50plus LIFE Chester County November 2016 by On-Line Publishers, Inc.

Complimentary | Chester County Edition | November 2016 • Vol. 13 No. 11

Pinups Honor 21st-Century Patriots page 4

Julie Newmar Still the Cat’s Meow page 6

special focus: Veterans’ aid & attendance benefit page 12

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

Your family

Our focus

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November 2016

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50plus LIFE u

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that there’s a new diet that can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. What can you tell me about this? My 80year-old mother has Alzheimer’s, and I want to do everything I can to protect myself. – Concerned Daughter

The New MIND Diet May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53 percent. And even those who didn’t stick to the diet perfectly but followed it moderately well reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s by 35 percent.

The MIND Menu The MIND diet has 15 dietary Dear components. November is Concerned, The emphasis is National Alzheimer’s Disease It’s true! on eating from Awareness Month Research has 10 brain-healthy found that a food groups and new diet plan—called the MIND limiting foods from five unhealthy diet—can have a profound impact groups. on your brain health as you age and Here’s a rundown of the healthy can even lower your odds of getting foods you should work into your diet: Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet takes two • Green leafy vegetables (like proven diets—the heart-healthy spinach and salad greens): Eat at Mediterranean diet and the bloodleast one serving per day. pressure-lowering DASH diet—and • Other vegetables: At least one zeroes in on the foods in each that other vegetable a day. specifically affect brain health. The MIND diet, which stands for • W hole grains: Three or more “Mediterranean-DASH Intervention servings a day. for Neurodegenerative Delay,” was • Nuts: Five 1-ounce servings a developed by Martha Clare Morris, week. a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University Medical Center, through • Beans: At least three servings a a study funded by the National week. Institute on Aging. • Berries: Two or more servings a The study followed the diets of week. nearly 1,000 elderly adults, who filled out food questionnaires and • Fish: Once a week. underwent repeated neurological • Poultry (not fried): Two times a testing for an average of 4.5 years. week. It found participants whose diets most closely followed the MIND • Olive oil: Use it as your primary recommendations had brains that cooking oil. functioned as if they were 7.5 years • Wine: One glass a day. younger, and it lowered their risk www.50plusLifePA.com

And the five unhealthy food groups you should limit include: • Red meat: Eat fewer than four servings a week. • Butter and margarine: Less than a tablespoon daily. • Cheese: Less than one serving a week.

• Pastries and sweets: Less than five servings a week. • Fried or fast food: Less than one serving a week. Other Benefits One of the best things about the MIND diet is that it’s easier to follow than most other diets, and you don’t have to stick to it perfectly to gain the

benefits, which makes it more likely you’ll follow it for a long time. And the longer you eat the MIND way, the lower the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Another advantage is that the MIND diet can help you lose some weight too, if you keep your portions in check and are careful about how the food is prepared. It’s also important to understand

that even though diet plays a big role, it’s only one aspect of Alzheimer’s disease. So get regular exercise; if you smoke, quit; and learn how manage your stress to lower your risk even more. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org

At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away. Continuing Care Retirement Communities Moravian Manor 300 W. Lemon St., Lititz (717) 626-0214 Dental services Anna Giacalone, DMD 100 Ridge Road, Suite 36 (610) 558-1760 Disasters American Red Cross Greater Brandywine (610) 692-1200 Chester County Emergency Services (610) 344-5000 Salvation Army Coatesville (610) 384-2954 Salvation Army West Chester (610) 696-8746 Emergency Numbers Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110

Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Heart Association (610) 940-9540 Arthritis Foundation (215) 665-9200 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (800) 232-4636 Coatesville VA Medical Center (610) 383-7711 Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233 National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994 PACE (800) 225-7223 Senior Healthlink (610) 431-1852

Office of Aging (610) 344-6350/(800) 692-1100

Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213

Financial Services Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-3676

Southeastern PA Medical Institute (610) 446-0662

Fitness Aquatics Is, Inc. (484) 354-2720 Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Chester County (800) 720-8221

www.50plusLifePA.com

Hearing Services Advanced Hearing Solutions 111 Arrandale Blvd., Exton (610) 968-1039 Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Housing Assistance Community Impact Legal Services (610) 876-0804

Housing Authority of Chester County (610) 436-9200 Housing Authority of Phoenixville (610) 933-8801 JEWELERS American Gold & Estate Buyers, Inc. 363 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton (484) 872-8216 Legal Services Lawyer Referral Service (610) 429-1500

Physicians The Center for Interventional Pain & Spine Locations in Bryn Mawr, Exton, and Wilmington (844) 365-7246 Gateway Medical Associates Locations in Coatesville, Downingtown, Lionville, and West Chester (610) 423-8181 Senior Centers Coatesville (610) 383-6900

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (610) 436-4510

Downingtown (610) 269-3939

Pine and Pine Law Offices 104 S. Church St., West Chester (610) 344-7100 Nutrition Meals on Wheels Chester County Inc. (610) 430-8500

Great Valley (610) 889-2121 Kennett Square (610) 444-4819

Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (800) 366-3997

Oxford (610) 932-5244

Office of Aging Chester County Department of Aging Services (610) 344-6350

Phoenixville (610) 935-1515

orthopedics Premier Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Associates LTD Kennett Square – (610) 444-1344 West Chester – (610) 692-6280 West Grove – (484) 748-6148

West Chester (610) 431-4242

Wayne (610) 688-6246

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personal services Butler-Ette Services (484) 770-8059 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com 50plus LIFE u

November 2016

Cover Story

Pinups Honor 21st-Century Patriots Corporate Office

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

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Vice President and Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor, 50plus Publications Megan Joyce

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Member of

Awards

50plus LIFE is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.

