50plus LIFE - June 2020

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Complimentary | June 2020

Seniors

with COVID-19 Show Unusual

Symptoms page 4

Helping Grandchildren Deal with Death page 7

Kelly Stewart Remembers Dad Jimmy page 22

Are you on Medicare?

Could you use help with Medicare Costs?

You may be eligible to receive financial assistance to help pay for your Medicare Part B premium and prescription drug costs!

Contact us for more information.

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program for Medicare beneficiaries that is designed to provide objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Medicaid, Medigap, Medicaid, and Medicare financial assistance programs.

Phone: 1-800-783-7067 This project was supported, in part by grant number 1801PAMIDR-01 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

www.aging.pa.gov/aging-service/insurance

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June 2020

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Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

The Collectibles of Coronavirus Lori Verderame

Over the last month or two amid coronavirus, I have been busy with interviews about the value of stuff found in attics and basements prompted by the nationwide stay-at-home orders and homecleaning projects.

Recently, I was asked, “What are the global pandemic collectibles that will be valuable?” The list may surprise you.

I have been known to say that art and antiques reflect society. With that in mind, the most impactful cultural event, worldwide, of 2020 is the spread of coronavirus. Associated objects are many.

Here are my picks for the most valuable collectibles of coronavirus … so, if you have them or if you can acquire them, save them in your favorite storage or display case as they will be the valuables of the future.

There will be more corona-collectibles that emerge as time goes on. With the onset of summer wedding season, we will see coronavirusinspired items, like lacy-white bride and groom face masks and individual table settings for guests.

In addition, there will be rare paper stimulus checks with President Donald J. Trump’s signature on them in this age of direct deposit.

In years to come, they will be of interest to presidential memorabilia collectors and others.

Oh, and a favorite collectible of the coronavirus is probably everyone’s tower of cardboard takeout pizza boxes.

2020 Tokyo Olympic Collectibles Photo credit: Staff photographer at www.DrLoriV.com I was lecturing in Tokyo in fall 2019.

2020 Olympics mascot Miraitowa, I experienced many exhibits, events, and of the canceled Tokyo Games. promotions there relating to the forthcoming Olympic Games.

As a result of coronavirus, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been canceled; thus, all of the original 2020 souvenir items will be valuable as early as 2024, when the Olympics resume competition.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic paraphernalia — everything from t-shirts to Olympic pins — will become valuable, rare, and sought after. Pay particular attention to the blue-and-white, anime-inspired mascot named Miraitowa and the sports newly introduced to the games.

Do your best to collect 2020 Tokyo Olympic items and save them for a good return on investment.

“Thank You, Heroes” Action Figures Mattel introduced the #ThankYouHeroes line of 16 new action figures representing the people who are working on the front lines during the global coronavirus pandemic.

These new action figures represent EMTs, first responders, doctors, nurses, medical techs, essential workers, delivery drivers, grocery clerks, etc. These toys will definitely be the collectibles of the future.

For instance, I bought the brunette nurse with the white face mask, and a portion of the purchase price will be given as a donation to help first responders. When you get your action figure(s) in a few months, you will have one of the most desirable coronavirus collectibles. Check out www.mattel.com/ en-us/playroom-thankyouheroes.

Fisher-Price introduced a set of Little People heroes called Little People Community Champions Special Edition figure set. The five-pack includes a Little People figure of a doctor, nurse, EMT, delivery driver, and grocery store worker. A $15 donation from each online purchase will be donated to support FirstRespondersFirst, a charity.

Dr. Lori Verderame is the award-winning Ph.D. antiques appraiser on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and weekdays on the Doctor and the Diva.

For video call appraisals of your valuables, visit www.

DrLoriV.com.

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Seniors with COVID-19 Show Unusual Symptoms

By Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News Older adults with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, have several “atypical” symptoms, complicating efforts to ensure they get timely and appropriate treatment, according to physicians.

COVID-19 is typically signaled by three symptoms: a fever, an insistent cough, and shortness of breath. But older adults — the age group most at risk of severe complications or death from this condition ― may have none of these characteristics.

Instead, seniors may seem “off” — not acting like themselves ― early on after being infected by the coronavirus. They may sleep more than usual or stop eating. They may seem unusually apathetic or confused, losing orientation to their surroundings.

They may become dizzy and fall.

Sometimes, seniors stop speaking or simply collapse.

“With a lot of conditions, older adults don’t present in a typical way, and we’re seeing that with COVID-19 as well,” said Dr. Camille Vaughan, section chief of geriatrics and gerontology at Emory University.

The reason has to do with how older bodies respond to illness and infection.

At advanced ages, “someone’s immune response may be blunted and their ability to regulate temperature may be altered,” said Dr. Joseph Ouslander, a professor of geriatric medicine at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine.

“Underlying chronic illnesses can mask or interfere with signs of infection,” he said. “Some older people, whether from age-related changes or previous neurologic issues such as a stroke, may have altered cough reflexes. Others with cognitive impairment may not be able to communicate their symptoms.”

Recognizing danger signs is important: If early

signs of COVID-19 are missed, seniors may deteriorate before getting needed care.

And people may go in and out of their homes without adequate protective measures, risking the spread of infection.

Dr. Quratulain Syed, an Atlanta geriatrician, describes a man in his 80s whom she treated in mid-March. Over a period of days, this patient, who had heart disease, diabetes, and moderate cognitive impairment, stopped walking and became incontinent and profoundly lethargic.

But he didn’t have a fever or a cough. His only respiratory symptom: sneezing off and on.

The man’s elderly spouse called 911 twice. Both times, paramedics checked his vital signs and declared he was OK. After another worried call from the overwhelmed spouse, Syed insisted the patient be taken to the hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19.

“I was quite concerned about the paramedics and health aides who’d been in the house and who hadn’t used PPE [personal protective equipment],” Syed said.

Dr. Sam Torbati, medical director of the Ruth and Harry Roman Emergency Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, describes treating seniors who initially appear to be trauma patients but are found to have COVID-19.

“They get weak and dehydrated,” he said, “and when they stand to walk, they collapse and injure themselves badly.”

Torbati has seen older adults who are profoundly disoriented and unable to speak and who appear at first to have suffered strokes.

“When we test them, we discover that what’s producing these changes is a central nervous system effect of coronavirus,” he said.

Dr. Laura Perry, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California – San www.50plusLifePA.com

Francisco, saw a patient like this several weeks ago. The woman, in her 80s, had what seemed to be a cold before becoming very confused. In the hospital, she couldn’t identify where she was or stay awake during an examination.

Perry diagnosed hypoactive delirium, an altered mental state in which people become inactive and drowsy. The patient tested positive for coronavirus and is still in the ICU. Dr. Anthony Perry, an associate professor of geriatric medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, tells of an 81-year-old woman with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea who tested positive for COVID-19 in the emergency room.

After receiving IV fluids, oxygen, and medication for her intestinal upset, she returned home after two days and is doing well.

Another 80-year-old Rush patient with similar symptoms — nausea and vomiting, but no cough, fever, or shortness of breath ― is in intensive care after getting a positive COVID-19 test and is due to be put on a ventilator.

The difference? This patient is frail with “a lot of cardiovascular disease,” Perry said. Other than that, it’s not yet clear why some older patients do well while others do not.

So far, reports of cases like these have been anecdotal. But a few physicians are trying to gather more systematic information.

In Switzerland, Dr. Sylvain Nguyen, a geriatrician at the University of Lausanne Hospital Center, put together a list of typical and atypical symptoms in older COVID-19 patients for a paper to be published in the Revue Médicale Suisse.

Included on the atypical list are changes in a patient’s usual status, delirium, falls, fatigue, lethargy, low blood pressure, painful swallowing, fainting, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and the loss of smell and taste.

Data comes from hospitals and nursing homes in Switzerland, Italy, and France, Nguyen said in an email.

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Kaiser Health News (khn.org) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues.

It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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On the front lines, physicians need to make sure they carefully assess an older patient’s symptoms.

“While we have to have a high suspicion of COVID-19 because it’s so dangerous in the older population, there are many other things to consider,” said Dr. Kathleen Unroe, a geriatrician at Indiana University’s School of Medicine.

Seniors may also do poorly because their routines have changed. In nursing homes and most assisted living centers, activities have stopped and “residents are going to get weaker and more deconditioned because they’re not walking to and from the dining hall,” she said.

At home, isolated seniors may not be getting as much help with medication management or other essential needs from family members who are keeping their distance, other experts suggested. Or they may have become apathetic or depressed.

“I’d want to know, ‘What’s the potential this person has had an exposure [to the coronavirus], especially in the last two weeks?’” said Vaughan of Emory.

“Do they have home health personnel coming in? Have they gotten together with other family members? Are chronic conditions being controlled? Is there another diagnosis that seems more likely?

“Someone may be just having a bad day. But if they’re not themselves for a couple of days, absolutely reach out to a primary care doctor or a local health system hotline to see if they meet the threshold for [coronavirus] testing,” Vaughan advised.

“Be persistent. If you get a ‘no’ the first time and things aren’t improving, call back and ask again.”

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BlueJourney PPO is offered by Capital Advantage Insurance Company®, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. BlueJourney HMO is offered by Keystone Health Plan® Central, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BlueJourney PPO and BlueJourney HMO depends on contract renewal. Capital BlueCross and its subsidiaries Capital Advantage Insurance Company, Capital Advantage Assurance Company and Keystone Health Plan Central are independent licensees of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Communications issued by Capital BlueCross in its capacity as administrator of programs and provider relations for all companies. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments may change on January 1 of each year. The formulary, pharmacy and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

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June 2020

5

Driving Safety Tips amid the Coronavirus Crisis

By Laura Adams As the world continues hunkering down to ride out the coronavirus crisis, some of us still need to venture out, even if it is just to do a quick grocery run.

When you do go out, follow these driving-safety tips to stay safe on the roads and minimize your risk of picking up the virus.

Disinfect Your Vehicle Your hands touch a lot of things every day, and any germs you and your passengers pick up get transferred to your car.

According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a car’s steering wheel has four times more bacteria than a toilet seat. That’s because most people clean their toilets more regularly than they clean their cars.

The study found that only 32% of car owners regularly clean and sanitize

their cars.

Disinfectants that contain at least 70% alcohol are effective in killing coronavirus.

Wipe surfaces like door handles, the dashboard, steering wheel, gear selector, signal lever, electric window buttons, stereo buttons, infotainment displays, armrests, AC controls and vents, cupholders, and the glove compartment.

