Marathon County Senior Review December 2014 by Senior Review Newspapers

N ove mb e r 2014

Happy Holidays!

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Senior Review

A Senior Magazine for Living a Healthier, Smarter and More Active Life in Wausau

Simple, Yet Essential: Reasons to Execute Power of Attorney Documents By Ashley Hawley, Jackman Law Firm

t some point in the process, most family members who are caring for an elderly individual get to a point when they determine that the individual can no longer make financial or health care decisions for themselves. Perhaps it is as simple as forgetting whether certain bills are paid or whether or not medication has been taken. Or, perhaps it is advanced Dementia or Alzheimer’s that finally brings the caregiver to a realization that additional help may be needed. At the point of realization of incapacity, it is typically too late for that individual to pick who their agent will be, and instead a guardian will need to be appointed by the Court. Guardianship is a formal Court process whereby an individual petitions the Court to be appointed for the role. A third party Guardian ad Litem (“GAL”) needs to be appointed as well, basically to make sure that the petitioner is the right individual to take on the job, and most importantly to make sure that the best interests of the individual are taken into consideration. To start the guardianship process forms are filled out and filed with the Court, and a hearing is set. Prior to the hearing the GAL visits with the proposed guardian and also the proposed ward. At the hearing, the GAL will make a recommendation to

the Court, and if everything goes as planned, the petitioner will be appointed guardian by the Court. After appointment, the guardian will need to file an inventory of the ward’s assets and will need to file an annual accounting of how those assets are being used on behalf of the ward. For a lot of people, the question of who they would want to take on a role such as guardian if they are unable to make their own decisions is an easy one: Perhaps it is a spouse. Perhaps it is the oldest (or youngest) son or daughter. Perhaps a trusted friend that has always been there and already knows a lot of that person’s personal information. The trick, though, is making sure that you actually name that person, when you are still able to make that decision, so that a guardianship proceeding is not necessary. The way for you to do that is by executing power of attorney documents. A power of attorney document can, and will, avoid guardianship if written and executed correctly.

There are two types of power of attorney documents: one for finances and one for health care. As the title implies, the financial power of attorney is an agent who acts on your behalf to make financial decisions for you – for example, writing checks to pay the bills, transferring assets, and even selling the house, if necessary. The health care power of attorney is for medical decisions – for example, removing life support, withdrawing feeding tubes, and admitting a person to a nursing home. Most financial power of attorney documents state they are effective on the date the document is signed. Meaning the agent can immediately make decisions for the person. The health care power of attorney, on the other hand, only becomes active when two physicians have examined the person and determined that they are incapacitated and cannot make their own health care decisions. Many people ask me why the financial power of attorney is effective immediately – can’t that also be only effective when two doctors have said that I cannot make financial decisions for myself? The answer to that question is yes – you can state that the financial power of attorney only becomes activated when two doctors have determined you cannot make your own decisions. But, the truth is, if you are electing an agent to act on your behalf – you need to be able to trust that individual. After all, when you sign the power of attorney documents you must be competent enough to sign Continued on Page‌| 1 3 Senior Review

Balanced Living Holiday Trivia

Vitamin D: Does a Body Good Cancer: Getting enough can help regulate cell growth, preventing cells from becoming cancerous. Chronic Pain: Deficiency is recognized as a cause for muscle pain and weakness. Auto-immune Diseases: Studies show it offers protection against diabetes, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis by strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation. Cardiovascular Disease: Some studies show that low levels increase the risk of coronary artery calcification and congestive heart failure. Osteoporosis: Vitamin D may strengthen balance and muscles, which leads to fewer falls and bone fractures as we age. Recommended: 15 minutes a day without sunblock to soak up the most vitamin D you can. You can also supplement the amount of vitamin D you get by taking 800 to 1000 IUs daily.

Natural Ways to Turn Down the Heat By Celia Shatzman It’s the holidays, go ahead and indulge. And we all do, so its no shock that a recent survey from The National Heartburn Alliance found that 37 percent of adults say they’re more likely to suffer from heartburn during this season. Heartburn occurs when harsh, irritating stomach juices come in contact with the delicate lining of the esophagus, which connects the mouth to the stomach. While your first reaction may be to reach for antacids, Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, associate professor of complementary and alternative medicine at Georgetown University, offers these alternatives: Stop before bed. Make sure to finish eating two to three hours before you lie down to give gastric contents time to empty into the intestinal tract. Also, use an extra pillow to keep you a bit upright. Sleeping flat on your back can lead to acid backflow. Avoid the traditional holiday fare, meaning caffeine, alcohol and

peppermint. Caffeine increases acid secretion, while alcohol and peppermint relax muscles between the stomach and esophagus, making it easier for acid to creep back up. Limit your dairy. Milk is one of the most acid-producing foods. Take Calcium. You should be getting your 1,000 mg daily anyway but did you know it also neutralizes hydrochloric acids in the stomach. Take 500 mg with lunch and dinner. Take magnesium. This mineral neutralizes acids in the digestive tract. Take 300 to 400 mg daily. Try apple-cider vinegar. Mix 1 teaspoon into a half-full glass of water, and sip during each meal. Heartburn often occurs because we don’t produce enough stomach acid, and the “good” acid in applecider vinegar can rectify that.

Editor/Publisher: Arwen Rasmussen Offices: 3315 Nimitz Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701 P: 715-831-0325 F: 715-831-7051 E: seniorreviewnewspapers@gmail.com

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Tips and ideas for a healthy and balanced life

World’s largest Christmas tree: Location: Blue River, Oregon; over 50,000 lights; Douglas Fir Tree is over 160’ tall; LED lights have up to 50,000 hours of bulb life, uses 85-95% less energy World’s largest Christmas tree lit up: One of the world’s largest Christmas trees, which is over 2600 feet tall, has been unveiled in the Italian town of Gubbio. Most popular Christmas tree: Fraser fir is a high-altitude tree and related to the northern Balsam fir. World wide symbol of holidays in New York City: Traditionally a Norway Spruce is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Most expensive Christmas tree in the world: An $11 million Christmas tree in the foyer of the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi. More Trivia: Most popular Christmas candy: Candy cane Most popular dinner: Turkey Most popular Christmas movies: It’s a Wonderful Life A Christmas Story Christmas Vacation The Nightmare Before Christmas Home Alone Top 10 Christmas Songs Most popular Christmas songs of all time: All I Want For Christmas Is You Fairytale Of New York Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Jingle Bell Rock Jingle Bells White Christmas Winter Wonderland

Decking the White House 18 ft., 6 in. - Height of the White House Christmas tree. 17 - Number of decorated trees in the White House. 1,089 - Feet of garland strung throughout the first mansion. 4,638 - Red ornament balls. 269 - Wreaths in the White House.

Ornamentation

$15.8 billion - Amount spent on new holiday decorations in 2005. http://christmasspirit.wordpress.com/2006/12/19/counting-on-christmas-statistics/

Distrbution: The Senior Review distributes throughout the Greater Wausau area every month. Advertising: 715-831-0325 Disclaimer: The Senior Review Publications assumes no responsibility for the advertising content of the Senior Review nor for any mistakes or omissions there in. No endorsements of any products or services is made and noneshould be inferred. The terms and conditions under which the advertisement will be

honored are the sole responsibility of all the advertisers and not Senior Review Publications. A telephone call to the advertising merchant may eliminate confusion to any exceptions in the advertisements. Senior Review is owned by AKRE Enterprises, © Copyright 2014. For more information call Senior Review at 715-831-0325 or email us at seniorreviewnewspapers@gmail.com

Continued from Front Page... them. If you trust them to make decisions when you are no longer competent, you should trust them enough to make decisions when you are still competent and can revoke the authority granted to them. Additionally, with any power of attorney document, you are not relinquishing the control to make decisions by yourself. So long as you are able, you can still make both financial and health care decisions on your own behalf, and can revoke or change your agent whenever you would like. If you become incapacitated, but recover, the health care power of attorney will also be deactivated.

