March/April 2013 60 Plus in Omaha by Omaha Magazine

Old World Oil & Vinegarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Leichtle

Not-So-Retired

Reinventing Yourself with a Second Career

Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terrible Toll From Patients to Caregivers

Comprehensive Assessment Help for your loved ones

Avoiding Falls

You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. Can I stay at home? How do we handle Alzheimer’s? What do we do about hospice? Long-term care? Private Duty? Driving? Rehab? Medicare? What about assisted living? Encompass Senior Solutions provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available options that allow seniors to live safely, independently and with confidence.

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Comments? Send your letter to the editor to: letters@omahapublications.com All versions of Omaha Magazine are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 68046-1208. Telephone: (402) 884-2000; fax (402) 884-2001. Subscription rates: $19.95 for 6 issues (one year), $24.95 for 12 issues (two years). No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations. Best of Omaha®™ is a registered tradename of Omaha Magazine.

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60PLUS active living Story by Mary Quinn • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

Pam Stanek:

Entrepreneurial and Energetic

“B

oundless energy has always been part of my makeup,”

says Pam Stanek, co-owner of Omaha’s The Interior Design Firm, “I’m happiest when I’m busy.” As the oldest of six girls, Stanek was bound to attain the leadership skills needed to succeed in the evercreative and competitive world of interior design. “Entrepreneurship is evident in my family,” Stanek explains. “My family owned businesses, my husband is a retired business S4 60PLUS

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owner, and four of my children own businesses.” This would explain her talent as an entrepreneur and the success of The Interior Design Firm, which she became part owner of over 30 years ago with now-retired Charlotte Dann. Stanek is also an active member of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Nebraska-Iowa Chapter, is on the board for UMB Bank, and supports many charitable organizations. However, it’s never ‘all work and no play’

for Stanek. She enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with her family at her lake house in Fremont during the summers. Health is also an important aspect of her life, as she says, “I attempt to keep healthy by walking, exercising, and doing light weights several times a week. I do stretching exercises every day, which I feel is necessary as one ages.” Aside from her business and hobbies, Stanek prides herself on being the matriarch of her family. She has five children and 14 www.OmahaPublications.com

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grandchildren with husband Ed, and says, “I feel I have accomplished many things, the greatest being my family. Ed and I watched our children grow into amazing people.” Stanek adds, “It’s great to be in our 60s and have the opportunity to enjoy our family and friends.”

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60PLUS feature Story by Carol Crissey Nigrelli • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

Jean Jetter, center, with parents Thomas and Margaret Ludwick

From Patients to Caregivers

Alzheimer’s Terrible Toll argaret Ludwick spends her days sitting in a wheel-

chair at a senior care center in Elkhorn. She never speaks. The only expressive motion involves her hands—she constantly puts her long, tapered fingers together like a church steeple. Her big blue eyes stare straight ahead but focus on nothing. No one can reach her anymore, not her daughters, not her husband. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia in adults 65 and over, robs even the most intelligent people of their brain and eventually destroys their body. There is no cure. There is no pill to prevent it. There’s S6 60PLUS

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not even a test to definitively diagnose it. Effective treatments have proven as elusive as the disease, itself. “We do have medications that may help with symptoms in some patients, especially in the early stages of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Daniel Murman, a specialist in geriatric neurology at the Nebraska Medical Center. “But they don’t truly slow down the disease process.” According to researchers, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s will triple in the next 40 years, which means 13.8 million will have the disease by 2050 (Chicago Health and Aging Project research as reported

