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Where There’s LIGHT There’s HOPE! The Most Powerful and Effective Technology Addressing the Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy Right Here in Your Community Also in this Issue...
Step Back into 1982 | Understanding Weight Gain & Loss Senior Profile: Rose Scheller | Tips to Good Brain Health
Spring 2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Editorial 4
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Cover Story: The Most Powerful and Effective Technology Addressing the Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy Right Here in Your Community Janice Lane Palko Secrets to Understanding Weight Gain and Loss Dr. Joseph Maroon
10 Enjoy an Energizing Evening with Herschel Walker, April 28 St. Barnabas Charities 11 Senior Profile: Rose Scheller Paula Green 12 Advertorial: 5 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Real Estate Specialist Deb Walton, SRES® 13 Tips to Good Brain Health UPMC Senior Services 13 The Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League (NACSSL) 14 Hearing Loss and Dementia Dr. Megan Myers-Auria, CCC-A, Audiologist 16 Advertorial: Making Wise Medicare Decisions Crystal A. Manning
In Every Issue... 17 Remember When: Is It Soup Yet? Janice Lane Palko 18 The Good Old Days: Step Back Into 1982 Paula Green 20 Pondering Pittsburgh: Supermarkets in the ‘Burgh That Have Shelved Their Stores Paula Green
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Phone: 724-940-2444 Email: info@PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
President & Publisher Laura Lyn Arnold Publisher Emeritus & Contributor Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive Mary L. Simpson Design & Production Kostilnik & Assoc. Graphics, Inc. Web Master Swanson Publishing, LLC
Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine is published four times a year by Swanson Publishing, LLC (P.O. Box 425, Mars, PA 16046, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing, LLC is to connect the people of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest senior publication, Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, health, and recreational needs of seniors in our area. The contents of Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.
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COVER STORY
The Most Powerful and Effective Technology Addressing the Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy Right Here in Your Community By Janice Lane Palko
“It’s incredible how much technology has advanced for treating peripheral neuropathy since we began seeing patients in 2013,” said Dr. Shawn Richey, Founder of Tri-State Neuropathy Centers.
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Bob F.
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pproximately 30 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms of numbness, burning, tingling in the hands and/or feet, difficulty walking, balance issues, painful cramping and even interruption of sleep. Tri-State Neuropathy Centers’ program has had a phenomenal satisfaction rate and has seen thousands of patients suffering with peripheral neuropathy who have tried everything including potentially harmful medications and other painful testing and treatments. “Neuropathy is a devastating disease that steals a person’s life,” said Dr. Richey. “What happens with neuropathy is the small nerve fibers located in the top layer of your skin are damaged and are starving for blood flow, which would provide the oxygen and nutrients needed for those nerves to be healthy.” “There are a lot of causes of peripheral neuropathy, but the most common are individuals who are suffering with diabetes, gone through cancer treatments, taking certain medications and/or back issues,” said Dr. Richey. “We see many patients come in lacking hope because they have been told by other medical professionals that there is nothing that can be done to alleviate their suffering.” This can leave patients still struggling and wandering down the long road of endless disappointment. But now more than ever there is hope for those suffering with peripheral neuropathy because of the profound advancements in technology. Tri-State Neuropathy Centers uses a non-invasive, painless, drugfree approach that addresses the cause rather than the symptoms. In 1998, Dr. Louis Ignarro was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his cardiovascular research and his discovery of how important nitric oxide is to the human body. His research revealed that nitric oxide is produced in our blood vessels and signals those vessels to expand and contract, thereby controlling blood flow. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies produce less nitric oxide. Combining this knowledge with an FDA-approved, non-invasive and pain-free technology has been a gamechanger for treating patients with peripheral neuropathy. “One of our treatments allows our skin to absorb light by photoreceptors in our cells, which stimulates various processes. One of which, is the release of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and allows oxygen and nutrients to reach damaged nerves, providing pain relief and repair to tissue and nerves, said Dr. Richey “The technology we use is by far the most powerful and effective on the market today. Most of the systems out there lack the frequencies and power to provide actual results leaving patients struggling to see improvements. We are proud to say that over 90% of our patients will see a 50-100% improvement and be able to maintain that the rest of their lives,” said Dr. Richey.
