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INDEX More people can now get health insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Free seminars on healthy topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Try adaptogens for radiant health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Tai Chi for health? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 A second chance at a healthy life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Join the Corvallis New Horizons Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Dear Aunt Sadie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Find your path home in cohousing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Is cohousing for you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Preparing a will and preparing for disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Make fitness your new year’s resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 RSVP set for the 23rd annual Chocolate Classics . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Make your wishes known with an advance directive . . . . . . . . .9 Free heart health screenings offered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Winter Dining Deals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Volunteer opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 VISIT: A friendly visiting program for long-term care facilities . .10 Council of Governments recruiting Gatekeepers to help vulnerable adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
GENERATIONS A quarterly publication of Cascades West Senior and Disabilty Services, local Senior Centers, and Retired & Senior Volunteer Programs
The Editorial Board
Marilyn Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .City of Albany 541-917-7507 Tarmara Rosser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RSVP 541-812-0849 Scott Bond . . . . . . . . . . . .Senior and Disability Services 541-812-6008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corvallis Senior Center 541-754-1709 Jennifer Nitson . . . . . . . . . . . . .Samaritan Health Services 541-768-4241
Senior & Disability Services 1400 Queen Ave. SE, Suite 206 Albany, OR 97322
For more information
Cyndi Sprinkel-Hart 541-812-6073 or email cyndi.sprinkel-hart@lee.net
Contributors in this issue Lawrence Birch is a graduate of the Columbine School of Botanical Studies, and completed a 500-hour clinical herbalism program at Michael Moore's Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. He has a massage studio and medicinal herbalism clinic in Philomath and teaches cooking and herb classes at Linn-Benton Community College. Birch can be reached at 541-344-7534 or givingtree@earthlink.net. Deb Curtis is Recreation Coordinator at Corvallis Parks & Recreation's Chintimini Senior Center. She loves to cook and eat out, so is always searching for great Dining Deals. Joshua Gustafson is the director of health, wellness and fitness at Samaritan Health Services. He is a certified wellness practitioner, physical activity in public health specialist, and nationally-
More people can now get health insurance through Cover Oregon Many more people in Oregon can now get health insurance, even if they already have a health condition. Individuals, families and small businesses can sign up for medical and dental insurance through Cover Oregon and access financial help to make it more affordable. Cover Oregon is not health insurance. It is a marketplace that offers health insurance options. It includes both commercial insurance plans and public medical programs such as the Oregon Health Plan and Healthy Kids. Here's how it works: People can select several plans, which are combinations of services at different prices. They can read clear information about what each plan offers and how much it costs. Then they compare them and sign up for the best one. Applying for financial savings is an easy part of the process and is available only through Cover Oregon. And you can find assistance to apply and enroll in cov-
erage in many different languages, including Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. People will be able to shop for plans and sign themselves up online at www.CoverOregon.com. As part of the new federal health care law, everyone is required to sign up for health insurance or pay a penalty. Signing up through Cover Oregon takes care of this requirement. For people who signed up by Dec. 15, insurance was to start paying for medical and dental costs on Jan. 1, 2014. Cover Oregon has many certified health insurance agents and community partners across the state to help people sign up. For more information and education, contact RSVP at 541-812-0849 or email rsvplb@ocwcog.org. This help is free and available in many different languages. Always be sure to work with a certified agent or partner to avoid fraud.
Free seminars on healthy topics "Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies" is a series of seminars offered in Benton and Linn counties. From free CPR training to joint replacement options to meeting the newest doctors in the community, there's a lot to
certified personal trainer. Jeffery Lear, MD, is medical director of Samaritan Evergreen Hospice, and an internal medicine physician at Albany Internal Medicine Group. Jennifer Nitson is a public relations and marketing account manager for Samaritan Health Service. Prior experience includes reporting for the Lebanon Express and the Corvallis GazetteTimes. Denise Soto, attorney and a long-time Albany resident, specializes in guardianships, conservatorships, Medicaid, probate, wills and trusts. She is passionate about helping her clients solve elder law and legal issues. Susan Schwartz, now retired, was executive director of Crossroads International and director of the International Cultural Service Program
learn at these seminars to help keep your mind and body healthy. All seminars are offered free of charge. To register and see what topics are on the schedule, go to samhealth.org/BeHealthy.
