New Horizons February 2017 by Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

February 2017 VOL. 42 • NO. 2

ENOA 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105-2431

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Leap of faith

Photo courtesy of the College of Saint Mary

Sister Maryanne Stevens, Ph.D., RSM, has been president of the College of Saint Mary (CSM) for 20 years. Before going to CSM, Dr. Stevens was a tenured theology professor with no administrative experience. In 1996, the debt-ridden college for women in Omaha was on the verge of closing its doors. Today, her leadership has energized the midtown campus and the student body is thriving. Nick Schinker’s profile of Sister Stevens begins on page 10.

Volunteer Dee Owen, age 99, volunteers at the Omaha Community Playhouse twice a week. She’s also been on the OCP’s board of trustees since 1970. See page 13.

Tax counseling AARP and the EITC Coalition of Omaha are both offering free income tax counseling services for Nebraskans through mid April. See pages 15 and 18.

Snow & Ice Management Association provides tips for safe snow shoveling

he Snow & Ice Management Association – North America’s trade association representing snow management professionals – has five tips for safe snow shoveling. “Shoveling snow has a number of health risks associated with it, including the most serious one; a heart attack,” said Martin B. Tirado, executive director of SIMA. “Other more common health risks include dehydration, back injuries, pulled muscles, broken bones, and

frostbite. But the good news is there are ways to safely shovel snow.” Here are SIMA’s tips for safe snow shoveling: • Stay on top of the snow. We aren’t suggesting you make snow angels but when there’s heavy snow, the best advice is to stay ahead of the storm. SIMA recommends you clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling. • Layer it up. Wear three layers of clothing: a base, insulating, and an outer layer. The base layer needs to

be comfortable and made of a breathable fabric that allows you to move. It should also wick moisture away from your body to keep your skin dry. The insulating layer – such as your shirt, pants, and perhaps a vest – is designed to keep you warm. These clothes should be loose fitting, lightweight, and have the ability to trap air but allow moisture to get through. The outer layer is for warmth and to keep you dry. The materials need to be waterproof, windproof, and able to breathe. You’ll stay warmer if

your jacket extends below the waist and there’s a hood. There’s a bonus for jackets with elastic or drawstrings at the cuff, midline, or hem that may help keep you warmer and drier in the snow and ice. • Push, don’t lift. Sounds like something a high school wrestling coach might say, but if you push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift the snow, you exert less energy, thereby placing less stress on your body. • Do an exercise warmup. Although you aren’t running a marathon, shovel-

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ing snow is exercise. Warm up before you start with some simple stretches that engage your entire body; especially your arms, legs, and back. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when needed. • Call and text. We’re not suggesting you make calls and text while shoveling snow, but it’s important to have your cell phone on you so you can make a call in the event of an emergency. Following these tips will help ensure that you survive and thrive through winter. For more snow and ice removal tips, visit the website www.sima.org.

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ou’re invited to visit the Camelot Friendship Center inside the Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., for the following: • Feb. 6: Foot care clinic from 10 a.m. to noon. • Feb. 8: Birthday bash featuring crafts @ 10:15 a.m. • Feb. 9: Book Club @ 10:15 a.m. • Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party featuring music by Joyce Torchia @ 11:45 a.m. • Feb. 16: Jackpot Bingo @ 12:15 p.m. • Feb. 17: Line dancing @ 12:15 p.m. • Feb. 24: Movie day @ 12:15 p.m. • Feb. 27: Chair volleyball @ 10:30 a.m. The center will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20 for Presidents Day.

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Other activities include Tai Chi (Tuesday and Friday @ 10:15 a.m.), Bingo, pinochle, card games, other games, crafts, candy making, and scrapbooking. The Camelot Friendship Center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $3.50 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to enjoy. For reservations or more information, please call Amy at 402-444-3091.

Advice to help prevent falls

Make a donation to help support the

“Voice for Older Nebraskans!”

By Jonathan Kaspar

cause you to live in fear of falling, which can impact your quality of life.” he winter Braund offers five tips to help prevent falls: months bring • Monitor the effects of medications: Medications can opportunities often have unpleasant side effects that can contribute to for joyous falls. These side effects can include dizziness, changes in celebrations blood pressure, and drowsiness. Review your prescriptions with famwith your doctor to keep track of schedules and side efily and friends. Those cold fects. months also bring the risk of • Use assistive devices: Using canes, walkers, hearing serious injuries due to falls. aids, or other fitted assistive devices can help reduce the Astonishingly, half of older risk of injury. adults are “frequent fall• Assess the safety of the environment: Poor lighting, ers” and one third of older area rugs, bathrooms, and men and women fall every clutter can create a danyear. As falls can result in gerous living environment serious injuries such as hip for those with mobility, fractures, broken bones, and vision, and/or hearing head injuries, fall prevention challenges. There are is a must for those over age several simple measures 65. that can help prevent falls, According to Victoria including Braund, MD, FACP, who ensuring stairs have adis director of the Diviequate lighting and railsion of Geriatric Medicine ings, checking that area at NorthShore University rugs have no-slip pads beneath them, installing grab bars HealthSystem and medical in bathrooms, clearing clutter from high-traffic areas in the director at Brandel Health & living space, and securing cords to ensure they are not in Rehab at Covenant Village main walkways. of Northbrook, a continuing • Exercise regularly: Not only can regular exercise care retirement community, improve heart and lung functioning but it also improves there are several factors that balance and muscle strength, which helps reduce falls. can contribute to falls. • Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness, and “Falls are caused by either that can lead to a fall. As we grow older we lose our sense intrinsic or extrinsic facof thirst, so make it a common practice to consume at least tors,” said Braund. “Intrinsic six glasses of water daily – even if you don’t feel thirsty. factors include age, hearing In addition to following these tips, regular osteoporosis or vision loss, and mediscreenings are wise. “The risk of falls increases with every cal issues, while extrinsic decade of age. As osteoporosis can lead to a greater risk of factors include medications a fracture if a fall occurs, regular screenings for bone loss and a person’s environment. and taking a proper medication or supplement if detected is Falls not only pose a risk of a must,” Braund said. serious injury but can also (Kaspar is a healthcare administrator.)

You can receive your FREE copy of the New Horizons each month in any of ways!

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Pick up a copy at one of the more than 100 distribution sites (grocery stores, restaurants, senior centers, libraries, etc.) Through the United States mail New subscribers should send their name, address, and zip code to: New Horizons, 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105. Online on your computer Log on to enoa.org, scroll down until you see the New Horizons cover, and then click on click here for the pdf version.

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Membership includes a subscription to the New Horizons newspaper. New Horizons Club Send Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging 4223 Center Street to: Omaha, NE 68105-2431 I get the New Horizons regularly and don’t need to be put on the mailing list. I would like to start receiving the New Horizons at home. My address is below. NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP

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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, 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105-2431. 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; Gary Osborn, Dodge County, secretary; Brian Zuger, Sarpy County; & Janet McCartney, Cass County.

For more information, please call 402-444-6654.

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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Heartland Generations Center You’re invited to visit the Heartland Generations Center – 4318 Fort St. – for the following: • Feb. 10, 17, & 24: Quilting class @ 10:15 a.m. • Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party with the Heartland Family Service Guild @ 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 16: WhyArts? dance and movement class with Courtney Stein. • Feb. 22: Trip to Love’s Jazz & Art Center and lunch. • Feb. 24: Methodist College nurses will take blood pressure readings, etc. from 10 a.m. to noon. • Feb. 27: Birthday party with music by Billy Troy from The Merrymakers @ 11:30 a.m. Join us for cake and ice cream. The center will be closed on Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. Weekly events include Bingo Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; (free) T’ai Chi Tuesday and Thursday @10:45 a.m.; and chair exercises Tuesday and Thursday @ 12:45 p.m. The Heartland Generations Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is normally served at noon. A $3.50 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to attend. Bus transportation is available within select neighborhoods for 50 cents each way. For meal reservations and more information, please call 402-553-5300.

Alzheimer’s support groups The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter offers several caregiver support groups and specialty support groups each month in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, 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 (toll free) 800-272-3900. CASS COUNTY • PLATTSMOUTH Second Tuesday @ 6 p.m. First Lutheran Church (chapel) 1025 Ave. D DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m. Shalimar Gardens (second floor community room) 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY • OMAHA Second Thursday @ 10 a.m. Country House Residences 5030 S. 155th St. FREE on site adult day services are provided. 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. FREE on-site adult day services are provided.

Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m. Temple Israel (media room) 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr.

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he 700 midday meals the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging delivers weekdays to its clients are always hot and nutritious, but they don’t always come with a special treat. That changed on Monday, Jan. 23 when the agency’s corps of paid and volunteer drivers delivered a special oatmeal raisin cookie to the older men and women on their routes that day. The cookies were sponsored by WoodmenLife, who also made a $6,000 donation to ENOA’s Meals on Wheels program. Part of these funds will be used to purchase another special treat later this year.

Caring for Your Parents Second or third Saturday @ 11 a.m. Call Teri @ 402-393-0434 for locations Spanish Language Support Group Second Tuesday @ 4 p.m. Intercultural Community Center 3010 R St. 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.

New Horizons

WoodmenLife’s Director of Community Projects Bruce Moritz (second from right) presents a $6,000 check to ENOA staff members (from left): Jay Schuoler, Katelyn York, Executive Director Dennis Loose, Tara Thomas, and Arlis Smidt.

“It’s not connected to any holiday or national day – just a random act of kindness that we wanted to give to these seniors,” said Annette Devine, vice-president of accounting services for WoodmenLife and chair of WoodmenLife’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

“For several years, WoodmenLife employees have volunteered to deliver meals for ENOA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Park East Tower, 539 S. 26th Ave.,” said Arlis Smidt, who coordinates ENOA’s Meals on Wheels Program. “We appreciate the ongoing support from WoodmenLife,” said Dennis Loose, ENOA’s executive director. “The special treats meant a lot to the men and women who received them. It’s extremely thoughtful of WoodmenLife to do this for our homebound clients. The monetary support will help us improve the delivery of this valuable service.”

NCOA working to enroll older adults in SNAP

Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m. Immanuel Fontenelle 6809 N 68th Plz.

