April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and as such I have been studying the condition to see if there is anything new or of interest, especially in the way of natural medicine.
Parkinson’s disease impacts 10 million people worldwide, and each year, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with it.
Men seem to be more likely to develop the condition, but according to a new prevalence study, as the population ages, the number of people diagnosed with PD increases with age, regardless of sex.
I looked at a prevalence map, and Montana and North Dakota have the fewest number of people with PD (about 1,400 and 2,000 people, respectively), whereas California and Florida top the list with the most people with the disease (85,000 and 64,000 people, respectively).
There are websites offering much more detail regarding symptoms of PD, but a few telltale signs include tremor in the hands, slowed
Maintaining the independence and quality of life for Lancaster County’s aging population through information, protection, services, and community support
Our Philosophy:
u Support the older person’s right to decide his/her own destiny. Encourage consumer self-determination and choice.
u Support the older person’s right to risk.
u Promote independence and dignity.
u Avoid unnecessary/inappropriate institutionalization.
movements, muscle rigidity, poor balance, fatigue, or a distorted sense of smell.
Among the cognitive signs and symptoms, you may have disturbing dreams, restless sleep, confusion at night, anxiety, dementia, or difficulty with comprehension.
I could write a book on the medications and how to use them properly, but that is not the focus of my article. I’m planning to give you nutritional options and some understanding of vitamin deficiencies and how that impacts your prognosis.
During my research, I discovered some interesting findings about nutrients that might be useful for you. Here are some nutrients that may play an important adjunctive role in your PD protocol:
Vitamin B12 (or methylcobalamin). We know that the B-complex family of vitamins is
please see NUTRITIONAL on facing page
About Us – The Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA) was established 45 years ago as a 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:
• Information and referral services
• Long-term living assessments
• Home and community-based support services
• Protection from abuse and neglect
• APPRISE, Medicare, and related health insurance counseling
• 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.
Celebrate National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April, by planting new trees and caring for established ones in your landscape and community.
This special holiday was first established in 1872. Arbor Day celebrations continue to recognize the important role trees play in our environment and, more recently, their impact on our mental and emotional well-being.
These long-lived members of our landscapes and communities help combat flooding, shade our homes, reduce energy use, remove pollutants from the air, and so much more. According to the USDA Forest Service, properly placed trees around buildings can help reduce air conditioning requirements by 30% and save 20-50% on energy used for heating. Trees also help improve water quality and reduce flooding. They lessen the impact of storm water by intercepting rainfall and then absorbing and transpiring moisture from the soil into the air. Their canopies divert and slow rainfall’s velocity before it hits the ground. This reduces runoff and erosion, allowing more water to be absorbed by the soil instead of overwhelming our storm sewers.
National Arbor Day is April 28
Spending time among the trees also helps boost our immune systems. Studies reveal tree-filled landscapes help decrease domestic conflict, as well as aggression and violence at schools. A mindful walk through the woods, known as forest bathing, helps reduce blood pressure and stress. It increases focus and energy levels, improves sleep, and much more.
When planting new trees, make sure to select ones that will fit in the space when mature and thrive in the growing conditions. Look for those that provide multiple seasons of beauty and support birds and pollinators as they deliver their many other environmental benefits.
NUTRITIONAL from facing page
important for proper nerve health. There is an important relationship between B12 specifically and Parkinson’s.
We also know that people with peripheral neuropathy are often deficient in B12. And it’s not just peripheral; there was a study in 2014 that found that B12 deficiency is one cause of small fiber neuropathy. Test yourself with a methylmalonic acid test along with a serum B12 test.
Vitamin D. A 2019 study was among several others that determined vitamin D deficiency could impact the outcome for people with PD. Keeping levels of D high enough is difficult for the elderly. It’s hard to get enough sunlight, and even if they do, their body doesn’t sulfate it, or convert it properly, due to mild liver or kidney compromise.
Select a planting location away from overhead and underground utilities to avoid future conflicts. Always call 811, a free underground-utility-locating service, at least three business days before putting the first shovel in the ground.
Water new plantings thoroughly when the top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to apply the water directly to the soil. Even established trees need to be watered during dry periods. Apply 10 gallons of water for every inch of the trunk’s diameter when the top 4-6 inches begin to dry.
Prevent hungry critters from dining on new and existing plantings. Apply an organic rain and snow-resistant animal repellent like Plantskydd (plantskydd. com). This odor-based repellent deters animals before they take a bite out of your plants.
Protect new and existing trees from mowers and weed whips. Plant perennial groundcovers under the trees, or cover the soil with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or woodchips. Be sure to keep the mulch off the trunk of the tree.
Take time not only on Arbor Day but every day to plant, tend, and enjoy trees that provide beauty, shade, and so many benefits to our daily lives and future generations. Get the whole family involved, and help improve the tree cover in your hometown so everyone benefits.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books and hosts The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything DVD serie s and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. www.melindamyers.com
Fish oil. Sometimes tremors respond to DHA fish oil, and this could be a promising strategy to slow down the progression. Remember, even if our PD drugs are useful, they don’t cure it, so this natural omega-3 fatty acid is probably safe and might be slightly effective for the management of tremors and other symptoms in the early stages. Ask your doctor, of course, because fish oils are blood thinners.
