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DAUPHIN AND CUMBERLAND COUNTY JUNE| JULY 2012
THE
Nostalgia Central Pennsylvania’s News Magazine For Kids Over Fifty
ISSUE
CONTE WINNESRT ANNOU NCED page 19
Adult Day Care services By Vicki Krenitsky, Menno Haven ElderDay Have you ever heard of Adult Day Services? If not, you are not alone. Adult Day Care services is a concept that many do not think about until there is an emergency situation. Adult Day Services is a branch of care that is designed to accommodate impaired or frail adults during the daytime hours. Most adult day centers are able to meet the needs of people with aging difficulties such as vision and hearing problems, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and strokes as well as accommodate those who use walkers or wheelchairs. In order to accommodate the needs of these adults throughout the day, many adult day care centers must offer a broad array of services ranging from personal care assistance to social activities and even to professional visits. However, the services provided will vary according to the center and its locale and expertise. Some centers are able to offer physical, occupational and speech therapy. The services of a podiatrist, physician, barber, beautician and clergy are often available. A variety
of social activities such as intergenerational, pet, and music programs along with active and passive games, reminiscing and exercises keep the adults active and motivated. If the center has a vehicle, the clients may take “field trips” throughout their community, often visiting local areas of interest including parks, malls and restaurants. You may also notice centers that have installed a security system, which assists in keeping a wandering client from leaving the center but gives them the freedom of mobility. Medical needs and personal care are offered in some adult day care programs when nursing aides and nurses are on staff. In this instance, medications can be administered and other health concerns can be monitored such as oxygen and sugar monitoring and breathing treatments and preventative medical care is administered evident by flu shots and TB testing. Because adult day care may encompass such a broad array of services, centers may be located in a variety of locations. The choice of location depends on the community need and provider – some centers are in vacant store fronts, churches or fire houses, hospital
PUBLISHER’S
settings or connected to long term care facilities. In the same way, they may be in a for profit setting or not for profit setting. In Pennsylvania, all adult day care programs must be state licensed. State-issued standards and regulations make adult day care safe for all those involved. In order to be compliant with state regulations an adult day care center must follow rules including specific staff ratios which is currently one staff member to seven clients, maintain 50 square feet of space per person and prepare food at the temperature and consistency that is in compliance with state regulations. So, who benefits from adult day care? Centers are here for both the client, who attends the program, and the caregiver, who needs a well-deserved break. Caregivers need to take care of themselves. Without taking this time away to do things they want or need to do, caregivers may get worn down so that they are unable to continue the caregiver role. At times, a caregiver is also still in
For Central Pennsylvania’s Kids Over Fifty web site: www.todayat50plus.com facebook: today at 50 plus Louise E. Sukle Publisher/Editor lsukle@pressandjournal.com
the workforce, in which case, an adult day care center provides a necessary role while they are at work. The caregiver then has the peace of mind knowing their loved one is spending time with their peers in a healthy social setting. To get more information on your local adult day programs contact the Area Agency on Aging or look in the phone book under Day Care CentersAdult. You may also discuss the advantages of an adult day program with your physician. Menno Haven is a non profit continuing care retirement commnity providing care to the elderly in a Christian spirit.
Garry Lenton Content Editor today@pressandjournal.com Terry Burger Jim Lewis Branda Tadych Garry Lenton Contributing Writers Maxine Etter General Manager maxineetter@pressandjournal.com Virginia Lauzon Graphic Designer Dave Brown 717.944.4628 Sales Manager davebrown@pressandjournal.com Barb Nusz 717.743.0515 Advertising Representative barbnusz@pressandjournal.com
The Renaissance at Penn Hall
Sara Sowers 717.944.4628 Sales Assistant sarasowers@pressandjournal.com
Community of Friends Transportation Indoor Pool & Fitness Center Housekeeping & Laundry 24-hour Security Variety of Social Opportunities
Lynne Gomboc Circulation lynnegomboc@pressandjournal.com
The gracious Renaissance apartments are very affordable with built-in convenient services to support your independence. Residents love the cozy, secure and family-like atmosphere of this unique setting. Come See for Yourself! Menno Haven’s excellent reputation of fine services, peace of mind, and charm has been building for 47 years.
Media kits are available upon request.
www.mennohaven.org 717.262.2373
Today at 50+ Published bi-monthly by Press And Journal Publications Business Office: 20 S. Union St., Middletown, PA 17057 office: 717.944.4628 fax: 717.944.2083 www.pandjinc.com Today at 50+ will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Today at 50+ reserves the right to edit, revise or reject any and all advertising which, in its judgment is unwholesome or contrary to the interest of this publication.
note |
louise sukle
I was born in 1956, and my childhood memories are of days riding bike and playing with my Barbie dolls on safe streets lined with modest, nearly-identical duplexes. Moms and dads formed cohesive units and there was a real sense of community. Life has been downhill from there, right? Except that, as an adult, I know better. Those of us who lived through the “idyllic” era when dads worked, moms vacuumed in pearls and dresses and kids lived endlessly joyful lives remember it differently. Television and our selective memory leaves us with the impression that if we could just get back to “the good old days” then everything would be great. Unfortunately, we are remembering a day that existed only on television. Why is this happening? I think in some large measure, it’s a reaction to all the radical newness we’re experiencing on the technical, political and economic fronts. Maybe we’re just maxed out. Back in the “good old days,” couples fought, stayed in miserable marriages and incest, rape, and child abuse occurred. Shameful girls got pregnant “out of wedlock” and newly-married couples had babies born “prematurely.” Don’t forget a large dose of widespread prejudice.
Yep, this is me in the good old days
It may seem strange for me to discuss the darker underbelly of our youth in the “Nostalgia” issue where prom gowns, retro gadgets and timeless tunes are featured. Nostalgia is a wistful, warm-fuzzy feeling that reminiscing can evoke - a bittersweet longing for people, places or things. Let’s face it. We all long to return to a time when things were simpler and easier to deal with than the realities we face as adults. Because many of us have no childhood memories of bad things was simply because they were kept hidden from us - not because bad things didn’t happen. Certainly, life was different back then. We were young and strong and thought we would live forever. Triggering that same feeling through a song or a smell brings a flood of nostalgia for our youth. I can close my eyes and the smell of fresh cut grass makes me feel like I’m 10 years old and it’s the first day of summer vacation. Heavenly. Nostalgia for better days is understandable. Think about it. Picture it. Rewind it. Inhale it. Just don’t become blinded by a dreamy vision of a simpler, happier, idyllic “golden age” of the way things always were.
