COMPLIMENTARY
Our 7th Anniversary Issue
FEBRUARY 2017 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 2
Downsizing
by Design
Plus
6 WAYS TO START DOWNSIZING THE BENEFITS OF SMALL THE FINE LINE BETWEEN CLUTTER AND HOARDING
Serving the Sandhills & Southern Piedmont
FEBRUARY 2017 |
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| OUTREACHNC.COM
quality. compassionate care.
put your heart in capeable hands Seeking a hospital to care for your family? Choose one with quality that’s verified by trusted outside sources. You won’t find another health system from the Triangle to the coast with the quality and scope of services offered at Cape Fear Valley. And you won’t find one as committed to your family’s health. When you need us... we’re right here.
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features FEBRUARY
26 6 Ways to Start Downsizing by Rachel Stewart
32 Honoring World War II Veterans Series: Roy Hanna by Jonathan Scott
36 The Benefits of Small by Jennifer Webster
40 Downsizing By Design by Nan Leaptrott
46 Downsizing Boomer-Style by Jonathan Scott
50 Carolina Conversations with 550 AM WIOZ’s Steve Biddle by Carrie Frye
56 The Dreaded Downsize: The Fine Line Between Clutter and Hoarding by Jennifer Webster
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Downsizing By Design Issue
FEBRUARY 2017 |
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departments February 2017
“The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough of is love.” —Henry Miller
64
18 advice & health
22 life
12
Ask the Expert by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA
14
Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark
16
Nutrition by Melissa Herman, RD, CDE
18
Cooking Simple by Rhett Morris
20
Tech Savvy by Dan Friedman
21
The Reader’s Nook by Michelle Goetzl
22
Brain Health by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP
24
Regional Culture by Ray Linville
62
Caregiving by Mike Collins
60
64
Resource Marketplace Find the resources you need.
Grey Matter Games Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword Puzzles
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66
Generations by Flo Johnston & Michelle Goetzl
OPEN FLOOR PLANS, SLIP-RESISTANT FLOORING & AMPLE NATURAL LIGHT RANK AMONG TOP TRENDS FOR BOOMER DOWNSIZING
Superior heart care just got 45 minutes
closer.
O , METHING T THAT S SO
BELIEVE IN
Send a Valentine that lasts all year... 12 issues of
only $26.99 Subscribe today! OutreachNC.com info@outreachnc.com
910-692-9609 or mail a check to: P.O. Box 2478 Southern Pines, NC 28388
What's Online?
Scotland Cardiovascular Center now offers a new level of care to cardiac patients. This is due in large part to our affiliation with FirstHealth of the Carolinas, which has been named one of the top 10 in the nation for heart attack care.* This partnership offers you top-notch doctors, diagnostics, treatments,
and world-class care close to home. This new level of care includes Percutaneous Coronary Inter vention (PCI) or stenting, which unclogs blockages from the heart. The procedure
is now being performed by our highly skilled team of Board Certified interventional cardiologists, Dr. Peter L. Duffy and Dr. William Harris. And it all happens right here in Laurinburg. That’s something to believe in.
OutreachNC.com
articles
advice previous issues recipes
magazine extras
scotlandhealth.org 910-291-7000 5 0 0 La u c hw ood Dr • La u r inb u r g , N C 2 8 3 5 2 SCOTHC 22340 (5.33x9.25 Outreach NC) PCI.indd 1
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OutreachNC.com 7
from the publisher
T
Lucky
7
his month marks the seventh anniversary of OutreachNC. In February 2010, we launched our magazine as a community resource to help older adults, families and professionals successfully navigate life after 50. Through the years, we have fully embraced the many ways that the Second 50 can be rejuvenating, rewarding and, sometimes, challenging. Our words and photographs bring our readers stories of personal experiences, adventures, history and advice. Our local experts provide resources and tips to guide you. We continue to embrace the feedback of our readers and advertisers to create a product of which we are extremely proud. Last year, we were honored with the 2016 National Mature Media Merit Award, our third media award in six years. We know it’s what’s inside that counts, and we strive to pack each issue with original content and relevant columns. We partner with advertisers, who share our passion for embracing the Second 50 and provide valuable resources. Distributing both print and digital issues of OutreachNC, we reach more than 50,000 readers monthly in our nine-county region of the Sandhills and Southern Piedmont. This year, you’ll discover issues packed with exciting themes from “Downsizing by Design” to “Food for Thought,” focusing on “Mindful Aging,” “Slow Medicine” and “Planning with Purpose.” Our upcoming “Destination Travel,” “Living Social” and “Retire NC” issues will lead you to new adventures. We’ll also celebrate “Careers & Volunteers” and “DIY Boom,” wrapping up 2017 with “Leaving a Legacy.” Our team continues to grow, and we thrive on brainstorming and creativity to keep things relevant and visually appealing. Ashley Haddock and Butch Peiker joined us in 2016 as sales executives dedicated to the mission of OutreachNC. They bring enthusiasm, experience and opportunities for growth, so we welcome them and cannot wait to see all they can accomplish in 2017. To you, our readers, we thank you. You are the reason we are entering into our seventh year of publishing and the reason we continue to strive for excellence. The late-night writing sessions, last-minute ad changes, early morning photo shoots and long days of distribution are all worth it when we receive reader feedback saying,
“I don’t know how you do it month after month, but another beautiful issue!”
So thank you for allowing us into your homes, offices and hearts. We hope to continue to entertain and educate for many years to come.
—Amy Natt
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2016-17
SEASON Performing Arts Center
T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L S E N S AT I O N
March 21
The Russian National Ballet Theatre
Swan Lake March 27
March 21
STOMP
March 24
Scott Ainslie & Reggie Harris: Songs of Social Justice
March 27
Russian National Ballet: Swan Lake
April 3
The United States Air Force Band
April 4
On Stage for Youth: Ellis, Island of Dreams
April 7
April 7
Pippin
Visit uncp.edu/gpac or call: 910.521.6361 Discounts for groups of 10 or more.
FEBRUARY 2017 |
OutreachNC.com 9
from the editor
F
ebruary is here, and perhaps the groundhog’s prediction will be a good one for an early spring. Life’s seasons move just as quickly, and this month’s issue is dedicated to “Downsizing By Design.” Moving is one of life’s many journeys, and we’ll meet several of our neighbors who are making the most of their decisions to downsize here in the Sandhills. We’ll look at the latest trends that boomers are seeking to either remodel in their existing home or find in a new one, and some of the stressrelieving benefits smaller can provide. We’ll meet some transition and organizing professionals who’ve never met too much clutter and get their advice on how to scale down, as well as what to do if clutter becomes a hoarding disorder. We continue our salute to World War II veterans this month with centenarian Roy Hanna, as he shares his heroic story from being on the battlefield. We go in the studio with 550 AM WIOZ’s morning host of “Sunrise in the Sandhills,” Steve Biddle, who makes a habit of waking listeners up weekdays from 6-9 a.m. As always, in these pages, we hope you’ll find informative articles to help you age with success. This month also marks our seventh anniversary of bringing OutreachNC to you. We know our greatest competitor is your time, and we are so thankful that you choose to spend some quality time with us every month. We strive to bring you heartfelt and meaningful stories of neighbors sharing experiences and making a difference every day. My first interview back in 2010 for the debut issue of OutreachNC was with Russ Mills of Southern Pines, a WWII veteran and a man of Moore history. At the time, he was 91 and still visiting a few select clients with his exterminating services. What an amazing man! Since then, there have been countless interviews, photo sessions, page layouts, late nights and the addition of co-editor Jeeves. And probably too much coffee, but as my most recent interviewee, Steve Biddle, says, “Black coffee is serious work coffee, but it seems like it works better.” Steve, I couldn’t agree more. So, co-editor Jeeves and I raise our cups, and thank you for turning these pages with us. Until next month...
—Carrie Frye
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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2017
Editor in Chief Carrie Frye | CarrieF@OutreachNC.com Contributing Graphic Designers Stephanie Budd, Nikki Lienhard, Jonathan Scott Contributing Proofreaders Michelle Goetzl, Jennifer Kirby, Kate Pomplun, Jennifer Webster Contributing Photographers Katherine Clark, Diana Matthews Contributing Writers Mike Collins, Michelle Goetzl, Dan Friedman, Melissa Herman, Nan Leaptrott, Ray Linville, Rhett Morris, Celia Rivenbark, Jonathan Scott, Rachel Stewart, Karen D. Sullivan, Jennifer Webster
Y Publisher Amy Natt | AmyN@AgingOutreachServices.com Marketing & Public Relations Director Susan McKenzie | SusanM@AgingOutreachServices.com Advertising Sales Executive Ashley Haddock | AshleyH@OutreachNC.com 910-690-9102 Advertising Sales Executive Butch Peiker | ButchP@OutreachNC.com 904-477-8440 OutreachNC PO Box 2478 | 676 NW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC 28388 910-692-9609 Office | 910-695-0766 Fax info@OutreachNC.com
www.OutreachNC.com
OutreachNC is a publication of The entire contents of OutreachNC are copyrighted by Aging Outreach Services. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial, photographic or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. OutreachNC is published monthly on the first of each month.
Soundbites at the Pub MON, MAR 13 | 6PM
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DINNE CONCER & R JUST T
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e t a littl rt. u B . e v o u l need is oesn’t h All you w and then d he te no nd for t a s chocola u h t of t wi our visi y receive a box y e l u d uar Sche of Febr olates! h t n o m choc n! formatio n i e r o m r zabeth fo Call Eli
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OutreachNC.com 11
advice
Our Aging Life Care ProfessionalsTM will answer any aging questions you may have.
