55 Plus of Rochester, #06: November – December 2010 by 55 Plus: For Active Adults in Rochester

Special on Dating After 55: Finding Love in the Internet Era Downsizing Your Home: Four People Who Can Make it Happen

55 PLUS

Issue 6 November/December 2010

For Active Adults in the Rochester Area

INSIDE

Antiquing: Region Offers Great Options

A Publisher’s New Life At 58, George Ewing Jr. talks about his new life four years after he sold The Messenger Post Newspapers

Get Ready: A ‘Silver Tsunami’ Is About to Hit Us

a y b d e w o ll o f e b to ly e k Not li . s r e k ee s h p a r g to u a f o d w o r c But to us, she’s one of the most important people on earth.

Somewhere along the way, people forgot that being older should make you more important. Not less. But at St. Ann’s, we never forgot. So we do everything we can to provide seniors with exceptional care. We offer a complete continuum of services. We give our residents priority if you ever need the next level of care. And in everything we do, we apply old-fashioned values stemming from our roots in the Catholic tradition. So yes, our approach is somewhat extraordinary. But at St. Ann’s, we believe we’re caring for the most important people on earth. For more information, call Mary Ellen at (585) 697-6311.

www.StAnnsCommunity.com

THE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION RETURNS!

Kid’s Tickets

50% Off Excludes Fri-Sat evenings. Ages 5-12. Call for details.

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OnNovember Stage/ December Nov 26 - Dec 26 2010 - 55 PLUS

For our Special Guests 55 & older.

Senior’s Early Bird Special Monday thru Friday 2PM-4PM

Enjoy the Charm of a Quaint European Village in the Heart of Historic Canandaigua

Christkindl Market November 12, 13 & 14

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55 PLUS - November / December 2010

We Use

55 PLUS

November / December 2010

CONTENTS

SUBSCRIBE roc55.com Find Us Online at

11 HealthWatch 6-7 Your Finances 8 Financial Health 10 Golden Years 29 Aging 30 Long Term Care 36 My Turn 40 Last Page 42

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TO 55PLUS

Only $15. Check to 55PLUS P.O. Box 585 Victor, NY 14564

11 TRENDS

• Finding love in the Internet era — E-mailing, texting, instant messaging: Electronic media has changed the face of meeting others

14 HOBBIES • The ‘Dr. Nick and Gloria Showband’ — A love story between a nurse and an eye doctor, and a musical success among seniors

16 TRENDS • Get ready. The big ‘Silver Tsunami’ is coming

21 ANTIQUING • The area offers a wide range of possibilities when it comes to antique shopping

25 DECISIONS • Is it time to downsize? We spoke with four people who can make your job a lot easier

34 COVER STORY • George Ewing Jr. — A publisher’s new life

38 PROFILE • Former executive at Kodak excited with new life November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

HEALTH WATCH More Walking, Cycling Linked to Healthier Weights

mble, stroll or pedal: it’s all good. A n e w study provides evidence supporting a seemingly obvious — but unproven — link between walkingand cycling-friendly communities and lower levels of obesity. Researchers found that people are more likely to have healthy weights if they live in places where walking and cycling are more common. The link held up among nations, cities and U.S. states. The research does not prove that living in couch-potato land directly boosts a resident’s risk of being fat. Still, the study findings suggest, “It’s really important to promote

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walking and cycling as safe, convenient and feasible modes of getting around on an everyday basis,” said lead author John Pucher, a professor who studies transportation at Rutgers University. Pucher and colleagues analyzed statistics about walking and cycling for all purposes from 14 countries, including Sweden, Spain and Great Britain. They also looked at statistics about walking and cycling to work (it had to be the main way people got there) in all 50 states and 47 of the 50 largest U.S. cities. Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain had the highest levels of walking and cycling among the countries, with the United States in the bottom three with Australia and Canada. Among American cities, the highest rates of walking and cycling to work were in Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Minneapolis and Seattle. Lawrence Frank, an associate professor who studies transportation at the University of British Columbia, said the study findings reflect the results of previous research that shows the effects of exercise (or the lack of it) on health. “Physical activity is crucial,” Frank said. “If we keep designing communities in ways that make driving the more rational choice, we can expect health care costs to go up and quality of life to go down.”

55PLUS Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto

Associate Editor Lou Sorendo

Writer

Mike Costanza

Contributing Writers

Deborah Graf, Ken Little Amy Cavalier, Dean Lichterman

Columnists

Jim Terwilliger, Susan Suben Bruce Frassinelli Harold Miller, David Zumpano, Marilyn Pinsky, Dr. Eva Briggs

Advertising

Marsha K. Preston, Ann Hare Marlene Raite

Office Manager

Laura J. Beckwith

Layout and Design Chris Crocker

Cover Photo

Chuck Wainwright 55 PLUS –A Magazine for Active Adults in the Rochester Area is published six times a year by Local News, Inc., which also publishes In Good Health–Rochester–Genesee Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper.

Health in good

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How to Reach Us P.O. Box 525 Victor, NY 14564 Voice: (585) 421-8109 Fax: (585) 421-8129 Editor@GVhealthnews.com

HEALTH WATCH

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Five Things to Know About the 2010-2011 Flu Season

ast year’s flu season turned out to be less severe than initially feared, perhaps because the H1N1 scare made people more vigilant about flu vaccinations. Still, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 24,000 people in the U.S. die from the flu each year, and more than 275,000 were hospitalized from just the H1N1 virus last season. Now another flu season is upon us. And while the World Health Organization has declared an end to the H1N1 pandemic, the organization expects the virus to circulate for years to come and to continue affecting young people most severely. That means getting vaccinated against the flu is just as important as ever. It’s never been easier to get a flu shot when it’s most convenient for you: 1. One shot — Last season, millions of people were vaccinated twice — first for seasonal flu starting in September and later for the H1N1 virus. This year, only one shot is needed for protection against both seasonal flu and H1N1. 2 . Everyone 6 months and

older — For the first time, the CDC is recommending universal flu vaccination — with everyone older than 6 months recommended to get a shot, including pregnant women. 3. Never too early (or too late) — Flu shots were available early this year, with some retailers offering them in early August. A shot now will protect you all season long. Most retailers will offer shots through the spring, or while supplies last. Health experts agree: It’s best to get the shot early and be protected for the duration of the flu season, especially because flu season is unpredictable and no one knows when viruses will begin to circulate or when flu activity will peak. 4. More convenient than you think — Many local pharmacies offer flu shots. The price varies but usually are under $35-40. 5. Plentiful supply — According to the CDC, more than 160 million doses of flu vaccine have been produced. That’s more than ever before and a 40 percent increase over last year’s vaccine production, when shortages made it challenging for many to get a flu shot.

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55 PLUS - November / December 2010

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your finances

What is the Status of the Estate Tax? Legislation approved under President Bush is about to expire. Does it mean we’ll have to pay more estate taxes? By David J. Zumpano

n 2001, President Bush signed a major tax legislation that was implemented over a 10-year period ending January 2011. Under the law, the estate tax exemption limit was increased (from $1 million to $3.5 million) for the period between 2001 and 2009. The law, however, also provides that on Jan. 1, 2011 the estate tax law reverts back to what it was in 2001. We are rapidly coming upon Jan. 1, 2011 — will it revert to the 2001 levels? One thing we know for certain is what the current law states. On Jan. 1, 2011, the estate tax reverts back to the levels it was in 2001, providing for the individual exemption amount to fall to $1 million. Estates in excess of that amount will be subject to a confiscatory 55 percent estate tax. Interestingly, neither Democrats nor Republicans want the law to revert — but what will they do about it? There have been many bills in Congress over the last 10 years to make permanent the law as it provided in 2009 and not revert back to the 2001 level. Most of the bills provide for an estate tax exemption somewhere between $3.5 million and $5 million at a maximum 35 to 45 percent tax rate after 2010. The current political scene, however, assures no action will be taken on this matter until after the 2010 elections in November. For those of us who live in New York, we also have to be aware of the

New York estate tax, which applies to individuals with estates of $1 million. Oddly, while it provides for the $1 million exemption, if an individual dies with more than $1 million, they are subject to an estate tax from the first dollar, rather than just amount over $1 million. Careful planning is essential to ensure you do not subject yourself to a New York estate tax unnecessarily. It is also important to know the estate tax exemption is permitted to each individual. Married couples can double the exemption. Unfortunately, most married couples lose the exemption because of improper beneficiary designations on the titling of their assets, to their spouse or owing them jointly. These types of accounts will act to eliminate the double exemption. So, what will happen with the estate tax? Not certain, but this I know. It will be in a state of flux for the rest of the year and perhaps into 2011 or beyond. It’s essential that your planning considers these laws now, and as they change, to ensure your family is not adversely impacted.

David J. Zumpano is an attorney and a certified public accountant (CPA). He operates Estate Planning Law Center. He can be reached at (315) 793-3622.

Do you live alone? Living alone can be a challenge, especially for women in mid-life who are divorced or widowed. But it can also be the start of a rich and meaningful chapter in your life. Need a jump start?

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November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

financial health By Jim Terwilliger

When to Start Social Security Retirement Benefits The answer is not so simple and can cost you tens of thousands of dollars

hy is it that something that is seemingly so simple can be so complicated? Case in point — Social Security retirement benefits. Most retirees consider the decision of when to start receiving benefits to be a no-brainer. But life is not that simple. This may be the most important decision faced by retirees. Making the wrong choice can mean the loss of tens of thousands of dollars in benefits to a household. Some Basics — Full retirement age (FRA) for retirees born between 1943 and 1954 is age 66. Retirement benefits can start as early as age 62 but at a reduced level equal to about 75 percent of the FRA benefits. One can also delay beyond FRA all the way to age 70, at which point initial benefits are enhanced to 132 percent of FRA benefits. There is no advantage to delay further. For folks still working prior to reaching FRA, there is a $1 reduction in benefits for every $2 in earned (W-2 or self-employment) income exceeding $14,160 per year. Finally, regardless of when benefits start, the “breakeven” age is about the same — age 79-80. That is, if one lives longer than the “breakeven” age, it would have been advantageous to wait until age 70. If one does not, it would have been better to start early. Of course, none of us has a crystal ball. The best we can do is make a judgment based on health and family history. Let’s consider some of the major factors influencing the decision of when to start: Single, never married —

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Generally, if you are working and your annual earned income exceeds $14,160, it is best to wait until FRA before taking benefits. At that point, the decision to start depends on two primary factors: 1) your need for cash flow, and 2) expected longevity. If you are fortunate enough to not need the money and if you expect to live a long life, consider waiting until age 70 to start. Otherwise, consider starting at FRA. If you are not working, the same two factors are important, but here the consideration can include starting as early as age 62. Married Couple — Here we have to consider survivor ’s benefits at some point in the future. A survivor is entitled to the greater of his/her own benefits or the deceased spouse’s benefits. Again, we never seem to have that crystal ball that will tell us future order of deaths. What we do know is that on average, for a couple at age 65, one of the two will live to age 93, well past the “breakeven” age. Another factor is the spousal benefit, providing benefits to a spouse having a lower or no earnings history once the higher-earning spouse applies. This benefit is ½ of the higher-earning spouse’s FRA benefits if the lower-earning spouse starts at FRA. In some cases, starting spousal benefits then switching later to one’s own enhanced benefits at age 70 is a winning strategy. In addition to the need for cash flow and projected longevity, we now have to consider relative ages and the relative earnings histories of the two spouses when developing a “start-Social-Security” strategy for each spouse. Single and Divorced or Widowed —Many divorced or

widowed retirees don’t realize that they may be eligible for benefits from their former spouse(s). Again, it is possible to establish a sequence of initially starting such benefits and later switching to their own benefits, thereby increasing Social Security income over their lifetimes. But the rules are very specific and extremely complex. It often occurs that such benefits are wasted or lost by not being aware of the rules. Seeking Help — The Social Security Administration provides a variety of access points to get your questions answered — a website with extensive explanations and calculators (www.ssa.gov), a national call center (800-771-1213), and local offices where appointments can be made with specialists. Social Security personnel are equipped to describe options and to answer questions. However, they are not authorized to give advice or suggest strategies. Given that, consider seeking out an adviser who has a thorough understanding of the mechanics o f S o c i a l S e c u r i t y, a n d , m o re important, how to maximize benefits for your household based on your circumstances. In future columns, we will explore examples of how married couples and previously-married retirees can take advantage of options available to them.