by nbcnews.com). Awareness of symptoms is crucial for early intervention. “Memory loss and changes in behavior are not a normal part of aging,” stresses Deborah Conley, a clinical nurse specialist in gerontology at Methodist Health Systems who teaches other nurses and caregivers about Alzheimer’s. “I would urge family members to take [their loved one] to a family physician first, seek as much information as possible, and start making your plans.” An assessment that includes the person’s medical history, brain imaging, and a neurological exam can result in a diagnosis that’s about 85 percent accurate for Alzheimer’s. Margaret, a registered nurse, who worked at Immanuel Hospital for years, never received an extensive workup. “I first noticed something was wrong about 15 years ago, when Mom was 70,” explained Margaret’s daughter, Jean Jetter of Omaha. “It was the day I moved into my new house. Mom put things in odd places, like a box labeled ‘kitchen’ would wind up in the bedroom. And she stood smack in the middle of the doorway as the movers tried to carry large pieces of furniture inside, and she just stared at them.” As Margaret’s behavior grew worse, Jean begged her father, Thomas, to get her mother help. “He didn’t want to hear it. He kept saying, ‘This will get better.’ He had medical and financial Power of Attorney. Dad worked full time, and she was home alone. This went on for eight years.” Margaret’s steady decline rendered her unable to fix a meal or even peel a banana. She lost control of bodily functions. After she was found wandering the neighborhood on several occasions, Jean was finally able to call Adult Protective Services and get her mother into an adult daycare program. After breaking a hip two years ago, Margaret arrived at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn. “This is such a sad, but not unfamiliar case,” said Deborah Conley, who began working with Alzheimer’s patients in the mid ’70s. “Even in 2013, people do not know what to do, where to turn.” Added Dr. Murman, “There is still a stigma attached to Alzheimer’s. People don’t like to hear the ‘A’ word. But it’s much better to be open and specific about it.” www.OmahaPublications.com

A specific diagnosis may rule out Alzheimer’s. “Depression can mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s...symptoms like mistrust, hallucinations, apathy, social isolation,” explained Dr. Arun Sharma, a geriatric psychiatrist with Alegent Creighton Health. “But we can treat that. We can treat depression.” Dr. Sharma helped establish a 22-bed, short-term residential facility called Heritage Center at Immanuel Hospital to better diagnose the reasons for a person’s memory loss. Once a patient is stabilized and receives a proper care plan, they can return home. The more doctors learn, the faster a cure will come. “I see something exciting in the next five to 10 years,” said Dr. Sharma. “If we identify and isolate the protein believed responsible for Alzheimer’s, perhaps we can do a blood test to catch the disease early.” But what about a cure? With 78 million baby boomers coming down the pike— 10,000 of them turning 65 each day—this country faces an epidemic. And what about the psychological, financial, and emotional toll on the caregivers, who are very often family members? They, too, feel isolated. “It was an impossible situation for me. I couldn’t get her the help she needed,” said Jean Jetter, who bore the brunt of the family crisis since her married sister lives in Dallas. “Now that Mom is at [the nursing home], I can take a breather and concentrate on Dad, who also has mental issues.” In recent weeks, her father, Thomas, has been admitted as a permanent resident of Life Care Center of Elkhorn as well. What about her own family? “I have no one. No husband, no boyfriend. I mean, what boyfriend would put up with all this?” asked Jean, who’s been shuttling between one parent and the other for years, all the while trying to run her own business. The situation has obviously taken a huge personal toll. Deborah Conley has two words for anyone facing similar circumstances: Alzheimer’s Association. The Midlands chapter has support groups, tons of information, and can gently guide the adult child or spouse. They even have a 24/7 hotline: 800-272-3900. For anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s, that number could become a lifeline.

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60PLUS feature Story by Traci Osuna • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

Comprehensive Assessment

Professionals can help determine the right course of care for your loved one.

“O

ur family will forever

be indebted to Suzanne,” says Melanie Miller of Suzanne Myers. It was Myers whom Miller turned to when her ailing father needed help. With Miller in New York City, her brothers also living out of Nebraska, Myers, owner of Encompass Senior Solutions, filled in where needed. “Hands down, she is one of the best people I have ever worked with,” Miller praises. Myers was basically an extension of their family, caring for Miller’s father in Omaha until he passed away last July. She took care of everything from providing a personal driver when his car keys were taken away to bringing in hospice as his health failed. Myers even helped plan the funeral. Myers worked with Miller’s 88-year-old father, a prominent lawyer in town who’d been living in his own home, still driving his car, and even going into the office on a S8 60PLUS

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weekly basis. Everyone in his life thought everything was fine. It wasn’t until Miller was in town visiting her father that she realized that things just weren’t right. From bills going unpaid to the house being in disarray, Miller says, she and her brothers knew they needed to find some assistance for their “fiercely independent” father. “I called Encompass ,and Suzanne returned my call that night.” With a background in social work and experience working with seniors in hospital settings, Myers says that she has witnessed her fair share of seniors being “railroaded” into a bad situation. “I just saw a lot of people giving the wrong information, and I broke out of that.” Three years ago, she opened Encompass Senior Solutions with the focus of giving her clients the whole picture of options available to them, rather than a limited view that may be benefitting someone else’s agenda.

