to call 9-1-1.

With early identification, and the proper intervention, we have the potential to improve the health outcomes of the citizens we serve.

Once a referral is received, FDCARES staff will work one on one with the resident in need to identify the underlying issues that Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 41

caused them to call 9-1-1 in the first place, and connect them to resources that are better able to address their situation and assist with their long term needs. Often times citizens are not aware of the resources that may be available to them, and it is not until the situation rises to the level of an actual emergency, and they end up in the hospital, that they finally learn of resources, or get connected to services. Unfortunately by that time, for many it may be to late. Our goal is to provide our citizens the proper level of care, at the right time; to increase their safety, prevent injuries; and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Early indications have shown that the FDCARES program is an invaluable resource to members in our community.

Kent Fire has been working hard to promote their efforts throughout King County and across the state. They are also working with state legislators to increase awareness, reduce restrictions and encourage all other fire agencies to offer this level of service.

If you would like more information or are interested in assistance, please visit the website www.fdcares.com, or call 253-856CARE (2273).

FDCARES, it's more than a program, it's our mission. “Professionally and Compassionately Helping People”

Be sure to watch this video about FDCares!

Mitch Snyder is a Battalion Chief, and is the current Emergency Medical Service Officer with the Kent Fire Department. He is the supervisor for the FDCARES program, and has been instrumental in furthering the development of the program. He has been with Kent Fire since 1985.

Tami Kapule is the Incident Prevention Coordinator for Kent Fire’s FDCARES program. She worked in health care in Occupational Therapy prior to coming to Kent Fire. She has been with the department since 2001.

42 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

Senior Housing admits “Aging In Place” is the FIRST CHOICE It’s sure nice to see the senior housing industry admitting what we REALLY WANT.

By Aaron Murphy 8 trends shaping today’s senior housing is a great article covering what’s happening in our industry related to senior housing. BUT, let’s take a look at the math in this scenario shall we?

From the article: “With more than 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day, the demographics are smiling on the senior housing market segment. Although the overwhelming majority of boomers will continue to live in their own (or someone else’s) home or apartment, 5-8% of them will ultimately opt for seniors-only multifamily housing, according to David Schless, President of the American Seniors Housing Association (www.seniorshousing.org). Americans born between

1946 and 1964 number 76 million, so that small minority adds up to as many as six million boomers needing generation-specific housing. To clarify, ASHA classifies senior housing—residential settings with a minimum age requirement, usually age 55—in five categories: senior apartments, independent living (IL), assisted living (AL), nursing care (NC), and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).”

So in this article, they are stating that the “leftover” percentage is 92% at a MINIMUM! Okay, good. So your multi-billion dollar senior housing facilities industry is chasing the 5-8%, we’ll take care of the rest then! OUR “Aging In Place” market is the other 92-95% totaling 69,920,000 – 72,200,000 (yes that is MILLIONS of people) that want to AGE IN PLACE, in their OWN HOME! We agree, we have a lot of people to educate and show exactly HOW they can do just that. And why not share the “how to”, it’s filling the request of the client, right?

Of the “8 Things” they speak to for “facility design” (where we don’t want to go), they do share a couple of points that matter to our clients. So let’s address the two points most critical to our own discussion.

3. Enable seniors to age in place.

5. Integrate seniors into the larger community.

Today’s seniors / Baby Boomers have a definite mindset about what they want in retirement. That much is clear. They are not the “grandparents” of the Great Depression Era (that’s their own parents) who would make decisions on what’s best for the whole and the group. They are figuring out right now though (the boomers about their own parents) the challenges of caring for their folks and resolution options for their own folks’ housing situations. As a result and their personality in general for the decades they grew up in, this new era of the mature market know what they want, how they want it, when they want it, and how they want to be treated and taken care of along the way as consumers (who, by the way, make up the demographic with the most purchasing power and income-capable influence in our nation over the next 20-30 years)… We’re here to help meet those wants and needs for each individual client, and the nation in general via our online education and resources, speaking engagements, radio show, etc.

#3 – Enable seniors to age in place.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 43

Again quoting the article, “In general, today’s seniors want to stay in their own homes or apartments for as long as possible. “It used to be that people retired at 65, and you would live independently as long as possible, and then go to a nursing home,” says Guszkowski. With people living longer, there is a gray period that could last decades when seniors can live semi-independently.”

