NEWS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR SENIORS
A Publication of
JULY 2021 • FREE
IN THIS ISSUE
PHILLY’S URBAN COWBOY Teaches kids horsemanship
Release for America’s oldest juvenile offender
P5 SUMMER’S BOUNTY
Free produce vouchers, recipes
P7 HELP PCA SELECT ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
83-year-old Joe Ligon finds a home P17
in Philadelphia with PCA’s Dom Care Program PAGE 4
Milestones 2
July 2021
EDITOR’S LETTER By Alicia M. Colombo, Milestones editor
Fun in the summertime
WHAT IS PCA? Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to serving Philadelphia’s older adults. In addition to bringing you Milestones newspaper, PCA offers: • Care in the home • Home-delivered meals • Home repairs and modifications • Protective services • Senior centers • Caregiver support • Employment and volunteer programs • Legal services • Transportation
• Ombudsman services • Health education • Information and referral For more information, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 or visit pcaCares.org. Call 24/7 to report suspected elder abuse.
Published by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Najja Orr, President and CEO PCA Board of Directors 2021-22 Katherine E. Galluzzi, D.O., F.A.C.O.F.P., Chair Judee M. Bavaria, Vice Chair Satya B. Verma, O.D., Secretary Glenn D. Bryan, Treasurer Louis A. Bove, Esq. Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Esq. Lynn Fields Harris Angela Foreshaw-Rouse Sandra McNally Fran Miller Victor M. Negrón Jr. Eloise N. Young Jaqueline S. Zinn, Ph.D. Emeritus: Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M.
PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040 Outside Philadelphia toll-free: 888-215-765-9041 (TDD) pcaCares.org
Milestones is published monthly and distributed at more than 1,100 locations throughout Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties. Check us out online: pcaCares.org/Milestones Editor: Alicia M. Colombo 215-765-9000, ext. 5081 PCA, 642 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 Email: MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org Advertising: Teresa Heavens 215-765-9000, ext. 5053 Email: Teresa.Heavens@pcaCares.org Subscriptions & Distributions: 215-765-9000, ext. 5081 Email: MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org Home delivery: $12/year
The views expressed in Milestones are not necessarily those of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Milestones will not knowingly accept or publish fraudulent or misleading advertising. Milestones reserves the right to edit, revise or reject ads. Milestones assumes no responsibility for errors, misprints, omissions or misinformation; for failure to publish an ad; or for any damages of any kind. Neither the publisher nor any other party is rendering expert advice in this publication. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced without the permission of PCA. ©2021 Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. All rights reserved.
Due to the steady rise in vaccinations and the decline in COVID-19 transmissions, the City of Philadelphia ended all of its “Safer-at-Home” restrictions in June. Adults who received their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago are considered fully vaccinated, and the Philadelphia Health Department no longer requires that they wear masks indoors or outdoors in most settings. However, masks are still required by everyone in senior community centers, adult day care centers, health care settings, congregate living facilities, public transportation, indoor schools or camps, and court facilities and procedures. In addition, businesses may continue to require that masks be worn, regardless of vaccine status. People who are not fully vaccinated are still strongly recommended to wear masks indoors and outdoors when around others, but are no longer required to do so by Philadelphia regulations. If you are fully vaccinated but do not feel comfortable being around others without a mask, you may continue to wear one. (For more summer safety information, see the article on page 8.) Philadelphia and the surrounding counties have officially (re)opened for business! After a 15-month hiatus, events and in-person group activities are again taking place. However, attendance may be limited and advance reservations may be required. So, it’s best to plan ahead and check the venue’s website for full information. Look out for programming that is both virtual and in-person at senior centers, as they move toward fully opening. If you need some ideas for activities, take a look at the Milestones Calendar of Events on pages 10 & 11. Starting this month, we’ve resumed
featuring in-person events, along with virtual activities.