James Terwilliger, CFP®, is vice president, Financial Planning, Wealth Strategies Group, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company. He can be reached at 585-419-0670 ext. 50630 or by e-mail at jterwilliger@cnbank.com.

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trends

Finding Love in the Internet Era E-mailing, texting, instant messaging: Electronic media has changed the face of meeting others By Mike Costanza

“It’s very difficult for older people like myself to meet people,” says Carol Blank of East Rochester.

he dating scene can be tough to navigate for those over 55. “It’s very difficult for older people like myself to meet people,” says Carol Blank of East Rochester. “We don’t go into bars and that kind of stuff, like when we were in our 20s.” The 60-year-old registered nurse is one of a growing group of older Americans who are seeking long-term romantic relationships, their numbers driven upward by a rising lifespan, divorce, the deaths of spouses or other situations that they’ve experienced. “More and more people are dating at later stages of their lives,” says Terry Orbuch, a psychologist and marriage and family therapist. The University of Michigan researcher has studied marriage, divorce and relationship patterns amongst thousands of individuals nationwide. She even has her own radio show in Detroit, where she’s known as “The Love Doctor.” Whereas those seeking a new companion or life partner might once have done so through friends

November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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trends

or other personal social contacts, nowadays they might reach out by electronic means. “People are now using technology much more in the dating process,” Orbuch says. “We’re emailing; we’re texting; we’re instant messaging.”

Media-savvy seniors can also make use of websites that are designed to help them come together for romance, or just friendship. The sites are often userfriendly and accessible to those who have busy lives. 24-hour access — “You can

Tips for safe and successful online dating By Mike Costanza • Not Internet-savvy? Consult friends, relatives or co-workers when writing your profile, and for other ways to make the Internet work for you. • If you file a personal profile and photo, be honest. You don’t want to start a relationship with a lie and have to answer for it later. • Many online dating sites are designed for those who have specific interests or characteristics. Look through the Internet for sites that are right for you. • Protect your identity. Give only your first name initially. If you give out your phone number, make it that of your cell phone. • Do not give your last name, address, or other personal information, financial information, or the address of your job to someone you have not met. 12

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• Take it slow. Let an online conversation develop to one conducted over the telephone, and wait at least a week before meeting the person face-to-face. • When you first meet, do it in a busy public place. Use your own transportation to get there, and inform someone of your plans in detail, including the time, date and location of your date and the person you’re meeting. Keep that first meeting short. • Pay attention to your gut. Listen carefully to the person’s answers for inconsistencies, and watch for early warning signs of possible problems. • You know what’s in your best interest. Stick to that, and don’t allow yourself to be talked into anything else. Source: Dr. Terri Orbuch, psychologist.

do it at any time of the day or night,” says Orbuch, who in addition to her academic work consults for SeniorPeopleMeet. com, a website that caters to those 55 years old or older nationwide. SeniorPeopleMeet’s subscribers can create and access personal profiles, post photographs, and chat with others on the website while seeking romance or friendship. Seniors living in the Rochester area can also make use of free websites to meet others, most of which are less focused than SeniorPeopleMeet. Singles Golf of Rochester is a club that gives those 21 years old and older the chance to swing a club or socialize, and Meetup, a national network of local groups, gives those who share interests the chance to come together regardless of marital status. The dozens of Meetup groups meeting in the Rochester area during one recent week included those for Scrabble enthusiasts, square dancers, bowlers and people who are interested in “thought exchange.” As convenient as social networking websites can be, not everyone has the hardware needed to access the Internet, or knows how to do so. To remedy that situation, nonprofit educational organizations such as Rochester OASIS and local school districts periodically offer courses in computer and Internet usage, and local public libraries provide access to the World Wide Web. Still, even some Internet-savvy seniors have never been comfortable reaching out to others through the electronic anonymity of the Web. Though Blank, the East Rochester resident, enjoys taking to the links with Singles Golf of Rochester and socializing with other club members off the greens, she isn’t comfortable reaching out to others over the Internet. Uncertain ground — “You don’t know if anybody is really telling you the truth,” Blank says. “It scares me to death.” Unfortunately, many of the avenues available to her haven’t

Cobtree Vacation Rental Homes worked as well as she’d like. Though she describes herself as the kind of person who “loves meeting people,” neither her past position at a local hospice nor her current job in a nursing home have given Blank the chance to meet eligible men. She’s had one nine-year relationship since her divorce in 1995, but continues to search for that special person. “I’d love to fall in love again,” she says. Lately, she’s returned to a local matchmaker for assistance. She first joined Better Beginnings, a Greece company, just after her divorce. Donald D’Amico, president and owner of Better Beginnings, says the company has spent the past 35 years bringing people together. “We match people up,” he says. Each of the firm’s clients starts the process of searching for a mate or companion with a visit to its offices. There, an interviewer helps the member enumerate the qualities he or she desires in a potential mate, and notes the member’s age, educational background, religion, physical description, and other characteristics. Then, the company sifts through its lists of potential candidates. “We search through our database and find compatible people for them,” D’Amico says. Members and candidates can also examine each other’s photographs. If the member finds a candidate acceptable, Better Beginnings helps the two exchange contact information. Members can look over as many as 24 candidates, depending upon their subscriptions. “We’re very successful,” he says. Blank began working with Better Beginnings again about three months ago. “I’ve had fun out with several people already,” she says. “Have I fallen head-over-heels? No.” Orbuch says she shouldn’t be discouraged. “There is somebody out there for each and every one of us,” she said.

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hobbies

The Music of the Heart

The ‘Dr. Nick and Gloria Showband’ — A love story between a nurse and an eye doctor, and a musical success among seniors By Mike Costanza

he tall, blonde singer with the high, clear soprano knew just how to please the crowd that night. “This is a tune about all the dollies in the room,” Gloria Gonyeo told the seniors at Castle Pointe at Baywinde, an independent living facility in Webster. Then she and her partner in The Dr. Nick and Gloria Showband swung into Hello, Dolly. It was the kind of tune that could pull you back to happy memories. “I thought I was only 12 years

55 PLUS - November / December 2010

old,” says 84-year-old Jean Regan. Gonyeo and her partner, Nicholas Davis, a Rochester eye doctor, have brought show tunes and rock, jazz and other classics to audiences around the Rochester area practically since they met four years ago. Though they generally perform at local independent or assisted living facilities for seniors, you wouldn’t know that the 73-years-olds are close in age to some in the audience. “We sing, we play, we laugh, we

tell stories, we dance,” Gonyeo says. “We’re very animated, very visual, very audible.” Some of that animation might come from the chemistry between the two. “Nick and I fell very madly in love very shortly after we met,” she says. They’ve been engaged for about two years. Davis and Gonyeo have performed separately for audiences for most of their lives. Davis, a Boston native, started playing the slide trombone in

55+ junior high school, then decided to learn the saxophone, as well. “I found out that the saxophone was more popular,” Davis says. Music took Davis around the country, and the world. As an adult, he played with Irish bands in Boston, sailed with his horns to South America aboard cruise ships, and spent 10 years in California playing in his own and other bands. When a country and western band in San Diego asked him to sit in, he was ready to oblige, though his style is more jazz and rhythm and blues. “I started playing some Dixieland stuff along with their country and western music, and it meshed very well,” he says. “People loved it.” Along the way, Davis acquired a doctorate in optometry—he’s the “Dr.” in the band’s title. Though focused on his studies, he didn’t abandon his music. “I’d go to school days, and work five nights a week playing in bands,” he says. Moving to Rochester in the early 1970s, Davis headed or played with various local bands. You might remember him as the head of the Doc Davis Band, or from his six-year stint with the high-energy rock-androllers Nik and the Nice Guys. Davis was with the band when it played at Gov. George Patacki 1995 inaugural celebration. “I sang ‘New York, New York,” Davis says. Gonyeo brought a slightly different musical orientation to the band. “Nick has been primarily a jazz musician all of his life,” she says. “I have been primarily classical.” Born in Binghamton, Gonyeo began taking piano and voice lessons as a girl, and first took to the stage in school productions. She only put aside her music many years later, when her husband, two children and work commanded her attention. “I gave up music and performing during that middle part of my life,” she says. Gonyeo taught elementary school in Texas and New York, and also worked full time as a registered nurse.

Gonyeo returned to music at the age of 50, singing for her Catholic church and others in the area. “I immersed myself in liturgical music,” she explains. A friend introduced her to the local Broadway musical scene, and she soon found herself taking to the stage again. Over six years she performed in 10 amateur productions of Titanic, Sound of Music, and other classics, sometimes in principal roles. Gonyeo also formed two local bands, one of which was the Penfield Pops, before eventually turning them over to others to run. In 2004, Gonyeo’s husband of 45 years died. In 2006, at the urging of a neighbor, she met Davis for coffee. She admits that she wasn’t really interested in meeting someone at that point in her life, but that the two clicked. Within a few months, they were performing together. Though

hobbies

they play as many as four gigs a week, both work part time in their regular jobs—Gonyeo as a registered nurse for Baywinde. Nowadays, the band’s repertoire includes standards from as far back as the ‘40s, swing, light rock, show tunes, classic hits by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, and even a little funk. Gonyeo plays the keyboard, Davis the horn, and both sing the kind of music that can grab the hearts of seniors. “It helps them connect with their past,” says Cindy Caprio, Baywinde’s resident program director. “It brings back memories.” After the band performed at the facility in August, many of the residents approached Caprio with a request. “I was bombarded with ‘Cindy, bring them back,’” she says. To book The Dr. Nick and Gloria Showband, call (585) 359-2020.

