Scottsdale Summer 2010 by Josh Cates

PLUS:

Take Control of KNEE Pain SNOWBIRDS

or Locals

Fill Your Buckets for Retirement Income Complimentary Issue

We Take Your Health to Heart

Surprisingly, heart disease is the #1 killer of women, claiming more than a half million lives per year. Many women dismiss their symptoms of heart attack or they put off seeing their doctor for routine exams. These delays can be devastating and life threatening. At Scottsdale Healthcare we offer personalized evaluations with a cardiac nurse practitioner to assess your risk for heart attack and stroke. We offer flexible appointment times and locations to work with your schedule. Heart disease can be prevented. To schedule your Heart Health Assessment, call (480) 323-3663. www.shc.org/heart

Osborn Medical Center | Shea Medical Center | Thompson Peak Hospital Patients are referred to Primary Care Physicians or Cardiologists for management of clinical findings.

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Scottsdale

Summer 2010

Notes from the AssociAte Publisher

s I make my rounds restocking the magazine racks where you can pick up your copy of Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine, or calling on the various businesses and services whose ads and articles you see on these pages, I can’t help but remember how many of these streets and areas have changed over the years. For instance, when McCormick Ranch Golf Club opened its first 18 holes in 1973, it became the host course for our own Sun Devil Invitational. Today’s Sun Devil golfers have their own golf course, clubhouse and private practice facility. In 1974 I was All-American in golf at Arizona State University and my golf team buddies and I could drive from campus to Carefree in 30 minutes, all the way on Scottsdale Road. When we could, we’d have breakfast at Hobo Joes and lunch at Mag’s Ham Bun and we took our dates to Bobby McGee’s. Oh, and Fashion Square was an outdoor mall. After college, I lived for a while in my parent’s winter townhome at Rio Verde. There was no road then to Fountain Hills which was thought of as being “way out of town”. Today, people in Scottsdale go to Fountain Hills when they are looking for something interesting and a little more relaxed pace. What was the business center of Scottsdale is now the thriving cultural area called Old Town Two of our advertisers—Messenger and Scottsdale Healthcare—were around then too, having been established respectively in 1959 and 1962. Each has grown in order to continually meet the needs of the community where now corporate and private jets fly in and out of Scottsdale’s own airport. Today Scottsdale offers everything from the finest golf courses and resorts in America to the best senior living amenities and medical care in the world. Perhaps you have your own memories of Scottsdale. My e-mail and phone number are below, right under my signature. I’d be pleased to hear from you with your memories or any other comments or suggestions you may have regarding Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine.

Keyword: Your SENIOR Magazine

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

SR publicity page TEMPLATE.indd 2

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS sam & spring Houston, texoma, denton & collin, tX Gary Jacobson, scottsdale, aZ Greg peace, louisiana FEATURES WRITER/COPY EDITOR Helen V Hutchings GRAPHIC DESIGNERS sally sue dunn michael reising DISTRIBUTION Jenn steinke, colorado carrie Gandy, texas & oklahoma ADVERTISING/SALES Josh cates, all markets Josh@yourseniormagazine.com sam & spring Houston, texoma, denton & collin, tX sam@yourseniormagazine.com spring@yourseniormagazine.com 972-853-7700 Gary Jacobson, scottsdale, aZ Gary@yourseniormagazine.com 602-741-5413 Greg peace, louisiana Greg@yourseniormagazine.com 985-966-7777 SENIOR MAGAZINE, INC president & ceo, Josh cates Vice president & cFo, Bob cates SUBSCRIPTIONS/INQUIRIES senior magazine p.o. Box 64108 colorado springs, colorado 80962 www.yourseniormagazine.com toll-free phone 877-785-4815

Gary Jacobson Associate Publisher Gary@YourSENIORmagazine.com 602-741-5413

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Josh cates

All advertisements in this Magazine are placed by third-parties. [We] do not control or endorse such advertisements or their content. Further [We] do not manufacture, sell, distribute or provide any of the goods or services advertised herein (unless otherwise expressly stated herin). [We] hereby expressly disclaim any liability with respect to the information contained in such advertisements and any goods or services advertised herein. [We] further disclaim any and all warranties or respresentations, express or implied, with respect to such information and such goods and services, including any warranty of merchantability or ﬁtness for a particular purpose (it being understood that [We] do not acknowledge that any such warranty exists). [We] are not liable or responsible for any loss, injury, damage, or harm that you may suffer as a result of the information contained in any advertisement or the goods or services advertised herin. [We] refers to the name of the Magazine, SENIOR Magazine Inc. 6/16/10 9:03:45 AM

s. ne e ler r d r cr y ee

CONTENTS Cover & this photo by Tom Strongman

6 PBS’ Jim Lehrer: Busman, Raconteur, Newsman

HeALTH & LIFeSTyLe

Living Trust Mills ................................ 13

Hiring a Caregiver ............................... 21

Fill your buckets for retirement income.. 17

Snowbird or Local............................... 24

Can We Talk? ..................................... 23

Dehydration, a Serious Concern ............. 9

Fill Your Buckets for Retirement Income

real estate Investments ...................... 32

reTIreMenT LIVInG

Have you Seen your Dentist Lately?...... 15

I Prefer to Stay Home, Thank you......... 11

About PlanetDrugsDirect ..................... 25

Advantages of Finding a Wonderful new Home .......... 34

Take Control of Knee Pain.................... 26

PLAnnInG AHeAD

Memories of Food............................... 19

MeDICAL & DenTAL

Summer 2010

Memories of Food

Finding a Wonderful New Home

Don’t Let Feet, Ankles Slow you Down.. 27 nutrition and Pain .............................. 31

Advertiser’s Index All at Home Healthcare ....................Back Cover Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists..................29 Arizona Orthopaedic ....................................27 Arizona Pain Specialists................................30 At Home Personal Care ................................10 B&H Becker & House...................................12

Fountain View Village............. Inside Back Cover Grace Hospice.............................................22 Grand Canyon Planning Assoc. .....................16 Homesmart.................................................32 Lachot & Loo, Drs........................................14 Lyman Knee Clinic.......................................26

MD Home Health ........................................20 Messinger Mortuaries...................................18 PlanetDrugsDirect........................................25 Scottsdale Healthcare ............ Inside Front Cover Senior Helpers...............................................8 The Manor Village..........................................3

ON THE COVER:

By: Helen V Hutchings

Jim Lehrer, Busman, Raconteur – and Newsman Jim’s most recent novel is titled Super and set on the Union Pacific’s fabled Super Chief. Although neither of the trains on the mural behind Jim is the Super Chief, this photo was shot by Tom Strongman, who also shot the photo on the cover, in the restored Union Station depot in Kansas City, Missouri.

You’d be happy too to find yourself alive and in good health five years after a heart attack, and happier yet to have acquired a dream as has Jim Lehrer, shown here in 1989 grinning happily from the doorway of his very own 1946 Flxible bus.

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

its name once more during 1995-96 season when Robert MacNeil retired. Since then that calm visage and voice are seen and heard on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer televised by PBS stations everywhere. Today Jim’s official title is Executive Editor and Anchor. Behind that calm exterior, James Charles Lehrer is a man of passions. For certain he is passionate about and for his wife Kate with whom, along with their three daughters and six grandchildren, he celebrated their Golden Anniversary earlier this year. Lehrer also takes great pleasure in story-telling and he’s got lots of stories inside of him to share with us in addition to the twenty-two—yes 22—books he has written that have been published to date; two memoirs, 20 novels, plus three plays—and more books are, as they say, “in the pipeline and coming”. Plus he’s passionate about buses! Again, yes, you read right—buses. He owns a 23-passenger 1946 Flxible Clipper, but this bus Photo courtesy PBS NewsHour.

