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Summer 2021
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Preventing and Managing Concussions | Step Back into 1971 Senior Living Spotlights | Senior Profile: Ronald O. Kaiser
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PO Box 425 Mars, PA 16046
Phone: 724-940-2444 Email: info@PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
Editorial 4 Senior Profile: Ronald O. Kaiser Janice Lane Palko 5 Advertorial: Tri-State Neuropathy Centers 6 Cover Story: Happiness is Finding the Medicine You Need Harvest of Cranberry 8 Preventing and Managing Concussion – Why It Is Still Important Dr. Joseph Maroon 10 Advertorial: Deb Walton, SRES® 11 The Staycation of Your Dreams Weaver Homes 12 Senior Living Spotlights 16 Staying On Top of Scams and Fraud UPMC Senior Services 18 Advertorial: Medicare and Health – What Is Covered? Crystal A. Manning 20 Getting a Divorce? Avoid Making These Five Most Common and Costly Mistakes Donna Kline
In Every Issue...
President & Publisher Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator Laura Arnold Marketing & Account Executive Mary L. Simpson Design & Production Kostilnik & Assoc. Graphics, Inc.
14 Remember When: Summer Sipping – Remembering Drinks of the Past Janice Lane Palko 22 The Good Old Days: Step Back Into 1971 Paula Green 24 Pondering Pittsburgh: Puttering Around Miniature Golf Courses in the ’Burgh Paula Green
Welcome to the Summer 2021 issue of Pittsburgh Fifty-Five Plus magazine! As events and activities are starting to open in and around the Pittsburgh area, I hope you will be able to enjoy this summer with your family and friends. Enjoy reading this issue’s featured articles and our regular columns. Thank you for your continued support. Together we continue to make our community a great place to live, work and retire!
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Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine is published four times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (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 Co., Inc. 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 Magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.
SENIOR PROFILE
Ronald O. Kaiser By Janice Lane Palko
If You Hang Around This Earth Long Enough, You Really See How Things Come Full Circle – Patti Davis
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onald O. Kaiser will turn 90 on July 17, and he’s lived long enough to come full-circle with Lt. Col. Anthony B. Herbert. Kaiser and Herbert were childhood friends back in Herminie, Pennsylvania, where they both grew up. Both men served in the Korean War. “The war started on June 25, 1950, and I enlisted on July 1,” said Kaiser, who lives in Franklin Park with his wife, Sue, whom he married in 1998. After the war, Kaiser came home, and after working in a steel mill, he finagled his way into the University of Pittsburgh on the G.I. Bill, where he indulged his passion for writing. Herbert distinguished himself during the Korean War, so much so that President Harry Truman deemed him the
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most decorated soldier of the Korean War. “Tony Herbert was a model soldier and was used to recruit soldiers,” said Mr. Kaiser. “He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, and became a celebrity appearing on the game show You Bet Your Life and The Dick Cavett Show.” While Kaiser built an impressive career in advertising, Herbert remained in the Army and rose through the ranks. The men lost track of each other for a time; Herbert served in Vietnam and Kaiser used his writing talent to write commercials for radio, television and newspapers. While in Vietnam, Herbert reported that he witnessed war crimes committed by American troops and South Vietnamese soldiers. “This was after the My Lai incident and the government couldn’t afford another embarrassment like that, and Herbert was driven out of the service,” said Kaiser. “He wrote a book in 1972 called Soldier about his experiences in Vietnam, but in 1973, the late Mike Wallace and 60 Minutes sabotaged Herbert and accused him of war crimes.” When Kaiser, who had always wanted to write a book, turned 80, he told himself that it was now or never, and he began to write his life story. It was through writing his life story that he began to think about his relationship with Herbert and started to investigate how Herbert had been railroaded by Wallace, 60 Minutes, the Pentagon and the Nixon administration. He decided to chronicle that. Kaiser published a book called Herbert’s War at the age of 89. Before it was released, Kaiser then learned that Herbert, who had left the Army and used his doctoral degree to work with prisoners in Colorado, had terminal cancer, and Kaiser called his old friend. Kaiser shipped his book to Herbert, but Kaiser doesn’t believe he lived long enough to read it. The book was released at the beginning of the pandemic, so that hampered Kaiser’s ability to promote the book in person, but the book is available at Amazon or on Mr. Kaiser’s website at: https://herbertswar.com/about-author-ron-kaiser/ “It’s a story that needed to be told,” said Kaiser. n
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
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YOUR HEALTH
Preventing and Managing Concussion – Why It Is Still Important By Joseph Maroon, MD The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. Not only have our social interactions been drastically curtailed but the pandemic has also shifted our priorities involving our own personal health care and our comfort level to seek out medical care. According to the CDC, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw visits decline 23% for heart attack, 20% for stroke, and 10% for a low blood sugar crisis. Many health systems reported up to a 60% drop in PCP visits and many, if not all, reported elective operations were slowed or completely stopped. Despite this, whether due to falls, accidents or from sports, blows to the head and subsequent concussions have and do continue to occur. Where are those who have suffered serious health problems like a concussion during the pandemic?
