Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond | January February 2021 by Mitchell Media LLC: Northeast Ohio Parent & Northeast Ohio Thrive/Boomer

Boomer Northeast Ohio

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

and Beyond JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

BETTER LIVING AFTER 50

FREE

BUT YOU SURVIVED…

GRANDPARENTING TODAY

BED HEADS

SLEEP MORE, SLEEP BETTER

Plus

Authors Les Roberts & Lisa Black

Bring It On!

WINTER HIKING GRAB YOUR BOOTS & GO (YOU’LL LOVE IT, WE PROMISE)

Jan/Feb

INSIDE

ON THE COVER

Brandywine Falls Illustration by Virginia Phillips

Å 17

Winter Hiking

NEO GRANDPARENT Baby Care But You Survived

Sure It’s Cold; Try It Anyway!

Catching Zzzs Good Night, Sleep Right

Les Roberts & Lisa Black No Place Like Home

Complementary Medicine Tools for Better Health

DEPA RTMENTS 8

WORTH NOTING

FOOD

TECH TALK

REAL ESTATE

Thank Yous, Punches & Kicks

Grillin’ & Chillin’ Outdoor Cooking

Digital Assets

Hot Markets

Better Living After 50

CAREGIVER’S CORNER

Help Yourself

EDITOR´S NOTE

Boomer Northeast Ohio

But I Wouldn’t Want to Re-Live There

was a Millennial for a week, minus the angst. The takeaway? Living like a 20-something is a lot more fun than I remember actually being 20-something was. If it’s possible to be a 60-year-old Millennial, sign me up. I recently spent a longervisit-than-intended in Dallas with my 28-year-old daughter. Unencumbered by home chores, pet care, family responsibilities and the (pleasant) distractions of Marie Elium, 60, and friends and a husband, I slipped daughter Elizabeth, 28. into a pattern that felt vaguely familiar, with a 2021 twist. My schedule was my own. I slept late, binged Netflix, mastered avocado toast, ordered champagne through Instacart and hung out at the dog park. I eavesdropped on my daughter’s conference calls, borrowed her clothes, and rooted around in her kitchen cupboards, realizing that many of her appliances were nicer than mine. I enjoyed stepping into that world, but I wouldn’t want to go back. The 20s are the start of big changes and upheavals that continue for the next 20 years. That part I remember. Once was enough. It’s easy to idealize our 20s, now that they’re firmly in our rearview mirror. It was a fun part of my life, but it also came with an undercurrent of uncertainty. I knew that a lot was going to happen, but my path was bracketed by fuzzy outlines that intimidated rather than inspired. I like the confidence and hard-won experience that comes with having six decades behind me. The lessons I learned in my 20s will steer me and stead me through the years to come. I’m proudly owning my 60s; I just wish my joints didn’t ache when it rains. READ ALL ABOUT IT In addition to introspection, I did a lot of walking when I was in Dallas, most of the time in nice weather. Our story on winter hiking (PAGE 26) has advice on exploring our wonderful trails, parks and neighborhoods, regardless of the snow and cold. We even include tips on avoiding falls, or at least not getting hurt if you take a tumble. My sleep schedule was topsy turvy when I was in Texas. The air mattress might have been a factor, multiple TV streaming options another, although I’m a fitful sleeper in my own bed at home. If you’re dreaming of a good night’s sleep, read our story about natural ways to catch more Zzzs (PAGE 22). And finally, if you’re a fan of books set in Cleveland, you’ll enjoy our profiles of authors Les Roberts and Lisa Black. That story starts on (PAGE 30). I hope your 2021 is getting off to a good start. My goals are to hike longer, sleep better and read more. Modest goals, to be sure, but achievable. That’s something I learned in my 20s.

and Beyond

VOL. 7 ISSUE 1

Jan/Feb 2021 Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond is a property of Mitchell Media LLC

PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioBoomer.com /NEOhioBoomer

/NEOhioBoomer

PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohioboomer.com 330-714-7712 EDITOR- Marie Elium marie@northeastohioboomer.com COPY EDITOR/DIGITAL/ ASSISTANT EDITOR - Estelle Rodis-Brown estelle@northeastohioboomer.com EDITORIAL SUGGESTIONS editor@northeastohioboomer.com CALENDAR LISTING SUBMISSIONS calendar@northeastohioboomer.com CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Beach, Margaret Briller, Estelle RodisBrown, Linda Feagler, Kathryn Kilpatrick, Dr. Steve Marsh, Mike Olszewski, Tak Sato, Karen Shadrach, John Selick, Jennifer Herron-Underwood ART DIRECTOR- Laura Chadwick laura@northeastohioboomer.com ADVERTISING SALES Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohioboomer.com Janyse Heidy, 330-671-3886 janyse@northeastohioboomer.com Sherrie Kantarovich, 216-299-5455 sherriek@northeastohioboomer.com Samantha Olp, 330-636-6127 sam@northeastohioboomer.com Yvonne Pelino, 440-971-0595 yvonne@northeastohioboomer.com Michelle Vacha, 440-463-0146 michelle@northeastohioboomer.com OFFICE MANAGER Kathleen Mitchell, 440-533-1208 kathleen@northeastohioboomer.com EVENT MANAGER Tara Tonsetic tara@northeastohioboomer.com DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES info@northeastohioboomer.com PUBLISHERS OF

Marie Elium

marie@northeastohioboomer.com

Better Living After 50

PHOTO:MARIE ELIUM

My 20s: A Nice Place to Visit ...

Boomer Northeast Ohio

BOOMER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

and Beyond

Coming in the

Mindi Axner Executive Director National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland

March/April Issue beginning 3/15

Sharon Dundee Director of Marketing & Communications Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

Second Chances BASEBALL'S MIKE AND SHARON HARGROVE JOB HUNTING, DATING AND A HOME REFRESH

Dr. Ardeshir Z. Hashmi Cleveland Clinic Director - Center for Geriatric Medicine Kathy M. Hirko Owner KAZ Company Jeanne Hoban Marketing Communications Director Benjamin Rose Institute Kathryn Kilpatrick President Memory Fitness Matters, LLC Susan Lieberman Director of Marketing & Public Relations Montefiore and The Weils

PLUS: GARDEN TOURS

Kelsey Loushin President Eldercare Professionals of Ohio

Bob Pontius Director of External Relations Danbury Senior Living

Laurie G. Steiner Partner, Solomon, Steiner & Peck, Ltd.

Stephanie Manning The American Heart Association, Cleveland

Leslie Royce Resnik President Royce Public Relations

Candyce Traci Vice President All Media Design Group

Steven Marsh Dr. Steve Marsh, DDS

Beth Silver Director of Public Relations and Marketing Menorah Park

Nancy Udelson Former President and CEO Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association Cleveland Area Chapter

Fatima Perkins Director of Community Outreach Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

WORTH NOTING Compiled by Marie Elium

Send a Thank You Note… Every Day. For a Year. Glenn Blair calls it the “Thank You Project.” Sit down, write a thank you note, drop it in the mail, and make someone’s day. Then do it again, every day, for the next 364 days. That’s a year of thanks, spreading unexpected joy and leaving the sender with zero regret over unspoken words of gratitude. Blair, of Westlake, is a retired oil executive and Baldwin Wallace professor. The experiment Glenn Blair he embarked on more than two decades ago deserves a revisit during this unsettled time, Blair explains. Gratitude put to paper causes a ripple of kindness. Blair has thanked people from his past and from today, along with celebrities, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, people from news stories, his fourth-grade teacher and dozens of others whose actions — big and small — deserved a note. The thank-yous have had a boomerang effect — Blair got a jolt of happiness with each one he mailed. Why not try it for yourself? One note. Every day. For 365 days. Thanks, Glenn.

Better Living After 50

Punches, Kicks, Spit and Thanks A Reporter’s Story Paul Orlousky spent more than 50 years as a broadcast journalist, covering stories and the people behind those stories — many of those years right here in Cleveland. His book “Punched, Kicked, Spat On, and Sometimes Thanked” gives a lively description of what it was like to report on the region’s most historic, horrible and heartwarming stories. Orlousky retired last year. This ode to broadcast journalism — the good, the bad and the spittle, will appeal to anyone who’s ever watched local TV news. The book is available from bookstores and online through Amazon and other retailers.

