New Horizons January 2017

A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

January 2017 VOL. 42 • NO. 1

ENOA 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105-2431

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389

New Horizons ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Happy New Year!

Living in harmony Camille Metoyer Moten is a popular Omaha singer and musical theater performer. The daughter of Civil Rights activists, Camille graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans where she met her husband, Michael Moten. Camille and Michael were family teachers at Boys Town, and today she supports his work as pastor of One Way Ministry. This strong woman of faith is also a breast cancer survivor.

Leo Adam Biga’s profile begins on page 10.

Talking books Jane Nielsen and Ralph Morrocco are with the Radio Talking Book Service, a program that provides access to printed materials for persons with visual impairments.

See page 16.

Holiday helper Bart Pawlenty was among the more than 60 SeniorHelp Program volunteers who delivered gifts last month as part of ENOA’s annual Christmas effort.

See page 20.

Study: Most long-term care facility residents Dance Wednesday afternoons You’re invited to attend a dance each don’t use the free dental care they’re offered Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 4 at Ameri-

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early 90 percent of patients at long-term care facilities don’t take advantage of dental services, even when the services are free, according to a recent University at Buffalo study.

The research, published in Special Care in Dentistry, found the longer a patient stayed at a long-term care facility – such as a nursing home or an assisted living facility – the more likely they were to use dental services. But even among those who stayed at the facility for years, just 55 percent of the patients used the dental services.

The low usage rate at long-term care facili-

ties echoes a similar issue among the general population. In fact, according to 2014 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly four in 10 American adults don’t visit the dentist regularly.

“There is a problem within the population as a whole toward appreciation for dental care. The perception is that if you don’t have pain, you don’t have a problem,” says Frank A. Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, lead investigator on the study and chair of the Department of Oral Biology in the UB School of Dental Medicine.

The study examined the dental and medical records of more than 2,500 residents at the Brothers of Mercy

They might save your life

Douglas County Health Department offers tips for staying warm in winter

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inter is making its presence known in eastern Nebraska and the Douglas County Health Department urges you to prepare for cold weather safety if you have to be

outdoors.

“You need to plan for the elements if you are going to be safe outdoors,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Cold weather can be dangerous and things can change quickly.”

Cold weather safety recommendations include: • Limit your outdoor time and move to a warm location whenever possible.

• Dress in layered clothing for the best protection.

• Loose-fitting clothing is better than tight clothing that reduces blood circulation.

• Make a special effort to protect your ears, face, hands, and feet in extreme cold.

• A hat will help prevent you from losing heat.

• Wear waterproof boots, insulated socks, or two pairs of socks to protect your feet.

As temperatures fall, it’s important to remember older adults and infants are most at danger of suffering serious injury from the cold.

The DCHD encourages everyone to check on their older neighbors, but remember, staying inside also can have its dangers.

“If a portable heating device uses combustible fuel, it should not be used indoors. That includes lanterns, cook stoves, and grills,” Dr. Pour said. “Fires should not be left in unattended fireplaces, and never, ever leave children alone with candles.”

Cold weather also creates concerns for travelers. If the National Weather Service has issued a warning, consider delaying your trip. If you must travel, tell friends or relatives about your planned route and estimated time of arrival. Take a cell phone, be sure it’s charged, and make sure your car is ready for winter. Keep a full gas tank and have a safety kit that includes blankets, booster cables, a flashlight, and maps.

If you’re stuck in the snow and have to stay in your car to keep warm, run the engine for no more than 10 minutes per hour, keep a downwind window slightly open, and be sure the tailpipe is not blocked.

“Plan ahead,” Dr. Pour emphasized. “It might save your life.”

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Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who were discharged between 2008 and 2012.

Among the group, only 10 percent received a dental exam at least once during their stay.

The average length of stay at the facility was two years, with nearly half of the patients staying less than a month. Usage rates of dental services ranged from 7 percent for patients who stayed less than a month, to 30 percent for those who stayed between a month and two years. Usage rates increased to 55 percent among those who stayed beyond two years.

Age was also a factor.

Patients who were age 76 and older were twice as likely to use dental services compared to their younger counterparts.

Patients with endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, immunity disorders, mental disorders, and circulatory system diseases were more likely to receive dental services as well.

Dr. Scannapieco suggests for patients staying less than a month, often for shortterm rehabilitation, medical treatment took priority over dental services. These patients were also likely to have their own dentists outside the facility.

He was surprised, however, to find the usage of dental services remained low among the rest of the patients.

The New York State Department of Health requires all patients newly admitted to long-term care facilities be offered dental services upon admission and annually afterwards.

Financial barriers are a common deterrent for patients in need of dental care, says Dr. Scannapieco.

Medicare, he adds, doesn’t cover many dental procedures.

Medicare does cover dental exams. In many cases, Dr. Scannapieco finds oral health care takes a backseat to other medical needs.

Improving attitudes toward dental care may lie in connecting oral health with overall health and quality of life, he says.

“We need to do the research that answers if excellent dental health translates into prolonged life, health, and perceptions of quality of life,” says Dr. Scannapieco.

“That is one of the major questions around dental care that is still unanswered.”

January 2017

can Legion Post #1, 7811 Davenport St. Admission is $2.

For more information, please call 402392-0444.

Read it & eat

By Lois Friedman readitandeat@yahoo.com

Healthy recipes for 2017 Ready, set, follow your resolutions. These cookbooks are loaded with ideas and recipes to help your healthy food choices. Reach your goals with delicious meals.

The Experiment: Peace & Parsnips

By Lee Watson ($25) Chef turned vegan creates more than 200 international recipes with minimum fuss, rustled up in a hurry, and pack your belly with goodness. Following the pantry description are more than 12 chapters: Breakfast to Sweet Treats.

Tres Green Tres Clean Tres Chic

By Rebecca Leffler ($19.95) French inspired eats and beauty tips, plus yoga exercises organized seasonally. Try Le Burger, Salade Nicoise, “faux-mage” (nut cheese) and more.

From St. Martin Griffin: The Happy Cookbook

By Lola Berry ($24.99) Australian Lola shares her take on essential ingredients, food cravings, natural beauty, and wellness in eight chapters and 130 wholefood recipes. Biophilia, the awesome healing power of Mother Nature, is her favorite word.

Meat on the Side

By Nikki Dinki ($27.99) More than 100 recipes for veggies from this television host. Try 50/50 meals created to make part with meat and part without. Choices for Breakfast, Nibblers, Tacos, Main, and Light Meals many with less than 500 calories.

Oh She Glows Every Day

By Angela Liddon (Avery, $27) Glowing Rainbow Smoothie Bowl recipe introduces 100 plant based, vegan recipes. Nine chapters with suggestions for favorite kitchen tools and pantry items, tips, tricks, helpful headnotes, and go-to suggestions.

Stock, Broth, & Bowl

By Jonathan Bender (Andrews McMeel, $19.99) Think about Kansas City chefs and this journalist/author.

Nine stock recipes to drink “the trendiest health beverage of the year” and to cook “the foundation for a healthy meal.”

The Meat Free Monday Cookbook

By Paul, Mary, & Stella McCartney ($22.95) The McCartney family plus celebrity supporters share 80 vegan recipes organized seasonally with a weekly format to inspire you to skip meat on Monday. One meat-free day per week with ideas for breakfast, lunch, sides, snacks, dinner, and dessert. Get your New Year off to a good start with this recipe for breakfast.

Winter Fruit Salad Serves 4-6 Take one cup dried apricots and one cup prunes. Soak them overnight covered in boiling water. Put them into a saucepan in the morning and add two tablespoons of currants and the zest of a small lemon. Mix in two tablespoons honey and cover with water. Bring the pan to a boil and simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Before serving for breakfast the next day, add 2/3 cup orange juice and two sliced bananas. Serve with Greek yogurt if you like.

There’s a new way to measure eye pressure to help prevent vision loss

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y age 75, approximately half of all Americans will develop cloudy vision caused by cataracts, according to the National Eye Institute. The most common complication from cataract surgery is high eye pressure, which can cause swelling and other issues that may lead to vision loss or even blindness.

Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine recommend a new test to check eye pressure to prevent possible vision loss.

“The current standard of care following cataract surgery is to refill the eye with a saline solution and tap on the eye with a Q-tip to observe if it is too firm, too soft, or just right,” said John Jarstad, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at the MU School of Medicine and the study’s lead researcher.

“This Goldilocks-style guesstimate often is inaccurate, and patients might actually have higher eye fluid pressure than the surgeon believes. Here at MU Health Care, we use a device known as a tonometer to accurately gauge eye pressure.”

An electronic eye pres-

“Voice for Older Nebraskans!”

sure monitoring device known as a tonometer often is used in a clinical setting to determine eye pressure, but the device rarely is used in a surgical setting.

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he researchers studied 170 patients who had eye pressure adjusted after cataract surgery with a tonometer and found patients were two to four times less likely to develop cystoid macular edema — cyst-like pockets of fluid in the macula of the eye.

According to Jarstad, normal eye pressure should be between 16 and 21 millimeters of mercury. In most cases, a high eye pressure will resolve itself in a matter of days without issue, but in cases in which the pressure is significantly high, a person can experience symptoms of nausea and pain above the eyebrow. In these cases, it’s important the pressure be adjusted to prevent permanent damage to the eye.

A tonometer costs eye surgeons approximately $4,000, though its use can save patients up to $150 in medications and eye drops used to treat retinal swelling or edema. A lower cost pressure ring also can be used as an effective alternative tool to gauge eye pressure, Jarstad said.

Potential complications from using a pressure-monitoring device include eye infections, though Jarstad has not observed an infection in five years of using a pressure monitor.

“Seeing patients who had gone blind because of high eye pressure convinced me there needed to be a better, more accurate gauge,” Jarstad said.

“I recommend eye surgeons adopt this practice for the good of their patients. There is no additional cost to patients, and if it saves just one patient from going blind, it would be well worth every doctor using it in his or her surgical practice.”

(The University of Missouri provided this information.)

AARP, n4a collaborating on campaign to raise awareness of social isolation among older adults

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Make a donation to help support the

he National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in collaboration with the AARP Foundation, recently launched a national public education campaign to raise awareness of the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness in older Americans.

