Mature Lifestyles - Southwest June 2011 edition by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

Dating: Does Age Matter? VOLUME 22, NUMBER 6

SOUTHWEST

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

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

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 2

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. How-

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.)

An event for the whole family! Come to Fishermen’s Village and meet with non-profit organizations and local businesses to learn about health and welfare of wildlife and domestic animals Exhibits • Interactive Displays • Pet Adoptions • Free Materials Mote Marine’s Mobile Laboratory With Touch Tank Will be on Display in the Front Parking Lot! FREE ADMISSION

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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. Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 4

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!

Lee, Collier & Charlotte 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 Lee/Collier and Charlotte Counties – Southwest Edition Associate Publisher: Dave Kelly: (239) 823-3542 Sales Associate: Beth Howe: (239) 265-2141 Sarasota/Manatee Edition Dave Tarantul Advertising Information: (941) 375-6260 Lake/Marion & Sumter 1-888-670-0040 Distribution 1-888-670-0040

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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.

Around Town

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

hrough July 2 “Smoke On the Mountain” performances at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Hear 1930s gospel tunes amid singing, clapping and hilarious stories. 5:30 p.m. dinner. Call (239) 278-4422 or online at broadwaypalm.com.

hursdays Choraliers group sings music from Bach to Broadway with Fay Targrove at Tony Rotino Senior Center, Cape Coral. 12:30 to 2 p.m. $6/ non-members. Call (239) 574-0807.

riday afternoons Tea Dance at the Lehigh Senior Center, Lehigh Acres. 2 to 4 p.m. $2/non-members. Call (239) 369-5355 for information.

Estuary Kayak Tour in Estero Bay with GAEA Guides. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. $40/person includes all equipment and a Florida Master Naturalist as your guide. Reservations required. Many dates and tours to choose from. (239) 694-5513.

Kayak Beginners Clinic at Four Mile Cove Ecological Park in Cape Coral with GAEA Guides. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn the basics of kayaking safety and paddling plus time for a paddle. $40 includes all equipment and lessons. Call Cape Coral Parks and Rec. at (239) 549-4606.

Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra Concert at Shell Point Village. Hear music from the great bands like Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenten and more. The concert is part of the summer series (July 22 and August 18 concerts). Tickets for all three concerts are $35; individual concerts are $15 each. Call (239) 454-2067.

“Border Songs” by Jim Lynch. Book discussion at the Fort Myers Public Library. 12 p.m. Call (239) 338-3155 for information.

Day Trip with Kennedy Cruisers to Tanger Outlets. Dutch lunch at Nervous Nellies and a cruise aboard the Ft. Myers Princess. $49/members; $54/nonmembers. Call (239) 574-0575.

The Mangrove Gathering Eco Café Information and

entertainment session for those who care about the Earth. A free place to socialize! Live music, coffee, tea, and snack/dessert potluck plus information on Southwest Florida environmental happenings. Bring reusable mug or pay a $1 “Earth Tax” to use a throwaway paper cup. At the Eco Living Center at Rutenberg Park. Call John Kiseda at (239) 432-2163 for information.

Hooked on Seniors Dinner Dance at Pine Island Elks Lodge, Pine Island Rd. at Center. Dinner and dancing, raffles and prizes. $15/ person; $25/couple. Benefits Beacon of Hope senior projects. Information at Beacon of Hope: (239) 283-5123.

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Father’s Day on the Seminole Gulf Railway. Dinner train and Murder Mystery outing. Departs 5:30 p.m. $59/person. 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

Bonita Springs Hurricane Preparedness Seminar presented by Lee County Emergency Operations Center. Bonita Springs Branch Library. 2 to 3 p.m. (239) 992-0101.

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Send Around Town news to Mature Lifestyles 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.)

Fourth of July Celebrations

✭ Bonita Springs Parade at 9 a.m. Old 41 to Riverside Park ✭ Cape Coral “Red, White and Boom” Festival; Cape Coral Bridge and Parkway closed at 4 p.m. ✭ Sanibel & Captiva Parade down Periwinkle Way, starts at 9:30 a.m. ✭ Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier and Times Square. Parade at 10 a.m.; Fireworks start 15 minutes after sunset. ✭ Downtown Naples parade during the morning and Fireworks at Naples Pier at 9 p.m. For info on upcoming Chamber of Commerce events: (239) 472-1080. Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 5

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 will not be meets fitness guru travels the world tracking down the eliminated, he Jack LaLane; Above: oldest people for Guinness Book of Buster Martin, 101. said, rejuvenaWorld 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

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 6

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.