Power of attorney documents seem like a simple solution to making sure that the agent you would like to act can actually act on your behalf – and to prevent your agent from having to go through a guardianship process. So, why do so many people avoid executing power of attorney documents? Like most estate planning topics – people do not like to think about death, and they certainly do not like to admit that they may in the future need help taking care of themselves. In addition, a lot of people fear that the agent they named will be overwhelmed by the task. They

Woodson YMCA Happenings Over the Holidays The Woodson YMCA-Aspirus Branch will ring in the holiday season with new weight room equipment and nearly 20 pieces of the newest Matrix 7xi, our line of exercise machines. We’ve installed a mix of 17 new treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes and steppers designed to offer a maximum variety of comfortable and effective cardio vascular workouts. The newest technology in cardio machines, if you haven’t used one lately, offer touch screen consoles that allow users to use their favorite apps including Facebook and Twitter, enjoy on demand television series, YouTube videos and music or take virtual rides abroad. They also allow for immediate posting to social media after a workout; challenge your friends! And besides entertainment, users can track themselves by number of workouts, calories, miles or other goals they can set for themselves. The Wellness Center will offer new benches, squat racks and leg presses for weight training. The

GIVE OF H A GIFT GIVEEAALTGIFT H WOO DSON YMCA Gif Now t Cards

OF HEALTH

Health and Wellness staff strives to offer a clean and modern facility where people can achieve goals with plenty of variety in equipment. Training for a late fall or winter 5k? This time of year with so many comfort foods

feel like naming them as their agent will be a burden on those closest to them. The problem with that logic is failure to execute a power of attorney document ahead of time will actually impose additional work and expense on the agent. If you know you would trust that individual to be your agent, why not talk to them about it now, and see how they actually feel? The truth is most people feel flattered to be asked. And, with most estate planning, when it is done you will feel relieved. It is a very simple, yet essential detail of your future estate planning.

and baked goodies finding their way to workplaces, maybe your goal will just be to maintain your current weight. For people who need a little more direction, we suggest a group or personal training session to help you meet your goals. Physical training time can make a wonderful gift. We are now offering gift cards at both Woodson YMCA branches in any amount. The gift cards can be used for swim lessons, massage at our downtown Wausau Branch, personal training, youth or family memberships. The holiday season will offer the chance for parents and children to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Child Care Development Center at the Aspirus YMCA on Dec. 11. Look for details coming soon. And after the holidays, we’ll get ready to celebrate the 10th anniversary this February of the Aspirus Branch. We are located off Camp Phillips Road in Weston. See you at the Y! — Carrie Hutton, communications director at Woodson YMCA

50 Greatest

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Senior Review ‌| 3

What’s Happening Calendar Free Blood Pressure Screenings from United Way RSVP of Marathon County Held monthly at each site at the following times: 1st Sunday: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 930 Edgewood Rd., Wausau; 9:15-10:15am 1st Tuesday: Mount. of the Lord Lutheran Church, 5506 Bittersweet Rd., Wausau, 10:00 -11:00am Grief Group at Helke Funeral Home 1st Thursday: Riverview Towers, 500 Grand 302 Spruce St, Wausau, on the 2nd and 4th Ave., Wausau; 8:30-9:30am Tuesdays of each month from 1-2 pm. Sturgeon Bluffs, 1320 Grand Ave., Wausau; 10:00-11:00am Free Monthly Grief Programs Available 2nd Sunday: St. John Catholic Church, 103 N. Through Aspirus Comfort Care and Fourth Ave., Edgar; 9:15-10:45am Hospice Services 2nd Tuesday: The Neighbors’ Place, 745 Scott St., Wausau; 10:00-11:00am • Good Grief – Living with Loss: Monthly 3rd Sunday: Saint Mary’s Church, 712 grief support group for adults who have Market St., Marathon; 9:00-10:00am experienced the death of a loved one. Second 3rd Monday: Island Place Apartments, 400 Monday of each month; 4-5 p.m. First River Dr., Wausau; 9:00-10:00am Universalist Unitarian Church, 504 Grant St., City Walk Apartments, 120 Grand Ave., Wausau; The Grief Center, 715.847.2703. Wausau; 10:15-11:15am • Suicide Grief Support Group: A place to go 3rd Wednesday: Randlin Homes, 529 when your life has been changed by the suicide McClellan St, Wausau; 6:00-7:00pm 4th Wednesday: Kannenberg Plaza, 1240 of a loved one. Second Tuesday of each Merrill Ave, Wausau; 9:00-10:00am month; 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Mark's Lutheran The Salvation Army, 202 Callon St., Wausau; Church, 600 Stevens Drive, Wausau 10:30-11:30am Sara or Heather at 715.539.9818. Services are provided by United Way RSVP volunteer nurses. 715-848-2927 for more • The Compassionate Friends: A self-help information. support group for parents, grandparents, and adult siblings. Third Wednesday of the month 7-9 pm at the Downtown Memory Café Parish Center, St. Matthew's Catholic Church, is a new gathering place for people with early Wausau. New contact person is Mike Wahoske stages of dementia and their care partners. Come for refreshments, conversation, music, 715-536-6320. activities, programs—and most of all a place to be who you are. Hosted by First Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital Grief United Methodist Church, 3rd Thursday Support every month, 10:30 am – Noon, 903 Third Groups are monthly adult gatherings for individuals and families who have experienced Street, Wausau. For more information or to the death of a loved one. . The group meets on register, call the church at 715-842-2201, Charles Schoenfeld at 715-842-9809 or email: the second Thursday of each month, 1:30memorycafe@fumcwausau.org. Free! 3:00pm at Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital (Chapel area), 3400 Ministry Parkway in Aspirus Health Resources for Weston Older Adults To register for the following free or low-cost SPARK! Bring a friend or loved one with memory loss for a social outing in soothing surroundings. Third Sunday each month 1-2:30 pm. Call 715.845.7010 to register. Leigh Yawkee Woodson Art Museum, 715.845.7010

Hospice — A Choice for Living. We provide a special kind of care for people that supports families, respects the person and preserves dignity at end of life. Covered by Medicare and most insurance. Call toll free:

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Senior Review |‌ 4

1.866.331.2467

programs, please call the Aspirus Information Center at 715.847.2380 or 800.847.4707 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Knitting at the Library Knitters of all ages and skill levels are invited to Knit Night on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Marathon County Public Library Wausau Headquarters, 300 N. First St., Wausau. The library will provide pattern books and some knitting supplies, but participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies. Medicare Basics Cost: Free!! Dec 10th 1:00-3:30 pm Jan 7th 2015, 9:00-11:30 am Register early. Space is limited. Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (715)261-6070

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hether you need short-term care for a week, for a month, or if you require our services for longer, you can count on us for safe and secure, quality short-term care. Call (715) 536-5575 today to schedule a personal appointment to learn more about our short-term residency program at Bell Tower Residence assisted living. 1500 O’Day Street, Merrill, WI 54452 www.belltowerresidence.org Sponsored by the Holy Cross Sisters and managed by Franciscan Communities.