Avoid using chemicals like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia-based products as these will damage your car’s interior.

Can’t Find Sanitizer and Wipes?

But what if you can’t find sanitizer and wipes at the grocery store, or you’re on a shipping waiting list? please see Driving page 11

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Homeland Hospice A Toast to the 10th … An Encore for More!

Save the date! Nov. 10

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Grief Relief

Victor M. Parachin

Ways Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren Deal with a Friend’s Death

Sooner or later, everyone experiences the death of someone they love. That experience also includes teenagers, many of whom lose friends as a result of drug overdoses, auto accidents, and terminal illness.

Additionally, more grandparents are assuming parenting responsibilities for grandchildren. In fact, this is a growing trend, with an estimated 2-5 percent of U.S. children being raised by a grandparent with no parent in the household, a situation referred to as “grandfamilies.”

Here are five tips grandparents can consider when guiding a teen grandchild grieving the death of a friend.

However, for a teen who may be more private with his or her feelings, there are other ways to promote healthy self-expression, which include journaling, writing poetry, or creating music.

4. Encourage sharing with a confidant.

In her book When a Teen Dies: A Book for Teens about Healing and Grieving, Marilyn E. Gootman, Ed.D., explains why a teen should talk about his or her loss with a confidant: “Even though you may feel sad when you talk about your friend, talking will help your pain get smaller. Not talking won’t make your pain go away. In fact, it may make it stronger. As you force your pain to stay inside, it pushes against you, trying to get out.

“That’s why it’s so important to find someone — a friend or an adult — to talk to. Sharing your feelings with others is a healthy way to release some of your pain.”

1. Advise the teen to join in rituals.

Memorial services, funerals, and other traditions help people get through the first few days and honor the person who died.

Participating gives a safe space for a teen’s emotions to be expressed and released. Also, the teen will be with many of his or her peers, thus benefiting from important social support.

2. Give “permission” to cry. Teens are embarrassed about tears. Reassure them that crying is a healthy response to a painful loss.

Remind him or her not to worry if tears spontaneously appear when something triggers a memory of the person who died. It’s natural for this to happen. After a while, it becomes less painful.

Keep reassuring a teen that he or she will feel better over time and that the intensity of the grief will ease.

3. Promote healthy self-expression. Like adults, some teens find it helpful to tell the story of their loss or talk about their feelings, while others are not comfortable talking about a loss. Understand and work with your teen’s emotional style. No one should feel pressured to talk.

5. Recommend joining a support group.

A grief-support group exclusively for teens is an ideal way for a young person to experience support. Participation will provide the teen with information and inspiration for better dealing with the loss. To find a teen grief support group, do a web search for one in your community or consult with a school counselor.

Finally, grandparents should gently and regularly remind a grieving teen to be patient. Their wound of grief will heal, as Gootman notes: “At first, when a friend dies, it’s hard to imagine how life can go on … but it does. It’s hard to imagine that things will ever go back to normal, or almost normal … but they will.”

Victor M. Parachin, M.Div., is a grief counselor, bereavement educator, and author of several books, including Healing Grief.

Farmers Market Vouchers to Be Mailed in June Starting June 1, farmers market nutrition vouchers will be mailed to eligible Cumberland County seniors 60 years of age and older who complete an application.

The nutrition vouchers, with a $24 total value, can be exchanged for Pennsylvania-grown fruits and vegetables from June 1 through Nov. 30 at participating farmers markets and roadside stands.

To be eligible, recipients must be 60 years of age or older by Dec. 31, 2020, and have an annual income less than $23,606 for a one-person household and $31,894 for a two-person household. www.50plusLifePA.com

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Proxy forms are not necessary this year with the written application process.

Please keep in mind these vouchers are available on a first-come, firstserved basis, as funding is limited. Vouchers may only be obtained once per year.

For more information or to have an application mailed to you, contact Cumberland County Aging and Community Services at (717) 240-6110.

The application with instructions will also be available to print at www. ccpa.net/119/aging-community-services after June 1.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

7

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen

5 Powerful Strategies for Men with Enlarged Prostate

The uncomfortable symptoms may occur at any age, and hormone imbalances can lead to it: prostate enlargement.

The condition is abbreviated as BPH, which stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing BPH and prostatitis occur younger and younger, even in men in their 30s!

The associated problems with prostate dysfunction include frequent nighttime urination that disrupts sleep; urgency; painful urination; and lower pelvic or rectal pain.

Testosterone is a hormone that both men and women make, and it’s the breakdown of testosterone that is most important. A urine test, called the Dutch Complete test, can check hormone levels and metabolites; you can ask your doctor about it.

Testosterone, or “T,” is considered the libido hormone. T breaks down via one of two pathways:

the 5 alpha reductase or the 5 beta reductase pathway.

If it goes down the 5 alpha pathway, it turns into a potent androgen called DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone).

So you know, DHT is the type of testosterone that, in excess, is associated with male pattern baldness and BPH. In a woman, DHT is associated with PCOS, a painful condition of ovarian cysts.

So controlling the production of DHT is very important because you don’t want too much T breaking down the 5 alpha pathway. It’s androgenic.

Right now, I’d like to share the five powerful strategies that may help you. Ask your doctor what’s right for you:

Men’s Health Week: June 15-21

! r a e r u o y s u Lend 50plus LIFE and Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania have partnered to bring you weekly audio readings of 50plus LIFE’s editorial content!

Listen to the livestream Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at www.vrocp.org!

The program will repeat 3 times that day and Saturdays from 11-11:30 a.m.

25 th

For more information, call Vision Resources at (717) 238-2531 and listen at visit www.vrocp.org.

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June 2020

50plus LIFE

1. Quercetin – Quercetin gives color to fruits and vegetables, and supplements of this can help with prostate size and pain levels.

2. Pumpkin seed oil – You can buy this as a dietary supplement (softgel) or as an actual coldpressed oil to use on salads and cook with. Eating pumpkin seeds is another way to garner the benefits.

3. Selenium – Taking about 100 to 200 mcg per day could be useful.

4. Vitamin D – About 2,500 to 5,000 IU per day might be of value. There is some research to show that vitamin D levels are important for prostate health and that it can help shrink the prostate for some men.

5. Saw-palmetto-based supplements – There are a plethora of supplements available at health food stores that have saw palmetto in them, including NOW’s brand of Prostate Support or New Chapter’s blend of Prostate 5LX. These are multitasking formulas you can review for yourself, or find one that feels right for you.

Taking ibuprofen or applying a hot pack can help with mild pain. It goes without saying that if you have these types of prostate-related symptoms, you should see a qualified professional for a complete workup.

There are many other considerations I can share with you in my longer version of this article. If you sign up for my newsletter, I will send it to you by email.

For example, other considerations include levels of thyroid, thyroid antibodies, insulin, leptin, zinc, blood sugar, and prolactin. A head injury can even cause BPH by affecting pituitary hormones!

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘Mama Told Me (Not to Come)’ Randal Hill

“Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” raised many an eyebrow in 1970, when the drug scene was relatively new to middle-class American youth, and nobody could recall such a tune wafting out of radio speakers before.

The song is told from the point of view of an obviously naïve young man, who declares at a social gathering: This is the craziest party That could ever be He goes on to explain further: That cigarette you’re smokin’ Bout to scare me half to death As well as: I’m lookin’ at my girlfriend She’s passed out on the floor

“Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” Three Dog Night June 1970

And concludes with: I seen so many things I ain’t never seen before

Analyzing his lighthearted reflection on the party-till-you-drop Los Angeles music scene of the late 1960s, composer Randy Newman explained in a Rolling Stone magazine interview: “It’s a guy going to a party, and he’s a little scared.

“The first line — Will you have whiskey with your water or sugar with your tea — was a vague connection to acid. I don’t remember being thrown off by that stuff then. If I was that unsophisticated, which is possible, I wouldn’t admit it.”

Three Dog Night wasn’t the first to release Newman’s clever creation; that honor goes to Animals leader Eric Burdon, who included it on his 1967 solo album Eric is Here. P.J. Proby (“Niki Hoeky”) offered his own version later that year.

By that time, the Ray Charles-influenced songwriter/singer Newman had yet to release any solo material. By the time he did begin recording on his own in 1968, many of his songs had already been covered by other artists, including Petula Clark, Gene Pitney, the Fleetwoods, and Pat Boone (!).

Other than featuring the now-classic “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today,” his debut Randy Newman album proved to be inconsequential. But his second LP, 12 Songs, included his own version of “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” presented as a rollicking mid-tempo tune that went nowhere in terms of record sales.

Newman’s song was released at around the same time as Three Dog Night’s.

The latter, a raucous outing fueled by a melodramatic lyric reading, was the www.50plusLifePA.com

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more commercial and consequently became the bigger hit.

How big? The TDN version climbed to the peak of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became their first of three chart-toppers, the others being “Joy to the World” (1971) and “Black and White” (1972).

Newman’s work became the very first No. 1 hit on Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 syndicated radio program, and the song also appeared later on the soundtracks of G.I. Jane, Boogie Nights, and The Sweetest Thing.

Newman, who once dismissed Three Dog Night as teenyboppers, experienced a change of heart when massive royalty checks began to roll in. He called Corey Wells, one of Three Dog Night’s members who had pressed the others to record Newman’s tune.

“I just want to thank you,” the musician chuckled over the phone, “for putting my kids through college.”

Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

Pet of the Month

Nugget Introducing a somewhat shy and reserved but beautiful gal named Nugget!

Nugget is an adult spayed female who currently resides in our Cat Colony Room. She enjoys having room to roam and the option to either hide or come on out and greet humans.

Nugget might thrive best in a home with older kiddos who understand some kitties are a bit independent and just simply need their own space.

For adoption process details, please visit www. lebanonhumane.org or call (717) 628-1369. The Humane League is currently closed to walk-ins; adoption visits are by appointment.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

9

On Life and Love after 50

Discuss Physical Expectations Early On Tom Blake

Each Friday, I publish a complimentary “On Life and Love after 50” blog. Recently, I featured a letter I felt was unusual. A woman wrote that at age 30, she became engaged to her doctor, whose marriage had recently ended. He was 59.

In her letter, she wrote that when he proposed, she insisted on a sixmonth, live-together trial, and if that worked out, she would marry him.

During the six months, they slept together, but he never held her hand or kissed her; there was no physical contact ever between the two. She felt the trial was a success. They married.

Immediately after the wedding, the doctor wanted sex. She was shocked, appalled, and ended the marriage.

Pet of the Month

Rocky

Rocky is a dashing 7-yearold gentleman looking for a home to call his own.