It is one of the paradoxes of American literature that our writers are forever looking back with love and nostalgia at lives they couldn’t wait to leave. ~ Anatole Broyard
E-mail me: lsukle@pressandjournal.com
Menno Haven is a nonprofit retirement community providing care for the elderly in a charitable spirit and is committed to providing equal housing for all.
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SOCIAL SECURITY
Q&A By John Johnston Social Security Bureau
I’m getting married later this month and plan to change my name. What documents do I need to apply for a new Social Security card with my new name? Answer: To change your name for any reason in Social Security’s records, and on your Social Security card, you’ll need to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship (if you have not previously established it with us) or immigration status. You’ll need to show us evidence of your legal name change by showing us documentation of your old and new names. Such documents could include a court order for a name change, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or Certificate of Naturalization. Finally, you’ll need to show us proof of identity. All documents submitted must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. RETIREMENT: My father receives Social Security retirement benefits, and I will be in charge of his estate when he dies. Should that occur, do I need to report his death to Social Security or will benefits automatically stop? Answer: When your father dies, please notify Social Security as soon as possible by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Another person, such as a spouse, may be eligible for survivor’s benefits based on his record. Also, we might be able to pay a one-time payment of $255 to help with funeral expenses. We suggest reading a copy of our online publication, How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies. DISABILITY I have been getting Social Security disability benefits for many years. I’m about to hit my full retirement age. What will happen to my disability benefits? Answer: When you reach “full retirement age” we will switch you from disability to retirement benefits. But you won’t even notice the change because your benefit amount will stay the same. It’s just that when you reach retirement age, we consider you to be a “retiree” and not a disability beneficiary. MEDICARE I can’t find my Medicare card and I need a replacement. Do I need to come into the office? Answer: You can get your Medicare card replaced without leaving your home. Just go online to www.socialsecurity.gov/medicarecard and get your new Medicare card sent to your home. Simply fill out the requested information and you’ll get your new Medicare card within 30 days; it will be mailed to your address on record. If you need temporary proof of Medicare coverage, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to request a letter and you will receive it in the mail within 7 to 10 days. If you need immediate proof of your Medicare coverage, please visit your local Social Security office.
■ LEGAL ISSUES
Important legal documents for our caregivers By Jan L. Brown, Attorney at Law As we age, it is important to plan for when we may need some help. Many of us took care of our parents in an age when accessing information, whether it was through a bank or from a doctor, was fairly easy. Now though, that is not the case. It is illegal for someone to obtain another’s person’s financial information and there are laws in place forbidding hospitals and doctors from sharing healthcare information. When someone wants another person to have access to such information, a legal document must be in place. That document is called a Power of Attorney and it specifically assigns or names someone (called an agent) who can have access to financial information and who can take legal action regarding financial, legal and healthcare issues. There are two types of Powers of Attorneys (POA), one for financial and legal issues and the other for healthcare issues. The Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA) allows the agent (normally the spouse and then a trusted child) to
handle financial issues and legal issues. These issues range from paying our bills, depositing checks, filing insurance forms, signing legal documents to handling financial transactions such as retirement withdrawals. In addition, depending upon how the document was drafted, an FPOA may allow the agent to take advantage of tax savings opportunities and also allow the agent to take steps to shelter assets from nursing home costs. Without an FPOA, no one can legally perform any of the above actions. Each person should have an FPOA even if they are married, as a spouse does not have the legal right to take the above actions; those rights must be assigned in a legal document. The Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPOA) allows someone to handle our healthcare issues ranging from talking with our nurses and doctors, deciding on our care treatments, obtaining medical records for second opinions, hiring home health aides to choosing our hospital, assisted living or rehab facility. There are privacy laws that doctors and hospitals must adhere to and a properly drafted HCPOA addresses those privacy issues so the agent (caregiver) can obtain healthcare information. Normally, a Living Will accompanies an HCPOA to address end
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Jan L. Brown and Associates is a law firm founded in 1993 to help seniors and their families. The firm has over 37 years of combined experience and exclusively practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and estate administration. Elder law addresses the legal issues of seniors,
their families and those who care for them including protecting assets from nursing home costs and qualifying for nursing home benefits. Estate planning includes Wills, Powers of Attorneys, Living Wills, Trusts, Tax Planning, Special Needs and Guardianships. The information presented is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice as every client and situation is different and requires specific review and analysis. If you would like an appointment, please call (717) 541-5550. Home visits, evening and weekend appointments are available.
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Practice Exclusively In: • Estate Planning & Probate: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Tax Planning, Special Needs Trusts
Attorney Jacqueline Kelly
•••• My name is John Johnston and I am a public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration. Every month I get questions from people all over Pennsylvania on all aspects of the Social Security program. I offer this column to share some of those questions and answers with the readers and to strengthen their understanding of Social Security. To contact Social Security by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov
of life care. The FPOA and HCPOA allow the persons that we have chosen to take the actions they need in order to help us. Having these documents in place before an emergency is highly recommended. To sign these documents, we must have capacity, meaning we understand the documents, the impact of the documents and the powers of the document. It is always better to have these documents in place before a healthcare crisis, better for us, our loved one and our caregiver.
• Elder Law: Protecting Assets From Nursing Home Costs, Qualifying for Benefits, Incapacity Planning
845 Sir Thomas Court, Harrisburg 17109
(717) 541-5550 www.janbrownlaw.com
Contact Barb Nusz 717-743-0515 or barbnusz@pressandjournal.com Like us on Facebook: Today at 50 plus
Attorney Christa Aplin
Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
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Top five tips for medication management It is hard to say just what makes one day more perfect than the other. One day can be sunny and clear and in every aspect fine, but only run-of-the-mill fine. The great thing about being a member of a species that lives longer than a mayfly, for example, is that most of us have an opportunity to have enough days and nights that we can compare one to the other, or at least note that one particular day has something that another lacked. Or, maybe I just have too much time on my hands. But, there it was. You just knew, in the way the rolling fields of timothy waved in the breeze on either side of Pumping Station Road, a scenic drive I normally would not normally take except as a detour. The new bridge going up on the main road pushed me to this longer route, and most days I’m glad of it, except when I’m rushed. I drove slowly, waving more impatient, and presumably more important, drivers around me, and ignored their scowls. I drove with the windows down, slowly enough to hear the breeze in the grass, and the rusty-hinge song of the redwing blackbirds. Nearby, a man on a riding mower buzzed his lawn, a flying circus of barn swallows dive-bombing the bugs he stirred up. He seemed oblivious to the acrobatics of the birds, intent on making each row perfectly straight. There’s a parable there, I think; sometimes we pay close attention to all the wrong things. But the day was too perfect for ponderous thoughts. Let the man keep his rows geometrical while a squadron of swallows filigreed the air. His loss.
