Marathon County Senior Review by Senior Review Newspapers

◘ Top Hot Spots for Independence Day ◘ Medicaid Myths

By Nancy Runner

◘ Hospice 101: What You Should Know ◘ Good Eye Health as We Age ◘ I Used to Know How to Cook

By Dr. L. Voigt Smith

◘ Argue for Your Weaknesses and They're Yours!

In this Issue...

Free

Ju ly 2015

Senior Review

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

Hot Potato Game By Mary Machmueller Gunther

ummertime is when the living is fun and easy. It often brings back special memories of our childhood days. It’s a time to make special memories with others. Does anyone remember the "hot potato" game you may have played as kids? You gathered in a circle and had a hot potato (sometimes it was a toy, bean bag, rock, or actual potato) and you passed the potato or item very, very quickly (as if it were very hot and you wouldn’t want to touch it because if you did — you'd receive burns) as the music played. When the music stopped, you didn’t want to have possession of the potato because if you did, you were “out” of the game. The last one remaining was the winner. Think of a “hot potato” as a difficult problem or issue that nobody wants to be associated

with because it is too emotional or unpleasant to deal with. That “hot potato” we are taking about is our funeral planning/funding. So let’s play “hot potato” today. Every one of us is going to have opportunity to grasp on to the hot potato as we move through the circle of life while the music is playing. This game or passing of the potato moves very quickly, just as time moves quickly in our

lives. But, eventually, in life our music will stop and we will be left holding that hot potato, totally out of the game (or done with life) and with no funeral preplanning done. If we don’t take time to make our plans then our loved ones are left planning on the most difficult day of their life. You might say our loved ones are the ones who receive the burns from the hot potato that we leave them.

As the hot potato passes from one to another, think of that as informational opportunities we each have in our lifetime to stop and take time to actually complete our preplanning of our funerals. However, we sometimes just keep playing the game, enjoying the passing of the potato, taking risky chances and procrastinating even though we know our music (or life) is going to stop/end and sometimes it does so very abruptly and when we least expect it. So, be wise and preplan. Be sure you play your “hot potato” game well. Make your loved ones the winners of your “hot potato” when the music stops. Be sure to play some games with your grandchildren this summer. Also be sure to set a time to do your preplanning. Call Mary at 715-842-3993. Mary Machmueller Gunther is the licensed preplanning specialist at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St Wausau WI.

Senior Review ‌| 1

Balanced Living

Tips and ideas for a healthy and balanced life

The Slimming Spice

Drop the celery and head for the spice rack. In a new study, women on a reduced-calorie diet who also consumed 1 teaspoon of cumin daily lost 3 more pounds and 3 times more body fat in 12 weeks than those on a calorically equivalent diet without cumin. How can a teaspoon work such wonders? Cumin revs metabolism, researchers say. Another bonus: Those on the cumin plan saw greater drops in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, thanks to natural plant sterols in the spice. Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Your Brain on the Dictionary

How much lower the risk of the neurological nightmare known as Parkinson’s disease was among study participants who got more than 6 hours of moderate exercise a week. Anything that raises your heart rate counts— walking the dog, taking stairs, doing chores. Source: Brain

.195 second

That’s how long it takes for you to think about whether that chocolate cake is healthy after your first thought, which is always about taste, according to a study in Psychological Science. Researchers say you can overcome your natural gimme impulse by waiting a second longer to weigh the pros and cons of that cake before throwing it down the hatch.

A strong vocabulary may be your ticket to sidestepping dementia, says a new study from researchers in Spain. After a series of tests on 326 adults over age 50, researchers found a greater prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (a common precursor to dementia that’s also linked to Alzheimer’s disease) among participants with less-developed mental word banks.