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believe many people have suffered in silence. A concussion refers to a post-traumatic brain injury that results in temporary interference with neurological function. Prior to the pandemic, studies have reported that only 50% of concussions are reported to health care providers. With an estimated 2 million to 4 million concussions in the U.S. per year, this means million go uncared for. Typically, concussions resulting from competitive sports make up approximately 20% of the total number. But during the pandemic, many contact sports were curtailed. In general, contact sports teams with youth players have developed standard concussion recognition and return-to-play management plans that help reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. One of the most common concussion assessment tools used in sports is the ImPACT test. Dr Mark Lovell and I developed this computer-based test used to assess symptoms, memory, cognition, and the processing of information. It is available in most
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schools throughout the United States. A baseline test is done before participation in any contact sport. Despite the advancement in sports, concussions also occur in everyday life and are generally not reported or medically managed, and this can result in serious long-term consequences, especially as we age. Depending on a person’s age, sex, history of past head injury and concussion severity, many are not getting the proper evaluation and treatment after a concussion. Because only about 10% of concussions are associated with a loss of consciousness or being “knocked out,” many people ignore the signs and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. These can include symptoms of “fogginess” or feeling poorly, difficulty with concentration, headaches, memory impairment, dizziness or balance problems, and occasionally nausea or vomiting. Concussed patients may appear dazed or stunned and be forgetful about events prior to the injury (retrograde amnesia) or after the
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fall or blow to the head (anterograde amnesia). Additional complaints can include mental and fatigue complaints, anxiety and mood disturbances, dizziness or balance abnormalities, migraine-type headaches, difficulty focusing, and ocular or visual abnormalities. That’s quite a list. But the point is do not ignore symptoms or any of the changes described above after you suffer a blow to the head. Despite the pandemic there are now safe ways to be evaluated and treated, and I strongly advise you to seek them out. Concussion clinics at both UPMC and AHN are readily accessible for evaluation and further treatment when necessary. 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.
ADVERTORIAL
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e build luxury homes that are synonymous with happiness — spaces that are open and filled with natural light, thoughtfully designed floorplans that fit your unique lifestyle. Our homes throughout northern Pittsburgh promote happier, healthier living… with boutique-sized communities where neighbors know neighbors, and open-concept designs allow family and friends to come together and feel right at home.
Something for Everyone Weaver Homes offers homeowners two distinct community types — single-family communities for growing families and lifestyle communities for low maintenance living. In a single-family community, you’ll enjoy more space and family-friendly, scenic settings within exceptional school districts. In a lifestyle community, you’ll have the freedom to do what your heart desires. We do the dirty work like snow removal, grass cutting, lawn treatment, mulching, and trash removal. You’ll get the peace of mind knowing that your home is well taken care of, so that you can focus on the things you really love to do. Take up a new hobby, explore new local spots, spend more time relaxing and socializing, or even travel far away knowing your home will be taken care of
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your sanctuary. With us, you don’t just have the choice of floor plan; you have the ability to edit and expand upon it so it fits your unique style. Our level of personalization ensures your home is in sync with your family, and tailored to your tastes. In our Design Studio, you’ll see the best brands in the industry, the highest-quality, top-trending interior choices for your new home. Our Interior Design Specialist will walk you through all the options you have to make your home entirely your own. This way, when you step inside for the very first time — and every single time after that — you’ll know you’re right where you were always meant to be.
A Family Tradition With more than three decades of design and building experience, Weaver Homes is Greater Pittsburgh’s premier personalized home builder. With roots right here in Pittsburgh, we’re passionate about the people we work with and the communities we build. From our designers to our subcontractors, everyone is an equal part of our family, and we believe that’s what makes us different. Together, we support our community in every sense of the word, whether we’re sponsoring a little league team or engaging with local leaders. Because we’re not just your builders, we’re your neighbors too, and we believe in building communities that last for generations. Since 1986, when Bill and Bonnie Weaver founded our family-owned company, our promise has been to ensure your journey home is just as enjoyable as everything that comes next. We’re honored for the opportunity to build your happy place. To get started building your dream home visit WeaverHomes.com n
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Senior Living Spotlights Envisage What does your future look like as you age? Do you have a long-term care plan in place? Envisage is a members-only program that works in tandem with your financial plan so that if or when you need any kind of personal assistance, you’ll be able to easily access high quality caregiving within the privacy of your own home. Envisage offers an array of services for those who do not want to use an assisted living or a nursing home community to receive the care they might need – those who want these things to be handled and managed for them, so that they can have the highest possible level of control over their own lives. To learn more about Envisage, sign up for a virtual seminar at www.Envisage.org/events or call us at 866.435.6777.