He’s easygoing and does well in playgroups with other dogs of similar temperament.

Rocky’s a clever boy

who’s motivated by treats.

Rocky is good on a leash, loves being around people, and is always ready for cuddles and belly rubs.

Rocky’s adoption fee is sponsored by a generous donor.

You can meet him at our shelter.

For more information, contact Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, at (484) 302-0865 or bvspca.org.

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June 2020

50plus LIFE

There were many, varied responses to her story from my blog readers.

One came from John, who has been widowed twice, “after two good marriages.”

John emailed, “I’m nearly 80, and every time I think I’ve heard it all regarding love relationships, something comes along to prove me wrong — such as your article today.

The woman in the story must be totally unaware/naïve about how the world works — at least pertaining to how men and women relate to each other physically.

“I’m still actively dating and looking for a life partner. After several dates with a woman, and if it begins to look promising, we start digging down into the weeds of what we’re looking for in a partner.

“Eventually, I ask if she is interested in a physical relationship. Or, is she just seeking a friend for movies and dinners? I ask because having a physical relationship remains important to me.

“To illustrate how difficult expectations can be, I met a woman on a dating site two years ago who lives three hours away by car. My thinking was, if we were a good fit, it would be worth the drive.

“It turned out she oversees the caregivers who tend to her disabled sister, about a 10-minute drive from my home. I started seeing her when she was in town once or twice a month for six months.

“Then, she invited me to visit her at her home. I spent two nights with her and slept in a separate bedroom; there was no physical contact during the stay.

We saw each other on and off when she visited her sister for about a year.

“She continued pursuing me and invited me to her home again, for three nights. I accepted. (Separate bedrooms again.)

“We were watching a TV movie the second night and I attempted to hold her hand, but she was not receptive. At dinner, the third night, I asked her if she was looking for a physical relationship because some women are not.

“She erupted and said, ‘All men are looking for only one thing!’ With that comment, I promptly left.

“We had no contact for six months when, out of the blue, she sent me an email apologizing for how she reacted and wanted to get together again. We did, but it was just not-to-be for me.”

An important point from John’s story and the story of the woman who married her doctor: Even at 70 or 80, physical contact is important to many men — and women.

Lesson for dating seniors: It’s best to discuss each person’s sexual expectations in the early dating stages of a potential relationship. At 80, we don’t have any time to waste.

For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www.findingloveafter50.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Driving from page 6 That’s has been a problem for so many consumers these days.

Helen Boehm Johnson, M.D., physician and consultant in the infectionprevention and control field, recommends using microfiber cloths to clean your vehicle.

“Their split-fiber design creates a larger surface area for microbe removal,” Johnson said. “Plus, the net-positive charge generated when they’re used attracts negatively charged dirt and microorganisms.”

Practice Safe Driving In these uncertain times, panic buying has set in. In desperation to stockpile supplies, people may drive too fast or allow road rage to set in as they rush to the stores. First, don’t panic buy. Clearing out supermarket stock disrupts and places strain on the supply chain.

Second, if and when you do need to go to the store, to an appointment, or to a drive-thru testing center, don’t be anxious. Anxiety will only lead to driving errors and increase your risk of a car accident. Stay calm and continue to practice safe driving. Remain alert, don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive distracted.

If you’re ill — even if it’s just the common cold — stay home. Certain medications can cause drowsiness and impair your driving ability. Plus, being ill lowers your immune system, making you more susceptible to a more serious infection like coronavirus.

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Minimize Your Risk on a Road Trip International travel bans are in place around the world. However, in the U.S. you can travel by car, although shorter trips are advisable. If, however, a long-distance road trip is unavoidable, take the following precautions: • Only use public restrooms when absolutely necessary and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

• Keep hand sanitizers in your car and use them after every interaction in shops, restaurants, or drive-thrus.

• Pack your own eats rather than stopping at restaurants.

• Sanitize your hands after using the fuel pump at gas stations.

• If you need to stay at a hotel, disinfect the surfaces in your room and stay in your room to avoid contact with hotel guests and staff.

Laura Adams is a driving and education safety expert from online driver’s education provider Aceable (www.aceable.com).

About Us – The Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA) was established 45 years ago as a

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Be Cautious in Parking Lots Did you know that 1 in 5 car accidents happen in parking lots? This is largely attributed to distracted driving. In a poll by the National Safety

Council, 66% of drivers said they would make phone calls and 56% said they would text while driving through parking lots.

Mental distractions, like being preoccupied with the stress of a global pandemic, can also take your attention away from potential hazards. Parking lots have pedestrians and cars pulling in and backing out, so keep your guard up when driving in parking lots.

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Lancaster County Office of Aging Maintaining the independence and quality of life for seniors through information, services, and protection since 1974.

result of the passage of the Older Americans Act. This act directed states to develop a network of services and supports to help keep older adults healthy and independent.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging was created to fulfill this mandate. In turn, a network of 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) was established throughout the commonwealth to carry out this mission at the local level.

Funding for aging-related services is a combination of state and federal monies, with the Pennsylvania Lottery providing the major source of funding.

In Lancaster County, the AAA is part of county government. We are dedicated to providing Lancaster County residents, 60 years of age and older, with a wide range of informational resources and services as well as advocacy efforts and elder abuse protection.

The LCOA offers the following services:

Our Philosophy:

• Information and referral services

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Support

the older person’s right to decide his/her own destiny. Encourage consumer self-determination and choice.

• Long-term living assessments • H ome and community-based support services

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Support

the older person’s right to risk.

• Protection from abuse and neglect

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Promote

independence and dignity.

• A PPRISE, Medicare, and related health insurance counseling

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Avoid

unnecessary/inappropriate institutionalization.

• Senior center services

• • • • • • • •

Adult daily living services Caregiver support Employment Ombudsman services Transportation Legal services Health and wellness programming Volunteer opportunities

For more information, please call us Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 717-299-7979/1-800-801-3070, visit our website at www.lancoaging.org, or email aging@co.lancaster.pa.us. www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

11

CROSSWORD

Puzzle Page

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 34 SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

Rodents Beaver Chinchilla Chipmunk Gerbil Gopher Groundhog Guinea Pig Hamster Hare Lemming Marmot Mouse Paca Porcupine Prairie Dog Rabbit Rat Squirrel Vole Woodchuck

Across 1. Wine holder 4. Scrutinize 8. Like a snail 12. Judicious 13. Biblical pronoun 14. Church section 15. Leans 16. Go ballistic 17. Balanced 18. Wirehair of film 19. Cotton unit 20. Eye drops 21. Blacken 22. King Kong, e.g.

23. Old salt Down 1. Panorama 2. Ancient fertility goddess 3. Your (Fr.) 4. Watch part 5. Ski lodges 6. First-rate 7. Protein source 8. Scrooge’s look 9. Hot rock 10. In the past 11. Pilar cysts 12. Desire 15. Fond du ___, Wis. 19. Galway, for one

24. Sample 26. Barbershop request 28. Critical 31. Gallic goodbye 34. Bottom line 35. Before, to poets 36. Rocky peak 37. Jewel 40. Beseech 42. Singer Zadora 43. Lab eggs 44. Butter holder 46. Willow twig 48. Cygnet’s mother 49. Indian music 50. Beast of burden

51. Peruvian coin 52. Adaptable truck, for short 54. Pressing need?

58. Forward 61. Big bovines 62. Corporate image 63. Wagers 64. Diva’s solo 65. Eye opener 66. Coastal raptors 67. Derbies 68. Withered 69. Heavy cart 70. Safe, on board 71. Plugs

20. Tartan cap 23. Football call 25. Toupee, slangily 27. Irritation 28. Visored cap 29. Great Lakes city 30. Vintage designation 31. Perched on 32. Small pigeon 33. Tehran’s land 38. List ender 39. Beer glass 41. Indian state 45. Clay-like mineral

47. Proficient 49. Reel’s partner 50. Asian capital 51. Flippant 53. Poke fun at 55. Bellows 56. Shrek, for one 57. ___ de guerre 58. Retired 59. Frau’s partner 60. European erupter 61. Kind of surgeon 64. Triumphant cry 65. Fit ___ fiddle

Your ad could be here on this popular page!

Please call (717) 285-1350 for more information.

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June 2020

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Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

What Older Diabetics Should Know about Coronavirus

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are both in our late 60s and have diabetes. We would like to find out if our diabetes increases our risk of getting the coronavirus.

– Concerned Diabetics Dear Concerned, Currently, there’s not enough data to show that people with diabetes are more likely to get coronavirus (COVID-19) than the general population.

But the problem for diabetics is that if you do happen to contract the virus, your chance of developing serious complications is much higher. This is especially true if your diabetes isn’t well controlled.

Here’s what you should know.

Diabetic Risks Health data is showing that about

have diabetes. One reason is that high blood sugar weakens the immune system and makes it less able to fight off infections.

Your risk of severe coronavirus infection is even higher if you also have another condition, like heart or lung disease.

If you do get COVID-19, the infection could also put you at greater risk for diabetes complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which happens when high levels of acids called ketones build up in your blood.

Some people who catch the new coronavirus have a dangerous bodywide response to it, called sepsis. To treat sepsis, doctors need to manage

25% of people who go to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infections

please see Diabetics page 16

Email inbox feeling a little . . . heavy?

KEIy eLAM O R E ssociates Medical • Diagnostic testing • Disease evaluation • Routine eye care • Emergency care and treatment

Surgical • Cataract removal and intraocular lens implants • Retinal injections (macular degeneration) • Glaucoma surgery

Lighten things up with

Good to Know

Optical

,

our fun and free monthly e-newsletter featuring interesting quotes, tasty recipes, little-known facts, and links to helpful and timely articles!

• Complete optical department • Contact lens dispensing and instructions • Authorized Sports Eye Injury Prevention Center

Eye Care for Life!

V. Eugene Kilmore, Jr., M.D. • John W. Pratt, M.D. • Michael L. Szmodis, M.D. Ryan J. Hershberger, O.D. • Foster E. Kreiser, O.D.

Sign up with your email address at www.50plusLifePA.com! www.50plusLifePA.com

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890 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

(717) 697-1414 • www.kilmoreeye.com

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

13

Independent Living • Personal Care • Skilled Nursing

50plus Living Virtual Open House – “Visit” mature living communities and service providers from the comfort of your home or office.

