Pilot Media - Vitality 2017

Vitality Planning Ahead • Active Living • Caring for the Aging WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

The Up Side of

DOWNSIZING

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| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

What’s inside

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Sometimes less means more ... travel, recreation, relaxation.

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How to handle the tough conversations that come with aging.

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Staying active can add joy, longevity to retirement.

Four people who are turning retirement into a new beginning.

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Where there’s a will ...

70s

WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

How fit are you?

Hampton Roads’ residents are a healthy bunch. Local research shows 70 percent of us describe our health as good, or very good.

But what defines good health? Here is a little guide, created by the global health club chain, Virgin Active, to help you figure out your fitness level by decade.

Run a 5k in 30 minutes

Do 20 burpees in a row

Hold a full plank for one minute

In your 50s you should be able to:

In your 30s you should be able to:

In your 40s you should be able to:

Run a mile in less than 9 minutes

Sprint for 60 seconds without stopping

Hold a plank for 45 seconds Deadlift more than 50 percent of your bodyweight

Do 10 press-ups without stopping Touch your toes comfortably with straight legs

Run at a moderate pace for 60 seconds without stopping Do five burpees without stopping

Lower yourself into a crosslegged position on the floor without using your hands, and then return to standing

t t e r r a G g e Gr

IORS TR A N A M E “ T E A M” S E N

In your 60s you should be able to:

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Walk a mile in less than 16 minutes Climb a flight of stairs with 10 steps in under 30 seconds comfortably Rise to stand from a chair without using your hands or arms, and repeat at least 12 times in 30 seconds – By Siobhan Werhan

Regularly take more than 10,000 steps in a day Do 12 bodyweight squats without stopping

Touch your fingertips with one hand over your shoulder and the other behind your back

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In your 70s you should be able to:

20s 30s 40s 50s 60s In your 20s you should be able to:

Vitality

UNDERSTAND the needs of seniors in their time of transition. GENTLY GUIDE seniors on what needs to be done.

MAXIMIZE the financial gain from their family home upon sale. WORK WITH and involve family members as needed.

GUIDE seniors to other service providers needed to facilitate a transition. VALIDATE the positive attributes of a referral source.

NEVER PUSH or be concerned with our own agenda.

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Vitality

| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

Reimagining Retirement Stories by Ben Swenson • Photos by Eric Lusher

There was a time when you did your 30 years in the corporate world and settled into a comfortable chair to watch the sunset and play with grandkids. But increasingly retirees are looking at the end of full-time employment as a new beginning in life.

Walt Brown From Soldier to Chief

Twenty-eight years in the United States Army taught Walt Brown a lot, but there were a couple enduring virtues that helped him transition into civilian life: leadership and communication skills.

Those traits have defined Brown’s retirement years, which have been anything but sleepy. A Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian, Brown has worked tirelessly to set the historical record straight about his tribe and other Native Americans, logging countless miles for this ongoing mission.

Brown has been the elected chief of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe since 2002. The tribe, based in the Southampton County town of Courtland, has 425 enrolled members.

He estimates that he has given presentations on the history of his tribe and early American history to some 500,000 people in Virginia, the Carolinas and beyond. He said that many people in Hampton Roads are vaguely aware of local Native Ameri-

can history, but that the stories are too often simplified.

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe was not affiliated with the Powhatan Confederation that occupied the greater Chesapeake Bay region. Rather, his tribe is Iroquoian, which has different lineage, language and culture. In fact, the term “Nottoway” was a derogatory moniker meaning “snake” that the Powhatans gave to the tribe. Brown prefers to emphasize the tribe’s original name, Cheroenhaka, which means “people at the fork of the stream.”

In addition to being chief, Brown is also tribal historian, updating historical notes on the tribe’s website and documenting members’ genealogy. “Every one of our members can follow a paper trail back to a member of the tribe in 1808, when there was a census,” he said.

All the hard work by Brown and his tribesmen has paid off; Virginia awarded the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe state recognition in 2010. “That was a major milestone,” Brown said. “Getting Virginia to admit we were who we said we were.”

