New Horizons July 2020 by Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

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New Horizons Ne

Celebrating 45 Years

A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Offce on Aging

July 2020

VOL. 45 • NO. 7

ENOA 4780 South 131st Street Omaha, NE 68137-1822

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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

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Curt Simon This fall, Curt Simon will step away from a 33-year career with Metro Transit, including the last 15 years as its executive director. During Simon’s tenure, Metro has made significant upgrades including Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT), a system that will soon add enhanced stations and spacious vehicles for riders along Dodge Street from the Old Market to the Westroads Mall. Nick Schinker’s profile of Simon begins on page 6.

Media legend Neil Nelkin is a program director and talk show host for NRG Media in Omaha, the latest stop during his 54 years in radio and TV. Learn more about Nelkin’s life and career on page 12.

What’s inside

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DCHD fights back against COVID-19 ..........2 Vets less likely to be injured in a fall .............3 ENOA recruiting volunteer ombudsmen.......4 Getting the most from hearing aids ..............5 Considerations when drafting a will .............8 FTC warns against coronavirus scams ........8 Nancy Hemesath’s ‘Conscious Aging’ .........8 Disaster relief hotline is available ...............10 What centenarians have in common ..........10 Study advice: Walk more, sit less...............11

Call 402-444-3400 DCHD working to keep you safe, educated during the pandemic

he Douglas County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to educate Nebraskans about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Families need to be prepared for the COVID-19 just as they are for flu outbreaks, tornadoes, and floods. That means everyone should have at least a two-week supply of food, bottled water, and medicine on hand. The DCHD, working with colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine, has created a COVID-19 information line at 402-444-3400. The information line will be open seven days a week (until further notice) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Callers will be able to have their questions answered in Spanish and English. “Our website and social media platforms will continue to provide the best and most current information,” said Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour.

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ymptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They may appear as soon as two days or as long as 14 days following exposure. Illnesses have ranged from mild to no symptoms to others experiencing severe illness. A percentage of those who become ill have died. Dr. Pour said the best advice to avoid the COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene like you would with the seasonal flu. Good hygiene includes: • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is a second option. • Don’t touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, especially with unwashed hands. • Avoid contact with people who are sick. • Stay home while you’re sick. • Wear a mask when around other people. • Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. • Frequently clean and disinfect your home, car, and workplace A COVID-19 vaccine isn’t available yet. Most people have recovered by drinking lots of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medication. If symptoms worsen, medical care might be needed.

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July 2020

Study examines impact of falls by vets

ctive older military veterans fall more often than their more sedentary peers who never served in the armed forces, but they’re less likely to injure themselves when they do fall, said a University of Michigan researcher. A new study by Geoffrey Hoffman, U-M assistant professor of nursing, compared risks of non-injury falls and fall-related injuries in the veteran and non-veteran populations, including whether risks differed according to physical activity and age. Historically, veterans are more physically active than non-veterans. Using data from 11,841 veterans and 36,710 non-veterans in the 2006 to 2015 study at the U-M Institute for Social Research, the study found veterans had 11% more non-injury falls but 28% fewer injurious falls than non-veterans. “The inference is that being active puts you at more risk for a fall, but if you are more active/in shape, the fall is more likely to be a minor one and not a serious one resulting in injury,” Hoffman said. While the risk of non-injury falls increased more with age for veterans than for non-veterans, physical activity was more protective against a non-injury fall for veterans. Hoffman said because veterans are nearly 100% male, there’s not enough data to definitively state if the findings apply to all physically active men, or just veterans. This research is important because as people age, it’s critical to find a good, healthy balance between physical activity and fall risk, Hoffman said. “Personally, I’d rather not be the older adult who feels it’s best to always sit on my couch because I’m too afraid of having a fall, so that when I do fall, it’s really serious,” he said. The lack of physical activity carries both

emotional and physiological health risks for older adults including metabolic problems like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, social isolation, and depression. Hoffman said older adults reap the benefits of physical activity from when they were younger, but veterans may benefit even more. It could be that vets have accumulated health capital from active lifestyles including military training and activities while younger. There was also evidence that, even among active older adults, veterans are still more active than non-veterans. “In an ideal world, we’d hope you could get the benefits of being active such as wellbeing, fitness, and happiness, while avoiding all risk and having no falls,” Hoffman said. “It seems more probable that being active is, in the longer-term, often protective against serious injury from falls. “Maybe when you’re active, a fall isn’t as risky because you’re in better shape, even while physical activity marginally increases non-serious fall risk,” Hoffman continued. “That’s important, I think. A good tradeoff can be made. More activity and independence at the cost of some more minor falls.” Hoffman said the bad news is that after a certain age, there’s a point of diminishing returns, and the physical activity benefit disappears for even the most active veterans. It’s unclear why or at what age physical activity stops having a protective effect. While the study looked primarily at men, it’s entirely plausible the relationship between falls and injury and physical activity also exists in women, Hoffman said. The study defined moderate activity as gardening, walking at a moderate pace, stretching exercises, and home repairs; and vigorous activity as jogging, swimming, tennis, or heavy housework. (The University of Michigan provided this information.)

New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually. Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822. Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076. E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@enoa.org 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 ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, secretary; David Saalfeld, Dodge County, & Angi Burmeister, Sarpy County. The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.