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WoodmenLife donates $6,000, cookies for ENOA’s Meals on Wheels Program

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he rising cost of food is a daily source of stress for millions of older adults who live on fixed incomes. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is leading a national movement to get more eligible older adults enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help them pay for this basic necessity. Nationally, adults aged age 65+ have an average annual income of $46,627. They spend more than $5,500 – or nearly 12 percent – on food. Their friends 10 years younger have a greater average income of about $75,000 annually and they only spend about 9 percent on groceries. “Food, on average, is the second highest household expenditure for people aged 65+, behind only housing costs,” said Lura Barber, Director of Hunger Initiatives at NCOA. “It’s also an expense where seniors feel they can make tradeoffs. Often, they will choose less expensive processed foods over fresh vegetables and meats to stretch their food budget. This can become a threat to their health as they age. That’s where SNAP can help.” SNAP provides financial support to eligible older adults so they can purchase healthy food and free up their budget to cover other expenses. More than five mil-

February 2017

lion older men and women are eligible for the program, but the vast majority either doesn’t realize it or don’t apply for the benefit. NCOA is leading a national movement to empower eligible older adults with information and assistance to access SNAP. Working with grant-funded community-based organizations, older men and women can get one-on-one support with the SNAP process. Since launching this effort two years ago: • More than 917,015 older adults have accessed their SNAP application online through NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp free benefits screening tool. • Nearly 400,000 people have been screened for SNAP eligibility by local partners. • More than 68,000 older adults have completed applications, resulting in an estimated $94 million in SNAP benefits. NCOA recently added 15 new local partners to this project, bringing the total number of communities to 31. Older adults can find out if they’re eligible for SNAP by visiting NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp and answering a set of anonymous and confidential questions. To find a SNAP application, older adults also can go online and visit www.BenefitsCheckUp.org/getSNAP.

Study examines exercise as a treatment for depression with older men, women

actors such as advanced age and greater aerobic capacity increase the likelihood exercise will work as a treatment for depression in older patients, a recent study published online in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has shown. The research expands the Safety and Efficacy of Exercise for Depression in Seniors (SEEDS) study, which found exercise together with the antidepressant medication sertraline was significantly more effective in reducing depression symptoms than sertraline alone. The combined treatment approach, however, worked well for some but not all study participants. “There isn’t a lot of information available to help clinicians decide who should receive exercise therapy and who is less likely to benefit from it,” said senior author Klea Bertakis, professor of family and community medicine at UC Davis. “We wanted to better understand the modifiers of exercise therapy for depression.” The risk of depression, along with its accompanying risks of physical disease and suicide, increases with age. It’s thought to affect more than two million Americans over age 65. That estimate, however, could be low, since depression is often overlooked or incorrectly considered a normal part of growing older. Primary care has become a critically important setting for reducing the rates of undiagnosed and undertreated depression among older adults, Bertakis said. “We are the sole health care contacts for more than 50 percent of older patients with mental illness,” Bertakis said. “With remission rates of just 28 to 44 percent, even with first-line antidepressants, there is a huge need to find alternative treatments for depression for this population.” SEEDS involved about 120 study participants between the ages of 65 and 85. All were sedentary, diagnosed with clinical depression, and patients of primary care clinics in Italy. Primary care and mental health care are linked services in Italy, making it an ideal location for the study. One group received sertraline, a selec-

tive serotonin reuptake inhibitor thought to work by balancing brain chemistry. Another group received sertraline plus lowintensity exercise such as mat work. A third group received sertraline plus high-intensity exercise using exercise bicycles. Participants who received the combined treatment achieved depression remission more frequently and earlier than those who just received sertraline.

or the study, all three SEEDS groups were evaluated for depression symptoms as well as sociodemographic, physical, medical, psychiatric, and cognitive factors. The results showed the exercise interventions were especially effective for those who were age 75 or older, who were taking three or more daily medications, who had higher aerobic capacity before beginning the intervention, or who had fewer symptoms of anxiety. One of the most interesting outcomes was that exercise was more effective at reducing depression for patients with psychomotor impairments, a common outcome of depression that reduces mobility, speech, and executive function. Studies have shown antidepressant medications like sertraline tend to be less effective in patients with psychomotor impairments. “It’s possible that exercise on its own benefited this group more or that it changed brain chemistry in ways that helped make sertraline more effective,” Bertakis said. “There needs to be more research to tease out the benefits of exercise for this group, because psychomotor impairments can be some of the most disabling features of depression.” The study overall proves older adults are not a homogenous population when it comes to depression treatment. “We need to continue to find new options for older patients with depression and overcome the ‘one size fits all’ treatment approach,” Bertakis said. The research team is currently studying alternative treatments to sertraline for depressed older patients with anxiety, including breathing and postural exercises.

Notre Dame Housing

Fremont Friendship Center

You’re invited to visit the Notre Dame Housing, 3439 State St. for the following: • Tuesdays & Thursdays: Tai Chi @ 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 1: Pet therapy @ 2:30 p.m. • Feb. 9: Talk on mental health and substance abuse. • Feb. 15: Food pantry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Feb. 21: Strings of Joy @ 2 p.m. Notre Dame Housing is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 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 you wish to attend. For meal reservations, please call Brenda at 402451-4477, ext. 126.

You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), for the following: • Feb. 1: Home hints @ 10 a.m., and pianist Wally. • Feb. 2: Talk on Steps to Staying Young @ 10 a.m. • Feb. 6: Slide show on Antarctica by Rich @ 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 7: Hearing screenings @ 10 a.m. • Feb. 8: February birthday party and music by Billy Troy @ 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 8: The School of Walk begins. See the story on page 6 for more information. • Feb. 9: Presentation on hand therapy @ 10 a.m. • Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Bingo @ 10:30 • Feb. 15: News with Nye @ 10 a.m. followed by music with Tim Javorsky. • Feb. 16: Talk on fall prevention @ 10 a.m. • Feb. 22: Music by Wayne Miller @ 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 24: Talk about ENOA by Kay Snelling @ 10 a.m. The center will be closed on Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. 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.

February 2017

Dora Bingel Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: • Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, & 24: Ceramics @ 9 a.m. • Feb. 1: Holy Communion served @10 a.m. • Feb. 6, 13, 20, & 27: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m. • Feb. 13: Book Club @ 10 a.m. • Feb. 15: The Merrymakers present live music by Billy Troy @11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3. • Feb. 15: Foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to noon for $10. Call 402-392-1818 to make an appointment. • Feb. 22: Birthday party luncheon @ noon. Eat free if you have a February 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: Matinee @ 12:30 and quilting @1 p.m. Wednesday: Devotions @ 10:30, Tai Chi at 11 a.m., Bingo @ 1 p.m., and Bible Study at 1 p.m. Friday: Joy Club Devotions at 9:30 a.m. and Bingo @ 1 p.m. For more information, please call 402-898-5854.

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 “Boeing-Boeing” at the New Theater. April 22. $139 before 2/22/17. ($149 after 2/22/17.) Join us on a Saturday trip to Kansas City to see a live performance of “Boeing-Boeing” while you enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. This comedy, starring Debra Jo Rupp from “That 70s Show” and “Friends”, is the story of Bernard, a bachelor juggling a very precarious social calendar while he is engaged simultaneously to three different stewardesses. His sophisticated timetable works great until the new double speed Super Boeing changes the schedules of the airlines and the mayhem begins. “The Dixie Swim Club” at the New Theater. June 21. $129 before 4/21/17. ($139 after 4/21/17.) Join us on a Wednesday trip to Kansas City to see a live performance of “The Dixie Swim Club” while you enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. This play, starring Morgan Fairchild from “Falcon Crest”, “Flamingo Road”, and “Friends”, is the story of five Southern women who became friends on their college swim team. For 33 years they’ve had a weekend reunion every August to recharge those relationships. The Dixie Swim Club focuses on four of those weekends. Branson Christmas. November 6 - 9. $699 before 8/6. ($739 after 8/6.) Enjoy Daniel O’Donnell at the Welk Theater, Pierce Arrow, The Brett Family, Neal McCoy, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons hits in “New Jersey Nights”, and either “The Miracle of Christmas” at the Sight and Sound Theater or the SIX Show, and Grand Village shopping. Laughlin Laughlin in February. February 22 – 25. $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. It is a very affordable way to get away from the COLD! During your stay, you will have the option of seeing “The Man In Black” performance at the Riverside Resort, a retro look into the American icon Johnny Cash. In Partnership with Collette Vacations Quoted prices are per person, double occupancy, and do not include airfare. More destinations available! Reflections of Italy. Ten days from $2449. Visit a land rich in history, culture, art, and romance including Rome, the Colosseum, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Chianti Winery, Venice, Murano Island, and Milan. Extend your trip in Turin. Irish Splendor. Eight days from $1699. Return to times gone by as you experience fabulous accommodations, stunning scenery, and sumptuous food visiting Dublin, the Guiness Storehouse, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Dromoland Castle, and Tullamore Whiskey Distillery. Extend your trip in Dublin. Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule. 11808 Mason Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154

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Corrigan Senior Center

Walking Club in Fremont to begin Wednesday, Feb. 8

You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • Feb. 2: Groundhog Day celebration. Join us @ 11 a.m. for games, trivia, and Groundhog Bingo. Stay for fish or a turkey breast and Monterey Jack cheese on a ciabatta bun sandwich for lunch. • Feb. 8: Presentation about healthy living houseplants by a Douglas County Extension Office representative @ 11 a.m. Enjoy a turkey breast or a deli roast beef and Monterey Jack chef salad for lunch. • Feb. 13: Valentine’s Party @ 11 a.m. featuring music by Billy Troy. • Feb. 14: Sweethearts Dinner Dance with music by the Red Raven Band @ 11 a.m. Dance to some of the best polka and waltz music in Omaha. Make your reservations today. • Feb. 16: Special roast pork dinner @ noon and a visit by students from St. Peter & Paul school @ 1 p.m. The reservation deadline is Friday, Feb. 10 @ 11 a.m. • Feb. 21: Spa Day with registered nurses. Schedule your foot soak and pedicure at the Corrigan front desk. Free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to noon. • Feb. 23: Birthday party with Big Band music by Heartland Ensemble @ 11 a.m. A delicious chicken piccata or a deli roast beef and Swiss on a Kaiser roll sandwich will be served for lunch. • Feb. 27: Talk by Katherine “Kat” Crawford, author of Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers @ 11 a.m. Find out how a traumatic illness encompasses the extended family, co-workers, and your neighbors. The center will be closed on Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. Everyone, including new players, is welcome to play chair volleyball every Tuesday and Thursday @ 11 a.m. A noon lunch will follow. Join us for Tai Chi – a relaxing and fun activity that’s proven to improve your balance – Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10 a.m. in our spacious gym. Bingo, ceramics, exercise, woodcarving, and loads of fun are also available. 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 call HorizonAD-2010:HorizonAD-08 Lynnette at 402-731-7210. 2/4/10 8:00 AM Page 1

he Fremont Friendship Center – 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field) – and Fremont Health are pairing up to start the School of Walk, an exercise program for men and women age 60 and older.