If you would like to know more about this, I can email you a longer version of this article; sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com.
This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.
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Instead of following the yellow brick road to this magical destination, you will have to travel a portion of the Akron Rail Trail. But the journey is worth it once you come upon the delightful home of Nibbles McGibbles and his merry band of gnome friends.
The brainchild of Akron native Don Reese, this gnome village has become a “rail trail destination and has been visited by thousands of people,” Reese said. “They all say it is the highlight of their trail experience, a place that offers an escape from the hectic world around us and transports them to a place where your imagination can run wild.”
The gnome village grew from the humble beginnings of one tree stump on the hill of Reese’s property that he thought had to be removed before the rail trail was completed.
“Turns out, the stump was as solid as a rock, so I went with plan B and made a little house out of it with a couple of gnomes as residents,” Reese said.
The head gnome in charge, though, is Nibbles McGibbles.
Member of
“His life story is simply me recalling what Nibbles himself shared when he first arrived from Austria,” Reese said. “We conducted a thorough background check, which he needed to pass to reside in the village.”
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The only trouble Nibbles ever got into, according to Reese, was at “Octoberfest in Zurich back in the 1800s, where an inebriated Nibbles took off his lederhosen and danced down Main Street.”
Even though it was just one stump turned into a home for gnomes, Reese said that every time he was in his backyard, he could hear people laughing and taking photos of the gnome house.
“I thought, why not add another building?” he said. “That unleashed a cascade of ideas, and little by little it became the gnome village.”
Reese, also a professional photographer and artist, has always enjoyed the creative process. The village was just one more way for him to share that creativity, and it continues to provide an opportunity to “put a smile on the faces” of the many people who walk the trail, he said.
“The village, much like my photography, is an outlet to share the creative gifts God has blessed me with.”
He and his wife both enjoy landscaping, so working on the village is a fun way for them to imagine something together.
“I do 99% of everything, except the occasional sign my wife paints for me,” he said. “It is a lot of work keeping things clean and fresh … it’s also extra challenging building things on a hill.”
Everything he has built has begun with a crude drawing.
“I just dive in and build as I go, and it has always worked out,” Reese said. “I come up with the décor and do all the upkeep myself. Unfortunately, though, I am getting older and less energetic, but although I have had offers of help, I like being a one-man show where success or failure falls directly on me alone.”
Reese has heard countless stories over the years from people who have expressed “how my village has lifted their spirits,” he said. “I also have had people tell me about a loved one who passed that just loved coming to the village. A little while back I was going to close, but a father stopped while I was working to tell me he reads a new gnome story to his 2-year-old son every night because he loves visiting so much!”
Spring brings pops of pastel colors and whimsical touches to Reese’s village.
“I usually have a bunny wedding in the hobbit hole and a few springy items, and my dragonflies may be up,” Reese said.
Other village features for spring and summer include bicycles, hot air balloons, large flowers, and the life-size fairy Alexandrite.
“You never know what you might see at the gnome village,” Reese said.
The other seasons are well represented in the village too.
Autumn brings its beautiful colors and crisp air to the tiny residents. Reese has also created a Veterans Day tribute, where he lined the trail with luminaries.
“I had a patriotic display set up with music playing, some chocolate treats, and a small fire pit for warmth,” Reese said. “I noticed one lady was actually crying, and she told me she lost someone special in the war, and the tribute meant so much to her.”
And, of course, the gnomes have gotten in the holiday spirit come December.
“I used to do a Christmas display where Santa and his elves would be working in the hobbit hole,” Reese said.
“I also had a mailbox for Santa letters, and kids would amaze me with their notes. One little girl listed several toys she wanted but wrote that if her list was too long, please make sure to take care of other kids in need first.”
The gnome village has featured some funny displays as well, and Reese enjoys playing with those visitors who are fooled by his antics.
Don Reese’s gnome village is located along the Akron Rail Trail, approximately halfway between Main Street and Fulton Street in Akron. The closest parking is along Front Street, which runs parallel to the trail.
“I made a tiny doghouse with a huge chain and a huge tail coming out of the house. I said the guard dog was a mix of Chihuahua and Great Dane, and despite my ridiculous clues, some still believed we had a real guard dog living in there,” Reese said.
Although he could never have dreamed that his little gnome village, overseen by Nibbles McGibbles himself, would have become such a sought-out destination for those who visit the trail, Reese is glad it provides an opportunity for people
to unplug, to get outside and spend time with others while enjoying the fruits of his labors.
“I encourage everyone to reduce their phone time, social media, etc., and actually strive to be a positive force in the world with the gifts you have been given,” he said. “I look back at prior generations and see what they created by having passion for something greater than themselves, and it is mind-blowing what men and women have achieved.
“We are no different in our potential, but we have to be careful, or the myriad distractions we face can rob us of the limited time we all have.”