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Long-term Care Ombudsman Program

he Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for men and women age 21 and older to join its Longterm Care Ombudsman Program which is co-sponsored by the Nebraska State Ombudsman Program. ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsmen volunteer in local long-term care facilities and assisted living communities to protect the residents’ rights, well-being, and quality of life. Long-term Care Ombudsmen must complete 20 hours of initial classroom training and 12 hours of additional training every two years. During the training, the volunteers learn about the residents’ rights, aging issues, Medicare, Medicaid, communication skills, how to investigate the residents’ complaints, the importance of confidentiality, and about the federal and state rules, regulations, and laws regarding Nebraska’s long-term care facilities and assisted living communities. Before being assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community, new volunteers will make four visits to a site with an experienced Ombudsman Advocate to learn more about what the program entails. After a threemonth probationary period, the new volunteers are certified as Ombudsman Advocates. Certified Ombudsman Advocates will be assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community where they’ll visit for two hours a week to meet with administrators, residents, and the residents’ family members to address concerns. For more information about ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, please call Beth Nodes at 402-4446536.

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A variety of prices, styles offered

Suggestions for installing a stairlift that’s appropriate for you, your home By David Kohll, Pharm. D.

etting up and down your stairs can be easily accomplished with a stairlift. A stairlift will allow you to take control of your stairs, giving your family members peace of mind and providing you a greater sense of independence in the home you love. A stairlift is a piece of assistive technology consisting of a chair that carries you safely up and down stairs on a rail that’s secured to your stair treads. Stairlifts prevent falls, help avoid tripping hazards, and remove the significant barrier of the staircase (whether straight or curved), so you can enjoy the full use of your home. Here are a few things to look at when considering adding a stairlift in your home: • Does a stair lift take up much space? Styles that have a vertical rail allow a stairlift to be installed close to the wall. That means there is maximum free space on the stairs for other family members and friends. • How is a stairlift powered? Stairlifts are generally battery operated and work during a power outage. They only require a standard wall outlet to accommodate the continuous charge battery. • How much does a stairlift cost? New straight and curved stairlift prices vary depending on a variety of factors including the stairway configuration and length, stairlift type, and power options. You can usually get a free quote based on your unique home and needs. For a straight

rail, prices range from $2,500 to $3,700. For a curved rail, prices range from $7,000 to $25,000 depending on configuration. • Is a stairlift easily removed? Generally, a stairlift can be easily taken out if you’re moving or no longer need it, often with little evidence the chairlift was ever there. Stairlifts are installed onto the stair treads, not the wall. No structural modifications are needed. • Is stairlift financing available? Stairlifts are a great option to avoid the cost of remodeling or moving. Stairlifts aren’t covered under health insurance or Medicare, however, many stairlift dealers offer financing plans. • Are grease or gears exposed. With some stairlift models that feature a sleek vertical rail with a covered gear rack, you don’t need to worry about exposed grease attracting dirt, pet fur, or children’s fingers. Other stairlift models don’t require grease, but the gears are exposed, so things such as pet fur can get caught in the gears. • Are used stairlifts an option? Yes, but I would recommend only having a used stairlift installed by a certified dealer. Most dealers will not install a used stairlift if it’s more than five years old. • Is renting a stairlift an option? Experienced stairlift dealers will rent a stair lift. Keep in mind there will likely be an installation fee. Usually arrangements can be made if the rental can be turned into a purchase. Some stairlifts have up to a 400-pound lift capacity, a limited lifetime warranty, with options like a power swivel seat and/or a power folding footrest. Other things to look at when thinking about adding a stairlift in your home include how smooth is the ride, the installer’s experience, the length of time the installation will take, and how quickly after you’ve made the purchase will the installation begin? (Kohll is with Kohll’s Rx in Omaha.)

AARP’S Tax Aide Program

he AARP Foundation – through its Tax Aide program – is providing free income tax assistance and tax return preparation for older adults through July 15. The program – which has been modified to meet COVID-19 health guidelines – will be available ONLY at the Bellevue Firefighter’s Hall, 2108 Franklin St., and the Tangier Shrine Building, 2823 S. 84th St. in Omaha. Participants will be required to wear a face mask when they meet with the tax preparation volunteers. To make an appointment and to find out what documents you’ll need to bring to the tax preparation site, please call 402-739-9889.

Free behavioral health resources available

here are several organizations ready to assist Nebraskans to ease some of their concerns during the pandemic. “There are resources out there for you, so please do not hesitate to use them,” said Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson. Here are three free behavioral health resources available for the public: • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress: Talk

July 2020

with a counselor, a doctor, or a clergy member anytime. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Interpreters are available as well. The number is 1-800985-5990. For more information, log on to samhsa.gov/find-help/ disaster-distress-helpline. • The Boys Town National Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is staffed by specially trained Boys Town counselors. This is a great resource for parents, caregivers, and families. The number is 1-800-448-3000.

Email for speech and hearing impaired: hotline@ boystown.org. For more information, log on to boystown.org/hotline/ pages/default.aspx. • The Nebraska Family Helpline is a great resource for families concerned about a youth experiencing mental or behavioral health issues. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 1-888- 866-8660 For more information, log on to dhhs.ne.gov/pages/ Nebraska-Family-Helpline. aspx.

Many resources are available

Tips to keep your hearing aids working properly

Which care, living options are right for you, your loved ones?

earing aids require special care to ensure they work properly. Consumers should have a hearing aid cleaning brush and a user’s manual that can assist them in performing routine maintenance. Some people have drying jars or canisters provided by their audiologists. If you have one, use it nightly. If you need replacement parts, check with your audiologist to see if these can be shipped to your home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few tips to keep your hearing aid in good working order: • Perform visual checks daily. Take a good look at the whole hearing aid body, starting with the portion that goes directly into your ear. Check for any wax that may be blocking sound from coming in properly. You also should check for cracks on the hearing aid body or tubing. If you have an in-the-ear hearing aid, check the wax basket. If you see a good amount of wax, this would be a good time to change the wax basket. If you have an open-fit hearing aid, check for any wax on the hearing aid dome. Refer to the user’s manual for tips on how to clean the dome or how to replace it if there’s too much wax. Check for breaks in the wire that connects the dome