Every year on April 23rd, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe pays tribute to the Governor of Virginia, a ceremony that dates

back to a 1713 treaty.

Brown has been instrumental in helping the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) re-establish tribal lands, which to date comprise 263 acres. Part of the tribe’s stewardship of the land includes paying homage to its original ecology, Brown said.

Brown was among the tribesmen who helped plant 50 acres with some 20,000 longleaf pine trees, the species that originally grew in the area. English colonists harvested that timber and replanted the faster-growing loblolly pine.

While his role as chief occupies most of his time, Brown has positioned himself for other leadership posts through the years.

He served on the Southampton County Board of Supervisors for 8 years – the only Native American to have ever filled that role – and ran unsuccessfully for the Senate of Virginia against Sen. Louise Lucas in 2003.

Brown said that the work on behalf of his people will continue until his dying day. He hopes that the next major milestone will be federal recognition of his tribe. “We have always had a sovereign relationship with the federal government,” he said. “Federal recognition is a next logical step.”

WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

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| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

Wayne Bradby Taking Advantage of the Water

Wayne Bradby was paddling his kayak on the gentle waters of Rudee Inlet, trolling for a speckled trout. Then something took the bait – hard. It took 10 minutes, but Bradby finally landed the prize. “A 36-inch striper in 8 feet of water,” he said.

Whether a hefty striped bass is giving him a whirl around Rudee Inlet, or he has hooked into a school of bluefish underneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Bradby is transitioning into retirement sitting down – in a kayak.

Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity in the last decade, especially in Hampton Roads. The most hardcore practitioners of this growing pastime push the limits of location and endurance, and Bradby has experienced his share of adventures.

But Hampton Roads teems with enough calm tidal waters and placid lakes to accommodate people of all abilities and skill levels, Bradby said. At 58, he knows how accessible kayak fishing is for people looking to stay active when retirement offers more time for recreational activities.

Bradby has owned a full-sized boat, but dislikes the full day of attention a fiberglass craft demands. The kayak is much lower maintenance, and fits into an active schedule.

“I can throw a kayak in the back of the truck at 6 a.m., go out to Rudee, fish for 2 hours and still have a full day ahead,” he said.

Bradby often has a lot on his agenda. He transitioned to retirement after careers with the New York Times Company and a local home theater company, but chose to stay occupied with a couple other lines of work, including an online polish business, and a firm that consults with veterans and their families about how to navigate the bureaucracy of the Veterans Benefits Administration.

Both of these lines of work offer ample flexible time to take off for his outdoor passion. Most days he seeks out quiet waters, such as inland lakes, since pop-

ular fishing holes – Lynnhaven Inlet or the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, for instance – are too crowded.

Still, Bradby said that the sport’s growing popularity is a good thing, as more people recognize that kayak fishing offers environmentally friendly exercise in a beautiful setting.

Kayak fishing is becoming increasingly attractive for older people. Retailers now market accessories that help with the moderate effort involved – carts for moving kayaks, foot pedals for propulsion, even small electric motors.

If landing a massive fish is not appealing, Bradby said that there are ample opportunities to help others enjoy the pastime.

Bradby is currently treasurer of the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association, an organization he has been affiliated with since its inception in 2000. Each year, TKAA hosts a charity tournament that benefits Heroes on the Water, a charity that organizes kayak fishing trips for active duty and veteran service members free-of-charge.

“To see the servicemen and veterans beaming after a day on the water really reminds us what this is all about,” said Bradby.

WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

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Vitality

| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

Patricia Hazel Faith in Her Work

Patricia Hazel knows the daunting challenges of age and infirmity. In 2009 she suffered a stroke, an emergency that required hospitalization and surgery.

Hazel credits her strong Christian faith as a crucial part of her full recovery. “I asked the Lord to spare my life and if he did that, I would give back by helping others,” she said.