scholarship in the OSU Office of International Education from 1981-2003. These programs linked OSU international students, scholars, and their families with residents in the mid-Willamette Valley. She has lived in Corvallis since 1976. Martha Wells retired as publisher of the Albany Democrat-Herald and Group Manager of the Corvallis and Lebanon newspapers. She and husband, Roger, make their home in the mid-valley while maintaining a cabin on the Alsea, volunteering for the schools foundation, singing in the United Presbyterian Church choir, and going for hikes. Monica Whipple is an Arthritis Foundation certified Tai Chi instructor. She teaches Tai Chi for Health I and II and Better Bones & Balance classes through the Linn-Benton Community College Benton Center. She can be reached at monica_whipple@comcast.net
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JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
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Try adaptogens for radiant health BY L. A. BIRCH For thousands of years in Asia, philosophical-religious Taoists searched for the meaning of life and used herbs to heal. They were herbal alchemists questing for immortality, not because they wanted to live forever but to stay alive long enough to achieve enlightenment. Many of their herbs are still used and are highly revered for their anti-aging, rejuvenative, and aphrodisiac effects. Several have been broadly categorized as “adaptogens.” One definition of an adaptogen is an herb that helps the body adapt to stress. Because stress is an unavoidable part of modern life, adaptogenic herbs could be part of a regular health regimen. A delicious way to use these herbs is by having them as a cup of tea, one to three times a day. They are also available as capsules, tinctures, and in other forms. Some herbs can interact with medications or treatments; do some research and consult an herbalist and your physician before trying them. Here are four easy-to-find adaptogenic herbs and their uses. • Ginseng (Panax spp.) Ameri-
Turmeric root (Curcuma longa) can and Korean ginseng or Renshen are the most common forms of this root. It brings inner energy out to the surface, helping with circulation, flexibility and strength. • Chinese licorice root (Glycyrhizza uralensis), called Gao ben, is sometimes called “wood candy” and has a sweet, earthy taste with a little bitterness. Most people love the taste or find it dreadful. This herb strengthens the lungs and improves large intestine function. It supports the liver, can help protect and detoxify the body, and makes other herbs work better. Chinese licorice is more balancing and less likely to cause problems with high-blood pressure than European licorice (G. glabra). • Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus).This mild-tasting herb known as Huang Chi strengthens what Chinese
Ginseng (Panax spp.) herbalists call wei-chi which Western medicine calls our surface immune system. It has been studied scientifically and is effective against HIV and AIDS, some cancers, and in restoring immune system function. It combines well with ginseng. • Turmeric root (Curcuma longa), used extensively in China and India is a culinary herb that gives curry its orange color. In medicinal doses, it's one of the best anti-inflammatory herbs for healing soft tissue. It is anti-tumor and stimulates the liver. Other adaptogens worth investigating: • Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica); • Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula) • Ho shu wu (Polygonum multiflorum) • Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Chinese licorice root pentaphyllum) • Chinese Asparagus root (Asparagus lucidus) • Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum) • Epimedium (Epimedium spp.) •Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) More information is available at www.givingtreefarm.com or GivingTree Farm Herb Company on Facebook.
Tai Chi for health? BY MONICA WHIPPLE What is Tai Chi? How will it benefit me? These are questions that I often get asked as a certified instructor of Tai Chi for the Arthritis Foundation. Tai Chi is a form of gentle exercise that originated in ancient China. For centuries, Tai Chi has been practiced in China as an effective exercise for overall health and well-being. It is now practiced worldwide by over 300 million participants. Tai Chi is comprised of safe exercises for the entire body, is easy and inexpensive
to learn, and is suitable for almost everyone. Tai Chi holistically renews the body. In scientific studies, it has been proven to increase flexibility, muscular strength, and overall fitness levels. Because of its focus on muscle strength and flexibility, it is a particularly good form of exercise for people with joint pain and has helped many with arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, lupus, and spinal stenosis. Tai Chi also relaxes the mind. It uses gentle, graceful, flowing movements to
promote mental and physical strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Movements are matched to the fitness levels of the participants, so those needing modified or seated movements receive just as much benefit as those who desire a more intense routine. The level of exertion in Tai Chi can also be adjusted to suit each person's physical condition. Monica Whipple is an Arthritis Foundation certified Tai Chi instructor. She teaches Tai Chi for Health I and II and Better Bones & Balance classes through the LinnBenton Community College Benton Center.
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A second chance at a healthy life with cardiac rehab BY JENNIFER NITSON SAMARITAN HEALTH SERVICES
Like many working moms, Angie King spent many years putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She would get up at 5:30 a.m. to start some laundry and attend to the needs of the household, her two daughters and her husband, before heading off to the Linn County District Attorney's Office, where she worked for 17 years as a legal secretary. When she got home, she'd have dinner to make and chores to do. Her days were long and busy. Fitting exercise into her routine was not a priority and most of the exercise she did get consisted of making runs up and down the stairs at the courthouse. Then, on Jan. 3, 2013, she got a wake-up call that turned her perspective, and her lifestyle, around. “It had been a long, stressful day,” King recalled. “I was restless and I got up out of bed and walked into my living room. I felt a little twinge go across my chest. It was very light, but it was there.” King was unsure whether she was experiencing an anxiety attack, a muscle pull, or possibly a heart attack, but she asked her husband, Thomas, to take her to Samaritan Albany General Hospital just to be sure. A stress test showed she was having a heart attack, and she was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, where three stents were placed to open up a blocked blood vessel in her heart. By the end of January, King started going to the cardiac rehabilitation gym at Samaritan Albany General Hospital and began a journey of healthier habits that is paying off in more ways than one.