Back home on the deck, a half mug of single malt at hand, I sat with my journal as the trees on both sides of the creek poured out cheeps and chirps, as their populations of songbirds held forth on their thoughts about the day’s proceedings, or on seed futures, or whatever they talk about at twilight, fidgeting from branch to twig, looking for a place to alight and settle as the shadows lengthen. The leafy treetops flared in the setting sun, their green growing deeper closer to the busy ground below. Deer stirred in their thickets, preparing to make their clockwork trek from here to there on ancient paths now intersected with paved roads, and the predators slipped out, stretched, sniffed the air seeking prey that is not quite fast enough. The leaves of the oak, hickory and maple waved coquettishly in the breeze, and I think I may have been a little drunk, but unsure whether it was the scotch or the day. I decided it was a little of both. When it became dark enough that I could no longer see to write, I put away the pen, closed the journal. The trees across the creek had been reduced to jagged outlines against the pewter dusk, the air pestered by a convention of grackles griping about this and that, as they do. Good smells drifted through the screen door from the kitchen, and I gathered up my things and moved indoors. The day wass gone, like thousands of others in my 60-odd years. A real keeper, too. Terry W. Burger is a freelance writer living in Gettysburg and the author of “Burger to Go,” which can be found at burger2go.wordpress. com and burger2goclassics@wordpress.com.
A
According to the National Institute on Aging and the Federal Drug Administration, seniors consume more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group. Many have a number of long-term chronic diseases and/or disabilities, making it necessary to need a number of different drugs. Unfortunately, many seniors have difficulties managing their medications. It is easy to forget a dose here and there. Some seniors cut pills in half or even forego taking their medication to save money. These decisions can result in serious health problems to the individual; but they also contribute to overall rising healthcare costs, hospitalizations, and avoidable hospital readmissions. Medication management training is an important part of overall accountable care. Here are some tips to improve patient medication management: Weekly pill organizer: Medicine organizers are a useful tool and reminder for seniors who take multiple medications daily. Dosing schedule: A hand-written or computer-generated spreadsheet to keep track of current medications is
useful for the patient, caregiver, physicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in care. Read labels carefully: Check to make sure that dosages have not changed and expiration dates are current. Electronic pill reminder: A slightly more expensive alternative is an electronic reminder. Several different kinds are available that enable reminders for medications and dosage instructions. Ask for help: Patients may need to ask for reminders from a reliable caregiver or family member to help them stay on track. Medication management is not only important to the health and wellbeing of patients; it is integral in the communication process across the healthcare continuum, and ultimately a driver in the reduction of overall healthcare costs. If you would like more information on medication management and how homecare, hospice, or virtual care can help you or your loved one, please feel free to contact Celtic Healthcare at 877.421.0917 or visit us online at celtichealthcare.com.
REALLY GOOD DAY
Let us help keep your aging loved one in their home–longer.
By T.W. Burger
877.421.0917 celtichealthcare.com Homecare
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With BAYADA Home Health Care…
“I was able to recover at home after my stroke.” – José S., Client
José S. with his BAYADA Nurse Kika Garcia-Awan
The Mid-Life Dimension by Brenda Tadych
I’m traveling through another dimension, a dimension beyond that which is known to Man. It lies between the pit of women’s cravings and the summit of her hysterics. Apparently, I missed the signpost warning me that this was up ahead. It snuck up on me. It is an area which we call Menopause. Technically in my mid-life stage, I’m not doing too badly. I pass physicals, have good blood pressure, and no heart problems. I put my treadmill to good use, and am a consistent blood donor every eight weeks. I do not, however, have the body I used to, the one that could bounce to high impact aerobics, kickbox, and dance in high heels for hours. Although I’m still young at heart and certainly don’t act my age all the time, my body knows differently. There is a plentitude of physical distress that ails my body from time to time. Arthritis is not necessarily a product of menopause, but I was painfully stricken with it simultaneously. I never know which limb or digit will put forth the agony of the day. There are mornings when the pain in my lower back has me take my first steps hunched over like my ancestral chimps, eventually progressing to upright Homo Sapien. My high heels rest in their boxes sad and forgotten, dreaming of dance floors gone by. I wonder if the pain in my hip is arthritis. Is it from falling on the ice during the Blizzard of 1996? From using it to push open swinging doors during my waitressing days? From bumping it into vending machines to get my potato chips that were stuck on the edge of the coil? I have taken good care of my skin all my life, and I employ antiaging products religiously. As I was meticulously examining every pore on my face some time ago, I discovered one abnormally long hair on my chinny-chin-chin that was thicker than normal. My pores are fairly large, but they’re not made for yanking pieces of hay through them. I scrupeously check for these facial invaders, but “gone today, here tomorrow” aptly describes how that works out for me. Perhaps my body kicks into some strange metabolism overdrive that causes spontaneous sprouting. I find that even after thorough pluckage has been completed, in another mirror, under different lighting, I may still find one that got away and wonder, ‘How long has it been there?’ Worse yet, ‘How many people saw it and said nothing?’
