OutreachNC Magazine March 2017

COMPLIMENTARY

MARCH 2017 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 3

Mindful

Aging issue

Serving the Sandhills & Southern Piedmont

MARCH 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 1

| OUTREACHNC.COM

quality. compassionate care.

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features MARCH 2017

25 Brain & Behavior: The Science of Neuropsychology

by Carrie Frye

34

50

For Art’s Sake

Is Meditation the New Yoga?

by Jennifer Webster

by Wendy Brunner

40

30

4 Ways Boomers Are Aging Differently

Honoring World War II Veterans Series: Andy Anderson

by Rachel Stewart

by Jonathan Scott

44 Therapy Has Its Advantages

by Michelle Goetzl

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2017

Mindful Aging Issue

56 Carolina Conversations with “Little House on the Prairie” Actress Alison Arngrim

by Carrie Frye

MARCH 2017 |

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departments March 2017

“Only those with tenacity can march forward in March”

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advice & health

—Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

63

life

10

Ask the Expert

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA

14

Cooking Simple

by Rhett Morris

12

Brain Health

by Taeh Ward, PhD

20

Belle Weather

by Celia Rivenbark

16

Caregiving

by Mike Collins

24

Senior Shorts Poetry

by Ruth Moose

18

Health & Wellness Colorectal Cancer Awareness

by Ellen Willard, MD

60

Grey Matter Games Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword Puzzles

22

Nutrition

by Laura Buxenbaum, MPH

62

The Reader’s Nook

by Michelle Goetzl

64

Resource Marketplace Find the resources you need.

63

Over My Shoulder

by Ann Robson

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22 66

Generations

by Ann Robson & Michelle Goetzl

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Colonoscopies have been proven to save lives!

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910-692-9609 or mail a check to: P.O. Box 2478 Southern Pines, NC 28388

What's Online?

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articles

advice previous issues recipes

magazine extras

“No one likes a colonoscopy, until it saves your life.”

– Steven McDaniel

During a routine checkup with his family physician, Dr. David Howell of Marlboro Family Practice & Urgent Care, Steven mentioned he’d noticed blood in his stool. Dr. Howell quickly referred Steven to Dr. Stephen Lanuti of Scotland Surgical & GI for a colonoscopy.

The procedure revealed colon cancer. For the firefighter, it came as a shock, but Dr. Lanuti provided the support he needed.

“I think he would have spent all day answering my questions,” Steven recalled. “I left his office feeling better, with a better understanding of what to expect.”

March 7th, Steven completed eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy at Scotland Cancer Treatment Center. “Without the colonoscopy, if I’d just ignored the warning signs,” Steven said, “I could really be in bad shape.”

scotlandhealthcare.org/colon MARCH 2017 | OutreachNC.com 7 500 Lauchwood Drive • Laurinburg, NC 28352

from the editor

M

arch and a Carolina spring are about to be in full bloom, so that always makes me smile.

Speaking of smiles and happiness, our theme this month is “Mindful Aging” and runs the gamut from your brain health to planning ahead, and as always, there’s plenty of helpful advice to help you age with success in between.

We continue our salute to World War II veterans series and spend some quality time with Andy Anderson in Pinehurst to hear a valiant tale from the battlefield, which took place while he had his lucky charm, a photo of his future wife, tucked in his boot. A double Purple Heart recipient, thank you, Mr. Anderson, for your service and sharing your time and stories with us!

To learn about the science of neuropsychology, we delve into the benefits of baseline testing, addressing memory concerns and early diagnoses for the most effective treatment options. This editor is very grateful to Drs. Contardo, Stuart and Sullivan for lending their expertise.

We also go behind the scenes in another specialtyoccupational therapy-to learn about the many useful tools it provides for recovering from an injury or illness to Parkinson’s disease and the side effects of cancer treatments.

Another tool used by many with positive effects is some form of meditation, and maybe a new endeavor for the editor, since the photo shoot was in such a beautiful and tranquil setting in downtown Southern Pines.

While you’re pondering meditation, think back to the good ol’ days of television, 40 years ago, and remember “Little House on the Prairie’s” Nellie Oleson. Actress Alison Arngrim is all grown up now, of course, and coming to Pinehurst for Judson’s Theatre’s performance of “And Then There Were None,” March 23-26. It was so much fun to speak with her for this month’s Carolina Conversations, and her classic voice is the same, although she will be using a British accent for her character of Emily Brent.

And since it is March, may the luck of the Irish be with you and my Florida State Seminoles in the ACC tourney and March Madness. Thank you so much for turning these pages with us! Co-editor Jeeves has his lucky collar on for his next adventure, which may be a nap.

Until next month...

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—Carrie Frye

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 Wendy Brunner, Laura Buxenbaum, Mike Collins, Michelle Goetzl, Rhett Morris, Celia Rivenbark, Ann Robson, Jonathan Scott, Rachel Stewart, Taeh Ward, Jennifer Webster, Ellen Willard

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.

LEE AUDITORIUM, PINECREST HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTHERN PINES

Stormy and triumphant— the symphony Tchaikovsky called his best

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OutreachNC.com 9

advice

Our Aging Life Care ProfessionalsTM will answer any aging questions you may have.

Email us your questions! info@OutreachNC.com

ASK THE EXPERT

To Drive or Not to Drive?

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA My husband recently received a dementia diagnosis. He has gotten lost a couple of times but can usually ask for help and find his way home. He does not want to give up his driver’s license, but our daughter has expressed some concerns for his safety. How do we know when it’s time to take away the keys?

This is a topic that has received more attention as people are living longer and the number of people diagnosed with some form of dementia has increased. The question of safety is typically stated, just as your question asks, “Is he safe driving?”

The other side of that coin is, “Is everybody else on the road safe with him driving?” It is important to look at both perspectives. He can still drive, but should he? Would you be comfortable letting him drive your grandchildren around town? What risks are presented to the driver, passenger and others on the road? If there is an accident, what is the potential liability or consequences involved? If you can start answering some of these questions, it will help you determine if a change is needed.

Some people decide they are no longer comfortable driving, especially in congested areas or unfamiliar places. Others hold on to the keys for dear life. Those that are resistant to giving up the keys may require professional intervention or assessment to help in that decision. You can begin by talking to your primary care physician and document concerns or incidents that occur.

There are also people who specialize in driver evaluation. Aging in general and other changes

to the brain can impact reaction time, processing time, vision, information recall and memory. The extent to which those things impact safety should be evaluated. Occupational therapists are one resource, and there are also independent driver evaluation programs. You can ask for resources in your local area at a hospital, department of aging, rehabilitation center, or ask a care manager.

Another resource is the N.C. Department of Transportation Medical Review Program. You can request a medical evaluation. The review unit gathers and evaluates medical information of drivers who have medical conditions that could affect safety on the state’s roads. A team of licensed physicians and nurses conducts thorough reviews of medical records and statements in conjunction with driving records. Then, they provide a decision as to what, if any, restrictions should be placed on a driver’s license. The goal of the Medical Review Program is to help protect highway safety without causing unnecessary hardship on drivers. For more information, call 919-861-3809.

Keep in mind that dementia is just one of many diagnoses that might interfere with a person’s

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 .

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“ ” A

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ability to drive. Medications can also play a role, as well as physical mobility. There are many diagnoses that can impact driver safety. Losing the ability to drive is a direct hit to a person’s independence and that can make it a very emotionally charged topic. I recommend having alternate forms of transportation lined up, to prevent a feeling of isolation. These may include family, friends, church members, taxi services, paid caregivers, county transportation or retirement communities that offer transportation.

What are the risks? There have been documented cases of an individual or family held liable for a person driving who has a documented diagnosis that could impair the driver. If you have concerns, talk to your insurance agent, attorney or physician.

If there is a significant risk, red flags or history of accidents or getting lost, then it is time to take action. If you need help addressing the topic with your loved one, seek out help from the resources listed above. It may not be easy, but it may be necessary and the best thing for all involved.

As a driver, you want to go out on top. Don’t wait for an accident to take away the keys. Help preserve a person’s dignity by providing selfinitiated alternatives. Consider some of these online resources for advice as well:

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• The Hartford offers a helpful guide to having driving conversations: www.thehartford.com/sites/the_hartford/ files/we-need-to-talk-2012.pdf • AARP offers driver safety courses and warning signs to look for at: www.aarp. org/home-garden/transportation/info05-2010/Warning_Signs_Stopping.html and www.aarp.org/ws/EO/driver-safetyprograms.html MARCH 2017 |

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health

B R A I N H E A LT H

Mind Over Money:

Early Signs of Cognitive Decline

by Taeh Ward, PhD

I

t is normal to experience age-related declines in vision and hearing, speed of thinking, divided attention, occasional word-finding difficulties and misplacing items.

So, at what point should you and your family become concerned about cognitive changes?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs when cognitive difficulties exceed those of normal aging, but are not severe enough to prevent independent completion of complex daily tasks. Approximately 10-15 percent of patients with MCI progress to dementia each year, and MCI can affect some aspects of tasks such as financial management.

Dementia causes significantly greater cognitive problems than anticipated in normal aging; it affect independent completion of instrumental activities of daily living, such as driving, managing money and taking medications and then progresses to affect simple activities of personal care. Dementia can be caused by many factors; the most common is Alzheimer’s disease.

Early signs of cognitive decline which may not be part of normal aging include: • Memory loss affecting complex daily activities

-forgetting purchases, recent events or paying bills late, repeatedly or not at all • Difficulty planning and organizing-problems estimating time frames for travel, planning and gathering materials for meals or projects • Difficulty with numbers, problem-solving or abstract reasoning-problems balancing the

checkbook; uncharacteristic shopping or charitable donations

• Impaired judgment-uncharacteristic or risky

decision making

• Changes in language-increasing difficulty

explaining one’s thoughts or finding the right word; substituting inappropriate words • Disorientation-forgetting dates, getting lost while driving • Misplacing items in inappropriate places (wallet in garage, keys in freezer) • Changes in appearance-declines in hygiene, wearing dirty clothes, weight loss • Changes in mood and behavior-loss of motivation, new-onset mood swings such as anxiety or anger out of proportion for the issue at hand • Changes in personality-paranoia, social withdrawal or socially inappropriate behaviors

Financial Management A decline in money management is often one of the earliest signs of incipient dementia. Independent financial management requires: basic monetary knowledge, such as identifying and counting money; conducting and remembering cash and credit/debit card transactions; understanding a bank statement and completing math calculations; paying bills accurately and on time; understanding financial concepts and assets; and maintaining judgment about financial activities to avoid financial loss.