Meet Virginia Phillips The Artist Behind Our Cover We’re kicking off the new year with something different: an illustrated cover. How do you like it? Cleveland-area artist and lifelong painter Virginia Phillips visited Brandywine Falls just after a snowstorm to capture this iconic Cuyahoga Valley National Park landmark. Phillips taught decorative painting classes for many years in Parma and North Royalton. She’s a member of the Greenbriar Art League, Cleveland Urban Sketchers and Peninsula Art Academy. You can find her work at art shows in Independence, Strongsville and Parma Heights (during nonpandemic years). She paints and sketches people, animals, buildings, trees and flowers, preferably on location. If you can’t make it to the falls after a snowstorm, we hope you enjoy Virginia’s interpretation.

Artist Virginia Phillips and her cover painting.

Cleveland Public Library

Here’s how it works: • Sign up for a library card if you don’t have one • Call the Main Library or neighborhood branch to sign up for Words on Wheels • Request materials by phone or visit the library’s online catalog on cpl.org • Materials will be shipped to your house • When done, return items to any Cleveland Public Library location book drop or any CLEVNET member library

CPL will continue its Homebound Service for people who are unable to return books due to age or disability. Go to cpl.org to learn more. Cleveland Public Library is open to drive-up and walk-up services Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Main Library drive-up window is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

PHOTO:MARIE ELIUM

The World at Your Doorstep

If the world outside your door seems a bit too intense to navigate (and, truthfully, it’s that way for many of us) then try a different world. Cleveland Public Library is making escapism easy with its newly launched Words on Wheels home-delivered book and movie program for adult residents of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which includes Cleveland, Bratenahl, Newburgh Heights and Linndale. The best part? It’s free.

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

WORTH NOTING

Akron Urban League Meeting Needs in Trying Times

ennifer Ross last year moved into the Akron Urban League’s newly created position of Director of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives. She’ll work with businesses, governments, community leaders and others to navigate, strategize and Jennifer Ross communicate about racial injustice and inequality. To mark Black History Month, we asked Ross to tell us about the Akron Urban League and its place in the community during these unprecedented times. WHAT WAS THE LEAGUE’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN 2020? “The Akron Urban League’s biggest challenge in 2020 was identifying the best ways to support our community and implement our programs and initiatives in the midst of COVID19, racial unrest and during a pivotal election year. Like many organizations, we moved to implementing most of our programs virtually and some were canceled. This was a major challenge for our budget. We had to figure out unplanned expenses of increased technology. We met this challenge by pivoting and introducing the Justice and Equality Giving Society Campaign

BOOM TRIVIA

to generate revenue for the organization. Organizations and individuals can support the campaign and learn about Urban League programs by going to the website at aulgivingsociety.org.”

individuals may not have access to technology or know how to use technology to stay engaged with others. This may create some anxiety and frustration. Finding ways to safely stay in contact is always critical.”

WHAT WILL OCCUPY MOST OF THE LEAGUE’S ATTENTION AND RESOURCES IN 2021? “We will continue our focus on building capacity, funding, sustainability and program growth. The Akron Urban League had to close our education offering due to school closings in the spring of 2020. Our goal is to reintroduce a rigorous education program in 2021 and expand it. We will continue to offer workforce development programs to help prepare and ensure individuals in the community have opportunities to be gainfully employed and earn a livable wage.”

WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE AKRON URBAN LEAGUE? “I wish people understood the services offered at the Akron Urban League so they could have more support and help. We occupy a unique niche where we primarily focus on the African American population, although we serve everyone. “We offer workforce programs and the Minority Entrepreneurship Empowerment Center offers services, such as accounting, business management counseling, contract procurement assistance and loan packaging assistance. Our Minority Business Development Center (MBAC) assists with MBE and EDGE certifications to help small businesses have access to more opportunities. ”We also have two Volunteer Auxiliaries programs: The Akron Urban League Young Professionals which consists of members between the ages of 21-40 and the Akron Urban League Guild. Members in the Guild are 41 and older. To learn more about our programs, services, and volunteer opportunities visit our website at akronurbanleague.org.”

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF ISSUES THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT OLDER AFRICAN AMERICAN RESIDENTS OF OUR REGION? “COVID-19 has magnified disparities. Older adults within marginalized groups are most likely to lack resources during the crisis and to need healthcare and community services. “Older adults who are in longterm care facilities may not be permitted visitors. People are connecting through Facetime and Zoom to stay in contact. Older

Last issue, pop culture columnist Mike Olszewski asked readers to name the pioneering Northeast Ohio rock trio that simulcast a live TV concert in stereo, years before MTV. It was Glass Harp. In 1972, the power trio broadcast live from WVIZ-TV with a simulcast on WMMS-FM. They still perform today.

FOR NEXT TIME, name the noted songwriter who played on Jimi Hendrix’ records whose first performance was on WXEL-TV’s “Marjorie Harm’s Charming Children.”

Better Living After 50

WORTH NOTING

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies By Deesha Philyaw

This 2020 National Book Award Finalist is a collection of tender, intimate short stories about the invisible facets of the lives of women and girls who have been taught to be “good,” no matter how badly it may hurt them. The talented Philyaw deftly explores their true thoughts, feelings and desires in this elegant, emotive volume.

Luster: A Novel By Raven Leilani

“Luster” brings a very new twist to the same old story of boy-meets-girl. In this case, Boy is married, “total daddy” Eric, and Girl is protagonist Edie, single, seemingly jaded, but really “all ooze inside.” She is also the first black woman Eric has ever dated. They meet online, but together figure out how different everything is IRL (In Real Life).

A Promised Land & Becoming By Barack Obama & Michelle Obama

We all know that behind just about every great man is a great woman. What we learn from this pair of polished memoirs by the former President and First Lady Obama is that beneath the granite monument of official history are the human stories of what really happened.

Bookshelf BLACK HISTORY MONTH

SETTLE IN WITH THESE CELEBRATED BOOKS Literary Cleveland “helps writers and readers explore other voices and discover their own.” These featured book recommendations from Literary Cleveland's programming associate Michelle R. Smith are especially relevant for Black History Month, observed February 1-March 1. Learn more about Literary Cleveland at litcleveland.org.

Better Living After 50

Just Us

Deacon King Kong

By Claudia Rankine

By James McBride

Just as in her previous volumes of poetry, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” and the renowned “Citizen,” Rankine uses her deeply intelligent, inquisitive work to examine American blackness, whiteness, womanhood, manhood, citizenship, and social unrest in “Just Us.”

In one stark act of violence on a tenement courtyard, Deacon Cuffy Lambkin of Five Ends Baptist Church sets into motion the series of entertaining and affecting events that make up this celebrated novel. It is a Top Ten of 2020, according to The New York Times, Time Magazine, and, yes, professional reader Oprah Winfrey.

FOOD

Grillin ’ and I

Chillin’

WARM UP TO OUTDOOR COOKING By John Selick

noticed two things not so long ago, while I was working outside getting my yard ready for winter. First, all my neighbors had the same leaf blower. Did I buy the wrong one? Was there a Groupon I missed? The other thing I noticed is they were all putting their grills away, and that’s when I stopped feeling crazy for having the wrong leaf blower and started thinking they were crazy for not wanting to do some wintertime grilling. TRY IT, YOU’LL LIKE IT Burgers and dogs off the grill comprise the quintessential summer fare; just thinking about the aroma and flavor brings back memories of backyard parties with friends and family. But you also can grill delicious food in the winter. We’ve had to transition from making handheld foods like burgers and hot dogs to things like steak and chops that need to be served on a platter since we’re eating indoors instead of on the deck. Please realize I’m not outside cooking during a blizzard, but the past few years have been rather mild and standing in front of a hot grill gives you a chance to get some much-needed fresh air. Low and slow barbecuing is also perfect for wintertime cooking, especially if you cook with charcoal or wood instead of a gas grill. When you do traditional

barbecue or smoking, maintaining low temperatures is the key. You generally want to keep the grill temperature around 225 degrees, and the cold weather can help keep the temperature low. This is the ideal temperature for smoking a pork shoulder, but whole chickens and turkey work really well with this method, as well. Even with the low temperatures, you will want to cook over indirect heat, which means the food is off to the side of the fire. Otherwise, it will burn if it’s directly over the flame. If you’re using a gas grill, the same method applies. Just leave a row or two of burners off and place your food there. Autumn vegetables are also great to cook over a winter fire. My favorite is butternut squash; I cook it whole right next to the fire. You don’t even have to peel it, maybe a little spritz of olive oil but even that’s not necessary.