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A creature out of Stephen King’s world must diffuse into my abdomen every few weeks, gnawing and clawing its way through my entrails. It has had me scrounging through the medicine cabinet in a desperate search for relief, hoping there is still Vicadin left over from that root canal three years ago. “The Change,” they call it. I can think of more applicable names like “The Excruciation,” or “The Insufferable.” I will be the first to admit that I have M&M&M’s: Maniacal Menopausal Moments. I do, on rare occasions, fly off the handle for no particular reason. I once verbally bludgeoned a telemarketer with language and volume that would make a drunken sailor proud. That’s one phone number that’s never shown up on my Caller ID again. I wonder if the UPS delivery man heard that conversation and that’s why he never knocks when he delivers a package. He just drops it on the porch. In my defense, astrologically, Uranus was conjuncting Pluto when I was born, so an occasional emotional explosion is to be expected. Despite consuming lots of carrots, my eyesight is on crutches called Progressive Lenses. I got them at the same time printers around the world began using smaller print. I have three possible levels of strength with my lenses, but with the tiny print so popular nowadays, the glasses have to come off sometimes so I can hold the printed material three inches from my face to bring it into focus. I used to make fun of a former boss for having to take his glasses off to read small print. Wasn’t the point of having bifocals and trifocals so that you could see what you were looking at as long as you looked through the correct area? Damn printers. Alas, I continue to journey through this wondrous land of Mid-Life. I, like the pastor and author Charles Swindoll, am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. As long as there are potato chips nearby, I should be OK. Even with the downside of mid-life, I don’t want to rush through it. I can barely see that next signpost up ahead, but I think it reads “The Golden Years.” I’m in no hurry to get there. Brenda Tadych is a lifelong resident of Dauphin County, currently residing in Middletown. She can be contacted at sumthin2say@hotmail.com.
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Thinking of moving to an assisted living community? During the past 10 years, assisted living has been the fastest growing sector of housing for seniors. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact that it has allowed itself to be shaped by consumer demands and it has learned to respond to their changing needs. Approximately 50,000 residents are served in assisted living communities throughout Pennsylvania. Generally, assisted living communities provide a combination of housing and supportive services for seniors who don’t need around the clock nursing care but who do require personal care and health services. Meals, laundry, housekeeping, transportation and social activities are typically provided along with individualized personal care and attention. Assisted living is a promising housing option for seniors because it offers choice, maintains dignity and promotes the individuality of each resident. The biggest challenge in working with folks however is often the hesitancy in making the move. Many seniors live in denial of their current situations and will often fight and struggle to remain in their own homes – often at the cost of their own safety.
Families and the senior population should be encouraged to start planning the move before a crisis situation occurs. Often a family in crisis, such as having a parent in the hospital, has difficulty getting into the community of their choice on short notice. Some tips to think about when considering a move: Step 1. Evaluate your needs with regard to the different types of communities and the care you need now or will need in the future. Decide the location you wish to live. Do you wish to be near your present home, near family, or in a warmer climate? Be realistic, as you look at the many options available to you. Know what expenses you will incur and determine what income and other resources you are able to dedicate to your housing choice. Step 2. Match the type of facility and care to your needs. Be sure to review carefully the specific contracts offered by each community. Step 3. Visit all facilities. Make a scheduled visit and have a meal there. Go back unannounced to visit again. Ask a lot of questions. Source: Columbia Cottage Assisted Living Communities
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Caring for aging parents
As more people are living longer, more children are taking care of their aging parents. If you are concerned with caring for your parents, your first step should be to openly talk to them and help them realistically assess their living situation. Here are some specific issues to discuss: • Are your parents eating well, exercising appropriately, and getting enough social contact? Proper nutrition, exercise, and socializing go a long way to eliminating or reducing many of the medical and psychosocial problems associated with aging. Encourage participation in favorite hobbies and activities. • Is their living environment safe? Many older Americans are injured in or around their homes, and many of these injuries could have been avoided by correcting common hazards. You can create a safer home by removing clutter and objects that can be tripped over and installing handrails
on staircases. • Are your parents prepared financially? A complete review of their financial situation will help identify potential problem areas. Reviewing their financial information before a medical situation happens will reduce the chance of any surprises. • How is their mental and physical health? Monitor your parents closely for changes in mental and physical health. Forgetfulness is common as people age, but if their lack of memory affects their day-to-day safety, it could be a larger problem. Caring for aging parents can be very stressful. Recognize that you will also need support in order to avoid burnout. To cope with the stresses, consider joining a caregiver support group, explore resources available through your work, share responsibility with other family members, and consider services provided by home health care.
STRUGGLING WITH AGING?
Let Columbia Cottage replace the challenges of today with a carefree tomorrow! Enjoy the friendship and laughter by making Columbia Cottage your new home! Call Christine Horn Today!
717-832-2900 103 N. Larkspur Dr Palmyra Rt. 322 E. Behind Bruster’s www.columbiacottages.com
Assisted Living At Its Best! JUNE • JULY 2012 | •Today at 50+
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Get out & explore
Boost your spirits and your brainpower with an outing focused on learning. Why watch it on the Discovery Channel when you can see it for yourself? While the weather’s mild, enjoy one of these quick trips: Explore history. Stroll back in time in one of more than 850 neighborhoods nationwide designated as Preserve America communities for their commitment to protecting and celebrating local culture and customs. Find one at preserveamerica.gov or call 202-606-8523. Tweet with the birds. Spend an afternoon birding and you’ll not only learn to tell a robin from a rosebreasted grosbeak, you might also drop your blood pressure a notch or two. Visit the National Audubon Society at getoutside.audubon.org or call 1-800542-2748 to locate regional and rare bird-watching hot spots near you. Go wild. Take a daylong wildlife sightseeing tour or a ranger-guided overnight in a national park with the National Park Service. Go to nps.gov for more information and trip-planning tips. Travel Tips Don’t let incontinence keep you home. Take these steps to enjoy your trip - worry-free!
Amy J. Shaffer • Locate public restrooms ahead of time using an online tool from the National Association for Continence. Find it at nafc.org/bladder-bowelhealth/find-a-bathroom. • Pack a bag with incontinence products, a plastic bag for disposing of used products, a change of clothes and wipes. • Talk with your doctor to make sure travel is advised, and ask about triggers - beverages and foods that can prompt a need to urinate.
Sales Executive Aetna Medicare Central Pennsylvania
ShafferA@aetna.com Tel: 717-512-4071 Fax: 717-732-1248 We’ve seen the resurgence of flared jeans, Jackie-O sunglasses and even turntables. Take a step back in time to rekindle your own nostalgic memories as you find yourself “Growing Up” again.