ou hear his voice most weeknights calmly reporting events or describing issues in the day’s news. Perhaps you watched him moderate the presidential debates. Maybe you’re among those who have been listening to him from the very earliest days in 1975 when he joined PBS’s The Robert MacNeil Report as the Washington correspondent, or the following year as the program expanded, renamed The MacNeil-Lehrer Report and went national. In 1983 it became the MacNeil/ Lehrer NewsHour, eventually changing

goes beyond the vehicle for Jim Lehrer avidly collects all manner of bus memorabilia. There’s one additional facet to Jim Lehrer that is important to him, with implications important to us all for Jim’s a heart attack survivor. And there are lessons from his experience worth us knowing about and understanding too. So read on and get to know award-winning journalist, newsman, broadcaster Jim Lehrer, off-microphone and out from in front of the camera. As you may have discerned from the slightly elongated, soft vowels and unhurried cadence of his speech, Jim’s youth and early working years were spent in Kansas, then Texas. He sums up part of his youth by quoting his two-year-older brother Fred who today is a man of the cloth, “As kids, when we believed, we believed diesel fuel.” This is a reference to their dad’s—really the entire family’s—very intense year and a day owning/operating the Kansas Central Lines, a bus transportation company along its daily 150 mile rural route. Though short-lived, running the business and driving the routes really did involve the entire family each and every day as both father Fred and mother Lois drove, often accompanied by 12 year-old Freddy and 10 year-old Jim. When the venture went sour, father Fred took a succession of jobs that moved the family to various parts of Texas, finally settling in San Antonio. Jim earned his AA degree from Victoria College in Texas, then went on to obtain his bachelor’s from the School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. No sooner had he tossed one cap in the air than he donned another, following a tradition set by his dad and brother. Actually Lehrer had joined the Marine Corps and been “indoctrinated” during a 12-week boot camp between his junior and senior years. After earning the diploma, it was back to Quantico fulltime in Officer Candidate School. Jim’s assessment of that period of his life has as much relevancy today as then, “the best thing being a Marine did for me was make it unnecessary for me ever to have to prove my masculinity to myself or to anyone else. It was as if I had gone through a ritual to manhood, such as Indian tribes and others once practiced.” Prior to his official separation date, Jim had written what he calls “I-want-to-be-a-reporter-letters” to four news organizations. The Dallas Morning News liked what they read so Jim returned to Texas as a night rewrite man. He worked for this paper and subsequently its evening counterpart Times Herald from 1959 to 1969. If you recall your history that meant he was

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in Dallas when JFK was assassinated and, yes, he covered it and its aftermath. In 1970 the Dallas public television station hired Lehrer. And you can see the handwriting now, right? Less than two years later in May 1972, Jim and Kate, and their by then family of three daughters, moved to Washington DC with Jim named as “coordinator”, a newly created position. In spite of, or because of, his adventures as a coordinator, it was the stepping stone along the path that would lead to MacNeil-Lehrer. Meantime there was that itch to write that simply had to be scratched. Jim makes it quite clear that writing—good writing—was (and is) important to most serious journalists. As he describes it, “That was about all we talked about at the Dallas Morning News and Times Herald. We wanted our stories and articles to be well-written. And each of us seemed to be working on a novel of our own, or some other creative writing project.” Jim’s first novel Viva Max found a publisher in 1966 but, even better, a young, energetic guy named Mark Carliner put together a deal that ended up with Viva Max the book becoming Viva Max the movie. For Jim and Kate it was every writer’s dream come true. Consider, Jim’s annual salary in 1966 was $11,000. Selling the movie rights to Viva Max netted him the equivalent of four years salary ($50,000 less the agent’s 10% commission). I’ve read all but a half-dozen of Lehrer’s 20 books including both of his memoirs, a 1990 article he wrote for Smithsonian magazine about those who he is “just delighted to be one of Them, one of the possessed who cannot keep from collecting”, and the foreword he penned to Howard Suttle’s engaging book Behind the Wheel that relates Suttle’s 28-year career as a Greyhound driver between Joplin and Kingman along Route 66. As a reader (and listener) I couldn’t help but form an impression, an idea of who I thought the man Jim Lehrer might be, what he might be like as a person should I ever meet him one-on-one. Happily when that chance meeting took place, I was not disappointed. He is engaged and engaging. His sharp mind and dry, but easy, sense of humor meant I found myself sad as our conversation came to an end. Life changing as Viva Max had been, 1983 brought Jim an even greater life experience scant months after he’d celebratPhoto courtesy PBS NewsHour.

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See LEHRER page 28 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

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adult Home care

Dehydration A Serious Concern

By: Graham Chapman n a sunny, hot Arizona summer day in 2009, 72-yearold Ben Chatman decided it would be nice to spend an afternoon out on the lake with a few friends and family. Like thousands do every day, Ben kicked back, relaxed and enjoyed the wind in his face as the boat set sail, everyone laughing and enjoying a great time. It all seemed like a great idea with the perfect conditions that mild summer day— calm water, clear blue sky, and the steady blow of a cool breeze that made the early Arizona summer heat bearable. Anchored off of a prime spot they had visited many times before, Chatman was laughing, cavorting, having a blast—then, all of the sudden, disaster struck. Mid-conversation, he started to feel a little uneasy and he reached for a seat. Before his friends and family knew what had happened, he slumped to the boat’s floor, eyes closed, everybody surrounding him with concern. Luckily for Chatman, there was a dock close by and his sister had dialed for emergency medical help. By the time his brother-in-law steered the boat to shore, a medical team was on-site and ready to help. After checking the symptoms, Ben awoke disoriented and the medics quickly deduced that he was severely dehydrated. They hooked him up to an IV and rushed him to a hospital. Dehydration is the cause of countless stories just like Chatman’s every Arizona summer, especially among the elderly. With a nearly ever-present combination of the hot summer sun and a steady breeze, it’s absolutely vital that seniors make a concerted effort to stay cool, covered, and properly hydrated with plenty to drink. Even though dehydration is a condition that usually requires minimal medical treatment, the effects can be lasting and severe. “I never really thought about dehy-

dration as a health concern, but I cer- the Mayo Foundation for Medical Edutainly do now,” said Chatman. “That day cation and Research found that seniors on the boat, I was running on very little are far more likely to experience dehysleep and that morning I simply didn’t dration than younger people. The report remember to drink enough before we shows the average adult loses more than left the house, or while we were outside. ten cups of water per day and that thirst All I had that day was a couple cups of isn’t always a reliable gauge of the body’s coffee in the morning and some toast, need for water, especially in older adults and as the EMS staff told me on the way who have less acute senses. to the hospital, that’s a recipe for disasThe clinic also posted a list of some ter, especially for someone my age.” possible complications of dehydration, Locally around Scottsdale, Senior which include, but are not limited to; Helpers, the nation’s fastest growing pro- heat injury, swelling of the brain (cevider of in-home senior care, has pledged rebral edema), seizures, hypovolemic to help seniors avoid unnecessary cases of shock, kidney failure, coma and death dehydration, which unfortunately con- (in very severe cases). tinue to make headlines every year. Most “I never knew dehydration could times, dehydration can be largely avoid- lead to such serious things,” Chatman ed by simply paying attention to simple said, resting comfortably and reflecting dietary measures and looking out “I never really thought about dehydration as a for early warning signs like dizziness, health concern, but I certainly do now,” said Chatman. blurred visions, or simply feeling hot. “Seniors are bombarded with lists of things they can do to decrease their risk of other health issues like heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s, but dehydration is on his experience on the boat. “It’s tera very common, very serious danger rifying to think that something as simfor thousands of local people that ple as one day of undernourishment is all too often ignored,” said Shaun could have killed me. Thank goodness Phelan, owner of Senior Helpers of there are groups like Senior Helpers Scottsdale. “Seniors are especially sus- spreading the word on the real dangers ceptible to dehydration because they of dehydration to older Americans like don’t drink or eat as much as younger me. I wouldn’t wish that experience on people. Compounding the problem is anyone, and it’s something that can the fact that seniors are sick far more certainly be avoided.” often. Seniors typically take in less water over the course of the day and lose Graham Chapman is a freelance it from their bodies more quickly. This journalist. Shaun Phelan and Senior is a dangerous combination.” Helpers of Scottsdale may be reached at To Phelan’s point, a recent study by 480-621-6672 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

“Serving Seniors and Their Families for over 10 Years” Founded on the notion that majority of seniors would rather “age in place” in their own home, At Home Personal Care provides affordable solutions through qualified caregivers to allow them to do just that…stay at home! Surrounded by familiar surroundings, seniors receive personal one-on-one attention and experience a better quality of life through home care services.