It does take about an hour or more, but let it burn away. When it’s tender and cool enough to handle, just scrape away the burnt skin and the resulting product can be dressed up with a wide assortment of ingredients from maple syrup, vinaigrettes, fresh herbs or even Greek yogurt. Eggplant is treated this way for baba ganoush, if you have experience with that; you will love preparing butternut squash in this fashion. Get a good grill cover, one that fits well and won’t blow away, and maybe some warm boots. Now you’re ready to make delicious meals on the grill this winter.

January/February 2021

John Selick is a Certified Executive Chef and President of the American Culinary Federation Cleveland Chapter.

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

TECH TALK

Cyber

Protect Your Digital Assets

Resolution I

2021

By Tak Sato

n the real world, 2020 showed us how fragile life can be under the threat of COVID-19. In the digital world, news broke December 8 that an adversarial foreign government-backed cyber unit intruded on several federal government agency computer systems. It’s an ongoing story, as security researchers uncover evidence and victims of the unprecedented hack that affected not only government agencies but also private corporations. THREATS Cyber war is as much a real and active theater of war, like Afghanistan or anywhere in the world where our brave men and women are deployed to protect our freedom. Even though cyberwar may not directly kill troops or people (yet), stolen national secrets may tip the powers of the negotiations on the international stage while the ill-gained personal information can be traded in the black market of the digital world, also known as the dark web, and used for identity theft. The antagonist in the 1992 movie “Sneakers” said: “There’s a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it’s not about who’s got the most bullets. It’s about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it’s all about the information.” A great cast including Boomer favorites like Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell, and James

Better Living After 50

Earl Jones makes this movie enjoyable and relatable, even to a non-techie. What’s remarkable is that a 29-year-old movie plot eerily predicts the first two decades of the 21st Century digital world and what we are currently experiencing. While these digital world intrusions affect us, unfortunately, they are outside our domain of control. We can’t control the security of the information stored at these government agencies and private companies. Should we, then, throw up our arms and give up? TAKE CHARGE My opinion is a resounding “no” but what can we do for something we have no control over? This is one of my 2021 new year’s “tech” (or is it “Tak?”) resolutions. I intend to be vigilant by looking for signs of identity theft. The digital world tool we use here is the website https://www. annualcreditreport.com that gives us our up-to-date credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. I know, I know — EquiFax already was breached some time ago, and we can only hope that they have hardened their perimeter and internal defenses to protect our credit information. When accessing this website, I can’t repeat the following enough and I use

their language verbatim: “Don’t be fooled by look-alike sites. You can be sure that you are on the right site if you type www.AnnualCreditReport.com in your browser address line. Don’t come to this site by clicking on a link in another site or in an email.”

A locked keypad icon when you get on to a website signifies the communication between your device and their website is encrypted and private. Let me add to the above. As browsers (Chrome, FireFox, EDGE and Safari) continue to evolve, some may not show the prefix “www.” after you type it in and hit the enter key on your keyboard or tap the arrow button on your screen. Just giving you a heads-up on this everchanging browser behavior that may be confusing. A locked keypad icon when you get on to their website signifies the communication between your device and their website is encrypted and private. Additionally, I recommend typing in the website address (URL)

carefully at the top of your browser in full instead of searching for the website using a search engine such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Duckduckgo, etc. to avoid having to click a secondary link from the search results that, as their warning states, also lists look-alike sites. Bottom line, go to the website directly by typing in the correct address https://www. annualcreditreport.com. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, they are posting weekly online reports until April 2021 (usually only three reports annually). Combined with many other Internet Street SmartsSM — the topic for the next column, which includes checking your bank accounts and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges — this should provide clues when something is out-of-place. By being vigilant in your digital world and practicing good habits, just like you’ve learned to follow street smarts in the real world, you can continue to reap the benefits of being digitally literate.

January/February 2021

Tak Sato is a founder of the Cleveland-area nonprofit, Center for Aging in the Digital World (empowerseniors.org), that teaches digital literacy to people 50+ through the free Discover Digital Literacy program.

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

FREE

REAL ESTATE

DOWNSIZING 101 CONSULTATIONS!

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT DOWNSIZING AND DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? In this Free one hour session you will learn: • What your house is worth in today’s real estate market • If your home is home inspection ready! • If you can sell as-is • What to do with your stuff

What you will get: • Lots of valuable information • A list of trusted colleagues to help with the downsizing process • Free guide on downsizing It’s never too early to start thinking about downsizing. The average client meets with me to start the process about 6-12 months in advance.

{ I will follow COVID protocols and wear a mask and gloves per your request!

Call to Schedule a Consultation Today! Jen Herron-Underwood REALTOR® & Senior Real Estate Specialist® Email: jenherronunderwood @gmail.com to register

(440) 371-2862 www.jenniferherron.com

Better Living After 50

For Sale Today,

SOLD TOMORROW By Jennifer Herron-Underwood

f you have lived in Northeast Ohio in the past two years, you may have noticed an interesting phenomenon… a For Sale sign goes up in someone’s front yard and in less than a week, the sign says Sale Pending. Yes, that home and many others are under contract that fast. Curious, you may look up the house on Zillow or another real estate site, or check your local newspaper to see what it sold for. The sale price was above the asking price? Really? It must be a mistake, you think. It isn’t. What’s going on with real estate? Why are houses selling so fast and for more than their asking price? And what does that mean for the 2021 real estate market? HOT MARKET Interest rates are at an all-time low. They have been ridiculously low for the past year and economists are not expecting them to increase anytime soon. Low interest rates have brought buyers into the real estate market, some of them first-time buyers. In addition, many are homebuyers who realize that rising home values in the past decade have created a lot of equity in their own homes. They’re taking advantage of the low interest rates and the equity to buy their “forever home.” According to Northeast Ohio’s multiple listing service for real estate agents, there were 46% fewer homes for sale in 2020 than there were in 2019. That translates to only 6,351 homes for sale through December 20, 2020 compared to 11,834 the year before. When you combine the lack

of houses for sale with the incredible interest rates, you get a fast-paced, aggressive seller’s real estate market. Another way to look at the real estate market is through a statistic called the months of housing inventory. The months of housing inventory is the number of homes for sale versus the number of houses selling. In a seller’s market, there is typically 0-3 months of housing inventory. In a balanced market, there are four to six months of housing inventory. A buyer’s market means there are six or more months of housing inventory available. In 2010, when the housing market was at its worst in Northeast Ohio, the real estate industry had 20-33 months of housing inventory available. In 2020, the months of housing inventory has averaged 1.4 months, meaning it is a strong seller’s market, which gives the homeowner an advantage. The combination of a strong seller’s market, the lack of available homes and low interest rates creates a perfect situation for home sellers today to not only sell their homes for close to asking price, but in many cases, to also get more than their asking price. Buyers are getting into bidding wars. In some markets, homes sell for $10,000-$30,000 above the asking price. If you are thinking about selling, now is a great time to capitalize on the market. You can also talk with a real estate agent about ways to protect yourself so you have enough time to complete your downsize (or right size) and still get your home sold fast in 2021. Jennifer Herron-Underwood is a real estate agent and a Senior Real Estate specialist. She can be reached at 440-371-2862 or janherronunderwood@ gmail.com.