It’s estimated one in five people over age 50 are affected by isolation, a problem that has been associated with higher rates of chronic disease, depression, dementia, and death.

This topic is the focus of an annual effort to encourage discussion of important issues affecting older Americans.

“Efforts to strengthen the health and well-being of older Americans must address the critical issue of isolation. It is a major risk factor for elder abuse,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging and Acting Administrator, Administration for Community Living Edwin Walker.

“We hope this campaign will raise awareness about this important issue and spur efforts to prevent isolation and promote community connections.”

The national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging – which includes the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging – and the more than 250 Title VI Native American aging programs, provides crucial home and

community-based services and supports for older adults in virtually every community in the nation. It’s uniquely positioned to shine a light on this growing problem and to lead the way in finding solutions.

“Because these agencies are on the frontlines of helping older Americans live with dignity and independence in their homes, connecting them to an array of in-home services so vital to their well-being, they are often the first to realize an older adult is isolated and lonely,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “That’s why we believe their participation in this campaign can have such a major impact.”

“This campaign will help raise awareness and support our ongoing efforts to identify and help those in need,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado.

The collaborative effort features tools and resources to help evaluate isolation risk, reach out to others who may be feeling lonely and disengaged, and find practical ways to reconnect to the community.

Lisa Marsh Ryerson, president of AARP Foundation, said, “With data showing the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, it’s crucial we not only build awareness about social isolation as a public health issue, but also identify solutions.”

January 2017

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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; Jim Peterson, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Gary Osborn, Dodge County secretary; Brenda Carlisle, Sarpy County; & Lisa Kramer, Washington County.

The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.

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Camelot Friendship Center

ou’re invited to visit the Camelot Friendship Center inside the Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., for the following: • Friday, Jan. 6 & 27: Movie Day @ 12:15 p.m.

• Monday, Jan. 9: Foot clinic.

• Wednesday, Jan. 11: Birthday Bash.

• Thursday, Jan. 12: Book Club @ 10:15 a.m.

• Friday, Jan. 12: Music by Billy Troy from The Merrymakers @ 11:45 a.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 19: Crafts @ 10:15 a.m. and Jackpot Bingo @ 12:15 p.m.

• Monday, Jan. 23: Chair volleyball @ 10:30 a.m.

The center will be closed on Jan. 2 and 16.

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.

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High-yielding vegetable crops can be produced even in small garden spaces

By Melinda Myers

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pend less time and money while growing a bounty of flavorful vegetables this growing season. Increase your harvest, even in small garden spaces, with proper planning and easy care, high-yielding vegetables.

A productive garden starts with a plan, but choosing the best vegetables to grow and where to plant them can be overwhelming.

You can break out the graph paper and pencils to design your garden or turn to technology for help.

Many websites and apps provide ready-to-use garden plans or planning guidelines. Gardener’s Supply (gardeners.com) offers free pre-planned gardens that do the planning for you.

Reduce maintenance by growing easy-care vegetables featured in the Plant-it & Forget-it garden. Or grow more than 50 pounds of produce in just 18 square feet of space with the High Yield Vegetable Garden Plan and High Yield Vegetable Seeds.

These and other intensively planted gardens require

CALL TODAY! 402-557-6643

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January 2017

proper soil preparation to maximize productivity. Invest time up front to reduce ongoing maintenance and increase your harvest. Dig several inches of compost or other organic matter into the top eight to 12 inches of the soil. This improves drainage in heavy soil and increases the water holding ability in fast draining soils. Incorporate a slow release organic fertilizer at the same time. This provides needed nutrients throughout the growing season. Check the label and your plants to determine if a mid-season application is needed.

Maximize your planting budget by starting your plants from seeds. Many gardeners like to start long season plants like tomatoes and broccoli from seeds indoors. This keeps their green thumb warmed up for the season and provides the greatest selection of vegetable varieties.

Others buy these plants from their local garden center. Start seeds of shorter season crops like greens, radishes, and squash directly in the garden when the growing season begins. Check the seed packet for specific directions on when and how to plant these seeds indoors and out.

When shopping for seeds, select varieties suited to your climate and known for their disease resistance and high yield. Most vegetables produce best when grown in full sun, which means eight hours or more per day. Greens and root crops are a bit more shade tolerant.

Once planted, cover the soil surrounding the seeded rows and transplants with a thin layer of shredded leaves, herbicide-free grass clippings, or evergreen needles. This mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Plus, it improves the soil as it breaks down. You’ll save time and improve your plants’ health and productivity with this one task.

After it’s planted and mulched, you’ll spend minimal time maintaining your garden. But be sure to plan a bit of time to enjoy the big, flavorful harvest your high yield garden is sure to provide.

(Myers has written more than 20 gardening books.)

You!

Elder Care 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 1-800-527-7249 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.

Parkinson’s research beneficiary of UNMC’s annual Skate-a-Thon

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he University of Nebraska Medical Center’s seventh annual Skate-a-Thon for Parkinson’s will begin at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 and end at 2 p.m. on Jan. 28 (24 hours) at the UNMC rink, 42nd and Emile streets.

The $10 cost includes skate rental.

Non- skaters are welcome to make a tax-deductible donation.

The money raised will be used for Parkinson’s research at UNMC and for families dealing with Parkinson’s.

To volunteer or for more information, please log on the Internet to www.parkinsonsnebraska.org/skate-athon.

Common in women with breast cancer

Electro-acupuncture may be an effective treatment for nocturnal hot flashes

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t’s somewhat of a little-known adverse effect of having breast cancer, but studies suggest that approximately 30 to 40 percent of women with breast cancer report persistent hot flashes. Nocturnal hot flashes are among the most problematic because they can contribute to poor sleep.

A new study shows that electro-acupuncture may be effective in providing some relief. The study was published online recently in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Compared with women who undergo natural menopause, women with breast cancer are at a greater risk of experiencing hot flashes, partially as a result of the premature menopause that results from chemotherapy and surgery, as well as estrogen deficiency caused by the use of breast cancer treatments such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.

It’s estimated by 2020 there will be nearly six million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Although it isn’t completely understood how acupuncture affects sleep, it has been shown to affect a number of neurotransmitters associated with sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin.

Poor sleep is particularly bothersome for breast cancer survivors experiencing nighttime hot flashes because it has been shown to increase levels of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Although electro-acupuncture produced significant sleep improvements, researchers noted sleep quality for the participants was still not as good as it should be, implying that more research is necessary to explore possible combinations of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments.

“This study shows that, for women who need or choose to avoid medications, electro-acupuncture may be an option because it has minimal risks, but blinded controlled trials are needed,” says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, NAMS’ executive director.

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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 Tri Community Food Pantry wants volunteers to help with a variety of assignments.

• The Blair and Fremont Car-Go Program needs volunteers to drive older adults to their appointments once or twice a week.

Visit the Nation’s Largest Mobility Showroom Located at 127th & Q!

12741 Q St. 402.408.1990 | www.Kohlls.com Locally Owned & Operated for Over 65 Years!

January 2017

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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 Black Hills “Ski for Light”. January 21 – 27, 2017.

Third annual trip to Deadwood, South Dakota. A very rewarding week-long event for blind and physically challenged persons to participate in skiing and/or other outdoor activities. If you know of someone who might want to participate, call us. Volunteers are also needed to provide various types of assistance at the event. Financial assistance also needed to make this event more affordable for participants. Motorcoach will pick up at various points across Nebraska.

Contact us at 712-366-9596 for more details.

Winter Getaway! February 14 – 28. Designed for a small group. Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and South Padre Island in Texas, including four nights in a beach front hotel on South Padre. First come, first served.

Call for details.

Laughlin Laughlin in January. January 21 – 25. $309. Five days – four nights. Includes non-stop, round-trip airfare to Laughlin, Nevada. Four 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 Righteous Brothers perform at the Riverside Resort.

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.

11808 Mason Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154

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s the United States turns its attention to forging constructive transitions in the executive and legislative branches, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s calls upon the newly elected Trump Administration and Congress to shepherd in an era that addresses the serious national priority that is Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The organization also supports immediate action to increase Alzheimer’s research funding and to support patients and caregivers.

As an organization committed to urgency and the disruption of business-as-usual in order to speed a means of prevention and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s welcomes Donald Trump as a fellow fighter touched by this critical disease which is impacting millions of people with dementia, their families, and caregivers, as well as researchers, advocates, and industry.

“This is the Alzheimer’s moment; the time to see Alzheimer’s as an urgent threat to the health of Americans and a hazard to the financial security of our country,” said UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Co-founder and Chairman George Vradenburg.

“We challenge President-elect Trump to make Alzheimer’s his administration’s grand challenge. Alzheimer’s is a tsunami we are fighting with a bucket. This challenge requires greater focus, scaled resources, and a public-private commitment to a cure.”

Alzheimer’s is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, and the incidence of the disease is projected to triple by 2050.

The disease, which is the only top 10 cause of death with no means to prevent, treat, or cure, also has a disproportionate impact on people of color and women, the latter of whom represents nearly 70 percent of the unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

To remedy this reality and see true medical progress against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is calling for Trump to enact the following during his first 100 days in office: • Include $2 billion for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the fiscal year 2018 budget.

Establish a White-House level Office of the National Alzheimer’s Response responsible for overseeing and managing all U.S. government activities to address Alzheimer’s.

• Assert international leadership in the global fight Against Alzheimer’s. Other countries are expecting the next U.S. administration to grab the leadership reins and take the global fight to the next level of action and energy.

Further, as a blueprint to build on the

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progress and commitment established in the Administration’s first 100 days, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s has developed a comprehensive agenda which will be critical to achieving milestone moments on the path to cure.

Below are several significant legislative priorities: • Recognize this disease is a cancer-sized problem requiring a cancer-sized response by developing a plan to sustain and build on the $2 billion for Alzheimer’s research in the years beyond 2018. This would require maintaining a steady annual growth to reflect the scope and scale of the disease and the scientific opportunity for faster cures.

• Further focus on high-risk/high reward research, which has the potential to rapidly transform Alzheimer’s treatments.

• Seek solutions designed to reduce the time and cost it takes to develop Alzheimer’s therapies. The cost of developing innovative Alzheimer’s medicines already exceeds a dozen years and more than $1.5 billion on average.