“[I wanted to] make things right for seniors, give them a choice, because some people don’t give them the whole truth,” says Myers. “And, lo and behold, if you give people all the information, they make really good decisions.” Myers explains that at Encompass, she gives her clients comprehensive assessment, helping them to evaluate the situation that they are currently in and what options will best serve their needs in the future. Along with an RN, Myers meets with everyone involved in the senior’s care, as well as the senior if they are able. “My preference is for everyone that loves and cares for the person to be available.” Of course, this is not always possible, and Myers understands that. She is very adept at working with out-of-town relatives and considering the feedback and concerns of all those involved. The Encompass team looks at the medical and psychological history of the senior, their finances, their power of attorney, and living wills. They consider the environment they are currently living in and if the senior can continue living on their own. “Ultimately, what people want to know is if they can remain in their home and how they can make staying at home a safe option for them.” Things as simple as rugs, stairs, and placement of furniture are assessed, as well as more involved concerns, such as medications, hoarding, substance abuse, and dementia. “No question is too small or too big,” says Myers. As to what triggers to look for or when is the right time to consider seeking assistance, Myers says the right time is anytime there is a concern. “There’s not necessarily a crisis, but you feel that something’s not right.” It could be weight loss, poor hygiene, lapses in memory, or any number of issues. Encompass offers full assessments and targeted assessments. “In a targeted assessment, a decision has been made to move somewhere ,and we can be brought in to make the best decision regarding that move,” she says. Changes, no matter how big or how small, can be difficult for seniors and their families to accept. But Myers says that it’s often the family members that are the most apprehensive to address the issues. She says that most seniors being assessed, when confronted with the concerns, realize that there is a problem. “Fifteen to 20 minutes into the assessment, they figure out, ‘Wait a minute…she’s on my www.OmahaPublications.com

side. She’s not trying to pack me up and send me somewhere.’” She says that often, the senior is able to stay in their own home, even those with memory issues. Myers and her staff make recommendations on what will be best for the senior, both in near and distant future. Rehab may be a necessary as a short-term solution, but they may be able to return to their home at a later time. Myers says she works with all scenarios and with all timeframes. After years in the field, she has a wide network of resources allowing her to cover all the bases for her clients. From personal drivers, cooks, and housekeepers, to physicians and living communities, she will contact the right people for the specific situation. “We’ve done a lot of creative things for people to allow them to stay in their home.” Such was the case with Miller’s father, who was able to stay in his own home but had to relinquish his car keys when Myers presented the situation to him. “Dad was able to accept from her what might have been very difficult to accept from his kids,” says Miller. Miller appreciated the fact that Myers saw her father as a whole person, not simply as someone with dementia that could be difficult at times. “She understood both sides of him… that he had dementia and was still a person. She made it the best it could possibly be.” Darold Jordan is another client of Myers’ who has been working with her for several years. Referred to Myers by a friend, Jordan hired Encompass to assist him and his wife when they needed some extra help around the house. “They’re flexible…they’ll do as much or as little as needed.” Jordan explains that Myers would spend four hours a day with his wife, helping her with her needs and tidying up around the house. “[Encompass has] been very satisfactory and they have fulfilled our needs for a couple of years now,” he says. “They have several phases of assistance, which makes it adequate for most people’s needs.” When Jordan’s wife died in June, Myers continued to help him with sorting through his home. He is currently in the process of downsizing and moving into an independent living community in the near future. The assistance that Encompass and Myers brought to Jordan and his late wife made a world of difference for which he is extremely grateful. “We actually got to stay in our own home,” he adds, obviously pleased. www.ReadOnlineNow.com

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60PLUS cover feature Story by Nadine Vodicka • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

Mark Leichtle

The Reinvention of Retirement

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Kathy DeFord, DDS

60ish Boomers seaking second (even third!) careers later in life.

www.OmahaPublications.com

Larry Peterson

“Despite my life experiences, I felt that there was a void that I just couldn’t explain nor fulfill.” -Peterson

