Linn Benton Edition of the NW Boomer and Senior News November 2015 by Northwest50Plus

Bees in your backyard

LINN & BENTON COUNTIES EDITION NOVEMBER 2015 • FREE!

Getting into beekeeping is easier than you might think

By DENISE RUTTAN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Photos by Dan Wise

Amber Reese wears a full suit when working with her bees. She lights up a smudge pot, and then blows smoke (above) on the hive to help calm the bees and make them easier to work with.

Health benefit Page 6

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INSIDE

Amber Reese is fascinated by honeybees. “It all started when I learned about colony collapse in 2006,” Reese says. “I thought, ‘What’s going on with the bees?’ I started doing more reading and research, and when I learned how much beekeeping cost, I decided to find a way to do it to help the environment around us have more honeybees.” She’s referring to colony collapse disorder, a syndrome that can wipe out the majority of worker bees in a hive, leaving behind a queen, food and a few nurse bees. Since 2006, 10 million beehives have been lost to this disorder, according to a 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture report. It has many causes, including diseases and poor nutrition. This information is not new, but still relevant — one in three of the foods you eat, in fact, depends directly or indirectly on pollination by honeybees, says Reese, who does not want to imagine a world without the honeybee. So three and a half years ago, she became a beekeeper.

Now, the Philomath woman keeps three hives at home and two at a friend’s property. She has also mastered the “journey” level of the Oregon Master Beekeeper program, which is similar to Master Gardeners and also overseen by Oregon State University. She started out in this program studying and reading about honeybees, and tutored with a mentor who helped her out with her hives. She will soon herself become a mentor to a new novice student. As a “journey-woman” beekeeper in this program, Reese gives presentations on beekeeping and does community service. She carts along all the books that helped her learn more about the bees she loves — volumes like Kim Flottum’s “The Backyard Beekeeper” guide for beginners, or D.M. Caron and L. Connor’s “Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping.” She wants people to know how easy it is, and how important, to get started as a hobbyist beekeeper. “I work full-time and have other hobbies and two kids with all their activities; the time it takes is what you want to put into it,” Reese says.

See BEES p. 2

DIGGIN’ IT

HEALTHY VIBES

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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OPEN YOUR MIND TO VARIETY OF BULBS TO PLANT

LIVING A FULL LIFE WITH CANCER

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LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015

BEES CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Photo by Dan Wise

Thousands of bees are getting ready to bed down for the night back in September’s cool temperatures.

When she first started, Reese contacted the city of Philomath, to find out whether the city had any ordinances banning backyard beekeeping. The city did not. Next, she got in touch with her neighbors, just to be a good neighbor. “One of our neighbors says he couldn’t stand them. But he was actually thinking about our wasp friends,” Reese says. “It took some education about the benefits of honeybees and then he was OK with it.” In fact, as time went on, her neighbors say they saw a positive effect from Reese’s honeybees in their own gar-

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dens with more flowers in bloom. She also gives them some of the honey she harvests. As for the cost, Reese says you should start with at least two hives, in case something goes wrong with one of the hives that first year. For those two hives, including a bee suit and other basic gear, you can spend a total of approximately $691 to $791, excluding supplemental feeding, disease control and honey extracting equipment. That can purchase this picture of a day in the life of a beekeeper: Reese usually wears her full suit, from the boots to the veil, even after three and a half years of doing the hobby. She wears goatskin gloves, which are flexible when she needs to lift objects. When she is all geared up, she will light her smoker, typically using cutup burlap, which smokes well and stays lit. The smoker is a signal to the bees that she’s there. She uses a J-hook tool to pry open the frames of the hive. These frames can often collect propolis, a hard red or brown substance collected from tree buds by honeybees, which the honeybees will use to fill crevices in their hive. She always carries a toolbox with her that contains a bee brush, scissors, a lighter, matches, a permanent marker and, of all things, ground cinnamon. She uses the cinnamon to shoo away ants, which do not like the spice. Her busy season is spring and summer, slowing down in winter. This picture would not be complete without mentioning honey, which is a major bene-

fit of keeping your own hives. A typical hive population numbers about 40,000-60,000 bees. These bees will go out and collect approximately six pounds of nectar per day, on the higher end, at their peak season when blackberries are in bloom in late June and early July. “What that translates to as far as honey is ... two and a half pounds of honey per day,” Reese says. “They are busy, busy, busy guys. To make one pound of honey, it’s going to take bees roughly 55,000 miles to gather one pound of honey from 2 million flowers.” From her three primary hives, Reese will harvest nine milk-sized gallons of honey, or 70-80 pounds of it. She will leave some so that the bees have food over the winter. “It’s just a fun hobby for us to do, but you don’t have to extract the honey,” Reese says. “You can let the bees have it all.” Reese’s whole family gets in on the action, too. Her twin daughters, Megan and Elise, both fourth-graders, have their own bee suits sized to fit them. They are present for everything and help out with the honey extraction. That way, she also passes on her passion for conserving honeybees to the next generation of beekeepers. She does not only have to juggle a family with her beekeeping. Reese also holds down a day job as an instructional assistant at Clemens Elementary School. Despite the extra work, she learns something new every

See HIVE p. 3

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NOVEMBER 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Of note

Hive cost with brand new equipment: $160-$190 Two hives: $320-$380 Bee suit: $70-$90 Gloves: $28 Hive tool: $6 Smoker: $27 Bees: Two-pound box $120130; starting with two boxes: $240-260

Local bee supply vendors: Nectar Bee Suppy at Shonnard’s, 6600 SW Philomath Blvd., Corvallis, 541-929-3524, nectarbeesupply.com

Portland Bee Center, 3926 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland, 503-248-0104, livingscape.com/bee.htm

GloryBee Foods, 29548 B Airport Road, Eugene, 800456-7923, glorybee.com

Photo by Dan Wise

Amber Reese stands with one of the three hives she usually has at her home. She checked with the city of Philomath before acquiring the bees, and keeps two hives at a friend’s house.

HIVE CONTINUED FROM P. 2

day about these insects that continues to hold her fascination even three and a half years later. Facts such as a honeybee’s highly sensitive sense of smell; they can recognize the smells of different hives, and if the pheromones a queen gives off do not match those of the queen they know from birth, they might attack the queen on smell alone.