Award-winning sommelier, author, radio personality, and comedian Laurie Forster will present “Something to Wine About” at the first-ever York County Women’s Expo on Saturday, May 6, at the York Expo Center.
During her free seminar at noon, Forster will share her journey from the suburbs of New Jersey to software sales executive to awardwinning sommelier. She will reveal a few lessons she learned that helped her create a business and a life centered on her passion for food and wine.
Despite her position as one of America’s leading wine experts, Forster is not afraid to admit her first wine came from a box. Her wine career began in Manhattan, where she studied with the American Sommelier Association to obtain her certificate in viticulture and vinification.
Forster has since earned an advanced certificate with merit from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. She has also trained with the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.
Forster is the author of the award-winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine, and her mobile application “The Wine Coach” was listed as one of the Top Eight Wine Apps in Wine Enthusiast magazine.
During her Women’s Expo appearance, sponsored by the PA Beef Council, Forster will use her down-to-earth approach to “wine education” to demystify some of the secrets of the wine industry and why she thinks it’s so funny.
Guests will leave the discussion more confident about the wines they like and will understand more about pairing food with wine.
Beef and wine samples will be served immediately following Forster’s talk. She will also be signing copies of The Sipping Point
Forster regularly speaks across the country, with a client list that includes MetLife, Discovery Channel, Microsoft, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, LG Electronics, National Association of Catering Executives, American Cancer Society, and McCormick & Company.
Her edgy approach to demystifying wine led her to guest appearances on Dr. Oz , FOX Morning News, Martha Stewart Living, Today, and ABC News at Noon
For more on Laurie Forster, visit thewinecoach.com and facebook.com/ winecoach.
Brought to you by OLP Events, the York County Women’s Expo will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the York Expo Center – Memorial Hall East, 334 Carlisle Ave., York.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit agreatwaytospendmyday.com, call (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub. com.
May 6
York Expo Center
Memorial Hall East
334 Carlisle Ave., York
Event Partner
TV personality and award-winning sommelier Laurie Forster will share her passion for food and wine. Using her down-to-earth approach to “wine education,” Laurie will demystify the wine industry and explain which foods pair best with each wine. Beef and wine samples will be served immediately following. Laurie will sign copies of her book, e Sipping Point A Crash Course in Wine
Sponsored by the PA Beef Council
June 3
Hershey Lodge
325 University Drive
Hershey
Bring your antiques and vintage thrift shop finds for an expert appraisal by Dr. Lori, star appraiser from the the History channel’s e Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America. No standing in line! Plus, Dr. Lori shares tips on how to sell your stuff for profit. Dr. Lori’s YouTube channel @DrLoriV has over 32 million views, and she reviews approximately 20,000 objects a year.
For information or to register ahead to attend, go to aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com
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Drinking in older populations has been on the rise since the baby boomers joined the senior ranks.
Seniors’ drinking is often measured and discussed using the same language as collegiate drinking. This choice in terminology is significant; it reveals there are more potential age-related dangers to alcohol consumption than addiction alone and that each group may tend to minimize them.
While most older adults imbibe alcohol at low to moderate rates, a significant percentage (27%) drink in high-risk ways, according to a Harvard study. High-risk drinking in elders is defined as three or more drinks during one occasion or more than seven drinks per week.
Elders are also binge drinking, which is having five or more drinks per occasion. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 4-5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Aging bodies are more sensitive to alcohol and respond differently from younger bodies. Seniors’ metabolism slows, so alcohol sits in organs longer. Moreover, older adults have less muscle to absorb alcohol.
As people age, they experience a decrease of water in their bodies, resulting in a higher percentage of alcohol in their blood compared to a younger person. Dehydration also compounds the risks of alcohol consumption; alcohol contributes to dehydration and affects kidney function.
Finally, many of the most common medications seniors take warn against
consuming alcohol. Some medications may become less effective, while the side effects are amplified. This is most clearly seen in medications that can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
Approximately 10-15% of people do not start drinking until they are older. Some seniors are just beginning to drink, while others who already drink begin to drink more.
Older adults often experience important existential changes that may factor into new patterns of consumption.
With retirement may come a loss of identity; they may feel as if they have lost an important part of themselves. Formerly productive people sometimes feel they have nothing to offer or that no one wants or values their contributions.
Long-term homes are left or lost, while independence may become interdependence or dependence. Financial insecurity is a major stressor, especially in times of inflation, when it becomes difficult if not impossible to afford basic needs.
Death of spouses and friends can lead to social isolation. Family dynamics change as well. Adult children may move farther away or move back home.
Numerous older adults are finding themselves as the “club sandwich” generation. “Younger seniors” may find themselves caring for their own very elderly parents, their adult children, and their grandchildren. Many are bearing
We are looking for central Pennsylvanians over age 50 who have a unique hobby, passion, or history of volunteer work, or who are a part of an interesting local club.
Ideal story candidates are willing to talk about themselves and to be photographed.
