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Butler County Senior News

November 2013

Volume 8, Number 6

FREE

Visit our website at www.pittsburghseniornews.com

View the most recent issues of • Butler County Senior News, • Pittsburgh Senior News, • Beaver County Senior News • Beaver County Senior Resource Guide • Allegheny County Senior Resource Guide.

Photo taken from istockphoto.com

VNA’s online system enhances communication for private duty clients Millions of Americans provide care to family members as they age. Although there are many rewards to being a primary caregiver, it can also be very demanding and difficult at times. Work, distance and other family and personal obligations add to the time constraints one often faces when trying to provide care to loved ones. This raises many questions: Should I trust anyone to help me? Who can I call? How can I make this work for everyone?

Home care, more commonly known as “private duty”,

can be a great option that takes away much of the burden and stress, while allowing caregivers to remain very involved. Private duty is for those times when someone needs just a little extra help, whether it’s after a hospital stay or is meant to keep someone in their home longer. Private duty options are licensed nurses, bath aides, companions, housekeepers, errand runners, and any other service that will keep someone independent in the place they call home. These services are utilized often

for those who do not have family members close by, or are unable to be with their loved ones consistently due to work or other obligations.

VNA Western Pennsylvania is offering a new innovative service—the FamilyCARES portal—that provides avenues for improving communication and involving family members, while reducing some of the stress of caring for loved ones. Even when family members utilize private duty services, they Continued on page 6

See upcoming Seniors for Safe Driving classes on page 9.

Grace Meals serves nutritious, tasty food to county residents. Read page 10.

Owner/Publisher Lynn Webster Editor: Gina Mazza Art Director: Shantessa Hogan

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of planning the delicious meals at your local senior center? Some Butler County seniors got a personal tour of the kitchen that prepares these meals. See page 10 learn more.

Holiday events are beginning to gear up. Turn to page 8 for some fun things happening throughout the county this month.

Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for you, our faithful readers and advertisers!

Sales Executive: Wallace Webster Photographer: Chuck LeClaire Printing Company: Knepper Press

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November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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Volume 8, Number 6

1-800-756-9161

Pittsburgh Senior News, Inc.

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for Butler County Senior News P. O. Box 11126 Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Live to Love.

Get the help you need to care for those you love.

Join us at this program for caregivers presented by the Alzheimer’s Association at LIFE Butler County, 231 West Diamond Street, Butler.

“Holiday Tips and Ideas” Learn how to plan and adjust expectations so that your celebrations can be filled with joy.

Thursday, November 7 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

There is no fee, but pre-registration is required.

Call Julie Pella at 724-431-3939 for registration and directions.

Ask about on-site caregiving services.

( 2 2 6 - 5 7 8 7 )

Butler County A partnership of Lutheran SeniorLife and Butler Health System

A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY HELPING PEOPLE FILE FOR RELIEF UNDER U.S BAKRUPTCY CODE

Intern: Kara Boyle

Published monthly by

Lynn Webster Crossword Puzzle Answer (See page 19)

Contributing Writers: Judy Dodd Henry Peter Gribbon Gina Mazza

(412) 367-2522 Visit our website at www.pittsburghseniornews.com or email us at pghseniornews@comcast.net Butler County Senior News is distributed monthly in the Butler County area. Copy­ right 2013 by Butler County Senior News. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All advertisement in Butler County Senior News is subject to the approval of the publisher.

Publication of advertising herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement.

In Memory of John A. Hogan, Sr. Carmella M. Hogan Michael J. Hogan, Sr. Wayne Hogan

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November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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3

COPD Doesn’t Have to Rule Your Life

By Janet Peterson, RN, MSN, CRNP, Disease Management Specialist, Gateway Health For Butler County Senior News Here are a few tips to help you take charge of your health.

What is the issue?

Smoking

Medicines

Flu or Pneumonia

Lack of exercise

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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Anxiety/Depression

Why is it a problem?

How can I take charge of my COPD?

Some people think it’s too late to quit smoking because they already have lung disease. That’s not true! If you quit smoking, you can slow down the rate of lung damage.

•

Your doctor may order one or more breathing medicines. It is important to take your medicine as prescribed. Medicines can help improve your breathing. They can also help to keep you out of the hospital.

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Chronic lung disease increases your risk of getting the flu or pneumonia. If you get sick, it can cause your breathing to worsen and it can cause more damage to your lungs. So it’s important to try to avoid getting sick.

•

Many people do not realize that exercise can help their breathing. It can also improve your energy, mood and sleep. It’s important to start exercising slowly though. Otherwise you may get discouraged and stop.

It is common to have anxiety and depression when you feel out of breath. It’s important that you don’t suffer in silence because these problems can make your breathing worse.

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• Sleep problems

Oxygen

It is common to have trouble sleeping and that can make you feel more tired during the day.

Some people also have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart problems and hospitalizations. Therefore, it’s important to get treatment.

Some people need oxygen, but they are embarrassed to use it, or they don’t like being attached to a machine. There is an upside to using oxygen though. It can help you to breathe better and be more active. It may even help you live longer.