Hazel said she had always possessed an altruistic spirit and helped others in her community when they needed a hand. But the recovery from the stroke was the driving force behind her decision to volunteer for Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, a nonprofit that works on behalf of senior citizens in Hamp-

ton Roads. As a senior companion, Hazel spends time with elderly residents, many of whom are afflicted with some of the ailments of advanced age, such as memory loss or failing eyesight.

Hazel worked for four decades at local firms, including General Technology and BAE Systems, before retiring. Church remains a big part of her life, but she increasingly devotes much of her time to volunteer work, as much as 5 days a week, sometimes up to 40 hours.

Hazel considers her clients friends. The companionship is part of the therapy this program offers to her aging neighbors, but she said that what her clients want most are simple outings that are impossible to do alone.

Hazel can rattle off specials at local eateries. She knows good spots to feed bread to ducks. She said that just being out of one’s home is invigorating for her companions. “We might make sandwiches and have a picnic,” she said. “Or I might take them to Green-

brier Mall to get in a little exercise, then do some window shopping.”

Younger people in the community too often take these activities for granted, according to Hazel.

“They don’t realize that one day, it’s going to be hard for them to do these kinds of things as well,” she said.

Hazel said she sees the positive effects her visits have on her companions. But her visits likewise help ease the burdens that relatives encounter with an aging family member. “People can’t just drop everything in their lives. They have careers, they have other family members,” she said. “These visits help relieve some of the pressure.”

Hazel said that it doesn’t take much to volunteer – just a kind heart and a loving spirit. She challenges her neighbors to step out of their comfort zones to provide this much-needed companionship.

“You may be a retired nurse, or a retired laborer, but when you visit, you’re just a friend,” she said.

WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

Hodgie Holgersen Saving the World Through Bees

In his 22 years as a diver for the United States Navy, Hodgie Holgersen left beehives all around the country. At each duty station, he would set up a hive, only to leave it in the hands of others once he moved.

Now, two decades after the end of his military career, Holgersen is president of Tidewater Beekeepers Association and proprietor of H Bar H Enterprises, a company that provides bee and swarm removal, pollination services and honey.

The hobby is a lifelong obsession, but the older he gets, the more Holgersen is driven to secure a healthy honey bee population for future generations.

“My passion for honey bees rests in the security of our food supply,” Holgersen said.

Modern agriculture depends on thriving populations of pollinators. One in every three forkfuls of food we eat results from pollination by animals.

Among the best insects for that tremendous task is Apis mellifera, commonly known as the honey bee.

Take away the honey bee and people are in deep trouble, Holgersen said. The United States imports 20 percent of its food, according to the FDA. Holgersen fears a honey bee-less future where food imports are three or four times that number.

“Can you imagine being dependent on foreign food the same way that we’re dependent on foreign oil right now?”

Holgersen said.

Securing a healthy future for these power pollinators requires a multi-faceted plan of attack, Holgersen said. “People see something on the news about declining honey bee populations and wonder what they can do to help. I tell them to put a couple hives in their back yard,” he said.

On a rural plot in Hickory, Holgersen keeps up to 40 hives at once. He has transported those hives to help pollinate

a pumpkin patch nearby in Chesapeake and strawberries in Pungo.

But he also knows that not everyone has the ability or inclination to manage beehives, and that there are other ways to help. Pollinator-friendly landscaping is one way to do that, by incorporating pollenand nectar-rich plants, or even letting certain flowers such as dandelions or clover bloom before mowing them. “I see weeds in a whole different light now,” he said.

A strong honey bee population requires education. The public is, by and large, misinformed about the nature and function of the honey bee.

“People have been told since two years of age that the honey bee is bad because it will sting you,” he said. ‘That’s not true.”

Holgersen keeps protective bee suits of all sizes on hand so that visitors to his home can feel comfortable peeking into one of his hives (he dives in without protection). Simply getting the public comfortable with honey bees will go a long way toward securing their future, Holgersen said.

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WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

Vitality

Downsizing Your Life

Sometimes less really is more. A growing number of retirees are discovering the freedom of going small.