Gloria Gonyeo, a registered nurse, and her partner, Nicholas Davis, a Rochester eye doctor, have brought show tunes and rock, jazz and other classics to audiences around the Rochester area practically since they met four years ago. November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

trends Get Ready A Big ‘Silver Tsunami’ is Coming 55+

Next year the first members of the baby boomer generation will reach age 65 By Ken Little

hey’re calling it the Silver Tsunami. And when the wave of baby boomers on the verge of retirement sweeps over Upstate New York and the nation, it will be felt in all levels of society. Those born between the years of 1946 and 1964 are known as the baby boom generation. Its members have deeply impacted America’s youth culture, societal attitudes and healthcare system throughout their life cycle. About 30 percent of the population in 1994 was born during the Baby Boom, according to the U.S. Census. In 2011, the first members of that generation will reach age 65. The youngest members of the Baby Boom generation will reach 65 in 2029, and by 2030, almost one in five Americans — about 72 million — will be 65 years or older. Monroe County is battering down for the wave. “The issue has been looked at since 2000. Since then, the county Office for the Aging has prepared for the aging influx,” said Corinda Crossdale, office director. Aprimary challenge to government and healthcare providers is long-term care for baby boomers. While healthier than previous generations, a certain percentage of boomers will need some form of assisted living. Not all baby boomers may want to face facts and admit the eventual

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probability of chronic disease. The Alliance for Aging research reports that by age 65 nearly nine out of 10 Americans will have at least one chronic condition. The overwhelming majority of baby boomers prefer to age at home. That’s an initiative supported by New York state, where the population of those aged 60 and over is projected to increase from 3.5 million to 4.9 million by 2025 — a 39 percent increase in that age bracket that will comprise nearly one-quarter of the state’s population.

Vo l u n t e e r i s m a n d o t h e r community-supported initiatives will help keep seniors in their homes and buttress limited government resources, said Michael Burgess, director of the New York State Office for the Aging. “We have to maximize the informal support to do these things or it’s going to make it that much more difficult to do,” he said recently. “Community-based agencies, local offices for the aging and caregivers are going to lift some of the burden. We have to look at other ways to deal with

“The [Monroe] County Office for the Aging has prepared for the aging influx,” said Corinda Crossdale, office director.

55+ it because it is overwhelming.” Crossdale said her office and others offering services to the senior population in Monroe County are working to provide the services that will be needed. Housing is one of them. “Older adults are living longer and are healthier,” she said. “A few years ago, older adults may have needed long-term care in their late 60s. Now it’s 75.” Key priorities are home and community-based services, Crossdale said. “Here in Monroe County we look at housing issues,” she said. “People typically want to remain in their own home and they want to remain in the community even if it is an assisted living setting.” One provider that is being proactive about the situation is St. John’s Home, a 475-resident skilled care facility and “alternative long term care community.” The Green House project, a joint effort between St. John’s Home and the state department of health, “is a radical new approach to skilled nursing care” that embraces an alternative philosophy called the Eden Movement. Factors such as care philosophy, organizational structure and architecture are geared toward removing the stigma of “institutionalization” from long-term care, said Duane Girdner, St. John’s vice president of marketing. “What we’re trying to do is take the Green House model a step further and put them in a neighborhood and have other people get to know them. That’s what we’ve been fighting for 10 years,” Girdner said. Residents, referred to as “elders,” live in the community as part of a “family” while still benefiting from the full range of clinical services provided by St. John’s, Girdner said. St. John’s is plans to build 20 such homes in the Monroe County area. Each one will house 10 elders and be adjacent to another Green House facility. Government funding support is not easy to come by in the current economy, so St. John’s is in the process

Monroe County’s over60 population currently makes up about 18 percent of the total county population. of building four Green House facilities in the area — two each in Henrietta and Penfield. “Hopefully they will catch up to us and help us do it in an affordable way,” Girdner said. Institutional settings are not appealing to baby boomers or even the service providers who work in them. About 20 years ago, developmentally disabled and mental health providers went to a group home model, served by staff that comes in. “We want to do that with elders. Why shouldn’t we? We’re 20 years behind,” Girdner said. Baby boomers are used to doing things their own way, Girder said. “Will baby boomers come to nursing homes? We don’t see it. Baby boomers are used to getting what they want,” Girdner said. “There is a different demand. This is not the nursing home your parents went to.” The idea of Green Houses is to foster a relationship between people in the neighborhood and residents of the houses. Winter gardens, fountains, restaurants and retail outlets connected with the Green Houses will make them attractive to the community at large and encourage interaction with residents. “The community would come in so elders would feel they are not separate,” Girdner said.

trends

As baby boomers reach retirement age, “we need to turn the nursing home model upside down,” he said. “We have spent eight years cultivating the Eden movement in our nursing home and now we are finally at a place where we feel we have to build our buildings.” For more information, visit www. stjohnshome.com/ Such initiatives are welcome in the Monroe County community, Crossdale said. Boomers looking at future care options don’t necessarily get a clear picture, she added. “It can be a very confusing system. One of the things we often hear from caregivers is, “We don’t know where to go.’” The Monroe County Office for the Aging works with the New York Connects program, which provides access to information on long-term care in the state. The New York Connects website is www.nyconnects. org/ For more information, contact the Monroe County office of New York Connects at (585) 325-2800. Most baby boomers will want to stay with their families, if possible, Crossdale said. In the event that isn’t an option, there is adequate housing stock in Monroe County to transition over to the Green House initiative. Like many other Upstate counties, baby boomers have preferred to remain in the area they grew up in. Monroe County’s over-60 population currently makes up about 18 percent of the total county population. Baby boomers own homes, offer volunteer services to their communities and pay taxes. They are a valuable segment of New York’s population, said John Cochran, assistant director of intergovernmental relations and strategic planning with the state Office for the Aging. He recently said the 60-and-over demographic “represent a tremendous source of financial capital and they represent a tremendous source of social capital.” To that end, “Making communities more livable is a central theme of what we are trying to accomplish,” Cochran said. November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

Working In Retirement A 21st Century Phenomenon

orking in retirement may still sound like an oxymoron, but not for long. Just as people in their 20s are now creating a new life stage of transitioning into the workforce, the generation of workers currently in their 50s and 60s is redefining the notion of retirement. Already today, one in five workers aged 50 and older has fully retired from his or her former career job but currently is working for pay in a new role, which we define as a “retirement job.” And this will soon become the new normal — fully 75 percent of workers aged 50 and older expect to have retirement jobs in the future, according to a groundbreaking new study by Families and Work Institute and the Sloan Center on Aging & Work. “Working in retirement” is quickly becoming a new stage in career progression. Following the traditional path of early-, mid-, latecareer employment, but prior to total withdrawal from work, this new stage is a bridge that tends to emphasize working by choice and for enjoyment. Using data from the FWI’s National Study of the Changing Workforce (2008), this analysis of adults working in retirement reveals

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some surprising insights. For example, a typical assumption is that retirees work primarily for money. Although maintaining a comfortable lifestyle is an important motivation for more than half, it is not the only reason: 31 percent report that they are working to stay active, and 18 percent say they want to contribute and be productive. Less than one in five report working in retirement due to insufficient income, though they do earn less money than those who have never retired—the typical median yearly income among those working in retirement is $21,000 less than those who have never retired. Most “working retirees” really enjoy their work. Furthermore, these workers aren’t coasting. The majority of working retirees report working full time and wanting to work the same or more hours. Over half say they have no plans to leave their current employment situation for at least another five years. And nearly 10 percent of those working in retirement state that they will continue doing the same work until they die. “Working retirees have great depth of experience and talent and, contrary to stereotypes, they are highly motivated,” says Marcie PittCatsouphes, director of the Sloan Center on Aging & Work and co-

author of the study. “But keeping them engaged is the key. Providing better supervisor support, opportunities for growth and development, and flexible work schedules are just three examples of ways employees can improve quality of employment and make more effective workplaces. If employers don’t recognize what working retirees want, these valuable employees may move on to jobs with other organizations that do fit their needs.” Interestingly, in a number of ways, working retirees have better jobs than those who haven’t retired. And having a good job matters. For example, working retirees: • more positively rate their workplaces with respect to worklife fit, supervisor task support, and climate of respect and trust; and • are most likely to be engaged in their jobs when their jobs are challenging and provide learning opportunities. Ellen Galinsky, president of Families and Work Institute says, “Traditionally, we have conceived of the life cycle as a ladder where we move from education to employment to retirement. That is not the reality today. We need to understand that the employees of today and tomorrow will cycle in and out of education, employment, and retirement.” By Melissa Brown, Kerstin Aumann, Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Ellen Galinsky and James T. Bond, who recently developed research on this topic for the Sloan Center on Aging & Work.

American Adults Must Step It Up

dults in the U.S. take thousands fewer daily steps than foreign counterparts, survey says American adults take fewer daily steps than their counterparts in Switzerland, Australia and Japan, according to research published in the October “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,” the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. While adults in western Australia, Japan and Switzerland averaged 9,695, 7,168 and 9,650 daily steps, respectively, this new study found that U.S. adults lag far behind, averaging just 5,117 steps per day. The study, titled “PedometerMeasured Physical Activity and Health Behaviors in U.S. Adults,” gathered step data from 1,136 U.S. adults who varied in age, gender and geographic location. Researchers compared the step results with data from similar studies conducted in Australia, Japan and Switzerland to conclude that Americans are far less physically active than individuals from other developed countries. In order to shrink this everwidening fitness gap and match the physical activity levels of Australian, Japanese and Swiss adults, experts recommend that U.S. adults add 30 to 40 minutes of walking to their physical activity regimen each day. “The health benefits of walking are underappreciated,” said Dr. David R. Bassett, Jr., the lead author of this study. “Even modest amounts of walking, if performed on a daily basis, can help to maintain a healthy body weight.” The study’s findings offer key reasons why obesity rates are much higher in the U. S. In the past 10 years, Australia, Japan and Switzerland have reported obesity rates of 16 percent, 3 percent and 8 percent, respectively. In the U.S., however, 34 percent of adults are obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.

Rightsizing Your Life? Don’t know where to start? I have a “Guide To Downsizing or Rightsizing Your Life” available for you. With my many years here at Nothnagle Realtors and the owner of New Dawnings — an Estate Liquidation company — I will assist you in selling your current home and eliminating all those unwanted items. Don’t delay, help is on the way!!!