We are here to help with: • Assistance with all Activities of Daily aily Living • Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care • Stroke Support • Parkinson’s Support • Post-surgical Assistance • Respite Care • Hospice Support • Transportation • Companionship • Hourly or 24 Live-in • VA Aid & Attendance Processing • Accepting all Long Term Care Policies To sign up for our monthly e-newsletter or download one of our educational brochures, please visit www.athomeprc.com today! Serving Maricopa County: Call 480-497-4347 to schedule your free in-home, no obligation assessment or email us your questions at info@athomeprc.com Voted one of Arizona’s Top Ten “Best Home Health Agencies” for 2010!

adult Home care

I Prefer to Th ank You Stay Home,

By: Randy Swartwood y Mother is an octogenarian. As a matter of fact, she states her age in half year increments just like we did as kids. So she says she’s 86 and a half. She’s proud of her age and considers it an accomplishment each and every year that she adds another candle to her birthday cake. Comedian George Burns probably optimized this proudof-my-age attitude when, at age 90 and still working, he instructed his agent to book him at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for his 100th Birthday! Back to my Mom—she lives alone now, still in Southern California in the home where she raised all nine of us kids. Fortunately, she is still independent and can work in her garden, feed and care for her three dogs, watch TV, read, prepare her “...one own meals, and all the rest. AARP I recently asked her the survey question that all kids dread asking their elderly parent… found this ”Mom, where would you like number to live in the event you can no to be longer live independently?” greater Her response was quick and than 80% to the point, “I prefer to stay of those home, thank you,” and the polled.” discussion was closed. Most American seniors desire to stay in their homes for their entire life. Not surprisingly, one AARP survey found this number to be greater than 80% of those polled. The concept is known as Aging in Place and has led to the rise of in-home care companies like ours, At Home Personal Care. As our ad on the opposite page indicates, we employ caregivers (nurses and aids) who, in turn, provide help to seniors in their own homes. Often time the difference between a person being able to remain home and independent versus moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home is simply having an aid visit a few times per week. Nursing homes play a vital role in long term care; howev-

er, a certain amount of control is lost when one leaves home. Surveys conclude that the loss of independence is the most often cited fear that people have for their latter years. Control over our lives is one of the foundations to our sense of dignity and quality of life. My Mother would say that her independence at home has contributed positively to her longevity. Available in-home services include both non-skilled (bathing, dressing, meal prep, errands, transportation, housekeeping, laundry, and more) and skilled assistance (wound care, IV’s, injections, checking of vital signs, and the like). Along with permitting seniors to stay in their homes longer is the fact that that in-home services can be obtained at a fraction of the cost of living in a nursing home. Services are priced on an hourly basis from as little as a one hour visit to around-the-clock care and companionship. And services can typically begin within 24 hours of the initial assessment. No long term contract is required. After a free initial assessment a care plan is customized to the individual and the caregiver is introduced prior to the start of services. Much effort is made to ensure that there is client and caregiver compatibility with the senior ultimately deciding whether and when the chemistry is right. Leaving familiar surroundings, the community where one is comfortable, with all the many memories that are there, is a challenge at any age. Fortunately for seniors like my mom—who Prefer to Stay at Home, Thank you—with the help of companies like ours, many will do just that. Randy Swartwood, MBA is the President and Owner of At Home Personal Care and a Certiﬁed Senior Advisor. For more information on services provided, please call AHPC of Arizona at 480-497-4347 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

ATTORNEYS AT LAW A Professional Limited Liability Company

JOHN R. BECKER, ESQ. Certified Tax Law Specialist Certified Estate and Trust Law Specialist Fellow, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel PRACTiCE AREAS • Estate and Trust Administration • Estate Planning • Probate • Guardianships • Conservatorships • Elder Law

KiERLAND CORPORATE CENTER 7047 East Greenway Parkway Suite 370 Scottsdale, Arizona 85254 Telephone: 480.240.4020 Facsimile: 480.240.4021 E-mail: john@beckerandhouse.com Website: www.beckerandhouse.com 12 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

attorneys

Living Trust Mills Can Be Financial Traps

By: John R Becker recently received a series of postcards inviting me to an “Elder Law Update”. They strongly suggested that I needed to have a living trust. In addition to the seminar, I was invited to stay for a free lunch. Often times these solicitations come from what I call “trust mills”. These companies are referred to that way because they turn out a high volume of cookie-cutter living trusts. Sometimes they charge clients for the living trusts, other times they offer the living trust for free, however as an unwitting consumer will soon find out, low cost or free estate planning documents are not really free. The most serious problem with trust mills is their ultimate objective which is to obtain an individual’s financial information so that its sales personnel can sell annuities and related investments and all too frequently to elderly or otherwise and vulnerable adults. Some of the sales agents for these operations misrepresent the disadvantages of a senior’s current investments and the advantages of the investments they are selling. They may even make a senior believe his or her bank accounts are not as safe as the annuities or investments they are offering to sell to their potential customer. To lend themselves a cloak of legitimacy, these sales agents purport to be experts at living trusts. In their solicitations, they present themselves as expert financial or estate planners using titles such as “trust advisor”, a “senior estate planner”, or even “paralegal” and offer to schedule initial appointments with seniors in their homes. As they gather information to set up or update a living trust, these sales agents

are finding out about the seniors’ financial assets and investments. They sometimes work in assisted living centers, churches and other places where seniors gather. While some are legitimate others are engaged in scamming elderly victims through free seminars and other sales presentations. Planning an estate and choosing investments involve important legal, financial, and personal decisions. If financial planning documents are not properly prepared or executed, they can be invalid and cause lasting harm.

Some tips to help consumers avoid becoming victims of trust mills and their scams include: · Sales agents at trust mills are usually not attorneys nor are they experts in estate planning; · Watch out for companies (and individuals) that sell living trusts together with annuities and other investments; · Sales agents may fail to disclose possible adverse tax consequences or early withdrawal penalties that may be incurred when transferring stocks, bonds, certificates of deposits or other investments to annuities; · An annuity is not 100% safe and only a portion is guaranteed by the state; · Insurance companies can and do fail and their assets may not be enough to pay the full value of the consumer’s investments; · So called “promissory notes” are not insured by the FDIC or other governmental agencies and may be very risky. They may not be registered as securities with the State of Arizona; · Before consumers buy an annuity or other investment, they should review

it with people who know trust law, such as their financial or tax advisor, their attorney and trusted family members; and · An attorney qualified in estate planning can help consumers decide if they need a living trust and other estate planning documents or help them review an existing trust or will. John R Becker is a Certiﬁed Estate and Trust Law Specialist with Becker & House PLLC and may be reached at 480240-4020

Some steps that you should take before you sign papers to create a will, living trust, or any other estate planning document include: • Consult with an Arizona-licensed estate planning attorney or ﬁnancial advisor, preferably one recommended to you by a trusted friend or family member, or contact the State Bar of Arizona and ask for a referral of a certiﬁed specialist. • Beware of high pressure sales tactics. Take time to consider your options. • If you decide to obtain a living trust, make sure it is properly funded. That is, that the property has been transferred from your name to the trust. Unless your assets are retitled in the name of the living trust, they may very well be subject to probate proceedings upon your death.

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

dentists

Have You Seen

your Dentist Lately?