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

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.

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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).

 w w w. f l o r i d a s h i n e . o r g

For help applying, call 1-800-963-5337 Paying for Medicare can be costly for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be. Trained SHINE counselors at the local Area Agency on Aging are available to help you see if you may qualify to save money on your: • Monthly Part D Drug Plan premium • 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.

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 7

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.”

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.

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 8

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”

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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.

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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.

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 10

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.”

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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Sterling Flatware, Tea Sets, Bronzes, Silver & Gold Boxes, Enameled Objects, Dolls, Mechanical Toys, Military Items Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 11

Barrington Terrace Assisted Living and Memory Care

• Unique building designed for seniors - no stairs, steps or elevators • Wellness Center under the direction of an R.N. • Specially designed neighborhood to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments • On-site Rehabilitation and Restorative Care • Knowledgeable staff with over 150 years of combined experience

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Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 12

Caregiver Education And Training Group

ne in four Americans will become a caregiver at some time in their lives, and with the rising number of “baby boomers” reaching age 65, caring for a loved one can become a tedious and overwhelming task. Two-thirds of caregivers are employed full or part-time. Others are spouses of loved ones that are with them 24 hours a day. The need to “care for the caregiver” is perhaps one of the most critical lessons one will learn when becoming a caregiver. Senior Friendship Centers’ Adult Day Services program (The Living Room) enables individuals to come to a safe, secure and comfortable environment with trained hands that have knowledge of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Adult Day Services can provide the caregiver with needed breaks during the week and provide their loved one with peer socialization and stimulating activities that may help with independence, lessening the need for a nursing home. Beginning in June, Senior Friendship Centers will provide an Education and Training Group at its administrative offices located at 5272 Summerlin Commons Way, Suite

604 on the first Tuesday of every month. The first session will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. The program is free of charge and serves as an informational resource to learn more about cognitive diseases and memory disorders. Monica Dunkley, R.N. B.C. from Lee Memorial Hospital will provide helpful hints about things caregivers can do to help make their lives a little easier. Caregivers who do not have their loved one currently enrolled in an Adult Day Services program can contact Lisa Gates, Adult Day Services Director at (239) 275-1881 to make arrangements for their loved ones to be cared for while attending the meeting. Additional information can be given by calling Lisa Gates at (239) 275-1881.

Remembering Brother William Geenen

t is with great sadness that Senior Friendship Centers announces the passing of its founder, Brother William J. Geenen, CSC, on Saturday, May 14, in Sarasota. Brother William Geenen, proved that one person—with the help of a lot of caring people working together—can change the world, improving the quality of life and health for thousands of older adults along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

His passion and commitment to helping and inspiring others and his vision for a brighter future for seniors created an organization of “people helping people” that has served communities in Southwest Florida since 1973, providing a practical, cost-effective and vital lifeline for people 50 and older. To read about his life and work, or to make a memorial donation in his honor, visit friendshipcenters.org.

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.

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Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 13

June 2011

10 13 15 22 29

Bingo at the Cultural Center 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Best of Charlotte County

Free blood pressure check at the Cultural Center, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Flag Day Celebration, 1 – 3 p.m. at the Military Heritage Museum at Fishermen’s Village. 1-800-639-0020.

• Annual Wildlife/Animal Awareness Expo June 4. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit with organizations throughout Fishermen’s Village dedicated to education and the care of wildlife and domestic animals. Free admission. Call (941) 575-3067 for more info.

Stamp Corner; 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Father’s Day Yoga for Men. If you’ve ever complained of a sore lower back, tight hamstrings or stiff shoulders, or find it hard to relax, this special Father’s Day class is for you. This free class is for men only: no prerequisites, no other requirements! 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Yoga Sanctuary, 112 Sullivan Street, Punta Gorda. (941) 505-9642.

• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Fireworks Concert. July 4 from at 6 p.m. Celebrate the American Spirit with a night of patriotic music, dazzling fireworks, food and fun. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Admission for adults: $35; children under 18: $15. Buffet of hot dogs and hamburgers with side dishes and drink will be available for $10 for adults and $7 for children. 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda. Call (941) 205-9743 for tickets.

“Happy Travelers” Day Trip to Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Tampa. Call for details.