Eileen Coonen with daughter Cory Coonen

e are so happy that mom is here in her beautiful apartment. We don’t have to worry about her being alone in her own home anymore. She gets so much enjoyment socializing with her family and friends, these moments are a gift to us all. The staff has become part of our family and we couldn’t ask for anything more.” CORY COONEN, DAUGHTER OF RESIDENT EILEEN COONEN

715-847-2382 or toll free 877-260-6755

3200 Westhill Drive, Suite 201 • Wausau, WI 54401 Wayne A. Brearley, MD • Daniel M. Seybold, MD • James P. Sutherland, MD George R. Tanner, MD • Faruk S. Abuzzahab, MD • Jeremy W. Russel, D.O. • Scott R. Murch, MD

Senior Review ‌| 5

Healthy Body

Yoga for Conscious Eating, Exercise and Habit Change By Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT-500, CYT

an the tools of yoga help us change our habits? Yoga is a powerful practice for transformation and change. The tools of yoga can be applied in specific ways to help us strengthen will and change habits around food and exercise. The process of using yoga to change habits begins with recognizing a pattern of being doesn’t serve you. You have to develop self-awareness as a first step toward developing stronger will. We have a multitude of choices that can either support or sabotage us and it’s important to understand those choices. We have to consciously mobilize resources to make changes. Those resources may come in the form of specific yoga tools including: ■ Asana and postures to build strength and flexibility, to increase awareness of hunger, satiety and digestion, and to help you begin to work with your breath. ■ Breath practice to help manage stress, develop awareness of your physiology (fatigue, energy, digestion, nervous system) and cultivate emotional equanimity ■ Meditation practice to cultivate selfunderstanding and observe thoughts, feelings, and mental static that sabotage our best intentions And finally, understand what you are moving toward and continue to cultivate a daily awareness of your intention. A daily ritual that reminds you of your journey of change can be helpful. It might be a simple few moments of remembrance in your yoga practice, a symbol

placed in your yoga practice space, or daily journaling that keeps you aware of the intention. Symbols and rituals are powerful tools to help us begin again every day. Try this simple breath technique and ritual before eating so that you slow down, savor and taste your food, and become more aware of your hunger and fullness: ■ Close your eyes. Notice your breath. Smooth out the flow of your inhale and exhale. Make your breath like a gentle ocean wave moving in to shore and out to sea. ■ Lengthen your inhale and exhale gradually. Take 4 – 6 breaths to make your inhale and exhale longer. Once you feel fullness in your breath where your chest and belly expand on the inhale,

Beat the Winter Blues Many people welcome the change in seasons, the cooler temperatures and the first snowfall of the year. Unfortunately, fall and winter also bring us shorter days and less sunlight. For some people this change causes a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD affects about 6% of Americans each year. Symptoms of SAD are cyclical, meaning that they go away and come back at the same time every year. Usually, symptoms appear beginning in late fall and slowly fade as springtime rolls around. Symptoms of SAD include eating more than normal (especially craving

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carbohydrates), weight gain, fatigue, a drop in energy level, irritability, and a tendency to oversleep. Not everyone who has SAD has the same symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. The cause of SAD remains unknown. The Mayo Clinic suggests that like other mental health conditions, genetics, age and your body’s natural chemical makeup all play a role in the development of SAD. There is no test to diagnose

begin to consciously hug your belly muscles in on the exhale. Take 12 breaths with this expansion on inhale and hugging on exhale method. ■ Gradually soften your breath for at least 4 – 6 breaths. ■ Renew your commitment to eating consciously. ■ Sit quietly for a moment and acknowledge with gratitude the source of your meal and the many people who grew, harvested and contributed to it. Mary Hilliker is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist who offers individualized yoga therapy, yoga classes, workshops, retreats and yoga teacher training with River Flow Yoga in Wausau, WI.

SAD. Rather, a person’s history is used to diagnose the disorder. It is best to see a mental health professional if you feel as if you have the symptoms of SAD this winter. Light therapy is the most common treatment for SAD. During light therapy, you sit a few feet from a specialized light therapy box so that you’re exposed to bright light. If your symptoms are especially severe, however, your doctor may recommend starting medication. It is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Mayo Clinic offers some suggestions of things you can do on your own to reduce your chances of feeling SAD this winter: • Make your environment sunnier and brighter. Open blinds and sit closer to bright windows

while at home or in the office. • Get outside. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning. • Exercise regularly. Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase SAD symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood. There are no known ways to prevent seasonal affective disorder. However, if you take these steps early on, you may help yourself to prevent the ‘winter blues’. Article provided by the Rock County Health Department.

Caring for Those You Care About the Most

How Do I Tell Them That Mom Has Dementia?

hen someone receives a diagnosis that their loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often they are not sure what their next step should be or whom they should tell. However sharing the diagnosis with those close to you and your loved one is that next step. By telling friends, neighbors and colleagues you will be helping yourself come to terms with the diagnosis and help you better understand the disease. In telling others you also begin to create a circle of care for yourself and for your loved one. These individuals may be the ones that step in to care for Mom when you are sick or will be there when you need someone to listen. Tuck their offers of support and help in your back pocket and utilize them when you are in need. Telling friends, neighbors and colleagues can be done with a phone call, e-mail or a letter. However, the most important people to tell are your family members, especially those closest to your loved one. Many families find that calling a family meeting is the most productive way for everyone to understand the diagnosis and begin planning for the future. In some instances families will include their loved one in all or part of the family meeting. However it is important to gauge if this is appropriate and comfortable for your loved one and everyone involved prior to the meeting. It is also important to remember that not all families

are the “Brady Bunch.” Some families have a history of discord or miscommunication. In this instance you may want to consider calling in a third party to moderate the discussion: a clergy member, geriatric care manager, social worker or family therapist. Prior to the meeting, set ground rules such as agreeing to only discuss Mom’s diagnosis and not past wrongs or misdeeds. If the discussion gets heated or off-track feel free to pull it back or implement the use of an object that must be held in order to speak. Have the exact diagnosis and any pertinent medical information regarding your loved one’s condition available for everyone to see. Also include the medical professionals’ contact information this enables others to contact the professional with further questions. After discussing the diagnosis move on to your loved one’s situation as it stands now. What can we do to help them immediately? Can they live alone?

Should they be driving? Delegate or divvy up the items, discuss plans and then prioritize. After looking at the present it is also good to discuss future issues and begin planning for those as well. However, remember that a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is usually not a sprint, but a marathon. It may be many years before you will need to face some of the more intense decisions in your loved ones life such as “Should Mom go on Hospice?” After the meeting write down what was discussed, including who agreed to do what and by when and then distribute this written log to all involved. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page. After the initial meeting, phone calls and letters, it is important to keep in touch with those you have told. Perhaps you will want to hold regular scheduled meetings, set-up a phone tree or e-mail list. Make sure that you delegate someone else to take care of managing these communications. Remember, as a caregiver of someone with memory loss you are already running the marathon. The focus of your strength and stamina should be to care for your loved one. Cindy Wachsmuth is the director of community relations for Azura Memory Care, which offers a unique model of memory care services and programs for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Azura believes in the importance of transforming the culture of care through transformational programming and educational outreach. If you would like to learn more about these FREE educational programs for caregivers, professionals and the community, please contact Cindy at 715-491-0882 or via e-mail at cindy.wachsmuth@ azuramemory.com.