Grand Northeast Ohio

All Babies are the Same A Holiday with Heart

Supplement to

Boomer Northeast Ohio

and Beyond

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

d n a r G

All Parenting Techniques are Different, But

All Babies are the Same Get Used to It, Grandparents By Margaret Briller

illennials would be horrified to learn that before seat belts, our Boomer generation used an outstretched arm to protect our kids during a sudden car braking. Each generation has its own spin on child-rearing and the Millennial generation is no exception. When I had my son decades ago, I was a 36-year-old with a career. I went back to work so I could nap at noon in the women’s lounge. I dressed my infant in play clothes and put him to sleep each weeknight so I wouldn’t have to dress him in the morning before driving him to the babysitter (who fed him breakfast and lunch). Our Boomer generation introduced table food at one year old. We didn’t introduce eggs before 18 months and peanut butter at 2-3 years old. According to Dr. Richard So, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, a 2009 research study that showed that the early introduction of solid food has decreased the incidence of food allergies. “The Boomers had it right the first time,” says Dr. So. “Early introduction of these foods shows a decrease in incidence of food allergies. I’m seeing an increase in the number of new parents who are very pro-breastfeeding, too, which is a good thing that’s best for the baby.”

Better Living After 50

A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE The number one grandma question that Dr. So is asked is, “When can you give a breastfeeding baby water?” He replies, “Our whole goal for these babies is to have normal growth and development. Babies don’t grow with water and it just takes up space because there are no calories in water. Water is not recommended for infants until the baby is 9-12 months old. The recommendation for food and liquids in the baby is breast milk or formula for the first 12 months. That’s the number one change that I get asked from grandparents.”

BEDTIME Cribs filled with stuffed animals, blankets and side bumpers are also a thing of the past. Today’s cribs contain none of those suffocation hazards. Instead, swaddling may actually help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. “Boomers used to put their babies on their stomach to sleep, but it was determined that the infant’s head was proportionally bigger and that can close the airways and can potentially lead to some unforeseeable events,” says Dr. So. “We put our babies on their backs to sleep now and there’s been a decrease in SIDS as a result. Swaddling is okay up to 2 months old but somewhere between 2 and 4 months, they developmentally learn how to roll, and they can’t do that if they are still being swaddled.” TECH HELP It appears that electronics are the new babysitter for kids but using electronics to entertain kids under the age of 2 is not recommended, Dr. So says. “They do not learn from these gadgets,” he notes. “I believe some children might not talk on time because they get hypnotized by the screen and they’re not talking. There should be a media plan in each family where you should limit the media — the computer, tablet and TV — to two hours a day.” Dr. So notes that technology has even entered into tracking baby’s bodily activities through various apps. “During pediatrician visits here at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we say to new parents that, as long as you’re having six to seven diaper changes a day and the stools are soft, you’re doing well. But new parents are more technology-driven and like to keep track of their baby’s activities as we did in the hospital. There’s nothing wrong with that if it helps them,” he says.

Margaret Briller is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio.

But You Survived By Marie Elium

A TEETHING BABY? GRAB THE WHISKEY. My mom’s cure for a fussy, teething baby was the tip of a cloth diaper dipped in whiskey and rubbed on swollen gums. From what I can remember, it seemed to help my younger sister. Then again, whiskey tends to calm me down, too. I was born in 1960, not 1860. When Mom suggested a dab of whiskey for my own cranky babies, I took a hard pass, though I’m not entirely sure Mom didn’t try it when I wasn’t looking. Besides, I didn’t have cloth diapers. Few of us now would recommend whiskey for an infant, but our own child-rearing strategies from 20, 30 or 40 years ago seem just as crazy to today’s plugged-in parents. Millennials and others have the advantage — and possibly burden — of blogs, webinars, chat rooms, videoconferences, Instagram, and every other form of 24hour, on-call advice to help them raise their babies. THE COMPETITION IS TOUGH FOR GRANDPARENTS. Here’s what we should do: keep our mouths shut unless asked, be supportive, and let the young people figure it out. After all, we (mostly) did. Below are a few techniques that are different in the baby-raising arena compared to a few decades ago. Many changes have come about because of safety issues. Others are a matter of choice. Hang around any new parent and you’ll no doubt hear something about which infant advice they’re following, ranging from “Moms on Call” to “Babywise,” Taking Cara Babies,” and other popular strategies today. None of them mentions whiskey. Maybe that’s best left for grandparents. THEN

NOW

• Babies were put to sleep on their sides or stomachs

• Back-sleeping only

• Blankets were used to keep warm • Mashed up solid food or jars of baby food • S upplemented bottles with rice cereal • Bumper pads in the crib

• Swaddles preferred (in graduating sizes and restraint) • Self-feeding with food cut into small pieces. Baby food comes in plastic containers. • Skip the cereal in the bottle • T he only thing in the crib is the baby (and maybe a pacifier)

Marie Elium is Jack’s mom-mom. He’s 10 months old, lives in Atlanta and has never had a drop of whiskey.

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

d n a r G

A Holiday with Heart

Valentines with the Grandkids By Karen Shadrach

Our winter holidays are not yet over — the month of February brings us Valentine’s Day, and there’s nothing better than a homemade valentine. Valentine’s Day is a chance to share your love and appreciation with those special to you. Handmade cards will bring a smile to someone on what could otherwise be a dreary Northeast Ohio February day.

GRAB SOME SUPPLIES AND GO Simple, yet very creative valentines can be made when you provide the hearts and let the grandkids decorate. Begin by cutting out heart shapes from pink or red construction paper. Alternatively, heart cutouts of all sizes can be purchased at a craft store. First, write on them to personalize, then set out containers of assorted markers, crayons, stickers and sewing items such as buttons, rick-rack and the always-popular googly eyes for them to create a heart face. Other ideas include pompoms, cotton balls, puffy stickers, glitter pens, jewels or tissue paper pieces. All of the above can be found at a craft store if you don’t have the items in your home. A lot of embellishments come with a peel-off sticky backing. If not, use a glue stick or glue gun. Set everything out on a table and let the grandkids’ creativity loose.

Better Living After 50

NEED MORE? HANDPRINT VALENTINES If your grandchild is small enough, making valentines from their handprints is very special. Washable ink or paint works well for this project. Grandma hint: Using a paintbrush to cover their hands with paint is better than dipping the hand into the paint. It’s much less messy and gives greater coverage of all parts of the hand. Both right and left hands can be printed, overlapping the palms a bit to form a heart. Cut a heart around the prints, then mount onto another, larger heart and decorate. Make another type of handprint heart by placing both hands touching at thumbs and index fingers, forming an upsidedown heart inside. This makes a larger print and you will probably need to cut it out and place it onto a paper rectangle, maybe using red to emphasize the heart formed between the fingers.

LAYERS FOR A 3-D HEART Begin with a large heart and paste it onto another sheet of paper. Then, cut out three to four more hearts, each decreasing in size from the original. You can use the same colored paper or use a different color for each heart. Glue each to the center of the previously laid heart. The heart may be placed on the front of a card or placed into the centerfold, which will open up when reading. MIX IT UP You can buy different heart stamps, or make your own from apples or potatoes. Carve a heart shape and let the grandkids dip it into paint to stamp onto a piece of construction paper or card stock. Fill it with stamps on one side, then fold and write your sentiment inside the card. Add stamps or stickers, or color something special. Purchase white doilies from a craft store or make your own doily hearts by folding paper and cutting out shapes along the fold and edges. Glue the heart doilies onto a contrasting piece of paper to make a dainty valentine.