Even if you can’t keep hives of your own, you can still do your part to keep the honeybee population thriving. You can grow in your garden plants that attract bees, Reese says. Keep in mind that bees cannot see the color red, Reese says. They gravitate to purple, pink and blue colors. Native plants should be your first choice, including currant, goldenrod, huckleberry, Oregon grape, sunflowers and serviceberry. Other beefriendly choices include purple coneflower, basil, English

More resources Oregon State University Honeybee Lab: honeybeelab.oregonstate.edu Oregon State Beekeepers Association: orsba.org Western Apicultural Society: ucanr.edu/sites/was2 The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: xerces.org Oregon Master Beekeepers: extension.oregonstate.edu/mb lavender, marjoram and hardy sages. There is no study at this time documenting the impact that backyard beekeepers such as Amber Reese have had in staving off colony collapse disorder, says Dr. Ramesh Sagili, director of the Honey Bee Lab at OSU. But he believes they are making a difference. “We expect that backyard beekeepers will help increase the genetic diversity of honeybees and that in turn might help with resistance to mites and diseases in the long term,” Sagili says. ■

LINN-BENTON EDITION

Newport center adds certified health and wellness instructors The Newport 60+ Activity Center now has three health and wellness volunteers who are certified in leading group exercise classes. The FiTOUR certification includes instruction and tools to provide safe and effective fitness class guidelines. It covers objectives of group exercise instruction, five components of fitness, FIT principles and basic training concepts, basic anatomy, kinesiology and physiology, basic nutrition and weight management, ACSM guidelines, exercise safety and injury prevention. The volunteers also are qualified instructors in Silver Sneakers yoga, classic and circuit exercise classes. Michelle Annette teaches Silver Sneakers Yoga at 9:30 a.m. Mondays. This class accommodates people who

can’t get up and down easily from the floor. This style of yoga can be a very complete workout that increases flexibility and strength, while incorporating breathing techniques that are both energizing and calming. This class also provides core conditioning. Barb Petty and Barbara LaBoss teach Silver Sneakers Classic at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. This class is designed especially for the 60 and older crowd who wish for a moderate-paced class. This fun fitness program will help maintain and improve cardiovascular conditioning, circulation, flexibility and muscle tone. The Newport 60+ Activity Center is located at 20 SE 2nd St. Visit newportoregon.gov/sc for a complete list of activities, or call 541-265-9617. They also have a Facebook page. ■

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LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015

Medicare Plan Guide Here’s what some major providers have to offer. For more detailed information, contact each company directly. Samaritan Advantage Health Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Plan HMO - Premier Plan Senior Advantage Basic (HMO) Senior Advantage (HMO) 1- 800-832-4580 daily 8a-8p 1-866-935-0449 daily 8a-8p 1-866-935-0449 TTY 1-800-735-2900 TTY: 711 TTY: 711 $110

$41 Out of pocket max. $4900 2015 Medicare 5 Star Rating

$119 Out of pocket max. $2500 2015 Medicare 5 Star Rating

Over 95% of providers in Benton, Lincoln & Linn Counties; doctors & specialists from Eugene to Portland

Over 4,000 network providers

$15 copay primary care; $30 copay specialist

$30 copay for primary $35 copay for specialist

$20 copay for primary $25 copay for specialist

Routine Physical Exams

$0 copay

Emergency Care, USA/Foreign

$75 worldwide; Urgent care $35 co-pay nationwide

$75 copay worldwide coverage

$250 co-pay/day (1-6),

$275 per day, days 1-6

$200 per day, days 1-6

Monthly Premium

Choice of Doctors

Per Doctor Visit

Hospitalization

$1,750 out-of-pocket limit/year

Choice of Hospitals

All hospitals in Benton, Lincoln & Linn Counties; Eugene Sacred Heart Med. Center, Springfield Sacred Heart Med. Center at Riverbend; Salem Hospital; Gresham Legacy Mt. Hood Med. Center, Portland OHSU, Portland Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Portland Legacy Good Samaritan Hosp/Med. Center, Tualatin Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, Vancouver Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital

Kaiser Sunnyside, Legacy Salmon Creek, Salem Hospital, and new Westside Medical Center

Ambulance

$250 co-pay

$225 copay per trip

$175 copay per trip

$0 co-pay/day (1-120) $160 co-pay/day (21-60) $0 co-pay (61-120)

$0 per day, days 1-20 $50 per day (days 21-100)

$0 copay per day, days 1-100

Part D drug benefits

Integrated Part D drug benefit

Skilled Nursing Care

Prescription Drug Plan

Prescription Drug Copay, Deductible

No deductible $0 deductible Generic: $5 preferred/ Preferred generic: $3 $10 non-preferred; Brand Generic: max. $9 $45 preferred/$90 nonPreferred brand: max. $45 preferred; Specialty: 33%; Non-preferred brand: Vaccines: no charge; max. $100 Generic & vaccines Specialty: 33% co-insurance covered thru the gap

No deductible Generic: $5 preferred/ $10 non-preferred; Brand $45 preferred/$90 nonpreferred; Specialty: 33%; Vaccines: no charge; Generic & vaccines covered thru the gap

Vision

$30 co-pay routine exam; $30 co-pay exams to diagnose & treat; $125 eyewear/2 years

Routine eye exam: $35 Routine eye exam: $25 copay. See “Other Details” copay. See “Other Details”

Hearing Exams & Hearing Aids

$10 co-pay routine hearing test ($500 hearing aid benefit w/ Premier Plan Plus)

Routine hearing exams $35 Routine hearing exams $25 copay. Hearing aid not cov- copay. Hearing aid not covered. See “Other Details” ered. See “Other Details”

Mental Health Therapy Members Other Details

Service Areas

Website & other Phone Numbers

$20 co-pay/visit

$30 copay per visit

$20 copay per visit

Over 5,500 in all 3 plans

18,000+

32,000+

Advantage Plus - Dental, $3,400 annual out-of-pocket Advantage Plus - Dental, extra eyewear, and hearing extra eyewear, and hearing limit/year aid package for $43 per aid package for $43 per $175 co-pay outpatient month. month. surgery/service Conventional ($72/mo; Silver & Fit® fitness Email your doctor’s office medical benefits) and program which includes and order prescription Premier Plus ($140/mo; no-cost membership to refills on-line. medical & Part D) plans also participating local health available. Premier Plus offers clubs. preventive dental, hearing aid Email your doctor’s office benefit, added DME out-ofand order prescription pocket max and generic drug refills on-line. coverage during Gap. Outside service area benefit Oregon counties: Benton*, Oregon counties: Benton*, Linn*, Clackamas, Columbia, Linn*, Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, Yamhill. Washington, Yamhill. Washington counties: Lewis*, Washington counties: Lewis*, Wahkiakum*, Clark, Cowlitz Wahkiakum*, Clark, Cowlitz * partial county * partial county www.kp.org/medicare www.samhealth.org/Medicare www.kp.org/medicare Members: 1-877-221-8221 Members: 1-877-221-8221 1-800-832-4580 Non-Members: 1-866-935-0449 Non-Members: 1-866-935-0449 TTY 1-800-735-2900 (TTY: 711) (TTY: 711)

Benton, Lincoln & Linn Counties

Retain this chart for future reference. Prices and terms are subject to change. Be sure to contact your provider or prospective provider for complete coverage details and possible updated information. Chart information is current as of Oct. 6, 2015.