Aug. 15 – 31, 2020 Who will want to check it out: • Boomers preparing for the future • Caregivers considering alternatives for loved ones • Seniors who want to be aware of their living and care options Why you will want to log on: • Learn about living and care options available • Connect with multiple living communities or care providers • View videos and / or photos of campuses • Ask questions and have them answered on a personal basis, virtually • Be knowledgeable in order to make informed decisions • Make an appointment for an in-person tour when convenient

An Adaptable Approach & a Heart for Community We work to adapt our environment to our residents’ interests and needs.

Residents participate in various intergenerational programs in the community and enjoy giving back.

Plan now to visit the Virtual Open House!

www.FHKennett.org

50plusLivingVirtualTour.com Residence and Care Providers — see how you can be a part of this exciting complement to our brick-and-mortar events! Call your marketing consultant or contact Christianne Rupp at 717.285.8126 or email crupp@onlinepub.com.

If YOU or someone you know is looking for employment opportunities, please visit

Jobs610.com June 15 – 30

Open to employees in transition, those actively seeking a career change, and those who may consider a change for the right opportunity.

Join Jobs610.com from the comfort of your home or office on your mobile device.

Employers –

Now taking “space” reservations

Call today!

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June 2020

• Choose employers you want to interact with • Explore each employer’s information • Engage one-on-one with company representatives • Upload resume and other documents immediately

For more information, call Kimberly Shaffer at 717-285-8123 or email kshaffer@onlinepub.com 50plus LIFE

www.50plusLifePA.com

Tax Time during Coronavirus: What Retirees Need to Know

By Chris Orestis Retirement and the effects of aging come with a lot of changes, but at least one thing remains constant.

Every year, Uncle Sam wants to make sure you’re paying any taxes you might owe him, and that’s true whether you are retired or not.

That said, though, there are tax rules that are specific to older Americans, so it’s important to be aware of the different ways you might be able to reduce your tax bill that weren’t available to you when you were younger.

Normally, of course, April 15 is the deadline to file your tax returns. But this year, because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus, the deadline has been extended to July 15.

That tax-deadline extension means you’ve got extra time to explore some of those rules that seniors can take advantage of. A few to be mindful of include: You may qualify for a larger standard deduction. For many Americans, including many seniors, there’s no reason to itemize your deductions anymore because the standard deduction is so high: $12,200 for a single person and $24,400 for a married couple filing jointly.

But you can get an even higher standard deduction if either you or your spouse is 65 or older, and a still higher deduction if either of you is blind.

If you aren’t itemizing, then you want to make sure you’re getting the maximum standard deduction that you are allowed because that’s going to affect how much of your income is taxed.

Yes, your Social Security benefit may be taxed. The rules for how much — if any — of your Social Security benefit is taxed can be tricky, so you want to be extra careful with that.

According to the Social Security Administration, if you’re filing as an individual and your Social Security benefit plus any other taxable income you have is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may be taxed up to 50% of your benefit.

If your combined income is more than $34,000, then up to 85% of the benefit may be taxable.

For married couples filing jointly, if the combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay tax on up to 50% of your benefits.

If your income is more than $44,000, then up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

You may be able to deduct long-term care insurance premiums. Owners of long-term care insurance policies can take tax deductions on premiums they pay for qualified plans — as well as other reimbursed medical expenses, such as Medicare premiums — as long as the premiums are greater than 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

Selling your life insurance policy has advantages. There can be significant tax benefits for people who sell their life insurance policy through what is called a “life settlement.”

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the proceeds from a life settlement are fully exempt from federal taxes if the policy owner is terminally or chronically ill. www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE

Those who are not terminally or chronically ill do pay capital-gain taxes on the proceeds from the sale, minus the amount in premiums the policyholder paid over the life of the policy.

You may want to increase contributions to your retirement accounts. Of course, many seniors aren’t adding anything to their IRAs or 401(k)s. Instead, they are regularly withdrawing money to pay for monthly living expenses.

But if you’re still working, you can increase your contributions, which can both reduce your tax bill now and give you an even larger nest egg when you do retire. The IRS limits how much you can contribute each year, but that limit increases once you turn 50.

The important thing to remember is that you may have options at tax time that you hadn’t thought about. Knowing the tax rules and how they apply to your personal situation, and seeking professional advice, can make a huge difference.

Chris Orestis, known as the “Retirement Genius,” is president of LifeCare Xchange and a nationally recognized healthcare expert and senior advocate. He has 25 years’ experience in the insurance and long-term care industries and is the author of Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging.

Pet of the Month

Rudy

Rudy is a polite, gentle 12-year-old neutered male who does not look a day over young-adult age. With his fluffy cheeks and carefully groomed fur, this darling boy will certainly charm any human who meets his sparkling eyes.

Rudy loves to spend his days perched happily upon his throne of blankies, surrounded by toys and humans telling him how handsome he is.

As a distinguished older gentleman, Mr. Rudy does not always agree with the company of other cats or younger children. And while he does have some health concerns, Rudy does not let anything slow him down.

Ask about this dashing boy today! Rudy’s ID number is 226333.

Email completed applications to adoptlancaster@ humanepa.org; interested applicants will be contacted when adoptions are reinstated. For more information, contact the Humane League of Lancaster County at (717) 393-6551.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

15

Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Bethany Village – The Oaks

Mennonite Home Communities

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; Eagle, LeadingAge PA, Planetree Comments: Maplewood Assisted Living also available.

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org Number of Beds: 188 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: Equal Housing, LeadingAge PA Comments: Person-centered care with reputation for compassion and excellence. Established in 1903. Respite care available w/minimum stay.

Homeland Center

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 (717) 221-7902 • www.homelandcenter.org Number of Beds: 95 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Short-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 history of more than 150 years of exemplary care.

If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your marketing consultant or call (717) 285-1350.

Diabetics from page 13 your body’s fluid and electrolyte levels. DKA causes you to lose electrolytes, which can make sepsis harder to control.

How to Avoid COVID-19 The best way to avoid getting sick is to stay home as much as you can. If you have to go out, keep at least 6 feet away from other people.

And every time you come back from the supermarket, pharmacy, or another public place, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

Also wash your hands before you give yourself a finger stick or insulin shot.

Clean each site first with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

To protect you, everyone in your house should wash their hands often, especially before they cook for the family. Don’t share any utensils or other personal items. And if anyone in your house is sick, they should stay in their own room, as far as possible from you.

The CDC also recommends that you stock up on medications and diabetestesting supplies to last for at least a month. The same goes for grocery supplies and other household necessities.

Also know that Medicare is now covering the cost of telehealth visits, so if you have questions for your doctor, you can ask by video chat or phone instead of going into the office.

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If You Get Sick The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a dry cough, fever, or shortness of breath. If you develop any symptoms that are concerning, call your doctor about getting tested.

If you find that you have contracted COVID-19, the first level of care is to stay home and check your blood sugar more often than usual. Check your ketones, too. COVID-19 can reduce your appetite and cause you to eat less, which could affect your levels.

You also need more fluids than usual when you’re sick, so keep water close by, and drink it often.

You should also know that many over-the-counter medicines that relieve virus symptoms like fever or cough can affect your blood-sugar levels one way or the other. So, before you take anything, check with your doctor.

And be aware that if you start experiencing severe shortness of breath, high levels of ketones, or DKA symptoms like severe weakness, body aches, vomiting, or belly pain, you need to see your doctor or get to an emergency room right away.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

www.50plusLifePA.com

The Beauty in Nature

Sycamore Apartments

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Sycamore trees in early March. commonly grow Some people hear along creeks and the boisterous, rivers through thrilling “eightmuch of the hooting” of United States, barred owl including here pairs during in southeastern their spring Pennsylvania. courtships. These Some of them owls seem to say, get massive, “Who cooks for and all have a you, who cooks unique, mottled for you-all.” appearance on But the Mother and baby barred owl. their trunks and permanent limbs, which resident female identifies them. raccoons and That blotchy pairs of owls are look is caused by probably already pieces of darker established in outer bark falling a sycamore away here and hollow before the there, revealing breeding season. the lighter, Wood duck younger bark pairs, however, underneath. are “JohnnyThe come-latelies” Two young raccoons on trunk. attractive bark because they of sycamores is migrate into noticeable from a distance because this area from their wintering areas it is different from the bark of farther south. Woodies, I suppose, other trees. And rows of distinctive, have to take whatever sycamore magnificent sycamores indicate hollows are still unclaimed by the presence of the waterways they raccoons or barred owls. border.

Pairs of beautiful, lithe wood Sycamores’ roots help hold down ducks are interesting to watch the soil against flooding. And the looking for sycamore cavities. Each large, stately trees are apartment hen, followed by her mate, flies buildings for a variety of wildlife to from limb to limb and appraises the live and raise young in. unoccupied nesting holes.

Some of the limbs of big, majestic It seems most woody hens find sycamores are torn from their trees enough cavities for each one to lay a during strong winds, exposing the clutch of 12 eggs in. But, apparently, wood to agents of decay. Raccoons, a few hens do not because I see them barred owls, and wood ducks use the in collections of bachelor drake resulting protective cavities to begin woodies in June, when hens should families each spring. be raising ducklings.

The courtships of raccoons, Wood duck nest boxes, erected barred owls, and wood ducks start along creeks in patches of woods, please see sycamore page 21

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE

No Need for Disguises.

We’re Pet Friendly!

At Harrison Senior Living, we believe that your four-legged friend can improve your overall health and happiness; that’s why we pride ourselves on being a pet-friendly community.

After all, your pets are family too.

www.HarrisonSeniorLiving.com

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Independent Living Personal Care Respite Care 300 Strode Avenue East Fallowfield, PA 19320 610.384.6310

See our website for more locations and information.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

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Join us in celebrating our silver anniversary by taking a look back at life over the last 25 years … as well as a blast from one of our covers past!

2004 Top Headlines

• On April 30, U.S. media released graphic images of American soldiers abusing and humiliating Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, sparking outrage around the world. President Bush issued a televised apology in early May. • In May, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Months later, voters in 11 states backed referendums making it illegal.

• George W. Bush was reelected president on Nov. 2, defeating Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry.

Voter turnout was the highest it had been since 1968, with nearly 60% of the nation casting their ballots.

Entertainment • T he term “wardrobe malfunction” was born in February after the Super Bowl’s infamous halftime show performance, in which singer Justin Timberlake ripped the costume bodice of fellow performer Janet Jackson, exposing her right breast.

• I n July, Martha Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison after she was found guilty of four counts of obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators regarding her 2001 insider trading scandal.

• F ilms by Michael Moore and Mel Gibson — Fahrenheit 9/11 and The Passion of the Christ, respectively — garnered intense buzz for their controversial and provocative subject matter.