Email us your questions! info@OutreachNC.com
ASK THE EXPERT
Consider Options Before Making a Move by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA My wife died a few years ago, so I have been living at home alone. I still drive and can take care of the house and myself, but I have outlived my savings, and I am on a fixed income now. There is a lot of work that needs to be done on my house, and I don’t have the money to make the needed repairs. My friends have suggested that it is time to make a move to a more manageable situation. What do you think?
Many people are finding that they are living longer than they planned for financially. The expense and upkeep of a home can start to become a burden when you are trying to make ends meet. There are several things to consider in deciding if it might be time to make a change. If you have a financial adviser that you work with, he or she can help you look at income and expenses to make projections for how long your resources may last. You will also want to talk to your attorney about how your decision fits into your overall estate plan. These professionals will have information and advice relevant to your decision. As a care manager, I often help clients outline the pros and cons of a potential move and identify the questions to consider in making a plan. If you do the homework to make an informed decision and write out each step necessary to make a move, the task will not seem so daunting. There are real estate agents and transition specialists who offer services to help implement a move, so don’t feel like you have to do this by yourself. Even on a fixed budget, with careful planning you can get the help needed to be successful and reduce the stress a move can bring. Grab a legal pad or your laptop, and get ready to start making some lists. Yes, it is a lot of work, but it’s good information that can help you make the best decision. • Income Sources: A great place to start is
determining your budget. Identify all sources of income that are available to you on a monthly basis. This is helpful in determining what you can afford
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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2017
in a new home. It will also be needed to know if you meet certain income requirements for assistance programs, which may come into play in the future when you need more assistance with care. • Expenses: Next, make a list of your fixed expenses, things that you pay each month that are essential and don’t typically fluctuate. List your debt, including credit card bills, time shares, mortgage, etc. Last, make a list of optional expenses: things you could live without if necessary. • Living Options: You sound open to downsizing and moving to a setting that would be less expensive and easier to manage. That attitude is a great way to approach this transition. Identify independent living options in your area. You can do some research online, or ask your local department of aging for a list. A care manager can also help walk you through options. You have identified your income so as you are exploring, ask for a rate sheet and about any other community fees or deposits. Keep in mind that many independent living communities offer amenities. Some communities provide meals, housekeeping, transportation and activities. If these are included in your monthly rent, they will help keep your cost manageable and alleviate some of the bills you are currently paying at home. If you are looking at an option that offers meals, take a tour and have a meal. Check out the food and visit with the residents. The options may seem overwhelming at first, so take notes each time
“
W
”
e keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
—Walt Disney
you have a conversation. Consider taking someone with you, so you have two sets of eyes and ears. You will find options to buy or rent at some communities. You will find some that are free-standing and others that are part of a larger continuum of care. The more you learn, the easier it will be to see where you see yourself fitting in and determining what is practical based on your financial situation. • Revisit Your Lists. Work on a list of pros and cons and cross any off the list that won’t work for you. One of the advantages to a more “manageable situation” is less maintenance, less worry and more opportunity for socialization. Remember that while your living space may be smaller than what you are used to, buildings typically have common areas you can use, like libraries, theaters, game rooms and lounges. Think of these as your expanded living space.
As you go through these steps and decision-making process, you want to feel confident in your final decision before committing to a purchase or rental agreement. Have your attorney review the agreement if you are unsure about some of the language. If you decide to commit, set a realistic time line in place to make
the move. Consider using a moving company. Get a quote so that you can plan for that expense. If you have chosen an apartment or room you will be moving into, ask for a copy of the floorplans. Make a list of each room and what you plan to take with you. There may be things you need to purchase to fit the space. You are probably going to have to weed out some things. It is easiest to start with what you are taking and tag it. For what remains, family members may want some items, some may be donated and others you can sell. There are companies that will take the items you no longer want and buy them from you or offer to hold an estate sale. As you are sorting, focus on the personal items; those are the things you will need to sort through and make decisions about. This is a great activity to tackle with a family member or close friend. If and when you make the decision to downsize, you move into a new phase of planning. Again, there are professionals who can help, or you can manage on your own with the help of family and friends. Just keep telling yourself that once you get on the other side of the move, life will feel more manageable, you will have less upkeep and the opportunity to meet some new friends. Take a deep breath, and take one step at a time.
Readers may send questions to Natt, an Aging Life Care ProfessionalTM, certified senior advisor and CEO of Aging Outreach Services. She can be reached at amyn@agingoutreachservices.com .
The Elder Care Law Firm, PLLC was established in 2001 to meet an increasing demand for quality legal services in the areas of · Elder Law · Estate Planning · Long-Term Care Planning When it comes to matters that affect your lifestyle, your comfort in retirement, your future, and the future of your family, you need an attorney with knowledge and experience in this area of the law.
KNOWLEDGE. EXPERIENCE. COMPASSION. Jason Sutton Attorney and Counselor at Law Offices in Pinehurst and Fayetteville www.eldercarelawfirm.com jsutton@eldercarelawfirm.com
910-692-4444
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life
B E L L E W E AT H E R
Kittens Have Family in Knots by Celia Rivenbark
L
oyal readers may recall that I was given two black-and-white kittens for my birthday back in September. “Kittens! Tuxedo siblings! That’s all I want! Nothing else!” I told Duh Hubby, who secretly set about to make my wish come true. A few leads didn’t pan out but, a couple of days before my birthday, a friend at the humane society mentioned that she’d seen month-old tuxedo kittens on Craig’s List. Duh made arrangements to meet the boys and their owners, who interrogated him about what kind of home these kittens would be going to. Duh pinky-swore we would neuter them (well, the vet would), keep them indoors at all times, feed them only high-end dry kitten food and raise them Presbyterian. OK, maybe not the last. A few hours later, I was happily introduced to Joey and Chandler (our names; their original names were disappointingly void of any reference to ancient TV sitcoms). Fast forward three months and the boys are whimpering loudly because they want to scale the grass cloth on the bathroom wall all the way to the ceiling again. I can’t tell y’all how unexpected it is to look up and see two 5-pound kittens on the ceiling watching you. Because I’m crazy about my wallpaper, also not having cats falling out of the sky at the most inopportune time imaginable, I had to fix this. I imagine you’re saying: “Just shut the door.” But this is a very old house with very old glass doorknobs that work roughly 15 percent of the time. The rest of the time? Kittens on the ceiling. So, using my superior problem-solving skills and an old bathrobe tie, I secured the bathroom door
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to the linen closet door down the hall. Score one for opposable thumbs. Although, I have to admit that when we have guests, they stare for a long time at the “robe tie as door lock” system before deciding to just pee in the yard. Kidding! That’s just us. Duh Hubby doesn’t care much for the system because, being of a certain age, he often gets up in the middle of the night to, you know, and forgets that there’s an elaborate tangle of knotted robe belting keeping him out. The kittens find this quite amusing. A dear friend, noting the Uncle Fester dark circles under my eyes (the boys are nocturnal), gave me the new book “The Trainable Cat” but, eight chapters in, things aren’t going that well. The author says I must call their names and deliver a treat “ideally in less than one second.” Southerners are not hardwired to move that quickly unless somebody is moving toward the last deviled egg on the platter. The book talks of systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning, but so far, it’s not working. They have destroyed all my houseplants, shredded my couch and fashioned a crude likeness of both of us in their morning poo. Or maybe I imagined that. As Chandler Bing might say: “Could I BE any more sleep-deprived?”
Rivenbark is the author of seven humor collections. Visit her website at www.celiarivenbark.com . ©2017 Celia Rivenbark. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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OutreachNC.com 15
health
NUTRITION
Five Healthy Breakfast Foods to Help You Lose Weight by Melissa Herman, RD, CDE
I
f you are trying to lose weight, one of the healthiest habits you can begin is to eat breakfast daily. Research shows that regular breakfast eaters tend to be leaner, and dieters are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off when they eat breakfast. What’s more, people who typically eat breakfast also get more fiber in their diets, and less fat and dietary cholesterol. Mix up your morning routine with one of these five healthy breakfast foods:
BERRIES: Berries may be small, but they are chock full of fiber
and antioxidants. Why is fiber so important? Research shows that incorporating fiber into your diet is a great way to prevent weight gain or even lose weight. Fiber also helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The antioxidants in berries can help your body fight stress that can lead to illness. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants not only helps improve your health but also protects your skin and hair, and may prevent certain diseases. If you can’t find fresh berries, unsweetened frozen berries are a great nutritious alternative.
EGGS: Eggs deliver protein, which is great for dieters. Protein keeps you satisfied and feeling full much longer than carbohydrates and fat. Add some veggies to your eggs for a complete breakfast. GREEK YOGURT: Greek-style yogurt is even better than its American-
style counterpart. Why? Greek yogurt contains fewer carbs, sugar and salt—and it often has twice the amount of protein. Look for a low-fat version, and stay away from the flavored versions—they are full of sugar. Keep plain Greek yogurt in your fridge as a staple. Use as a recipe substitution, or enjoy it with fresh fruit for breakfast.
Melissa Herman is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at FirstHealth Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center, which offers services in Moore, Montgomery, Hoke and Richmond counties. For more information, call 800-364-0499 or visit www.firsthealth.org/nutrition . For healthy breakfast recipes, visit www.firsthealth.org/recipes .