All shows at Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. Tickets, times and info: (941) 625-4175.

• Fishermen’s Village Annual July 4th Celebration. July 4, 5 to 9 p.m. Annual Freedom Swim, Live music, restaurant specials. Viewing of annual fireworks display over Charlotte Harbor begins at 9 p.m. Free. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Center Court, Punta Gorda. Call (941) 639-8721 for more information.

Helping Hands

10 11

• R.S.V.P. (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): (941) 613-2299. • Meals on Wheels/Friendship Cafe Dining Sites: (941) 255-0723. • Elder Helpline of Southwest Florida: 1-800-398-4233.

”Destined” performs variety and dance music, 5 – 9 p.m. National Marina Day, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free admission. Visit with leaders in the marine industry, take tours of the Yacht Basin, enjoy water recreation activities, shop and dine!

17 22

June Fun Events Near 19 Charlotte County

FEATURED EVENTS

Vietnam Brotherhood Meeting, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Happy Father’s Day!

Senior Centers and Resources

Join Us For Our July 2011 Edition!

Celebrate Your Independence!

• Senior Friendship Centers: (941) 255-0723 or friendshipcenters.org. • Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida: (239) 652-6901 or aaaswfl.org. • O.C.E.A.N. (Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network): (941) 235-4500 or ocean-fl.org. • Charlotte County Council On Aging: (941) 627-2177 or charlottecoa.org.

The Doo-Wop Crew performs variety and dance music, 5 – 9 p.m., Center Stage. Country Line Dance Lessons, $3/person, 7 – 9 p.m., Center Court.

Fishermen’s Village is on the waterfront in Punta Gorda. Call (941) 575-3007 for details.

Charlotte County!

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Mature Lifestyles Is Your Connection To The Seniors Of Charlotte County Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 14

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. 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.

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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!

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! 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

Fast, Friendly Service Fax: (239) 437-MEDS (6337) Walter F. Klukowski, Pharmacist 4224 Cleveland Ave. Bldg. 1, Suite 5 Fort Myers, FL 33901 The formulary list of this program may be subject to get modified or discontinued without prior notice.The brand name of the drugs in the list are for reference purposes only. The dispensed drug will be generic or as permitted by law. All medications referenced in this ad are for up to a 30 day supply. See pharmacist for more details.

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Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 15

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.

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.

Comprehensive Estate Planning – Why You Should Use an Expert

state Planning. It’s a phrase that can be intimidating. But we all have questions that must be answered at some point. Who will make my health decisions for me if I become incapacitated? Who will take care of my finances? How will I pay for long-term care if I need it? For tough questions like these, it’s often a good idea to call in the experts. Companies such as Senior Information Centers specialize in providing comprehensive estate planning services to seniors through licensed professionals. They have established a relationship with a national legal support network system of attorneys operating in every major area of expertise. With on-staff professionals such as Elder Planning specialists, Certified Senior Advisors, a finance and tax specialist, a Medicaid specialist and Elder Law attorneys, they can address every aspect of your need. Are you worried about the Medicaid application process? They can handle Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 16

it from start to finish. Remember, Medicaid is a government entitlement—you don’t have to have limited assets to qualify for it. In fact, almost anyone can be eligible. They also work closely with all of the Medicaid Diversion Programs that are often used by assisted living facilities. It’s good to know that Senior Information Centers has successfully completed thousands of Medicaid applications, and they will not take on a case if they are not confident that they will get the client qualified. Are you a veteran, spouse of a veteran, widow or widower of a veteran? Medically Qualifying Veterans my receive up to $23,396 (for a veteran and their spouse) per year, which can be used to help pay for home care, assisted living, skilled nursing home care or even adult day care services. In most cases, you don’t have to “spend down” your life savings for VA or Medicaid benefits.

Senior Information Centers can help you protect those assets. Finally, Senior Information Centers provides Legal Estate Planning Services at some of the best prices around. Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Wills and Healthcare Surrogate documents are $25 each and prepared by an attorney. “Preserving and protecting assets and qualifying our clients for government assistance, such as VA and Medicaid, are our specialties,” says Stephen Wolfe, Principal Partner of Senior Information Centers. “We also conduct financial and asset preservation workshops for senior citizens in order to ensure their financial well-being.” For more info on how Senior Information Centers can protect you, your loved ones, your patients or your clients, contact them at 800-731-8784 or visit seniorinformationcenters.com.

