Generations - January 2020

January 2020

Heritage Manor vet survived kamikaze attack

By Robin Fish rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com Two U.S. armed forces veterans living at Heritage Manor in Park Rapids recently told their stories of military service.

According to Heritage staff, Lloyd Lundstrom and Keith Kraft are among several residents who experienced life in the armed forces.

Next month’s Generations will feature Kraft’s

unique life path, from a football-playing Marine private to a distinguished judge and a major in the National Guard.

Meantime, Lundstrom’s memory corrects an error in the historical record.

board the attack transport troopship U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215), he participated in the World War II invasion of Okinawa.

“When we were heading up to Okinawa,” he said, “we didn’t know where we were going. We knew something was up Ships in the night because we had Marines Originally from Vir- on already. We were ginia, Minn., Lundstrom ready to go.” joined the U.S. Navy Rising early one mornbefore he graduated from ing, he walked topside high school in 1944. and couldn’t believe his As a seaman 1st class on eyes. “When I went to

nition, supplies, rations and other gear, including medical equipment, while battling enemy air attacks.

It took a couple days to put the Marines ashore.

The dogs went ashore on the third day. Lundstrom didn’t know what the canines were there to do, except that “each dog had two men. If one

guy died, you got one guy to take care of the dog.

If he died, you’d shoot the dog. That’s how it works because nobody else could handle them.”

He recalled shore guns firing shells at the ship: “We could see them splashing in the water ahead of us, maybe 300

VETERAN: Page 2

Inside this issue...

3 Growing Together: Tips to help Millenials

5 The Family Circle: Treasuring every visit with mom 6 Minding Our Elders: Transition to assisted living 8 Boomers on the Move: Come clean with handwashing

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Lloyd Lundstrom's memorabilia from his World War II service in the U.S. Navy include a star for the invasion of Okinawa, a half-bar each for the occupation of Japan and the liberation of China, and a photo of his ship, the U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215). (Robin Fish/Enterprise)

bed, you could see just water,” said Lundstrom.

“When I got up, you couldn’t see the water for ships. We were just totally surrounded by ships.

They all drew together during the night.”

His on-deck job was loading and unloading personnel, such as the Marines and canine units they dropped off on Okinawa during a five-day period in April 1945.

“That’s when I learned the difference between a man and an officer,” said Lundstrom. “I was given a job when they were debarking into the P-boats. I had to stand there when they went over the side and down the cargo net hanging on there. They told me 50 men to a boat. So, I was counting them, and I cut out 50 men, and I stepped over in front of this officer standing there. I said, ‘I’m sorry, sir. I can only put 50 men in the boat.’

He said, ‘I’m not a man, I’m an officer!’”

Lundstrom laughed, adding, “So, it’s officers and men.”

A written account signed by Navarro’s executive officer, Lt. D. R. Shippam, says the ship unloaded 28 landing craft, vehicles, and hundreds of tons of ammu-

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Lundstrom's ship, the U.S.S. Navarro, was a Haskell-class attack transport troopship in the U.S. Navy. It was built in 1944 and named after a county in Texas. After service in World War II and Vietnam, the Navarro was decommissioned in 1976 and scrapped in 1982. (Public domain)

Young Seaman Lloyd Lundstrom cuts a rug with a lovely lady named Joreen while wearing his Navy uniform, sometime between 1944-46. The couple was married 60 years. (Submitted photo)

VETERAN From Page 1

or 400 yards away.”

On one occasion, the Navarro was targeted by a Japanese kamikaze plane – typically a suicide attack from directly above, higher than a ship’s guns could aim. Lundstrom took issue, however, with an account of the incident in an online history of the ship.

Sight setter

Shippam wrote that the Navarro’s gun crews only had to fire on enemy craft on three occasions, and the one plane that singled the ship out for attack “was plunged flaming into the sea by anti-aircraft fire.”

Less accurate is the online version of the story, from a genealogy website about Navarro County, Texas, for which the ship was named. It says, “Each day at Okinawa brought several air alerts, but only once did a plane single out Navarro for attack – and that one was deflected by flak and plunged flaming into the sea. So effective was screening and air cover that the gun crews fired on the enemy only three times.”