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OATMEAL:
Oatmeal is loaded with dietary fiber and can lower cholesterol. Skip the flavored kind, which has added sugar. For more flavor, add in healthy toppings like peanut or almond butter with a banana, or almonds and berries.
GRAPEFRUIT:
According to one study, eating half a grapefruit before each meal may help you slim down faster, thanks to the fruit’s fatburning properties and its beneficial effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. Pair with protein for an ideal breakfast, such as eggs or Greek yogurt. If you are taking prescription medicine, ask your doctor about possible interactions with grapefruit. Meeting with a registered dietitian to develop a personalized plan is another great way to help lose the weight and keep it off. Together, you can develop a nutrition plan tailored to fit your health needs. Once you’ve established a healthy eating and lifestyle action plan, a dietitian can provide ongoing coaching and advice for a range of health needs, including elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension (high blood pressure), digestive disorders, celiac disease, obesity and food allergies.
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6895 NC HWY 211 W • West End, NC
910.295.5400 www.pinehursthomesinc.com FEBRUARY 2017 |
OutreachNC.com 17
life
COOKING SIMPLE
Chocolate Truffles
by Rhett Morris | Photography by Diana Matthews
Ingredients
10 ounces dark chocolate, chopped ½ cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon light corn syrup 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup bourbon or brandy ½ cup cocoa powder
Directions
In a sauce pan, heat cream, corn syrup, butter and salt until milk almost boils. Remove from heat, add chocolate and stir until smooth. Add bourbon and stir until mixed well. Place mixture into an 8 x 8 baking dish, and put in refrigerator for 1 hour. Take a large melon baller and scoop out chocolate, and then smooth it out by rolling it in palm of your hands. Cover each truffle with cocoa powder.
Morris, owner of Rhett’s Restaurant, Personal Chef & Catering, is an award-winning chef. He can be reached at 910-695-3663 or rhett@rhettsrpcc.com .
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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2017
Life’s journey taking you on a new path? It is an amazing journey, with many paths-some expected, some unexpected. If you are considering a new path, let us help you with your real estate needs. Visit MooreSeniors.com to learn more about our Senior Advantage Program and how it will work for you.
910-692-2635
www.MooreSeniors.com Serving Moore County’s Real Estate Needs For More Than 45 Years FEBRUARY 2017 |
OutreachNC.com 19
advice
T E C H S AV V Y
How to Get a Free Credit Report by Dan Friedman
I
f you’re planning to open a new credit card or purchase a new home or car anytime soon, you’ll want to have a good overview of your most recent credit report. Here’s what you need to know about your credit report—and how to get one for free.
Why do I need to check my credit report?
Financial institutions refer to your credit report when you apply for a new loan. A history of late or defaulted payments can make it more difficult to secure a loan or low interest rate. It’s equally important to check for any fraudulent activity, like any loans or credit cards that don’t actually belong to you. This might be a sign of identity theft, which can damage your credit. What’s the difference between a credit report and a credit score?
A credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that’s determined by your credit report. It is used by banks and other financial institutions to determine how much money they’re willing to loan you. It can also affect the type of interest rate you’ll receive. While a low credit score doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be offered a loan, it could translate into a higher interest rate, making the loan more difficult to pay back. How do I get a free credit report?
The best way to get your free credit report is to visit www.annualcreditreport.com. You’ll need to provide your Located in historic downtown
Southern Pines
name and address, along with more personal information like your birth date and Social Security number (SSN). Normally it’s not a good idea to provide your SSN to an online service, but it’s safe to do so in this case. If you’re uncomfortable giving out this information online, you can always call 877-322-8228. What about my credit score?
While you can get an annual credit report for free, there’s no easy way to see your actual credit score unless you’re willing to pay for it. Even “free” websites require you to sign up for a $20-per-month credit monitoring service before you can view your score. You can drop out of the service after a set time to avoid paying this fee, but this could end up being more trouble than it’s worth. How do I get my credit score?
If you really want to see your credit score, you can purchase it from the three major credit agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—at www.myfico.com or through each agency’s website. Friedman is an instructional designer with GCFLearnFree.org, a program of Goodwill Community Foundation and Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina Inc. For more information, visit www.GCFLearnFree.org/online-money-tips/.
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THE READER’S NOOK
‘The Underground Railroad’
life
Book Review by Michelle Goetzl
I
magine that the Civil War has yet to happen and that you are a slave on a large plantation. In Colson Whitehead’s bestseller, “The Underground Railroad,” that is exactly where he places you. This epic novel follows Cora, a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. She is an outcast even among the other slaves, so an already challenging life is that much harder. When life on the plantation threatens to get even worse for her, she agrees to try to escape with a fellow slave. Here is where the story takes off, and Whitehead begins to challenge our perceptions of history. Whitehead proposes a storyline that considers the metaphorical underground railroad as an actual, physical transit. What if that network of safe-houses was instead a railroad manned by conductors and engineers? While posing lots of challenges that make it a struggle for some readers to enjoy the book, it is on this path that Cora escapes Georgia. However, as we know, slave holders were less than willing to just let their slaves go. A renowned slave catcher, Arnold Ridgeway, is sent after Cora. Ridgeway is determined to bring Cora in for the money and as a personal vendetta against Cora’s mother, a runaway whom he was unable to catch. Whitehead’s novel travels across the South as Cora attempts to maintain her freedom. The novel itself is built on episodes that take place in different locations and by also giving background on other characters. Throughout her
journey, readers get a glimpse of what life was like for slaves, free blacks and abolitionists. Whitehead also poses a lot of “what if ” realities that didn’t necessarily exist but could have. Whitehead doesn’t pull any punches, forcing the reader to think about the history that we think we know. Cora encounters different worlds at each stage in her journey that help shape her as a person. In South Carolina, Cora works as a live model in a “living history” exhibit at a museum. She also realizes that an apparently well-meaning medical clinic she is going to is actually an experiment in eugenics. In North Carolina, she finds that all blacks have been run out of the state or strung up to die on the “Freedom Trail.” “The Underground Railroad” is an adventurous quest to escape the horrors of bondage. At times painful, this wondrous book is also incredibly moving and eye-opening.
Goetzl writes an online blog—“Books My Kids Read.” She loves books and sharing that love of reading with children. She can be reached at booksmykidsread@gmail.com .
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CARING FOR FAMILIES AND EACH OTHER
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health
B R A I N H E A LT H
Alcohol and the Older Brain by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP
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lcohol is the most common addictive substance used among older adults. Approximately 50 percent of men and 40 percent of women age 60 or older drink alcohol on a regular basis. There is a large body of research to suggest that alcohol in small amounts can be healthy. The cardiovascular benefits of red wine with its flavonoids and antioxidants, in particular, have been shown to improve heart and brain health. In contrast, “at-risk drinking,” defined as more than three drinks in one day or seven drinks per week in older adults, can have the opposite effect, including: • Increased risk of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial infarction • Increased risk of stroke • Impaired immune system • Decreased bone density • Liver diseases including cirrhosis • Gastrointestinal bleeding • Depression
After drinking the same amount of alcohol, older adults have higher blood alcohol levels than younger people. This is due to a decrease in muscle mass and reduced functioning of the liver and kidneys. These age-related changes slow the body’s ability to process and excrete alcohol. So, alcohol remains in the bloodstream longer. As the brain ages, the blood-brain barrier weakens, making the brain more vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. Moderate to high alcohol consumption in middle and older age can result in cognitive impairment and dementia in later life. One study found a five times greater risk of dementia in men over 65 with a 15-plus year history of heavy drinking. Research suggests that older adults have less awareness of the effects of alcohol on their judgment than younger adults, which may make it harder to know your “new” limit. For example, it may lead someone to think that they are capable of driving after three drinks, whereas previously they felt they could drive safely after three. Older adults are at higher risk for dangerous alcohol–medication interactions. The combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines, antidepressants, pain medications, sleeping pills and cold/flu medications are particularly unsafe. Alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of drugs or intensify side effects, including dizziness or loss of coordination, making falls or car accidents more likely.
Dr. Sullivan, a clinical neuropsychologist at Pinehurst Neuropsychology, can be reached at 910-420-8041 or by visiting www.pinehurstneuropsychology.com .
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The bottom line: • If you don’t drink, don’t start. If you do
drink, enjoy alcohol in small amounts. Per the guidelines, this means no more than three drinks per day and seven total drinks per week. Each drink should be equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of liquor, or 5 ounces of wine.
• Sensitivity changes.
Recognize that your sensitivity to alcohol may have increased so you may not need as much as you once did to enjoy the benefits.
• Read your medication labels and follow the directions. Ask your
doctor or a trusted pharmacist if you should drink alcohol while taking a particular medicine. For more information, download the free guide “A Guide to Aging, Medicines and Alcohol” here: http://store.samhsa. gov/product/As-YouAge-A-Guide-to-AgingMedicines-and-Alcohol/ SMA04-3940.
• It’s never too late to reduce or stop drinking if you think you have a problem. The brain
can recover remarkably well from years of too much drinking in many people with prolonged abstinence. If you need support, ask your doctor, spouse or a friend for help. FEBRUARY 2017 |
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life R E G I O N A L C U LT U R E
Is Chocolate the Only Sweet for February?