“After my back surgery my feet were totally numb with a constant thumping and they felt tight. It was progressively getting worse making it difficult to walk. My PCP gave me medication to deal with the symptoms. I went to TriState Neuropathy and it has changed my life. I am walking again and feeling myself. I never thought I would feel this much better. ”
TRI-STATE Neuropathy Centers
Janey C. “It seems like it became noticeable about 20 years ago. At first my feet would ache from time to time, then my feet would ache so bad that I had to limit my time standing or walking. In the last two years I have had to change the way I have lived my life. I could no longer go hiking with my husband or just take a walk. I knew it was just a matter of time before I would need a wheelchair. I heard about Tri-State Neuropathy Centers and went for my free consultation to see if I was a candidate. To date, I see a significant improvement. I can take short walks, cook and I have even been gardening. It feels like a miracle. I plan to get back into volunteer work.” www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
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Paula C. “I have suffered since 2020 and was getting very depressed. I decided to meet with Tri-State Neuropathy Centers for a free consultation. I have completed the program and I am pain free and 90 percent better. The treatment has helped me walk without a cane and be more active with my active family as my balance has improved tremendously. I highly recommend anyone suffering with neuropathy to go see them.”
Charles T. “It started about 20 years ago and was worried I would have to use a walker and lose the ability to drive. My feet were numb and stiff, which made it hard to be mobile. It was affecting my quality of life and stole my ability to play sports. My results have been great! No more numbness, I am walking and driving with no problems. It has been an enjoyable journey and always felt at home at the office. ”
Frank S. “Ten years ago I hurt my foot and it continued to get worse over the years. I was losing the ability to do outdoor activities that are so important to me. I heard about Tri-State Neuropathy Centers and made an appointment. The results have been unbelievable. I have no more pain and my feet are no longer cold. My range of motion is so much better, and my balance is back. I am now enjoying all the outdoor activities I use to and am nearly 100% better.”
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“In addition, there are other components that we utilize to support nerve health, increase micro vessel blood flow, and improve the range of motion for better balance. We have found that falls are common with our patients which is not good as this can lead to fatal consequences. Our entire program works together utilizing the best technologies to optimize our results to help patients get back to doing the things they loved to do,” said Dr. Richey.
“But now more than ever there is hope for those suffering with peripheral neuropathy because of the profound advancements in technology” “Every patient is different, and each treatment plan is customized for their stage of peripheral neuropathy. Our initial consultation is free to determine if we can help them. We do that by completing a health history, perform a painless sensory nerve exam and if qualified, do a treatment that day. When a person does not meet our qualification, we try to direct them to someone who can help,” said Dr. Richey. Tri-State Neuropathy Centers has treated more than 9,000 patients to date with a 90% satisfaction rate and are confident that they can help improve most anyone’s life who has been affected by peripheral neuropathy. Not only has the technology become more powerful and effective since Tri-State Neuropathy Center began to treat peripheral neuropathy patients, but the practice has also expanded to bring more pain relief to patients. They now have six locations in Beaver, Monroeville, Washington, and Wexford in Pennsylvania as well as Boardman, Ohio, and Weirton, West Virginia. If you are suffering with peripheral Neuropathy, you may want to consult Tri-State Neuropathy Centers for a free evaluation to see if their treatments would benefit you. “We offer the first initial consultation, examination and first treatment for FREE. We are excited about our results and being able to bring relief to even more sufferers by expanding throughout the tri-state area,” said Dr. Shawn. n
To schedule a free consultation, call 724-940-9000 For more information and to take a prequalifying survey visit www.MaryDancedIn.com. Servicing the Tri-State area. Offices located in Sewickley, Pa. • Washington, Pa. • Beaver, Pa Monroeville, Pa. • Weirton, WV • Poland, OH
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YOUR HEALTH
Secrets to Understanding Weight Gain and Loss By Joseph C. Maroon, MD, FACS
Along with the COVID-19 pandemic for the last three years, Americans have also suffered from another epidemic of accelerated weight gain and obesity. Initially, called the COVID 10, and later the COVID 20, weight gain has added to our already significant obesity problem. For some this may mean squeezing into clothes that no longer fit, but for others this has meant the onset of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sore joints due to the extra stress.
