May 2017
Your resource for senior living in the Susquehanna Valley and neighboring communities.
Pursue holistic approach to retirement planning PAGE 3
Five steps to take to be your best at any age PAGE 6
Local World War II vet included in recent book PAGE 10
Connecting those retired with new and exciting adventures.
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
When is the right time to stop driving? Courtesy of North American Precis Syndicate
Staying on the road to safety may be harder for many elderly drivers than they realize.
The danger According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, senior citizens account for only 9 percent of the population but almost 14 percent of fatal traffic accidents. As people age, their driving patterns change. Retirement, different schedules and new activities affect when and where they drive. Although most older adults drive safely because they have a lot of experience behind the wheel, when they are involved in crashes, they may be hurt more seriously than younger drivers. Many see driving as an important part of staying independent, and people 70 and older tend to keep their licenses longer and drive more miles than in the past.
What to do Elderly drivers and the people who care for them should have a trusted doctor check their eyes and reflexes to determine whether they should be driving anymore. If it seems a driver you care about should be off the road, listen to his or her concerns and feelings on the subject. Explore the possibilities. Are there solutions that could keep him or her driving safely longer, such as getting new glasses or only driving during the day? Try to arrange for alternative transportation so he doesn’t feel trapped at home. If she sells her car, remind her of the money she’ll save on insurance and maintenance — which can be used for buses and taxis. Having this talk may not be easy but you could save a life. For a checklist of which incidents indicate an older person or parent should stop driving, visit www.accidentattorneys.org.
LOOK AT THAT! Call 570-387-1234, ext. 1325, with your photo ideas or e-mail photo@pressenterprise.net Evangelical 5x11.crtr - Page 1 - Composite
Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Take holistic view of retirement planning Courtesy of Family Features
Although retirement is a milestone for all working adults, decades of hard work may not pay off if you haven’t planned for your financial needs once a regular paycheck stops coming. According to research by the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI), millions of Baby Boomers stepping into their retirement years have unrealistic expectaFamily Features/Getty Images tions and lack a full under- Experts generally concur that it’s never too early standing of the danger of running out of money dur- to begin planning for retirement, but depending on your ing retirement. However, stage of life, your approach may vary. the challenges do not stop proach may vary. Consider aside some money to save. with Baby Boomers. A re- this advice from the experts Compound interest adds up cent study indicated 47 per- at IRI to get on a path to- over time and the earlier cent of Gen-Xers and more ward financially secure re- you start compounding, the than half of Millennials be- tirement. better. Credit will also start lieve a secure retirement is to play more of a factor in Student beyond their reach. your life, as major expenses “Most people recogForming good money like buying a house or car, nize the need to grow their habits can set you up for a or starting a business rely wealth before retirement, lifetime of success. An act greatly on your credit. but getting there isn’t al- as simple as putting spare Mid-career ways a clear path,” said change in a jar can help you Cathy Weatherford, IRI start saving. Talk to adults At this stage, your empresident and CEO. “Start- you trust about how to cre- ployer may offer a reing early and taking a ho- ate a budget and work to- tirement savings plan. listic approach to financial ward a financial goal. Auto Whether you have various planning is truly essential insurance and cell phone investments to manage or for a safe and dignified re- bills are important expens- not, you should start to look tirement.” es to factor into your bud- at your building your portExperts generally con- get. folio and retirement plan. cur that it’s never too early This mid-career life stage is Building a career to begin planning for rea good time to set a retireOnce you have a solid ment savings goal, and now tirement, but depending on budget, stick to it and set is also the time to consider your stage of life, your apGriswold 2x4.5.crtr - Page 1 - Composite hiring a financial advisor. A professional can help you explore less understood but worthwhile approaches to holistic retirement planning such as annuities.
Annuities are essentially insurance contracts that come in different types and offer several options to meet a variety of financial objectives. They are a guarantee of income as you age.
Late career At this stage, you probably have a better idea as to when you will be able to retire, but it’s important to review your savings on an annual basis and make adjustments, if needed, to stay on track. As you approach retirement, you’ll want to research Social Security, Medicare and long-term care options to ensure you have a comprehensive view of your future finances.
Ready for retirement If you haven’t already done so, the time has come to better research your Social Security benefits (and when it’s best to start accessing them), Medicare coverage and long-term care options. This is the time to start making some choices, such as whether you will downsize your home and how to eliminate as much debt as possible. One of the more complex aspects surrounding retirement can be determining which of your accounts to tap and in what order, and a professional can help guide you. Explore more resources and tools to aid your retirement planning at retireonyourterms.org.
~ Offering Transitional Services ~ You may ask what are “Transitional Services?”
3 Are you looking to downsize? 3 Do you need to place a family member in assisted living? 3 Are you an Executor or Executrix to an estate?
Transitional Services can help in any of the above scenarios. Kim (Autotore) and Dennis Williams are extremely qualified to assist you with your needs. They will discuss your options on how to help you disperse of any household items, vehicles, farm machinery, whatever your circumstance is. With over 40 years in the business our goal is to give you friendly, professional, experienced service to make this transition less stressful for you.