November 2016

50plus LIFE u

By Lori Van Ingen

currently working on getting state tax-exempt status, Hamilton said. The all-American Although Hamilton sweetheart with the never served in the hourglass figure, armed forces, her unattainable except by husband, Dale “Al” pinning her flirtatious Hamilton, served as a photo to your wall, was machinist mate in the the first “dream girl.” U.S. Navy from 1986 Pinups became to 1992 aboard the widespread in the USS Butte and USS late 1800s with the Richmond K. Turner. national icon known He was also stationed at as the Gibson Girl but the Charleston, South reached their pinnacle Carolina, and Earle, as the United States New Jersey, naval bases. entered World War II. “I have a better The pinup images Standing, from left, Danielle McCoy, Olya Prokuda, understanding (of could be cut out Jannelle Derr, and Tina Adcock. Seated, from left, veterans and their of magazines or Adrianne Mease, Lindsey Albright, and Heather Hamilton. needs) because I’m newspapers and married to him,” she often appeared on said. calendars. Posters of an Operation Iraqi Freedom The Pennsylvania chapter now pinups were mass produced after veteran who thought there needed has 17 members, ranging in age being carefully designed by the to be a support group that would from 18 to early 50s. Since they U.S. government to boost the be fun and put a smile on the reside throughout the state, the troops’ morale. faces of both young and old, ladies have a monthly conference Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, according to the organization’s call instead of meeting in person, Jane Russell, and Ava Gardner website. said 37-year-old Hamilton, were among the most famous of Arreola chose vintage clothing the World War II pinups. because of its modesty and classic who lives in Howard, near State College. The troops tacked the scantily beauty. Clothes from the 1940s Different members of the clad pinups on their barracks’ era are timeless and can be mixed walls and kept them tucked in with modern looks. The girls work chapter attend the various events, but a lot of the girls try to their pockets. They were even hard to achieve a classy look that participate in as many events as painted onto the nose of their conjures nostalgia for the World they can, Hamilton said. planes. These girls were waiting World II era and that same spirit The Pinups for Patriots for them at home, and they were of a country united in service. worth fighting for. The organization’s mission now participate in any kind of event, from working on military care is to honor and serve our nation’s Fast forward 70 years. military, veterans, first responders, packages to selling raffle tickets to taking part in a Pitching for Heather Hamilton, and their families by supporting Patriots horseshoe-pitching Pennsylvania state leader of Pinups and creating unique programs tournament. for Patriots, said she has always and events that will inspire our At all events, the Pinup for loved the styles of the 1940s and nation, foster patriotism, and raise ’50s era and did a photo shoot awareness for post-traumatic stress Patriots ladies dress up in vintage clothing, with the exact type of dressing up in vintage clothing for disorder. fashion depending on the event. fun. The women in the Pinups At one event, they wore rockabilly It turned out so well that she chapters across the United States dress, Hamilton said. The retrowas approached by friends to start are business owners, service styled ladies find their vintage a chapter of Pinups for Patriots in members, veterans, military clothing in many places, including Pennsylvania. After researching the spouses, medical professionals, Facebook groups, vintage-clothing organization, Hamilton applied to and more. websites, yard sales, Goodwill, and be the state leader in 2014. Pinups for Patriots (www. the Salvation Army. Pinups for Patriots began in pinupsforpatriots.com) is a federal One of Hamilton’s most 2010 by founder Kalen Arreola, nonprofit organization, but it is www.50plusLifePA.com

memorable events was when Pinups for Patriots served a meal to veterans at a senior living community on Veterans Day last year. The Pinup ladies had a chance to meet real-life Rosie the Riveters. “We were able to sit down and talk to them and listen to their stories,” Hamilton said. “The best part is listening to the stories. They make us smile as much as we make them smile.” Hamilton said Pinups for Patriots will be doing another Veterans Day

event this year. The location had not yet been confirmed at press time, but it is a tradition for the group to serve veterans on Veterans Day, she said. Anyone wishing to have the Pinups for Patriots participate in their event should contact Hamilton at pennsylvania@pinupsforpatriots. com or (814) 389-8930. The Pinups for Patriots do not charge for their services.

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The Bookworm Sez

Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year Terri Schlichenmeyer

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

VA Benefits Accredited Attorney

Nancy W. Pine, Esq. AEP® Someone, call the fire department. Right. That old birthday-candle joke was funny the first time you heard it, decades ago; now, though, not so much. You don’t need candles or baked goods to know that you’re getting older, a fact you both love and hate, so come read Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year by Ian Brown, and Sixty: A Diary of My commiserate. Sixty-First Year Fifty is not By Ian Brown the new 30. c. 2016, The Experiment 320 pages That, or something like it, is what self-help books would have you believe, but Ian Brown indicates otherwise. Sixty is 60, no matter how you cut it—even if (and perhaps, especially) when that Certain Age sneaks up on you. Getting older happens, he says, exactly when we aren’t paying attention. We’re busy with family or career until—whoosh, we’re remembering (or not remembering) things long gone, and regretting time lost, opportunities missed, and aging www.50plusLifePA.com

bodies. Going bald is just one indignity; running out of breath doing something routine is another. Brown also writes of thinking lustfully toward younger women, and then realizing with a start that trysting would be impossible because he’s no longer young himself. At least, he reasons, he Photo credit John Barber still has the Sixty author ability to Ian Brown. desire. Despite such downsides, though, there are bittersweet things about aging: keeping in touch with old friends, for instance, and enjoying the company of those with whom you’ve had history. Also sweet: getting to know adult children as adults, and knowing that there’s another generation to pick up where you left off. And yet, as birthday candles escalate in number, there’s the panicky thought that time is running please see DIARY page 7