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by Ray Linville | Photography by Diana Matthews
s I stroll down the aisles of my favorite confectionary, specialty shop, or grocery store this month, I search for something unusual among the candies. It’s easy to pick up some chocolate wrapped in glossy paper at one of the Valentine’s Day displays. They’re located near the checkout and also featured prominently in pop-up kiosks as you enter a store. Although I’m a fan of chocolate, I’m still overwhelmed with all the candy left over from Halloween lurking in the pantry. I’m in search of something more novel. Fortunately, handcrafted hard candy is not hard to find, and central North Carolina is leading the resurgence of manufacturing and packing this confectionery. Several companies in this region have time-honored artisan traditions dating back several generations, one as early as 1890.
Linville writes about local connections to Southern food, history and culture. He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com .
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In an issue last winter, editor Carrie Frye described how the spirits of a patient undergoing chemotherapy improved when she received peach- and lemon-flavored hard candy. “It was the one thing my mother could have in her mouth and enjoy the flavor after her treatments,” said Dena Manning, who became so devoted to the candy that she bought the business, Butterfields Candy, a legendary maker with roots in North Carolina since 1924. Hard candies such as these are a special treat to give (and receive) on Valentine’s Day. Although other flavors such as cherry, lime, peppermint, orange and cinnamon are also marketed, my search is not complete until I find one that reminds me of my childhood. I still remember going to an aunt’s house decades ago when I was not yet a teenager and discovering hard horehound candy for the first time. Although I was initially put off by its dark brown color, I was immediately mesmerized by its distinctively bittersweet flavor. My aunt was a frugal person not prone to buy nonessentials, which at that time for my family included candy. When candy was available, it was not “store bought,” so I had to ask why she had it. “Well,” she said to justify her purchase, “it is good for coughs” (much like brandy and bourbon of yesterday—and today—bought for their medicinal value). Every time I visited her home again, I feigned a cough and asked if she still had any of that dark brown hard candy. Don’t be disheartened if you receive chocolates this month. They are traditional. It is, after all, the thought that counts. However, if you discover old-fashioned hard candy in a package that you unwrap, know that it is just as special as you are.
jason.burgin@ncfbins.com www.ncfbins.com/moore-burgin/moorecountyoffice.html
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T
he process of decluttering your home can be a daunting one, especially if you have your eye on a smaller space. Not sure where to start? Check out these six downsizing tips.
Ways To Start Downsizing by Rachel Stewart Photography by Katherine Clark
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ut down on old subscriptions and junk mail. A trip to the mailbox often brings treasures, such as cards or packages from loved ones. Other times, it just brings ads, coupons or random catalogs. These items can pile up in a short period of time. Much like email newsletter lists, you can opt in or out of what catalogs you receive in the regular mail. Sites like CatalogChoice.org let you search and then decline future mailings on an individual basis. Otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to sort through the mail each day. Place the bills in a separate area—such as your office desk—and then weed through and toss the rest. If you frequently use coupons, get a miniaccordion organizer so you can clip and store the coupons in alphabetical order.
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uild a capsule wardrobe for each season. Ever look in your overflowing closet and think, “I have nothing to wear.” Many people suffer from buying too many clothes only to never wear them. Consider building a capsule wardrobe instead, containing 30 to 50 pieces of clothing you can mix and match with ease. Shop your current closet for timeless pieces you can wear seasonally or even throughout the year. This could include a pair of good denim jeans, a black blazer, a simple button-down dress shirt, or a little black dress or suit. As for the rest, go through each piece and really consider whether it’s still right for you. Has it been hanging in the closet for six months or more? Does it still have the tags on it? If you think you’ll wear it, include it as a wild card item. Then sort through the things you no longer want, due to them fitting poorly or being worn out. Donate or discard these items based on their condition. Then, when the next season rolls around, you can build a new capsule wardrobe based on what’s left in your closet and supplement with a trendy new top or accessory as needed. Just be sure to buy a high-quality garment. You might be paying a bit more money, but you’ll get more wear out of it than a cheaper counterpart. CONTINUED PAGE 28
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onate unwanted goods. Take those unwanted items you sorted from the closet, and your softly used items can find a new home—and you can help others by donating. Check local donation centers for rules on what they’re currently accepting, but generally clothing, furniture, jewelry, appliances, and decorations are good bets. If you donate a lot, you may even qualify for a tax-discount—and the charity will give you paperwork if that’s the case. Amazon is also making it easy to donate items through its Give Back Box program. If you receive an order from Amazon, you can fill up the empty box with unwanted items and Amazon will pay the postage and send these goods on to Goodwill.
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ell unwanted items yourself. Looking to make a little side money in the downsizing process? There are tons of options from eBay to Etsy, to app-based sites like LetGo and Poshmark (for designer goods). If you’re not feeling tech savvy, a good old-fashioned garage sale always works. Go out on your own, or try getting your street or whole neighborhood involved. If you prefer to call a professional, there are organizing and downsizing specialists who can help you with an estate or tag sale of your unwanted items. Then tuck away any extra cash for a rainy day, or save it toward the down payment on the new condo. CONTINUED PAGE 30
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verhaul one area at a time. Everyone has that one area that needs tackling. It could be the hall closet, the extra bedroom, the attic or the garage. Try devoting 30 minutes a day toward decluttering the problem area. Breaking the big task up over time will help you complete your cleaning goal—doing too much, too quickly can actually keep people from following through with the task at hand.
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ethink current storage options. Sometimes larger items have to be stored elsewhere, be it family mementos and antiques, or boats or extra vehicles. If you have a storage unit, consider its contents and if they will still be important to you once you downsize to a smaller property, or if they could be housed elsewhere for a lower cost. If not, think of how these items can be incorporated into your life, or pass them on to another family member or put them up for sale so you’re not constantly paying storage for unused goods.
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Honoring World War II veterans Series ÂŤÂť roy Hanna
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by Jonathan Scott | Photography by Diana Matthews
irst Lt. Roy Hanna had already seen 79 days of combat in Sicily and central Italy when his unit joined the invasion forces that began the famous Battle of Anzio in January 1944. The first mission for his unit was to clear and hold the entire right flank of the American invasion forces along the Mussolini Canal. By early February, the British First Guard Division found the resistance more than they could handle. Hanna and the 3rd Battalion were forced into the most continuous fighting they had ever encountered. By Feb. 8, the battalion was on the front line along a railroad track. Company H moved forward to attack the enemy and found themselves trapped by the opposing forces. CONTINUED PAGE 34
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“I was conscious as the men placed me on a stretcher. As I lay there, I could see my body floating up through the air.” —Roy Hanna FEBRUARY 2017 |
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Twenty-seven-year-old Hanna was ordered to turn over his platoon to his assistant and take command of Company I. He was to lead an attack on the flank of the enemy so that Company H could get out of entrapment and return to its original position. It wasn’t going to be easy. All eight of the original officers of Company I had either been killed or were wounded in the hospital. The original 135 soldiers was reduced to only 85. Hanna’s time spent under fire had taught him that in a combat situation, inches and moments can mean the difference between life and death.
He organized a patrol of 28 men and led them toward the woods, where the enemy position was surrounding Company H. With a rush of adrenaline, Hanna raced across a field hoping to knock out a machine gun single-handedly. Out of nowhere, a rabbit dashed in his path, causing him to pivot. Suddenly, the sharp sting of a bullet struck him. It pierced the upper right part of his chest, in the exact spot where he had a grenade attached to his harness. The impact would have been deadly had he not tossed the grenade just moments before. Instead, the bullet missed a main artery by a millimeter. It continued down his lung and shot out his back, just missing bones and other blood vessels.
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Hanna could feel his breathing restrict as his lung collapsed, but he continued to lead his men. When there wasn’t enough oxygen to keep him conscious, he passed out, only to recover and successfully complete their mission. “A couple of men dragged me off the road and eventually got me back to that disabled armored tank,” Hanna recalls. “I was conscious as the men placed me on a stretcher. As I lay there, I could see my body floating up through the air. The higher I went, the smaller I got. I remember thinking, ‘I must be dying and this isn’t too bad.’ That’s all I remember, until they loaded me on a British ambulance that carried me back to a British tent field hospital.” Company H returned to its original line of defense and went on to help the Allies defeat the Nazis. For his “courageous performance and gallant leadership,” Hanna was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
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First Lt. Roy Hanna was a platoon leader in the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Infantry Division. In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Hanna went on to receive 10 other citations for his service in the Second World War. After leaving the Army, Hanna had a successful career in the dairy industry. A Pennsylvania native and centenarian, Hanna’s called Pinehurst home now for 36 years.
