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A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
August 2018 VOL. 43 • NO. 8
ENOA 4780 South 131st Street Omaha, NE 68137-1822
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
en oa. org
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New Horizons old • er 74 adul ts since 19
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Lawncare
Rodney Smith is a 29-year-old Huntsville, Ala. man who last month mowed lawns in Omaha as part of his 50 States & 50 Lawns tour. Smith – who has a master’s degree in social work – started the Raising Men Lawn Care Service to assist older adults, veterans, single mothers, and the disabled, and to teach young people about the value of community service. See page 10.
Stretch John Butler and instructor Megan Roth during a recent adaptive yoga class at the Florence Home Healthcare Center. See page 5.
He can help Larry Thompson has assisted viewers with their consumer issues at KETV’s 7 Can Help since 2000. Nick Schinker tells Thompson’s story. See page 20.
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Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
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he Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for men and women age 18 and older to join its Long-term Care Ombudsman Program which is co-sponsored by the Nebraska State Ombudsman Program. ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsmen volunteer in local long-term care facilities and assisted living communities to protect the residents’ rights, well-being, and quality of life. Long-term Care Ombudsmen must complete 20 hours of initial classroom training and 12 hours of additional training every two years. During the training, the volunteers learn about the residents’ rights, aging issues, Medicare, Medicaid, communication skills, how to investigate the residents’ complaints, the importance of confidentiality, and about the federal and state rules, regulations, and laws regarding Nebraska’s long-term care facilities and assisted living communities. Before being assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community, new volunteers will make four visits to a site with an experienced Ombudsman Advocate to learn more about what the program entails. After a threemonth probationary period, the new volunteers are certified as Ombudsman Advocates. Certified Ombudsman Advocates will be assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community where they’ll visit for two hours a week to meet with administrators, residents, and the residents’ family members to address concerns. For more information about ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, please call Beth Nodes at 402-4446536.
New Medicare cards are on their way The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is mailing new Medicare cards to Nebraskans to protect the safety and security of people with Medicare benefits. The new Medicare cards no longer contain a person’s Social Security number, but rather a unique, randomly-assigned Medicare number that protects the identities of people with Medicare, reduces fraud, and offers better safeguards of important health and financial information. “Removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards is one of the many ways CMS is committed to putting patients first and improving the consumer healthcare experience,” said Jeff Hinson, Deputy Consortium Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “This change not only protects Medicare patients from fraud, but also safeguards taxpayer dollars by making it harder for criminals to use Social Security numbers to falsely bill Medicare for care services and benefits that were never performed.” Work on this initiative was made possible by the enactment of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. CMS began mailing the new Medicare cards recently to people who have Medicare benefits in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Additionally, people who are new to Medicare started receiving their new Medicare cards in April along with others across the country when the mailings began. As soon as people receive their new
Medicare card, they should safely and securely destroy their old Medicare card and keep their new Medicare number confidential. CMS’ mailing strategy allows it to complete the mailings of new cards to all people with Medicare, both new and current enrollees, over the next year. The new Medicare card won’t change any of the program benefits and services that eligible people enrolled in Medicare receive. Healthcare providers, suppliers, and people with Medicare will be able to use secure look up tools that allow quick access to the new Medicare numbers when needed. There will also be a 21-month transition period for healthcare providers and suppliers to use either the former Social Securitybased Medicare number or the new Medicare number to ensure a seamless transition. As the new Medicare cards are being mailed, people with Medicare should look out for scams and follow these tips: • Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare number or other personal information. • Don’t pay for your new Medicare card. It’s free. If anyone calls or approaches you and says you need to pay for it, that’s a scam. • Guard your card. When you get your new card, safeguard it like you would health insurance or credit cards. • Only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.
Dealing with Vision Loss? We Can Help! Continue Doing the Things You Love! FREE resources and training to help you: Use computers and the internet - pay bills, read the news and stay connected Use a smartphone - arrange a ride, call or text family, get the weather Use magnification tools - read printed material Stay active with recreation and cultural programs
All Ability Levels Welcome! Call 402.614.3331 or visit outlookne.org Page 2
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The value of bridging the generation gap Baby Boomers remember all the discussion in the 1960s and ’70s about the great divide of the generation gap. The young had a saying, “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Young people were blaming their parents’ generation for all of society’s ills. Older generations were worried young people were “going to the dogs” with their long hair, antiestablishment attitudes, and reckless behaviors around sex and drugs. It was a stressful time for our country. Yet we all survived. Today there’s no less stress and concern about the future of our country and our world. I propose a more fruitful approach to bridging the divide between the generations is to build an understanding through mentoring relationships. I don’t mean simply the formal mentoring programs such as Big Brothers-Big Sisters or TeamMates—although these are wonderful opportunities. Rather I’m thinking of friendships between older and younger adults. Our lives are diminished when we only interact with people of similar age and background. Our lives are enriched when we get the perspectives of those who are both younger and older than ourselves. For those of us who are living in the Third Chapter of Life, i.e. post-retirement, we may succumb to the temptation of passing on all the responsibility to solve the world’s problems to the next generations. “I did my bit. Let them take over.” This attitude undermines the
importance of the wisdom we’ve built over the decades—all the knowledge and learning from our hard work, failures, and successes. To discount this wisdom is a great loss our society can ill afford to allow. As the ad says, “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” This isn’t to say young people have nothing to share with us. They certainly do.
across generations, together we have the opportunity to address problems with more intelligence. By bringing to bear the historical wisdom of elders and the creative imagination of younger people, we better position ourselves to succeed in current problem solving. Implied in this approach is the necessity of having honest conversations among the generations about things
Conscious Aging By Nancy Hemesath
An attitude that we have all the answers guarantees the next generation won’t want to interact with us. However, if we approach the younger generation with curiosity and interest, we open ourselves to rich dialogue that’s mutually beneficial. Younger people are freer to explore alternative ways of learning and working, letting go of institutions that no longer serve. Their creativity is a source of many new opportunities. In a society that’s facing critical challenges environmentally, politically, economically, and socially, the divides are daunting. It’ll take the best from all generations to build the bridges needed to help resolve our societal problems. While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by worries about our country and world, it’s necessary that we take small steps in our own sphere of influence to create a better future. By creating relationships
that matter. This may be between family members, neighbors, or through other associations. It requires us to place ourselves in relationships with young people. By listening to them first, we open the door to mutual understanding. The writer Parker Palmer describes the interaction this way: “Mentors and apprentices are partners in an ancient human dance. It is a dance of spiraling generations, in which the old empower the young with their experience and the young empower the old with new life, reweaving the fabric of human community as they touch and turn.” (Hemesath is the owner of Encore Coaching which is dedicated to supporting people in the “Third Chapter of Life.” For more about her presentations and workshops, follow Nancy’s blog at lifencorecoaching.com. Her email address is nhemesath@cox.net.)
Help for grandparents raising their grandkids U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and ranking member Bob Casey (D-PA) recently applauded House passage of the bipartisan Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act (S. 1091), which would create a one-stop-shop of resources to support grandparents raising grandchildren. Approximately 2.6 million children are being raised by their grandparents and experts say this number is rising as the opioid epidemic devastates communities across the country. Sens. Collins and Casey introduced the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act last year after an Aging Committee hearing during which witnesses testified about the need for grandparents to have easy access to information about resources available to assist them. “Throughout history, grandparents have stepped in to provide safe and secure homes for their grandchildren, replacing traumatic pasts with loving and hopeful futures. With so many parents struggling with addiction, grandparents are increasingly coming to the rescue and assuming this role. It is essen-
tial that we do all that we can to help these families,” Sen. Collins said. “Our legislation will help ensure that grandparents who have taken on this caretaker role have access to the resources they need. I am delighted the House has passed our bill.” “Grandparents are increasingly stepping in to raise their grandchildren due to the opioid crisis. These grandparents are faced with challenges such as delaying retirement, navigating school systems, bridging the generational gap, working through the court system to secure custody, and finding mental health resources,” Sen. Casey said. “I am pleased the House passed the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, which would help grandparents in Pennsylvania and throughout the country, access the resources and support they need to raise their grandchildren and hopefully make their job as caregiver a little easier.” The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act has received support from 40 older adult and child advocacy groups.
August 2018
New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually. Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822. Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076. E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 20,000 through direct mail and freehand distribution.
Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers......Nick Schinker, Leo Biga, & Lois Friedman ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, vice-chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, secretary; David Saalfeld, Dodge County, & Jim Warren, Sarpy County. The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.
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AI being used to serve the environment
Dora Bingel Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: • Aug. 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31: Ceramics @ 9 a.m. • Aug. 1: Holy Communion served @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29: Tai Chi @ 11 a.m. • Aug. 6, 13, 20, & 27: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m. • Aug. 13: Book Club @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 15: Foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to noon. Make an appointment by calling 392-1818. • Aug. 22: The Merrymakers present music by Rich Patton @ 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3. • Aug. 29: Birthday party luncheon @ noon. Eat free if you have an August birthday. A nutritious lunch is served on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A $1 donation is suggested for the meals, other than $3 for Merrymakers. Round-trip transportation is available for $3.Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for all meals. Other activities offered at the facility include: Tuesday: Joy Club Devotions @ 10 a.m., matinee @ 12:30 p.m., & quilting @ 1 p.m. Wednesday: Devotions @ 10:30 a.m.; bingo @ 12:30 p.m., and Bible study at 12:30 p.m. Friday: Bingo @ 12:30 p.m. For more information, please call 402-898-5854.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – defined as the capability of machines to imitate intelligent human behavior and learn from data – is considered by many to be the final frontier of computing. Environmentalists and tech companies are now harnessing the power of AI to service the environment. To wit, Microsoft announced in December 2017 that it’s expanding its “AI for Earth” program and committing $50 million over the next five years to put AI technologies into the hands of individuals and organizations working to solve global environmental challenges, including climate change as well as water, agriculture, and biodiversity issues. Lucas Joppa, Microsoft’s first chief environmental scientist, is convinced AI is mature enough and the global environmental crisis is acute enough to justify the creation of an AI platform for the planet. “I believe for every environmental problem, governments, non-profits, academia, and the technology industry need to ask two questions: ‘How can AI help solve this?’ and ‘How can we facilitate the application of AI?’,” Joppa said. The older, but rapidly growing project, eBird, has been demonstrating the power of coupling human observers with AI algorithms to provide a source of reliable data for scientists and environmental decision makers. Based out of Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology, eBird engages a global network of bird watchers to identify bird species and report their observations through the eBird website or mobile app. Due to the variability in the observations the volunteers make, AI filters observations through collected historical data to improve accuracy. And now with over 500 million bird observations recorded through this global database, Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Computing Program is helping to allow
The Sierra Group, LLC FREE Book & CD Call Us: (800) 309-0753
HEARING TEST SET for Omaha & Fremont
Free hearing tests are being offered THIS MONTH in Omaha and Fremont. Factory-trained Beltone Hearing Aid Specialists (licensed by the state of Nebraska) will perform the free tests. The tests will be given at the Beltone Audiology & Hearing Aid Centers listed below. Call to schedule your appointment with the office of your choice. Everyone who has trouble hearing is welcome to have a test using the latest electronic equipment to determine if they have a correctable hearing loss. Everyone should have a hearing test at least once a year if there is any trouble at all hearing clearly. Most hearing problems gradually get worse. An annual test will help keep track of a progressive loss. No hearing problems of any consequence should ever be ignored. We will also be giving service on all makes and models of hearing aids. Call for an appointment to avoid waiting. The benefits of hearing aids vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing evaluation, and proper fit.