Call Kim (Autotore) Williams for your FREE No Obligation Consultation.
Call 570-204-0719 or email Kim at kimsauctionservice@hotmail.com
Guest Columnist
Nottingham Village is creating the way seniors want to live
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ince 1977 when our very first Nursing Center resident walked through the doors, Nottingham Village, a family-owned senior living community, has provided exceptional care for area seniors. Our ever-growing campus has met the needs of our residents when their needs Judi change. Our independent retirement homes, independent or personal care apartments, Heather Court and skilled nursing and rehabilitation center have met hundreds of families needs’ with compassion. 2017 brings even more “new beginnings” with the construction of Phase IV of our retirement Country Houses on Hampton Way. A spacious floor plan with many upgrades, oversize twocar garage and closets galore afford area retirees a first step towards their planning for the future. With people living longer, a changing memory diagnosis is becoming more and more common. Ground was broken in 2016, and we are right on schedule with our brand new Heather Court for memory care. A completion date at end of summer will offer
custom-designed suites in a neighborhood setting. Those familiar with how lovely the campus is at Nottingham Village appreciate the attention to detail we always offer. Elimination of challenging hallways and offering private dining and activity areas are just a few of the well thought Karr out amenities. Centrally located between three area hospitals, our 105-acre country location has beautiful views and a feeling of privacy. When Nottingham Village realized that we had outgrown our current memory care area of 28 beds, we hit the drawing boards, and we can soon offer 48 beds in a beautiful new residence. At Nottingham Village, we strive to offer the best and most compassionate care to all our residents and guests. Judi Karr is the marketing director at Nottingham Village Senior Living Community, 60 Neitz Road, Northumberland. For more information, call her at 570-4732360. The views expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of Press Enterprise Inc.
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Why do people feel colder with age? regulate body temperature. It’s imperative that people speak with their doctors to rule out any medical conditions or medication issues that may be contributing to their feelings of being cold.
Courtesy of Metro Creative Graphics
As people age, many report feeling chilly even when the temperature outside is warm. Studies have shown that older people are more likely to have slightly colder body temperatures than their younger counterparts. Feeling cold can be the result of the natural aging process, or it may be symptomatic of a medical condition. Understanding the reasons behind chilliness can help people take proper action. Aging adults can feel cold for various reasons. As people age, their metabolisms slow down, leading to decreased energy. During times of low energy output, one can feel cold. The American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health suggests that individuals with slower metabolisms may not produce enough heat from their own bodies to stay warm. Circulation issues also may be a concern. As people age, the walls of their blood vessels may lose their elasticity, negatively affecting circulation as a result. Vasoreceptors also may no longer be as quick to direct
Metro Creative Graphics
More steps to take
The following are some It’s not uncommon for additional steps aging men older adults to feel colder. and women can take to stay blood vessels in order to constrict to keep body temperature up. Inadequate fat storage may also be a contributor. Older people generally have less subcutaneous fat stores and muscle mass, both of which can insulate their bodies from cold weather. As a result, they may have trouble regulating body temperature. Exercise and healthy eating may help remedy this situation. Certain medical conditions or medications may be to blame, too. SUNY Upstate Medical University offers that some drugs, like beta blockers, can decrease heart rate, which can reduce circulation to the extremities. High cholesterol levels can impair blood flow. Hypothyroidism, or an underperforming thyroid, also can affect a person’s ability to
RELAX ...We Can Help! The Trust Department can bring peace of mind to you and your family as you plan for the future.
warm. • Make sure you are at a healthy weight for your gender and age. • Get the cardiovascular system pumping by exercising more. • Layer clothing until you feel comfortable so that you are not adjusting the thermostat as frequently. • Wear a vest to keep your chest warm to prevent heat being drawn from the extremities. Often the body will sacrifice heat in the hands and feet to keep its core warm. • Invest in wool socks and blankets, as wool will help wick away moisture from the body. Feeling cold is usually nothing out of the ordinary when a person gets older. Fortunately, there are ways that older men and women can stay warm.
Columbia/Montour Aging Office, Inc.
A Private Non-Profit Organization Providing services to adults over 60 years of age to help maintain their independence and remain in their own homes and communities. SERVICES OFFERED:
n Assessments - For Personal Care/Nursing Home Placement and In-Home Care. n Care Management - Continuous follow up & provision of in-home services n Family Care Giver Support Program - Assistance for the Care Giver. n Waiver Program/Nursing Home Transition Program - Alternatives to Nursing Home Placement n Care Transitions - helping to connect the dots from inpatient hospitalization to home n Ombudsman - Investigation of complaints at Personal Care & Nursing Homes. n Protective Services - Investigation of cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
For more information on these or other services please contact us at:
702 Sawmill Road, Bloomsburg, PA
Hours: 8am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday Business hours phone: (570) 784-9272 • Toll Free 1-800-598-5001 For Emergencies after business hours, please call (570) 784-0828 or Toll Free: 1-866-448-0141 Senior Centers Benton (570) 925-6533 • Berwick (570) 759-8529 Bloomsburg (570) 784-8615 • Catawissa (570) 356-2219 Montour Co. (570) 275-1466 • Wilburton #2 (570) 339-1386.