Reprinted with permission from Aetna Medicare’s Healthful Magazine
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Transporting with ease improves quality of life Submitted by American Home Medical There are times when an illness or accident leaves someone without the ability to get around on their own. Transport and companion wheelchairs are used to transport a person from place to place with ease. These wheelchairs are lightweight, fold and store easily in the back seat or trunk enabling caregivers the ability to get their loved ones out of the home to enjoy time with friends, take trips to church, shop, or for medical visits. A transport wheelchair is designed to be propelled by another individual, and are similar to the ones used in hospitals when a patient is ready to be released. They typically have four small wheels but there are styles available with two large wheels in the back and two small wheels in the front. They are equipped with a brake for the caregiver to lock behind the wheels. They usually weigh 22-26 lbs.
with seat width ranging between 1626 inches or more. The back folds down, the legs come off, and the arms on some are removable to ease lifting and storage problems. The weight of the user is an important consideration. Regular transport chairs usually support 250-300 lbs. However, there is a chair that has a 450 lb. weight capacity. Almost every wheelchair manufacturer has a line of transport wheelchairs, so there is a lot of variety. There are three types of chairs: standard, lightweight, and heavy-duty. The frames come in several different colors. The prices range from $99 to $2000 and can be purchased at durable medical equipment companies. Remember transport chairs are for the caregiver to push, not for the loved one to propel themselves. Medicare and insurance does not cover this item but can be a low cost alternative to the more expensive power wheelchair or mobility scooter.
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Nostalgia Like us on Facebook: Today at 50 plus
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Catching some of the retro wave of “Mad Men”
4. Vintage Cocktails: Retro Recipes for the Home Mixologist by Amanda Hallay 5. Cocktails/Cocktail party Invitations from www.zazzle.com
Old objects. New ideas.
1.
C D Player with AM-FM Radio and Turntable by AutoRama
◆ New version of an old classic 6 Speed Ladies Bike by GMX $289
2. Predicta Debutante™ TV by Telstar 3. AM/FM radio by The Design Town
Alas, everything old is new again
One of the remarkable things about at truly timeless design is how readily it can be adapted to contemporary settings.
◆ Rollicking resurgence
◆P inball wizards unite
The future as seen from the past and the past as seen from the future.
New versions of old classics
6. Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair
$4,500 www.hivemodern.com
7. Classic Red Modern Shell Chairs
(Set of 2) $169 www.overstock.com
Reinterpreting the past never goes out of fashion. In the midst of today’s utilitarian design, there has been a return to the familiar comfort of 20th century design for everything from furniture to electronic equipment. And since history has a habit of repeating itself, retro cocktails such as Manhattans and Martinis are suddenly in vogue. If you have fond memories of pinball games and the roller derby, there’s an effort to reinvent and reinvigorate the games for a new generation. You never have to say goodbye to the ones you love.
Roller Derby is back with a vengeance in the form of Steel City Derby Demons and others - coming to a city near you! www.steelcityderbydemons.com
Relive the sights and sounds at PinFest held in Allentown www.pinfestival.com (Photo: Classic King of Diamonds pinball from Retro Pinball LLC)
◆ Dial “R” for retro
Go old school with your cell phone The Retro Phone Handset $19.99 www.thinkgeek.com
It was clear-cut.
Who can forget that one special night when girls expressed their personal style in movie-star worthy gowns.
You either had a date and went to the prom, or you stayed at home...alone. It was
While teenagers attending the prom in the early 1900’s wore their Sunday finest, there was no pressure to buy a brand new dress for the occasion.
still a measure of your
memories
Several respondents to our Facebook inquiry noted they wore hand-me-down or borrowed prom gowns. Thrifty Karen Shorey and her date, Mike (now her husband) wore the same formal wear two years running - 1968 and 1969 (see their photos in album on page 14).
popularity. Prom time brought a wave of anxiety
In contrast, a recent survey showed that more than half of teenage girls now spend more than $400 on a prom dress for the big event. Couture gowns, tanning sessions, professional hair and makeup and limos contribute to the mini wedding feel of prom. This year’s prom price tag could easily top $1000.
as you asked yourself the question: Will I be going
to the prom or not?
Regardless of how you feel about the direction of today's proms, we can all agree they've become an expensive milestone. It's reassuring to know that used prom and other formal dresses are now being collected and made available for young women who otherwise would not be able to attend their high school prom or other formal events through The Princess Project and the Glass Slipper Project.
1977 I invited him, he was a freshman in college. I couldn't afford a new
dress, so I wore an aunt's 10-year-old bridesmaid dress. The drug store lost the film, so no pictures, and he tried to get "fresh" on the way home, so all in all, not my most successful high school moment. ~ Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh
1969 Dating a boy from LD [Lower Dauphin] - hand-me-down dress from friend with a bunny fur wrap - had to be altered - after prom we went to 230 Diner for pie and soda! ~ Cheryl Hoerner
Remember it all?
It was everything a prom night could be: Horrible. Heavenly. Awkward. Wonderful. Bizarre. Stressful. Readers shared their memories and photos and we found a treasure-trove of photos in the publisher’s Middletown High School yearbook collection.
1972
Special thanks to RoseAnn Reedy (‘77 prom photo above), Pam Smith (‘72 photo at right),and Karen & Mike Shorey (‘68 & ‘69 album photos).
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| JUNE • JULY 2012
1957 Went stag to my senior prom at the insistence of my boyfriend who was a graduate of Middletown but was in the Navy. He couldn't go with me because in 1957 only juniors and seniors from Middletown were allowed to go to the prom. We did go to the Patterson Club formal my sophomore year. It was OK to take a guy in the Navy to that dance, but not the prom. I still have the picture of this skinny girl and the guy in the Navy uniform. P.S. didn't stay long at the prom. By the way, I married that Navy man in August 1957 and stayed married until his death in 2008. ~ Judith Childs Souders 1968 Borrowed a flowered print prom gown from a neighbor girl, and went to the prom with my boyfriend, we will now be married 42 years, sometimes high school relationships and dreams do come true. ~ Mary J. Hawk
1953 1965
1957
1971 1948
I made my dress. Looking back on it, we looked very "Brady Bunch" ~ Chris Donofrio 1970
< 1972
A group of us, all childhood friends and family, attended the prom together. It was a great time, especially since it was probably the first time some of us had seen each other in formal wear. My "date" (my cousin) didn't have a driver's license, so I drove. ~ Pam Leeser Smith Visit our website: www.todayat50plus.com
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Once you told me long ago To the prom with me you’d go No w you’ve changed your mind it seems Someone else will hold my dreams
It's that one special night in spring when girls in floorlength gowns and boys in rented tuxes awkwardly pose for photos they will come to either treasure or trash. A rite of passage for generations of American teenagers for nearly a century, the high school prom marks the first formal event of our lives.