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50plus LIFE u

November 2016

Tinseltown Talks

Julie Newmar Still the Cat’s Meow Nick Thomas

This summer, Julie Newmar turned 83; but it only seems like yesterday she was prowling across our TV screens as the original Catwoman supervillainess in the ’60s TV series Batman. In addition to her acting career, Newmar has long taken an interest in gardening, beauty, and health. “If something bothers me, I try to live on top of it,” the Hollywood beauty icon said from her home in Los Angeles. “Just let the joy in you come out, and stay in love with life. That’s the secret to aging well.” Newmar also gives inspirational talks to women on how to enhance one’s overall image, including tips on makeup, hair, dress, and voice. “Beauty has a lot of connotations to it, and loving yourself is a very good place to start. We can all be more marvelous.”

Photo provided by Molly Scargall

Julie Newmar on her 80th birthday at the Goo Salon as salon owner Molly Scargall looks on.

Publicity shot of Julie Newmar as Catwoman.

Aside from Catwoman and numerous other TV roles throughout her career, Newmar appeared in more than 30 films, working with greats

such as Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, and James Mason. In Mackenna’s Gold (1969), she was cast as a young Native American girl.

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“I’m of Swedish descent, so having a Swedish girl play an Indian could only have been done in Hollywood 40 years ago,” she said, recalling an unexpected visitor to the set. “We spent two months on location in Arizona and Utah. At the time, Robert Kennedy was running for president, and he and his entire entourage dropped in one night and had dinner in a tent with us. “I sat next to him and remember his wife trying unsuccessfully to convince Gregory Peck to read some poetry.” Eight years earlier, in The MarriageGo-Round, Newmar was cast closer to her ancestry—as a teenage Swedish blond bombshell attempting to seduce James Mason. “He was a glorious actor, extremely generous and helpful. He looked out

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for me in my close-ups, making sure the light was on my face and shadows didn’t fall on me.” But it was her role as the exotic feminine feline nemesis to the “dynamic duo” in some dozen Batman episodes where Newmar’s sex appeal sizzled on ’60s TV screens. Her image still haunts many today. “I still get a lot of fan mail from men!” she said, referring to an excerpt from an online post: Julie Newmar is the fruit of one of those moments when God must have thought, “I’ ll give them a girl who will define female perfection so well, that they will always know what beauty is all about.” “Oh my,” she added, sounding quite touched by the tribute. “That’s so endearing.” Newmar is now endearing herself to another generation of fans since the Batman TV series was released on DVD in late 2014—after being held up for years by legal wrangling. She also recorded commentary for the collection’s special features. “Doing the interview caused me to focus on what the Catwoman character meant for my life,” she said. “It’s really a joy to have created

something that people still remember me for. I never got any royalties from the series, but the popularity of the show over several generations has more than paid me back.” As for her memorable bodygripping Catwoman costume, Newmar says she acquired the original “after a lot of hoopla” and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. “It was like a long-sleeved, longlegged leotard made from black Lurex,” she recalled. “It clung to the body, but was very easy to get in and out of. It really looked smashing!” As she continues to share some personal, general lessons of life and beauty tips on her website (www. julienewmar.com), Newmar hopes her advice will help others to look and feel “smashing,” too. “The importance of looking and feeling well is clearly important to an actor,” she says. “With the right attitude, you can be a great beauty at any age.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 600 magazines and newspapers.

DIARY from page 5 out: that charity event you’d planned to pull together, the trip you wanted to take, the hobbies you always thought you’d try—they all seem out of reach. Things you used to view as important aren’t important any longer because there’s no room for trifles. We wonder if we’ll ever have time to say what we need to say. We worry about money. We worry about dying … but not too soon. Though it could be argued that the pace of Sixty is indicative of a slower, more introspective time of life, I struggled with this book precisely because of its melancholy meandering. Yes, this is a look at one man’s personal experiences in his milestone year, but it’s a diary consisting of a lot of plaintive railing and entries that aren’t always complete enough to avoid confusion. www.50plusLifePA.com

Yes, readers get peeks at author Ian Brown’s wry sense of humor as he swings wildly between profound and profane, but he often settles back to three main topics: impending death, his failing body, and that he’s no longer sexually desirable to younger women. These are amusing rants at first but, after the 60th reminder of how life stinks at that age—and please forgive me for saying this—it gets old. Brown calls himself a curmudgeon at one point in this book, and if that mien appeals to you, then you’ll relish it. If you need something less pensive, though, Sixty is a book you can blow off. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books.

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50plus LIFE u

November 2016

Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers Bethany Village – The Oaks

325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-0279 • www.bethanyvillage.org Number of Beds: 69 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: CARF/CCAC; Eagle, LeadingAge PA Comments: Maplewood Assisted Living also available.