Exercise specialist Matthew White describes Angie King: “She's amazingly positive and always engages everyone around her. She's quick to share her own experiences and encourages everyone, especially new patients who may be intimidated or scared, to exercise following heart surgery.” healthy, but I dreaded the exercise,” King said. “When I first started, I could do about one minute on the treadmill. Now I do 20 to 30 minutes on the treadmill or the elliptical machine, do the weight machine circuit, and then 20 to 30 minutes on the exercise bike.” She is encouraged by positive results. “I can feel my body getting
She reports feeling better mentally, too. “Life is more relaxing,” she said. “I appreciate life more than I did.” Whether she is walking the hills around Portland with her
daughter Andrea, keeping up with her daughter Shannon on the farm in eastern Oregon, or heading out on a hike with her husband to take photographs and enjoy nature, King appreciates how much easier activities are and looks forward to enjoying her new, more active lifestyle for years to come. “I've been at this almost a year,” she said. “I don't want to quit.”
Join the Corvallis New Horizons Band The Corvallis New Horizons Band is an enthusiastic, friendly group that welcomes all players. The concert band is part of the national New Horizons Band movement, which has branches in cities across the country. The band performs at such
“We were already eating really
stronger and growing more muscle,” she said. “I can feel the layers of fat going away. My lung capacity is improving.”
venues as Saturday markets and assisted living facilities. Director Ed Probst is experienced with school bands. Rehearsals are at 6:15 p.m. every Thursday and all players are welcome. Many are retirees who played an instrument in the past and want to take it up again. Members pay a quar-
terly fee; newcomers are encouraged to come to a rehearsal and determine if they would enjoy joining. For more information about the band and place of rehearsal, call Paul Doellinger, 503-838-4884 or Sharon Oefelein, 541-754-6098.
GENERATIONS
Dear Aunt Sadie
JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
So when does the doctor actually look at your body? That happens when you come in for an actual problem (such as results from a blood test scheduled at the wellness visit that show your cholesterol creeping up). Once the doctor can code your visit for a specific malady, then s/he is free to do most of what you think of as a regular physical. Other than any copay/deductible, your visit is covered. That's because you had an office visit: you never officially had an annual physical.
Dear Aunt Sadie, For 40 years, my wife has bugged me to see a doc “just because,” and for 40 years I have wiggled my way out of this. Now that I am on Medicare, I guess I'll concede to scheduling a physical. Any advice? But wait! So far I've discussed the annual Penitent Pete physical relative to people who have just Medicare or Medicare plus a Supplement. In Dear Pete, Good for you for your sensible Oregon in particular, many seniors opt to rechange of heart, and bless your wife for her ceive their Medicare benefit in the form of an patience! Not meaning to complicate things, Advantage Plan. Not surprisingly, the rules but yes, there are things to know about are different. All Advantage plans handle scheduling your physical. this a little differently. If you have Medicare alone, or if you have Medicare plus a Supplement (aka Medigap), technically you are not eligible for a free “annual physical.” If you call to schedule an “annual physical,” you will likely receive a multiple-hundred-dollar medical bill. This does not mean you get to avoid having one any longer. It does mean you have to watch your wording with your doc's office. Medicare provides a free-to-you “Welcome to Medicare” visit that can occur anytime in the first 12 months you are on Medicare. This is a one-time visit with your health care provider to map out your health care needs and create a preventative care plan to keep you healthy. You talk about your concerns with your clothes on. Except for a very few specifics (blood pressure, height, weight, etc.), the doc doesn't touch you. The doc orders up indicated tests and may schedule follow-up visits to address identified issues. Depending on whether you have a Supplement, you may owe deductible/co-pays for any tests and additional visits. It is extremely important when scheduling your “Welcome to Medicare” visit to say precisely, “I want to schedule my “Welcome to Medicare” visit.” That way it will be coded correctly, and you will not inadvertently be billed for the notcovered “annual physical.” After 12 months, regardless of whether you had your “Welcome to Medicare” visit, plain Medicare or Medicare with a Supplement covers an annual wellness visit every year. It is much like the “Welcome to Medicare” visit. Your doc updates your preventative care plan and schedules needed tests, visits, or procedures. Again, the doc talks with you rather than physically examines you. And again, you must take care to schedule “My Annual Wellness Visit” and not let the words “annual physical” ever escape from your lips.