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Call the PA Quit Line at (800) 784-8669.

Talk to your doctor about medicines and classes to help you quit smoking.

Do not stop taking your medicines on your own. If you have any concerns or problems using your inhaler talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

If you are discharged from the hospital, get all of your medicines filled as soon as you go home. This can help prevent another hospital visit.

Don’t forget to get your flu and pneumonia shot.

You can get your flu shot at your doctor’s office or at many large pharmacies.

Check with your pharmacy to see if they accept your health insurance.

Talk to your doctor about a pulmonary rehabilitation program or a home exercise program.

Ask your doctor to show you how to do purse lip breathing.

Tell your doctor about your concerns.

Treatment options include: counseling, support groups, medicines, stress management and relaxation techniques.

Consider purchasing a relaxation CD to help you learn how to relax.

Discuss your sleep problem with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you have daytime sleepiness, snoring or wake up choking and gasping. These are signs of sleep apnea and you may need a sleep study.

Think about the benefits of using your oxygen and remember to use it exactly as your doctor prescribed.

Talk to your doctor or home health company about your concerns.

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November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

Find the Medicare AssuredSM plan that’s right for you.

Call 1-877-741-7756* (TTY: 711) or visit MedicareAssured.com

Gateway Health Medicare Assured DiamondSM and Medicare Assured RubySM are HMO plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with Ohio and Pennsylvania Medicaid. Medicare Assured ChoiceSM, Medicare Assured PrimeSM, Medicare Assured GoldSM and Medicare Assured PlatinumSM are HMO plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal. Gateway HealthSM Special Needs Plans are available to anyone with Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicare and diabetes or cardiovascular disorder or chronic heart failure. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and copayments may change on January 1 of each year. Premiums and copays may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. *This number will direct you to a licensed insurance agent. To be directed to a general number, please call 1-888-447-4505 (OH) or 1-800-685-5209 (PA), TTY: 711, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week. **You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium – The State pays the Part B premium for full dual members. +Benefit coverage depends on plan eligibility. Available in select counties in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Y0097_152 Accepted 5

VNA’s online system enhances communication for private duty clients Continued from page 1 often are still the main care providers and must oversee the care of their loved ones. Communication in these situations is difficult because the family caregiver and paid caregiver don’t always get to see each other face to face and must rely on other means such as phone calls and emails to provide continuity of care. This becomes increasingly difficult when family members live out of town and must coordinate care from a distance. FamilyCARES is designed to make this process easier for the patient and the caregiver by allowing them to be involved in care in a more personal manner.

The Internet-based FamilyCARES portal is available to patient families and allows them to keep updated on the care of their loved one with real time information in a variety of ways. To maintain a secure system, caregivers are assigned a username and password and have access to the system 24/7. The features of this system include:

Message Board. Communication between caregivers is a key to providing excellent care. The message board gives VNA and family members the ability to communicate needs, updates or any pertinent information that each side may need to know.

Caregiver Information. This section of the program allows family members to review information and credentials about the staff member that will be caring for their loved one. It includes a photo of the staff member for safety reasons, so they know who will be coming to their door.

Scheduling Information. A predetermined schedule is set up for each patient.

This screen verifies the schedule, allowing family members to refer to this page for dates and times of visits, as well as who will be visiting.

Review of Care Plan. An individualized care plan is set up for every patient. The care plan is visible to staff and family members alike to agree upon and change or update as needed.

Progress Reports. Family members are able to find information about each visit made to stay abreast of care given, additional needs for care, progress of care and how care was tolerated.

Communication. The system also enhances the communication between the caregiver and the office staff. By being able to look at the same information at any time, everyone has access to the most current information and can email right from the system to further enhance communication.

Community Resources. With patient and family permission, community resources such as the local Area Agency on Aging involved in the patient’s care can also log on for the same purposes.

Patient care is greatly enhanced when all lines of communication are open.

Technology has presented a great way for VNA, patients and caregivers to work together to provide excellence in patient care. For more information, call VNA at (724) 282-6806. BCSN

Ambulance Service • Wheelchair Van Service

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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Care You Can Count On

• Our wheelchair van service, Butler Assist Coach, currently operates 10 vans providing transport to and from hospitals, doctor’s appointments, nursing homes, and private events (i.e. funerals, weddings, birthdays, etc.)

Serving the Community Since 1967

• Our Assist Coach is available to individuals: with or without their own wheelchairs; with stairs or other obstacles at their residence; and those needing extra assistance in and out of their wheelchairs.

• BAS also provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance transports to sick and injured patients.

• We operate 10 ambulances from 3 stations, serving the community 24 hours a day.

• Reduced rates are available for members.