Fun With the Grandkids SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

1/23

Gross-Out Science Show. Why are we fascinated with all things gross? Don’t look away! We’re going to explain the science behind the gross things our bodies do. 12:30 & 1:30 p.m. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216694-2000, greatscience.com. FREE-$16.95

Winter Wildlife Tour. Take an outdoor tour to learn more about the resident wildlife ambassadors, rehab patients and what goes on behind the scenes. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sippo Lake Park, Exploration Gateway, 5710-5712 12th St., Canton, 330-409-8096, starkparks. com. FREE

ONGOING Schuele Planetarium: Twinkle Tots, Stellar Stars, Family Adventures in Space, Sky Tonight and Full Dome Show. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, 440-8712900, lensc.org. FREE

BAKE ‘EM Valentines don’t have to be made out of paper. You can bake your valentine. Whip up a batch of brownies and cut pieces into heart shapes using a cookie cutter. Rice Krispy treats can also be cut this way. The heart shapes can then be further decorated with icing and small candies. Baking decorated valentine cookies or cupcakes also make great Valentine’s Day treats. CHOCOLATE? WHY NOT? Melt and make your own chocolates. Purchase molds and pour melted chocolate into heart or cupid shapes (this requires careful grandparent oversight). Wrap in decorative foils and enclose these yummies into a valentine card. Have fun creating your handmade cards and happy Valentine’s Day to you and your little loves! Karen Shadrach is a Northeast Ohio on-the-go, in-the-know grandmother of two sets of twins. Read her grandparenting blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

Shark Gallery & Seat Tube. With 230,000 gallons of water, this impressive space features three species of sharks, stingrays, eels and many other species of fish. Walk through the 175-foot underwater sea tube and you’ll feel like you’re scuba diving without all the heavy equipment. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com. $13.95-19.95

THROUGH 2/15 Winter Wonderland. Both the inside and outside malls will be decorated with beautiful artwork made by Monarch’s students using inspiration from winter animals and imagery. Eton Chagrin Blvd., 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, etonchagrinblvd.com. FREE

1/25 Online Pet Parade. You know how your pet loves to make an appearance when you’re on Zoom? Well, let’s feature our pets and get a chance to talk about them. Kids of all ages can get a chance to show off their pet. Whether it’s a cat, dog, snake or dinosaur. 4 p.m. Mentor Public Library, mentorpl.org. FREE

1/26 Virtual Trivia. Team up with friends and family to show that all that useless information you know is not so useless, after all. Questions will cover a wide range of subjects and will be family friendly. 7-8 p.m. Heights Libraries, heightslibrary.org. FREE

2/13 Wonders of Winter. Enjoy winter hikes, crafts and activities to uncover life in the forest when the weather turns cold. 1-3 p.m. The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 S. Park Blvd., 216-231-5935, shakerlakes.org. $6-8

The Rink at Wade Oval. Lace up your skates and enjoy the fresh ice on picturesque Wade Oval. 10820 East Blvd., Cleveland, universitycircle.org. $2-5

1/16-31 Ice Age Adventure. Ice Age animals used special adaptations to help them survive. Use your imagination as you follow signs along the Inner Loop trail to take an interactive adventure with these animals. Allardale West Parking Lot, 401 Remsen Rd., Medina, medinacounyparks.com. FREE

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

Zzzs Catching

NATURAL WAYS FOR RESTFUL NIGHTS By Estelle Rods-Brown

Too many of us wake up wiped out from a fitful night of interrupted sleep, then spend our days in a daze, a bit fuzzy in the mind and frayed in the emotions. If this seems familiar, consider yourself among the estimated 40%-70% of older adults who have chronic sleep issues* and need to reset their sleep patterns. THE AGE-SLEEP CONNECTION Sleep patterns change as we age, but enduring disturbed sleep and waking up tired every day are not part of normal aging. Agerelated sleeping patterns include becoming sleepy earlier, waking up earlier, and/or experiencing less deep sleep overall. Older adults can take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep in the first place. Then, sleeping more lightly and waking up more often can result in feeling sleep-deprived, even if your total time in bed has remained constant. No wonder many of us resort to daytime napping. “When you wake up through the night due to pain, restlessness or having to urinate, you don’t wake up refreshed,” says Jacob Wolf, a naturopathic provider at Lake Health Integrative Medicine in Mentor. Trained as a naturopathic primary care physician and licensed as a provider of Oriental Medicine, Wolf says that the holistic approach of integrative medicine is more effective in treating chronic conditions such as insomnia rather than conventional medicine, which addresses symptoms rather than solving the root problem. (Since the state of Ohio does not yet license naturopathic doctors, Wolf does not afford himself the “doctor” title.) “We are trained to find the underlying condition and treat the patient in the least

Better Living After 50

invasive, most efficient manner” that optimizes the body’s own ability to heal itself, Wolf explains. “All of the body’s systems are interrelated.” WHY YOU’RE NOT SLEEPING Insomnia is one of those systemic disturbances characterized by trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, resulting in sleep deprivation that causes distress or difficulty with daily activities. If it happens at least three nights a week and lasts for a month or more, sleep experts call this a persistent insomnia disorder. Insomnia compromises overall health, so recognize the symptoms and take action to reverse the trend. Not getting enough high-quality sleep increases your risk of depression, concentration and memory problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, and experiencing more nighttime falls. Serious health problems can follow, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight issues, and breast cancer in women. It can accelerate the aging process, Wolf says. Sleep is integral to your physical and emotional health, improving concentration and memory formation, allowing your body to repair cell damage, and refreshing your immune system to prevent disease.

If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, maybe what you need is a good night’s sleep.

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

I NEED HOW MUCH? Most healthy adults require seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Regardless, how you feel in the morning is more important than a specific number of hours you sleep, Wolf emphasizes. Frequently waking up, not feeling rested, or feeling tired during the day are the best indications that you’re sleep-deprived. “Sleep cycles ebb and flow throughout life,” Wolf explains. Chronic stress contributes to sleep disturbances as we age. Also, changes to hormone levels influence sleep and circadian rhythms, creating a greater risk for health conditions that interfere with sleep. Sleep is split into two categories: • REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when you’re dreaming; and nonREM sleep, which moves through progressively deeper stages: • Stage I - a light doze, not very restorative • Stage II - middle sleep, restorative • Stage III - slow-wave deep sleep, the most restorative, refreshing stage of sleep With each passing year, your body produces less growth hormone, so you experience less slow-wave or deep sleep (Stage III). As a result, you produce less melatonin. Consequently, you’ll experience more fragmented sleep, waking up more often during the night. While it’s tempting to assume that a good night’s sleep is as elusive as the proverbial Fountain of Youth, there are specific habits to break and steps to take (see Securing Sleep) that will help you reverse the downward spiral and regain restorative sleep. Wolf advises that optimal sleep hygiene will help you “Prepare yourself to have successful sleep.” How’s your sleep? The degree to which sleep quality deteriorates or improves over time can mirror overall health. So, don’t settle for feeling sick and tired. You can improve your health hygiene and feel younger, waking up refreshed after a deep night’s sleep.

Better Living After 50

Securing Sleep WHAT TO AVOID “You can’t watch a thriller action movie while drinking caffeine or alcohol and then shut the light and expect to sleep well,” says Jacob Wolf, naturopathic provider at Lake Health Integrative Medicine in Mentor. For most of human history, “We used to go to bed when the sun went down or enjoyed dim firelight between sundown and bedtime,” he explains. “Now, we’re over-stimulated with blue light from TV, tablets, cell phones and LED lights. Blue light prevents us from producing melatonin and keeps us from entering into deep sleep.” So, while LED light bulbs save energy, they may keep you awake. Look for “warm” rather than “cool” LED light bulbs. Lights on the yellow-orange spectrum are preferable to blue light, helping you to maintain proper hormone balance and consistent sleep/wake times. You can also purchase special lenses for your glasses that block blue light. WHAT TO DO Further, create a pre-bedtime routine that will ease you into sleep mode, a half-hour to an hour before lights out. Shut off all screens, dim the (yelloworange) lights, do a relaxation/meditation/yoga stretching routine, perhaps read a calming book or listen to soft, soothing music. You can also take a low dosage of melatonin during that time frame. “The lower dosage, the better,” Wolf advises. He recommends 1-3 milligrams per night. Higher dosages can keep you alert, he says. Wolf does not recommend conventional sleeping pills. He says that pharmaceutical sleep aids sedate you (think Stage I sleep) but actually inhibit deep, restorative sleep (Phase III). SKIP THE NIGHTCAP Stop eating and drinking an hour before bedtime, to avoid gastrointestinal interruptions while trying to sleep. Earlier in the evening — perhaps after supper — enjoy a hot cup of herbal (not caffeinated) tea. Wolf recommends calming chamomile or valerian varieties. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they both contribute to restless sleep. During the day, be sure to expend some energy. According to the National Sleep Foundation, exercise — especially aerobic activity — releases chemicals in your body that promote more restful sleep. A Northwestern University study found that aerobic exercise resulted in the most dramatic improvement in quality of sleep — including sleep duration — for middleaged and older adults diagnosed with insomnia. Participants exercised for two 20-minute sessions or one 30-to-40minute session, four times weekly. They worked at 75 percent of their maximum heart rate on at least two activities, including walking or using a stationary bicycle or treadmill. They reported fewer depressive symptoms, more vitality, and less daytime sleepiness. If you need further intervention, Wolf recommends scheduling acupuncture sessions that calm the mind and ease anxiety. “Acupuncture levels out energy pathways and changes your body’s perception of anxiety so you feel less prone to extremes,” he explains. Further, if sleep apnea is a problem, integrative medicine practitioners can help patients to improve and strengthen their breathing techniques, providing a sustainable alternative to reliance on CPAP respiratory systems. “Why slap a Band-Aid on it when you can solve the problem?” Wolf asks. Better sleep is within reach. *According to SleepFoundation.org

Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer from Portage County who also serves as digital/assistant editor of Boomer magazine. She is committed to lifelong learning, wellness and the pursuit of better living at any age. She can be reached at estelle@northeastohioboomer.com.