By Alison Johnson • Photos by Jessica Shea

A

s soon as Keith and Ann Armistead’s youngest child graduated from high school, they made a trade. At age 54, they relocated from a 3,000-squarefoot house with a spacious yard and pool to a much smaller home with no grass – and just a few bushes – near the ocean in Virginia Beach.

In the move they were forced to ditch some nice furniture and countless items collected through the years. But what they gained was time: Instead of spending free days cleaning, and doing yard work and pool maintenance, they take walks on the beach, visit museums, read, watch movies and travel. In the two years since downsizing, they’ve enjoyed all kinds of outings, from short kayaking trips to a long-delayed Italian honeymoon.

“We do so many things that we never did before,” Ann says. “For us, downsizing was

about freedom, making life easier. It was an opportunity for adventure, at a time of life when maybe people think they’re done with adventures.”

The Armisteads have done more than embrace the downsizing concept; they have banked on it. Ann owns a Virginia Beachbased business called Downsize Designs that helps people plan for a new space and sort, pack and unpack their belongings. Ann, also an interior designer, creates a professional floor plan on her computer to judge exactly what will fit well.

Most of her clients are elderly or in declining health, but the interest from younger, more proactive clients is increasing. “More people are realizing that they don’t have to continue to maintain the space that they got because of their kids,” she says. “Not to

Jim and Joan Kail traded in their five-bedroom home in Chesapeake, where they had lived for 35 years and raised three children, for a two-bedroom villa in Virginia Beach.

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| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

mention the fact that leaving all these tasks to their kids is a horrible thing to do.”

As Baby Boomers retire and become empty-nesters, a niche real estate market has emerged. A growing number of people want to downsize to smaller homes, condominiums or apartments, freeing themselves up to be more active while they’re still in good physical and mental shape.

The perks of that decision can include lowered levels of stress and a more flexible budget, not to mention the opportunity to live in a more desirable neighborhood – near the water, for example, or within easy reach of an urban center.

That’s not to say Boomers are flocking in droves to cut back, or to trade their single-family homes for condos or apartments. Surveys show the population is divided on this issue.

A 2014 poll of 4,000 households by The Demand Institute, a nonprofit, New York-based think tank that studies consumer trends, found two-thirds of Boomers – defined as people born between 1946 and 1964 – had no plans to move.

But of those who did, 54 percent planned to downsize or spend less money on a similarly sized space.

Physic a l or co g n it ive decline and the death of a spouse remain common reasons for downsizing, says Jennifer Pickett, a spokesperson for the National Association of Senior Move M a n a gers , or NA S M M .

The Illinois-based organization helps families with the daunting task of sorting and moving lifetimes of belongings.

Unfortunately, tackling such a move suddenly can be very upsetting, Pickett says. “Ultimately, you want to be in control of your situation,” she says. “Taking action at age 60 is generally very different than starting at age 80. Many people just wait too long.”

Even paring down possessions in a current home can make a big difference, she adds: “Take all those boxes of Christmas decorations.

Even if you haven’t used

Downsizing tips Start early: As soon as a house begins to feel like too much work, consider your options. Doing so while you’re still in good health is ideal.

Find a motivation: A dream location, extra time or money, not burdening children; whatever your motivation, keep focused on it.

Build up your decisionmaking skills: Sort belongings by category and start with the easiest group to let go (for many, that’s clothing). Keep only what is useful or brings you happiness, and remember that physically getting rid of an object won’t erase the memories.

Jim and Joan Kail spend their time traveling, tending their garden and playing the occasional game of bocce.

them since your kids were young, there’s an emotional attachment. But you can keep that attachment by taking pictures, telling stories or passing some special ones along to family members.

Then you’re not as weighed down by your stuff.”

Jim and Joan Kail feel much lighter after downsizing. Three years ago, the couple opted to relo -

cate from a five-bedroom home in Chesapeake, where they had lived for 35 years and raised three children, to a two-bedroom villa in the Atlantic Shores retirement community of Virginia Beach.

Jim, now 73, and Joan, 72, are having a blast. They’ve traveled to Europe, the Caribbean and twice to New York City at Christmas to

see The Rockettes. They’re signed up for group trips to Bermuda and the Bahamas.