Homeland Center

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 (717) 221-7902 • www.homelandcenter.org Number of Beds: 95 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: AAHSA, LeadingAge PA (PANPHA), NHPCO, PHN, HPNA Comments: A beautiful, full-service continuing care retirement community with a 149-year history of exemplary care.

The Middletown Home

999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057 (717) 944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org Number of Beds: 102 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: No Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Our campus offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, personal care, and independent living residences.

Claremont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 1000 Claremont Road • Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-2031 • www.ccpa.net/cnrc Number of Beds: 282 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Private Rooms Available: No Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Featuring Traditions at Claremont, a dedicated, 39-bed, short-term rehab unit. Claremont provides quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for short- and long-term stays.

Maple Farm

604 Oak Street • Akron, PA 17501 (717) 859-1191 • www.maplefarm.org Number of Beds: 46 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: No Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: LeadingAge, LeadingAge PA, Mennonite Health Services Comments: Maple Farm puts the person first so your choices matter. Enjoy the comforts of home with country kitchen, private bedroom, full bath, and great views.

Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 118 Pleasant Acres Road • York, PA 17402 (717) 840-7100 • www.yorkcountypa.gov Number of Beds: 375 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Physical, Occupational Respiratory Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Private Rooms Available: No Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Elm Spring Residence Independent Living on campus.

Transitions Healthcare – Gettysburg

595 Biglerville Road • Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 334-6249 • www.transitionshealthcarellc.com Number of Beds: 135 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: PHCA, PACA Comments: Fully staffed Transitions Healthcare employees in skilled nursing and sub-acute rehab. Tours are encouraged!

If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your account representative or call (610) 675-6240.

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November 2016

50plus LIFE u

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50plus LIFE u

November 2016

Dear Pharmacist

How Blood Sugar Affects Your Breathing Suzy Cohen

When you think of diabetes, either Type 1 or 2, the possibility of complications affecting your eyes, heart, and kidney comes to mind. But you never really think of your lungs having problems as a result of blood sugar abnormalities. That’s unfortunately a little-known fact. Diabetes (diagnosed or not) spawns a ton of oxidative stress throughout your body. Lung tissue gets affected by poor blood sugar dysregulation and all the free radicals killing the innocent cells just trying to “breathe,” if you know what I mean. Lung tissue has an extensive network of blood vessels, especially the tiniest ones called capillaries. Capillaries allow blood cells carrying oxygen to march through their vessel walls, but slowly, only one cell at a time, kind of like soldiers marching

one by one behind eyes, heart, each other. kidneys, and nerves; that’s Capillaries are why diabetic the most fragile complications because they are so thin. Your lungs occur. This leads to are also made up swelling and scar of large amounts of tissue, which connective tissue. builds up in the Capillaries get air pockets and destroyed when airways of your excessive glucose molecules attach lung tissue. The capillary tissues to them and cause fill up with stiffening, so then inflammatory cells they can’t bend November is and fibrin. anymore due to American Diabetes Month the formation This process depletes your of “advanced glycation end” products. antioxidants, like glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD)—more A lot of inflammatory cytokines problems if you already have an form too. It’s the same case in your

SNP (a genetic mutation) that slows production of either of those! It gets harder to breathe, you’re tired, and you develop shortness of breath with little or no exertion. Forget about exercising now. To boot, your new sedentary state causes weight gain and that taxes your heart, increasing cardiovascular complications from diabetes. It can apparently be addressed, if only partially. In a July 2015 study, researchers tested the lung health of Type 2 diabetic rodents and demonstrated that if they gave the critters some chromium, zinc, and leucine, the animals’ lung health improved—a lot! They tried the nutrients separately and in combination. In all scenarios, the antioxidant status improved and lung inflammation reduced. In some

Give someone you love the gift that entertains, informs, and inspires, month after month! Or renew an existing subscription! Get a 12-month subscription to 50plus LIFE for just $10. Mail form to: 50plus LIFE, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Please start a gift subscription for: Beginning (month) _ ___________________________ Name_ _____________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Sign card from: Your name___________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Your phone number____________________________ Paper (or papers/$10 per edition): Expires 12/31/16 qChester qCumberland qDauphin qLancaster qLebanon qYork

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cases, it diminished entirely. Chromium, zinc, and leucine didn’t just reduce blood sugar; they also protected those fragile capillaries and connective tissue from the cytokine storm, while improving antioxidant status. In other words, nutrients that reduce complications of diabetes are as important as those that reduce blood sugar. In November 2015, new research

focused on Type 1 diabetes and mineral status. Scientists measured blood levels of chromium, zinc, and magnesium, and they were reduced in all participants. In fact, the most poorly controlled diabetics seemed to have the worst deficiencies. The research confirms that chromium, zinc, and magnesium may be useful for people seeking to reduce complications. So many of you are

focused on the blood sugar number, and you only judge your success by the numbers shown on the glucose machine. But I’m warning you that it’s more important to focus on capillaries, connective tissue, and inflammation chemicals. We know certain herbs and minerals support healthy nerves, capillaries, eyes, kidneys, and airways. This reduces complications.