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eight gain and losing weight is one of the most talked about topics, and yet most people don’t understand how food energy is used and stored. And even fewer people know what types of food can lead to the greatest weight gain. One of the most profound scientific reports came out several years ago that shed light on why food addiction, and the resulting obesity, is so hard to overcome. Fat cells, called adipocytes, are formed in our body to save calories for times when we later need them. Research now shows that when more and more of these fat cells start to get deposited in our bodies, they begin to act like a sponge that becomes very efficient at removing calorie producing molecules, like sugars from our diet, to be stored as fat. This essentially starves our other organs in our body of calories and causes extreme hunger and increased appetite. The cycle worsens as more and more fat cells are formed and more and more calories are pulled into storage. This is the major reason why most calorie restrictive diets don’t work. The obese or overweight person is actually calorie deficient in the first place, since more is going into storage than being used, and therefore a more restrictive diet would be near impossible to follow. Insulin is one of the most important factors as to why calories are stored as fat cells and not used as energy. After a meal of sugars and starches, insulin levels increase rapidly to pull the extra sugar molecules from our blood into
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our cells. Processed sugars, such as sucrose (cane sugar) found in almost all processed foods we eat, causes in response excessive insulin to be released. The excessive insulin plummets our blood sugar levels, and our brain believes we are starving, and the cycle repeats. Carbohydrates are the primary stimulant to drive insulin higher and then reduce blood sugar levels, not fats or protein. In the 1980s, the public became convinced by advertisers and the food industry that fats were the cause of the obesity epidemic, and our food supply was infused with more sugar instead of fat. This did not slow the obesity epidemic one bit and, in fact, has literally added fuel to the fire. Carbohydrates (sugars) are the one thing that has consistently been shown to contribute to food addiction. By reducing the amount of carbohydrates consumed and replacing them with healthy fats (mono and polyunsaturated) and protein many studies have demonstrated success with longterm weight loss. Being healthy starts with both determining and learning what the right choices are for better health. Put down that glass of sugary soda and try a protein shake instead. n Joseph C. Maroon, MD is a Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Nutritional and Sports Medicine Expert. Dr. Maroon has written and lectured extensively on brain health and healthy life choices. As a competitive Ironman triathlete, Dr. Maroon practices what he preaches and is committed to the promoting healthy choices to his patients and readers.
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55+ FEATURE
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Enjoy An Energizing Evening with Herschel Walker, April 28 Enjoy an energizing and inspiring evening as St. Barnabas Charities honors Herschel Walker at the 122nd St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration to be held Thursday, April 28 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Twp. Founder’s Day tickets are on sale now and event proceeds support residents and patients who rely upon the Free Care Fund at St. Barnabas.
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erschel Walker will receive the 2022 St. Barnabas Hance Award. The Hance Award was named in honor of St. Barnabas founder Gouverneur Hance, who was inspired to provide medical care for poverty stricken and chronically ill and injured men and boys in 1900. The Hance Award is presented to a person of national acclaim who exemplifies Hance’s ideals of benevolence, patriotism and service to others. Previous Hance awardees include President Gerald Ford, First Lady Barbara Bush, Elsie Hillman, Fred Rogers, Dr. Patch Adams, Rocky Bleier, Debbie Reynolds and many others. Herschel Walker is nationally known for his 15-year NFL career and his outstanding collegiate performance at the University of Georgia, where Walker carved out an equally successful business career. To this he adds the role of mental health awareness advocate. His compassionate, enlightened leadership has earned him the St. Barnabas Hance Award in memory of Gourverneur Hance, whose compassionate leadership led to the founding of St. Barnabas in 1900. In his business endeavors he is President and CEO of H. Walker Enterprises and Renaissance
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Man Food Services, a certified minority enterprise that supplies poultry, pork and bakery products to the marketplace, custom bedding, solar blinds and draperies to the hospitality industry as well as promotional products. Walker’s book, Breaking Free, tells of the joys and hardships of his childhood leading to his remarkable college and professional career. He is living testimony of the strength of the human spirit and the ability to overcome challenges. The St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration will bring together corporate sponsors, prominent business people and community leaders to honor Herschel Walker for his contributions. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, auction and raffles – followed by a dinner celebration. A VIP photo pass is also available to guests. Following the Hance Award presentation, Herschel Walker will deliver a speech inspired by his career. Tickets range from $300 – $475. For event tickets or to purchase books or raffle tickets, call 724-625-3770 or visit stbarnabashealthsystem.com/ founders-day. Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which supports elderly patients and residents who cannot afford their care. n
SENIOR PROFILE
Rose Scheller By Paula Green
When it comes to volunteerism, Rose Scheller of Freedom is one of the best. In April, Rose will turn 91 years old, and she just finished her 40-year reign of chairing the Over Fifty Club at Saint Aidan Parish in Wexford.