By Ginny Czechut s time goes on, you may notice some changes in the health, behavior, or abilities of yourself and your older loved ones. This could mean the time has come to explore some options for senior care and senior living. Where do you begin? There’s so much information available it can be hard to determine which options are best for you to explore. It helps to have an understanding of the variety of living environments and care options. With this basic information, you may have a clearer idea of which direction to look when exploring the care and housing services available. If you or your loved one are able to live safely at home, but need some extra assistance from time to time, consider these services: • The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging offers a variety of programs and services designed to keep older men and women living in their own homes with independence and dignity for as long as possible. • Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers by allowing an individual to have a short-term stay in a care community that can meet their needs. Many assisted living communities and nursing homes offer respite care. All the services offered by that facility are available to you or your loved one. Respite stays are typically between a week and a month, but adult day programs offer options for shorter stays. • Home care allows individuals to stay in their home while receiving the care they need to remain independent. Home care services typically help with daily activities such as bathing, preparing meals, transportation, paying bills, and companionship. Home care visits can vary from once a week to 24 hours per day, depending on the client’s needs. If you or your loved one must leave home, consider these living options: • Independent living communities cater to individuals who are very independent with few medical needs. Older adults live in private apartments and have many options for social outings and events. • Assisted living communities are ideal for older adults who are no longer able to live on their own, but don’t have the medical need for a nursing home. Individuals living in an assisted living community can receive help with daily activities, meals, medications, or housekeeping. Caregivers are available 24 hours a day for added safety. • Nursing homes are able to offer around-the-clock skilled nursing services for individuals who have higher care needs or complex medical conditions. Many nursing homes also offer short-term stays for individuals needing rehabilitation services while recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery. • Memory support is for older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, Memory support services can provide a safe and secure environment while ensuring peace of mind for the caregivers. Memory support services can be offered in both an assisted living or a nursing home setting. Specially trained staff members are available 24 hours a day to care for the residents. With so many housing and care options available for older men and women, it’s easy to become confused and overwhelmed by all the different types of resources. As always, talk with a physician about changing health conditions and the ability to live at home safely. Seek advice on the best options available for individual needs. It’s important to understand the differences between each of these services so you can make the best decision. (Czechut is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. in Omaha.)

NARFE meeting

he National Active and Retired Federal Employees’ Aksarben Chapter 1370 meets the second Wednes-

day of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402-2067786.

Elder Access Line Legal Aid of Nebraska operates a free telephone access line for Nebraskans age 60 and older. Information is offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy, homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing. The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-527-7249 statewide. This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 1 to 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, log on the Internet to legalaidofnebraska.com/EAL.

July 2020

to the hearing aid. If your device has a thin/slim tube but no wiring, remove the dome attached to the tube, and use a thin plastic wire to clean wax and debris from the tubing. You can even use a piece of fishing line to clear a thin/slim tube. • Check batteries. Batteries should last about five to 10 days, depending on the hearing aid model, the battery size, and the use of connectivity (Bluetooth) options. If you have a battery tester at home, check to see if the batteries are at full strength so the hearing aids are working at peak performance. If you don’t have a battery tester, keep a written log, and note how long your batteries are lasting. Always keep spare batteries with you, and store them in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator). Give rechargeable hearing aids the recommended number of hours to reach a full charge. Keep a log of how long your hearing aids last. If they’re not staying charged as expected, contact your audiologist. • Clean the hearing aids regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Check for dirt and wax buildup on your hearing aids, earmolds, domes, and/or tubing. For hearing aid users who utilize earmolds, note these can be removed from hearing aids. Once the earmolds are detached from the hearing aids, they can be washed in warm (not hot) soapy water, then rinsed well. Make sure earmolds are dry before reattaching them to the hearing aids again. Dome-shaped earpieces used with open-fit hearing aids should be cleaned with a dry cloth or a special tool provided by your audiologist. Some audiologists may provide a backup supply of domes. If your dome is discolored, cracking, and/or deteriorating, remove it and attach a new dome to your device. • Minimize moisture in the hearing aids. A hearing aid drying container will help keep moisture from building up inside hearing aids and will lengthen their life. Remove batteries before placing hearing aids in storage containers. Ask your audiologist if a hearing aid drying container is a good idea. There are more sophisticated dryers available if a simple jar or a canister drying container isn’t sufficient. By practicing good communication skills, you and your family members can take steps to improve your listening experience. A few examples are: • Wait until you’re in the same room to talk with others. • Ask your conversation partner to slow down their speech if you have difficulty following the conversation. • Ask your conversation partner to face you when speaking—no backs turned or heads down looking at screens. • Let the person speaking know if you’re having trouble hearing or understanding them. Don’t pretend to understand the conversation. • Use closed captioning when watching television or movies. • Take some dedicated quiet time (listening breaks). It takes more energy to listen when you have hearing loss. Feeling tired can cause you to mix up conversations. For family members, being at home with loved ones for an extended period of time may make hearing challenges more obvious (e.g., turning the volume way up on the television, complaining frequently about people mumbling, etc.). Although this may not be the ideal time for a hearing evaluation due to shelter-in-place restrictions, you may want to start laying the groundwork for encouraging a visit to an audiologist once it’s safe to go out in public again. Learn more about hearing loss at asha.org/public. (The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provided this information.) Charles E. Dorwart Massih Law, LLC 38 years of legal experience • Wills • Living Trusts • Probate • Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorney • Medicaid Planning • In-home consultations • Free Initial consultation 226 N. 114th Street • Omaha, NE 68154 Office: (402) 558-1404 or (402) 933-2111 chuck@massihlaw.com www.dorwartlaw.com