“That’s as wrong as rain,” said Lundstrom. What actually happened, he said, is that a kamikaze pilot dived at a nearby cargo transport stationed parallel to the Navarro, about three-quarters of a mile away.

“We talked about it aboard ship many times, what made this guy change his mind,” he said, telling how the Japanese plane pulled out of its dive and came at the Navarro broadside, only a couple feet above the water – “just like a torpedo boat.”

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ing on the deck through a trough full of garbage while being smacked on his backside.

“We were all wet, and it hurt,” he said. At the end, “there was little King Neptune sitting there with his staff, and he’s asking us if we think we’re good enough. You’re supposed to say, ‘Yes.’ And finally he says, ‘OK,’ and he took that staff and put it on our shoulders and said, ‘Now we qualify you as shellbacks.’”

He added, “That goes down in my Navy record. If you look at my record … it’ll be in there, that I’m a shellback.”

After his discharge in 1946, Lundstrom had a full career as a pressman at a commercial print shop in Minneapolis.

“When I tell people that, the first thing they think of is the newspaper. I’m not connected with newspaper in any way,” he said. Art prints, like the framed Becoming a shellback pieces on Lundstrom’s wall, are more typical of his After serving briefly as a hospital ship, the Navarro work.. left Okinawa and was in Tokyo Bay when the war In 1947, he married Joreen McDonald of Virginia ended. “We were there when they signed the peace and they raised five children. When he retired, the treaty,” he said. couple moved to their vacation home on Lake Belle Later, they dropped off troops for the post-war occupation of Japan and to liberate China from Jap- Taine, and were on the waiting list to move into Heranese control. They also stopped in the Philippines itage Manor when Joreen died in 2007.

“Two days later, they called up and said they had a and, at least once, crossed the equator. That’s where Lundstrom experienced a whimsical, yet serious, room for us,” he said.

A member of the American Legion since he moved Navy tradition.

“Until you cross the equator, you’re a pollywog,” here, Lundstrom has good feelings about his hitch. he said. “Once you cross the equator, you have to go “I enjoyed being in the Navy,” he said. “Not so much through something – we were all laughing, but at the that I’d re-up because I had other plans.”

He is also proud of his younger brother, who looked same time it hurt. You have to get King Neptune’s up to Lloyd and went to have a 24-year Navy career permission to be a shellback.”

The rite of passage, at least in wartime, included a of his own.

Lundstrom called it “very important” to serve his ducking in a water tank, having something squirted into his mouth – “I don’t know what it was, but it country. “I don’t regret the two years of my life in was hotter than hell” – getting a haircut, and crawl- there.”

When “general quarters” was called, Lundstrom was the sight setter for one of two twin-barrel, 40 mm antiaircraft guns the ship had to defend its sides, in addition to a quad-barrel 40 under its bow. But in that moment of crisis, Lundstrom’s gun wouldn’t bear on the attacking plane because it was too low down. Shooting at that angle risked hitting a friendly ship.

“We couldn’t shoot at it, but we had 20 mm and 50 calibers up on the superstructure,” he said. “They nailed him. He was coming in. His left wing dropped like that, and as soon as that dug the water, he just spun right around. They were shooting, shooting, shooting. The wing broke off, and where he was sitting opened up. I could see him just as plain as day, and then they took care of him, too. That’s what happened.”

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January 2020

Tips to help millennials succeed with their gardening passion

and cooperating with nature. The old saying “Good things come to those who wait” applies well to plant care. ► The outdoor frost-free growing season in the Upper Midwest generally runs from about May 15 to 25 until sometime between about Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. ► A successful 10-day window in spring for most

BY DON KINZLER of our region’s outdoor planting is about May 15-25, Columnist as frost becomes less likely and soil warms favorably. ► Don’t be fooled by spring’s false starts. CountIn last month’s column, we learned that millen- less gardeners have planted during gorgeous April nials are now the most active gardening generation. warm spells, only to have tender plants frozen by They’re especially passionate about indoor gardening May frost. ► Become acquainted with your locally owned garand growing their own food efficiently in smaller spaces. Working with plants is viewed as a relief from den centers, which are generally well stocked with connectivity to our electronic devices, and as a cre- plant material suited to our region. The locally owned experience is much different from national chains. ative way to reduce stress. ► Start small. A manageable vegetable or flower The good news about gardening is that each generplanting is more productive and fun than a larger ation needn’t strike out on their own. Times change, garden overpowered by weeds. but the science and art of plant care remains quite ► Speaking of weeds, set the goal of getting them constant.