St. Barnabas Communities It’s always the perfect time to enjoy retirement living at St. Barnabas. The beautifully landscaped campuses provide a peaceful space to relax and enjoy Mother Nature. Our residents stroll walking trails with their dog, play bocce with friends, fish at our private pond, golf on one of our two 18-hole golf courses or join neighbors for happy hour on the Crystal Conservatory pool deck. Our indoor mall at The Village includes a bank, gift shop, library, general store, chapel, salon, wine room and three restaurants where residents gather daily for events, entertainment, happy hour and chef-prepared meals. We offer a diverse array of amenities to match your lifestyle and these are just a sampling of the St. Barnabas retirement experience exclusive to our residents. Call 724-443-0700 to find out how you can start enjoying your retirement! www.stbarnabascommunities.org.
Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Help Individuals Living with Dementia THRIVE! As a Dementia Care Center of Excellence, we’re committed to Making Aging Easier® for older adults, and caregiver education is a vital part of that commitment. This year, we’re taking that education virtual by offering a series of complimentary, online events featuring experts in dementia care, which can be viewed on-demand, right from the comfort of your home. Changing lives—one meaningful moment at a time. Learn with us – register now! www.srcare.org/dementia-education
UPMC Senior Communities Make the most of what life has to offer by making one of UPMC Senior Communities your new home. Choose from a variety of locations around greater Pittsburgh that keep you close to your family, friends, church and shopping preferences. Feel safe and secure in an environment that surrounds you with all the support you need to continue living your senior years to the fullest. Let go of snow shoveling, grass mowing, home maintenance, cleaning and even transportation and cooking if you prefer. Choose from a complete schedule of engaging social and spiritual activities with many new friends. At UPMC Senior Communities, we offer all this and more at reasonable pricing options that enable you to take full advantage of this lifestyle. By offering a variety of facility styles, levels of care and payment options, UPMC Senior Communities can accommodate your preferences. Knowing what is right for you is based on knowing what you need to live life well, regardless of the level of support you require. Perhaps you are looking to enrich your life with more social activities and interactions, or to move to an environment that enables you to be free of daily obligations, such as home maintenance. You may need some assistance with managing your health and wellness, or you may require more medical help due to more significant health issues. Offering options in independent living, personal care and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation, this spectrum of living styles is designed to accommodate your needs and provide you with the fullest lifestyle possible. UPMC Senior Communities is proud to be part of UPMC – one of the most innovative and patient-centered health systems in the country. That affiliation brings valuable benefits to our residents and staff. As members of the larger UPMC family, our residents benefit from the opportunities and resources that can only be found in a world-class health system. For more information and to schedule a tour, visit UPMCSeniorCommunities.com or call 1-800-324-5523.
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Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
REM EM BER WHEN
Summer Sipping –
Remembering Drinks of the Past By Janice Lane Palko
There’s nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer day, but like most everything, even the popularity of drinks waxes and wanes over the years.
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hen I was growing up, my mom often mixed us some Reymer’s Lemon Blennd. This lemon-orange drink was and still is produced in Pittsburgh. It was originally created by Edwin Keagy in 1914 at Keagy’s Pharmacy on Perrysville Avenue. Reymers & Brothers owned a failing candy company, so in the 1930s, they teamed up with Keagy to market Lemon Blennd. Heinz at one time owned the brand too, but as a kid, I didn’t care all about that. I just liked Lemon Blennd as did many Pittsburghers. We didn’t drink pop, as we Pittsburghers call it, back then like people do today. In my house growing up, pop was only for special occasions like when company came, or we had a picnic or party. I loved going to the beer distributor with my dad when he’d pick up a case of beer and tell the owner to throw in a case of “colored pop” too. Colored pop was a mixed assortment of flavored pop from cherry, grape, orange, root beer, and lime. Sometimes cream soda was included, which I loved. It was bottled by Regent Beverages. The pop came in a wooden crate and contained glass bottles. Those were carefree days for sure. Can you imagine kids running around at picnics with glass bottles today? I remember the pain of running with a bottle in my mouth and have it
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jammed against my front teeth. People also use soft drinks to mix with alcoholic drinks, one of which was Squirt. Squirt was created in 1938 in Arizona using grapefruit juice as a prime ingredient. Many soft drink mixers came into being during Prohibition as a way to improve the taste of the bootleg liquor being concocted illegally. Another popular grapefruit-based drink was Fresca. It was introduced in 1966 by Coca-Cola as a diet drink. However, in 1970, the sweetener Cyclamates, which it contained, was banned and caused Fresca to fall from grace. It was resurrected later with a different sweetener. A new summer drink on the scene with a Pittsburgh connection is the Arnold Palmer. Supposedly, local iconic golfer Arnold Palmer often used to request a drink of half iced tea and half lemonade. This caught on and now you can order an Arnold Palmer, or purchase the bottled, licensed brand made by AriZona Beverage Company. While drinks may come and go, what is timeless is the pleasure of sitting back on a hot summer day and sipping your favorite beverage. Enjoy! n
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YOUR HEALTH
Staying on Top of Scams and Fraud UPMC Senior Services
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tories of the latest scam seem like a regular feature on the nightly news. Each new scam is more elaborate than the next and often taps into current fears. There was little surprise when we heard fraud-related headlines involving COVID-19 economic impact payments over the last year. It is important to keep these tips in mind to stay on top of scams:
identity and all that comes with it. Keep this in mind not just for your financial identity but your medical identity as well. • Stay focused on what websites you visit and where you click on email messages. Make sure that there is a lock icon on your address bar to help confirm you are on a safe website. Do not click links on emails if you do not recognize the sender.
