Senior Connection - Hillsborough June 2011 edition by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

Dating: Does Age Matter? VOLUME 22, NUMBER 6

HILLSBOROUGH

JUNE 2011

St. Simons Island

HOW TO LIVE

FOREVER* *RESULTS MAY VARY.

• Whose Body Is This? • D-Day Memorial: Remembering • Grilled Cheese Grows Up • “Boneing” Up On Vitamin D

ag a m r w.s Vi s i

t: e a om t i s c eb ine. ur w

Grandma’s Big Adventure:

Showing Jake That Heroes Are Alive and Well and Living Among Us BY JANICE DOYLE

Dear Readers,

t’s true: Osama bin Laden is dead. On May 2 a Navy SEAL Janice Doyle, team appeared “out of Editor nowhere” in Pakistan and did what they had trained to do. My husband and I visited the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum across the state in Ft. Pierce in mid-May. We who are older still like real-life heroes, and the SEAL team holds our fascination in that regard this summer. People from around the world are sending thank you letters and cards to the Museum. We love to honor real heroism and bemoan the fact that so much attention is taken by fantasy heroes. Several years ago I discovered the treasury of history that is in Springfield, Illinois. There’s the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library, an incredible Illinois State Museum and numerous other history venues of interest. I determined that I would take each of my seven grandchildren there on a trip alone after they turned eight years old to introduce them to our sixteenth president. In early May this year I took the second grandchild on that trip. Eightyear-old Jake looked forward to it. He had read books about Lincoln and knew he would have my undivided attention for three days. He also knew he got to choose anywhere he wanted Jake with the Lincoln family. to eat and could order whatever he wanted. Plus, we would stay in a hotel where there was a heated swimming pool. The first grandson I took got very involved with Civil War history on his trip. Jake’s trip will be remembered for the real-live heroes he met besides learning about Lincoln.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 2

I planned to use the three hours of car time from his home in Columbia, Missouri, to Springfield, to help Jake learn the continents as well as to memorize all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. He was also our map reader and manned the GPS. Well, many times he played with it – at one point he discovered we were actually 232 miles from the closest Waffle House! “No waffles today, Grandma.” In Springfield, we toured Lincoln’s tomb and then we went to see the town’s WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Vietnam Memorial. The WWII Memorial is centered by a huge white globe with stainless steel markers at the sites of major battles. An aging veteran stood on the Pacific Ocean side of the globe, pointing with his cane and talking to his son about the battles he had been in—Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and more. Jake and I sat down nearby and I told him what he was seeing—the globe, the continents, the battle markers, the veteran who had At the WWII been there. When Memorial with the veteran saw us, Mr. Anderson, I asked if I could veteran. take his picture with my grandson. Fifteen minutes and a history lesson later, Jake knew stories of ships and guns and landings. He’d also worn Mr. Anderson’s WWII Veteran cap.

Three days later, I took Jake to Shea’s Gas Station and Museum. It turned out owner Bill Shea went ashore on D-Day on Utah Beach, his entire unit’s first day in combat after two years of training. He was also at the liberation of Paris, the Battle of the Bulge and crossed with his unit into Germany for the final push. “I never suffered so much as a scratch, but I was there,” Bill said. After the war the contentment and peace of running his now-famous gas station along old Route 66 satisfied him for the rest of his working life. Now in his 90s, he and his son run the family museum which is filled with memorabilia from simpler times along the highway as well as military items including the wool uniform of his WWII duty. On our return trip, Jake did indeed finish memorizing all 66 books of the Bible, and he proved he knew the names of the continents. At home he was himself a hero for a few minutes because he’d taken a trip the other three boys hadn’t been on. Then they wandered away, we got out the globe and Jake explained to his dad in eightyear-old fashion the meaning of World War II and what he knew about two of the heroes of that war. When he thinks of himself as a hero, I hope Jake realizes that deeper than everything else lies the core of a hero, and it’s not about super powers. It’s what the heroes of WWII showed him: Being a hero simply involves doing the best you can no matter the cost. And, yes, Jake, sometimes it’s possible to be more than 50 miles from a McDonalds and still survive!

Hillsborough, Pinellas/Pasco Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc.

Publisher, President: Kathy J. Beck kathy@srmagazine.com Editor: Janice Doyle Accounting: Vicki Willis Production Supervisor Graphic Design: Kim Burrell Production Assistant: Tracie Schmidt Customer Service: 1-888-670-0040 customerservice@srmagazine.com Advertising Sales: Hillsborough/Pinellas 1-888-670-0040 Tampa Bay Area Dena Bingham: (813) 653-1988 Pinellas/Pasco Judy Floyd: (727) 678-0315 Chuck Bingham: (813) 293-1550 Frank Zaccaro: (813) 388-3200 Sun City Center Judy Coleman: (813) 653-1988 Distribution 1-888-670-0040 Corporate Advertising Ofﬁce: P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

(813) 653-1988 888-670-0040 Fax: (813) 651-1989 www.srmagazine.com Send press releases to:

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ATTENTION READERS: The articles printed in Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. The Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the July 2011 issue is June 15, 2011. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

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Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G J U N E 2 0 1 1

hrough June 19 Degas – “Form, Movement and the Antique” exhibit at the Tampa Museum Of Art. Seniors: $7.50. Phone: (813) 274-8130.

hrough June 19 “Greater Tuna,” a Texas ton of farce comedy show by the Masque Of Temple Terrace, 8917 N. 56th St., Tampa. $12 senior tickets. Call (813) 983-1710.

hrough July 6 “Classic Images— Photography by Ansel Adams.” A portfolio of work put together by Adams of what he considered the best images from his career. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 200 N. Tampa St. Information at (813) 221-2222.

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hrough July 10 Motherhood the Musical® at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. (813) 229-STAR.

Anywhere Tours of Florida, Inc. For reservations or information call Tonya at 813-620-3332 or website • www.tampabus.com IF YOU HAVE TEN PEOPLE OR MORE WE CAN PICK UP AT YOUR LOCATION. WE PICK UP AT THE LIBRARY ON NORTH PEBBLE BEACH, SUN CITY CENTER.

June 6, 20, & 27, Seminole Hardrock Casino -Tampa

(must have min 30 people) pay 15.00 per person - get 20.00 free play & 5.00 meal voucher pick up 8:45 am return 3:30 pm or pick up 3:35 pm return 10:30 pm.

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(must have min of 30 people) pay 25.00 per person - get 30.00 free play & 5.00 meal voucher pick up 8:00 am - returns 5:30 pm.

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Thyner pay 24.95 - see Tampa/Ybor City. 5 hour tour, lunch on your own at one of Ybor restaurants. Pick up at 9 am return 4 pm. Five hour tours - see places you may never see on your own. Thank You ...From All Of Us At Anywhere Tours of Florida. Call for details, all prices subject to change.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 4

– 12 “Jekyll and Hyde” performed by The Florida Academy of Performing Arts. The Robert Louis Stevenson story performed by the Showcase Players at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview. 7 p.m. evening and 2 p.m. matinees. Tickets: faopa.org or call (813) 490-2787.

Fishing Tournament at Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve, 423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar. 7 – 11 a.m. Shore or boat fishing allowed. Free. Bring your own pole, bait and supplies. Info at City of Oldsmar Leisure Services Dept. at (813) 749-1273 or MyOldsmar.com.

Parkinson’s Support Group, Church of the Nazarene, 5902 Himes Ave. N., Tampa. Call (813) 931-1235.

“Oh What A Night—The New Broadway” Florida Men’s Chorale by Una Voce. Music from “Jersey Boys,” “Mama Mia,” “Memphis,” “Chicago” and more. $20. Phone: 855-UNA-Voce. HCC Ybor Campus – Main Stage Theatre, 2204 N. 15th St., Tampa. (813) 253-7695.

AAUW (American Association of University

Women) luncheon at Tampa Yacht and Country Club. $20. Call (813) 251-1929 for information.

Book Discussion “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows; the story of a unique book club formed as an alibi to protect its members from arrest at the hands of the Nazis during WWII. 2 p.m. at the SeffnerMango Library. (813) 273-3652.

– 26 Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria at St. Petersburg Times Forum. 1-800-745-3000. Senior tickets start at $32.

Summer Safari Night at Lowry Park Zoo. 5 – 8 p.m. Free unlimited rides; animal encounters included with zoo admission. Information: (813) 935-8552.

Rolling Thunder Annual POW/ MIA Charity Golf Tournament to benefit James A. Haley Hospital, The Fisher House and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Bay Palms Golf Complex, MacDill AFB, FL. $65/individual fee; $250/foursome. Register online at golfdigestplanner.com. For information: RTSunshineFL@gmail.com.

Keep Your Boat Afloat workshop by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division Seven on boating skills and seamanship. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jimmie B Keel Library. Info: (813) 273-3652.

Patriotic concert tribute to Veterans (including Armed Forces Medley, Cindy, Shenandoah, Battle Hymn of the Republic and more). First United Methodist Church, 121 N. Knights Ave., Brandon. (813) 689-4161.

Send Around Town news to Senior Connection Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner, FL 33584; fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. June 10 for July event.)

Older Americans Find Gaming Site for Companionship and Community enior gamers online take note: social networking has nearly doubled among the over 50 age population—growing from 22 percent to 42 percent over the past year. One site—Winster.com—helps boomers and seniors overcome social isolation by offering friendship, mental stimulation and social bonding. Michelle Kaplan, co-founder of Winster.com, describes the site as a social networking site that is also an Internet game site offering casual multi-player games. “Our games are designed to stimulate positive social interaction because people are encouraged to help each other earn points, said Kaplan. “They play games with each other and never against each other.” “I’m in a wheelchair and pretty much homebound,” said Gail Davis,

a 55-year-old from Chattanooga, Tennessee. “Before I came across Winster on the Internet, I didn’t have too many opportunities to interact with real people. The site has been a lifesaver for me; so many friends and so much fun!” Since its launch in the fall of 2006, Winster.com has developed ten cooperative games—from Slot Social to Spell Squad—and has attracted over two million players. “We’ve reinvented the social club through online games,” says Kaplan. “By combining the fun of playing group games with the power of the web to bring people together, we are creating a new type of positive social experience. And if people are happier, healthier and more engaged in their lives because of Winster, then we’re on to something special.”