• Increase participation in clinical trials, particularly among minorities and women, so researchers can better understand the barriers and gaps in Alzheimer’s clinical research in America’s increasingly diverse population.

• Support prompt access to new therapies, once approved, by developing new payment models that take account of the societal costs of this disease and incent industry investment in innovative treatments.

• Increase the rate of early diagnosis and detection of Alzheimer’s and improve the delivery of care of patients, in part, by increasing the number of clinicians who are able to conduct evaluations and who are adequately reimbursed for such services.

• Support caregivers who are likely to be affected physically, emotionally, and financially from a diagnosis by creating a Medicare benefit that will provide interventions that maximize the ability of the family caregiver to keep their beneficiary at home and limit and delay use of the more expensive institutional care setting.

“While our country and the world are processing the results of these elections, I issue the reminder that the importance of our work, and the urgency surrounding it, stands before us demanding our attention,” said Trish Vradenburg, Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

“For the millions with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, we need bi-partisan action now, as the first disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s will likely occur during this administration,” she said.

“This disease is neither a Republican nor a Democrat disease; it is an American disease – one that demands a response from both parties.”

OFD can install free smoke, carbon monoxide detectors

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he 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

Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule.

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UsAgainstAlzheimer’s asks Trump administration to prioritize Alzheimer’s, other related dementias

January 2017

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.

Learn about the benefits of hospice, palliative care

By Dr. James Ortman

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patient has end-stage emphysema. He’s short of breath at rest despite receiving the maximum medical treatment. He’s hospitalized, and palliative care is consulted. Surgery is proposed to remove large pockets of air that aren’t effective in gas exchange. With palliative care, all treatments can be continued, but the focus isn’t on cure but on comfort and the patient’s goals.

Palliative care is defined by the World Health Organization as care with the goal of improving the quality of life for patients with a life-threatening illness. Palliative care focuses on the delivery of person-oriented and familyoriented care. One might argue this should define care for anyone.

As a person’s overall health status declines, the concept of palliative care comes more into play. For example, if an older person has dementia or any type of organ system failure that will eventually culminate in death, it’s unnecessary for them to go into the hospital if they should become ill with a stroke, heart attack, or pneumonia.

This person can be treated at home, in a nursing home, or in an assisted living facility and made comfortable without the expense, discomfort, and indignity of an acute care hospitalization. There are no moral, ethical, or legal barriers to this type of approach.

If the patient is unable to make such health care decisions themselves due to a physical or mental impairment, it’s important they have an advanced directive. An advanced directive is a document that indicates one’s wishes in such a situation, even though he or she may not be able to express them.

A durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints someone to make those decisions for the patient. A living will outlines in broad strokes what type of treatment they prefer at the end of life. A good place to start this discussion is to Google 5 Wishes or The Conversation Project.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization defines hospice care as a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to a patient’s needs and wishes.

Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, and is provided in the patient’s home, hospice facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

To qualify for hospice, the patient’s attending physician and hospice medical director must attest that if the patient’s terminal illness runs its usual course, they’ll be dead in six months. This can be extended in many situations.

Hospice may be appropriate when signs of severe decline are evident such as worsening dementia, angina, or heart failure refractory to the normal treatments, kidney failure if the patient were to refuse dialysis, and/or emphysema with severe shortness of breath refractory to treatment.

Other signs of decline that go with these conditions are frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations, decreased appetite, weight loss, decreased mobility, and the increasing needs for help with the activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, eating, dressing, and standing.

On admission to hospice, the hospice nurse takes time to determine the patient’s goals for the rest of his or her life. Often times at this stage of life, the goal is comfort and pain relief. The hospice team includes a social worker, a pastoral care provider, nurses, home health aides, and medical care.

There’s much more to palliative and hospice care than just pain medicine. Bereavement counseling is offered to the family after their loved one’s death. Too often hospice care is sought at the extreme end of life, and the benefits of several months of family and patient support aren’t used properly.

A significant amount of Medicare’s budget is spent for care during the last few months of life. Programs such as palliative and hospice care help to alleviate some of the burden of this spending in situations where a patient is dying.

“At some point we have to stop the seemingly unstoppable momentum of medical treatment,” said Dr. Atul Gawande, author of the book Being Mortal.

(Dr. Ortman is the medical director for Kindred Hospice in Omaha.)

Car Go Program needs volunteers The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is recruiting volunteers age 55 and older to provide free transportation services for older adults in Fremont and Blair.

“We’re especially interested in providing transportation services for military veterans,” said Pat Tanner, who coordinates the RSVP for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

Sponsored locally by ENOA, RSVP is a national program of the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Senior Service Corps.

RSVP staff members who serve in Dodge, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties realize many older men and women live alone, are on fixed incomes, are no longer able to operate their own vehicle, and don’t have family members available to drive them to their various appointments.

In response, RSVP’s Car-Go Project offers free transportation for men and women age 55 and older in Blair and Fremont through volunteers age 55 and older who use their own vehicles.

Free rides can be given to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, beauty parlors, barbershops, banks, and other personal business locations.

Rides for persons who use wheelchairs (must be able to transfer themselves) will be considered on a case-bycase basis.

The Car-Go Project – which isn’t available to nursing home residents – operates in Fremont and Blair Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on becoming a volunteer driver or to make a reservation (24 hours notice is required) for a ride, call RSVP’s Fremont office at 402-721-7780.

Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), for the following: • Jan. 4: Home Hints @ 10 a.m. followed by pianist Wally @ 10:30 a.m.

• Jan. 5: Presentation from Dr. Dalton on staying healthy for the next 100 years.

• Jan. 9: Travel to Antarctica with Rich Hirschman @ 10:30 a.m.

• Jan. 11: Music by the Links @ 10 a.m.

• Jan. 12: Presentation on depression and anxiety @ 10 a.m.

• Jan. 18: News with Nye @ 10 a.m.

• Jan. 18: Hawaiian Day. Wear those Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts. Luau music with Christine Coulson @ 10:30 a.m.

• Jan. 25: Music by Amanda Coker @ 10:30 a.m.

• Jan. 26: Talk on senior fraud @ 10 a.m.

The center will be closed on Jan. 2 for New Year’s Day and Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King 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.

Annual St Patrick’s Day Celebration Friday, March 17th Lunch at 11:30 am

Entertainment at 1:30 pm by Jerry Stingley

RSVP to 402-557-6637

Skyline Independent Living

7300 Graceland Drive, Omaha 68134

Florence Home Healthcare

Rehab...renew return home!

Call 402-827-6000

www.omahaseniorcare.org

January 2017

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Corrigan Senior Center

TSCL opposes changes closing SS loopholes

You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • Jan. 3: Poetry and Storytelling by Shirley @ 1 p.m.

Stay for a turkey breast lunch.

• Jan. 9: Birthday & Welcome 2017 Party. Celebrate the New Year and January birthdays @ 11 a.m. Music by Joyce Torchia from The Merrymakers. Enjoy a hot roast beef dinner or a deli chicken salad.

• Jan. 10: Talk on HELP Adult Services @ 11 a.m.

• Jan. 17: Spa Day and free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to noon. Foot care clinic for $10.

Call 402-731-7210 for an appointment.

• Jan. 19: Ben Tomasello Show @ 11 a.m. followed by chicken or a deli roast beef and Swiss deli sandwich for lunch. Bingo follows the meal.

• Jan. 26: Presentation on How to Take Care of Your Birthday Suit @ 11 a.m. followed by a tuna noodle au gratin lunch. Bingo follows @ 1 p.m.

• Jan. 30: Talk on the Adventures of Lewis & Clark by the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association @ 11 a.m. Call for reservations for a noon pork loaf or a turkey garden cranberry salad lunch. Bingo at 1 p.m.

• Wednesdays in January: Crafts.

• Fridays in January: Movies all day with popcorn in our TV lounge.

The center will be closed on Jan. 2 for New Year’s Day and on Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King 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 at 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 Lynnette at 402-731-7210.

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE Wills • Trusts • Probate

Ask A Lawyer: Q — What is “accidental disinheritance”?

A — Accidental disinheritance occurs when an expected heir is cut out of an estate because of lack of planning, rather than intention. It can occur in a blended family, where “planning” consists of holding property in both names.

For example, Husband and Wife hold all of their property jointly. Husband is the first to die, and Wife inherits everything. Later, Wife dies without proper planning. Result?

Wife’s children receive all the family property. Husband’s children are “accidentally disinherited.”

Have a question about estate planning? Give us a call!

AARP Legal Service Network • No Charge For Initial Consultation

7602 Pacific Street, Ste 200 • (402) 391-2400 http://whitmorelaw.com

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eventy percent of older voters say two recent Social Security changes were “unnecessary benefit cuts,” rather than a “closure of unintended loopholes,” according to a new poll by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

“The findings show Congress was out of step with its constituents who oppose cutting benefits as a means to strengthen Social Security’s financing,” says TSCL Chairman Art Cooper.

A year ago Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 — legislation that made two surprise changes to Social Security claiming strategies, known as “file and suspend” and “restricted application.”

Calling the changes “a closure of unintended loopholes,” the legislation limited two claiming strategies used by married couples to maximize their Social Security benefits.

The changes restricted a strategy that was an especially important protection for women who tend to have lower retirement benefits than men. Prior to the change, the higher earner of a couple, often the husband, would file for Social Security benefits at full retirement age, which allowed his wife to file for Social Security spousal benefits on his account. The husband would then immediately suspend his own benefit while he continued to work, allowing his benefit to grow 8 percent per year until age 70.

The wife could then file a restricted claim for spousal benefits when she turned 66 and collect half of the full benefit amount her husband would receive, while waiting for her own retirement benefit to grow to the maximum at age 70.

The new rules take effect for anyone who turns age 66 after April 29, 2016. Under the new rules people can still file and suspend benefits, but no one can collect other family benefits like those for a spouse or dis-

abled child. The change did not affect the divorced spouse, who may still collect a spousal benefit.

The changes were controversial with older voters because they affected people who were already at entitlement age, and went rapidly into effect almost immediately.

“There was little time for the public to learn what was happening to their benefits or to plan alternative action,” Cooper says. The changes reduced the overall benefit income that married couples could receive from Social Security.