Basic understanding of how plants interact with while they’re tiny, and never let any go to seed. ► Water soil deeply and less often. Shallow, fresoil, water, light and temperature is timeless, and quent watering leads to trouble, whether with lawns if shared between generations, can eliminate many or houseplants. mistakes as new gardeners gain experience. ► To remedy both heavy clay and light sandy soil, As the gardening torch passes to the millennial add organic material like peat moss, compost or generation, the following tips will be helpful. packaged manure. ► Everyone can have a “green thumb,” which ► For indoor and outdoor pots and planters, invest simply means giving plants what they need to thrive.

Some people have a natural instinct for plant care; in a high-quality potting mix, such as Miracle-Gro others gain their green thumb by trial-and-error Potting Mix or a custom blend from a locally owned experience and by educating themselves, which all garden center. Plants don’t grow as well in cheap, heavy, poorly drained mixes. of us can do. ► We are in winter-hardiness zones 3 and 4. ► Even experienced gardeners continue to learn, as Investigate before buying trees, shrubs and perennial they remain vigilant to deal with nature’s unpredictable weather, climate and pests. ► Learn patience. Plants grow on their own terms, not ours, which is a great exercise in slowing down

Growing Together

flowers, especially if shopping at national chains that might be stocked with plants intended for regions outside our zones. ► Very few flowers are direct-seeded into outdoor soil. Planting “starter plants,” either your own or from a garden center, is the norm, providing faster, more reliable blooming. ► For indoor gardening, assess your windows’ light levels compared with plant needs. Some houseplants grow well in indirect light in a room’s interior, while edibles like herbs require high light in front of a sunny window, especially during winter’s short days. ► Be cautious of trendy topics. Herbs growing in magnetic pots on the refrigerator make an eye-catching photo, but they likely won’t grow well long term. ► Gardening is about a process, not just results.

Watch, enjoy and learn along the way.

Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at kinzlerd@casscountynd.gov or call 701-241-5707.

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J a n u a ry 2 02 0

Treasuring every visit with Mom

ALZHEIMER’S PRAYER

By Author Unknown

(Submitted photo)

The Family Circle

BY LAUREL HED Columnist This picture is my younger brother and I with our mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease. I live twoand-a-half hours away from Mom, but try to see her at least once a month.

Each time I visit, I see the changes, and there are times that Mom isn’t sure who I am, but as we chat, she relaxes and starts to share what is going on in her cloudy mind. Sometimes it is silly/funny things that we giggle about and sometimes it is scary things that haunt her and make her sad.

The last time I visited, she once again shared as though she just found out her mom had died (it was 45 years ago) and that she just didn’t know how she could go on without her. She loved her so much. That day she said, “I am ok, but I just can’t feel happy anymore.”

Other times I can tell that Mom knows who I am and that is when we can talk about my grown children and their families, which I can tell really blesses her heart. We will look at pictures and talk about years ago when she and Dad first met and how he thought she had such beautiful eyes. She always loves to hear that and says, “Yes, he really wanted to go out with me!”

I treasure every one of those visits that are full of

past memories, and on the days she isn’t real sure who I am, I also treasure those times because I can tell that she sees me as a trusted friend and someone she can share her feelings with.

I love my Mom so much and appreciate the time I get to spend with her. I also miss my Mom who could help me with a recipe or advise me on a problem I may be having. That Mom is gone, but occasionally my ‘old’ Mom shows up and oh what joy that brings!

Remember to treasure those pearls with your loved ones who are living with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia.

I remember you with my heart And I do love you!

I can’t recall where I knew you Who you were, or who I was Maybe I grew up with you Or maybe we worked together Or did we bowl together yesterday?