Call 402-513-7259
www.beltonehearingcenter.net FREMONT Also OMAHA 301 E. 6th St. serving 8313 Cass St. (6th & D streets) BLAIR
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Dean Kent Beltone Hearing Care Professionals
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calculations that used to take upwards of two to three weeks to now be accomplished in hours. California’s One Concern is utilizing AI technology to identify and mitigate future risk stemming from natural disasters. Last year, natural disasters caused a recordbreaking $300 million in damage in the U.S. alone. One Concern’s platform can predict the impacts of climate change-driven events and disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires at a high degree of resolution and accuracy, so communities can better prepare and respond. Damage from an earthquake can be predicted with 85 percent accuracy within 15 minutes, and flood damage is predicted days ahead of storms. Lastly, whale field research is being revolutionized by AI and drone technologies, “SnotBot” – which doesn’t exactly sound sophisticated – uses drones which allow a vastly different approach to whale research, flying well above the surface of the water where the whales are never touched or approached closely. Snotbots hover above a surfacing whale and collect the blow (or snot) exhaled from its lungs, then return back to researchers about a half mile away. Blow samples reveal a vast amount of biological data, including stress hormones and environmental toxins. Prior to SnotBot, data samples of wild whales were gathered by shooting sampling darts from crossbows into the mammal from a loud boat. “It’s not just all about Silicon Valley building cool Silicon Valley things,” says Parley’s Ian Kerr who manages the SnotBot program. “It’s how AI could actually help us save the planet and solve scientific mysteries.” (EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss.)
It’s adaptive yoga class time at the Florence Home
Eloise Ross says she can’t wait for the next week’s class to begin.
The program has allowed Deborah Lubrant to make new friends.
he participants – half of the group seated in wheelchairs – form a circle around instructor Megan Ross, the athletic director and community relations specialist for Omaha’s Simplicity Wellness Yoga + More. It’s time for another adaptive yoga class at the Florence Home Healthcare Center, 7915 N. 30th St. Traditional yoga – whose origins go back to the fifth century – combines physical, mental, and spiritual practices that began in India. This special adaptive yoga program was developed for the long-term care residents and the men and women undergoing rehabilitation at the north Omaha facility, according to Jen Kesterson, the Florence Home’s life enrichment director. The eight-week class was made possible by money donated through the Florence Home’s goat yoga fundraiser in May. During these two sessions, several exercise enthusiasts performed 30-minute yoga routines as two goats and a lamb mingled around them. Kesterson says the 45-minute, weekly adaptive yoga classes are designed to improve strength, balance, and breathing while promoting relaxation. The low-impact movements are less strenuous than traditional yoga and can be done while seated. “For example, instead of reaching their hands above their heads, the participants can stretch their arms to the side.” The classes are ideal for persons who are recovering from an injury or who have limited mental or physical abilities, according to Roth. She says adaptive yoga combines movement with social bonding. “It breaks up the daily routine and gives them an opportunity to get out of their rooms.”
She asks the class’s five men and three women to rotate their heads gently to the right, and then gently to the left. “We’re drawing a circle in front of our faces with our noses.” The rest of the session features a variety of arm and leg stretches; finger, wrist, and ankle rotations; conversation, and lots of laughter. It’s obvious the adaptive yoga classroom is filled with a great deal of positive energy. “I like to exercise because it makes my arms move better,” says June Clapper. “I can’t wait to get back to the next class,” Eloise Ross says. At the end of the class, Roth smiles as she looks around the room. “Nice job today, everyone.”
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n a recent Thursday afternoon, Roth begins the adaptive yoga class by asking the participants to introduce themselves and tell everyone their favorite flower. “I’m John Butler and my favorite flower is the rose,” says the 88-yearold, former insurance salesman seated to Roth’s right. “Let’s sit up nice and tall,” Roth says softly. “Inhale…Now blow it out.”
The adaptive yoga class participants meet Thursday afternoons for 45 minutes at the Florence Home Healthcare Center.
August 2018
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A list of jobs being filled by older American workers
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aby boomers are retiring in record numbers and with higher life expectancies and better healthcare, a record number of people age 65 and older are projected to keep working. For example, postsecondary teachers age 65 and older make up 11.3 percent of the workforce and despite some universities trying to buy out older professors, retirement offers are being declined, and 15 percent plan to keep teaching until they’re 80. The team at SeniorLiving.org studied employment trends of older adults and found the Top 11 occupations held by Americans age 65 and older are: • Management: 320,000 employed; 8.2 percent of the workforce. • Farmers: 293,000 employed; 29.9 percent of the workforce. • Retail sales: 269,000 employed; 8.2 percent of workforce. • Administrative support: 246,000 employed; 8.5
percent of the workforce. • Drivers: 245,000 employed; 7.4 percent of the workforce. • CEOs: 198,000 employed; 12.8 percent of the workforce. • Retail supervisors: 197,000 employed; 6.1 percent of the workforce. • Janitors: 180,000 employed; 8 percent of the workforce. • Real estate agents: 179,000; 21.1 percent of the workforce. • Elementary and middle school teachers: 152,000; 5 percent of the workforce. • Postsecondary teachers: 152,000; 11.3 percent of the workforce.
Caregiver Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 4 The 2018 Take Time for You Caregiver Retreat is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus, 6705 Dodge St. The retreat is designed for anyone who is providing care, support, or advocacy for another person. Participants will up for three sessions from a menu that includes chair and hand massages, painting, journaling, social media, gardening, and meditation and relaxation techniques. Registration – which is due by Wednesday, Sept. 26 – is $20 for persons who sign up by Sept. 1 or $25 for registration after that date. Information on the limited number of scholarships is available by calling Pat at 402-306-6055. Participants can pre-register online at www.caregiverretreat.com or by calling Pat @ 402-306-6055. For information on respite providers, locations, and funding, please call Ellen at 402-559-5732.
RSVP
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RSVP is recruiting men and women age 55 and older for a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties, please call 402-444-6536, ext. 1024. In Dodge and Washington counties, please call 402-721-7780. • The Corrigan Senior Center is looking for volunteers. • The Boys Town Hall of History needs volunteers. • Together Inc. wants volunteers for its food pantry. • The VA Medical Center is looking for volunteers. • The YWCA’s Reach and Rise Mentoring Program wants volunteers to work with children ages 8 to 15. • The Heartland Hope Mission needs volunteers for its food pantry. • The Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital is looking for volunteers for a variety of assignments. • The Low-Income Ministry wants volunteers for its food pantry. • The Blair and Fremont Car-Go Program needs volunteers to drive older adults to their appointments once or twice a week. • ENOA’s senior centers want volunteers.
Ralston Senior Center
Will you be financially comfortable in retirement? If looking ahead to retirement makes you a little nervous, you’re not alone. Nearly half of Americans (46 percent) who haven’t reached retirement predict they won’t be financially comfortable once they get there, according to a Gallup survey. For some, those potentially uncomfortable retirement days are years away. But for the Baby Boom generation, retirement either has already arrived or will soon, prompting many Boomers to wonder whether they’re prepared for their looming date with destiny. Just what does it take to be prepared? “Many Baby Boomers measure their preparedness in terms of assets,” says Ryan Eaglin, founder and chief advisor of America’s Annuity. “They’re trying to hit a certain number or account balance. Asset accumulation is an important part of retirement planning, but it’s not the only component. There are a few other steps you need to take to make sure you’re ready to leave work behind and enjoy a stable retirement.” Eaglin suggests three planning steps that can help Baby Boomers – or anyone else – be better prepared for retirement: • Prepare not just one, but two budgets. Most Americans don’t use a budget, even though it’s a handy tool – especially in retirement. “It helps you see where you’re spending your money, how much money you can afford to spend, and what adjustment you should make,” Eaglin says. He recommends creating two budgets. One would be for your remaining years before retirement, so you can look for ways to cut spending and save more. The other would be for after you retire. “Think of ways to live the retirement
you’ve dreamed of while also staying within your income,” Eaglin says. “It may be difficult but just the act of preparing a budget can help you get a better understanding of your financial situation.” • Project your income. While your budget will help you understand how you’re spending your money, you also need to have a good grip on what your potential retirement income will be. For most people, that’s a combination of Social Security, personal savings, and employer pensions. Social Security has an income estimator tool on its website, and an employer should be able to provide a pension-benefit projection. Once you compare your projected income to your spending budget, Eaglin says you’ll know whether you need to save more or rethink retirement spending. You also might want to look for ways to increase your guaranteed income, such as through an annuity. • Plan for long-term care. As much as people don’t want to hear this, the average 65-year-old has a 70 percent chance of needing long-term care in retirement. “That means it’s very possible you or your spouse may need care either in your home or in a facility at some point,” Eaglin says. “That care can be expensive. Unfortunately, it’s usually not covered by Medicare, and it’s covered by Medicaid only after you’ve depleted much of your assets.” Eaglin says if all this tells you you’re behind on where you want to be with preparation and your savings, the good news is it’s never too late to get started. “You may have to adjust your plans, but you can still put yourself in a position to have a comfortable and enjoyable retirement.”
Water usage is an important part of garden management By Melinda Myers Keeping and using water where it falls is the first step in managing this precious resource. Planting and maintaining a healthy landscape is a good place to start. Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and other plantings improve water quality and reduce storm water runoff. The plants capture nutrients, preventing them from leaching through the soil. A dense covering of greenery and mulch helps prevent soil erosion and keeps phosphorous and other pollutants out of our waterways. Incorporate native plants whenever possible. Not only are most adapted to the local growing conditions, but many have deep root systems that open pathways through the soil. These openings allow the water to penetrate the soil surface, providing moisture to plant roots on the way to recharging the groundwater. As the old roots die they add organic matter to the soil, increasing its ability to absorb rainwater. Adding more organic matter in the form of compost will also increase the
soil’s ability to absorb water; reducing surface water runoff into the street and storm sewer. Compost also helps capture contaminates so they don’t leach into our waterways or get absorbed by plants. Capture rain falling onto your roof with rain barrels to use for watering containers and ornamental plantings. Start with a call to your local municipality. Some restrict the use of these water-collecting devices, while most offer incentives and rebates for including them in your landscape. Make your own rain barrel from a food grade container or purchase one from your local garden center, retail outlet, or online garden supply company. Select rain barrels suited to your landscape design. Purchase one of the more decorative barrels or turn a plain barrel into garden art. And don’t worry about mosquitoes. Just toss a donut shaped cake of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), such as Summit® Mosquito Dunks® (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com), into the rain barrel. This naturally occurring bacteria only kills the larvae of mosquitoes, black flies, and fungus gnats. It won’t harm people, pets, fish, or other wildlife. Consider adding these to areas subject to periods of standing water. One dunk provides control of a 100 squarefeet surface of water for 30 days. The hole in the middle allows you to stake the dunk in place, preventing it from being washed away in heavy rains. It remains in place and provides control when the area is flooded again. Add beauty and prevent surface water runoff with a rain garden. These gardens are located and designed to intercept the water running off sidewalks, driveways, and the lawn before it enters the street and storm sewer. The water percolates through and is filtered by the plant roots and soil before entering the groundwater. Do a bit of research before digging in. Proper placement, soil preparation, and plant selection are essential to success. Managing water where it falls isn’t only good for your garden, but also the environment. You’ll enjoy the beautiful surroundings and know you made a difference by incorporating one or more of these strategies into your landscape. (Myers has written more than 20 gardening books.)