Leaky Bladder? You Could Be Flushing Money Away! A

and that really added study shows women up,” she reported. spend up to $900 A new option called a year to manage their the Renessa® treatincontinence. A new ment is offered by lotreatment called Recal physician Harold nessa® may bring relief. H. Tsai, M.D. with If you routinely leak Florida Specialists in urine when you laugh, Urology. “Renessa cough, sneeze or is a one-time treatexercise, then you are ment performed in likely paying for diapers, our office,” said protective pads, laundry Dr. Tsai. There are and drycleaning. A study no incisions, no published in the medical foreign materials journal Obstetrics and are left in the body Gynecology found that and the treatment is women with incontinence Harold H. Tsai, M.D. completed in less than are paying an average an hour visit. “There’s virtually no of $900 per year for routine care and downtime. My patients have been able supplies. And because incontinence to return to their normal activities the is a chronic condition, women often same or the next day,” he continued. pay these costs for years, potentially Clinical studies have shown that adding up to thousands of dollars. most women are able to reduce But help is available. Incontinence or eliminate the use of pads after is a medical condition that can be being treated with Renessa®. Side treated. Sometimes, special exercises effects are typically mild and most or lifestyle modifications are sugresolve shortly after treatment. gested, but often these measures are “Now I can pick up my grandson not enough. Surgery is an option for without worrying about leaks,” some, but many women are unwilling Mary* reports. “And since I no longer to accept the risks and several weeks of recovery associated with surgery. “I need to wear diapers or pads, I have more money to spend on him!” was very distressed about my inconTo learn more about Renessa, visit tinence,” said Mary S.*, 67, of Ft. www.Renessa.com or contact Dr. Myers. “Not only did I worry about Harold Tsai at (239) 689-6677. leaking whenever I picked up my *Patient name changed 5-year-old grandson, but I was spending $40 per week on pads and laundry, to protect privacy.

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. 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.

Harold H. Tsai, M.D. Florida Specialists in Urology 7335 Gladiolus Drive Fort Myers, Fl 33908

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“Boneing” Up on Vitamin D A

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Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 18 46Tzelden02.indd 4

4/18/2011 8:36:36 AM

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.

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.

Senior Friends Living a healthier lifestyle is easier when you have the support of like-minded people. At H2U, that’s exactly what you’ll find – active, engaged members who never take good health for granted. Join H2U today, and you become part of this special group that enjoys:

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Common Misconceptions about VA Pensions Classes for M Quick Reference Summer for Veterans A (over 65, wartime veteran, any people have the misconception that only the veteran may qualify for a VA Pension when, in fact, a current sick spouse or a surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible too if they have been married to the veteran when the veteran died, and have not remarried after the death of the veteran. Typically, Non-Service Connected VA Pensions are designed to assist low-income veterans. As a result, many veterans who have a substantial amount of monthly income ($2,500 or more) assume that they are not eligible for a non-service connected pension. However, if an applicant’s net income after medical expense deductions (this includes assisted living costs) meets the VA guidelines, the veteran, spouse of a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran can

qualify provided their assets fall within the VA guidelines. Finally, most people believe that if they have more assets than what the VA allows that they have to spend down their assets to below that level. This is simply not true. VSC specializes in helping veterans and spouses with significant financial resources to qualify for this pension. A key aspect of the work we do is advising veterans and spouses how to restructure their assets in order to qualify for this additional monthly income to which they are entitled! Accessing a VA Pension makes the money last longer so veterans can remain financially independent for the rest of their lives. For more information on veteran’s benefits, please contact David Casterioto at (239)-344-9852, fax him at (866) 230-7481, e-mail david@vetsupportcenter.com or visit www.vetsupportcenter.com.

spouse or the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran) World War II: 12/7/41 to 12/ 31/46

few of the classes offered at the Lake Kennedy Senior Center in Cape Coral:

ondays: Act It Out at 1 p.m. Guys and Dolls Dance class at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

ondays and Thursdays: Yoga with Eileen Coppola at 2:30 p.m.

Korean War: 6/27/50 to 1/ 31/55 Vietnam War: 8/5/64 to 5/7/75

T W T

uesdays: Dancing with Erich at 7 p.m.

For Veterans who Served “In Country” 2/28/61 to 8/5/64

ednesdays: Natural Golf at 1 p.m.

Gulf War: 8/2/1990 to a date to be set by law of presidential proclamation.

uesdays and Thursdays: Simply Fit with Sandy at 8 a.m.