1,600

Increase in the chemical bisphenol A in volunteers’ urine after they drank soy milk from cans lined with BPA (most cans are). The subjects’ blood pressure also jumped 5 points, on average, possibly due to BPA’s hormone-mimicking properties. Pick fresh foods and beverages or those packed in glass containers instead. Source: Hypertension

The Tasty Fat That Fights Cholesterol

As if you needed another reason to whip up some guac: A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed that people on a moderate-fat diet who ate an avocado a day lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 10% — much more that those on a low-fat or moderate-fat diet without avocado. Researchers credit the fruit’s sky-high amounts of monounsaturated fat. More dip, please. 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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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

Heart-Healthy Morning Glorious Muffins From St. Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee, WI Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare muffin tins. Makes 18-24 medium sized muffins. I like to use the foil cupcake liners. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl: 2 c. flour 2 t. cinnamon 1 ¼ c. sugar ½ t. salt (I omitted) 2 t. baking soda Wet ingredients: You can mix these in a measuring cup, like Pyrex. Set aside. ¾ c. egg substitute 1 c. vegetable oil (I used canola) ½ t. vanilla In a second, smaller bowl, mix together: 1 ½ c. shredded carrots 1 ½ c. peeled and shredded apple (I used Gala) ¾ c. coconut (I used unsweetened) ½ c. raisins (I used golden raisins) ½ c. chopped nuts (I used walnuts) Pour the egg mixture over the carrots/ apple mixture and mix it together. Then add the egg/carrots mixture to the dry ingredients in the large bowl and stir until well blended. Portion the batter among the muffin cups, filling about ¾ full. Bake in the preheated oven about 20 minutes.

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 2015. For more information call Senior Review at 715-831-0325 or email us at seniorreviewnewspapers@gmail.com

What’s Happening Calendar SPARK! Bring a friend or loved one with memory loss for a social outing in soothing surroundings. Second Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m. – Noon. Call (715) 845-7010 to register. Leigh Yawkee Woodson Art Museum, (715) 845-7010 Free Monthly Grief Programs Available Through Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services • Good Grief – Living with Loss: Monthly grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. Second Monday of each month; 4:00-5:00 p.m. First Universalist Unitarian Church, 504 Grant St., Wausau; The Grief Center, (715) 847-2703. • Suicide Grief Support Group: A place to go when your life has been changed by the suicide of a loved one. Second Tuesday of each month; 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Drive, Wausau Sara or Heather at (715) 539-9818. • The Compassionate Friends: A self-help support group for parents, grandparents, and adult siblings. Third Wednesday of the month 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Wausau. New contact person is Mike Wahoske (715) 536-6320. Ministry Grief Support Grief Support in Wausau- July 9, 2015 Ministry’s grief support groups are monthly adult gathering for individuals and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. The next group meets at Peterson – Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue in Wausau. For more information, call Ministry Home Care at 800.398.1297. 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; 9:15-10:15 a.m.

1st Tuesday: Mount. of the Lord Lutheran Church, 5506 Bittersweet Rd., Wausau, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. 1st Thursday: Riverview Towers, 500 Grand Ave., Wausau; 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sturgeon Bluffs, 1320 Grand Ave., Wausau; 10:0011:00 a.m. 2nd Sunday: St. John Catholic Church, 103 N. Fourth Ave., Edgar; 9:15-10:45 a.m. 2nd Tuesday: The Neighbors’ Place, 745 Scott St., Wausau; 10:00-11:00 a.m. 3rd Sunday: Saint Mary’s Church, 712 Market St., Marathon; 9:00-10:00 a.m. 3rd Monday: Island Place Apartments, 400 River Dr., Wausau; 9:00-10:00 a.m. City Walk Apartments, 120 Grand Ave., Wausau; 10:15-11:15 a.m. 3rd Wednesday: Randlin Homes, 529 McClellan St, Wausau; 6:00-7:00 p.m. 4th Wednesday: Kannenberg Plaza, 1240 Merrill Ave, Wausau; 9:00-10:00 a.m. The Salvation Army, 202 Callon St., Wausau; 10:3011:30 a.m. Services are provided by United Way RSVP volunteer nurses. (715) 848-2927 for more information. Great Wausau Area Stroke Club 3rd Monday of even numbered months (Feb, April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. 2015) 3200 Westhill Dr. (2nd floor classroom) 1:00-2:30 p.m., Free and no registration required. Call Kim at (715) 847-2833 or Kathy at (715) 847-2827. Downtown Memory Café is a new gathering place for people with early stages of dementia and their care partners. Hosted by First United Methodist Church, 3rd Thursday every month, 10:30 a.m. – Noon, 903 Third Street, Wausau. For more information or to register, call the church at (715) 8422201, Charles Schoenfeld at (715) 842-9809 or email: memorycafe@fumcwausau.org. Free!