There is something wrong with my memory But I do know you, I know I know you And I do love you I know how you make me feel I remember the feelings we had together My heart remembers, It cries out in loneliness for you For the feeling you give me now When you leave My mind will not remember that you were here But my heart remembers Remembers the feeling of friendship And love returned Remembers That I am less lonely and happier today Because you have come Please, please don’t forget me And please don’t stay away Because of the way my mind acts I can still feel you, I can remember you with my heart, And heart memory is maybe…

The most important memory of all

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January 2020

Mushroom dish is tasty for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike

Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are topped with strips of fresh basil and reduced balsamic vinegar. (Photos by Michael Vosburg/Forum News Service)

Home with the Lost Italian

BY SARAH & TONY NASELLO

Columnist

The rise of vegetarianism over the past decade means that it’s likely your guest list will include at least one or more folks who prefer a meatless meal.

While many vegetarian guests will tell you not to go to any extra trouble, and that they’re happy to graze from the standard variety of vegetable side dishes, we worry that the lack of protein means that they will leave our table still hungry.

It doesn’t take much extra effort to provide a plant-based protein alternative for your veggie-loving guests, and these Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are hearty, delicious and easy to prepare, even in the midst of pre-feast kitchen chaos.

Low in fat, calories and sodium, nutrient-dense portobello mushrooms are a good source of protein, fiber and folate to ensure a full belly, as well as a host of vitamins and minerals believed to help fight cancer, boost the immune system and decrease inflammation. Portobello mushrooms have a wonderful meaty quality in both texture and taste, which makes them popular with vegetarians and carnivores alike.

For this simple dish, you’ll need four large portobello mushrooms, which are commonly sold in packs of two in most supermarkets. To prepare the mushrooms, remove any remaining stems as well as the dark brown gills to clear space for the caprese stuffing. The gills can be easily removed by gently scraping them with the edge of a spoon.

Once the inside is prepped, use a damp paper towel to wipe away any dirt from the top and inside of each mushroom. Next, brush each mushroom with a mixture of extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper and bake at 400 degrees until soft, about 10 minutes.

Once they’re soft, remove them from the oven and use a paper towel to absorb the excess moisture released in each mushroom. If your available oven time is limited on turkey day, you can refrigerate the mushrooms at this stage for up to one day.

The caprese stuffing is inspired by our wonderful time in Sicily this past summer, which was filled with a bounty of fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes.

I use fresh mozzarella balls, either pre-marinated or plain, and my favorite variety of “flavor bomb” cherry tomatoes.

To flavor the caprese mixture, I use extra-virgin

A caprese filling of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella is used to stuff portobello mushrooms.

Balsamic reduction or basil pesto (optional) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of oil with the minced garlic, salt and black pepper. Brush each mushroom all over with the oil mixture, then place on the prepared baking sheet, top side down.

Bake until the mushrooms are soft to the touch, about 9 to 10 minutes. Use a paper towel to soak up the excess moisture inside the mushrooms. The mushrooms can be used immediately or refrigerated at this stage for up to 1 day until ready to finish baking. Bring to room temperature before baking.

As the mushrooms bake: In a medium bowl, use a whisk to combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil with the vinegar, herb seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add the tomatoes and mozzarella and gently Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms toss to combine. Taste and add salt and pepper as 4 portobello mushrooms caps, washed and thor- desired (I use 1/4 teaspoon of each). oughly dried with paper towel (if purchasing whole, Once the mushrooms are baked until softened, and remove the stems and gills) wiped free of excess moisture, fill the inside of each ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil, divided with the caprese mixture. Return mushrooms to the 1 clove garlic, minced baking sheet and bake until the tomatoes begin to ¼ teaspoon kosher salt blister and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 12 ¼ teaspoon black pepper to 15 minutes. ¼ teaspoon red wine vinegar Remove from oven and transfer mushrooms to ¼ teaspoon Sicilian or Italian herb seasoning serving plates or a platter. Generously sprinkle each (blend of dried herbs like oregano, parsley and basil) mushroom with the chopped basil and garnish with Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes a drizzle of reduced balsamic vinegar or basil pesto.