‘Call me!’ Dawn Provan (585) 770-3699 Or e-mail me at dprovan@rochester.rr.com

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How to EMail Those Relatives Who Don’t Have a Computer

eeping in touch with older relatives can be a bit more challenging when they don’t use a computer. Fortunately, there are several different products and services available today that can bridge the gap between those who use e-mail and seniors who don’t. Here’s what you should know. E-mail to Snail Mail —While seniors make up the fastest growing group of Internet and e-mail users in the U.S., they still lag way behind the younger generations. Currently around 45 percent of people ages 70 to 75 go online compared to nearly 90 percent of those under age 35. To help, there’s a relatively new service called Sunnygram (sunnygram.com; 888-517-8669) that will turn your e-mails into stamped letters so you can easily keep in touch with your grandma in formats that you’re both accustomed to. The idea is simple: When you sign up, your grandma will get an e-mail address that you write to. Sunnygram then collects and prints out all the e-mail messages

and pictures addressed to her, and snail mails them to her once a week in an appealing newsletter format (large font is an option too). Your grandma then has the option of responding through a Sunnygram prepaid letter, which would be scanned and e-mailed to you. Or she can call a toll-free number and leave a voice message, which would get transcribed and sent to you in an e-mail. This service, which costs $13 per month, provides unlimited e-mail and photo printing and any number of family members and friends can correspond with her. Another neat new service if you’re a Facebook user is PostEgram (postegram.com). It works similar to Sunnygram except it lets you share Facebook news and photos in a printed newsletter format that can be mailed out weekly, biweekly or monthly. E-mail to Fax — If you’re looking for something a little quicker, check out Celery and Presto, two unique services that will turn your e-mails into printed faxes almost immediately. With a Celery (mycelery.com; 866-692-3537), your grandma can receive e-mails, pictures and documents, along with Twitter and Facebook status updates on printed paper, and she can send handwritten letters electronically too. It uses a color fax/printer connected to a standard phone line to do it. How does it work? When you sign up, your grandma will get a Celery e-mail address that you

write to. When you send her an e-mail, Facebook or Twitter update, Celery calls her announcing she has a message being sent, and is automatically printed out on paper. Then to reply, she simply handwrites a letter putting your name in block print at the top. She then places the letter into her Celery fax machine, pushes two buttons and the letter is sent to you electronically. The system uses handwriting-recognition software to match your name to an e-mail address or Twitter account stored in her Celery address book. The cost: $14 a month. You can also use any fax machine with the Celery service, or you can buy their color fax/ printer machine for $89. The other service you should check out is the Presto (presto.com; 866-428-0970), a neat device that works like Celery, but uses a special HP Printing Mailbox to deliver your grandma’s e-mails, Facebook photos, greeting cards and more. Presto also comes with a nice variety of extra features like ongoing access to articles, recipes and puzzles that your grandma can receive free of charge. And some convenient web tools that let you send quick reminders, and even monitor who’s e-mailing her. Presto, however, does not offer your grandma a way to respond, unless she does it the old fashioned way — by telephone. The cost: $100 for the Printing Mailbox (which she must have), plus a $15 per month service fee. (By Jim Miller)

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antiquing

The Art of Antiquing

Yesteryear’s Wares Are Today’s Treasures By Deborah Graf

omething old is something new for antique lovers— vintage wooden skis become bookshelves, a century old baby buggy becomes a doll bed in a grandchild’s bedroom. Leaded stained glass windows hang like artwork from the ceiling. Old is only in the eye of the beholder. Items from the past are finding new life and use in many homes across America and people look to rekindle memories or just find appreciation in craftsmanship they can’t find today. “Look through these windows of the past and see the beauty today,” said Brad Long of the Pineapples Home Furnishings, Fairport. “Antiques are made differently. They are solid, sturdy and full of character, and antique shops help pass on their

value.” From hunting through your grandparent’s attic, to finding old wares in shops, antiques are treasures that have been held dear and have stood the test of time. Sandy Maztec of Rochester loves pieces that she inherits. “People should never throw old furniture away. It may be old, but it’s gorgeous. It has a history,” she says. These old collectible items are desirable for their age and value, but more so for their personal emotional connection and unique features. “Antique items have a story and mystery,” Maztec says. “It’s fun to shop around and never know if you’re going to find a treasure.” Everything from cars, bottles, dolls, buttons, coins, dishes, toys, apparel, even doorknobs, guns, pianos,

and quilts to books, stoves, tractors, furniture and even houses that are from a previous era are considered vintage memorabilia that are collected and enjoyed by all ages. “Old means something different to different people,” said Carol Annalora, owner of All That Jazz Antiques in Rochester. “We look to the periods that are familiar from our childhood, memories that are involved in sentiment.” Items from long ago have a rich, storied past, and it’s not hard to feel connected to them. People that used these objects were just like us, living life with hopes and dreams, valuing joy and beauty. They valued craftsmanship and collected things of authenticity. It’s not hard to imagine generations that came before us working in their jobs, then coming November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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antiquing

Bill Sturdevand, Rochester, with Marie Zenkel, Penfield home and sitting around the dinner table, washing the dishes, and living life the way we do now. It’s interesting to think about an item’s history, who used it, where it has been and the journey it has taken. “Much of what we sell, the late 1800s up to the present, has amazing craftsmanship, workmanship and intrinsic value,” Annalora said. “You get good value for your money. Antique shopping is a wonderful way for people to buy good furniture, excellent hardwoods that are well made. It’s good for all ages, and for anyone who needs unusual gifts. Some of the things are like works of art, where you can just sit and look at them and enjoy them.” Antiques are most often bought at antique shops, or passed down in an estate. They can also be purchased from antique dealers, or auction services that specialize in appraisals of any antique item, the origin of the item, what it is, where it was made, how old it is, how much it’s worth, and how to sell it. Antique dealers often tour the country doing antique shows. Annalora used to do 40 shows a year in 10 states, then opened her store to expand her business. She states that doing shows requires a lot of time, but

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people are very committed to buying and selling these collectibles and come from all over the country, and even the world to attend. Mary Teresi of Sheazzie Loo in Fairport explains, “People like to go to shows and see the furniture and think about how they can integrate old with new usually for a more affordable price than shopping in a regular furniture store.”

Mary Smith, Lyons

Those who aren’t so interested in traveling but have a curiosity about antiques can turn on the television and watch Antiques Roadshow. This popular award-winning PBS series spotlights antiquities of all kinds, from family heirlooms to yard sale bargains. The antique experts and auction dealers on the show will provide interesting facts about the items and heirloom and then estimate their value, much to the surprise of the owners. Often these items may have meant nothing to the owners until they learned their history and worth. That is often the case for the younger generation. Teresi said she believes people in their 30s and older appreciate antiques more. But she says it’s mostly about a piece and how it looks and fits in the home. “I buy things at garage sales and estate sales and then I refinish it and reupholster it,” she said. “By restyling the old and giving it a fresher look, I have found a purpose for it that younger people appreciate.” She restores things such as three-quarter beds that really aren’t used today, and she turns them into benches, by using the headboard and other parts. “The functional bench for today was made from an 1800’s bed, and people like that,” she said.

55+ Carol Martin, an employee at All That Jazz explains that just like fashion, style changes from time to time, but durability and history still matter. “At one particular time cookie jars were the hottest things going and now you can barely sell them for any price. “Custom jewelry stays in vogue all the time,” she said. “Younger people always relate to something that reminds them of their grandmother.” The consensus among antique aficionados is that young or old, people are enjoying “retro” right now. The younger generation likes what they saw their mothers and grandmothers owning. Young adults now remember their grandmothers things from the 1950s and ‘60s. That is the new “old.” Midcentury used to mean the 1800s, but now means collectibles from the mid-1900s. Annalora remembers when we were a generation of tradition: hand painted dishes, s i l v e r, a n d beautiful tables at the holidays.

antiquing

Items found at All That Jazz Antiques in Rochester “ We l o v e to carry those things,” she said, “But I think that silver and dishes will become obsolete, because we are now a society of fast food and eating out.” She believes that some values and traditions are being lost, and many antique store owners agree that business has been impacted. “But we do see young people coming in and recognizing the value. The items appreciate in worth. It may be a cycle to some extent. Hopefully plastic and pressboard will not be king forever.”

More on antique stores? For listings of antique shows, go to: • www.antiquetrader.com • www.news-antique.com • www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/ entertainment/antiques-shows • www.antiqueworldmarket.com November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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decisions

Should You Downsize? Four professionals offer their help in your decision making By Amy Cavalier

o move or not to move? That is the question for many seniors. Whether it’s for health, financial or space reasons, deciding whether or not to downsize is one of the most difficult choices senior citizens will have to make. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of cleaning out, packing and moving, not to mention finding the perfect new place to live can all be the cause of much anxiety. So when is the right time to move and how do you do it after living in a house for decades. Is moving the only option? Here are four women based in the Rochester area who can help answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Dawn Provan —A real estate agent with Nothnagle Realtors, Dawn Provan started up her own business New Dawnings because she saw people needed help downsizing. “It’s a big change, whether you’ve lived somewhere for a couple of years, or you’ve lived someplace for your whole entire life, moving is traumatic,” she said. There are many questions, like “will I like where I’m going, do I really

need all these things, or is it all right for me to get rid of these things I’ve held onto for so long?” That’s why she created “A Guide for Downsizing” to help her senior clients decide whether to stay put or to move. According to the guide, sometimes a home and its upkeep can become too much of a burden for a person to stay put. For others, the solution might be bringing services into their home to assist them with everything from housekeeping and yard work to meals, laundry and health care. The guide includes tips on everything from selecting a new home based on your personal and financial needs to making the actual move. To

get started on the process, Provan recommends separating things into piles such as things you can’t live without, things you don’t really need, and things you want to give to families members or donate to charity. According to her guide to downsizing, you can use different colored sticky notes to differentiate between those three categories. “I try to stress, if you’re going to a small house or apartment, don’t take too much stuff because then you’re really going to feel overwhelmed and overcrowded,” she said. For those things you don’t want to keep, or can’t keep, there are estate and yard sales, donations to charity, or you can even donate old photos or November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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decisions

yearbooks to local the local historical society, schools or churches. Some of your vintage clothes might even bring in some cash from a consignment shop. Provan’s guide includes a checklist for moving, a list for a survival kit for the day of move, and even a sheet to help you calculate your current expenses. If you decide moving is the right decision for you, Provan can do more than help you sell your home, she can also help organize and staff a household sale, as part of her New Dawnings business. She charges 25 percent of the sale total. “We do it all,” she said. “We bring the crew and tables in, we do the advertising, we man the sale, and with all the stuff that doesn’t sell, we can get rid of it by donating it to whatever charity they want to donate it to.”

Rebecca Pontera — When it comes to aging, Senior Life is a one-stop shop. From navigating the

health care system or having an extra set of eyes and ears at a health care appointment, to deciding on a move, Rebecca Pontera, director of client services for Senior Life Independent Care Consultants and Advocates, can help. “Sometimes a move is more needdriven, because of health,” she said, “other times it’s more of a desire to simplify things or take the struggle out.” Pontera can assist with finding the right fit based on a client’s emotional, financial and physical needs, as well as with the application process if that’s required. “The application process is different for every level of care, and then if needed, we can either physically help with that move, or we may help facilitate that by hiring a move manager or a moving company,” she said. “It depends on the nature of the move and what we’ve been invited to do.” Pontera helps clients decide

New Service Offered for Seniors, Boomers Support available for families relocating to new homes By Lou Sorendo

heresa Downham makes sure that Everything Has A Place. Downham is a certified relocation and transition specialist as well as an accredited staging professional. She owns and operates Everything Has A Place, LLC, which is headquartered in Honeoye Falls. Downham owns the business independently and has eight employees. Her business specializes in organizing, sorting, downsizing, packing, unpacking, setup, “and a thousand other details in between,”

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Downham said. “I was already staging homes for realtors in Florida,” said Downham, a native of Canandaigua. “When my husband and I moved to the Rochester area, staging wasn’t quite here in this area yet.” It was at that point that she became affiliated with the National Association of Senior Move Managers. “It intrigued me because I’ve done a lot of work with seniors and have moved 35 times in my adult life,” she said. “So I decided to get certification which was held in Washington DC three years ago. After getting the

what to bring to their new home and then she’ll be there when the moving company arrives to make sure everything goes smoothly and to get things set up so the person feels comfortable in their new home. Pontera said there are a lot of resources in the Rochester community to assist seniors in making decisions for their next step in life, whatever that may be. A consultation with Senior Life is typically $200, with other services ranging from $95 to $150 per hour. “Sometimes it’s a matter of finding the right person, the right resource that will open the door to everything that’s available,” she said.