Our local, reliable and caring professionals in the Trust Department of First Columbia Bank provide the following services: Act as the executor of your estate in the handling of your final affairs. Preserve, grow, and administer your assets for the benefit of your loved ones or a charitable organization. Serve as your Financial Power of Attorney. Manage your personal assets for you. Call the Trust Department and see how we can help. connect with us!
Benton • Berwick • Bloomsburg Buckhorn • Catawissa • Elysburg Lightstreet • Millville • Orangeville Scott Township • Wal-Mart®
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Not a Bank Deposit
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Every step of the way. Member FDIC
Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency
Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Eat healthy at 50 and beyond they attempt to stay healthy • Active lifestyle: between 2,400 and 2,800 calories into their golden years. A balanced diet is an When choosing foods to Women integral element of a eat, the NIA recommends healthy lifestyle for men, • Not physically active: eating many different colors women and children alike. 1,600 calories and types of vegetables and But while kids and young • Somewhat active: 1,800 fruits. Phytochemicals are adults might be able to get substances that occur natucalories away with an extra cheese• Active lifestyle: between rally in plants, and there burger here or there, men are thousands of these sub2,000 and 2,200 calories and women approaching 50 stances offering various benMen have less leeway. efits. The Produce for Better • Not physically active: Health Foundation notes According to the Nation2,000 calories that a varied, colorful diet al Institute on Aging, simply • Somewhat active: be- incorporates lots of differcounting calories without tween 2,200 and 2,400 calo- ent types of phytochemicals, regard for the foods being which the PBH says have disconsumed is not enough for ries ease-preventing properties. The NIA also advises that men and women over 50 make sure at least half the grains in their diets are whole grains. Numerous studies have discovered the Now Accepting various benefits of whole New Patients grains, which are loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. Whole grains have been shown to reduce the risk for diseases such as type 2 • Diagnostic hearing tests diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. • Cutting edge digital technology Another potential hur• Complete Hearing Healthcare, including dle men and women over 50 free batteries, supplies, and office visits may encounter is a change in their sense of smell and • Professional service from doctors of audiology taste. A person’s sense of • Interest-free financing for those who qualify smell may fade with age, Kristin D. Hale CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT! and because smell and taste Au.D., CCC-A are so closely related, foods Most insurances accepted, including Medicare and Geisinger Health Plan Doctor of Audiology Owner enjoyed for years may no longer tantalize the taste 2201 Fifth St. Hollow Road, Bloomsburg • (570) 784-8050 buds. That can be probwww.acehearingcenters.com lematic, as many people instinctually add more salt to foods they find bland. According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, older adults should consume no more than 1,500 milliSE RV IC E S P R O V ID E D : grams of sodium per day. That equates to roughly 3⁄4 teaspoon of salt. Older men and women should resist the temptation to use salt to add flavor to foods, instead opting for healthy foods that they can still smell and taste. In addition, men and women should mention any loss of their sense of smell A ttorney M arissa B .M arshall,C E L A to their physicians, as such A ttorney M arianne E .K reisher,C E L A a loss may indicate the presC are C oordinator H eidi E .You ng ,M SW LAW O FFICES O F ence of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Maintaining a healthy diet after 50 may require C ALLTO DAY some hard work and discipline. But the long-term benefits of a healthy diet make the extra effort well worth it. Courtesy of Metro Creative Graphics
A team of expertsto help
men and women 50 and older to maintain their long-term health. Rather, the NIA emphasizes the importance of choosing low-calorie foods that have a lot of the nutrients the body needs. But counting calories can be an effective and simple way to maintain a healthy weight, provided those calories are coming from nutrient-rich foods. The NIA advises men and women over 50 adhere to the following daily calorie intake recommendations as
Seniorsand their Fam ilies
~ L ife C are Planning ~ A sset Protection ~ M edicaid Q u alification ~ E state Planning ~ SpecialN eeds Planning ~ E state A dm inistration
K reish er & G regorow icz 5 70-784 -5 211
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Guest Columnist Let your voice ring out
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ince the end of could possibly happen. December 2016, Gov. Question: what studies Wolf has proposed have been done to ensure a big consolidation of the this will be in the best departments of Human interest for every citizen Services, Agin our coming, Health monwealth? and Drug and One thing is Alcohol. It for certain…no would become more cabinet Pennsylvania’s seat for aging. “super agenNo more sitcy” of all time. ting next to the This proposal governor and would take efspeaking out fect on July 1, on the needs 2017. of older adults. Good or Aging would Kathi Lynn bad? You need fall under a to make up your own deputy Secretary for Agmind and let your voice ing and Adult Community be heard. It is said the Living, who would report purpose of this “super to an executive deputy secagency” is two-fold. First, retary, who would report it would save $90 million. to the Secretary of Health Second and most imporand Human Services, who