Individuals and their families are encouraged to set up safeguards to prevent financial errors and abuse before they occur, such as:

Dr. Ward, a clinical neuropsychologist at Pinehurst Neuropsychology, can be reached at 910-420-8041 or by visiting www.pinehurstneuropsychology.com .

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• Consult a qualified legal or financial adviser.

• Identify a Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters.

• Set up overdraft protection, automatic deposit or bill payment.

• Set up joint banking or permission for a bank to notify a third party if bills are not paid.

• Consider setting up a Living Trust prepared by a lawyer which provides instructions on how assets are to be managed during a person’s lifetime and distributed after death.

If all else fails, consider seeking legal appointment of a “guardian of the estate.” If an individual is resistant to assistance, it may be helpful to consult his or her physician for advice. A diagnosis of MCI or dementia does not immediately indicate that one should stop handling finances.

A neuropsychological evaluation of financial capacity may be helpful to determine how much assistance is needed with money management as well.

It is important to remain involved in one’s finances, using safeguards to prevent errors for as long as possible, to minimize emotional distress related to loss of independence.

More information about financial planning in dementia can be found at: www.alz.org/i-have-alz/ financial-planning.asp.

MARCH 2017 |

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life

COOKING SIMPLE

Grilled Artichoke

by Rhett Morris | Photography by Diana Matthews

Ingredients 2 artichokes 1 lemon 3 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Zest lemon, and put in a small bowl. Cut lemon in half lengthwise and juice into the bowl. Save lemon. Chop garlic very finely, and add to bowl. Add olive oil and stir together. Cut artichokes in half and rub the inside with leftover lemon. Take spoon and scoop out the middle of artichoke, removing the hairy center. Then rub the artichoke with the mixture in bowl, making sure to get it into the small cracks of the artichoke. Heat grill to high. Place artichokes on grill, and keep turning them every 3 minutes, until artichoke is soft in center. Serve warm.

Salt and pepper to taste Morris, owner of Rhett’s Restaurant, Personal Chef & Catering, is an awardwinning chef. He can be reached at 910-695-3663 or rhett@rhettsrpcc.com .

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OutreachNC.com 15

advice

“

CAREGIVING CAN MAKE LIFE CRAZY!

All It Takes Is a Moment

M

by Mike Collins

”

indfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.

R

—Jon Kabat-Zinn

Developer of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction

ecently, a friend was telling me about her caregiving experiences. Her list of stresses, challenges and outright pain would be familiar to most caregivers.

I asked, “Have you ever tried mindfulness as a way to lower your stress level, help you think and experience it all more positively, and get a handle on how you go through your day?”

She looked at me like I was growing a hand out of the top of my head and, with her wonderful sense of humor, said, “Look, sport, I’m mindful of trying not to lose my keys every five minutes. I’m positive that if our home care person shows up late again, I’m going to kill her. And, I’d like to get a handle of a shovel to smack Mom’s doctor who keeps telling us that things are progressing.”

Right.

The stresses of caregiving are well-known, so I won’t go into them. I’ll simply offer again the 5 Hs, the areas

in which caregiver stress negatively impacts us: Our heart, head, health, home and hands (workplace).

The great thing about easing into some sort of mindfulness practice is that increasing research shows it can positively—and immediately—address some of the underlying sources of stress, including negative emotional reactions, an inability to think positively and dealing with anxiety. Psychologists call the foundation of these negative notions framing. How we frame an experience, as positive or negative, kicks out a whole range of stress reactions, good and bad.

If you are a caregiver and you’re—oh, let’s say, 50-plus—and you have some of your own health issues, let me offer the one bit of reality that should encourage you to run, not walk, to the nearest source of information about mindfulness. Research across the board shows that chronic activation of your stress response (let’s get personal here: how you react to the stress of caregiving and being a caregiver) cannot

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only contribute to disease, but is highly likely to make current health conditions worse.

Let me put an even finer point on this: If you have joint problems, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and the range of physical issues that pop up as we age; if you want to make common colds worse; and maybe increase your potential for a heart attack, keep letting caregiver stress hammer you.

Now, go back and read the last two paragraphs again.

Don’t think a mindful practice involves hours of sitting on a floor cross-legged. (If you ever see me start trying to do that, please go ahead and call 911.)

One mindfulness practice only takes a few minutes and has a range of positive benefits, and everyone does it all the time—breathing.

Sit in a position you can sustain comfortably for a few minutes; sitting in a chair or on a couch is fine.

Take a moment to simply relax and slow down a little.

Close your eyes, put your thumb or forefinger over your right nostril, and slowly, deeply, inhale through your left nostril for a count of five.

Focus all your attention on your breathing; that’s the essence of a mindfulness exercise.

Hold your breath for four seconds.

Then, release your right nostril, put your thumb or forefinger over your left nostril and exhale slowly and completely through your right nostril and count to five.

Now, simply reverse the process. Inhale through the right and exhale through the left.

Keep it going through four or five rounds, more if you have time.

You can do deep breathing anywhere, and you only need a few minutes.

You’ll often find the exercise calms and energizes you. Why? Because, when we get stressed we restrict our breathing, which means we get less oxygen to our brain, which means we get more of a stressed feeling.

Deep breathing means more oxygen and that tells our brains, “Calm down, things will be OK.” And, that’s it.

Try this simple mindfulness exercise a few times.

Don’t give up if you don’t feel like Harrison Ford or Cybill Shepherd the first time.

As caregivers, we are often so pressed for time that we have to pick our moments. Use a few of those moments for this deep breathing exercise, and you’ll be delighted with the results.

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

MARCH 2017 |

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health

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Screening Can Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer

by Ellen Willard, MD

M

arch is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time when Americans are especially encouraged to schedule a colorectal screening or discuss their risk of disease with their physician.

While colorectal cancer remains a common cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death, screening not only leads to early diagnosis and better survival, but it can also serve to prevent colon cancer. Early-stage colon cancer is associated with a five-year survival rate of 90 percent, which means that an estimated 90 out of 100 people who have that cancer are still alive five years after being diagnosed. Keep in mind, however, that many of these people live much longer than five years after diagnosis.

The most effective “gold standard” for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy, an exam in which the entire colon and rectum are examined with a lighted instrument called a colonoscope.

During this procedure, physicians biopsy or remove polyps or other suspicious lesions.

Since many polyps have the potential to become malignant over time, removal of these polyps in effect “prevents” colon cancer.

As a result of increased use of screening with a colonoscopy, the number of new cases of colon cancer, as well as the number of deaths from colon cancer, has been decreasing.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in addition to age, risk factors for colorectal cancer include: • Personal or family history • A history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease • Diet, especially with high consumption of red and processed meats and low consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables • A sedentary lifestyle • Smoking

The American Cancer Society recommends that colon cancer screening start at the age of 50, if patients are not otherwise considered to be at high risk. Those at higher risk, who may need to start screening sooner, include those with a personal or family history of certain cancers, including colorectal cancer, or those with other diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Please take advantage of this reminder to discuss what screening options are available and what is most appropriate for you with your physician or other healthcare provider.

Dr. Willard is medical director of FirstHealth Outpatient Cancer Center in conjunction with Pinehurst Medical Clinic in Pinehurst. The FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital cancer program is accredited with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. For more information, visit www.NCCancerCare.org .

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life

B E L L E W E AT H E R

Potty Training

by Celia Rivenbark

I

wandered into a high-end plumbing supply showroom not long ago and was surprised, not in a good way, when a lid flew open just because I’d walked by.

“Just looking,” I said to the potty under my breath, sensing its disappointment. The lid quietly closed, and I resolved not to walk past it again. I’m no tease. The modern showroom for plumbing fixtures is a lot like the car showroom used to be. Lots of shine and good lighting and sticker shock. And like cars, you get what you pay for.

I used to think that I would never be able to afford a glowing toilet seat that is motionactivated, in case I become too feeble minded to, say, turn on the light.

But guess what? My 578th Bed, Bath & Beyond circular of the year (well, it’s only March) just arrived and the whole front page is devoted to fancy toileting.

Not only can you “add some glow to your go” with the Illumibowl toilet night light, but also you can use Poo-Pourri to spray the toilet bowl before you do No. 2 “so no one will know.”

This made me think, warmly, of my dear late father-in-law who liked to say that after his morning coffee, if the hallway was clear, the door was open and the seat was up, he might make it in time. No time for pretending he was actually in there propagating lilacs. “So no one will know?”

The completed Cryptoquote in the wastebasket is a giveaway.

BB&B crows, “The Best Seat in the House Just Got Better.” I have to wonder what kind of people consider their toilet to be the best seat in the

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house. (“Martha, the preacher’s coming for Sunday dinner.

What say we give him the best seat in the house?”)

And now there’s the fragrant Face Values flushable wipe. OK, I’m not the sharpest bulb in the shed, but isn’t this confusing?

A company called Face Values is selling a wipe that brags of a “fresh clean feeling toilet paper alone can’t give.” So maybe everybody else’s face is located in a whole different place? Do we start with the face and then, er, move down because, well, you wouldn’t want to do it the other way, am I right?

And finally there’s Squatty Potty, which costs $24.99 and is advertised as “the stool for better stools” (Kill me now.) A portable version costs five dollars more. Where do you use that? Perhaps if you’re visiting a friend, you could whip out your portable Squatty Potty in a kind of smug, “I brought my own” magnanimous gesture, although I’m pretty sure they’d rather you just bring wine like everybody else.