In general, with an Advantage Plan, you can call and actually say, “I would like to schedule my annual physical.” At your visit, the assistant will hand you a lovely gown and instruct you to disrobe and hop up on the table. Many Advantage plans don't
Free "Medicare A, B, C, D" classes 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 23, Albany Public Library 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 20, LBCC Benton Center 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, LBCC Lebanon Annex 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 17, LBCC Benton Center
charge the usual co-pay for an annual physical scheduled as such. In other words, the very words “annual physical” that are taboo for Medicare-only or Supplement folks, are the key to a co-pay free visit for Advantage folks. Often, routine lab work (such as urine and blood tests) scheduled as part of the annual physical are co-pay-free in Advantage plans, too! Hoorah! What about “Welcome to Medicare” or annual wellness visits for people on Advantage plans? Naturally (since this is health care), it depends. Some Advantage plans assume these are integrated into the annual physical. Others allow you an annual wellness visit in addition to an annual physical. To keep the mystery alive, the annual wellness visit might have another name: one plan calls it the “Personalized Prevention Plan Service.” Talk with your Advantage Plan Customer Service Representative! Last bit of advice for all Medicare recipients, regardless of your Supplement/Advantage situation: wellness visits or annual physicals must be scheduled a solid 12 months apart. Be wary of accidentally having your visit January 15 of one year, and then January 12 the following year. You will be very sad when your bill comes.
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Dear Aunt Sadie, I fell off a ladder last week, shaking me up and wrenching my leg. I hobbled to the phone and called 9-11. A crew of buff EMTs arrived, and the darling young man whom I greeted at the door evaluated my condition, then warned me that my ambulance ride might not be covered by Medicare or FireMed, and I might want to ask a neighbor for a ride to Urgent Care. I thought Medicare provided ambulance coverage! Disappointed Doris? Dear Doris, that “darling young man” did you a big favor! Medicare's ambulance coverage is quite limited. Medicare generally pays only in a true emergency, when your life is in serious danger and every second counts. You may be in extreme pain, bleeding profusely, in shock, unconscious, or not breathing. Perhaps you require care en route to the hospital. If you are well enough to greet your rescuers at the door and observe that they are “buff” or “darling,” your situation likely does not qualify as an emergency by Medicare standards. CMS reports that denial of ambulance coverage as the #1 most contested billing area. And Medicare's decision to cover or not may be influenced even by what you say on the original 9-1-1 call. If Medicare doesn't consider the ambulance necessary, coverage by your FireMed is also not a promise. Rules for FireMed vary, even in the Willamette Valley. Call your FireMed, and get a clear understanding of exactly what they will cover. Some FireMeds may be liberal about evaluating a person's condition for free, but then will charge for transport if they judge your condition non-emergency. Some cover only if Medicare does, too. A few may cover journeys that Medicare itself denies. Make the decision to join FireMed or not with your eyes wide open. There are some rare situations in which Medicare will pay for patients to be transported for anticipated treatment. These can be addressed in advance, with orders from your physician, so that you would know ahead of time your coverage. Most important advice of all: get off the ladder. Falls can transform robust seniors into frail elderly in one awful millisecond. Aunt Sadie recommends that you reconnect with grandchildren and neighbors for your ladder tasks. Aunt Sadie expresses the collective wisdom of the SHIBA volunteers of Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. SHIBA, a program of RSVP, is funded by Medicare in part to provide individualized information to beneficiaries. Do you need assistance understanding Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap insurance? From simple questions to filing appeals, we can help! Call us at 541-812-0849 to ask a question, register for class, or schedule a free appointment.
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JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
Find your path home in cohousing
Resident tour guide Susan Hyne is a source of valuable information about CoHo Ecovillage and cohousing generally. BY MARTHA WELLS Does your new year include plans to downsize, simplify, consolidate, prioritize and organize? And do those plans include moving to a smaller, more manageable place? Consider cohousing. What is cohousing? Cohousing Association of the United States, www.cohousing.org, provides a definition and a wealth of information. According to the website, cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods.� Residents can enjoy privacy in their own units balanced with socializing that is supported by the physical layout of the development - integrated paths, gardens and courtyards.
CoHo Ecovillage in Corvallis is an excellent example of cohousing. As the name implies, commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment are high on the list of shared values. In fact, shared values and intense owner participation are among the characteristics that distinguish cohousing from other types. Susan Hyne, resident and host for many of the monthly Ecovillage tours, has heard just about all the questions and readily provides answers to how things work here and in other cohousing developments. Neighbors warmly greet neighbors during a walk along the footpath that connects the intergenerational 34-unit condominium village. Located in south Corvallis, the 6.8 acre site is about a mile from downtown and across from Willamette Park.
A common house provides shared space that allows village units to be smaller and more affordable. This building includes guest quarters, a large kitchen and gathering areas for group meetings, weekly dinners and celebrations. It also has a laundry for residents who choose to not have their own washer/dryers. CoHoots - as residents call themselves share a bike barn, workshop, greenhouse and tools and garden space. They also share the workload -- maintaining common areas and assisting each other in many ways - including support if someone is ill or if neighbors need someone to check on children or pets. Safety and security seem more attainable, since everyone knows everyone else.
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JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
Is cohousing for you? Susan Hyne describes the screening process for homeownership in the village as one that helps prospective buyers to see if the arrangement will work for them. The membership (owner) application process can take 12 weeks. This is in addition to the usual financial and legal steps to ownership. According to Hyne, owners' actions are subject to approval by consensus. “If you want to plant a tree, you can't just go out and plant a tree,” she said. “You need to put the idea out for consideration.” This step looks at the impacts on neighbors and the environment, and may improve on the initial plan.