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Senior Review ‌| 7

Good Earth

“It’s Not Work, It’s Fun” By Master Gardener Bernie De Lonay, with beauty aid tips from Bobbie Bud’s for Life, Barbara Fraser-Hererra

efore I get to the subject for this month I want to mention the benefits about Listerine one more time. One of the very first reasons that Listerine was invented was to come up with a possibility for a treatment of cleaning up a human beings body by killing off bad bacteria. They did accomplish that, sort of. It became a mouthwash after many trials and tribulations. After all, when you try to pour Listerine into someone’s ears or eyes to clean them, or STERILIZE them, ouch, you get painful and disastrous results. However, it is great as a mouthwash and a sterilizing solution for plants. YEAH!!!! Do you have the desire to grow monstrous sized plants? It is pretty easy to do. You've just got to know the tricks. It really isn’t that hard. You have to have bottom heat for the plants, artificial light, bright ones, plenty of air circulation, humid rooms—not so humid that your carpet rots, natural nitrogen, like from melted room temperature snow, CO2, carbon dioxide, and as much bright sunlight as you can get, that’s all. Wait until after Christmas is over to divide any Christmas Cactus that you might have. They will adjust very quickly if you plant them in

small containers and let them get root bound. Do you have some landscaping that you want to finish yet this year? Only with tricks-o-metrades. At this time of year when everything is frozen you are not going to dip a shovel into the ground, easily. The only way this can be done is if it is very mild through out the winter, or, you predug some holes, covered them up and marked them. There have been a few times where I planted tulips in December. I made sure the area was scraped free of snow and ice. When the sun is out, the ground is fairly easy to dig, only if it has been kept scraped off previously. Then after working the ground for a while I placed the tulip bulbs into the ground. To make this a successful venture I previously placed the tulip bulbs into a freezer bag filled part way with sphagnum peat moss. If you are planning on planting anything outside at this time of year, make sure you fool them and keep them cold, just as if

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they were already planted outside. Why? Because anyone can plant stuff outside when it is warm. It is the cold part of the year that proves to be a challenge Are your ‘POINTS’ looking kind of funny by now? Don’t worry, just give them any kind of diluted plant food, a little fungicide and insecticide and they will be just great. You might also want to try this little trick. Take a number 2 cedar pencil, about 8 inches long and poke holes into the soil and then pour in some warm water with a tiny bit of lemon-scented dish washing soap added to the water. When you sharpen the number 2 pencil, leave all the shavings in the soil. If the pencil is made of real cedar it will help to repel insects. Cedar contains natural insect repellant properties. Let all of this liquid soak through the plant and then rinse with warm water. Repeat this step again until all of the soap is rinsed. This action also works with any kind of houseplants, as well.

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To call the Fraser Family Foundation: 71-551-5194. To write: F F F PO Box 5161, Wausau. WI. LIKE us on Face Book. To get the program’s “It’s Not Work, It’s Fun” and Bobbie Bud*s for Life in the Wisconsin Rapids area tune into the River City Public Access station by going to cable channel 985. Bare in mind that some of these stations require us to send them our USB sticks and this means that new programming from us; will not always be on time. And now for something totally different. Did you know that you can ask me any gardening question that you want? Just call when I am on WNRB radio, FM 93.3 on Friday mornings from 8:30-10:00 AM. You can e-mail me your gardening questions at: mgbdelonay@yahoo.com.

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“It’s Not Work, It’s Fun” and Bobbie Bud*s for Life and all other productions are under the umbrella of the Fraser Family Foundation. Watch and listen to our new INTERNET RADIO BROADCAST on Thursdays from 9-10:00 AM on WPAC at: waac.pegcentral.com. Tune in and listen to all the FREE Gardening and Natural Health, Beauty Aid Holistic advice we can graciously give to you. This broadcast will be tape delayed by only a few minutes so you will be able to call in your gardening, health and beauty aid questions as always. The number to call to ask your questions is: 715-5515194.

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Good Earth

And now…BOBBIE Bud*s for LIFE Did you ever shave your forehead between your eyebrows? This is a no-no. When you do this you take away your skin’s ability to re-grow hair because the skin has been damaged by the fact that the protein in your skin has been removed. How do you solve this? Well, they say patience is a virtue. This can take twenty years or more. Try the suggestion from Dr. Oz. Eat plenty of almonds and walnuts as this will replace some of the protein that is lost when the follicles were damaged due to the removal of the hair. For muscle soreness try taking a small amount of apple cider

vinegar, mixed with a juice of your choice. I always mix my apple cider vinegar with orange juice. Or chase it with water or any kind of juice. Apple cider vinegar is an anti-inflammatory. The sponsors for the Fraser Family Foundation are: Vicor Security Audio and Visual, Wausau Spring and Alignment, Associated Banks of Marathon County, County Market Grocery Stores, Wausau Area Metro Ride, St. Pauls United Church of Christ, Mc Donalds Corporation, Wausau; Culvers Corporation, Wausau; WAAC Television, WNRB Radio, this publication, Senior Review, Paul E. David, Attorney at Law and Mount View Mobil, Rib Mountain, WI. Mount View Mobil is where our canister is located. This is the canister that all you kind-hearted folks put your change into so that we can continue to purchase gas cards to give to our veterans.

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Until Next Time, Master Gardener Bernie De Lonay, and Bobbie Bud’s for Life.

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Advice Advice and and Information Information on on Pre-arranging, Pre-arranging, Pre-planning Pre-planning and and Coping. Coping. The The following following is is some some information information and and education, education, as as well well as as conversation conversation starting starting points points to to have have with with loved loved ones ones this this holiday holiday season. season.

ou talk about everything. You share the big events and small victories. But there’s one conversation you probably haven’t had: it’s time to have the talk about how you want to be remembered. It can make the difference of a lifetime. Sharing stories with those who matter most isn’t just important today; it will be especially significant when it’s time to commemorate a life. Have the Talk of a Lifetime encourages families to have conversations about life and what matters most. These discussions can help families make important decisions about how they wish to remember and honor the lives of their loved ones. Through meaningful memorialization — that is, taking time to reflect on the unique life of a loved one and remember the difference they made — families and friends take an important step in the journey toward healing after death. Today, individuals and their families have more options for memorializing their loved one at the end of life. Memorialization is so much more than it used to be. It can reflect a person’s life story, their values, interests, and experiences. It is transformative, healing, and comforting. Meaningful memorialization planning starts when loved ones talk about what matters most: memories made, lessons learned, and how they hope to be remembered.

Life. There’s a Lot to Talk About.

Having the talk of a lifetime can make the difference of a lifetime. It can help reacquaint us with our loved ones and help us get to know them in a new and different way. Finding a way to start talking with a loved one may be the most difficult part; however, we might find that once the conversation starts, it may be hard to stop.

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You Mattered.

Deep down, most of us want to know that we, in some way, made a difference in this world — that we mattered to someone, and that after we die, we will be fondly remembered by those who knew and cared for us. When grieving a death, memorialization — taking time to honor the life of a loved one in a meaningful way — and remembering the difference a loved one made in our lives can be an important step in the journey toward healing. Some of the following questions can help when making funeral arrangements:

What is your proudest achievement?

What was the one piece of advice you received from your parents or grandparents that you never forgot. Tell me about the most memorable summer you had growing up. Tell me about your favorite teacher; what did you learn from him or her?

Make the Difference of a Lifetime.

You can have the talk of a lifetime with anyone you hold dear — your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, a spouse. It can happen anywhere you and your loved one are most comfortable — over a meal, at home, on a walk, while playing a game. The talk can be between you and your loved one, or you could include others, like family or friends. Your conversation can take place at any time — not just at the end of life.