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n the past, many people began to contemplate retirement as

they approached age 60. However, today’s boomer generation is taking much the same approach to retirement as they did toward life and career choices in their 20s: They sought out jobs that would make them happy, fruitful, and independent. And since today’s baby boomers are now in their 60s, as well as being 78 million strong, they have over a quarter of their lives yet to live.They are living life with the very same passion that they had in their 20s. Carbon copies of former retiring generations they are not. Instead, they are reinventing their lives and changing what we used to call retirement. Many are branching out into second careers with zest and highly anticipated enthusiasm. Personal choice, freedom, and individuality mark the boomer generation in 2013. One such person is Pastor Larry Peterson, 65, who was the executive pastor at Bellevue Christian Center from 2004 to 2011. He then stepped down to pastor the 250-300 seniors in his church community. He also presides over the faculty and business aspects of the church and center. Formerly, he had successful military and business careers that allowed him to travel to many places. “Despite my life experiences, I felt that there was a void that I just couldn’t explain nor fulfill,” says Peterson. After settling in Bellevue, his soul and faith in humankind deepened as a result of everything that he had previously learned in his earlier careers. It was that enlightenment that became the vessel that would lead him onto his next journey. Now in his third career path, he has truly found his calling in life. Photography is also a passion of Peterson’s. That’s just one more path that he travels. Peterson keeps active by playing softball on a team for seniors called “Midwest Express.” His team recently placed fifth in the nation. Another boomer who decided to follow her dreams and to transform her life is Dr. Kathy DeFord, 60, who now has her own dental practice in Papillion, DeFord Family Dental. Her first career started out as a stay-at-home mom to four children. “When our children were all in school, I got a part-time job working in a dental office doing light office work. Occasionally, the dentist would have me help him with a patient when his dental assistant was busy. I loved those times. I asked him if he would train me in dental assisting and he agreed. “One evening when my husband, David, and I were sitting at the dinner table chatting about the days’ events, I mentioned casually that if I could have any job, I would work as a dentist. “At that moment, I had a silent but strong impression that this was something that I should pursue. I had not been in school for over 20 years. I enrolled in Houston Community College to brush up and eventually was accepted into the Honors’ College at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. I graduated from Creighton School of Dentistry in 2001; the same year two of our sons graduated from >> << college and our youngest son graduated from high school. I spent several years with a group dental practice, Dundee Family Dental, before opening DeFord Family Dental in Papillion. I really enjoy my march/april • 2013

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work,” DeFord says with a smile. “This is my heartfelt destiny.” Having her own dental practice has been extremely rewarding, DeFord shares, “I have always loved working with my hands and helping people.” DeFord spends her spare time keeping active visiting her four children that are spread out all over the country. Every three years she plans a family reunion at a different destination. A quiet retirement at home for her…no way! Many potential retirees are pursuing new businesses ventures late in life as well. Mark Leichtle, 61, has gone from firm administrator in a large Omaha law firm to becoming the proprietor of the Old World Oil and Vinegar store in Rockbrock Village shopping center. Leichtle has dozens upon dozens of mouth-watering flavored vinegars and oils to delight your palette and expand your cooking and eating pleasure. He also has many varieties of dried exotic mushrooms and special sea salts from all over the world. When asked how he decided to go into this type of business after a long and fruitful career, Leichtle says that several things in his life had led him to what he’s now doing (and loving it!). “In my younger years, I was a maitre d’ and chef at a restaurant that did much of its cooking tableside. It was there that I learned about various cooking oils and special vinegars that would enhance S12 60PLUS

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and enliven foods to the delight of the customers,” says Leichtle. “I enjoyed it so much and never forgot the wonderful experience of making food so delicious.” Leichtle and his wife have a daughter in Minneapolis who showed them many stores that carried fine olive oils and aromatic vinegars. This awakened his love for cooking and using those special vinegars and fine oils that he once used in his earlier years. It was then that he began a quest for finding more specialty food stores all over the country and learning more about the newest and most delectable oils, vinegars, mushrooms, and sea salts available. Thus, came the inspiration for his store. As you have read above, Omaha’s boomers are truly forever young and fervent about recreating and reinventing their retirement years. They have new career paths, vitality, enjoyment, and most of all, time to seek out passions and fall in love again with life.

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60PLUS style Story by Mary Anne Vaccaro • Photo by Jim Scholz