Butler Ambulance Service • 106 First Street Butler, PA 16001 • (724) 283-4385

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November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

We're the Partners for Warmth, and we want you to know about LIHEAP – the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

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Entertainment and Events * Weihnachtsmarkt, a German-style Christmas Market, will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. November 9 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 10 at the Harmony Museum, 218 Mercer St., Harmony. Enjoy traditional German food, music and folk dancing. The event will feature artisans with handmade giftware, museum tours, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Cost is $7 for adults ages 18 to 59; $5 for adults ages 60 and older; and $3 for children ages six to 17. Call (724) 452-7341. * The 13th annual American Diabetes Association Expo Pittsburgh will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. This free event offers health screenings, cooking and exercise demonstrations, and the latest innovations in diabetes management and prevention. Parking is available at the Convention Center. To learn more, visit

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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www.diabetes.org/expopittsburgh or call (888) DIABETES, ext. 4608. * The Mike Medved Band will perform a concert at 7 p.m. November 16 at the Center of Harmony, Opera Hall, 253 Mercer St., Harmony. Cost is $12.50 in advance and $16 at the door. Call (724) 400-6044. * Join the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) on November 17 for National Take a Hike Day. Enjoy a naturalist-led hike at Todd Nature Reserve, 367 Kepple Rd., Sarver. Learn about the history of ASWP’s oldest and largest reserve while hiking its beautiful trails. Cost is $6 for members; $10 for non-members. Call (412) 963-6100 or visit www.aswp.org. * Santa will make his first stop of the holiday season in Cranberry Township, 2525 Rochester Rd. from 6 to 8 p.m. November 22. Join him to light

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the Township Holiday Tree. You can move indoors to enjoy holiday crafts and refreshments. Call (724) 776-4806 or visit www.cranberrytownship.org. * The annual Alameda Park Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt will take place from 6 to 8:45 p.m. November 23 at the Carousel Shelter in Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Rd., Butler. Registration is required. Cost is $5 per child for pre-registration through November 15, registration after that date will be $7. Call (724) 284-5383. * The Saxonburg Area Business Association will be sponsoring the annual Christmas parade and light up the borough night November 29. The parade begins at 7 p.m., line-up is across the street from the borough building, 420 W. Main St., Saxonburg, prior to the start time. Call (724) 352-1400 or visit www.saxonburgpa.com. BCSN

DIVISION I MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY

DECEMBER 27-28 Tickets available at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and charge by phone at 800-745-3000

T

hree western Pennsylvania historic sites are partnering to offer history buffs a “Journey Through History” from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 16. The recreational bus tour will give guests the opportunity to visit three of the area’s historic sites while enjoying historically authentic meals that provide a true “taste of history.”

Tour guests will begin with a visit to Slippery Rock’s Old Stone House, an 1822 stagecoach tavern now operated

by Slippery Rock University as a museum. The tour will continue to Providence Plantation, a frontier history center near Evans City, before closing the day with a visit to the Depreciation Lands Museum, a museum of early western Pennsylvania life in Allison Park. In addition to tours of the sites and demonstrations of historic folk life,

decemBeR 19

guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast, mid-morning refreshments and full lunch—all prepared with historically accurate recipes and ingredients.

“This tour offers a rare opportunity,” says Dr. Aaron Cowan, curator of the Old Stone House and Slippery Rock University history professor. “Western Pennsylvania’s heritage has a richness and depth that can only be appreciated when it is experienced first hand.”

Tickets are $85 per person and includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, and all activities and meals. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 6, and seating is limited. Proceeds will be used to support the educational missions of the four historic sites. For ticket reservations or to request more information, call (724) 738-4964 or email historybustour@gmail.com. BCSN

heinZ hall

Seniors for Safe Driving If you are age 55 or older and have successfully completed a driver improvement program in the past, you only have to attend a one-day refresher course to renew your insurance discount. If you have never participated in a driver improvement program, you must attend a two-day seminar to earn your automobile insurance discount. The insurance discount is five percent of the total premium for a period of three years. Cost for the course is $15 per person.

Here is the upcoming schedule: • November 15; 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Butler Memorial Hospital, 911 East Brady St., Butler.

• December 5; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cranberry Senior Center, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Township.

• December 9; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Passavant Retirement Community, 401 S. Main St., Zelienople.

For a complete list of classes, go to www.sfsd-pa.com. To register, call (724) 283-0245 or (800) 559-4880. BCSN

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November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

“Journey Through History” offers up-close encounter with western Pennsylvania’s past

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Butler County Area Agency on Aging

Senior Express

Grace Meals takes special care to serve nutritious, tasty food to county residents through senior centers and home-delivered meals

By Gina Mazza For Butler County Senior News Carol Jean Keefer, 74, of Cranberry Township enjoys hanging out with friends at the Cranberry Senior Center on a regular basis. “I’m here mostly every day and I eat lunch here frequently, so I thought it would be interesting to learn how the meals are prepared and delivered.”

Carol Jean and other Cranberry center members got a “behind the scenes” look at congregate meal preparation earlier this year when they toured the kitchens of Grace Meals in Gibsonia, owned by The Nutrition Group. The full-service food and facilities management company provides meals to Butler County Area Agency on Aging senior community centers, Center at the Mall in Beaver County, and recipients of home-delivered meals throughout Butler and Beaver, as well as 29 other counties across the Commonwealth.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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“I was very impressed with the facility, the cleanliness of the kitchen, and the way they handled the food,” Carol Jean says of the tour. “It was fun to see how they pack, sort and ship the meals. I think they do a very good job.”