• Always do your research. Research the organization or phone number online to make sure they are legitimate. Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if there is a record of the organization. • If you feel uncertain that a legitimate representative of an organization has contacted you, tell the caller you will call them back. Better yet, let the call go to voicemail. This way if someone leaves a voicemail, you give yourself time to investigate whether the caller is a scammer. Be aware that scammers can ‘spoof’ phone numbers like a bank or Social Security. To ‘spoof’ means a caller can intentionally change how their phone number appears on a caller ID to match an authentic business or organization. • Ask for written documentation of any charges or fines. Do not wire money, send gift cards, or write a check to anyone you do not know before verifying. Keep in mind that government agencies will rarely call you, especially unsolicited. • Be cautious of any attempt by phone, e-mail, text, or surface mail surrounding free money, prizes, employment, technology support, or investment opportunities. For technology support, it is very unlikely that companies like Microsoft will make unsolicited calls to individuals to discuss computer viruses or technology issues. For investment opportunity scams, if a huge financial return is promised in return for a small fee paid now, it is probably too good to be true. • Do not provide your personal information on a generic document and be cautious when someone wants to photocopy your information. Having a generic or blank document could give scammers an easy time accessing your
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• Opt-in to optional account activity alerts. Many banks offer the ability to alert customers when money is deposited or withdrawn from accounts and even when your Social Security number is used on a loan, new credit account is opened, etc. Many websites also offer the ability to add multi-factor authentication to log into online accounts. For example, some email accounts can be set up so that an alert is sent to the account holder’s phone when there is a log in. Unfortunately, scams can be very sophisticated, leaving people wronged each year. How do you advocate if there are concerns that someone else has fallen victim to a financial scheme? The Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is one place to start. Individuals can contact 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372– 8311). Representatives from the National Elder Fraud Hotline will be joining us for an upcoming information session on Thurs., July 22, at noon. Contact Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Senior Services to sign up or learn more (contact information is below). Additionally, if you have questions about community resources or would like to discuss a situation that is close to you, please reach out to Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Senior Services. Our phone number is 866-430-8742, our email 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. n
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
MULTI-DAY TOURS (All Multi-day and Air tours are priced per person, double occupancy)
Passavant Hospital Foundation supports UPMC Passavant in McCandless and Cranberry, by advancing health and wellness through education, outreach, and grant-making.
Cape May, New Jersey
Check out Passavant Hospital Foundation’s upcoming education series and events!
Finger Lakes – Waterfalls & Wine
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•
•
•
Jun 27-Jul 1*................................................................. $1,043
Ocean City, MD
Jul 11-15*......................................................................... $950 Aug 8-12........................................................................ $1,049 Jul 27-29.......................................................................... $731
WV Rail Adventure
Jul 29-31; Sep 28-30........................................................ $644
Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 1 PM to 2PM: Virtual Wellness Works Presents “Stretching and Flexibility” by Taylor Tisa Docherty, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS from UPMC Centers for Rehab Services Saturday, July 17th, 2021 8 AM to 10 AM: Outdoor Fitness Park Clinic at North Park: Whether you exercise daily or simply want to learn proper technique for exercise, this clinic is for you.
Aug 3-6; Oct 5-8............................................................... $881
Seacoast of Maine
Aug 14-20*..................................................................... $1,393
Wildwood, Cape May, and Atlantic City
Aug 24-27......................................................................... $529
Rehoboth Beach
Sep 12-16......................................................................... $772
Path of the Pilgrims
Sep 18-23...................................................................... $1,319
Myrtle Beach
Sep 19-25...................................................................... $1,129
Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 1 PM to 2PM: Virtual Wellness Works Presents: “Diabetes 101” by Kailey Wilson PA-C UPMC Passavant Hospitalist Specialist PA-C
CASINO TOURS Seneca Niagara Casino One Day
Jul 26; Oct 4....................................................................... $88
9 Annual 4K and 8K Run/Walk will take place Friday, August 13 , 2021 at the North Park Pool Loop, and Virtually the Entire Month of August. th
Smoky Mountain Music – Dollywood
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Visit PassavantHospitalFoundation.org to learn more information.