Maureen Davis — Sometimes moving isn’t the only option. Maureen Davis, mortgage loan originator for Flaherty Funding, has been in the mortgage business for 24 years. She said seniors over 62 years old who are looking to stay in their homes but reduce their expenses could benefit

training, I felt I had really found something interesting and helpful and brought together so many of my life skills.” She is a member of NASMM, as well as the National Association of Professional Organizers, the Business Network International Rapid Referrals chapter, and a business member of the Greater Rochester Area Realtors. Downham calls herself a home relocation manager, primarily because using the word “move” places her in another category for insurance. “I am not a mover,” she said. Her primary demographic are seniors and Baby Boomers. “However, my client base so far has been 20 something to 90 something. It started out to be primarily seniors, so I called myself a senior move manager,” she said. “However, seniors believe, and rightly so, that friends, family and church need to help them. Money is tight and for many seniors, it’s hard to hire us.” She said Baby Boomers are her

from a reverse mortgage. “ M o s t people when they’re ready for retirement wind up selling their homes and getting their equity that way, using the cash t o p u rc h a s e a smaller home, or a rental,” she said. “Many today are retiring and would like to stay in their homes. They just need access to cash to pay taxes, maintenance, or even medical care in the home.” According to a report by the AARP Foundation, “a reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live there.” The cash can be paid to you in a single lump sum, a regular monthly cash advance, a “creditline” account that lets you decide when and how much of your available cash is paid to you, or a combination of these payment methods. According to the report, no matter how the loan is paid out, you typically don’t have to

Resources

For more information on these services: n Dawn Provan , the senior “rightsizing” consultant – (585) 248-1034 or newdawn@frontiernet.net n Maureen Davis, mortgage loan originator for Flaherty Funding – (585) 857-1886 or mdavis@flahertyfunding. com n Bobbie Goodridge, owner/manager of Grandma’s Helpers LLC – (585) 334-3544 n Rebecca Pontera, director of client service at Senior Life Independent Care Consultants and Advocates – (585) 424-2424

pay anything back until you die, sell your home, or permanently move out of your home. Seniors looking into a reverse mortgage must meet with a professional counselor approved by Housing and Urban Development to go through their financial picture and

Theresa Downham, a certified relocation and transition specialist, operates Everything Has a Place in Honeoye Falls.

primary target audience. “They are mostly still working, have kids, and in most cases, do not live close to their parents,” she said. “But, they want to help their parents move, so they will hire us.” Or, the Baby Boomers themselves may be moving, and are too busy to manage the move. “Boomers are very accustomed to hiring services, where their parents’ generation was not,” Downham said. Downham said with a real estate sales tax going into effect in 2013, she expects to see an influx of people selling their homes and moving sooner than they planned. Under the new federal health care bill, all real estate transactions may be

objectively decide whether a reverse mortgage is the best thing for them, Davis said. S h e s a i d t h e re a re s e v e r a l m i s c o n c e p t i o n s a b o u t re v e r s e mortgages. One is that the bank will take the title or ownership of the home. Davis said that does not happen.

subject to a 3.8 percent sales tax. Downham said the most challenging aspect of her profession is dealing with its newness. “This industry is so new that people do not know this service is available,” she said. “Some of the stories are so sad and filled with all sorts of trauma. People, especially seniors, don’t realize how traumatizing a move is mentally, physically and emotionally. I just want people to know there is an option out there that can truly help in all aspects of a move.” She noted that the most gratifying part of her job “are the relationships and hugs and how truly grateful people are. It’s unbelievably hard work, but I do it for the hugs.” For more information, call 585.797.9321 or check out www. EverythingHasAPlace.com. November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

The second misconception is that if the person taking the loan lives longer than the bank has based the life of the loan on, or if their house decreases in value, that they will owe the bank more than they can sell their home for. That can’t happen either, she said. “My job as a mortgage loan officer is to gather specific financial information and have them determine what’s going to work for their longterm and short-term financial needs, and in some cases it will be a reverse mortgage,” she said. “This is for anybody facing retirement that has equity in their home. It’s worth the time to make the phone call and ask questions.”

Bobbie Goodridge — If moving

is the best solution for you, Bobbie Goodrich, owner/manager of Grandma’s Helpers LLC, can help you plan and make your move from start to finish. A member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, Goodridge works with clients to help them decide what to take to their new residence and what to leave behind. “We’ll do a floor plan,” she said. “By doing floor planning, we are able to make the transition smoother and make those decisions up front, so when we do move our seniors, there’s not a lot of extraneous stuff to deal with.” Goodridge can sell items through private liquidation or conduct a household sale to help you get rid of stuff before you move. “I tell my clients it’s like setting up a retail store in your home,” she said. “We pull everything out, sort it, set it up, and merchandise it so it looks nice and appealing. Then we go around and tag and price everything, we put advertisements in the local papers and conduct a sale in your home.”

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55 PLUS - November / December 2010

Goodridge will help her clients find a moving company, although the contract is between the residents and the moving company, and then she’ll help with packing if you want. “It depends on the client,” she said. “It’s all very individualized because people are individuals.” Goodridge’s services are priced by the hour, but a typical move from a three bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, not counting the cost of the movers. Goodridge does provide the packing materials. Not only will she meet the movers at your current house to assist in the oversight of the packing process, Goodridge will meet them at your new house to make sure they follow the floor plan you’ve laid out. “Typically what we do is have everything unpacked, put away, all the boxes and packing materials moved out of the apartments, set the clocks, make the beds, so when our seniors come into their new apartment at the end of their move day, they’re coming home,” she said.

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golden years By Harold Miller E-mail: HMillerMOD@aol.com.

Starting to Race at 69

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t — you’re right

ony Funicello is an amazing guy. At age 67, this trim, muscular athletic man is an accomplished race car driver and one of the leading racing instructors in the country. During the summer season he commutes to Upstate New York from his Florida residence to conduct race training at Watkins Glen International Raceway. His training sessions are animated with illustrations, demonstrations and war stories from his racing experiences. One of his favorite demonstrations is to call a student to the front of the class and ask him to raise both arms above his head and clench his hands together into a fist. Then Tony instructs the student to “Try and resist my pushing your arms down.” He is always able to push the student’s arms down. Then he has the student raise his arms again and says: “Do your best to keep me from pushing your arms down again.” This time the student stiffens his resistance and is able to keep his arms upright. Tony explains, “The first time I asked him to try and resist; the second time I told him to do your best. The first time his brain was wired only to try; the second time his brain was wired to release adrenalin to his muscles — and do it!” A c c o r d i n g t o To n y, t h i s demonstration never fails. I have witnessed it and can attest to its effectiveness, thus acknowledging the human mind’s incredible control over the body. Racing cars is a young man’s game. Perhaps no other sport calls for faster reflexes and greater concentration. However, age does not take much of a toll on reflexes — it does take a toll

on concentration. In the major leagues of racing, a race car driver is old at 50. One notable exception was Paul Newman, who happens to be my role model for more than just being a major league race car driver. Newman was never caught up in his fame and fortune and dedicated much of his life to helping others. His creation of the “Hole-inThe author in a recent race in Watkins Glen. the-Wall Gang,” a camp for youths with terminal cancer, is but is 90 percent mental and 10 percent one example of his inspirational life. physical. More than any other sport, it His last race was the grueling 24 illustrates the tremendous capacity of Hours of Daytona when he was 79. the human brain for mind over matter. Incidentally, Paul’s race car proudly The point of all this is that aging displayed the number 79. is as much a mental condition as it is I started racing at age 69 and a physical condition. proudly display that number on my I have written many times in this race car. Racing is one of the greatest column about people who retire to challenges of my life and after almost their easy chair, let the world go by a decade of racing it is still a challenge and prepare to die. — more so than being an airplane Usually, their mind precedes their pilot. body to the grave. The most difficult aspect is the There is ample evidence to tremendous concentration that is suggest that aging can be controlled required. While racing, at up to 150 and extended by exercising the brain miles an hour (not to mention the and the body. The brain is much like 200-plus MPH speeds that an Indy car a muscle: if you do not exercise it driver achieves), you must be aware of regularly, it will atrophy. what is going on all around you, while Studies have shown that those at the same time concentrating on the who regularly do mental exercise, road ahead, and being prepared for a such as cross word puzzles, word possible emergency around the next games, and even watching Jeopardy, corner. are much less likely to suffer dementia Tony says that if you divert and Alzheimer’s disease. your eyes into the cockpit (to check To this we add racing as an instruments for example) it takes two exciting, rewarding and challenging fifths of a second to refocus on the mind exercise. Not for everyone but road ahead. At 150 MPH that is half for the few of us old frogs who get the length of a football field. a kick out hearing from our fellow After a few hours of racing racers — “you’re how old?” it is not hard to understand why your concentration wanes. Racing November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

aging By Marilyn L. Pinsky

Things Only Your Mother Would Tell You

Getting honest feedback not always easy

hen I was maybe 50, my mother said, “Only your mother would tell you this, but you have a black hair on your chin and you should pluck it out.” I was flabbergasted and ran right to the bathroom, where using a magnifying mirror and standing at just the right angle, sure enough, yuck, a black hair! I realized my mother was right that no one else would tell you things like that, so I made a pact with a friend to be honest with each other when we saw things “needing attention.” We discovered it’s not that easy to figure out if something you notice is something that maybe the other person is comfortable with and doesn’t want to change or think about. Husbands aren’t really helpful in this area. Mine is a most uncritical and supportive person and even if I had five black hairs waving off my chin, he would still say I look OK.... as long as I got out of the house on time. So, aside from your children, who usually tell you things you don’t want to know, another person to trust for “those things,” might be your hairdresser. I’ve always heard that, like bartenders, hairdressers know everyone’s secrets. There must be something about letting your defenses down when someone you trust is running their fingers through your hair that seems to loosen the tongue. Who knows? Maybe there’s a “hair-tongue connection” in the head, like an acupuncture point, that when touched, causes you to tell all. So I asked my “hair therapist,” Matt Michalenko of Industry, if he tells his clients when he notices grooming