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Curt’s career took an indirect route to Metro’s top job By Nick Schinker Contributing Writer

t sounds impossible for a man who started his career in transportation as the janitor at the Greyhound bus station in downtown Omaha to eventually serve as the top executive officer of Omaha’s Metro transit system. Meet Curt Simon. Simon will retire this fall after more than 33 years at Metro, formerly Metro Area Transit (MAT), working the last 15 years as its executive director. His rise from pushing a broom downtown to leading sweeping changes that have taken Metro into the future was not a direct route. There were plenty of unexpected stops and challenges along the way. Take the coronavirus pandemic. “No one was going to work,” Simon says. “Ridership took a nosedive. Our weekday numbers fell to that of a normal Saturday. There were so many fears of being in a confined environment, coupled with the conflicting reports of what we should do to protect ourselves. Wear a mask. Don’t wear a mask. It stays on surfaces. It doesn’t stay on surfaces.” It has been a long road back toward normalcy, Simon says, “and we aren’t

Despite having a father (Bernie) who served on the Omaha City Council before becoming Omaha’s mayor in 1987, and a brother (Ray) who was a member of the Douglas County Board, Curt Simon never ran for public office.

there yet.” But he and the Metro board are eagerly looking ahead. Smart technology and streamlined travel will soon be putting Omaha’s bus riders into ORBT (Omaha Rapid Bus Transit), billed by Metro as “the biggest transit investment the region has seen in decades.” “It’s like a train on wheels,” Simon says. “I think it will be transformative for the city.”

ven if you don’t know Curt Simon, you likely know his family. He is the son of the late Omaha Mayor Bernie Simon, a beloved public figure who took hold of the city in a very rough period, immediately after the recall of Omaha Mayor Mike Boyle.

Bernie Simon, who was first elected to the City Council in 1981, became Omaha mayor on Feb. 3, 1987, after he was chosen by the council to fill out the 2-1/ 2 years left in Boyle’s term. But just two months after taking office, Simon was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in his lung. That tumor was eliminated during treatment, but two more tumors were found in Simon’s brain later in the year. Radiation treatments and chemotherapy reduced the tumors, but they reappeared. Mayor Simon kept up a full schedule as doctors began treating those tumors, and he was declared free of cancer once more. However, he was hospitalized after being weakened by the chemotherapy and died April 14, 1988, at age 60. Curt Simon’s brother, the late Ray Simon, served as a member of the Douglas County Board. He also died of cancer. Curt’s other brother, Todd, was a professor and former director of the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University prior to his death in 2012. A sister, Stacy, – a former store manager for Albertson’s – lives in Omaha. Although politics seemed to run in the Simon family, Curt says it never called his name. “I’d probably be a good one-term something,” he says, chuckling. “I think politics were different back when Bernie was in office. You really could accomplish big things; move the city forward.” Instead, Simon chose to move the city’s residents forward, one busload at a time. He says he grew up moving from house to house, mostly in the Holy Name area of Omaha. “Back then, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together,” he says. “Dad worked for the Bell Telephone Co., eventually retiring from the marketing department. I remember when he was a lineman, to make a few extra bucks he’d go out and put phone books in the phone booths and I’d go along with him.” The Simon brothers were each born three years apart, with Ray being six years older than Curt. “We got along like all brothers do,” Simon says. “We were not three peas in a pod. But later in life, both were my best friends.” When he was 20, Simon worked construction for J.L. Brock Builders in Omaha. To relax, he and some coworkers were in a bowling league at the Ames Bowl. So were several bus drivers. “One day, they said that Greyhound was hiring,” Simon recalls. “They told me what it paid, and it would be a pittance today, but it sounded pretty good back then.” His first job was driving a broom at the Greyhound bus station. He stayed with the company from 1974 until 1987. He worked his way up to regional general manager covering eight states, and was transferred twice, to Kansas City, Mo. and Cheyenne, Wyo. His next stop was a familiar one: downtown Omaha.

reyhound buses travel a lot and so do the company’s regional managers. “I would leave on Sunday and get home Thursday or Friday, and then I’d spend Saturdays doing paperwork,” Simon recalls. “I got tired of traveling.” He had many friends within MAT in Omaha, and one spoke of an opening as MAT’s operations director, where Simon would be responsible for maintenance, transportation, and purchasing. “There was a lot going on there, and I was intrigued,” he says. Simon came aboard MAT in 1987, working his way to the post of executive director. He says the two directors he followed were distinct personalities, one a very conservative businessman, and the other an idea guy. “I am right in the middle,” Simon says. “I’m pragmatic enough to be conservative, but I’m also open to new ideas.” His 33-plus years at Metro have seen many advances, and he and the Metro board have been busy laying the groundwork for many more improvements. Under Simon, Metro has redesigned the bus system so lines run more frequently, upgraded the bus fleet, offered Wi-Fi on board buses, and started its first online bus tracking for riders. The big change coming is the ORBT bus rapid transit system, timed to start this fall. Considered state-of-the-art public transportation, ORBT stations and vehicles along Dodge Street from the Old Market to the Westroads Mall, will include level boarding, auditory bus stop announcements, visual cues for stop --Please turn to page 7.