Enjoy Philly history
This summer, experience some of the nation’s most iconic monuments and attractions. Visit Philadelphia (VisitPhilly.com) suggests checking out these can’t-miss attractions. • Take a selfie with the Liberty Bell – 526 Market St. | PhlVisitorCenter.com/LibertyBell| 1-800-537-7676 • Tour the birthplace of the United States – 520 Chestnut St. | PhlVisitorCenter. com/ IndependenceHall | 1-800-5377676 • Explore Philly’s Asian enclave – Chinatown offers a world of fantastic food and abundant cultural activities. | Arch Street from 8th-11th streets | chinatown-pcdc. org | 215-922-2156 • Visit the Founding Fathers – The world’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution: National Constitution Center | 525 Arch St. | ConstitutionCenter.org | 215-409-6600 • Celebrate African American history and culture – The country’s first museum devoted to the African diaspora: The African American Museum in Philadelphia | 701 Arch St. | aampMuseum.org | 2 15574-0380 • View George Washington’s headquarters tent –Museum of the American Revolution | 101 S. 3rd St. | AmRevMuseum. org | 215-253-6731 • Experience American history in a new light –This new attraction illuminates the Bible’s influence on key moments in history: Faith and Liberty Discovery Center | 101 N. Independence Mall East | FaithAndLiberty.org | 215-309-0401 Funded by PCA
Milestones 4
Release for America’s oldest juvenile offender
By Shannon Reyes Joe Ligon has been out of prison for 161 days. It’s a number he proudly exclaims as he descends the steps of the home where he has been living since his release. As the nation’s oldest juvenile offender serving a life sentence, Ligon spent 68 years in prison after being convicted at age 15. Ligon had made peace with the fact that he would most likely die in prison. Then, in 2016, a Supreme Court ruling mandated new sentences for all juveniles serving life without parole. Ligon was eligible to be released immediately with parole, but he opted to remain in prison for four more years so he could be released “free and clear.” Ligon wanted to be truly free when he left prison, without the oversight or special conditions of parole. Upon his release at the age of 83, Ligon stepped into a world very different than
Jules Vuotto
the one he left as a 15-year-old in 1953, and the one in which he spent the last 68 years. Never having had the opportunity to to rent or own a home of his own, Ligon moved in with a family participating in the Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) program administered by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1978, the Dom Care program provides a home and family environment for adults who have barriers to living alone. “After learning of his situation, the Dom Care team believed Mr. Ligon would benefit from living in a family home where he’d feel a sense of caring and safety as he transitioned from prison,” says Jean Janik, PCA’s Director of Community Living Options. “Not only would he have support provided by his re-entry team, but he would have the support of his PCA care manager and Dom Care family. He would receive the
personalized attention he deserved after his incarceration.” Ligon was thrilled when he learned he would finally have a room of his own. He describes the day he was released from prison and brought to his new Dom Care home as “overwhelming.” In the last six months, he and his Dom Care home provider have shared many experiences together, many of which Ligon experienced for the first time. Now 84, Ligon voted for the first time during Philadelphia’s primary election in May. Crediting Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner with assisting in his release, Ligon felt it was important to cast his vote for the incumbent. As someone who has lived through the criminal and prison systems for the last seven decades, he feels that reform is needed. “There is a story to be told,” Ligon says. “There are people in prison right now who should not be in prison.” And Ligon is not shy when it comes to telling his story: Although he describes himself as a “model prisoner” while incarcerated, good behavior held no promise of a reduced sentence for Ligon: When he was just 15, Ligon got mixed up with the “wrong crowd” and was convicted of robbery, assault and murder, then sentenced to life in prison without parole. He moved with his parents from Alabama to Pennsylvania when he was 13. One fateful night two years later, Ligon explains that he had decided to hang out with some kids whom he had barely known. He and four others were arrested after a series of robberies and stabbings that left two people dead. When Ligon was questioned by police after the incident, he could not identify the others involved because he did not even know their names. Ligon can still remember being separated from his parents on the day he was incarcerated and speaks very candidly about the trauma it caused. Although he describes himself as a “model prisoner” while incarcerated, good behavior had no
July 2021
Dom Care is another name for ‘home’ Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA’s) Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) program matches certified home providers with those in need of a caring, supportive home. Dom Care residents are unable to live independently due to physical, emotional or mental impairments, but do not need special around-the-clock attention. Dom Care home providers are people in the community who want to open up their homes to provide care for up to two consumers. PCA’s care managers match consumers and home providers according to their preferences, and continue to work closely with them to ensure that the match remains mutually beneficial. Providers offer room and board; housekeeping; laundry; assistance with medical appointments, personal hygiene and budgeting; assistance with medication; and more. Eligibility for participation in the Dom Care program is determined by a thorough assessment completed by PCA’s Long Term Care Access department. Eligible consumers must receive social security or disability benefits or have the ability to pay privately. To begin the enrollment process, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040. Interested home providers must complete a certification process that includes criminal history clearances; reference checks; and a home inspection of fire, health and safety regulations. Interested applicants should call the Dom Care program at 215765-9000, ext. 5365. promise of a reduced sentence for Ligon. Many of his immediate family members died while Ligon was incarcerated, including his parents. His “baby sister” and only surviving sibling lives in New Jersey and keeps in close contact with him, as does
• continued on page 16
July 2021
Milestones 5