tant is to make a no wrong would report to the govdoor or a one-stop shop. ernor. It should be noted The place where no one that by 2022, more than 20 will get lost in the system percent of Pennsylvania’s while trying to secure ser- population will be age 65 vices. The first question or older. Where’s the cabiyou need to ask yourself net seat when you need it? is... who is getting lost The new “super agennow and will bigger make cy” will have a staff of it better? The second ques- approximately 18,000, of tion is... where is this sav- which only 95 will be from ings found and how does it the Department of Aging. relate to aging programs? Is that equivalent to getOnce under the Deting lost in the crowd? partment of Welfare, the To date, there have Pennsylvania Department been several hearings of Aging was created on both the Senate and by law in 1978 to estabHouse level. All results lish a cabinet-level state are the same….no detail agency that had a seat at as to who will be in charge the governor’s table. The and, up until now, no Pennsylvania Lottery was detail on how the “super established and remains agency” will operate. the only lottery in the Wait and see could United States where all be fatal... let your voice revenue goes to aging pro- ring out NOW! Contact grams like PACE, rent/ your senator, representaproperty rebate, sharedtive and governor today ride and other home and and let them know your community based servic- thoughts. es. No tax dollars are used in the operation of aging Kathi Lynn is director programs. of the Columbia/Montour Information on the con- Aging Office Inc. solidation was released The views expressed on a website on April 25. in this column are those I urge everyone to look at of the writer and do not www.governor.pa.gov/hhs necessarily reflect those of and begin to digest what Press Enterprise Inc.
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
How to be your best at any age Guest Columnist Enjoy summer concert season right and pack the earplugs
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ringing earplugs to minimize hearing damage that next concert is by wearing earplugs or other ear protection. more than a good We hear sound when idea, it should be a must. delicate hair cells in our Research shows that earinner ear vibrate, creating plugs not only help music nerve signals that lovers avoid postthe brain underconcert “ringing in stands as sound. the ears” (tinnitus), But just as we can but also the tempooverload an electrirary hearing loss cal circuit, we also that comes after can overload these exposure to loud vibrating hair cells. music or noise. Lauren Loud noise dam“Temporary” hearGromel ages these delicate ing loss quickly hair cells, resulting in senadds up, with repeat noise sorineural hearing loss and exposure leading to permanent hearing loss — and often tinnitus. The cells that are the first to be damaged there’s no cure for that. or die are those that vibrate Luckily, earplugs are most quickly — those that pretty easy to come by. Disposable earplugs made allow us to hear higher-freof foam or silicone usually quency sounds clearly, like the sounds of birds singing can be found at your auand children speaking. diologist’s office or local If you have to shout pharmacies. They’re practical because you can still over the noise to be heard hear music and conversa- by someone within arm’s tion when they’re in your length, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. ears. But when they fit Here are the warning signs: snuggly, they’re effective • You have pain in your in adequately blocking out dangerously loud sounds. ears after leaving a noisy area. Your audiologist can • You hear ringing or provide more sophisticated buzzing (tinnitus) in your earplugs or custom ear protection that is crafted to ears immediately after fit each unique ear. Custom exposure to noise. • You suddenly have diffiprotection ensures a proper, culty understanding speech optimal fitting each time, further reducing the risk of after exposure to noise; you can hear people talking, but unwanted noise exposure. can’t understand them. An audiologist also can Repeated exposure to provide a hearing test to determine your baseline hear- loud noise, over an extended ing level and if you already period of time, presents serious risks to hearing health. have any hearing loss. For For more informathe vast majority of people tion on hearing loss, how with hearing loss, professionally fitted hearing aids hearing aids can help or to schedule a hearing (now smaller, sleeker and evaluation, call The Hearmore high-tech and effecing Place at 570-759-1113 tive than ever) can help. and visit their website at Loud music isn’t the www.hearingplace.net. only summertime risk to Lauren Gromel is an hearing though. Prolonged exposure to lawn mowers, audiologist with The Hearing Place in Berwick. power tools, motorized The views expressed recreational vehicles, in this column are those target shooting, sporting of the writer and do not events and fireworks can necessarily reflect those of potentially damage hearPress Enterprise Inc. ing. But you can avoid or
Courtesy of Brandpoint