Knitting at the Library Knitters of all ages and skill levels are invited to Knit Night on the 1st 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 July 15th, 2-4:30 pm Register early. Space is limited. Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (715) 261-6070. Cost: Free!! AARP Chapter 272, Wausau Area 3rd Mondays of the month at the Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1000 Lakeview Drive Wausau, WI. Time of Meeting is 1:30 p.m. for about an hour. Grief Group at Helke Funeral Home 302 Spruce St., Wausau, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Caregiver Support Group 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. Aspirus Memory Clinic lower level, conference room 2720 Plaza Drive, Wausau. Contact Jennifer Pagel at (715) 847-2004. Family Support Group 4th Monday of the month from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Marathon County Public Library; 2nd floor meeting room. Families who have a member who has a mental illness. Facilitated by trained NAMI members. YWCA Garden Club Join the YWCA Garden Club where the love of gardening serves as a canopy of assorted community activities. For more information contact Joan BurkMiller at (715) 842-0897.

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Senior Review ‌| 3

Healthy Living

Argue for Your Weaknesses and They’re Yours! By Dr. L. Voigt Smith, PT, DPT, OCS, CredMDT

he Business News (Wisconsin newspaper) last year asked me how I would define a champion. I thought about it for a few seconds and then gave them this response: “A champion is one who is significantly challenged in some way and yet demonstrates an ability to excel above and beyond what others are not capable of or willing to do.” Since then, I’ve tried to look at what behaviors and habits go along with a champion’s mentality. One defining comparison is the affirming language. For example, President Ronald Reagan had a desk sign which read, “It CAN be done.” Another positive language example can be seen in a friend of mine who’s an outstanding gymnastics coach. She leads her athletes by not allowing them to use the word “can’t”. An alternate acceptable response might be, “I’m not able to achieve this maneuver today, but I will consistently work towards making it happen and will strive to achieve it within one month.” In other words she is teaching them to argue for their potential. This habit is creating positive adaptive brain electrochemical consequences which will also serve the athletes well with future problem solving and challenges in life. In my journey, I’m amazed how many I encounter who argue for their weaknesses, as

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well as empower the weaknesses of others. To elaborate, the words we choose to use often either affirm our strengths, hope and capabilities, or our weaknesses, self defeating lack of hope and despair. Consider which you argue for? What kind of language do you choose to use? How’s it working for you? Many don‘t understand our mind and nervous system can be scripted both positively and negatively by what we feed it and expose it to, including language. Consider these common reactive responses: 1) “I know I should take better care of myself, but I don’t have the time.” 2) “If only I could ____(fill in the blank), then I could exercise and be more active.” 3) “I just can’t.” Dr. Stephen Covey (author of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”) has written extensively about how many people habitually use reactive language to absolve them of responsibility. This leads to an ongoing progressive victimization mentality. Almost reflexively, it can reduce human potential and can become a mental prison of choice.