If you’re taking a supplement but not seeing the numbers go down, it may still be working. You’d never even realize it if you’re just evaluating your progress with a blood glucose machine. This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com

Carve Your Turkey Successfully on the Big Day What’s a Thanksgiving without a proper turkey? To get the best results from your big meal, use proper carving and slicing techniques. Follow these simple directions for successfully carving your turkey: • Allow turkey products more than 10 pounds to stand at room temperature from 10 to 20 minutes after cooking and before slicing. This allows the juices to distribute evenly throughout the turkey.Netting and cooking bags are easier to remove after the recommended 10 minutes’ standing

surface. Knives, pans, and covers should be sanitized, too. Resanitize board and knives every 30 minutes.

time. The maximum standing time should be 20 minutes. • Immediately after the 10 to 20 minutes’ holding time, carve the turkey from its carcass into major sections (e.g., breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings). • Slice or carve on a sanitized cutting

• Wear disposable food-handling gloves while carving, or thoroughly wash your hands frequently.

pans. Cover with film to retain heat and moisture and to minimize the possibility of contamination. Hold at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in a hot holding device (e.g., cabinet, steam table, bain arie). Turkey must be at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit when placed in the holding pans. The heating device will only maintain temperature. A maximum holding time of 20 to 30 minutes is recommended.

• To serve turkey hot, place sections in

• Slice the sections into serving pieces, put them on a plate, and add garnish.

PREMIER ORTHOPAEDIC CARE FROM CHESTER COUNTY’S TOP DOCS

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At Chester County Orthopaedic Associates, Ltd., our mission is to provide the highest quality orthopaedic surgical care in a compassionate, caring, and professional manner. We strive to provide you with the personal attention you deserve. Our orthopaedic team helps patients rediscover the simple joy of being able to get up and go — free of pain and stiffness. For over 40 years we have served the community and are proud to be Chester County’s premier orthopaedic practice. Kennett Square 400 McFarlan Road Suite 100 Kennett Square, PA 19348 T: (610) 444-1344 F: (610) 444-1351

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November 2016

Aid & Attendance Veterans’ Benefit Little-Known Veterans Benefit Can Alleviate Care Costs For many aging or disabled veterans who need help with activities of daily living, finding the funds to pay for the care they need is a common concern. Many veterans aren’t aware of the Aid & Attendance pension they have earned for themselves and their surviving spouses through their service to their country. The Aid and Attendance pension provides benefits that reduce the cost of care for veterans and surviving spouses who require assisted living/ personal care. Veterans and surviving spouses who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. When a veteran turns 65, the VA automatically classifies them as disabled, and if they meet income and asset criteria, they are eligible for a basic pension. Since Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be eligible for pension at these increased rates. A&A and Housebound benefits are non-service-connected benefits (disability need not be a result of service).

you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment. • You are a patient in an assisted living or personal care facility due to mental or physical incapacity. • Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

A veteran or surviving spouse may not receive Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time, nor may they receive non-service and service-connected compensation at the same time. If a veteran is currently receiving disability compensation from the VA, they cannot receive both the disability compensation and the A&A pension, but they can file for the increased pension based on non-serviceconnected health issues. If the application is approved, the VA will pay whichever benefit has the highest dollar amount. If the veteran is receiving compensation for a serviceconnected injury, that compensation would not be counted as income.

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November 2016

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Aid & Attendance (A&A) The Aid & Attendance increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions: • You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment (e.g., using a stove or other household appliances). • You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that

Housebound This increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability. How to Apply In eastern Pennsylvania, you may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the Philadelphia VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, PA 19101. Call the office toll-free at (800) 827-1000 for more information. When considering a move to a personal care home or nursing facility, the community’s administration will often assist in making sure you have the necessary information collected and that it is complete prior to submission.

Information and support whenever you need it View online at: www.onlinepub.com (under supplements)

www.50plusLifePA.com

Aid & Attendance Veterans’ Benefit What You Need You must have military discharge or DD 214. You should include copies of the Aid & Attendance Form 10 or VA 21, signed by a doctor, M.D., or D.O., validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound-type care. The VA does not accept physician assistant, nurse, or social worker signatures. Eligibility requirements include (canceled checks or statements are required for documentation of expenses): 1. Ninety continuous days of service in the U.S. military with at least one day during a wartime period as established by the U.S. Congress, e.g., World War II, Korea, Vietnam.

2. A medical diagnosis or condition that required the assistance of another person to meet the daily necessities of life, such as hygiene, eating, bathing, etc. Example: Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, stroke, blindness, etc. 3. Household income that is below the established limits. Authorized outof-pocket household medical expenses can be deducted from income. These expenses can include: • Medicare and health insurance premiums • Prescription drugs • Co-payments for doctors and prescriptions • Skilled nursing care or home care

• A ssisted living (personal care in Pennsylvania) and nursing care expenses when required by medical conditions • Funeral expenses • Incontinence supplies Household income and medical expenses include both veteran and spouse. The household asset limit is $80,000, not including the home and/ or auto. The objective is to use medical expenses to reduce income. Income can be verified through SS 1099, tax returns, bank statements, etc. Even if you don’t qualify for the Aid & Attendance benefit, you may still qualify for the Basic Pension based on age and income or Pension

with Housebound Benefits if you are housebound. For more information, check out the Aid and Attendance page on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ website (www.benefits.va.gov/ pension/aid_attendance_housebound. asp), VeteranAid.org, or call the Philadelphia VA Regional Office tollfree at (800) 827-1000 or one of the communities in this section. The communities included in this special feature are eager to help you become more familiar with the Aid and Attendance benefit. Call to make an appointment to take a tour and speak with them to see how they can help your loved one live in a safe environment with the attention they need for a happy and healthy life.