August 2018
You’re invited to visit the Ralston Senior Center, 7301 Q St., this month for the following: • Aug. 1: Music by Tim Javorsky sponsored by the Merrymakers @ noon. • Aug. 6 & 20: Korean community activity @ noon. • Aug. 8: Board meeting @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 9 & 23: Line dancing @ 10 a.m. and bingo @ 1 p.m. • Aug. 14: Bus trip to WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa. The bus leaves @ 7:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. The cost is $5. Call Dorothy @ 402-553-4874 for reservations. Other activities include an exercise class on Tuesday and Friday @ 10 a.m. Lunch is served on Wednesdays. A $4.50 contribution is requested. Reservations are due by noon the Tuesday before the meal you wish to enjoy. Call Janice @ 402-3317210 for reservations. For more information, please call Diane West @ 402339-4926.
Fontenelle Tours
Omaha/Council Bluffs
712-366-9596
Quoted prices are per person, double occupancy. For more information about our tours, please call Ward or Kathy Kinney at Fontenelle Tours at the number listed above.
Motorcoach Arrow Rock, Clydesdales, and Chuck Wagon Dinner Show. August 9 - 11. $565. See the Budweiser Clydesdales at Warm Springs Ranch, enjoy a Chuckwagon Wild West Dutch Oven Dinner Show, “The 39 Steps” play at Arrow Rock’s Lyceum Theater, lunch at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Columbia’s Candy Factory, a Jamesport Amish Farm Tour and lunch, and the village of Arrow Rock, an entire village designated a National Historic Landmark. Branson Christmas. November 5 – 8. $719. ($759 after 8/20/18). Enjoy the Legends in Concert (Elton John, Brooks & Dunn, Tina Turner, The Blues Brothers, and Elvis), Daniel O’Donnell, The Hughes Brothers, “Samson” at the Sight & Sound Theater, Hot Rods & High Heels, and Million Dollar Quartet.
Laughlin Laughlin in August. August 17 - 20. $329. Four days – three nights. Includes non-stop, round-trip airfare to Laughlin, Nevada, three nights lodging at the Riverside Resort and Casino on the banks of the Colorado River, and shuttle transportation to and from the airport. Entertainment during this trip includes “The Legend Lives On…” with Elvis Presley Jr., featuring Bill Haley’s original Comet Joey Kay and his Comet band at the Riverside Resort.
In Partnership with Collette Vacations We started working with Collette in 2009 when we were looking for a way to offer international trips to our travelers. We wanted to find a company that shared our core values of providing quality tours, well hosted, at a reasonable price. We were not looking for a low-cost alternative. Our first personal experience was when we took about 24 people on the "Shades of Ireland" tour. It was an incredibly positive experience! Since then we have helped others to experience Collette Tours on: Historic Trains of California; New York City; Canada’s Atlantic Coast with Nova Scotia; Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes; Austrian Delight - Oberammergau (coming up again in 2020); Pasadena Rose Parade; Islands of New England; Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park; Islands of New England; Reflections of Italy; Canadian Rockies by Train; Tropical Costa Rica; Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise and others. Please call if you have one of Collette’s many destinations on your bucket list. We can help make it happen! Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule. 2008 W. Broadway #329, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
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Step Out For Seniors The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Nutrition Division and the City of Omaha’s Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring the fourth annual Step Out For Seniors walkathon on Friday, Aug. 17 at Benson Park, 7028 Military Ave. The walkathon is a fundraiser to help ENOA update programming and services at its 26 senior centers in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties. All ages are encouraged to participate. Sign-in begins on Aug. 17 at 8:30 a.m. The walk will follow at 9 a.m. The festivities will also feature a Lifestyle Exposition showcasing a variety of products and services. Food, drink, and health information will be available that day at Benson Park. Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Groups of seven or more will receive a $10 per person discount. Participants can obtain a registration form at any ENOA senior center or at stepoutforseniors.weebly.com. For more information, please call 402-444-6513.
Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks You’re invited to visit the Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center, 3439 State St. for the following: • Second, third, and fourth Friday: Community Food Pantry @ 11 a.m. • Second and fourth Tuesday: Get banking help as a representative from American National Bank visits @ 10 a.m. • Third Wednesday: Community Food Pantry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Aug. 7: National Night Out in the east parking lot from 6 to 7 p.m. • Aug. 9: Lunch & Learn featuring a Q & A session with a representative from the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. • Aug. 14 & 28: Free computer classes @ 3 p.m. • Aug. 15 & 21: Meridian Clinical Research will have a booth at the food pantry on Aug. 15 @ 10 a.m. and will do a presentation on Aug. 21 @ 10:30 a.m. Learn more about research study opportunities. • Aug. 22: August birthday party with music by Joe Taylor from the Merrymakers @ 1:30 p.m. • Aug. 30: The National Able Network will be on hand @ 1:30 p.m. to discuss employment opportunities. Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $3.50 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by 11 a.m. the business day prior to the lunch. For meals reservations and more information, please call 402-451-4477, ext. 126.
Sons of Norway’s annual torsk dinner
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ou’re invited to attend the Sons of Norway Elveby Lodge #1-604’s 30th annual torsk dinner on Sunday, Oct. 21. The dinner will be held at the Croatian Cultural Center, 8711 S. 36th St. in Bellevue. The menu will feature torsk with melted butter or shrimp sauce, meatballs with gravy, potatoes, cucumbers, pickled herring, pickled beets, cranberry sauce, carrots, rolls, desserts, and lefse. Tickets are $18 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 11. Children under age 3 will be admitted at no cost. Seating will be offered at 4, 5, and 6 p.m. Advanced registration is requested by Oct. 1. Carry out will be available. For tickets and more information, please call 402-8802066 or go to torskdinner@gmail.com.
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Tips for proper tipping
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o tip or not to tip? That’s often the question for travelers. The answer varies depending on whether you’re at home or traveling abroad. In a handful of countries such as Japan, travelers risk insulting waiters or hotel workers by offering a tip, says Sydney Champion, a deputy editor at the financial website GoBankingRates. But in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, not offering a tip can be insulting. You should also know while tipping is customary in some countries like the U.S., it isn’t customary in others. Those countries include Brazil and China, according to Champion. One way to make sure you know whether or not to tip is by turning to apps that can provide guidance in a pinch. Several tipping guides that will tell you how much of a tip is customary are available for smartphones. Among them are
Global Tipping, Tip Like a Local, and GlobeTipping. Another good idea is to make sure you have cash. Before heading out on your travels, go to a bank to exchange big bills for smaller denominations. If traveling in the U.S., carry plenty of $5 or $1 bills, says Champion. If you’re traveling outside your home country, go to a currency exchange kiosk or bank to get local currency in small denominations. Champion also says to make sure you aren’t overtipping. “Sometimes, like on a cruise, the tip is already included in the fee you pay, so check the fine print to make sure you know,” she says. Keep these suggestions in mind while traveling: • Airports: In countries where tipping is the norm, tip porters who check your bags at curbside $5 for one bag and an extra $3 to $5 for each additional bag. • Taxis: In the U.S. and
Alzheimer’s support groups The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter offers several caregiver support groups and specialty support groups in Cass, Douglas, Washington, Dodge, and Sarpy counties. These support groups offer valuable space and educational opportunities for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia to engage and learn. For more information about any of the groups listed below, please call 800-272-3900. DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m. The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY • OMAHA Second Thursday @ 10 a.m. Second Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. Country House Residences 5030 S. 155th St. Call Christina @ 402-980-4995 for free adult day services. Every other Monday @ 7 p.m. Brighton Gardens 9220 Western Ave. First & third Monday @ 1:30 p.m. New Cassel’s Franciscan Centre 900 N. 90th St. Call Melanie @ 402-393-2113 for free adult day services. Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m. Immanuel Fontenelle First floor classroom 6809 N 68th Plz. Second Tuesday @ 6:45 p.m. For caregivers of individuals with an intellectual disabilty/dementia. Barbara Weitz Center 6001 Dodge St. (UNO campus)
August 2018
First Thursday @ 6:45 p.m. King of Kings Lutheran Church CORE Conference Room 11615 I St. Call Karen @ 402-584-9088 to arrange for adult day services. Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m. Temple Israel 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr. SARPY COUNTY • BELLEVUE Third Monday @ 7 p.m. Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave. First Wednesday @ 1 p.m. Eastern Nebraska Vets Home (Vets and non-vets welcome) 12505 S. 40th St. • PAPILLION Fourth Thursday @ 6 p.m. Hillcrest Grand Lodge 6021 Grand Lodge Ave. WASHINGTON COUNTY • BLAIR Third Wednesday @ 6 p.m. Memorial Community Hospital Howard Conference Room 810 N. 22nd St.
Canada, tip your taxi driver 10 to 20 percent of the bill. The tip for a town car and limo driver is a little higher—15 to 20 percent. In Europe, the practice is to round up on a fare. So, if your fare is 23 euros, round up to 25 euros. When in doubt while traveling in other countries, Champion says rounding up is a good way to go. • Restaurants: In the U.S. and Canada, it’s typical to tip 15 to 20 percent, or up to 25 percent if the service is excellent. For parties of eight or more, the tip may already be included. While some restaurants are beginning to do away with tips altogether, the practice isn›t that common yet. In Europe, adding a tip of 5 to 10 percent is appreciated, but restaurants in some countries such as Italy already add a service charge to your bill, so you don’t need to give an additional tip. You don’t need to tip in countries where tipping isn’t customary such as Japan and South Korea. • Hotels: At five-star hotels in the U.S. and Canada, tip a bellhop $5 per bag. At less highly rated hotels, a tip of $1 to $2 per bag is customary. Many travelers forget to tip the housekeepers before checking out, Champion says. She recommends tipping $2 to $10 for each night of your stay. You can tip doormen $2 to $5 per day. If a concierge has been helpful, you can tip him or her $5 to $20. In Europe, hotel staff expect to be tipped. The practice varies considerably in regions such as Asia and South America.