With Poo-Pourri, Squatty Potty, and face/butt flushable wipes, even an interstate rest stop can be lovely. Is this a rest stop or a spa? Only the domestic violence hotline tear-offs tell the story.

Fancy toileting on the cheap. Thanks, BB&B. You’ve made me, well, flush with happiness.

Rivenbark is the best-selling 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 21

health

NUTRITION

Put Your Best Fork Forward

by Laura Buxenbaum, MPH, RD, LDN

I

f eating healthier topped your New Year’s resolution list, the good news is you still have time to achieve this worthy goal. Adding more nutritious foods does not mean deprivation or a total overhaul of your entire lifestyle. It’s the daily small changes, made over time, which can truly become habits. March is National Nutrition Month and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging everyone to eat healthier with the theme “Put Your Best Fork Forward” by starting small—one forkful at a time. Stick to your healthy eating resolutions with these tips.

Focus on Variety It’s easy to get into an eating rut, especially when you think you must stick to certain foods to be your healthiest. It’s good to remember that when it comes to filling a plate with healthful foods, variety is key. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines noted four nutrients of concern that many Americans are missing:

• Calcium • Potassium • Vitamin D • Fiber By simply adding more fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean protein and whole grains, we could close the gap on those essential nutrients.

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Here’s how: Roast vegetables and top with parmesan cheese, whirl frozen berries in a blender with delicious yogurt or milk or dig your fork into a crisp vegetable salad topped with protein such as beans and cheese. Use MyPlate as an eating guide and make sure you have all of the food groups represented at meal time.

Bring Dinner Back to the Kitchen Spending less time in the drive-thru and more time in the kitchen can have a big impact on your health and waistline. Research shows people who cook more meals at home eat more vitamins and minerals and consume fewer calories. Upgrade your recipes with simple substitutions to make home-cooked meals even healthier.

For example, replace white bread and pasta with whole-wheat varieties, or use whole-grain flour when baking. Swap high-calorie ingredients such as mayonnaise and sour cream with Greek yogurt.

Not only will this switch decrease total fat and calories, but it will also provide additional nutrients. Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and protein, and it helps boost immunity with probiotics.

Pay Attention to Portions How much we eat is just as important as what we eat. Even when filling a plate with healthier foods, portions do matter. For adults, MyPlate recommends 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of vegetables, 6-8 ounces of grains, 5-6 ounces of protein and 3 cups of dairy each day.

Remember, fruits, vegetables and whole grains provide fiber that will keep you satisfied longer. Dairy foods are the primary source of calcium in American diets and can build stronger bones and teeth.

Additionally, dairy foods contain high-quality, complete protein.

From helping curb hunger to helping fuel lean muscles, diets higher in protein can help power your path to health and wellness.

Aim for Activity Physical activity can do more than help you maintain a healthy weight. It also lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and helps decrease depression. The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate-intensity activity for at least 2.5 hours per week.

Find activities that you enjoy, and try to be physically active most days of the week. Remember to incorporate exercise into your day in different ways: take the stairs instead of the elevator, or rake the yard instead of using the leaf blower. Exercising with friends and family can be a great way to stay healthy and have fun, too.

Buxenbaum, MPH, RD, LDN, assistant director of nutrition affairs of the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc., can be reached at 800-343-4693 or lbuxenbaum@sedairy.org .

Mango-Curry

Chicken Salad Add a touch of sweetness to this main-dish chicken salad with dried cranberries and walnuts.

Cheese cubes boost both the protein and the calcium in this nutrient-packed salad.

Ingredients • 2 ½ cups (½-inch pieces) grilled skinless, boneless chicken breasts • ½ cup non-fat yogurt • 1 teaspoon curry powder • ½ cup cubed mango • 1 cup dried, sweetened cranberries • ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped • ⅓ cup mozzarella, cut into small cubes

Directions Grill chicken breasts, cut into small pieces and set aside. In a medium bowl, blend yogurt and curry with a whisk and stir in chicken, mango, cranberries, walnuts and mozzarella. Mix well and serve on lettuce leaves if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Southeast United Dairy Industry Association

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life

SENIOR SHORTS POETRY

Three Psalms Before Dawn

by Ruth Moose | Photography by Katherine Clark

I. The holy daylight is hours away in the green garden of sleep. The singing rain cools the mist with its loose, wet tongue while in the far meadow, mourning doves throat their music in mauve and gray.

II. The stars wind a golden trail up the hill and behind the pines.

There Moon sits on her feet like a giant owl above the beach where fog’s silken sleeves have brushed the sand.

III. O holy morning, how blessed are the blueberries to wear jackets of rainwater.

How blessed to sing the noon song of yellow flowers, open as any kind of love late and soon.

How blessed the night to find a warm friend near to hold the light on a path where even the stones shine back.

They hold until the earth shifts and comes again to lift us all in pockets of joy.

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About the author...

Ruth Moose-fiction writer, poet, novelist, teacherhas been writing for more than 40 years. Originally from Albemarle, she now resides in Pittsboro, where she continues to write and teach since her retirement from the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Creative Writing Department in 2010.

For more information, visit www.ruthmoose.com .

Brain Behavior

&

The Science of Neuropsychology

by Carrie Frye | Photography by Diana Matthews

S

olving a Sudoku puzzle, taking a brisk walk or eating more broccoli might be typical topics of conversation when it comes to better brain health. The subject is much more top of mind these days, and perhaps should be with more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Keeping busy with an engaged mind and staying connected socially are two key factors identified in a 2015 Harvard Medical School study to help stave off dementia, and a recent AARP study cites mental sharpness as a top priority for those 50 and older, even outranking concerns over Social Security and physical health. Baby boomers may be the driving force due to an increased aging population but just as prevalent is their desire for more proactive health initiatives and answers when cognitive changes in function and behavior begin affecting everyday life.

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“On the whole, older adults are becoming more aware of the importance of brain health,” says Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP and owner of Pinehurst Neuropsychology Brain and Memory Clinic.

“They are actively seeking to learn and employ scientifically supported strategies to improve brain health, reduce the risk of developing dementia and detect memory loss at the earliest stage possible.”

Chris Contardo, PhD, ABPP at Psychiatric and Psychological Specialties in St. Joseph, Michigan, serving patients throughout southwest Michigan, also recognizes a move toward clear diagnoses by boomers as a national trend.

“If there has been a push, it is the early identification of memory loss,” he says. “It really comes down to people moving away from screenings and not being OK with whatever is happening to them.

Boomers are demanding research continue to enable the latest technological developments and using neuropsychology in a proactive way to help identify potential problems before a crisis, such as knowing someone shouldn’t drive before there is an accident.”

The Science

Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, discusses a diagnosis and paper and pencil testing.

“Having someone draw a clock can provide you with a tremendous amount of information about how his or her brain is working.” she says.

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Neuropsychology is the science of brain and behavior. As a a specialty field within clinical psychology, neuropsychologists complete an accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology with a clinical internship and two years of post-doctoral training in neuropsychology. Although the specialty may not roll off the tongue, its providers work in tandem with primary care physicians, neurologists or other physician specialists to provide evaluation and testing when people have concerns regarding memory loss or have epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injuries or a form of dementia, including Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.

“We also see people who may not have a known medical condition but are trying to understand why they are experiencing changes in memory, attention or word-finding difficulties,” says Jill Zukerman Stuart, PhD, ABPP at Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic in Durham. “We look at cognition, at people’s memory, attention, thinking and a lot of measures that correlate to different areas of the brain to determine how different parts of the brain are functioning while taking into account what makes us people: education, occupation, moods and stressors. All of these things are important to how we function, not just a test score.”

It might be a specific task that has become difficult, like balancing a checkbook or forgetting to take medications, that prompts an initial conversation with your primary care doctor.

“It’s important to note and discuss any cognitive changes with your physician,” Dr. Sullivan says. “When you notice something that interferes with what we call instrumental activities of daily living, such as driving or getting taxes together, this is a clear sign that something is wrong and that the person should speak with a healthcare professional.”

The initial screening done by a primary care physician or specialist is the beginning step in the process.

“These screenings can tell something is wrong but not exactly what the problem is,” Dr. Contardo adds. “The neuropsychology testing is much more in-depth and personalized and allows for a specific diagnosis to be given, allowing the patients to not sit in an ambiguous place. It gives them answers.”

Task-oriented Testing

“

W

hen I was a teenager, my grandmother began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and this had a lasting effect on me professionally and personally. I don’t think you can live through the experience of Alzheimer’s with someone you love and not be profoundly moved.

—Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

Neuropsychologists employ a variety of task-oriented, standardized evaluations to determine how a person’s brain functions.

The evaluation tests a person’s abilities across a wide range of areas, including:

”

• Attention and Concentration • Planning • Multi-tasking • Reasoning • Learning and Memory • Speech and Language “People should know that we are not going to poke or prod,” Dr. Stuart says.

“It’s a paper and pencil test, and we don’t do anything scary. People may come with apprehension, and that’s understandable, but I am here to give you the most options to improve your quality of life.”

One paper and pencil test may include asking the person to draw a clock on a blank sheet of paper.

“Some of the neuropsychological tests that we do may appear incredibly simple,” Dr. Sullivan says, “but based on years of research, they are quite sophisticated. Having someone draw a clock can provide you with a tremendous amount of information about how his or her brain is working. Edith Kaplan, the godmother of neuropsychology, once said that you should be able to conduct a neuropsychological evaluation on a desert island with a stick and some sand, and I love that.”

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Is neuropsychology covered by insurance or Medicare?

“As with all things related to insurance, it depends on your personal coverage,” Dr. Sullivan advises. “As a general rule, most plans require a referral from your primary care physician or a specialist and reimburse for a neuropsychological evaluation based on medical necessity.”

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Personal & Family Interviews

In addition to the paper and pencil testing, another aspect of the complete neuropsychological evaluation includes interviews with not only the person but also a family member, caregiver or friend.

“Family members have so much valuable information to share, and to not access their expertise would be a huge opportunity lost,” Dr. Sullivan adds. “It is only when we combine both sets of know-how that we can get somewhere in the care of people with brain issues.”