Philly’s urban cowboy teaches kids horsemanship, responsibility By Jay Nachman Growing up in Tallahassee, Florida, 83-year-old Ellis “El-Dog” Ferrell fondly remembers watching cowboys fight the bad guys in his local movie theater. He easily reels off the names of those early heroes: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Elliot, The Cisco Kid. “They was on horses,” Ferrell said. “I was just fascinated with it, and it was something I always wanted to do – ride a horse.” Ferrell’s childhood dream came true and then some. At one point, Ferrell owned 23 horses. Horses are athletic, humble and gorgeous, he said. Now, he is around horses all day long, weekdays and weekends, at the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, which he founded in Strawberry Mansion in 2004. After being bucked from a horse and subsequently involved in a couple of car accidents, Ferrell hasn’t been able to saddle up lately, but hopes that will end soon. “I want to ride,” he said. “I’m going to start riding again.” The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club (FSURC) evolved from a century-long tradition of urban black cowboys in Philadelphia and Ferrell’s commitment to provide horsemanship experience in the inner-city. The club was the inspiration for the recent Netflix movie, “Concrete Cowboy.” However, FSURC and Ferrell were not included in the movie’s production. After leaving the Army, Ferrell returned to Philadelphia where he graduated high school. He bought his first horse, a pony, in 1970, and named her Kelly. Ferrell was off to the races, so to speak. The next year, he bought another horse, Lady, for his birthday. Then came another, Rowdy. After forming various riding clubs throughout the city, Ferrell organized the Fletcher Street club in 2004 with other rid-
ers in the neighborhood. In addition to riding horses after work and on the weekends, club members would ride in local parades, as well as events in Newark, New Jersey and New York City. Twice a year they would host rodeo competitions at Cobbs Creek Park. Ferrell was like a Pied Piper on horseback. Whether he stabled his horses at Pennypack Park, in North Philadelphia, or Fletcher Street, neighborhood children would tag along when he rode. “Everywhere I went, kids followed the horses. We’d go out riding and have kids follow back to the stable. And they stayed,” said Ferrell, who worked as a truck driver before retiring. Ferrell saw an opportunity to use horses as a teaching tool and a way to keep kids off the street and out of trouble. “A lot of them, if they weren’t here dealing with horses, they’d probably be in jail or something,” Ferrell said. “They don’t know what they might have been doing. But horses kept them out of a whole lot of problems. Kept them out of trouble.” Taking care of horses is a hard job and it teaches kids responsibility, Ferrell said. They learn to clean the stalls, hay and water the horses, bathe them, and clean their hooves. His charges, and there have been hundreds of them, have gone on to become teachers, police officers, and men and women who are part of the community fabric. These days, his Fletcher Street students, who gave him the El-Dog nickname a few years back, will record Ferrell’s instructions on their phones about how to saddle and take care of horses, then study his lessons at home. “It makes me feel good, especially when they see one of the other kids do something wrong, they’ll tell them, ‘That’s not the way you do it. El-Dog said to do it this way,’” he said. “That just gives me satisfac-
tion, knowing they were paying attention.” The club currently has nine horses and a group of volunteers, including Ferrell’s son, Darrin, and grandson, Milan, who help teach and run the club. “Where we are, it’s like a safe haven,” Ferrell said. Neighborhood children “can come here and don’t have to worry about getting in trouble because the horse will keep them out of trouble.” For the generations of Philadelphia kids
Ferrell has helped, he has been just as heroic as the cowboys he watched on the screen when he was growing up. *** For more information about Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, including how to volunteer or donate, go to fsurc.com or call 1-800-484-1930. Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients. Ken McFarlane
Ellis “El Dog” Ferrell (right) with his son Darrin at Philadelphia’s Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club.
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July 2021
Recipe Box
Enjoy summer’s bounty of fresh, Pennsylvania-grown produce iStock
To serve, let pie stand at room temperature about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel and slice remaining peach into 1/4-inchthick slices. Arrange peach slices around the edge and mound raspberries in center just before serving. (Source: Southern Living)
Peach Melba Ice Cream Pie
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Blueberry Cucumber Summer Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients: ⅔ cup sliced almonds 3 tbsp. sugar 8 cups spring mix, baby spinach or lettuce/greens of your choice 4 baby seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced 4 green onions, thinly sliced 1 cup blueberries ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Dressing: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tbsp. heavy cream 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 tsp. honey ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp. fresh chives
Directions: Place the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and caramelizes the almonds – about 6 to 8 minutes. Don’t take your eyes off of this as they can burn quickly! Transfer the almonds to a piece of parchment paper to cool. Break them into pieces if they are clumped. In a large bowl, toss the greens with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle in the blueberries, cucumbers, green onions and parmesan cheese. Add the almonds on top. To make the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, cream, mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stream in the olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Stir in the chives. Top salad with dressing and serve immediately. This dressing stays great in the fridge. Just shake or whisk it to combine before serving. (Source: HowSweetEats.com)
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Ingredients: 1 pkg. (5.25 ozs.) thin almond cookies 1 cup salted roasted almonds 3 tbsp. granulated sugar ¼ tsp. kosher salt 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 4 cups vanilla ice cream, softened and divided 2 medium peaches, divided 1 pint raspberry sorbet, softened 1 cup fresh raspberries (about 4 oz.) Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place cookies, almonds, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process until finely ground, about 15 seconds. Drizzle butter over top of mixture; pulse until combined, 5 to 6 times. Press crumb mixture into bottom and up the sides of a lightly greased 9 1/2-inch deep-dish glass or ceramic pie plate. Bake until browned, about 12 minutes. Place on a wire rack, and cool completely, about 30 minutes. Place 2 cups of the ice cream in a bowl. Peel and dice one peach; stir diced peach into ice cream. Spread ice-cream mixture over crust. Freeze about 2 hours. Spread sorbet over ice cream mixture; freeze about 2 hours. Spread remaining 2 cups vanilla ice cream over sorbet. Freeze 8 hours or overnight.