Congregate meals The Older Americans Act under President Lyndon Johnson in the 1970s established congregate meals to encourage and assist older individuals to remain independent and active in their communities. The Butler County AoA provides congregate meals in its 11 senior centers in Butler County. Six centers serve meals daily, Monday through Friday; five satellite centers are open part time and serve meals only two to three days a week.

The Act mandates that the menus follow

Chuck LeClaire/Butler County Senior News

Workers at Grace Meals in Gibsonia prepare home-delivered meals for delivery in Butler County. federal nutrition guidelines, and that each meal delivers one-third of the USDA recommended dietary allowances for older adults. “That noontime meal is very important not just for seniors to congregate and socialize but to get one-third of their nutrition for the day,” says Lee Markosky, general manager of the Nutrition Group.

“We feed thousands of people over the age of 60 and we build our menus around a wide variety of options that will please mostly everyone’s palate. That has become more of a challenge over the years because people are living longer and are more health conscious. The older seniors still like that meat-and-potatoes meal, while the younger Baby Boomers are looking for lighter fare like salads, sandwiches and entrees with lower carbs.”

Cranberry Senior Center member Rick Kremer, 65, is one of the younger seniors who regularly partakes in the daytime meal. While he generally

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

enjoyed the menu choices, Rick had some questions and concerns about them, so he jumped on the chance to tour The Nutrition Group’s kitchen with his fellow members. “A lot of our members were dissatisfied with the meals being provided and we thought that something could be done to make them appeal to more people,” he comments. “It wasn’t the menu choices; everyone likes different things so not everyone is going to like everything served. Our questions were more like, ‘Why do we get one piece of bread some days and two on others?’ Or, ‘Why are the meals cold?’ We wanted to talk to people in the kitchen to have a better understanding. The tour was very helpful. Everyone was courteous and accommodating.”

Rick and his group walked away that day with a fuller picture of how the food is planned, prepared, sorted, packaged

Butler County Area Agency on Aging

and shipped. “Anytime you’re providing institutional meals, there’s always going to be challenges, but after touring the facility and talking with the staff that prepares the food, I definitely have more knowledge about things like the guidelines they have to follow, the foodsafety precautions they take, and the extent that they go to in order to keep the food warm.” The kitchen switched, for example, from using stainless steel pans to Cambro insulated food transport carriers, which keep hot items hot and cold items cold until they arrive at the centers and are put in steam tables or refrigerated until served.

Senior Express Home-delivered meals The Older Americans Act also established home-delivered meal service for older individuals who are homebound due to illness, disability or geographic isolation. Nationwide, about 868,000 individuals were served home-based meals in 2010. In Butler County, Grace Meals delivers to about 70 consumers every week. The five-pack frozen meals arrive in refrigerated vans and can be kept in the freezer until ready to cook or put in the oven immediately. As of July 1, the home-delivered meals program has begun offering seven-day meal service for those who require meals over the weekend; so the two-pack was added to its offerings. In total, the average amount of monthly meals delivered is 1,700.

Martin Singer, regional manager for The Nutrition Group, checks stock in the freezer.

“We cook for about 900 people a day, plus 1,500 frozen meals—so we’re making 2,700 meals a day out of our Gibsonia location,” notes Marci Cumberland, manager for Grace Meals. “About 350 of those meals are for Butler County. I order in the products and our team arrives about four o’clock every morning and makes everything fresh that day.”

The staff plans a spring-summer menu for the centers, as well as fall-winter menu of more hearty food. All menus are run through a process, appropriately called “the Food Processor,” to ensure that they adhere to dietary guidelines.

For instance, as of 2010, the revised USDA dietary guidelines significantly reduced the recommended amount of sodium to 1,500 milligrams per day.

“We have to design the menus very carefully,” points out Scott Roble, corporate dietitian with The Nutrition Group. “If we put a high sodium hot dog on the menu, for example, we have to make sure the rest of the meal is very low in sodium. The reason we still have a hot dog or kielbasa on the menu is because those are some of our most popular meals, especially for folks here in the Pittsburgh region. To compensate, we have started using more things like lowsodium sauces and gravies.”

As with congregate meals, the home-delivered menu adheres to federal dietary guidelines. “When someone signs up for their meals, they can specify either a regular meal or diabetic meal,” Marci says. All meals are reduced sodium and diabetic friendly.” The menu rotates on a six-week cycle.

In addition to congregate and home-delivered meals, Grace Meals also caters for the Butler Supper Club events that take place from April through October. These monthly dinners are held at one of the 11 senior centers in the county and feature educational programming on topics of interest to older adults. To learn more about the Supper Club, inquire at your local senior center.

Packaged samples of The Nutrition Group’s home-delivered meals.