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To contrast, consider the words of Eleanor Roosevelt (This is My Story), “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Ultimately it’s a choice! Our greatest freedom in life is our ability to choose; at any time we can choose our response to a given set of circumstances. For many with chronic pain, a doctor of physical therapy often works with coaches and counselors to help patients address mental health issues which influence pain behaviors; by doing so they can remove significant barriers to functional mobility gains. Positive change often starts with affirming words. Consider using the following: 1) “I choose to make health and wellness a daily priority and schedule time for it.” 2) “I choose to set achievable short-term and longterm goals with a physical therapist so I can improve my function and walk without pain or instability.” 3) “I may not be able to achieve the change I desire today, but will strive to reach my goals within the next six weeks.” To summarize — how we think influences how we function and how we function influences how we think…think about it! An important part of physical therapy care is to encourage individuals to argue for the right things. In doing so, patients help unleash strength, hope and wellness potential in the process. They learn they can think, react, and achieve like a champion! Dr. Smith is the owner of Backsmith Advanced Physical Therapy in Weston and is the inventor of the Backsmith Selective Stabilization Support. He can be reached by email at backsmith2009@hotmail.com. 715-298-5888 backsmithadvancedphysicaltherapy.com.

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Senior Review |‌ 4

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Aging News

Hospice 101: What You Should Know

hat do you think when you hear the word “hospice”? If you are like most people, the first thing that comes to mind is “dying”. While it is true that people who are admitted to a hospice program are in the last stages of their lives, hospice is about life. Hospice adds life to days, when days can no longer be added to life. The hospice philosophy is to regard dying as a normal process, and to help terminally ill people and their families through that process. Our goals are to keep those entrusted to our care as comfortable as possible, while educating them and their loved ones on what to expect in the upcoming days and weeks. The hospice team is made up of many different people. The center of care is the patient and their family. The team also includes the patient’s physician, a hospice physician, registered nurses, CNA’s, social workers, spiritual coordinators, bereavement coordinators, volunteer

coordinators, and volunteers. All of these people come together to support and provide care for the patient and their family. The team addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of the patient, their family, and the primary caregiver. The hospice team works together to be sure that the patient has everything that they need in place to be able to leave this world in peace, and not be anxious about what they are leaving behind. The bereavement coordinator contacts family members for 13 months following the death of their loved one to ensure that they have support through the grieving

at Night & Remixed

On v iew through August 30

process. Volunteers are one of the most important pieces of the care team. They are able to provide the time to just be there for no other reason than to keep the patient company. If you are interested in volunteering for Aseracare Hospice, please call our volunteer coordinator, Jennifer, at 715-3554797. Hospice is not a place, it is a service. Hospice services can be utilized in a home, a nursing home, or in an assisted living or retirement home. Medicare and Medicaid provide full hospice coverage for routine hospice care. Most private insurance companies

Seniors are an important and involved piece of our community and we appreciate them and all they have done! Thanks from all of us!

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also have hospice coverage. Private insurance varies and you should call your insurance company to explore the benefits available. If you are enrolled in hospice, the service covers all of the medications, medical equipment, and supplies that are related to the terminal diagnosis of the patient. We can provide wheelchairs, oxygen, incontinence products, and much more. Hospice staff is available 24/7. The sooner a terminally ill patient elects hospice, the more they benefit. Early election allows the team to develop relationships with the patient and the family, and to provide better care and support overall for everyone involved. Transitioning to hospice care can be a difficult decision. It is a good idea to have a conversation ahead of time, so your loved ones know what you want if you are ever diagnosed with a life limiting illness. It is important to know what your options are. There are many different hospice programs available nationwide. I encourage you to interview different programs and select the one that is right for you. Submitted by AsceraCare Hospice, Wausau, WI

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Senior Review ‌| 5

Healthy Living

Good Eye Health as We Age

If your eyes feel dry, gritty or feel like they’re burning, you are experiencing dry eyes. You may be able to use special eye drops that act as artificial tears to lubricate your eyes and make them feel better. In some serious cases, surgery may be necessary. Eye tearing is another common problem. It can happen because your eyes are more sensitive to temperature or light. Wearing sunglasses should help. But tearing could also be an indication of an eye infection. You may want to visit your eye doctor to see if there is an underlying problem.