“If there has been a day-to-day decline from a functional standpoint,” Dr. Contardo adds, “a patient can be a bad reporter on that, and we need a lot of information from family members and caregivers.

Their information is vital.”

Including family caregivers in the process may also alleviate them from playing the role of the “bad guy,” especially for difficult decisions like having to take away the car keys.

“When the opinion comes from an objective outsider and stops being a ‘he said, she said’ conflict, relationships vastly improve,” Dr. Sullivan says.

Quality of Life Results With the compilation of testing and interviews complete, neuropsychologists can formulate a plan of care that focuses on quality of life.

A neuropsychological evaluation can: • Reduce uncertainty about a change in thinking or behavior • Start disease-specific medications as soon as possible that may slow symptoms • Reduce modifiable risks that may contribute to memory decline or functional impairment • Provide options for planning for the future • Provide education and support to the patient and family • Connect patients to community-based resources • Inform decision-making about abilities such as driving, living independently and level of supervision • Provide a baseline for ongoing monitoring of cognitive symptoms and changing care needs

“Sometimes, you have to give patients bad news, but it’s better to get the bad news early, plan and make adjustments on your own terms,” Dr. Contardo says.

“It is also really nice to tell someone, there is nothing wrong, or it is treatable. Those are the good ones.”

Although it can be a difficult road with a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the role of the neuropsychologist includes more than mere diagnostics.

“A neuropsychologist’s job is to bring clarity, understanding and care to how a certain condition affects the whole person, not just one part of their body,” Dr. Sullivan says. “We care about how people and their families are adjusting to their brain

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condition, how they are grieving in some instances, how they are meeting their work and family obligations and how their relationships are affected.

“I take pride in communicating the complex workings of the brain into language people can understand and framing it in a context that makes the information meaningful. If people don’t understand how diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea affects the brain, they aren’t as motivated as they could be to manage these conditions.

“In the case of dementia, it is critical to know what specific type of brain disease is causing dementia, so treatments can be customized, and the proper information can be discussed, including what to expect in the future, what type of care and support the person needs and how family members can specifically help the person remain as happy and independent as possible.

“When I was a teenager, my grandmother began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and this had a lasting effect on me professionally and personally,” Dr. Sullivan adds. “I don’t think you can live through the experience of Alzheimer’s with someone you love and not be profoundly moved. I feel so thankful to have the opportunity to serve people in this unique way. I choose neuropsychology, because it provides the best tool I have ever found to help people.”

Three Reasons to Consider a Neuropsychological Evaluation Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, advises that there are a few good rules of thumb regarding when it might be time to consider a neuropsychological evaluation that can range from quite broad to very specific.

1. Anyone older than 65 may benefit from a baseline evaluation,

even if he or she does not have any significant cognitive concerns at this time, especially if there is a family history of dementia. The memory medications on the market today are most beneficial when started as early as possible and the best way to know when there has been a change is through objective testing. Also, many older adults have normal age-related changes or treatable forms of memory loss, and if this is the case, we can treat the underlying condition and reassure the patient. Anxiety about changes in memory can cause memory symptoms, because they can distract us and reduce our ability to concentrate on the here and now. Worst-case scenario, there is something significant going on, such as dementia, and we make a proactive plan and give the person the best chance to live the highest quality of life. Best-case scenario, it is normal for the person’s age, and we can talk about strategies to keep it that way.

2. If someone has been diagnosed with a condition that involves the brain, such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple

sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or brain cancer, or other medical conditions affecting the brain, including sleep apnea, heart attack with a loss of consciousness, diabetes or depression, these people should also consider an evaluation.

3. If an individual or family member feels there has been a change in the patient’s thinking or behavior, an evaluation

can provide significant benefit.

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Honoring World War II veterans Series «» Andy Anderson

by Jonathan Scott Photography by Diana Matthews

D

uring World War II, Private Andy Anderson knew what he was being asked to do the next day. After he and his buddies finished dinner, their mission was gone over one more time, and the men were ordered to check their equipment and weapons.

Anderson could hardly believe how much they were expected to carry—a heavy gas mask and three days of cold rations in addition to their load of ammunition. But the weight didn’t stop him from taking along something extra. Tucked in his boot, Anderson had two photos of a beautiful brunette he had met on a blind date in Pennsylvania just a couple of days before he left on his journey, a journey that thrust him into the heart of battle in northern Africa.

In the very early morning hours of June 6, 1944, Anderson found himself heading toward the coast of France. They had been given orders. They knew what had to be done. However, the soldiers weren’t told where it would happen.

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“I

am proud to have served my country, and under the same circumstances, I would do it again.”

—ANDY ANDERSON

Anderson would later find out the 1,500 men in that crowded boat were part of an armada of more than 34,000 Allied troops heading toward Omaha Beach. The sun, when it rose through a dark gloom of threatening clouds, rose on what would forever after be known as D-Day. When Anderson glanced at the faces of his buddies, tense with the unbearable anxiety of waiting, his eyes fell on Mallow. Mallow was 18 and fresh out of high school in Boston. He had only been with the squad for a month. Anderson knew what Mallow was thinking. It was what they all were thinking. There was no turning back. There was only going forward.

The sea was still rough from a storm the day before. As the landing craft continued to circle, waiting for the first wave to attack, many of the troops became seasick. Anderson stood near the front of the boat next to a captain, who was watching the fighting—and witnessing the casualties— through a pair of field glasses. When they were a few hundred yards from the water’s edge, the craft was fired upon by the enemy from concealed bunkers on the beach.

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Under a storm of small arms, mortar and artillery fire, the captain ordered the ramp lowered and the men splashed into the waist-deep water. The casualties started immediately. Anderson and some of the other lucky ones helped the sea sick and walking wounded make it to the beach. He knew that staying in the water would be certain death.

Finally, slowly, painfully, dodging death at every step, only 30 of the men from Anderson’s landing craft made it to the relative safety of the shale bank about a half mile from shore. It had taken them two hours. Many of those 30 men were wounded and others so sick and exhausted they could barely function.

Anderson could see Col. Taylor, the regimental commander, going up and down the beach organizing the surviving troops. Mallow, Anderson realized, wasn’t among them.

As he lay on the ground that night, his mind replaying the gruesome details of the day, Anderson also thought about the two photos, still tucked in his boot. Josephine was beautiful. There was no doubt about that. Her letters had been one of the strongest things to keep up his spirits through the tough times. There was no doubt about that, either.

What he did wonder about, though, was whether he’d ever see her again. As he closed his eyes, trying to invite sleep, he also wondered if Mallow had left a girl behind, far away in Boston.

Many more battles lay ahead for Andy Anderson. He would be wounded twice when his service took him through the thick, misty forests of Germany and finally on to Czechoslovakia, where he would find himself meeting the Russian army across a small creek. His valiant efforts earned him two Purple Hearts and the French Legion of Honor Award.

Com e Home to Quality After the German surrender, the Army offered Anderson a choice of three locations to be discharged. Anderson chose Ft. Sheridan, near Chicago. It wasn’t that he had a great love of the “Windy City.”

In fact, the whole decision rested on just one person, Josephine, the young brunette whose photo he had kept with him through his nearly three years of service to his country. She was in Chicago studying to be a nurse.

The two were married for 46 years. When Anderson retired, he left it up to Josephine to choose where. She chose Pinehurst. Anderson, 94, is still very active. He has been interviewed many times and loves to share his extraordinary war memories, particularly with young people.

Anderson’s buddy, Mallow, never made it out of the water at Omaha Beach. He was officially listed as Missing-in-Action. When Anderson returned to France in 1969 for the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the landing, Mallow’s dog tag and part of his uniform had been found and posted, giving closure to a quarter century of uncertainty.

“I am proud to have served my country,” Anderson says, “and under the same circumstances, I would do it again. I did not find war to be an act of glory but one of death, destruction and devastation. War is a horrible way to solve the world’s problems, and I sincerely hope future generations will find other means to resolve their differences.”

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I

t’s never too late to bring beauty into the world.

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by Jennifer Webster Photography by Diana Matthews & Katherine Clark

In the 2001 movie “Iris,” Dame Judi Dench plays British novelist Iris Murdoch, who continued her creative career until almost the end of her life. Struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, knowing she’s racing against time, Iris finishes her last novel and sends the manuscript off to the publisher.

When the page proofs come back for correction, she’s forgotten what they’re about. She asks her husband wonderingly, “I wrote?”

“Yes, my darling, my clever cat,” her husband, John, answers.

“You wrote books.”

“Books?” she asks. “I wrote— ?”

“Such things you wrote,” he affirms. “Special things. Secret things.”

Soon after, her family members give her pages to write on to keep her occupied on the beach.

Returning from a walk, they find she’s made a new kind of art: having forgotten what to do with a pencil and paper, she’s tucked each sheet beneath a stone, littering the coast with fluttering white birds.

Creation, as people move past youth and middle age, is a kind of facing our own mortality, or an act of valor not unlike Jacob wrestling the angel: we’re destined to lose.

But what a loss!

Starting out as a studio dancer well past most dancers’ retirement age, I confront the fact that I must work twice as hard as my teenage colleagues. My body is my beloved tool; it’s also an angelic antagonist with whom I struggle. The process is a quest of discovery.

So is it worth it?

Research shows engaging in the arts is beneficial. Dance can improve balance and memory (think about learning all those steps!). Additionally, especially in the case of social dancing, the movements, partnering and communal setting in a dance hall or gym represent “a continued engagement of life,” according to a study in Anthropology and Gerontology.

Writing, drawing, painting and making music each have their own benefits. Taking any kind of class in company with others leads to greater socialization and less loneliness and isolation. Writing has been shown to lift depression in older adults. In a study of choral music, singers who sang in a choir for 12 months went for fewer doctor’s visits, used less medicine and had fewer falls and less stress than a control group who did not sing.

According to one German study reported by Pacific Standard, making any kind of art “boosts seniors’ psychological resilience,” in other words, their ability to bounce back from traumatic events. In that study, people who took a hands-on art class showed improvements in “introspection, self-monitoring and memory” compared with a control group who instead took an art appreciation class.