At the end of the day, the Cranberry Senior Center group was glad they took the time to tour the Grace Meals kitchen. In return for taking time to express their concerns, the group feels as though The Nutrition Group genuinely listened to what they had to say. “We have definitely noticed that the quality of the meals has improved,” Rick shares. “They’re warmer when they are served, the taste is better, and the menu items are geared more towards what people are saying they like.” BCSN

These meals are ready for delivery.

Photos provided by Chuck LeClaire for Butler County Senior News The amount of sugar intake is another concern for many seniors. “If we have a dessert such as a cookie, we’ll also offer a diabetic cookie,” Marci explains. “Or we’ll offer sugar-free gelatin or cake.”

Grace Meals is located at Six McIntyre Road in Gibsonia and The Nutrition Group is headquartered at 580 Wendel Road in Irwin. To learn more, call Marci Cumberland at (724) 449-2644 or visit TheNutritionGroup.biz.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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Butler County Area Agency on Aging

Senior Center events

_ Bruin Senior Center, United Methodist Church, Main St., will offer the following events: blood pressure screening at 11:15 a.m. November 4; birthday celebration November 7; home health care and hospice program at 11 a.m. November 18; and Thanksgiving party November 21. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Thursday. Call (724) 753-2922. _ Butler Senior Center, 10 Austin Ave., (located in Tanglewood Senior Center), Lyndora, offers the following events: pancake breakfast at 9:30 a.m. November 5. Cost is $4; community card party November 6. safe guard yourself from falls at 10:30 a.m. November 7; birthday celebration November 7; Foster Grandparents meeting and lunch at 9:30 a.m. November 8; evening pizza and bingo from 5 to 7:30 p.m. November 13; Seniors for Safe Driving from noon to 4 p.m. November 19; hospice information at 10:30 a.m.

November 21; and Thanksgiving party November 21. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday November 2. Call (724) 285-5392. _ Chicora Senior Center, lower level of Moose Hall, 117 West Slippery Rock St., offers the following events: making noodles at 9 a.m. November 4; birthday celebration November 7; community card party from noon to 3 p.m. November 11; root beer float fundraiser at 12:30 p.m. November 12.

Cost is $1 per float; bingo fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. November 14; games at 10:30 a.m. November 19; Thanksgiving party November 21; and Christmas in Chicora November 21 and 22. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 445-2551.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

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_ Cranberry Senior Center, Municipal Building, Rochester Rd., offers the following events: Rivers Casino bus trip from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. November 5. Cost is $20 per person; senior center is closed November 5 for Election Day; mind games at 11 a.m. November 7; birthday celebration November 7; cut vegetables for wedding soup at 9 a.m. November 12; chronic disease management series COPD from 5 to 6 p.m. November 12; wedding soup sale November 13; diabetes and preventative foot care at 12:30 p.m. November 13; diabetes at 11 a.m. November 14; and Thanksgiving party November 21. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Call (724) 772-6086. _ Evans City Senior Center, 426 East Main St., offers the following events: bring a friend to breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. November 4; birthday celebration November 7; drum circle from 2 to 3 p.m. November 12; blood pressure screening at 11:15 November 14; Thanksgiving party November 21; 500 card party at 10:30 a.m. November 21; and Thanksgiving dinner in conjunction with St. Mathias Church from 1 to 4 p.m. November 28. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Call (724) 538-9414.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

Senior Express _ Mars Senior Center, Penn Mar Plaza, Gilkey Dr., offers the following activities: November birthday celebration November 7; Thanksgiving party November 21. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 625-4466. _ Mount Chestnut Senior Center, Presbyterian Church, 727 Old Route 422, will offer the following events: holiday pie sale fundraiser November 4; Bible study at 10 a.m. November 4 and 18; leadership council meeting at 12:30 p.m. November 4; November birthday celebration and blood pressure screening November 7; support the food pantry day, bring in non-perishable food items November 7; Wendy’s fundraiser night from 5 to 7 p.m. November 13; winter safety program November 21; Thanksgiving party November 21; holiday pie order delivery November 25. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Call (724) 282-6006. _ North Central Senior Center, West Sunbury Presbyterian Church, will offer the following events: home health care and hospice at 11 a.m. November 6; November birthday celebration November 8; blood pressure screening at 11:15 a.m. November 20; and Thanksgiving party November 22.

Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.

Call (724) 637-2959. _ Slippery Rock Senior Center, Township Building, 155 Branchton Rd., will offer the following events: Family Feud with VNA at 11:30 a.m. November 4; senior center is closed November 5 for Election Day; birthday celebration November 7; Veterans Day celebration November 11; sing-along at 11:30 a.m. November 12; hoagie orders are due November 14; bingo at 12:30 p.m. November 14; physical activity day at 11 a.m. November 19; blood pressure screening at 10:30 a.m. November 21; hoagie pick up day November 21; Thanksgiving party November 21; safety at home program at 11:30 a.m. November 26. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 794-6440. _ Southeast Senior Center, Winfield Township Firehall, Brose Rd., will offer the following events: birthday celebration November 7; blood pressure screening at 11 a.m. November 14; and Thanksgiving party November 21. The center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Call (724) 352-2036. _ Zelienople Senior Center, 700 S. Green Lane, Zelienople, offers the following upcoming events: pie sale fundraiser November 4; Klondike bar fundraiser from noon to 12:30 p.m. November 6. $1 per bar; birthday celebration November 7; COPD presentation at 10 a.m. November 8; nail painting from 9 a.m. to noon November 20; Thanksgiving celebration November 21; and Thanksgiving party from 9 a.m. to noon November 25. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Call (724) 452-5292. BCSN

Butler County Area Agency on Aging November Menu

for senior centers

Friday, November 1: Hot turkey sandwich, whipped potatoes, vegetable blend, brownie.