Wii Workshops by appointment. Costs for classes vary. Please call (239) 574-0575 for information.

WARTIME VETERANS As a wartime veteran or spouse, you are entitled to certain earned VA benefits to pay towards assisted living, home health care and nursing home care.

Aid & Attendance Benefits As stated on NBC Nightly news this little known benefit is a godsend to countless individuals

Maximum Monthly Benefits Married Veteran . . . . . $1,950 Single Veteran . . . . . . $1,645 Spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,057

That’s over $23,000 of tax free benefits a year

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Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 20

• KUHN LAW FIRM, P.A. •

WILLS & TRUSTS PROBATE VETERANS BENEFITS MEDICAID BENEFITS If you have questions about Estate Planning or how to qualify for Veterans and/or Medicaid Benefits, please contact me for a free consultation. Scott A. Kuhn, Esq. 12800 University Drive, Suite 385 Fort Myers, FL 33907 Phone: 239-333-4529 • Fax: 239-333-4531 www.kuhnlegal.com

5 Reasons for Considering Long-Term Care Insurance BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSA Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist

s a nation, improved longevity is a reality. Enhanced medical care, better diet and exercise, and less invasive medical technology are adding years to our lives. Living longer is a blessing but can propose significant financial worries. Here are the main reasons to consider protecting yourself by investing in Long-Term Care insurance.

1. The odds are in your favor that you will need it. According to U.S. published statistics on LTC, one in two people will need some form of assistance as they age. 70 percent of those who are now 65 or older can be expected to need Long-Term Care. Half the people 85 or older are expected to develop some sort of dementia or Alzheimer’s. 2. The cost of care is steadily rising. Expenses connected with this care whether in a nursing facility, assisted living facility or at home can be more than $100,000 per year depending on the care you need.

3. Family members cannot be counted on. Family sizes are shrinking. People are having fewer children. And even when the family is able to assist, there are many times that they are not qualiﬁed to provide the care.

4. Self-insuring is not a reasonable option. It sounds good and thinking it can make you feel better, but the fact is, very few families have $300,000 – $500,000 set aside for this purpose. According

to some recently published surveys, savings accounts are rare and substantial savings are even more scarce. 5. The government will be trimming beneﬁts, not enhancing them. There is a small amount of assistance in Medicare for the ﬁrst 100 days depending on the circumstances of your need. This assistance is currently being scrutinized for a reduction. The Medicaid program is even more fragile.

The Long-Term Care plans being offered today have many options and innovative benefit parameters to help put together an affordable policy to offset these financial woes. But of course, you must act before a health problem arises. It is much less expensive to seek this protection before poor health makes it difficult or impossible to purchase this type of protection. You will never save money by waiting until you are older, even though you will pay premiums longer statistically before you need the benefit. And the healthier you are the less you will have to pay for premiums. Be smart, plan ahead. Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has worked in the senior healthcare market for over 20 years. She is a Certified Senior Advisor and has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for more than 17 years. She is the Past President of Health Underwriters, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero, Member of the Bonita and Estero Chambers of Commerce, and a graduate of Toastmaster’s International. She represents all of the finest insurance companies in the industry. Can be reached at (239) 274-6678 in Estero, or at her website: www.longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

Planning for Long-Term Care is so important. Learn all you can about something that can jeopardize the ﬁnancial future of your entire family.

Rosemarie Hurley, CSA, has 16 years experience as a Long-Term Care Specialist. She brokers with many ﬁne insurance companies and can ﬁnd the right company to suit your needs.

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Happy Father’s Day! June 19 Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 21

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 Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 22

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.

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.

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Tour: Canyon Country Group Name: Senior Connection Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 23

Last Month’s Answers

May Sudoku

Last Month’s Answers

Jane Vent is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

This Month’s Winner Is Laurel Mullen Congratulations!

Win Great Prizes! New winner selected each month

This month’s winner is

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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 The SPCA’s brochure "Our Best Friends Deserve Better Plans" has allMystery WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! Prize! the latest information on Estatemust Planning for by Pets and Pet (Sudoku be received June 21,Florida's 2011.) Trust Law and it is FREE! This brochure helps pet owners plan for their pets in case of an emergency or in case their pets outlive them. Use this order form to order your free materials.