Download Free Workbook

Download our workbook at talkofalifetime. org to use as a guide. You can use the workbook to write your answers online, or print the workbook as a guide. More at talkofalifetime.org

Cremation Facts U.S. Cremation Rate 2012: 43.2% 2000: 26.17% 1990: 17.13% 1980: 9.72% 1970: 4.59% 1960: 3.56%

2012 Top 10 U.S. States by Percentage of Deaths Cremated Nevada: 74.2% Washington: 72.6% Oregon: 70.9% Hawaii: 70.0% Maine: 69.0% Montana: 67.7% New Hampshire: 66.7% Colorado: 65.5% Vermont: 65.0% Wyoming: 63.4%

2012 Bottom 10 U.S. States by Percentage of Deaths Cremated Mississippi: 16.9% Alabama: 19.8% Kentucky: 22.4% Louisiana: 22.7% West Virginia: 26.1% Utah: 27.5% Arkansas: 29.5% Indiana: 30.3% Georgia: 31.1% Tennessee: 31.7%

Projected 2017 U.S. Cremation Rate: 48.8%

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For the Grand Parents… Here’s a question for you. “If you could share one truth, that you have learned from your life’s experience, with your grandson or granddaughter … what would you tell them?” • Work hard and stick with the job until it’s done? • Live in the moment? • Smile wrinkles look better than frown wrinkles? Here’s the lesson I learned from my grandfather. Slow down and think … I have a bump on the right side of my tongue. I got it when I was eight years old and it will clearly be with me for the remainder of my days. We were at my grandparent’s house. I was playing hide and seek with my cousins. I was running around like a banshee up the steps, down the steps, up the steps again. My grandfather, and we all called him grandfather, was sitting on the porch in his rocker smoking a pipe and reading the paper. Now my grandfather was a man of few words. Most of the time he paid us little attention. He left the children to my grandma. So when he reached out and caught me by the arm it was a surprise and maybe even a little scary. Very quietly he said, “Slow down little one. Think. Where could they hide? Move slowly, use your head and you’ll find them. Oh, and if you don’t slow down you’re going to fall and get hurt.” Of course I didn’t slow down or think and I did fall down which required stitches in my tongue giving me the bump. But, what a great life lesson

he offered me. Slow down and think. I could have saved myself a whole lot of pain if I had only absorbed that lesson right then instead of years later. My grandfather gave me some really good advice applicable in all sorts of situations. Now, over sixty years later, more often than not I remember to slow down and think before I act. I believe I am the better for it. Sometimes I swear I can feel his hand on my arm and hear his words whispered in my ear. My grandfather never became famous. He never even became rich; in fact he probably never made more $7,000 in a year. But he gave me a gift and he was important to our family. A legacy is more than money or property. Now that I am a grandmother myself I wonder what my grandchildren will remember? What legacy will I leave? Will they remember me as the woman who needs four remotes to operate her television and has no clue what uses data minutes on her iPhone? Or will they benefit, at least a little

from my life’s experience? Besides my stature, my nose and my hazel eyes what else will they get from me? I want them to stop and pause at my passing and remember the fun, the laughter, the cookies, the endless hours of playing Candy Land and perhaps a life lesson or two. I am only sixty-seven; I have a lot of living to do. I plan to dance at my granddaughter’s wedding but I know to slow down and think. And what I thought was, a little preparation wouldn’t hurt. So I spent some time with a Life Tribute Advisor. She helped me complete a booklet, My Life’s Celebration Planner. Everything that is important to me and that I thought would help my family when I pass is written down in the planner. It will be there at the funeral home when it’s needed. I can add to it as I continue to live my full rich life. But, now I know my grandkids, and my children, will hear the songs we sing together, they will read some of my favorite poetry, and they will finally get the recipe for my Door County cherry chunk cookies. I have to tell you the process was pretty easy. Dare I say even fun? It feels good and all I had to do was slow down, think and get it done. The author, Candace Franco is a happy grandmother who lived for eight years in Cedarburg WI and is now enjoying the milder weather in Kilmarnock VA. Jamie Sarver is a life Tribute Advisor with Braninard Funeral Home if you would like to make arrangements to complete your own My Life’s Celebration Planner please contact her at 715-845-5525.

What Is Memorialization and Why Is It Important? Memorialization fills a vital role for those mourning the loss of a loved one and encompasses all aspects of honoring a life that has been lived. Memorialization services, visitation, placement in a cemetery, creating a memorial marker or monument, and any other means of paying tribute to our loved ones are all considered to be part of the process of memorialization and are vitally important. By providing surviving family members and friends a caring, supportive environment in which to share thoughts and feelings about the death, memorials are the first step in the healing process. Individuals and their families have more options than ever for memorializing their loved one at the end of life. From simple to very elaborate, there are a variety of ways a family can honor their loved one in a personal and meaningful way.

In addition, the ritual of attending a memorial service provides many benefits: • Providing a social support system for the bereaved • Helping the bereaved understand death is final and that death is part of

life • Integrating the bereaved back into the community • Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one • Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing pain • Reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died • Providing a time to say good-bye It is possible to have a full memorialization service even for those choosing cremation. The importance of the ritual is in providing a social gathering to help the bereaved begin the healing process. More at talkofalifetime.org

It is a final gift to them.

Pre-planning is a “gift” to loved ones. It enables them to focus on honoring a loved one’s life rather than worrying about difficult decisions at a distressing time. Call us today for more information about pre-planning your final wishes. Jamie Sarver

Certified Pre-planning Specialist 715.845.5525 jamie@brainardfuneral.com

www.brainardfuneral.com Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403 Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, Wisconsin 54476 Senior Review ‌| 11

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From Talk of a Lifetime's Blog... By Mark Allen, International Order of the Golden Rule, Executive Director and CEO

a formality, or even worse, as a

them into focusing on the

burden to get through as quickly as possible? Having said that, use of imagery to create ways to surprise mourners—to jolt

present—for the purpose of joining others in paying tribute to loved ones by itself isn’t quite enough to put grievers on the road to healing. Thomas Lynch and Thomas Long recently defined “The Good Funeral” as one which strikes a balance between the “extrinsic” (caskets, memorial tributes, flowers) and the “intrinsic” (feeling loss, acknowledging grief, remembering a life) value of funerals. Mr. Lynch said that mourners circling a casket while blowing bubbles is okay as an extrinsic expression of grief (if bubbles held significant

acqueline Kennedy once famously wrote that her aim was to be the “art director of the twentieth century.” Little did she know that some of the most enduring images she would help create would come from her husband’s funeral ceremonies after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. These images were so striking that they are etched in people’s minds as vividly today as they were 50 years ago. Those who have only seen photographs—many who weren’t born yet—feel as though they witnessed the proceedings: Black Jack the riderless horse with boots positioned backwards in the stirrups; six white horses pulling the caisson upon which the President’s flag-draped casket rested; John, Jr., donned in blue coat and shorts on his third birthday, saluting his father’s casket on its way to burial. Mrs. Kennedy wanted to send a clear message to the world that her husband deserved to be remembered. She wanted people to come together to grieve a lost life. Drawing upon her art background, she recognized that people would be more likely to follow a path of healing and remember the President longer if visual images relating to his death stayed with them. Countless educational presenters preach the need to morph the traditional funeral into a more personal ceremony. Perhaps it’s not so much the lack of personalization, but rather, the lack of memorable imagery that has become the traditional funeral’s Achilles heel. Unless we take away meaningful experiences from funeral rites, why should we think of funerals as anything more than Senior Review |‌ 12

meaning for the deceased), but a meaningful and regenerative funeral must deal with mourners’ deep emotions. Funerals provide an incredible opportunity to honor the life of a loved one and acknowledge the impact the loss has on survivors. Creating meaningful imagery is one part of the mix. So are ritual, connection to the deceased, and a dozen other elements that funeral professionals are experts at creating. But each of us must start the process now. We must identify how we want to be remembered and reveal the “signposts” of our lives that will connect loved ones after our deaths. In the case of JFK’s funeral, the riderless horse not only created a vivid image, but also brought a deep feeling of loss to the surface for millions of people. Young John, Jr.’s salute is an indelible image, but more importantly, it drew attention to the fact that a young boy had lost his father. That’s what Having the Talk of a Lifetime is all about. More at talkofalifetime.org