Read it & eat By Lois Friedman readitandeat@yahoo.com

Try these Valentine’s Day recipes Celebrate Valentines Day with these cookbooks. Something for everyone you know. Enjoy these festive recipes. Chronicle Books: Drink Like A Man By the Editors of ‘Esquire’ ($22.95) From the pages of Esquire magazines past are 90 cocktail recipes and everything you need to know in this cocktail guide. Recipes are for one beverage each. Eat Like a Man Guide to Feeding a Crowd By the Editors of ‘Esquire’ ($30) Inspired cooking, food that puts a smile on hungry faces. Think camaraderie. Recipes for late morning, afternoon, night, dinner, and anytime from chefs around the U. S.

Participants can walk in a safe, monitored environment inside Christensen Field’s main arena Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walkers will need to come through the Fremont Friendship Center’s main doors to access the arena. In addition to the three times a week scheduled walking days, there will be an eight-week Winter Walking program on Wednesdays from Feb. 8 through March 29.

articipants will be able to listen to speakers from Fremont Health, have coffee, and walk with their friends. For more information, please call Nate Schwanke with the City of Fremont Parks and Recreation Department at 402-727-2630 or Laurie Harms with the Fremont Friendship Center at 402-727-2815.

Not My Mother's Kitchen By Rob Chirico (Imagine!, $24.95) Stories of growing up in New York with more than 70 recipes in this memoir by the son of an Italian mother who couldn't cook even by the age of 95. An Italian food love story. A Southern Gentleman's Kitchen By Matt Moore (Oxmoor, $32) Good food, good drink, and good conversation are the pillars of Southern hospitality. Discover the inner gentleman's favorite recipes for Goo Goo Clusters, Pickled Okra, Kitchen Sink Baked Beans and Whole Roasted Hog. All are part of book’s 150 recipes. Mad Hungry Family By Lucinda Quinn (Artisan, $27.95) From this cookbook author/former food editor at Martha Stewart are 120 essential recipes for big-flavor, low-fuss, crowd-pleasing, and easy-to-prepare comfort food to feed the whole crew. Beautiful photographs, too. Moon Juice Cookbook By Amanda Bacon (Pam Krauss Books, $30) Eating to be happy, healthy, and beautiful.with these foods and beverages. “Nutritionally turbocharge” your meals and “create beauty on the plate and palate” The Thinking Girl's Guide to Drinking By Ariane Resnick (Regan Arts, $24.95) From Bar Basics to Go Ahead, Be Jolly. these one drink recipes are for every occasion. One-hundreds recipes with nutrition guide to drinking mocktails, cocktails, and more. Try this glass of of your own personal heaven:

Valentine Moonshine 2 ounces cocoa-butter-washed bourbon 1 ounce hibiscus liqueur 1/4 ounce Luxardo cherry juice 2 dashes chocolate bitters Berry sparkling water, to fill Shake all the ingredients except the sparkling water in a shaker with ice. Pour into a double old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice and top with the berry sparkling water. Note: you could use plain sparkling water instead of the berry.

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Retired fed employees meet at Omaha eatery 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 402-292-1156. 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 402-342-4351.

Mizzou study examining drug that may help prevent blood vessel blockages

ccording to the American Heart Association, approximately 2,200 Americans die each day from heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. The most common cause is blocked blood vessels that can no longer supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart and brain. A recent study by researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine has shown a protein inhibitor drug prevents these blockages, and could be a new therapeutic approach to prevent heart attack, stroke, and other diseases caused by blocked blood vessels. “Arteries are living hoses that narrow and enlarge in order to regulate blood flow to organs and muscles,” said William Fay, M.D., the J.W. and Lois Winifred Stafford Distinguished Chair in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research at the MU School of Medicine and the senior author of the study. “Smooth muscle cells in the artery regulate blood flow by constricting and relaxing. However, when chronic inflammation occurs in a blood vessel – typically in response to diabetes, high cholesterol, and cigarette smoking – the smooth muscle cells in the walls of arteries change their behavior. They gradually accumulate inside the artery and narrow the blood vessel. In the case of coronary arteries which supply blood to heart muscle cells, this process produces blockages that can lead to a heart attack,” he said. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, or PAI-1, is a naturally occurring protein within blood vessels that controls cell migration. With diseases such as diabetes and obesity, PAI-1 over-accumulates in blood vessels. This promotes blockage formation. This process occurs not only in arteries, but also in vein grafts in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Fay’s research team studied PAI-039, also known as tiplaxtinin, an investigational drug not yet used to treat humans. The researchers found PAI-039 inhibited the migration of cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells, and prevented the development of blockages in arteries and bypass grafts in mice. “We found that PAI-039 decreased blockage formation by about 50 percent, which is a powerful effect in the models we used,” said Fay, who also serves as a research scientist at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Mo. “In addition to reducing vascular blockages, inhibiting PAI-1 also produces a blood thinning effect that prevents the blood clots that trigger most heart attacks and strokes.” Fay hopes that future studies are successful, PAI-039 or similar drugs could be used to prevent blockages in arteries and bypass grafts. “I don’t think there will be any one ‘magic pill’ that prevents arterial diseases, especially for those with other high-risk conditions,” Fay said. “However, perhaps someday a PAI-1 inhibitor can be used in combination with other approaches such as proper diet and exercise, aspirin, and cholesterol medications to prevent blood vessel blockages and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.” (The University of Missouri provided this information.)

RSVP RSVP is recruiting persons age 55 and older for a variety of opportunities. For more information in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties, please call 402-4446536, ext. 224. In Dodge and Washington counties, please call 402-721-7780. • The Corrigan Senior Center wants volunteers. • Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Midlands needs volunteers. • The Lutheran Thrift Store needs volunteers. • The Low Income Ministry is looking for 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. • The Fremont Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers.

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The New Horizons is brought to you each month by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

Omaha Fire Department The Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department can 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 10245 Weisman Dr. Omaha, Neb. 68134 For more information, please call 402-444-3560.

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Creating solutions to help older Americans

ith a new Trump Administration and Congress having arrived in January, the New Year promises historic debates that could significantly impact the lives of older Americans and their families today and tomorrow. Founded in 1950 as the first national senior advocacy organization, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will advocate for five priorities to help all Americans age with health, economic security, and independence. “In the coming months, there will be important discussions about the future of key programs that older Americans and their families depend on including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act,” said Howard Bedlin, NCOA’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy. “These programs are not just for today’s seniors. They provide critical supports for all of us and our families as we grow older. NCOA will work to find bipartisan opportunities to defend and improve them,” he said. In 2017, NCOA will urge Congress to: • Protect and strengthen key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA): According to the nonpartisan Urban Institute, more than 4.5 million Americans ages 55 to 64 could lose their health insurance coverage by 2019 under the anticipated ACA repeal bill. Men and women over age 65 also could lose important assistance that helps them stay healthy. NCOA is concerned about the following ACA provisions, which its believes are in particular jeopardy: • The Prevention and Public Health Fund, which invests in evidence-based programs that empower older adults to self-manage chronic conditions and prevent costly – and often fatal – falls. • The Community First Choice Option, which helps keep low-income older adults and people with disabilities out of nursing homes by providing more home and community-based services. • Medicaid expansion, which helps states provide health insurance coverage to low-income people ages 55 to 64 who are not yet eligible for Medicare. • Insurance premium limits, which restrict insurance companies from further raising health care premiums on people in their 50s and 60s. The American people deserve to see the details

of a health care replacement plan before Congress takes any vote to eliminate current insurance coverage and consumer protections. • Improve Medicaid and reject cuts. Medicaid is a lifeline for poor older adults, providing coverage for more than 6 million older men and women in 2015. It pays for more than 60 percent of all long-term care and makes hospital and doctor visits affordable for low-income older adults by paying for Medicare premiums and cost sharing.

COA urges Congress not to cut or change the fundamental structure of our nation’s Medicaid health care safety net. Recent House budget proposals would have cut Medicaid funding by more than $900 billion over 10 years and turn it into a block grant program. These changes would shift rising health costs to states, individuals, and their families, making it harder for poor older adults to remain at home and afford the health care they need. These changes also could undermine consumer protections, including those that ensure nursing home quality and financial protections for spouses of those who need long-term care. • Restore investments in programs that keep older adults healthy and independent. With 10,000 Americans turning age 65 every day, investments in programs for older adults have failed to keep pace with the growing need. Nationwide, millions of older men and women no longer have access to meals, job placement services, transportation, and caregiver support because these programs have closed or have long waiting lists for the first time. Funding for these non-defense discretionary programs is approaching an historic low as a share of the economy. NCOA urges Congress to restore funding and invest in the Older Americans Act, Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Senior Community Service Employment Program, and the Elder Justice Act. In addition, Congress should reject cuts to programs that help vulnerable older adults such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Social Services Block Grant, and Community Services Block Grant. • Defend and improve Medicare. Medicare is a guarantee that millions of older adults and individuals with disabilities depend on. Con-

gress must preserve its fundamental promise and structure. Premium support proposals would give people with Medicare a fixed dollar amount to pay for health care instead of covering a specific set of essential benefits and services. This would unfairly place the burden of rising health costs onto people with Medicare, most of whom have fixed incomes that don’t keep pace with the rising cost of living. NCOA will work towards pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to strengthen Medicare by: • Investing in outreach and enrollment for those who are eligible for low-income assistance, but are not receiving help. • No longer penalizing and denying assistance to older men and women who did the right thing by saving a modest “nest egg” of assets while working. • Improving access for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions to evidencebased community programs that save money and improve quality of life. • Empowering beneficiaries with better information and tools to make good choices about affordable Medicare coverage that best meets their needs. • Improve access to home and communitybased services and family caregiver supports. Overwhelmingly, older adults want to stay in their own homes and communities as long as possible. NCOA believes there are significant bipartisan opportunities to save money and help families delay or avoid nursing home placements. Two examples include: • The Money Follows the Person Program, which assists states in making home and community-based services more widely available. It expired in October 2016, but the program has had strong bipartisan support and should be extended. • Legislation to support family caregivers, including a bipartisan bill in the House and Senate that would provide a caregiver tax credit. President Trump has highlighted this as a priority in his plan for the first 100 days. “NCOA has a 66-year history of serving older adults who are struggling,” said Carol Zernial, NCOA’s Board Chair and Executive Director of the WellMed Charitable Foundation in San Antonio, TX. “We will continue to look for ways to support the seniors who helped build our country.”