DAV needs vols to drive vets to VAMC The Disabled American Veterans need volunteers to drive veterans one day a week to and from the VA Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Ave. in Omaha. While the volunteer drivers don’t need to be veterans, they do need a valid driver’s license, and be able to pass a drug screening and a Department of Transportation physical given at the VA Medical Center. Drivers will be given a lunch voucher on the day they volunteer for the DAV. For more information, please contact Command Sergeant Major (retired) Lance Fouquet at 402-5051482 or sgmman1447@ gmail.com.
Read it & eat
Programs for caregivers
Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), for the following: • Aug. 1: Hints with Home Instead @ 10 a.m. followed by pianist Wally. • Aug. 2: Annette with Clear Captions will discuss wireless phones with captions for the hard of hearing. • Aug. 4: Music by the Links for Rich Hirschman’s birthday party at Rich’s home @ 1 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. • Aug. 8: Music by Kim Eames followed by the August birthday party. • Aug. 9: Bingo @ 9:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., Humanities of Nebraska will provide a program about Music on the Oregon Trail by Donna Gunn. • Aug. 15: Cinnamon rolls from Nye Square @ 9 a.m. followed by music by the Links @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 16: Talk by UNO gerontology professor Dr. Janelle Beadle on The Aging Brain. • Aug. 17: ENOA’s Step Out for Seniors walk-a-thon at Benson Park in Omaha. We’ll leave the center @ 7:45 a.m. The center will be closed that day. • Aug. 22: Music by Tim Javorsky @ 10:30 a.m. • Aug. 29: Accordionist Wayne Miller @ 10:30 a.m. Walking in the main arena Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is encouraged. The Fremont Friendship Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $3.50 contribution is suggested for lunch. Reservations must be made by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy. For meal reservations and more information, please call Laurie at 402-727-2815.
By Lois Friedman readitandeat@yahoo.com
You’re invited to attend a series of educational programs for family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The sessions Big, bold, and beautiful. This collection of cookbooks will be held at the Barbara is filled with sure to please recipes, ideas, and eats for the Weitz Community Engageupcoming “shoulder season” (when one season is transiment Center (near the clock tioning into the next and the two seem to overlap). tower) on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus, Homegrown 6001 Dodge St. By Matt Jennings (Artisan, $35) The classes are scheduled Food rooted in early American history, tweaked by immi- for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each grants and travel around the globe. The celebration of local evening. New England foods: Dairy (includes ice cream), Ocean, Here’s the schedule: Farm, Garden & Orchard, and Forest. Specialties are listed by state. Recipes include Maple Mayonnaise, Ramp Ranch, • Aug. 23 Boston Baked Beans, and Whoopie Pies. Introduction to Dementia and Dementia in Host Intellectual Disabilities By Eric Prum & Josh Williams (Dovetail, $35) Feed your friends with these recipes and ideas for sea• Sept. 20 sonal gatherings in the realm of urban living. Think simple Could This preparations with few ingredients. Browse through this be Dementia? handsome cookbook from the duo who have been friends since their college catering days to their food and beverage • Oct. 18 design company today. This is Me!
‘Shoulder season’ recipes
Tokyo New Wave By Andrea Fazzari (Ten Speed, $40) Recipes from 31 up-and-coming Japanese chefs featuring their stories and cutting edge foodways. Beautifully designed layout and photographs of Tokyo’s food scene and style are captured by the talented author/photographer. Turnip Greens & Tortillas By Eddie Hernandez (Rux Martin, $30) Georgia’s food and the ways of the south paired with Mexican family stories. Flavors are combined in the favorites from this award-winning Atlanta restaurant, Taqueria del Sol. Try the Mex-American combinations and ingredients in more than 125 recipes. Think masa meets y’all. Just Cook It! By Justin Chapple (Houghton Mifflin, $30) Straight-forward meals with minimal ingredients. Chefs recipes simplified for the home cook. More than 100 recipes for friends, family, and entertaining. This chicken with a “stupendous crust” includes how-to pictures to prep.
Oven-fried Cornflake Chicken Serves 4 Hands-on time: 15 minutes
6 cups cornflakes 2 large eggs 8 mixed small chicken thighs and drumsticks Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the cornflakes in a large resealable plastic bag and using a meat mallet or rolling pin, finely crush them. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken in the eggs, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then dredge in the cornflakes and transfer to a plate. Put the butter in a large ceramic baking dish and put the dish in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the butter has melted. Arrange the chicken in the baking dish, skin-side down. Bake for about 25 minutes, until golden and crisp on the bottom. Flip the chicken and bake for about 25 minutes or more until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece registers 165 degrees F. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve right away.
• Nov. 15 Now What?
AARP offering driving course
For more information or to register (which is required), please contact Janet Miller from the MunroeMeyer Institute at janet. miller@unmc.edu.
AARP is offering a new four-hour, research-based Smart Driver Course for older adults. By completing the course, participants will learn research-based driving safety strategies that can reduce the likelihood of having an accident; understand the links between the driver, the vehicle, and the road environment, and how this awareness encourages safer driving; learn how aging, medications, alcohol, and health-related issues affect driving ability and ways to allow for these changes; increase confidence; know how to share the road safely with other drivers, and learn the newest safety and advance features in vehicles. The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonAARP members. No tests or examinations are involved, course completion certificates are provided, and auto insurance discounts may apply. Here’s this month’s schedule:
211 network The 211 telephone network has been established in parts of Nebraska to give consumers a single source for information about community and human services. By dialing 211, consumers can access information about: • Human needs resources like food banks, shelters, rent and utility assistance, etc. • Physical and mental health resources. • Support for older Americans and persons with a disability. • Support for children and HorizonAD-2010:HorizonAD-08 families.
Saturday, August 11 1 p.m. AARP Information Center 1941 S. 42nd St # 220 Call 402-398-9568 to register Saturday, August 11 9 a.m. The Premier Group 11605 Miracle Hills Dr. #205 Call 402-934-1351 to register
2/4/10
8:00 AM
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Friday, August 17 9 a.m. Metro Community College 9110 Giles Rd. 531-622-5231 Friday, August 31 9:30 a.m. Metro Community College Elkhorn-Valley campus 829 N. 204th St. 531-622-5231
Attorneys at Law William E. Seidler Jr.
www.seidler-seidler-law.com 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 525 Omaha, NE 68114-5705
402-397-3801
Delivering quality legal services since 1957.
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Alabama man brings mowing ministry to Omaha
Rodney Smith, MSW Text & photos by Jeff Reinhardt New Horizons Editor
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n a hot, humid July morning, a Navy-blue Ford SUV parked in front of a southwest Omaha home which featured American and U.S. Marine Corps flags flying proudly. A gentleman wearing a green t-shirt, brown pants, a brown and red baseball cap, and black tennis shoes got out of the vehicle, opened the back hatch, and pulled out a lawn mower. He assembled the machine, fired up
the Briggs & Stratton engine, and within seconds, began cutting the homeowner’s grass. The start of another typical day for Rodney Smith, a 29-year-old Huntsville, Ala. man who traveled the United States between May 17 and July 19 as part of his 50 States & 50 Lawns tour. In a soft voice featuring an accent from his native Bermuda, Smith said he had a conversation with the Lord in 2010. The Lord’s message wasn’t clear to Rodney until five years later when he saw an older man struggling to mow his lawn. “I got out of my car, and I helped him,” said Smith, who recently earned his master’s degree in social work from Alabama A & M University. “God showed me what he wanted me to do, and now I’m doing it.” By 2016, Smith’s helping that man mow his lawn had grown into the Raising Men Lawn Care Service (RMLCS), a program that not only mows lawns free of charge for older adults, single moms, military veterans, and persons with a disability; but also works to help youngsters give back to their communities. “It’s critical that kids get involved with doing community service and move away from video games and staying inside the house all the
Rodney Smith and Omaha Police Officers Nathan Meisinger (left) and Logan Moran mowed Jean Funkhouser’s grass during Smith’s 50 States & 50 Lawns tour last month. time,” Smith said. Rodney created the 50 Yard Challenge where young men and women ages 7 to 17 are taught lawn mower safety and given a different color t-shirt for every 10 yards they mow through the RMLCS.
The 50 Yard Challenge has expanded across the country. At last count, 190 kids were enrolled in the program, and 13 had earned all five t-shirts. Chapters have also started in Canada, Bermuda, and the Unite--Please turn to page 11.
Rodney Smith took his 50 States & 50 Lawns tour across the country from May 17 through July 19, stopping in Omaha on July 9.
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OPD officers assist Smith on his 50 States & 50 Lawns tour
Omaha Police Department Officer Logan Moran displays his yard skills.
Smith said he thinks it’s cool helping people one yard at a time.
OPD Officer Nathan Meisinger learned about Rodney through social media.
-Continued from page 10. Kingdom. One day, Rodney said he would like to start a scholarship program for the 50 Yard Challenge participants. “They do so much for their communities, it’s important to give them back something for their education.” mith wanted to challenge himself even further, so in 2017, he created the 50 States & 50 Lawns tour. Last summer, Rodney mowed lawns in all 50 states over a 39-day period, driving throughout the continental United States and flying to Hawaii and Alaska. He followed the same path in 2018. Names of one or more older adults, single moms, military veterans, and persons with a disability who needed to have their lawns mowed were secured in each state through social media.
Wisconsin-based small engine giant Briggs & Stratton supplied a mower, trimmer, leaf blower, and some funding for expenses like food and lodging. “I’m grateful to them,” said Smith, who also accepts private donations. In 2018, Nebraska was the 45th state Rodney visited on a cross country journey he estimated at roughly 20,000 miles. His morning in Omaha began by mowing the lawn of Jean Funkhouser, a 76-year-old, twotime colon cancer survivor, and a former volunteer with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program. “I think this program is marvelous,” said Funkhouser whose late husband was a 30-year Army veteran. Her son was a U. S. Marine for 12 years. “We all need to do more for each other,” she added. After mowing the front yard, Smith took a
short break to enjoy a glass of ice water. Before he moved to the back yard, Rodney was joined by Omaha Police Department officers Nathan Meisinger and Logan Moran who learned about 50 States & 50 Lawns through social media. Dressed in their OPD uniforms, Meisinger and Moran picked up a lawn mower and a trimmer, respectively, and joined in the yard work.
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Briggs & Stratton supplied the power tools and some extra money for food and lodging.
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lthough the road is long, the weather hot, and the work hard, Rodney said he enjoys every minute of his mowing ministry. “This is God’s work. You never get tired of doing God’s work.” Smith takes great pride in RMLCS. “I think it’s cool I’m helping people one yard at a time.” What lies ahead for Rodney? He hints at doing Seven Lawns on Seven Continents one day but realizes his work in Antarctica might entail shoveling snow instead of cutting grass. While RMLCS has impacted a lot of people’s lives, Rodney Smith remains modest. “I’m just a regular guy that cuts lawns.”
Rodney Smith is contemplating doing Seven Lawns on Seven Continents.