Amen to that! Did you know that in the last 100 years we have added with medical advancement 30 YEARS to our lifespan and longevity? That is more longevity increase that we’ve been able to create than in the previous 5,000 years! Did you know that between 1950 and 2040 the 80+ age group will have increased from 0.5% of our population to 5%? That’s a 10x (TEN-FOLD) increase in the U.S. population for that 80+ year old demographic that will mostly occur from 2010-2040 in the next 3 decades! (Stats are similar in other developed countries around the world as well.)

Okay, so it’s clear there is a need and a market for “Aging In Place”, we’ve established that solidly already, right? Good, let’s move on. I want to address the term above “semi-independently” for a moment. We agree that “a little help can go a long way” to staying independent in your own home. If you are curious about the financial comparison of staying home vs. moving to assisted living type facilities, we’ve written a white paper for the financial planning and retirement asset management industry. It’s titled “There’s $500,000 hiding in your home”. Ask your “trusted adviser” if they knows about the paper or the statistics comparing how doing significant remodeling to your home to help you stay there, AND having those changes in place in your home IN ADVANCE of an accident or acute injury can add SEVEN YEARS to your LIFE on average, and SAVE your SAVINGS account to the tune of $500,000 or more! That calculation INCLUDES 20 hours per week of “in home care” by a professional, which can easily add another decade of independence in your own home. Your financial adviser, if they’re really a “trusted adviser” (that’s what we call them, right?) should know about this, and us. It’s in your best interest that they do!

#5 – Integrate seniors into the larger community.

From the article, “One way senior housing developers are weaving seniors into their surrounding communities is to open up the amenities within senior housing developments to the general public… that create opportunities for residents to meet and mingle with their neighbors from the surrounding community.”

We just wrote a blog on this topic, and how as an architect we can be a part the solution. It’s titled “Design Solutions for Aging in Place – BIG PICTURE“. In this post we share ideas on how we can re-vitalize the Commercial side of the building industry while also meeting the needs of the demographic we are serving, bringing together all generations of our society to benefit the larger good of all sectors and age groups for social interaction, happiness, and increased longevity.

Here’s an excerpt…

What if the EMPTY Big Box Store can become a Senior Community Center or Mature Market Apartments, and the asphalt jungle out front can become a walking park and more of a NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) as the overall development. Talk about a WIN/WIN! It’s near health care, on the bus line, has walking alternatives to restaurants, shopping, etc. and it would KICK START the RE-VITALIZATION of the building industry in a down economy! (all this takes is some pro-active rezoning by the jurisdictions that should be tired of the lack of tax revenue from empty buildings and failed businesses in the last 4-5 years – they should be interested in that, right?) Envision the vacant gas station as a Senior and Youth Center!? Imagine the empty K-mart store as a boutique retail multi-tenant storefront, and a mixed use building now, with independent living apartments 44 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

above? Sounds a lot better than the sagging canopy and dirty CMU building that’s been vacant for the last 4 years, right? YES, and I agree. It takes vision, passion, and caring about our communities. We at EtMM and ADM Architecture have that.

On the housing and residential side, 2/3 of “Baby Boomer” suburbia homes are now without children (67% of suburbia is an “empty nester” society & neighborhood now), and it will soon be 3/4 (75%). So we (and a large percentage of your next 2-3 home buyers) aren’t going to need 3,000 square feet and 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, etc.

But they WILL need a Master Bedroom on the main floor, single level living, wider halls and doors, Universal Design amenities, and Aging In Place design modifications to the existing homes that we do have all around the country. Universal Design just works better for everyone, and good design disappears in its functionality, it doesn’t stand out and it isn’t ugly or institutional feeling. Oh, and did I mention that you can save $500,000 making those fixes? Yes, I know I did…

This brings me to one of their other “8 points” that is worth sharing as well.

8. Look into the Greenhouse Project model.

From the Article, “The Greenhouse Project, a model of assisted senior living featuring small, shared dwellings with a high level of care, is growing in popularity. Groups of 10 to 12 seniors share kitchen, dining, and common areas but have their own bedrooms and bathrooms. “Residents are taken care of like they’re a big family,” It’s an age-in-place strategy that balances independence with just enough support for seniors to be able to stay where they are as they become frailer with age, rather than having to enter a traditional nursing home.”