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Simon says new service will transport riders into ORBT

Described by Simon as a “train on wheels,” the Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) system will include level boarding for passengers, auditory bus stop announcements, visual cues for stop locations, and real time bus arrival updates. --Continued from page 6. locations, and real time bus arrival updates, making the system more accessible and convenient for everyone, including individuals with limited mobility. The buses will operate with smart technology including Transit Signal Priority, where ORBT vehicles will be able to extend green lights, reducing congestion and delays.

imon’s list of accomplishments is as long as a cross-country schedule. He’s led the construction of Metro transit centers throughout Omaha and incorporated innovative methods of financing so taxpayers paid little if anything to fund the projects. The ORBT project, for example, is possible because Simon sought and secured millions in philanthropic gifts and grants to supplement other funding sources. With all that under his belt, Curt credits the support he has received from Metro employees, city administrations, and board members for making it all possible – and says he is most proud of his reputation for honesty and integrity. “My dad taught that if someone calls you, you should call them back. If they want an answer, you should give them one, even if it’s one they don’t like,” he says. “I’ve always tried to be responsive and not lead people on. If it can’t be done, it can’t be done. In that way, I’ve been able to be true to myself and others.” Simon and his wife, Julie, have been married 25 years. He has two grown sons, Bryan and Nick, from a previous marriage and a daughter,

Molly, along with three grandchildren, who range in age from 20 years old to 18 months old.

n announcing his retirement, Simon said he intends to do more volunteer work. He has previously served on the Holy Name Development Board, but now is leaning toward doing hospice work. “I find that I can be comfortable talking with people no matter their situation,” he says. “I’m not one to

be at a loss for words. Sometimes, what people in hospice really need is someone who will talk and listen. I’ve had family members in hospice and have always admired the care they received.” He says he enjoys playing “a game that occasionally resembles golf,” but really isn’t interested in travel. “I got that out of my system years ago.” Simon is proud of the direction Omaha’s public transit system is headed, and of the role he has

played in keeping it moving forward. He considers himself fortunate for even having the chance. “It’s too bad that it seems as though the opportunities for one to work their way up from a janitor to CEO are pretty much zero in this day and age,” he says. “Time was, hard work, being in the right place at the right time, and a little bit of luck could go a long way.” For Curt Simon, there was no end of the line – just miles of open road ahead.

Following retirement later this year, Curt’s plans may include becoming a hospice care volunteer.

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The importance of ‘hearing’ others

n the past few weeks, I can’t say how many times I’ve listened to a story that brought tears to my eyes. As people tell their experiences of racial prejudice or COVID-19 illness and death, I hear their pain and my heart aches for them. The operative word here is HEAR. Racial injustice and illness have been around forever, but I haven’t always “heard” it so clearly, perhaps because I wasn’t listening. Last month in the New Horizons, I wrote about the benefits of turning boredom and loneliness into solitude that calms our spirit and allows us to go deep into ourselves. When we adopt this practice, we position ourselves to be able to hear our inner voices, either the voice of wisdom or the chatter Buddhists call “monkey mind.” Monkey mind is the result of fear, doubt, and concern. Such thoughts are often defensive, critical of self and others, unsettling, and distracting. These thoughts deceive us into making harsh judgements and poor choices. It’s important to listen for and recognize our own monkey mind so we aren’t fooled by it. While monkey mind is part of human nature, so is the voice of wisdom. Wisdom has the qualities of compassion, spaciousness, generosity of spirit, and gentle good humor. As we ponder life’s challenges, we may experience a tightness or contraction, the indicator of monkey mind, or we may experience

compassionate concern, a desire to understand the pain of another and the willingness to support them. The ability to listen to our inner voice of wisdom empowers us to listen to the voices of others. The triple crises of the pandemic, economic depression, and racial strife create the opportunity and necessity to listen to one another in order to survive together as we move into better times.

Conscious Aging By Nancy Hemesath

For me, it’s not so difficult to understand when people describe their suffering or the suffering of others in stories that touch my heart. There have been many accounts like this in the media. It’s more difficult to hear voices when they’re drenched in anger and frustration. It takes our wisdom within to hear outcries as an expression of pain that needs to be heard and remedied. Instead of reacting out of our own doubt, fear, and concern (monkey mind), we listen for what is really being said.

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By William E. Seidler, Jr. Attorney at Law

eople frequently prepare wills naming two or more of their children as co-personal representatives. The motivation and decision for the joint nominations vary. One common reason is that parents don’t want to favor one child over another. In some situations, parents believe the nominated children want to cooperate, and don’t want them to feel left out of important family matters. Often, people preparing a will are unaware of the issues the nominated co-personal representatives may face when the time comes for estate administration. Nothing in the Nebraska Probate Code prohibits naming co-personal representatives in a will; however, the Code doesn’t provide clear guidance on the issues co-personal representatives may face. Nebraska Revised Statute 30-2478 provides that if two or more persons are appointed co-personal representatives, and, unless the will provides otherwise, the concurrence of all co-personal representatives is required for all acts of administration and distribution of the estate. The statute also allows for co-personal representatives to delegate authority to one of the other co-personal representatives. Attorneys in our office have encountered some problems in co-personal representative situations, such as difficulties when applying for an estate federal tax identification number from the IRS, and an inability to open a new bank account in the name of the co-personal representatives. Most banks don’t allow co-personal representatives on an account, due to requirements and limitations of electronic banking. We’ve also seen problems arise when clear written delegation of authority from one co-personal representative to another doesn’t exist. Misunderstandings about the duties and responsibilities of each co-personal representative leads to complications in estate administration. Having co-personal representatives in an estate proceeding can work, but considerable planning is required both for preparation of the will and prior to opening a court estate proceeding. In order to plan well, a person must have an awareness of all the financial and management decisions facing the co-personal representatives. (The information contained in this column is general information. Slight changes in individual fact situations may require a material variance in the applicable advice. You should not attempt to solve individual problems based on the advice contained in this column. If you have questions regarding the above, contact an attorney.)

“A riot,” Dr. Martin Luther King said, “is the language of the unheard.” Instead of just hearing the words, we must learn to hear the underlying message. The three crises we’re experiencing as a nation give us the immediate opportunity to listen deeply to one other. None of us have the ability to solve all their problems but we all have the capacity to listen with our hearts. What would the world be like if we truly listened to one another? As elders, we’re well positioned to give this gift. (Note: I’m putting together a book study via ZOOM on Conscious Living, Conscious Aging in the near future. If you’re interested, please email me at nhemesath@cox.net. It may be a useful way to spend this stay-at-home time and I have room for a few more people to join.) Federal Trade Commission: Be on the lookout

Omaha Fire Department

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Do you want your will handled by co-personal representatives?