Roasted Mexican Corn Ingredients: 3 cups fresh corn ½ cup each red and green bell pepper, diced 2-3 tbsp. butter Garlic salt and black pepper to taste Directions: Preheat the oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spritz liberally with cooking spray. Mix corn and bell peppers together. Spread in a single layer on pan. Drizzle with melted butter and season with garlic salt and black pepper to taste. (To lighten up this dish, use cooking spray instead of drizzling with butter.) Roast for 15-18 minutes, stirring halfway through. Continue to roast until the corn begins to caramelize. Serve immediately. (Source: MelissasSouthernStyleKitchen.com)
July 2021
Milestones 7
s one n t s e Mil riptio sc sub luded inc
Vouchers for free fresh produce available to older Philadelphians
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Each year, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) distributes more than 22,000 free produce vouchers to income-eligible older Philadelphians. The vouchers can be redeemed for $24 worth of local produce from 39 certified farmers markets throughout Philadelphia. PCA’s annual distribution of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) produce vouchers is currently underway. For a second year, the distribution method has been modified due to the ongoing pandemic requirements. Vouchers will be mailed to older adults who qualify. Those who received SFMNP produce vouchers in 2021 will receive an application in the mail. Applications are also available at senior community centers, pcaCares.org/ produce and by calling the PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040. To qualify for the vouchers, adults must be 60 or older by Dec. 31 and have a household income that falls below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Based on federal poverty guidelines for 2021 annual income, 185% of FPL is $23,828 for
one person or $32,227 for a two-person household, and increases incrementally for households with additional members. Vouchers are limited to one set per person and must be redeemed by Nov. 30. Completed applications can be submitted by mail, email or dropped off at a senior community center. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first served basis. Applications will be processed in the order they are received, and vouchers will be mailed to eligible recipients within 30 days of application receipt. A list of participating farmers markets will be sent along with the vouchers. You can also visit pafmnp.org or download the free app on Google Play or the App Store by searching: “PA FMNP Market Locator.” SFMNP vouchers are made available through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. For full SFMNP program information, please visit pcaCares.org/produce.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) offers
Delicious meals delivered to your home
Tasty, nutritious options when you can’t prepare your own meals • Quality: home-style meals designed with fresh ingredients by a licensed dietitian • A personal touch: deliveries you can count on by our friendly, dedicated drivers • Affordability: low-cost or no-cost service, if you qualify • Expertise: nearly 50 years of experience caring for your neighbors • Reliability: the local resource trusted by thousands of older Philadelphians
Call the PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040
pcaCares.org
Milestones 8
July 2021
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Summer safety as Philadelphia emerges from the pandemic By Mary Anna Rodabaugh After over a year of closures, quarantine and in-person event cancellations, life in Philadelphia is finally starting to resemble pre-pandemic times. Last month, Citizens Bank Park resumed full-capacity seating for Phillies games. Philadelphia museums are open with a few COVID-19 safety protocols still in place, and senior community centers across the city have begun to slowly welcome members back for in-person activities, including art demonstrations and exercise classes. With less-rigid restrictions in place, this summer is already shaping up to be a perfect season for revelry and relaxation. However, as the “new normal” begins to take shape, there are still a few precautions older adults should take to remain safe and healthy this summer.
Get your COVID-19 vaccine The best defense against COVID-19 is to get the vaccine. Your risk for COVID-19 complications increases with age. Currently, local clinics and pharmacies are offering the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge. To
find a location near you or to learn about homebound vaccination options, call the PACE COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-800424-4351, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Don’t trash your mask, yet Fully vaccinated individuals can gather in most places – both outdoors and indoors – without wearing a mask, unless required by local business guidelines. Masks are still required by everyone in Philadelphia when in the following settings: health care institutions and community events, such as vaccine clinics and blood drives; congregate living facilities, such as prisons, shelters and adult day programs; public transportation, including taxis and ride share vehicles; indoor schools, camps and early childhood education centers; and court facilities and procedures. When a location’s mask guidelines are unknown, it’s a good idea bring a mask along just in case. If you are not fully vaccinated or feel safer wearing a mask, continue to wear it.
Practice good hygiene COVID-19 taught us all to wash or san-
itize our hands frequently to prevent the spread of illness. It is a good idea to continue this practice, pandemic or not. After you come in contact with high-touch surfaces or objects, such as money, credit card pin pads and door handles, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you can’t access soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Make sure you clean your hands before eating and avoid touching your face whenever possible.
Visiting loved ones Hugs are back in season, but you may want to have an open conversation with your loved ones about everyone’s vaccination status. If you or your loved ones are feeling ill or experience any cold or flu-like symptoms, it is best to postpone in-person visits until everyone is feeling better. For events, such as parties, weddings and baby showers, don’t hesitate to ask the host about the COVID-19 precautions that will be in place.
Enjoy the outdoors When it comes to COVID-19, outdoor activities are considered safer than indoor. Don’t forget to practice summer safety, too! Remember to hydrate properly, stay in shady areas when possible, and wear sunscreen. After all, the summer months present their own set of health hazards for older adults.