• The American South was ravaged by four hurricanes in summer and early fall: Bonnie (Aug. 12), Charley (Aug. 13), Ivan (Sept. 15), and Jeanne (Sept. 26).

Then, on Dec. 26, a 9.0 earthquake in the Indian Ocean set off a tsunami that devastated Somalia, killing 150,000 people.

Sports • On July 4, 17-year-old tennis player Maria Sharapova beat defending champion and top seed Serena Williams in straight sets to become the third-youngest woman to win Wimbledon.

Sharapova continued to climb up the rankings and would reach the world’s No. 1 spot in September 2005.

• In the Tour de France held July 3-25, cyclist Lance Armstrong won his sixth consecutive race — though in 2012 he would be stripped of all his wins after doping allegations were proven correct.

• More than 10,000 athletes from 201 countries came to Athens, Greece, Aug. 13-29 to compete in the 301 events of the Summer Olympics. U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won six golds medals and set a single-games record with eight total medals.

• On Oct. 24, a plane carrying father and son John and Ricky Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports and eight other people crashed into mountainous terrain in Virginia, killing all aboard.

25 th

• T he Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won the Academy Award for Best Picture; Genius Loves Company, by Ray Charles and Various Artists, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year; and the Tony Award for Best Musical went to Avenue Q.

June 2004

Science & Technology • Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his dorm room on Feb. 4. Originally, the social media platform only served a limited audience.

• Google released Gmail on April 1. Offering a gigabyte of free storage — unprecedented at the time — the new email service was initially brushed off as an April Fools’ Day joke.

• In August, researchers narrowed down the age of our Milky Way galaxy to 13.6 billion years old (that’s to within 800 million years, anyway).

• Wireless technology Bluetooth became standard in 2004. Named for 10th-century king Harald Bluetooth, its makers sought to unite communication protocols between fixed and mobile devices — just as history’s Bluetooth united Danish tribes into one kingdom.

Join us next month to see what was happening in 2001!

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www.50plusLifePA.com

Since 2000, 50plus LIFE (previously Senior News and 50plus Senior News) has won more than 130 awards for its editorial content and design. Here’s a look at an award-winning article from our archives.

PA State Senior Idol Winner Has the Wow Factor

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July 2007 issue Mature Media Award: Merit Award, Single Newspaper Article

By Megan Joyce Growing up the second of eight siblings in an apartment complex in uptown Harrisburg, Diane Wilson knew early on the role she was destined to play in her musical family.

“Every Saturday morning we’d all sit around on the floor and sing,” she said.

“We all had natural parts; everyone knew where they were supposed to be.

I always thought that I was the lead singer.”

And she was right. After wowing the judges and audience at the finals competition at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster recently, Wilson was named the 2007 pa state Senior Idol, earning herself a trip for two to New York City for dinner and a Broadway show.

Now herself a mother of four grown daughters and grandmother of seven, Wilson’s lifelong path to her current place of gratitude and satisfaction has been one filled with struggle. Nevertheless, Wilson said that she’s now doing the things she loves and needs to be doing and is enjoying the support of her mother, children, and friends.

Wilson was bitten by the music bug after winning a third-grade talent show at Benjamin Franklin School in Harrisburg. In 1972 she became the lead singer for a group called Young Unlimited, citing strong female singers as inspiration to challenge her vocal talents.

“Back in the ’70s, it was Chaka Kahn and Natalie Cole, all the voices that were a challenge, the ones that were screaming and hitting those notes that no one else would even touch,” she said.

Since then, Wilson has added gospel, jazz, and oldies into her repertoire.

Wilson recorded with a group called Positive Force in the early ’80s, but the professional opportunity also came with its pitfalls, a “destructive path” where Wilson became involved with drugs. In 1984 she joined the musical group Paradise Jam, and it was then Wilson got her life together and began working with youth.

The early ’90s continued to be a series of challenges for Wilson, as she dealt with the death of her youngest sister and then surgery to remove nodules from her vocal chords.

“I went up to the mic to sing, and I opened my mouth and nothing came out,” she said. “It was the most frightening experience that I have ever been through.”

Wilson’s doctor told her there was a 50/50 chance she would never www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE

be able to sing again after the surgery to correct the condition. For two years after that, Wilson was scared to test her recovering vocal capacity.

Conquering Whitney Houston’s hit “I Will Always Love You” soon became a goal. Indeed, it was this selection that helped secure her win in the 2007 Senior Idol competition.

The other song that took Wilson to victory was “I Am Changing” from the movie Dreamgirls, which earned a place in her heart last September when Wilson learned her liver cancer diagnosis of four years ago was wrong — and that she now had a new lease on life.

“It was like, ‘It’s now time to change your whole life,’ and it seems like from that point, everything is just falling into place for me,” Wilson said.

A CDL driver for Capital Area Transit in Harrisburg, Wilson has also been a licensed cosmetologist for more than 20 years and owns two beauty salons. Music is her love and focus right now, performing at weddings, funerals, birthdays, and anniversaries. She is also very involved with her church and its choir.

“I try to stay busy and I try to stay focused,” said Wilson. “Sometimes it gets a little hard, but like I said, with everything that happened in my life I’m learning how to stand still. It took me 50-plus years to get to that point in my life. It’s amazing — they say when you turn 50 if you haven’t learned anything, something is wrong. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve been through a lot.”

Wilson said she “felt like Miss America” when she was announced the winner of Senior Idol and cherishes the relationships she made with the other contestants, whom she described as supportive and genuine.

“There was some great talent,” she said. “For once in my life I felt like I really had to put my best foot forward … I just thank the audience and thank everybody for thinking that I had the ability and for choosing me.”

Wilson plans on taking her mother, who has never been to a Broadway show, on the trip to New York City with her.

“Senior Idol really opened the doors for me and gave me some hope,” she said. “And so now … I’m going to have to educate myself to give to the seniors and to give to the upcoming young people who are searching and looking for a better way. It took me 52 years to get to that point, but I thank God that I’m here.”

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

19

The Bookworm Sez

Overground Railroad Terri Schlichenmeyer

Your tickets have been purchased. over white supremacists, and she replied Reservations were made in your name, with facts about incarceration of black and all that’s left is packing. Yep, you’re men. To her, the three histories were one: heading out for the weekend, a week, Black people have always been denied a month, gone on the trip of a lifetime, equality. and, as you’ll see in Overground Railroad In the 20th century, that inequality

by Candacy Taylor, it’s a trip your largely resulted from Jim Crow laws grandparents might’ve been denied. that, among other humiliations, allowed Ron was just 7 years old when he restaurants, hotels, and gas stations to was told to sit still and be quiet in the refuse service to black travelers. backseat of his parents’ car, where he On the road, brave or desperate listened as a police officer questioned his African Americans risked violence or father by a country road. even death by testing the laws; in the Even when he was an old man years following the Depression, those and stepdad to Candacy Taylor, he laws gave Victor Green an idea. remembered the tension coming from the Green lived in Harlem, worked as a front seat of that car. mailman, and saw a future where black Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America Her stepfather’s stories helped Taylor people owned cars (rare, in the 1930s) By Candacy Taylor understand many things, including why they could insure (also rare). c. 2020, Abrams Press, 360 pages he and black folks his age preferred to With help from other mailmen, travel at night, on side roads. information on black-owned businesses that black travelers could visit was At about this same time, Taylor’s white friends began expressing outrage gathered and published in a book that was initially Harlem-centric.

. d e w o l l o f e b l wil s e n i l e d i u g S a f e ty

We are looking to the future and greeting you at these upcoming events.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us!

50plus EXPOs — www.50plusExpoPa.com Chester County To be Announced

Dauphin County July 15, 2020 Hershey Lodge Hershey

Lancaster County Sept. 16, 2020 Spooky Nook Sports Manheim

York County Sept. 23, 2020 York Expo Center York

Cumberland County Oct. 14, 2020 Carlisle Expo Center Carlisle

Northern Lancaster County Oct. 27, 2020 Shady Maple Conf.

Center • East Earl

Women’s Expos — www.aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com Dauphin County Aug. 29, 2020 Hershey Lodge Hershey

Lebanon County Sept. 19, 2020 Lebanon Expo Center Lebanon

Lancaster County Oct. 10, 2020 Spooky Nook Sports Manheim

Cumberland County Nov. 14, 2020 Carlisle Expo Center Carlisle

Veterans’ Expo & Job Fairs — www.VeteransExpo.com Berks County June 15 - 20, 2020 Virtual Job Fair Jobs610.com

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June 2020

York County Aug. 5, 2020 Wyndham Garden York York

Capital Area Sept. 1, 2020 Radisson Hotel Hbg. Camp Hill

Lebanon County Sept. 9, 2020 Lebanon Expo Center Lebanon

Lancaster County Nov. 12, 2020 Farm and Home Center Lancaster

For more information, call 717-285-1350 or visit www.onlinepub.com/Events 50plus LIFE

www.50plusLifePA.com

Subsequent editions of The Green Book led African American travelers to safe restaurants, hotels, and gas stations across the country.

Says Taylor, Green never made much money from his project, but “his reward was much more valuable … for every business he listed, he may have saved a life.”

As a history of African American travel in the 20th century, Overground Railroad is incredible, filled with great continuity and plenty of side stories to make it come alive.

Author Candacy Taylor makes it exquisitely personal with tales from her stepfather and her deep appreciation for all he’d endured, leading to other stories of DWB (driving while black); how the travel industry foolishly thwarted African American travel and its buying power; how things changed; and the constant reassurance of The Green Book.

That history makes this book incredibly fascinating.

It could’ve been even better, had Taylor stuck with the topic.

Instead, occasionally and from the beginning, mass incarceration and institutional racism are inserted into this narrative on travel. One could perhaps argue that they’re peripherally relevant but, though it’s not overwhelming, that feels like a discussion for a different book.

Still, ignore the distraction. Don’t let it chase you away from this stellar tale, told with detail and an abundance of photos. If you’re looking for a lively, well-rounded history book, Overground Railroad is just the ticket.

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.

Rescheduled Date

Aug. 5, 2020

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wyndham Garden York 2000 Loucks Road York

Sept. 1, 2020

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Radisson Hotel Harrisburg 1150 Camp Hill Bypass Camp Hill

Veterans (of all ages), the military community, and their families are invited to this free event!

The Expo brings federal, state, and local agencies together with area businesses to provide information and resources to veterans and their families.