Consensus building - critical to healthy group decision-making - is not easy. CoHo residents use the Nonviolent Communication process, first developed by Marshal Rosenberg in the 1960s in response to a need to peaceably handle volatile, emotion-charged issues of the day. In addition, as the village looks to its future and starts long-range planning, residents have added other tools for communication. Residents are learning the Appreciative Inquiry method that emphasizes the strengths of an organization as the foundation for future development. The Cohousing Association website lists eight completed cohousing communities in Ore-
gon: one in Corvallis, five in Portland, one each in Ashland and Bend. Six more cohousing communities are shown as in process, including two in Eugene. Other such communities may have organized but are not registered with the association. According to an article in the January 2011 AARP Bulletin, interest is growing in elder or senior cohousing communities. This concept is examined in an assortment of cohousing books, websites and blogs. Books by California architect Charles Durett are particularly helpful in exploring the option of cohousing. Durrett and his wife Katherine McCamant are credited with bringing the co-
housing movement from Denmark to the United States in the 1980s. Even if the cohousing environment is not for you, much can be learned from this model. Look at the list of things to consider in deciding on the kind of home and community that is right for you now and in the future. Investigate a means for conflict resolution - valuable in any setting. And, consider efficiencies and the environmental benefits of sharing resources. Finally, cultivate relationships with family, friends and neighbors as an antidote to isolation. For more information on CoHo Ecovillage, visit www.cohousing-corvallis.com.
Preparing to do a will and preparing for disability BY DENISE SOTO ATTORNEY
When imagining how to pass assets to your loved ones or charitable beneficiaries, pretend you are taking a snapshot with a camera on the day you pass away. What do you see in the picture? Who do you see as your beneficiaries? Who do you see in charge of your assets? What can you do in advance to eliminate decisions or tasks that they will have to take care of? Here are some simple steps that will help you take action. First: Gather information See if the attorney of your choice has a form for you to fill out. If not, then: • Gather full legal names, dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers of all children, beneficiaries and other persons who are to be mentioned in your documents. • Determine who should receive specific items - "great grandmother's rocking chair to cousin Joey" • Determine who should receive household goods and personal items • Determine who should receive the rest (everything else not specifically mentioned and assets that do not pass by beneficiary designation).
Second: Think about what you want if you go through a period of disability. Determine who you trust the most to be in charge of you and your assets during your disability if you need help. • Do you want the person who makes your medical or daily living decisions to be the same person who manages your finances or someone different? Third: Think about who you want to be in charge after your death. Determine who will be in charge of your estate after you pass away - should it be the same person(s) who helped you during your disability or someone different? Fourth: Write down your issues and concerns. In preparation for talking to your attorney, write down issues that you are worried about and persons whom you do not want involved in your life or your estate administration after you are gone. Fifth step: Make that appointment with the attorney of your choice.
OREGON CASCADES WEST COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Senior Services Division is pleased to help publish
GENERATIONS For more information on:
• Adult Foster Care • Outreach Services • Meals on Wheels • Senior Meals • Medicaid
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• In-HomeCare • Elder Care • Community-Based Care • Protective Services • Other Resources
Call 541-967-8630 or 1-800-638-0510 TDD/VOICE in Benton and Linn Counties
541-336-2289 or 1-800-282-6194 TDD/VOICE in Lincoln County
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Make fitness your new year's resolution heart and lung strength. Adding strengthening exercises such as resistance training will help rebuild muscle lost to aging and improve bone density. Flexibility and stability training will improve balance and increase range of motion in stiff joints.
BY JOSHUA GUSTAFSON As the years march on, flexibility and bone density decreases, stability and balance are affected by a reduction in muscle loss, and cardiovascular and circulatory systems are not as efficient as they once were. As we search for the secret to feeling better and living longer, we cannot afford to simply let time pass. There is a fountain of youth: exercise. Regular physical activity can not only prevent diabetes and heart problems, but increase life expectancy and reduce arthritis pain, depression and anxiety. It may seem clichĂŠ to recommit to an exercise routine with the new year, but regular exercise is the key to improving overall health and well being.
Richard Bayus of Lebanon works out at SamFit regularly to stay in shape Incorporating cardiovascular exercise such as walking, jog-
ging or biking will produce weight loss results and improve
The benefits from just 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce weight, improve self-perception, and decrease the chance of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The trick is to start small, with two or three 10-minute increments of exercise on most days of the week. From there, increase the duration followed by an increase in intensity. Following these basic steps will help you feel great all year long.