However, when most of us sit down (or stand up) to create art, we’re not doing it as some epic rear-guard action against mortality, or even to lower our stress or increase our memory. We’re doing it because we love what we do, as these North Carolina artists explain.

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Make a Joyful Noise

Gregg Gelb leads the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra at a weekly practice in Sanford. The group’s next performances are set for: THURSDAY, MARCH 9 | 7 P.M. “Friends and Arrangers” Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College, Pinehurst FRIDAY, APRIL 7 | 8 P.M. “Ritmo Caliente: A Tribute to Latin Jazz Masters” Lee County Community Arts Center, Sanford For more information, visit www.carolinajazz.com .

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Gregg Gelb, DMA, director and founder of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Society in Sanford and director of the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, has long experience introducing people of all ages to the arts. A lifelong performer, he finds he experiences different challenges now than he did years before.

Likewise, his strengths have shifted and deepened.

“As I have grown as an artist, I do believe many things I do have improved and keep on improving,” he says.

“Mostly, it has to do with connecting with the audience.

That is quite a challenge for jazz artists, because we perform in so many different situations. It’s nothing like being a classical [musician], because 99 percent of the time, they perform in an environment where their audience is seated, quiet and listening to them. My jazz performances are often in jazz bars, for dances for background music, and sometimes for concerts.”

Gelb’s versatility grows deeper with age.

“I am more aware of and better able to create programs for these many audiences,” he says. “Also, my improvisations are better because they may not be as complex as I thought they needed to be. The ‘less is more’ approach works for me more and more as I keep playing this special art form.”

His energy level is rising, too, Gregg says. While he composes less nowadays, he performs as much, and as heartily, as ever.

Trust the Master

Student Annette Pleasant, left, works on a piece with art teacher Becky Lee at Lee’s studio in Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.beckyleeart.com .

In old kung fu movies, the student typically cannot learn until he or she stops resisting and submits to the instruction of the master. That ability—to know how to recognize someone else’s authority and temporarily assent to it—is one of the great strengths of adult students, says Becky Lee, of Becky Lee Art in Fayetteville. A drawing teacher for 23 years, Lee has a generations-long family of students, ranging from children to grandparents.

“One of my students has been with me for almost a quarter of a century,” Lee says. “She is 70 now and started drawing in her 50s. She can tell if something is an eighth of an inch off.”

Other students have won regional competitions and gone on to be commissioned portrait artists, Lee says. Yet, many of these accomplished artists doubted their abilities when they started out.

“When adults come to me, they say, ‘I’ll never do that. I always wanted to do art, but I never have the time, and I don’t know if I have talent,’” Lee says. “I tell them, ‘If you have a yin for it, you probably have talent.’”

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Becky puts her students through a regimented course of study, beginning with the color wheel, then drawing a pansy from life. Whereas young students might rebel, older students—masters of their own fields, from engineering to parenthood—understand the wisdom of listening to experience.

“People say, ‘You’ve taught me to see,’” Lee says.

Another reward, for many artists, is sharing their work with their families. One of Becky’s students painted a portrait of his wife and unveiled it at a yearend showcase. The whole family cried, Lee remembers.

While some artists seek fame, others have highly personal reasons for quilting, painting or dancing. One of Becky’s students, Annette Pleasant, began drawing when her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“I was looking for something to do with my time that would keep me closer to home,” she says. “I met 38

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Becky through church and after a few persistent phone calls, she agreed to find a place for me in one of her many classes.”

Moving from simple exercise to landscapes, Annette created a realistic style based on her own personality.

“I paint from the heart,” she says. “When my work becomes the best I can do, I feel a sense of satisfaction and gratitude to God for the gift I have been given. It is very rewarding to see one of my paintings hanging in a special place in someone’s home.”

Another of Lee’s students who still makes time for art, despite a busy psychiatric services practice in Fayetteville, is W. Allen Willis, MD. “Drawing and use of color to reproduce a threedimensional object or scene on a two-dimensional paper requires use of the non-verbal mind,” Dr. Willis says. “I find this to be a meditative experience. It requires fairly intense focus and attention, and I seem to be outside my ordinary world.”

Never Too Old

That’s what artist Catherine Church tells readers of any age who might wish to take up an art form. A Southern Pines resident, she began painting at age 55. Although she was fearful at first, the serious, dedicated art community in the area inspired her to start and continue to paint.

“I thought, ‘I’m not good enough, I’m just a dabbler,’” she says. “I had a lot of fears about exposing myself to a group of people I considered to be professionals.

I started taking classes, built up my confidence, and entered a show.”

Fellow artists can make all the difference in a beginner’s path, Church says.

“This is my big advice to anybody: To get past that fear of being intimidated, find a group,” she says. “Find people who have similar interests to your hobby and jump in full force! Just give it your best and enjoy it.”

While some artists notice that some of their abilities grow stronger while others wane as they mature, Church believes her learning style is exactly the same as it was when she was a child—proving there’s no one way to approach any new art.

“When you’re a child or a young person and you try something new, you’re always intimidated and excited,” she says. “As an older person, those feelings are still there. A mature person can do anything they want to do. It’s all in your attitude, your desire to give it a try. Learning is just the same. It gives you a spark, something to look forward to.”

Through art, Church is making a wealth of new connections. Her new community includes a South African woman who challenged her to paint a wedding group of Africans in ceremonial dress, a painting that took three or four months to complete, she says. In the arts, community and a sense of inspired adventure go hand in hand.

“I noticed some new students coming into the Artists’ League are timid a lot of times, but they end up being some of the most active members,” she says.

“It becomes your new family; it becomes a whole new world. It’s the same for quilting, anything. That’s what’s so fabulous about where we live; there are so many opportunities—not trivial but important opportunities—for people our age.

“I get up every day and wonder, ‘What will I paint today?’ ‘Should I frame this?’ ‘Should I take a photo?’

When I see a magazine, I notice dogs or birds I’d like to paint. It brightens your world.”

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4

Ways Boomers are Aging

Differently

by Rachel Stewart

B

aby Boomers are babies no more—but the nearly 82.3 million (and counting) boomers are having a huge impact on what growing older looks like. Check out four ways these trendsetters are aging their way:

1

Boomers are savvier when it comes to making purchases— but in unexpected ways.

Slow and steady wins the race, the saying goes, and the same could be said for how baby boomers make purchases. Straightforward and to-the-point, boomers want facts, not flashy advertising. They’re more apt to gather data first and carefully consider before signing on the dotted line.

In America’s fast-paced, instant-purchase culture, boomers are showing younger generations that patience is truly a virtue.

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2

They are healthier in mind and spirit.

Getting older also equals a search for deeper spirituality for many boomers. While most boomers grew up in religious households, they may have spent their youth seeking other options as a part of the flower power counterculture movement of the 1960s. Other boomers may have always held fast in their convictions but may be exploring new perspectives or commentaries on their faith. Whatever their inclination, a great number of boomers are looking inwardly at their lives and deeply considering the legacy they will leave behind, which could play into their revived interest in spirituality.

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3

They are more adventurous than ever.

After spending their whole life working hard, many boomers are ready to play hard-and explore new horizons. According to an AARP survey, today’s boomers traveled four to five times throughout 2016. They are more likely to lean toward booking an educational tour, where they can learn the history of a famous locale or even pick up a new skill. They’re not just there to relax—they want to learn, too. Boomers are also particularly drawn to European river cruises instead of ocean-based cruises since the itinerary is more diverse while still remaining exotic.

4

They are redefining retirement homes—and remaining independent.

Today’s boomers are looking to alternative living arrangements that allow them to live the life they want-without worry or additional help. According to U.S. News and World Report, one popular option is moving to a pocket neighborhood, where they have their own space but can also watch out for each other. Finding the right pocket neighborhood may involve downsizing to a smaller, more streamlined space like a one-story townhome with an open floor plan or even an apartment complex with older adult-friendly features. Others may opt for sharing a space, either living together with others or in a multigenerational household so they can spend more time with their family.

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MARCH 2017 |

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OT

Therapy Has Its Advantages

by Michelle Goetzl | Photography by Diana Matthews

A

s we age, doing the little things that give us joy and make our lives fulfilling can get challenging, especially after an injury or illness. Even what used to be simple tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or putting on shoes, can feel like a roadblock to keeping your independence.

Fortunately, occupational therapists offer ways to help.

Many people think of occupational therapy as treatment received in a hospital or rehab center, and while that is one major focus, these therapists address all aspects of aging, from wellness to treatment strategies.

“Occupational therapy is for whatever occupies your day,” says Cindy Sayce, OTR/L at FirstHealth of the Carolinas. “It’s about what makes you you: your self care, home management and independent living skills.”

With a focus on function, occupational therapy practitioners help keep older adults independent and safe, reducing

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“

O

healthcare costs associated with hospitalization and institutional care.

“Occupations are those things we do every day that ‘occupy’ time and are important to us,” says Dr. Michael Pizzi, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA of Sandhills Adaptive Living. “When we engage in those occupations, we are in a state of ‘flow,’ when all that you are focused on is that activity.

Examples are playing with grandkids, baking, working, getting dressed up to go out, and even eating, all of the things we often take for granted.”

Although occupational therapy and physical therapy may work hand in hand, physical therapy focuses on building up an individual’s strength, whereas occupational therapy works to strengthen and re-engage them in daily meaningful tasks. Additionally, occupational therapists pay extra attention to the goals that an individual has and how to help achieve those objectives.

”

ccupational therapy is for whatever occupies your day. It’s about what makes you you.

—Cindy Sayce, OTR/L

FirstHealth of the Carolinas occupational therapist Cindy Sayce works with Rebecca Albrecht on exercises from the LSVT BIG® program designed for people coping with Parkinson’s disease.

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“We use activities, functional tasks and realistic movement,” says Sayce, who has helped patients with difficulties in fine motor skills utilize straightforward tasks like turning the pages of a magazine or playing with cards to help them build their muscles and endurance.