Your name: _______________________________________________________________
Your address: ____________________________________________________________________
Your phone: ________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________
Nominee’s name (if not self): ____________________________________________________________________________
Nominee’s town of residence: ___________________________________________________________________________
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Why they would make a great story: _____________________________________________________________________
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or send via mail to 50plus Life, P.O. Box 8049, Lancaster, PA 17604.
massive burdens and may seek relief with a drink to unwind, get away from it, or reward themselves.
College students often believe they are invulnerable and do not worry about the risks of alcohol. Aging seniors, on the other hand, have begun to experience new and unwanted vulnerabilities, causing them to worry less about the risks.
Older adults may no longer see a difference between the short and long terms and believe drinking is one of their last pleasures, especially if they have already given up or lost so much.
The University of Michigan Alcohol Research Center developed a screening test for older adults (see sidebar). People may take this screening privately, giving themselves permission to be honest in their answers.
Concerned family members or friends can gently introduce the screening tool, asking if they could discuss the questions together. How people discuss these questions matters enormously; it is best to strike a concerned tone rather than a judgmental one. At this early point, the focus needs to be on the person who may have a problem and not how that problem affects others.
One of the greatest challenges is identifying helpful resources, especially with a geriatric focus. Ideally, one’s primary care physician should be well informed of available services.
An excellent online resource is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov), which has links to senior-related concerns.
Peg O’Connor, Ph.D., is a recovering alcoholic of 34 years and is now a professor of philosophy in addiction studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. She is the author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications) and writes a column, “Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken,” for Psychology Today pegoconnorauthor.com
Write 1 for yes, 0 for no.
1. When talking with others, do you ever underestimate how much you drink? _____
2. After a few drinks, have you sometimes not eaten or been able to skip a meal because you didn’t feel hungry? _____
3. Does having a few drinks help decrease your shakiness or tremors? _____
4. Does alcohol sometimes make it hard for you to remember parts of the day or night? _____
5. Do you usually take a drink to relax or calm your nerves? _____
6. Do you drink to take your mind off your problems? _____
7. Have you ever increased your drinking after experiencing a loss in your life? _____
8. Has a doctor or nurse ever said they were worried or concerned about your drinking? _____
9. Have you ever made rules to manage your drinking? _____
10. When you feel lonely, does having a drink help? ____
TOTAL SMAST-G-SCORE (0-10) _______
SCORING: Two or more “yes” responses indicate a problem with alcohol.
Source: University of Michigan Alcohol Research Center
Award-winning Elvis Presley tribute artist Jeff Krick Jr. will be returning to the 50 plus EXPOs scheduled for this spring.
Krick, who appeared in several 50 plus EXPOs in 2022, will perform at:
• The Dauphin County 50 plus EXPO on April 11 at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey
• The Lancaster County 50 plus EXPO (Spring) on May 10 at the Wyndham Resort, Lancaster
• The Chester County 50 plus EXPO on June 6 at Church Farm School, Exton
At age 25, Reading native Jeff Krick Jr. is one of the most successful Elvis Presley tribute artists in the country. Krick began performing professionally as Presley at age 16.
At 19, Krick placed No. 6 in the world at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest and in the top 10 at the Images of the King Contest in Memphis. He is a two-time fan-favorite award winner and a three-time top 10 finalist at Maryland’s Ocean City Tribute Festival.
Krick has headlined cruise ships and numerous Presley music festivals. For more on Jeff Krick Jr., visit jeffkrickjr.com.
The 50 plus EXPOs will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, call (717) 285-1350 or visit 50plusexpopa.com.
• Your focused message reaches its targeted audience.
• Multi-venue promotion — online, in print, and through social media platforms.
• Year-round distribution — annual Women’s Expos and 50 plus EXPOs, local offices of aging, and other popular venues.
Brave feline Leo is now the longestterm resident at the Lancaster Center. Leo (short for Leona) arrived at the Lancaster Center just before Christmas.
She spent the first month of her stay huddled under beds and blankets. It wasn’t until recently that Leo began to venture out and show off her beautiful self.
Eight-year-old Leo prefers to be the only pet in your life but doesn’t mind having other cats around as long as they respect her space. A calm home with cat-loving humans would be “purrfect” for Leo.
Please send your application to the Lancaster Center for Animal Life-Saving at adoptlancaster@humanepa.org, or give the shelter a call at (717) 393-6551 to learn more.
Affordable housing for those 62 and older, located in beautiful, historic Marietta
Rents start at $846 and include all utilities (heat, electric, water, sewer, trash), off-street parking, on-site laundry, community room, and community garden. Two-bedrooms start at $1,015.
For applications and information, please contact: Community Basics, Inc. 717-735-9590 or info@communitybasics.com
601 East Market Street Marietta
Affordable housing for those 62 and older, located in beautiful, Warwick Woodlands New Saxony Ridge Apartments. Spacious 2-Bedroom apartments, $992 per month, includes all utilities (heat, electric, water, sewer, trash), onsite laundry, community room, outdoor seating area on each floor, fitness room, activity/ game room. The minimum yearly household income to qualify is $23,808. Maximum yearly household income for 1 person is $31,600 and the maximum yearly combined household income for 2 people is $36,100
For applications and information, please contact: Community Basics, Inc. 717-735-9590 or info@communitybasics.com
615 W Sixth St, Lititz
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.