Stories of ordinary men and women called to perform extraordinary military service.

Every Hero Has a Name. Is your military hero also your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor? Help us put a face and a name to the courageous men and women who are currently serving or who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Salute to Service

is an online photo gallery honoring the military heroes in our lives.

Upload your hero’s picture, name, and information at VeteransExpo.com/salute-to-service.

Since 1999, writer and World War II veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox has preserved the firsthand wartime experiences of more than 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— selected by Wilcox himself—are available to own in this soft-cover book.

Simply complete and mail this form with your payment to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans. On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Name_ _______________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________ Number of copies_ ______ (Please include $20.80 for each copy) Credit card #______________________________________ Exp. date________ Signature of cardholder_________________________________CVV #________

Or send a check made payable to On-Line Publishers, Inc. You can also order online at www.50plusLIFEpa.com! www.50plusLifePA.com

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November 2016

Calendar of Events

Chester County

Support Groups Free and open to the public phoenixbereavement@yahoo.com Nondenominational; all are welcome.

Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m. Grief Support Group Phoenixville Senior Center 153 Church St., Phoenixville (610) 327-7216

Nov. 8 and 22, 6:30–8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Jennersville Hospital Conference Room B 1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove (610) 998-1700, ext. 226

Nov. 1 and 15, 6:30–8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Brandywine Hospital Conference Room 2N 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville (610) 998-1700, ext. 226 Nov. 2, 6 p.m. Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994 Nov. 6, 2–4 p.m. Surviving the Holidays Workshop Grove Church 490 W. Boot Road, West Chester (610) 350-9372 pastor.lin.george@gmail.com Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Hearing Loss Support Group Christ Community Church 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester (610) 444-445 www.hearinglosschesco.com Nov. 8 and 22, 5–6:30 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Main Line Unitarian Church 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 585-6604

Nov. 9, 1:30 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sarah Care 425 Technology Drive, Suite 200, Malvern (610) 251-0801 Nov. 14 and 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon Caregiver Support Group Adult Care of Chester County 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044 Nov. 15, 6 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464 Nov. 30, 6 p.m. Living with Cancer Support Group Paoli Hospital Cancer Center 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli (484) 565-1253 If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

Community Programs Free and open to the public Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m. West Chester University Retirees Luncheon For restaurant location, please email darsie@ verizon.net Nov. 5 and 19, 5–10 p.m. Bingo Night Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 429-8174 Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. Compassionate Friends Valley Forge Chapter Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 132 E. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia (484) 919-0820 www.tcfvalleyforge.org

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Nov. 15, noon AARP Valley Forge Chapter Meeting St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 688-5733 Nov. 26 and 27, 1–5 p.m. Annual Model Railroad Open House Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club 400 S. Main St., Phoenixville (610) 935-1126 www.svmrrc.com

Senior Center Activities Coatesville Area Senior Center – (610) 383-6900 250 Harmony St., Coatesville – www coatesvilleseniorcenter.org Monthly Veterans Coffee Hour – Call for date and time Downingtown Senior Center – (610) 269-3939 983 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown – www. downingtownseniors.org Weekdays, 2 p.m. – Aquatics Mondays and Fridays, 12:30–3 p.m. – Bridge Club Tuesdays, 1–2 p.m. – Technology 101 Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, Malvern Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square – www. kennettseniorcenter.org Oxford Senior Center – (610) 932-5244 12 E. Locust St., Oxford – www.oxfordseniors.org Phoenixville Area Senior Center – (610) 9351515 153 Church St., Phoenixville – www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 4314242 530 E. Union St., West Chester – www.wcseniors.org Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.

Parks And Recreation Nov. 5, 9–10 a.m. – Resolution Hike, Wolf’s Hollow County Park Nov. 12, 9–10 a.m. – Paws on the Path, Nottingham County Park Nov. 26, 6–7:30 p.m . – Silent Hunters of the Night, Warwick County Park

LIBRARY PROGRAMS Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741 Nov. 1 and 15, 6 p.m. – Knitters Club Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. – Film Forum Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. – Downingtown Library’s Writers Group Paoli Library, 8 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996 Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times www.50plusLifePA.com

Free Memory Screenings Available This Month The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is teaming up with Kmart Pharmacy to offer free, confidential memory screenings nationwide this month. Throughout the entire month of November — Alzheimer’s Awareness Month — all Kmart Pharmacy locations will offer free memory screenings. A memory screening is a simple,

non-invasive cognitive test consisting of questions and tasks designed to gauge memory, language, and thinking skills. Screenings are appropriate for anyone who does not have a concern right now but wants to see how their memory is currently for future comparisons. A screening is not a diagnosis; however, if a person scores below the normal threshold, he or she will be

referred to a primary-care physician for a full evaluation. It is important to keep in mind that not all memory problems are indicative of Alzheimer’s disease. Other sources of memory problems include vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, and depression, which are treatable and, in some cases, curable. AFA, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to

provide optimal care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers and families, works with thousands of sites across the country, year-round, to offer screenings. For more information, visit nationalmemoryscreening.org. To find a local Kmart Pharmacy, visit pharmacy. kmart.com.