book review

“The Water Knife” by Paolo Bacigalupi Published 2015 by Alfred A. Knopf

Sometimes science fiction can come closer to real life than might be expected. “The Water Knife,” by award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi, is a case in point. Taking off from the current conditions of “climate change, and dust storms and fires and droughts” in the American Southwest, Bacigalupi spins a yarn set in the not-too-distant future where lack of water is so dire that the worst of human nature collides with survival needs of an increasingly uprooted population. With as many twists and turns as a meandering stream bed, the main plot revolves around a rumored water rights document that is senior to all others, and hence carries with it vast financial implications. In a land where those who control increasingly scarce water resources control life itself, chaos and the rule of law vie for the upper hand. As the book opens, smart but ruthless Catherine Case, the powerful boss of the Southern Nevada Water Authority — home base Las Vegas — has dispatched her evil but canny enforcer, Angel Velasquez, her “water knife,” to destroy the water supply processing system for a California city. Her reasoning: The rights to water for that city are in legal question, and the issue is to be decided by a judge the next day. So before a ruling can be made against her, Case has her troops, including the state’s national guard, swoop in by helicopter. With Velasquez in charge, the plant is evacuated and destroyed, leaving the city’s population with no water supply, only what can be brought in. That is how things are done. Then there is Phoenix, where Velasquez next goes and where much of the book’s plot about the mysterious water rights document unfolds. Here is a city that, from both lack of water and from environmental degradation, is in the throes of dying. Well, almost, for there are the haves, and the have-nots. For the former, the massive self-contained, high-rise “archologies” that have arisen in several cities, including Phoenix and Las Vegas, allow people to prosper “inside triple-filter apartments” with “clean air, perfectly recycled water, their own farms, everything they needed to live …” One of these massive self-contained ghettos for the rich built, of course, by the Chinese, is felt to exist “as if it were entirely removed from the dust and smoke and collapse of the greater city beyond.” For the less fortunate living in the city, it is a life of scrambling asylum seekers and survivors in a world with tightly rationed water, devastating heat, smoke from massive fires, and imaginative hustlers. It is “…that odd mix of broken souls, bleeding hearts and predators who occupied the shattered places of the world. Human spackle, filling in the cracks of disaster.” In the midst of the real-life mass migrations of refugees from Africa and Asia who are fleeing toward Europe, along with finding a number of dead among those supposedly heading to a better life, it is difficult not to draw real-life conclusions from this fictional account, which, for example, has large numbers of bodies found in the desert near Phoenix. These are the bodies of those who paid others to supposedly lead them to a place with water and life. They are “piled corpses who had tried to buy their way north to places with water and jobs and hope.” One reason for this forced migration: “Everyone had to leave because they weren’t going to be trucking in water anymore.” A main source of the author’s factual basis for the “Water Knife” is a real-life non-fiction book that has an ironic role in this work of fiction. The book, “Cadillac Desert,” written in 1986, is about land development and water policy in the West. One reviewer summed up “Cadillac Desert” this way: “The book’s main conclusion is that development-driven policies, formed when settling the West was the country’s main concern, are having serious long-term negative effects on the environment and water quantity.” Bacigalupi acknowledges help from a number of other sources knowledgeable about the water situation in the Southwest. The author of “The Water Knife” is no stranger to spinning possible outcomes from current issues. In an earlier work, “The Windup Girl,” Bacigalupi tackled a fictional scenario of what can happen when genetically modified food becomes the norm, and the huge companies that control the modified seeds also essentially can control the world. While both books are bleak in their stringing out scenarios of potential futures, in the “Water Knife,” as the plot unfolds, a drop or two of optimism leaks out. As one of the characters puts it, “America may be broken, but it still exists.” Reviewed by DAVID R. NEWMAN

Bulbs go beyond daffodils, tulips NOVEMBER 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LINN-BENTON EDITION

DIGGIN’ IT!

By GRACE PETERSON MASTER GARDENER

Let’s face it, gardening can be kind of depressing this time of year. There is a lot of cleaning up to do and not very many blossoms to enjoy. Skies are generally gray and the ground is probably saturated with recent rains. Only diehard gardeners with a vision for next year’s garden are willing to ignore the drizzle and brave the elements to tend to their beloved landscapes. Raise your hand if you’re one of them. My somewhat futile attempts to tidy the November garden are fueled by my vision for next year’s beauty. One of the ways to counter the drudgery of that cleanup is to sprinkle in a few fun projects, like planting bulbs. There are the usual suspects — tulips, daffodil, hyacinth and crocus — all special in their own way. But as I’m learning, there are so many more beauties to be had. Last year I got serious about researching a plant I’d seen growing in a field for years, usually around mid-May. Sprinkled throughout indigenous grass, thin stems jutted upward to about three feet topped with pretty, medium lavender flower clusters. Exquisitely beautiful in their

Photo by Grace Peterson

This flower, Dichelostemma, is native to the Northwest and is known by several common names.

simplicity, I had to know what they were. I learned that there are several common names for Dichelostemma congesta, a bulb native to the Pacific Northwest — field cluster-lily, fork-toothed ookow, congested snake lily, to name a few. And I was pleasantly surprised to see that several online bulb companies have it for sale and it’s not expensive. I also

learned that this bulb has two cousins of equal allure. Dichelostemma congesta “Pink Diamond” and Dichelostemma ida-maia — a red and white version of “Pink Diamond.” I think I need all three. In May, the stately, towering spikes of foxtail lily (Eremurus ssp.) are a sight to behold in a garden that can accommodate them. Their roots require lots of room, and my small garden isn’t suitable. So instead I’m comforting myself with flowering onions (Allium ssp.) which don’t require nearly as much root space. If you go online and search “allium flowers” you’ll be amazed at the selection available to home gardeners. They come in large, medium and small, and can bloom from spring through summer. And they’re all honeybee-magnets. Last year, I found a cute rock garden variety called “curly chives” or Allium spirale. It blooms in mid- to late-summer on short gray stems, perfect for the rock garden or container. On the flip side, the huge orbs on “tumbleweed onion” or Allium schubertii are as big as a basketball and hold their shape even after the midspring flowers fade. I’ve seen them spray painted and

hung on fences and even used as a Christmas tree topper. Among the worthy allium garden contenders is a plant with several botanical monikers. I’ll go with Nectaroscordum siculum here. The flowers are different from its many allium cousins with a bevy of one-inch burgundy, cream, and green bells hanging downward on three foot tall stems. Nicknamed Sicilian honey lily, Mediterranean Bells, I was surprised last spring when I saw hummingbirds boldly raise the bells upward with their beaks to sip the sweet nectar. Needless to say I’m planting more of

these easy, inexpensive bulbs for next year’s garden. There are a few things to remember when planting bulbs, the most important being good drainage. Bulbs planted in water-logged soil will turn to mush. One way to test for good drainage is to pour water into the hole. If it doesn’t drain away quickly, it probably won’t be a good spot for bulbs. You can add compost, grit and create a raised bed to improve drainage or plant your bulbs in pots with fresh potting soil and drainage holes in the bottom. And let the foliage die naturally to nourish the bulb for future flowers. ■

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e can c help hel yyou ou compare plans a d mak and makee enrollment cchanges. hanges.