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issues? “For my male customers, I’ll ask them if they want me to cut their bushy eyebrows, and if they want me to take care of their ear and nose hair, but I’d never think of even raising the issue with my female clients.” Right, Matt. Not if you want to live to cut another day. For me, I need honest feedback because I find it hard to know exactly what I look like. When I look in the mirror, I’m never quite sure who that person is looking back. One of my daughters finally told me that my Reba McIntire hair color wasn’t flattering any more. So even though on other people red hair can look really great, and I do love Reba McIntire, I listened to her. With Matt’s input and skill, I’m now a more subdued sort of blond color. I think. Changing hair color is not a big deal anymore. In the old days, coloring your hair was usually done in the back room of the beauty parlor (when did they become “salons?”) and you looked around to see who was catching you getting “a dye job.” But things really changed with my daughters’ generation who started coloring their hair as a fashion statement, not just to cover the gray. Now when I’m at “the salon,” I even see men sitting right out in the open having their hair colored. You go guys! Moving down the body, when it is no longer comfortable to reach down to cut your own toenails, it used to be a problem unless you had an excuse to go to the podiatrist on a regular basis. Now with so many nail places around you have options. You can get both the essential toenail cutting (so you

don’t stab the cat at night on your way to the bathroom) and you also have something pretty to look at when you put your feet up to watch TV. Then there’s the hearing issue — It’s difficult to have your kids tell you that your hearing isn’t that good because to many of us, hearing aids say “old.” But as those baby boomers who killed their eardrums listening to loud music are starting to need hearing aids at an earlier age, they will suddenly become a fashion accessory. In the meantime, why suffer and miss hearing any really good gossip? As we get older, grooming has to be high on our to-do lists and we need to adjust to the fact that it’s just going to take longer to look good. In addition to hair that grows where you don’t want hair and doesn’t grow where you do want hair, there are things that are hard to know about yourself. For example, both men and women need someone to tell us if we have dandruff on our clothes because that’s one of those things you can do something about with all the good dandruff shampoos on the market. I also think it’s tough to know how you smell, as there really is no good “self-sniff test.” And as being well groomed always includes being clean and smelling good, regular baths or showers and clean smelling clothes are a must. So if we’re told we’re smelly, we should consider it a favor that someone was brave enough to raise the issue —we should thank them for it. Here goes the “big unmentionable” that no one but your kids will ever, ever, ever tell you, though sometime I think as a public service I should

Heather Heights

I made a pact with a friend to be honest with each other when we saw things ‘needing attention.’

tell people, only because there are solutions and because no one else will ever tell them. Then again, I do value my life. Let’s just call it “escaping gas” though my grandchildren call it the “F” word and they even have a book about it called All About F---s.” My advice is not just to ignore it, but to discuss it with your doctor. Maybe you’re lactose intolerant or have irritable bowel syndrome. There are solutions like increasing fiber, taking probiotics or eating yogurts that do nice stuff for your intestinal tract. Let’s end on a fashion note — Even if you’re in the mall every week looking around, it’s easy to get into a rut by buying the same thing all the time. Though I admire people who have their own style that looks just as good at 80 as it did at 20, not many people can pull that off. Every few years it’s worth taking stock. On a trip last year some friends did an intervention and made me buy a bunch of new accessories to upgrade my look. I came home with a new outfit, two sets of earrings and three necklaces. Keeping up is really important to “staying in the game.” Check today’s styles and figure out how they can be adapted to look good on you whatever your age. Do as I say, not as I do. When worse comes to worse and I’m in a hurry to grab something at the grocery and don’t feel like listening to my own advice about grooming, I have a secret theory I’ll share with you: Don’t Look Anyone in the Face. My theory is that if I don’t see them, they don’t see me, so it doesn’t make any difference how I look. If that works for you too, forget all the paragraphs above. Marilyn Pinsky if the president of AARP in New York state. She resides in Jamesville near Syracuse.

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55 PLUS - November / December 2010

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cover

George Ewing Jr. A Publisher’s New Life Nearly four years after selling his Messenger Post Newspapers, former publisher is now teaching, finishing his master’s degree. Retirement? Not his ‘shtick’ By Amy Cavalier

sk George Ewing Jr., 58, about retirement and he’ll tell you it isn’t his “shtick.” After more than 20 years working in the newspaper industry and serving as president and publisher of Messenger Post Newspapers in Canandaigua, he sold the newspapers to Gatehouse Media in January 2007. By the end of that summer, Ewing was starting to get “antsy.” “All I knew is that I wanted to have a job,” he said. “I needed some focus, something to keep me fresh and vital. I subscribe to the philosophy of civic responsibility in one form or another, and I’ve always loved teaching, so I decided to go back to teaching.” At the age of 56, Ewing landed a job teaching American literature, English and modern American poetry at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass. He also served as an assistant varsity girls ice hockey and varsity boys lacrosse coach. It was the same private school he had taught from 1979 to 1985, several years before coming to work with his father at the Messenger Post Newspapers. “It was a rough transition, because it’s a totally different rhythm, pace and different expectations,” he said. “The first quarter was hard. It was about February that it started to feel comfortable. By spring quarter, I was

cooking with gas.” Then, the economy crashed and Ewing found himself in the unlikely position of being laidoff in June 2009. It was something he’d never experienced before. “I still get angry because it’s so unfair,” he said. “You question ‘Do I not have the ability; am I out of touch; do I not have the energy?’ You start to question ‘What’s wrong with me?’” Looking back though, Ewing said, “it was a blessing in disguise.” By the end of June of 2009, his father was diagnosed with late-stage leukemia. “It came on like gang busters,” he said. Ewing moved back to his family homestead in Canandaigua to care for his father, George Ewing Sr., who passed away in September 2009. After the dust had settled, Ewing started looking for another teaching position. He searched, but to no avail. “I’m sure the economy is a big part of it,” he said. “I’m sure age is a part of it, though I’m sure no one will tell you that.” Then Ewing discovered his “plan B.” He decided to return to school to complete his master’s degree in American studies. This fall, Ewing enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, to finish what he started in the early ‘80s. He’ll be splitting his time between

Minnesota and Canandaigua. “I know that in my heart I’m still a kid, a college student, excited to learn, ready to rock n’ roll, but in my head, I know I’m not the same,” Ewing said. “I’m not your standard 25-year-old grad student.” An old friend of Ewing’s, Bill Greer of Canandaigua, said Ewing is a bright, engaging, community-minded person. Finishing his master’s, Greer said, is the next logical step. “George is a student whether he’s in school or not,” Greer said. “He’s always thinking, observing, studying. That’s what a newspaper person does, learning about the community and the people around him.” Newspapers and education have run like two parallel roads throughout Ewing’s life. When he was about 2 years old, the family moved to Mountain View Calif., where Ewing Sr. started in advertising sales for a newspaper. He later became general manager of the paper. “That’s where he decided he loved it,” said Ewing of his father. “He’d always wanted something that would combine business and public service.” In 1959, Ewing Sr. decided to move the family to Canandaigua and to purchase the Daily Messenger. After graduating from Kenyon College in Ohio in 1975 with a November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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bachelor’s degree in English, Ewing worked for the National Congressional Analysis Corporation in Washington, D.C. for a year. The daily publication capsulated and indexed each day’s “Congressional Record” for Washington, D.C. lawyers, lobbyists, Congressmen and their staff. “The perk of the job was when Congress was off, we were off, which seemed like one-third of the year,” he said. “We had all of August through Labor Day off. I’d come back from vacation in August and two weeks of paychecks had bounced. I went to work the next day and the door was padlocked shut.” After a few months of serving tables in downtown Washington, Ewing moved back to Canandaigua to work as a sports editor for his father’s paper from October 1976 to June 1979. Then he decided to try something new. He’d always wanted to be a teacher, Ewing said, and he didn’t want to look back later in life and regret not trying it. From 1979 to 1988, Ewing worked at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., and at Breck School in Minneapolis. In the meantime, he started his master’s work in American studies at the University of Minnesota. Then, in 1988, Ewing’s father called him to say his “number two” person had been hired away by the Finger Lakes Times. Ewing and his younger brother advised their father to hire a head hunter to find a replacement. A week later, Ewing’s father convinced him to return to Canandaigua to work as the assistant publisher of the newspaper. “I wanted to do it, but it wasn’t my timetable, but that’s life,” said Ewing. “Things happen. You’ve got to roll with it, so Meg and I came back.” Circulation for the Daily Messenger at the time was about 7,000 with a two-section daily, printed entirely in black and white. The offices were at the same location on Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, as they are today. Originally built in 1971, the Ewings added onto the offices in 1999. Ewing purchased the newspapers from his

father in May of 1992 and in the fall they began printing a Sunday paper and introduced full color. Ewing Sr. was still a major player as chairman and editor. In 1996, Messenger Post Newspapers grew when Ewing purchased the Wolfe papers, which included nine weeklies covering Rochester’s surrounding suburbs, and a printing plant in Fishers. The GatesChili Post was purchased in 1999 from Patricia Smith. Bob Matson, former executive editor at Messenger Post Newspapers, said Ewing had foresight. “He was progressive in the sense that he went into new markets in Monroe County,” he said. “It was a smart move which solidified our position in the marketplace.” In addition, Matson said, Ewing kept family values and integrity in the newspaper business. “It’s much more of a bottom-line focused industry today,” Matson said. “He [Ewing] looked at what was good for the community and what was good for the people that worked for him. Those things mattered to him a lot more than they do to newspaper publishers today.” Ewing said he staunchly believed in independent ownership of the newspaper. “It meant a lot to me that we were family owned,” he said. Started in 1796, Ewing said, The Daily Messenger is the seventh oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States and the oldest continuously paper published west of the Hudson River. By the early 2000s, Ewing was starting to see the effects of New York’s weakening economy on the newspaper business. “When I came on, we paid 100 percent of employees’ health insurance,” he said. “Dad and I subscribed to the philosophy that we knew we couldn’t pay as much as what people felt they were worth, but we were very conscious of trying to give good benefits. That’s what I called the hidden paycheck.” The cost of newsprint continued to rise, and the onset of computers, technology and the Internet prompted

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George Ewing Jr. with his dad, the late George Ewing Sr., in front of the Messenger Post’s headquarters in Canandaigua. Ewing to begin toying with the idea of selling the papers. Advertising and circulation revenues did not keep pace with the rate of increase in newsprint, technology and health care costs. “We didn’t have the resources,” he said. “It got to the point that three of the last five years I implemented wage freezes. That was brutal. I did not enjoy that.” Meanwhile, Ewing said, they slowly began backing out of their health care portion, forcing employees to pay for more of the cost out of pocket. “Emotionally that was hard,” he said, “because people were working hard. These were people, with families. I’ve always believed that happy people make happy employees. I couldn’t do it financially.” The Ewing family was able to grow the Messenger Post Newspaper’s circulation from about 5,000 to a little

over 15,000 in their more than 40 years of ownership. Ewing decided to look for a buyer in the winter of 2006. “I knew, in order to go forward, there would have to be huge cuts,” he said. “I didn’t want to have to be the one to tear down what had been built up. I could have done it, but emotionally, it would have been a huge stress.” Matson said it was the right decision. “I know those were agonizing months and probably even a period of years when he saw the writing on the wall,” he said. “The industry was struggling. The Internet had changed so much, particularly the newspaper industry. I’m sure it was a tough decision, but you can’t fault him. He made the sale at just the right time, in good business sense, because the value of the company was probably at its peak when he sold it.”