Monday, November 4: Cheeseburger, cream of potato soup, fruit.

Tuesday, November 5: Roast beef, whipped potatoes, baby lima beans, cherry gelatin.

Wednesday, November 6: Baked ham slice, sweet potatoes, broccoli/cauliflower medley, chocolate pudding.

Thursday, November 7, Birthday menu: Roast chicken breast, parsley noodles, green beans, tossed salad, cake and ice cream.

Friday, November 8: Chili con carne, rice, tossed salad, applesauce.

Monday, November 11, Breakfast for lunch: Egg omelet, breakfast potatoes, apple crisp.

Tuesday, November 12: Baked turkey supreme, broccoli, Mandarin oranges, sugar cookie.

Wednesday, November 13: Meatball hoagie, oven brown potatoes, mixed bean medley, fruit.

Thursday, November 14: Potato crusted fish, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, sliced peaches.

Friday, November 15: Shepherd’s pie, mixed vegetable blend, coleslaw, cake.

Monday, November 18: French dip with au jus, redskin potatoes, sweet peas and carrots, raspberry sherbet.

Tuesday, November 19: Baked meatloaf, parsley potatoes, tossed salad, orange gelatin.

Wednesday, November 20: Barbecue chicken breast, baked potato, corn, fruit.

Thursday, November 21, Thanksgiving Day meal: Roast turkey, stuffing, whipped potatoes, coleslaw, pumpkin pie.

Friday, November 22: Stuffed cabbage roll, whipped potatoes, green beans, chocolate cookie.

Monday, November 25: Chicken alfredo with bow tie pasta, tossed salad, Mandarin oranges.

Senior Express The Butler County Area Agency on Aging

Serving you: About the Area Agency on Aging The Butler County Area Agency on Aging (AAoA) is a community service agency for older adults and has operated in Butler County since 1984. The Area Agency on Aging administers programs and manages services for Butler County residents who are 60 years of age or older. Agency programs and services are designed to serve approximately 38,000 older consumers who call Butler County home.

Butler County Commissioners William L. McCarrier A. Dale Pinkerton James Eckstein Area Agency on Aging Administrator: Beth A. Herold, RN, BSN, MBA How may we help you?

• Community Services for Older Adults and their families • Home and Community Based Services • PDA Waiver Services Access to Services • Information and Referral • Assessment • Care Management

For more information, call or visit our office at Sunnyview Complex 111 Sunnyview Circle, Suite 101 Butler, PA 16001 Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26: Sweet and sour pork, rice, vegetables, angel food cake.

Phone: (724) 282-3008

(888) 367-2434

Wednesday, November 27: Tuna salad, egg salad, vegetable soup, fruit salad.

Website: www.co.butler.pa.us/butler

Thursday, November 28, Thanksgiving Day: Closed.

Email: aaainfo@co.butler.pa.us

Friday, November 29: Closed.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

13

Military football teams kept the sport alive in the ‘40s

By Henry Peter Gribbin For Butler County Senior News

F

or many Pittsburgh seniors, there is one thing that bonds them together forever: World War II. During this great conflict, Pittsburghers not only manned the factories that supplied the arms necessary to defeat the Axis Powers, this city also sent its youth overseas to do battle.

Much has been written about these heroes but one aspect of the war not mentioned very often is that while Allied Forces were dropping bombs on Tokyo and Berlin, the Second and Fourth Army Air Corps were raining footballs on military camps and college campuses across the country.

In the movie “From Here to Eternity” the main theme was a soldier’s refusal to box. At one time, boxing was the main sport of the military but in 1943 and 1944, football was king.

In the 1943 Associated Press Football Poll, four military teams were in the top 20. In 1944, nine military teams made the list.

Names like El Toro Marines, March Field, the Second and Fourth Air Force, Randolph Field and Bainbridge replaced teams normally seen in college football polls. Many Pittsburgh seniors are familiar with these names since many were guests at these facilities, courtesy of Uncle Sam. Military teams were like college all star teams. Football players joined together from

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

14

Photo taken from www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/navyband/history.html.

the entire country to make powerhouse squads. While college football players were asked to report to their universities with their food ration books, military athletes didn’t have to worry about where their next meal was coming from.