Offer Care to Caregivers People who take care of elderly or chronically ill relatives often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and disconnected from friends and life. Here’s what you can do to help: Educate yourself. Find out about the disease or condition the sick person is suffering from. Ask the caregiver for suggestions on books to

read. Your interest helps show your support. Keep in touch. Email or call just to ask the caregiver how things are going—with him or her and with

November is National Family Caregivers Month

the person who’s sick. Have an attentive ear. Give caregivers a chance to talk about themselves and their feelings.

Be specific about ways you can help. Look for ways you can provide help to the caregiver. Be specific about what you can do—like running to the store to pick up groceries. Offer your time. Give the caregiver a break—even if it’s just for an hour—while you volunteer to sit with the person who is sick.

About Our Company For more than 20 years, On-Line Publishers, Inc. has celebrated serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community of Central Pennsylvania. Our corporate office is located outside Columbia, Pa. Publications 50plus LIFE is a monthly newspaper touching on issues and events relevant to the 50+ community. The Resource Directory for the Caregiver, Aging, and Disabled is published annually in distinct county editions with information from local businesses and organizations that meet the needs of these groups. 50plus Living, an annual publication, is a guide to residences and healthcare options for mature adults in the Susquehanna and Delaware valleys. BusinessWoman is a monthly magazine with a focus on business. It features profiles of local executive women who are an inspiration to other professionals. Lifestyle and wellness articles are also included to round out the publication and address the many facets of a woman’s life. All publications are available in print and digital formats.

Events OLP Events, our events division, produces six 50plus EXPOs annually in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster (two), and York counties. Entrance to the event, health screenings, and seminars held throughout the day are free to visitors. The women’s expo is a oneday event featuring exhibitors and interactive fun that encompass many aspects of a woman’s life. In 2017, women’s expos will be held in Hershey in the spring and in Lebanon, Lancaster, and Carlisle in the fall. OLP Events presents the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fair, a free, two-part event that takes place in York and in Wyomissing in the spring, in the Capital Area in late summer, and in Lancaster in the fall. The Veterans’ Expo connects active and retired military members and their families with benefits, resources, and employers. The EPIC Men’s Expo is an exciting and action-packed day that includes food, microbrews, sports, fitness, automotive, and all things “manly.” The event will debut in York on Nov. 19, 2016, and in Lebanon in spring 2017. For more information, call (717) 2851350 or visit www.onlinepub.com.

50plus LIFE’s editorial content just earned 3 awards! Silver Award “2,000 Miles of Happy Trails” by Rebecca Hanlon

Silver Award “Penning a ‘New Normal’” by Chelsea Peifer

Merit Award “Shall We Dance?” by Jason Tabor www.50plusLIFEPA.com

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November 2016

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

China Tips for Your Thanksgiving Table Lori Verderame

In the autumn of 1621, the Plymouth community and the Wampanoag Indians celebrated a harvest feast. A longstanding event in Native American culture, the harvest feast was also known as the Thanksgiving celebration. The 1621 harvest feast offered lots of meat and very few vegetables. Forks were not used, and the most prominent person at the table was seated at the head and was positioned closest to the food. For your Thanksgiving meal, you’ll want to invite friends and family and offer turkey with all the trimmings. You may even serve it on your best china or your grandmother’s beloved serving pieces. If you are displaying vintage china, here are some tips for making the event special.

Highly decorated china may have lead glazes.

Beware of Lead Some antique and vintage china may contain lead, and lead leaching can be toxic. Some of the old glazes used on pre-1900 china may contain lead. Often, highly decorated or

Your regional paper has national appeal! 50plus LIFE recently earned 3 Media Awards from the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA)! Third Place

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Ph.D. antique appraiser and awardwinning TV expert Dr. Lori Verderame is the star appraiser on Discovery channel’s international hit TV show Auction Kings and appears on FOX Business Network’s Strange Inheritance. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 4311010.

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November 2016

multicolored china may have lead glazes. Damaged, chipped, cracked, or crazed (that funny zigzag pattern in the colorless glaze) china may allow lead to leach and contaminate food. So, if you have damaged pieces, don’t use them in the preparation or service of food. It is better to use them for display purposes only. It is common knowledge that Grandma’s antique china should not be used in the microwave or dishwasher, but it is also a bad idea to place an old piece of china in the refrigerator piled high with leftovers. Why? Storing your leftovers in the refrigerator on an old, decorated china plate is not good for the lifespan of the antique nor is it good for you once you re-serve those leftovers. The plate is fragile, and cooling will affect its overall condition.

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Thanksgiving preparations.