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

WINTER

g n i Hik SURE, IT’S COLD. TRY IT ANYWAY! Article and photo by Marie Elium

Hike 500 miles? Until the pandemic, I wasn’t sure I had the stamina to drive 500 miles. Devoted Northeast Ohio hikers know otherwise, hitting trails, sidewalks and roadsides year-round, logging hundreds of miles annually. Spring, summer and fall may be prime seasons for an outdoor ramble, but don’t close the door on winter, local hikers say.

FOUL-WEATHER FANS Many of us have turned to hiking as a way to safely connect with friends while getting some much-needed exercise, fresh air and sunshine. That was easy to do when the weather was nice and the days were long. Winter is a tougher sell. Don’t be intimidated. Judging by the dozens of hikes scheduled each week throughout Northeast Ohio, a lot of people are doing a lot of wintertime hiking and they encourage the winter-weary to join them. All you really need are some warm (but not too warm) clothes, comfortable footwear and the willingness to embrace the season’s wonder. Nature reveals many of its secrets in winter’s spare landscape. Their advice? Try it, you’ll like it.

Better Living After 50

Local Clubs They Like to Hike

Hikes usually are assigned a leader and always have a distance included in the description. Some are pet-friendly, with well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome. Read the descriptions carefully to find your fit. Many of the clubs below are best reached through the website Meetup.com, a social network platform. Type in the name of the club and register to join a hike. Cleveland Hiking Club Clevelandhikingclub.org

Mature Hikers (Akron) Contact through Meetup.com

Crooked River Chapter: Buckeye Trail Association Buckeyetrail.org

Northeast Ohio Hiking Club Contact through Meetup.com

Facebook: Crooked River Chapter Buckeye Trail Association Contact through Meetup.com Greater Akron Area Hikers Contact through Meetup.com

Northeast Ohio Orienteering Club Contact through Meetup.com

Members and guests of the Cleveland Hiking Club on a hike at North Chagrin Reservation. Canine hiker Lucas takes a glance backward.

Wadsworth Adventurers Contact through Meetup.com Westlake Hiking club Contact through Meetup.com

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

SEASONAL BEAUTY No one says you can’t just step out your back door and start hiking around your neighborhood. But if you want a more organized approach, Northeast Ohio’s many hiking clubs are a good way to get started and a terrific way to explore unfamiliar trails and parks, all while social distancing. One of the largest — and by far the oldest — hiking groups in the area is the Cleveland Hiking Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Mark Stypczynski is a member and an avid winter hiker. Ice and snow are beautiful to look at from a cozy spot indoors. With a few simple pieces of equipment, they’re equally beautiful during a winter jaunt, Stypczynski says. Inexpensive hiking poles and spike-like stabilizers on boots help avoid falls. And cold weather is rarely an issue. “Once you get out there, you’re generating enough heat that after a mile, you’re shedding clothes,” he says. “I like to hike along waterways. The rivers are constantly changing and I like the different lighting. You see more details in the land that you don’t see when they’re covered with leaves and foliage,” Stypczynski says.

One of his favorites this time of year is the Ledges Trail off Truxell Road in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. “Just after a snow and the sun is shining on the rocks, it’s just always spectacular,” he says. Stypczynski hikes about six days a week. The Cleveland Hiking Club offers several opportunities for hikers to get together on hikes throughout Northeast Ohio, ranging from three miles to 20+. Some are leisurely, others are brisk and more challenging. Their website has a detailed list at Clevelandhikingclub.org.

HIDDEN GEMS “I think the tendency is to hunker down and hibernate in the winter,’’ says Sharon Uhl, a member of the Cleveland Hiking Club. “It’s so liberating to get outside every day. It lifts your spirits, and after a snowfall it’s beautiful. There are some places around here, when the snow is on the hemlocks, it’s just pristine.” Greg Madachik is another fan of wintertime rambles. He belongs to the Northeast Ohio Hiking Club which also organizes weekly hikes throughout the region. “When all the leaves are down, you can see the contours of the hills and it’s all opened up and with snow on

It Pays To Be Prepared When it comes to winter hiking comfort, you are what you wear. Here are a few tips from Cleveland Hiking Club Members: You’re wearing too many clothes if you’re comfortably warm when you step out of your car. Dress for how you’ll feel after hiking for 10 or 15 minutes. Dress in layers and be prepared to shed clothing when you get too warm. Consider a small daypack to stash extra clothes. Bring water. Proper hydration is important in all temperatures, not just when you’re sweating. Falls happen. Consider practicing how to fall, or at least anticipate how to land (shoulder tucked) if you take a tumble. (See side story.) Sporting goods stores sell clamp-on or slip-on stabilizers for boot treads. An alternative is to repurpose old boots into ice boots with sheet metal screws. The Cleveland Hiking Club website has a detailed description if you want to make your own. Dress for the weather: hats, warm gloves and wool socks can make the difference between a miserable hike and a comfortable one.

Better Living After 50

top of that, it can be really striking,” he says. Madachik hikes two to three times a week or 1,000+ miles annually. “It adds up over time.” Another Northeast Ohio Hiking Club member, Kimberly Grencewicz, adds, “For me, it is very therapeutic to get out, to keep busy and to breathe the fresh air. It’s good to visit a lot of different parks I had never seen before.” One hiker says this about winter hiking: “You can walk the places you wouldn’t ordinarily see. It’s beautiful to see the snow cover the trees and the quiet in the woods, and the air is nice and crisp. You’re not cold after about five minutes out there.”

Winter Goal #1 A Fall-Free Hike Most of us avoid activities where falling is a risk. Let’s be honest: winter hiking comes with its share of ice and snow, and that means there’s always a chance of a fall. Don’t let that keep you from enjoying winter hiking. Here’s a list of things you can do to prevent and minimize falls when you’re exploring nature. The information is provided by Cleveland Hiking Club member Julie Wojcik and reprinted with the club’s permission. • Keep in the moment – mindfulness – watch the ground ahead and be aware of your surroundings. If hiking where there are a lot of roots and fallen branches or uneven sidewalks, keep your eyes open for potential trip hazards and attempt to avoid them. Trekking poles can also be helpful. • When falling isn’t avoidable, prepare by staying bent. Instead of reaching out with stiff arms and elbows, bend your elbows and knees. Stiff arms can often lead to broken bones. • Falls going forward can lead to serious head injuries, but turning your head to the side can lessen a serious impact to the front of your face. If falling backward, tuck your chin to your chest so you avoid hitting the back of your head. • As you’re bending to soften a fall, attempt to fall on the meaty or muscle part of your back, butt or thighs, not on the bones. If possible, aim for a soft or grassy area of the ground. •K eep falling; roll into the fall. This allows the fall to cover more areas of the body, instead of concentrating the impact on one part of the body. • T ry practicing a fall on your bed so that falling has a “natural” feel. It will allow you to react correctly when a fall does happen. • Work on increasing your body’s ability to stay balanced. Stand with feet together, lift one foot about 1 inch, and hold for about 30 seconds – complete about 10 reps on each leg.

Marie Elium is editor of Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond. Her goal is to take a hike, a stroll or a walk every day this winter, regardless of the weather. She’s missed four days so far.