(570) 523-1810
www.dedicatednurses.com
Home Aides: Yes
Year Est.: 2006
Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York
RNs: Yes
LPNs: Yes
CNAs: Yes
Medicare Certified?: Yes
Other Certifications and Services: DNA is dedicated to all of your homecare needs. Our services include, but are not limited to: bathing, dressing, feeding, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands, respite, community integration, socialization, recreational activities, and appointments.
(717) 832-2222
www.homeinstead.com/696
Year Est.: 2010
Counties Served: Lancaster
RNs: No
LPNs: No
CNAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
HOMESTEAD VILLAgE HOME C ARE
(717) 397-3044
www.homesteadvillage.org/home-care
Medicare Certified: No
Other Certifications and Services:
Homestead Village is a local name you trust. Now offering homecare services that come to you! Support after surgery, support with pet care, companion transportation, meal prep, laundry, housekeeping, and more!
PATRIOT HOME CARE
(717) 406-2537
www.patriothomecare.org
Year Est.: 2008
Counties Served: Lebanon
RNs: No
LPNs: No
CNAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
Medicare Certified?: No
Other Certifications and Services: Respite care, companionship, light housekeeping, personal care, medicine reminders, meal prep, dress assist, transport services, community engagement.
www.homelandathome.org
Year Est.: 2018
Counties Served: Adams, Berks, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, York
RNs: No
LPNs: No
CNAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
Medicare Certified?: No
Other Certifications and Services: Act 150, aging waiver, OBRA waiver, COMMCARE waiver, independent waiver, and attendant care waiver. Meal prep, companionship, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, errands, bathing, community engagement, and personal care.
SENIOR LIfE YORk
SENIOR LIfE HARRISbuRg
(717) 757-5433
www.seniorlifepa.com
Homeland Hospice: (717) 221-7890
Year Est.: 2008
Homeland HomeCare: (717) 221-7892
Year Est.: 2016
Homeland HomeHealth: (717) 412-0166
Year Est.: 2017
Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland*, Dauphin*, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon*, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry*, Schuylkill, Snyder, York*
*Homeland HomeHealth currently serves five of 14 counties.
RNs: Yes
LPNs: Yes
CNAs/Home Aides: Yes
Direct Care Workers: Yes
PT/OT/Speech Therapists: Yes
Social Workers: Yes
Spiritual Counselors: Yes
Complementary Therapies: Yes
Medicare Certified: Yes
Other Certifications and Services: Homeland at Home is a community outreach of Homeland Center, a nonprofit CCRC that has served our region with excellent and benevolent care since 1867.
Our expert team is dedicated to providing a continuum of At Home services—from nonmedical personal assistance to skilled nursing and compassionate care. We are privileged to care for you and your loved ones … any place you call “home.”
We offer 13 months of bereavement support as well as community and staff educational programs. Please call for details.
Year Est.: 2006
Counties Served: Dauphin, York
RNs: Yes
LPNs: Yes
CNAs: Yes
Home Aides: Yes
Medicare Certified: Yes
Other Certifications and Services: Physicians; specialists; nursing care; physical, occupational, and speech therapies; personal and home care; medications; meals and nutritional counseling; eye, dental, and foot care; durable medical equipment; and other medically necessary services.
SPIRITRuST LuTHERAN HOME CARE & HOSPICE (800) 840-9081
www.spiritrustlutheran.org
Year Est.: 1978
Counties Served: South central through northeastern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland
RNs: Yes
LPNs: Yes
CNAs: Yes
Home Aides: Yes
Medicare Certified?: Yes
Other Certifications and Services: Home health care, in-home support, hospice care, palliative care, grief support, medicaid certified. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
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.
VISITINg ANgELS
(717) 652-8899
www.visitingangels.com/harrisburg
Year Est.: 2003
Counties Served: Cumberland, Dauphin
RNs: No
LPNs: No
CNAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
Medicare Certified?: No
Other Certifications and Services: Visiting Angels is a leading provider of elder care since 1998. We help older adults live independently and comfortably in their own homes. Services are customized and tailored for best outcomes.
I have enjoyed seeing several eastern coyotes at Lake Onalaska off the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, at Rowe Sanctuary along the Platte River in Nebraska, at deer feeders in Maine and Iowa, and at other places through live cameras and our home computer screens.
To me, they are impressive as they trot along, tirelessly. I admire them.
Eastern coyotes are intelligent, adaptable, and opportunistic and explore every niche of every habitat, including in fields, suburbs, and big cities throughout the United States, including southeastern Pennsylvania. Those traits make them successful as a species.
But coyotes are mostly nocturnal; they are cunning and seldom seen. Many folks don’t know they have coyote neighbors, including in this area.
These adaptable, handsome creatures are about the size of medium-sized dogs but are leaner and longer-legged. And coyotes have keen senses.