Courtesy Doctors Lachot & Loo, DDS he importance of regular three to six month visits to your dentist cannot be underestimated. Older patients are very susceptible to caries and periodontal disease. Caries is decay of the tooth structure that results from bacterial acid production. This bacterium resides in the dental plaque and bio-film that is on and in between teeth. Contributing factors include inadequate oral hygiene, salivary gland dysfunction causing dry mouth, infrequent dental exams and cleanings, and insufficient use of fluoride containing products. Many people find that as they get older, they begin to have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene. This is especially true if they are afflicted with arthritis. Arthritis can impair the ability to properly clean teeth with a manual toothbrush. Thankfully there are electric tooth brushes available such as those made by Sonicare or Oral B. The use of these types of brushes offer the user up to 70% more effective brushing than with the old manual technique. Floss aids such as floss holders, super floss, toothpicks, or flexible plastic inter-dental picks also can aide in the removal of inter-dental plaque. Failure to adequately remove bacterial plaque from teeth will lead to increased incidental decay and periodontal disease. The use of antimicrobial and anti-plaque rinses can also be effective in fighting bacterium. As the population ages, there is an increased incidence in medical prescriptions given. With most drugs there are positive effects and, unfortunately, negative side effects. One of the most com-

mon negative side effects is xerostomia, which is a drying of the mouth from reduced saliva production. With inadequate saliva production, there is a failure to buffer the acids present in the mouth that are produced by the bacterial plaque bio-film. This failure leads to enamel and dentinal breakdown or decay. Xerostomia can also lead to difficulty in swallowing, eating and speaking, and oral fungal infections. Some of the most common drugs that cause xerostomia are antihistamines, antihypertensives, antidepressants, analgesics, tranquilizers and diuretics. Although prescription and over the counter drugs are the most common cause of xerostomia, medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also contributors. Due to the above problems that are associated with lack of proper hygiene and complications with medication that will lead to recurrent decay and dry mouth, frequent visits with the dentist and dental hygienist is highly recommended. This allows for proper monitoring and prevention which may possibly include necessary x-rays or radiographs to check all teeth. A dental laser called a Diagnodent can assist dentists in diagnosing early decayed areas. These regular exams are important in detecting other problems in early stages, such as oral cancers. More than one-half of oral cancer cases occur in people over 65 years of age and the median 5-year survival rate is only about 50 percent. Oral cancers are typically asymptomatic and go unchecked until they become large or ulcerate enough

to be seen or noticed. The main sign is a red or white ulceration in the mouth, throat or on the lips.that does not heal. Obviously early detection by a dentist is the key to have a good prognosis and maximal quality of life. When left untreated dental caries or cavities become extensive leading to structural tooth loss that impairs chewing, swallowing and speaking. These results can also lead to nutritional deficiencies by limiting the patient’s ability to eat and limiting their dietary selection. Depending on how extensive and how deep the tooth loss is, treatment can vary from a single composite filling, porcelain onlay, crown, root canal therapy, or extraction. New technologies such as CEREC one-visit metal-free bonded crowns can provide many advantages especially when enough tooth loss necessitates an onlay or crown treatment. CEREC’s Cad-Cam technology allows a crown to be made by a computer and milled out of a pure block of ceramic porcelain while the patient waits. Since the crown is made in one visit, it saves the patient a lot of time and eliminates potential discomfort that wearing a temporary crown often causes. Your dentist is in practice to assist you in the prevention of tooth decay, periodontal disease and screening for oral cancers. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms schedule a visit with your dentist today. The full-service dentistry of Doctors Bruce J Lachot, DDS and Kent C Loo, DDS are available by calling 480-515-1000 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Finance & Insurance

Fill Up Your Buckets for a Stream of Retirement Income

By: John Dombroski, Jr. f you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times: when it comes to retirement planning, diversification is key. Everyone knows how important it is to build up a healthy nest egg—but if you put all your eggs in one basket, you are putting your financial well-being at risk. Look at it this way: if you throw all of your funds in one investment or market sector, what happens if that sector takes a nosedive? Your retirement savings will go down the tubes right along with it. However, if you spread your investment funds across a variety of different assets, you can greatly decrease your risk. So, how can you possibly protect yourself from financial depletion and still save up funds for a comfortable and happy retirement? Simple. It’s time to fill up your buckets! The art of bucket planning As Americans are living increasingly longer lives, one of the greatest risks today’s retirees face is the possibility of outliving their income. That’s why some financial advisors recommend that retirees adopt what’s called “bucket planning.” Bucket planning is the act of spreading money across various pools of income to plan for a lifetime stream of income. This strategy is growing in popularity in the retirement planning field, and as a matter of fact, approximately 52% of financial advisors recommend the bucket planning method to their clients, according to Gallant Distribution Consulting. Collect your buckets There are a few different bucket planning methods. Some financial advisors recommend three buckets while others say you should fill up four. However, the most basic bucket planning strategy includes the following three pails: Bucket #1: This bucket holds low-risk investments, such as short-term Treasury bonds and government securities. This pool provides a stream of income for the first five to seven years of your retirement.

Bucket #2: This pail should be filled with intermediate assets that can include annuities* which can be structured in a wide array of details and benefits offering guaranteed income for the life of the contract. This bucket will provide income for years 8 through 15 of your retirement. Bucket #3: This is the bucket for long-term investments, with the goal of providing a stream of income in your later years. Another version of bucket planning includes investing in three or four different fixed or fixed indexed annuities* for each bucket; each again which has a unique set of terms and benefits with the insurance company guaranteeing both earnings and principal.** In either strategy, each bucket represents a different stage in your retirement. The primary objective of your first two or three buckets is to create an annual income stream during your first 15 years of retirement. With proper planning, when those 15 years are up, the last bucket will still hold enough funds to be used as income throughout the remainder your lifetime. Because you have a bucket of income set up for each phase of your retirement, your planning should leave you with consistent cash flow. An endless stream of income Bucket planning has gained popularity because of its potential to create an endless stream of income that you potentially won’t outlive. If you set up your buckets properly, you won’t lose money, you’ll always be accumulating money and you’ll always have an adequate stream of income. That means you’ll live a comfortable retirement without having to worry about outliving your assets. In other words, if you fill up your buckets properly, you won’t run out of money before you—well—kick the bucket. *With Annuities, surrender charges may apply and if not held to maturity, surrender changes could lead to a loss of principal and, if taken prior to age 59 1⁄2, may be further subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty **Guarantees and payment of lifetime income are contingent on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

SUMMER 2010

Scottsdale,

Arizona

MESSINGER MORTUARIES, CEMETERIES & CREMATORIES

s t n e v E mmer’s

Memorial Day Our Fallen Heroes

RIAL GARDENS O M E M E S I D A R PA y nd Cremator Mausoleum a

“. . . going home, going home, I’m just going home. . . . . . . . “ Dvorak’s New World Symphony Th e L a z y Da ys of su mmer . . . . .

ake us to thoughts of vacations, family gatherings, picnics and remembrances of other kinds. We come together, we celebrate, we enjoy good times, good food and fond memories.

Here’s to the hazy, lazy days of summer.

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Messinger Indian School Mortuary 7601 E. Indian School Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Telephone: (480) 945-9521 Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary 12065 N. Saguaro Boulevard Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 Telephone: (480) 837-5588 Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Telephone: (480) 502-3378 Messinger Payson Funeral Home 302 W. Aero Drive Payson, AZ 85547 Telephone: (928) 474-2800 Paradise Memorial Gardens 9300 E. Shea Boulevard Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Telephone: (480) 860-2300

Originally a day of solemnity, a day of respect and remembrance for those who have served their country and died doing so. We honor them on the last Monday of May.

Flag Day To Honor Our Nation’s Flag There is no better symbol of our country’s values and traditions than the Flag of the United States of America. On June 14th, our ﬂag’s proud stripes and stars are honored.

Independence Day To Honor Our Nation and the Liberty for Which It Stands On July 4th we celebrate the fact that we are a free nation. We pay tribute to our Declaration of Independence and commemorate the birthday of the United States.

Labor Day To Honor Working Men and Women Each year the end of summer is signiﬁed by the celebration of the Labor Day holiday in recognition and honor of all working men and women. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law in 1894 making the ﬁrst Monday of September a national holiday.