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Serves four. ½ cup fresh mozzarella balls, halved (if using a log “Home with the Lost Italian” is a weekly column written by Sarah of mozzarella, cut into ½-inch pieces) Nasello featuring recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello. The couple 2 tablespoons fresh basil, sliced into thin strips owned Sarello’s in Moorhead and lives in Fargo with their son, Giovanni. Readers can reach them at sarahnasello@gmail.com. (chiffonade), about 4 large leaves olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and a dash of Sicilian herb seasoning blend (any blend of dried oregano, basil and parsley will do). Each mushroom cap is stuffed with the caprese mixture and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tomatoes just begin to blister, about 12 to 15 minutes.

For extra Italian flavor and a pop of color, garnish the mushrooms with thin strips of fresh basil and a drizzle of either balsamic reduction or basil pesto.

With their big flavor, bold colors and high nutrition, these Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are the perfect vegetarian dish for the upcoming holiday season. But, be warned: they’re so attractive and delicious that your meat-loving guests will probably want a taste, too.

6

J a n u a ry 2 02 0

Transition to assisted living changes caregiver’s role

be able to stop by until the next day. Continue the gradual weaning process until fewer visits are routine.

As you do this, you’ll still want to keep track of his care. We must be realistic about what a care home can provide, but we also have a right to certain expectations. The assisted living facility needs to know that CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK you are your dad’s advocate. The hardest part is likely Columnist to be convincing yourself that he’s fine without you.

Remind yourself that he loves to complain and that isn’t likely to change. There’s even a small chance Dear Carol: My dad lived with me for six months. During that if you aren’t there every day, he might be less the time I was at work, he fell and got hurt twice. He comprehends things just fine, but his memory is bad, probably likely to spend your whole visit complaining. Addifrom years of drinking, though he has since stopped. Dad’s tionally, without your consistent presence, he may always been a bitter complainer, so something was always attempt to make some friends.

You mentioned your dad’s history of drinking, so wrong with the time I spent, the food I cooked or anything I’d like to suggest that you try attending Al-Anon else I did. I tried in-home care, but he wouldn’t let them in the door, so we decided together that assisted living was the best option.

Now, though, he complains about everything there, too.

My friends say I need to learn to let go, and they are probably right, but it’s hard. I feel at loose ends and unsure of my footing. — WU. Dear WU: What you’re going through is hard, but normal for someone who is used to the role of sole caregiver. Rocky as your relationship with your dad’s New Tr been, it’s what you’re used to. ansitional Care Unit Assuming that your dad’s real needs are being met in the care home, I’d suggest that you begin to modify your role in his care. Start by skipping one visit.

Green Pine Acres Skilled Nursing Facility You could call and tell him that you’ve got plans but that you’ll see him tomorrow. Alert the staff you Long Term Care & Short Term Stay Rehabilitation probably won’t be by so that they can suggest an Woodside Manor Assisted Living activity for that time.

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meetings. It’s great that he stopped the alcohol, but his behavior is still a problem and Al-Anon could help you learn strategies for self-care.

The main lesson is that while most of us want to make our parents happy, sometimes nothing we do will accomplish that. In those cases, we must be satisfied with the fact that we stepped up and did what was needed for their care.

That’s what you’ve done. You are still your dad’s touchstone, his advocate and his daughter. This change just means that you have help with your dad and a chance to live your own life, too.

Carol Bradley Bursack is a veteran caregiver and an established columnist. She is also a blogger, and the author of “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Bradley Bursack hosts a website supporting caregivers and elders at www. mindingourelders.com. She can be reached through the contact form on her website.

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January 2020

How seniors can get free legal assistance The Savvy Senior

BY JIM MILLER Columnist Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any resources that provide free or low-cost legal services to seniors? I’m 68 and need some professional legal assistance but have limited funds. ~ Need Help Dear Need Help, There are actually a number of free and low-cost legal resources that can help seniors in need, but what’s available to you will depend on where you live, the type of legal assistance you need and your financial situation. Here are several options to check into.

Legal Aid: Directed by the Legal Services Corporation, legal aid offers free legal assistance to low-income people of all ages. Each community program will differ slightly in the services they offer and income qualifications. See LSC.gov/find-legal-aid to locate a program in your area.