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Omaha World Adventurers film series will allow viewers to enjoy the ‘Pearls of the Caribbean’ on February 8

he 2017 portion of the Omaha World Adventurers film series begins on Wednesday, Feb. 8 as filmmaker Marlin Darrah presents Pearls of the Caribbean at the Village Pointe Theaters, 304 N. 174th St. Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $15 or $12 if you bring the OWA ad on page 14. In Pearls of the Caribbean, Darrah – who has traveled to 140 countries – visits San Juan, Puerto Rico; Havana, Cuba; St. Barts; St. Maarten; Antiqua; Dominica; St. Lucia; and Barbados. Each of these sites is proud of its own culture

February 2017

with racially mixed populations that produce an astonishing musical and artistic energy. Pearls of the Caribbean captures the spirit of the region’s people and islands in high definition video. The Omaha World Adventurers film series is a RJ Enterprises Production. For more information, please call 818601-5963.

Downtown Havana, Cuba.

Pick up your free copy of New Horizons each month The New Horizons is available at locations throughout eastern Nebraska. Stop by and pick up a free copy each month at one of the following: Adams Park Senior Center 3230 John Creighton Blvd.

ENCAP 2406 Fowler Ave.

Life Care Center 6032 Ville de Sante Dr.

Ridgewood Apts. 6801 Spring St.

Aksarben Manor 7410 Mercy Rd.

Evans Tower 3600 N. 24th St.

Livingston Plaza Apts. 303 S. 132nd St.

Rorick Apts. 604 S. 22nd St.

The Ambassador 1540 N. 72nd St.

Florence Home 7915 N. 30th St.

Louisville Senior Center 423 Elm St.

Royal Oaks/House of Hope 4801 N. 52nd St.

American Red Cross 3838 Dewey St.

Florence Senior Center 2920 Bondesson St.

Lutheran Home 530 S. 26th St.

St. Bernard Church 3601 N 65th St.

Arlington (Neb.) Senior Center 305 N. 3rd St.

Fremont (Neb.) Friendship Center 1730 W. 16th St.

Mangelsen’s 84th & Grover streets

St. Bridget Church 4112 S. 26th St.

Maple Crest Condos 2820 N. 66th Ave.

St. Joseph Tower 2205 S. 10th St.

Mercy Care Center 1870 S. 75th St.

St. Joseph Villa 2305 S. 10th St.

Millard Manor 12825 Deauville Dr.

St. Mary’s Church 811 S. 23rd St. Bellevue

Bank of Nebraska 7223 S. 84th St. Bellewood Court Apts. 1700 Lincoln Rd. Bellevue Bellevue Library 1003 Lincoln Rd.

Friendship Program 7315 Maple St. Gold Coast Square 1213 Gold Coast Rd. Papillion Hallmark Care Center 5505 Grover St.

Millard Montclair Senior Center 2304 S. 135th Ave.

Bennington (Neb.) Senior Center 322 N. Molley St.

Heartland Family Service Senior Center 4318 Fort St.

Mission Vue Apartments 406 E. Mission Ave. Bellevue

Benson Tower 5900 NW Radial Hwy.

Hickory Villa 7315 Hickory St.

Bickford Cottage 11309 Blondo St.

Hillcrest Care Center 1702 Hillcrest Rd. Bellevue

Monarch Villa 201 E. Cedardale Dr. Papillion

Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave.

Dora Bingel Senior Center 923 N. 38th St. Blumkin Home 333 S. 132nd St. Camelot 6 Apartments 9415 Cady Ave. Camelot Friendship Center 9270 Cady Ave.

Hooper (Neb.) Senior Center 208 N. Main St. Immanuel Courtyard 6757 Newport Ave. Immanuel Medical Center 6901 N. 72nd St.

Montclair Nursing Home 2525 S. 135th St. Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition 2240 Landon Ct. New Cassel 900 N. 90th St. Nehawka (Neb.) Senior Center North Bend (Neb.) Senior Center

Carter Lake Senior Center 626 Locust St.

Immanuel Trinity Village 522 N. Lincoln St. Papillion

Central Park Tower 1511 Farnam St.

Immanuel Village 6803 N. 68th Plz.

Oak Valley Apts. 12425 Krug Ave.

Christie Heights Senior Center 3623 P St.

Intercultural Community Senior Center 3010 R St.

OEA Apts. 122 S. 39th St.

Chubb Foods 2905 N. 16th St. W. Dale Clark Library 215 S. 15th St. Corrigan Senior Center 3819 X St. Croatian Cultural Society 8711 S. 36th St. Crown Pointe Retirement Center 2820 S. 80th St. Crown Tower 5904 Henninger Dr. deFreese Manor 2669 Dodge St. Dodge (Neb.) Senior Center 226 N. Elm St. Douglas County Housing 5449 N. 107th Plz. Durham Booth Manor 3612 Cuming St. Eagles Club 23rd & L streets

Jackson Tower 600 S. 27th St. Kay Jay Tower 25th & K streets Kohll’s Pharmacy 50th & Dodge streets Kohll’s Pharmacy 4230 L St. Kohll’s Pharmacy 2923 Leavenworth St. Kohll’s Pharmacy 12739 Q St. Kohll’s Pharmacy 3427 S. 84th St. Kohll’s Pharmacy 617 N. 114th St. Kohll’s Pharmacy 1413 S. Washington St. Papillion Kubat Pharmacy 4924 Center St.

Oak Grove Manor 4809 Redman Ave.

OEA Manor 320 N. 22nd St. OJ’s Mexican Restaurant 9201 N. 30th St. Omaha Nursing Home 4835 S. 49th St. The Orchards at Wildwood 7454 Gertrude St. Papillion Senior Center 1001 Limerick Ave. Park East Tower 539 S. 26th St. Park Tower North 1501 Park Ave.

St. Margaret Mary’s Church 6116 Dodge St. St. Vincent DePaul 5920 Maple St. Sarpy County Courthouse 1261 Golden Gate Dr. Seven Oaks at Notre Dame 3439 State St. Skyline Manor 7300 Graceland Dr. Snyder (Neb.) Senior Center 2nd & Elm streets Social Security Office 7100 W. Center Rd. Suite 200 Social Settlement 4868 Q St. South Omaha Eagles 6607 Sunshine Dr. Southview Heights 49th & Q streets Swanson Library 9101 W. Dodge Rd. Joe Tess Restaurant 5424 S. 24th St. Thrift Store 7328 Maple St. Trinity Cathedral 18th Street & Capitol Avenue Twin Tower Apts. 3000 Farnam St. Underwood Tower 4850 Underwood Ave. Veterans Hospital 4101 Woolworth St.

Petrow’s Restaurant 5914 Center St.

Ville de Sante Terrace 6202 Ville de Sante Dr.

Phil’s Foodway 3030 Ames Ave.

Village Inn 309 N. Fort Crook Rd. Bellevue

Phil’s Foodway 4232 Redman Ave. Pine Tower 1501 Pine St.

Eagle (Neb.) Senior Center 509 4th St.

LaVista (Neb.) Senior Center 8116 Parkview Blvd.

Plattsmouth (Neb.) Senior Center 308 S. 18th St.

Elmwood (Neb) Senior Center 144 N. 4th St.

Leo’s Diner 6055 Maple St.

Ralston (Neb.) Senior Center 7301 Q St.

Elmwood Tower 801 S. 52nd St.

Leo Vaughn Manor 3325 Fontenelle Blvd.

Remington Heights 12606 W. Dodge Rd.

JC Wade Manor 3464 Ohio St. Walgreen’s Pharmacy 5038 Center St. Weeping Water (Neb.) Senior Center 101 E. Eldora St. The Wellington 501 E. Gold Coast Rd. Papillion

Sister Stevens used prayer, patience, persistence to transform CSM

Sister Maryanne Stevens and the ‘Walking Woman’ statue are both icons on the CSM campus. By Nick Schinker Contributing Writer

aryanne Stevens, Ph.D., RSM, has spent more than 50 years serving heaven and earth as a Sister of Mercy. With a doctorate in religion and education from Boston College, she has worked as a tenured associate professor at Creighton University, where she became the first woman to chair the Theology Department. She was also the interim director of the New Covenant Justice and Peace Center in Omaha, where she developed programs around the Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter on the challenge of peace and other justice themes. She has authored numerous articles and has won many awards. And though you won’t find the title “magician”

anywhere on her curriculum vitae, as president of the Omaha’s College of Saint Mary the past 20 years, Stevens has found a way to harness the power of prayer, patience, and persistence and turn a debt-ridden school once deemed a lump of coal into one of the region’s brightest educational diamonds. Stevens in 2015 received the prestigious Chief Executive Leadership Award at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s annual conference, an honor bestowed upon “an outstanding president, chancellor, headmaster, or system head” of one of the 240 District VI member institutions. In his nomination of her, College of Saint Mary (CSM) Board of Directors Chair Richard Jeffries, J.D., wrote, “When Dr. Stevens

took the helm, CSM had literally mortgaged its land and incurred debt that threatened to impair the college. Dr. Stevens eliminated CSM’s debt and enhanced its academic offerings. A tenacious fundraiser, Dr. Stevens has upgraded every academic space on campus, secured the construction of a student commons, and attracted the $11 million necessary to build Madonna Hall, where single mothers live and learn with their children in community.” These accomplishments would be enough to highlight several individuals’ careers, let alone that of one person. But Sister-DoctorPresident-Role Model-Inspiration Maryanne Stevens isn’t done yet. As other colleges routinely raise tuition to meet rising costs, CSM will lower its tuition 33 percent for enrollees in the fall of 2017, from the $29,940 current students pay to $19,950. Current students, meanwhile, will pay at least $1,000 less. To make up for the tuition cuts, the college will distribute fewer and reduced merit and athletic scholarships, as well as work to raise another $1 million in private donations. Under the college’s Vision 2021 plan, the school will lower textbook costs and provide financial literacy training for students. Though challenging, as she has many times in the past two decades, Stevens believes “the angels will be with us.” “We respond to students with less means – even no means; undocumented im-

Photo courtesy of the College of Saint Mary

Omaha’s College of Saint Mary has 1,043 students including 664 fulltime undergrads. migrants who can’t apply for federal loans,” Stevens says. “If we didn’t do something to lower tuition, students would look at us and say our sticker price is too high. We have significant value to offer, but if we’re not priced right, they will not take advantage of our value.” As it has many times in the past two decades, the CSM board is putting its faith in Stevens’ judgement.

orn in Anchorage, Alaska, where her father, Leonard “Red” Stevens was stationed in the Air Force, Maryanne was 18 months old when her family moved to Illinois, then to Riverside, Calif. and March Air Force Base when she was 3. “We liked to camp,” says Stevens, the eldest daughter of eight children. “Dad liked to fish, and we all learned

Your home. Your care. Your pace. Our program provides a complete system of health care. The service is called PACE, which stands for: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. We provide primary and hospital care as well as prescription drugs, transportation and so much more to our participants. Services are provided in the home, at the PACE Center and in the community. PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for the costs of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program services. Emergency services are covered. Participants may disenroll at any time. For complete program details and benefits, please call 402-991-0330 or visit www.immanuel.com.