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Is Medicare working for you?

LINN-BENTON EDITION

From finding the right plan to finding the right doctor, enrolling in Medicare requires strict attention

By MICHELLE TE BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Before Darla Clark signed up for her Medicare plan, she carefully examined her wants and needs. She wanted a nationwide company, in case she decide to relocate or travel. She wanted a billing system where the medical offices would submit the bills for her. She wanted her co-pays covered, and to be able to choose her own doctors and hospitals. “That’s what I needed, some flexibility,” Clark says. Little did she know how important those decisions would become when she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer two years ago. “I had a good experience with my insurance company,” she says. “I got excellent care. My plan allows me to go to any specialist as long as they accept that plan. And up until recently, most everybody does accept it.” Because of complications from the cancer surgery, Clark saw several types of specialists, and was unable to return to her work as a real estate agent in Woodburn until this year. “Overall, I’ve been happy with my insurance,” she says. “It’s not cheap, but I have had

no denials, no false billings and no errors that I can tell. Considering that I was sick as I was, it was a blessing to have that.” In fact, she looks at her life in a much more positive way. “I had a lot of issues, and they were snowballing, they just kept coming and coming,” Clark says. But she persevered, looked at her options and fought her way through it all. She now has a 75 percent chance that her cancer will not return. Now, Clark is open to considering other insurance companies, but will stay with the same Medicare plan she has chosen. She knows others who have had trouble with finding doctors, particularly when they are new to an area. One couple she knows moved to Oregon from another state and could not find a doctor for the wife’s medical issues. “They had one heck of a time finding a doctor that would even accept Medicare,” Clark says. “The only reason I didn’t, I believe, was because I was pre-established. They found that no doctors would accept their plan and they ended up having to change their plan to something totally different.” Clark’s experience, as well as those of the couple she mentions, are not uncommon, says Lisa Emerson, program manager for Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Association, or SHIBA. “Doctors are a business, and they have to look at their bottom line to keep their practice open,” she says, adding that each state sets its own reimbursement rates with doctors based on how healthy each state is. “The rate is lower in Oregon because we’ve had healthier people and provide better health care (than some

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015

holes. He also was able to keep his doctors, even after he switched to Medicare. “My ducks were all lined up,” he says. “I’ve had several different doctors for several different reasons, and they’ve all been involved with Medicare, so there wasn’t a problem there.”

oregonshiba.org

other states),” Emerson says. “In other states, for example, a knee replacement surgery would cost four times more because of the rate structure.” SHIBA provides counseling to Medicare enrollees or those who might want to change their plan during open enrollment. Volunteers review plans, but can’t make recommendations. They frequently make presentations around the state, and can meet with individuals by appointment. “SHIBA gets calls from people who are new or aging into Medicare,” Emerson says, “who might say that their doctor won’t keep them on once they go on Medicare, or saying that they didn’t have a doctor who will accept Medicare. It’s pretty rare, but it does happen.” Jason Stubbs, an independent insurance agent in Eugene specializing in Medicare, says one of the biggest issues he sees is for those who are already on Medicare trying to find a new doctor when they move, or keeping up with the changes in their current plan. “It’s hard finding a new doctor,” he says. “It’s a challenge because, in order to reestablish care, they find that many doctors aren’t accepting new Medicare patients.” Many who already are established with a doctor,

then enroll in Medicare, find that their doctor will keep them on. But those doctors likely may not be accepting new Medicare patients. Dennis Gerke of Eagle Point found the opposite to be true. When he retired in 2002 from a teaching career, he was apprehensive about rolling his health care over into the Medicare system. “I started reading through Medicare, looking through what was available and what the options were, and I was scared to death,” he says. “I had a good plan already as a teacher.” With the help of Stubbs, Gerke says the process actually became “smooth and easy,” and he now feels guilty when he hears his friends having difficulties with their plans. “It was a piece of cake,” Gerke says. “I can’t believe how smooth it was. Jason showed us the things you do and don’t do. We sat down with him, looked at our options of what it would cost us, what the plans were, how long they would extend, the depth of the policy — we discovered it was really easy to do.” Just as important, he says, was learning about the different prescription drug plans, where the holes were, and how to find a policy and program that would fill in those

Getting coverage Oregon has one of the highest rates of Medicare Advantage plan enrollment at 45 percent, “which is pretty high,” Emerson says. “We’re close to Florida, and Oregon is second or third in the nation. That’s a good indicator of the economic climate in the medical world about why quite a few people are taking Medicare Advantage.” She says population density makes a big difference in controlling rates for medical services, with rural areas being harder hit because there are fewer choices for medical care. “The losses of the few are covered by the many,” she says. “The number of people who are insured in the pool has an effect.” A person who lives in Wasco or Umatilla counties will have fewer options than someone who lives in Marion or Multnomah counties, she adds. Shelly Dement of Shelly D Insurance in Cottage Grove says because Lane County offers so many insurance plans, it really benefits her clients. “We’re fortunate to have good competition with Medicare Advantage options, which equals very attractive coverage,” she says. She recommends finding a good doctor before enrolling in Medicare, and once you do, take advantage of the preventive care. “Every single plan out there has good preventive care benefits,” Dement says. “They do it to take care of the small things before they become big things. Even Original Medicare now covers a full wellness exam each year. So there’s no reason not to do it.” To help with the frustrations that might come with finding a provider or figuring out which Medicare plan is

See BENEFIT p. 7

Vets: Keep dogs safe from canine parvovirus NOVEMBER 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease that is preventable through vaccination. Puppies less than 6 months old and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk to contract a serious case of the disease, which can be fatal.

Transmission Parvovirus is transmitted primarily through exposure to infected feces. Don’t let your dog or puppy sniff other dogs’ waste. Parvo cannot be killed with general household cleaners and can persist in the environment for months to years if not killed with bleach. Dogs infected with parvovirus require veterinary care and

LINN-BENTON EDITION

should be isolated from other dogs.