Free Legal Answers: This is an online program created by the American Bar Association that matches low-income clients with volunteer lawyers who agree to provide brief answers online for free. This service

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will not answer criminal law questions, and it’s not available in every state. Visit ABAfreelegalanswers. org to look for a program in your state.

Pro Bono and Senior Legal Hotlines: Usually sponsored by state or local bar associations, pro bono programs help low-income people find volunteer lawyers who are willing to handle their cases for free.

There are also a number of states that still offer senior legal hotlines, where all seniors over age 60 have access to free legal advice over the telephone.

To find out if either of these services are available in your state, go to LawHelp.org, and click on “Find help near you.”

Senior Legal Services: Coordinated by the Administration on Aging, this service may offer free or lowcost legal advice, legal assistance or access to legal representation to people over the age of 60. Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you what’s available in your community. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-6771116 to get your local number.

National Disability Rights Network: This is a nonprofit membership organization that provides legal assistance to people with disabilities through their Protection and Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program. If you are disabled, visit NDRN.org to

find help in your state.

Other options

If you can’t get help from one of these programs, or find that you aren’t eligible, another option is to contact your state or local bar association, which may be able to refer you to a low-fee lawyer. Or, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer for only part of the legal work and doing other parts yourself. This is known as “unbundled legal services.”

Many bar associations offer public service-oriented lawyer referral services that will interview clients and help identify the problems a lawyer could help them with. If a lawyer can help with your problem, the service will provide you with a referral to a lawyer. If the problem does not require a lawyer, the service will provide information on other organizations in your community that may be able to help. Most of these lawyer referral services conduct their interviews and make referrals over the phone.

To contact your state or local bar association, go to www.FindLegalHelp.org.

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

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J a n u a ry 2 02 0

Come clean with handwashing in this country.

It seems we know we should be washing our hands, but aren’t actually doing it. For example, in one nationwide study, 94 percent of consumers surveyed said they always washed their hands after using the restroom. However, observers planted in public restrooms in five major cities found that only 68

BY KARIN HAUGRUD percent, in fact, did so. Women were somewhat more Columnist likely than men to wash up (74 versus 61 percent), but neither came close to what they said they did.

There’s a procedure you can do in about 15 secHow often should I wash my hands? Hands should onds — one that requires no special equipment and be washed often – more frequently than most peominimal training. Yet it’s powerful enough to get rid ple do. Because bacteria and other germs cannot of tough germs. be seen with the naked eye, they can be anywhere.

The procedure I’m talking about is handwashAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Preing, and it calls only for soap, water — and a little vention (CDC), handwashing is especially important patience. when preparing food, before meals, after using the Handwashing with warm water and soap can restroom, after touching animals or animal waste, greatly reduce the chances of spreading or getting when your hands are dirty and when someone around germs. The mechanical action of scrubbing loosens you is ill. up the dirt and microbes on our hands and the soap Handwashing is a sensible strategy to remove visipicks them up and binds to them so that the water ble dirt and germs from the hands and it only takes a can wash them away.

Remember to wash your hands correctly! Use soap few seconds. If you could prevent yourself or family Despite the demonstrated health benefits of hand- and warm, running water. Wash your skin well, from becoming sick, wouldn’t you wash your hands washing, many people just don’t do it enough. You including your wrists, palms, back of the hands, can probably confirm this by simply observing at fingers and under your fingernails. Rub your hands more often! random how many people exit public restrooms together for at least 10 to 15 seconds. If you wash your without washing their hands. hands correctly, you will greatly reduce the chances This article is made possible with Older Americans Act dollars from While we are all potentially at risk of contracting of spreading germs, including those that have devel- the Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging. Call the Senior LinkAge® One Stop Shop at 800-333-2433 to speak with an hand-transmitted illnesses, one-third of our popu- oped resistance to antibiotics. information specialist, or check out our website at MinnesotaHelp. lation is especially vulnerable, including older adults, Although handwashing is something that should info. MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed children and pregnant women, and people with have become an ingrained habit before we we’re out to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and weakened immune systems. of kindergarten, it’s on its way to becoming a lost art referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help.

Boomers on the Move