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 5

Disease Doesn’t Keep Her from Creating Beauty

BY JANICE DOYLE

eople who know Judy Shaw sometimes don’t even know she has Parkinson’s disease because she deals with the disease with such grace. That doesn’t keep her from longing for the day there will be a cure; “Hopefully in the not too distant future . . .” she says. She keeps up a beautiful home and a lush yard full of flowers in north Tampa. “Gardening really is a great relaxer for me,” she says. “When my symptoms become bothersome, just working a bit in the flower garden seems to take the edge off.” Parkinson’s Disease gained recognition when Michael J Fox, television and movie personality, was diagnosed. Recently he visited USF when his Foundation joined forces with the USF Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Clinic to find the elusive biomarkers for Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous

Judy Shaw in her garden.

system that results from the death of dopamine-containing cells in a region of the midbrain. It is what causes those cell-deaths that is unknown. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. About ten years ago Shaw says she kept going to doctors because she just couldn’t move easily—it felt like she had weights on her legs. She saw an ad for free Parkinson’s evaluation and de-

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The group learns about ways to deal with Parkinson’s from each other and from speakers. For example, people with Parkinson’s have difficulty with ordinary dental hygiene, so a dental hygienist recently shared strategies with the group for dealing with this. Others who have involuntary dyskinesia movements can talk to group members who have had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) surgery and learn firsthand how it worked out, that “it’s a viable option but still not a cure,” Shaw says. “It just helps to have someone walking the same walk as you are.” The group becomes a caring family very quickly, according to Shaw. How do you face Parkinson’s? I think Judy Shaw is a good model when she tells me, “I’m having more difficulty, but it hasn’t ruined my life. You learn to adjust to the things that are different in your life.” For details about the support group, call Judy Shaw at (813) 931-1235.

cided to see if that could be what was wrong. It was indeed her diagnosis. A clinical evaluation is the only way to diagnose the disease although a new test is on the horizon which would test the amount of dopamine in the brain and make diagnosis easier. There is no cure at this time, but the medicines for Parkinson’s, according to Shaw, are very effective. She says, “The disease has impacted me. My expectations are just not what they used to be.” Working with the USF clinic, Shaw says at this time hers is “a problem of managing medicines, getting them just right.” Shaw is articulate and ever positive and willing to participate in studies through the USF clinic, something she recommends for others to do. She leads a support group monthly at the Church of Nazarene on Himes Avenue. They focus on educating Parkinson’s patients and caregivers as well as raising funds to contribute to research.

Send in the completed form below to be entered in a drawing held June 16 to win two tickets for Alegria. Mail to: News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33584 (Entries must be postmarked by June 14. Please, one entry per person.) Name: Address: City: Phone:

State: E-mail:

Zip:

Send Birthday Wishes I

f someone you know is turning 100 and you want them to get birthday wishes, here’s how: Televised by Willard Scott on the Today Show: Six weeks prior to the birthday, submit a photo (that will not be returned to you) and the following information: • Name of celebrant (including pronunciation if necessary). • Date of birth. • Celebrant’s current mailing address. • Requestor’s name and daytime phone number. • Interests, hobbies, secrets of longevity, vocation, etc. Send info and photo via postal mail to: Willard Scott Birthdays TODAY show, NBC News 4001 Nebraska Ave., NW. Washington, D.C. 20016 Not all celebrants submitted are chosen for the Today Show. If the contact person does not receive a call, the celebrant was not selected. HowPFREE

ever, if address information is given, they will receive a letter from Willard. Presidential greetings Requests may be submitted through the office of one of the U.S. Senators or U.S. Representatives from your state. Requests can also be mailed at least six weeks in advance of the event to: White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500. For faster service, requests can also be faxed to (202) 456-2461. Required Information. Please include the following in your request: • Name and home address of the honoree(s). • Form of address (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) • Exact date of birth (month, day, year) • The requestor’s name and daytime phone number. (The Obama White House is informing citizens requesting greeting cards that it is currently taking “several months” for the request to reach the Greetings Office and be mailed out.)

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Senior Connection • June 201111:47:49 • page 4/11/2011 AM 7

All New Fun Fest and Jamboree!

Hey Seniors!

oin us for the 3rd annual Fun Fest and Jamboree, June 30, 2011 at the Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City. This event will bring all the great things that our Fun Fests are known for, plus more! Free Admission! Free Parking! Over 80 Senior Friendly exhibitors will provide information on services and programs in the area. Free Health Screenings will include bone density, glucose, blood pressure, ear video otoscope checks, and free

memory checks provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. Important health seminars will also be going on throughout the day. Free coffee and goodies will be available, as well as $1,000s in giveaways—including two round trip tickets to Biloxi for a two night stay at the Beau Rivage resort and casino! Enjoy a delicious Senior Friendly lunch provided by Mr. Bill’s Fine Dining for only $3.50. Check out the Retirement Living Network booth and enjoy free yummy, healthy smoothies and great healthy eating information.

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Entertainment will include the popular Denise Looney, the “DJ with a Twist,” Fritzy the “One Man Circus,” Eddy Rivers, the Brooklyn Cowboy, and Richie Merritt of the Marcels. We’ll also be introducing Troy Coman, Bright Star Finalist 2011. Of course, there will be free Bingo, a fun sports area with putting green and corn hole toss for prizes. Come on out...bring a friend and enjoy the day inside the air conditioned Strawberry Festival Expo building located off Reynolds St. in Plant City. Doors open at 9 a.m., and close at 2 p.m. Call (813) 653-1988 for information. Call (813) 752-9194 for directions.

See you there!

You may also qualify under certain other circumstances. Call Humana to find out more! We offer a variety of Medicare health plans, including prescription drug plans and all-in-one Medicare Advantage plans. And our licensed representatives have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the Humana plan that suits you best. Call us today: TAMPA RUSKIN TAMPA BRANDON Perkins (Spanish) Ozzie’s Buffet Red Lobster Golden Corral 5602 W. Waters 3074 College Ave. 11601 N. Dale Mabry 815 Providence Rd. June 15th • 10:00 am June 15th • 11:00 am June 21st • 10:00 am June 21st • 2:00 pm TAMPA PLANT CITY TAMPA TGI Friday’s Buddy Freddy’s Beef O’Brady’s 2501 E. Fowler Ave. 1101 Goldfinch Dr. 9331 Adamo Dr. East June 22nd • 11:00 am June 23rd • 10:00 am June 28th • 2:00 pm

1-866-836-5082 (TTY: 711) You may have the opportunity to choose or change your Medicare health plan if: • You are approaching age 65 • You have just moved into the area • You receive Medicaid assistance • You’re losing your retiree health coverage Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 8

8:00am to 2:00am EST – Monday – Friday A health plan and a stand alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-866-836-5082 (TTY: 711) 8:00am to 2:00am EST – Monday – Friday. This is an advertisement. +HEDIS* Measures (11/2010). HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Applicable to Humana Gold Plus H5426 (HMO) and H1036 (HMO) in Florida. Y0040_GHHH18LHHD File & Use 02092011

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Do Age Differences Matter? BY DR. TERRI ORBUCH, SeniorPeopleMeet.com’s Love and Relationship Expert

istory has long shown a theme of older men going after younger women. But with recent celebrity couples setting the trend in 2011, it now appears perfectly acceptable for an older woman to date a younger man. Outside Hollywood, it looks as if the reaction is quite similar. According to a recent survey by SeniorPeopleMeet.com, Match. com’s online dating site for those over fifty, 94 percent of women are itching to date a younger man.

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore.

Retirement Living The results are unmistakably clear: as we get older, age differences between partners matter less and less. This makes sense because as long as both partners are adults, it becomes clear that the emotional and psychological compatibility between two partners is essential for the health and happiness of the relationship. Indeed, the crucial question to ask is whether two partners are compatible in terms of beliefs, values, life views and goals. Dating someone outside of your age group can sometimes be related to a “need” of one or both partners. For example, the younger man may be searching for a mother figure or for someone who is socially or financially superior to him. On the other hand, a “cougar” woman may be afraid of getting older, feel more youthful than her actual age, or want to retain her childlike qualities and view of life. SeniorPeopleMeet.

com’s survey found that half the women eager to date a younger man said they were motivated to do so because they felt younger than their biological age, citing that it felt “natural for them to be with someone younger.” Another 27 percent of women said they would like to date a younger man because they have more energy and are more open to new ideas and experiences. Nonetheless, given a large age difference, when older women date younger men, they may experience major obstacles down the line unless they handle or discuss them right up front in the relationship. Should you choose to move forward with an older woman or younger man, here are some tips to starting your relationship off right: 1. Discuss the future, not just the present. If this relationship is long-term, one of the biggest obstacles that can arise is that he wants children or a family down the road and you are past that point in your life. Other future topics to talk about are retirement goals. 2. Set clear expectations. Share your expectations; realistic expectations on both partners’ parts result in less frustration and disappointment. 3. Focus on what you can change. Although it is becoming more common and more acceptable to date outside of your age peer group, family members and friends may disapprove. Bear in mind that you can’t change anyone’s behavior or opinion. Focus on the positives in your relationship and don’t take the comments to heart—they usually say a lot more about the person who is thinking or saying them, than you.

Keep in mind, these are questions and concerns that everyone needs to consider when they enter a committed romantic relationship. So if you find that the two of you are compatible on many fronts and can discuss the issues above, tell Demi, Mariah and Madonna to move over—and go for it!

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The Cupid in Your Computer Part Three

“W

hen it comes to dating, the internet has broadened and widened the playing field and deepened the pool,” says Dr. Joy Browne, author of Dating For Dummies®, 3rd Edition. Some of her “rules’”for online dating include the following: Provide only a cell phone number. When you are connecting online, it’s best to keep in mind that any person who finds you on the web is a stranger. So don’t give out your home phone number, which someone could use to track your address. Giving out only your cell phone number also offers the protection of caller ID, an off switch and mobility. It allows you to be anywhere without anyone knowing where you are. In the worst-case scenario, you can always get rid of the phone if you need to.

Date within a 25-mile radius. Browne warns that long-distance relationships are initially thrilling but soon become poisonous because they’re often more fantasy than reality. Have people met other people on trips? Yes, but leave that happenstance. When you’re investing in the specific intent to find somebody, be reasonable and sensible and play the odds. “Find somebody who is in your zip code if possible, your area code preferably and your time zone certainly, so that you can actually get to know each other without the constraints that a long-distance relationship places on things,” she suggests. “Dealing with someone who is GU (geographically undesirable) is an avoidable hassle.”

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 9

Take a Walk! It Does Your Body Good BY EVELYN MACKEY

increase the distance or the time you spend walking.