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the benefits of small by Jennifer Webster
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s you sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee or hot tea at your favorite local cafe, consider that if less is indeed more, small can be superb. As your children move out and your needs change, why not seek something simpler? Shifting wealth away from housing and possessions and into relationships and activities can free us from stress and give us more time to do what we love. Think about how much time each week you spend on possessions and spaces—vacuuming, dusting, repairing, pruning. How much effort do you spend protecting and maintaining your possessions? How else could you spend that time? Imagine you have only one bathroom to scrub instead of three; what would you do with that time? Maybe a massage or other self-care. Maybe an hour each week volunteering at a women’s shelter or food pantry.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go. — DR. SEUSS Some people downsize close to home, keeping their same neighbors and habits, only with a smaller lawn to mow or fewer stairs to climb. Others choose to go on adventures, from missionary work to mountain climbing. Some free spirits downsize to a camper or RV, staying at campsites across the country. CONTINUED PAGE 38
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My actions are my only true belongings. —THICH NHAT HANH
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Still others join religious orders. In fact, the life of poverty undertaken by Christian, Buddhist and other monks is a logical extension of the rationale of downsizing: Undistracted by possessions, the brother or sister can devote full attention to his or her vocation. Whatever path you take, downsizing can mean the freedom to strike out in a new direction. While a large house with a lot of alone time may contribute to stress and even physical ailments, modest housing, minimal possessions and a full schedule can do just the opposite, turning your attention away from your worries and toward your new calling. You may have moved out of your college or just-married apartment to find a house in the suburbs or country to raise your family. One of the benefits of downsizing back to a town, city or village, now that you aren’t a poor student, is finding a place within walking distance of coffee and conversation that’s also well-appointed and gracious. Consider in-town apartments, independent senior living or a continuing care retirement community, that are often a short walk or bus ride away from attractions such as theaters, libraries or fitness and community centers. Downsizing this way lets you move back to the center of things, where you can avoid expenses such as keeping a car (or, if you have one, it still won’t cost you so much to call an Uber after dark if your night vision is poor). If you don’t have family living at home, you’ll soon find familiar faces in your local drugstore or coffee shop. You may even find neighbors in your building or neighborhood who will look in on you if you get sick or will drop by to watch sports or play bridge if you want to spend an evening sociably. Being closer to amenities has other perks—walking downtown, — BETSY FRANCO grabbing a cup of coffee, lunch at a local restaurant or exploring an interesting-looking shop on your morning stroll. Whatever life you choose, making housing and possessions a smaller part of it can help the rest seem so much bigger.
If I could build a town, well then, I know just what I’d make: an ice cream store, a toy shop, and a store with bread and cake.
Powering Your Home Despite Old Man Winter 38
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Downsizing
by Design by Nan Leaptrott Photography by Diana Matthews
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The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty are the only hours we live. —Richard Jefferies
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yra and Jack Robinson, former South Carolinians, reveled in the calm beauty of a pond nestled among trees, a pond where in younger days they took their children to feed the ducks in Southern Pines. On a spring day last year, they revisited this charming place, Village by the Lake. As they listened to the croaking of frogs, they knew their decision felt right, and the time was right to leave the house they built and lived in for 46 years, a house where they felt blessed to raise their son, Jack, and daughter, Missy. “We are not impulsive people,” Myra explains. “Jack and I discussed for a long time where we would downsize. Would it be into an independent living apartment that offered continuing care, or something else? “We just knew the responsibility of maintaining a large home was something we would rather not keep doing. We were not using all the space we had, and downsizing began to sound good to us. “We put our house on the market, and it sold in less than three months. I went online and saw where a townhouse in Village by the Lake was for sale. We made an offer, which was accepted. We only had 31 days to get out of our house, so we had to come up with a different plan in a hurry. The first thing we did was look at all of our stuff.”
What To Do With All of Our “Stuff” One of the hardest decisions to make when downsizing is what to do with all the stuff, items collected over the years. Stuff fills our memory banks with joy, and stuff, which at some juncture of our lives we used, now it just sits on table tops collecting dust, or in china cabinets or jammed in drawers. What to do with all the stuff? Do I give it away, sell it or dump it? Can I squeeze it in my downsized home? Downsizing by design can be daunting; however, the process may be easier with these rules. Rule No. 1: Stuff is stuff. Rule No. 2: I am not my stuff. Rule No. 3: When I give away my grandmother’s gravy bowl, I am not giving away the memory of Sunday lunch at my grandmother’s house and the taste of her chicken gravy spooned over mashed potatoes. Rule No. 4: Ask questions: Why did I buy this? Do I really need three sauce pans and four yellow sweaters? Could I replace this if I really needed it? Can someone else use this more than I can? Will keeping all my stuff add value to my life? Will I remember a year from now what I tossed or gave away? Am I really aware that I am not my stuff? Rule No. 5: Have I measured every space in my new home and measured all the pieces of furniture and other items to see what will fit? CONTINUED PAGE 42
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Myra asked the questions and chose the important items to take to her new home, including her piano, collectible pottery, and a hand-painted picture of her old house, a gift from friends. Most of the couple’s furniture made the move, except for a handcrafted chest her grandmother had made by a friend. The chest now belongs to her son. A lot of tasks are easy for Myra, things like typing her husband’s master’s thesis without making a mistake and playing the piano at church with perfect timing, which is amazing when you consider that in 1983 Myra was diagnosed with a rare kind of cancer. The diagnosis was not good; it required that she have her left leg amputated. Myra has never stopped doing, never stopped sharing her talents with so many. Jack, a well-traveled textile executive who now manages estate sales and collects and sells antiques, found it harder to weave his way through his trove of books and other memorabilia, especially, when it came to his books about antiques and collectibles. Jack maintains he doesn’t read books now, just a magazine or two. With letting go of a few things, the Robinsons easily stepped across their newly downsized threshold.
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The Sister Act When Life Changed
uthie Walker fell in love with Pinehurst in the 1980s when she and her husband, Jim, brought their son to golf camp. They returned many times to Pinehurst for family vacations. When it came time to look for a home after they retired, the only place for them to consider was Pinehurst. With an easy search, they found the perfect house, a 3,800 square-foot house, which featured a complex landscaping design, an underground pool, a property highlighted by a waterfall and a creek that lazily ambled around the grounds. A golf course that stretched along the edge of the house etched a perfect backdrop. “When Jim’s health began to deteriorate, we knew it was time to downsize,” Walker says. “Finding a smaller house became a challenge. We wanted a one-story home with a small yard. Our children love to visit, so we needed three bedrooms. Pinehurst is a golf community, and we wanted a golf view. We looked and looked, and we were surprised how few small homes were available. Finally, we were able to find a 28-year-old patio home in Pinehurst National No. 9. We have a lot of work to do, but we are well on our way to a simpler lifestyle.” Years earlier, Ruthie’s sister Ellie, too, downsized from Pennsylvania to Pinehurst to be closer to family. “My husband, George, became ill,” Ellie says. “He wanted to make sure after he died that I would be situated near Ruthie. My dear brother-in-law, Jim, became my house seeker and found me the perfect place. George’s dying consideration for me has made it easier for me to live the role of widow and make the transition to Pinehurst to be near Ruthie.”
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Alone Time
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ears of care-giving brought Caren and Gary Broadwell to the place where they started their downsizing plan. They lived in a large two-story house in Southern Pines, later moving to a more moderate house in Pinehurst. Most of these years were spent in taking care of each of their moms until they passed. They were long years, tiring and emotional. After the roles of caregivers were behind them, the couple began to think about downsizing. The Broadwells wanted a house where there would be a miniscule amount of yard work and cleaning. They also sought a smaller house with just enough room for them to enjoy each other’s company, without being a place where guests could come for a long stretch of time.
Cottage Style
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ictoria Adkins and her husband, Kirk, are young baby boomers, whose work and travels have taken them to many parts of the world, from living in an English Mews house in Knightsbridge, London, to a Parisian lifestyle and on a Hong Kong adventure. Eventually, they found their way to the village of Pinehurst and happened upon Red Gables, a 107-year-old home, which no one seemed to want to buy. Adkins is a successful real estate broker who understands her clients’ needs and what kind of assistance she can give each when seeking to find their right home. She sought her own advice to find the perfect place to downsize by design.
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“Comfortable,” she says. “Comfortable where less is more, where every inch of a house can be used, even in the master bedroom, where there is barely enough room to place a king-sized bed. Comfortable, a place to relax, a place easy to maintain, a place where we really get to know our neighbors and be a part of a village. Comfortable, a place where possessions don’t override friendships, where it’s not about stuff, it’s all about a sense of place and a sense of permanence.” Adkins offers these suggestions. Downsizing: • is a better choice to make long before you need to make the choice; • places you in control of your choices; • is merely a fresh start; • is a matter of rediscovering what matters; and • offers limitless opportunities for a more peaceful and joyful lifestyle. Steve Jobs expressed it this way: “The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.” May your new downsized home be filled with fresh air and light, knowing you made the right decision for a new awakening in new surroundings, where you can absorb all the beauty around you. FEBRUARY 2017 |
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Downsizing Boomer-Style
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by Jonathan Scott Photography by Katherine Clark & Diana Matthews
home that was once bursting at the seams with constant activity can seem like an overcoat two sizes too large when the children have grown and moved on. It isn’t a new phenomenon. Empty-nester Paleolithic parents might have heard their voices echoing in their cave and felt it was time to look for something smaller. Baby boomers have their own unique spin on downsizing. Location still matters. Being in close proximity to amenities, church or family and friends remains high on boomer priority lists. Passions for hobbies like golf are important, and they can be the determining factor in looking for a community. All this is good advice, but statistics indicate that 63 percent of baby boomers will stay in their current home. Having invested so much of their lives in establishing connections within a state, city, town 46
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or community, many boomers will make do in their existing homes; however, there is a challenge in this seemingly sensible approach. A home that was well adapted to a couple in their 40s, 50s or even 60s, might contain unpleasant or insurmountable restrictions for those in their 70s, 80s or beyond. Many homeowners opt for remodeling instead of downsizing to make the aging-in-place process easier. Bill Worn, a Chicago architect, advises his fellow boomers to be proactive in their approach. Worn and his wife added a ground floor master bedroom and bath to their two-story home. Worn didn’t want climbing stairs to be a deal-killer for keeping their house. Other improvements, according to Worn, include making sure flooring is slip-resistant and replacing door knobs with levered handles.