The Job Fair brings veterans and spouses who need jobs together with employers who can benefit from this rich source of talent.

sycamore from page 17 provide more choices for hen woodies to nest in, bolstering their populations.

Each raccoon mother gives birth to about four young, which she raises on her own. When old enough in midsummer, the young raccoons follow their mother on hunting trips to eat frogs, crayfish, berries, and anything else edible.

Both parent barred owls feed mice, snakes, frogs, small birds, and other prey to their two or three young in their hollows.

A day after wood duck ducklings hatch, they jump from the entrance to their nurseries to the water or ground below. Then they get up and follow their mother to water and invertebrate food they catch themselves.

Majestic sycamores are not only stately in and of themselves, but also beautiful and interesting in the wildlife they shelter. Those large trees and the wild creatures in their apartments help make our time spent outdoors more enjoyable.

At the Expo

Veterans Benefits & Services Medical/Nonmedical Resources Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services

At the Job Fair

Employers Job Counseling Workshops Employment Seminars Resume Writing Assistance

Principal Sponsors:

Clyde McMillan-Gamber is a retired Lancaster County Parks naturalist.

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Simply mail this form and $15 for an annual subscription to: 50plus LIFE • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Call (717) 285-8131, or subscribe online at www.50plusLIFEPA.com!

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Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

21

Tinseltown Talks

Nick Thomas

Kelly Stewart Remembers Dad Jimmy Stewart

If you don’t think Jimmy Stewart put the classic in “classic movies,” consider these titles in which he starred: It’s a Wonderful Life, The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Rear Window, Vertigo, Harvey, and the list goes on.

No wonder Stewart appears near the top of just about every list of all-time most popular classic film actors.

With such a resume, it’s hard to imagine the man didn’t develop an ego the size of the famous Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains. But according to his daughter, Kelly, the respectable, unpretentious, all-American guy he often portrayed on film was also the real Jimmy Stewart.

He was married to his beloved Gloria for 45 years, and the Stewarts had two sons (one killed in Vietnam) and twin daughters. Like her siblings, Kelly never took up acting (she became an anthropologist).

“The life of an actor didn’t really look like that much fun to me,” she said. “We went to Dad’s set a couple of times (and) it looked very tedious to me — short takes, just a few minutes long, after which people come rushing up to you, touching up makeup and hair, hovering and fussing and looking.

I remember thinking, ‘I could never do this.’”

Growing up, Kelly recalls her father preparing for roles at home.

“Dad sat in a big, comfy armchair that had a matching footrest, and no one else ever sat in that chair when (he) was home! When he was working on a movie, he would sit with the script in his hands and his lips moving, saying his lines to himself. He never said anything out loud. I have that image of him burned into my mind. We never read any of the

Father’s Day Sunday, June 21

Photo provided by Kelly Stewart.

Jimmy Stewart takes his high school daughters, Judy, left, and Kelly, right, on a trip to British Columbia to look at colleges.

Publicity still, Universal Pictures.

Jimmy Stewart in Harvey, 1950.

lines with him.

“Except for that, he rarely brought his work home with him.”

His trademark slow drawl, says Kelly, was no act.

“He loved to tell stories about his own experiences, and he had great timing. He just took a long time to come out with the punchline!”

Although not a traditional father in some ways, she still gives him high praise.

“He wasn’t a hands-on dad — he didn’t help us with our homework, and I doubt he ever changed a diaper. But he taught by example and just had a very quiet way about him.”

Not surprisingly, Kelly remembers her dad as being gracious with fans.

“I’ve had people come up to me and tell me they wrote him a letter when they were in high school and got a personal response back. He had a secretary helping him, of course, but he signed all the letters.

I never saw him say ‘no’ to an autograph seeker, even when there were crowds of people. It was actually a kick to get that glimpse of Dad’s fame.”

When Stewart’s wife died in 1994, Kelly remembers him retreating into great despair.

“I think he had just had enough of the world. Dad was the most stubborn person I’ve ever met and was going to do what he wanted: to hunker down inside his beloved home, with his two dogs. At the end, I believe he appreciated his wonderful life and knew he was loved.”

This interview for Father’s Day was condensed and edited from the author’s book Raised by the Stars.

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 800 magazines and newspapers.

Farmers Market Voucher Program Announced for Lancaster County Each year, Lancaster County Office of Aging distributes vouchers that can be used at farmers markets to purchase Pennsylvania-grown fruits and vegetables.

The vouchers are part of a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture program that supports local farmers and provides nutrition to people age 60 and over.

To participate in the program, a person needs to live in Lancaster County and be 60 years or older by Dec. 31, 2020.

Annual income must be at or below $23,606 for one person or $31,894 for two people, and voucher recipients may not live in a facility where their food is provided.

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June 2020

50plus LIFE

This year, there are changes to the program. Each eligible person will receive four vouchers valued at $6 each, instead of $5 as in previous years.

The vouchers can only be obtained by completing a short application and mailing it to Lancaster County Office of Aging.

Due to the pandemic, the vouchers will not be distributed in person at either the senior centers or the Office of Aging.

Once a completed application is received, the vouchers and a list of markets will be mailed to the applicant’s home.

The application is available on the Lancaster County Office of Aging website, www.lancoaging.org, or it can be obtained by calling the Office of Aging at (717) 299-7979. www.50plusLifePA.com

Webinar Series to Focus on Mental Wellness during Pandemic A free webinar series developed by Penn State Extension aims to help people better manage their mental health as they navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shelter-in-place and closure orders — while critical to reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus — have increased isolation by decreasing access to the usual outlets people tap into for recreation and enjoyment, noted Denise Continenza, an educator with the extension’s food, families, and health program team.

“The pandemic can take a toll on our well-being as we continue to adapt to changing daily routines, worry about health and finances, and face an uncertain future,” she said.

Webinar topics, times and dates, and registration links are as follows: Emotional Overload. Due to current pandemic, stress is increasing, and anxiety/depression and related disorders are on the rise. Receive information on strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, including the practice of self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy.

Presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 2. Register at extension.psu.edu/mental-wellness-during-covid-19-emotional-overload.

Grief, Loss, and COVID-19. Life has changed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Understand grief and recognize what we are experiencing

Are you 62+ or Older?

Welcome to your new home!

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Give us a call and check out our fabulous facilities.

We offer congregate meals to all residents, Mon.–Fri., at 11:30 a.m.

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individually and collectively to help us cope as we move through these challenging times.

Presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

June 9. Register at extension.psu.edu/mental-wellness-duringcovid-19-grief-loss-and-covid-19.

Substance Misuse in Times of Crisis. In times such as these, people often turn to substances as a way to get through the challenges, but this webinar will teach tips and techniques for healthy coping and sources of additional support.

Presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

June 16. Register at extension.psu.edu/mental-wellnessduring-covid-19-substance-misuse-in-times-of-crisis.

Building Resilience. What makes us stronger? Learn how coping with the current situation can support the development of skills for dealing with future challenges.

Presentations will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 23. Register at extension.psu.edu/mental-wellness-during-covid-19-building-resilience.

All webinars are free to the public. For more information, visit extension. psu.edu or call (877) 345-0691.

HALDEMAN MECHANICAL INC. 717-665-6910 Service Since 1939 Protecting Your Home For Three Generations

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COLLISION SERVICES 24/7 Emergency Towing / Recovery / Roadside Assistance

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Providing trusted service for over 40 years!

Complete and Skilled Automotive Maintenance and Repair

Specializing in Brake, Tire, Mechanical Services, PA State Inspections, and Emissions Testing

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! 10 Mill Street, Stewartstown, PA 17363

(717) 993-2263

www.50plusLifePA.com

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Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

23

How COVID-19 Will Change Consumer Behavior

IT’S NOT JUST HOW FAR WE GO F O R Y O U R H E A LT H

The coronavirus crisis is likely to change American culture and behavior long after it’s passed. Ad Age points out these trends that are likely to endure:

IT’S WHY

Trust in tried-and-true brands.

The stress of change will coax consumers into sticking with timetested brands, experts say.

Launching anything new will be difficult as Americans shy away from what they’re not already familiar with.

Do-it-yourself will stay strong.

We’re already cooking more at home and trying out new recipes, and that’s likely to continue.

For example, sales of yeast rose 650% for the week ending March 21, compared with the same period last year, reflecting how many

Americans are baking more often.

We’ll rely more on digital outlets. Just as digital streaming is replacing going out to the movies, digital shopping is on the upswing.

For example, almost 40% of online grocery shoppers in April made their first online grocery purchase in March.

Flexible work is here to stay.

A poll of 500 adults age 40–50 said they expect to go back to their previous routines, including work, school, recreation, and entertainment.

However, as working from home has boomed during the pandemic, it’s likely that more employers will offer this option and employees will scoop it up, experts predict.

For active adults when apartment living is all you need!

Affordable housing for those 62 and older, located in beautiful, historic Marietta Rents start at $715 and include all utilities (heat, electric, water, sewer, trash), off-street parking, on-site laundry, community room, and community garden.

Two-bedrooms start at $857.

For applications and information, please contact:

Community Basics, Inc. 717-735-9590 or info@communitybasics.com

Advanced medicine in the place you call home.

601 East Market Street Marietta

When it comes to the health of the people you love, you would do anything. At Lancaster General Health, that’s exactly how we feel. We believe that keeping you, your family and our entire community healthy is our calling. As part of Penn Medicine, we provide life-saving advanced medicine, including nationally recognized heart and vascular care, neuroscience expertise and breakthrough cancer treatments, right here in the place you call home.

www.mealsonwheelsoflancaster.org Discover more at www.LGHealth.org LGHealth.org

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Volunteer Spotlight: CASA Program Volunteer Honored Dan Doyle Doyle doesn’t began volunteering supplant the with Cumberland Children and Youth County’s CourtServices caseworker Appointed Special assigned to the case Advocate (CASA) but rather supplies program during early another point of 2008. view developed from As a CASA regular interactions volunteer, Doyle’s with the child, duties start when he family, teachers, is appointed by the doctors, and/or Dan Doyle court to investigate therapists. and provide recommendations for Doyle enjoys being able to the best way forward for a child in develop a rapport with the children, the dependency system because of who are often suspicious, angry, or abuse or neglect.

Reach Active, Affluent Boomers & Seniors!

Sponsor and exhibitor applications are now being accepted!

Reserve your space now for the 18th Annual

s O exhibi ponsor and FF tor app licatio until ns 7/31/2 0

YORK COUNTY

please see Volunteer Spotlight page 29

A Special Announcement is Coming —

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$

Sept. 23, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

York Expo Center

Memorial Hall East • 334 Carlisle Avenue, York

Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes

Why Participate?