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Vol drivers needed in Fremont, Blair The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is recruiting volunteers age 55 and older to provide free transportation services for older adults in Fremont and Blair. “We’re especially interested in providing transportation services for military veterans,” said Pat Tanner, who coordinates the RSVP for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. Sponsored locally by ENOA, RSVP is a national program of the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Senior Service Corps. RSVP staff members who serve in Dodge, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties realize many older men and women live alone, are on fixed incomes, are no longer able to operate their own vehicle, and don’t have family members available to drive them to their various appointments. In response, RSVP’s Car-Go Project offers free transportation for men and women age 55 and older in Blair and Fremont through volunteers age 55 and older who use their own vehicles. Free rides can be given to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, beauty parlors, barbershops, banks, and other personal business locations.
Rides for persons who use wheelchairs (must be able to transfer themselves) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Car-Go Project – which isn’t available to nursing home residents – operates in Fremont and Blair Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on becoming a volunteer driver or to make a reservation (24 hours notice is required) for a ride, please call 402-721-7780.
Omaha Fire Department The Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department will install free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors inside the residences of area homeowners. To have a free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector installed inside your home, send your name, address, and telephone number to: Omaha Fire Department Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Requests 1516 Jackson St. Omaha, Neb. 68102 For more information, please call 402444-3560.
UNO’s gerontology programs are ranked highly by College Choice The University of Nebraska at Omaha has been ranked as having some of the best gerontology programming in the country. College Choice’s gerontology program rankings placed UNO highly in four categories: • #1 Best online bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies with a Gerontology concentration). • #2 Best online master’s degree (Master of Arts in Social Gerontology). • #2 Most affordable online master’s degree (Master of Arts in Social Gerontology). • #3 Best bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Science in Gerontology). Since 1973, UNO’s Department of Gerontology has been educating students about aging issues. Students and faculty use a multidisciplinary approach to discover the many issues and opportunities facing our
world’s rapidly increasing aging population, including independence, health changes, and end-of-life planning. Programming is available in Omaha, Lincoln, and online. “This is recognition of our concerted efforts to prepare our students to thrive in this rapidly growing field,” Department of Gerontology Chairperson Julie Masters said. “There is a tremendous need for qualified elder care professionals, and our department works hard to provide outstanding education whether you are in one of our classrooms in Nebraska or studying from home hundreds of miles away.” College Choice’s ranking is based on institutional reputation, graduation rates, selectivity, and faculty resources. The data from their ranking comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS database, U.S. News & World Report, Payscale, and individual college websites.
What’s your attitude about aging? By April Hauf
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geism or age discrimination has permeated our health care system and American culture for decades but has been largely overlooked. Ageism can be defined as stereotyping or discriminating against people due to their chronological age. Many people aren’t aware of ageism or how it affects our older population. Americans may categorize anyone over age 65 into an “old” category which can lead to negative health effects for older men and women. Older adults may be treated differently by health care providers, in the workforce, or in the community as they age. There can be several negative impacts to a person’s health as a result of ageism. Some stressors can lead to chronic diseases, mortality, and other adverse health problems. We all need to take steps to change our beliefs and attitudes about aging. What are your assumptions about aging? How has your culture and family influenced your thoughts and perceptions about aging? Some steps older adults can take to adjust their attitudes and beliefs about aging are to be positive, exercise, surround themselves with younger people, don’t let others push them around, make themselves heard in public, volunteer, and be as independent as possible. Some steps for others to overcome their own biases about aging are to speak up if they notice ageism and to become more aware of what they’re saying and how they’re thinking about older adults. The way we think about aging and how we treat older adults is largely disregarded. Each of us can play a part to try to eliminate ageism in America. I encourage you to watch the short video with Kristen Jacobs titled, An American Freed from Ageism by Leading Age. To watch, type the following into your Browser: leadingage.org/core-issue-areas-strategic-initiatives/ageism (Hauf is the director of social services for Omaha’s Florence Home Health Care.)
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Corrigan Senior Center
The soil is warm, the air is cool
Fall is a good time to renovate planting beds, preparing gardens for the next growing season By Melinda Myers
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all is a great time to start a garden or renovate an existing planting bed. The soil is warm while the air is cool – a perfect combination for establishing new plantings. It’s also a great time to prepare gardens for the next planting season. Investing time up front to create a healthy foundation for your plants will pay off with years of beautiful, healthy, and productive gardens. When you read plant tags and seed packets you’ll find the majority of plants prefer moist, well-drained soil. Unfortunately, most gardeners aren’t growing in plant-friendly soils. Heavy clay, sandy, and droughty soils are much more common. Understanding what you have is the best place to start when creating a healthy soil foundation for new and existing gardens. Start with a soil test. Contact your County Extension Office or state certified soil testing lab for details. They can direct you on how to take a soil test and where to send the sample. The test results will tell you how much, if any, fertilizer, lime, or sulfur is needed. Following soil test recommendations can save you money spent on and time applying unnecessary soil additives. Plus, following the results will increase your gardening success. While waiting for the results you can do a bit of analysis yourself. Soils are made of clay, sand, and silt particles. The feel and cohesive nature of this sample will tell you a bit about your soil. Take a handful of soil and create a ribbon by rubbing it through your thumb and index finger to get a feel for your soil type. If the soil easily forms a ball or rolls into a sausage shape, feels slippery when wet, and smoother when dry, you have a high percent of clay in your soil. Soils with a high percentage of the very small clay particles are often called heavy soils. They stay wet longer and hold onto soil nutrients. Clay soils are slow to dry out and warm up in the spring. Avoid working them when wet. This leads to compaction and clods you will be contending with all season long.
You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • Aug. 9: Music by Rich Patton sponsored by the Merrymakers @ 11 a.m. • Aug. 11: B.B. King concert series on DVD @ 11 a.m. • Aug. 11: Council meeting @ 2 p.m. Please join us. • Aug. 16: Hawaiian party with Christine Coulson performing @ 11 a.m. Special dinner dance and meal at noon. • Aug. 20: A VNA presentation on Eat This, Not That @ 11 a.m. Join us for an informative discussion about the foods we should and shouldn’t be eating. Other activities include gym walking daily @ 9 a.m., bingo Monday and Thursday @ 1 p.m., a movie Friday @ 10 a.m., and chair exercise class Tuesday and Thursday @ 10:30 a.m. Card groups or other clubs needing a place to meet are encouraged to call Michelle Jolley at 402-731-7210 to learn more about space available at the Corrigan Senior Center. There’s a kiln for sale at the center if anyone is interested. Please make an offer. The Corrigan Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $3.50 contribution is normally suggested for the meal. Reservations are normally due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy. For meal reservations or more information, please contact Michelle Jolley @ michelle.jolley@nebraska.gov or 402-731-7210. .
Soils with a larger percent of sand particles don’t form a ball when moist and feel gritty to the touch. The much larger sand particles create bigger pores in the soil for water and nutrients to move through quickly. They tend to be nutrient deficient, fast draining, and dry. But they warm up and dry quickly in the spring. Silt feels smooth like flour when dry and soapy slick when wet. They are the middlesized particles that hold water and nutrients longer than sand, but not as much as clay particles. Silty soils drain slower and stay colder longer than sandy soils in the spring. Overworking soils with a high percent of silt leads to crusting and compaction, decreasing drainage and water infiltration. Consult your soil test report when preparing your new garden beds. Prior to planting is the easiest time to add organic matter to any of these soil types. Widowed Persons Group of Omaha It increases the water-holding ability and the infiltration rate, so less water runs off The Widowed Persons Group of Omaha hosts a luncheon the soil surface and builds plant-friendly the third Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Jericho’s soil structure. Incorporate several inches Restaurant, 11732 W. Dodge Rd. of compost, aged manure, or other organic For more information, please call 402-426-9690 or 402matter into the top eight to 12 inches of soil. 493-0452. Further improve your soil by using a slow release fertilizer with a high percent Become a Volunteer at of organic matter like Milorganite (milorDouglas County Historical Society ganite.com). The 85 percent organic matter feeds the soil microorganisms and your Museum Greeter Photo Archives Help plants as it improves all soil types. You get Office Assistance Speaker’s Bureau multiple benefits with this type of fertilizer. Garden Maintenance Museum Docent So, as you plan your new landscape addiEvent Check-In and more! tions this fall, include testing and amending the existing soil into your plans. UnderCall Emily at 402-455-9990, ext. 102 for more information. standing your soil can help you create a 5730 N. 30th St. #11b strong foundation important to the health, Omaha, NE 68111 longevity, and beauty of your gardens and 402-455-9990 www.DouglasCoHistory.org landscapes. (Myers has written more than 20 gardening books.)
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Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents
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en and women age 55 and older who want to earn a taxfree stipend while making an impact in their community are encouraged to join the Senior Companion Program and the Foster Grandparent Program. Sponsored locally by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, the SCP and FGP are national programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Senior Service Corps. Senior Companions help other older adults maintain their independence by visiting them at home to discuss the news, read mail, play cards, run errands, etc. Foster Grandparents serve as positive role models for children who need special attention with education, healthcare, and social development in schools, Head Start programs, and child development centers. SCP and FGP volunteers must meet income guidelines and complete an enrollment process that includes references and background checks. In exchange for volunteering 15 hours or more per week, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a $2.65 an hour tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, an annual physical examination, supplemental accident insurance coverage, and other benefits including an annual recognition luncheon. The stipend does not interfere with rent, disability, Medicaid, or other benefits. For more information on the FGP and SCP, please call 402-444-6536.
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Theatre organ concert Pick a sunscreen that protects scheduled for Aug. 26 skin, preserves the environment The River City Theatre Organ Society of Omaha will host its annual concert at the Rose Theater, 20th & Farnam streets, on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. This year, Disney’s Hollywood El Capitan Theater organist Rob Richards will perform on the Rose’s mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. The Pathfinder Chorus will be the show’s special guest. Tickets are available at the door for $20 or in advance for $15 through the mail by Monday, Aug. 20. To order tickets by mail, please make out a check for $15 per ticket to RCTOS, and then mail it to RCTOS, 8825 Executive Woods Dr. #85, Lincoln, Neb. 68512. For more information, please contact Jerry Pawlak at 1-402-421-1356 or rivercitytos@gmail.com.
The 211 network The 211 telephone network has been established in parts of Nebraska to give consumers a single source for information about community and human services. By dialing 211, consumers can access information about: • Human needs resources like food banks, shelters, rent and utility assistance, etc. • Physical and mental health resources. • Employment support. • Support for older Americans and persons with a disability. • Support for children and families. • Volunteer opportunities and donations. The 211 network is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information is also available online at www.ne211.org.