WINTER-WORTHY

Hikes

We asked local winter hikers for their favorite trails and parks. Below are a few of their suggestions. Another good resource is “Best Hikes Near Cleveland” by Joe Baur. NORTH • Brecksville Reservation Cleveland Metroparks Clevelandmetroparks.com SOUTH • Plateau Trail/Oak Hill Cuyahoga Valley National Park Conservancyforcvnp.org • Hinckley Lake Trail Hinckley Park, Cleveland Metroparks EAST • Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville Ohiodnr.gov • Geauga Park District The West Woods, Novelty Geaugaparkdistrict.org WEST • West Creek Reservation, 2277 W. Ridgewood Drive, Parma - Cleveland Metroparks • Bradley Woods Reservation (especially after snow) Start at the Bradley Woods park off of Bradley Rd between Center Ridge Rd. and Hilliard Blvd. in Westlake. • Olmsted Falls; walk along Rocky River • Rocky River Reservation Cleveland Metroparks • Cascade Park, Elyria Loraincountymetroparks.com • Girdled Road Reservation, 12840 Girdled Rd., Concord Township (start at Chickadee Trailhead) . Lakemetroparks.com

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

There’s No Place Like Northeast Ohio for Authors Les Roberts & Lisa Black By Linda Feagler

A DETECTIVE WITH A HEART

It’s been five years since Cleveland private eye Milan Jacovich solved his last case in our northcoast city. Will the beloved investigator make another appearance? Cleveland author Les Roberts answers with a resounding yes. Over the last three decades, he’s penned 19 mystery novels starring the blue-collar gumshoe. His latest, “Sheehan’s Dog,” was published in late 2020 by Down & Out Books. As they were in Roberts’ past pageturners, Milan’s significant other, homicide detective Tobe Blaine and local mob boss Victor Gaimari are integral to the plot. “I’m thrilled about the messages I receive from fans asking me to bring Milan back,” says Roberts, 83. “I’ve missed him, too. If you think about it, famous fictional private eyes like Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe are not nice guys. I think

Better Living After 50

everyone who has read Milan loves him because he’s a very decent human being. He doesn’t beat up people for the fun of it. He’s looking for a lasting relationship, but women dump him because he’s in a very dangerous profession. He’s the kind of guy you’d like to sit down and have a Stroh’s with.”

LOCAL FLAVOR

It’s no surprise that Roberts ultimately found his calling writing crime novels. As a teenager growing up on Chicago’s North Side, he devoured the words of John D. MacDonald, Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. But thoughts of following in those storied authors’ footsteps were overshadowed by the lure of the stage. Roberts moved to New York, where he performed off-Broadway and started writing comedy. In 1966, he headed to Los Angeles and became a scriptwriter for “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The

Lucy Show,” “Candid Camera” and “Hollywood Squares.” “It didn’t take long to realize the life I was living wasn’t reality,” he says. “After all, they call it La-la Land for a reason.” For Roberts, forging a new path and never looking back is second nature. It’s what brought him to Cleveland in 1987, after accepting a job to launch “Cash Explosion” for the Ohio Lottery. Many of Milan’s haunts — which range from the upscale ambiance of Nighttown to the eclectic West Side Market to the elegant Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, are Roberts’ favorites, too. “Cleveland is an amazing place,” he says. “There’s so much to write about and so much that inspires me — the neighborhoods, the ethnicities, the people. The years I’ve spent here have been the best of my life.”

“Cleveland is an amazing place. There’s so much to write about and so much that inspires me — the neighborhoods, the ethnicities, the people. The years I’ve spent here have been the best of my life.” — Les Roberts

“There’s so many interesting facets of Cleveland’s existence that are unique. And so much life here that’s worth exploring.” — Lisa Black

MYSTERY, SUSPENSE AND CRIME

On a wintry morning in Cleveland, forensic scientist Maggie Gardiner is asked to investigate the murders of two men: One is discovered in Erie Street Cemetery, the other is three miles away behind the West Side Market. Although seemingly unrelated, Gardiner is not so sure. It’s up to her to put the pieces together and bring the perpetrator to justice. Since 2005, Strongsville native Lisa Black, 57, has been penning suspense novels set in and around Cleveland. For her 15th book, “Every Kind of Wicked,” which was released in August, Black delves into the world of pill-pushing physicians and telephone fraud scams.

A HEARTFELT HOMAGE

“The appeal of mystery stories goes back hundreds of years,” she says. “We love putting all the pieces together and finding the hidden treasure which is the solution we’re seeking.” Like the women in her novels, Black — a forensic scientist, latent print examiner and certified crime analyst — scrutinizes gunshot residue, clothing, hair, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and trace evidence found on bodies and at crime scenes to decipher potential clues. As Black discusses the plots she’s constructed, it’s clear each book serves not only as a heartfelt homage to her favorite literary genre but also to the years she spent working in the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office in the ’90s.

“My time at the coroner’s office was busy, incredibly stressful and intense,” she recalls. “But every day was an adventure.” In 2000, when her husband Russ got tired of lake-effect winters, the couple pulled up stakes and moved to Florida, where Black still works as a latent print examiner and certified crime analyst for the Cape Coral Police Department. While childhood friends played with Barbies, Black spent her formative years writing mysteries based on “Adam 12,” “Perry Mason” and “Ellery Queen” — the TV shows she and her dad always watched together. “I wanted to be a detective just like Ellery Queen,” Black says. “It seemed like the kind of job where you worked your own hours, and then you’d call everybody into the library and tell them who committed the crime.” She went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in biology from Cleveland State University, which led to her job in the coroner’s office. Although she’s lived in Florida for 20 years, Black always sets greater Cleveland as the scene of her crimes. Favorite places include Cleveland Public Library, The Arcade and Playhouse Square. “There’s so many interesting facets of Cleveland’s existence that are unique,” she says. “And so much life here that’s worth exploring.” For more information about Lisa’s books, visit lisa-black.com

January/February 2021

Linda Feagler is a Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond magazine writer.

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

CAREGIVER'S CORNER

Get the Best Medical Care HELP YOURSELF By Jennifer Beach

ver the past 20 years, I have had the opportunity to assist, support and advocate for and with individuals and their families in a variety of medical settings. I have participated in countless doctor appointments, ER visits, hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays and in long-term care settings. Throughout all of these experiences, I’ve learned strategies that not only helped my clients but can also help anyone who finds themselves in similar situations. YOUR VALUABLE INPUT Many of our parents come from a generation during which they relied solely on the doctor to understand, identify and quickly know the answers to our medical concerns. The patient-doctor exchange was primarily focused on the doctor’s input, while the patient rarely questioned or added additional information. Today, we realize the important role the patient plays in defining their medical experience and overall health. Both the medical community and general population continue to understand our overall health is an

Better Living After 50

integrated process rather than specific isolated pieces and parts. Our bodies are finely tuned machines and each part affects the other. In today’s world, where we have access to endless information, more people are understanding what we eat, how we live, exercise and worry about all play a role in our overall health. This holistic understanding has changed and continues to change our medical experiences. Whether you are by yourself or accompanying another to a medical setting, here are a few practical tips to assist with the experience, reduce errors, save time, and know you are doing the best for yourself or the person you are supporting. Many of us have heard the motto “Be Prepared” most of our lives, and guess what? It is still true. Be prepared to have and share accurate information about yourself or the person you are assisting and realize you will repeat that information often. Try not to get annoyed; recognize how large and busy our health care systems are. We often have care teams with rotating doctors, meaning

multiple people contribute to our health experiences. Help yourself or the person you are supporting by readily repeating information. This could potentially prevent errors in diagnosis and treatment. While so much information is online and accessible today, try to avoid saying, “I don’t know, it’s in my chart or records.” Having basic medical information readily available can be valuable, save time and reduce potential errors. To get the most out of any medical experience, you should understand this: it’s all about you or the person you are assisting. Being actively involved in our own health care experience is imperative. We need to speak up, talk about ourselves, and be prepared with accurate information and questions. Medical care should not be a passive activity; it should be an activity with the patient at the lead. Over the years, I have observed that medical professionals tend to spend more time, discuss more options, and provide more education on issues and concerns when the patient or person assisting the patient is engaged. Patients who are prepared and realize their medical care is not a one-way street with the doctor in control often have a better experience and outcome.