For thousands of years our societies and cultures have designed communities that take care of each other and live “communally” – hence the term “It takes a VILLAGE”. This is true and required yet again. It will take a village to solve the housing problems in the decades ahead, and it will take a village for us all to take care of each other and our families. This is a TEAM effort both from a professional view and a personal one.

So clearly, if the multi-billion dollar senior housing industry is taking care of the 5-8% of Baby Boomers and their needs for “facility solutions’, we can take care of the other 92-95% that WANT TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOME, right!? I think we can! We plan to do just that, One client at a time, one educational speaking engagement for awareness at a time, one client-driven design solution at a time. With the goal, just as our motto / tag line states, “Dramatically improving our clients ability to live a longer and happier life at home.”

Aaron Murphy, CAPS is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience and has worked on both commercial and residential projects. He is a part of many associations and civic groups in Kitsap County, WA. He speaks widely on the subjects of “Aging in Place” and “Empowering the Mature Market.”

You can contact Aaron at the following: (Click on the images to be linked to his sites)

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 45

Life Lessons Learned Skiing

By Stephanie Owens I'm a very novice skier. I never skied as a kid, and didn't try it for the first time until I was about 20. Back then, I enjoyed the speedy, wind in my hair element of it, but didn't enjoy the vulnerability of attempting something that didn't come easily to me. Skiing required relinquishing control and trusting others to pick me up when I fell - two things I'd never been very good at. Since my first experience skiing triggered some pretty uncomfortable psychological shortcomings, I wasn't eager to try it again. However, when our kids took lessons, I decided I would set a good example and get back out there too.

Gradually my skiing improved. Ironically, I found my progress was more of a psychological exercise than a physical one. Skiing taught me so many FANTASTIC lessons! Perhaps the most profound, was the breakthrough I experienced when I finally mastered getting off the chair lift successfully. Prior to this landmark moment, I'd always responded to getting off the chair lift with stubborn insistence to do what I thought was best.

As soon as my skis hit the snow, I'd stand straight up in an effort to gain balance. This seemed logical given my life-long experience of successfully walking around. However, skiing requires a different solution. Gravity and all the accompanying laws of physics dictate that what works with walking, does not work for skiing. However, I tried to deny these laws by insisting upon doing it my way.

That all changed one sunny winter day. Our daughter, Rachel, and I headed over to our favorite ski run. The lift holds 4 people, so in an effort to speed up the line, we rode up the slope with another single rider. Our companion was a woman in her sixties with youthful, wise, sparkling eyes. As we were riding up, I shared with Rachel the pep talk I was giving myself about how this was going to be THE groundbreaking day I finally got off the 46 | Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

chairlift without falling. The wise woman next to me said, "The trick is to lean forward, even if it feels like you shouldn't. Just trust and lean forward." As I thanked her, we exchanged a knowing glance. I think we both realized this advice was meant for more than just skiing. These sage words are a great philosophy for life.

As we reached the top of the run, my wise companion wished me luck. However I barely heard her because I was so focused on the task at hand. As I got off the chairlift, I literally repeated over and over out loud, "Trust and lean forward...trust and lean forward." I forced myself to keep my upper body forward, even as everything Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d known up to that point told me to stand up. And what do you know...it worked! By trusting and leaning forward I successfully exited the chairlift without falling for the first time!

By trusting myself (and the laws of physics,) I forced myself to work against old habits and adopt new ones. I had to trust that something different might work, without having yet experienced it. It was a leap of faith. Leaning forward puts trust into action. It's easy to look into the past and let old stuff determine what you believe is possible for the future. Rather than looking over your shoulder and remain haunted by your past, lean forward.

Stick your neck out. Point your focus and momentum in the direction of what you truly want, NOT when you're running away from. Lean forward toward a new, more optimistic future.

Lessons learned skiing apply so perfectly to life too. Just as with skiing, there are invisible forces at work in life too. Faith. Trust. The Law of Attraction. Confidence. Divine intervention. No matter what you call them and whether or not you acknowledge them, they are at work all around you. You can stubbornly deny and work against them, like I did, and continue to fall when you get off your metaphorical chair lift. Or, you can work in harmony with them and allow them to simplify and accelerate your pursuit of happiness.