“Social Security is the nation’s most important program for keeping older Americans out of poverty,” Cooper says. “With people living longer and spending 30 years and more in retirement, there’s a growing consensus that Congress should be boosting benefits instead of cutting them,” Cooper says.

To do this while strengthening program finances, a recent survey by The Senior Citizens League found widespread support for increasing program revenues. Seventynine percent of those surveyed support raising the amount of wages that are taxable by completely lifting the maximum taxable earnings cap and applying the payroll tax to all earnings above $118,500.

Another 66 percent of those surveyed support very gradually raising the payroll tax rate for workers and employers.

TSCL is urging older voters to contact Members of Congress to let them know that benefit cuts affecting today’s retirees won’t be tolerated.

For more information, please go online to www.seniorsleague.org.

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

1 2 3

3

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.

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

January 2017

Post election poll show Americans have concerns about their finances as President Trump takes office

T

he 2016 election was fueled by divisiveness and high emotion and it created an unprecedented amount of uncertainty among Americans, particularly in terms of how people believe their finances will be impacted.

A post-election poll of more than 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by GfK found 27 percent feel their individual/family personal finance situation will be better off under Donald Trump. This compares to 19 percent of respondents who believed their financial situations would have improved if Secretary Hillary Clinton had won the election.

The flip side of the results show 72 percent of Americans feel their financial situation would remain the same (37 percent) or become worse (35 percent) under Trump. Eighty percent of the respondents believe their financial situations would have remained the same (46 percent) or been worse off (34 percent) if Clinton had won the election.

“What’s truly interesting about these findings is that the lines are definitive and that the clear majority of people have legitimate questions and concerns about their finances.

And that was true of both candidates,” says Ted Beck, president and CEO of NEFE.

T

he poll also shows some contrast between men and women. Among men, 31 percent thought their finances would be better off with Trump compared to 23 percent of women. Interestingly, if Clinton had won, 20 percent of men thought their financial situations would be better off. Among women the number was 19 percent.

Women are significantly more likely than men to believe their finances will be worse off under Trump, and a plurality of women feel this way. For Clinton, pluralities in both genders congregate in the middle (their situation would remain the same), which contributes to a lower positive response. Under it leans negative among women, as a plurality of women believe their finances will be worse off (40 percent), while 36 percent believe it will be the same, and 23 percent thought they would improve.

Looking at how respondents feel the election results will impact their financial situations, 56 percent cited healthcare costs as their primary concern. This was followed by taxes (48 percent), overall costs of living (47 percent), and retirement security (38 percent). Job security ranked eighth on the list of concerns at 26 percent, and education affordability ranked near the bottom with 22 percent.

“During the past two administrations there has been a great deal of cooperation with government and the nonprofit sector to better educate consumers on personal finance issues. I certainly hope this continues with responsible leadership moving forward,” says Beck.

Vols needed for UNMC mind, brain registry

T

he Mind & Brain Health Labs in the Department of Neurological Sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center are seeking volunteers for a registry of individuals interested in participating in mind and brain health research at UNMC. The registry’s goal is to foster research programs at UNMC that may improve understanding of the mind and brain in health and disease, said Matthew Rizzo, M.D., director of the labs, chair of the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences, and lead physician of the Neuroscience Clinical Program at UNMC. Dr. Rizzo said an innovative, cutting-edge research program, which seeks to improve health and quality of life, depends on the participation of community

members in registries like these.

“This initiative at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will position the medical center as a leader and innovator in translational research aimed at improving patient care and safety, mind and brain health, mobility, and quality of life across the lifespan,” he said.

T

he registry is a list of people who are interested in being contacted about research studies for which they may be eligible. Being listed in the registry does not obligate people to participate in research.

Volunteers may choose not to participate in any research study they are contacted about, Dr. Rizzo said.

He said people will not be compensated for participating in the research registry, but they potentially could be compensated for their participation in studies they were recruited for through this registry.

The research registry is open to men and women ages 19 to 99.

People interested in participating will be asked to complete a questionnaire about who they are and about their health. Their responses will allow the Mind & Brain Health Labs to determine which studies these individuals may be eligible for in the future. Information collected about these men and women also may be used for future, unspecified research.

For more information, contact the Mind & Brain Health Labs at (402) 559-6870 or mbhl@unmc.edu.

(UNMC provided this information.)

AARP offering driving course AARP is offering a new four-hour, research-based Smart Driver Course for older adults.

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. The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members.

No tests or examinations are involved, course completion certificates are provided, and auto insurance discounts may apply. Here’s this month’s schedule: Tuesday, January 10 Metro Community College Do Space 7205 Dodge St. 10 a.m. to noon Class #: AUAV 004N-73 402-622-2620

Saturday, January 14 AARP Information Center 1941 S. 42nd St. Suite 220 10 a.m. to noon 402-398-9568

Friday, January 20 Metro Community College Sarpy Center 9110 Giles Rd. 9 to 11 a.m.

Class #: AUAV 004N-70 402-622-2620

January 2017

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This lady, Camille Metoyer Moten, sings the blues and more father, Ray, was shot to death at the family barbecue joint at age 52.

Bigotry and bias have confronted Camille. Illness has attacked her.

A strong faith, a sure sense of self, and a rock solid marriage to husband, Michael Moten, have helped Camille cope with loss and setbacks and thus avoid the pitfalls many of her idols suffered.

Music was all around her as a girl. She and her sister, Lanette – also an awardwinning musical theater artist – inherited their singing chops from their mom. Lois would harmonize, scat, and sway to records she played in the family’s northeast Omaha home.

Camille Metoyer Moten grew up listening to jazz “She was a wonderful legends like Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, singer,” Camille recalled.

Sarah Vaughan, and Nancy Wilson.

“We grew up listening to

By Leo Adam Biga handles a song and wins lots of jazz albums. Dinah Contributing Writer over an audience belies the Washington, Billie Holifamily tragedies and perday, Sarah Vaughan, (and) lassy, sassy Camille sonal struggles she’s enNancy Wilson. That was her Metoyer Moten has dured. Listen and look close thing. She was so into it.” entertained with her enough and you’ll detect the Metoyer Moten’s mom cabaret singing and musiwistful blue notes of the jazz often told the story how cal theater performances vocalists she grew up listen- she auditioned for and was since the late 1970s. Besides ing to. Like them, Metoyer asked to tour either with the being much beloved, she’s Moten knows about pain. great Count Basie or Duke considered a real pro. Her Her late parents were at the Ellington but turned the much sought-after stagecraft forefront of Omaha Civil opportunity down. Though has earned critical acclaim Rights work before their flattered by the offer, Lois as well as Omaha Commulives were cruelly cut short. was engaged to her future nity Playhouse and Theatre Her mother, Lois, died husband, Ray Metoyer, a seArts Guild awards. of brain cancer at age 43. rious Creighton University The free, easy way she Seven years later Camille’s student not about to let his

C

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January 2017

fiancé go on the road.

Camille began showing off her own pipes as a toddler.

“I wanted to sing but I didn’t know a song, so I would sing about the furniture and anything that came into my view.”

Encouraged by her mother, Camille learned lyrics to standards but was timid to have an audience around.

“She loved that I would sing but I was really shy to sing, so I would be like in the basement singing and if I’d hear somebody coming, I’d stop. I would always pretend there was a microphone.”

Her first time on stage came in the first grade at Sacred Heart School when she, Lanette, and their brother, Raymond, sang Do Re Mi. “I just remember being so scared but I wanted to do it so bad. Everybody was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this little girl with this big voice.’ I think my desire to perform really got reinforced then because people made a big deal of the fact my voice was fuller.

The more I sang for school programs the more compliments and confidence I got.”

Even early on Metoyer Moten drew on diverse musical influences.

“There were so many things I liked. I loved the jazz. I also loved the musical theater. And I also loved classical music.”

The same holds true today.

“It’s a mishmash of several things. A lot of it is Barbra Streisand. I always liked the way Nancy Wilson presented herself. Lena Horne, too. Just very classy.

So I always want to at least appear classy on stage because I’m really kind of an awkward person. But when I’m on stage I feel like I have a little more finesse.”

She holds Barbra in special regard.

“I think her voice is amazing. I just got to see her in concert for the first time in August in Chicago. My children bought me a $500 ticket. It was so awesome to listen to her. She’s 74 years old but she can still soar up to those high notes.”

No wonder then Camille’s stoked about a March 31 tribute concert she’s doing in honor of her idol. The Bubbly with Barbra show at the Playhouse is a fundraiser for the theater’s operations.

“I’m so excited about it because I’ve been worshiping her since I was 11 years old,” Camille said.

Kathy Tyree, Dave Wingert, and Jim Boggess will join Metoyer Moten on select numbers during Bubbly with Barbra.

The role of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl that Streisand made famous on stage and in film resonated strongly with Camille, who made playing the part a lifetime ambition she realized in 1994.

“I related to that character so much. She’s this odd little duck that has talent that nobody could appreciate because of her package,” said Camille, whose light complexion, blonde hair, and green eyes made her conscious of her nontraditional African-American appearance.

“I got a lot of comments about my look.”

The many shades of black were inescapable, she said, because “my family’s all different colors and it’s something that really sticks out. My father was very fair, my mother was pretty brown, so all of us came out different. I came out with all the recessive traits.”

Descendants on her father’s side are of mixed race Creole heritage. Both her paternal and maternal families owned property in the South.

There’s quite a story behind her father’s family line in Louisiana. The first Metoyer there built a plantation, and his son, Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer, befriended a family that owned a slave, Marie Coincoin, with whom he became infatuated. He built a plantation for her and she lived in the house with him and their children.

Threatened with excommunication by the Catholic Church, he built her a separate house in back. When he decided to have white heirs, he gave Coincoin her freedom and let her keep their children. She became a leading entrepreneur in the state, even building her own plantation. The black branch of the Metoyers lived as aristocrats.

Lanette and Camille dream of making a musical out of their family’s story.

Their mother grew up in Mississippi and though their father was born in Omaha, their grandfather, Victor, came from Louisiana. Victor worked as a railroad dining car waiter for the Union Pacific Railroad. He and a fellow waiter opened a BBQ eatery. They alternated op--Please turn to page 11.