They say you’re only as young as you feel, and if you’re an older American, the ability to feel young a little while longer is always appealing. Having a youthful state of mind goes a long way toward accomplishing this goal, but you can’t ignore the importance of solid physical health. To improve your physical and mental health and prove age is just a number, apply these five tips from Mayo Clinic today. • Find the perfect interval. If you’ve never participated in high-intensity interval training before, here’s a compelling reason to start. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found highintensity aerobic exercise actually reversed some cellular aspects of aging. The research also found that the exercise improved muscle proteins, enlarged muscles and increased energy levels. • The benefit of brain games. A sharp mind is every bit as important as a healthy body, and exercising your brain can be a lot of fun. Spend time learning new things on the internet, enroll in a class for that craft you’ve always wanted to master, go out with friends or sit down and play a board game. All of these activities can greatly improve your mental health. For example, a Mayo Clinic study found playing games decreased a person’s risk of mild cognitive impairment by 22 percent making this enjoyable activity healthy as well. • Supplementing your health. Health supplements should never completely replace whole food offerings, but they may offer you real health value as well. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, supplements may be ideal for vegans and vegetarians or those who consume less than 1,600 calories per day. People with a condition affecting the way their body absorbs nutrients and those who have had surgery on their digestive tract should also speak with their doctor about supplements that may improve their overall health. • The importance of sleep. A good night’s sleep
Brandpoint
With aging comes new challenges and the need to be more vigilant in maintaining your overall well-being. offers health benefits at any age, but getting enough rest can be more difficult as you get older. To get a better night’s sleep, review your medications with your doctor to see if anything is impacting your rest. You should also try to limit your daytime napping (just 10 to 20 minutes per day is best) and avoid alcohol, caffeine
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or even water within a couple hours before bedtime. • Focus on your sexual health. This topic may not be as widely discussed as your physical or mental health, but it is no less important. Men should talk to their doctors about their lessening testosterone levels, which drop about 1 percent per year after age
30. Women may experience a similar drop in estrogen levels as well and should consult their doctor for treatment options. Don’t be shy about discussing sexual health issues with your doctor, from STDs to annual checkups, having a thorough understanding of your current sexual health — and what you need to do to protect or improve it — will benefit every other part of your life. With aging comes new challenges and the need to be more vigilant in maintaining your overall well-being. By incorporating some of the tips above from the experts at Mayo Clinic, you’ll make sure the best years of your life are still to come. You can learn more about improving your health at any age through the advice offered in Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging, or visit www.mayoclinic.org/ healthy-lifestyle for more healthy lifestyle ideas.
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• CPR, AED, and
FIRST AID TRAINING • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens • Fire Safety
Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
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Average life expectancy varies across globe Life expectancy is defined years a person in a specific ed to live if mortality rates as the average number of country or region is predict- were to remain steady in the future. Factors that can impact life expectancy include the availability of healthcare in a given nation, genetics, infectious diseases present and even political unrest. The average life expectancy has grown in most developed nations over the last couple of centuries. In the 1800s, infant mortality drove down life expectancy numbers. However, many people still reached nearly Stop By For Free 60 years of age. More than REFRESHMENTS – GIFTS – DRAWINGS 200 years later, many people now live well into their 80s. Providing All Your According to the World Home Health Care Needs Health Organization, 71.4 • Wheelchairs • Walkers years was the average life • Colostomy Supplies • Canes & Crutches expectancy at birth of the • Commode Chairs • Portable Oxygen Units global population in 2015. The organization routinely • Oxygen Concentrators • Scooters • Stair Lifts analyzes health and longev• Manual or Electric Beds • Seat Lift Chairs ity trends around the world, 24 HOUR OXYGEN and many nations boast imMAINTENANCE AND SERVICE pressive life expectancies Geisinger Health Insurance Accepted from birth. Countries that Medicare Approved...We do the paper work have some of the highest life expectancies include but are not limited to the follow3081 Columbia Blvd. (Next to Plaza House) ing (numbers indicate life Rt. 11, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 expectancies as of 2015): www.bloomsburgmedicalsupply.com • Australia: 82.8 • Austria: 81.5 • Belgium: 81.8 • Canada: 82.2 • Chile: 80.5 • Cyprus: 80.8 • Denmark: 80.6 • Finland: 81.1 • France: 82.4 • Germany: 81 • Greece: 81 • Iceland: 82.7 • Ireland: 81.4 • Israel: 82.5 • Italy: 82.7 • Japan: 83.7 • Luxembourg: 82 • Singapore: 83.1 • Switzerland: 83.4 • United Kingdom: 81.2 • United States of America: 79.3 Certain nations in Africa, including Chad and Nigeria, have low life expectancies, with ages in the mid-50s. Healthy eating, routine C ottag es medical visits and exercise can increase life expectanPersonalC are cy. Access to medications that treat chronic illnesses A partm ents can also increase life expecM em ory C are tancy and improve quality of life. Reducing risk factors Sen io rLivin g Co m m u n ity R ehabilitation for illness, including quitSkilled N u rsing ting smoking, avoiding illegal drugs and moderating alcohol consumption, also |w w w .No ttin gha m Villa ge.o rg can increase life expectancy. Courtesy of Metro Creative Graphics
Celebratin
BLOOMSBURG 35 Yea g rs MEDICAL SUPPLY o f Service
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E njoy senior living at its finest
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Guest Columnist Why does certification matter for Certified Elder Law Attorneys?