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ose is a founding member of Saint Alexis Parish, which opened its doors in 1961. In 2020, Saint Alexis merged with Saint Alphonsus, and the newly formed church is now called Saint Aidan Parish. Rose and her family, husband, Bob, and five children, decided to join Saint Alexis back in ’61. “When we first opened, Father Francis Rodgers was our founding pastor. He and Bob became friends, and Bob decided to get involved while I was at home raising our five children,” Rose said. Not long after the establishment of Saint Alexis Church, a parochial school was founded on the grounds, and it was called Saint Alexis Catholic School. A few of Bob and Rose’s children attended the new facility. Since Rose enjoys being involved, she utilized her culinary skills and ran the school cafeteria. “I loved doing it, and I ran it for 25 years from 1970 to 1995. I met lots of wonderful families along the way,” Rose said. While Rose was running the cafeteria, she and her dear friend, Jean Kilhof, co-chaired a new group called the Over Fifty Club. “Jean was in charge of the trips, and I made the food for the social events. We had many square dances and big band dances that drew large crowds; we would get hundreds of people. The Over Fifty Club also hosted bingos, appreciation dinners, and Monte Carlo nights. Everybody seemed to have a great time.
Then ten years ago, Jean, unfortunately, started to experience health issues, so I took over organizing the trips for the group. My favorite was going to Canada, where you had to venture on a ferry to tour the place,” Rose added. Rose also found time to run her own catering business. “One day, I was booked for a catering event where I needed to feed 850 people. As fate would have it, Bob had a heart attack! But everything did manage to work out,” said Rose. In 1998, Bob passed away, and Rose continued to volunteer to spend her time. She also worked with the Saint Alexis Ladies of Charity and even worked every other Thursday afternoon in the Saint Alexis Parish Center. She also keeps herself busy with her nine grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren. Rose recently stepped down from running the Over Fifty Club; after 40 years, she decided it was time for some new blood. Saint Alexis/Saint Aidan community thanks Rose for her many years of serving the Wexford community. Pittsburgh Fifty-Five Plus commends Rose for all her hard work and wishes her many blessings. n
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ADVERTORIAL
5 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Real Estate Specialist If you’re considering buying or selling your home—or helping your parents with a move—you’ll want to select a real estate professional who is both qualified and aligned with your priorities and preferences. These questions can help you make the best decision.
1. Are they qualified?
prioritizing your needs and can offer
experienced real estate professional
When you are going through significant
options best suited to your current
may be able to shortcut the process
life changes, you want someone with
situation and future expectations.
of identifying reliable providers for various services, so you can pick and
experience, knowledge, and a helpful attitude to help you sort through your options. An agent who’s earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
3. What do past clients say? A friend or relative may have
(SRES®) designation has completed
confidently referred you to an agent,
exclusive training on a wide range
but it can also be helpful to hear
of issues that can impact real estate
additional perspectives. Search for
transactions when the client(s)
online reviews, or ask the agent for
are ages 50+.
names and contact details for two or three past clients. Then, give them a
choose among people the agent knows and trusts. These resources can be precious if you are supporting a loved one from afar or need assistance cleaning out a home and preparing it for sale.
5. Do you feel at ease? Working with a real estate profession-
2. Do they listen to your needs and answer your questions?
call and discuss their buying or
Listening is a crucial skill for a senior
and forthcoming about your needs and
questions and ensure they understand
4. Can they offer helpful suggestions for related service providers?
your answers. That way, they can be
Whether you’re preparing a home for
real estate transaction.
more successful in identifying and
sale or gearing up for a purchase, an
specialist. Your agent should ask you
selling experience.
al is a partnership. But, as with any healthy partnership, there must be confidence and an ability to be open
Count on an SRES® to guide you through the process of buying or selling your home, making the transaction less stressful and more successful.