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Healing for The Grieving This Holiday Season

nother year has come and nearly gone, and soon the hustle and bustle of the holidays will be upon us. For most people, this time of year is one of excitement and anticipation of joyful times spent with family and friends. It can also be a time of reflection, a chance to ponder the events of the past year, make plans and set fresh goals for the New Year. But what about those of us who may have lost someone we love during the past year? The normal holiday traditions and activities that you once looked forward to may now be viewed as painful reminders of the empty place your lost loved one left in your life. We understand. Here are a few suggestions to help you get through the holidays: ▪ Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating properly and taking time for yourself. ▪ Unburden yourself when and where it’s possible. Plan in advance which family traditions you want to take part in to help you avoid getting caught off guard by unexpected tasks or activities. Perhaps you can be a guest at the family holiday party rather than hosting it this year. If participating in traditions brings you comfort, by all means do so, but don’t be afraid to curb how much you take on this season. Let others know when you simply aren’t up to

holiday gatherings. ▪ Surround yourself with those who are supportive and understanding. The holidays rekindle many fond memories. Don’t be reluctant to talk about those memories and share stories about your loved one. Openly express your feelings and allow people to comfort you. ▪ Include your loved one in your holiday conversations and celebrations. Hang a stocking for your loved one in which people can put notes with their thoughts or feelings. Look at family photographs and encourage others to share their memories and stories and add to your pleasant memories. ▪ Reach out to others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit the lonely and shut-ins, provide

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help for a needy family or donate the money you would have spent on gifts for your loved one to a charity in your loved one’s memory. ▪ Above all else, do what is right for YOU. Grief is different for everyone. YOU are the only one who can fully understand what YOU need to

get through the Holidays. Take time to think about your needs and share your thoughts with your family and friends. Keep your expectations realistic and allow yourself to rely on those who care about you and will help you through your holiday grief. Observe the holidays in ways you are comfortable with and give yourself permission to experience the joy of the season as it comes to you. 2014 marked the 100th year that Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home has been serving the families of Central Wisconsin. This holiday, just as in all the years before and in all the years to come, we pause to express our appreciation and Christmas blessings to your family from ours. Our wish for you is that treasured memories of your loved ones will bring you peace, comfort and renewed joy now and into the New Year. Best Holiday Wishes to you from everyone at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home.

Christmas Blessings

From our entire family of funeral service providers, we extend our warmest wishes to you all, for a Blessed Holiday Season.

We invite you to join us as we embark on our 100th year of serving families. Our Centennial Celebration will kick oﬀ on August 17th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at St, Wausau. as In aaddition During this Season of love and caring, we 1302 renewSixth our commitment to behind-the-scene tours, refreshments family owned funeral home, to provide all those we come to serve with and door prizes, at 1:30 p.m. we will the highest degree of personal concern guidance. unveil our and local contribution to the global We hold dear the confidence of all those who have placedknown their trust in us in the Ipast. phenomenon as the “Before Die” project. Please stop by to share your Best Holiday Wishes to All from your dedicated family ofaspirations funeral service professionals. personal and reﬂections with your neighbors & friends.

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Love All of Life By Mary Machmueller Gunther, Preplanning Specialist, Helke Funeral Home

t was a busy early morning at Helke Funeral Home when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to ask about funeral planning. He said he was in a hurry as he had another appointment. I had him take a seat, got him some coffee, and I went to get some information and paperwork for him. I knew it would take over an hour to gather the information needed to complete preplanning for him and his wife. He continued to look at his watch and asked, “How long does this take?” I wondered why he Christmas is the was in such a hurry, season of love; the and finally asked him season of giving whether he had an love and receiving urgent appointment love. True love is and the gentleman neither physical told me he needed nor romantic. It to go to the nursing is an acceptance home to eat breakfast of all that is, has with his wife. I been, will be, and inquired about her will not be. health and he told me that she had been there for some time and that she had dementia. I asked if she would be upset if he arrived later and perhaps we should reschedule. He said that his wife no longer seemed to know who he was and that she had not recognized him for some time. I was surprised that he would still go every morning every day even though she didn’t know who he was, why he was there, or that he routinely made the trip to visit her. So I asked, “Why do you still go each day?” He smiled, patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” I brushed away a tear at his response. I believe we all desire to have a love like this man has for his wife. This man has learned when he focused on love, he cast out all fear. He had learned to love all of what life has to offer. What a beautiful example.

Christmas is the season of love; the season of giving love and receiving love. True love is neither physical nor romantic. It is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. Happy people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they make the best of everything they have. In his writing, Jon Gordon says: “If you focus on love, you will cast out all fear.” He also goes on to say that “…whatever you try to build with fear will eventually crumble. But that which is built with love will endure.” We all know that life will bring us many challenges and negative forces that try to shift us back to fear if we let them. Don’t let them. “When you love all of it,” says Jon Gordon, “you will fear none of it.” “Love the struggle because it makes you appreciate your accomplishments. Love the challenges because they make you stronger. Love competition because it will make you better. Love negative people because they make

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you more positive. Love those who have hurt you because they teach you forgiveness. Love fear because it makes you more courageous.” Jon Gordon May your Christmas season and the New Year be one of a determined resolute—to love all of it and fear none of it. It’s the secret to life, success, and happiness. The Helke Funeral Home staff wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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A Grand Send-Off By Kathleen Berry, International Memorialization Supply Association

have a life-long friend and we attend a lot of funerals together. You see, we both grew up in the funeral business and that is what we were taught to do. The greatest takeaway I’ve learned from my time in this industry is that it is important to take time to pay respects to the family of someone you know! Whether it is in person at the visitation, a hand-written note, a floral arrangement, a donation to a charity or, in this dayand-age of the internet, a heartfelt message on the funeral home website, Tributes.com, Legacy.com or Facebook, it is an important part of life. Today’s world is fast-paced; it is important to stop and reach out to let someone know you are sad for them, and that you care. When each of our fathers died, we were right by each other’s side. As sad as we were, they both

had grand send-offs: long lines at visitation and packed churches. They had good – no, they had great funerals. I remember the stories from those coming through the funeral home, all experiencing the same feeling of loss that I was in one way or another. I was hugged and kissed. I cried. I laughed. But in the end, I was amazed to know how many people loved me, my family and especially my Dad. What a tribute that I cherish to this day! Yes, there is such a thing as a great funeral. Funeral are for the living. They allow you to relive the good times. They let people express their sympathies, to hug you and cry with you, to rejoice in the lessons learned and take time to pause in this fast-paced world to be thankful that your life was better for knowing the deceased. My Dad and I, we had the talk. My familywe have all had the talk and shared our wishes. We all know that no matter what happens, we will make it a grand send-off!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Ministry Home Care’s compassionate staff and volunteers are committed to keeping you and your family home this holiday season. Ministry Home Care is a values-based, mission-focused organization, with an amazing team committed to bringing you quality of life in your home. Home Health – providing nursing, therapy, and personal care to help you recover from surgery or illness and return to your optimal level of independence in the familiarity of your own home. Hospice – providing a comprehensive, holistic package of care to individuals dying of terminal illnesses, as well as their loved ones, and making the most of the remaining months you have together.