~ A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation) lyrics by Marty Robbins, recorded 1957
1973
1953
A SHORT HISTORY
16
Pom
Today at 50+
| JUNE • JULY 2012
Benjamin Graybill & Elaine "Susie" Morley - 1950
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High school proms were not always the ritual of pomp and pageant dresses we're familiar with. In the 1800s, The Promenade was a college dance for students designed to emulate high-society debutante balls - a formal, introductory parade of the graduating class at a party.
1965
By the ’20s, The Promenade shortened to The Prom and jumped to the high school social scene and spread across the country. Even during the Great Depression, the prom remained a rite of passage for teens.
During the thriving post-WWII economy of the ’50s, prom went from Sunday best to evening dress. The big dance was usually held in the school gymnasium decorated with crepe paper and balloons and nearly always featured a live band. The late ’60s and ’70s weren't a great time in prom history. Many teenagers were more interested in the Vietnam War and civil rights and resisted anything revered by their parents and grandparents. One exception: In 1975, Susan Ford, a high school student in McLean, VA offered to hold the prom at possibly the best location ever - the White House. It helped that her dad was President Gerald Ford. Proms returned with a vengeance in the ’80s and in many ways became a serious exercise in conspicuous consumption. Despite the fact that families are still struggling financially, today's proms have become expensive, all-night affairs, with after-prom activities often extending into the dawn of the next day. Stretch limos, designer dresses, and glamorous ballrooms are now prom-night standards.
1957 1948
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It was a beautiful late spring evening when the 17-year-old girl stepped to the plate at the softball field. And as she walked to the cage, bat in hand, music blared from a grossly over-powered public address system. It was her song. Hand picked as a personal introduction to the crowd, just like they do at the Phillies games. This was her statement about who she was. Her music. It’s what spoke to her. Madonna? Kanye West? Jay-Z. Nah. How about Dean Martin? “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore…” Yeah, that was my daughter five years ago. Sara’s a chip off the old block. She shares my love of music. And like me, she doesn’t care what style it is, as long as it’s good. Over the years I’ve watched her amass a collection of CDs that spanned most of the 20th century - Billy Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Fun and Lady Gaga. But it’s not just Sara. Vintage music shares the spotlight with the cutting edge in dance clubs, advertising, and television. Contestants in American Idol and The Voice are belting out classic country and Motown. A review of songs performed on FOX’s megahit musical show Glee shows a heavy reliance on tunes from days gone by – “Respect” (Aretha Franklin) “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (REO Speedwagon) “Young Girl” (Gary Puckett and the Union Gap) and “Sing, Sing, Sing” (Louis Prima). So, what’s going on here? This would be like me listening to Perry Como or, well, Dean Martin. And that wasn’t happening? My ’60s-’70s generation did not rub musical elbows with the ’30s and ’40s sounds, with the exception of bluesmen like Robert Johnson. Too bad. We would have learned a lot about the roots that gave birth to our heros - Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.
By comparison, today’s generations seem different, more willing to embrace their musical history. Nostalgia plays a part, sure. Sara grew up listening to my Van Morrison and Jackson Browne recordings at home. Her grandparents introduced her to Frank Sinatra, Dino, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tony Bennett. “I listen to them because it’s good music … [and] they paint a picture of the time they were from. It’s almost like traveling back in time for three minutes when you listen to it.” Charlotte Crater, a 20-something from Lebanon, says the older songs carry happy memories for her. “Every time I hear one I am able to remember being 6 and running around the house singing while my dad plays the guitar.” Katie Jenkins, a 34-year-old who grew up in Middletown, is a hardcore fan of ’60s-’70s classic rock. Her favorite: Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow LP. “This will make me seem old,” she said, “but I don’t download music. Ever. I need to hold it in my hands.” John Christopher, a veteran musician from the Hershey-Palmyra area, thinks the older music has more to say than much of the pop music of today. When he asks younger people to give him an example of an “oldie,” they usually offer up something from the ’60s or ’70s, he said. And when he asks what their answer would be 20-30 years from now, it’s the same. “WHY?” he asked. “Because songs from that era, had substance. They still do. Songs of today lack substance. It’s much easier to distinguish a song from our era than it will be to distinguish a song from today’s era.” Dan Valley of Middletown agrees. He doubts that acts like Pit Bull or LMFAO will be able to sell out concerts five years from now. “However,” he wrote in a Facebook post, “Bonjovi or ZZ Top, AC/ DC ... The music from my generation, and many, many more not named can still sell out a lot of venues. Why is that the case? Now that’s worth pondering.
Others, responding to a Facebook question, raised similar observations. Today’s music, they believe, is vacuous, unimaginative, loop-driven drivel. Of course that’s not true – Lady Gaga, Adele, The Roots, Eminem, Modest Mouse, Porcupine Tree, and many others are exploring new forms and themes. And if anyone thinks all of the music from the ’60s and ’70s was inspired, I have two words for you – “Muskrat Love.” No, there’s something more at play here. Could it be availability? Purists, like Katie, may not like downloading music, but she can’t deny that the digital revolution has made going back in musical time easier than ever. Internet radio sites like Pandora and Spotify with their massive music libraries make it possible to call up just about anything ever recorded. If you can think of a song, you can probably find it online. I listen to an Internet station called Wildman Steve Radio (wildmansteve.com.) Steve revels in the album rock I grew up with, and deftly serves up some of the era’s most esoteric artists - Captain Beefheart, Wishbone Ash, and Seatrain. The bottom line, however, is quality. It’s in the ear of the beholder, but the key that seems to keep a song alive through the years is its connection to the listener. Music, says Mick Gasm, a musician from Middletown, is one of the most intricate and complex art forms. It all adds up to how it makes you feel, he said. “That’s the power of music,” he said. “It’s timeless.” Lara Brenkle, a former journalist from the midstate, sees a continuing link between the music of the future with the past. It’s not who sang the song or when, that matters, she said, it’s the messages and the melody that captures us. “That’s why everything that’s old will eventually be new again.” Garry Lenton: 717-944-4628, or glenton@pressandjournal.com
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HarperCollins Publishers
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She says she’s not leaving until I tell her what a “QR” code is!