Seneca Niagara Casino Three Day
Aug 15-17......................................................................... $369 Sep 26-28......................................................................... $346
Tropicana Casino Atlantic City
Aug 8-12........................................................................... $615
ONE-DAY TOURS Amish Brown Bag
Jul 14*.............................................................................. $132
Niagara Falls, USA Sightseeing
Jul 20; Aug 17................................................................... $108
Blennerhassett Island
Aug 3................................................................................ $138
Punxsutawney Phil & Jimmy Stewart
Aug 3................................................................................ $120
Put-in-Bay
Aug 4................................................................................ $172
Amish Country Theater - Donkey Doodle Dandy
Aug 19.............................................................................. $152
Amish Country Market Day
Sep 2................................................................................. $128
Cleveland National Air Show – Nautica Queen
Sep 6................................................................................. $157
Amish Harvest Delights
Sep 7................................................................................. $125
AIR TOURS Great Trains and Grand Canyons
Sep 26-Oct 1.................................................................. $2,895
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Oct 8-13......................................................................... $2,799
*Guaranteed Departure Motorcoach Drivers Wanted! Current CDL Class B required with Passenger Endorsement. Contact Michelle Conner at 412-749-4188 or email your resume to michelle.conner@coachusa.com
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ADVERTORIAL
Medicare and Health— What is Covered? By Crystal Manning
If you are approaching age 65 or have another condition that may make you eligible for Medicare coverage, it is important to understand what the different parts do — and do not — offer. Medicare coverage has four different components, called “parts,” and each part pays for different medical services and other benefits. Part A Medicare Part A covers services related to hospitalization and inpatient care. Part A has deductibles, co-pays and other rules for care. Hospital care is covered for 90 days per benefit period. The benefit period “resets” once you have been out of
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the hospital for 60 days or longer. Medicare-covered services that you can receive in the hospital include your stay in a semi-private room, meals, general nursing care that you receive from the staff, drugs involved in your treatment and other necessary services and supplies the hospital may provide. This portion of Medicare also covers time you spend receiving care in a psychiatric hospital. If you need care in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation, Medicare Part A covers 100 days each benefit period. Hospice care for terminal illnesses and home health care are also covered. Overall, this part of Medicare covers care you receive in acute-care hospitals, critical-access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, long-term care hospitals and hospital stays that you undergo while participating in a qualifying clinical research study.
Part B Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical such as doctor appointments and other medically necessary services. These services include preventive health screenings; physical, speech and occupational therapies; X-rays and lab tests; mental health care, such as treatment programs for substance use; and other similar services. Although it sounds like Part A might cover the physician services you receive while in the
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
hospital, Part B is what pays for this care. Emergency transportation in an ambulance is also covered under Part B, as are injectable prescriptions and durable medical equipment (DME) devices such as wheelchairs or chairlifts. Part B covers two different types of medically necessary services, those that allow a doctor to diagnose or treat a health condition. This portion of Medicare also covers preventative services including. health screenings or any care you receive that is aimed at preventing illnesses or detecting at an earlier stage when treatment is more likely to be effective.
Part C Medicare Part C is a managed care product that replaces original Medicare, which are called Medicare Advantage plans. It allows you to receive Medicare coverage through a private insurance carrier instead of directly from the U.S. federal government. These plans must follow Medicare guidelines; however, they require you to use in-network physicians and facilities — like some traditional health insurance plans — instead of having the option to choose any doctor, clinic or other facility that accepts Medicare. Many Part C plans include dental, vision and hearing coverage. They may also include benefits such as transportation to medical visits, exercise programs and even credits to purchase
over the counter products. Many Medicare Advantage plans under Part C offer their own prescription drug coverage with their own formulary. Unlike Original Medicare (Parts A and B), the price of Medicare Advantage plans varies depending on where you live. Thus, the average cost of Medicare Advantage is different in each zip code. There are many ranges of premiums from zero plans with higher co-pays and deductibles to more robust plans with higher premiums, but lower copays. Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Part C coverage each year during the Medicare open enrollment period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Note: Aside from Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. Medicare Supplement Insurance also known as Medigap helps fill “gaps” in Medicare coverage and is also sold by private companies. Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medigap policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, which include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. All Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but some offer additional benefits. Plans identified by the same letter cover the same benefits regardless of what company sells it. You do not need to choose a specific doctor or hospital facility. A Medicare recipient chooses EITHER Part C or a Medigap plan and a separate Part D plan.