They are skilled hunters of a variety of wildlife, including rodents and rabbits. But eastern coyotes also ingest berries and fruit, birds’ eggs, road-killed animals, and garbage. And they prey on smaller domestic animals.
Their eating most anything, most anywhere, is another reason for their success across North America.
Eastern coyotes have a mixed ancestry. They descended from coyotes in the deserts of the American Southwest, an area free of wolves. But as wolves were exterminated in the American West, desert coyotes spread north into southern Canada, where some mated with wolves.
The young were bigger than their coyote parents. And those coyote/wolf descendants spread into eastern Canada and the United States.
Some coyotes mate with dogs, which descended from wolves. Coyotes, wolves,
and dogs are closely related and interbreed, with fertile young, which adds to the genetic mix. Like wolves, eastern coyotes hunt wildlife in family groups and howl to rally family members together. Efforts are made to eradicate eastern coyotes, but to no avail. Their intelligence and adaptability serve them well.
Eastern coyotes, like their relatives worldwide, are intriguing and admirable. Some eastern coyotes could be readers’ neighbors, wherever you live. Long live eastern coyotes, which are a mix of coyote, wolf, and dog heredity.
Today’s jewelry trends cater to designs that are dainty, diminutive, demure. That was not the case in the 1980s. Big, brash, bold, powerful statement jewelry was popular in the decade when Michael J. Fox went Back to the Future
Jewelry of the 1980s had an evident structure and weight. Large pieces, like big, gold cuff bracelets and bold Cuban-link necklaces, were in vogue as ’80s supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Kathy Ireland, Iman, Renee Simonsen, and Elle Macpherson struck a pose.
The 1980s saw great change, particularly in the realm of all things shiny and bright — that is, jewelry. These trends were
sparked by artists, designers, and even celebrities.
Madonna, the singer/ songwriter/entertainer, made rosary beads a fashion statement in the 1980s. Once viewed as old fashioned, the religious beads associated with Christian prayer were worn as an accessory amid big hairstyles and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.
In addition, celebs and fashionistas of the 1980s wore oversized hoop earrings; mammoth, chain-link necklaces; neon; and jelly bracelets.
Other jewelry trends included single-strand pearl necklaces worn over Fair Isle sweaters; bold, gold jewelry pieces with silk blouses; diamond tennis bracelets for the preppy set; and for the beachcombers, sporty Swatch wristwatches and the ever-popular cowrie and puka shell necklaces.
Another fashion trendsetter, Great Britain’s Princess Diana, wore large, faceted-cut, prong-set choker necklaces and cocktail rings of high-quality gemstones. Her famous engagement ring featured at her 1981 wedding was an impressive blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds, which is now worn by HRH Princess Catherine.
Like Diana, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson had an equally showy ruby engagement ring featuring diamonds. The ruby color recalled the Duchess’s red hair.
Following the royals’ lead, many 1980s jewelry enthusiasts around the world wore both real and costume jewelry in the big, bold style, featuring prong-set gemstones of alluring colors ranging from emeralds to colorful diamonds.
As we approached the end of the 20th century, major cultural changes took place. Power players in the market were not men buying jewelry gifts for others but, in fact, working women, who became the main customers for jewelry designers.
Working women, while still enjoying gifts of jewelry, began also purchasing it for themselves instead of waiting to receive bling from a loved one on a special occasion.
Prior to the ’80s, fine jewelry was not marketed specifically by brand. But this movement opened the jewelry world to designers who were catering to women directly. It sparked the rise of women as fine jewelry designers too.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide and appears on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America. Visit www.drloriv.com, watch her Real Bargains show on youtube.com/drloriv, or call (888) 431-1010.
On a recent Sunday morning, cars were parked all over our short residential street. All 15 houses, built circa 1926, had parking spaces blocked, save for the driveways. This irritant was because of an estate-sale blowout at the house on our street corner.
I decided to walk down and confirm it was more than garden gnomes that could bring out such a crowd on a dreary morning.
The sign at the property’s entrance had more rules than a motel-pool warning notice. I only remember its commandment that CARS SHOULD NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS. Right away the garage caught my attention, as it was completely stuffed with piled-high furniture — not exactly an Ethan Allen gallery.
The garage was just the appetizer for hungry bargain hunters. The main course was in the living room. I first noticed a tourist gift shop’s worth of figurines displayed on several tables. I was drawn to a Boston terrier piece, as we collect them, being Boston owners. Alas, I didn’t think we needed another one and left it alone.
I didn’t wander into the kitchen, but I’m sure all culinary items were for sale except for the kitchen sink.
After leaving this sale and then suffering my wife’s chagrin for not adding to our Smithsonian of a Boston terrier collection, I did have to take stock of how our neighbor’s enormous clutter was transformed into a giant, professional estate sale.
I pondered how we will impossibly triage our cluttered stuff, accumulated over 35 years, such as the now-quaint family photo albums, our kids’ gold-star worksheets from elementary school, dubious unopened gifts, languished door prizes, two huge storage bins of old-but-once-important folders, gardening and kitchen implements our kids will politely refuse, furniture that won’t fit our downsizing, and 30 years of pet smells.