Premier events for baby boomers, caregivers, and seniors • Face-to-face interaction with 3,000+ attendees • Strengthen brand recognition/launch new products

and we’re all shook up about it!

DAUPHIN COUNTY

www.50plusLifePA.com

Check out next month’s issue to find out who’ll be back in the building for this year’s Dauphin County 50plus EXPO!

50plus LIFE

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For sponsorship and exhibitor information: (717) 285-1350

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www.50plusExpoPA.com

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

25

Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Diakon Senior Living Services

Bethany Village — MapleWood

Frey Village 1020 North Union Street, Middletown, PA 17057 717-745-2080 • pavalkom@diakon.org www.FreyVillageSeniorLiving.org

325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: No Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes

Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 40 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

Homeland Center

The Bridges at Bent Creek

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org

2100 Bent Creek Blvd. • Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 717-795-1100 • www.thebridgesatbentcreek.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: No Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Homelike setting; personalized, tailored care and healthcare; secured memory supports; and peace of mind.

Call today!

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Cross Keys Village The Brethren Home Community

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: No Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: A regional leader in all aspects of memory care and a program designed for optimal engagement and socialization.

Homestead Village

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

Diakon Senior Living Services

Cumberland Crossings 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle, PA 17015 717-245-9941 • StantonM@diakon.org www.CumberlandCrossingsSeniorLiving.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 48 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

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June 2020

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Beautiful setting; lots of activities; indoor pool.

50plus LIFE

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 150 years. Our continuum of care includes therapy services, skilled rehab, 24-hour medical staffing, plus Hospice, HomeHealth, and HomeCare outreach programs. All-private rooms include a full bath and kitchenette.

1800 Village Circle • Lancaster, PA 17603 717-397-4831 • www.homesteadvillage.org

2990 Carlisle Pike • New Oxford, PA 17350 717-624-5436 • www.crosskeysvillage.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 123 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Nonprofit CCRC with private and semi-private rooms in a small, family-oriented environment.

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom deluxe and studio apartments available! Secure personal care memory support also available.

Homewood at Plum Creek

425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewoodplumcreek.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 92 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment.

Call to schedule a visit.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Normandie Ridge

Landis Homes

1700 Normandie Drive • York, PA 17408 717-764-6262 • https://normandieridge.org

1001 East Oregon Road • Lititz, PA 17543 717-569-3271 • www.LandisHomes.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 97 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Attached to wellness center and pool without going outside.

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 27 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

Pleasant View Communities

Mennonite Home Communities

544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-664-6237 • www.pvcommunities.org

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Supportive, encouraging environment. Various room types and suites available. Secure memory care offered.

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Our dementia care residence features the Kaleidoscope therapeutic engagement program designed for our residents.

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment.

Guard against Phishing Scams during the Outbreak The implications of COVID-19 are scary enough without adding the threat of online fraud or identity theft.

However, determined criminals are “phishing” for information by posing as officials of the CDC, as health experts offering cures, and even as your own employer.

The Norton website shares these clues that can help you spot a scam and keep your data safe:

be able to tell that it’s not a legitimate online destination.

On the other hand, some scammers can create very realistic-looking destination URLs, so be cautious and delete the link in case of any doubt.

Requests for personal information.

Government agencies and legitimate organizations won’t ask for your Social Security number, passwords, or other private details. Don’t turn any of that over.

Generic greetings. “Dear sir or madam,” or “To whom it may concern,” mean that the sender has no idea who you are.

Grammatical mistakes. Errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar are telltale clues of a phishing attempt.

Again, delete the message immediately.

Untrustworthy links. You can determine where a link is actually going by hovering your mouse over it and looking at the URL. Many times you’ll www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE

Instant action. Phishing scams will insist that you respond immediately.

Don’t panic. Just delete the message right away.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

27

One Cool Dude

By Randal C. Hill There will never be such a law, of course, but millions of people worldwide should be required to pause and offer thanks each summer to Willis Haviland Carrier (1876–1950). After all, it was his remarkable invention of air conditioning that has greatly improved all our lives.

But Carrier’s first refrigeration unit had nothing to do with human comfort. In 1902, the 25-year-old Cornell engineering graduate designed and built a machine for blowing air across chilled coils. He called his gadget “Apparatus for Treating Air.” He had developed it for a New York color-printing outfit that he worked for. Summertime temperatures and humidity levels inside the stuffy building often caused the paper being inked to expand or contract, thus wreaking havoc on the images being printed.

Carrier knew that evaporation could reduce heat and that cooling could

Need to enroll in VA healthcare?

An enrollment specialist from the Lebanon VA Medical Center will be on hand to enroll veterans in the VA healthcare system during the

York County Veterans’ Expo & Job Fair August 5, 2020 • 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wyndham Garden York 2000 Loucks Road, York Veterans wishing to apply for enrollment to VA healthcare should bring three items: • DD-214 • Last year’s federal tax return • A list of medical expenses from the previous year For questions or more information, call (717) 272-6621, ext. 4298

Lebanon VA Medical Center 28

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draw moisture from the air. In his lab, he calculated a way to circulate chilled water through coils and then force air over the coils with a fan. By doing this, he could control both humidity and temperatures in an enclosed space. ··· When people gathered together a century ago, the summertime experience often meant enduring collective human heat and pungent body odors.

Finally, relief from the energysapping discomfort came about in movie houses, where thankful customers could cool off for a couple of hours at a time.

In 1925, New York City’s Rivoli Theater spent $100,000 — about $3 million today — for a refrigeration system that Carrier had designed, constructed, built, and installed. Each day, relief-seeking movie patrons would flock to the Rivoli.

Other theaters followed suit, and soon department stores and office buildings were installing their own units.

Before World War II, many Americans cooled their houses with “swamp coolers,” devices that featured a fan blowing air through a dampened screen or pad.

Then, understandably, people came to desire — well, demand — refrigerated relief in their own homes, first in the form of room air conditioners, most of which sat on a window ledge.

Early models were costly but, following World War II and with mass production, the sale of reasonably priced portable units skyrocketed from 74,000 units in 1948 to over 1 million in just five years’ time.

Carrier’s invention not only changed people’s comfort levels, but it also brought about a demographic upheaval. With the advent of home refrigeration in the 1950s, places such as Arizona exploded with unbridled growth.

By the mid-1990s, Phoenix home builders were erecting 30,000 new structures annually, and the town (now America’s fifth-largest city) crept inexorably into the desert at the rate of 1 acre per hour.

Today, about 87% of all U.S. homes have refrigeration, with 65% being central-air units and 22% being window or portable coolers.

Comfort has had a price tag attached, though. The downside to Carrier’s brainchild is that it devours electricity and strains our energy supplies.

Also, over the decades, chemicals used in cooling have added to the damage done in the Earth’s ozone layer by global warming.

Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Troop Donates Girl Scout Cookies to United Zion Residents United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz recently received nearly 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for residents and employees caring for a high-risk population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Troop 70246 was unable to set up their normal stand and sell cookies, so they asked friends and family to buy and donate the cookies to local retirement communities.

Troop 70246 is made up of sixth-grade girls

Resident Ruth Steely selected Samos to have as an after-lunch treat.

Resident Richard Fleckenstein enjoyed his favorite Girl Scout cookies — Thin Mints!

in Warwick School District.

Staff delivered the cookies, along with milk, to UZRC residents. This unexpected gift lifted spirits across campus.

United Zion Retirement Community residents and employees expressed their gratitude to Troop 70246 and praised their gesture as an example of “the type of selfless acts that highlight the strength of the American spirit, especially during hard times.”

Volunteer spotlight from page 25 afraid of adults because of negative experiences or underlying mental health issues. Some kids open up right away, while others take more time.

Doyle previously worked with disadvantaged youth as a volunteer counselor at a day camp, helped with roadside trash cleanup, and is a regular donor at the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank.

Born in Harvey, Illinois, Doyle went to undergraduate school in Seattle; law school in Morgantown, West Virginia; and, before he moved to Pennsylvania in 1988, he lived in South Dakota. He has been married to his wife, Nora, for nearly 45 years www.50plusLifePA.com

and enjoys reading, traveling, and gardening.

The Cumberland County CASA program trains and supports volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected and are involved in the dependency court system.

RSVP of the Capital Region recruits volunteers for local nonprofits such as CASA and passionately promotes seniors as powerful contributors to our neighborhoods and community organizations. For more information, call (717) 541-9521 or visit www.rsvpcapreg.org.

50plus LIFE

Helping You Generate Leads!

Sponsor and exhibitor reservations now being accepted.

100

$

exhibsponsor a OFF n itor a pplicad until tions 7/ 31/20

E Sept. 19, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lebanon Expo Center

80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon Please join us as a sponsor or exhibitor for the eighth annual Lebanon County Women’s Expo this fall.

Women of all ages have enjoyed these annual events, finding helpful information for all the hats they wear in their everyday lives, including:

Health & Wellness Finance • Home Technology Beauty • Nutrition Spa Treatments

and more!

Face-to-face in a comfortable environment.

FREE advance guest registration online. ($5 at the door.)

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717.285.1350

www.aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com

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Reach Active, Affluent Boomers & Seniors!

Sponsor and exhibitor applications are now being accepted!

100

$ Reserve your space now for the 24th Annual

s O exhibi ponsor and FF tor app licatio until ns 7/31/2 0

LANCASTER COUNTY

Sept. 16, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Spooky Nook Sports 2913 Spooky Nook Road, Manheim Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes

Why Participate?

Premier events for baby boomers, caregivers, and seniors • Face-to-face interaction with 3,000+ attendees • Strengthen brand recognition/launch new products

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For sponsorship and exhibitor information: (717) 285-1350

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3 Reasons You May Not Work as Long as Planned

By Pamela Yellen If you are among the many Americans planning to work past age 65 to help make up for a shortfall in retirement savings, some recent studies should give you pause to rethink those plans.

There’s a good chance you may be forced to retire sooner than you expect, according to research from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

The share of workers who say they expect to work past age 65 rose from 16% in 1991 to 48% in 2018. But the study shows that 37% of all workers end up retiring earlier than they had planned.

On average, 21% of all workers say they intend to work to age 66 or later. Yet more than half of them fail to reach this target.

“Many workers seem to have gotten the message that working longer may be necessary to boost their retirement security,” the study’s authors state. “But such intentions often go awry.”