It also wasn’t unheard of for a college player to be called up in the middle of the season only to play for one of the military

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teams against his old college. In 1943, one of the most dominant teams in the country was Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. Clark Shaughnessey’s Pitt Panthers found this out early in the season as the Panthers lost to the Bluejackets, 40-0. In defense of Shaughnessey, his roster was filled with freshmen, as most of the upper classmen were involved in the war.

Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents its 65th season

But in ‘43, “The Game of the Year” was a more exciting affair. It matched the Bluejackets against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a game held at Ross Field Stadium at Great Lakes. Notre Dame was undefeated and would go on to win the National Championship, but that particular day the Irish had their hands full.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents the following concerts for its 65th season:

Twenty two thousand sailors and a complement of WAVES cheerleaders watched as the Bluejackets scored in the last 33 seconds to win the fame 19-14. Great Lakes would finish sixth in that year’s AP poll.

Some of the other military teams of note are Fort Pierce, Del Monte Preflight, Norman P-F and St. Mary’s P-F. We should not forget that both West Point and Annapolis both fielded excellent teams during the course of the war. Navy would finish no worse than fourth in the AP poll from 1943 through 1945. Who could ever forget the great Army backfield of Blanchard and Davis?

While World War II has been over for more than 50 years, we should try to remember everything about it, including the military football teams and the impact they once had on college football. BCSN

2 November 2: City Lights 2 December 14: Holiday Traditions 2 December 15: Holiday Traditions Matinee Performance 2 February 8: Celestial Fantasy 2 March 8: Sal Andolina’s Big Band Bash 2 April 12: Dance!

Ticket prices for individual concerts are $23 and $5.50 for students. A full-season subscription is $103 for all six concerts. Tickets are available at the symphony office at 259 Main Street in Butler, or call (724) 283-1402. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.showclix.com/ search%23butler%20county%20symphony. BCSN

Looking for Senior Resources?

Visit our website at www.pittsburghseniornews.com

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Call (412) 367-2522 or visit www.pittsburghseniornews.com for more information.

Come out to Glenn Hall at St. Paul Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler, for an information fair for caregivers.

The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. November 9.

Call (724) 287-1759 or visit www.stpaulbutler.org.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

View current and past issues of Butler County Senior News.

A small, local business providing tender loving care.

15

Diabetes can be controlled but it must be taken seriously

By Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN For Butler County Senior News Okay, so the terminology has been updated. Many people still report that they have “sugar” instead of diabetes.

Regardless of what we call this chronic disease, we sometimes rely on old ideas when we live with it. November has a national focus on diabetes and it’s a great time to learn more of the facts.

Eating too much sugar is not a cause of diabetes. There

are strong genetic connections; however, even with uncooperative genes, diabetes is controllable.

words, a quick blood test at a wellness fair is a screen but you need to confirm it with your medical team.

Weight is a factor and an overabundance of calories within a day (on the plate or in the glass or cup) and a sedentary lifestyle raise your risk.

Diet can help control diabetes and it isn’t a special diet.

It is the same as the basic recommendations for generally healthy people (the Dietary Guidelines for Americans) and those recommended by the American Heart Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Reasonable portions based on the calories you need and following the My Plate recommendations is a good start. Yes, you can even have some sugar in your diet.

Check your blood levels.

A basic first test is a blood test but this should be a fasting sample, not after a meal. This is something to remember when your doctor schedules you for a glucose screening. Even done correctly, the diagnosis should be confirmed, since we all digest or metabolize differently, and the timing of meals, medications and even the last foods consumed can make a difference. In other

For those times when you need a little extra help.

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

16

Meeting guidelines for fiber, keeping animal fat to a minimum, and exercising or at least staying active for about 30 minutes a day are

guidelines for everyone, especially for persons with diabetes. Salt or sodium may also be something to control, not cut out of your diet entirely.

Having regularly scheduled meals may become even more important, especially if medication or insulin is prescribed to keep blood sugars under control.

Diabetes is still the leading cause of blindness. Uncontrolled high levels of glucose in the blood interfere with healing and have the potential to cause problems with circulation and even loss of limbs. It this sounds scary, but diabetes is controllable and should be taken seriously. BCSN To learn more, visit. nutrition@gianteagle.com.

Helping People Live Life Better!

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Worry-wart Jack had been a compulsive worrier for years, to the point it was ruining his life. He saw a psychologist who recommended a specialist who could help him. His friend, Bob, noticed a dramatic change and asked “What happened? Nothing seems to worry you anymore.” “I hired a professional worrier and I haven’t had a worry since.” replied Jack. “That must be expensive.” Bob replied. “He charges $5,000 a month.” Jack told him. “$5,000!!? How in the world can you afford to pay him?” exclaimed Bob. “I don’t know, that’s his problem.”

The Cab Driver A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, “Look mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!” The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.” The driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.”

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

Taken from www.bestcleanjokes.com.

17

State Nicknames

Write the correct State next to each nickname for a chance to win $30 cash.