Symptoms According to Dr. Jacque Harter with the Willamette Humane Society, “Symptoms include: vomiting, lethargy, severe and/or bloody diarrhea, lack of appetite and dehydration. If your dog shows these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.” Prevention Vaccinations should begin when puppies are six to eight weeks of age, with follow-up booster shots. “A single vaccine is not adequate protection,”

says Dr. Harter. “Puppies should receive a series of booster vaccines between the ages of six and 16 weeks and adult dogs should receive a booster shot regularly at your veterinarian’s direction.” Until your puppy receives its complete series of shots, or if your adult dog is not current on its booster, you should be cautious when socializing your pet at kennels, pet shops, parks, obedience classes, daycare, and the groomer. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is a nonprofit organization of veterinarians who are dedicated to helping people give their animals a high quality of life. For more pet health care tips, visit oregonvma.org or talk to your veterinarian. ■

Of note

BENEFIT

SHIBA: 800-722-4134

CONTINUED FROM P. 6

best (“It’s rare that someone calls and says, ‘This is easy.’”) Emerson recommends calling providers and asking which plans they do accept. “They usually have a billing manager who’s in a position to know these things,” she says. “When someone talks to SHIBA for counseling, we always recommend talking to providers about what insurance they are currently accepting so we can do an informed comparison.” She also suggests looking at clinics that have various types of physicians – MD, DO, NP and PA. “Sometimes it’s a way into a clinic by being willing to see the nurse practitioner, but knowing that the clinic has some oversight if the care needed to be elevated.” Emerson says it’s important to pay attention to your mail because insurance companies make changes in their level of coverage. “It’s a message we can’t stress enough,” she says. “There are certain required notices that (the federal government) regulates by certain dates, such as the annual ‘notice of change’ letter. It has to go out in early October, as would a termination letter. If a clinic wants to leave (the plan), they need to let you know, and you need to act on it.” She also recommends reviewing

your drug plan as they change yearly, from the formularies to the co-payments to even whether a specific drug will be included on the plan. “It’s great to do a checkup every year,” she says. And don’t feel bad about meeting with a SHIBA counselor or calling the 800-number to ask a question. “We get a lot of sentiment, a lot from those who feel they are an intelligent person but are having a difficult time com-

prehending all the things to think about,” Emerson says. “They have so much mail coming at them, and too many choices. There are timing issues and concerns unique to their situation. It can be overwhelming to people, and we can help interpret it.” Stubbs says he contacts all of his clients at least twice a year, on their birthdays and at the end of the year, “just to talk to them about the changes that are happening,” he says. “Are

they OK with those changes or do they want to change plans?” While Medicare supplement and Medigap plans never change, the premiums can and do change. Medicare Advantage and the Part D prescription plans change every year, Stubbs says. One plan had a premium that went from zero to nearly $50 a month, he says. “Your insurance companies might not be contacting their clients, so you are left to find out on your own what those changes are.” Dement believes that insurance companies want to stay competitive while working with an ever-decreasing budget, so the plans won’t change too much. However, with so many more people entering into the healthcare system, insurance premiums are going to rise next year – by at least 38 percent. “I’ve been in this business for almost 23 years, and you’ll see that lower premium ‘cloud’ float over this plan or that one,” she says. “Now, there’s no corner of good, low rates. I just can’t make it happen. Companies are trying to get more creative to account for the rate increase, but it will be painful.” ■

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OCTOBER 18 Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with OSU Choruses and Corvallis Repertory Singers, 3 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. COSUSymphony.org for tickets. 22 Basics of Medicare, 10 a.m. to noon, Benton Center, Linn-Benton Community College, 757 NW Polk Ave., Corvallis. 541-812-0849. 24 Basics of Medicare, 10 a.m. to noon, 60+ Activity Center, 20 SE 2nd St., Newport. 541-574-2684. (through Nov. 1) Philomath Open Studios, noon to 5 p.m., various locations. Philomathopenstudios.com. 25 Portland Youth Philharmonic, 3 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. Free. COSUSymphony.org. 28 Conversation Project: What We Want from the Wild, by Adam Davis, 6 p.m., CorvallisBenton County Public Library. 503719-4732. 29 Talking about Dying, 7 p.m., CorvallisBenton County Library. 541766-6965. 31 Linn County Philatelic Club Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Phoenix Inn, 3410 Spicer Dr., Albany. 541-971-1033. NOVEMBER Fill Your Pantry, noon to 3 p.m., Guerber Hall, Benton County Fairgrounds, Corvallis. 217-454-6154.

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015 Frank Almond, violinist, recording artist and concertmaster, 7:30 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. $20-$28.

Random Review: “Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town,” by Jon Krakauer, noon to 1:30 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 541-766-6965.

18 Silver Sneakers, 9:30 a.m. and noon, 60+ Activity Center, 20 SE 2nd St., Newport. Also 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, and 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. Newportoregon.gov/sc. “Wild in the Willamette” book launch, 6 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 541-752-9609. (through Nov. 22) “The Crucible,” 7 p.m., CHS Main Stage Theater, 1400 NW Buchanan Ave. $12+. Corvallistheaters.com. Hilltop Big Band, 7:30 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St., Corvallis. (through Nov. 14) “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” CHS Main Stage Theater, 1400 NW Buchanan Ave. $12+. Corvallistheaters.com. (through Nov. 29) Gifts for a Better World International Holiday Store, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 SW West Hills Road, Corvallis. 541-7583752. National Novel Writing Month: Write in Session, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays in November, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 541-766-6793.

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Steinway Piano Series: Gilles Vonsattel, 4 p.m., Austin Auditorium, LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. $20/$25. OSU Men’s and Women’s Chorus Festival, 7 to 9 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. $7/$10. 541-737-5592. Talking about Dying, 7 p.m., Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St. 541-258-4232. Provost’s Lecture Series: Michael Beschloss, 7:30 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. Free. League of Women Voters general meeting and consensus: Amending the U.S. Constitution, 7 to 9 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 541-752-4635. (through Nov. 22) “Romeo and Juliet,” 7:30 p.m., Withycombe Hall, OSU. $8/$10. 541-737-2853. Annual Zonta Auction and Dinner, 5:30 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center, OSU. $75. Zontacorvallis.org. Crazy 8s Author Tour, 2 p.m., Albany Public Library, with book vendor, Grass Roots Books and Music. Crazy8sauthortour.com. HP Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Corvallis Elks Lodge, 1400 NW 9th St.

Corvallis Arts Walk, 4 to 8 p.m., downtown Corvallis.

Free. Thanksgiving Luncheon, noon, Albany Senior Center, 489 Water St. SW. $6/$8 after Nov. 11. 541917-7760. Albany Senior Center trip: NW Senior Theater Holiday Show, 8:50 a.m. $30/$40. Fall Sing! Bella Voce, Meistersingers, Coro Misto and Mixed Choir, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. $7/$10. 541737-5592. Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra, “Ill-Fated Love,” 3 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. COSUSymphony.org for tickets. Corvallis Community Christmas Parade, daylong, downtown Corvallis. Grand Marshall: Benton County Deputy Sheriff David Peterson. Theme: Dr. Seuss Celebrates Seussmas. 541-740-4462.