Serving Nebraska in the Counties of Douglas and Sarpy 5755 Sorensen Parkway | Omaha, NE 68152 | 402-991-0990

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how to take a fish off a hook. We really enjoyed the outdoors and we were all great swimmers.” Her sophomore year in high school, the family moved again, this time to Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. Always educated in Catholic schools, Maryanne boarded a school bus each morning and rode for the better part of an hour to Mercy High School at 48th Street and Woolworth Avenue in Omaha, where she learned from the Sisters of Mercy. “I remember working in summer volunteer youth corps,” she says. “We would go to Holy Family Church, where we were paired with children and we would read with them and do other activities. The Sisters of Mercy inspired a great interest in people who had less.” In high school, the Sisters --Please turn to page 11.

Volunteers Assisting Seniors

olunteers Assisting Seniors, an organization that provides senior health insurance information and counseling as well as help filing homestead exemption forms, is offering a free class on basic estate planning. The March 29 class – taught by attorney Tom Prohaska – will be held at the VAS office, 1941 S. 42nd St., Suite 312, at 1:30 p.m. The class will cover financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills, wills, living or revocable trusts, alternatives and supplements to wills, taxes related to death, and mistakes to avoid. For more information, please call VAS at 402-4446617.

President working to build college’s athletics, arts, endowment --Continued from page 10. led Stevens to the works of French philosopher and Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and journalist and Catholic social activist Dorothy Day. “We were taught that God was in more than just humans; that the earth spoke of God as well,” she recalls. “We delved into readings from people who were being talked about in intellectual circles; people who were very forward-thinking Catholics, and that inspired me.” Deciding to join the order “just seemed a logical choice,” she says. “I didn’t have any bolts from the blue. You’re relatively idealistic at that age, and it was an extension of what I was doing in my life.” Gradually, as Stevens continued as a novitiate, she experienced “a series of affirmations” that indicated she had taken the right path. “Things happen and you begin to say, ‘This is really who I am.’” Ask any CSM board member, donor, or student on the continually improving 72nd Street and Mercy Road campus and they will likely say Sister Maryanne “is amazing.” “She is a visionary,” Kathleen Zajic, Ph.D., associate dean for health professions and a 25year CSM employee, says in the recent issue of JOURNEYS, the CSM magazine. “When she sees something she thinks needs to be done, she gets the appropriate people on board for new program implementation, initiatives, (and) strategic planning. Within just a few years of her taking over, our college was no longer a secret in this community.” How did Stevens do it? She smiles. “This is when I say, ‘the angels are with us.’” And with the angels comes one step at a time. “You go through everything, soup to nuts; every concern, littlest to biggest,” Stevens says. “It didn’t happen overnight. It was five years before we had balanced financials.” She is quick to point out she didn’t do it alone. “People wanted to help. The Sisters, the donors, board members, (and) faculty. Little by little,

Mercy Hall. The challenges were great. “One of the biggest was not realizing how dysfunctional a culture can be when beset by scarcity,” she says. “We had no money.” Each challenge required a decision. Some were difficult. “Some of it was just common sense,” she says. “We can’t do this, but we want to do this. It is kind of like running a household, but instead of one house you have seven buildings and a lot more people you have to care for.” And care for them she does – all 1,043 students, including 664 fulltime undergrads, numbers that continue to rise. “I manage by walking around,” Stevens says. “I prefer face-to-face interaction rather than texting or email. When I’m available, I eat in the student dining room. “The students know who I am.”

T Photo courtesy of the College of Saint Mary

Sister Maryanne has a Ph.D. in religion and education from Boston College. they say yes and the rest is history.” It is an impressive history. During her watch, CSM has seen the dedication of Dianne Seeman Lozier Tower, inclusion of the Walking Woman sculpture and image as part of the CSM brand, the addition of the Mothers Living & Learning (MLL) residential option, initiation of the CSM Athletic Hall of Fame, the successful completion of a $25 million capital campaign, the college’s acquisition of nearby Heritage Park, the construction of Madonna Hall for the MLL program, completion of the Nursing and Occupational Therapy simulation labs, and the renovation of

hough she enjoys reading novels (War and Peace is a favorite) and biographies and tending a flower garden in the summer, Stevens’ life has not always been a bed of roses. Her brother, Jack, died of bone cancer when he was 17 and Maryanne was just starting high school. She fought uterine cancer in the late 1990s, and her sisters Cathy, Ellen, and Maggie also battled cancer, with Maggie succumbing to breast cancer. They lost their mother, Lorraine, to the disease in 2014. Their father ended his military career with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C., after a cancer diagnosis at age 51. And though the disease cost him an eye, he survived until suffering a heart attack in 1995. Through it all, her family has stayed strong and close. Each July, they meet in Maryland for a family reunion. The gathering includes an entertainment revue, which for the bulk of the past 20 years has been emceed by Sister Stevens. And though her accomplishments are many, Stevens isn’t ready to look at life through a rear--Please turn to page 12.

Walnut Grove Retirement Community Love is in the Air The bleak midwinter stops at our door. Though it may be frigid outside, Walnut Grove has plenty of warmth, fellowship, and fun to brighten your day.

Why wait any longer? Make plans to join our wonderful community today.

402-281-3111 4901 S. 153rd Street



Omaha, NE 68137



February 2017

WalnutGroveRetirement.net

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Omaha Computer Users Group

Please see the ad on page 3

New Horizons Club adds new members

You’re invited to join the Omaha Computer Users Group (OCUG), an organization dedicated to helping men and women age 50 and older learn more about their computers. Anyone can join OCUG regardless of his or her computer skills. The organization 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. Annual dues to OCUG are $25. OCUG has a projector connected to a Microsoft Windows 7 computer and a Windows 8 computer to show users how to solve their computer problems. Bring your questions concerning your computer problems to the meetings for answers. For more information, please call OCUG’s president Phill Sherbon at 402333-6529.

$25 Jeanne Nistl Lois Gutchewsky $5 Jean Granlund Patricia Travis-Kahre Reflects donations received through 1/23/17.

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Traditional funding sources are making it more difficult for ENOA to fulfill its mission. Partnership opportunities are available to businesses and individuals wanting to help us. These opportunities include volunteering, memorials, honorariums, gift annuities, and other contributions.

I would like to become a partner with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, and help fulfill your mission with older adults.

ENOA ENOA General Fund

In Home Services (Bath Aide, Homemaker, Personal Emergency Response System, etc.) Nutrition Services ( Senior Centers, etc.) Meals on Wheels Volunteer Services ( Senior Companion, Foster Grandparent, RSVP, SeniorHelp, etc.) CHOICES (Care Management, Caregiver Support, Medicaid Waiver) Other: __________________________________________________________________ Please contact me. I would like to learn more about including ENOA in my estate planning.

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$100

Other _____________

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Photo courtesy of the College of Saint Mary

Sister Stevens (back row, middle) with her family at their annual summer reunion in Maryland. -Continued from page 11. view mirror. Her vision is directed straight ahead, and the future of CSM and its students are first and foremost in her mind. “I see a thriving college with a parking lot full to overflowing,” she says. “I hope to build our athletics programs. I want to build our fine and performing arts program. I really believe the arts are important to the wholeness of society and to each person. Beauty matters, and these things touch our emotions in a very important way. “I also want to grow our endowment. We are at $14.8 million and I’d like to double it in the next five to 10 years,” she says. “That will secure the college for the future.” To that end, she encourages the community to consider CSM when donating or estate planning. “We are doing a very good job and the college is a great cause,” Stevens says. “We’re educating students all across the spectrum. Our median age is 24, but we have one student who is 65.” Like the Walking Woman statue that is the college’s iconic symbol, Stevens will take each challenge in stride and continue moving forward. While there may not be anything magical about the steps she takes, there certainly are angels by her side.

AARP offering driving course

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$30

Maryanne Stevens...

New Horizons

Please ma il with thisyofour donation rm to: Eas

tern Office oNebraska n Aging Attentio n: Jef

f Reinha 4223 C rdt Omaha, enter Street NE 6810 5-2431 (402

) 444-665

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February 2017

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: Friday, Feb. 10 Metro Community College 829 N. 204th St. 9:30 a.m. To register, call 531-622-2620

Saturday, Feb. 11 AARP Information Center 1941 S. 42nd St. #220 1 p.m. To register, call 402-398-9568

Wednesday, Feb. 22 CHI Health Midlands 11111 S. 84th St. 9:30 a.m. To register, call 800-253-4368