Funeral planninG

Memories

of Food

Just Cremation . . . why choice is important

by Jim Vickers, Vickers Agency, Director of Advanced Planning, Messinger Mortuaries, Inc.

consideration for your financial circumstances whether it CREMATION: CHOICE AND REMEMBRANCE be cremation or a traditional funeral. Just this past year, my wife and I were faced with another major decision regarding our house—it was time to paint Cremation is an ancient and honorable way of disposing often made the interior. This meant looking around for the best “Farm families of our dead. It does exactlykraut, what it isadded supposed to do—it painter who offered affordable pricing and quality work, works. meat and that was our dinner staple during but also one who would guarantee everything could be done just the way we wanted. After getting Recently, the simple act of cremation has been tarnished by the long, cold winters.” recommendations from friends, we decided to use the reducing it merely to a low cost way to dispose of our services of a local painter, whom we felt met all of our dead. We can pick up a newspaper at any time and read needs. What we received in the end more than met our an ad that invites us to take advantage of the “best deal in requirements: superb work done with premium paint by a town.” Reducing this time honored tradition to mere economics is to strip it of its dignified meaning. The By: Paul Messingertrustworthy craftsman at a fair and acceptable price. To our relief, the job was done without engaging in a “cheapest” doesfrozen not guarantee lasting and ’ve always loved to eat. I My wife Cora and I have always creamchoice was kept in the soda foun“bidding war,” compromise on inferior product, concern cherished memories. Simple is not to be confused with don’t eat large quantities, associated Cornish pasties with the tain. I did enjoy plenty of ice cream and the job would not be completed on time, or surprise us cheap. Simple means the buyer wants something dignified, but I savor specificcosts” tasteswhenGreat Highway near chocolate sodas in both as wellcustoms. as with “hidden the job was done. He the told beach us up on the appropriate and in keeping withplaces, their family and aromas associated with west side of San Francisco. Th at’s where the musty smell of old time drug ingrefront what to expect and that is exactly what we got, and Often one person’s definition of simple may not match the food. A more, particular smell I attended thedetails. College dientsof like camphor and alcohol. because he can paid attention to small Thatof Mortuary perception another. evoke sweet memories forthe me. When Ibetween Science first year of marThese days the smells and tastes meant difference justduring paintingour a few rooms cost providers prosper by using a “lossand giving us an interiorriage. with exceptional style. As a result get a whiff of a particular food aroma, On Sunday nights, we lovedIntomy experience, that Coralow and I experience and enjoy leader” approach—a scaled down version of the cremation of this me satisfying experience, we recommended this young the smell often reminds of anothgo out for Cornish pasties. The nights at home are more varied than in days service. This is done without advising the buyer of additional mantime to others, in turn recommended him windy. to their Dining on gone by. We no longer er place and another in mywho life. were cold and often grow signing our own needs associated with it. Buyer beware before on the dotted friends. Right now, in this troubled economy, our painter Food smells usually bring me good those great tasting, right-out-of-thefood, but later buythat products from around line only to discover hidden items can carry more costs. has a full calendar. He is pleased with his increasing memories, along with an occasional oven Cornish pasties imprinted their the world from stores like Basha’s. One in the Always insist that full disclosure for all charges, be stated business and we are pleased to recommend his services. contract, whether the need is immediate This may not so good one. aroma on our memories. day we have a US steak. Thore future. next day How does this all relate to cremation and its options? apply to items such as a special urn, additional death certificates, For instance, when I smell sauerMany years later, we visited a small could be fish from Australia. Cora feeds Simple. The methods used in finding the best funeral or extras beyond the single act of cremation. kraut, I think of northern Michigan fishing village in Cornwall, England. me a variety of foods fit for royalty. To establishment all the It same. reliable sources, when I was very young. Farmersare there wasSeek coldout and windy. Our traveling this day, I continue to savor smells Effective advertising uses persuasive language to selland the product. get references from family and friends, then sit down with favored growing cabbage because of companions ordered (what else?) Cortastes, building fond, new memories. Ads are meant to induce the buyer into making a decision that a funeral professional of your choice. This may take some its short growing season. Farm faminish pasties. Th e cold immediately may not be in their best interest. It is easy to be misled by effort in locating the right funeral home for your needs. advertising. Paul Ask questions. Seek advice. Make your based lies often made kraut, and transported and implement me back to fond Messinger was reared ondecision a Youadded want ameat funeral provider who will Cora listen and upon your family’s needs, customs and circumstances. that was our dinner staple during the memories of the Great Highway. Th e dairy farm. He is a former Scottsdale your desires, not sell you what they feel is “right” for you. long, cold winters.Present your vision and expectations. pasties in Cornwall and smelled city councilman (1971-76), state legExam thetasted services The decision to cremate should be approached and products they consistent with your The smell of chicken frying available. also re- Are as good as we remembered. islator (1979-85) and honored thoughtfully. As you consider your own plans,oral insist that needs? Picture in this setting. Is this minds me of my boyhood farmyour days.loved oneNon-food smells canhow also remind historian devoted maintaining your choices will always be to honored and yourand loved one’s your final In thefavorite end, theplaces right and foods. final be treated what your When you are in you the imagine egg business as farewell? me of other I wishes promoting the with city’srespect. history.No Hematter and his based not onlyremember on affordability, but of alsomy ensures preference, decision should reflect your quality of we were, your babydecision chicksisare almost the smell grandfather’s wife your Corafinal founded Messinger Mortuarthat your choices are going to be honored. Planning at this life. After it is anand investment your cherished all pullets. But there are always a few drug store in Fulton, Indiana. Bill Buties all, in 1959 can be in reached at 480time is emotionally burdensome. It must be treated with memories. roosters that mustsensitivity. be eaten the ler’sthat Scottsdale drug can storebein the 1940s 860-2300 or 480-945-9521 or by visThebyexpectation wise decisions farmers’ families. Each spring we ate reminded me of grandfather’s www.messingermortuaries.com About iting our painter? He is always available and so are we. made at the time of death is often open to debate. Thatstore. is Both lots of chicken as the roosters grew to drug stores always made me think of ice exactly why it is important to know that your funeral Messinger Mortuaries, Inc. supper size. The restprovider of the understands year we ate thatcream. Neither store actually smelled every family is different, is Family Owned and Operated willing to plan a remembrance is as of unique as the the non-laying chickens. like icethat cream, course, because the ice Since 1959 individual, and provide a dignified farewell with Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010 19

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Home HealtH & Hospice

Hiring a Caregiver Directly to Save Money

Understand the Risks and Costs Beforehand

By: Dave Hildebrandt recent study revealed that the cost of full time non-medical home care will average $45,000 per year in the state of Arizona (based on 44 hours of care per week). Given this, some families will try to economize by hiring caregivers directly rather than through an agency. Sadly too often the result becomes a classic example of the phrase “penny wise, pound foolish”. Thus, before taking this step, it is important that the consumer or family be aware of all the risks and costs associated with directly hiring their caregivers. There are basically two areas that a family must address in the direct hire of a caregiver. One is the caregiver’s personal background and clinical skills. The other is the administrative costs of taxes and insurance. First, consider what is involved in conducting a background verification of a caregiver. Once you have identified a potential candidate—in and of itself not always easy as you will need to conduct interviews—you will need to run a criminal background check, credit and DMV check, verify citizenship, verify their automobile insurance and the list of references. Also, if they are licensed (CNA or RN/ LPN), you will want to know if the license is current, in good standing, and if there has ever been any disciplinary action taken against them. Finally, you will want to be sure they have no communicable diseases, specifically TB, have taken First Aid, and have a current CPR training certification. Should all of the background verification go smoothly, you will then need to be able to determine the actual com-

petency of the caregiver, especially if you are requiring special skills that will be needed to provide the care. Are you qualified to do this? Do you really want to use your loved one to test that competency? Then suppose your direct-hired caregiver is sick, wants a day off, gets injured or simply doesn’t show for work. Will you be prepared with a list of qualified and trained alternate caregivers who can and will report on a moment’s notice? The other area of consideration in hiring directly is taxes and insurance. The IRS states that individual employers

“When considering all of the costs and risks associated with the hiring a competent caregiver, it becomes obvious that directly hiring may not be the most prudent route to follow.” are liable for Social Security and unemployment taxes on the wages paid to a direct hire. If you are considered to have “willfully” failed to withhold these taxes, you will be liable for not only the taxes but interest on the amount of underpayment and civil fines of up to $100,000 as well as possible criminal penalties. And relevant to insurance: What if the caregiver is injured on the job? Back strains and falls are very common with home care. Will your homeowner’s policy cover it, and if so, will the policy limits be sufficient? What if the caregiver causes your loved one

a serious, life-threatening or fatal injury? Will they have malpractice insurance that will compensate you for the costs? Finally, if the caregiver should break or steal any personal property, will they have a bond to reimburse you for the replacement? All of these concerns are very real. Each can cost a family a considerable amount of money and possibly, should the worst occur, their lifetime savings. But most importantly, the safety and welfare of the loved one may be at risk unless you can ensure that all these steps are followed before allowing a privately hired caregiver into the home. Sure, the costs and time commitment of performing all these steps is probably more than you ever imagined, but do you really want to cut corners when dealing with the health care of your love one? When considering all of the costs and risks associated with the hiring a competent caregiver, it becomes obvious that directly hiring may not be the most prudent route to follow. But what is the alternative to direct hire? Hiring a reputable, experienced agency to provide the caregivers you need is the answer. The agency is then responsible for all the costs and risks associated with hiring, training, taxes and insurance. You are then able to give 100% of your attention and support to your loved one with the goal of them getting better or, at the very least, reaching maximum comfort. Dave Hildebrandt is the Executive Director of MD Home Health/MD Home Assist, a state licensed and a Medicare-certiﬁed agency. Learn more by calling 602-266-9971 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Home Health & Hospice

Can We Talk?