Know before you go Heading down the shore? Planning to visit a museum? COVID-19 guidelines vary by state, region and business location. Before you head out to enjoy your adventure, call ahead to check online to determine the safety protocols in place. Some indoor venues have timed ticketing procedures to prevent visitors from crowding together. Enjoy everything Philadelphia has to offer this summer. A season of fun and activity is long overdue, but always remember to take precautions to protect your health and safety. Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
June 2021
Milestones 9
Do you have questions about Medicare coverage? Providing objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance
APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help Pennsylvanians with Medicare.
Who are APPRISE counselors?
APPRISE counselors are specially trained volunteers and paid staff who can answer your questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care insurance, filing appeals and preventive care.
Extra Help
Can help lower your prescription drug copayments and premiums, and cover the cost of the coverage gap! You may qualify if you are: • Single and have a total monthly income of less than $1,630; and less than $14,790 in resources. • Married and have a total monthly income of less than $2,198; and less than $29,520 in resources.
Medicare Savings Programs
Can help you with the payment of your Part B premium! You may qualify if you are: • Single and have a total monthly income of less than $1,469; and less than $7,970 in resources. • Married and have a total monthly income of less than $1,980; and less than $11,960 in resources. Medicare Savings Programs can possibly help with the payment of your Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing. There are certain deductions taken for Medicare Savings Programs.
Getting Answers to Your Health Insurance Questions Trained counselors are available to assist you. Call one of the numbers provided below depending on your ZIP code: Einstein Medical Center • Phone: 215-456-7600 Covered ZIP codes: 19111, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 44, 49, 50, 52 and 54 The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) • Phone: 215-545-5728 Covered ZIP codes: 19102, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 12, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 42, 43,45, 46, 47, 48, 51 and 53 These organizations can also provide information on becoming a volunteer or arranging for a speaker. Created and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and funded through the Administration for Community Living, APPRISE helps older adults understand their health insurance options and make sound decisions about what is best for them. This project was supported, in part, by grant numbers 2001PAMIAA-00 and 2001PAMIDR-00 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.
July 2021
Events
Send your calendar items to MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org by the 25th of the month (for publication in month after next) Questions? 215-765-9000, ext.5081
JULY 1
JULY 3
Celebrate our nation’s founding document. 12:30 p.m. Host: St. Edmond Senior Community Center. Livestream: Facebook.com/ StEdmondSeniorCommunityCenter
The Philly POPS will perform an original musical program honoring our nation’s traditions, values and commitment to service. 7 p.m. Mann Center. This event is free, but tickets are needed. Register: http://bit.ly/PopsIndependence
Virtual Reading of the Declaration of Independence
POPS on Independence
FRIDAYS STARTING JULY 2
Virtual News & Views Group Discuss current events and contemporary issues. Seeking diverse opinions and viewpoints. 10:45 a.m. to noon. Host: Journey’s Way. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 883-4414-4575 • Passcode: 530343
Celebrate African American figures in American history. Franklin Square. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 215-629-4026
JULY 24
Virtual strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning class. 10:30 a.m. Host: St. Edmond Senior Community Center. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 325-185-4452 • Passcode: 6T8brM
Learn the history behind some of your favorite frozen treats. 6:30 p.m. Host: AARP. Virtual lecture. Register: http://bit.ly/FrozenHistory
Enjoy a screening of Pixar’s groundbreaking film accompanied by a musical score performed live by The Philadelphia Orchestra. 8 p.m. Mann Center. Tickets ($25+): http:// bit.ly/ToyStoryConcert
JULY 8 & 29
Virtual Wellness & Self-Care Workshop
Wellness expert JoAnna Turner provides tips to improve your overall well-being. 10 a.m. Host: Philadelphia Senior Center – Arts. Zoom.us – News Meeting ID: 829-9205-7844
Virtual support group for older adults and caregivers coping with chronic health/life issues. 10:30 a.m. Host: Journey’s Way. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 853-7817-2215 • Passcode: 857195
Philadelphia’s July 4th Fireworks Show
Beautiful fireworks display over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, between Eakins Oval and Logan Circle. 9:30 p.m.
Cool History: Ices, Gelato, Sorbet & More
Enhanced Fitness Online
Reaching Out
JULY 4
Freedom & Liberty Celebration
JULY 20
JULY 13 & 27
JULY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY
JULY 3
MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS STARTING JULY 7
JULY 14
The 19th Century British Traveler on Holiday
Historian Dr. Alex Chase-Levenson examines the elite travel origins of the mass tourism industry. 11 a.m. Host: Free Library of Philadelphia. Virtual event. Register by emailing levinsonr@ freelibrary.org. 215-677-1600.