The corner house on our street was a multi-generation home spanning over 40 years; its vacancy leaves us as still only the fourth-oldest household on the street. Thus, my wife and I have recently discussed whether we want to have the grand/dubious distinction of being possibly the last house left from when we moved here in the 1980s.
Working against us becoming the neighborhood old-timers are several facts: our home is too big for two; taxes are too high; and we are disinclined to become crotchety “get off my lawn unless you have a leaf blower” oldsters.
The pros of staying in our house until we are carried out are: a smaller home in our area would be expensive; we could charm newcomers with tales of when the town was dry and basements were wet; and we could procrastinate cleaning out our home forever.
Perhaps the last, but certainly not least, factor in deciding whether to sell earlier rather than later is our integration into the neighborhood today as opposed to our heyday as parents of school-age kids. Those were the days when everyone knew your name and your kids’ teachers’ names.
Today, though, as neighborhood elders, we know fewer names and look on wistfully as the coffee-clutching parental group bids goodbye to the school bus. We feel so off-the-current of activity here that our lights are dark on Halloween,
with not even a perfunctory outdoor pumpkin.
That said, perhaps by working toward becoming a lovable old couple, we could flourish in our neighborhood and stay until we have The Last House Left. We could resume going to the annual block party that is a September ritual. We were regular attendees until our kids belatedly outgrew the piñata smashing.
Not sure how our pendulum will swing in the next few years, but it’s more likely, health willing, that we will be hosting neighbors on our porch — who want know what the neighborhood was like when Reagan was president — than suffering in the midst of “packrat withdrawal,” cursing Marie Kondo as we start the downsizing ordeal.
Today the decorated egg is a well-recognized Easter symbol. Many of us have spent Easter week boiling eggs to paint in colors from pastel to army green (the result of mixing all the colors together).
Some of us don’t really care about the hardboiled egg itself, and with the current cost of eggs, we may be more judicious.
Many cultures have decorated eggs; eggs with scratched designs have been discovered that date back to the middle Stone Age. The tradition of egg decorating, originally as a celebration of spring, originated in pagan times, predating Christianity.
Easter was named as the greatest Feast Day in 325 AD during the Catholic Council of Nicaea. Easter’s connection with eggs is tied to the early Catholic Church rule that forbid eating eggs during the 40 days of Lent.
As a result, in the days coming up to Ash Wednesday, eggs were given out to children as treats. This used up any excess eggs before the fasting began.
During Lent, families with chickens naturally accumulated a lot of eggs. They were boiled to preserve them until Easter. Early Christians often painted
the eggs during Easter week as we do today. The decorations also encouraged eating the eggs, which had already been stored for weeks. In some cultures, cracking the hard-boiled eggs symbolized the rebirth of Christ.
Ukrainian egg decorating, called pysanky, is thought to predate Christianity. Pysanky means “to write,” which refers to the hand-drawn and painted designs on the eggs.
The artists, traditionally only women, use pencil to draw the intricate grid design directly on the egg. Each line is traced over with a light line of beeswax, and then layered with natural dyes in bright colors.
These eggs, with their geometric patterns and sometimes Christian symbols, are a popular image of Orthodox Easter. Pysanky eggs from Ukraine and Western Europe are among the most elaborate wax-resist designs found anywhere.
In the late 1700s, chocolate eggs appeared at court in France. Empty chicken eggshells were filled with molten chocolate for royal treats. In 1873, J.S. Fry & Sons of England introduced the first chocolate egg, but it was Cadbury, in 1875,
who introduced the chocolate Easter egg.
Cadbury had created a new recipe for chocolate using pure cocoa butter and no starchy ingredients. It could be molded into smooth shapes. The recipe made Cadbury a leader in the chocolate industry. By 1893, Cadbury had 19 varieties of the chocolate egg. They still use the recipe today.
The most famous jeweled eggs are the celebrated Fabergé eggs commissioned for the Russian Imperial family between 1885 and 1916. The renowned Fabergé Jewelry House employed expert artisans in jewels, gold, porcelain, and diamonds.
The Fabergé House made 50 ornately adorned eggs for the royal family. Forty-three are known to exist today and are held by European museums and some private collectors.
The Fabergé eggs are regarded as masterpieces of the decorative arts, and it is worth the time to look them up. They are exquisite. (P.S. There are no actual eggs involved.)
Honor the traditions and get out the dye. It is that time again!
Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.
Homemade dye recipe:
• ½ cup boiling water
• 1 tsp. white vinegar
• 10-20 drops food coloring
Allow to cool
An advertisement for Cadbury chocolate from a July 1890 edition of The Graphic, a British illustrated weekly newspaper.
Based on the 1984 movie, the spirited dancing and nostalgic hits like hits like “Footloose,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” and “Almost Paradise” will have you cutting footloose.