RSVP set for the 23rd annual Chocolate Classics "The Kentucky Derby: A Night at the Races," is the theme for the 23rd annual Chocolate Classics event, the main annual fundraiser for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. Attendees can get into the
theme of the evening in a Kentucky Derby hat contest. Chefs from up and down the Oregon Coast will enter their favorite sweet or savory chocolate recipes to be judged in several categories. Judges include Pati D'Eliseo (A Posto Personal Chef Services LLC), Gail Kimberling
(Lincoln City Community Center), Kiera Morgan (Yaquina Bay Broadcasting), Janet Berg, and Mike Downing (Oregon Coast Aquarium). Bob Welch is head judge. Welch is a columnist at the Eugene Register-Guard, adjunct professor of journalism, and inspirational speaker. David Gomberg will emcee. Advance tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple; attendees may sample all the chocolate they can eat, plus milk, coffee and a no-host bar. The evening includes a live auction for a piece of jewelry donated by Diamonds by the Sea; a silent auction and live entertainment.
Tickets may be pre-purchased at Newport Bay Candle Company, from the Newport High School cheerleaders, or online at: www.rsvpoflbl.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door at $40 each. RSVP helps people age 55 and over "Re-invent their Retirement" through service to their community and neighbors. RSVP's focus is seniors helping seniors. All proceeds from the Chocolate Classics event will go towards RSVP operating costs and volunteer support. For more information about RSVP or Chocolate Classics, call 541574-2684.
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JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
Make your wishes known with an advance directive BY JEFFERY LEAR, MD An advance directive is a legal document that allows you to dictate what type of medical care you would want if you ever become unable to speak for yourself.
Every adult should have an advance directive, and they are especially important for the following: • Anyone older than 65 • Anyone diagnosed with a serious life-threatening illness (such as advanced cancer or end-stage heart or liver failure) • Anyone with a designated health-care decision maker who is not their husband, wife or family member
Free heart health screenings offered In recognition of American Heart Month, Samaritan Heart & Vascular Institute will offer free heart health screenings.
ALBANY INTERNAL MEDICINE GROUP
It is a set of detailed instructions that explain the specific health care measures you want if you should have a terminal illness or injury and become incapable of letting others know when and whether to continue curative and life-sustaining treatment, or to remove life support systems.
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Screenings are set for 8:00 a.m. - noon: • Newport - Saturday, Jan. 18, Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital, 930 SW Abbey Street. • Corvallis - Saturday, Jan. 25, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 3600 NW Samaritan Drive • Albany - Saturday, Feb. 1, Samaritan Medical and Diagnostics Center, 400 NW Hickory Street, Suite 300 • Lincoln City - Saturday, Feb. 8, Samaritan Surgical Clinic, 3100 NE 28th Street, Suite B • Lebanon - Saturday, Feb. 15, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N Santiam Highway. Dr. Jeffery Lear, MD Life is unpredictable. We can never know when a life-changing accident or illness will render us incapable of making decisions for ourselves. An advance directive helps those in charge of your medical care to carry out your wishes, even if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Visit the Useful Resources section of samhealth.org/ hospice for more information.
Tests take approximately 15 minutes, with the appointment lasting about 30 minutes. Screenings include a full lipid panel with total cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure checks. Copies of test results will be provided so participants may follow up with their primary care provider. Eight hours of fasting is required for accurate test results, and no food or beverages other than water should be consumed after midnight the night before the test. Hearthealthy refreshments will be provided at each screening for people to enjoy after their tests. Registration is required and space is limited. To schedule an appointment, call toll free 1-855-543-2780 (1-855-5HEART-0).
Winter Dining Deals BY DEB CURTIS For the past two years, my partner and I have enjoyed a sampling of many Corvallis restaurants the third week of January. Called Corvallis' Culinary Week, diners can enjoy a week of $10 plates that are either house specialties or samples of the participating restaurants' menus. This year, Culinary Week takes place January 19-25. Be sure to check it out. For more information, contact visitcorvallis.com. Friday, February 21 brings an opportunity to get out into the coastal hills of the Willamette Valley for a meal at the Bread Board, an artisan bakery in Falls
City. Using their own wild yeast sourdough starts, each artisan's bread is handcrafted then hearth baked in the largest wood-fired bread oven in Oregon. The Bread Board is a local favorite at farmers' markets across Oregon, including Corvallis's. Enjoy mountain views and local artistry while savoring a thin crust wood-fired pizza and beverage. Watch through the glass as your pizza is created, then fired in the giant oven. This trip is led by the Corvallis Senior Center and costs $44 for Corvallis residents and $55 for non-residents. The fee includes transportation, pizza and beverage; a full pastry and coffee bar is available on your own. The trip leaves at 2:30
What would you like to see in Generations ? 541-924-8421 or ajohnson@ocwcog.org
p.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. Contact Chintimini Senior Center, 541-766-6959. On Thursday, March 6, enjoy a bowl of pozole and learn how to make it in a Chintimini Senior Center class. This delicious comfort food/soup (that you will want to make over and over) has pork or chicken and hominy in a rich hearty stock. Student cooks will make
chicken and pork pozole, both of which are economical to do. Cooks will enjoy a bowl at the end of class with freshly-cut cabbage, radishes, diced onions, fresh lime and tostadas. This will become a treasured recipe! Class is from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $38 for Corvallis residents and $48 for non-residents. All materials are included in the class fee. Contact Chintimini Senior Center, 541-766-6959.