They take yoga and tai chi classes, go to restaurants with friends and simply relax on their deck watching birds. If they need medical care in the future, their community offers that, too.

“We’ve been freed from the shackles of a large house and yard,” Jim says. “It’s like

a load has been taken off.

Nothing is holding us back.”

And neither misses the extra space of their old home.

“We had rooms that we barely used,” Joan says. “It was all just too big, too much, for me. I thought, ‘This is crazy. What am I doing to myself?’”

Still, getting rid of possessions wasn’t easy. The Kails sought guidance from Downsize Designs, which helped them prioritize.

Pickett, of NASSM, says t he gr ow i ng nu mber of Boomers who have had to move their parents realize what a daunting task downsizing is. NASSM, founded in 2002, has increased from 22 members to almost 1,000.

Many businesses charge roughly $ 60 an hour, but rates an d ser vices var y widely. “It’s a very growing field, given how quickly our population is aging,” Armistead says.

The Kails certainly have no regrets about going smaller – or plans to slow down.

“We’re doing things we’ve always ached to do,” Jim says.

“We’re having way too much fun. My main advice to others is: Don’t delay.”

Get specifics on your new home: Knowing as many details of space and layout as possible will help as you go through your things.

Identify donation resources: Contact local charities, thrift stores and food banks to ask what they will accept.

Check with local landfills and chemical collection programs, which take items such as paint cans, stains and wood sealers.

Give books – which are heavy and take up lots of space – to libraries or schools. Yard sales also can be a great option.

Involve family and friends: Ask loved ones what they would like to keep, and consider passing some of those belongings along immediately. You’ll also learn what nobody wants.

Digitize pictures and papers: Once you’ve organized your files, it’s easy to find a place to have them scanned and saved on CDs. Sources: AARP, National Association of Senior Move Managers, and Downsize Designs, Inc.

WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |

Vitality

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Uncomfortable Conversations What to ask of your aging parents and how to guide them through their later years

Cathy Dalton sat down with her father to have one of those tough conversations that many face when helping their aging parents.

Among other topics, they discussed his Parkinson’s disease, and how its progression would put him more at risk for falls. Fortunately, the retired Naval officer and his wife had already prepared an advance directive and named an executor of their estate.

No adult child looks forward to having such conversations with their parents. Those kinds of “what ifs” are scary for everyone.

But it is important to do this while your parents are still fairly healthy, says Laura Bousman, owner of Virginia Beach’s Home Instead Senior Care franchise. She suggests a good time to begin is when they’re about age 70. She recently had a discussion with her own parents during a visit to their home in upstate New York.

“It all began in a relaxed setting,” she says. They asked her what belongings she would like one day. “We were then able to discuss their personal situation, such as their desire to age in their home, their financial preparedness for that, and details about their funerals.”

Bousman says to make sure the discussion is held in a place with few distractions. Take a walk, sit at the park or on the couch at home, she says.

“Explain you love them so much and want to make their wishes known should they become impaired in any way,” she says. Waiting until a parent is ill sometimes means making rushed and not always the best or right decisions, she says.

What to talk about: HOME: AARP suggests making seniors’ homes safer by using non-slip rubber mats in the bathtub, grab bars near the toilet, and no-slip backing or double-sided tape under rugs.

Make sure all steps have handrails,

ILLUSTRATION BY WES WATSON

By Cindy Butler Focke

paths are clear around furniture, and night lights are used throughout the house. Do they or will they eventually need extra help dressing, cooking, cleaning, or assistance with medications? While there are many options to al low seniors to rema i n in the home, some may need to consider the possibility of an assisted living community.

ABILITY TO DRIVE: Discuss the issue before it is a concern and be prepared to have several conversations before coming up with a solution. Begin slowly, suggesting a reduction in driving during certain times of day or riding with a friend. Explore alternative transportation options to help make the transition easier when the time comes.

Check out the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ assessment guide at www.granddriver.net.