Courtesy Grace Hospice e all know that, like taxes, death is tivity and family. As we age we learn about retirement and unavoidable. The truth is, life itself contentment. Then we start to die. Here we must learn is a terminal experience—the mo- how to exit life by getting things in order; rememberment we are born the death process ing what should be remembered; forgetting what should begins. Every doctor will tell you as be forgotten; being thankful for life (despite its ups and much. Aging itself is the process of dying. It’s just that when downs, successes and failures); and cultivating hope for death is not in our immediate future it seems irrelevant to the next dimension of living—eternity. us. Dying is hard work. Lots of t’s to cross and i’s to dot. Just a century or so ago death was a much more fa- Part of the work is being willing to talk about death— miliar part of everyone’s life. People weren’t shuttled off something many don’t want to do. Our culture celebrates to hospitals to die; they died at home. Grieving families whenever a life comes into the world. We laugh and cry grieved openly, not privately. The general attitude was one and gather together to talk about the new life coming of acceptance and the embracing of what was called the “ars into the world. On the other hand, we are reluctant to moriendi,” or the belief in the “art of dying.” During those talk openly about death, and we find it hard to accept a days when serious illness occurred, report from the doctor that tells the only choice was to simply let us we are going to die. But there dying take its course and to do it is a time to die. in the best way possible—at peace Death may be awkward to with God. Physicians were ones talk about, but when we supwho practiced the art of medicine, press or privatize our responses to using their skills and knowledge death, we end up failing to work to guide patients with dignity to through the thoughts, feelings and their final breaths. responses that need to be discussed Today, advancements in medand processed. We must learn to ical science have extended life openly acknowledge the sadness, expectancies and have stopped anger, anxiety, guilt, fear, disgust “Families and friends need to laugh and cry many terminal illnesses from beand grief death brings, or those and gather together in order to bring more ing terminal. The problem is that emotions will become like wooden peace into the dying process...” the focus on extending life has splinters in the soul that, if left unbecome so radical that few even attended, will become infected. pause to consider the reality of dying. We certainly welLearning how to die and celebrating those who face come medical breakthroughs that enrich and prolong life, death is long over overdue in the West. We need to move but medicine will never eradicate death; it can only post- towards each other as death draws near. Families and pone it. Everyone dies. Most are unprepared. One day all friends need to laugh and cry and gather together in orof us will reach the end of what science can do and death der to bring more peace into the dying process and in will be at our door. We will have to face it. Because this is order to memorialize a loved one’s life. The good news is, true, it is better for us to discover the art of dying—an art when you do, understanding comes, peace comes, hope that helps us live all the way to the end. In truth, dying is surprises you, and most of the creepiness about this subreally the final act of living. We should take time to learn ject matter leaves. how to do it. When we are young, life is about learning and growing Grace Hospice offers its help and comfort and may be reached into adulthood. As adults, we must learn about produc- at 480-775-2599 Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Snowbirds or Locals: All are Treated Alike “The families become very important and need to be very involved when it comes to getting their loved one back to their previous independence and life style.”

By: Jay Richardson

r Smith takes his annual trip each winter to his home in Scottsdale to enjoy the mild temperatures and the scenic view of the mountainous terrain. As health concerns arise with age, it becomes more challenging each year to enjoy his hobbies and dreams. Yet, he has come to terms with the fact that his golf clubs will continue to collect dust this year and that, quite frankly, it is time to put them up for sale. He might not be able to drive his once famous convertible on the streets of his winter community, and in which he now will be a passenger. Arizona is famous as a tourist destination with its many vacation resorts. Each year people visit some making their first trip to the Grand Canyon State to see if all the hype is true. In addition to those visiting for the first time, there are a large number of people who make this trip annually to get away from the frigid temperatures of the north and midwest. This population of retired individuals is referred to as snowbirds. They come to sunny Arizona to enjoy the warmth of the winter months away from the snow and ice that covers much of the country. And then something happens and their world closes in. Perhaps they suf24

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

fer a fall and resulting fracture, or their heart disease or diabetes flares up and they land in the hospital. What happens after that? All At Home Health Care takes pride in the care we provide for Arizona’s residents and visitors alike. Whether it is skilled nursing for an IV infusion, physical therapy for strengthening, or speech therapy for swallowing concerns, All At Home Health Care is the compassionate and caring healthcare provider for all homecare needs. The services provided by All At Home Health Care include: skilled nursing; physical therapy; occupational therapy; speech therapy; social work services and home health aides. Not only is our staff compassionate and personal, they visit the homes to inspire motivation and push the patients to understand why their health is so important, both mentally and physically. Once our patients experience our services they truly do become family. A daughter of one of our patients had this to say, “Rafael accomplished the impossible. He used all the right communication necessary to help my father understand why he was exercising, the consequences of not doing so. And then, amazingly, he actually got him to complete them.” Another daughter told of her experience this way, “I was present for most

of the therapy visits and we couldn’t have been happier with your care and service. Also there was a personal touch of kindness and patience.” Patients aren’t the only ones affected when a fall occurs or a patient experiences an illness. The families become very important and need to be very involved when it comes to getting their loved one back to their previous independence and life style. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate or nurse the patient back to health and allow them to thrive within the community. For instance, when the family does not live close or are not involved All At Home Health Care takes on a greater role in motivating the patient and assisting the patient to plan appropriately. A very pleased patient expressed it with, “They (All At Home Health Care) were very good to me and help(ed) me see the light and also want to go on with life. And I thank them very much.” The team at All At Home Health Care is committed to providing the best care possible while allowing patients to remain in the comfort of their own residence. From our family to yours, “There is no place like home.” Jay Richardson is the Executive Director of All At Home Health Care and may be reached at jay@allathome.org or by calling 480.970.3700

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Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Take Control of Knee Pain

By: Jeﬀ rey Lyman, MD he number of patients with knee arthritis is increasing dramatically as baby-boomers hit retirement age. This is due to the combined effects of active lifestyles, prior surgeries and people living longer. The great news is this: if you are among those with chronic, increasing pain in the knee, there are a number of things you can do to take control of this frequently debilitating condition. First, recognize that knee pain does not always mean arthritis. There are a variety of conditions that can lead to knee pain, and if pain is your problem, it’s critical to get a competent appraisal of the condition. Usually this means seeing an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee problems. Many conditions exist that can affect knee function and they should be considered. Oftentimes, those conditions can and should be treated without surgery. Secondly, the term arthritis includes a large number of conditions, and many of them are suited for medical (non-operative) treatment. In fact, surgical treatment is only indicated after conservative treatment has been attempted. Non-operative treatments include activity modification (avoiding activities that aggravate the condition), physical therapy, injections, analgesics, braces, and other devices. Depending on the severity of the condition and

individual needs and goals, non-operative treatment may help for years. Most patients who require surgery for knee osteoarthritis have developed a deformity—either bow-legged or knockkneed—that leads to an imbalance of the weight distribution in the knee. This imbalance leads to a progressive increase in activity-related pain. Alternatively, some patients requiring knee surgery develop inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is just one example of this, and the process is typically a complex autoimmune disorder that results in destruction of the cartilage surfaces of the knee and often, other joints. For those who do require surgery, there is good news. New surgical techniques and improvements in prosthetic design and manufacturing indicate that recovery times are getting shorter and knee replacements are lasting longer. In preventing knee pain it is important to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI), with exercise in moderation, change exercise patterns gradually, but do enough to maintain healthy muscles and cardiovascular function, and have acute injuries evaluated and treated by a trusted physician. Dr Lyman may be reached at www.lymankneemd.com or by calling 602-903-1824

The

Lyman Knee Clinic • • • • • • • •

Knee Replacement PCL Reconstruction ACL Reconstruction Patellofemoral Reconstruction High Tibial Osteotomy Femoral Osteotomy Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery

BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON scottsdale office: Thompson Peak Medical Plaza 20201 N. Scottsdale Healthcare Dr. Suite 280 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

JEFFREY LYMAN, M.D. 2

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

phoenix office: 4550 E. Bell Rd. Bldg. 8, Suite 276 Phoenix, AZ 85032

602.903.1824 • 602.801.2377 fax www.lymankneemd.com

pHysicians

Don’t Let Feet

(and Ankles)

By: Michael D Castro, DO he ankle, including its relationship to the foot is a magnificent machine specialized to adapt to the terrain and efficiently move us forward. Our feet support two to six times our body weight as we walk and run. However tolerances are small and as mileage increases (with age) subtle changes in alignment and range of motion may have significant effects. These changes directly influence how forces are applied to the foot and ankle when in motion. Arthritis is the wearing away of joint cartilage, and the formation of bone spurs. Joint cartilage is specialized tissue that resists wear and tear associated with the repetitive stress of weight bearing activity. This tissue does not have the

Slow You Down

ability to regenerate, rather cartilage can continue to degenerate. Then irritation results in pain and inflammation in and around the joint. Joint irritation also stimulates the reaction of bone growth or spurs, which are growths forming at the joint edges that can further restrict motion and cause pain. Typically, the pain associated with arthritis is proportional to the individual’s activity and tends to worsen at the end of the day. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease process and the impact it has on ones lifestyle. Early on, the focus includes bracing, physical therapy and regular exercise to keep muscles supple and alleviate stress in the ankle and improve function. Surgically correcting the alignment above and/or below the ankle joint,

thereby preserving the joint itself, can improve the longevity of the ankle joint. In more advanced cases bracing is less successful but still an option. Surgical treatment of end-stage arthritis consists of fusing or replacing the ankle joint. Fusion trades joint motion for pain relief. Ankle replacement can be beneficial in patients who have endstage changes but maintain good motion. All things considered, the decision to have such a surgery is not dependant on the x-ray appearance but the impact this process has on quality of life. Michael Castro is doctor of orthopedics at Arizona Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center and may be reached at www.aofoot.com or by calling 480-473-3668

MICHAEL D. CASTRO, D.O. BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

• Fellowship training in Orthopaedic trauma, and reconstructive surgery of the Foot and Ankle • Expert in all aspects of Foot and Ankle Disease and Injury • Complications associated with Diabetes • Sports Injuries • Ankle Replacement Surgery • Painful Flatfeet • Minimally Invasive Technique

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Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Lehrer, from page

You can see a tiny portion of Jim’s bus memorabilia collection behind him in his “bus room” at home.

Photo courtesy PBS NewsHour.

Lehrer from page 7

ed his 50th birthday—a heart attack. We all know “the rules” for healthy living and we read about the blood pressure and cholesterol relationship to the heart practically everywhere. But nothing — even when issued as a warning by our very own physician—is as poignant as when someone with Jim Lehrer’s communicative skills is willing to share not just the experience, but tap into and express inner feelings about this experience that leaves a person so shaken, so vulnerable. Would that there was space here to share the 50-plus pages of Jim’s memoir A Bus of My Own that relate the before-during-after. There is room however to pass along some of Jim’s acquired wisdom that’s applicable regardless of our age or stage of life. Most of us can only imagine what day-to-day life must be in the nation’s capital, especially for those with face or name recognition. Jim’s doctor had obviously figured out that treating his patient’s medical condition required more than just dealing with the physical. It needed to include mental and emotional aspects too. Jim was asked to make lists; list of all the things in life that caused stress or anxiety and in another prioritize the

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things that are really important to do or accomplish, and yet another list of the things that really aren’t all that important. Then using the first two lists, create a third list that is the New Life List to guide and define how the hours and the days should be spent going forward. What’s important to Jim? “Topping the list is family, writing and PBS. I really do enjoy my work. How long will I stay with it? Well, either until I’m no longer having fun or someone at PBS comes to me and says, ‘You know, Jim…’” And with the NewsHour broadcasting at the end of the workday, since 1983 Jim makes two days out of each one by taking a midday nap. “I may not sleep the entire time, but I lie down and snooze and rest. That also means no business lunches which also goes along with the foods I now eat, having finally discovered fresh fruits, vegetables and such. Kate and I also carefully consider every social invitation before rsvp-ing, asking ourselves whether, ‘we really want to go and make small talk while juggling small plates and glasses of some beverage.’”

And it was while recuperating in those now long-ago early 80s that Jim found his mind repeatedly going over those bittersweet days of Kansas Central Lines. Subsequently he commenced collecting bus memorabilia ranging from timetables, station signs, models—and yes, finally the real deal, his own 23-passenger bus, a 1946 Flxible (no it’s not missing a vowel, the name is correct—Flxible). A chapter in A Bus of My Own has you riding along with Jim as he describes getting his purchase home from a town, a six-hour drive away, on the Tennessee-Virginia border. If you’ve ever doubted the wisdom of any choice you’ve ever made, you’ll relate “in spades”.

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Jim aptly sums up his hobby with, “At the risk of overdoing it, I think a case can even be made for a serious purpose to what we (collectors) are up to. I believe it is not farfetched to claim that what we do for strange reasons is good for society. Remember, please, that it has been the collectors and the pack rats among our ancestors who have preserved the little things of our history. They are the ones who stuck away old kitchen utensils and postcards and children’s toys and diaries and dresses and the other items of personal life that now hold positions of honor in the Smithsonian and other museums of American life. There are important people and organizations at work preserving the big things of life, like buildings and battlefields, but it is left to the rest of us to preserve items such as .. well, bus depot signs.” While I’m not a “betting person”, I’ll wager that tonight when you tune in The NewsHour you’ll listen, and watch—and process what you see and hear in a slightly different way. Now you will also see husband, father, grandfather, bus and busmemorabilia collector, and heart attack survivor Jim Lehrer.

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Nutrition and Pain

Grilled or Broiled Salmon •4 salmon steaks or ﬁllets (each

approximately 6 oz)

•J uice of 2 large lemons •Z est of 1 large lemon •A pproximately 4 tablespoons of olive

oil

•A pproximately 2 tablespoons white

wine vinegar

“...there are key foods that will aid in the alleviation of inflammation and other pain symptoms.”

By: Drs Tory McJunkin & Paul Lynch hronic pain patients suffer from pain that is multi-layered. Therefore, a cohesive and integrated program provides patients with the best results in relieving their pain. One important and easy-to-implement step to pain relief is a change to your diet, as there are key foods that will aid in the alleviation of inflammation and other pain symptoms. While no food can cure your pain, there has been research done on how to get medicinal benefits from the food we eat. In the recent years, it has become apparent that a diet rich in Omega3 fatty acids can have many benefits. Some of those benefits include lowering bad cholesterol and increasing brain function. Omega-3 also has an affect on inflammation in the body. Adding Omega-3s to your diet may be easier than you may realize. While there is an array of foods naturally containing Omega-3 fatty acids, the easiest way to integrate it into your daily foods is through ground flax seed. The ground seeds have a nutty taste, and can be sprinkled on

•F resh dill weed (dried dill can be

used if fresh can not be found)

•A pproximately 1 teaspoon garlic

powder

cereals or salads or mixed into oatmeal or yogurt. The seeds, however, must be ground; if left whole, their dietary benefits will not be absorbed by the body. Fish that live in cold waters—especially salmon and tuna—are also good sources of Omega-3s. Salmon is extremely versatile, and can be made in a variety of ways. Other excellent anti-inflammatory foods include chickpeas, green beans, citrus fruits, strawberries, garlic, almonds, and mint. As you can see, the list is extensive. We’ve even included a few recipes in the accompanying sidebars to get you started with anti-inflammatory foods. While a diet featuring pain relieving foods may help immensely, there is no food that can cure your pain completely. Arizona Pain Specialists is another step in the right direction for relief from chronic pain. An individualized treatment plan is created specifically for each patient based on pain and medical history. Drs Lynch and McJunkin are the cofounders of Arizona Pain Specialists and may be reached at 480-563-6400 or on the web at www.ArizonaPain.com

Whisk all ingredients (except the salmon) together. Place salmon in a shallow dish. Pour whisked mixture over salmon and marinate for at least 2 hours in refrigerator. Grill or broil, brushing the fish with the marinade. Cook until ﬁsh has reached 140 degrees internal temperature, or until it ﬂakes apart easily. Enjoy with fresh steamed broccoli and garden salad.

Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar Strawberries with balsamic vinegar and black pepper may seem odd. However, you’ll find that the combination of mildly sweet balsamic vinegar and the spice of the black pepper brings out the flavor and redness of the strawberries more distinctly that sugar alone. •2 tablespoons sugar •5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper •2 pints (4 cups) ripe strawberries,

washed, stemmed and quartered

•O ptional garnish (chocolate sauce,

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Whisk all but the strawberries together. Then gently stir in strawberries and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Serve with desired garnish. Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Real Estate Investments

in My Retirement Account?

By: Steven Anderson id you know you can purchase real estate investments with your retirement plan? Well, you can! Contrary to what your stock broker or financial planner may have told you, stocks, bonds and mutual funds are not the only permissible investment choices for your retirement account. If you are increasingly dissatisfied with your stock-market-based retirement plan portfolio, there are alternatives. A self-directed retirement plan may be the solution. Self-directed retirement accounts are becoming increasingly popular as more and more Americans desire better control over their retirement investments. In many instances, the advantages of self-directed retirement account real estate investing are clear. Benefits may include* greater profit

potential, lower or no taxes, tax-deferred or tax-free growth, increased net capital for future deals, added diversification, and no restrictions (similar to 1031 Exchanges and additional options for real estate investors). It is no wonder why self-directed retirement accounts have gained so much press nationally by recognized publications. The Performance Team works closely with investors who believe that real estate, properly acquired, will continue to be a great investment option for years to come. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ability to use your retirement account as a real estate investment tool is a littleknown fact,â&#x20AC;? says Steven Anderson of the Performance Team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As you know, real estate is in a state of change right now, with some experts forecasting gloom and doom. We agree with others who believe that now is the best

"With every client and every transaction, we apply our business philosophy of personal integrity, honesty, accountability and responsibility." Thank you for your trust. - The Performance Team

time to buy, since there is a tremendous amount of inventory with great value available.â&#x20AC;? Dan McCallum of the Performance Team says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that now is a great time to invest in real estate based on what we are experiencing in the market. The Performance Team has conducted real estate transactions totaling over $3 million in just the last 90 days.â&#x20AC;? Learn about the many ways to invest in real estate, including the ability to use your retirement accounts to do so. *This information is based on anecdotal information, and is not to be construed as tax advice. Please contact your tax attorney or CPA. Dan McCallum and Steven Anderson are The HomeSmart Performance Team and may be reached at 480-299-4468

Buy Real Estate with Your Individual Retirement Account! Over time, real estate investments have afforded many people with the powerful combination of appreciation and income. The purchase of real estate through a self-directed IRA is a popular investor choice for this and other reasons. You can use your 401(k), 403b, 457 Employer Thrift Plan or any other retirement plan you have to invest in real estate. But you must first roll funds, tax-free, into a self-directed IRA.

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Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2010

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Retirement LIVING

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By: Georgette Kelly s we age, we undergo physical changes that are easy to spot. It is the subtle changes to our mindset and how we perceive our world that often go undetected. Many people, es pecially seniors, find that at a time when the world is speeding up and becoming more difficult to understand and deal with, they are struggling to keep up with the pace of the life to which they were previously accustomed. Many seniors find comfort in a lifestyle that enables them to reduce stress and improve the quality of their lives. A retirement community can provide a number of health benefits to enrich the quality of life for senior residents and their families. Many seniors find it difficult to maintain their home and yards, keeping up with paying bills or, if they live alone, are anxious since there is no one to respond if they fall or have some type of medical emergency. Transportation, if one is still driving, may become an issue due to lack of self confidence, which in turn affects the ability to hop in the car to run to the grocery store or drive to visit a friend or family member. It is not uncommon for seniors to feel that it is too much of a hassle to cook a meal for just one person and as a result they often develop poor eating habits. Poor nutrition is one of the leading causes of psychological and physical problems in aging adults. These issues and concerns are typically diminished for those adults who live in retirement communities. The opportunities for increased socialization, intellectual stimulation, and physical activity have proven to be beneficial to the health and happiness of seniors. Numerous studies have conclusively found improved vitality and a longer

life span for seniors who live in an active, fun, stimulating environment such as that at a retirement community. The health benefits of community living, both psychological and physical, are compelling. Seniors will find companionship, socialization, mental stimulation, delicious and nutritious meals, a sense of security with knowing someone is there to respond to their needs; all of which far outweigh being isolated and living alone. The Manor Village at Scottsdale has a slogan that has proven to be true at the Manors; “living at the Manors will add years to your life”. Seniors who make the decision to downsize, simplify their lives, and make the move into congregate living—where they are provided a lifestyle which includes compassion and caring from staff—will find themselves living better and living longer. Georgette Kelly is the Marketing Director with Statesman Life Centers and The Manor at Scottsdale, which may be reached at 480-767-7647 or www.TheManorVillage.com

“Many seniors find comfort in a lifestyle that enables them to reduce stress and improve the quality of their lives.”

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Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

Finding a Wonderful New Home

fter my beloved husband passed away, I found myself alone for the first time in over 50 years. It wasn’t so bad when my children they were all surrounding me, but as they live in different states, they would soon be leaving. Each invited me to live with them but I didn’t want to interfere with their lives or add to their responsibilities as each had enough taking care of their own families. Once the children left, I began to wonder how I was going to be able to take care of my home. My husband had always done the yard work and managed all the bills while I was responsible for cleaning the house and preparing the meals. I

jungle and I didn’t have the strength or the energy to do anything about it. I thought about hiring someone to help me with chores and shopping, but I would still be alone most of the time. I decided with the blessing of my family to look at independent living as an option. I called several communities in my area and arranged to visit them. The first two seemed a little stuffy and too formal for me as they required me to “dress for dinner” and I didn’t like that. I am retired and want to be able to wear what I choose when attending meals. I had almost given up, but then I called Fountain View Village. The voice who answered was so cheerful, greeting me with “It’s a beautiful lifestyle at Foun-

“I couldn’t wait for moving day. Of course, I was a little nervous, but mostly I was excited.” found it harder and harder to manage even before I would now have to do it all. Even simple things like getting to the grocery store would be difficult as he had been the driver and I was the navigator. My big beautiful house now felt like an albatross around my neck. My wellmanicured lawn was fast turning into a 34

Scottsdale SENIOR Magazine • Summer 2010

tain View Village, how may I help you?” I told her that I would like to talk with someone about independent living and was immediately connected me with a member of the marketing team who also answered the phone cheerfully. She began asking me questions, as the other communities had done, however these were about

me and who I was. No questions about what physical ailments I might have or if I used a walker or a cane; just questions about what I did before retiring, where I lived prior to Arizona, what my hobbies are, my favorite foods, etc. It didn’t feel like an inquisition as the others had. After talking with her a bit, I asked if I could visit Fountain View Village that very same day. When I explained that I no longer had a car, she said she would be happy to arrange for a driver pick me up. As I walked up the drive, saw the beautiful bird bath and heard the sound of the wind chimes Fountain View Village seemed so different than the other communities I had visited; it had a warm, friendly and welcoming feeling. I was shown the most beautiful apartment with a panoramic view of the mountains and the world famous Fountain Hills fountain. I didn’t need to look any further; I found my new home and was ready to begin this new chapter in my life. I couldn’t wait for moving day. Of course, I was a little nervous, but mostly I was excited. When I arrived I was greeted with a warm welcome and a box of chocolates (she remembered how I love chocolate) on my kitchen counter. I was ready to start my new life. Nervous as I was, my nerves were soon calmed when a resident ambassador came to my door and invited me to dine with her. We were greeted by a hostess and seated at a table by the window where we could drink in the beauty of Fountain Hills. While dining, she introduced me to several other residents and I even met someone from my home state. I knew I had found my new home at Fountain View Village and that I was not alone anymore. This simulated scenario is presented courtesy Fountain View Village, rated one of the top three Arizona retirement communities by Ranking Arizona magazine. schedule your personal appointment by call 480-836-5000

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