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Ewing said he began the search for a buyer that would have similar philosophies as the paper did under his leadership. Local newspapers are the glue in a community, he said. Then Gatehouse Media came along. “It’s a huge organization, but their papers were small like ours…weeklies and dailies,” he said. Gatehouse Media Inc. purchased Messenger Post Newspapers in January 2007. With two sons in college and one a senior in high school, and he and his wife recently divorced, Ewing finds himself in the unlikely spot of trying to reinvent himself at the age most people are thinking of retirement. He currently serves on the board of directors for Garth Fagan Dance and the advisory board of Ontario County ARC. An old family friend, Paul Marshall, said he thinks Ewing’s happiest times have been when he’s teaching and coaching. “Realistically, it’s going to be a challenge because he is older, but I think he has a very good attitude about it,” said Marshall. “He wants to finish up old business.” Ewing’s oldest son Patrick, 22, is a senior at Malcalester College in St. Paul, Minn. He said he’s proud of his father. “I mean he’s not exactly a young guy,” he said. “He’s had a full career, but he wants to keep doing something useful with himself, I’m not sure I could say that about myself when I’m his age. And just taking steps that seem like they might be backwards can be difficult and frustrating, but I thinking he’s doing a great job making it a step forward.” While he works on his thesis at the University of Minnesota, Ewing said he may also put his name in as a substitute teacher at some of the area schools. He’s not sure where life will lead him from here or where he’ll make his home in the future. “It’s both daunting and incredibly exciting,” he said. “Where am I going to be a year from now, emotionally, physically, what is life going to offer me? I’ve been through a lot of changes the past couple years, but you know, you roll with it.”

November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

long-term care By Susan Suben

Filling In The Medicare ‘Gaps’ Understanding the basics of Medicare

urning 65 has its challenges, especially when it comes to understanding Medicare. Many of you who are Medicare-eligible may find yourselves without health coverage because your employer is dropping retiree health insurance. If you are already 65, maybe your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is discontinuing coverage in your area or you’re not satisfied with your current coverage and want to return to Original Medicare To decide what options will work best for you, you need to understand Original Medicare. When you are 65 years old or under 65 years old with a qualifying disability or other special situation, you are eligible to apply for Medicare. Medicare has four parts — A, B, C, and D. Original Medicare, which consists of parts A and B, is operated by the government and government subcontractors. Medicare pays fees for your care directly to your doctors and hospitals. This is commonly referred to as “fee for service.” Part A pays hospital costs. Part B pays for doctor ’s care and outpatient services such as lab work and diagnostic tests. P a r t C i s c a l l e d M e d i c a re Advantage (MA). MA plans are administered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. Medicare subsidizes some of their costs with a flat fee and then the plan pays your doctor and hospital expenses. MA plans will either include prescription drug coverage or offer it as an option for an additional premium. Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. You can purchase a prescription drug plan through a private insurance company. The biggest initial decision you will have to make is whether or not to

55 PLUS - November / December 2010

stay on Original Medicare or enroll in an MA plan. The way to decide is by determining how much you will spend on deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance. These are considered the gaps in your coverage. A lot will also depend upon your health and how often you go to the doctor. A deductible is a pre-set amount that you will have to pay before Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will start to pay for your care. A co-payment is a fixed amount that you pay for a service or product. For example, you might have to pay a $15 co-pay when you go to the doctor. Co-insurance is based upon paying a percentage of your health costs. Your plan might pay 80 percent of a doctor’s bill and you pay the remaining 20 percent. It is difficult to discuss “the gaps” in Medicare Advantage plans because there are so many plans available. Each company structures their plan differently and offers varying incentives to enroll, such as gym memberships or wellness programs. Deciding whether or not Medicare Advantage is right for you requires a lot of investigation. It is important to find out if your plan requires you to use doctors and hospitals within a network and what happens to your coverage if you reside out-of-state during the year. If you choose to stay with Original Medicare, deductible and con-insurance gaps can be filled in by purchasing a Medicare Supplement plan known as Medigap. Medigap policies are offered by private insurance companies but the policies they offer are standardized by the federal government. As of June 1, certain changes were made to the policies that include the addition of hospice care, the elimination of preventive and at-home recovery

benefits, the elimination of plans E,H, I and J, and the addition of plans M and N. Currently, there are 10 plans available — A, B, C, D, F or high deductible F, G, K, L. M and N. Each Medigap company decides which plans they will include in their offerings. You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time after you reach age 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. In New York, pre-existing conditions are excluded within the first six months you are enrolled in Part B at age 65 or older or you are replacing either another Medigap policy or creditable coverage, such as health insurance provided by an employer. There are several advantages to purchasing a Medigap policy. The plans are standardized by the federal government, you can go to any doctor or hospital throughout the US who accepts Medicare, it is easier to deal with medical bills and paperwork, and out-of-pocket costs are limited and predictable. Some disadvantages are that premiums can change yearly and premiums for the same coverage can differ sharply depending upon the company. You will also have to purchase a separate Medicare Part D prescription plan because Medigap plans do not offer drug coverage. There is no doubt that Medicare can be confusing. But like everything else, the more you learn, the easier it will be to decide what approach is right for you. Susan Suben, a certified senior adviser, is president of Long Term Care Associates, Inc. and a consultant for Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company. She can be reached at (800) 422-2655 or by e-mail at susansuben@31greenbush.com.

consumers corner By Eva Briggs

Normal Heart Rhythm 100,000 beats daily — and getting it right almost every time

an you imagine doing the same thing over and over again, 100,000 times each day for decades? And getting it right almost every time? That’s what the human heart does. Your heart beats regularly several billion times over a normal lifespan in order to pump and circulate 2,000 gallons of blood every day. Amazingly, your heart does this without fancy electronic or mechanical controls. The signal to contract arises at regular intervals from a small cluster of cells called the sino-atrial (SA) node. The SA node is located in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. The electrical impulse causes the atria to contract, pumping blood to the lower heart chambers (ventricles). The electrical signal travels in special conducting fibers to the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node is another cluster of specialized cells that delays the signal a bit so that it will reach the ventricles after the atria have contracted and filled them with blood. After the passing through the AV node, the electrical signal continues to the ventricles. The ventricles then contract, so that the left ventricle can send blood to the body and the right ventricle can pump blood to the lungs. The description above is how things are supposed to work, and most of the time that’s the way things happen. But sometimes the system runs awry, and the heart rhythm is disrupted. That’s called an arrhythmia. Types of Arrhythmias • Premature beats — The heart may throw in an early beat, before the next regular beat is due. This premature beat may arise from either the atria or the ventricles. Premature beats are the most common type of arrhythmia. The vast majority of the

time they are not dangerous, and often go unnoticed. Stress and caffeine both increase the occurrence of premature beats. • Atrial fibrillation — This abnormal rhythm affects 3–5 percent of all Americans. It’s the most common type of medically dangerous arrhythmia. In atrial fibrillation, the atria cease beating regularly and instead quiver ineffectively. Blood may pool in the atria, leading to blood clots. These blood clots can break loose, potentially traveling to the arteries in the brain. Blockage of brain arteries can cause a stroke. The quivering atria don’t fill the ventricles properly, potentially causing insufficient blood to be pumped to the body and lungs. And the lack of an effective pacemaking impulse from the SA node causes the ventricles to contract irregularly, often too fast, too slow, or alternating between too fast and too slow. • Bradycardia — Bradycardia means that the heart beats too slowly. It may be normal and cause no symptoms in a well-conditioned athlete. Or it can cause problems due to lack of sufficient blood circulation. Certain types of medicines can cause bradycardia. • Tachycardia — Tachycardia means that the heart beats too quickly. It some cases it is a physiological response to fever, blood loss or dehydration. It can arise from an overactive thyroid. Or it can be due to a diseased cardiac electrical system. • Ventricular arrhythmias — Normally the ventricles don’t contract until they receive a signal conducted from the upper portion of the heart. But sometimes the ventricles begin beating on their own. This may be ventricular tachycardia, a very fast rhythm that is seldom stable for long. Or there may be ventricular fibrillation, a potentially

lethal arrhythmia where the ventricles quiver ineffectively and don’t circulate the blood at all. If prompt CPR and electrical defibrillation do not restore circulation, irreversible brain damage begins in 3-5 minutes. Symptoms—Arrhythmias may cause palpitations — the sensation of the heart beating too quickly or irregularly. If an arrhythmia compromises blood circulation, a patient can feel short of breath, weak, lighted headed, or dizzy. There may be chest pain. Serious arrhythmias can cause loss of consciousness ranging from a brief faint to cardiac arrest. If you experience an occasional brief palpitation with no associated symptoms, see your doctor soon to be checked. But for anything more serious, call 9-1-1 and head to the emergency room by ambulance. Don’t drive yourself or have friends and family drive you when you are experiencing the symptoms of potentially serious heart disease! Diagnosis—An exam and EKG identify many heart rhythm disturbances. But many arrhythmias come and go, and may disappear before you see a physician. In that case you may need a Holter monitor, which observes the heart rhythm for 24 (or more) hours. For infrequent problems, you may need an event monitor, a device that the patient wears for days and activates when the symptoms occur. Certain arrhythmias are evaluated by an electrophysiological (EPS) study, where a cardiologist inserts electrodes into the heart to observe the electrical activity. Treatment—The treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has involved tremendously since 1950, due to improved medications, new electrical devices, and invasive procedures. November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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Succeeding in a Second Career Former executive at Kodak excited with new entrepreneurial life By Dean M. Lichterman

Penelope Pankow draws off a sample cup of one of the numerous infused oils and vinegars that have to be tasted to be believed.

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nspired by a store she visited in another state, Penelope Pankow has now a new career. Pankow, 56, is the owner of F. Oliver’s, a store in downtown Canandaigua that sells balsamic vinegars and olive oils. “I visited a store with a similar product line and saw the benefit of this from a health standpoint and from an attractiveness to the population,” said Pankow. “At the time, we were in the midst of the recession and were all cooking healthy alternatives at home. I thought this would give us all a little lift for our cooking because the products are wonderful. “The products are very flavorful, very fresh and very healthy, and I just thought that it is a product line that I would be proud and happy to bring to the public.” Pankow worked for Kodak for 23 years. She retired from that company in 2005 and followed that by getting a master ’s degree in hospitality management from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Pankow then went to work with a consulting firm. “ A ro u n d t h e f a l l o f 2 0 0 9 , consulting jobs were mostly doing economic outlook for hotels and the economic outlook for hotels was pretty bleak,” said Pankow “It wasn’t a lot of fun anymore.” That is when she decided to start her own business. She started her business plan in October of 2009. Pankow then signed the lease to the storefront in February. After completing renovations, the store opened in April.