Part D Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. You can enroll in a prescription plan through a private company, Medicare or continue to use another form of insurance you have that already pays for prescriptions, such as coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs or Tricare. Part D covers a wide variety of medications, but it is important to review a plan’s formulary, which is a list of covered prescriptions, to
ensure you can get the medicine you need without paying for it out of pocket. You must choose a Part D plan when eligible for Medicare or risk a penalty permanently added to your Part D premiums when you do finally enroll. One solution (if you don’t have such drug coverage from elsewhere): Pick the plan with the lowest premium, so you get coverage at the least cost. The covered medications and their costs also change annually, so it is a good idea to shop around for a new plan each year during the Medicare open enrollment period. What Medicare Does Not Cover Medicare often does not pay the full cost of services and care you receive. Medicare also does not cover most dental care, dentures, eye exams, hearing aids and cosmetic surgeries. Routine vision care, such as eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses, will not be reimbursed. Medicare also will not pay for more than 100 days of long-term care or nursing home stays. It does not provide coverage for certain forms of alternative treatments and therapies, such as acupuncture. Longterm care, which assists people who need help performing activities of daily living like dressing and bathing, also is not covered under Medicare. You will need to purchase separate long-term care insurance to pay for these services if you anticipate needing them later in life. Medical costs can add up quickly. Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket maximum. Deciding on an additional plan to cover these added costs can be complicated and the best choice may vary based on an individual’s unique circumstances. For help with your options, please contact Crystal Manning, Licensed Medicare Advisor at 412-716-4942 or crystalmanning33@gmail.com.
Summer 2021 Events The Block Northway Farmer’s Market runs every Friday 3-6 p.m., June 4-Oct. 29 between DSW and Land’s End. Saint Aidan Parish Over 50 Club Seneca Casino and River Cruise Trip, Oct. 13-15. Cost $404 pp dbl occupancy, $591 pp single occupancy. For details, call Dave at (412) 719-3172 or Lois at (412) 400-4516. The Sisters of Divine Providence 2021 Super Sweeps. the grand prize $5,000 cash prize 2nd place $500, 3rd place $100. Sweepstakes ends July 30. To enter, visit cdpsisters.org/SistersSweeps or call 412.635.5401. Proceeds benefit the Sweepstakes ends July 30. UPMC Passavant Hospital Auxiliary Membership Opportunities, are you looking for a stimulating opportunity for social interaction with other dedicated people in support of our community hospitals—UPMC Passavant McCandless and Cranberry? Join the Passavant Hospital Auxiliary’s long tradition of caring. The Auxiliary meets the 2 nd Monday of each month, 10 a.m., Sept. through June. New members are welcome. For info, contact Nicole Kaib at (412) 748-6640 or kaibn@upmc.edu. Zelienople-Harmony Farmer’s Market is located at the Zelienople Community Park on Beaver Street in Zelienople. Every Monday 3:30 – 7 p.m. rain or shine begins June 7. Wide variety of quality produce & vendors each week. Facebook @ ZelieHarmonyFarmersMarket
www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Summer 2021
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YOUR FINANCES
Getting a Divorce? Avoid Making These Five Most Common and Costly Mistakes By Donna Kline, MBA, CDFA®, CDC® Financial Advisor
Planning a family’s financial future during a divorce should consider a variety of factors, including ages, incomes, assets, and expenses. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I help people resolve the financial matters associated with divorce.
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o two divorces are alike. A settlement might need to include provisions for children’s education or income support. Assets may be illiquid, such as real estate, or not fully vested, such as company profit sharing plans or stock options, and therefore not readily available for division. I help individuals or couples craft a financial strategy that is both equitable and practical. As a Certified Divorce Coach (CDC), I help people avoid making the “mindset” mistakes that so often accompany a divorce. It is not always easy to get people to think practically when they are struggling to deal with a divorce emotionally. I’ve learned to ask questions that help them stay focused on the financial issues of their case, not to fall victim to fear of what has been lost and what could continue to go wrong. Following are five of the most common mindset mistakes I’ve encountered over my years as a CDC: Throwing in the towel. Divorce, particularly a litigated divorce, can be exhausting: court hearings, meanspirited letters flying back and forth, long periods of time with little or no activity or sense of direction. It’s enough to make a person want to quit, give in, walk away. Sometimes the fear of the process itself makes a person want to walk away before they even get started. The problem with throwing in the towel is that you could be walking away from what is rightfully yours. You need to take the time to think through your financial decisions, or you could be returning to court to fight over details you didn’t address the first time around. Taking a “my way or the highway” stance. People can take firm positions in divorce, such as “I am not leaving this house” or “I am not giving up any part of my pension.” Position-based thinking keeps people embattled in court; it exaggerates the breakdown in communication that led to the divorce. Remember that divorcing parents will need to communicate after the divorce is final. In fact, with separated households, communication becomes even more important. I serve as a “thinking partner” on these types of issues. What is the