For your loved ones, there’s no place like home. Humana, one of the most trusted names in health insurance and care management, introduces a new way to help you or a loved one live comfortably at home for years to come. You don’t have to be a Humana member to participate. We can provide skilled assistance with: • Nutrition management • Home safety modifications • Emergency preparedness and planning • Medication assessment and management • Caring companionship and much more!

here’s a stress related to inactivity. In the book Defying Age, author Dr. Miriam Stoppard puts it bluntly: “A decrease in physical activity is directly related to aging. The older you get, the less active you feel like being, and it’s mainly because you start to decline in vigor.” Vigor—an interesting word. As vigor decreases, inactivity leads to mental stress which can cause depression and eventually withdrawing from the world. Stoppard refers to this as the “inactivity-stress syndrome” which drains energy and motivation. If for no other reason than the insidious result of being capable of participating in life, it’s imperative to keep moving. Our insurance policy, according to Stoppard, is exercise which promotes “an agile, healthy body that will respond quickly and safely in most situations.” Exercise, she continues, undoubtedly keeps us young.

• Work at your walking until you’re able to walk about 3 miles without stopping in 45-55 minutes. • Walk a minimum of three times a week. To maximize your walk: So, let’s say you decide to take up walking. Here are some beginner tips: You won’t progress in days but in weeks. At the end of four weeks you’ll notice changes in your body and well-being. • Start with a half an hour at a pace slightly above a stroll.

• Walk at a pace that allows you to have a conversation while you’re moderately out of breath. • Don’t try to increase the speed at which you walk, but do try to

• Add a weight belt or weighted wrist bands. • Lengthen your stride.

• Think about your posture and correct it (don’t lean from your waist or you’ll put undue stress on your back). • Keep your arms swinging.

• Stop halfway in your walk and do some stretching exercises.

Stoppard would have her readers remember that leading a sedentary lifestyle is “a killer.” Start moving. Take a walk—starting today!

Present this flyer at our booth For a limited time, meet with a Humana Care Manager for a complimentary pre-assessment and get $50 off a follow-up In-Home Assessment. Please visit our booth for more information or: • Call 1-800-579-5116 • Email Homecaresolutions@humana.com • Visit Humana.com/HomeCareSolutions

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 10

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.

The Florida Orchestra: Highlights of the Season

he Florida Orchestra has planned a spectacular musical offering for the 2011/2012 season all with new lower ticket prices of $15, $30 and $45 to make concerts available to more people throughout the Tampa Bay area. On the St. Petersburg Times Masterworks series, Music Director Stefan Sanderling has selected Orff’s choral extravaganza Carmina Burana to open the season, which is filled with such favorites as Beethoven’s soaring Violin Concerto, Mozart’s charming Piano Concerto No. 21, Rachmaninoff’s explosive Piano Concerto No. 2, Vivaldi’s sparkling Four Seasons and Beethoven’s noble Eroica Symphony. The dazzling Cirque de la Symphonie troupe opens the series in October followed by a salute to The One and Only Frank Sinatra in November. December offers Christmas at the Pops and January welcomes the New Year with a concert of Music for Lovers.

The orchestra has two morning Coffee Concert series under the baton of Tony Award winner Stuart Malina conducting favorites by Gershwin, Beethoven, Bernstein, Tchaikovsky, Strauss and others: with a 7-concert series in St. Petersburg and a 3-concert series in Clearwater. The orchestra is also introducing a new 3-concert Morning Masterworks series in St. Petersburg on Fridays. With concerts from October through May, the orchestra regularly performs at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. With new lower ticket prices for next season, the orchestra offers nine concert packages to choose from, or subscribers can even select their preferred concerts with a Compose Your Own series. For a free season brochure or to order a series package, visit floridaorchestra.com.

Tampa’s Got Talent Competition Auditions A

ll ages, all skill levels are invited to compete for scholarships at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in the Tampa’s Got Talent competition on Sunday, July 10. Top competitors receive full scholarships for fall classes at the Patel Conservatory.

There is no fee to compete. Contestants will be asked to perform a prepared two-minute performance piece before a panel of judges in one or more of the following categories: voice, dance, theater and musical instrument. For information or to register, call (813) 222-6453.

Seniors On The Road Tours B

oard your spacious video and restroom-equipped motorcoach and head toward beautiful Savannah, Georgia for a four-night stay!

Sept. 5 – 9, 2011 tour includes: • Motorcoach transportation. • 4 nights lodging. • 8 meals: 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners. • Tour of gorgeous Beaufort, SC, “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands,” plus a visit to Penn Center.

• Tour of amazing Jekyll and St. Simons Island—see how America’s early millionaires lived and played! • Tour of charming Savannah, including a visit to a famous historic home. • Your group leader has arranged lunch at Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons Restauraunt. • And much more! For more information, contact Marilyn Martin at (813) 654-9562.

Dizziness or Balance Issues?

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Answer YES to any of these questions? The good news?

You may be at an increased risk of falling. Balance can be improved with proper diagnosis, specialized therapy and exercise programs. The American Institute of Balance has successfully treated more patients for positional vertigo than any other clinic in America.

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A ffiliate Net work Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 11

Finally, a cell phone that’s… a phone!

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 12

How to Live Forever ✱Results May Vary

was Jack LaLane, the fitness and health guru, who told Wexler to walk while “punching the ceiling” and f you could take a pill and live gave him carrot juice to drink. In 500 more years, would you do it? England there was irascible Buster Award-winning photojournalist Mark Martin, who at 101 was still washing Wexler answers the question the way vans at his plumbing company and many of us would: “It depends on training for the next marathon. He what day you ask me the question.” smoked and drank beer every day. In producing and directing his Both men died after their interviews new documentary “How To Live with Wexler, proving that—at Forever,” Wexler found that when he least so far and regardless of our asked people that question, answers lifestyle—we can’t live forever. divided almost exactly down the Wexler tours a “Ageless Diva” Suzanne Somers middle. About fifty percent said cryogenics lab. proclaims the benefits of bioidentical they wouldn’t take it for sure and hormone replacement to rebuild the other half said they would. that will be treatable by future from the inside after age 60. Thanks to medicine. He learned, however, that When the documentary opens her routine of 60 pills a day plus exin Tampa in June, viewers will right now the science is not there ercise, Somers claims to have beaten discover Wexler on a worldwide to restore the body so it could even what she calls “the Seven Dwarfs of trek to investigate what it means to receive new medical treatments. Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sleepy, grow old and what it could mean to Wexler found a neurobic circuit trainSweaty, Bloated, ing facility which uses computer games live forever. Where would Forgetful and a person find answers? to train the brain to stay cognitively fit All Dried Up.” And what difference could for life. Madan Kataria had a laughter Biogerontolothe answers make? yoga group, believing that laughter gist Dr. Aubrey His search began when he extends life. Even Phyllis Diller talked deGrey, told turned 50 and his mother to him about laughter and health. Wexler that aging died of Alzheimer’s about A writer and philosopher named is a repair and the time he received his Pico Iyer came alongside Wexler to maintenance AARP card—a double ground his thinking: “Everybody’s problem, like any jumping on the bandwagon of extended harbinger of a new stage other compliof life. He says, “For baby life without looking at the shadowy cated machine. Boomers like myself, I side, the results of long life.” Although the wanted to see what the new Does long life mean a fulfilled life? aging process chapter would look like.” Left: Mark Wexler There was Robert Young who meets fitness guru will not be travels the world tracking down the eliminated, he Jack LaLane; Above: oldest people for Guinness Book of said, rejuvenaBuster Martin, 101. World Records. He said he’s found tion therapies that the oldest people are realistic to restore the body will be and “make the most of their lives.” available within 10 years. Okinawa is a hot spot for long life Nutrition? Wexler tries a “calorie where Shinei Miyagi, 94, explained restriction” diet meal as well as that longevity means you are a world class hot dog and fries at healthy and active until the day of the beach with a Los Angeles food death, then you die peacefully and critic. Would either way matter? quickly whereas long life means Health and Fitness long years whether healthy or not. Life extensions His search took him around the In America, Wexler found Tyrus Wexler asked: Can we extend world. Willard Scott says the Wong, 98, who spends his days flying life? Should we extend life? 100,000+ centenarians, many of elaborate kites on the beach. “I have a Could Cryonics be the answer, whom he introduces on TV, “have sense of humor, I don’t hold grudges Wexler wondered as he visited ALthat makeup in them where they are COR in Scottsdale, Arizona. Cryonics and I take the good with the bad.” resiliant—they don’t look back.” A 95-year-old heart surgeon said is the speculative technology seeking Among Wexler’s interviews were he still does surgeries because his to preserve human life in a state two polar opposites healthwise. First

BY JANICE DOYLE

body still responds to the challenge. And a quirky 94-year-old Japanese man told Wexler about his life creating “senior porn.” On the spiritual side, Loma Linda, California, is also a hot spot for long life. It’s home to many Seventh-day Adventists who believe the body is the temple of God. Adventists live out their teachings by not eating meat and keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest.

Tyrus Wong, 98.

What does it all mean? Pico Iyer concluded: “Craving a long life is not narcissistic but short-sighted, like a child who wants to stay up past his bedtime. He’s whining and miserable . . . It’s a matter of accepting limitations.” Death, he said, makes sense of what has come before. Not to think of it that way distorts everything. Wexler told me he started the ﬁlm wanting to learn how to have a longer life. What he realized is that “results may vary” from person to person as the add-on to the title states. He learned that it’s more what’s going on in your brain, what you picture aging to be and how you manifest that in your life. He said, “I realized it’s not about length of life but about living in the moment. What you’re eating may be important, but not as important.” So, what does the new chapter look like for boomers? Wexler said, “We may not live forever but at least we can live well.” How To Live Forever opens in late June. Details at howtoliveforever.com.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 13

Drink Green Tea to Prevent Disease

Savannah Court

BY DR. NORMAN

y research suggests that drinking green tea can bring a 75 percent reduction in the risk of basal-cell carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma. How does green tea get its sunblock qualities? The answer lies in the powerful antioxidants, namely epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that acts as a sort of self-destruct button for wouldbe skin-cancer cells, causing them to die off before they can turn malignant.

Savannah Court is an elegant yet comfortable assisted living community offering 24-hour access to a trained and friendly staff. The private or semi-private spacious suites offer sun-filled windows, kitchenettes and full private baths.

PLEASE JOIN US for one or ALL of our FREE upcoming events:

A signature property of

Flag Day Tuesday, June 14 at 10a.m. Father’s Day Lunch Friday, June 17 at 12p.m.

Antique Car Show with DJ Friday, June 17 from 1p.m. - 3p.m.

Dr. Rob Norman is a board-certified dermatologist. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-488-7336.

BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

Savannah Court of Brandon 824 N. Parsons Avenue • Brandon, FL 33510

(813) 643-6767 ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE

Health Tip Green tea is reportedly the most powerful antioxidant known to man. Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world (water is the first) and has been used medicinally for centuries in China and Japan. A number of beneficial health effects are attributed to regular consumption of green tea and dried/powdered extracts of green tea. Green tea comes from the leaves of the white-flowered tea plant, Camellia sinensis, a bush native to Asia. These tea leaves are

less processed than black tea and contain rich sources of antioxidants which protect the body’s cells from damage and fight diseases. The antioxidants, which are the beneficial particles in green tea, have been linked to cancer prevention, decreased risk of stroke and heart diseases, and lowered blood cholesterol. Catechin, a tannin derivative found in tea, is the main component that provides benefits in green tea and is present in higher amounts than in grape juice and red wine, which are also believed to reduce the rate of heart disease. Bottom Line You should drink six to eight full glasses of water a day. Green tea can be substituted for two of the glasses or can be drank in addition. Green tea is great for cancer prevention (including skin cancer), decreased risk of stroke, heart diseases and lowered blood cholesterol .

www.SavannahCourtBrandon.com Assisted Living Facility License #9353

n Diagnosis & Treatment of Skin Cancer n Treatment for Spider Veins n Treatment for Rosacea n Treatment for Acne and Scarring n Glytone Peels & Facial Products n Botox and Restylane n Special line of Glycolic Products for the following: n Heel & Elbow Treatments n Fine Lines n Dry Skin

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 14

Se Habla Español

Healthcare Physicians Hero Award 2008 Psoriasis Treatment

Tampa

813.880.7546

8002 Gunn Hwy.

800.488.7336

6322 U.S. Hwy. 301

www.drrobertnorman.com

Happy Father’s Day! June 19

Dr. Robert A. Norman

ACCEPTING MEDICARE & MEDICAID. Other Insurances accepted: Unitedhealthcare, Cigna, BC/BS, Humana, Tricare, Citruscare, Aetna, Cigna, Medipass, HCH, Pinellas Care and Amerigroup.

Riverview Zephyrhills 38034 Medical Ctr. Ave.

Sumterville 1425 South U.S. 301

Is Your “Power of Attorney” Now Powerless? New Florida Law Set to Overhaul Power of Attorney Statute

BY EMMA HEMNESS, Attorney Board Certified Specialist in Florida Elder Law

ffective on October 1, 2011, we have a new law changing how the legal document known as “power of attorney” must be validly created, signed, drafted, initialed, and accepted or rejected by third parties. Seniors, as well as businesses serving senior consumers, need to know how significant the new rules will be. A power of attorney is a legal document that grants authority to an “agent” to act in the place of the “principal.” For example, a parent (the principal) gives a power of attorney to a child (the agent) in the event the parent becomes unable to handle his or her financial and personal affairs in the future.

This document is one of the most important legal papers you should have. In most cases it avoids the necessity of court-ordered guardianship if the principal becomes mentally or physically incapacitated. Even married couples should have reciprocal powers of attorney appointing each other to act if one spouse becomes diminished mentally from an illness, such as Alzheimers. For the elder law attorney assisting sick or frail seniors to obtain vital government assistance benefits, a comprehensive power of attorney is crucial to getting long term care expenses paid. There are going to be many unpleasant surprises after the new law goes into effect. Even though powers of attorney signed before October 1 are grandfathered in, the new law may require you to get a legal opinion from an attorney saying

the document is still valid. Banks are specifically authorized to ask for these opinions at your expense. For snowbirds, or for seniors who still have documents from another state, this means you’ll need to get this legal opinion from an attorney in the state where your power of attorney was created. Another significant provision in the law restricts those agents who may be compensated, excluding such professionals as guardians and geriatric care managers from being paid. If you would like to know more about all the changes in the new power of attorney law, join me for a FREE educational workshop on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the Bridges Retirement Community, 11202 Dewhurst Drive, Riverview, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. An RSVP to (813) 661-5297 is required to attend.

Medicare Answers D

ear Marci, I just joined a drug plan that does not cover one of the drugs I’m taking, but I heard I’m supposed to get one prescription refill for that drug. Is that true? —Yan

Dear Yan, Yes. Every drug plan must have a transition policy to ensure that new members have uninterrupted access to drugs they were already taking before they joined. Your plan’s transition policy must cover at least one 30-day supply of drugs not on the formulary (list of covered drugs) and override plan restrictions (such as prior authorization, quantity limits or step therapy) within the first 90 days you are enrolled in the plan. The pharmacist may need to ask the plan for its override code in order to bill correctly. If you are enrolled in a plan and your plan intends to remove your drug from its formulary for the next

calendar year or add new prior authorization or step therapy requirements, it must either help you change to a therapeutic equivalent, complete an exception request before January 1, or provide a 30-day fill of the medication (and waive step therapy requirements if applicable) and transition notice for the first 90 days of the new plan year. Transition fills are temporary. Take action immediately and have your doctor change your prescription to a covered drug or ask your plan for an exception. This way you will ensure that you continue getting the medications you need after your transition period has ended. Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org). To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org.

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 15

Hillsborough Hearing Aid is now Hillsborough Audiology and Hearing Aid Center! Congratulations on 37 years of outstanding service and commitment in Hearing Care! After many years of serving the residents of Hillsborough, Mr. Paul Amato has announced his retirement and transition of ownership of his practice - Hillsborough Hearing Aid to Dr. Kamal Elliot, Au.D. Paul Amato

A special thank you to Mr. Amato and his staff for their years of dedication and commitment to providing the highest level of hearing care services to their patients and the community!

Now accepting new & existing patients!

illsborough audiology &

earing Aid Center Better Hearing...Better Life! Doctors of Audiology

Kamal Elliot, Au.D. New

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Kristen Weinbaum, Au.D.

As of June 1st, 2011 Hillsborough Hearing Aid will be Hillsborough Audiology and Hearing Aid Center. Dr. Elliot and Dr. Kristen Weinbaum will continue to provide high quality products and solutions in a warm caring environment. They will be offering comprehensive hearing services 5 days a week, Monday through Friday 9am- 5pm.

Kamal Elliot, Au.D.

Kristen Weinbaum, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Elliot is a licensed Audiologist who earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida and has been practicing since 1994. Dr. Elliot has over 17 years of experience and she brings a wealth of knowledge in audiology and hearing aid services. She is dedicated and committed to continuing to provide quality hearing care to you and your community.

Dr. Kristen Weinbaum is a licensed Audiologist who earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of South Florida. Dr. Weinbaum originally pursued a career in Audiology because she herself lives with hearing loss, and she has always wanted to help improve the lives of others who have hearing loss.

“We would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your hearing care provider. We are dedicated to helping our community achieve a better quality of life through better hearing. You can trust in knowing you will continue to receive the highest quality care, personalized service and valuable products and solutions to help you achieve better hearing for your life.”

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Whose Body Is This? BY ANN G. THOMAS

omeone stole my body. It must have happened when I wasn’t paying attention, because not only is my body missing, but it was replaced by another of inferior quality. This is a difficult adjustment since the replacement body is old, and from day to day I have no idea what to expect. Does an ache or pain signal a problem or is that simply how an old body feels?

Humor For example, vision became a problem when the phone company reduced the print size in phonebooks. I called to complain. The customer service person actually denied they had done such a thing. I tried arguing, but finally gave up and bought a pair of glasses, thinking this would resolve my vision problems. However, that same night I noticed a ring around the moon, the type of ring I always heard referred to as a fairy ring. Some nights later I was out with my daughter and noticed that each streetlight had a similar ring. I decided to not say anything, waiting to see what would happen. What happened, of course, was that the phenomena that began as fairy rings transformed into cataracts. I hadn’t seen a fairy-ring article in any magazines. Maybe AARP should look into it. Soon after, a pain developed in my foot. “It’s a gland,” my podiatrist

said. “You’ve lost fat on the ball of your foot, removing normal protection around the gland.” Now really! I’ve spent almost my entire life in the battle against fat, but of all the places I’ve tried shedding pounds, my feet have never even made the list. What really made me mad was when I discovered my weight had not decreased a bit as a result of losing this fat. Clearly it wasn’t lost. It simply relocated. Speaking of relocation, hair is a leader here. While hair on one’s head appears to thin, it is actually traveling to other places on the face and body. It’s not uncommon to wake up and find a six-inch long hair has grown from the middle of one’s neck during the night. If left alone, I have no idea how rapidly this neck hair would continue to grow, but I suspect elders who are found dead in their beds did not die of natural causes at all, but were strangled by mutant hairs. Skin is another issue. It’s useful, keeping one from oozing around, amoeba-like, but now, it too is a problem. My dermatologist views each new spot of mine through her magnifying glass, pronouncing in a disapproving voice that, while this is, so far, cancer free, it’s from the sun. “You don’t want any more sun,” she tells me. Well, there doesn’t seem to be any way to return the excess. I’d like some guidelines about how an old body is supposed to feel. Pediatricians say there is an age when teeth arrive. Is there an age when teeth leave? If it is normal for bladder control to develop at a certain age, is it normal for one to lose it at another age? I didn’t expect any of this. “How could it be unexpected?” a granddaughter asks. “There are old people all around. It’s not like you people have never seen anyone over forty before.” She’s right, although I do get a bit out of sorts when she says, “you people” as if we’re aliens. Did I mention sleep problems? Dr. Thomas can be reached at dr-annthomas.com.

Hawthorne Village of Brandon

“One Step Closer to Home”

Hawthorne Health and Rehabilitation Center • Assisted Living • Independent Living AL Lic. #9949

Hawthorne Health and Rehabilitation Center, Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living, and Hawthorne Independent Living are the premier facilities in the area. A variety of services are available for all your needs. We provide care in a comfortable and refreshing environment that is surrounded by beauty and nature. Come take a tour and see the difference for yourself.

Our Customers enjoy: • Qualified nursing services • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy • Regular physician on site visits • Laundry and chef prepared meal service • Licensed massage therapy • Outpatient,Vital Stem and ETPS therapy

851 W. Lumsden Road • Brandon, FL 33511

813.661.8998

www.hawthornevillageofbrandon.com

Honor Flight Guardians Needed H onor Flight of West Central Florida needs volunteers to serve as guardians to World War II veterans flying to Washington on Tuesday, June 28. The veterans fly for free, but the cost to be a guardian on this one-day trip is $400. The guardians serve as escorts assisting the senior veterans with their

canes, walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen, taking necessary medications, food, etc. Applicants should go online to www. honorflightwcf.org, complete the guardian application and mail it to P.O. Box 55661, St. Petersburg, FL 33732. Those selected will be contacted by Honor Flight West Central Florida.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 17

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BY DIANE ALVY, Art Therapist

: My husband has lost all ability to communicate. Are there any activities I can do to communicate with him?