HEALTH: An advance care plan, and advance medical directive, or a living will with medical power of attorney helps seniors if a serious injury or illness prevents them from

communicati ng their hea lth care wishes. The choices guide doctors and caregivers during a crisis situation, including near the end of life with decisions such as heart resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and feeding tubes. Too often family members are burdened with making these difficult decisions for a loved one, says David Murray, executive director of the Advance Care Planning Coalition of Ea ster n Vi rgi nia. Th at is why the coalition is focused on promoting “Got a Plan?”

FINA NCES : Make sure you know where to fi nd your parents’ lega l documents, such as a will, trust, and power of attorney. Know their medical insurance, besides Medicare.

Are there assets set aside to pay for care at home should they need it one day? Know also where to find information on their bank and brokerage accounts and other assets. There may come a time where you need to offer assistance paying bills. Knowing their financial situation should the need for assisted living arise is crucial.

RESOURCES:

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia: This regional not-for-profit organization not only provides programs and services for those with disabilities, but for seniors, including in-home care, Meals on Wheels, care transitions, wellness classes, I-Ride transportation, Medicare benefits counseling and more. www.ssseva.org, 757-461-9481.

AARP Foundation: This nonprofit organization helps people 50 and older improve the quality of their lives. A planning guide for families, Prepare to Care, is available at www.aarp.org Advance Care Planning Coalition of Eastern Virginia: For information on how to document one’s personal choice for end-of-life care through the As You Wish Advance Care Planning program, visit www.asyouwishvirginia.org or call 757- 325-9400.

Home Instead Senior Services provides free family caregiver education seminars for church groups and community organizations. Topics include “Improving Communication with Parents,” “Protecting Seniors from Fraud,” “Elderly Home Safety,” and more. Call Mary Dorss at 757-651-5146.

| 15

16 |

Vitality

| THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | WEDNESDAY, 06.21.17

Rediscovering community can be path to longevity

By Ben Swenson A small group of friends meets on Tuesdays to exercise at the Great Neck Middle School outdoor track. They jokingly call themselves “Betty’s Geezers.” The youngest is approaching 70, the oldest 82.

But this is no leisurely stroll by dawdling seniors; all are accomplished athletes and they motivate one another to run eight miles or more.

The group’s namesake is Betty Brothers, a 70-year-old Virginia Beach resident who ran an ultramarathon last December. Brothers says the notion of meeting up with other senior athletes similarly passionate about running not only galvanizes her to return every week, but also contributes to her health and well-being.

A growing body of evidence supports the connection between social engagement and good health.

Numerous studies show that older people active in various communal activities, such as exercise, hobby groups and volunteerism, live longer and have better physical and mental health.

The transition from one’s working life to social engagement in retirement is not a naturally occurring change, but the payoff for taking the time to plan one’s post-career social life is often years of healthy living.

Dr. Robert Palmer, director of the Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, says people are often so absorbed in their careers that they fail to spend time preparing for retirement.

“Just like you wouldn’t go on an airplane trip without knowing where you are going or packing your bags, it’s important to do the same for retirement,” Palmer says. “It can be a disaster or a wonderful phase of life.”

According to Palmer, a plan for retirement should include practical considerations. How do your priorities align with a spouse or partner? Where do you wish to live as you age? Financial considerations are important, too, but every retirement plan should include provisions for engaging in social activities.

Retirees who opt for “the hammock” have predictably poor results, Palmer says. Inactivity leads to weight gain, which compounds health problems.

These retirees attribute declining health to old age, but the reality is that the lack of activity is a major contributor.

Even activities that are not physically demanding – a model train club or volunteering at the library, for instance – keep seniors up and moving

PHOTO BY WES WATSON

Richard Bush, Preston Fitzgerald, Cathie Rotch, Duane Lougee, Dick Brothers, Betty Brothers and Claude Bell get ready to run on a recent Tuesday morning.

around, which yields better health outcomes than a stationary lifestyle.

What’s more, Palmer says, social engagement in retirement opens the door to making new friends, discovering untapped potential and sharing passions with other like-minded individuals – all important interactions for emotional well-being.