you may not be able to read or drive unless it is removed. ■ Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure in the eye starts destroying nerve fibers within the retina. If not treated in a timely manner, glaucoma can cause blindness. Treatment can include eye drops, medication or surgery. ■ Macular Degeneration happens when the central part of the retina is gradually damaged. This central part of the retina is where your sharp vision is found. This damage can be the result of aging, and can cause permanent vision loss. Early detection is important and laser treatments can slow down the vision loss. ■ Diabetic Retinopathy – this is related to having diabetes. Changes to the blood vessels can restrict oxygen to the retina. This can cause cloudy vision, seeing spots and can ultimately cause blindness. If you have diabetes, inform your eye doctor. Annual eye exams that include the pupils being dilated are essential when you have diabetes. Successful treatment can slow down vision loss and laser treatment can be successful in the early stages of this disease.

► Vision Loss — What Can Be Done

► Regular Eye Examinations a Must

When vision loss does occur, treatment can help, especially if diagnosed in the early stages. Below are some reasons why vision loss occurs. ■ Cataracts are a gradual clouding of the eye. The clouding prevents light from reaching the retina which impairs your eyesight. Because of this cataract

Remember, the importance of regular eye exams cannot be stressed enough and are the best way of treating future problems. Good communication with your eye doctor is also key in practicing good eye health.

o you find it difficult to see as clearly as you used to? Is it hard to see fine print? Do your eyes feel dry or gritty? If these symptoms are happening to you, you’re not alone. Although these are often common signs of our aging eyes, they shouldn’t be ignored. They could possibly indicate more severe problems. One of the most important things you can do for your eyes is to have them checked on an annual basis. Many changes in vision happen slowly, and you may not be aware you have a problem. Getting your eyes checked regularly can mean the difference between good eyesight and vision loss.

■ Watch your diet. Studies have shown that eating foods high in vitamins and minerals like carrots, spinach, melon and citrus fruits can actually help slow the progress of diseases like macular degeneration.

► Common Eye Problems

► First Step — Protecting Your Eyes There are simple things that you can start with to protect your eyes. These include: ■ Put brighter light bulbs in your lamps (be sure your fixture is made for that wattage). Brighter lights cause less eye strain and can help prevent falls. ■ Don’t smoke. Smoking can cause an early onset of an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This disease can cause permanent loss of vision. ■ Wear sunglasses. Make sure they offer 99 to 100% UV-A and UV-B protection. This will protect you from the suns rays that can harm your eyes; even when it is cloudy outside.

Even if you are currently practicing eye safety tips, vision changes can still occur over time. These changes are common but do need to be addressed. One of the first changes we notice as we approach age 40 is the inability to focus on small print or close objects which is call Presbyopia. Using glasses to read usually solves the problem. Floaters are tiny spots that float across your field of vision. If a floater appears, sometimes moving your eye around will make it move out of your line of vision. If you see a sudden change in the number of spots you see, or if you see light flashes, see your eye doctor right away. This could indicate a serious problem.

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For more information visit www.eyecareamerica.org

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Healthy Living

Any Leakage = Too Much Leakage Just because urinary incontinence is common, does not mean it is normal, nor should it be something you have to “just live with”… By Dr. Jennifer Bimmel, DPT