A: Yes, I recommend engaging in activities that involve eye contact. Eye to eye contact is the most direct way to communicate to your husband that he is not alone and he is cared for. The eye “gaze” goes back to the way infants attach to their main caregivers, and the same is true about the way adults attach to each other. When I work in a group, I often use a beach ball and roll it to three or four adults sitting at a table. All the adults give and receive eye contact with each

other and engage in physical activity that requires coordination. I also will give the person a stuffed animal or doll that has very wide eyes and a pleasant smile to hold. Unless the adult objects, the eye to eye contact has a calming effect. As a caregiver, when you get tired, a doll or stuffed animal can serve as a substitute. Q: Do you ever use art to educate people about their dementia? A: Yes. Adults that are highly cognitive and recently diagnosed are very interested in knowing about what vascular changes are going on. I usually draw a picture of the brain on a large piece of paper and the changes taking place. Information courtesy of Caregiver.com.

Neuropathy & Other Foot Problems? Yes, You Can Feel Great About Your Feet Again! We Have Your Treatment Plan

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 18

“Boneing” Up on Vitamin D A

s children, we were told that we needed to drink our milk. Dairy products like milk are good sources of nutrients essential to bone health. Making us drink our milk was mom’s way of helping us build strong bones so we would be healthier and stronger as we grew. However, milk is not the only option when it comes to building a strong frame. And, as we age, our bones weaken and begin to thin, so maintaining bone density through nutrient-rich food can be one of your best lines of defense. “Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D are important at every stage in life,” says Steven Nadler, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at The Center for Bone and Joint Disease in Hudson, Fla. “Calcium supports your bones, while vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium and improves bone growth. When we’re younger, these nutrients help our bones build mass and save up for the future. But even as we age and our bones stop building, calcium and vitamin D slow the progression of bone loss.” Got Dairy? While milk is definitely the superstar of dairy products, it is not the only dairy option beneficial to bone health. One cup of yogurt, for example, can contain as much calcium as an 8-ounce glass of milk and is packed with vitamin D. Light or fat-free versions offer the same bone benefits but without the extra fat. One and a half ounces of cheese can have over 30 percent of your recommended daily value of calcium. But it’s often high in fat, so watch how much you consume.

For those who are lactose intolerant or follow a Vegan diet, calciumfortified soy milk products are a good alternative to dairy. Many brands provide the same levels of calcium, as well as a boost in protein that is also important to bone health. Certain fish like salmon and tuna also offer a host of bone-healthy nutrients. You can get more than 100 percent of your daily recommended vitamin D from a 3-ounce piece of salmon, and about 40 percent of your daily dose from 3 ounces of canned tuna. A 3-ounce can of sardines offers up to 35 percent of your daily value. Try sautéing them in olive oil and adding them to a salad for a lighter flavor. Collard and turnip greens contain about 25 percent of daily calcium needed in one cooked cup. Spinach is also another veggie high in calcium. How Much Do I Need? “A person’s age determines how much calcium he or she should consume on a daily basis,” says Nadler. “As we age, we need more of this nutrient to support bone health and fight against bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.” Due to bone loss as we age, the recommended amount for people over age 50 is about 1200 milligrams of calcium and 500 international units of vitamin D every day. So it may be time to consider returning to some of those dietary habits learned in childhood. Even in adulthood, drinking your milk and eating your veggies will keep you big and strong.

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Shingles gone but the pain still lingers? Meridien Research is conducting a research study for those with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) (pain which occurs after shingles) to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational form of pregabalin vs. a placebo (an inactive substance). Qualified participants will need to attend 12 visits over 21-weeks and will receive at no cost study-related: • Evaluations • Physical exams • Medication (drug or placebo) • Routine lab work Compensation for time and travel may be available. No medical insurance is necessary.

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Senior Games Return To Kissimmee!

his summer, competitions promoting healthy lifestyles for men and women ages 50 and older will be held in the Kissimmee/St. Cloud, September 10 – 17. This will mark the 17th time Osceola County will host the Senior Games competition. Winners will move on to compete at the Florida State Senior Games Championship held in December in Polk County, and may then qualify to advance to the National competition.

Activities include favorites such as archery, billiards, swimming, basketball shooting, bowling, horseshoes, track and field, shuffleboard, golf, cycling, race walking, 5k run, pickle ball, table tennis, tennis, mah jongg, cribbage, bridge and Texas Hold’em. One of the new offerings is corn hole! For more info, or to request a registration booklet, please contact the City of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Athletics division at (407) 518-2504.

Insurance Discounts for Mature Drivers Have a Florida’s Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older? Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicle Approved Course Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 20

Veterans Corner

D-Day Memorial: Remembering Valor, Fidelity and Sacrifice PHOTOS AND STORY BY DAVID LALMOND

have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in tactic. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. —General Dwight D. Eisenhower D-Day was the climactic engagement of WWII in Europe. Operation Overlord’s epic scope remains unprecedented. On June 6, 1944, an Allied Expeditionary Force representing 12 nations launched more than 5,000 boats and ships, 11,000 aircraft, 28,000 aerial sorties and landed 150,000 ground troops. The D-Day Memorial is located in Bedford, Virginia (between Roanoke and Lynchburg). Bedford, with a population of about 3,200 in 1944, was chosen because the town suffered the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation—nineteen Bedford citizen soldiers died that day. Plaques at the memorial list the names of every one of the 4,413 Allied soldiers who died in the invasion. Eisenhower Statue

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, was charged with planning and carrying out the assault on the coast of Normandy. Smaller busts show Allied leaders including Montgomery, Patton and others. Two Men On Beach Wading Ashore

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Built on three levels, the first plaza is Reynold’s Garden, which symbolizes the planning and preparation activi-

ties for the invasion. The second level is Gray Plaza, which reflects the landing and fighting stages of the invasion in the English Channel. There, sculptures of soldiers are shown struggling ashore from a Higgins Landing Craft. Fountains spurt water and sporadic popping sounds represent shots fired, capturing the sounds and sights of gunfire. Over The Top

The faces of soldiers climbing over the cliffs to victory or death give a glimpse into the emotions that day— teamwork, agony and even death. One soldier reaches down to help a buddy who has already been shot. Another soldier victoriously tops the wall, gun in hand, to continue the fight which would bring an end to the Nazi regime months later. Overlord Arch Estes Plaza centers on the victory with the Overlord Arch. It bears the invasion date of June 6, 1944 in its height at 44 feet and 6 inches tall. For more information, see dday. org or call (888) 351-DDAY (3329).

The Six Rules for Disagreeing Agreeably C

onfrontation is harder for some people than it is for others. Here, from the Dale Carnegie Coaches Corner are six rules to help us disagree in the most agreeable fashion for everyone involved. Communicating without respect or sensitivity and becoming defensive or angry can prevent others from hearing the message we are trying to convey. Communicating with diplomacy and tact combines strength and sensitivity and keeps negative emotions at bay.

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4. Connect or “cushion” a different opinion, starting with “I hear what you’re saying” or “I appreciate your view.”

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The Six Rules for Disagreeing Agreeably

1. Give others the benefit of the doubt. 2. Listen to learn and truly understand why this person holds this belief. 3. Take responsibility for our own feelings. Make a commitment to respond using “I” statements only. When we begin with “you” we come off as blaming.

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 21

Don’t Let Knee Pain Sideline Your Game

BY DR. JOSEPH MARKENSON

olf enthusiasts watching The Players Championship at Sawgrass undoubtedly feel the urge to play a few rounds. However, whether you’re a professional or amateur player, you may find yourself sidelined due to knee pain, the second most common injury in the sport. We’ve witnessed the result in recent years as some of the world’s best golfers have sustained knee injuries that have kept them out of competition for extended periods of time. To potentially avoid this, you should be aware of how to maintain healthy knees so you can continue to play the game as you choose.

Health But how do you know if knee pain is caused by overworked joints or something more chronic such as knee osteoarthritis (OA)?

Knee joint pain can be related to overuse—characterized by pain around the front or sides of the knee joint. Ultimately, you have a one in two lifetime risk of developing knee OA symptoms. The excess wear and tear that golf places on the knee joints may result in OA of the knee, a condition in which our knees’ natural lubricant starts to break down. Over time, as joint fluid continues to break down, cartilage wears away and bones may even start to rub against each other, causing increased pain and swelling.

OA of the knee can limit movement and restrict you from doing what you enjoy most, like golf. While there isn’t one standard treatment for knee OA, I tend to tell my patients to maintain an active lifestyle and stay within their ideal weight range. (Losing even 10 pounds can help ease the pressure on knee joints.) Exercise is an important tool in treating OA; participating in aerobic exercise and strength/flexibility training can improve your health and may help minimize your OA symptoms. You should always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. If you are not getting enough pain relief from exercise or over-the-counter treatments, there is more you can do to help manage your knee pain and restore movement. Various treatments exist, including oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Guidelines from a range of respected medical organizations suggest that

topical NSAIDs offer potentially significant gastrointestinal safety benefits for certain patients. Regardless of age, skill level or gender, everyone who loves golf— especially in Florida, where you can enjoy it year-round—is eager to return to the sport. Knee function has always played an integral role in the game of golf. The fundamental concept of a golf swing is the transfer of weight from your back foot to the front, supported mainly by the knees. If you think you’re suffering from knee OA, take heart: the condition can make certain physical activity painful, but it won’t necessarily keep you off the golf course. A treatment plan that includes exercise can help ease the pain, restore knee function, and help you live a full and active life. Dr. Joseph Markenson is an attending physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 22

. At age 60 I was treated for colon cancer. Since then I’ve had regular colonoscopies with no further sign of colon cancer. I’m now 84 and healthy. Does it make sense to get another colonoscopy?