Also, lead can leach from china in the refrigerator, which is hosting foods high in acidity. Thus, a piece of lead-glazed or lead-decorated antique china that experiences a significant temperature change (as with cooling) may leach. If you must eat off of your antique china or vintage ceramic dishware, don’t do so regularly. Basic white china may be the safest type for your family and pets. It is not wise to eat off of china with painted or metallic decorations—like gold leaf or silver banding. And, if you are in the practice of using an old ceramic bowl to feed your pets, make sure these antique or vintage ceramic pieces are not damaged in any way. You want to protect our furry friends too! So, if you want to highlight your grandmother’s china, it is best to display the lovely pieces as a holiday centerpiece, in a china cabinet, or on the Thanksgiving buffet table hosting flowers. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Words Helped Heal This Vietnam Veteran By Stephen Kopfinger

discussing the subject. Yet during Groff’s brief time I thought Vietnam was the conflict / overseas, he experienced more than But it was just the seed / Buried, taking he cared to. “We had three days of in-country root / Spreading like a weed. training,” Groff remembers of his arrival in Vietnam. “Then we went For Vietnam veteran Mike Groff, out [to fight]. We dealt mostly with writing words such as these in the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) poetic form helps him cope with his and some Viet memories of the Cong,” the war. enemy force Memories like known for its the uncertainty stealth. of where the Past conflicts enemy was often had coming from in some kind of a jungle setting. front—defined Memories of areas of battle. seeing a friend In Vietnam, “the die. Memories Groff, right, and a friend in whole thing was of outsize insects Schweinfurt, Germany, in 1968. a front,” Groff and scorpions. sums up. And then came The enemy decades of could be post-traumatic anywhere, at any stress disorder time. He recalls (PTSD). a fellow soldier “I saw all who was “shot kinds of stuff,” from a tree.” says Groff, who Groff tried to today lives in retrieve the fallen his Central man’s gun. Pennsylvania Groff, center, with members of “I couldn’t get hometown with Veterans of America, Chapter 542, at a his wife, Janet. Veterans Day parade in New York City. the weapon out of his hands. I Groff served had heard about as a specialist, 4th class, in the 1st Cavalry Division of death grips, but …” Groff’s voice trails off. the United States Army. That meant Adding to the uncertainty of Groff was an Army machine gunner, Groff’s surroundings was not and he was in the thick of things, knowing just where he was half of the even if he didn’t always know where time. he was. “They picked us up and they Groff was in Vietnam from dropped us down,” he said of the February or early March 1968 (he’s not quite sure of just when he arrived) aircraft, which shuttled troops all over the field. “Sometimes, they before he was shot and wounded in would land us in rice paddies. I flew his right arm in June of that year. all over the place.” That was a time he remembers It was overwhelming for a boy well. from Central Pennsylvania. Groff “We were ambushed when I got says he was naïve. hit,” Groff says. He was helping two That hometown connection, buddies when it happened. however, provokes a smile from Groff To this day, says his wife, Groff “has no feeling in the right side of his as he recalls one tasty memory in hand.” She becomes emotional when please see VETERAN page 19 www.50plusLifePA.com

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November 2016

Social Security News

Supporting Our Wounded Warriors By John Johnston

Every Veterans Day, the nation honors the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect our country and the freedoms we cherish. Social Security honors veterans and active-duty members of the military

every day by giving them the support they deserve. A vital part of that is administering the Social Security disability program. For those who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource

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they can turn to for disability benefits. Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website is at www.socialsecurity.gov/ woundedwarriors. The Wounded Warriors website has answers to many commonly asked

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Security are different from those available from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is available to military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after Oct. 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Even active-duty military who continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave should consider applying for disability benefits if they’re unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active-duty status and receipt of military pay don’t necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits. Although a person can’t

receive Social Security disability benefits while engaging in substantial work for pay or profit, receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security. Learn more by visiting www. socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. With more than 80 years of experience and compassionate service, Social Security is proud to support our veterans and active-duty members of the military. Let these heroes know they can count on us when they need to take advantage of their earned benefits, today and tomorrow. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

VETERAN from page 17 the middle of jungle country. It was a Lebanon baloney that arrived in a care package. His fellow soldiers delighted in devouring it. “That 5-pound Lebanon baloney would not last long!” Groff laughs. He also remembers another rare treat in steamy Vietnam. “We had a sergeant who brought us ice cream.” Less pleasant was dealing with leeches; they were everywhere, Groff remembers, as was dysentery. And there were scorpions. But that was nothing compared to the death, destruction, and constant anxiety that continued to take its toll on Groff after he got home. What we now abbreviate as PTSD crept into his mind. It’s a subject that wasn’t acknowledged then as much as it is today. “I would have nightmares,” Groff says. “For 40 years, I got three or four hours of sleep a night.” As with many veterans of various conflicts, Groff didn’t talk much about his experiences after he returned to the States. In retrospect, he realizes “it wasn’t good to hold it in. It did more damage … It was Janet who got me to see somebody.” Groff found some solace in work, when he became a certified public accountant. “He was always busy helping somebody else,” his wife says. But there were still PTSD demons www.50plusLifePA.com

to be dealt with. Groff turned to the written word, in the form of poetry. One work, simply titled “PTSD,” compares the disorder taking root in his head, like a weed, which “[dominates] my subconscious / Until the time was right / To break through the surface / The start of sleepless nights.” Groff has visited the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which many simply call “The Wall.” It was a long time until he could do that. But the memorial did inspire another poem, titled “Tears by the Wall,” which notes the emotions of the American people about the war. “This war was viewed with such disdain / That many said they died in vain / I was there, I saw some fall / I fought with those named on this wall.” For his own service, Groff was awarded the Silver Star, the Air Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal, among other honors. Today, Groff keeps busy as treasurer at Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 542, in Harrisburg. “We have a good chapter,” he says. But Groff’s thoughts turn toward today’s military forces serving in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Groff feels he’s been thanked enough. “Let’s concentrate on today’s guys,” he says.

Nov. 15, 2016 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Spooky Nook Sports

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