Imagine for a moment a long-time golfer has an illness or injury and is working to regain his swing. Part of what might be holding him back from his passion is a fear of going back on the course and not being able to play the way he did before. Occupational therapists can help him build his stamina and confidence in a safe environment by focusing on standing and the range of motion necessary to swing a club and get him outside chipping again. Progressive tasks like these empower individuals to stay actively engaged for optimal quality of life.

“We can help people adapt to any physical or mental health issue,” Dr. Pizzi says, “in order to maintain the ability to remain productive in their daily occupations and activities that are important to their lives and lifestyles.”

One key area is helping people find new ways to compensate for changes in their bodies and abilities. Some of the most useful tools are the ones occupational therapists can help individuals with, such as eating, bathing, dressing, cooking or even playing cards. Utensils with larger grips, sock aids and extra long shoehorns can make a huge difference. There are even special tools for gardening or to hold pens and pencils with more ease.

GET

Making your living space work for you is important.

Occupational therapists can do home assessments and make recommendations on how to make your environment safer. Inside someone’s home, therapists may demonstrate how removing a throw rug or placing skid tape on hardwood floors can reduce the risk of a fall. They can stress the importance of proper grab bar placement for bathroom safety or how putting mover pads on the bottom of chairs makes moving heavy furniture less of a struggle.

Driving is another area where occupational therapy can help maintain independence. Aging can interfere with the ability to drive due to impaired vision, strength or cognitive ability. In our region, clinical driving evaluations are available at Duke Rehab in Durham and Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville.

For comprehensive evaluations that include behind-the-wheel assessments, local patients are usually referred to Cyndee Crompton, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI at Driver Rehab Services in McLeansville.

The clinical evaluation is typically a three-hour process initiated by a physician referral.

Like most aspects of occupational therapy, clinical driving assessments start with a conversation.

“We begin with an interview of the person and their family members,” says Rhonda Sweitzer, OTR/L at Cape Fear Valley Health Rehab Center. “Some questions might include things about their driving history, whether they get lost in familiar places, if other drivers frequently honk at them, if they have any trouble parking, and then we evaluate a range of areas: physical, visual, perceptual and cognitive skills and reaction times.”

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Laura Juel, OTR/L, CDRS, ATP at Duke’s Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy takes a very similar approach.

“The primary focus,” she explains, “is whether people have the necessary skills to safely operate a motor vehicle. We like to educate people on how their medical conditions may impact driving safety, and with older adults, we can address slower processing speeds, difficulty with multi-tasking or unsteady gait.”

Therapists working with someone wanting to regain their driving capabilities after an injury or illness need to be certain that the individual can safely perform all aspects of driving.

Cape Fear Valley Health Rehab Center occupational therapist Rhonda Sweitzer works on brake pedal reaction times with Daryl Richardson, left, who suffered from a recent stroke, and a driving evaluation with Jeremy Karpinecz, who was in a car accident last fall.

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“I want to see the people get in and out of the car on their own, put on their seatbelt, start the car and hold the steering wheel properly, among other things,” Sweitzer says.

With age, too, comes slower reaction times, which is why part of the driving evaluation involves testing brake reaction time. An individual’s time is evaluated based upon norms for his or her age and gender.

Aside from driving, individuals may seek out therapy to help with the lymphedema, painful swelling in the arms or legs associated with cancer treatments. Christy Pusser, OTR/L, with First Health of the Carolinas, often works with patients to manage their pain through massage, wearing compression sleeves and skin care techniques.

Additionally, the Lee Silverman Voice Treatments (LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®) programs for those coping with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions are innovative and clinically proven methods for improving communication and movement.

“Patients commit to coming in four days a week for four weeks to participate in exercises that force them into intense movement,” Sayce says. “There are eight main exercises, and patients are able to pick five tasks that are meaningful to them, such as cutting food, opening the microwave or writing.”

Although reasons vary individually, occupational therapy is a tool you can use to maintain your quality of life.

“As boomers age,” Juel says, “we are continually learning new ways and technologies to allow folks to stay in their homes and maintain their independence.”

What can occupational therapy do for me?

• Develop exercise programs and modalities to cope with chronic pain in order to still maintain home and gardening activities • Change how you do the most important things in your life-either through changing the task or the environment in which the task takes place • Evaluate for and recommend specific equipment that helps compensate for changes in one’s body, such as arthritis, in order to still eat, bathe, dress or cook • Create a low-vision program in order to help one compensate for loss or diminished eyesight

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• Teach cancer survivors health and wellness tips and coping strategies to deal with the illness • Create prevention programs-either individually or in groups-to maintain physical, social, spiritual and mental health • Adapt living spaces in order to remain productive and independent • Work with caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease to help them cope and design strategies for their loved ones’ safety and well-being • Develop fall-prevention programs

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?

Is Meditation the New Yoga

by Wendy Brunner Photography by Diana Matthews

H

elen Schillaci knows from experience the effect her daily meditation practice is having on her life.

“I’m not aging,” she says.

Schillaci has made meditation a part of her life for more than 15 years and credits her practice with a lower stress level and a remarkable ability to just let things go, rather than live a life of worry and fear. She now leads a weekly Christian meditation group at the Sacred Heart Church school hall in Pinehurst.

“If you practice long enough, you learn to not get hung up on your own thoughts,” she says. “It’s not that you don’t care, but you don’t let them work on you.”

It’s no secret that the life expectancy of people around the world has increased, now listed at 78.8 years in the United States. And, while much focus has been placed on reducing risk factors that can hasten the aging process, many people are now beginning to focus on proactive ways to enhance brain health and live a healthier, more satisfying second 50 than their parents’ generation.

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Hold onto to Your Gray Matter There’s no getting around the fact that even the normal aging process comes with a certain amount of cognitive decline. Once we hit middle age, there can be moments when our mind simply does not perform the way we’re used to. “Senior moments,” we often call them. These moments can be frustrating, as we are reminded that our mental acuity is just not what it used to be.

While studies of the effects on aging of a consistent meditation practice are just beginning, researchers at UCLA have already found a notable difference between 50-year-olds who have a daily meditation practice and those who do not. Their findings suggest there is less age-related gray matter loss in people with long-term meditation practices; in other words, they have better brain health.

At Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, researcher Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells says, “Meditation is a safe and relatively simple intervention, and if it can delay cognitive decline…it could contribute to improved quality of life for many.”

Cognitive decline and dementia are increasingly common as the population ages, and many are searching for inexpensive, easily accessible, and effective ways to slow the process. Meditation seems to be an attractive option for an increasing number of people.

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Mindfulness Meditation Just as yoga has moved from a fringe activity to mainstream, with a yoga studio in every town and practitioners of all ages, meditation is poised to become a daily routine for a record number of Americans. Mainstream, popular yoga practices focus on the physical body, but there is also a strong component related to the breath and awareness of the body.

This ties nicely into meditation, which encourages even deeper internal focus, usually in stillness, but sometimes with movement such as with walking meditation.

There are many other types of meditation. Indeed, meditation can take any form that allows the meditator to be still inside. Today, the most commonly practiced and well-known form is mindfulness meditation. The goal of mindfulness meditation is to focus on the breath and to stay in the moment, a seemingly simple task that is immensely difficult once you try it. Other types of mediation include mantra meditation, during which a phrase is repeated with the intention of focusing, and walking meditation, in which a slow and deliberate cadence can be used to focus the mind, sort of the opposite of power-walking.

Fire Up Your Own Meditation Practice You can dip your toe into meditation on your own, but as John Bowman, from the Community of Mindful Living in the Pines in Pinehurst, offers, “While it’s wonderful to meditate daily, alone, it is so much more powerful in a group, with a community.”

Carley Sutton and Maureen Sutton created a tranquil studio in their home-based business, Raven’s Wing Healing Center, in the basement of Maureen’s downtown Southern Pines abode that visitors walk to through an elaborate garden. The daughter-mother team hosts small group meditation sessions that Velta Zegel happily and regularly attends.

Carley, a massage and bodywork therapist, and Maureen, a master gardener, Reiki master teacher and herbalist, see how meditation lowers the heart rate and brings people into their bodies so they are aware of their breathing.

“Meditation has taught me to live more peacefully and with awareness,” Maureen says, “with more self-knowledge and self-compassion.”

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If you want to practice before joining a meditation circle, sometimes known as a sangha, here are some basics: • Find a quiet space.

Ensure you will not be interrupted for at least 15 minutes. Turn off the phone and all devices.

• Make sure you are warm and comfortable.

Turn up the heat if you must. Sit in the sunshine. You may even want to light some candles to create a warm atmosphere.

• Find a comfortable position. There are no rules.

There is no right or wrong.

Sitting cross-legged on a small cushion is only one image of meditation. Sit in a chair, on the couch, or even lie down if it will help you to set aside your thoughts more easily. Just be sure not to be so comfortable that you fall asleep every time.

More important than where you are sitting is that you keep your spine as straight as possible. This will help move energy through your body more easily.

• Once you are in place, the first step is to close your eyes and take three big breaths. Breathe in fully through your nose. Fill your lungs, then slowly and steadily release the breath through your mouth. As you do so, focus on the air, your lungs, the feeling of release, and let it flow through your body. Let each breath relax your feet, your hands, your arms, your legs, your neck, your cheeks and even your mouth.

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• Settle your breathing into a rhythm and simply notice your body.

Pay attention to your body.

Perform a body scan by slowly and deliberately moving your mind’s eye from head to toe.

Notice how every part of you is responding, and by focusing on your body, you are training your mind to quiet and not run away with your normal train of thought. If thoughts pop up that take you out of your quiet, let them go and refocus yourself on your breathing.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. There is no right or wrong. There is only giving up before the magic happens. Stick with it, and realize the potentially long-lasting beneficial impact meditation can have on normally declining processes, such as memory and focus. And, a regular meditation practice can improve, or help you gain skills that you can use for the rest of your life.

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Alison Arngrim takes the Judson Theatre stage this month in “And Then There Were None� March 23-26 at 56 OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2017 Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. For more information, visit www.judsontheatre.com .