KNOW THESE THINGS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT MEDICAL APPOINTMENT • Medical diagnosis • Allergies to medicines, foods • Medications – names, dosages, how long they have been taken, their purposes and the doctor who prescribed them. Include all vitamins, supplements, special teas and/or any homeopathic aids currently being used. • Height, weight • Appetite

Jennifer Beach is an Advanced Aging Life Care Professional. She established Advocate For Elders (advocate4elders.com) in Rocky River and has 25 years of experience in working with and advocating for older adults and their families.

• Sleep patterns • Overall mood, outlook • Bowel patterns

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

HEALTH

A Good Year, A Good Dental Care Plan By Dr. Steve Marsh

ith the new year upon us (finally!), there are many choices to be made, many that center on our physical well-being. Our concerns change over the years, including things that happen as we age, like arthritis and hair loss, over which we have little control. One thing we can affect is our dental health. Thankfully, more attention to home care and preventive visits to the dentist and hygienist can influence our ability to save our teeth and look good. NEW TECHNIQUES Today’s dentistry offers a number of techniques and materials to get a great smile. Silver fillings that have broken down or have started to leak can be replaced by tooth-colored composites. These strong restorations can be color-matched to the tooth so that they blend right in. As they are bonded to the remaining tooth structure, the composite fillings help to hold the teeth together, resulting in fewer fractures. To keep them looking fresh, whitening can be accomplished in the office through the Zoom technique, a procedure that can make a huge difference in about an hour and a half. Newly-whitened teeth can be kept that way with custom-fitted whitening trays and whitening gel. Much like the use of hair coloring to “keep the gray away,” the gel maintains the brightened teeth; the gel can be used without the Zoom technique, accomplishing the whitening treatment over a longer time period — taking a few weeks to achieve the desired shade.

Better Living After 50

BEFORE

AFTER

When tooth-colored fillings and whitening may not be enough to give you the smile you want, porcelain crowns and veneers may be just the thing to bring your smile “up to date.” These beautiful restorations can be used to fix discolored teeth, fractured or chipped teeth, or teeth that have had root canals (nerve and blood vessel removal) that often leave the teeth brittle and/or discolored. In a fairly conservative — but predictable — way, the crowns and veneers can be used to get your smile back or give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Though we may have aged gracefully, with or without the changes that come with maturity, it’s wonderful to know that we can control how our teeth feel and look. As we move into 2021, we can make a strong resolution to move into our Boomer years with a beautiful smile. Bring it on!

Dr. Steve Marsh focuses on cosmetic dental procedures and general dentistry. Visit ClevelandSmiles.com to learn more. Please see the ad on the back page.

COMPLEMENTARY HEALTHCARE WHAT’S SAFE, WHAT WORKS, WHEN TO TRY IT By Marie Elium

r. Bombay from the ‘60s sitcom “Bewitched” treated his witch patients (and an occasional nonwitch) with a combination of spells, miracle pills and other unconventional treatments. If that’s your reference point for non-mainstream medicine, it’s time to adjust your thinking. It’s come a long way in the past several decades, retro TV episodes aside. Sound therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis and other clinically tested therapies can be valuable tools for caregivers and patients, widening treatment options. The alternative has become mainstream, according to two University Hospitals doctors who specialize in integrative medicine.

Better Living After 50

Today, 40 percent of Americans use some form of complementary or non-mainstream medicine, says Dr. Francoise Adan, director of University Hospitals Connor Integrative Health Network. Acupuncture, massage, music and other therapies are proven and increasingly popular complements to traditional medicine. But with so many treatments to choose from, how do you know what works and when to use it? We asked Dr. Adan and Dr. David Miller, UH’s medical director of pediatric integrative medicine, to give us an overview.

Sniff, Move, Think, Listen WHAT THERAPY IS IT? ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture is the practice of putting thin needles into the skin at certain parts of the body. It’s done to ease symptoms linked to many diseases.

BIOFEEDBACK This is a mind–body technique that teaches patients to use relaxation and other techniques to control and improve their physiology.

ART, DANCE & MUSIC THERAPIES These expressive arts therapies help relieve stress, anxiety and pain. AROMATHERAPY Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees) as a complementary health approach. AYURVEDA Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine based on the idea that imbalance leads to disease.

BODY MOVEMENT Tai chi and yoga are two forms of nonaerobic movement and controlled breathing that can be practiced to reduce stress and anxiety. CHINESE MEDICINE Chinese medicine traditionally uses acupuncture, tai chi and herbal products. CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE Chiropractic medicine is based on the link between the spine and how the body functions.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS Adding anything to your regular diet to improve your health or healing is considered a dietary supplement. HYPNOSIS Hypnosis is an altered, relaxed state of mind. It is often used to help learn to control bad habits, pain, and stress. IMAGERY By creating images in the mind, you can reduce pain and symptoms linked to your condition. MASSAGE Massage can help both physically and emotionally. The rubbing soothes sore muscles and releases tension in the body and mind.

Sources: University Hospitals, National Institutes of Health

Integrative health looks at all treatment options, drawing on a wide range of therapies that supplement conventional treatments. Dr. Adan and Dr. Miller say that patients who work within a healthcare system have the advantage of integrated care, using multiple therapies and practitioners, all coordinated by a physician. An added advantage is that the practitioners’ licensing and certifications have been vetted by the hospital system. Patients should be aware that some practitioners work outside their scope of expertise, Dr. Adan says. Dr. Miller adds that a therapist should never discourage a patient from connecting with their primary care physician or a healthcare system. The same holds true for physicians, Dr. Adan says. The best situation is when a physician has the knowledge, ability and willingness to consider one or more complementary therapies to provide comprehensive, integrated care to a patient. Says Dr. Miller, “The more severe and dangerous the condition is, the more you want to connect with a healthcare system. But if you have more of an achy, long-term situation, then you have more latitude.” An example is sound therapy. It doesn’t cure cancer but it can help some people relax and manage stress; both good tools when dealing with a serious

diagnosis. “And it won’t hurt you,” Dr. Miller adds. He warns against allowing practitioners outside of healthcare systems to inject “medicines”’ or untested substances into your body. One way to assess therapies is to determine if the treatments are covered by private insurance or Medicare. Dr. Adan says that people don’t always realize that many forms of non-mainstream treatments have a solid scientific basis that can enhance clinical outcomes while sometimes lowering the cost of care. “There is a risk to having divided care. It’s good (when) everyone knows who’s doing what to you and that it’s coordinated. Everybody should be in communication.”

Marie Elium is considering hypnosis to treat her snake phobia. She prefers the first Darrin Stephens in “Bewitched.”

January/February 2021

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

MATURE LIVING

SHOWCASE Sponsored Content

THE J’S EXPERIENCED FITNESS TEAM MOTIVATES MEMBERS TO REACH GOALS Presented by Mandel Jewish Community Center

he Mandel Jewish Community Center’s stateof-the-art Fitness Center is well-equipped to keep the community active and fit. Operating under new safety guidelines with reconfigured spacing and enhanced cleaning procedures, the Mandel JCC’s Fitness Center staff is committed to providing a safe environment for members to pursue their health and fitness goals. Safety policies exceed recommended state and CDC guidelines. The J’s Fitness Center boasts a variety of quality cardio machines and strength equipment designed to

Better Living After 50

offer efficient workouts. The indoor track and basketball and racquetball courts keep members on top of their game, and socially distanced fitness and cycle studios bring energy and encouragement from The J’s experienced instructors. Group exercise classes are offered both in the studio and virtually. The yoga and Pilates studios provide relaxing spaces to restore and reenergize. Certified personal trainers are also available to create custom programs. Indoor and outdoor pools offer year-round aquatic activity and aerobic exercise.

“We know that exercise is beneficial to our health,” says Joe Schillero, The J’s General Manager of Fitness and Membership. “Research shows that exercising in a real physical environment with other people helps build physical and mental resilience. Here at The J, our instructors and personal trainers provide a vital support system. We create programs, establish routines and instill healthy habits that set clients up for success.” To schedule a tour and receive a free three-day guest pass to try out The J’s Fitness Center, visit mandeljcc.org or call (216) 831-0700, ext. 0.