Still, there are many boomers who will neither relocate to another state nor do whatever they can to keep their existing home. They find themselves in the growing population of downsizers who want to give up the expenses and headaches of a roomy house but stay in a familiar area. “About 80 percent of the homeowners here have downsized,” says Corinne Smith, a listing agent for McKee Homes, the developer of the Cottages at North Ramsey in Fayetteville. “We offer the sorts of things that active retirees want to have in their lifestyles, such as walking trails, a gym and a swimming pool and a real sense of community. It’s a great place to make friends.” Smith encourages boomers to think about the structure of the buildings and the floor plans they’re considering. Wheelchairs are not an inevitable need for those downsizing, but aging-in-place experts recommend considering a home that can easily accommodate one. “Our houses are zero entry,” Smith says, referring to the zero-elevation access through the front door “One-floor living is a priority.”
Top Boomer Downsizing Tre nds
√ Half the space of cu rrent home √ First -floor master suites √ One-level, limited or no stairs √ Open floor plan √ Wider hallways an d doorways √ Slip-resistant floor ing √ Home theaters or m edia rooms √ “Snore room” spar e bedroom √ Flex space for hobb ies √ Curbless showers √ Ample lighting √ Home office √ Eat-in kitchen
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Thinking About Selling Your Current Home to Downsize? • Declutter before selling your current home. Not only will it help you sell, but you may be able to substantially lighten your moving load. • Decide what possessions have sentimental and important value. If there are more than you have room to keep, give them to trusted friends or relatives who can appreciate their value. • Consider getting a mortgage on your new home purchase. It might make sense to use the proceeds from the sale of your current house to help pay for living expenses. • Look for universal design or aging-in-place features. Face the often unpleasant prospect that one or both of you may one day have mobility issues. Choose one-story homes or apartments with wider hallways and few to no steps. • Think about the neighborhood as well as the floor plan. How convenient are the places that are important to you—church, shopping, movies, doctors, family and friends?
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What’s on that single story, though, is crucial to the lifestyle of boomers. Open floor plans provide better flow and more natural light, and can make smaller spaces seem larger. Universal design elements, too, can make homes accessible for all levels of mobility. Wider hallways and entryways, grab bars disguised as towel bars and curbless showers are just a few of the ways universal design utilizes function with form and style. The National Association of Home Builders offers architects a different slant on designing for current and future downsizers, emphasizing this generation’s desire to stay busy, which makes home offices a trend for those who want work-from-home flexibility. Home offices can allow an option for a second career or supplemental income during retirement years. From work to play, tech-savvy boomers want high-end amenities for their homes, according to the NAHB. Media rooms with surround sound and central control systems that manage all media sources in one location are in demand. Wayne and Iris Gross had that kind of vision in mind for an unfinished storage room in their Pinehurst home. They added a raised platform, finished the walls with theater-like sconce lighting and hired a local company to install a complete fiveseat home theater. With a small Apple TV device, they can even surf the Internet in big-screen luxury. It’s the ultimate reward for members of the first generation to grow up with television. “I like to go to the theater,” Wayne says, “but most of the time I’d rather stay at home, especially now when just about everything is available streaming.” Some may dream of life without having to mow the grass or paint the house, while others couldn’t live without being able to putter around in a garden. Boomers need to carefully consider their priorities, not only their current ones, but ones for their future. The best advice is to look forward, not back.
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Carolina Conversations
with 550 AM WIOZ’s
J
ST E VE B I D DL E
by Carrie Frye | Photography by Diana Matthews
oining 550 AM WIOZ last year as host of “Sunrise in the Sandhills,” Steve Biddle is on the air weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m., entertaining listeners with his humor, the news, weather and plenty of oldies but goodies. With 45 years of broadcasting experience under his belt, Biddle has a plethora of stories to share from his life’s work and the journey that led him to make the Sandhills his new home. Inside the studio, we caught up with Biddle after the show to meet the man behind the microphone. ONC: How did the opportunity with WIOZ arise, and what led you to make the move? SB: I was doing freelance audio production and copywriting with
Muirfield Broadcasting when this opening came up, and they asked me if I would be interested in coming down and doing it. And I said, “Sure.” So, here we are. This is going back to my roots. I started in radio back in 1972 in Orlando at an MOR station, which is what they call a Middle of the Road station. So, I started out doing that, and now, here I am again doing this. Coming to Southern Pines from central Pennsylvania, my wife was particularly happy when this came up, because she loves warmer weather. She’s from Buffalo (New York) originally. This is only part-time, but radio jobs are really difficult to get anymore, particularly for someone my age. Most stations, even here, don’t have anyone here live after 9 o’clock in the morning. Very few stations do. I hadn’t done this sort of radio for many years. I was a newsman and used to work in public radio. I hosted Morning Edition at a station in Winston-Salem, WFDD. So this kind of job is very rare and hard to come by, so we were excited. Being 62, I can be semi-retired and do this in the morning and feel guilty for not doing anything at all in the afternoon (laughs). We love it here.
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How did you end up in broadcasting?
(Ricky Nelson’s “Traveling Man” comes across the station’s air waves in the background in perfect timing.) I was born in New York state, and my dad was a writer and newspaperman, and we lived in Connecticut. Right after eighth grade, my dad got a job as the business editor of the Orlando Sentinel. So we moved to Orlando. I went to high school there and started my career there. I had a short, very unspectacular stint at the University of Central Florida. There, I was a singer in the grand opening of Walt Disney World in 1971. I was one of many in the choir. After we finished singing “When You Wish Upon a Star,” the park opened, and it’s been open ever since. My first serious girlfriend was one of the dwarfs. Dopey, actually (laughs). I worked at Sea World for a while as a ski show announcer. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the world famous Sea World skiers.” I did that. I lived in Hawaii for a couple of years from 1978 to 1980, and then I came back to Florida. My ex-wife and I lived on Long Island for a little while, and then I went back to Florida. I always went back to Florida. It was my grounding place. Because my ex-wife was from Pennsylvania originally, she really loved it and wanted to move home, so I said, “Fine. Let’s go.” And we got established there. We lived out in the country but worked in State College at Penn State and were there for 20 years. That’s where I think of as home now really, because I was so involved in so many things, working for Penn State, doing radio and wrote a magazine column. Any good stories you can tell from your travels?
I have been a broadcaster since 1972. I have had a very interesting life and career because of that. I was in news for a long time. I covered some of the first space shuttle launches. I was there when Challenger exploded, unfortunately. I was there at the Kennedy Space Center and up the road in Brevard County. I’ve had lunch at the White House. I got invited with a bunch of other small market news directors at the time with President Reagan. It was quite interesting. I was in the right place at the right time for an awful lot of stuff. I was there in the room when President Reagan gave his “Evil Empire” speech. For the longest time, my ex-wife and I had our own business, Flying Pig Creative Services. We did a lot of writing advertising copy, and she was an incredible advertising copywriter, and I was a good radio and TV copywriter, so we combined everything and had our own studio. We were divorced in 2006, and we were still close. After we divorced, I never got my footing again. We got along, but I felt like I was drifting in the wind for a long time. I worked at Penn State and did the Morning Edition at a public radio station there. Then, I met my current wife, Tammy, in an interesting way. We were both in State College, Pennsylvania, and she had gotten through a divorce, and I was on match.com and so was she. We went out one time. We really liked each other. I was on the radio, and she said she felt like 52
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she knew me already. We went out for dinner, but she was on one path, and I was on another. She had decided to go to Atlanta. Two years later, I was in southern Illinois doing news anchoring for a chain of stations, and I got a Facebook message from her. We started talking every day, and right before Thanksgiving, when I wasn’t looking forward to the holidays since I didn’t know anyone where I was, she said, “Well, what if I come down there, and we spend Thanksgiving together?” And we’ve been together ever since. We were married six weeks later. It is a perfectly lovely situation, and I’m very happy. We’ve been married for six years now. They tell me you always have a funny story...
I was on “Jeopardy” in 1988, and my ex-wife kept all of my “Jeopardy” fabulous prizes. Back in those days, the second and third place won fabulous prizes, so I won an entertainment center and a ceiling fan, and they’re in my ex-wife’s house. It was kind of fun. I’ve got the DVD around here somewhere. Were you worried about stepping into an existing morning show?
I wondered about that for a while. I understand Billy Bag-O-Donuts had quite a following. I don’t know if I can duplicate that. I just have to do what I do. I hope to be able to take calls and speak with listeners and involve listeners more. It is hard to figure out what to do on an AM station. Radio now is not what it was 10 years ago. How has radio evolved during your career?
It is completely different now. When I started, we did not have computers, so we did everything on tape cartridges and played vinyl records in my rocking Top 40 disc jockey days. I have a flat spot on my thumb here that shows up from when I lopped off the tip of my thumb editing tape, because you did it with a razor blade. Now, you can do it all with a computer, which is much better and easier. Things have changed considerably, but the business has, too, because of the Internet, and the fact that AM is a tough sale. People here have embraced it, though. Music on AM is a tough one, but I love it when I go out, and it’s playing in a store, which is always nice to hear. FM radio, too, is running into a lot of challenges, because you have satellite radio, and people carry music around in their pockets. People have options now. I really don’t know where it is all going to wind up, but it’s all I know how to do. What’s your evening and morning regimen for the show?