Remember these lessons learned from skiing to find peace, joy and happiness, even in times of uncertainty: 1. What worked in the past may not work now. Rather than stubbornly cling to old ways, try something new.

2. Be willing to listen for sage advice from unexpected sources and fellow travelers along the way.

3. Move in harmony with, not resistance to, the invisible forces at work in your life.

4. Trust and lean forward.

Your Assignment: Trust and Lean Forward into life. You'll be amazed by the miracles that start to show up!

For more information, visit www.pleaseaholics.com/theprocrastinationcure or contact Stephanie at Stephanie@Pleaseaholics.com Stephanie Owens is a coach, speaker and trainer. She teaches her clients how to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be to create a life they fall in love with.

She coaches purpose-driven, high-performance people to achieve not only success but deep personal satisfaction. A small business owner for over a decade, Stephanie blends her experience in the business world with a Masters in Counseling.

Whether coaching privately with clients or speaking to groups, Stephanie teaches participants how to stop fear from sabotaging success and unlock their full potential.

Stephanie is an author of a book entitled Be A No Pro: How to Say No, Set Better Boundaries and Reclaim Your Joy. Stephanie lives a peaceful happy life with her husband and two wonderful children.

Click on the website image to be directed to her site.

Encore Life Š | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 47

Highlights Of A European Tour

By Jean Graves Description My friend, Billie, and I took a 16-day tour with Grand European Tours to Britain and Ireland in September 2012. We flew from New York to Edinburgh, then traveled in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and back to England. We flew home from London to Vancouver, B.C., before setting foot back in the U.S. There were 26 of us from all over the U.S. Almost all 26 were compatible people, and we soon figured out whom we liked the best. Our Scottish tour guide, John, was exceptionally informative and helpful. He and our bus driver from England would playfully bicker about politics and sports rivalries.

Highlights (In my estimation)

1. Edinburgh with its sandstone buildings.

2. St. Andrews, Scotland, with its famous link golf courses.

Here it was windy and wild, but rich in history.

3. The Trossachs & Stirling Castle in Scotland.

4. Chester, England, a medieval town with ancient town walls and half-timbered houses.

5. Lunch in a Welsh castle. Wales has beautiful, green, rolling hills, not unlike England and Ireland, but I specifically loved the scenery on the way to the castle.

Crossing the Irish Sea to Dublin. The ferry was old and the water was rough.

7. Book of Kells at Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. This Book is a four volume, handwritten, Latin transcript of the four gospels, created in 800 A.D. 8. The City of Dublin. Walking, shopping, and having lunch at O’Shea’s on Temple Bar Street with new friend, Carol.

8. Breathtaking vistas of the Clare Coast of Ireland from the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. I hiked and climbed at this location.

9. The Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive from County Clare to Killarney.

10. Kissed the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, outside of Cork. (Well, almost did.)

11. Marine Pub on the southeast coast of Ireland where John bought us Irish coffee, and we were entertained by a handsome Irishman singing and playing his guitar.

12. Crossing St. George’s Channel back to Wales. This ferry was new, large, and comfortable.

13. Bristol, England where we saw William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. It was raining hard here.

48 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

14. City of Bath with ancient Roman baths.

They are well preserved and displayed.

15. Stonehenge, an incredible, mysterious, prehistoric site of monuments.

The City of London. Had a bus tour of London and saw the Queen’s Guard approaching Buckingham Palace. Stayed at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel near Victoria Station. Visited the British Museum. (Five of us took a cab to this famous, old museum.) London is fantastic.

Eating and Other Pastimes Because I am a “foodie,” it was such fun to try new foods. On the first evening, we were introduced to haggis, Scotland’s National dish. It consists of the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep or a calf minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings boiled in the stomach of the animal. It was not my favorite food, although Queen Victoria liked it very well.

At the Scottish dinner & cabaret in Edinburgh, we again had “haggis.” We saw a show which included bagpipe playing and dancing the Highland Fling. At the Welsh castle, we ate lamb with mint sauce, a delightful dish. Many of the 26 did not eat their lamb, a choice that was difficult for me to understand.