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t’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, a time when people flock to the pool, lake, or beach by the thousands to soak up some sun. Families are loading up their cars and heading off for their vacations with the kids and/or grandkids, which often involves spending as much time as possible outdoors walking around amusement and/or water parks. Many of these happy vacationers rely upon sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful UV rays. But how much protection are they truly getting? In many cases, the answer is not enough. Mineral-based sunscreens are better for the environment and our personal health but can be harder to find and more expensive than their traditional counterparts. Not only that, some sunscreens contain the hormonedisrupting ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate which the Hawaiian government has banned due to the environmental harm they cause to coral reefs. That leaves consumers with a conundrum: How do they protect themselves and their little ones from the sun’s harmful rays in an economical way that’s kind to the environment? It’s a seemingly simple question, but the answer is quite complex. There are two types of sunscreen: chemical-based and mineral-based. Chemical-based sunscreens often contain the ingredient oxybenzone, which is proven to disrupt hormones among marine life. Consequences of chemical-based sunscreens to the ecosystem include irreparable harm to coral reefs, sea turtles, and sea turtle eggs. There’s evidence to support that oxybenzone can cause hormonal changes in mammals. Obviously, moving away from chemical-based sunscreens is beneficial to the environment and our personal health. The obvious solution is to use mineral-based sunscreens. This, however, isn’t always economically feasible. A recent study by the National Institutes for Health found anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of people who wear sunscreen fail to use an adequate amount to ensure full coverage. This can lead to painful sunburns and skin cancer. It isn’t entirely surprising people use less than the recommended amount, given the relatively high cost of sunscreens, particularly safer mineral-based sunscreens. Based on the costs provided on Livestrong’s list of the 31 safest sunscreens, the average price to protect a family of four for two hours in the sun is $9.80. Few families with children spend that little time outdoors during the summer. Besides the obvious beach vacations, there are barbecues and pool parties to attend. And with children out of school for the summer, many of them spend a majority of their time each day outdoors. The price to keep them adequately covered in sunscreen can quickly become more than the average middle-class family can afford, especially at a time where prices continue to rise while wages remain stagnant. Protecting your skin from sun damage is important, but so is preserving our environment. Assuming you’re on a strict budget like many Americans, what can you do? Research and find the best environmentally friendly sunscreens. There are many advantages to eco-friendly products that make using them worth the cost. To save money, avoid going outdoors into the sunshine during peak hours whenever possible. Instead, go out in the early mornings or evenings when the sun is lower and the air is cooler. Take a tip from folks in hot, sunny climes like Arizona and rethink the use of your umbrella. Use it to shield yourself from the sun and the rain. Using an umbrella is much easier than wearing long-sleeved clothing in hot weather. With a little creativity and innovation, hopefully you can keep your family safe from the sun, enjoy your summer, and be eco-friendly all at once. (EarthTalk provided this information.)
A $50,000 pilot project
Nebraska Medicine study looking at ways to make caregivers active partners with patients in the ICU
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aregiver participation in patient care leads to better, safer experiences for patients and caregivers. Critical care guidelines call for family caregivers to be active partners in bedside care in the intensive care unit (ICU). But there are few evidence-based strategies to engage family caregivers in specific ways.
A two-year, $50,000 pilot study funded by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, hopes to change that. Breanna Hetland, Ph.D., principal investigator of the grant, will test the feasibility and acceptability of a new web application to improve the experience of mechanically ventilated patients and their family caregivers in the adult ICU. The web app will be installed on tablets provided at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. It will offer family caregivers an interactive orientation to the ICU, as well as teach them how to assess, record, and treat two common patient symptoms, thirst and anxiety. Ventilators are most often used if a disease or condition impairs lung function but being on a ventilator is uncomfortable. “Overuse of sedative and analgesic medications can cause patients to have issues with memory, cognition, emotional stability, and medication withdrawal,” Dr. Hetland said. “We strive to reduce our use of these medications, but that’s really hard when you’re a nurse taking care of a patient who’s uncomfortable or agitated. Unfortunately, we don’t have many other options to offer.” She said caregivers can learn simple, appropriate techniques to alleviate patients’ symptoms. Their involvement also may help lessen some of the demand on busy ICU nurses. “Family caregivers are often better than health care providers at accurately assessing patient symptoms, but we haven’t yet studied whether they can be leveraged to lessen the symptom burden and pharmacologic needs of ventilated patients,” Dr. Hetland said. Researchers will enroll 60 family caregivers; one group will receive routine ICU care and support. The other group will receive a tablet with the web app and be asked to assess, record, and treat symptoms every four hours when visiting the patient. “The project will help us further define the scope, extent, and nature of patient and family engagement in the ICU,” Dr. Hetland said. “If proven feasible, our intervention holds the potential to shift current ICU nursing practices by integrating family caregivers as dynamic partners in care.” The research team plans to launch the study in the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s Werner ICU and recruit study participants in December. Dr. Hetland praised her research team. “I cannot give enough praise to these four women for the effort they continue to put into this project. In addition, the ICU nurses and leaders at Nebraska Medicine have been instrumental in facilitating our research team’s successes. Everyone is excited about the research and has been fun to work with,” Dr. Hetland said. Personal experience motivated Dr. Hetland to do research with families in the ICU. “My dad had a stroke a couple of years ago,” she said. “I watched my parents struggle to navigate the ICU. They had little insight into how to talk with health care providers, what questions to ask, what services were needed, and how to transition from the ICU to home. It was a really humbling experience for me. As a nurse and a researcher, I knew we could provide so much more support for individuals suffering from critical illness.”
Omaha Computer Users Group
Please see the ad on page 3
New Horizons Club membership roll rises
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ou’re invited to join the Omaha Computer Users Group, an organization dedicated to helping men and women age 50 and older learn about their computers regardless of their skill level.
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CUG meets the third Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Abrahams Library, 5011 N. 90th St. Participants will have access to a projector connected to a computer with Microsoft Windows 10 to show users how to solve their computer problems. For more information, please call Phill Sherbon at 402-333-6529.
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$25 Marvin Welstead $5 Lavern Bitter Toni Kerr Charles Van Etten Joan Jacobson-Trotter Reflects donations received through 7/20/18. TRAVEL CAT TOURS, LLC • 2018 TOURS Wine & Bridges Tour - Sept 14 Six Countries without a Passport #1 - Sept 25 Barn Quilts & Nebraska Amish - Oct 9 Kansas City Ethnic Culinary Tour - Nov 9-11 Religions of the World Tour - Nov 11 Chicago’s Christmas Around the World - Nov 26-30 We Are an Omaha Based Company MORE TOURS LISTED ON WEBSITE For reservations, call 531-777-2124 or register online at travelcattours.com • email: info@travelcattours.com
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Ways to help reverse prediabetes
Collecting used hearing aids
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uring July and August, Hear Now Mobile Hearing Solutions will be collecting used hearing aids – working or not – to donate to persons who can’t afford to buy their own hearing aids. The hearing aids, which will be distributed through the Sertoma Club and Starkey, can be dropped off at Help Adult Services, 1941 S. 42nd St., Suite 200 (Center Mall); New Cassel, 900 N. 90th St.; or Hear Now, 15906 Cedar Cr. For more information, please contact Janie York at 402 880-3938 or janie@hearnowsolutions.com.
AARP Florence Chapter The Florence AARP chapter meets monthly at Mountview Presbyterian Church, 5308 Hartman Ave. The programs begin each month with a noon lunch followed by a speaker. For reservations, please call Gerry Goldsborough at 402-571-0971. Rides to the meeting are available by
calling Ruth Kruse at 402453-4825. Here are the next two programs: • August 20: Johnny Ray Gomez Music with Humor • September 17: Picnic
Hug-a-Bears
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olunteers are needed to join the Hug-A-Bears, an Omaha organization whose members have created and donated more than 40,000 stuffed bears to local charities since 2000. The Hug-A-Bears meet Tuesday mornings at the Maple Ridge Retirement Community, 3525 N. 167th Cir. Volunteers are needed to help stuff and sew the bears. For more information, please call Stephen Dawkins at 402-740-2475.
Elder Access Line Legal Aid of Nebraska operates a free telephone access line for Nebraskans age 60 and older. Information is offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy, homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney,
Medicare, and Medicaid. The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-527-7249 statewide. This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity.
WHITMORE LAW OFFICE Wills • Trusts • Probate
Ask A Lawyer: Q — In addition to avoiding probate, what are some benefits of a trust? A — Gifts to minors can be held in the trust with no need for court supervision until they are ready to inherit. A trust provides you with more privacy than a will and is difficult to challenge. A trust can prevent unintentionally disinheriting a child, which can happen in a blended family even where there is a will. You can make provision for beneficiaries with special needs or provide for professional management of your trust if you become disabled. The benefits of a trust are for everyone, not just for “rich people.” Have a question about estate planning? Give us a call!
AARP Legal Service Network • No Charge For Initial Consultation
7602 Pacific Street, Ste 200 • (402) 391-2400 http://whitmorelaw.com
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rediabetes, the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes, afflicts approximately 84 million American adults. Although it sounds scary to have a metabolic disorder, there’s so much you can do to prevent things from getting worse. In fact, many people who improve their lifestyle habits are able to prevent type 2 diabetes and some are able to reverse prediabetes. Registered dietitian nutritionist Jill Wiesenberger says one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health is watching what you eat and building a wholesome, disease-fighting diet. “Every time you eat or drink, you have an opportunity to take control of your health,” says Wiesenberger, who partnered with the American Diabetes Association to write the book Prediabetes: A Complete Guide: Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses. “What you eat in the short-term affects your energy level, feelings of comfort or discomfort, and perhaps your mood and ability to do work. What you eat over time affects your long-term well-being, including your risks of developing type 2 diabetes, dementia, and other chronic health problems.” Unfortunately, the typical American diet is full of unhealthful foods and nutrients including excess calories, saturated fats, added sugars, fatty meats, baked goods, and highly processed grains. Whether or not your diet resembles this typical American dietary pattern, chances are good your diet leaves a little room for improvement. If you become consistent with positive dietary changes, you will experience better health. Wiesenberger recommends committing to a diet rich in whole foods and relatively low in refined and highly processed foods. It’s OK to make gradual changes to your meals and recipes. And there are tasty tweaks to make meals more nourishing. If you’re unsure how to get started or don’t think you have the time to “healthify” your meals, here are five easy strategies to make your meals healthier. • Up the veggies. Non-starchy vegetables provide fewer calories than an equivalent amount of other foods—about 25 calories per 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or 1 cup of raw vegetables. Because they’re low-calorie and filling, they can help you eat a larger portion of more nutrient-dense food for fewer calories. Trim your starch and meat servings by putting twice as much broccoli and green beans on your plate. Add more vegetables to existing recipes. Load up pasta and potato salads with tomatoes, broccoli, chopped red onion, and carrots. Layer thinly sliced zucchini in place of some of the noodles in your lasagna, or stuff more veggies than meat and cheese into your sandwich. • Eat more legumes. You probably already know beans are good for the heart, but they’re also good for diabetes and diabetes prevention. Studies show diets rich in legumes have beneficial effects on both short and long-term fasting blood glucose levels. Not only are they full of plant protein, they contain potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, and dietary fiber, including a special type called “resistant starch.” Resistant starches resist digestion in the small intestine. Instead, they travel to the colon, where they feed our gut bacteria. In the process, the beneficial bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids that seem to protect the colon cells, make the gut environment
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more suitable for the friendly bacteria, less suitable for their harmful cousins, and improve the way our bodies respond to insulin. “If you don’t eat a lot of beans now, aim for one small serving a couple times per week,” says Wiesenberger. Some common legumes are soybeans, black beans, chick-peas, kidney beans, and lentils. Start by adding them to salads and soups and tossing them with rice and other grains. Move on to making them the center of a recipe and eating them instead of meats. • Make simple substitutions. Experimenting in the kitchen will help you find healthier and lower-calorie substitutions for common foods and ingredients. If you love chili, try trading out the meat with beans. Or if your family enjoys tacos, look for recipes that use fish instead of beef or chicken. • Use lower-fat dairy and meats. A simple way to cut calories and saturated fat is to remove poultry skin, select the leanest cuts of red meats, and swap full-fat dairy products for nonfat and lower-fat versions. “The leanest cuts of beef or pork have loin or round in the name, such as tenderloin and eye of the round,” says Wiesenberger. “When it comes to red meats and poultry, lean is king because the saturated fats in fatty meats are linked to both insulin resistance and heart disease. However, fish is another story. Fatty fish are known to be a heart-healthy choice because they contain omega-3 fatty acids. “If you have a favorite whole-milk dairy food such as cheddar cheese or yogurt, eat it in small quantities and choose larger portions of other dairy foods in their lower-fat versions.” • Cook meats with acids and moist heat. Eating huge portions of meat is not smart eating, says Wiesenberger. Filling your plate with animal foods leaves less room for vegetables, beans, fruits, and whole grains—the very foods we know help prevent chronic disease. Also, meats are a main source of harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These compounds are present in a host of foods, but fleshy animal products are a major contributor. In small amounts, AGEs don’t harm us because the body’s defense mechanisms take care of them. In large amounts, however, they cause increased inflammation and insulin resistance. Not only do meats naturally contain AGEs, but AGEs are produced when meats (and cheeses) are cooked, especially with high heat and in dry conditions. You can inhibit the production of these undesirable compounds when you cook with moist heat (stewing, poaching, or steaming) and when you marinate meats in acids or cook with acids like citrus juice, vinegar, tomato juice, and wine. “If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or have been told you’re at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, you have an opportunity to grab control of your health right now and be in greater charge of your future,” says Wiesenberger.