A. It’s a good question. Discontinuing surveillance colonoscopies in people with a history of colon cancer has never, to the best of my knowledge, been systematically addressed. What would be important to know in making any recommendation would be the precise results of the intervening exams. Since you had cancer, you’ve probably had five to six colonoscopies. The value of such colonoscopies is the detection and removal of polyps that might eventually lead to cancer. Does “no further sign of colon cancer” mean no polyps in any of those tests? If it does, then I’d probably advise you as I would an octogenarian who hadn’t had colon cancer. Several years ago, researchers from a hospital in Seattle reported data on

about 1,200 asymptomatic people who had colonoscopies at their facility. With increasing age, the probability of finding a precancerous polyp went up, and that was especially true for the most worrisome kinds—polyps that are large or have a feathery (“villous”) appearance. But the researchers also found that the benefit of the colonoscopies, as measured by the extension of life expectancy, got smaller in older age groups. For people ages 50 to 54, screening colonoscopy added, on average, about 10 months of life. For people ages 75 to 79, the screening added two months, and for those 80 and older, the gain was about a month and a half. If your past colonoscopies showed the presence of polyps and you are otherwise healthy, I would continue with periodic colonoscopies. Otherwise, unless you have a strong preference for continuing, a case could be made for stopping. — Robert J. Mayer, M.D. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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Home Health Mates...Question & Answer Take The Guesswork Out of Finding the Best Home Health Care

BY BRUCE MUENTER

received many inquiries over the past month on how to select home health care and the questions that need to be asked to make an informed decision. Joe from Sun City asked; “I am bombarded with information, but all any agency seems concerned about is selling me services. In many cases, I am not sure what to ask.” Joe, believe it or not that continues to be the question that the majority of readers need answered. In an attempt to trim the information down, here are the top five questions any prospective client should be asking:

1. Is your agency licensed and accredited? Licensing and accreditation are the nucleus of any home health agency. Without licensing, they would cease to operate. Ask if they have had any violations, and what were the reasons. You should also go to the AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) for Florida. Here, you can look up past performance issues and see if they have been corrected. Accreditation is a little trickier as this has historically been an optional quality approval in Florida; but in 2010 it became mandatory for all new agencies. Regardless of whether the agency had to or not is irrelevant. Any agency concerned about quality will be accredited by one of three agencies: CHAP (The Community Health Accreditation

I would encourage you to e-mail me at bmuenter@homehealthmates.com or send your questions to: News Connection, USA, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33584, Attn. Editor – Home Health Mates. I will answer all questions you may have, including the ones that we do not feature in Senior Connection magazine.

Program), ACHC (The Accreditation Commission for Health Care) and JCAHO (Joint Commission). If they said this is not really important, then they just told you enough about their concern for quality. 2. Is your plan of care supervised by a Director of Nursing? Your plan of care should be assessed in the beginning and evaluated monthly by a RN with no extra charge. If they charge you for this service, then you have not done your shopping. 3. Do you have hourly minimums? You should not pay for service that is not needed. If the agency tells you that a minimum amount of hours is needed for their services, then you have not shopped around for the right agency. Don’t buy more than you need. 4. How do you hire employees, and are they your employees?

What is their process for hiring (experience of minimum one year in home health care). Licensed? Bonded? Insured? Ask to see the certificate of insurance. Do they work directly for the agency or are they contract employees? Private caregivers also increase your liability…in other words, if they fall in your house while working, then you’re personally liable. 5. What separates you from other agencies? What is their customer satisfaction rating? Do they even know? What percent of their customers end up in the hospital or rehab with the agency’s care? Does the agency let you meet the caregiver free of charge prior to the initial visit? Do you have a choice? These five steps will allow you to make an informed decision. As always, feel free to call me at 813-884-5040 if you have any questions, or visit my website at: www.homehealthmates.com/ tampa.php. Have a great month! Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 23

Two Heads Are Not Always Better Than One BY WILLIAM R. MUMBAUER, Attorney

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• Free, no obligation consultation. • Single will $150 • Husband and wife wills $200 Costs, if any, extra The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about his qualifications and experience.

reader asks: My sister and I are named as co-personal representatives in our late mother’s will. We are also the beneficiaries under her will. My mother owned commercial real estate in Brandon. My mother’s estate has been in probate for about a year. My sister wants to sell the property, but I think it’s best for us to take title to the property jointly and hold on to it as an investment. I am very unhappy with my sister. Who gets to decide?

The Law And You Response: Your predicament demonstrates why I always recommend to those contemplating making their wills against naming co-personal representatives. The best-case scenario results in unnecessarily inconveniencing two (or more) people, instead of only one, and almost always resulting in delays.

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In the worst-case scenario, like yours, naming co-personal representatives results in the probate process coming to a standstill and causing great dissention in the family when disagreements arise. The short answer is simply for you to refuse to sign the personal representative’s deed. Since both you and your sister’s signature would be required to transfer the property, you can prevent the sale by refusing to cooperate with your sister. However, refusing to sign the deed will only temporarily solve your problem—the probate judge will eventually insist that a decision be made and if you and your sister cannot agree, the probate judge will remove one (or possibly both) of you as personal representatives. And whoever remains as personal representative, or the new personal representative, will be required to be represented by a new attorney (meaning additional attorneys fees) since the attorney presently representing you and your sister would at this point have a classic conflict of interest.

Mr. Mumbauer, a fifth generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. He takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and is a participating attorney in the AARP Legal Services Network. He is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.

Check Us Out Online! Senior Connection is now on

and

“Follow” us or “Friend” us to keep up with Mature Lifestyles news, the latest information and fun events in your area. Get your “Smile for the Day!” or share your comments with us! Find our Facebook page at www.facebook.com under “Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles.” Or visit us on Twitter at www. twitter.com/MaturLifestyles (without the “e”).

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 24

Since you already aren’t getting along that well with your sister, do you really think the situation will improve if you and your sister own the property together as an investment? My advice—sell the property.

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9 Retirement Truths that Ensure Bliss vs. Bust doing more interesting things and ultimately enjoying yourself more.

BY CINDY PHILLIPS

ging is a fact, but how you experience it is your choice. Julia Valentine, author of Joy Compass: How to Make Your Retirement the Treasure of Your Life, offers 9 Retirement Truths that will help ensure retirement is the treasure of your life: Truth #1: Aging brings wisdom, not decline. It has been said that what you think about, you bring about. Telling yourself you are going to flourish in retirement can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. At the very least, you might take slightly better care of yourself and, in turn, find your way into the virtuous circle of feeling better emotionally and physically,

Truth #2: Age is just a number. Chronological age is the number. of candles on your birthday cake, while psychological age is your perception of how vital and vibrant you feel. Since the latter is a subjectively experienced age, you have a great deal of latitude in constructing beliefs that will either help you or limit your ability to flourish after 50. Construct wisely.

Truth #3: Creativity helps design your lifestyle. Discovering and exploring your everyday creativity is going to make a difference between boredom and the pure joy of being alive. Everyday creativity is invoked when the object of your creative efforts is your own life. It fosters flexibility and resourcefulness, helping you choose new pursuits, evolve with the changing times and design a satisfying lifestyle.

Social Security’s Online Services: So Easy “Even Kirk Could Do It” C

yberspace: the final frontier. These are the voyages of George Takei and Patty Duke. Their mission: to seek out baby boomers and people of all ages and tell them to “Boldly Go” to www. socialsecurity.gov. Entertainment icons George Takei and Patty Duke have teamed up to tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for retirement, disability, Medicare and so much more. The two celebrities are joining forces in a new campaign to help the Social Security Administration promote its online services as an easy and secure way for people to do business with the agency. “Social Security has a great website and the top-rated online services

in the U.S.,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “We now have a fun new way to get the word out. Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity. gov to plan for your retirement and to apply online so that you too may live long and prosper.” Social Security’s online services are a lifeline for the agency in a time of fast growing workloads as baby boomers begin retiring in record numbers and millions more need Social Security’s services due to the economic downturn. To learn more about Social Security’s online services and to view the new George Takei and Patty Duke public service announcements, Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov.

Truth #4: Fulfilling true needs is essential. Knowing what you want and, more importantly, what you need for psychological health is difficult but critical. You cannot be happy without it.

Truth #5: Know your motivation. Understanding your own intentions and desired result of any decision or activity will result in clarity, less frustration, more of what you want, and less guilt about foregoing what doesn’t meet your needs. Truth #6: Fail to plan, plan to fail. A successful, happy retirement is impossible without planning based on self-examination. Beyond financial planning, it is imperative to take time to figure out what lifestyle needs must be fulfilled to make you happy, and then find specific ways to ensure those needs can be met.

Truth #7: Evolution trumps fear. Change or evolution of life is an inevitability that should be embraced, not feared, as with change comes new learning and growth experiences - new opportunities and ways to contribute, to be significant for yourself and for the people around you. Truth #8: Joy requires harmony. A joyful life can be achieved if your life’s needs and direction are aligned with your inner resources, like attitude, abilities, talents, skills, experience and personality traits. Truth #9: Quality of life requires more than money. It is easy to mistake comfort for quality of life. An astonishing quality of life encompasses both material comfort and joy. So, identify and understand your emotional needs and actively work to meet them and the second half of your life will be even better than the first.

lot of times I find myself sending a number of attachments to people throughout the day. The old way to do this would be to: 1. Open my e-mail program 2. Start a new e-mail 3. Type in e-mail address 4. Click “Attach File” 5. Browse and find file 6. Click “Insert” 7. Write message 8. Click “Send” This is an awful lot to go through to send a document to someone, so here is a shortcut you can try. Note: This only works with Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Live Mail.

Much easier way: 1. Right click on file 2. Choose “Send to...E-mail Recipient” 3. Type in E-mail address 4. Type message 5. Hit “send”

For more information and tips, call (877) 289-1521 or e-mail Toby@ CoastalComputerHelp.Com for more tutoring and Windows tips. Many PC issues can be fixed remotely for less than $20 no matter where you live. Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 25

Lower Your Medicare Costs

Help Centers and Support Groups Featured Organizations

S est Central Florida Area Agency on Aging Volunteers and Wprofessionals work closely with seniors, their families and caregivers to identify and locate the services they need. (800) 336-2226.

HINE Provides educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers and family members. 1-800-963-5337.

on Wheels Volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals daily to homeMeals bound seniors. 550 W. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa. (813) 238-8410. illsborough County Department of Aging Services Respite serH vices, in-home care, caregiver support and more. Bart Banks, Director County Center, 25th Floor, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa. (813) 272-5430

Support Groups Living Healthy Program at Brandon Senior Center, 612 N. Mondays Parsons Ave., Brandon. 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. (813) 635-8064.  w w w. f l o r i d a s h i n e . o r g Parkinson’s Disease Exercise Classes. Gold’s Gym, 689 W. Mondays Waters Ave., North Tampa, 1 – 2 p.m. (813) 844-4547. For help applying, call 1-800-963-5337 – Fridays Free blood pressure testing at Ruskin Senior Center, Monday 905 6th St. SE, Ruskin. 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (813) 672-1106. Paying for Medicare can be costly for anyone, but it very First Tuesday Mental Health Support Group at James A. Haley VA E Hospital, Bruce B Downs, Rm 1C-104, Tampa. 6:30 – 8 p.m. (813) 273-8104. doesn’t have to be. Trained SHINE counselors at the very Third Wednesday Caregivers Support Group Meeting at The Oaks local Area Agency on Aging are available to help E at Riverview Senior Center, 101 E. Kirby St., Tampa. 1 p.m. (813) 272-6827. you see if you may qualify to save money on your: uesdays Cancer Support Group at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 • Monthly Part D Drug Plan premium T1 –Magnolia Drive (fifth floor), Tampa. Caregivers: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Patients: 2 p.m. (813) 745-8470 ext. 8407.