Brothers and her husband Dick both had successful careers in insurance, but in their retirement, they have made activity and community engagement top priorities. The running community takes much of their time. They are members of Tidewater Striders, a 1,200-member running club that promotes fitness and organizes races in eastern Virginia.

The couple takes part in the running community in different ways. Dick Brothers prefers to spend a lot of time working the races put on by Tidewater Striders. He still runs a few times a week, though aching knees keep him sidelined more often than he would like. Besides, he says, “I quit running with Betty years ago because I couldn’t keep up.”

Betty Brothers maintains a full race schedule year-round. She participates in races of different distances, from one-milers to ultramarathons.

She ran her first marathon at age 55. She has since run 33 more.

She is good, too. Brothers holds a couple state records for her age group, and has no plans of slowing down. This year she is participating in seven organized races. She says that regular weight training

and practice help her avoid injury.

The couple owns a motorhome and attends recreational vehicle rallies with the Colonial Virginians chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, where they find other individuals who share their passion for travel. They have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, so family fills most of their remaining free time.

There are numerous resources to help seniors engage, Madeline Dunstan, Associate Director of Education for the Glennan Center. An agency on aging serves every jurisdiction in the country, including a couple in Hampton Roads (Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and Peninsula Agency on Aging).

Volunteer opportunities abound in Hampton Roads and area nonprofits most often welcome seniors. “Organizations are always looking for ways to augment their paid staff, especially volunteers who have a wealth of experience, lots of wisdom and deep knowledge they can bring the table,” Dunstan says.

Finding satisfaction in the later years is an individual pursuit based on one’s means and vision, Dunstan says, but the outcomes of engaging in communities that are compatible with seniors’ lifestyles are unmistakably positive.

Betty Brothers credits other runners she knows with the inspiration and encouragement not only to run, but to achieve new heights in racing. She has an unshakable goal as she adjusts to life as a septuagenarian. “I’d like to set more state records,” she says.

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The Importance of Wills A discussion with Attorney Kevin Rack

Wills are the best way to make sure your family is taken care of after you are gone.

Kevin Rack of the Rack & Moccia law firm in Virginia Beach’s Town Center has worked as an attorney since 1987.

His practice focuses on estate planning, such as preparing wills, trusts, and related legal documents, plus the administration, taxation and litigation of estate and trusts, elder law, and more.

Wills are necessary, Rack says. They can save your family time, money, and grief, as well as give you peace of mind.

Having no will can lead to family discord. “And the court gets far more involved,� Rack says.

Here’s his advice: Carefully choose an executor. Someone needs to be in charge after you die. There are final tax returns to prepare, the closing of accounts, selling of real estate, and more. The executor will be asked to distribute the deceased person’s property based on his or her wishes, and make sure debts and expenses are paid. Couples usually designate each other, but in the event both die at the same time, an alternate should be named. For a single individual, two designees should be noted, in case the first is unable to accept the responsibility.

What if you don’t have a will?

You die intestate if you don’t have a will. That means the state will oversee your assets and distribute them according to a set formula. In Virginia the surviving spouse receives 100 percent of

the decedent’s property, unless he or she is survived by children or their descendants, including stepchildren.

In that case, the child or children take two-thirds, and the spouse gets one-third. That scenario could result in the sale of the family home and assets, which could negatively impact the surviving spouse both financially and emotionally. And if your children are minors, the court will appoint a representative to look after their interests.

Also, a properly prepared will can minimize tax liability, which can particularly impact those with large estates.

Currently in the U.S., an estate tax return must be filed on estates valued at $5.45 million or more, but no federal estate tax is due if the estate is worth less than that amount.

How do I get a will? There are a number of software programs and websites available, but there are advantages to seeking legal help, especially if your estate is large, and also if your situation is legally complex. A lawyer’s fee to prepare a will for a single individual begins at about $650.

Once the will is done, then what?

Put the will in the hands of your executor or professional adviser. Rack advises a safety deposit box, or in a fireproof-waterproof safe in the home. The important thing is making sure the will is available when needed. – Cindy Butler Focke

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