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More at talkofalifetime.org

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How to Choose a Casket: Design

askets and cremation containers come in a wide variety of materials, designs and costs. The type of casket or ceremonial cremation container selected will determine its value and cost. Generally, casket prices range from least to most expensive according in these types: Cloth-covered caskets are made from corrugated fiberboard, pressed wood or softwoods, which are then covered with cloth and have finished interiors. Steel gauges used for caskets: Steel commonly used in the production of caskets is 20-gauge, 18-gauge or 16-gauge. 20-gauge is the lightest steel commonly used in casket production while 16-gauge steel is the heaviest. Non-gasketed steel caskets are normally made of 20-gauge steel (some companies are experimenting with 22-gauge steel). Twenty-gauge steel is the same thickness used in many automobile body panels. These caskets may be spot-welded. They

are usually the least expensive metal caskets available and are usually square-cornered designs. Some nongasketed steel caskets include interior coatings. Most hardwood caskets are made of solid wood, finished in a satin or gloss coat. Some may be hand polished. Their design may be square-cornered, round-cornered or round-cornered urn shapes. Typically, select woods (poplar, willow) will be the least expensive wood caskets, followed by pine, oak, birch, maple, cherry, black walnut and mahogany. Other species of wood used in the manufacture

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of caskets are ash, elm, redwood, cedar, etc. It takes 130 to 150 board feet of lumber to produce a typical hardwood casket. Some caskets require more wood if they are made of 3” or 4” plank material. While normally in the third cost quartile, hardwood caskets are sometimes the most expensive caskets manufactured. Solid hardwood caskets are manufactured like fine furniture. They are assembled by craftsmen; sanded for painting or staining. Some have hand-rubbed finishes. Most recently, Batesville Casket Company has introduced an engineered wood product that

the company has trademarked as “Marquetry”. Veneer-finished caskets are generally less expensive than solid wood caskets. Stainless steel caskets are most often square-cornered or squarecornered urn designs. New products designs developed in the 1990’s include round-cornered and roundcornered urn stainless steel casket designs. Stainless steel caskets often are comparable in price to midrange hardwood caskets and bridge the price brackets between cold-rolled steel caskets and semiprecious metal products such as copper or bronze. Stainless steel caskets have become increasingly popular in the 1990’s and continue to outsell copper or bronze caskets into the 2000’s. Copper or bronze caskets may be found in square-cornered, roundcornered or urn shaped designs. Rather than gauge, copper and bronze caskets are measured by weight. A 32-oz. copper or bronze casket means that the copper or bronze used weighed 32-oz. per square foot. There are also 48-oz. copper or bronze caskets. More info at www.cfsaa.org

Funeral Home

Pre Planning ● Cremation Services Monument Sales

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Curtis Beste, Owner/Funeral Director

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Senior Review |‌ 16

Considering a Charitable Donation? First, Ask These 5 Questions.

hen we’re approached by a charity to give money to its cause, we’re usually given many stories about how our donation will help those who need it. We may learn about how animals, children, homeless people, and others are suffering, but what we probably won’t be told is exactly how much of our donation will actually go directly to the victims the charity is intending to help. According to Ran Hoth, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau, that’s why it’s just as important to be an intelligent philanthropist as it is to be an intelligent consumer. When you go to the grocery store to buy produce, you usually check to make sure the product you’re buying is good. You check for bruising, ripeness, and indications that what you think you’re buying is worth what you’re planning to pay. The same is true for charities. When you’re asked for a donation, you should understand exactly what your money is going towards. If you’re giving money to an animal welfare organization, can you be sure those animals will ever benefit from your donation? If you’re giving to a disease or illness research organization, is most of your donation going toward finding a cure? These are all important questions to have answered before you take out your checkbook.

Five questions to ask before donating to a charity

1. Is this a charity I can trust?

Carefully consider each charitable solicitation. Some charities’ names sound the same. Some may even want you to think they are actually a larger, better-known charity because they want to use the success of the larger charity to their advantage. To know for certain, check with your Better Business Bureau to make sure the charity meets the 20 BBB charity standards that address governance, finances, fund raising, donor privacy and other accountability issues. Go to www.wisconsin.bbb.org or call 608-268-2221.

2. How will the charity use my donation?

Ask how the charity will use your donation. Beware of appeals that bring tears to your eyes but tell you little about what the charity is going to do about the problem. Statements like “all proceeds will go to the charity” only tell you that the charity gets only the money left after expenses. Since these expenses can be high, check carefully.

3. Is my donation tax deductible?

Giving to a charity can sometimes be a tax benefit. In order to make sure your donation is fully deductible, check with the IRS to verify a charity’s

tax status. View publication 78 on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

4. Can the charity actually use what I’m donating?

If you wish to donate food, clothing, or even an old boat to a charity, make sure your donation is wanted by the charity. For example, a food bank may prefer items that are not perishable and a toy drive may be seeking new rather than used toys.

5. Am I feeling pressured to give?

Don’t succumb to pressure to give money on the spot – especially if the solicitor is at your door or on the phone. Remember, just like a business, you can have a “policy” that you don’t give money without considering all the information. If a charity won’t let you take a few days to think about a donation, this should be a red flag. Also, remember that you should always feel in control of any financial decision you make. For more information about wise charitable giving, contact the Wisconsin BBB at wisconsin.bbb. org or 608-268-2221 in Madison. Kimberly Hazen is the Southwest Regional Director of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau. To learn more about the mission of the BBB and the free consumer services it offers, go to bbb.org/wisconsin.

Don't Feed These to Fido You may share your backyard and even your bed, but it’s probably best to avoid sharing a meal with man’s best friend, or any other pet for that matter. Listed here are some common everyday (and holiday) goodies Fido should never have.

►Holiday Goodies

Raw Yeast, Bread Dough Why: Forms gas in the digestive track; fermentation of yeast causes alcohol poisoning. Poisonous to: All species, but only dogs typically ingest it. Possible effects of poisoning: Distention of abdomen, vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, seizures.

►Mistletoe and Holly

Dangerous for: Cats and dogs. Possible symptoms: Mistletoe and holly may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmia in both cats and dogs.

►Turkey Bones

Even if your dog looks at you with pleading eyes, resist the urge to throw holiday table scraps his way. Rich, fatty foods can cause illness, and ingested turkey bones can splinter and puncture internal organs. Dangerous for: Leftover food and bones can be harmful to both cats and dogs.

Possible symptoms: Consuming leftover food may cause animals to experience vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty foods can also promote pancreatitis—a potentially dangerous inflammation of the pancreas that produces toxic enzymes and causes illness and dehydration. If swallowed, bones can cause stomach perforation and painful constipation that requires veterinary help.

►Alcohol

Holiday cookies might look like a tempting treat for Fido, but the artificial sweetener xylitol, found in some sugar-free baked goods, can cause his blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. Dangerous for: Dogs. Possible symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure may indicate poisoning from xylitol.

►Tinsel and Ribbons

►Sugar-Free Baked Goods

►Chocolate

Chocolate, which stimulates the nervous system and the heart, should be kept far away from four-legged friends. Although all chocolate should be avoided, dark chocolate poses a greater risk than sweeter varieties, such as milk chocolate. Dangerous for: Mainly dogs. Cats don’t have the same “sweet tooth” and aren’t as likely to eat dangerous quantities. Possible symptoms: Consumption of chocolate can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Fluffy might look thirsty, but keep her away from the punch and eggnog. Pets should never ingest alcoholic beverages, because alcohol depresses the nervous system. Dangerous for: Cats and dogs. Possible symptoms: Alcohol may cause vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, and seizures. These shiny decorations may look pretty, but they can cause serious problems for cats and dogs. Never wrap tinsel or ribbon around the neck of a pet, no matter how festive it looks—this is a choking hazard. Dangerous for: Cats and dogs. Possible effects: If swallowed, tinsel and other decorations like ribbon can cut up the digestive tract and cause intestinal obstruction.

►Christmas Tree

Pine needles won’t harm your pet, but there are plenty of dangers surrounding a Christmas tree. The tree should always be properly secured, and fragile glass ornaments should be kept off low-lying branches to avoid losing family favorites if your pet decides to play. If your cat is prone to climbing, leave ornaments off the tree for a few days to see if he will attempt to climb it.