Activists parents introduced Camille to MLK, Malcolm X --Continued from page 10. erating it based on their UP runs. When Victor was on his Omaha to California run, his partner manned the joint, and when his partner was on his Omaha to New York run, Victor handled things.

Grandpa Victor also co-founded the adjacent Key Club. Eventually the Metoyer family owned the restaurant outright. Three generations ultimately ran the establishments.

Camille’s father dropped out of Creighton University just short of earning a degree in order to support his family. He worked many years as a Boys Town counselor. Camille and her siblings got to know some of the boys. One escorted Lanette to a homecoming dance. Raymond Metoyer vacationed at Lake Okoboji with students his father brought to camp.

At night Ray helped his father, Victor, run the family barbecue place. Ray’s eldest son, Raymond, who became a television news reporter, partnered with his father and grandfather in the business.

Camille knew her dad caught flak the way she did.

“We looked alike, so he was very sensitive to making us understand that it doesn’t having anything to do with anything.”

Both parents made sure their kids knew that being light or dark need not define them.

“They always impressed upon us that that didn’t make a difference,” Camille said. “That was their main thing with us – it doesn’t matter what you look like.

Your blackness has nothing to do with your physical appearance.”

Camille’s parents were both active in local Civil

Camille with David Murphy (left) and Mark Haar during rehearsal for the Omaha Community Playhouse’s fundraiser ‘Bubbly with Barbra’.

Rights efforts. Her father was part of the social action group the De Porres Club whose boycotts in the late 1940s and early 1950s forced businesses to hire and serve blacks.

He also headed the Urban League of Nebraska when it hosted Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson in separate events.

Metoyer Moten met both leaders and recalls Malcolm X as a very tall and tender man who mentioned that Camille reminded him of his daughter.

Her folks also participated in demonstrations by the 4CL (Citizens Coordinating Committee for Civil Liberties) in the 1960s. The Metoyer kids got dragged along to organizing meetings at Zion Baptist Church.

“It seems like it was always in the summer. It was so hot and packed in, everybody sweating on each --Please turn to page 12.

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January 2017

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Page 11

Metoyer family helped integrate west Omaha’s Maple Village --Continued from page 11. other,” recalled Camille.

She and her siblings were young when the Civil Rights marches and speeches filled the airwaves.

“I don’t think we understood the whole significance nationally. I understood there needed to be change and it was going to make the world the way it should be. Our parents sort of instilled in us this is what it’s going to be, this is what we’re working for, this is where were going to get to.

They were dedicated to lifting black people to the place that we deserve to be. That was their focus. That, and impressing upon us that you’re just as good as anybody, so there’s no reason feeling like you’re falling short.

“It was very important to them. Sadly, we’re not there all these years later. As I reflect back on it, I appreciate more or understand better the sacrifices they made to do the things they did.”

Social justice was discussed in the Metoyer home.

“We were the family that all sat down to dinner together and all the conversation was about what was going on.”

Once, Camille was with her folks and others at an Omaha protest when they were all arrested.

“We were protesting for open housing down at the City Council chambers. I was in the fourth grade and my parents decided it was important I participate. The police came and we all sat down.

I sat on my dad’s lap and when the police picked us up they had to pick us up together. He was going to make this as difficult as he could for them.”

A press photographer snapped a picture that went national of cute little Camille in braids, tortoise shell frame eyeglasses, and a dress carried by her indignant but dignified father like a precious bundle.

“This picture of my dad carrying me out went out on the Associated Press all around the country.

“I remember being excited because there was so much energy. I knew what we were doing was something very important about fighting for our rights as black people. I remember being just a little bit scared by the police but my dad was there so I felt very safe with him.”

The poignant photo got new life five decades later when Camille and Lanette appeared in Having Our Say, a play about the real-life Delany sisters living through generations of racism. The themes echoed things the Metoyers experienced themselves.

Doing the play brought Camille and Lanette, who’ve always been close, even closer together.

The project also gave them a chance to honor figures like their parents who had the courage of their convictions to stand up and be counted.

“It’s like finally they’re having their say,” Camille said.

H

ardly a day goes by Camille doesn’t think of her parents. “My dad was the epitome of a professional, educated man, although he could be very crazy as well. But I never heard him swear. But my mother on the other hand would come out with a few things if she got irritated enough. His thing was always about professional appearance and how you present yourself. My mom was concerned about that, too, but she was more of a gregarious, outgoing, earthy person. She was maybe a combination of what Lanette and I are now.”

Metoyer Moten’s parents’ fight for equal rights got personal when her family integrated the allwhite Maple Village neighborhood of Omaha in 1966.

“My father wanted to have a closer commute to Boys Town and he felt the education we were getting in north Omaha schools was not

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equivalent to what west Omaha schools offered,” Camille said.

Even aspirational couples with the desire and means to live outside segregated areas had to take special measures to get around red lining practices and restrictive housing covenants. The Metoyers had black realtor George Thomas secretly negotiate with NP Dodge to arrange for the family to purchase their new house.

“We had to go through the backdoor to get that house,” Camille said. “We surprised the neighborhood because they didn’t know a black family was coming.”

from an educational standpoint. They were like, ‘don’t get mad, just be enlightened.’”

Whatever the situation, like the family being refused service at King Fong’s – a downtown Omaha restaurant – it became a teachable moment.

“My mom explained how it was their loss and we would encounter people that would not like us without ever knowing us. I guess they always gave the impression there was something wrong with those people – there was nothing wrong with us. They told us when you come across people who are ignorant you educate them, you don’t argue or get angry, because they need help.

To this day, if I have the opportunity to enlighten somebody, I will, as opposed to getting angry.

That works with my whole Christian faith.”

The Metoyers found acceptance if not fairness. Auditioning for a role in Guys and Dolls at Burke High School, Camille said the music director opposed her being cast on account of her race. Camille had an ally in her drama teacher, who swore, “She’d never let that happen again.”

D

In 1994, Camille was able to fulfill a lifetime ambition when she played Fanny Brice in a production of ‘Funny Girl’.

“It eventually was known blacks had purchased the house and therefore our dad, grandfather, and several white male employees that worked for my dad would spend nights at the house until we moved in,” Lanette said.

“We had a lot of backlash. It was crazy,” Camille added.

A petition circulated to try and prevent the Metoyers from moving into Maple Village.

The family moved in late at night to avoid a scene but some neighbors gathered outside to glare.

For several nights, Camille’s father and grandfather stood armed guard inside the home. It reminded Lois Metoyer of what she thought she’d left behind in Mississippi.

“We knew it was something kind of groundbreaking but we were prepared because all of our lives we’d been taught to be on the front line,” said Lanette.

The siblings remember threatening phone calls, nails scattered in the driveway, strange cars pulling up at night to train headlights in the windows, tense looks, and awkward exchanges.

Once, the house got egged and shamed neighbors hosed off the mess.

At their various schools the Metoyer kids encountered racism.

“If things happened at school we’d come home and talk about it. We always just knew how to handle it. Before we moved there (Maple Village), our parents anticipated there would be issues. They warned us. But they added we have every right to be where we want to be and don’t let anybody tell you anything different.”

Camille said her parents admonished she and her siblings to “always address discrimination

New Horizons

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January 2017

espite resistance, Camille’s passion for performing wouldn’t be denied. She planned on going to California to pursue a singing-acting career but then her mother became ill. Losing her mother, she said, “really took me off my path.” She wasn’t sure what to do next when a friend of her father’s who ran the music department at Xavier University in New Orleans convinced her to give it a try.

“It sounded just great to get away. I went and auditioned and got a scholarship. That’s how I ended up there. The great thing about Xavier is that I got classical training but I also sang with the jazz band, so now I’m able to do all of that – which makes me marketable.”

At that time, still bereft by her mother’s death and far away from home, Camille searched for answers and came of age as a young woman.

“I was really angry and I became kind of agnostic. I thought how could God take such an amazing person. I lived like that for a while. I hooked up with Michael (her future husband) and we were into the fast scene.”

Getting high became her lifestyle. Then one day Michael had a born again experience.

“He was completely changed after that day. I was still getting high and just out there and suddenly we were incompatible because he didn’t want to do the things I wanted to do anymore.

My own born again experience took a while. I refused to go to church with him and continued to party while in my heart and mind knowing I wanted what he had. I just didn’t want to give up me.

“Finally one evening he was going to church and he begged me to come with him and I said ‘no’. He was literally in tears. I found out later he was thinking that if I didn’t come this was to be the end of our relationship. After he left for church I felt bad, so I drove to the church. When they had the altar call he took me down but I didn’t want to go – I was not ready.”

Her willfulness wilted in the following days.

“God made Himself more and more real to me until finally one day I agreed to pray with Michael and some of his new friends from church.

That night as I prayed, God took over my tongue and I spoke in a heavenly language which the Bible explains is God’s spirit dwelling in us. And by that spirit being in us we can now be saved.

“From that moment my life changed – no more getting high, no profanity. My view of mankind changed and my purpose changed. It was no longer about me but about Him.” Camille’s faith was soon put to a severe test when her father was murdered at the family restaurant on a late summer evening in 1979.

--Please turn to page 13.

Camille, husband followed in her father’s footsteps at Boys Town --Continued from page 12.

“A year before there was a woman that got hired at the restaurant. He caught her taking money and also soliciting the male clients, and so he fired her. She didn’t like that. She would call the house and tell people he was her man.

She harassed him for a year and it was getting more and more severe; a window broken out in the house; showing up at his job and security escorting her off campus.”

On Sept. 17, 1979 the woman went to the restaurant and confronted Metoyer with a small caliber gun. She fired it once, the bullet struck him in the neck, and he bled out on the scene.

Not long before, Camille and Michael, who were by then married and raising their first child, interviewed to be family teachers at Boys Town.

They were hired and moved to Omaha to start their new lives and careers in the shadow of Ray Metoyer’s senseless death.

“The thing that was so difficult about it at the start was that it was two weeks after my father was murdered, so I was coming to the place where he worked. I heard over and over again how much they admired and respected him and what a loss it was, so I was constantly reminded of him.”

It was the most challenging period of her life until a bout with cancer 30-plus years later.