‘Toy Story’ in Concert
JULY 28
JULY 14
The Olympics: Past & Future
The Science of Sleep & Stress
Explore the history of protest at the Olympic Games. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Virtual lecture. Host: AARP. Register: http://bit. ly/OlympicProtest
Tips for getting better sleep to bolster your brain and memory. 6:30-8 p.m. Host: AARP. Virtual event. Register: http://bit.ly/BetterSleepScience
JULY 16
Folklore Friday: Carl Sandburg’s ‘The American Songbag’ Collection The Parkway Central Library celebrates folk’s major impact on popular music. 3 p.m. Virtual event. Livestream: Facebook.com/FLPLitDept
JULY 21
Crafts in the Garden
Make a personal collage painting outside in the garden, using paper scraps, photos, stencils, etc. Space is limited. 1-3 p.m. West Oak Lane Library. Register: 215-685-2843.
JULY 21
Virtual Liver Health Workshop Learn how to prevent liver cancer. 11:30 a.m. Host: Philadelphia Senior Center – Arts. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 843-3794-9113; Dial-in by phone: 1-929-205-6099.
JULY 28 THROUGH AUG. 1
Shakespeare in the Park
Nightly performances of “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.” 7 p.m. Clark Park in West Philadelphia. Register: http:// ShakespeareInClarkPark.org/pericles
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July 2021
Artists use technology to create By Jay Nachman Art has come a long way since the first cavemen and women scribbled mammoths and lions on the walls of their caves.
Lillie Jones uses an app on her smartphone to digitally paint beautiful pictures.
Professional and amateur artists alike are using technology to enhance their creativity. After retiring in 2014, psychologist Susan Gordon turned to art, mostly working in digital mediums. Sometimes, she’ll draw and paint on her iPad. On other days, she prints her digital photographs on paper and fabric. Gordon also makes digital compositions to make quilts, art books and pop-up cards. Gordon, 72, took art classes as a child in West Oak Lane but put it aside for her college education, career and family. But when digital cameras came on the market about 20 years ago, Gordon figured using one would be a good way to learn photography. She could take as many pictures
The PA Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program’s mission is to help you protect against, detect, and report Medicare fraud. Health care fraud damages Medicare’s financial viability and has a direct impact on the health care YOU receive. Fraud can increase out-of-pocket costs and can impact your health by decreasing quality of care - you could receive unnecessary or harmful care or be denied necessary treatment or equipment. Scammers are now using the Covid-19 pandemic to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. They might contact you by phone, by email, or a knock on your door. The aim is always the same: to get personal information like your credit card information, or your Medicare ID number and use it to defraud Medicare. Scammers are exploiting the fear surrounding the pandemic to peddle fake Covid-19 tests and supplies, and unproven and potentially harmful cures or vaccines. Some are even impersonating contact tracers! So, what can you do? The following practices will go a long way to keeping yourself safe from these criminals: 1. Protect and treat your Medicare ID number and card like a credit card. 2. NEVER provide your Medicare or credit card number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. 3. If you need a test or a treatment, call your personal doctor first. If you have questions about or suspect Medicare fraud, or would like to volunteer with the SMP program, please call toll-free: 1-800-356-3606 or visit www.carie.org. Help is always free and confidential.
as she wanted without the expense of buying film and having it developed. She began taking digital photography classes and found that it allowed her to expand into other types of art. “Philly Pops Up” is a three-dimensional work constructed by Susan Gordan “I like the using her own original digital photography. feeling of completeness that it gives,” Gordon, who now native Houston. After moving to the Phillives in Center City, said about making art. adelphia region, she played with Lower “I like the process of it. I like the problem Merion Symphony and still practices every solving. I like figuring out how to do some- day. thing. I like having an idea come to me and Now living in a retirement community then trying to visualize how would I do it. in Wynnefield, Thornton shares her music What medium would I use? How would with fellow residents and church memI go about it, and then carrying it out to bers, thanks to technology. execution.” The church’s music director sends ThornThe most frustrating aspect of photog- ton a piano or organ part. Thornton listens raphy for Gordon is its two-dimensional- with earphones, records her part into a miity. Photos can be printed on paper with a crophone, and then emails the music file shiny or matte finish, but the end result is to the music director, who adds in voices. still flat. “I like texture. I was thinking a lot After all that, Thornton said, “It sounds about how I could add texture to photog- pretty well on Sundays.” raphy,” she said. “Once I realized how to For community sing-alongs, Thornton print photographs on fabric, then I could prepares and plays themed programs. Last go from that to … making art quilts with fall, her weather-themed repertoire includthe photographs. And that way I would be ed “Windy,” “Shine On Harvest Moon” getting a collage, but I would also be get- and “Autumn Leaves.” ting the texture that I was interested in.” She’ll record her alto part and then play Gordon is being recognized for her the soprano part live with the recording work. She won First Prize in Fiber Arts at during the sing-along. the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial’s An“It feels good to do something a little nual Student Exhibition for a screen-print- different than the classical music I usually ed soft sculpture. One of her art books is in play. I really like it,” Thornton said. “You Swarthmore College’s Book Arts & Private get some satisfaction because you are helpPress permanent collection. ing other people.” Ruth Thornton, 75, played the flute in Lillie Jones, also of Wynnefield, is a re • continued on page 18 her school’s orchestra and band in her
August 2020
Milestones 7
Milestones 14
July 2021
COVID-19 vaccines now available to homebound Philadelphians COVID-19 vaccines are now available to homebound older adults and adults with disabilities in Philadelphia The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is pleased to announce the Homebound Vaccination Program, designed to reach individuals who are homebound with the COVID-19 vaccine in their own homes. This program has no age requirements and is intended for individuals “normally unable to leave home unassisted OR rarely able to leave home in the past month due to disability.” Personal care attendants, family, and caregivers or residents of the homebound individual’s household are eligible to be vaccinated under this program. The vaccine is free, and no insurance is required. Interested individuals can sign up for an in-home vaccination by calling 215-685-5488 (dial 711 for TRS/TTY assistance), visiting https://bit.ly/HomeboundVaccinePhl or scanning this QR code with your smartphone.