et’s talk specifically about stress urinary incontinence. What is it? Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the loss of urine upon physical exertion such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise. This form of incontinence may occur due to weak pelvic floor muscles contributing to the inability to support the bladder and urethra. Some risk factors for having weak pelvic floor muscles include female gender, aging, childbirth, and athletics. But again, just because this is a common occurrence within these groups does not mean this is something you should learn to deal with. Shown through the 2010 systematic review by Price et al, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) boasts significant evidence in improving SUI. What is PFMT? It’s “kegels”. It is important to note that 40% of women performing kegels do so incorrectly. To prevent ineffective PFMT, it would be valuable to refer on to a qualified physical therapist who can ensure patients/clients are performing pelvic floor exercises with proper form, during a minimum of at least one formal training session. Okay, so now I’m listening… I may be doing kegels wrong? Or, I don’t even know what kegels are? Are you telling me I can go to a physical therapist to exercise my lady parts? Yes. During a physical therapy session with a pelvic floor specialist or women’s health specialist you will learn all about urinary incontinence. There are more forms than just SUI, such as urge urinary incontinence, and functional urinary incontinence. Women will be educated on the anatomy of the pelvic floor and how the urinary system works. You will get a holistic approach to helping you improve and cure your urinary incontinence. A discussion about nutrition (are your daily fluids irritating your bladder?) and your toileting habits (how often are you going to the bathroom?). And of course, we’ll take a look at how your muscles are functioning. Are you able to contract your pelvic floor muscles? How long can you hold this contraction? Can you do quick contractions? Can you perform PFMT in a variety of positions? These are extremely important muscles responsible for supporting your internal organs, and having bladder/bowel movements. We’ll take you through an individual treatment approach specific to your needs. Depending on severity of UI most individuals I work with take approximately 6 treatment sessions, just once per week. So before you stock up on more pads, fill up your medicine cabinet, or elect for surgery — try a conservative, more empowering approach to addressing urinary incontinence with physical therapy! If you would like more information, visit us online www.ostpt.com/womens-health/ or call our Ladysmith office at 715-532-3439 and ask for Jennifer!

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Senior Review ‌| 7

Good Read

I Used to Know How to Cook By Nancy Runner

used to know how to cook. Recently, procedures that used to be second nature have not turned out well…in fact, they have been disastrous. For example, I wanted to make corn muffins. I had a brand new Teflon muffin pan. Scrounging through my cupboards, I could not find any cupcake liners. Oh, well, I thought, it’s a brand new Teflon pan, so it’s non-stick. Wrong. I could have sprayed the pan with non-stick spray, but didn’t think I needed to. That’s what I mean about I used to know how to cook. In the days when I baked on a regular basis, I would not have made a mistake like that. As you can guess, the corn muffins stuck to their little individual cups. I couldn’t use a metal tool to dig them out, because I did not want to scratch my new pan, so I found a plastic knife saved from a trip to Wendy’s and used that to pry them out. Even with my

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best efforts, I only got the top half of each muffin. The bottom half of each muffin got washed into the sink in a soggy, gritty, corn muffin mess. Next time I will remember the nonstick spray….I hope. For Thanksgiving, every year I make my famous butterhorn crescent rolls. This year the yeast proofed beautifully and the dough mixed together very well. The dough sat in the refrigerator overnight and rose well, so it looked like it would be a great batch of butterhorns. I rolled out the dough, basted it with melted butter, cut out the triangles, and rolled them all up into crescent shapes. They even fit onto my four new Teflon baking sheets (which I had sprayed with non-stick spray). Everything was going well. The rolls had to rise in a warm spot for an hour. This year I live in a new apartment, and couldn’t think of a warm spot that would be suitable. I had heard of heating the oven to 170 for a few minutes,

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turning off the oven, and letting dough rise in the oven. I thought I would try this. Usually, I cover the rolls with damp tea towels, but it was a little bulky to put four pans in the oven covered with towels. Instead, I dampened paper towels and laid them across each pan. The four pans fit in the oven, and I set the timer for one hour. After about 40 minutes, the yeast aroma was so strong I decided to check on them. Pulling one pan out of the oven, I could see the rolls had already doubled in size. I tried to lift the paper towel off this batch, and found the dough was so soft and sticky the paper adhered to the rolls. I grabbed my kitchen scissors and cut away at the threads of dough as I lifted the paper towel. Then I looked at the rolls. Instead of looking like my usual butterhorns, they looked like the giant soft white larva of some monstrous moth. Hideous. Quickly I pulled the other pans out and repeated the process, lifting stuck paper toweling off of the gooey, sticky rolls and cutting the globs away from the paper with my