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This official bio- m usical spans from c hildhood to his a sc e nt to “The Kin g. ”
Russia’s Tsar Nicholas II presented this egg to his mother, the dowager empress Marie fedorovna, on Easter 1901. The egg opens to reveal a miniature gold replica of the palace at Gatchina.
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Dear Savvy Senior, I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired and joined Medicare. Where can retirees find affordable dental care?
– Uninsured Al
Dear Al,
Unfortunately, about two-thirds of U.S. retirees don’t have dental insurance today. Without coverage from traditional Medicare, and with private dental insurance typically costing too much to be feasible, most seniors are stuck paying full out-of-pocket prices every time they visit a dentist. While there’s no one simple solution to affordable dental care, there are a variety of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s where to look.
Medicare Advantage: While dental services are mostly excluded under original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans do provide coverage for dental care, but it’s usually very limited.
Medicare Advantage plans are governmentapproved health plans (usually HMOs and PPOs), sold by private insurance companies, that you can choose in place of Original Medicare. To shop and research Advantage plans in your area, visit medicare.gov/plan-compare or call (800) 633-4227.
Dental insurance: If you have gum problems and need extensive dental care, a dental insurance plan may be worth the costs versus paying for care yourself. Monthly premiums for individual plans range from about $20 to $80. A typical plan includes two or three cleanings and checkups per year, but these plans will likely have a waiting period — anywhere from a few months to a few years — before coverage for more expensive procedures kicks in. To find dental plans in your area, check with eHealth (ehealthinsurance.com).
Dental savings plans: While savings plans aren’t as comprehensive as insurance, they are a good option for those who don’t have dental insurance.
How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — around $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 10-60% discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists.
To find a savings plan, go to DentalPlans.com, where you can search for plans and participating dentists, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered. You can also call them at (888) 632-5353.
Veterans’ benefits: If you’re a veteran enrolled in the VA healthcare program or are a beneficiary of the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), the VA offers a dental insurance program that gives you the option to buy dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost.
The VA also provides free dental care to vets who have dental problems resulting from service. To learn more about these options, visit va.gov/dental or call (877) 222-8387.
Cheaper dental care: Because prices can vary by dentist, one way to ensure you get a good deal on your dental care is to call multiple providers and compare prices. To get an idea of what different dental procedures cost in your area, see FAIR Health Consumer at fairhealthconsumer.org.
If you’re paying cash, it’s also perfectly reasonable to ask your dentist for a discount.
There are also a number of health centers and clinics that provide low-cost dental care to those in need.
And all university dental schools and college dental hygiene programs offer dental care and cleanings for less than half of what you would pay at a dentist’s office. Students who are supervised by their professors provide the care. See Teeth Wisdom (teethwisdom.org) to search for a center, clinic, or school near you.
Send your
Widowed people often face a dilemma when they start dating again and new love interests visit them. What should they do with the pictures of their deceased mates that are scattered throughout their homes?
Cheryl emailed: “My husband, Matt, is a widower, and I am divorced. Matt was married for 25 years. I was married twice — for 25 years and then for 18 years.
“Matt commented to me this morning, ‘It is possible to still love a previous spouse but also love and appreciate a new partner.’
“I moved into the house that Matt and his wife lived in. It was a house that Matt had not been enthused about but she ‘loved it,’ and he bought it for her. I admit when I moved in, I felt to some extent like I was living in ‘her’ house.
“An issue came up between Matt and me when we decided to put family pictures on the refrigerator. Matt put pictures of his deceased wife on the fridge.
“Initially I didn’t think it would bother me, as I knew he loved me and was devoted to our relationship. Eventually, however, I realized that it bothered me a little seeing pictures of her every time I opened the fridge door!
“So, we talked about it, and I asked him to keep pictures of her in his office, which he understood and agreed to do. I had not put pictures of my exhusbands where Matt could see them.
“Regarding one of my ex-husbands, occasionally issues have arisen concerning my reaction to some of Matt’s comments that reminded me of my ex’s behavior.
“Matt has responded by saying, ‘I’m not your ex,’ and we have been able to talk about my reaction and feelings. I think especially in the case of a divorce, there are negative experiences that can trigger a reaction.
“The key is to be able to talk about feelings and reassure each other of the love you share and be able to comfort each other for what was lost and/or experienced in the previous relationship. Whether a person has been widowed or divorced, grief is experienced over the loss of a loving relationship.
“Entering a new relationship as a ‘senior’ has different challenges compared
to when we were younger. What to do with a former love’s pictures is one of those issues.”
Tom’s comment: Cheryl’s story emphasizes the need for open and honest communication between older couples, which includes how to deal with each person’s photographs of deceased or former loved ones around the house.
This is especially true when two older adults move in together, but it’s also true when they are in a committed relationship but living apart. The pictures of ex-spouses will be a subject to discuss and agree upon.
A widow recently said to me, “It shouldn’t even matter if the pictures are on the refrigerator door. You just can’t wipe away the years you had together with a person you loved.”
She’s right, but it is a touchy subject requiring compromise.
For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to findingloveafter50.com.
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