“I moved across country, I lost a loved one, and I had a 2-year-old (child). I had all of those stressors. Today, Michael looks back and says, ‘How did you get through that?’ Through a lot of prayer and believing this is where God wanted us to be.”

The decision to be a Boys Town family teacher continued her parents’ legacy.

“That’s how we were raised. It’s always about giving back, contributing, making a difference, helping however you can. Besides, once Michael and I gave our lives over to Christ it seemed like a natural thing to do.

“We had the very first girls program. Boys Town had just started the family teaching model.

We had an off-campus home at 35th and Davenport (streets). Our girls were all local, so we were able to work with and counsel parents. Then we moved to campus, where we had a transitional living home for boys to learn to live independently.”

It took some adjusting for Camille and Michael, too.

“Initially, the greatest challenge if you have children is being able to divide your time in a way that everybody has a significant amount of you without sacrificing one for the other. A lot of family teacher couples are not successful with that. My kids became very close with a lot of those Boys Town kids.”

Metoyer Moten said an important lesson she learned is don’t take things personally and understand what’s happening “There were some kids that can really get under your skin but you can’t let them get under your skin. I would always think, If only I could have had you as a baby. I would have loved to have given them what they should have had early in life. That always made me soften my anger.”

Feeling burned out after 16 years, Camille left Boys Town for a job at the YWCA coordinating programs that introduced girls to nontraditional careers. Then she applied her behavioral management skills to the former Western Electric plant, then recently renamed Lucent Technologies, where her sister worked.

Meanwhile. Michael, an ordained minister, felt the call to form a church, One Way Ministry, in 1994 that he still pastors today. For years, Camille served as music director and only recently stepped down so she can sing in the choir.

All the time she worked regular day jobs she also rehearsed and performed musicals and con-

certs evenings and weekends. Her musical career took off when she joined a cabaret troupe formed by old friend Becky Noble. They’ve long paired as Nebraska Arts Council touring artists. Camille has performed with the Omaha Symphonic and Opera Omaha chorus and she’s toured with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. She also sang with Soli Dep Gloria Cantorum on a concert tour to Barcelona, Spain.

In 2012, Camille was diagnosed with breast cancer. She shared the journey with followers on her Facebook page.

Metoyer Moten has enjoyed a long collaboration with Chuck Penington and his band. She also headlines her own band. Her keyboardist, David Murphy, offered his take on what makes Camille such an enduring favorite.

“The reason the community loves her is she’s authentic. She’s the real deal. She walks the walk and sings her heart out. It all comes from her soul. She intuitively manages to find the heart of any song.” That includes songs he’s penned.

“It’s about the music and not about her. She consistently respects and enhances the material she tackles and still makes it her own. I absolutely believe she could’ve gone to either coast and had a brilliant career as a performer. Omaha is lucky to have her,” Murphy said.

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hen Camille’s two kids were small she dragged them to rehearsals. Today, with her kids grown and out of the home, she’s busy booking, preparing, and doing shows. Though her schedule can be draining, she said performing “fills you back up.”

Even though art should be color blind, race can be an issue, as when she broke color barriers as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Eva Peron in Evita, and when her voice and repertoire aren’t what people expect.

“I don’t have a gospel voice. People expect that because I’m black. I was raised Catholic, so I didn’t have that whole gospel thing. Jazz and musical theater are my influences.”

Metoyer Moten is also a rather subdued performer.

“It’s the purity that I’m into and not all that other stuff and I think people eventually appreciate it.”

At the invitation of friend and sometime collaborator Kathy Tyree, Camille sang at Salem Baptist Church last summer for a gospel program.

I don’t have gospel arrangements, so I sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow because I find that song very spiritual and they loved it. It was the most talked about song of the evening amidst all these amazing gospel songs. It was the purity of that that people related to.”

Her muted voice blended with Tyree’s big sound for a Divas By Design show they did at the

January 2017

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BLUEBARN Theatre last fall. The two go way back.

“Camille and I did our first show together 26 years ago, Sophisticated Ladies at the Playhouse,” said Tyree. “What I admired most about Camille back then is what I admire most about her now, and that is her peaceful spirit and how beautifully and easily she shares her gifts.

“She’s not only an amazing artist but a beautiful person as well. Her unshakable faith in God keeps me in awe and her love for people is one of the many reasons I love her so much.”

Not long after Camille’s spiritual awakening in New Orleans and her resettling in Omaha, she landed the role of Mary Magdalene in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Orpheum Theater. She went in to audition for a spot in the chorus but got the plum female part. Her performance won rave reviews and established her as a bright new talent. But she was wary before the opening night curtain rose.

“I had never done anything other than high school and college shows. It was a big leap. I remember standing backstage looking out at that full house and my heart going ker-thump, kerthump, ker-thump. I started saying a prayer and I heard God say, ‘What is wrong with you, this is your dream, I’m giving you one of the desires of your heart – would you please enjoy it.’ He made me think how trivial this really is compared to homelessness and sickness and that I should just go out and do what I do and entertain the audience.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten nervous like that again. It just calmed me right down.”

Whether doing a play or a concert, Metoyer Moten said her approach is “very consistent.”

“Doing musical theater, whatever that character is, that’s who I am. Doing cabaret, each song is like its own little vignette, so every song is its own character. When I perform my purpose is to take whatever the composer and lyricist wrote and try to interpret it with whatever he or she had in mind and bring the audience into it. I want to be true to that.

“Somebody told me a long time ago it’s not only about a pretty voice. And it really isn’t. If you think about all the successful entertainers it really isn’t about their singing. It’s what they do with a song, it’s the passion they bring out of a song. Once you know the song and once you understand what’s behind the song then that’s what happens.”

Lanette has seen her sister on stage perhaps more than anyone and she marvels at Camille’s “persistence to step outside her comfort zone and create any character she tackles and make it believable.”

E

verything was coming up roses for Camille personally and professionally when she got diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. As a woman of faith, she sought healing through prayer. Heeding her Higher Power, she canceled a surgery and found a new doctor.

“She confirmed I still had the cancer. I told her my story and she revealed she is a woman of faith, too. Most doctors don’t talk about it.”

“First of all, I understand where you’re coming from spiritually and secondly you’ve had this cancer for a really long time,” the doctor said. “It is a slow growing cancer and if you’re not ready to have surgery then we don’t do the surgery because then you won’t heal.”

“She had total respect for my belief. I knew God provided her,” Camille said. “He got me to the right team.”

Metoyer Moten underwent radiation chemotherapy treatments and hormone blocker regimens but in the end she required a mastectomy.

She continued performing during most of the --Please turn to page 14.

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Page 13

Law firm donates $300 to Meals on Wheels program

Camille Metoyer-Moten...

--Continued from page 13. journey, even proudly displaying her bald head. She had reconstructive surgery in 2014 and 2015.

Not one to dwell on anything, Camille’s moved forward from the experience.

Arlis Smidt (second from right) who coordinates ENOA’s Meals on Wheels Program, accepted a $300 donation last month from the Omaha law group Dvorak & Donovan. Also seen here are (from left): Heather Waring, Lori Marco, Jeanmarie Fox, and Tom Langan from Dvorak & Donovan.

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.

We need your

! t r o p sup

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

*Donations go to support ENOA services. You may designate your donation to go to the ENOA General Fund or to a specific service.

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.

$30

$50

$75

$100

Other _____________

* Your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.

Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City:______________State:_____ Zip: __________ Phone:____________________________________

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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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January 2017

More information about Camille is available at the website www.musicbycamille.com.

“The mindset I had at the time is my mindset and it goes along with my philosophy – that’s over, it was a little side step.”

Metoyer Moten chose to share her cancer odyssey with the public via Facebook posts. She and her “prayer warriors” exchanged messages of hope about the challenges, indignities, and joys of the journey. Her observations ranged from silly to sweet to sublime. Thousands of people followed her progress, including the inevitable ups and downs, and she later compiled her affirmations into a book.

“I just want to be able to make people understand that Jesus is our healer. We use medicine also but it doesn’t always work. He’s the plan and medicine is the backup plan. I think the more people understand that the better the outcome.”

Camille’s as busy as ever these days. “I just think of it as this continuum that keeps going.”

It’s not like she’s slowed down since realizing her dream of playing Fanny Brice. “That was a high, high point for me but then as things developed there’s been so many other high points.”

It always comes back to keeping it real and finding the root.

Somebody told Camille you sing from your midsection.

“I think she meant from my core, from my heart. That’s what I strive for, that’s my intent.”

From her gut, springs all the glory.

For more information on Metoyer Moten, visit her website www.musicbycamille.com.

(Read more of Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.)

Omaha Genealogical Society releases 2017 class schedule The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society has announced its series of six free classes during 2017. Four of the courses will be held at the Mormon Trail Center, 3215 State St. from 9:15 a.m. to noon while the other two classes are scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon at the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St. To register or for more information, please contact Merrily at 402-706-1453 or genclass@aol.com.

Here’s the schedule: January 21 Getting Started or Re-motivated (Mormon Center)

April 16 Family Search & Family Tree Our Favorite Websites (Mormon Center)

February 18 Vital records Substitutes for Vital Records (Mormon Center)

May 20 Hands on Genealogy Research in Books and Film (W. Dale Clark Library)

March 18 Making Sense of the Census Online Trees, Fact or Fiction (Mormon Center)

June 17 Hands on Computer Searching Techniques (W. Dale Clark Library)

Notre Dame Housing Visit Notre Dame Housing, 3439 State St. for: • Tuesdays & Thursdays: Tai Chi @ 10:30 a.m.

• Jan. 4: Pet therapy @ 2:30 p.m.

• Jan. 11: Talk on bed bugs @ 1:30 p.m.

• Jan. 17: Strings of Joy @ 2 p.m.

• Jan. 18: Food pantry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please bring a picture ID and a piece of mail from the last 30 days showing proof of your address.

• Jan. 19: Talk on mental health and substance abuse @ 1:30 p.m.

We’re 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’ll be enjoying.

For more information, please call Brenda at 402451-4477, ext. 126.

Talk on Parkinson’s

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ou’re invited to attend Parkinson’s Nebraska’s Talk About it Tuesday educational talk series presentation titled All About Deep Brain Stimulation from a Patient’s Perspective on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Guests will have an opportunity to listen to and ask questions to a patient who has undergone deep brain stimulation surgery.