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need behind the position? What is it that makes that issue or asset so important to you? Betting the farm on another relationship. Sometimes, a new love is in the picture. This new love may provide a sense of confidence and comfort. While the feelings may be real, it is important not to let them lure you into complacency when it comes to decisions about your future finances or time with your children. Everyone appreciates emotional support during a divorce, but you must approach the details of the settlement with practicality, as if you will be living on your own. Allowing others to make your decisions. This is what litigation is, allowing your lawyer to tell you what you should fight for or have a judge declare what is best for your family. But only you can decide what is best for you and your family, what is practical and equitable, what is best for your children. Of course you need an advocate in the divorce process, but if you are able to think through the details of what is important to you and your family, you can also be your advocate. Not getting help from the right people. Friends are great, but friends’ divorce advice is often disastrous. You need to engage people who are trained to give you advice: lawyers for legal advice, CDFAs for financial advice, a counselor to help you sort out the emotions behind the loss of your family structure, and a CDC to help you make clear, concise decisions about your future. Every family is unique and every divorce is unique. Reach out to the right people for guidance and avoid making the kind of mistakes that could compromise your and your family’s future. n Note: Financial issues related to divorce that I have addressed with clients over the years are the subject matter of a recent webinar, “Financial Solutions for a Restructured Family: Engaging a divorce professional to protect family wealth,” with Liberty Weyandt, Esq., Partner and Chair of the Family Law Practice Group, Lynch Law Group. https://hbkswealth.com/2021/04/financial-solutions-for-a-restructured-family/
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
1 - How Do You Avoid the Biggest Mistakes in Divorce? (n.d.). Certified Divorce Coach. https://certifieddivorcecoach.com/avoidbiggest-mistakes-divorce/ About the Author: Donna Kline, MBA, CDFA®, CDC®, combines experience as an investment broker and wealth manager, a proven approach to longterm financial planning, and the skills of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst to help a divorcing client understand and address the associated financial issues and obtain a fair and equitable divorce settlement. She directs the HBKS CDFA practice out of the firm’s Pittsburgh offices. She can be reached by phone at 724-934-8220, or by email at dkline@hbksweatlh.com. IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES The information included in this document is for general, informational purposes only. It does not contain any investment advice and does not address any individual facts and circumstances. As such, it cannot be relied on as providing any investment advice. If you would like investment advice regarding your specific facts and circumstances, please contact a qualified financial advisor. Any investment involves some degree of risk, and different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, including loss of principal. It should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment, strategy or allocation (including those recommended by HBKS® Wealth Advisors) will be profitable or equal the corresponding indicated or intended results or performance level(s). Past performance of any security, indices, strategy or allocation may not be indicative of future results. The historical and current information as to rules, laws, guidelines or benefits contained in this document is a summary of information obtained from or prepared by other sources. It has not been independently verified, but was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. HBKS® Wealth Advisors does not guarantee the accuracy of this information and does not assume liability for any errors in information obtained from or prepared by these other sources. HBKS® Wealth Advisors is not a legal or accounting firm, and does not render legal, accounting or tax advice. You should contact an attorney or CPA if you wish to receive legal, accounting or tax advice.
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THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Step Back Into... Voting age is lowered to 18 years old Disney World opens in Orlando By Paula Green
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n January 2, the United States banned radio and television ads for cigarettes. The Quarter Pounder was introduced at McDonald’s for 53 cents. Starbucks opened in Seattle. Coca Cola introduced the plastic bottle. San Fernando Valley, California, experienced a 6.5 magnitude earthquake on February 9, more than 60 people were killed and $500 million in property was damaged.
Average The average income was $10,622. Cost of a new home $28,300. The average cost of a new car $3,560. Gasoline was 40 cents per gallon. A dozen eggs was 45 cents. A gallon of milk was $1.17. One pound can of coffee was 98 cents. One pound loaf of bread was 25 cents. Ground hamburger sold for 62 cents a pound and bacon was 80 cents per pound. The price of a first-class stamp was 6 cents and on May 16 it increased to 8 cents.
Firsts Intel released the first programmable microprocessor and dubbed it the Intel 4004. The pocket calculator and floppy disk made their first appearance in 1971. Ray Tomlinson sent the first email. The first soft contact lens became available commercially in the US. Mariner 9 becomes the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.
U.S. events Henry Kissinger visits China. July 3, Jim Morrison of The Doors is found dead in his bath tub in Paris. Charles Manson and
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three of his followers receive the death penalty for the Tate/ LaBianca murders. Federal Express is started by Fred Smith. A new stock market index called the Nasdaq debuts. Apollo 14 lands on the moon.
World News China is admitted to the United Nations. Greenpeace formally comes into existence. Major General Idi Amin takes control of Uganda. In Japan, the first McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts open. The home food processor, Le MagiMix, was introduced in Paris by Pierre Verdon, also the inventor of the restaurant version, Robot-Coupe.
Entertainment Popular films – Billy Jack, A Clockwork Orange, Diamonds Are Forever, Dirty Harry, The French Connection, Fiddler on the Roof, The Last Picture Show, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Shaft, and Summer of ‘42. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opens in Washington D.C. Hot toys: Etch-A-Sketch, Battleship, Hot
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
Wheels and Malibu Barbie.