Carolina Conversations with “Little House on the Prairie”

Actress Alison Arngrim

A

by Carrie Frye

ctress Alison Arngrim may be more recognizable as her TV alter ego of Nellie Oleson from “Little House on the Prairie,” a role that still resonates with fans more than four decades later. After the notorious role, Arngrim’s many talents have led her from more television to the stage to a onewoman comedy show, which spurred her successful 2010 book, “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch.”

Residing in Southern California with her musician husband, Robert Paul Schoonover, Arngrim spends most of her time traveling wherever her roles lead. With “Little House on the Prairie” still airing in more than 140 countries worldwide, French fans embraced her comedy so much that it led her to develop two comedy shows and spend a quarter of her year for the past 10 years in France performing.

Lending her talents to Judson Theatre’s spring production of the Agatha Christie classic mystery, “And Then There Were None,” Arngrim is set to grace the North Carolina stage this month, March 23-26, in Pinehurst. As theater lovers might expect, Arngrim reprises the role of Emily Brent, which is merely one in a long line of unpleasant characters she excels at portraying.

s ONC: What appeals to you about “And Then There Were None”?

AA: When the gang at the Judson Theatre asked if I would come out and do a show, I knew a bunch of my friends have been out to North Carolina already for some of the plays. Dawn Wells (“Gilligan’s Island”) had been in a previous show, and she plays my mom in an upcoming pilot I’m working on. Half of my friends have already performed there (laughs). So I said, “Awesome.” I have always liked Agatha Christie.

I remember reading all of the Agatha Christie books when I was a kid. So it was, “Yeah, I’m in.”

Tell us about your character, Emily Brent, and how are you making her your own?

I am playing the bitch again (laughs). It’s not a surprise, I know. She’s just one of the most objectionable people in theater ever, and so, let’s call Alison. “And Then There Were None” has all of these fabulous people stranded together on an island in the 1930s, and they are not quite sure how they got there. You couldn’t do this show set in modern day, because if someone wrote you a letter, and you didn’t recognize the name and invitation to an island, you’d be looking them up on Facebook. All of the characters have various pasts, but Emily is the

incredibly uptight, older British woman who claims to be religious but is mostly just holier than thou.

All of the characters are all accused of having killed someone or contributed to someone’s death. Emily drove a young girl to kill herself, drove someone to suicide, so she’s that awful.

What’s your process for developing a character?

Emily is very proper British. She’s more “Downton Abbey.” And I believe she would be speaking more toward the old Received Pronunciation, because why change anything? What I do with any character, especially an objectionable character, which oddly I get called to play a lot, is make them real by believing in them. Normally, you read the script and you feel, “I don’t like this person,” but when you’re playing them, you just have to flip the whole thing on its head, and not only do you have to like them, you believe them, and believe they are right. You have to somehow suspend all sanity and think, “Absolutely, she’s right.” And then you can go there. I love playing these people who are saying and doing things I would never say or do on a bet, and yet, I wind up playing them, as if I do this all the time.

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From writer to comedian to actor, what do you enjoy about having such a versatile career?

Read more of Alison Arngrim’s responses at www.OutreachNC.com , click on Magazine Extras...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57

Is it more fun to play this type of character?

It really is. You are getting out of yourself and into someone else. You are going to another zone, and you are really having an emotional impact on people. Look at how many people are still mad at Nellie Oleson, and that was more than 40 years ago (laughs). They are still writing and Facebooking me. It’s crazy. When my husband and my friends meet people, they still say, “Oh, you’re friends with her?” There are some people who are still terrified of me, but yet, if you do it right, you really hit a nerve with people and get quite the emotional reaction. And I like that. I love making an impression and creating a character that’s memorable.

What appeals to you most about the stage?

My parents actually met in a theater. My mother and father actually ran the Totem Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, in the early 1950s. My dad and his business partner Stuart Baker founded the Totem Theatre and started a whole chain in the ‘50s. My father went on to be on Broadway, and my mother got into radio voiceover. My father eventually became a manager and worked for Seymour Heller and Associates (a storied talent agency). He managed Liberace and Debbie Reynolds. Theater is where my parents started, so I started doing theater very young. When I was 13, I did the Garden Theater in Los Angeles, and I did “A Cry of Players” and played Suzanna Shakespeare. I was already doing legitimate theater then. Then, in my 20s, I did the dinner theater route and went around and did several of the big dinner theaters and did all of the classic bedroom farces. Over the last few years, I have done quite a bit of theater in Los Angeles. My comedy is more of a onewoman show with video.

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It is a great way to stay employed (laughs). I guess there are people who only do one thing, and if you can manage that and get people to hire you and find venues for it, but most people have to do more than one thing. In the old day of musicals, everyone sang and danced and acted as well. Now, it seems you have to be able to act and write and produce to get anything done. I am fascinated with how things have changed so much. In the 1970s, I was in a series, but I am intrigued by the new genre of Web series and television shows made for the Internet that are made to go on Hulu, Netflix or Amazon. This is a whole new venue and an idea of whole new networks. These options didn’t even exist a few years ago. Now, there’s a new HBO, and I remember when there was an old HBO (laughs).

Now, you have Web series, and I am doing those. I have just done a couple of pilots, a horror series, and one called “Life Interrupted” with Dawn Wells of “Gilligan’s Island,” Michael Learned of “The Waltons” and Erin Murphy of “Bewitched,” who are all in it. It’s very funny. I also did this thing called “Living on a Prairie,” in which I play a therapist. That’s this new thing, when someone calls and says we are shooting this thing, and it’s on the Web. I am up for all these new things; sign me up. I am still doing theater in L.A. and experimental theater, and in France, for the last 10 years, I have spent three to four months each year doing the French version of my comedy show.

We do a whole series of shows in France. And I just did eight shows down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Starting your career at such a young age, was there any advice or wisdom that your fellow actors shared?

Michael Landon. His thing was all about the fans. His thing was, “You don’t work for me or NBC, you work for them.” And that’s why he had people follow him from “Bonanza” to “Little House on the Prairie” to “Highway to Heaven.” He had a built-in audience that just came with him, and the crew came with him, too. The people who have really done well had this understanding, so they didn’t take themselves horribly seriously. They could laugh at themselves and relax and have a good time. They understood that it’s about the fans. For a lot of actors, they do a job, and they walk away. The idea that one thing hits a nerve and resonated. It doesn’t often matter what they think of it, when it resonates, people are still tuning in 40 years later. I know that people who are successful did pay attention, so I have always tried to do that.

Is there something you can share about yourself that most fans don’t know about you or “Little House”?

The big question is always, “Was it a wig?” Because my hair was way too perfect on that show. And they tried curling my hair like that for the first couple of episodes, but it was a disaster, and they did indeed have a wig made. So my hair stays in bouncing perfect curls even going downhill.

Can you share any fun behind-the-scenes moments from “Little House on the Prairie”?

We all got along really well on the show, and we all still speak to each other. It’s amazing (laughs). It always blows people’s minds when they find out Melissa Gilbert and I are friends, because we were just punching each other in the face so hard on that show. The idea that we would be having terrible fights at work and that we would have slumber parties at each other’s houses on the weekends and be making fudge seems impossible. But, we basically grew up together, and she’s like my little sister.

In navigating your second 50, is there a goal you have set for yourself?

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—

I just turned 55, and I have had this huge other career since turning 40. I started doing the one-woman show, “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch,” and then it wasn’t until 2010 that I wrote my book and was so successful, so I had this whole other life after turning 40 that I just never anticipated. My mother had quite the career, retired for a while, and then she went back to work in commercials and television when she was older. She had a huge voiceover career as Casper the Friendly Ghost … she was every cartoon back then, but when I try to think back on what was she doing when she was 55, she wasn’t doing this (laughs). I don’t really have a map of what I am supposed to be doing at 55. I am just so amazed. I didn’t speak French before I started doing a show in France. I took French in high school but was terrible, so I had to go back and learn it. So the idea that I could be doing a show that hasn’t been written yet in a language that I don’t currently speak in a country I haven’t been to is actually possible.

That could happen. If you had told me 10 or 20 years ago that I could be performing in a television series in a format and medium that hasn’t been invented yet, but you just don’t know. We buy into “this is what my parents did at this age,” but that’s not happening as much anymore. I have been traveling extensively, so this year, I was thinking of winding it down a bit, and North Carolina isn’t that far, so I’m kind of reining it in (laughs).

Equal opportunity provider

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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 62

ACROSS

1. During 5. Physicians, surgeons, et al.

9. Practice 14. Pink, as a steak

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15. Its quarter says “Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers” 16. Charity, often 17. Funeral establishment involving cremation

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2017

Acting Acute After Alien Asked Assist

Aware Being Cherry Claim Clubs Colony

19. Exams 20. Victorian, for one 21. Ceiling 23. Takes a seat 24. Frameworks to get to another level of a building

Cones Cutting Cycled Decay Department Elves

Faithful Fences Gales Glued Holes Hunts

Ignore Included Knelt Lying Mails Moths Nerve Obeys Older Oldest Plurals Posters Quiet Racial Racing Relay Since Squares Starch Steak Stored Stress Sword Tiger Tooth Varies

(abbrev.)

28. Golf ball support 10. Some deer 29. Transport to Oz 11. Undisturbed 30. Character 12. A, B or C 32. “Aladdin” prince 13. Rent payer 33. A local resident 18. “Mi chiamano Mimi,” 36. Kindly disposition e.g.

43. Cancel 22. Pasta choice 44. Density symbol 24. Aria, e.g.

45. Classic theater name 25. Beethoven’s “Archduke 48. Act of ceding ___” 52. “Tarzan” extra 26. Baked, in Bologna 53. Inward curvature of 27. Aforementioned the legs 29. What “it” plays 56. “The Turtle” poet 31. Big ___ Conference 58. Toni Morrison’s “___ 34. Away Baby” 35. Jalopy 59. Ring bearer, maybe 37. Chain letters?