desires. SRES® designees stand out as prioritizing service and trust in every
Deb Walton, SRES®
The Seniors Real Estate Specialist ® (SRES®) designation is awarded by the SRES® Council, a subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). ® To learn more about SRES® and access various consumer resources, please visit seniorsresource.realtorT.h e S R E S P R O F E S S I O N A L | J U LY / AU GU S T 2 0 2 1
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Tips to Good Brain Health UPMC Senior Services
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e often hear theories regarding what helps our brain health and how to keep it active. But what is true and what is not? We are surrounded by what others believe is best for our brain whether it be doing word searches or Sudoku puzzles, eating a certain diet, taking this or that supplement, etc. However, some of the theories we hear are myths or they do not tell us the whole story. We must be careful about these theories. Let’s de-bunk some myths: Myth: The best activity I can do for my brain to keep it active is solve word searches and other brain teasers. Answer: Solving puzzles will NOT ultimately assist you the most in keeping your brain healthy. They are beneficial, but what will help the most includes eating healthy and staying active. Staying active is a multitude of things including exercising, eating healthy, socializing, going to the doctor, etc. Myth: My brain health is influenced completely by my genes. Answer: It is true that our genes do have SOME influence by our genes and family medical history. However, genes are NOT the only factor that influence our brain health. Instead, it is a combination of our environment, lifestyle and our genes. Myth: Our brains cannot handle new information after a certain age. Answer: This is absolutely a myth. We can still learn new things at any age. Another important consideration is to talk with your doctor about both the prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that you take. It is possible one could interfere with the other. Also, if you have a specialist that prescribes a medication, make sure you discuss what medications you already take and bring any new medications to your primary care physician. If you are considering any kind of supplement, speak with your medical team too. A supplement that has helped your friend might not have the same benefit for you. We are all unique! Our top ten list to maintain brain health are: 1. Exercise (each person’s exercise routine may look different from the next person) 2. Have a rich diet 3. Control stress 4. Stay mentally active 5. Stay socially connected 6. Know your numbers 7. Follow your bliss 8. Listen to your body 9. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption 10. Get a good night’s sleep If you have questions about community resources, please reach out to Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Senior Services. Our phone number is 866-430-8742, our e-mail is UPMCSeniorServices@UPMC.edu, and our website is SeniorServices.UPMC.com. Join us on Facebook for posts on topics like this at facebook.com/groups/UPMCSeniorServices. Please note that we are not a crisis or emergency line. n
The Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League (NACSSL)
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he NACSSL is a competitive, slow-pitch Senior Softball league located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Games are played primarily at the North Park Senior Ballfield Complex at the Lodge at North Park. The league was founded in 1988 and has continued to grow over the past 33 years. With over 200 players competing on 16 teams in two age divisions: Silver Division is for ages 52-61, the Gold Division is for ages 62, and up, the NACSSL is the premier senior softball league in western Pennsylvania. Players range in age from 52 to 80. Most players come from Allegheny County, but some travel from several surrounding counties to participate. The league’s history dates back to when Tom Foerster was County Commissioner. During its second season, the league requested and was granted permission by Commissioner Foerster to build two ballfields across from the Lodge at North Park. Construction started in spring 1990 and used a bulldozer borrowed from Mashuda Contractors in Cranberry Township. Work continued through 1991 with backstops and outfield fencing installed on both fields. The ballfields were completed and ready for play in July 1992. The ballfields were named for Ralph Lambert, president of the NACSSL during its early development, and Richard Mashuda, owner of Mashuda Contractors, who generously provided equipment and manpower to help construct the fields. The 52-61 age division plays at Lambert Field in North Park. The 62+ age division plays at Mashuda Field. All 16 teams are sponsored and have uniforms sporting the sponsor’s name. When Pittsburgh hosted the Summer Games of the National Senior Olympics in 2005, the league hosted the men›s softball competition at the Lambert and Mashuda ballfields. The Summer Games of the National Senior Olympics are scheduled to return to Pittsburgh in 2023, and the NACSSL plans to help again in a significant way. Most players are average guys who still enjoy the game they grew up playing as kids. Teams play an average of two games per week from May to July. All teams participate in a double-elimination league tournament during August. New player registration and evaluations are held in late March or early April at the Senior Ballfield Complex. If you are interested, the Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League is open for the 2022 season. To sign up, visit www.nacssl.com, or email them at nacssl@yahoo.com. n
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YOUR HEALTH
Hearing Loss and Dementia Dr. Megan Myers-Auria, CCC-A, Audiologist
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any older adults show signs of dementia: not responding, not remembering, and inappropriate responding. But some of
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these signs are signs of hearing loss as well. Worldwide, there are 55 million people living with dementia. That number is projected to grow
Spring 2022 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
to 78 million in 2030, and by 2050; 139 million. There are 430 million people worldwide experiencing moderate and greater hearing loss. This number is projected to grow to 700 by 2050. By then 1 in 14 people will require some type of hearing care. So, what do these two health issues have in common? Both hearing loss and dementia symptoms run hand in hand. Does the person have untreated hearing loss that mimics dementia? Since we hear with our brain and dementia is a loss of a brain function the differential diagnosis will help to decipher. In 2020 the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care specified 12 modifiable risk factors for Dementia. One of the risk factors is hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states that in the US, 8.5% of adults ages 55-64, 25% of older adults 65-74, and 50% of adults older than 75 have a hearing loss of 35 dB or greater. A study conducted by Mahmoudi et al, in Michigan, showed that hearing aid use in the first three years of hearing loss diagnosis can reduce the risk of dementia, depression, and injurious falls. Johns Hopkins recently published an article with an updated study on the effects of hearing loss and dementia. Frank Lin, MD, Ph.D. has been on the study since the beginning. Researchers have questioned that: Could hearing aids reduce the risk of a person developing dementia? Lin explains the connection between the two conditions and where the science is headed. Lin states that with the connection between the brain and hearing loss, when you are unable to hear correctly- the brain works harder and
MULTI-DAY TOURS
it is more difficult to fill in the gaps and having more strain. This strain could cause a lot of mental and physical exhaustion. This would also come at the expense of working memory. Lin also mentioned another possibility that untreated hearing loss can cause the aging brain to shrink more quickly. This can lead to isolation. Fewer social engagements can lead to the brain being engaged less and less active. Lin’s study is also looking at the efficacy of hearing aids and reducing the risk of dementia. These studies are becoming more prevalent in our everyday life. We are learning more about how we actually hear with our brain and not our ears. These studies are showing that there are treatable options if caught and treated early enough. If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of difficulty in hearing the TV, in groups, on the phone, hearing and communicating with masks, or understanding conversations in general; contact Swift Audiology today at 724-222-9010 for an evaluation at one of our four locations. n Dona MP Jayakody (November/ December 2021) Hearing Loss and Dementia, Audiology Today, 12-15 Frank R. Lin, MD, PhD, (November 2021) Hearing Loss and the Dementia Connection.