• Co-pay for prescriptions • Monthly Medicare Part B premium • Coinsurance for Medicare services and visits • Medicare deductibles

This publication has been created or produced by the State of Florida with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through a grant from the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express their findings and conclusions. These contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the grantee should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 26

hursdays Grief Recovery Support Group. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at United TCenter. Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd., west Sun City (813) 634-2539. First Thursday Alzheimers Support Group at USF Alzheimer’s Center, Every 4001 E. Fletcher Ave. First floor conference room. 2 p.m. (813) 974-4355. very First Saturday Diabetes Support Group at the Tampa General E Hospital Health Education Center, 740 S.Village Circle, Tampa. 2:30 p.m. (813) 844-8091. very First Saturday Comprehensive Health Screenings. Fees vary from E $5 to $25 depending on the screening. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at University Community Hospital, 3100 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa. Info: 1-877-482-4362.

The King James Bible at 400 BY JANICE DOYLE

o everything there is a season. The King James Version of the Bible turns 400 in May. “It’s barely possible to overstate the significance of this Bible,” wrote Verlyn Klinkenborg in a New York Times editorial column in January. He noted that it is the “ancestral language of faith,” and that “all who speak this wonderful language still speak in the shadow of the King James Bible.” Though considered archaic by younger generations today, for those of us who grew up with the King James Bible, nothing can replace the dignity of its language in memorized and familiar passages. Its pages are also the birthplace of well over 250 common idioms in our English language, used literally and even playfully. For example, thanks to the Bible (called that since the late 1700s), we can have a broken heart, a cross to bear, a drop in the bucket, a fly in the ointment, a labour of love or a sign of the times. Ah, the practical life lessons the Bible teaches. Did your mother not tell you that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush or that a leopard cannot change its spots? Lincoln knew his Bible well when he said of the Union: A house divided against itself cannot stand. Negative designators come easily in our inherited language: A nest of vipers, a thorn in the flesh, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You might just have feet of clay leading you to fall from grace and reap the whirlwind. At mealtime, we might remember that man does not live by bread alone. You could live off the fat of the land as your cup runneth over in a land flowing with milk and honey, or maybe just have manna from heaven. But please, no sour grapes. Family problems? Not me! Am I my brother’s keeper?

But if you find that the writing is on the wall, tell the kids to put away childish things. Describing goodness is no problem in the Bible. Some people go the extra mile and act as a good Samaritan while others know that a soft answer turneth away wrath. How do you do things? Well, sometimes by the skin of your teeth and other times by the sweat of your brow. And, according to your grandchildren, you might be as old as Methuselah or as old as the hills with your hair as white as snow. You can do many things the Bible way. You can, for example, be fruitful and multiply, beat swords into ploughshares, be born again, cast bread upon the waters or cast the first stone. Maybe you’d prefer to eat, drink and be merry or fight the good fight. And with many people in our lifetimes, we will not see eye to eye. At those times we might say with the Master, forgive them for they know not what they do. We need to beware ourselves, knowing that pride goes before a fall. So, what’s the conclusion to it all? What we want—getting to the root of the matter—is to be in the tender mercies of God, to be the apple of His eye even as we realize that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. So, it came to pass that the King James Version of the Bible cast its shadow on our language. And nothing has replaced the cadences and poetic imagery still alive and well in our books, newspapers and everyday speech.

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Ask Boyette: Flea Medication BY AMANDA MARCUM CVT, BAS

used flea medication on my dog and I still see fleas. Why isn’t it working?

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This is actually a very common question, especially here in Florida where fleas are a year round issue. If you’re seeing fleas after applying a monthly flea product, the assumption is that the product is not working. In reality, as long as the product was administered correctly, it is working just fine. The reason you are still seeing fleas is due to the “bigger picture.”

Caring For Your Pet Fleas that jump on your pet start laying eggs within 24 hours. These eggs fall off into the environment, hatch into larvae, enter the cocoonlike pupae stage and then hatch out into new adults. This cycle takes between three to eight weeks. When

you apply a flea killing product, that product starts killing the fleas on your pet within 24 hours. Keep in mind, you still have that life cycle going on in the environment. New fleas are hatching out for the next eight weeks, jumping on your pet and dying within 24 hours. So it is very likely you will still see fleas until that life cycle is allowed to run its course. It is important to treat all of the pets in the household, even the ones who don’t seem to have fleas. Dogs and cats share the same flea species, so even if your cat is only indoors, she can still get the fleas that are infesting the dog. So where are these fleas coming from? Fleas do not frequently jump from one host to another, so your dog is not going to become infested from sniffing noses with the neighbor dog. The most common method is from wild animals. Opossums, raccoons and stray cats are the biggest culprits. These animals wander your yard

dropping flea eggs as they go. The fleas hatch out, jump on your pet and a flea infestation is born. Solving this issue can be hard, since the problem animals are out of your control. There are, however, sprays available that work well at controlling fleas in the outdoor environment. Just make sure to follow the label directions. So your flea product is actually working. Just keep using it as directed, and soon your flea problem will vanish.

Ask Boyette Do you have a topic you would like to know more about? Send us your questions and we will answer them in this column. E-mail us at ask boyette@boyetteanimal hospital.com, or mail us at Ask Boyette c/o Boyette Animal Hospital, 10931 Boyette Rd., Riverview, FL 33569.

Will Your Pet Be A Disaster Victim?

t’s that time of year Plan Ahead: again: hurricane Update the Information season. You peruse on Your Pet’s Collar the latest emergency or Micro-chip pamphlets and might Collars can become detached. even attend a hurA micro-chip is the best way for ricane seminar. You you both to be reunited should restock emergency you become separated. If you supplies, and because haven’t done that, contact your you’ve just returned vet. For a low cost micro-chip from walking Max, implant, check with your local you remember to Humane Society. If your pet throw in a couple of Jan Nieman and Sasha. already has a micro-chip but the cans of dog food and information is outdated (moved, diffigure Kitty can take care of herself in ferent phone, snowbird location, cell the home. You are ready! Or are you? phone number), contact the chip proRemember the poignant TV coverage vider (there are several) and update it. of Katrina’s helpless pets tied to porch posts as flood waters crept up the Prepare a Pet Disaster Kit steps? How about the photo of dogs Jot down items your pet will need waiting for rescue? Pets separated for five days. Pack enough food from families were helpless because and water in water-tight containers their owners hadn’t thought ahead (remember bowls). What goes in or cared enough to plan for them. must come out, which means litter Don’t let your pet become a statistic. boxes, plastic bags, pet scoopers

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 28

and paper toweling should be on your list. Bring your veterinarian’s phone number, medications, feeding schedule and rabies information. Current photos and pet descriptions will help you and your pet reunite should you become separated. If you don’t own sturdy leashes, harnesses or carriers, purchase them now.

Perhaps a disaster occurs while you’re not home. Your pet may be fearful during the event and hide, so plan ahead by giving a trusted neighbor your key. She should be aware of your pet’s favorite hiding places, habits and where its leash and disaster kit are located. Agree on a time and location to meet later.

Find a Secure Place Ahead of Time Should you choose to remain in your home, keep your pet’s disaster kit in an easy-to-retrieve location. If you decide to evacuate, don’t leave your pet tethered outside—it’s a death sentence. Check ahead for pet-friendly motels or a friend’s home. Many counties do not have emergency shelters that accept pets, and if they do, it’s likely you and your pet will be housed in separate areas. If you think you’ll only be gone for a few hours, take your pet with you as you may not be allowed to return.

Don’t Wait Until a WeatherRelated Event Arrives If you’re not sure where to go, check your phone book or websites for pamphlets from your county’s hurricane preparedness guidelines, emergency management programs or local Humane Society or ASPCA. Jan Nieman is a speaker and author of the award-winning, quirky memoir “Going to the Dogs; Confessions of a Mobile Pet Groomer.” For more information, visit goingtothedogsthebook.com.

DMe In eal

The Law of Averages

BY MARK PILARSKI

hen the Law of Averages gives you a wink and a friendly smile, you’re dealing with an impostor. Dear Mark: Would you concur that blackjack, with perfect play, can have more winning streaks than losing streaks, especially when you add in the bonuses of blackjacks? I have found this to be true, for me at least. —Bruce R. From both the standpoint of pitching cards and playing pit bull for years, and understanding the mathematics of the game, my response is ABSOLUTELY NOT. We’ll discard my pit experience for almost two decades as anecdotal evidence, and move right to the math. I’ll agree, Bruce, that using perfect basic strategy and quality hands like blackjacks, splits and double downs help the cause, but still not enough to quantify more winning streaks than losing ones, especially over the long run. Why? Minus pushes, the house wins roughly 48 percent of the hands played and the player wins about 44 percent. Subsidized with certain premium hands and perfect play, it’s still not enough to overcome this win/ loss differential. You can only get within 0.05% of the house edge. Another thought here is that with your short timeline on a table, don’t expect the Law of Averages to be working for either winning or losing streaks. Everyone has their own personal sequence of hands, with the cards going hot or cold at any given moment. Right now you’re hot, but aberrations in gambling odds do happen, even in games that carry the smallest house edge—like blackjack with smart play. Dear Mark: Do progressive machines like Megabucks all have the same payback percentages? —Nancy C. As a general rule, Nancy, most state gaming regulations require that all

statewide networks of progressive slot carousels linked together have the same payback percentages. However, that is with networked progressives like Megabucks, and does not necessarily apply to a stand-alone bank of machines, where each machine in the bank can have a different payback percentage. All manufacturers offer a range of pay backs on each machine and the casino has the opportunity to select the payback percentage of its choosing. Slot managers then place their stand-alone slot banks strategically to maximize customer appeal and potential casino earnings, and one of their variables, payback percentages, can vary, even with machines side-by-side. Dear Mark: On a recent trip to Vegas I was dismayed to find very few regular blackjack tables. They all seem to have some sort of gimmicky side bet on the layout. What was more disconcerting was the fact that all these layouts stated that blackjack paid 6 to 5 rather than 3 to 2. Of course I refused to play at a table, yet all the tables were full. Shame on those players. Thank goodness we still have plenty of regular blackjack tables here in Reno. —Rock J. Right you are, Rock. The blackjack game that offers 6/5 for a blackjack is a raw deal, and worth me driving home your point once more to readers uncertain whether this game is worth playing. It’s not. To get the maximum value for a blackjack, you need to be paid 3 to 2, not 6 to 5, where the house has an advantage of almost 1.5%. Say for instance that you’re playing $10 a hand on a 3/2 game. A blackjack gets you $15. If the player gets paid 6 to 5 on a $10 bet, he gets paid only $12. Three bucks shy might not seem like much, but at five blackjacks an hour we’re talking $15, enough for the buffet. I’m glad to see that you, and hopefully a small army of readers, are not willing to part with this much chow line cash. (SENIOR WIRE)