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Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers selected from the drawing on June 19 will receive $20 cash! Send to: News Connection USA, Inc., 1602 S. Parsons Ave, Seffner, FL 33584

I am interested in: Travel / Cruises Recreation / Leisure Entertainment / Events

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Florida Department of in my/our estate plan. To Register go to: I/We have included the SPCA Highway Safety & Motor www.seniordriverclass.com Vehicle Approved Course or call 1-800-771-2255 Please send me the following information Mature Best Friends Deserve Lifestyles • JuneBetter 2011 Plans • pagebrochures 24 Pet Alert Wallet Card In-Case-Of-Emergency Window Decal Information and notices on Estate Planning for Seminars

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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.

Word Search Answers From

May 2011

Robert Boone is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

Florida’s Award Winning Senior Magazine

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?

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on June 21 will win.

MYSTERY WIN! WIN! WIN! MYSTERY SENIOR CONNECTION or PRIZE! PRIZE! MATURE LIFESTYLES GREAT PRIZES! 1602 S. PARSONS AVE. SEFFNER, FL 33584 (Puzzles must be received by June 21, 2011.)

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 25

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.

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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.

Room rates and availability vary select dates through Dec. 31, 2011. Two night minimum stay required. Subject to tax, Osceola County Assessment Fee, resort fee and parking. Not retroactive or valid with other offers or groups. Proof of anniversary date required upon arrival. Resort credit is applied upon arrival toward food, retail or spa services only. See website for restrictions.

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 26 GP-0426-11 Sr Connections/Mature Lifestyles Mag - Anniv Ad [4.9167x9.8125].indd

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.

As a general rule, Nancy, most state gaming regulations require that all 5/12/11 3:11 PM

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)

Seniors Getting Together Attention SGTers!

Screen respondents carefully. Always meet in public places and have your own transportation. Don’t divulge your home address. Be sure to provide a way for your correspondent to respond to you – phone number, e-mail address or Post Office Box address. Contact the authorities if you feel threatened or harassed by an individual. Be patient and careful – a good relationship and your personal safety are worth the wait!

WOMEN SEEKING MEN 4010 FILIPINA WOMAN 60 yrs. old. Weight: 116; height: 5’3”. A nursing assistant, caring, faithful, nice and cute. Seeking SWM who is nice, gentle and caring. 1038 SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess & model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. Fort Myers.

4017 SENIOR LADY—YOUNGER ACTIVE LIFESTYLE likes to wind down and watch old movies on tv, do crosswords. Has an eye open for “The Him.” Age not an issue.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4005 SWM, 66, 5’7”, 150 LBS. Seeking relocatable slim, healthy, romantic, non-smoking gal, best friend, companion to share new life, new home near Gulf beaches. Please send photo/description. I’ll send mine. 4007 GRUMPY OLD MAN Looking for a non-grumpy woman for live-in companion. Nice home off McGregor Blvd. in Ft. Myers. I have a friendly dog and a cat that ignores me. 4009 SEEKING INTENSELY ROMANTIC LADY This male works extremely hard at looking and being his absolute best. Her age utterly unimportant. Sincere loving is. This is to be a permanent relationship.

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Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement.

Only $6 to place an ad!

Mark The Edition(s) You Would Like To Run Your Ad In: Hillsborough & Suncoast (Pinellas/Pasco) Lake/Marion Counties Southwest/Charlotte (Fort Myers/Port Charlotte)

Ad Copy • Please Print Neatly • 30 Word Limit Title (First 4 Words):

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If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month). We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is conﬁdential.

Name: Address: City: Phone:

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

4018 SEEKING NATURAL HIRSUTE FEMALE Whether you’re a Frida Kahlo look-alike or an unrepentant hippie chick, as a pleasant hirsute lady, you’re my type of woman. I’m an attractive, pleasant, very youthful senior man. Phone number please. Thank you! Tampa.

MEET OTHER SENIORS

Over 2,000 seniors have met through Seniors Getting Together. Send in your ad today! Commonly Used Abbreviations: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WWWidow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOHSense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

TO RESPOND TO AN AD

Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together 1602 S. Parsons Ave.,Seffner, FL. 33584 TO PLACE AN AD

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.

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.

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

5. Eliminate the words “but” or “however” from our vocabulary. Once we have cushioned the other person’s opinion, use “and” or pause and say nothing, following the cushion. 6. State your point of view or opinion with relevant and factual evidence.

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.

Mature Lifestyles • June 2011 • page 27

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