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NewCourtland’s Germantown Home offers senior care services for residents who need a home that provides the safety, comfort, care and enjoyment they desire and deserve. The team at Germantown strive to provide exceptional care at every stage.
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Milestones 16
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Is background noise a problem?
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The Pennsylvania Department of Aging seeks to increase access to Pennsylvania’s Senior Food Boxes, a supplemental food program available for free to adults, 60 or older, whose annual household income is at or below 130% of the U.S. poverty level ($16,744/individual or $22,646/couple). The state has removed several barriers to participation, including giving the program
215-204-1478 or spaclab@temple.edu Speech Perception and Cognition Lab Jing Shen PhD, Principal Investigator
a new name and removing proof of income requirements, to encourage older adults to take advantage of the program. More than 300,000 Pennsylvania older adults are eligible for the Pennsylvania Senior Food Box, but only about 35,000 are enrolled this year. Older adults often face barriers to access for food assistance programs, such as mobility, technology and stigma. This food box program aims to overcome those barriers through the availability of drop-off or drive-through, in addition to pick-up, and also by reducing stigma and red tape with the removal of income verification requirements. To apply or for more information, go to agriculture.pa.gov/Food/food_assistance or call 1-800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the Senior Food Box in your county. Funded by PCA
Temple University is seeking adults aged 60 to 85 Release with hearing loss to participate in a hearing • continued from page 4 research study. The focus of the study is to her two daughters. Ligon is looking forward to eventually traveling to the South to see determine if our ability to perceive pitch his extended family. differences can contribute to our understanding of “Since I have been out of prison, it has speech in noisy conditions. Testing will take place been pleasant,” he says. Ligon enjoys regular walks around the on Temple Main Campus. Compensation provided neighborhood. He admits to getting turned around when he first tried to navigate the for eligible participants. streets of his West Philadelphia neighborFor more information, contact the Speech Perception and Cognition (SPAC) Lab
July 2021
hood, but has since learned the area well. He also enjoys taking trips to go shopping, sometimes with his Dom Car provider. He still can’t believe how expensive everything has become, referring to seeing an $8 pie sold at Reading Terminal Market. Looking forward to a new and bright future, Ligon wants to use his story to inspire
reform in the criminal justice system and would like to work with other freed individuals who have also been imprisoned at a young age, since he understands the challenges of reintegrating into society after growing up behind bars. People who were previously incarcerated are sometimes looked upon as outsiders. “When you’re in prison, you become wise, jail wise,” Ligon says. “We have a mentality that [other] people don’t understand.” For now, Ligon continues to navigate the world around him with the help of his Dom Care family. He looks forward to the prospect of supporting himself with a job one day and having a residence he can call his own. Shannon Reyes is the public relations specialist at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
July 2021
PCA wants to hear from you! iStock
Milestones 17
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HELP US SELECT ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY PRIORITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA’s) advocacy efforts for older adults strive to ensure that the rights and benefits of everyone over the age of 60 and adults with disabilities are protected. PCA’s core advocacy efforts include: • Making sure we have enough funding to support older adults. • Helping older adults live in their homes for as long as possible.
Crossword puzzle solution (See page 19 for clues.)
• Working to ensure that services are available to eliminate the risk of elder abuse. We would like your input regarding additional areas for advocacy. These areas could include access to services for older adults (health care, jobs and job training, healthy food, education programs, affordable housing and home repairs, public transportation, benefits and resources to combat poverty); connection to others through virtual programs; community engagement through volunteer opportunities; safe neighborhoods; programs that are culturally sensitive and diverse; fight ageism and social injustice; and prevent social isolation. A printed copy of PCA’s Advocacy Survey has been inserted in the center of this issue of Milestones. The survey is also available online at pcaCares.org/advocacy. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and return it by July 30. Your opinions and comments will shape our future advocacy efforts for older adults and adults with disabilities in Philadelphia.
for MEDICAID and MCO RECIPIENTS
Milestones 18
July 2021
Personal Care Companion Care Light Housekeeping
PCA launches new mobilefriendly website Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is excited to launch a new website that is more responsive and easier-to-use for all screen sizes, including tablets and mobile devices. The new website offers information about all PCA programs and services available to older Philadelphians and people with disabilities. These services are condensed into four main areas: community and connection, help in the home, protection and advocacy, and caregiver support. The site’s simplified design is intended to make information about these programs more accessible to all Philadelphians, in-
We are a provider for the CommunityHealthChoices program, and we welcome family caregivers through the PA Family Caregiver Support Program.