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Burning issues NOVEMBER 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LINN-BENTON EDITION

■ Nancie Fadeley’s career supported women and the environment

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Nancie Fadeley is 85, but she doesn’t look or act it. Her decade as an Oregon state representative and other years as a charter member and national board member of the Older Women’s League (OWL) are still right at the surface. Although she’s not as active in the many causes she supports as she used to be, Fadeley still finds the time and energy to volunteer, keep herself aware of the issues, and take care of her sidekick, a rescue dog named Dexter who’s part Pomeranian and part Corgi. “I feel very, very blessed,” she says, “And a lot of that is due to this,” she says, sweeping her arms over the table in her Eugene home, laden with papers, cards, reports and articles from her time with OWL, the only national organization that focuses on issues affecting the nation’s estimated 78 million women over 40 years of age. “My work with OWL made me aware of what I needed to think about for my future, and I was able to make some valuable, educated choices. And my kids sure know about the issues of women as they age because they have heard me talk about them for so many years.” Nancie Peacocke was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of a Methodist preacher. She married Ed Fadeley in 1953 and they came to Eugene in 1954 so Ed could pursue law school. They are divorced, but had two children — Charles, who also practices law, and Shira, a band teacher at Kelly Middle School. Fadeley studied English as an undergraduate and earned a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Oregon. She taught at the old Lincoln School while Ed was in law school. Before her election to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1970, she served for 10 years as legislative staff.

Legislative action She took cues from the burgeoning environmental awareness movement and is proud of her legacy of environmental legislation. “The first Earth Day was in 1970,” she recalls. “Field burning was a huge issue back then. We had doctors testify, and Bill Bowerman and Steve Prefontaine (Oregon’s celebrated track coach and runner) told how field burning was making it hard for them to breathe when they ran, even though they were very healthy athletes.” Her legislation helped scale down the amount of open field burning smoke that was getting trapped in the Willamette Valley, which she called the “dirty toe of the sock.” In 1973, she chaired the House Environment and Land Use Committee, which voted

Photo by Vanessa Salvia

Nancie Fadeley, wearing an Older Women’s League (OWL) sweatshirt, served for a decade as an Oregon state representative, and as a charter member and national board member of OWL. in the pioneering, statewide land use planning legislation known as SB 100, or The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Act of 1973. SB 100 prompted the formation of 1000 Friends of Oregon, a watchdog organization committed to defending and advocating responsible land-use. Later, she served on the Board of 1000 Friends. In 1975, 1977 and 1979, Fadeley chaired both the House Environment and Energy committees. “Along the way, I developed a friendship with OWL co-founders Tish Sommers and Laurie Shields, and older women’s rights became a significant concern to me,” she says. “The OWL founders coined the phrase ‘displaced homemakers,’ and I introduced the bill signed by Gov. Robert Straub which established displaced homemaker programs in Oregon.” Displaced homemakers are women — or sometimes men — whose family responsibilities have limited their participation in the paid world of work. “Widowhood, divorce or the failing health of the family

wage earner can make it necessary for the displaced homemaker to go back to work, but re-entering the paid workforce can be extremely difficult,” she says. After years of being out of the workplace, regardless of how skilled they were before, displaced homemakers may face poverty and lack of selfconfidence due to their inability to get a job. Fadeley’s legislation, which passed in 1977, provided funding and services to help these displaced homemakers escape poverty and prepare for a new life. “That was positively the easiest bill I ever sponsored,” Fadeley says. “When I’d ask other legislators to support it, they would interrupt me and say something like, ‘My mother is a wonderful woman, but ever since Dad died, she seems lost ...’ They immediately knew what I was talking about.” Fadeley also has wonderful memories of working for Oregon’s landmark bottle bill, which passed in 1971 and requires refunds on returnable beverage containers. Her work with displaced homemakers sensitized her to

their fears about medical bills. So she shepherded through the Oregon legislature a bill allowing former wives or dependent children to continue their health insurance coverage in a group plan for a limited time if they paid the premiums. “That was about 35 years before ‘Obamacare,’ so it was extremely important to women and children who needed some time to continue being insured while they tried to work something else out,” she says. OWL’s co-founder Sommers was successful in enabling former dependents in other states to use the option Oregonians had to continue their group insurance coverage. She talked her congresswoman into inserting that idea into must-pass legislation, the 1986 Budget Reconciliation Act, commonly called COBRA. Women’s concerns In 1981 after leaving the legislature, Fadeley went to work for KWAX, which was then a National Public Radio station in Eugene. In 1985 she became assistant provost at University of Oregon and, for

a few years, was a loan executive at United Way. Every year, OWL issues a Mother’s Day Report related to current concerns of women as they age. “OWL has good reason for focusing on the challenges of growing older as a woman,” she says. “It really is different from growing older as a man.” The Eugene chapter of OWL is no longer active, but Fadeley hopes that if enough women reading this article become interested in the topic of aging as a woman, that chapter will be rekindled. “There were some women who said they didn’t like the name “Older Women’s League,” Fadeley recalls. “They didn’t want to be called ‘older’ women, but Tish and Laurie said ‘No, we’re proud of being older women because that’s what we are.’” Fadeley puts on her blue OWL sweatshirt and stands a little straighter, smoothing out the fabric so that all the words can be read. Fadeley has saved many pieces of memorabilia she’s collected since becoming active in OWL, including copies of Mother’s Day cards OWL members have sent to Congress members bearing messages like, “Your mother didn’t raise you to let other mothers down,” or “Give them health!” On each Mother’s Day, The Register-Guard often carries an op-ed written by Fadeley outlining the concerns addressed in that year’s Mother’s Day Report. Many of those reports have focused on issues surrounding long-term care. She often quotes Sommers, who said, “Many men do give sensitive care to their aging family members or take care of children. But for women, it’s an expected duty.” “I hope that these reports are a wake-up call to both men and women,” Fadeley says. “Only 4 percent of older adults reside in nursing homes. Most long-term care happens in the home, and is primarily provided by women, unpaid women.” Fadeley remains active in her church, and is currently working to preserve archival materials documenting the church’s history. Her church is one of a number of local churches that welcome homeless families to spend their evenings and nights in the church during the school year. For two weeks in December when her church is hosting the homeless, she becomes a “gleaner” who gets food from FOOD for Lane County for their homeless guests. “Every year when they ask if I want to be the gleaner again,” I say, ‘Oh, yes, can I please?’” her green eyes shining with joy. “It’s been very rewarding to be able to be a part of such a worthwhile project.” ■

Oregon Blue Book now available

LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015

A limited number of the newly-released 2015-16 Oregon Blue Book are still available. This edition features an expanded color section exploring Oregon’s early rural schools with photos, artwork and memorabilia from Oregon’s historical societies. The purpose of the exhibit is to look back at the colorful history of rural education in Oregon before World War II when small town life revolved around the local schoolhouse. The 2015-16 Blue Book also features — for the first time — winning essays from a statewide contest that asked elementary and middle school children what they loved about Oregon. These essays provide a fresh perspective on our state and create a time

capsule for Oregonians in the future. The Oregon Blue Book, Oregon’s official fact book and almanac, has been updated and re-published every two years since 1911. “It is an institution, a state icon and a collector’s item,” says Julie Yamaka, managing editor. The Blue Book can be purchased from the State Archives online at secure.sos.state.or.us/ prs/shopBlueBook.do or at the Capitol Gift Shop and a limited number of bookstores around the state. ■

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8 Wanted to Rent

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16 Units for Rent

HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or older, disNOTICE: Oregon state law (ORS 701) requires anyone who contracts for construction work to be licensed with the Construction Contractors Board. An active license means the contrctor is bonded and insured. Verify the contractor’s CCB license through the CCB Consumer Website www.hirali censedcontractor.co m or call 503-378-4621.

abled and/or handicapped, available at this time. We are committed to providing equal housing opportunities. All utilities paid. Surfwood Manor, 4545 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, 541-996-3477.

HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or older, disabled and/or handicapped, available at this time. We are committed to providing equal housing opportunities. All utilities paid. Millwood Manor, 2550 14th Ave HUD SUBSIDIZED SE, Albany. 541-928UNITS for senior citi- 2545. zens 62 or older, disabled and/or handi- HUD SUBISDIZED capped, available at APARTMENTS for this time. We are senior citizens, 62 or committed to provid- older. We offer spaing equal housing cious one bedroom opportunities. All utili- apartments with prities paid. Briarwood vate balconies, on-site Manor, 643 Manbrin, laundry facility, comKeizer, OR 97303, munity room & a 503-981-8614. courtyard with a nice Koi pond. All in the HUD SUBSIDIZED heart of downtown UNITS for senior citi- Eugene! Call 541zens 62 or older, dis- 343-0433 for more abled and/or handi- information! Lawcapped, available at rence Court Apartthis time. We are ments provides equal committed to provid- housing opportuniing equal housing ties. Emerald Property opportunities. All utili- Management, 541ties paid. Glenwood 741-4676. Manor, 1687 NW Division St., Corvallis. Where’s YOUR classified ad? 541-753-3408. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

18 Help Wanted PARTTIME LIVE-IN KENNEL ASSISTANT needed for caring for our dogs. We offer one bedroom apartment + utilities, with small income. Beavercreek, OR. Experience + alternate source of income required. 503-6326903. EARN UP TO $50,000 A YEAR, plus benefits, if you know how to sell advertising. Northwest Boomer & Senior News is located in Keizer. We have an immediate opening for a full time Advertising Representative position with our Metro, (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas & Clark counties) edition. We’re looking for the right fit—a highly motivated & creative person who would enjoy the work as well as the challenge of growing our monthly print publication. We have been in business for 30 successful years. You will have to establish your own account list but don’t worry: this area has more than enough

potential businesses. Networking is a must! We pay for up to two chamber memberships so you have a chance to meet many business leaders! If you like to win in business & you are customer-oriented, we’d like to hear from you. We offer a base wage of $2000 per month, excellent commissions, mileage & cell phone reimbursement, healthcare, vacation & 401(k) everything you’d expect from a great company. EOE. Preemployment drug screen as well as driving record check required. Reliable transportation & insurance a must. Join our winning team: send your resume to dthouvenel@nwseniornews.co m. Please, no phone calls.

29 Miscellaneous

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MUSICAL INSTRUWANTED. MENTS Portland Music Co. always buying! Reputable since 1927. Free appraisals. 531 SE M.L.K. Blvd. Ask for Doug. 503-2263719.

32 Cemetery Plots TWO PREMIUM VIEW LOTS. Belcrest Memorial, lots 1 & 2. Section 94, block 13.Transfer fee included. $7000, obo. 503-877-6897, 503873-2291.

BASEBALL & SPORTS MEMORABILIA wanted. Buying old cards, pennants, autographs, photographs, tickets, programs, Pacific Coast League, etc. Alan, 503-4810719.

OLD SPORTS CARS WANTED: 1948-1972. Alfa, Austin Healey, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, MG, Porsche. “American Classics also!” 503-538-8096

33 Wanted

CASH FOR OLD TOYS, pre 1970 sport & non-sport gum or cigarette cards, model kits, comic books, old car or?? Private collector. 503-313-7538. CASH for DIABETIC TEST STRIPS. Help CASH FOR GOOD those in need. Paying Garden & Yard CONDITION reloading up to $30 per box. Care equipment & sup- Free pickup! Call 503-679plies. 541-905-5453. Sharon, 3605. YEAR ROUND YARD SERVICE. General 30+ YEARS TRUSTclean-ups, mowing, ED, REPUTABLE ANBUY - SELL trimming, weeding. TIQUES BUYER. Bark dust, power ALWAYS BUYING: old TRADE IT washing, hauling photos, postcards, HERE debris. 30+ years costume jewelry, experience. 503-393- most anything antique IN THE 2013. or vintage. Please call

CLASSIFIEDS

REACH THOUSANDS of READERS with a FRIENDSHIP AD

ATTENTION!

Changes have been made to the existing Friendship Club format. All Friendship Ads now appear in all four editions...and you can access the ad form online at: www.nwboomerandseniornews.com MAIL responses to: NW Boomer & Senior News, 4159 Cherry Ave. NE, Keizer, OR 97303; (include listing # you’re responding to)

Join the Friendship Club & broaden your circle of friends! PHYSICALLY & mentally solid, non-smoke/drink. postive. Former teacher, Liberal bent. Like to have age 78, 5’10”, 180 lbs. fun. Seek lady friend Two degrees, financially Salem area. #5625 Ad Abbreviations M = Male F = Female S = Single D = Divorced W = White A = Asian B = Black H = Hispanic J = Jewish C = Christian

N/S = Non-smoker N/D = Non-drinker ISO = In Search Of LTR = Long Term Relationship WW = Widowed White

WB = Widowed Black WA = Widowed Asian WH = Widowed Hispanic LGBT= Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender

WM, fit, young 80. Interested in working out, playing golf, athletic events. Music, camping, fishing & hiking. Loves traveling. Financially secure. ISO a lady in her early 60’s. Mid 60’s OK. N/S, N/D. #5629

LOOKING for pleasant, responsible man. Positive outlook. Sixties or seventies. Home life, some traveling. Enjoy country, letters, phone. Let’s see if we can make something good happen. #5630

SWM, N/D, N/S. Looking for stable lady who likes traveling, long/short trips. BBQ’s, doing fun things. Own home, romantic, simple life with good moral character. Dinner out. LTR. Photo, phone. Eugene area. #5621

HEALTHY VIBES

NOVEMBER 2015 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

By DEVON WEBSTER, MD SAMARITAN CANCER PROGRAM

Katy, 38, works full-time as a software engineer and teaches a 6 a.m. boot camp classes twice a week. Zig, 57, rides his chopper to Sturgis, South Dakota every August. Clara, 85, makes homemade pickles and spaghetti sauce for her neighbors. They all have something in common — they are my patients, and they are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic, or stage 4, cancer, means cancer that has spread from its starting place to other parts of the body. Most of the time it can’t be cured. But that doesn’t mean the end of living. On the contrary, many are living full lives with metastatic cancer. Creating cancer-killing pills New and less toxic treatments have changed the life expectancy and lifestyle of people living with cancer. For example, women with metastatic

Living with cancer

estrogen-driven breast cancer often don’t need chemotherapy. Instead, they take a daily hormone-blocking pill. A new cancer pill called a “checkpoint inhibitor” was recently approved by the FDA. When women with metastatic breast cancer take the two pills together, their cancer is stopped in its tracks for 20 months on average. And after it starts to grow? They switch to a different hormoneblocking pill. In the 1970s, only 10 percent of women with stage 4 breast cancer were alive in five years. Now, that number has quadrupled, with more than 40 percent of women living five years or more.