New Horizons

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July 2020

for scammers during the COVID-19 pandemic The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that bad actors are working hard to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to deceive Americans and steal their money. Scammers may set up websites to sell bogus coronavirus products from face masks to vaccine cure-alls, and use fake emails, texts, and social media to get consumers to share payment and/or personal information. Americans may see emails or social media posts claiming to promote awareness or offering prevention tips which include false information about COVID-19. Scammers may use the pandemic to tout can’t miss investment opportunities like face masks. They may also ask for donations to raise money to help victims.

There’s no vaccine for the coronavirus, and any opportunity to ride the wave of economic activity due to the virus is probably a scam. The FTC suggests: • Don’t click on email links from sources you don’t know. These could download malware on your electronic devices. • Ignore online offers for vaccinations or treatments. • If you receive a communication from a source claiming to be a government agency like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close the email and visit that agency’s website. • Engage your inner skeptic when confronted with donation requests. Before giving money, examine the charity with watchdogs such as give.org or charitynavigator.org.

211 network

AARP Information Center

The 211 telephone network has been established in parts of Nebraska to give consumers a single source for information about community and human services. By dialing 211, consumers can access information about human needs resources like food banks, shelters, rent and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources, and support for older Americans and persons with a disability. The 211 network is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information is also available online at ne211.org.

Due to the COVID-19 and its potential impact on older adults, the AARP Information Center, located at the Center Mall, will remain closed during July. AARP isn’t sponsoring any in-person events or activities since its main concern is for its members, presenters, and staff. AARP would like to re-open the office soon and may re-schedule the annual document shredding event originally scheduled for May.

Company matches employee contributions

Physicians Mutual donates $10,000 to Meals on Wheels

hysicians Mutual has made a $10,000 contribution to the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Meals on Wheels Program.

The money will be used to offset operational costs, help maintain the program’s fleet of six vans, and for other expenses not covered by the Older Americans Act (OAA), according to Arlis Smidt, who coordinates Meals on Wheels for the agency. ENOA delivers more than 200,000 hot, nutritious meals to homebound older adults annually. The program can serve an older adult for an entire year for about the same cost as one day in a hospital or 10 days in a nursing home. Meals on Wheels funding, however, remains stagnant while its costs continue to rise. OAA dollars support only 43% of the program’s expenses. The remaining 57% are secured through state and local sources, federal block grants, and donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses like Physicians Mutual. “In the early stages of COVID-19, our company started a senior giving initiative helping our low-income senior housing community with meals and engaging our employees to give and help support seniors in a variety of ways. Any dollars raised were matched by the company,” said Kari Webber, director of corporate communications and public relations for Physicians Mutual. “In our discussion on where our funds might best be placed, the Meals on

Bilingual information Bilingual information about hospice care, palliative care, helping loved ones with grief and loss, and caregiving is available through the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership. The number for the Cuidando con Carino Compassionate Care HelpLine is (toll free) 1-877-658-8896. The service is offered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wheels program rose to the top of our list. Senior loneliness and food insecurity are such important issues for Physicians Mutual. We are so happy to be able to help how and where we can,” she added. “The $10,000 donation from Physicians Mutual is greatly appreciated by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, the Meals on Wheels Program, and the men and women we serve,” Smidt said.

Metro Women’s Club The Metro Women’s Club of Omaha whose motto is “Extending the Hand of Friendship,” holds a monthly luncheon on the second Tuesday of each month. The organization also offers a variety of other activities including Bunco,

Bridge, and Gadabouts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, all Metro Women’s Club of Omaha events are on hold until further notice. For more information, please go online to metrowomensclub.org.

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New Horizons

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Free book offers some secrets to living beyond age 100 By Judy Gaman few years back, while writing the book Age to Perfection: How to Thrive to 100, Happy, Healthy, and Wise, I had the chance to sit down with several people who had lived past their 100th birthday. Much of what they said was similar, as if it were scripted. Common sense we seem to have forgotten over the years. While my new friends may not have understood the science behind their advice, they knew from personal experience that it was all true. Living a long life takes discipline. Here’s a bit of what they all seemed to agree upon: • Never stop moving: Find a way to keep moving. One of them still had a gym membership, while others Judy Gaman went on at least one long walk a day. In addition to staying fit and limber, research shows exercise is just as effective as anti-depressants when it comes to mood stabilization. • Find something to believe in: There was no certain religion that outshined the others among those older adults I interviewed, yet they all had a strong and healthy relationship with faith. That faith got them through some of the

hardest times of their lives. With the invention of function MRI, we now know that prayer lights up a particular part of the brain that lays dormant at other times. • Be a mindful eater: For most of their lives, these centenarians lived in times where food was less abundant than it is now. Eating was more for necessity than for pleasure. I can still here Lucille telling me the advice her aunt gave her back in 1925, “You can have butter or jam on your biscuit, but never both. People who double dip end up double their size.” Sound advice that was long before the obesity crisis we face today. • Spend time with family: Each of the people I interviewed felt strongly about relationships with

friends and family. As human beings, we’re social creatures. Love and understanding feeds our souls. Recent studies have proven how important it is to bond with the generation before and after you. It’s also been proven that social media is no replacement for face-toface bonding. • Be kind: These older adults were kind, gentle souls, but a few admitted they had to learn how to be that way. Sooner or later, life has a way of buffering the rough edges on all of us. A study showed those who share a genuine smile with others have a better chance of living the longest. Of all the people I spent time with, Lucille Fleming touched my heart the most. She and I eventually went

on a book tour together. She took on a new role in life and a new title: longevity expert. It goes to show it’s never too late to find purpose or reinvent yourself. (For a free copy of Age to Perfection, log on to https://book.lovelifelucille. com/age-to-perfection).