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he 2 p.m. presentation will be held at Parkinson’s Nebraska’s office at 16811 Burdette St. (lower level of Heritage Pointe Assisted Living), Suite 1.

For more information, please call 402-715-4707.

Omaha Computer Users Group 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, call Phill at 402-333-6529.

UNMC receives $20 million grant from NIH to focus on diseases of aging, brain health

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team of University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers headed by Matthew Rizzo, M.D., professor and chair of the department of neurological sciences, has landed the largest grant ever for UNMC – a fiveyear research grant from the National Institutes of Health totaling nearly $20 million.

Funding is provided through the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program and the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Studies. It will focus on developing early career researchers into independent scientists and increasing the infrastructure and other resources needed to support clinical/translational research (CTR) around the region.

The grant will create the Great Plains IDeA-CTR Network, a collaboration involving nine institutions in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas.

In addition to UNMC, the Nebraska institutions include the University of NebraskaLincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Boys Town National Research Hospital.

Other participants include the University of South Dakota, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our institution,” said Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “It’s never easy to compete for a research grant of this magnitude. It represents years of hard work by lots of dedicated individuals. We couldn’t be more proud.

This is truly a great day for UNMC and for our research partners.”

“We’ve been building clinical/translational research resources steadily for almost a decade to prepare us to compete for this or other large clinical/translational grant awards,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research.

“Receiving this award shows we ‘have

arrived,’ and the award itself will further expand the resources available for our faculty to continue to successfully compete on a national level.”

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he grant will be particularly focused on expanding knowledge about approaches needed to address diseases of aging and brain health, Dr. Rizzo said.

“The states involved in our grant are rural states, so we will put extra emphasis on projects that will benefit people in rural areas or the medically underserved,” he said.

“There is a strong aspect of community engagement. There are many good ideas that need to be studied. We can’t wait to get going and recruit our first class of scholars and launch our first pilot projects.”

A community engagement core group has been formed, Dr. Rizzo said. It is an interprofessional group that includes investigators from the colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health at UNMC as well as researchers from the other participating institutions and the communities they serve.

“The goal of this grant is to help early career scientists to become independent and launch their own research programs,” Dr. Rizzo said. “We want to fill in the health gaps in the Great Plains area. We have unique needs. We have areas with relatively few people in big spaces, as well as medically underserved populations in urban areas.”

“This is all about improving the body of knowledge,” said Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D., senior associate dean of UNMC research and development and a professor of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience. “We do research that helps people.

What that research will be is determined by the talented scientists at our participating institutions.”

(UNMC provided this information.)

January 2017

Heartland Generations Center You’re invited to visit the Heartland Generations Center – 4318 Fort St. – for the following: • Jan. 3: Birthday party featuring music by Tim Javorsky from The Merrymakers from 11 a.m. to noon.

• Jan. 11: Trip to the Boys Town Museum at 10:30 a.m. for the first 14 center participants to sign up.

• Jan. 19: WhyArts? program on dance and movement with Courtney Stein from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Jan. 26: Eighth annual Hawaiian luau featuring island drinks and food.

We have an authority on quilting that wants to help us start a free quilt club on Fridays.

If you’re interested in joining the club, please call 402-5527036.

The center will be closed Jan. 2 for New Year’s and Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Day. 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.

Regular activities include Bingo (twice on Monday, once on Friday), chair exercises Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday @ 11 a.m., and free Tai Chi classes (Tuesday and Thursday @ 10:15 a.m.)

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

Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

Temple Israel (media room) 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr.

• PLATTSMOUTH Second Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

First Lutheran Church (chapel) 1025 Ave. D

Caring for Your Parents Second or third Saturday @ 11 a.m.

Call Teri @ 402-393-0434 for locations

DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

Shalimar Gardens (second floor community room) 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY • OMAHA

Spanish Language Support Group Second Tuesday @ 4 p.m.

Intercultural Community Center 3010 R St. SARPY COUNTY

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.

• 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.

Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m.

Immanuel Fontenelle 6809 N 68th Plz.

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RTBS offers visually-impaired persons access to printed information

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Among the more than 100 RTBS volunteer readers are (front row, from left): Laura Beth Barr, Sharon Ishii-Jordan, Nancy Holloran, Jean Davis, and Judy Price. Back row, from left: Mike Gaherty and Will Spech.

hanks in large part to its hard working five-person staff, corporate and individual donors, and a dedicated corps of more than 100 volunteers – 60 percent of whom are age 60 and older – the Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) provides live and recorded human-voiced audio information to more than 3,000 Nebraskans who have visual impairments or physical disabilities that prevent them access to printed

materials.

Using volunteer readers and free in-home radio receivers, the Radio Talking Book Network (RTBN) provides no-cost access to information through the reading of newspapers, periodicals, magazines, and occasional books 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, each day from 10 a.m. to noon (and repeated from 6 to 8 p.m.) The Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star are read live on RTBN.

“Since 1974, RTBN has ensured every person has the opportunity to access the current, local information necessary to help them lead self-directed, productive lives,” said RTBS Executive Director Jane Nielsen.

“Our mission is to make printed information available to everyone,” said Ralph Morrocco, chair of the RTBS board of directors.

RTBS also offers Listening Link, a service that provides audio recordings of textbooks and other college course materials for visually impaired, blind, and learning disabled students.

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The RTBN is available through a free in-home radio receiver.

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tilizing a free radio receiver from RTBS that plugs into an electrical outlet, consumers can access retail and grocery ads, or choose programs on topics like cooking, gardening, sports, travel, healthcare, and pets, as well as broadcasts from National Public Radio and NET Radio and Television.

“We’re a radio station that reads for the visually impaired, the blind, and for persons who have a disability that prevents them from reading,” Nielsen said.

Persons interested in receiving a RTBS radio receiver can fill out an

January 2017

application online at www.rtbs.org or call 402-572-3003 to receive an application through the mail.

A healthcare provider must certify RTBS applicants as being blind, visually impaired, or physically disabled.

Once the application is approved, a radio receiver will be mailed or hand delivered to the applicant’s home.

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TBS depends heavily on volunteer readers, who combine to read more than 400 hours a month, according to its volunteer coordinator Sybil Mahan.

“I love to read and I get a lot of information when I read,” said Jean Davis, a RTBN reader for 36 years.

“We (the readers) are the listeners’ link to the world,” said volunteer reader Laura Beth Barr.

Mahan said volunteers usually read one 30-minute program a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. weekends.

For more information about the Radio Talking Book Service, its programming schedule, or to learn about volunteer opportunities with the organization, please call 402-572-3003 or send an email to jnielsen@rtbs.org.

Study examines the positive impact music has on people with dementia, their caregivers A program that delivers the gift of live classical music to people with dementia has been shown to have strikingly positive effects on mood, cognitive function, and relationships.

Colorado State University researchers spent nine months studying the impact of B Sharp, an arts engagement program in which people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia attend a series of Fort Collins Symphony performances with their caregivers.

The study found the majority of participants experienced an unexpected reversal of cognitive decline over the course of the program.

“That’s stunning for people who have a degenerative disease,” said lead researcher Jeni Cross, an associate professor in CSU’s Department of Sociology. “The best we had hoped for was to keep cognitive function flat. It actually improved for most of them.”

The B Sharp program is a collaborative effort of Colorado State University, Banner Health, Kaiser Permanente, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Larimer County Office on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and an area certified dementia practitioner. Participants were given season tickets to five performances and concert receptions.

The study identified several other positive effects. It was shown to improve alertness, engagement, mood, sense of community, feelings of acceptance, and the interactions between caregivers and their loved ones.

“We did a lot of hand-holding and smiling during and after the performance,” one participant said. “We made eye contact throughout the entire performance, and it was like soul traveling.”

Cross said the most interesting outcome was how B Sharp benefited caregivers, who often become isolated and lose reciprocal relationships because of their loved one’s decreasing ability to give back — and the need to ask others for help. The program gave them a sense of normalcy and a social opportunity to connect with other caregivers who were in the same situation and could empathize.

“That was the most surprising finding,” Cross said. “We knew caregivers were stressed out by the caregiving, but we didn’t realize that they were losing reciprocity and mutuality. They need to feel like they are giving and receiving.”

One caregiver said, “Other people sympathize, but nobody really understands until you get with other people that are living it.

We have the bond of having a loved one

with this horrible disease.”

Cross worked with Associate Professor Deana Davalos in CSU’s Department of Psychology to administer neuropsychological pre and post-tests to measure changes in cognition.

The researchers also employed the Geriatric Depression Scale as well as surveys, interviews, and focus groups regarding things like mood, connectedness, and support.

Cross said the positive effect on participants’ mood began days before each performance, as they anticipated the upcoming concert. And even those with severe forms of dementia remembered the next day that something important had happened the night before.

“The couples found that they were creating new memories at a time when they were losing the ability to share memories of the past,” Cross said.

“It’s an opportunity for us to do something different than we normally do and to meet others in the same situation we are,” said participant Sue Squier, whose husband, Hal, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008.

“We think it’s important to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact not only on the person, but on the caregivers as well. B Sharp provides an opportunity for us both to get out of the home and have an engaging social experience.

That has been really positive for both of us.”

Several participants said the program encouraged them to explore other activities and prompted them to play music more at home. Music therapist Lindsey Wilhelm – an assistant professor in CSU’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance – has started working with Cross to explore what effects certain kinds of music have on participants.

Perhaps a customized playlist can be developed to address an individual’s anxiety, for example, while another is compiled for when the person is feeling depressed.

Cross acknowledged the findings are preliminary, given a limited sample size, but the results are promising. She plans to pursue funding for further research, such as monitoring the concerts’ effect on participants’ heart rate, breathing rate, sleep patterns, and immune system.

“We can say that participation showed positive effects and it’s worth continued study,” she said. “It’s been really rewarding to see the results.”

(Colorado State University provided this information.)

Retired federal employee groups meet monthly at Omaha eatery

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he 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.

THEOS THEOS, 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.

For more information, please call Dorothy at 402399-0759, Mary at 402-3933052, or Joan at 402-3938931.

January 2017

Dora Bingel Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: • Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m.

• Jan. 4: Holy Communion served @ 11 a.m.