Television Adam 12, All in the Family, The Brady Bunch, The Flip Wilson Show, Funny Face, Gunsmoke, Marcus Welby MD, Mannix, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, McCloud, The Odd Couple, The Partridge Family, and Sanford & Son.
Songs American Pie, Brown Sugar, Changes, If You Could Read My Mind, Indian Reservation, Joy to the World, Knock Three Times, Maggie May, Rainy Days and Mondays, She’s a Lady, Take Me Home Country Roads and You’ve Got a Friend. Song of the Year: Bridge Over Troubled Water..
Publishing Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, The Day of the Jackal, The Winds of War, The Lorax, The Exorcist, The Monster at the End of This Book, Nemesis, The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom, The Lathe of Heaven
and Rabbit Redux. On June 13, The Pentagon Papers are published. The first preview issue of Ms. magazine was published in the U.S. launched by Gloria Steinem.
Sports
NFL – Super Bowl Champs – Baltimore Colts; NBA Champions – Milwaukee Bucks; World Series Winner – Pittsburgh Pirates; Stanley Cup Champs – Montreal Canadiens.
Politics President – Richard M. Nixon, Vice President – Spiro Agnew.
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Quotes: “You deserve a break today!” – McDonald’s “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!” – Jan Brady (Eve Plumb) – The Brady Bunch “My bologna has a first name it’s O-S-C-A-R. My bologna has a second name it’s M-A-Y-E-R.” – Oscar Mayer Sources: https://www.babyboomers. com/1961, https://www.infoplease.com/ year/1961, http://www.thepeoplehistory. com/1961.html, https://www.pinterest. com/1bookreader/the-year-i-was-born-1961/, https://pop-culture.us/Annual/1961.html
www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Summer 2021
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PONDERING PITTSBURGH
Puttering Around Miniature Golf Courses in the ‘Burgh By Paula Green
“The worst day of mini golf beats the best day of work.” — David Martin
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iniature golf is a fun activity that the whole family can partake in and enjoy. Putt Putt Golf Fun Center was founded in 1954 in Fayetteville, N.C. This particular golf facility has no overriding “theme” and is an introductory mini course. Putt Putt used to be located on McKnight Road in the North Hills and on Northern Pike in Monroeville. All of the Putt Putt Golf Courses in the region have closed their doors; the only one that remains in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. In December 2019, Wildwood Highlands Entertainment Complex in Hampton shuttered its doors and closed its miniature golf course closed with it. The facility now houses a large sports complex;
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so that’s one less place to putter around in the North Hills. Even though these miniature greens ended their drives, there are plenty of other facilities that are up to par. Kniess’ Miniature Golf located on Babcock Boulevard in Ross Township has been a staple in the North Hills community for the past 91 years. Kniess’ opened for business in 1930, which makes it one of the oldest miniature golf courses in the country. The yearly changes and updates keep folks coming back year after year for more. If you’re into fairy tales, then visit North Park Mini Golf on Ingomar Road. Patrons are greeted with a giant Humpty Dumpty; the course swings its way around with plenty of excitement.
Summer 2021 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com
Pine Creek Putt Putt on Duncan Avenue in Allison Park double dips, as this facility offers miniature golf and also has an ice cream shop. Another miniature golf place that is out of this world is MarsBethel Golf. This place showcases hand-painted animal mascots and challenging obstacles on the course. Heading south, Carnegie has a popular place to tee-off called Forsythe Miniature Golf. Sunset Mini Golf on Brownsville Road in South Park has 27 holes on their challenging course. Cool Springs in Bethel Park has an awesome blue lagoon at their facility. Some other greens to check out include – Bill’s Golf Land in Belle Vernon, Family Fun Scape in Elizabeth, and in Washington County, there’s Interstate Golf and Tower Golf. You can visit Glen’s Frozen Custard’s Mini Golf with two locations in Lower Burrell and Springdale when you travel east. In Fox Chapel, there is Willow Miniature Golf; Monroeville has Par 2 Golf, or check out Kerber’s Mini Golf in North Huntington.
Greensburg has Willowbrook Golf & Driving Range and Statler’s Fun Center. When you venture west, you will find RMU (Robert Morris University) Rapids Outdoor Miniature Golf, and Scally’s Golf Center in Moon Township sports lots of incredible safari animals. There’s also Crafton Mini Golf for some relaxing tee-time. Rochester has Frontier Falls Mini Golf with a fabulous Wild West motif. Well, if you have the drive to try out these links, you’ll see they are up to par! Make sure you mark your calendars for July 11 – it is National Miniature Golf Day. n Sources: https://puttputt.com/, https:// madeinpgh.com/pittsburgh-arts-culture/ mini-golf-courses-in-pittsburgh/ https:// madeinpgh.com/pittsburgh-arts-culture/ mini-golf-courses-in-pittsburgh/
www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Summer 2021
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