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Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 29 5/12/11 3:11 PM

GP-0426-11 Sr Connections/Mature Lifestyles Mag - Anniv Ad [4.9167x9.8125].indd 1

Grilled Cheese Grows Up T

hink your tastebuds have outgrown the grilled cheese sandwich? Think again. This childhood favorite has evolved into something quite sophisticated, and it is perfect for June, National Dairy Month. Cheese expert and James Beard award-winner Laura Werlin recently released her second book dedicated to the ultimate comfort food sandwich. Grilled Cheese, Please! 50 Scrumptiously Cheesy Recipes takes this classic sandwich to new culinary heights. “It’s all about using the best ingredients possible,” says Werlin. “It’s so easy to gussy up your sandwich with exotic bread and a high-quality cheese, so why not do it? Try buttery breads, like croissants or brioche, or a loaf stuffed with olives or walnuts. Look for cheeses that melt well but still deliver great flavor.” Werlin takes great care with those ingredients, perfecting her grilled cheese method with a series of simple tips:

Grate-ful cheese: Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly than sliced cheese—the grating ensures the perfect melt before the sandwich burns.

Buttered-up bread: Use salted butter for the best flavor, and butter the bread, not the pan. Thinly sliced bread and soft butter work best.

Low and slow: Don’t rush the cooking process. Grill sandwiches slowly over medium heat; carefully watch for maximum melt and crispy bread. Cover and cook: Cover the sandwich during the cooking process to lock in the heat. This will help the cheese melt faster and more evenly. Press, flip, repeat: Use a spatula to press down firmly on the sandwich while cooking; flip the sandwich twice (pressing with each flip) to ensure crisp bread and thoroughly melted cheese.

Word Search

The Wisconsinite

1/4 cup cranberry sauce 4 tsp. Dijon mustard (or Wisconsin mustard if you can) 2 tbsp. butter, at room temperature 8 sandwich-size slices dark rye or marble bread 8 oz. Colby Cheese 2 oz. Wisconsin Blue Cheese, coarsely crumbled

Mix the cranberry sauce and mustard together. Spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices of bread, buttered side down, on your work surface. Spread the cranberry mixture on the bread. Distribute the Colby and crumble the Blue Cheese over the Colby. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up. Cover and cook on preheated, nonstick griddle 2 minutes, until undersides are darkened and crisp. Turn the sandwiches, pressing each one firmly with a spatula to flatten slightly. Repeat cooking process. Remove the cover, turn the sandwiches once more and press firmly with the spatula once again. Cook for 1 minute, or until the cheese has melted completely. (You might have to peek inside to make sure.) Remove from the pan and let cool 5 minutes. Cut in half and serve.

Word Search June 2011 In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Answers From

May 2011

Robert Boone is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

& Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 30

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June Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills. The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. The first correct answers selected from the drawing on June 21 will win. Good luck! Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: SENIOR CONNECTION OR MATURE LIFESTYLES 1602 S. PARSONS AVE., SEFFNER, FL 33584 Mystery WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! Prize!

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Correction

ldsmar Cares willClip be having Send Me Information! and mail this coupon their monthly meeting, Weds., n last month’s article Name: June 8 at 7 p.m. at Community United “Bright Stars Finalists Address: Methodist Church, 207 Buckingham Ave. East, Oldsmar. The group Shine,” the winners Troy invites volunteers to get involved City: State:in Zip: and Thomas Johnson Coman the community by joining them. Home Phone: Work Phone: were announced. Troy Coman Oldsmar Cares provides stop gap rent E-mail: is from Sun City Center; he and utility assistance, a food pantry and a clothes closet, all at no cost, to those was listed incorrectly as being I/We have included the SPCA in my/our estate plan. in need in the greater Oldsmar area. from the Tri-Pasco area. Call send (813)me 855-1191 for information. Please the following information Best Friends Deserve Better Plans brochures Pet Alert Wallet Card In-Case-Of-Emergency Window Decal

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Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

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MAIL TO: SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER, C/O NEWS CONNECTION, USA, INC. 1602 S. PARSONS AVE., SEFFNER, FL 33584

akeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont hosts their 21st Annual Harvest Festival, June 17, 18 and 19. The 3-day outdoor festival features live music, an arts and crafts show, grape stomping and award-winning Lakeridge Wines. A $2 donation at the gate will

benefit the Hospice Foundation. Parking is free. Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting will be held and the Wine Shop will offer great specials. Look for vendors serving a variety of items for purchase and Lakeridge wines by the glass. Call 1-800-768-WINE.

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 33

St. Simons Island—A Restful Retreat BY CHUCK AND DENA BINGHAM

K. You’ve taken the grandkids to see Mickey and Minnie often enough to know the routine: Stand in line for 45 minutes for a five-minute ride; someone else’s crying grandkid just spilled a sticky concoction on your new izod shirt and the line for a $9 sandwich is twenty people deep. By late afternoon a whole theme park full of cranky three-year-olds are pitching a ﬁt because they’re tired. You take two more Tylenol and head for the exit with your own grandkids in tow. Ah, but wait. You are parked on the other side of a lake that now looks endless and there are three thousand people in front of you waiting for the same ferry boat. This time do something for you…

Travel About an hour north of the Jacksonville airport is a quiet, laid-back hideaway just waiting for you. Take the St. Simons Island exit off of I-95 and head for the Atlantic Ocean (about ten miles). Once you cross the causeway to St. Simons Island you can feel the stress melting away. You won’t ﬁnd Ferris wheels, or tea cup rides, or 6-foot-tall rodents with big ears. What you will ﬁnd is an upscale residential island that doesn’t mind sharing its seclusion with savvy, well-heeled vacationers. The grand old oak trees drip with Spanish moss as you make your way to the stately King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. Upon arrival the attentive staff quickly

Senior Connection • June 2011 • page 34

reacquaints you with Southern hospitality. Built in 1935, the resort was originally a dance club for well-to-do Northerners. It has consistently been upgraded to meet today’s discerning traveler’s tastes. Accommodations range from Oceanside Villas to private cottages to king-bedded rooms. Outstanding cuisine is a hallmark of the resort and is not to be missed. Venturing into other parts of town reveals an additional bounty of local dining pleasures. Kick back at George Stewart’s Saltwater Cowboy for great pub fare. Or, if you’re in the mood for ﬁner dining, try Halyards where Chef Dave Snyder prepares an exquisite tuna tartare. Lunch at Palmer’s Village Café is a must as Chef John Belechak prepares the best Southern dishes with locally grown produce. For a truly unique experience, take the “Lady Jane” shrimping trawler into the shallows of the Atlantic marshes for a ﬁrst-hand look at how

modern shrimping is accomplished. The tour comes complete with a marine biologist who explains in detail the ecosystem of the region and its importance to the local economy. To enjoy the laidback pace of the island, why not rent bicycles at Ocean Motion right outside the entrance to King and Prince Resort. A leisurely 10-minute ride gets you to the heart of town. For the truly adventurous, the island boasts 18 miles of paved bicycle paths.

If you’d rather let someone else navigate, try the Lighthouse Trolley which takes you (free) from the north end, where you’ll ﬁnd the championship King and Prince Golf Course, to the south end, where you’ll ﬁnd—you guessed it—the Lighthouse. Go in the lighthouse museum to hear about the great historical importance of this region.

There is so much, or so little, to do here…the choice is yours. If there is one drawback to this hidden treasure, it’s this: you may not want to leave… To learn more, contact The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort at (912) 638-3631 and kingandprince.com, or visit the St. Simons Island visitors guide at explorestsimonsisland.com.

Little House Cruise I

f you’re a fan of Little House on the Prairie, you can cruise away from the banks of Plum Creek Nov. 13 – 20 on the Little House on the Prairie Reunion Cruise aboard the Carnival Splendor (recently redone) on the Mexican Riviera. Fans from all over the world (it’s still airing in 140 countries) can

meet their favorite cast members, have photo ops and hear lectures and comedy routines as well as Q & A sessions. The cruise will depart from Long Beach, Cal. Prices begin at $879 plus taxes and fees. Contact Corporate Travel Service, 800-7271999, ext. 158, www.CTScentral.net.

June Through September Special Exhibit

“D

iscovering Southwest Florida with Thomas Edison and Henry Ford” special exhibit is now open at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo, from the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. You can get a comparative look at “old Florida” in the time of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford (1885 to the 1940s). The Edison and Ford families explored beaches, cypress hammocks, Seminole communities, wildlife and

waterways of the area. For more information, call (727) 582-2125.

Senior Haircuts $7 Master barber newly located at Barber Unisex Regular Haircut $10

Located inside Riverview Flea Market Same Shopping Center as Ruth’s Steakhouse

Best Quality Work/Prices in Town 7415 US Hwy. 301 S. Riverview Closed Mon. & Tues. Ask for A.B. Senior Citizen Discount 55+

Business Phone: 813-900-9949

Open: Wed.,Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 10am – 6pm, Sun. 10 – 5pm Call For Appointment 5 min. ahead before coming in for a haircut.

American Legion Hall

Unique Vacation Hotel for Cats Only! ✦ Featured on Nationwide TV ✦ Reasonable rates ✦ Huge windows on tropical gardens ✦ Vet on call ✦ Soft music, lots of loving & petting

15501 Boyette Rd. Riverview

BINGO Post 26

Plant City, FL Baker & Woodrow Wilson

Every Sat. night 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Public Welcome

(813) 752-8608

CUT GRASS ONLY

ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A MONTH ANY AVERAGE SIZE YARD FOR $25 Call Mike (813) 475-2136 Anytime

FREE

FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS

Hey Seniors!

Presents the 3rd annual...

Join Us For the Best Event of the Year!

Parkinson’s Research Foundation Educational Seminar

FREE BINGO For Prizes

Thursday, August 4, 2011 9 am to 2 pm • SUN CITY CENTER 1910 Pebble Beach Drive Sun City Center, FL 33573

$1000s in Prizes & Giveaways! Fritzy The One Man Circus

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FREE Introducing Troy Coman, Bright Star Finalist