55+ Adirondack Trail; one who is a woodworking artist, and one who is a college professor and blogger. Pankow also named one former employee who now does consulting work and others who have gone on to work for other corporations. “Retiring is very personal,” said Pankow. “I would advise other retirees to follow their heart and their gut to find the right life balance.” Pankow’s job now is to control the business side of F. Oliver’s. “Although I am either working or thinking about work all the time, the energy I spend as a business proprietor directly affects the business. That is much more gratifying to me at this point in life than the Much like a wine tasting, customers are energy required to successfully able to sample, then choose the products navigate corporate politics,” that meet their needs and taste. said Pankow. “I had visited a store similar She has six employees. to this in Michigan and it utilized Building customer base — “Our the tasting concept for extra virgin mission at the store it is that we olive oil and balsamic vinegar,” said build a loyal following by giving the Pankow. “I’ve had an interest in food customers a terrific store experience,” and an interest in hospitality and the said Pankow. “It is really important business part of it. I’ve spent my adult that every customer is hosted to the life in business and so I thought, I’m extent that he or she wants to be going to do this.” hosted. Savvy business woman — She “We love our store. We want it gained that experience from Kodak to be a warm welcoming place to by working in several departments everyone who comes here. We feel and positions. that if we do that part right, then “My goal when I was at Kodak business success will follow. We are was to work in every business customer focused and not dollarsfunction so that I would have great and-cents focused.” general management experience,” She estimates the store sells 20 said Pankow. varieties of balsamic vinegars and She worked as a technical sales a similar amount of olive oils. The representative, market research products can be purchased with or manager, product manager, supply without infused flavors. chain director and worldwide F. Oliver’s, which is named in marketing director. part for Pankow’s cat, purchases the Kodak had 60,400 local employees products in bulk from an importer in at the end of 1992. That number stood California as well as other suppliers. at 7,400 at the end of 2009. The product is then bottled and Pankow networks with some labeled at the store. of those former employees. She Pankow has set up a format mentions that she knows of one where F. Oliver ’s employees talk who is hiking and writing about the to the customers, then try to match

profile

the vinegars and oils to customers’ cooking preferences. “We are learning every single day. We’ve gotten some ideas from other stores that we had visited, what products to go with, but we are pretty quickly tasting them ourselves,” said Pankow. “We all taste every single day and come up with new combinations of things. We’ve learned a lot from the flavor of these products from the standpoint of what goes with what best food application.” Owning the store has also allowed Pankow to spend more time with her family. “I definitely have less time for recreation but spend as much time with my husband as he helps out a lot with projects at the store,” said Pankow.

November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

my turn By Bruce Frassinelli

Why I Bought a Brand-New Cadillac CTS When I retired, I wanted to give myself a memorable gift, something special

ock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley was an expert on fantasies. Not only did he live one with his climb from obscurity to become one of the most recognizable persons in the world, but he was famous for fulfilling the fantasies of others, sometimes even total strangers. Imagine you are Menni Person, who was window-shopping in 1975 for a brand new Cadillac at a Memphis, Tenn., dealership. She is struggling with one of the most important buying decisions of her life. With entourage in tow, Presley walks in, plunks down $140,000 for 13 new Cadillacs for family members and employees. And, oh yes, he says pointing to Person, a woman he had never met before, throw one in for her. For us senior citizens, Cadillac has always been the embodiment of fantasy, class and luxury. To own one was announcing to the world that you had arrived. When I retired several years ago, I wanted to give myself a memorable gift, something special, something I have always wanted, a fantasy gift that would remind me of my satisfying and successful professional career — journalist, editor and publisher — every time I used it. When I saw the TV ad for the Cadillac CTS, all gleaming and shiny in crystal red tint coat, I yelled out loud, “That’s it.” A sultry-voiced woman in the ad asked provocatively: “The real question is: When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?” Now, that, I thought was the essence of my fantasy. 40

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Did I immediately run down to the local Cadillac dealership and make a deal for the $43,000 CTS? Of course not; I second-guessed myself for two months. “This is preposterous,” I told myself. “I have a perfectly good car — a 2-year-old Chevy Malibu. But, wait a minute. We’re talking fantasy, an acknowledgment of nearly 50 years of hard work, clawing my way up the corporate ladder to the top job in my profession. Don’t I deserve something outlandish like this? This internal debate went on for weeks. Finally, I conceded that there would be no harm in walking into the dealership, look around, get the lay of the land and have the salesperson give me a quote, which I would reject, and that would be that. Before I did, however, I checked

the Internet for the invoice price of the CTS I wanted. There were only two must-have options: the crystal red tint coat model (a $995 add-on) and a moon roof — something my son, Paul, insisted I needed — (a $900 addition). With tax and destination charges, this would up the price to nearly $44,000. I calculated dealer incentives, the amount in my GM credit card cashback account and a fantasy amount I wanted in trade for my Chevy Malibu. I was sure that my outlandish demands for the trade-in would be a deal-breaker, even if we got that far. When I left home, I never told my wife, Marie, where I was going. After all, I was only going windowshopping. No use getting her upset with my fantasy that was unlikely to be fulfilled, at least not that day. And, who knows, maybe an Elvis type might pop in while I was looking and say, “Oh, by the way, throw one in for that bald guy over there — the one salivating over that red CTS.” Salesperson Bob Blum met me at the door and told me to visualize myself behind the wheel of this beauty. I was turned on, but I played it cool and nonchalant. He insisted that I take her for a test drive. During the next 20 minutes, my heart was pounding; I was in love. W h e n w e re t u r n e d t o t h e showroom, Bob and I started what turned out to be nearly three hours of negotiations. The model I test drove included my mandated options, plus a $3,350 “Performance Collection.” With generous manufacturer and dealer rebates, I was staring at a $43,000 car, including sales tax.

Next, I told Blum what I wanted for my Malibu. He looked up the car in the Blue Book, the dealer’s bible for used-car values. He gulped hard when he saw the gap between the Blue Book quote and what I wanted for my car. I told him my demand for the trade was non-negotiable — take it or leave it. Don’t forget: I had no intention of buying a car that day. “Let me see what I can do,” he said dejectedly as he went to the sales manager’s office. He came back with an offer that was $2,500 less than my demand. Well, that’s that, I thought. I thanked Blum for his time and started to get up to leave. “Wait a minute,” he said. “Let’s compromise,” he suggested. No, I told him. I would not budge. “Let me make one more try,” he begged. Off he went to see the sales manager again. About 10 minutes later, he returned. He quoted a number that was $1,500 less than what I wanted — a $1,000 increase over the original trade offer. I rejected it immediately and, again, started to get up to leave. Blum suggested that the sales manager — Dave Mancinelli — talk to me directly. Fine, I said, thinking “talk is cheap.” Mancinelli bounced into the room, shook my hand, and asked me for my rock-bottom number for my Malibu. I told him the same thing that I told Blum and advised him to take it or leave it. “Can’t do it,” Mancinelli said. “I can throw in maybe another $500,” he added. Now, we were $1,000 apart. Again, I started to get up. “Give me a second,” Mancinelli said, as he started scribbling numbers on a notepad. “I can add another $500 but not a penny more,” he finally said after about five minutes of calculations. As I started to leave, he flipped the pen into the air. “OK, OK,” he said. “I have some top-secret incentives I can use for occasions like this, so I am going to use two to get us together,” he said. I couldn’t believe it. I was going to walk out of the dealership as the owner of my fantasy car with terms I dictated and — get this — no interest financing for 60 months. I have been driving my CTS for nearly two years, and, yes, just in case you are wondering: It still turns me on every time I drive her.

Rich Vogelzang, CRS, SRES Associate Broker in NYS with 27 years of real estate experience Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

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November / December 2010 - 55 PLUS

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By Mike Costanza

Darrel Lance, 75 Actor still excited (and scared) to get onto stage. He most recently appeared in ‘Amadeus’ If you’ve enjoyed local theater, you’ve seen Darrel Lance in greasepaint. For nearly 30 years, the veteran amateur actor has trod the boards in local productions of “The Grapes of Wrath,” Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and other classics, and such lesserknown works as “Quartermaine’s Terms.” He recently appeared in the ensemble of GEVA’s production of “Amadeus, “and continues to act in at least one local theater production a year. Lance recently spoke to 55-PLUS.

Q.You’ve acted since you were

a child in Indianapolis, yet you call yourself an introvert. How does an introvert continue to step onto the stage? A. I think people like me do theater the way that some people climb mountains or climb rock faces. It’s the thing in my life that scares the heck out of me—it’s a terror and a delight at the same time. I have rather severe stage fright. I have to calm myself down and focus and concentrate. It’s sort of like waking a tightrope.

Q.I see how difficult that could be for an introvert, but what is the delight of acting? A. Just being on stage, and being cast, and accepted in an audition. It’s just a tremendous artistic pleasure. If you get the compliment afterwards— that’s what’s happened—that’s probably the highest accolade. Q.Some actors seem to be shy in person, but distinct extroverts on stage, even to the point of being over

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the top. Has this quality led you in that direction?

A. No. I have played more ordinary people. In one play, called Mornings at Seven, there were three sisters and their husbands. I was one of the husbands, and was lamenting that I’d failed in life. It was a role that hit me. Psychologically and temperamentally, I’m a not a gungho, razzmatazz person. I’m pretty introverted, so those kinds of roles fit me best. Q. Tell us about your role in GEVA’s production of Amadeus. A.The one that I’m on stage most as is Giuseppe Bonno, who is the royal Kapellmeister for the emperor. I come on and fake playing the piano to accompany Caterina Cavalieri, the up-and-coming opera star. On three other occasions, I’m on stage watching an opera. It’s just basically being part of the audience. Q.You’re also a founding member of Geriactors, a troupe of older actors. Can you tell us about it? A.We got started in 1999, and our first performance was in the fall of 2000. We have worked up half a dozen programs. One of the ones we do is called “We Were There,” which is true stories of people caught up in warfare—the ordinary people. I am a Polish youth who was drafted into the Polish army at the end of World War I, when Poland rebelled against Russia. Poland declared war on Russia to drive the Russians out. That was a war I had known nothing about. It’s the story about this kid who goes off to war and gets separated from his unit. His feet are hurting

and he doesn’t get enough to eat and they steal food going through the countryside. Finally, he gets captured, and spends the rest of the war in a Russian prisoner camp. In the end, he gets freed and goes off to join his wife and child in America.

Q.You appeared in school and college productions before entering what is now Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, then eventually entered Harvard. After earning a doctorate at Harvard, you returned to Colgate to teach. Why didn’t you pursue a full-time career in acting? A.I toyed with the idea of trying it professionally when I graduated from college, but my goal up to that point had been to go into the ministry. One of the pieces of advice that they always give to people who think about the theater is, “Don’t do it unless there is absolutely nothing else that you would be happy doing.” I decided that I would be happy in ministry. Q.Do you remember your first part in a play? A.I was “balloon man” in the first grade. I sang my little song, (he broke into song in a deep, rich voice that carried a hint of a chuckle) “Balloons, balloons who’ll buy balloons.” I think it was because I could sing on pitch.

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