About Swift Audiology - The practice provides hearing loss services, hearing protection, and medical hearing aid devices to patients at 4 convenient offices throughout the Pittsburgh region. For more information visit swiftaudiology.com or call 412-274-7285
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ADVERTORIAL
Making Wise Medicare Decisions By Crystal Manning
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inding affordable medical insurance is a critical part of your retirement planning. Once you’re eligible for Medicare at age 65, insurance becomes more affordable, and you cannot be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. Despite these benefits, managing your insurance can still be complicated, and you’ll need to plan carefully to make every dollar count. In some cases, though, you may save money by delaying your enrollment in Medicare Part B. For example, if you currently have employersponsored group coverage - either through your or your spouse’s employment - you may delay enrollment in
CONFUSED ABOUT MEDICARE?
Part B and sign up later during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you stop working or that health coverage ends (whichever happens first). This would allow you to save money on Part B monthly premiums. However, special rules may apply. For example, employer coverage for retirees or through COBRA doesn’t count as current employment, so these individuals do not qualify for a SEP to enroll in Medicare later, you may occur the 10% penalty each year. A different set of rules apply if the person has Medicare based on disability or ESRD. If you’re becoming eligible for Medicare but you already have insurance, learn whether/how your current plan coordinates with Medicare and whether/how you can delay Medicare enrollment. There are several different kinds of health insurance.
Medicare is confusing – call for a one-to-one, no charge consultation with a Medicare expert!
1. Job-based insurance: Insurance offered by an employer or union for current employees. If you are covered by your or your spouse’s insurance, it may work with Medicare to cover your health care costs and may also allow you to delay Medicare enrollment.
Remove the FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, AND COSTLY MISTAKES from the Medicare enrollment process.
2. Retiree insurance: Insurance plans that employers may provide to former employees who have retired. Retiree insurance always pays secondary to Medicare.
Crystal A. Manning
3. Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB): Insurance for current and former government employees and their family members. FEHB is either primary or secondary, depending on whether you are enrolled in Part B.
Call 412-716-4942 or email crystalmanning33@gmail.com 10008 Pine Ridge Drive Wexford, Pa. 15090
4. TRICARE: Insurance provided by the federal government to active duty and retired military personnel and their family members. There are many different TRICARE programs.