I usually go to bed right after “Jeopardy” at 7:30 p.m. I love watching it. It is easier to go to bed at 7:30 this time of year, but in the summertime, it’s harder, because all of the other kids are out playing. Then I get up 3:30 a.m. and go directly into my home studio and drink coffee until I stop crying (laughs). What I start with is putting together newscasts for us and for the FM side. I write them anyway.
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Black coffee is serious work coffee. —STEVE BIDDLE
My wife says she can’t count how many people come up and tell her, “I wake up with your husband every morning.” I have been doing morning radio on and off for many years, so I am used to it. And this is better than when I was in Winston-Salem, when I had to be on the air at 5 a.m. and I had a 30-minute drive. So I had to be up at 2:30 and that’s not getting up early in the morning, that’s getting up late at night. So I get up, stumble and get my coffee and get on the computer and see what’s gone on overnight, if anything. Black coffee, it’s probably a myth, but it seems like it works better. Black coffee is serious work coffee. I get here around 5 a.m. and go on the air from 6-9 a.m. Then I get to go home and watch “Dr. Phil” in the afternoon. I’m a closet “Dr. Phil” fan. And now, we are hooked on “This Is Us,” but I have to DVR it. What are some of your favorite oldies to play for your listeners?
I love Carly Simon’s version of “In the Still of the Night,” Michael Buble’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and Nat King Cole’s “Joe Turner’s Blues.” I can’t play them every day, but I work them in. One of my favorite songs of all time, and I have been playing since 1972, is “Goodbye To Love” by The Carpenters. What a song. It has got her voice, which is incredible, and a great guitar solo. I remember seeing them in concert in 1973 in Orlando, a great show. Can you imagine doing anything else other than broadcasting?
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I will dig things up that I think are obscure things to talk about. Unusual news. I try to find something, and I try to do everything with a sense of humor, maybe not a hilarious sense of humor, but gently humorous. I like to talk about the music a bit. I just want to be a comfortable companion in the morning.
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I always wanted to be in radio. My mom told me that when I was 5 or 6 years old, I used to make Tinker Toys into microphones and shove them in people’s faces and interview them. I don’t remember doing it, but I am pretty sure she was telling the truth. I pretty much always wanted to do this, except for a brief of period time when I wanted to be a surgeon … and a brief period of time when I wanted to be an astronaut, but then I went back to radio. I think it’s been a great choice. Altogether, I have had an interesting life. I have met a lot of people I never would have otherwise met. I have been places I never would have otherwise been, and I just feel really lucky. I love the folks here. They’re the nicest group of people I have ever worked with. I am not leaving here until I die (laughs).
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The Dreaded DOWNSIZE The Fine Line Between Clutter and Hoarding by Jennifer Webster | Photography by Katherine Clark
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H
ow do you help a loved one who has too much stuff? Divesting can be difficult, especially the older we are. After World War II, members of the Greatest Generation were eager to own a home, a car or a television. Baby boomers added a videocassette recorder and a stack of VHS tapes, soon replaced by DVDs. People of any age may accumulate flower pots, Christmas presents or drawers full of rubber bands. Outgrown clothes. A Stairmaster. Stacks of fabric or lumber for future crafts. But at some point, people will need less. When they move into a more manageable home, a senior community or an adult child’s house, they’ll need to retrench a bit. Even living in their original family home, people may be advised to scale down their belongings to make their environment safer and more manageable. It’s hard. People get attached to their possessions, or figure they might use them someday. There can be complicating factors, too. Alzheimer’s disease makes it difficult for people to sort through what they need and what they don’t. For example, a stack of bills can become overwhelming, not because someone doesn’t want to get rid of them, but because she’s confused as to which ones are legitimate or how to go about balancing the checkbook. Also, some may have a hoarding disorder, a condition in which they are extremely unwilling to discard possessions, accumulating so much that their homes become dangerous or unsanitary. In most cases, though, families can help their loved ones downsize in effective, caring ways. Here’s how.
Professional Advice
“
Pam Warren, owner of Carolina, Let’s Get Organized! in Fayetteville, helps clients plan for moves and make the transition to smaller dwellings. Most often, she says, families ask her to assist their loved ones. “As senior relocation specialists, we help Mom and Dad go through the home, closet by closet and drawer by drawer, deciding what they need and don’t need to take with them,” she says. “The process is time-consuming, moving just as fast as the client can make the decision.” Moves may take from a couple of days to four months, Warren says. She offers plenty of advice to make downsizing easier. First, she says, counteract thoughts that downsizing involves giving up security or independence. Instead of being diminished by loss of possessions, imagine freedom in having less stuff to maintain. She uses the illustration of going on a cruise, unburdened by a lot of luggage. Or consider how much less stuff there will be to clean in a new, smaller home or assisted living unit. CONTINUED PAGE 58
”
If there are special things you want to take, they should be in the memory box...
—Pam Warren, Carolina, Let’s Get Organized!
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“
When downsizing, try not to get overwhelmed! 1. Take small steps. 2. Focus on one area at a time (a closet, a kitchen cabinet or drawer, for example). 3. Keep in mind it can be helpful to work in pairs when there is much to process, both physically and mentally.
”
—Jennifer Faircloth,
Caring Transitions of the Sandhills
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57
If people are burdened by sentimental attachments, Warren, at left, suggests a memory box. Her own memory box contains trinkets from raising her daughters. “However big or small, it must fit into the apartment, under the bed or on the closet floor,” she says. “If there are special things you want to take, they should be in the memory box. If … you touch them and they still mean something to your heart or bring a tear to your eye, definitely you should keep those things, but you have to realize, once the box is full, that’s it.” Tod Davis, CRTS, president and owner of Carolina Relocation and Transition Specialists, also has great suggestions for eliminating excessive possessions. “Most seniors have a difficult time letting go of possessions, as they were a product of the Depression era,” he says. “To them, everything has a value and may be needed, if not now, then later. Getting rid of items falls into two main categories: throwing money away or throwing memories away. Neither one is something they would choose.”
In response, he says, treat the person’s concerns with respect. “Do not scold or condescend,” Davis says. “Acknowledge the importance of the items and find out the significance behind them. There is a story there. Retain the importance and value of the story, while limiting the possessions. If someone feels they are being judged by you, they are not going to let you help them.” Once trust has been established, Davis takes concrete steps to help his clients downsize. “Clients should tackle smaller, easier areas first,” he says. “For instance, in their clothes closet, they can turn all the hangers around backwards, then over the next six months as they wear their clothes, hang them back up correctly. They can see what clothes they’re wearing and what clothes they’re not wearing. This will give them a great place to start on weeding out clothes they no longer use.” Tackling a junk drawer is another example of taking a small step toward solving a larger problem. “As people take on the smaller tasks, their confidence will build and their frame of mind will start to change,” he says. “Things will get easier.”
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Is It Really Hoarding?
Sometimes, things don’t get easier. When someone’s attachment to their possessions becomes dysfunctional, psychologists call it hoarding disorder. Taeh A. Ward, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist with Pinehurst Neuropsychology, explains the distinction between having a lot of possessions and hoarding as a matter of function and safety. “It’s not just that you have a lot of things, it’s that you can’t get to the bathroom, so you have a urinary tract infection,” she illustrates. “When it causes physical safety issues or harm to relationships, we consider it a disorder.” If someone lives alone and doesn’t entertain guests, it may be difficult to identify hoarding disorder. Signs may include unexplained falls and medical problems, she says. People may be reluctant to admit visitors. They may have poor nutrition because they cannot get to the kitchen, or skin problems because they cannot easily access the bathroom to wash themselves. Identification is the first step to managing a hoarding disorder. A person who is just messy will probably welcome help cleaning up, Dr. Ward says; however, a hoarder will become deeply distressed when a downsize is proposed. A trained counselor is usually needed to help them acclimate to the idea of letting go of items. “If people are resistant … be empathetic and focus on the person’s wellbeing,” Dr. Ward says. “There is a logic behind why they think they need the items, and if you ask them, they will explain why. There are some good self-help resources, but I’ve never had good success with having patients use them independently and follow their advice.” Professional organizers can offer downsizing strategies, but when a person has a true hoarding disorder, consult a counselor to help them gain insight into their condition and change the mental behaviors that lead to hoarding. With time and patience, a person may come to appreciate which possessions he can shed, and which are truly important him.
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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 62
Allow Anyone Arrow Asked Bakes Berry
Built Canyon Choice Cinema Circumstances Coins
Comic Deals Didn’t Edging Empty Ending
32. Buttonhole, e.g. 36. Clash 39. At liberty 41. Conceal 42. ___ and cheese 43. Beat 45. Barbie’s beau 46. ... 48. Banquet 49. Fly, e.g. 50. French door part 51. Golf ball support 52. Car accessory 54. “The Three Faces of ___” 56. Relating to algae 60. “Chicago” lyricist 63. Setting for TV’s “Newhart” 65. Convened 67. “___ to Billie Joe” 68. Semisynthetic textile filament 70. Airy 72. “How ___!” 73. Admittance 74. Cost of living? 75. Long, long time 76. Fall (over) 77. Buddy 78. The “p” in m.p.g.
DOWN ACROSS
1. Chest protector 4. “Dang!” 8. Back talk 12. Coastal raptor 13. Its motto is “Lux et veritas”
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14. Grant 16. Covet 17. Barbra’s “A Star Is Born” co-star 18. Car dealer’s offering 19. Barely get, with “out” 20. Drone, e.g.