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New Horizons

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July 2020

Nebraskans who have questions or who are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency can get legal advice and help through the free COVID-19 Disaster Relief Hotline. Hosted by Legal Aid of Nebraska, working closely with the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), this hotline aims to make key legal assistance easy and accessible. If you’re a Nebraskan facing legal issues related to the virus, or the owner of a small, locally-owned business (less than 50 employees, and not a franchise) that’s closed, in risk of permanent closure due to the virus, and where the payment of fees would significantly deplete your resources, the hotline may be reached at 1-844-268-5627. Callers will be connected to the hotline’s voicemail. Callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what Nebraska county they’re located. Callers will receive a call back from an experienced Legal Aid staff member. Individuals and businesses that don’t qualify for Legal Aid’s free services will be directly referred to the VLP. The VLP will work to place cases with Nebraska volunteer lawyers who will provide free legal assistance. The types of legal issues associated with COVID-19, and focused on by the hotline include: • Tenants with rent issues, including those facing eviction. • Debt problems, including debtors with garnishments or who are ordered to appear at a debtor’s exam. • Mortgage foreclosures, including advising on options for delinquent payments. • Unemployment insurance denials. • Employee rights, including sick leave and wage payments. • Government benefits available to low-income persons such as ADC, SNAP, AABD, and SSI. • Medicaid and medical insurance claims. • Drafting wills, health care power of attorney, and transfer on death deeds. • Domestic abuse and safety issues. • Elder abuse and exploitation. • Access to education. • Helping small, locally-owned businesses with business and employment related matters, including human relations issues, unemployment benefits, and contracts. More information on these legal issues, including ways you can directly help yourself, are available at legalaidofnebraska.org.

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Higher step totals associated with lower mortality

n a new study, higher daily step counts were associated with lower mortality risk from all causes. The research team, which included investigators from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), both parts of the National Institutes of Health, as well as from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also found the number of steps a person takes each day, but not the intensity of stepping, had a strong association with mortality.

“While we knew physical activity is good for you, we didn’t know how many steps per day you need to take to lower your mortality risk or whether stepping at a higher intensity makes a difference.” “While we knew physical activity is good for you, we didn’t know how many steps per day you need to take to lower your mortality risk or whether stepping at a higher intensity makes a difference,” said Pedro Saint-Maurice, Ph.D., of NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. “We wanted to investigate this question to provide new insights that could help people better understand the health implications of the step counts they get from fitness trackers and phone apps.” Previous studies have been done on step counts and mortality. However, they were conducted primarily with older adults or among people with debilitating chronic conditions. This study tracked a representative sample of U.S. adults age 40 and over. Approximately 4,800 participants wore accelerometers for up to seven days between 2003 and 2006. The participants were then followed for mortality through 2015 via the National Death Index. The researchers calculated associations between mortality and step number and intensity after adjustments for demographic and behavioral risk factors, body mass index, and health status at the start of the study. They found compared with taking 4,000 steps per day, a number considered to be low for adults, taking 8,000 steps per day was associated with a 51% lower risk for all-cause mortality (or death from all causes). Taking 12,000 steps per day was associated with a 65% lower risk compared with taking 4,000 steps. In contrast, the authors saw no association between step intensity and risk of death after accounting for the total number of steps taken per day. “At NIA, we’ve long studied how exercise is important for older adults, and it’s good to see further evidence from a large study with a broad sample that the main thing is to get moving for better overall health as we age,” said Eric Shiroma, Ph.D., a co-author and NIA Intramural Research Program scientist. In analyses by subgroups of participants, the authors found higher step counts were associated with lower allcause death rates among both men and women; among both younger and older adults; and among white, black, and Mexican American adults. In secondary outcomes of the study, higher step counts were also associated with lower rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Data collection was conducted through the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a program of studies designed to assess a nationally representative sample of the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The researchers were surprised they didn’t find an association between higher stepping intensity and all-cause mortality after adjusting for the total number of steps per day. Because few studies have investigated an association between mortality and intensity among adults going about their daily lives, the study authors wrote that future studies of walking intensity and mortality are warranted. Although the study authors controlled for factors that could have affected the results, the study is observational and cannot prove causality. Nevertheless, their findings are consistent with current recommendations that adults should move more and sit less throughout the day. Adults who do any amount of physical activity gain some health

benefits. For even greater health benefits, adults are recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity physical activity per week. “Being physically active has many benefits, including reducing a person’s risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. And on a daily basis, it can help people feel better and sleep better,” said Janet Fulton, Ph.D., of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. “The CDC is working with communities and partners across the country, as part of the Active People, Healthy Nation initiative, to make it easier, safer, and more convenient for people to be active in their own communities.”

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New Horizons

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Nelkin retains his passion after 54 years in the media

unday, March 15, 2009 was a day Nelkin will never forget. After visiting his daughter, Kacey – who was eight months pregnant at the time – and her husband, Adam, in Lincoln, Neil drove back to Omaha. He began feeling dizzy and drove to the emergency room at the Nebraska Medical Center. Shortly after putting out the last cigarette he ever smoked, Nelkin went into cardiac arrest while handing over his insurance card at the hospital’s admitting desk. “I have no memories of the next week,” Neil said looking back. Despite suffering a serious heart attack, Nelkin returned to NRG in April. He attributes the quick recovery to a desire to see Max, his first grandson, and to the efforts of cardiologist Dr. John Haas at Nebraska Medicine. “He saved my life,” Nelkin said about Dr. Haas.