The matriarch of the OCP Some alternative methods for

heating your home this winter

W By Lauren Pezzullo

ith our planet’s temperatures hitting record-breaking highs each year, there’s no question global warming is alive and kicking. And we know designing our homes to be environmentally responsible is a way to combat these effects. Maybe you’ve even made a pact to go net zero some day, or rely solely on wind power at some point in the future. But with a skeptic of climate change as our country’s new president, we can’t afford to put off these well-meaning goals any longer. It’s now more dangerously critical to adopt alternative methods of energy consumption than ever before. As we go through the cold winter months, we’re faced with some of the heaviest months of fossil fuel usage—when we all turn to our gas-guzzling furnaces to keep warm. But there are plenty of eco-friendly alternative methods that will keep you just as cozy. Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint for a greener winter season: • Radiant heating: Although our current construction is different, the concept of radiant flooring – heating objects rather than air – is the same as what the ancient Romans used for the hypocausts that warmed their hot baths and marble floors. And it makes sense. Since heat rises, this method of under floor warmth distributes the heat more efficiently. Plus, it eliminates the energy leaks rampant in traditional gas or ducted systems. Among the three types of radiant floor heat, hydronic – which channels the warmth via hot water through under floor tubing – is the most environmentally responsible since it regulates temperature and can be used in conjunction with solar for on or off-grid homes. Best of all, it can be covered by just about any flooring material you’d like. Say hello to 20 to 30 percent more heat gain and goodbye to frigid bathroom tile on your feet. • Geothermal heating: What could be more eco-conscious than a method of heating whose name literally means, “heat from the earth”? Geothermal heating draws from the temperature of the earth’s crust. Heat Dee Owen, age 99, has volunteered at the is transported from underground pipes – known as the ground loop – to a Omaha Community Playhouse since the 1940s. heat pump, which then circulates it through your home as warm air. Geothermal heating systems don’t rely on fossil fuels. They’ve even he distinguished looking, nattily attired lady sits behind a desk just been used to help recycle wastewater. In fact, according to the EPA, inside the front door in the administrative offices at the Omaha they’re among the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient heatCommunity Playhouse. A ringing telephone on the desk breaks the ing systems around. silence on the cool, cloudy winter afternoon. • Solar heating: Even on cloudy days, you can harness the power of this “Omaha Community Playhouse, this is Dee, may I help you?” she asks. abundant, sustainable energy for heating your home in a variety of ways. Despite battling macular degeneration, Dee Owen, age 99, guides her finFirst, there’s a solar air heater, which works like a greenhouse. The sun’s gers gently over the telephone’s keyboard pushing the appropriate buttons heat is trapped in a collector and then distributed as warmth through an air before transferring the call. hose or hot water tubing in a hydronic collector into your home. “I’ve got all the extensions memorized,” says Owen, who volunteers at Another option is a photovoltaic system—roof-mounted solar panels that the OCP Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. convert sunlight into electricity. While this requires a considerable upfront Dee and her late husband, Ed, the former chairman of Owen Industries, investment, there are plenty of available governmental incentives and tax an Omaha-based company that fabricates, warehouses, and manufactures credits to make the cost more affordable. The best part is that once your steel have been deeply involved with the Playhouse since the 1940s. Ed – who died in 1990 – appeared on stage in several Playhouse produc- panels are paid for, you’re looking at a lifetime of free, clean, renewable energy. tions beginning with Knickerbocker Holiday in 1940. Dee, who attended • Pellet stove: Hailed by the Department of Energy as the “cleanest Omaha’s Windsor Elementary and Central High School, has volunteered at solid fuel, residential heating appliance,” these stove types run on compact the midtown Omaha theater in a variety of roles including working backpellets made from organic recycled waste like sawdust, corn, nutshells, or stage with props, answering the phones, and taking notes at OCP Foundawood shavings that would’ve otherwise ended up in a landfill. The comtion board meetings. “I’ll do anything for the Playhouse except go on stage,” says Owen, who pression regulates their moisture content for more efficient combustion, so they burn cleaner and more efficiently than a traditional fireplace, producgraduated from Iowa State University in 1936 with a degree in home ecoing less smoke creosote and other air pollution. nomics. While at ISU, Dee was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. All • Fireplace insert: Ah, the crackle of a roaring fire. Nothing gives a four of her daughters are proud Pi Beta Phi alums. The Owens, who were room more of a cozy, inviting ambiance like a fireplace. Unfortunately, married for 48 years, also have two sons, 19 grandchildren, and 23 great most traditional wood-burning fireplaces aren’t exactly efficient. For all the grandkids. heat they radiate, they lose even more, pulling in 300 cubic feet of warm Dee calls herself a “professional volunteer”. In addition to helping out air per minute out of the room, where it escapes through your chimney. at the OCP for more than seven decades, Owen has volunteered at a list Fireplaces are the heart of the home during the winter—so rather than of local sites including the Junior League of Omaha, the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, the Clarkson Hospital Service League, and as chair of giving yours up, simply make it more efficient. Fireplace inserts fit inside your existing metal or masonry fireplace to create an effective seal which the Aksarben Women’s Ball. She joined the Playhouse’s board of trustees traps your heat for more efficiency and less air pollution.’ in 1970 and continues to serve in that capacity. Make sure your wood is sustainably sourced by using waste wood, or The Omaha Community Playhouse appreciates Dee and Ed Owen for a combined 120-plus years of volunteer service and for their financial contri- supporting companies whose firewood bears the FSC certified logo. This indicates it was harvested from responsibly managed forests. butions. The theater’s Owen Lobby is named in their honor, and in 2011, • Passive design: The easiest ways to go green with your heating is to Dee received the OCP’s President’s Award for extraordinary leadership in work with what you already have. Passive design is a heating technique activities excluding performance or production. that involves no dangerous emissions or mechanical interference. You can “Dee’s contributions to the Playhouse are indescribable,” says Peggy Reall, the OCP’s director of marketing and public relations. “We value her increase your heat gain by caulking and weather-stripping draft-prone areas such as doorways and windows, and by adding effective insulation. Wool, dedication and her passion. She’s the matriarch of the Omaha Community cork, cotton, and recycled plastic are all green alternatives. Playhouse.” Even small changes like adjusting the thermostat or using heavy rugs As she approaches the century mark, Dee isn’t sure how much longer her and thermal curtains will work too, if it means you’re reducing your relivision will allow her to help out at the Omaha Community Playhouse, but ance on fossil fuels. Because when it comes to our environment’s future, she plans to answer the phones there on as many Wednesdays and Fridays every bit counts. as possible. “It’s my second home,” she says. (Pezzullo is an editor for Modernize magazine.) “We welcome her to volunteer here as long as she wants,” Reall adds.

February 2017

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Czech immigration topic of Feb. 12 talk

he Omaha Czech Cultural Club will kick off its Nebraska Sesquicentennial celebration on Sunday, Feb. 12 as Dr. Bruce Garver, a professor emeritus of history at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, presents a talk at the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St. The topic of the free presentation – which begins at 2 p.m. – will be the immigration of Czechs to Nebraska and their contributions to the state. For more information, please call 402-731-7210.

Open House & Tours Tour our apartments and enjoy a slice of pie and coffee! FREE Sunday, February 12th 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm GIFT! RSVP to 402-557-6643

Skyline Independent Living

7300 Graceland Drive, Omaha 68134

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.

Survey says: Eat your veggies If you remember anything from Colorado State University’s 2016 nutrition conference that focused on the role of nutrition in the cognitive health of aging adults, it should be: Eat your veggies, especially the green, leafy ones. Nibble on blueberries, munch on walnuts, and consume fish once a week. In research trials, these foods in particular have been shown to support brain health such as memory and processing as you age. Lifestyle changes, such as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, along with physical activity, have also shown promise in reducing age-related disease risk. These were just a few of the ideas shared at the 2016 Lillian Fountain Smith Nutrition Conference in Fort Collins. The annual conference, hosted by CSU’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and supported by the Lillian Fountain Smith Endowment, featured eight nutrition experts from across the country including: • Martha Clare Morris, a nutritional epidemiologist from Rush University who presented information on the MIND diet, developed to help reduce Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive decline. The MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, combines the benefits of the Mediterranean and the DASH diet, the latter designed to reduce high blood pressure. In a study funded by the National Institute on Aging, the MIND diet lowered Alzheimer’s risk by about 35 percent for those who followed it moderately well, and up to 53 percent for those who followed it strictly. The MIND diet includes 10 “brainhealthy” food components such as green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and red wine. It also includes five “brain-unhealthy groups” to limit or avoid including red meat, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries, sweets, and fried or fast food. • Kathleen Welsh-Bohmer, director of the Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Duke University, studies the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to AD risk. Welsh-Bohmer led the Cache County study that followed a geographically isolated aging population in Cache County, Utah from 1995 to 2007. One study focus was to examine why some older adults developed AD early on, some later, and why approximately 30 percent, never developed AD despite their advanced age. The research

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February 2017

demonstrated that AD is not an inevitable consequence of aging, according to WelshBohmer.

The study found that increased risk of developing AD was related to the presence of a variant of the APOE gene, e4, untreated vascular health conditions (poor heart health), and lifestyle patterns including a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and stress. To provide support to individuals at risk for AD, Welsh-Bohmer’s team developed a mobile app to remind participants to eat healthy food portions daily such as berries, nuts, whole grains, and leafy vegetables. In two previous research studies, leafy green vegetables were shown to have the strongest effect in slowing mental decline. • Barbara Shukitt-Hale, a research psychologist at Tufts University, discussed the effects of berry fruits on cognition and motor function in aging. Her pre-clinical data demonstrated blueberry consumption reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Therefore, blueberries may protect against age-related deficits in cognitive and motor function. For the first time in history, the aging population of those age 60 and older outnumbers those under age 5. Currently, 5.4 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. As life expectancy increases, it’s important to find ways to slow cognitive decline. Clinical trials to develop a drug to slow or cure Alzheimer’s disease have shown little success — in fact, a success rate of 0.4 percent. Lifestyle factors, including nutrition and exercise, appear to be important to the maintenance of cognitive function and perhaps to reduced risk for the development of age-related diseases, including AD.

AARP’s Tax Aide program available at 10 Omaha-area sites through April 15

he AARP Tax-Aide program provides free income tax preparation services at 10 locations in the Omaha area. This program was conceived primarily to assist low and moderate-income older adults, but also serves a variety of other clients, including students. Unless otherwise indicated, sites operate on a walk-in basis with no appointments needed or taken. When visiting one of the tax preparation sites, clients must bring all documents related to their income, their 2015 tax return, and Social Security cards for all persons named on the tax return. Unless noted, the sites will be open from Feb. 1 through April 15. The names, locations, and open days/hours for these sites are listed below. For more information about this AARP service, please go to www.nebraskataxaide.org online or call 402-3989582 Agewell 6801 N. 67th Plz. Suite 100 Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave. Mondays and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting Feb. 8 Bellevue University Library 1100 Galvin Rd. South Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crossroads Mall (west corridor) 7400 Dodge St. Tuesdays through Thursdays, & Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids Can Community Center 4860 Q St. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays By appointment only 402-731-6988 5 to 7 p.m. La Vista Community Center 8116 Park View Blvd. Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays 3 to 7 p.m. Montclair Community Center 2304 S. 135th Ave. Tuesdays through Thursdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. North Christ Child Center 2111 Emmet St. Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays 4 to 7:30 p.m.