scissors. Oh, well. Maybe the rolls would recover in the baking process. I put all four pans into a 350 degree oven and baked them for 15 minutes. You know what happened. The lower two pans charred on the bottom of the rolls. The two pans in the upper part of the oven weren’t too bad, although their strange rising period in the oven left them looking distorted and spiky. What was I thinking? I used to know that the lower pans would burn on the bottom. How could I forget? I made myself two sticky note reminders and put them on my recipe... “Do not put the rolls in the oven to rise” and “Only bake two pans at a time.” There was a time when I would have known this, but next year I think I will need the sticky note reminders. By the way, have you ever notice that chili powder and cinnamon come in very similar looking bottles? But that’s another story. Read more from Nancy on her blog at www.nancyrunner.com

Call (715) 842-3993 today for an appointment to discuss your final wishes and experience the freedom of knowing that it’s all taken care of.

Aging News

Are You a Caregiver?

ver 25 million Americans are caregivers, but many, when asked, do not even recognize that they are indeed giving care. They view their tasks as part of their daily routine or duties in their relationship with their loved one. Caregivers can be family, friends, neighbors or someone you converse with many miles away. There is no age limit to being a caregiver. In fact, a five-year old child can provide emotional support to his ailing grandfather and an 89 year-old mother can provide medication reminders to her 60 year-old son. However, identifying that you are indeed a caregiver can help in many ways. First it allows you to realize all that you do for that loved one, and in essence, give yourself a pat on the back. Plus it can help you evaluate if you are prepared and capable to continue

these tasks, or if you need to seek resources in the community to assist you.

Here is a quick and easy way to determine if you are a caregiver: ■ Do you shop, do errands or accompany an aging loved one to their doctor appointments? ■ Do you provide emotional support to your spouse, parent,

neighbor, adult child or friend through regular phone calls or conversations. ■ Do you provide physical assistance, an arm to hold while walking, or help going to the bathroom, to a love one? ■ Do you remind an adult in your life to take their pills? ■ Do you cook or clean regularly or periodically for another in your life?

You are a caregiver when an older adult relies on you to help them with their daily activities. These activities can be shopping, conversations, medication or assistance with mobility issues. They can be very hands-on or handled long-distance. However, without your intervention, or the assistance from someone else, the odds of this task being accomplished are not high. A caregiver makes a tremendous difference in the lives of those they care for because without them their quality, and quantity of life, would be adversely affected. If you are a caregiver, thank you for all that you do. According to Rosalynn Carter there are four types of caregivers: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver. Whatever your type is, realize that you are not alone, and that you are caring enough to give. Thank you!!

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Travel

Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Steam Train Summer Outing

re you looking for something new and fun to do with your family this summer? Head out to the unincorporated town of Laona in Forest County and travel back in time to the 1800s aboard the Lumberjack Steam Train. In 1969, the Camp Five Museum and Farm Complex opened to the public. It is now operated by the Camp Five Museum Foundation. Because Wisconsin state researchers have not found any other lumber company farm like this one that still exists, and because of the logging industry’s important role in Wisconsin’s history, the site was added to the National Register of Historic places by the U.S. Department of the Interior on January 11, 1996. The Lumberjack Steam Train is a collection of locomotive and cars all from the early 1900s. The 1916-built locomotive pulls two passenger coach cars, one openair observation car, and three cabooses. The cabooses have cupolas that allow you to enjoy a tree-level view. To catch your train, come to the Soo Line Depot, just a quarter mile west of the junction of Highways 8 and 32 as you’re on Highway 8. The depot is from the 1800s too and features

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Above: Lumberjack Steam Train