There are NO fashion rules! can’t tell you how many times people come to me with a question regarding whether

or not they can wear a certain, usually trendy style of a jacket, pant, skirt, top excetera. My reply is always, “It depends on what you wear it with.” Too many people follow the trends too closely, thinking that in order to be fashionable, they have to wear what they see, as they see it. Fashion is a lot more forgiving than most people think. It’s more general than specific, more enabling than disabling. It’s “Change” that you are in “Charge” of! There are no fashion rules, just styling relationships to pay attention to. When it comes to color, some people still believe there are only certain colors they can wear. The only colors that matter are the ones next to your face. I happen to look horrible in almost every shade of pink, but if I wear a shirt or a scarf in a flattering color under a pink sweater, pink works for me! I don’t look good in beiges either, but if I stack silver necklaces and wear silver earrings with beige, it goes from terrible to terrific on me. So if you’re worried that you won’t look good in emerald, the color of 2013, play with what you pair it with or limit emerald to your skirts and pants. If you care about looking your best, your shape and the shapes of clothes you wear need to be compatible. Short women often tell me that they cannot wear long jackets. They usually www.ReadOnlineNow.com

determine that when trying them on over pants and skirts of a different color, which usually does make a short person look topheavy and shorter. However, if you are short, the right long jackets can and will work over matching bottoms. When it comes to skirts, the length makes a big difference. Length is always individual, and it varies according to what it’s worn with. Women with heavy lower legs usually look better in pants, but in fall and winter, they can wear dark tights and boots, and be confident about looking great in almost any skirt! In summer, ankle-length skirts with flat sandals are best. The cut of your pants and jeans is very important. Never buy a pair of pants without examining how they look in back from a three-way mirror! Whether you can wear a wide leg, a tight leg, or a flared one depends more on what you wear it with than on the shape of you. The shapes of what we wear shape us! I have proof of that. In 1991, when I was the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation designer for the first time, the fashion look focused on waistlines. Pants, skirts and dresses were wide-banded and belted at the waist. Almost all of the princesses and countesses had small waistlines. In 1997 when I did the ball again, fashion hadn’t changed enough to make much of a difference in body shapes. By 2002, when jeans were worn at the hip and below, girls had lost the definition of a waistline. Even thin and tiny girls had waist measurements considerably larger than those of girls their size in 1991. My relationship advice based on that is “Beware of the Comfort Zone.” Clothes that are too comfortable are dangerous not only after a person is 60, but always! I welcome your feedback and invite you to send questions to sixtyplus@ omahapublications.com. Mary Anne Vaccaro is a Designer and Image Consultant to Businesses and Individuals. She designed clothing and products in Omaha and New York and ran a Fashion Advertising business in five states. She also writes and speaks about Image, Fashion, Art, and Style. www.maryannevaccaro.com www.invisibleapron.com 402-398-1234 march/april • 2013

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60PLUS feature Story by Danielle Knudson, Safe Communities Director, National Safety Council, Nebraska. Tips for a Fall-Free year:

•

Avoiding Falls

id you know Falls are by far the leading unintentional injury, accounting for

more than 8.7 million emergency room visits each year in the United States. One in every three adults age 65 and older falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most falls are preventable. Many people attribute falls to being clumsy or not paying attention, but many risk factors exist. Physical hazards in the environment, vision, health conditions, and lack of exercise all increase the risk of a fall. Winter weather introduces an additional risk when ice and snow are on the ground. Reduce your risk and find fall hazards in your workplace and home to prevent injuries to yourself and others. S14 60PLUS

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Maintain good lighting on outdoor walkways. • Wear sensible footwear. Consider changing from dress shoes to boots when walking outside. • Check the condition of outdoor handrails, walkways, and steps and repair as necessary. • Remove fallen leaves or snow from outdoor walkways as soon as possible to keep ice from forming. • Keep your shovel and de-icing products in the garage or inside the house so you won’t have to walk on a slippery surface to get your supplies. • Be aware that alcohol or other drugs, including prescription and over-thecounter medicine, can affect your balance and increase risk of falling. Older Adult Falls. Older adults are more prone to become the victim of falls and the resulting injuries can diminish the ability to lead active, independent lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following tips can greatly help older adults prevent falls, but are beneficial to those of all ages. • Stay active. Chances of falling can be reduced by improving strength and balance. Examples of activities include brisk walking, tai chi and yoga. • Fall-proof your home–inside and out. This includes taking advantage of the tips above and removing indoor tripping hazards like rugs and clutter. • Review your medications. Have your doctor or pharmacist review all the medications you take, both prescription and over-the-counter. Some medications or combination of medicines can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can potentially lead to a fall. • Check your vision. It’s best to have your vision checked at least once a year to make sure you have the best prescription for your glasses. Poor vision greatly increases your risk of falling. Adapted from the National Safety Council website: www.nsc.org. Local fall prevention resources, tips, and Tai Chi class information at www.F1RST.org or www.safenebraska.org www.OmahaPublications.com