60. Less cordial 62. Long, narrow, wooden 38. Adam’s apple spot 39. Bond, for one sled 40. Ashtabula’s lake 67. Job 41. Like show horses 68. Almond 42. “My boy” 69. Biblical birthright 45. Loses it seller 46. Cochise, for one 70. Mails 47. Cut 71. Brawl 49. Barely make 72. ___ terrier 50. Catch 51. A twilled woolen fabric DOWN 54. Movie about cowboy 1. Parenthesis, essentially 2. Fold, spindle or mutilate life 55. Small, bulbous plants 3. Anger with showy spring flowers 4. Abase 57. Drove 5. Weak-minded old 61. ___ gestae person 63. “My man!”

6. “Look here!”

64. Inquire 7. About 65. “Uh-uh” 8. Nutritious beans 66. “So ___ me!”

9. “Silent Spring” subject

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life

THE READER’S NOOK

‘Surrender, New York’ Book Review by Michelle Goetzl

C

aleb Carr is best known for his New York Times bestselling novel, “The Alienist,” which was written in 1994 but took place in New York City in 1896 and looked at the early days of criminal profiling.

In his newest novel, “Surrender, New York,” Carr continues to look at criminal profiling, but in modern-day New York state.

“Surrender, New York” focuses on Dr. Trajan Jones, a criminal psychologist and profiler who has been exiled from New York City to upstate. He and his partner, Dr. Michael Li, are now teaching online criminology classes for SUNY-Albany and helping the local police from time to time. Jones is considered the world’s leading authority on Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, the Alienist from his earlier work. While “The Alienist” celebrated the dawning of the field of criminal psychology and criminal profiling, “Surrender, New York” looks at a world where forensic science has replaced much of the investigative work and where it might have gone a step too far.

When Jones and Li are brought in to review the strange death of a young girl, they realize quickly that there is more to the case than meets the eye. After their initial investigation, they learn that this is the third in a string of deaths that appear to look like the work of a serial killer.

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

CROSSWORD

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However, when more about the case is revealed, it turns out that each of these teenagers is actually a “throwaway kid,” a child abandoned by his or her parents.

Once the initial crime situation is set up, Carr starts to bring in more characters to add to the many layers of the book. While walking his pet cheetah, Marcianna, Jones comes into contact with Lucas and Derek, two young boys who happen to be throwaways, too.

Lucas winds up agreeing to help with the case after revealing his knowledge of the murdered kids. Lucas gets taken under Jones’s wing. Jones also falls for Lucas’s older sister and guardian, Ambyr.

“Surrender, New York,” is not an unflawed novel, but it is immensely readable. There are times when Carr gets a little caught up in historical details and rants about the criminal justice system, but the story is unique and gripping. Fans of criminal novels will enjoy this powerful read.

WORD SEARCH

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 .

SUDOKU

life

OVER MY SHOULDER

Planning Ahead Is the Key

by Ann Robson

A

t first glance, the term “mindful aging” seems to be an odd combination of words.

However, it is a wise concept for those reaching the age of 50 or perhaps even 40.

Mindful aging wants you to start thinking about your personal aging, and try to plan for it so that your life will continue to flow in a pattern that has developed as you add birthdays to your life.

The basic fact is that aging will happen, whether you want it or not. Even if you do everything you can to still look young, your body knows how old it is and one way or another will let you know. No 60-year-old who looks only 50 expects a heart attack, but one can stop you in your tracks without warning.

We are aging from the moment we are born. If we’re lucky, we may have a long life. If some genetic or environmental interference comes along, at least we are living in a world with outstanding medical establishments and people. We must also be aware, or mindful, of what could happen and how to cope with it.

For some, a medical emergency can bring bankruptcy.

“Plan for the worst and hope for the best” is a phrase I’ve heard often in discussions. Sounds like good advice.

The sooner the planning begins, the easier it will be to put it in place if needed.

Planning is not just “in case” planning but considering your living arrangements, what sort of things you want to be able to do, and who you want to take care of your estate. Having a conversation, or series of conversations, with your spouse and your family needs to be part of your planning. They need to know what you would want, if a time comes when you can’t speak for yourself.

Some of the negatives of aging can be counterbalanced with a plan to be as healthy as you can and still be a happy contributor to the world you live in. Many getting ready to retire need to have a plan for the next phase of their lives. You can’t work a 10-hour day as an indispensable part of your job and then suddenly be at home wondering what to do. This tends to happen more to men than women, but with long careers now becoming part of a woman’s life, she also needs to plan ahead. Volunteering is a great way to transition from work to play.

Paying attention to the workings of both your mind and body is one aspect of mindful aging. If you notice something is going awry, say the dreaded “lump” someplace it doesn’t belong, you can get it taken care of earlier rather than later.

If one’s parents are still alive, they could be role models -either to follow or to do things much differently. I often say, “Things my mother never taught me,” when another medical speedbump comes along. I watched my mother reach 92, and she was not the happy, fun-loving woman she had been at 50, 60 and 70. Health problems played a part, but she didn’t seem to have a plan as a widow for several years, thus leaving the difficult job of getting her to relocate to an assisted living community to my brother and me. I vowed to not do that. Her generation wasn’t expected to live that long, but ours is and the baby boomers even longer. A plan for our own aging is such a gift to our families, who may or may not agree with us. It’s an important gift you give yourself if you attack this thing called aging and plan to enjoy life.

Robson is the author of “Over My Shoulder: Tales of Life and Death and Everything In Between.” She can be reached at overmyshoulder@charter.net .

MARCH 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 63

RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

ASSISTED LIVING

DID YOU KNOW? March Is National Peanut Month Nydia Brooks Executive Director

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• Peanuts have more protein than any nut.

• Peanuts are abundant in the vitamins niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, choline, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E and rich in minerals like magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese and selenium.

• Peanuts contain the anti-aging molecule resveratrol, which fights the proliferation of fat cells and improves the uptake of sugar from the blood.

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OutreachNC.com 65

Generations

by Ann Robson & Michelle Goetzl

OutreachNC asked adults and children our March question. Share your answer on our Facebook page.

What’s your A yellow jacket that brings me luck when I go to a casino.

Jacket is getting a little ragged but I think it still works, so I keep it with me. —Liz, 77 As far as a lucky charm? I don’t have one. Never had one. Closest I can come to such is the Ten Commandments and our U.S. Constitution. —Jim, 70

lucky charm?

The number 33. It was my football jersey number, when I scored a game-winning touchdown in high school. Later, I drew it out of a hat at a fair and won a threelayer chocolate cake. And it was also my age when I got married.

(Guess that counts.) —Anthony, 64

When I was very young, my dad told me, “Find a penny, pick it up, and the rest of the day, you’ll have good luck!” I certainly put a penny in my pocket.

—Marion, old enough

Together in a tiny bag that I carry daily: a cross, St. Anthony medal, and a heart. —Ellen, 71

I cross my fingers, hold my breath and hope for the best.

—Jensen, 10

I have a ring given to me at the junior prom at Holy Cross College by my late husband. I have it on my key chain, and it is with me every day. I believe it is a lucky charm for me— perhaps the “luck of the Irish” as well. —Nancy, 82 Having a good friend.

—Roger, 65 My VIC card, so I can get all of the weekly specials.

—Jan, 67 At first I thought, “I don’t have a lucky charm! I don’t believe in them!” Then I realized, I must believe, because I have a small clear plastic egg-shaped object that has an angel inside of it that I always carry in my purse! I have carried it for years. It was given to me by my mother to keep me safe wherever I go! —Diane, 59 66

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2017

My blanket. —Brian, 3.5

A shotgun shell from the first time that I hit anything with a gun. —Patrick, 9 Hailey, because when we go sledding together, we go further.

—Benjamin, 5 Pearl, my stuffed animal cat, because she gets me ready for a new day. —Evelyn, 6 My family gives me luck. —Judy, 10 My lucky charm is Charlie. He’s my friend and brings me luck.

—Greta, 4 I don’t have one. I don’t think that if you have a good luck charm it will really bring you good luck.

—Stella, 10 God is my good luck charm.

—Anna, 12 My blankie, because it helps my boo boos feel better. —Caroline, 6 The number 3. —Olivia, 9 Practicing. —David, 8 My blue collar, because it stays with me. —OutreachNC Co-editor Jeeves, 3

Meet Your Village Family Dentists

Anuj James, DDS General Dentist IV Sedation

Michael Knowles, DMD General Dentist

Faith McGibbon, DDS Pediatric Dentist

Terrance Smith, DDS Prosthodontist

Bradley Ryan, DDS General Dentist IV Sedation

Grant Wiles, DDS General Dentist

Mit Patel, DDS General Dentist

Lauren Brannon, DDS General Dentist

Lawrence Bullard, DDS General Dentist

Plummer Ray Chavis, DDS General Dentist

Annie Floor, DDS General Dentist

Molly Guy, DDS General Dentist

Gary Hall, DMD General Dentist

Ken Harrel, DDS General Dentist

Herald “Bear� Hughes, DDS General Dentist

Andrea Jacobs, DDS General Dentist

P.W. Jessup, Jr., DDS General Dentist

Ronald Katz., DDM General Dentist

Garrett McDaniel, DDS General Dentist

Daniel McInnis, DDS General Dentist

Kushan Patel, DMD General Dentist

Meredith Smith-Wiles, DDS General Dentist

Sunny Yu, DDS General Dentist

Oral Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon

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Trina Collins, DDS Pediatric Dentist

Anne Dodds, DDS Pediatric Dentist

Fayetteville (910) 485-8884 Eastover (910) 437-0232

Jordan Olsen, DDS Pediatric Dentist

Hope Mills (910) 424-3623

Dental Health Assoc.

(910) 486-4180

Raeford (910) 875-4008

Daniel Ravel, DDS Pediatric Dentist

Nathan Abramson, DMD Prosthodontist

Buzz King, DDS Prosthodontist

St. Pauls (910) 446-1130 Laurinburg (910) 276-6640

For more information, visit us online at: www.vfdental.com

MARCH 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 67

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