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the law that may impact ertified Elder Law their clients now or in the Attorneys (CELAs) have frequently been future. By making sure that the lawyer you select is referred to as the “gold standard” for elder law and certified, you’ll be assured that your needs are met by special needs planning. A a highly-qualified CELA is certified and professional by the National individual. Elder Law FounA CELA can dation (NELF), a assist her client non-profit orgawith nursing nization devoted home issues, asset to developing protection, estate and improving planning, estate the professional tax and gifting, competence of Marissa disability planlawyers focused Marshall ning, power of in elder law and attorney/living wills and special needs planning. much more. A CELA recThe CELA certification is the only approved elder law ognizes that every client’s certification recognized by personal circumstances the Pennsylvania Supreme are unique and require an individual plan, as opposed Court, and its rigorous to a “one size fits all” aprequirements ensure that proach. A CELA plans for the certified attorney has the specialized expertise to the future potential needs of a client so that if a need handle these complicated arises, such as care in the issues. There are only two home or nursing home and CELAs in Columbia and Montour counties, Marissa how to pay for the same, B. Marshall and Marianne the client is prepared. CELAs bring a different Kreisher, and there are only 53 CELAs in Pennsylvania. perspective to the delivery of services to their clients. To obtain certification, They are familiar with the attorney must have professional and non-legal the years of experience necessary, a demonstrated resources and services publicly and privately substantial involvement in elder law/special needs, available to meet the needs of those older individuals and pass a rigorous dayand those with disabilities. long written exam which By choosing a CELA, you has historically had a pass can be assured that you rate of 30 percent. Most importantly, to obtain certi- are receiving expert advice fication, the attorney must from an individual who has demonstrated her comundergo a review by peers mitment to YOU, the client. and colleagues regarding Attorney Marissa Marthe attorney’s reputation shall is a CLEA and assofor ethical and competent ciate at the Law Offices of representation in elder law/special needs planning. Kreisher & Gregorowicz in Bloomsburg. She specialA CELA has an indepth, working knowledge izes in Medicaid and asset protection planning and of the legal issues that provides home, hospital or impact the elderly and nursing facility visits. She disabled. CELAs are comcan be reached at 570-784mitted, through certifica5211. tion, to maintaining and The views expressed improving their profiin this column are those ciency, through continual of the writer and do not practice, continuing legal necessarily reflect those of education and continued Press Enterprise Inc. awareness of changes in
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Find right volunteering fit as older adult to help others. Imparting just offering professional wisdom learned in your advice. Many parents feel in• Don’t downplay the professional life can provolving their children in vide a sense of purpose significance of certain volunteering at an early age and even make you feel as opportunities. Volunteercan have a profound, longthough you are still active- ing opportunities come in lasting impact on their kids. ly involved in the industry many variations, and each But youngsters are not the where you built your profes- is significant in its own only ones who can reap Metro Creative Graphics sional reputation. But life right. Coaching a grandgreat rewards from volunFinding the right volun- experience can also prove child’s soccer team can have teering, as studies show invaluable in volunteering as significant an impact on that men and women at, be- teer opportunity can make all opportunities. Mentoring the people you help as other yond or approaching retire- the difference for older men programs give volunteers volunteering opportunities. ment age also benefit great- and women who want to give the chance to help young Volunteers offer their time ly from volunteer work. people, and such opportuni- because they have a passion back to their communities. Research from the Corties can involve more than to help others, and that help poration for National and nity that best utilizes their Community Service found skills and experience. • Know your schedule. that more than 20 million older adults contributed Older adults who are still in excess of three billion working but want to volunhours of community ser- teer may have a firm grasp vice time each year from on their schedules, but even 2011 to 2013. The reasons retirees should not overeswhy older adults volunteer timate how much time they are varied, but in its 2014 have to volunteer. Before survey the AARP’s Experi- you begin to look for an op“I like it here because I’m ence Corps found that 97 portunity, write down your close to my son and his family. percent of its volunteers in- commitments and daily And now I have my ‘Vintage dicated that their volunteer schedule, using this list to Knolls family’ as well.” work with the organization determine how much free - Marjorie Walker gave them a sense of pur- time you have to volunteer. Vintage Knolls resident Some opportunities require pose. Older adults who want to greater time commitments volunteer but have little or than others, so make sure Call today for a no history with volunteer- you know just how much complimentary ing might not know where time you can devote to an to begin with regard to opportunity before signing lunch and tour! finding the right opportu- up. • Give due considernity. The right fit can make all the difference for volun- ation to your experience. teers and the people they Older adults who have rehelp, and the following tips tired or are on the cusp of might help older adults as retirement have a lifetime www.vintageknolls.com of1 experience they look DACC for an2x4.crtr opportu- Page - Composite they can use Courtesy of Metro Creative Graphics
570-275-1824
41 Woodbine Lane, Danville
can be given in a myriad of ways. • Leave time for the rest of your life. Volunteering is a selfless act, and volunteers are the backbone of many successful charitable organizations. But older men and women should leave time for the rest of their lives as well. Retirement should be fulfilling but also include time for recreation, so don’t downplay how important hobbies are to you in an at-
tempt to find more time to volunteer. No retiree wants to grow resentful of his or her volunteer work because it leaves little time for other pursuits, so do your best to balance your charitable endeavors with the other things in life that matter to you. Finding the right volunteer opportunity can make all the difference for older men and women who want to give back to their communities.