1. The Mountain State________________________________

11. The Show Me State_______________________________

2. The Volunteer State________________________________

12. The Pelican State_________________________________

3. Land of Enchantment State_________________________

13. The Gem State___________________________________

4. The Cowboy State_________________________________

14. The Lone Star State_______________________________

5. The Golden State__________________________________

15. The Empire State_________________________________

6. Peace Garden State________________________________

16. The Keystone State_______________________________

7. Big Sky Country State______________________________

17. The South’s Warmest Welcome State________________

8. The Heart of Dixie_________________________________

18. The First State___________________________________

9. The Land of 10,000 Lakes State______________________

19. The Great Land State_____________________________

10. The Wolverine State_______________________________

20. The Natural State_________________________________

To enter, mail your answers to Butler County Senior News Contest, P.O. Box 11126, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. One entry per person. Correct entries will be eligible for our drawing. One winner will be drawn. Entries must be received by the 15th of this month. Answers will be published in the next edition of Butler County Senior News.

Name________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Phone____________________________Age________________

Congratulations to Dan Rudert who won last month’s contest. The answers were: 1. An apple a day; 2. Hold your breath; 3. October; 4. You’ll break your mother’s back; 5. Salt; 6. Mirror; 7. Cover your mouth; 8. Whistling; 9. Acorn; 10. Fingers.

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Crossword Puzzle

Senior Resources

answer on page 2

Following is a list of resources that are relevant to issues affecting seniors. We are providing this as an easy reference for information that you may need now or in the future.

AARP: www.aarp.org. The National site for AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons), a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people, ages 50 years and older. Call 1 (888) 687-2277.

County of Butler Area Agency on Aging: www.co.butler. pa.us/butler/. Gives detailed information on aging programs.

Call (724) 282-3008 or 1 (888) 367-2434.

ACROSS 1 Wave in the wind 5 Rowing tool 8 Pumps up the volume 12 Peru’s capital 13 Upper underwear 14 Castle protection 15 Addict 16 Trend 18 “Citizen Kane” estate 20 Congenital 21 Lucy’s hubby/co-star 23 Billboards 24 Run-down building 28 Very short pencil 31 Past 32 Ibiza y Minorca 34 Anger 35 Frogs’ hangout 37 Octopus feature 39 Tree fluid 41 Despot (Var.) 42 Aussie gal 45 Head monk’s position 49 “The Charge of the Light Brigade” poet 51 Sandwich cookie 52 Sunrise direction 53 Blackbird 54 Streamlet 55 Quarry 56 “The Princess and the —” 57 Polio vaccine discoverer

DOWN 1 Continuous change 2 Sax-playing Simpson 3 “So be it” 4 Procession 5 Least intelligent 6 Exist 7 Hindu royal 8 Changes 9 Re 45-Across, e.g.

10 Treaty 11 Eyelid woe 17 Genetic matter 19 Actress Moore 22 Cove 24 Spigot 25 Id counterpart 26 “Poppycock!”

27 Dar es Salaam’s nation 29 Web address 30 Spelling contest 33 Impale 36 Small and delicate 38 Garden shelters 40 Thickness 42 Dance lesson 43 Get wind of 44 Memo acronym 46 Met melody 47 Prison room 48 Egg part 50 Individual

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alzpa.org. Programs and services for individuals and families coping with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. Call 1 (800) 272-3900.

Benefits Checkup www.benefitscheckup.org. An online questionnaire to help search for a list of all state and federal benefits.

COMPASS (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services): www.compass.state.pa.us. Enables Pennsylvania citizens to apply for social services programs online. Call 1 (800) 692-7462.

Eldercare Locator: www.eldercare.gov. Contains information on the complete array of services and programs of interest for older adults. Call 1 (800) 677-1116.

Government Benefits: www.GovBenefits.gov. The official benefits website of the government that connects people in need to government assistance programs. Call 1 (800) 333-4636.

Medicare: www.medicare.gov. The official government site for Medicare consumer information. Call 1 (800) 633-4227.

Pennsylvania Long-Term Care: www.longtermcare.state. pa.us. Provides long-term care information on available service options, including home care, public and private financing of those options, and other issues. Call 1 (866) 286-3636.

Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center: www.pahunger.org.

A non profit organization working to end hunger and ensure food security for all Pennsylvanians. The link for Pennsylvania food programs provides information on various nutrition resources in our state. Call 1 (800) 634-2033. BCSN

November 2013 • Butler County Senior News

©King Features

19

A Tradition to be

Thankful for

Tri Rivers Orthopedic Surgeon Thomas Muzzonigro, M. D., with Operation Walk patient

Operation Walk Pittsburgh once again focuses its international generosity locally.

This month, the nonprofit’s volunteers will offer the gift of mobility to patients in Allegheny and Butler counties. Butler Health System will team up with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates and UPMC Magee Hospital will partner with Renaissance Orthopedics to perform hip and knee replacements on five patients who otherwise could not afford these life-changing procedures.

Local organizations working together to improve the lives of patients in your community? Now that’s something to be thankful for.

If you have end-stage hip or knee arthritis and want to know if you qualify for this program, visit www.operationwalkpgh.org.