UNMC part of consortium working to map the heart’s nervous system

he University of Nebraska Medical Center is part of a seven-university consortium working on a three-year, $8.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to map the heart’s nervous system. The group’s goal is to conduct research that leads to new ways to treat cardiovascular disease by targeting nerves in the heart. Irving H. Zucker, Ph.D., professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, is the principal investigator for the UNMC component. Kalyanam Shivkumar, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Electrophysiology Programs, is the lead investigator on the project. “Understanding the nervous system’s control of the heart is such a complex problem that it requires a collaborative approach, and we’re pleased that so many experts are coming together for this initiative,” Dr. Shivkumar said. “Our goal is to precisely map the heart’s anatomy and code the function of the nerves that control the heart from a very basic level all the way to clinical studies in humans.” More than 800,000 people in the U.S. die each year from cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, arrhythmia, and hypertension. These problems often are linked to the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that signals the heart to beat and controls breathing, digestion, and other body processes that typically happen without conscious effort. Researchers believe modulating those electrical signals holds promise as a

UNMC professor Dr. Irving H. Zucker, Ph.D. way to treat heart failure and other common cardiovascular problems. “This is recognition of the contributions we’ve made in this field over the years,” Dr. Zucker said. “We are honored to be working with some of the top universities in the world such as UCLA, Caltech, Harvard, and Oxford.” Dr. Zucker’s research team (Kaushik P. Patel, Ph.D. and Harold D. Schultz, Ph.D.) has a program project grant studying chronic heart failure that has brought in more than $32 million in continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health since its inception in 1999. In the grant being headed by UCLA, Dr. Zucker’s team, which includes Dr. Schultz and Hanjun Wang, M.D., department of anesthesiology, is studying a subset of nerves in the heart that signal cell pain during a reduction of blood flow, which occurs with a heart attack. “When people experience a heart attack, they have a deep sense of chest pain,” Dr. Zucker said. “It’s a crushing, burning sensation, as various nerve receptors are being activated.” Dr. Zucker’s group will try to manipulate these nerve endings by using the drug resiniferatoxin (RTX

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for short). These nerves produce a protein called TRPV1, and RTX binds to the TRPV1 protein. “We’re not trying to take away the pain,” Dr. Zucker said. “We are trying to take away the consequences by eliminating the nerve receptors. Ultimately, we want to define the importance of sensory nerve endings in the heart and their relationship to worsening heart failure and hypertension.” The information the consortium produces could point the way to new therapies that target neural structures, and it could suggest ways for scientists to create more effective electrical stimulation therapies based on the methods being used today, Dr. Shivkumar said. “Understanding how the nervous system controls the heart offers researchers a tremendous opportunity to open up new paths to treat cardiac disease,” said Dr. Kelsey Martin, dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The award is from an NIH program called Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions, or SPARC, which supports research on how the electrical signals of the peripheral nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body control internal organ function.

Call 402-827-6000

www.omahaseniorcare.org

February 2017

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Baylor University professor discusses ways to help individuals deal with long-term grief

hances are good that some day soon you’ll encounter someone who’s grieving the loss of a loved one. The loss might be fresh, some time during the past few months. Or the loss might’ve occurred several years or decades ago, yet the pain and grief are still evident. For those who haven’t experienced such a loss, this type of grief might be foreign. And it might even prompt a curious question: “How long does grief last?” In this Q & A column, grief expert Helen Harris, Ed.D., an assistant professor in Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, shares some insights about longterm grief and how we can approach others who are hurting. Q: How long does grief last? A: This is a difficult question. So much depends on the complications around the loss. When there’s a disrupted relationship, or the death is traumatic, or the survivor is dealing with multiple losses or other issues like mental health or substance problems, it’s a longer, more complicated process.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging has been providing programs and services for older adults in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties since 1975.

you

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The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Web site includes information about: • • • • • • • • • • •

Bath aides Care management Chore services Community education Durable medical equipment Emergency food pantry Emergency response systems ENOA facts and figures ENOA Library ENOA senior centers

24 hours a day, • Homemakers 7 days a week!

• Information & assistance telephone lines • Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha • Legal services • Meals on Wheels • Medicaid Waiver • New Horizons Grandparent Resource Center • Nutrition counseling

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Ombudsman advocates Respite care Respite Resource Center Rural transportation Senior Care Options Support of adult day facilities • Volunteer opportunities

February 2017

Losses can persist throughout our lives, especially as they impact other milestones. What does it mean when a 7-year-old loses her mother and then 16 years later doesn’t have her mom there when she gets married as a 23-year-old or when her first child is born? That’s just one example. Different folks will have different experiences depending on their relationship, the support they had to grieve, and the new relationships and attachments they’ve established. I recommend we all keep in mind the loss of a child or spouse or childhood loss of a parent has lifetime implications for change. Q: How does grief change over the years? Does it lessen? Does it increase? A: I think about grief similarly to other wounds. Wounds heal over time but it’s never like they didn’t happen at all. In many cases, we heal and are stronger in the broken and healed places which is what helps us help others. In other cases, we can be blindsided by new grief when a loved one isn’t there for a special event many years later. Q: If we interact with someone who is grieving, what are some things we should and shouldn’t do? A: I recommend asking them what they need, what would help? Perhaps find a way to memorialize the deceased person and validate their life and contributions to ours. For example, I place an ornament with each of my parents’ names on the Christmas tree. It is a way to include them and the memories of them in our Christmas traditions. If I suspect someone is grieving, I mention the person who is gone and ask about past holiday traditions and memories. Then I let the survivors decide if they want to engage in that conversation or not and if they

want to include new traditions that honor the life of the one who is gone. An unhelpful response, I think, is to ignore the pain of others and pretend we don’t see it or to trivialize it with statements like: “It’s been long enough to be over this.” Q: What are ways we can help someone with the grieving process? A: Stay tuned in to the possibilities and ask the grieving person how they are and what they need. For some it’s helpful to go to the cemetery and leave a wreath or flowers. For others, that would be painful and not helpful. There is no one right answer. It’s important that people trust their own intuitive knowledge of themselves and that each person gives the other grace to do what helps. I light a candle on Thanksgiving and Christmas to represent the presence or spirit of those of the family who aren’t with us physically. I make ornaments with the names of those who have died to add to the tree and include them in the special day. But those aren’t prescriptions. They are possibilities. And most of all, I’m not afraid of or try to dodge pain. Q: Are there steps people can take to aid their long-term grief? A: Considering the memory and contributions of the person who died is important. Tree planting, giving a gift in honor of the person who is gone, or family pictures all are ways to validate the importance of a life. Look at pictures together. Tell stories of family legacy. Remember that all persons have strengths and weaknesses. Authentic remembering is honoring. Hugs are important. Tears aren’t a bad thing. There’s an old song I used to love that included the refrain: “Tears are a language God understands.” (Baylor University provided this information.)

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Are you ready for autonomous cars?

ou know the future is here when you see the car beside you at a red light has nobody at the helm. That’s already happening in California where a few companies (Uber, Google, Apple, and Tesla) have begun testing autonomous vehicles on the open road—albeit with human drivers at the ready in case anything goes wrong. Meanwhile, the major automakers have begun integrating autonomous driving technologies (blind spot detection, GPS mapping, assisted parking, etc.) into existing models, and will surely offer their own fully self-driving cars once lawmakers qualify them as street legal, maybe as early as 2018. Proponents say not only will driverless cars make our roads safer (as they can sense walkers, bikers, other cars, and road infrastructure to avoid collisions), but will also be a boon to the environment. Zia Wadud, who co-authored a 2016 study assessing the travel, energy, and carbon impacts of autonomous vehicles, says the widespread adoption of the technology could reduce energy consumption significantly. “Automated vehicles can interact with each other and drive very closely as a ‘platoon’,” reports Wadud. “This can reduce the total energy consumption of road transport by 4 to 25 percent, because vehicles which follow closely behind each other face less air resistance.” Beyond the platoon benefit, driverless cars can also shave another 25 percent off overall automotive energy consumption through more efficient computer-assisted ride optimization. Yet another environmental benefit could be fewer cars on the road altogether. “Your car could give you a lift to work in the morning and then give a lift to someone else in your family—or, for that matter, to anyone else. After delivering you to your destination, it doesn’t sit idle in a parking lot for 20-plus hours every day,” report MIT researchers Matthew Claudel and Carlo Ratti in a recent McKinsey. com article. “By combining ride sharing with car sharing, it would be possible to take

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ebraska Senior Medicare Patrol, a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services program that works to educate and empower older adults to help prevent health care fraud offers 10 tips to help you avoid Medicare scams.

Driverless cars could impact our world regarding pollution, traffic, efficiency, and parking. every passenger to his or her destination at the time they need to be there, with 80 percent fewer cars.” They conclude clearing four of five cars from the road would have “momentous consequences” for our cities regarding pollution, traffic, efficiency, and parking. Jason Bordoff of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy argues in The Wall Street Journal, however, that driverless cars hurt overall energy efficiency by undermining public transit. “If you can work, watch a movie or sleep while in the car, perhaps you will take a car rather than public transportation or be more likely to drive for long trips.” He adds autonomous vehicles also “significantly expand the universe of potential drivers” bringing more people (and cars) onto the road and possibly increasing total vehicle miles travelled overall. “Even car-sharing services could increase energy demand if the ease and convenience pulls people away from mass transit, walking, or biking and into cars.” Bordoff remains optimistic that autonomous vehicles can provide a net gain for society and the environment, but only if we’re careful about how we implement the technology. “To ensure autonomous vehicles deliver economic, energy security and environmental benefits, we will need supporting policies targeted at those objectives, such as increased fuel-economy standards, investments in public transportation infrastructure, and Research & Development in alternative vehicle technologies.” (EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network.)

Scheduled for Feb. 13

Presentation on Irish immigrant topic of next THEOS meeting

HEOS, a social organization for singles age 60 and older, meets from 1 to 4 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. The Feb. 13 meeting will include a presentation by Sherrie Beam-Clark titled Promise in a New Land. Beam-Clark will detail the story of a young Irish girl who comes to the United States during the 1800s. For more information, please call Dorothy at 402-399-0759, Mary at 402-393-3052, or Joan at 402-393-8931.

February 2017

• Don’t provide your Medicare number to anyone except your trusted health care provider. • Ask friends and neighbors to pick up your mail while you’re away from home. • Shred important documents before throwing them away. • Read Medicare summary notices carefully looking for possible mistakes. • Use a calendar or health care journal to record information from doctor visits. • Compare your calendar or health care journal with your Medicare summary notices. • Count your prescription pills. If the total is less than expected, go back and tell the pharmacist. • Medicare Part D plans change annually. • Don’t speak to anyone claiming to be a Medicare representative about Medicare. • Medicare loses billions of dollars each year. It’s up to you to help fight fraud. If you believe you may be a victim of Medicare fraud, please call the Nebraska Senior Medicare Patrol at 800942-7830.