WINNER: SUE ANN DU FFY of E
n WON gift ce ola rt 2 adults and ificateS for Pirates on t 2 kids for the he Pride Cr uise, plus - 4 voya ge passes
did she or didn’t she THE PERFECT COUPLE
They look like this ➜
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Here is a quick introduction: QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone.) Your cell phone needs a QR code reader. It takes literally one minute for someone with an iPhone or Android phone to find and install the reader. Your cell phone reads the code and can Scanning this QR code will take you take you directly to website links and Facebook directly to the Today pages without having to type in the address. at 50 Plus website.
by Garry Lenton
Today at 50+
Just when you thought that all of the Elvis books had been written--along came “BABY LET’S PLAY HOUSE-The Women Who Loved Elvis” by Alanna Nash. What’s left to tell? Plenty according to the women who knew him in various roles - lover, sweetheart, friend, costar, and family member. Based largely on exclusive interviews, Nash explores Presley’s love affairs ( Ann-Margret, Cybill Shepherd, Priscilla Beaulieu) as well as the women who dared to turn him down (Cher, Petula Clark and Karen Carpenter.)
Have you heard of QR codes yet?
When Arthur Conley sings “Do you like good music?” on Sweet Soul Music, the resounding response is “Yeah! Yeah!” Forty years later, new fans are saying “Yeah! Yeah!” to retro music. Why? Because it’s good.
18
BOOK review
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Did the plastic queen’s heart really belong to Ken, or was she secretly wrapped in the brawny articulated arms of GI Joe?
Care to OFFER YOUR OPINION?
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Beware of “Grandma Scams” By Jim Lewis for TODAY at 50+ The voice at the other end of the phone called her Grandma. Said he was in jail. Drove to a baseball game in another state with a friend, had a drink or two and was stopped by the police, who found a gun in his car. The voice needed $1,800 for bail or he’d spend the next two days in a cell. Wire the money, he begged her. And please don’t call his parents. He didn’t want to upset them. He knew her grandson’s name. Knew the city where he lived. But he refused to answer her questions. The name of the jail. The town he was in. The Swatara Twp. grandmother loved her grandson, and wanted to help. But was this her grandson? She hung up and reported the call to the township police. Turns out it was a scam. Her grandson hadn’t been arrested, didn’t go to jail, didn’t need money. She had been the target of what law enforcement officials call the Grandparent Scam, a phone and e-mail fraud unleashed on senior citizens across the country. The FBI has received complaints about the scam since 2008, with more than 60,000 complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission in 2010. The scam seems to be making the rounds again recently. A Frederick County, Md., couple lost $3,800 a couple weeks ago, money they wired to a caller who claimed to be their grandson. He had ended up in a Mexico prison while attending a funeral for a high school buddy, he had told them. Seniors from Connecticut to California have reported losing thousands of dollars to scammers since 2011, taking advantage of grandparents’ love for their grandchildren and their savings. Sometimes the scammers call people randomly, using phone listings or marketing listings and beginning their con with, “Hi, Grandma,’’ or “Hi, Grandpa,’’ hoping you have a grandchild, according to the Consumer Federation of America, a Washington, D.C. consumer protection agency. The crooks then spin a tale of a misadventure in another country, or another state, that led to their arrest and need of bail, and ask for money to be wired to a prison or courthouse or lawyer, the federation says. Often a second crook gets on the phone, posing as a sheriff’s deputy or court-appointed lawyer, telling you where to wire money – and to do it quickly. Recently, cons have mined Facebook and other social networking sites on the Internet for information that makes their scam more believable – names of grandchildren and other family members, or vacation plans detailed by unsuspecting posters on their Facebook walls, according to the FBI. Once you wire the money, it’s gone – you can’t get it back, the FBI notes. Scammers use fake IDs when they arrive at the Western Union or MoneyGram to collect the money, so they can’t be traced, according to the Consumer Federation.
What should you do if you get a call that you think is a scam?
The average number of friends per user on Facebook.
• Report the incident to the FBI or your local police. To protect your family from computer-savvy scammers, make sure you don’t post your travel plans on your Facebook site, or any other social media site you use, authorities suggest. Come up with a code word that family members can use in case of an emergency, to signal to other family members that your call is legitimate.
20
Today at 50+
| JUNE • JULY 2012
1 in 4
Chance that an American over 65 has no natural teeth
1 trillion
$
By 2020, healthy living will be a trillion dollar business.
With almost two million citizens over the age of 65, Pennsylvania has the third highest percentage of seniors in the nation. Because senior citizens are favored targets for many kinds of fraud, con artists are very active in Pennsylvania. To learn more about senior crime prevention visit www.attorneygeneral.gov
• Ask questions that would be hard for a scammer to answer correctly, such as the name of a family member’s pet, the Consumer Federation suggests.
• Never wire money on a request made over the phone or by e-mail, authorities say.
Numbers: 130
• Resist the urge to act quickly, the FBI says.
• Try to contact your grandchild or another family member before you send money to determine if the call is legitimate, the FBI says.
LET’S DO THE
Just the
Fact: Visit our website: www.todayat50plus.com
1
#
4:10 84%
Baby boomers are the 1st generation in American history in which the majority have obtained at least some form of higher education.
The time on the clock tower of Independence Hall on the new hundred dollar bill
Percentage of total long-term care hours that are provided by unpaid caregivers
40%
Older women are more than twice as likely as older men to live alone (40 percent and 19 percent, respectively)
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30 Number of seconds a new lawsuit is filed on average.
69.3% 41.8%
Overall decline in voting.
voting in 1964 voting in 2010 JUNE • JULY 2012 |
Today at 50+ 21
So what exactly is this cloud I keep hearing about? One of the new buzz words in the computer world is “the cloud.” But what exactly is the cloud and do you need or even want to be “in the cloud.” Well in case you were wondering, you have probably been “in the cloud” for years. (Yes, you can insert your own joke here) In the most basic of terms, cloud computing refers to any resources and applications that are available on the Internet from any Internet connected device. For example, Web mail is an aspect of cloud computing. If you use Web mail services like Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail and so forth, your e-mail is considered “in the cloud” because you can access it from any device with Internet access. That’s different from, say, POP mail where your e-mail tends to be accessed and downloaded to a single computer and erased from the server once you have it.
In the broader sense, cloud computing is used to describe any and all applications and services hosted and run on servers connected to the Internet – servers and applications that end users (you and I) do not have to maintain or support. The services provided range from the aforementioned Web mail to fee-based services such as Carbonite or Mosey, which lets you back up your data to a remote server. Imagine a situation where all your data, including pictures and documents, would be available to you no matter where you are just by accessing the Internet. That is what the cloud offers to all of us. In the end, “The Cloud” is simply The Internet. And as time marches forward more of what we do and how we do it will happen in The Cloud.