In Dublin we had another dinner and cabaret with delicious, traditional Irish fare. We were entertained by folk musicians and “Riverdance” style dancers. Our lunch in Dublin consisted of ale and Irish stew. The stew is traditionally a typical peasant dish of lamb and potatoes. I loved it.

A typical English breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns and half a tomato. Potatoes are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had very few fresh vegetables, but an abundance of bread and biscuits. The coffee was not Starbucks, although Starbucks is common place in the cities.

My shopping was limited except for buying souvenirs, but I did purchase an Anderson Klan tartan in Scotland. (Anderson is my maiden name.)

Conclusion We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I would return to any of these countries to further explore and learn more of their history, geography, and culture.

Jean Graves is a former public school teacher with a lot of interests, one of which is traveling.

Since retiring in 1998, she has traveled extensively. Some of her trips have been skiing or bicycling tours or trips with friends, but the majority have been with tour companies.

Jean was born in Minnesota and moved with her family to Seattle in 1948. Since 1972 she has resided in University Place. Currently, she stays physically active and volunteers many hours per week in the community.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 49

Encore Careers This is the third installment of our new column for business owners, entrepreneurs & job seekers.

Developing the Leader In Tom

By Mel West

During the last installment, I covered a discussion a colleague and I regularly have about “Sally,” an employee we often see in the companies we work with in our consulting practices. This time around, I would like to continue our discussion with another employee I will call “Tom.” Similar to Sally, Tom has probably been with the company for some time, but he displayed great technical expertise, an excellent work ethic, and a willingness to get things done. As the owner admires his strengths he brings to the company, he or she might even recognize many similarities between Tom and him or herself. This is most likely the reason Tom was promoted to a management role in the company.

I can already hear you asking, “How can this be a bad thing?” Many times, when we see this type of challenge, it usually plays out in a couple of different scenarios. Let’s see if you can recognize this in your company.

The first is the new manager, Tom who feels the need to show he know everything and assert his new authority by establishing himself as the boss. He feels internal pressure to ensure his team succeeds and to prove himself to you, which leads to him micromanaging his team.

The second is the new manager, Tom who takes a more passive friend approach. He doesn’t know how to set boundaries with the employees who were once his peers and ignores the people problems until they become bigger than they should.

In both cases, Tom usually takes on too much as he learns to balance his old role with this role now filled more phone calls, e-mails, and meetings, leaving much less time for production. While given a management title, this is really more about leadership and the ability to provide guidance or direction in a way to allow the organization meet established goals.

Tom has to acquire new skills and knowledge, but must also undergo some difficult personal changes by learning to see himself and his work a little differently. In a transition with a plan and support to help Tom go from individual contributor to this new management role, it can take 12 to 18 months for him to feel comfortable in this new role.

Often this is where the challenge begins for many companies. There is no plan or support for Tom and he doesn’t develop the good skills needed to be successful.

While there is no magic pill, it is important to establish a structured development plan that will ensure Tom has the infor-

50 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

mation and support he needs. This will set expectations upfront and make sure that priorities are clear and understood by all parties. Many times, a business owner will tell me that they have discussed their expectations with Tom, but when I talk with Tom, I get this blank look. This is less about the job description, but more about what will help him be successful in this new role.

Next, make sure that you schedule time for ongoing coaching and mentoring. This is critical to Tom’s transition and the support will help him overcome barriers and create and environment of growth. If this isn’t a strong skill set of yours, identify outside training resources or hire a coach to help guide you both through the process.

Last but not least, be patient! Tom is a far better challenge to have and I believe Vince Lombardi sums it up best.

“Leaders aren't born - they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.

And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”

Mel West is President of West Business Concepts, Inc., a performance-consulting firm in Tacoma, WA. He has a passion for helping people succeed both in their personal and professional lives. He relates his work to being in the logistics business, where he helps his clients identify and achieve success, so they can go from where they are to where they want to be. It was through his passion and work, where the TacomaPierce County Chamber of Commerce recognized West Business Concepts with the Veteran-Owned Business Award during the 2012 Spotlight! On Business Awards.