Medicare Advisor
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5. Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Insurance provided by the federal government to veterans. Benefits include pensions, educational stipends, and health care, among others. VA benefits do not coordinate with Medicare Important note: if you enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B, you can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars to your HSA. This is because to contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you cannot have any health insurance other than a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). However, you may continue to withdraw money from your HSA after you enroll in Medicare to help pay for medical expenses, such as deductibles, premiums, copayments, and coinsurances. If you use the account for qualified medical expenses, its funds will continue to be tax-free. Finally, if you decide to delay enrolling in Medicare, make sure to stop contributing to your HSA at least six months before you do plan to enroll in Medicare. If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty. Considering the Medicare premium penalties and additional health-care costs you may incur if you don’t have adequate health insurance coverage, it is essential to enroll in Medicare at the right time. Avoiding those extra costs may help you better plan your healthcare costs for retirement. Sometimes it’s easiest to talk with an expert. As an independent Licensed Medicare Advisor, I work to help you and not an insurance company and I am happy to address any specific questions or concerns. Contact Crystal Manning, Licensed Medicare Advisor at 412-716-4942 or email crystalmanning33@gmail.com. n
REM EM BER WHEN
Is It Soup Yet? By Janice Lane Palko
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hen I was a kid back in the ‘70s, I had a Great Uncle Herb Moran. When he would call his sister, my Grandma Aggie, he never said “Hello” when you picked up the phone, but greeted you with the phrase, “Is it soup yet?” Imagine how confused I was when I once answered the phone for her and heard that. When she saw my puzzled face, and I repeated what the man on the other end had said, she just laughed and said, “Oh, that’s Herb!” I don’t know why he adopted that phrase as his tagline, but you never had any doubt who was on the other end of t he line when you heard that. I’ve since learned that “Is it soup yet?” was the slogan Lipton’s used when advertising their soups. It’s funny how advertising slogans can become part of our culture and how they can sometimes date you. My late grandfather often described someone as smiling like Jolly Boy kite. I never knew what he was talking about, but a little research revealed that from the early 1900s to the 1940s there was a manufacturing company in Illinois that made kites. Their signature kite featured a drawing of a toothy, smiling boy and was known as the Jolly Boy. Some taglines and slogans fade from memory quickly. My nephew, Ryan, recently turned 24 and looking at a baby photo of him with his little bald head, someone said, There’s Buddy Lee. I had forgotten that around that time when he was born, Buddy Lee Man of Action, a little bald boy in flannel shirt and jeans was the mascot for Lee jeans and resembled Ryan. Do you remember any of these slogans? Does she or doesn’t she? Mother, I’d rather do it myself! Melts in your mouth, not in your hands. If so, you were probably around when Clairol, Anacin and M&Ms were advertising in the 1950s-60s. In the 1970s, you were encouraged to Reach Out and Touch Someone (Bell Telephone) but you were prohibited from manhandling the paper products with Please don’t squeeze the Charmin (toilet paper). In the 1980s, people were concerned with finding food, asking these unforgettable slogans: Got Milk? (milk processors/dairy farmers) or Where’s the Beef? (Wendy’s). Is there any recent tagline or slogan that has made its way into your daily life or speech? If so, just remember that today’s “Wassup?” (from the 2002 Budweiser commercial) may someday be tomorrow’s “Is it soup yet?” n
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THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Step Back Into...1982 Disney Futuristic Park EPCOT is opened Trivial Pursuit is released By Paula Green
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evere recession begins in the United States. In September 1982, Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide killed seven in Chicago. Ninety-nine year-old phone company AT & T (Ma Bell) agreed to break up into seven smaller regional companies (Baby Bells).
Average The average income was $23,430. Cost of a new home $82,200. The average cost of a new car is $7,983. Gasoline was $1.19 per gallon. A loaf of sliced white bread was 60 cents. A pound of tomatoes cost 39 cents. The price of a first-class stamp was 20 cents. A pound of coffee sold for $2.09. A gallon of milk sold for $1.79. A dozen eggs were 79 cents. Price for a movie ticket was $3.00.
Firsts A permanent artificial heart is implanted in a human for the first time. The space shuttle Columbia made its first mission.
A tragic accident took the lives of Vic Morrow and two child actors, on the set of The Twilight Zone: The Movie.
Khan, 48 HRS, Poltergeist, The World According to Garp, Gandhi, Sophie’s Choice and Annie. Cats opens on Broadway.
Graceland the home of Elvis Presley opened to the public.
Television
On November 13, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC was dedicated.
World News Princess Grace, 52, of Monaco died of injuries when her car plunged off a mountain road. The world’s first compact disc player was introduced in Japan.
Adobe was founded, and so was Electronic Arts.
The world’s largest oil rig, The Ocean Ranger sinks in Canadian waters in the Atlantic.
(Paul) Newman’s Own opened for business.
Ingrid Bergman died from cancer on August 29, on her 67th birthday in London, England.
Sally Ride became the first woman in space.
Leonid Brezhnev, Soviet leader died at 75.
The first documented use of emoticons :-) and :-( was founded at Carnegie Mellon University.
Entertainment
U.S. events Henry Fonda died at his Los Angeles home from heart disease. John Belushi died from overdose.
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E.T. The Extra Terrestrial lands in movie theatres. The big movies included Tootsie, Officer and a Gentleman, Rocky III, Porky’s, Star Trek II: The Wrath of
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The Weather Channel airs on cable television for the first time. The Late Night with David Letterman debuted on NBC. Popular TV shows: 60 Minutes, Dallas, M*A*S*H*, Hillstreet Blues, Magnum, P.I., Dynasty, three’s Company, Simon & Simon, Falcon Crest, The Love Boat and The A-Team.
Songs Hit songs: I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, I Can’t Go for That, Centerfold, Chariots of Fire, Ebony & Ivory, Don’t You Want Me, Eye of the Tiger, Abracadabra, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, Jack and Diane, and Physical. Michael Jackson releases his second solo album Thriller.