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| JUNE • JULY 2012
Marci’s
When is the right time to downsize?
MEDICARE
ANSWERS
● Dear Marci,
I know that usually Medicare covers outpatient mental health services at 60 percent. How does Medicare cover inpatient mental health services? —Sarah Dear Sarah, Your out-of-pocket costs are the same in a psychiatric hospital as they are in any hospital. Part A covers the cost of your care after you meet the $1,156 deductible in 2012. You can get inpatient mental health care either in psychiatric hospitals (hospitals that only treat mental health patients) or in general hospitals. Your doctor should determine which hospital setting you need. If you receive care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare helps pay for up to 190 days of inpatient care in your lifetime. After you have reached that limit, Medicare may help pay for mental health care at a general hospital. If you enter a psychiatric hospital within 60 days of being an inpatient at a different hospital, you are in the same benefit period and do not have to pay the deductible again. A benefit period begins the day you start getting inpatient care and ends when you have been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. —Marci
● Dear Marci,
I have high drug costs but my income is too high for Extra Help. What can I do? —Doug Dear Doug, Good question. Remember, you should apply for Extra Help even if you don’t qualify because some income is disregarded. However, if you know you don’t qualify for Extra Help, there are other programs that can assist you. Many states offer a state pharmaceutical assistance program (SPAP) to help their residents pay for prescription drugs. Each program works differently. Many states coordinate their drug assistance programs with Medicare’s drug benefit (Part D). If you do not have Part D, but qualify for your state’s SPAP, you will have the chance to sign up for Part D, and you may be required to enroll in a Part D plan. If a drug is covered by both your SPAP and your Part D plan, both what you pay for your prescriptions plus what the SPAP pays will count toward the out-of-pocket maximum you must reach before your Medicare drug costs go down significantly. Your SPAP may also help pay for your Part D plan’s: • premium • deductible • copayments; and/or • coverage gap. (Many SPAPs give you coverage during the Part D prescription drug coverage gap, or doughnut hole.) Many states have reduced their SPAPs in 2012, so they may not offer all of these services. However, SPAPs can still be valuable in helping you pay for high drug costs. Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to see if you qualify for your state’s SPAP. —Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@ medicarerights.org. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.
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Cooking
Corner
with Marlene Catalano Brown Spring is here, which means more gorgeous sunny days are on their way. We all want healthy, delicious dinners without spending a lot of time in the kitchen and I am sharing a recipe that always works for me. This is a very simple Sicilian dish that I have been making for years. My children are grown with children of their own, but when they were growing up, it was the only way that I could get them to eat broccoli.
Pasta with Broccoli 12 to 16 oz. of your favorite pasta (I recently started using Ronzoni Smart Taste Penne Rigate to make the dish a little healthier) 1 lb. frozen petite broccoli florets (or fresh if you prefer) 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ½ cup Romano and Parmesan cheese Salt, pepper & garlic powder Hot pepper flakes Cooking Directions In a sauté pan with lid, put approximately 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add 1 -2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes, spread around pan, then add broccoli. Place lid on pan and let broccoli steam - you want it to stay bright green. Cook pasta according to package directions. Always add salt while pasta is cooking. Drain pasta, add remainder of olive oil, pepper, garlic powder and salt to taste. Your cheese is salty, so you won’t need a lot of extra salt. Add broccoli to pasta and you are ready to eat. I like to serve this with a simple green salad and a bunch of red grapes. All of these colors gives this meal a beautiful presentation. As you know “We eat with our eyes first.” ,
Marlene Catalano Brown is a Central PA freelance photographer and has written “My Way” - a collection of recipes and photos which can be purchased at Bookworm Bookstore, West Shore Farmer’s Market, Midtown Scholars, downtown Harrisburg and Hornings Linglestown. Contact Marlene at mcatbr545@aol.com or 717-545-3232 or visit her website www.marlenescreativeexposures.com.
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The answer: Now is the right time. For many people, the “I’m not ready” response actually means “I can’t even think about getting ready to move.” If you equate downsizing your home to losing 50 pounds, you didn’t accumulate the weight overnight and you can’t lose it overnight either. Below are some tips that you can begin to implement today, even if your move isn’t for a few years. Remember, the key to downsizing is not getting to the finish line, but to start the process! Make up your mind to get started. Think about all the benefits you will have by downsizing. Less stuff means less to clean and maintain. Less stuff also means less stress and more time for your favorite things. Start early and give yourself plenty of time. This process is highly emotional, so give yourself time to laugh at old pictures or read old letters and work at a pace that is comfortable to you. Start with the rooms you use the least. If you start the process in rooms that aren’t used often you can avoid cluttering up the areas that are used regularly and feel less overwhelmed. Start with the largest items in the room first. If you start with the largest items in the room you will feel like you are making more progress. For example, figure out what you are doing with the furniture before you worry about the knick-knacks.
Create a sorting system. Create groups like Keep, Sell, Donate, Give Away & Toss and find some way to identify the items during the sorting process like making piles, using stickers or making a detailed list. Keep sorting sessions short. Plan to sort for no more than two hours at a time. You will feel less overwhelmed and make better decisions if you take regular breaks. Stop holding on to your kids’ stuff. Tell them it’s time to collect their items and give them a deadline. You may be surprised how much they are not willing to store for themselves! Consider passing your family heirlooms on now. Identify those things that you want certain family members to have and pass them down now. You may even experience seeing your family member use the item and know they will enjoy it after you are gone. Get help. If it is too much to handle on your own, hire a company that provides downsizing services. These companies can help with organizing and sorting and some can even recommend places to auction or donate items. Anyone that has gone through this process can tell you that it is not easy. However, when the task is completed, most feel it was an exhilarating and freeing experience. Most have even wished they would have done it a long time ago! What are you waiting for?
Orchestrate a retirement that hits all the right notes!
Enjoy a harmonious lifestyle in a comfortable,
maintenance-free home with wellness amenities and excellent healthcare available—all at Bethany Village’s convenient campus. Call 717-766-0279 to schedule a tour!
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325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
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WE’VE LAUNCHED
our NEW web site will HAVE stories AND educational features PLUS BLOGS AND CONTESTS targeted to Dauphin and Cumberland countIEs’ Kids Over Fifty.
to learn more about our PUBLICATION’S unique educational advertising format Contact BARB NUSZ at 717.743.0515 or barbnusz@pressandjournal.com
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