Unleashing the immune system For years, scientists could not teach the immune system to kill cancer. And they recently discovered why. T-cells, immune cells that can kill cancer cells, have an off-switch designed to prevent them from attacking normal body tissues. This off-switch, called

LINN-BENTON EDITION

ing the symptoms, keeping people doing what they enjoy, until life comes to an end. Those living with cancer know it may eventually cause their death. But with new and less toxic treatments, they can always hope for a longer, quality life. To those of you living with cancer, you inspire me daily. Thank you for your grace, fortitude and willingness to share the precious moments of your lives, reminding us what’s truly important. ■ *Names have been changed.

PD1, is used by cancer to trick the immune system into backing off. It’s like the cancer cells have learned a secret handshake. They flip the offswitch, telling the T-cells, “I’m just a normal cell, no need to worry about me.” A new class of drugs blocks PD1, preventing tumors from turning off the immune system. In clinical trials, these drugs have increased the lifespan of people with stage 4 lung cancer and melanoma, and are expected to work for all types of cancer.

Facing the future For many, the phrase “stage 4 cancer” brings to mind bald, sick-looking people. This is not usually the case. You meet people with metastatic cancer every day without knowing it. Like other chronic diseases, it requires ongoing treatment and shortens lives. But many of our patients live for years, even decades. And when treatment against the cancer is no longer effective, we focus on treat-

Devon Webster, MD, earned a bachelor’s and a medical degree from Stanford University. She completed residency training at Oregon Health and Science University, and fellowships in hematology and oncology at the University of Washington. She is board-certified in oncology, and she specializes in breast cancer treatment.

Corvallis Caring Place

750 NW 23rd St. Corvallis, OR 97330 541-753-2033 Lorene Hales, Administrator info@corvalliscaringplace.org www.corvalliscaringplace.org

Dallas Retirement Village

377 NW Jasper Street Dallas, OR 97338 503-623-5581 Fax: 503-623-6450 www.dallasretirementvillage.com

Mennonite Village 5353 Columbus St. SE Albany, OR 97322 541-928-7232 Whitney Olsen, Marketing info@mennonitevillage.org www.mennonitevillage.org www.facebook.com/ mennonitevillage

Samaritan Wiley Creek Community

5050 Mountain Fir St. Sweet Home, OR 97386 541-367-1800 www.samhealth.org

Rates dependent upon level of care. Call for rate information.

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42 Units

“No Buy-In” A full-service Retirement Community with multiple living/care options.

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Rates starting at $1821

A Not-for-Profit Continuing Care Residential Community providing Life-Enriching Services to People of All Faiths and Beliefs.

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“No Buy-In”

Independent Cottages: $1390 & up ● ● ● ● ● ● Assisted Living: $2575 & up Medicaid accepted 44 Units

“No Buy-In”

Timberhill Place 989 N.W. Spruce Street Corvallis, OR 97330 541-753-1488 Robin Bemrose

Memory Care

Planned Activities

Utilities Included

Housekeeping

Transportation

LOCATION

Asst. Living/RCF/Foster Care

COMMUNITY

BUY-IN MONTHLY RENTAL No. of Units

Independent Living

RETIREMENT LIVING CHOICES

We offer 9 styles of apartments including 2 BR/2 BA apartments. 60 Units

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AMENITIES Corvallis Caring Place is a not-for-profit assisted living residence providing dignity and compassion in a life-enriching environment; conveniently located in the heart of a peaceful college town where residents have easy access to parks, shopping, restaurants, health care, and the senior center, as well as artistic, educational, athletic, and cultural opportunities at OSU and Benton Center. Active retirement living with a full accommodation of living options and services in one scenic care community. Remodeled Independent Living community features: spacious homes, apartments, elegant dining rooms & abundant common areas to enjoy time with friends. Full service community. Garden homes and Health Center complete with Skilled Nursing & Alzheimer’s care, and Memory Care Center.

A 275-acre community in a rural setting, Mennonite Village provides living spaces for all levels of retirement - close to Corvallis, Eugene, or Salem. With an award-winning chef and beautifully landscaped grounds Mennonite Village is an inclusive, all-faith community of amazing people. Services include: independent living, assisted living, nursing & rehab, memory care, foster care, respite care, and in-home care.

Wiley Creek Lodge is just minutes from downtown Sweet Home. Housing and personal care services are provided for persons age 55 and over. The selection of apartments ranges from studio to twobedroom, each with a “front porch” facing a spacious atrium filled with natural light. Each apartment has a private bath, a kitchenette, an emergency call system, and other appropriate amenities.

Assisted living community located within short distance of local shopping center. We offer 3 delicious meals daily, weekly housekeeping & linen services, social/recreational programs, scheduled transportation in our van and a full range of personal services available should you need them.

LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2015

Picture yourself living at Mennonite Village... A Not-for-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community Providing Life-Enriching Services A 275-acre community in a rural setting, Mennonite Village provides spacious living spaces for all levels of retirement – just a short drive from Corvallis, Salem, or Eugene. With award-winning healthcare and beautifully landscaped grounds, Mennonite Village is an inclusive community of amazing people.

Mennonite Village offers regularly scheduled transportation at no cost to its Village and Quail Run residents. Transportation can be arranged for a group of residents to attend special events, such as college football games or a symphony concert. Additionally, personal transportation can be hired by the hour through our In-Home Care Services.

7 Independent living homes and apartments 7 Assisted living apartments with care and support available 24/7 7 Memory care, including respite care and on-site foster care 7 Skilled nursing & rehab services, both inpatient and outpatient 7 In-Home Care services in Linn, Benton, and Marion counties

The wellness program at Mennonite Village encompasses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being of each resident. In addition to daily activities and classes offered by fitness instructors, residents enjoy playing pickle ball and Pétanque (lawn bowling), putting, gardening, and walking on miles of scenic paths and trails.

541-928-7232 Mennonite Village considers and admits people age 55 and older without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

www.mennonitevillage.org www.facebook.com/mennonitevillage 5353 Columbus Street Southeast, Albany, OR