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Selling life insurance policy is worth mulling For many older Ameri- ance policy can be a lifesavAs reported in The Wall cans, selling a life insur- er, fiscally speaking. Street Journal, many retirees are struggling to afford recent increases in their life insurance premiums. This can be especially painful for those seniors who were already unprepared for retirement. According to the Government Accountability Office, households with members between 65 and 74 years old PreScript-Ease is an have retirement savings innovative and patented worth about $649 a month. multi-dose packaging One option to consider if you can no longer afford system that makes it easy your life insurance premium to take your medication. is a life settlement: the sale Each blister pack contains by the owner of a life insurance policy to a third party 28 individual blisters that for an amount greater than contain your prescribed its cash surrender value and medication for a specific less than the death benefit. The seller of the policy gets a time (morning, noon, cash payment. The buyer of evening, bedtime) and date. the policy assumes all future premium payments and reStop in your local Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy ceives the death benefit upon to ask about PreScript-Ease today! the passing of the insured. Americans who are aged 65 or older leave more than Bloomsburg Berwick 1000 S. Market Street 145 East 9th Street $100 billion in benefits on the table each year by lapsing or 570-784-9582 570-759-1239 surrendering their life inHours: Monday thru Friday 9:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm surance policies. A survey by the Insurance Studies Institute found that 90 percent of those seniors would have considered selling their policies if they knew they had other options. There are numerous reasons to consider selling a life insurance policy, in addition to premiums being no longer affordable. • There is a need for resources to pay for health expenses and long-term care. • A term policy may be reaching the end of the coverage period. • The insured has outlived the policy’s beneficiaries. • A new policy may be a better personal or financial fit. Anyone considering a life settlement should first talk with his or her insurance, financial or legal adviser to explore all legal, tax and other consequences from selling the policy. For further facts, or to find a life settlement professional nearby who can help Serving the Bloomsburg area for over 24 years you look into this option and see if it makes sense for you, call (800) 664-9024 or visit the Life Insurance Set2701 Columbia Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg tlement Association (LISA) website: www.lisa.org. Courtesy of North American Precis Syndicate
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Guest Columnist
Who will be my executor?
O
ne of the greatest gifts you can give to your family is a clear understanding of your wishes and directives for distributing your property in a last will and testament, as prepared by your legal counsel. In addition, you must appoint an executor who you trust and have confidence in to carry out your wishes and directives. You may want to consider naming a corporate trustee like First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. as your executor rather than naming an individual family member or friend. This will allow your family and friends the opportunity to grieve and avoid the additional stress and responsibility in settling your final affairs. First Columbia Bank & Trust provides the added benefit of continuity of services to complete your estate administration. You may not have this assurance when appointing an individual as your executor, as he or she may predecease you, become incapacitated or may decline the appointment for personal reasons, including living out of the area. In appointing First Columbia Bank & Trust as your executor, you can feel confident that your estate will be administered in a timely, professional and objective manner in accordance with the wishes and directives stated in your will and the laws
Sheri Grozier of Pennsylvania. We provide all of the necessary professional services to complete your estate administration, which may include legal notices, income tax, inheritance tax and estate accounting preparation and asset management (i.e. real estate, personal property, business interests, bank and brokerage accounts, retirement, life insurance, etc.). To learn more about trust services, you may call Sheri Grozier at 570-387-7146 or email her at trustdept@firstcolumbiabank.com. Sheri Grozier is vice president and trust director at First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. The views expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of Press Enterprise Inc.
9
10 Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017
Bloomsburg WWII vet weathered storm Navy sonarman’s tale of Typhoon Cobra included in book By Shawn H. Stair
which became famous for sinking a Japanese submarine during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The DE-416 was 308 feet long and 38 feet wide. The relatively small vessel could do little in the face of such storm conditions. The wheel was tied down, and there was lots of praying and some panic going on. The crew’s greatest concern was being rammed by a larger ship. “Believe me, I was praying, and so were the men,” Donald said. “There were no atheists during the great storm!”