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GENERATIONS
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Volunteer opportunities pital staff. Opportunities include the Garden Grounds espresso stand, Caring Corner gift shop and patient assistance desks throughout the hospital. Call the hospital's Volunteer Services Department at 541-451-7062 or email rsnyder@samhealth.org.
Linn County Safe and Secure Seniors Independent (SASSI) is a free home security and fire safety inspection program for Albany residents age 55 and older. To help independent citizens maintain safe and secure homes, volunteers and Albany Police Department members perform security inspections, inspection for fire hazards, install security hardware, and provide resource information. Albany Police seek volunteers who can spend 1-3 hours per month installing deadbolt locks, view holes and sliding door pins; working with community members; inspecting homes; and completing detailed paperwork. Volunteers undergo background checks and receive formal training. Contact Sandy Roberts at 541-917-3206 or sandy.roberts@cityofalbany.net. The Samaritan Cancer Resource Center is looking for volunteers to help greet and direct patients as they enter the building; provide library and computer assistance; staff the salon (license required) and guide imaging patients to their rooms. The Center provides patients and families information and support during their journey through cancer. They are a great local option for cancer support, information, rejuvenation and connection. Call 541-812-4158. Albany Call-A-Ride senior and disabled transportation program has volunteer openings: dispatchers must be detail-oriented, able to multi-task, have telephone skills and some knowledge of computers; drivers must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Drivers use city cars and insurance. Call-A-Ride volunteers generally work a four-hour shift one day per week. Shifts are available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Call-A-Ride office is at 112 10th Avenue SW, next to the Amtrak station. Contact Ted at 541-917-7638 or ted.frazier@cityofalbany.net Albany Parks & Recreation seeks volunteer office assistants to answer phones, welcome visitors, provide information and help with other activities at City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW, and the Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW. Applicants should be comfortable using a computer, flexible, patient, able to work well with other people and want to learn new things. Shifts are normally four hours a day, one day a week. Volunteer substitutes are also needed to be on call for when regular volunteers are unable to work. Training and all tools are provided. Call 541-917-7760 or pick up an application at the Senior Center. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children needs office help an-
Linn and Benton counties
Winnie Kovacik greets patients at the family assistance desk at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. swering phones and greeting visitors. Volunteers need to commit to four hours a week or more. Contact Cynthia Hatfield 541-926-2651 or cynthia@linncasa.org for more information. The Foster Grandparent Program provides loving experienced mentors and tutors to children with special needs. Working one-on-one and serving 15 - 40 hours a week, Foster Grandparents are individuals over the age of 55 who provide support in schools, community organizations, treatment programs, correctional facilities, and childcare centers. Contact Joy at 541-9177772. Mercy House International Inc. 1st Hand Second Unique Boutique, 415 1st Ave. W, Albany, needs volunteers to sort and hang clothes. Contact Deborah Boulanger, 541928-6909. Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital seeks volunteers to assist patients and hos-
Help individuals manage personal finances as a volunteer in the Oregon Money Management Program. It may include budgeting, organizing financial papers, checkbook balancing, bill paying and banking to helping clients maintain peace of mind, independence, and protection against fraud and financial exploitation. Training is provided as well as ongoing support. Contact Diana Hancock, 541-812-2597, or mmp@ocwcog.org. RSVP is looking for an outgoing volunteer with computer experience who is willing to help with miscellaneous projects and stamping, folding and stuffing envelopes. Contact Jennifer Grindy, 541-812-0849 or rsvplb@ocwcog.org Make a difference for people with Medicare through Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA). Lebanon and Sweet Home need volunteers who become trained SHIBA counselors and work with people to help them understand their Medicare benefits, bills and rights. Call Debbie at 541-812-0849 or shiba@ocwcog.org Certified Ombudsman volunteers needed to advocate for residents in long -term care facilities. Candidates should enjoy working with people and problem-solving. Training and monthly support group meetings are provided. Call Gretchen Jordan at 1-800522-2602 or email gretchen.jordan@ ltco.state.or.us. ~ Continued on page 11 furthers the mission of RSVP to enhance the quality of life for our community and its volunteers.
BY SUSAN SCHWARTZ VISIT is a new friendly visitor program that connects RSVP volunteers with residents of long-term care facilities in Linn and Benton counties. The primary goal of VISIT is to enhance the lives of the residents reducing isolation and loneliness while providing a community presence. Volunteers visit residents on a weekly basis. Through this personal interaction, residents are happier and feel connected to the community. The VISIT program
Volunteers must be available at least four hours a month. Training is provided and a background check is required. Additionally volunteers meet together on a regular basis to share their experiences and tips on creating a caring and helpful presence for care facility residents. For more information or to volunteer, contact VISIT program coordinators George Keller, 541-757-0443, and Susan Schwartz, 541-752-7038 or RSVP Director Tamara Rosser, 541-812-0849.