Why are hardworking Americans retiring earlier than they had planned? Here are the three most common reasons: 1. Health shocks are the primary reason people are not able to work as long as they had planned. People are forced to retire early due to existing health conditions or major health problems that they develop as they age.

“This analysis suggests that health likely plays the largest role in early retirement, both because people in bad initial health overestimate how

long they can work and because health often worsens before the age at which they planned to retire,” the study says.

2. Employment shocks are the second most common reason folks don’t work as long as they want or need to.

They may lose a job due to a layoff or business closing and not be able to find a new job. Or they may find one that is not a good fit and be forced to quit.

3. Family shocks include a spouse’s employment or retirement, changes in marital status, having to care for a parent or grandchild, and other upheavals that make it unrealistic to keep working.

“The big takeaway is that changes in health are quite common, as are spousal retirements, marital status changes, and large swings in wealth (which is largely because people have little wealth to begin with),” the study states.

Nobody thinks a forced early retirement will happen to them, but more than half of the people who think that are wrong.

However, there are steps you can take today to help you plan for an uncertain future. Here are three: 1. Assume you will have to retire earlier than you planned.

Chances are better than 50-50 that retirement will come sooner than you want. please see Work page 33

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Please join us for these annual events!

Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes

Reach Active, Affluent Boomers & Seniors!

Sponsor and exhibitor applications are now being accepted!

21st Annual

DAUPHIN COUNTY

100

$

July 15, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Reserve your space now for the 21st Annual

Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive, Hershey Brought to you by:

PRINCIPAL SponsorS:

SEMINAR Sponsor: Madden Physical Therapy

Supporting Sponsors: Bath Fitter Highmark Blue Shield Orthopedic Institute of PA

s O exhibi ponsor and FF tor app licatio until ns 7/31/2 0

Media Sponsor:

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Oct. 14, 2020

www.50plusExpoPA.com

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street, Carlisle

7th Annual

August 29, 2020

Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes

Why Participate?

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive, Hershey Supporting Sponsors: Bath Fitter Homeland at Home

SEMINAR Sponsors: BeBalanced Thrivent Financial

VISITOR BAG SPONSOR: UPMC Pinnacle

Premier events for baby boomers, caregivers, and seniors • Face-to-face interaction with 3,000+ attendees • Strengthen brand recognition/launch new products

Media SPONSORS:

www.aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com

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For sponsorship and exhibitor information: (717) 770-0140

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Principal Sponsors:

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(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240 www.50plusLifePA.com

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www.50plusExpoPA.com

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

31

Traveltizers

Lost and Found in Rural America

By Andrea Gross

I was looking for cows when I saw my first various service organizations, art guilds, or adbarn quilt. hoc groups became involved. They published It happened like this: My husband and I brochures that helped visitors explore the back were fresh off a tour of Oregon’s Tillamook roads and introduced them not only to their Cheese Factory when we decided we wanted to mom-and-pop shops and eateries, but also to photograph some of the venerable cows that, their history and culture. according to our tour guide, were the secret Donna Sue Groves had, quite accidentally, behind the famous cheese. founded a movement. Today there are more than So there we were, moseying the back roads, 7,000 quilt squares throughout the United States looking for a picturesque cow, when we spotted and Canada, forming a trail of barn quilts that a cowless but extremely picturesque barn. On goes from coast to coast. the white siding below its green gambrel roof For the small towns, the trails bring muchit had a huge geometric painting that looked needed and much-appreciated customers. For just like one of the squares that make up oldtravelers, they are a way to see a part of America Quilt trails entice people to visit small towns such as Middleburgh, N.Y., where folks can find high-quality, fashioned quilts. that is truly off the beaten track. locally produced crafts.

We snapped a picture and drove on. A minute This is our type of travel — different, later, we spotted another unpredictable, and most of all, barn adorned with another personal — and finding barn brightly colored square. quilts has become an integral We drove back into town. part of our trip-planning This time we saw what we’d process. missed before: There was a First we go to Barn Quilt painted quilt square on the Info (www.barnquiltinfo. steepled white church that com), the website put up anchored the downtown

by Suzi Parron, a former area.

English teacher who became As we soon learned, so enamored with barn quilts we’d stumbled onto the that she now spends most Tillamook County Barn of her time promoting the Quilt Trail, one of an movement. informal network of Then we click onto the A barn in Tillamook, Ore., typifies those Ginny Schaum incorporated her family found along the nation’s quilt trails. history into a fabric quilt that depicts delightfully decorated farm states we’ll be visiting, barns on New York’s Schoharie County buildings, homes, and shops identify the counties that Quilt Trail. that have sprung up across have the most developed quilt the country, brightening rural roads and enlivening rural trails, and tweak our itinerary communities. so we can visit at least one, often two.

The first quilt square was painted in 2001 on an old Sometimes we call or email in advance to get tips from tobacco barn in southern Ohio. Donna Sue Groves and a local resident. Ginny Schaum, who works with the her mother wanted to spruce up their weathered barn, barn quilt trail in Schoharie, New York, advised us to eat and adorning it with the lively colors and patterns of at the town’s Apple Barrel Café, where every sandwich an old quilt seemed the perfect way to do so, a way of has a slice of apple. Great idea. honoring their Appalachian heritage.

A woman associated with Georgia’s Southern Quilt One thing led to another. Neighbors liked the idea; Trail helped us map a route that would take us past the they began decorating their barns as well. Soon travelers most historically interesting barns. More great ideas. who normally would have stayed on the interstate that Other times, we just drop by the local visitor center bypassed Adams County exited so they could see the and ask for suggestions. We had no trouble picking up folk-art barns. Some of them stayed and had lunch or a brochure at the Fort Morgan, Colorado, Chamber of The quilt square on St. Peter purchased locally made crafts.

Commerce, but despite the map, we got lost twice on our Lutheran Church brightens the Other communities took note. In many cases, way to Nancy Lauck’s barn, which was almost hidden by downtown area of Tillamook, Ore.

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the tall brush.

Finally, our perseverance paid off. Lauck’s barn has a long, shallow roof that won’t accommodate a large square, so she has created a “clothesline” of 16 squares that parade across the upper roofline.

But most of the time we depend on serendipity to guide us, as when we stopped to admire a barn, fell into a conversation with its owner, and ended up accompanying him for a day of spectacular birding.

Help readers find you — Be included in your county’s most affordable annual directory of local resources.

And sometimes we just get purposely lost.

It’s the best way we’ve found to see, and better understand, the country beyond the freeways.

To help children appreciate their heritage, folks on the Southern Quilt Trail often involve students when making barn squares. A particular favorite of the students is “Sunbonnet Sue,” a pattern that dates back to the early 1900s.

For more facts and photos about barn quilts, see the Featured Special section of the Traveltizers website: www. traveltizers.com.

Photos by Irv Green.

Shops featuring everything from quilted placemats to full-size bed quilts are found in many of the small towns along the nation’s quilt trails.

delivers information about essential local resources, including health and wellness, legal, financial, home improvements, leisure, and, of course, living and care.

Make sure you’re there!

• More information than ever is available to consumers. This publication zeroes in on a targeted market rather than using blanket advertising.

•

is a collection of businesses that understands the mindset, special needs, and wants of older adults and who are willing to personalize their approach to the consumer.

•

is not comprehensive: Because there are fewer organizations listed than in the Yellow Pages or on the internet, you are more likely to get noticed.

Work from page 30 2. Save more each year, starting now. A new study by the Stanford Center on Longevity recommends people save 10-17% of their income just for retirement.

3. Don’t risk what you can’t afford to lose. Having your retirement savings in stocks and other volatile investments is a recipe for disaster if markets collapse as you are preparing to retire or soon afterward.

You’ve heard the disclaimer “past performance is no guarantee of future results.” Now is the time to act upon it and diversify your retirement savings.

Save a big chunk of your retirement money where it’s guaranteed to be safe against market risk and where you’ll receive competitive growth of your money.

There’s a good chance that you will find yourself forced to stop working sooner than you had planned. But you can take steps now to increase your financial security no matter what your future holds.

Pamela Yellen is founder of Bank On Yourself, a financial investigator, and the author of two New York Times bestselling books, including her latest, The Bank On Yourself Revolution: Fire Your Banker, Bypass Wall Street, and Take Control of Your Own Financial Future. Visit www.BankOnYourself.com.

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• The directory is cross-promoted in 50plus LIFE and in On-Line maximum Publishers’ other publications, giving exposure.

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Celebrating 25 years serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community. Please ask about our special anniversary rates!

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* * * Ad closing dates: * * * Cumberland County – July 10 Lebanon County – September 11 Contact your marketing consultant or call 717-285-1350 now to be included in this vital annual directory.

717-285-1350 • 717-770-0140 • 610-675-6240 info@onlinepub.com • www.onlinepub.com

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

33

Hearing Highlights Bills to Stop COVID Spread in Nursing Homes In a recent hearing entitled, “Caring for Seniors amid the COVID-19 Crisis,” U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, highlighted legislative proposals to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.

The proposals would also expand the availability of home- and community-based services and provide premium pay for essential workers on the front lines of the public health crisis.

More than 105 million Americans, including seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals with underlying health conditions, are at a greater risk of serious complications if infected with COVID-19.

Nursing home residents have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and according to reports, more than 34,000 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19.

Casey has put forward four legislative proposals: 1. The Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act would help low-income seniors afford the cost of treatment for COVID-19 and ensure seniors and people with disabilities maintain access to home care services that allow them to live independently.

2. The Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act would help states purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing and fund premium pay, overtime, and other essential benefits for nursing home workers.

3. The COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” would provide a $13 per hour premium pay increase for essential workers, including hospital workers, nursing home workers, and workers providing home- and community-based services.

4. The COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act would ensure seamless access to Social Security, Medicare, and nutrition benefits during the public health emergency and provide funding for senior legal services and education on COVID-19 frauds and scams.

Witnesses for the hearing included Mark J. Mulligan, M.D., professor, Department of Medicine at Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Langone Vaccine Center, New York University; Steven H. Landers, M.D., M.P.H., president and CEO, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, Inc.; and R. Tamara Konetzka, Ph.D., professor of health services research, Department of Public Health Services, University of Chicago.

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Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

June 2020

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This is JuJu’s superpower.

Giving kids like JuJu the best chance for a brighter future.

This is why we’re continuing to innovate, expand and invest in the people of central PA, and why we’re always raising the bar on advanced care at our Children’s Hospital.

Because this is the health we need to live the way we want.

This is Penn State Health.

pennstatehealth.org/ChildrensHeart

CHI-14410-19-106901-0119