Open art studio near Boys Town
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rtists who work in any medium interested in joining an open art studio located near Boys Town are encouraged to call Claudine Myers at 402-496-4330 for more information.
Safety Council driving classes
Can shedding debt improve your health? Fad diets and weight loss programs may work for some people who are trying to lead healthier lifestyles but shedding debt may be an alternative to expensive diet tricks. According to a Creighton University research study, taking control of your finances could result in several health benefits, including weight loss and a decreased risk for developing chronic diseases. Stress is the number one cause of health problems in America, and money is the number-one cause of stress, according to Julie Kalkowski, executive director of the Financial Hope Collaborative in the Heider College of Business at Creighton. Since 2009, the Financial Hope Collaborative has been offering a Financial Success program, a year-long program aimed at helping low-income single mothers manage their monthly cash, so they significantly reduce shut-off notices, evictions, overdrafts, and payday loans. A focused approach to monthly bills can reduce the stress that can be brought on by lifestyle and finances. Creighton researchers are utilizing a $399,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, along with other local foundations, to conduct a three-year study on the effectiveness of the Financial Success program to see if there is a link between financial education and improved physical health. Researchers will measure health outcomes including blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, perceived quality of life, hopefulness, and lifestyle behaviors such as exercising and fast food consumption. The program consists of nine weekly classes, a year of coaching, and monthly meetings as a way for single mothers to build support and accountability. Women learn how to track their expenses, save for emergencies, and repair their credit. Information on taxes, bankruptcy, insur-
ance, predatory lending, building healthy relationships, and the psychology of money also are provided. Each woman receives access to utility level payment plans and information about debt consolidation loans. “Results from previous participants’ before and one-year-after tests showed significant increases in their financial well-being, sense of control, and confidence. They also have a newfound sense of hopefulness and a change in their attitude toward their finances,” Kalkowski said. “The program seems to positively affect health, parenting, and employment, along with reducing demand for social services.” Not only did women have less stress after completing the program, a 2014 study found some of them also smoked less, consumed less fast food, and spent more time exercising. Twenty eight percent of the women in the program lost 5 percent of their body weight, which can decrease their risk for diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. The program also found women who had changed their financial behaviors showed decreases in borrowing money, using payday loans, receiving utility shut-off notices, and making late payments and overdrafts. “Only five percent of the $3 trillion we spend on healthcare costs annually goes towards prevention. If we can replicate previous findings, this would be the first program in the country to make a correlation between financial education and improved health outcomes,” Kalkowski said. “Improved health outcomes could position financial education and coaching as a ‘standard of care.’ Once that is established, financial education and coaching could qualify as a reimbursable health care intervention.” If you would like to enroll in the program, contact Tamicka at 402-280-3736 or email her at financialConfidence@creighton.edu.
August 2018
The National Safety Council of Nebraska is offering a comprehensive three-hour driving assessment class for older adults by appointment. The Senior Driving Program, which costs $300, is designed to keep older adults driving safely on Nebraska’s roads for as long as possible. Participants will be able to assess and improve their driving skills to reduce risk to themselves, their passengers, and to other
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drivers. The classes, held at the National Safety Council of Nebraska’s office, 11620 M Cir., offer a driving skills self- assessment, behind the wheel driving with statecertified instructors, driving tips, and evaluation, and recommendations. To learn more or to register for the Senior Driving Program, please call 402898-7371 or go online to safety@safenebraska.org.
THEOS
HEOS, a social organization for singles age 60 and older, meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at New Cassel, 900 N.
90th St. Older men and women are encouraged to meet for a fun afternoon and to sign up for other activities throughout the month. On Aug. 13, we’ll play bingo after a short meeting. Please bring $4. For more information, please call Dorothy at 402-399-0759 or Mary at 402-393-3052. Law Offices of Charles E. Dorwart, J.D. 36 years of legal experience • Wills • Living Trusts • Probate • Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorney • In-home consultations • Free Initial consultation 10404 Essex Court • Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 Office: (402) 558-1404 • Fax: (402) 779-7498 cdorwartjd@dorwartlaw.com
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Parkinson’s Nebraska Parkinson’s Nebraska is sponsoring an affordable training option for professionals across Nebraska to help them learn how to implement a successful exercise program for persons living with Parkinson’s disease. The Evidence-Based Concepts for Planning and Implementing a Parkinson’s-Specific Community Exercise Class using OhioHealth’s Delay the Disease Parkinson’s Fitness Program is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8 at the YMCA of Grand Island, 221 E. South Front St. Class times are 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 7 and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. OhioHealth’s Delay the Disease is an evidence-based fitness program for people living with Parkinson’s disease. The program is designed to empower participants by optimizing their physical function and helping to delay the progression of symptoms. Parkinson’s Nebraska has arranged for a block of rooms to be held for class participants at the Ramada Midtown Conference Room in Grand Island. Please call 1-308-3841330 by Aug. 8 to guarantee a discounted room rate of $105 per night. Registration for the class is available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evidenced-based-conceptsfor-planning-and-implementing-a-community-basedparkinsons-specific-tickets-48052244557.
Millard Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Millard Senior Center at Montclair, 2304 S. 135th Ave., this month for the following: • Aug. 1: The Lunch Bunch visits the Pizza Ranch @ 11 a.m. Lunch will still be served at the center. • Aug. 3: Bring a treat for Treat Day. Blood pressure checks @ 9:30 a.m. • Aug. 8: Board meeting @ 9:45 a.m. • Aug. 9: Trip to Joslyn Art Museum. We’ll leave the center @ 9:40 a.m. Lunch at the museum. Sign up for the trip by Aug. 6. • Aug. 17: ENOA’s Step Out for Seniors walk-a-thon @ Benson Park. See page 8 for more information. • Aug. 24: Entertainment by Gary O’Brien @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 28: Talk by VNA on communicating with your doctor @ 10:45 a.m. Canasta @ 1:30 p.m. In September, Methodist College nursing students will offer free toenail care. On Dec. 9, we’ll be attending The Christmas Carol at the Omaha Community Playhouse @ 2 p.m. Your $16 payment is due by Friday, Sept. 14. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is served @ 11:30 a.m. A $3.50 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the meal the participant wishes to enjoy. For reservations or more information, call 402-546-1270.
Volunteers needed The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels Program. Flexible weekday schedule delivering midday meals to homebound older adults in the greater Omaha area. Call Arlis at 402-444-6766 for more information.
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Learning about, using new technology can make life easier for older adults
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earning new technologies can be daunting, and at times may seem like more trouble than it’s worth. But as members of the Baby Boomer generation reach retirement age, there are plenty of good reasons to make sure they’re up to date with the latest technology. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult. Scott Moody, who’s been developing technology specifically designed for older adults with the company he founded, K4Connect, disputes the common perception that older men and women are uncomfortable with technology, and says he has the data to back it up. “What they don’t like is tech designed for 25-year-olds,” Moody said. “I actually find the premise that older adults don’t like technology is the fault of the people designing the technology.” K4Connect’s first product is a comprehensive software platform for senior living communities that allows community residents to turn on lights, adjust the heat in their apartment, lock doors, track their health, and communicate with neighbors. The platform integrates other technologies that would be difficult for older adults to install and learn individually, but collectively can be even more useful for them than for younger folks, Moody says. He points out a lot of products available might be marketed toward younger people but could be even more useful for older adults. For example, a wireless doorbell and lock may be appealing for a younger, healthier person who doesn’t want to get off the couch. For an older adult with mobility issues, these types of technology may be valuable. “That really provides utility, it’s not just a matter of convenience,” Moody says. This type of technology could lower the risk of a fall or injury, for example. “The whole bevy of home automation products provides a lot of demonstrable value to the people we serve,” he says. Many of these kinds of “smart home” products don’t represent a high-tech upgrade and are easily available at hardware stores and drug stores. Other convenience-centered technology solutions could be crucial to older men and women as well. Delivery services like Instacart and Postmates may be appealing to people who don’t feel like going grocery shopping but are a boon for older adults who find it difficult or exhausting. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can allow older men and women to run errands even when they find driving difficult. Some designed specifically for older adults have cropped up recently. Many older men and women, particularly those with mobility issues, tend to become increasingly isolated from friends and family with age. Learning technology can help them stay connected even if they’re unable to leave the house as much, Moody says. He points out, some of the prominent social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter aren’t necessarily useful for this kind of connection. “We’re not trying to keep the older adults’ faces glued to the information all the time,” Moody said. “Digital connection fosters personal connection.” For example, Moody says, in senior living communities, internal communication tools can help residents stay connected with
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each other on a local level. Also, if friends and family are unable to visit often, they can keep in touch via communication tools like video calls. Such strong social engagements can help keep people happier and healthier. An active social life is important for happiness and “your happiness plays directly to your health,” Moody says.