Press Enterprise Special Editions Editor
BLOOMSBURG — Imagine sailing through a storm with winds blowing up to 150 mph churning up waves as high as 90 feet. Picture your stormtossed ship crashing back into the sea and rolling from side-to-side up to 72 degrees, and all amid a driving rain with enough force to blast any exposed skin right off your body. Then consider that these brutal conditions lasted 36 hours while your ship passed through a dangerous war zone with an entire fleet of vessels, many much larger than your own, in close proximity. No ship was in control, regardless of size. Bloomsburg 91-year-old Dick Donald doesn’t have to imagine any of it. It’s part of his account of going through Typhoon Cobra while aboard a Navy destroyer escort during World War II included in “Their Stories Should Be Told,” a recent book by William F. McDermott. It was December 1944, and Sonarman First Class Donald, then 19, was serving on the USS Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416). His primary duty was searching for enemy submarines, having undergone training in Key West, Florida. On Dec. 18, Donald said, despite warnings from weathermen, Adm. William “Bull” Halsey Jr. ordered
Press Enterprise/Keith Haupt
World War II Navy veteran Dick Donald of Bloomsburg holds open the passage that includes a story he told about Typhoon Cobra in the recent book, “Their Stories Should Be Told,” by William F. McDermott. Donald was at the monthly veterans breakfast at Morris Family Restaurant in South Centre Township in April. the U.S. Third Fleet to sail directly into the storm. Called “the biggest and most powerful fleet in the history of the Navy,” it was positioned about 300 miles from the Philippines at the time. Halsey reportedly said, “If the Japs can’t beat me, neither can Mother Nature.” In the end, Mother Nature caused more damage than the Japanese ever did.
‘I was praying’ Typhoon Cobra, also known as Halsey’s Typhoon, has been described as the greatest storm in the
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history of the Navy. Donald said by the time it was all over, Cobra had claimed the lives of more than 900 sailors and caused the loss of more than 900 planes and three destroyers. The storm was so intense that it broke the bow off the USS Pittsburgh, a heavy cruiser. The lost destroyers included the USS Monaghan,
“Believe me, I was praying, and so were the men. There were no atheists during the great storm!” DICK DONALD Bloomsburg World War II veteran, on going through Typhoon Cobra on a Navy ship
the scattered fleet and make it into the harbor at Ulithi Lagoon in the Caroline Islands on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. Despite what those aboard had just been through, the ship was immediately put into dry dock. The crew was ordered to scrape and paint the ship from bow to stern. They started at 7 at night and worked until 5 in the morning, while the dry dock crew was celebrating Christmas with a Santa Claus, a tree, music and the possibility of torpedo juice (alcohol). In protest, the ship’s crew did not go to the Nawman’s Christmas dinner. “We were upset and wanted the captain to know,” said Donald. The Nawman was later among the 16 vessels sent to Pearl Harbor for extensive repairs. Upon arrival in Hawaii, one dry dock worker said the ship looked like a fly with its wings off.
Dashevesky somehow managed to keep a welder’s torch burning long enough to cut the guide wire and save the ship. But with the mast went the vessel’s communication and radar capability. ‘Lost at sea’ “We were lost at sea after the storm. They thought we Donald said many of the men tied themselves to their went down,” Donald said. bunks to ride out the storm, A working Christmas though he stayed topside on However, the Nawman the bridge where he thought was eventually able to renhis chances were better. On dezvous with other units of Please see NAVY page 11 the other hand, being cast overboard carried its own dangers in those shark-inSINCE fested waters. 1979 The DE-416 made it “You Deserve the Very Best” through, but not unscathed. All of its gun mounts were severely damaged or destroyed. Perhaps most significantly, the main mast snapped at its base and was bouncing off the hull, put201 West Mulberry St. ting the vessel in great danShamokin, PA 17872 ger. At his own peril, Sid Phone: 570-648-2761
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Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017 11
versity.
helped forge the “Greatest Generation” to fight WWII. Donald would go on to reenlist in the Navy, serve on a destroyer in the Korean War and eventually become a professor of education at Bloomsburg Uni-
Words of war While he is proud to be included in McDermott’s book, he is currently writing his own, tentatively titled, “Sailing to Hell in a Hard
War: Broken at Home.” He has about 250 pages done and hopes to be finished by the end of the summer. Shawn H. Stair can be reached at 570-387-1234, ext. 1300, or specialeditions@pressenterprise.net.
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Dick Donald of Bloomsburg, in the inset at lower right, is shown at age 18, when he was serving in the Pacific during World War II. His ship was the destroyer escort USS Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416). While Donald was aboard, the Nawman sailed through Typhoon Cobra, which has been described as the greatest storm in the history of the Navy. Donald tells of 150 mph winds and waves of 90 feet that would toss the ship and crash it back into the sea.
Navy Continued from page 10 The workers at a commercial dry dock sandblasted and repainted the entire ship, undoing the work the crew had done on Christmas Eve.
Heroic future POTUS As an interesting aside, one of the heroes of the typhoon was Lieutenant Gerald R. Ford Jr., who would go on to become the 38th
president. Ford was serving as a damage control officer on the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey. His efforts helped save his ship and fellow crewmen from a fire that broke out in the hangar deck. The blaze was caused by fighter planes that had broken loose and were crashing into each other and the ship’s bulkhead as the storm tossed the vessel around.
join the Navy as soon as he turned 18 and hoped to take part in at least one battle. He ended up serving in seven major engagements, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa, two of the greatest battles in history. In reflecting on his experience recently, he said, “One was enough.” Growing up in a house with one bedroom for eight people, Donald knew what it was to go hungry and what it meant to sacrifice. Life of sacrifice He believes the struggles Donald quit school to of the Great Depression
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12 Press Enterprise n Friday, May 5, 2017