If you have a real Christmas tree, don’t add fertilizer to the tree water, and keep pets away from stagnant water in the reservoir. Dangerous for: Cats and dogs. Possible symptoms: Tree fertilizer and stagnant water may cause vomiting and diarrhea.

►Everyday Goodies

Grapes, Raisins Why: Damage the kidneys. Poisonous to: Dogs, cats. Possible effects of poisoning: Increased thirst, increased urination, lethargy, vomiting.

►Garlic, Onions

Why: Damage red blood cells, causing anemia. Poisonous to: Cats, dogs. Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, red-colored urine, weakness, anemia.

►Macadamia Nuts

Why: Cause muscle and nervous-system problems. Poisonous to: Dogs. Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, lethargy, weakness, increased body temperature, tremors.

►Avocados

Why: Contain persin, which damages the heart muscle. Poisonous to: Most species―birds are especially sensitive. Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, diarrhea (in dogs), lethargy, difficulty breathing (in birds and rodents).

Senior Review ‌| 17

Aging News

Emphasizing Therapeutic Exercise to Reduce the Need for Prescription Medications By Dr. Louis Voigt Smith, PT, DPT, OCS, CredMDT

rescription medication use has continued to rise over the past decade in the U.S. As a result, American culture has become more drugged. Mayo reports nearly 7 in 10 Americans take a prescription and over half take two; 20% reportedly are on five or more medications (mayo news releases June 2014). According to the Associated Press, traces of prescription medication have now even been discovered in our water supplies. Medication has a place in health care but the increased use has led to significant health issues. First, consider the addictive nature of many medications (i.e. narcotics) continue to create problems for individuals with pain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, emergency department visits involving abuse of pharmaceuticals (either alone or in combination with another drug) increased 98.4 percent between 2004 and 2009. In efforts to manage pain, a lot more people are heading to the prison of dependency (http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/Stats.html). Second, with medical physicians, it’s important for consumers to carefully consider the risks versus the benefits of medication. As an example, very commonly prescribed drugs for high cholesterol are Statins (i.e. Crestor and Lipitor); their use is controversial as well as the perceived need to lower high cholesterol levels. Research has indicated Statins often create muscle pain, muscle weakness and wasting; they also can reduce the benefits of exercise, as well as increase risk of other medical disorders (Dr. Mercola, J, 2010 and Thompson P, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2013). These drugs also have not been shown to help people live longer. As a comparison, research has

indicated lifestyle changes (including exercise) leads to a reduction of 4 out of 5 heart attacks in men (American College of Cardiology, Sept, 2014). Another consideration is children with Attention Deficit problems. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has been growing in the U.S. The CDC reports 11% of children have ADHD (2011). That’s up 7.8% from 2003. Among these, 6.1% were taking ADHD medication, such as Adderall and Ritalin; that’s an increase from 4.8% from 2007 (http://www.

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Senior Review |‌ 18

Dr. Louis Voigt Smith PT, DPT, OCS, CredMDT

Physical Therapy Services Including: ▪ Land-based ▪ Aquatic ▪ Home Health ▪ Industrial ▪ Manual

H BA C KS M IT

cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html). As a comparison, a 2010 study indicated exercise resulted in a decline of medication use in children by 33% (Katz D, Journal Preventing Chronic Disease). Good exercise is like a drug in that under the right conditions it can have amazing functional outcomes! A barrier to such lifestyle change, however, is the desire many have to use medication as a “quick fix” & not to focus on good balanced lifestyle and effective time management. For those who watch a lot of television, drug company multi-media (directto-consumer) advertising has greatly capitalized on this tendency for the path of least resistance. Another barrier is chronic pain. A licensed physical therapist often is a bargain to address this! These highly-trained health care professionals evaluate (as well as diagnose and treat) many musculoskeletal and neurological disorders while educating patients and reducing fear of movement. By improving exercise tolerance & function, chronic pain cycles often are broken. Besides improving quality of life, this also can result in significant cost savings in medication & downstream medical diagnostic testing and invasive procedures (Fritz J, Spine 2013). Finally, good lifestyle is all about good informed choices and time management. We all have a responsibility to be proactive with our health. Therapeutic exercise often is the best prescription! Consider the words of Earl of Derby, “Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” Dr. L. Voigt Smith is the owner of Backsmith Advanced Physical Therapy LLC in Weston. Please email any feedback to backsmith2009@hotmail.com.

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Aging News

What You Need to Know to Hear Your Best

under the licensure and scope of practice of the healthcare provider. A doctor of audiology is qualified to do this. Your hearing should also be monitored routinely for any changes. Slight changes in hearing can affect how you hear even though it may go undetected by yourself. Hearing aids can be reprogrammed to accommodate these changes and keep you hearing at an optimal level.

ave you ever wondered what it takes to get the most out of your hearing aids? For many there is a misconception that when you buy hearing aids your hearing should return to normal. Unfortunately, this is not the case as a damaged ear can never hear like a normal ear. Hearing aids only provide assistance for hearing improvement. They do not cure hearing. So what does it take to get the most out of your hearing aids and bring your hearing back to a level of significant improvement? Let me help you out by outlining a step by step approach.

1. Seek a qualified professional to perform a thorough test of your hearing. This is where it all begins. If the testing is inaccurate, everything that follows will be imprecise, including the initial fitting of the hearing aid to follow up adjustments. Though there are many professionals who can perform a hearing test, my advice to you is to find an audiologist. A doctor of audiology will offer you the best opportunity to receive an accurate test and comprehensive ear care that goes beyond the hearing aid. An audiologist has a doctoral degree education and maintains the highest level of knowledge in technology, testing, and communication strategies. They will give you the best opportunity to receive a precise hearing assessment, counseling services and follow up

rehabilitation that will maximize the performance of your potential hearing aids and ultimately the best improvement in your hearing.

2. When choosing a hearing aid remember that you are making an investment in the quality of your life. Not all hearing aids perform the same. There are different levels of hearing aid technology. Though none will be perfect, the higher end hearing aids will outperform entry level or basic hearing aids in social situations. When making this decision make sure you trust your hearing healthcare provider to help you make the best decision. There must be a trust relationship between provider and patient. Don’t settle on being just another number or sale. Make sure that you are treated respectfully and feel comfortable with the provider and their staff.

3. Follow up….follow up…. follow up. Very rarely when a patient is fit with hearing aids do they show immediate acceptance to them. Time is needed for the brain to adjust to the new and louder sound being sent to it by the ears. Often simple adjustments can improve this process and make the transition to hearing

aids less frustrating. Hearing aids are tiny, sophisticated instruments that require regular maintenance and upkeep. I strongly recommend hearing aids be serviced about every 6 months to ensure proper performance.

4. Follow up….follow up…. follow up. Did I mention this already? Well, your ears and hearing also need ongoing care. An unhealthy ear can be problematic to your hearing and hearing aid performance. Ears can be full of wax and dead skin and should be cleaned routinely. It is a must that your hearing healthcare provider be able to do this. Cleaning ears, correctly, is a delicate procedure that must fall

‘‘

■ Find a hearing healthcare provider you can trust. I recommend an audiologist (Doctor of Audiology). This is where the process begins and ultimately will succeed or fail. ■ Choose the best hearing instrument that fits your budget and lifestyle. Not all hearing aids perform the same. ■ Take the proper steps to maintain the performance of your hearing aids like you would your eye glasses or any other healthcare issue. Dr. Tim Kuhn is an independent audiologist serving Central Wisconsin for the past 20 years. He is the owner of Kuhn Hearing Center in Schofield, WI.

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In summary follow these steps to better hearing:

‘‘

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Senior Review ‌| 19

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