I Neil Nelkin pioneered Omaha sports talk radio in 1993. Today, the 71-year-old hosts ‘Local 1290’ on KOIL radio weekdays from the Neil Nelkin Studio at NRG Media. By Jeff Reinhardt New Horizons Editor

ach weekday from 10 a.m. to noon, 1290 KOIL radio in Omaha broadcasts Local 1290, a show featuring conversations with and about area business leaders and residents braving the coronavirus pandemic. The program, which began on May 26, originates from the Neil Nelkin Studio at NRG Media, 5011 Capitol Ave. NRG is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company that owns and operates seven radio stations in Omaha. Local 1290 is hosted by Neil Nelkin, the man for whom that studio is named. Selecting Nelkin – who has spent 54 years in television and radio – to host the program was a no-brainer, according to Mark Shecterle, general manager of NRG Radio Omaha. “The ‘Godfather of radio’ (as Shecterle calls Nelkin) knows the community and his caring for local businesses made it a slam dunk,” he said. “Neil’s passion for radio, his sense of humor, and how much he cares are second to none.”

elkin, age 71, graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa. and Bryant College (now Bryant University) in Smithfield, R.I. As a child, Neil dreamed about a media career. Those dreams became a professional reality in 1967 when Nelkin began working as an assistant production engineer and an announcer for ABC Television in New York City. He left the “Big Apple” in 1969 and spent the next three years playing music on the radio for WARV in Rhode Island and WLYF/WGBS in Miami. In 1972, while doing freelance radio work in Denver, Nelkin accepted a position as program and news director for KODY radio in North Platte, Neb. “I’d never been to Nebraska before then, but I’ve been here ever since,” Nelkin said during a recent interview while seated behind a microphone in the Neil Nelkin Studio. In 1981, Nelkin and four other people formed

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Mid Plains Broadcasting. The group built KXNP in North Platte and merged it with KODY. Nelkin was the stations’ co-owner and general manager until 1985 when he became program director for Lockhart Media which owned and operated radio stations in Ogallala, Neb., Sterling and Burlington, Colo. A year later, Norton Warner hired Neil as his station manager for KLIN in Lincoln, Neb. Nelkin spent the next seven years at 1400 on the AM radio dial until John Mitchell brought him to Omaha in 1993 as operations manager for Mitchell Broadcasting which later became Waitt Radio and subsequently NRG Media. During his 28-year tenure in Omaha, Nelkin has helped his stations fill a variety of niches in the local radio market. Today, KOIL (1290) offers news and talk while KZOT (1180) and KOZN (1620) feature a variety of sports talk programs. The trio also air play-by-play broadcasts of games featuring Creighton University, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Omaha Lancers, the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. From 1996 to 2000, Mitchell Broadcasting was the Omaha home for University of Nebraska football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts. Neil is proud of pioneering Omaha sports talk radio in 1993. “We tried a number of things on 1180, but decided Omaha needed sports radio,” he said. It began with weekend programming from ESPN Radio, and took off in 1999 when the Federal Communications Commission expanded the AM radio band from 1600 to 1700 on the dial. The first local program on 1620 (KOZN) – Unsportsmanlike Conduct – featured hosts Kevin Kugler and Bob Bruce. “We wanted our shows to be about people and not just about scores and statistics,” Nelkin said. “It was like Top 40 radio except instead of playing hit music we played sports.” Today, NRG Omaha offers local sports talk shows weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on KOZN and a variety of national sports talk programs 24 hours a day on 1180 and 1620.

New Horizons

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July 2020

n 2016, wanting to spend more time with his family which now includes three grandsons – Max, 11; Hank, 6; and Gus, 3 – Neil retired. Six months later, however, he returned to Omaha radio. “I was bored. I don’t play golf, cards, or tennis, and I wanted to get back to work,” Nelkin said. He took a job with Walnut Radio’s AM 1420 and 1490 doing news and traffic reports on Dave Wingert’s morning program on Boomer Radio. “It gives me a reason to get out of bed each day at 2:30 a.m.,” Neil said. Nelkin also went back to NRG as a part-time program producer. “It’s very unusual for one person to work for two different companies in the same market,” he said. One reason, Nelkin is able to be employed simultaneously by Walnut Radio and NRG is his outstanding reputation and resume. “He is a very selfless individual who works incredibly hard and absolutely loves what he does,” Shecterle said. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without him.” s he looks back at more than a half century in broadcasting, Nelkin is thankful for the amazing people he’s worked with. Behind the scene names like Norton Warner, John Mitchell, Marty Riemenschneider (a former general manager for NRG), and renowned Omaha radio executive and talk show host Steve Brown. That list also includes on-air personalities Kevin Kugler, Matt Schick, Chris Baker, Nick Bahe, and standup comedian Jimmie Walker who hosted a show on 1290 KKAR in 1998-99. Walker co-starred on the TV sitcom Good Times from 1974 to 1980. Neil said the highlight of his career has been watching the rise of Kugler from an Omaha radio personality to a play-by-play announcer for the Big 10 Television Network and the voice of Westwood One’s national radio broadcasts of the NFL, the College World Series, and the NCAA Final Four men’s basketball tournament. Nelkin said the key to his own success has been working with and learning from a lot of great people, using that knowledge, and passing that wisdom on to young people. “Neil has helped start so many radio careers and has been influential with so many others,” Shecterle said. “People look up to him and truly value his opinion.” Nelkin said he wants to be thought of as a person who produces excellent radio programs, operates quality radio stations, and as someone who helps others. Already beyond the traditional retirement age, Neil has no plans to step down from his career. “The worst day in radio is better than the best day anywhere else,” he said.