• Jan. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, & 27: Ceramics @ 9 a.m.

• Jan. 9: Book Club @ 10 a.m.

• Jan. 13: Music by Tim Javorsky from The Merrymakers @ 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3.

• Jan. 18: Foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to noon for $10.

• Jan. 25: Birthday Party Luncheon @ noon. Eat free if you have a January 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.

Please see the ad on page 3

New Horizons Club membership roll rises $15 Kathryn Walowski $10 Phyllis Aron Jeannette Davis $5 Jackie Hegarty List reflects donations received through Friday, December 23, 2016.

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Maplewood Estates Lifestyle • Community • Convenience • Family Values

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402.493.6000

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

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New Horizons

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Rolling Hills Ranch

Available for $15.95

Book by natural health specialist offers tips for conquering stress with mind, body techniques

You’re invited to visit Rolling Hills Ranch, 4324 N. 132nd St. for: • Jan. 8 & 22: Poker tourney @ 6:15 p.m.

• Jan. 19: Chinese New Year luncheon @ noon.

Other activities include Bingo on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday @ 6:15 p.m. and Saturday @ 10:15 a.m., Happy hour Friday @ 3:30 p.m., and live entertainment Saturday @ 4 p.m.

For more information, please call 402-391-1055.

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Friendship Program, Inc. Adult Day Services Are you or a loved one 55 years of age or older? Are you looking for activities, supportive services, food, and fun?

Call 402/393-6911

7315 Maple Street, Omaha friendship_program@hotmail.com Monday through Friday 7:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Volunteers needed The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels Program.

Flexible weekday schedule delivering midday meals to homebound older adults in the greater Omaha area.

Call Arlis at 402-444-6766 for more information.

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he University of Nebraska Medical Center’s outdoor ice skating rink will remain open through Sunday, Feb. 5.

The rink is located just east of 42nd Street, midway between Emile Street and Dewey Avenue on the north side of the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education building on the UNMC campus.

The $7 admission includes skates. Cash or credit card only. No checks or debit cards.

The hours of operation are Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

The rink is closed to the

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New Horizons

ideas, pictures, and things you love nearby.

Whenever a negative thought comes up, choose to push it away and choose to focus on the positive.

Rather than saying “I’m not getting sick,” say, “I am healthy and well.” This boosts the immune system and stops the cycle of negative thinking.

• Direct your daydreams. Take control of your mind and body. Focus on the things you want to see happen in your life. If you find your mind wandering, acknowledge it, and then push it away. Focus on what you want and visualize actively. Draw, doodle, write poems, do whatever turns you on and helps you turn your ideas into plans, plans into actions, and actions into reality.

Change your life and your health for the better.

• Take baby steps. Get healthier slowly and steadily. Use the healthy activities that you already do in your life as a mind/body practice. Things like yoga, tai chi, massage, running, and dance can all be used as a meditation.

• Do mini-meditations several times a day. There are simple mini-meditations that take just a few minutes to learn and can be done anywhere. They erase the stress response and help return our stress hormones and chemicals to normal.

• Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Often the body parts that are misbehaving are hinting at our stress. Who is the pain in your neck? Are you shouldering the burden or feeling like you can’t stomach something? Observing these common phrases can be the key to identifying and releasing our stress.

• Don’t reward yourself for bad behavior. When you’re sick, don’t languish and enjoy being in bed any more than necessary. Don’t soak up the attention and consolation people give you for mistakes, painful experiences, or unforeseen accidents and illness any more than necessary.

(Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques is available from bookstores and online booksellers for $15.95.)

UNMC’s ice skating rink open through Feb. 5

A Caring Community Called HOME!

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he elections are over and no matter which side you were on, you underwent stress.

“Getting rid of stress is not that hard to do. “You can choose your response to stress. You can learn to let it go,” says Santa Barbara-based natural health specialist Dr. Kathy Gruver.

“We can’t control what is outside of us. What we can do is change what we think and what we do with our bodies. The choices we make determine the outcome.

By choosing wisely, we can be healthier, stronger, and lead less stressful lives,” says Gruver, author of Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques.

“Every major area of our lives offers us the opportunity to make conscious choices that have a significant effect on how we feel, how we look, and what we can accomplish. Your mind and body are yours and you get to decide what you have them do.

You can take charge of stress any time you want,” Gruver says.

“We have to realize that stress is not really the problem; it’s our reaction to it. As soon as we learn to control our reaction, the stress isn’t as detrimental to us. We create our own stress with thoughts. We think about 60,000 thoughts a day and 50,000 are negative. Our brain can’t tell the difference between what we’re thinking about and what is really happening. This is why we have to be very careful what we’re daydreaming and fantasizing about.”

Here’s a sample of some of the numerous mind/body techniques she describes to reduce and control stress.

• Control your reaction to stress. You have the power. You have to choose to exercise it. Realize that stress isn’t the problem. Our reaction to stress is the problem.

Learn what you need to do to control your reaction. As soon as you gain control, stress is no longer detrimental.

• Out with the bad and in with the good. Say no to negatives. Don’t create your own stress. Push the negative thoughts away. Always have a list of good, positive

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January 2017

general public Monday through Thursday for UNMC’s student broomball and curling leagues.

Free parking is available in Lot 4 (southeast corner of 42nd and Emile St.) and Lot 15S (surface lot on 40th Street between Dewey & Emile streets) located on the north and east sides of the Student Life Center.

The ice rink will be closed if the windchill is zero degrees or below, based on the Weather Channel. In the event of extreme snow, please call 402-559-0697 in advance to make sure the rink is open. Notice of the ice rink closing for private events or due to inclement weather can be found on the ice rink’s Facebook page, The Ice at the UNMC. This year, the UNMC Skatea-thon for Parkinson’s event will begin on Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. and end Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. This year will mark the seventh consecutive year UNMC has hosted the event that raises money for Parkinson’s research at UNMC and assists families dealing with Parkinson’s.

For more information, please contact Candance Peteler at 402-559-5192.

The Plattsmouth Senior Center celebrates its 40th anniversary

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Plattsmouth Mayor R. Paul Lambert presents a plaque to Plattsmouth Senior Center Director Carol A. Gray during the facility’s 40th anniversary celebration on Friday, Dec. 2.

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ore than 60 friends and neighbors were on hand as the city of Plattsmouth celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Plattsmouth Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 2.

The festivities included a cake-cutting ceremony and comments from Plattsmouth Mayor R. Paul Lambert who proclaimed December as Senior Citizens Month in the Cass County community. Lambert – who thanked the facility’s volunteers – also presented a plaque to Carol A. Gray who has directed the senior center since 2000.

Located at 308 S. 18th St., the Plattsmouth Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.

Opened in 1976 by Southeast Nebraska Community Action, the center has had a partnership with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging since 1995.

The center’s staff includes Gray, head cook Deb Barnhart, assistant cook Dawn Thumser, and Meals on Wheels driver Candy Korman.

I

n addition to the midday meal (for a suggested contribution of $3.50), center participants can enjoy health services and seminars, card tournaments, birthday parties, Bingo, a monthly visit by a hearing specialist, and aerobics.

“On behalf of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, I’d like to congratulate the men and women who have made the Plattsmouth Senior Center such an amazing part of the community since 1976,” said Susie Davern who coordinates ENOA’s congregate meals sites.

“We hope to be around for a long time,” Gray added.

For meal reservations or more information, please call 402-296-5800, ext. 1.

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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

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To place your ad, please call 402-444-4148 or 402-444-6654

Lamplighter II

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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

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402-312-4000 Buying or selling?

Use the New Horizons CLASSIFIEDS. Call 402-444-4148 or 402-444-6654 TODAY to place your ad.

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ENOA January 2017

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Gift donors, volunteers, staff unite for ENOA’s annual Christmas program

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t times, the activity level in the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s basement lunchroom resembled rush hour traffic at New York City’s Grand Central Station.

Generous individuals and representatives from local churches, businesses, and organizations purchased, wrapped, and delivered to the ENOA office more than 1,000 gifts last month for nearly 600 ENOA clients during the agency’s annual Christmas program.

Gift wish lists are submitted by ENOA’s care managers and services coordinators for clients who are in need or who wouldn’t otherwise be receiving any Christmas presents. The wish lists are distributed to donors who purchase the gifts.

As the presents arrived, more than 60 SeniorHelp Program volunteers delivered many of the gifts to older adults whose homes are scattered throughout nearly 50 Omaha and eastern Nebraska area zip codes during the first three weeks of December.

ENOA’s care managers and services coordinators also delivered more than 200 Christmas presents to their clients in the agency’s five-county service area.

hold assistance, telephone reassurance, yard care, and snow removal.

SeniorHelp volunteer Bart Pawlenty, who has delivered Christmas gifts to ENOA clients the last two years, said he and his daughter, Linda Rogge, enjoy meeting the gift recipients.

Arlene Logan, who has delivered Christmas gifts for the SeniorHelp Program for four years, said the volunteer effort is fun.

“It’s almost like being Santa Claus.”

“I want to thank these incredible volunteers – who despite their hectic schedules – still found time to deliver the Christmas gifts,” said Karen Kelly, who coordinates the SeniorHelp Program for ENOA. “For many of the ENOA clients, these were the only presents they received this year.”

“Each year, I’m amazed by the generosity of the gift donors, the kindness and dedication of the volunteers who make the deliveries, and the effort by the ENOA staff members who coordinate the agency’s Christmas effort,” said ENOA’s Executive Director Dennis Loose.

For more information about the SeniorHelp Program, please call 402-4446536.

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he SeniorHelp Program coordinates resources that provide help to older adults trying to preserve their independence and dignity. SeniorHelp volunteers are men and women, boys and girls of all ages who share their time and talent to assist older Nebraskans in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties.

These volunteers – who must complete a screening process and use their own transportation – provide a variety of no-cost assistance including companionship, transportation, minor handyman services, house-

SeniorHelp Program volunteer Arlene Logan.

Walnut Grove Retirement Community From all of us at Walnut Grove: Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2017!

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to visit Walnut Grove and take a personalized tour. Find out about the care-free life you could be enjoying and who your new friends could be.

402-915-0312 4901 S. 153rd Street

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New Horizons

Omaha, NE 68137

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January 2017

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WalnutGroveRetirement.net