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21. “For shame!” 23. Ale holder 24. Conductor Koussevitzky 26. Cable network 28. Back, in a way 30. Appropriate
1. Slow 2. ___ tube 3. “Wanna ___?” 4. An embankment 5. Pink, as a steak 6. “Aladdin” prince 7. Makeup, e.g. 8. Corporate department
Finer Fists Formidable Funds Growl Halls
Happy Headquarters Hesitate Lunch Model Ninth Orders Plain Rally Robot Roses Saved Sewed Solar Spells Start Surrounded Swing Switch Tales Tarts Throat Towns Until Whales Windy
9. A pint, maybe 10. High-five, e.g. 11. Comme ci, comme ca (hyphenated) 12. Lady bighorns 15. All ___ 20. Beseech 22. Away 25. Gangster’s gun 27. ___ Wednesday 29. “How ___ Has the Banshee Cried” (Thomas Moore poem) 30. Cliffside dwelling 31. Hammer part 33. Go for 34. Bad day for Caesar 35. Camping gear 36. FedEx, say 37. Legal prefix 38. Call from the flock 40. Carnival attraction 44. Center of a ball? 47. “Comprende?” 49. Amigo 51. Big ___ Conference 53. Backstabber 55. What records are made of 57. Overcharge 58. Calculator, at times 59. Bottom of the barrel 60. “... ___ he drove out of sight” 61. Billiard cushion 62. Information unit 64. “Cheers” regular 65. Cast 66. A chip, maybe 69. Bauxite, e.g. 71. ___ green 72. 50 cent piece
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advice
CAREGIVING CAN MAKE LIFE CRAZY!
Caregiving, Clutter and Too Much Stuff by Mike Collins
S
o often, when we hear the word “downsizing,” we think of moving to a smaller residence; less or no yard, fewer rooms to clean, a smaller area with lower expenses. When caregiving, especially in a situation in which the one you are caring for moves in with you, it does seem like you have a smaller residence, that you downsized without moving. One of the most difficult challenges about caregiving is that it’s one of those times in life—not unlike marriage—in which you must be concerned not only with your own belongings but also someone else’s. Even if the one you are caring for does not move in, you may be responsible for much of the—let’s call it stuff—you need to care for your loved one. For those of you not from around here, you may not yet have developed an appreciation for beach music, one of the Carolinas’ gifts to the world. Delbert McClinton, a wonderful artist whose work eases over into beach music, has a great song, “Too Much Stuff.” If you haven’t heard it, you can watch or listen to it online at www.youtube.com. He sings that we all have too much stuff and it messes with your mind. (McClinton also has another song, “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly,” but that is another story.)
GREY MATTER ANSWERS
CROSSWORD
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The stuff that comes with caregiving ranges from your loved one’s belongings to all the paperwork, information, medical stuff, food, and trash created during the experience. Too much stuff easily turns into clutter and, as McClinton sings, it can mess with your mind. Think about the negative impact of clutter creating a situation in which you can’t find the information, form, medicine or supplies you need to ensure your loved one’s care and safety. With that in mind, here are a dozen ways to declutter your environment when caregiving:
1overwhelming. Do one room at a time. Do one cornerIt’sof Stop thinking about getting it all done at once.
a room. Do one shelf. Then reward yourself.
2a little at a time. 3
Stop thinking about perfection. Just make it simpler Don’t leave a room without putting or throwing something away.
WORD SEARCH
SUDOKU
4
Set the timer on your cellphone to 10 minutes. Clean or
M AYB E
8
Keep a donation box in a closet or near the back door. Every time you fill the box and donate
its contents give yourself a reward.
straighten up as much as you can, and when the timer goes off reward yourself.
who is not as 9emotional aboutFindthesomeone items to help you declutter.
5
10
Have one place you keep all paperwork for your caregiving responsibilities. Have one
file folder on your computer to store all digital info…and back that file up once a day.
6
When decluttering, ask yourself these questions:
Do I really need this? Does my loved one really need this? Do I/they use it regularly? Do I/they love it? If the answer is no to the questions either throw, donate or give it away.
7items you can’t part with right now, but maybe
Have a “MAYBE” box. This is the box that gets
they’ll find their way out at a later date. Put the maybe box where you don’t see it and write “maybe box” on your calendar six months from now. On that date, if you find the maybe box and it hasn’t been disturbed or opened, you can donate it or throw it away.
Ask for help.
And leave them alone to do it.
Remember, you may not be decluttering just for you. Other people’s stuff often comes with
their feelings. So, talk to others about the decluttering. Help them understand you won’t be tossing things they love. Don’t force the decision on them.
11Then talk to others about how nice it is to have
If there is resistance, declutter your own area.
more space. Be the example; be the inspiration.
you start decluttering, 12you aren’t clearing Once space for more stuff. Take a Enjoy the space.
little time to enjoy the simplicity.
Some of the most difficult caregiving experiences for my brother and me have centered on what to do with our parents’ stuff. We knew early on that he was the one to take care of all the records, bills and minutiae of caregiving. I was the one who cleaned a lot of the house stuff out. We still have items that are so emotion-laden that we cannot, and probably won’t, part with them. We’ll let the next generation take care of that.
Collins is the producer of the video, “Care for the Caregiver,” winner of a National Caregiver Friendly Award from Today’s Caregiver Magazine. For ways to deal with the craziness of caregiving, visit www.crazycaregiver.com . ©2017 Mike Collins
Facing the end of life is never easy. At FirstHealth Hospice, we make life last the whole time, providing comforting care with dignity and respect for both the patient and the family. Our professionally trained staff and volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support to enhance the quality of life for those in our community with a life-limiting illness. For information on how we can care for you or a loved one, please call (910) 715-6000, toll-free (866) 861-7485 or visit www.firsthealth.org/hospice.
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RESOURCE MARKETPLACE
ASSISTED LIVING
DID YOU KNOW? February is National Grapefruit Month Nydia Brooks Executive Director
Assisted Living & Memory Care 190 Fox Hollow Road Pinehurst, NC 28374 | 910.695.0011 mnbrooks@5ssl.com
www.FoxHollowSeniorLiving.com
Grapefruit slices up many health benefits, including: • Vitamin C to boost the immune system during this cold and flu season • Lycopene, an antioxidant in pink and red grapefruit juice, may help prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke. • Being fat-free and cholesterol-free as part of a healthy diet • A full serving of fruit in each glass of 100 percent grapefruit juice Source: www.floridacitrus.org
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75 Branches Serving You Across North Carolina BUSINESS | PERSONAL | HOME WEALTH | INSURANCE
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Equal Housing Lender
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Moore • Hoke • Cumberland Robeson • Harnett • Lee Counties
910.246.1011
Nurse aides, companions & registered nursing services sjp.org
Estate Planning & Administration Michael G. Gorenflo Attorney at Law 910-673-1325 mike@sandhillslawgroup.com HOME CARE SERVICES
A Network of Private-Duty Caregivers Serving South Central NC SOUTHERN PINES: 910.692.0683 CARY: 919.535.8713 info@AOSNC.com
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HOSPITALS
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a full range of primary care for men and women ages 60 and older. Our physicians have special training in treating seniors and employ the most current information, Experience active treatments, medications and practices for disease senior living & an prevention and diagnosis.
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Supporting NC families for three decades Find a support group alznc.org | 800.228.8738 FEBRUARY 2017 |
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Generations
by Flo Johnston & Michelle Goetzl
OutreachNC asked adults and children our February question. Share your answer on our Facebook page.
What do you love most about your pet?
My dog is a cuddler, lies on my lap and is a Daddy’s boy. —Ralph, 80 Friendship and companionship. I lost my foot-long, 13-year-old goldfish after he got sick, rolled over and swam around upside down for about a week. After his sad demise, my son gave me two new goldfish. Little ones. I named them Thelma and Louise, but discovered the next week that one was male, so I renamed them Bonnie and Clyde. —Glenda, 90 Sunshine, my cat, offers companionship that gives me a feeling of being loved. —Doris, 88 I love my cat, Oscar’s loyalty and willingness to forgive. —Robert, 84
My cat’s sociability. The short chirp she makes when she jumps into her bed next to my desk is just a little nod to let me know she’s nearby, not asking for anything, just making her presence known. —Kate, 85 That he’s our cat and he jumps in my lap sometimes. —Greta 4 I love hugging her and kissing her, and that she comes and wakes me up in my bed. —Sophia 4
Shatzi, a cat, likes to be with me. She follows me around and sleeps with me. She’s my baby. —Penny, 90
I love it when she purrs. —Emi 6
The love they give back. —Paul, 66
I love to play with Mr. Cuddles and dress him up in my clothes and jewelry. He’s patient and makes me laugh. —Hannah 7
We are captured by our cat Aruba’s sweetness. She’s a lapsitter and a talker, who never fails to greet us at the door. —Nancy & Bob, 82 Ari is a great walking companion. —Randy, 58
She eats my fingers and toes! —John David, 4
That I can ride him. —Lately, 4 She plays hide-and-go-seek with me. —Tyler, 5 Her ears, her snoz, her fatness...just her in general. —Jaidyn, 13
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When he notices that I feel sad and crawls in my lap to make me feel better. —Zoie, 11
Love my co-workers who play the in-and-out game with me all day long. —OutreachNC Co-editor Jeeves, 3
GET TICKETS TODAY! March 23-26 ONLY
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Season Sponsors
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Professional Theatre Company in Residence at
Groups of 10+email:
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