Lisa Cini, the owner of Mosaic Design Studio, which designs senior living community interiors, points out technology can also be useful in tracking health data, which is great for younger people trying to keep track of their exercise, but even more important later in life. Apps for smartphones and connected watches that track baseline health data have become more popular in recent years, which can help older adults keep an eye on their health data or give them a nudge to stay in shape, Cini said. She recommends an FDA-approved EKG monitor that pairs with a smartphone to give insights on heart health and might be able to predict an impending heart attack. Another new device available is a sugar monitor, which can be helpful for making better dietary choices, particularly for those who may have a chronic condition like diabetes that necessitates strict diet.
Help for caregivers The summer months can bring on stress for many of us. Finding ways to relieve stress are important to our overall health and well-being. Caregivers are not immune to this stress. Please contact Respite Across the Lifespan at 402-559-5732 or edbennett@unmc.edu to find out more about respite services and to locate resources in your area.
NARFE The National Active and Retired Federal Employees’ Chapter 144 meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402292-1156. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees’ Aksarben Chapter 1370 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402342-4351.
Dr. Al Fisher named to lead UNMC’s Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, Palliative Care
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l Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., has been named associate professor and chief of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care Medicine. He assumed the role July 1. Dr. Fisher succeeds Jane Potter, M.D., who served for 36 years as chief of the UNMC Division of Geriatrics. Dr. Potter will continue as director of the geriatric medicine fellowship program and as medical director of the Nebraska Medicine Geriatric Medicine Clinic. “Dr. Fisher will continue the focus on highquality care, world-class education, and will help us further our agingrelated investigations,” said Deb Romberger, M.D., Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “We are formally adding palliative care medicine to the Geriatrics Division. Dr. Fisher will partner with Nebraska Medicine to help us develop a more comprehensive program in this Dr. Al Fisher, M.D., Ph.D. area.” Dr. Fisher said in medical school he was drawn to geriatrics because it’s both primary care and a specialty, and because of the complex clinical challenges presented by the intersecting medical, social, and functional needs and resources of each patient. “It is necessary to understand and consider each of these needs – plus appreciate the patient’s goals of care – and engage in creative problem solving to be a good clinician. Underlying all of this is one of the biggest mysteries, the aging process, which has endlessly fascinated humans,” Dr. Fisher said. “I am excited to join the division with its strong reputation, beautiful clinical facilities, and opportunities to build new research programs, both in the division and with other groups on campus.” For the past five years, Dr. Fisher has worked in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (UTHSCSA), most recently serving as interim division chief and associate professor. He served as associate director of the M.D.-Ph.D. program and of the Center for Healthy Aging at UTHSCSA and as associate director of research for the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital which is located on the UTHSCSA campus. From 2005 to 2013, he was an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Division of Geriatric Medicine, and from 2004 to 2005, he was an adjunct assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco Division of Geriatrics. Dr. Fisher has published more than 50 articles, reviews, and abstracts, and has presented at more than 20 scientific conferences. He has received 10 awards for his mentoring, and in 2013 was awarded recognition by the University of Texas Rising STARS program. His research interests include the biology of aging, frailty, and factors that influence aging. Since 2004, he has continually received grant funding, including five grants from the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s leading medical research agency for making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. Dr. Fisher earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 1991 in biochemistry, where he also was named University Scholar of the Year. He earned a Ph.D. in cell biology and genetics in 1998 and a doctor of medicine degree in 1999 from Cornell University. He did post graduate training in geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco and at Buck Institute in Novato, Calif.
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Programs for dementia caregivers
aking care of a loved one with dementia presents unique challenges, and caregivers may feel alone or overwhelmed. Flaherty Senior Consulting is offering free programs in September and October to help caregivers understand how to provide the best possible care for their loved ones with dementia. • Learning to Live with Dementia Saturday, Sept. 8 & Saturday, Oct. 13 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Servite Center of Compassion 72nd and Ames Circle This two-part workshop focuses on the various types of dementia and how to manage symptoms. To register, contact Sister Margaret Stratman at 402-951-3026 or scc@osms.org. • Is it Normal Aging, or Is it Something Else? Wednesday, Sept. 5 @ noon Holy Cross Church 4837 Woolworth Ave.
Attend this workshop to learn the warning signs of dementia. To register, contact Connie Swanson at 402-558-0625 or awakcone@gmail.com. • Practical Suggestions for Challenging Behaviors Saturday, Sept. 15 9:30 to 11 a.m. Servite Center of Compassion 72nd and Ames Circle Dr. Renee A. Hudson, PsyD, ABPP, of Hudson Neuropsychology Consultants, will review strategies that can be helpful dealing with challenging behaviors. To register, contact Sister Margaret Stratman at 402-951-3026 or email her at scc@osms.org. Learning to Live with Dementia and Is it Normal Aging or Is it Something Else will be presented periodically by Nancy Flaherty, MS, CDP, of Flaherty Consulting. For more information on any of these programs, please contact Flaherty at 402312-9324 or flahertyconsulting@cox.net.
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Driveways, garage floors, sidewalks, retaining walls. patio specialists since 1985. Insured/references.
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New Horizons
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Larry’s career includes stops at Boys Town, KETV
Larry grew up in the Nebraska Sandhills region. By Nick Schinker Contributing Writer
W
hether you’re one person with an issue and need assistance cutting through government or corporate red tape, or a large organization in need of someone to coordinate dozens of volunteers for an event, Larry Thompson can help. Over the past 18 years, Thompson has served as coordinator of KETV’s 7 Can Help public service program. He leads a staff of six volunteers who each year handle thousands of phone calls, emails, and letters seeking assistance with all sorts of consumer issues. Utilizing their experience and a vast array of resources they have accumulated over time, the 7 Can Help volunteers direct callers to people or organizations that can help resolve the specific issue. Separate from his duties at KETV, Thompson helps coordinate the approximately 400 volunteers who give their time at the Pinnacle Bank Championship charitable golf tournament presented by the Heartland Chevy Dealers. Held in July at the Club at Indian Creek in Elkhorn, the tournament raises funds for the TeamMates Mentoring Program, founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne. The 7 Can Help volunteers are very good at what they do, as proved by the many thank-you notes and emails they receive. “We help people get their problems solved,” says Crystal, a 7 Can Help volunteer the past 12 years. “Sometimes, we provide direction. Sometimes, we make a call or two on their behalf.” In one recent instance, a man was having trouble getting the City of Omaha to resolve a concern regarding public property near his home. The man called the city several times before he contacted 7 Can Help. “We made a call to the proper city department,” Crystal recalls. “Within an hour, the caller sent us a photo of the city crews that had come out to take care of it.” Thompson says it is in his nature to help people. Prior to joining 7 Can Help, he worked at Boys Town in a variety of capacities. He has served on the boards of several civic and charitable agencies, including HELP Adult Services and the Omaha Literacy Council, and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and its approximately 700 volunteers. “I’ve always been a hard worker and a good listener,” he says. “Thankfully, I have been blessed to find places where I can use those attributes and help other people.” hompson was born in Bassett, Neb., and grew up enjoying the natural beauty of the Nebraska Sandhills. His parents, Harvey and Eva, owned the 14-room Thompson Motel along Highway 20, and a ranch to the east just outside of Newport. “I worked in the hayfields in the summertime,” Thomp-
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son recalls. “It was just like the TV show, Rawhide.” After his father died while Thompson was a student at Rock County High School, Larry and his mother took over running the motel. “It was the kind of place where you could come up to our window, get a key, and stop back in the morning to pay on your way out of town,” he says. “Almost every day, we’d have guests come in and join us for dinner. I grew up around pipe and cigar smoke. “It was where I first learned the meaning of hospitality, and about helping people.” His mother, who is age 103 and lives in Omaha, once worked for Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House, after Mrs. Roosevelt became co-chair of the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) with New York City Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, working to give civilian volunteers expanded roles in war preparations. “Mrs. Roosevelt chose someone from each state to come to Washington and serve the OCD as secretary for their state,” Thompson says. “Mom was selected from Nebraska. She met Winston Churchill and became quite fond of White House parties.” After high school, Thompson went to study at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif., before going to work in clothing store sales. He then attended California State University in Long Beach, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. After moving to Omaha, Thompson wasn’t certain what he wanted to do, but he had heard good things about the progress underway at Boys Town, so he went there and applied, not having a specific job in mind. That was in 1972. He stayed for the next 28 years. “I loved Boys Town dearly,” Thompson says. “We all became very close; very much a family. I am still in touch with many of the people I met there.” At Boys Town, Thompson’s duties included counseling youth in life-skill development utilizing the Family Home Model, which is still used there today. He also coordinated the marketing and strategy for the outreach programs to disseminate the Boys Town model throughout the United States. He directed
August 2018
In 2016, Thompson was named KETV’s employee of the year.
workshops held in the U.S., England, and South Africa, where trainers conducted sessions detailing the Boys Town Family Home Model. “The work was very rewarding,” he says. “Helping the kids to develop social skills, build their knowledge and go out into the world and be a success. I enjoyed every minute.” Thompson joined KETV as Coordinator of 7 Can Help in January 2000. In 2016, he was named KETV’s employee of the year. Launched in1981, 7 Can Help has volunteers who take calls from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 402-522-7777, or toll-free at 1-800-279-5388. At all other hours, the phones record messages from callers that are returned when the volunteers come in. The service also has a Facebook page, and accepts emails at 7canhelp@ketv.com. “7 Can Help has become such a reliable brand in the community,” Thompson says. “I have a really fantastic position, where I can listen to people and their issues and guide them toward a resolution.” Thompson says that while the majority of calls are from the metropolitan Omaha area, calls come from all over the U.S. “They found us on the Internet, or someone told them about us,” he says. “Quite often, we’re able to help these people, no matter where they are. “We have resources that we can provide, or we can make a call on their behalf. Some of the numbers we have are private numbers that leaders in the community have given us just for the purpose of cutting through all the red tape.” The calls run the gamut, from issues with a landlord such as a broken water heater or bed bugs; to overgrown bushes where a resident in a wheelchair could not navigate the sidewalk. “We had a caller who was deeply concerned about the windows falling out of a building that was being demolished, and the glass littering a high-traffic alleyway she used,” Thompson says. “I went out, took some photos, and emailed them to the city. The next day, the developer had a crew out cleaning up the glass.” Thompson says there is no typical age or area for the callers, but they do have something in common. “If they’re calling us, it’s a big deal for them,” he says. “It may sound minor, but it isn’t for the people who call. It’s never a laughing matter. For everyone who calls us, it is a serious issue. “You can tell from the people who send us thank-yous. They are overjoyed that we stepped in.” He says that’s why each caller is treated individually and with compassion. “We might be on the phone for a halfhour with someone, just listening,” he says, “because that’s what they really needed the most.” The reputation for being able to resolve issues is welldeserved. Thompson and his six volunteers are seven who can help.