GENERATIONS Meet new people and help support the community at the same time as a volunteer substitute delivery drive, for Meals on Wheels of Albany. Call Jackie Saling at 541-967-7647. Volunteering to help terminally ill patients and their loved ones at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice is an exciting opportunity for those who like to help others. Call the hospice volunteer coordinator at 541-812-4677 or email kmclain@samhealth.org. Volunteer Caregivers needs volunteers to drive provided cars or their own transporting Albany and Lebanon-area seniors to medical appointments; answering phones in the Volunteer Caregivers' office a few hours one day a week; or home improvement projects such as building a wheelchair ramp, installing grab bars and putting plastic on windows. Contact Suzanne at 541-928-2173 or email Volcaregivers@aol.com Take one hour, once a week, to help children learn to read through SMART (Start Making A Reader Today). Volunteer readers are needed in Albany, Corvallis (Spanish readers), Halsey, and Lebanon. Call the SMART office at 541-753-0822. AARP Tax-Aide, the nation's largest free volunteer-run preparation and e-filing service, is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. Tax counselors get free tax training and become IRS certified by passing the IRS exam. They help taxpayers one-on-one at tax sites. Last year in Linn and Benton
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
Council of Governments recruiting Gatekeepers to help vulnerable adults Not that long ago, the entire community looked out for those who were getting older, had disabilities or who were vulnerable and needed other help. With a growing number of vulnerable senior citizens and adults with disabilities in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties, Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments has adopted the Gatekeeper Program to help people who work in these counties look out for those who need help and connect them with supportive services. The goal of the Gatekeeper Program is to offer help to those who are unable to advocate for themselves. It is designed to train employees of local businesses to recognize at-risk older adults and adults with disabilities and "open the gates" to services offered through the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). The original Gatekeeper Program was developed in 1978 by Ray Raschko, MSW, at Spokane Mental Health's Elder Services and has been adapted and replicated nationally and internationally. It is currently offered in six Oregon counties. Volunteer recruitment is underway through January 31, 2014 for program presenters throughout Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, contact Cathy, 541-924-8422 or email cmorris@ocwcog.org. Partnered with another volunteer from the community, Gatekeeper Program presenters canvas their communities for opportunities to promote the program and talk to people about how it helps neighbors connect to services that may help them avoid a crisis. Volunteers schedule the presentations to groups at a mutually agreeable time. All materials and training are provided.
counties, 68 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers completed more than 3,300 federal and state returns for taxpayers at eight sites. Contact Jan Huskey at 541-928-3068; email janhuskey@gmail.com, or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide to register online. Become a Compassionate Companion in the No One Dies Alone program. Compas-
sionate Companions sit with dying patients in two-hour blocks of time when patients have no family or friends to be with them. Contact Chaplain Services at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 541-768-5566 or fpotts@samhealth.org. Benton Hospice Service seeks volunteers to lend a hand to people facing serious illness and their caregivers. The next two-day respite and companion training will be held Tuesday and Thursday, February 18 and 20, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm both days. Inquire about training for other positions. Call Jamey Suderman, 541-757-9616. Benton County Stone Soup Corvallis, Inc., needs a lead cook for Saturday brunch, 8:00-11:a.m., to plan and supervise production of the meal for approximately 100 diners in accordance with Stone Soup Corvallis and First Christian Church guidelines and coordinate and supervise volunteer meal workers; food and supplies site coordinator, 8:00 a.m.-noon Fridays, to order food online from Linn-Benton Food Share each week, receive the order, organize and store the delivery. Both positions are based at the First Christian Church meal site, 602 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis. Training and assistance for both positions will be provided as needed. Email stonesouphelp@gmail.com Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center seeks dedicated individuals to fill volunteer needs in areas including the coffee cart, Good Sam's Gifts, family assistance, flower delivery and more. For more information and application materials, contact the Volunteer Services Department at 541-768-5083 or GSRMCVolunteerServices@samhealth.org. For more volunteer opportunities, visit www.rsvpoflbl.org, call RSVP at 541-812-0849, or email rsvp@ocwcog.org
GENERATIONS is published in part by
Senior & Disability Services A program of Cascades West Council of Governments For more information on: • Adult Foster Care • Outreach Services • Meals on Wheels
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• Information and Referral • Medicaid Longterm Care • In-Home Care
• OPI • Adult Protective Services • Community Resources
CRYPTOGRAM:
541-967-8630 or 1-800-638-0510
If Stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers
541-336-2289 or 1-800-282-6194
TDD/VOICE in Benton and Linn counties TDD/VOICE in Lincoln County
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JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2014
Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle
QUOTE CRYPTOGRAM J I M A B R J P J A S C F A B M J Q A F A D J M WV M M , A DV Q X D S H E Q ' A J A CV A B M F B A ? - XJNN TFCVTM
GENERATIONS
P U Z Z L E S puzzle solutions on page 11