215-935-6321
www.charterhomehealth.net
Technology
• continued from page 12
-tired nanny who always enjoyed coloring, painting and making books with her son and young charges. The 72-year-old still loves to color and paint, but eye problems make it difficult for her to stay in the lines. Now, using an app, she picks a scene or theme and paints on her phone. It could be a landscape, a building, or a Bible story. With a palette of more than 100 colors, Jones simply touches the screen to fill in an area of the picture, paint-by-numbers-style. There are times when she gets so absorbed in her painting that she’ll look up and notice three hours have gone by. “For
cluding those who use assistive devices to browse the internet. The website also features an emphasis on bright imagery that reflects our city’s diverse makeup and celebrates the diversity among the older adults we serve. Information on the site can be translated into more than a dozen languages at the click of a button to better inform visitors, regardless of the language they speak. We invite you to visit our new website at pcaCares.org and let us know what you think of the new design and features by emailing MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org.
me, I love doing it,” Jones said. “It’s relaxing, and it makes me feel good.” Sometimes, Jones will print out a colored picture she created, frame it and send it to one of her young friends. They really like superheroes, she says. “I love looking back at them,” said Jones, who enjoys scrolling through her phone to admire her completed work. “The colors are so beautiful.” With technology available to give their inspiration a boost, Philadelphia artists will find new and innovative ways to keep creating. Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
July 2021
Milestones 19
Crossword
Health Brief
Tips for exercise motivativation
Solution The solution can be found on page 17.
Patriotic Across 1 5 10 14 15 16 17 20 21
Asian country WWI planes Outdo Presque ___ Hanker after Pollster Roper Timely symbol Portions Ginza girl
22 Marie et Jeanne: abbr. 23 Pesky bug 24 Affixes 27 Big sound 28 Unmusical ear 31 Sign in 32 Perspicuous 33 Venus de ___ 34 Timely phrase
37 38 39 40 41 42 43
Two for a score Swindler’s swag Piano piece Singular Stomachs Filched Ol’ Man River composer 44 Like a smoker 45 I trouble
48 ___ Came: Bromfield novel 52 Timely colors 54 The Egg ___ 55 ___ evil 56 Take on cargo 57 Without 58 Camouflages 59 Had a look
11 Annexes 12 Oriental
28 29 30 32 33 35 36
Prop ___ France Sniffed out Familiar Lenitive Crying wolf! Incentive for achievement 41 Engage a gear 42 Pool people 43 New Zealanders
44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Down
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After more than a year of taking precautions against COVID-19 and staying safer at home, many older adults may have fallen out of their pre-pandemic exercise routines. Though we all know the many health benefits that come with regular exercise, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get back into a routine. Below are a few tips to help you get motivated and moving again.
Make exercise fun Exercise is not one-size-fits-all. Some people can walk on a treadmill for hours, while others need more exciting activities, like dancing or swimming, to keep their attention. Find physical activities that you enjoy, so that exercise is enjoyable, instead of a chore. Be sure to include all four types of exercise in your routine: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Varying your workouts will help to keep things interesting.
Get creative Start with a goal of being active for at least 30 minutes a day, then slowly increase your level of activity. If you can’t set aside a half-hour to work out, split your activities into 10-minute sessions and spread them throughout the day. If you find it difficult
or boring to get started, combine physical activity with a task that’s already a part of your day, such as running errands or doing chores around the house.
Be social Many people find that having an “exercise buddy” helps them to stay on track with their fitness goals. If you’re feeling low on motivation, call a friend to join you on a walk or sign up for group exercise classes at your local gym or senior center. If you’re meeting up with friends or family for a social gathering, set aside some time to be active with a group sport. NOTE: Be safe and protect yourself against COVID-19. Be sure to follow all CDC guidelines and local advisories on masking and social distancing when exercising with others.
Stay on track Keep track of your progress with a journal or tracking device, such as a pedometer or a fitness app on your smartphone. Celebrate your successes and note your improvements. When you hit a milestone, set a new goal and increase your level of activity to make sure your routine stays interesting. Source: National Institute on Aging
1 Wagons- ___ 2 Rod Laver contemporary 3 Designer Cassini 4 Tailors, often 5 Play parts 6 Liner stops 7 Rara ___ 8 Last mo. 9 Scummy 10 Suit
13 18 19 23 24 25 26 27
babysitter Roman robe Taxi adjuncts Imminent Leave Pasta sauce Chipped in Bear Second drafts
Duffer’s drive Of a time Sarazen or Littler Vegas line ___ off As ___ Dying Statuary’s state, often 51 Genesis 53 Gunpowder, for one
Our Community. Our Health. PA Health & Wellness is focused on whole health care, reflecting on a person’s total well-being and meeting each person’s unique needs. PA Health & Wellness exists to improve the health of its beneficiaries through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. Our approach is based on the core belief that quality healthcare is best delivered locally. Transforming the Health of the Community, One Person at a Time.
PAHealthWellness.com 1-844-626-6813