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Friday, March 17th

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EITC Coalition offering free income tax counseling, e-filing

he EITC Coalition of Omaha is offering free federal and state income tax preparation and free e-filing of income tax returns at several sites in Omaha. To file a tax return, participants must bring Social Security cards or ITINs for themself, their spouse, and their dependents; a photo identification; a copy of the previous year’s tax returns; all W-2 and 1099 forms; child care provider information (provider’s name, address, EIN/ SSN, and amount paid); bank account number and routing

number (for direct deposit); property tax receipts, mortgage interest statements, charitable contributions, prior year’s state refund information for itemizing; education expense receipts; gambling winnings; and verification of health insurance. Where applicable, both spouses need to be present to sign the returns. For more information, please log on to www.OmahaEITC.org or call 2-1-1. Here is the list of sites:

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

• February 9 2 to 8 p.m. North Acres Community Center 5449 N. 108th St. Call 2-1-1

• Through April 18 Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Latino Center of the Midlands 4821 S. 24th St. 402-733-2720

• February 15 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. North Acres Community Center 5449 N. 108th St. Call 2-1-1

WALK-IN SITES • Through April 18 Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family Housing Advisory Services 3605 Q St. Call 2-1-1

• February 16 3 to 8 p.m. Educare at Kellom 2123 Paul St. Call 2-1-1 • February 21 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mercy Housing at Timber Creek 6816 S 137th Plz. Call 2-1-1

• January 29 to April 9 Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Metro Community College Fort Omaha campus Building 10 • Room 122 30th and Fort streets Call 2-1-1

• February 23 3 to 8 p.m. Educare at Kellom 2123 Paul St. Call 2-1-1

LIMITED WALK-IN SITES

• March 6 2:30 to 6 p.m. Educare at Indian Hills 3110 W St. Call 2-1-1

• February 3 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. North Acres Community Center 5449 N. 108th St. Call 2-1-1

• March 7 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mercy Housing at Timber Creek 6816 S 137th Plz. Call 2-1-1

• February 6 2:30 to 6 p.m. Educare at Indian Hills 3110 W St. Call 2-1-1 • February 7 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mercy Housing at Timber Creek 6816 S 137th Plz. Call 2-1-1

DEALING WITH VISION LOSS?

WE CAN HELP!

Outlook Nebraska serves the visually impaired through: • Adaptive technology training to use vision aid tools, computers, smartphones and other helpful devices • Recreational and cultural activities like audio description at live theater and art workshops

Learn more or support our services at

OUTLOOKNEBRASKA.ORG | (402) 614-3331 Positively Impacting the Visually Impaired

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February 2017

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, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing. The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-5277249 statewide. This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. For more information, log on the Internet to http://www.legalaidofnebraska.com/EAL.

Eclectic Book Review Club

he Eclectic Book Review Club, founded in 1949, has announced its schedule of book reviews for the first part of 2017. The meetings, which include a noon lunch followed by a book review, are held at the Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave. The cost is $13 per person, per month. Reservations, which are due by the Monday prior to the review, can be made by calling Rita at 402-5533147. Here’s the schedule: • Feb. 21: Dr. Bud Shaw, founder of UNMC’s liver transplant department will review his memoir Last Night in the OR. • March 21: Emily Getzchman from the Omaha Public Library system will review Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. • April 18: UNL journalism professor Joe Starita will review his book A Warrior of the People: How Susan La Flesche Overcame Racial & Gender Inequality to Become America’s First Indian Doctor. • May 16: Evelyn McKnight, a Hepatitis C survivor will review her book A Never Event: Exposing the Largest Outbreak of Hepatitis C in American Healthcare History.

Visually impaired patrons have access to audio description of shows

utlook Nebraska has partnered with the Rose Theater, the Orpheum Theater, the BLUEBARN Theatre, and the Omaha Community Playhouse to offer audio descriptions for the visually impaired at some of the performances held at these venues. Audio descriptions allow those who are visually impaired to more fully enjoy live performances through a verbal description of the stage production through a personal headset. A trained audio describer provides live verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of the live performance. The description is transmitted to the headsets so only those wearing the headsets hear the describer’s voice as well as the performance’s dialog. Visually impaired persons wishing to use the audio description service must call the venue to request the service and to purchase tickets at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability. An audio description preshow will start 30 minutes before the performance time listed below. The service is made available through the generous support of the Enrichment Foundation and the Gary and Mary West Foundation. For a complete list of audio description events, please visit outlooknebraska.org/theater.

CLASSIFIEDS Lonergan Lawns

Mow, fertilize, aerate. Trim trees & bushes. Clean gutters. Build walls. Haul junk. Call Tim @ 402-612-3576

OLD STUFF WANTED (before 1975)

Military, political, toys, jewelry, fountain pens, pottery, kitchen ware, postcards, photos, books, and other old paper, old clothes, garden stuff, tools, old household, etc. Call anytime 402-397-0254 or 402-250-9389

Tree Trimming Beat the falling flakes! Chipping & removal. Your prunings chipped. Experienced & insured. Senior discount.

Feb. 9 @ 7: 30 p.m. HIR BLUEBARN Theatre 1106 S. 10th St. 402-345-1576

April 8 @ 2 p.m. Beautiful Orpheum Theater 409 S. 16th St. 402-402-661-8501

Feb. 11 @ 2 p.m. Three Little Pigs Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. 402-345-4849

May 6 @ 2 p.m. Stellaluna Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. 402-345-4849

Feb. 18 @ 7:30 p.m. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Omaha Community Playhouse 6915 Cass St. 402-553-0800

May 20 @ 2 p.m. Something Rotten Orpheum Theater 409 S. 16th St. 402-661-8501

1002 Bellewood Court Bellevue (402) 292-3300 Bellewood@KimballMgmt.com

May 25 @ 7:30 p.m. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert BLUEBARN Theater 1106 S. 10th St. 402-345-1576

201 Cedar Dale Road Papillion (402) 331-6882 Monarch@KimballMgmt.com

March 11 @ 2 p.m. Jersey Boys Orpheum Theater 409 S 16th St. 402-661-8501

June 4 @ 2 p.m. Rent Orpheum Theater 409 S. 16th St. 402-661-8501

Managed by Kimball Management, Inc. PO Box 460967 Papillion, NE 68046 www.kimballmgmt.com

April 8 @ 5 p.m. Harold and the Purple Crayon Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. 402-345-4849

June 17 @ 2 p.m. Peter Pan Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. 402-345-4849

March 11 @ 2 p.m. Huck Finn Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. 402-345-4849

Please support New Horizons advertisers

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Move-in Specials Get 6 months of FREE lot rent for moving a single wide home Amenities include: into the park, or $3,500 for • Playground • Off street parking doublewide for moving expenses. • Clubhouse • Pool • RV’s welcome Call for more information.

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Call: 12801 Spaulding Plaza www.maplewoodestatesonline.com Omaha, NE 68164

402-894-9206 Senior Citizens (62+) Accepting applications for HUD-subsidized apartments in Papillion & Bellevue.

Bellewood Courts

Please call 402-444-4148 or 402- 444-6654 to place your ad

HOUSE CLEANING Always thorough. Personalized service. Satisfaction guaranteed. Call Judy

402-885-8731 REFRESH CLEANING

GET RID OF IT! Haul away, garage, basement, rental clean out…

Johansen Brothers Call Frank

Lamplighter II

Some of the nicest, newer 1 bedroom apartments. Elevator, w & d, heated parking garage. Small complex. By bus & shopping. No pets or smoking. 93rd & Maple • 402-397-6921

TOP CASH PAID Best & honest prices paid for: Nice old vintage and costume jewelry, old watches, vintage toys, Fenton glassware, old postcards, advertising items, military items, pottery, and antique buttons. Also buying estates & partial estates. Call Bev at 402-339-2856

402-312-4000

RICK’S

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Big jobs or small, I’ll do them all! [Bonded & insured]

402-658-1245

Subsidized housing for those age 62 and over with incomes under $25,250 (1 person) or $28,850 (two persons)

rickfitzlerhomeimprovement.com

2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622

REPUTABLE SERVICES, INC.

FOR SALE

• Remodeling & Home Improvement • Safety Equipment Handrails Smoke and Fire Alarms

Monarch Villas

• Painting Interior & Exterior • Handyman Services • Senior Discounts • Free Estimates

We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law.

deFreese Manor

• References • Fully Insured Quality Professional Service Better Business Bureau Member

402-4 5 5-7 0 0 0

• Used Hoveround electric wheelchair with charger. $400 • Used Revo three-wheel electric scooter with charger. $300

Call Don at 402-681-5099

ENOA

February 2017

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New Horizons

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Thank you! The men and women of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging would like to thank the following businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals that purchased more than 1,000 gifts for approximately 600 ENOA clients during the 2016 Christmas season CHRISTMAS GIFT DONORS BLUEBARN Theatre

Cindy Jones

Karen Paschal

CHI Nursing Home Network

Cindy Kirstine

Kris Rhodman

Stephanie Cleary

Kathy Kirstine

CORE Bank

Lorey Kirstine

Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Ivy Lashaw

Jennifer Cox

Jayne Murray

St. Philip Neri Catholic School

Cheryl Frank

Methodist Hospital Fourth Floor South staff (Becca Frans)

Carrie Schaffart Scheel’s

Omaha Fire Department Administrative Office

Securities America

Outdoors Unlimited

University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Omaha

Hanscom Park Methodist Church Home Instead Senior Care Fremont Home Instead Senior Care Omaha Linda Ivory Stephanie Jacobs and family

Barb Parolek

St. Gerald’s Catholic Church

Marcia Synowiecki

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging would also like to thank the following SeniorHelp Program volunteers who delivered Christmas gifts to ENOA clients in close to 50 area zip codes.

Katie Adams Claire Anderson Judy Benjamin Brody Bishop Nate Boancci, Becky Bonacci Josephine Booker Mark Booker Geoff Burt Dwight Cole Hanscom Park Church Bob Hautzinger Larry Heck Darien Henry Doug Henry Erik Henry Everett Henry Vikki Henry Jim Hubbard Stanley Isham Joy Johnson

Sue Jones Debby Kaipust Mike Kaipust Mary Kelly Jessica Krell Arlene Logan Bob Lykke Mary Lykke Ava McLaughlin Becky McLaughlin Alyce Miller Dann Miller Page Moore, Kristina Mott Lauren Mott Dan Parish Barb Parolek Terry Parolek Bart Pawlenty Gene Rhodman Kris Rhodman

Ankie Richard Linda Rogge Kadence Ryan Kelli Ryan Sherry Rydberg Bob Sanders Justin Sanders Bo Schaffart Carrie Schaffart Maizie Schaffart Cindy Shimerda Joe Siracusano Jayden Smithson Shannon Smithson Bethany Tillman Jake Tillman Cheryl Vacek Tom Welch Mandy Winterstein Daniel Witt Leah Wright