Publishing Popular books: Schindler’s List, The Color Purple, ET: The Extraterrestrial Storybook, Space, The Parsifal Mosaic, Master of the Game, and Mistral’s Daughter. The first USA Today newspaper is published.
Sports Super Bowl Champs: San Francisco 49ers; World Series Champions: St. Louis Cardinals; Stanley Cup Champs: New York Islanders; NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers. NCAA Football Champions: Penn State, Pitt Panthers win the Sugar Bowl, Herschel Walker, running back from the University of Georgia wins the Heisman Trophy.
Politics President: Ronald W. Reagan, Vice President: George H. W. Bush. Alexander M. Haig Jr. resigns as Secretary of State. Equal Rights Amendment fails ratification.
Quotes:
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” – Spock (Leonard Nimoy) – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
“They’re Here!” – Carol Ann Freeling (Heather O’Rourke) – Poltergeist “E.T. phone home.”
– E.T. in E.T.
“When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.” – Fed Ex Sources: https://www.infoplease.com/ year/1982, https://pop-culture.us/ Annual/1982.html, https://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1982.html, https://www.historycentral.com/20th/1982.html
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PONDERING PITTSBURGH
Supermarkets in the ‘Burgh That Have Shelved Their Stores By Paula Green
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rocery shopping can have its ups and downs. Some Supermarkets have fared better than others. Let’s cart around and look at Pittsburgh’s supermarkets that are now defunct. The A&P grocery chain dates back to 1859. George Huntington Hartford and George Gilman entered the mail-order tea business from a storefront and warehouse in New York City. After that, the Great American Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) steadily grew. A&P became the first grocery store of its kind. Instead of asking a shopkeeper for sugar or flour items, shoppers could walk the aisle and grab a package. From 1915 to 1975, A&P was the largest grocery retailer in the United States. There were numerous A&Ps in our area. But sadly, a 2010 bankruptcy
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was the beginning of the end; the final A&P locations closed by November 25, 2016, ending a 157-year retailing tradition. Fortunately, you can still buy A&P coffee. Eight O’Clock coffee is still sold in Pittsburgh supermarkets. Another well-liked grocery store was Thorofare. This supermarket was founded in Youngstown, Ohio, and opened in Pittsburgh in 1936. Thorofare operated some 100 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia during its heyday. The store offered S&H Green Stamps, part of a catalog rewards program. Another incentive was discount tickets for West View Park Amusement Park with their “Thorofare Days.” Although this grocer lasted in the region for 46 years, Thorofare supermarkets closed for good on April 17, 1982. Kroger’s was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. This supermarket chain was prominent in the tristate. But following a six-week strike over a labor dispute, Kroger’s completely pulled out of Pittsburgh in 1984. Currently, Kroger operates out of 35 states, but none in Pennsylvania. Kroger’s owns Food 4 Less, a no-frills grocery store where customer bags their groceries. The discount supermarket is no
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longer in our area or the rest of Pennsylvania. There are still 104 Food 4 Less stores in the U.S., 91 in California, 12 in Illinois, and one in Indiana. Amarraca was a specialty supermarket based out of Pittsburgh, which opened on November 19, 1984. Amarraca filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2000 citing difficulty keeping up with competitors. It shuttered its doors on May 19 of that year. Viola’s was a family-owned grocery store. Cranberry Township residents were saddened when Viola’s Market House closed in 2005. There were also Viola stores in Wexford and Allison Park that are now gone. Bottom Dollar was a discount grocer owned by Delhaize’s Food Lion chain. It lasted in the ‘Burgh for several years. However, on January 15, 2015, Bottom Dollar shuttered all 66 supermarkets in Pennsylvania. Festival Foods opened in 1946, and there were a few in Pittsburgh – these supermarkets are all gone. Festival Foods has 39 locations left in the U.S.; all are in Wisconsin. Shopper’s Choice was established in 1979 and is owned by Shop N’ Save. There are no
more of these grocers in the region. One Shopper’s Choice remains in Pennsylvania, and that is in Masontown. Good Cents was a discount grocery outlet owned by Giant Eagle. They were a few locations in Pittsburgh. On March 26, 2015, Good Cents on McKnight Road in Ross Township closed as did seven other Pennsylvania and Ohio locations. Even though these stores have shuttered their doors, there are plenty of supermarkets available today and online shopping so wherever you choose – choose-wise and happy shopping! n Sources: groceteria.com, tasteofhome.com, scapehero.com, logopedia.com, wikipedia. com
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