Mel brings over 20 years of management experience with leadership roles in the financial services industry, manufacturing, and the military that includes operations, marketing, sales, finance, human resources, compliance, and quality management. His insight provides a unique perspective and expertise to help companies increase their revenues, improve their profitability, and strategically lead their organizations more effectively through his hand on approach to coaching and consulting. Mel was the co-host of the BizTech Talk radio show focusing on business and technology trends.

An advocate for Credit Unions and the members they serve, Mel provides Credit Union consulting services as a CU Breakthrough Consultant with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and with his company, West Business Concepts. Mel’s Credit Union experience includes roles as the Sr. Loan Trainer and District Manager at Boeing Employees Credit Union ($7 Billion), Vice President of Operation and Compliance Officer at Woodstone Credit Union ($94 Million), and Executive Vice President and Compliance Officer at American Lake Credit Union ($45 Million).

A Past President of the Pierce County Chapter of Credit Unions, he was honored with the 2009 Credit Union Professional of the Year Award. He also holds his Credit Union Compliance Expert (CUCE) designation and is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School.

He earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from St. Martin’s University and his Bachelors of Science Degree (BS) in Workforce, Education, and Development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Mel is a U.S Navy Submarine Veteran. He has also been recognized with several other career distinctions and certifications.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 51

A Moving Story

By Sue McGuire Article Four: Jane and Tom Store Belongings Even though Jane and Tom had carefully chosen the furniture they wanted to take to their new apartment and had given their children special items, there was still a lot left in their house.

There were boxes of letters, postcards, and photos albums. One granddaughter loved genealogy, but she had small children, lived in a small apartment, and had no time or room to house the memorabilia. The china cabinet held the extra set of china none of their children wanted, and although they knew their niece would enjoy using it, she was working abroad. And what about Aunt Carrie’s teacup set? The basement also held boxes belonging to their deceased Aunt June. And then there were unlabeled boxes, dusty with browned tape, that no one in the family claimed.

In the midst of planning for their move, Jane and Tom discovered that these stored items outnumbered the items they used everyday. Reluctantly, they decided to rent a storage unit to house the boxes until they were settled in their new apartment and could devote attention to each box.

In preparing Jane and Tom’s belongings for storage, Cheryl, the move management company project manager, made sure the packing crew didn’t store candles, fireworks, fire extinguishers, or food, since summer heat, humidity and low winter temperatures could damage or make these stored items unsafe. For Jane and Tom’s fine furniture and valuable artwork, Cheryl suggested a storage facility with temperature and humidity control. To protect the boxes from moisture, the movers spread a tarpaulin on the floor. They also used paper pads to protect the furniture.

Cheryl explained to Jane and Tom that a key to packing for storage was to use standard moving boxes that could be stacked. Storage units often are higher than they are wide, offering room up high for lightweight boxes. The

52 | Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com

packing crew affixed large stick-on labels to clearly identify the contents of each box.

The crew packed stored items Jane and Tom would need periodically in boxes of manageable size that either one of them could easily carry to their apartment. Their boxed summer clothes, suitcases, and Christmas decorations were loaded last into the unit so they would be easy to retrieve. In the back of the unit, the crew loaded the dish packs of china for the niece who would not need them for a long time.

Jane and Tom discovered that professional movers were masters at loading storage units, using every available inch. However, when the time came to find a specific box, it might be tricky to unload a tightly packed unit. So Jane and Tom rented a large unit, and the movers stacked the boxes along the walls. That way Jane and Tom could easily scan each box’s label to find what they needed.

With this task done, Jane and Tom could focus on the next step in their move—covered in our next issue’s article—packing their precious belongings so they could be safely moved from their old home to their new one.

Sue McGuire heads up the South Sound office of Segue. She has lived and worked in the Tacoma area for 35 years. She has a Masters

degree in planning and over 30 years experience providing business management, marketing, and project management services to private and public clients. Sue has run her own consulting business, managed a private-non-profit social service agency, and was marketing director for the Tacoma office of a national engineering firm. Click on the website icon for more information.

Encore Life © | Spring 2013 | encorelifemag.com | 53

Don’t Miss Our Next Issue— Summer 2013 !

In The Next Issue… 

Summer Entertaining



Encore Careers



Staycation or Vacation?



Nutrition For Adults Only



And Much More!

Get Your Free Subscription Today! Click Here For Details!