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an old railway clock, roll-top desk, early typewriter, and a barrel stove. One unusual feature of the depot is the elm bow, that train conductors would use as the train went by, to grab onto dispatches from depot agents. Your tickets will be good for a scenic round-trip ride out to Camp 5, which used to be a logging camp and was later the home of the Lumber Company Farm. Your ticket also gets

you into some of the original and refurbished buildings from the farm, such as a hog barn/ petting corral, a blacksmith shop/ museum, and a slaughter house. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy a nature center, a forest tour ecology walk, a store, and a restaurant on the grounds. Plan to allow about two hours at the camp to see everything and enjoy the activities there. The special locomotive pulling

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the train is the only prairie-style steam locomotive currently working in Wisconsin. It was built in Pennsylvania in 1916 and brought to Laona in 1926 to work in the logging business. The prairie style is a classification of steam locomotive with two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. This style began to be built around 1900 for use across the Midwest prairies, and that is why it was named prairie style. The 2015 season runs from June 25 through August 22, Monday through Saturday. It is also open September 19 and 26 and October 3. The train runs rain or shine. Special events this summer include a Nature Camp (July 7), Grandparents’ Day (July 10), a Cowboy Reenactment (July 11), Paul Bunyan Day and Timberworks Lumberjack Show (July 18), the Saturday Fall Festival and Haunted Slaughter House (September 19 and 26), and a reprisal of the Cowboy Reenactment and Saturday Fall Festival on October 3. If you’re planning a wedding, birthday, or other special event, contact them for special rates and availability. Active duty military personnel and their families receive free admission with proper ID. There are special rates for school groups and adult groups, but these must be arranged and confirmed ahead of time. For more information visit www. lumberjacksteamtrain.com/index.html or call 715-674-3414.

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Travel

Top Hot Spots for Independence Day

he Fourth of July is all about celebrating the best of America. And what better way to do that than by checking out some of the country’s best Independence Day celebrations. Boston and Philadelphia are great choices for travelers who want to take in some history along with their fireworks on the United States’ 239th birthday. Boston’s 2½-mile Freedom Trail passes by 16 historic locations such as the Old North Church where, in 1775, lanterns were hung in the steeple to warn patriots of advancing British soldiers. Boston’s Harborfest runs from July 1 to 5, with events for all ages, including historic reenactments, musical performances, cruises and museum exhibits. On the Fourth, the Boston Pops Orchestra performs a free concert along the Charles River, culminating in a dramatic “1812 Overture” accompanied by

booming cannons and fireworks. A tour of Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, is a must-see for visitors to Philadelphia. The Wawa Welcome America Festival returns June 27 to July 4, with a full slate of events, including Hoagie Day to celebrate the city’s iconic sandwich and a Philly Pops performance. It all leads up to a parade and the Fourth of July Jam, a concert and fireworks grand finale in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky are a Fourth of July tradition from coast to coast. In New York, the Macy’s show has

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the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop. Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing has events for the whole family, with 27 minutes of fireworks set to music from the Nashville Symphony. Visitors to San Francisco can sway to the sounds of an American art form at the Fillmore Jazz Festival, then head to Pier 39 for dining, ferry rides and fireworks over San Francisco Bay. Of course, there are terrific celebrations in small towns across the United States. The Bristol, RI, parade is part of the nation’s oldest Fourth of July celebration, dating back to 1785. The boyhood home of Mark Twain in Hannibal, MO, hosts the 60th Annual National Tom

Sawyer Days July 2 to 4, including fence-painting and frog-jumping contests. At majestic Mount Rushmore, actors portray George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, the presidents whose heads are carved into South Dakota’s Black Hills. For a Western twist, Steamboat Springs, CO, celebrates with the 112th annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days July 2 to 5, including a rodeo, block party and a parade on the Fourth. Finally, Washington, D.C., always puts on a big show for July 4th. The National Independence Day Parade features marching bands from across the country, patriotic floats and military units. At the National Archives, a Fourth of July program includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The day ends with a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and a fireworks display on the National Mall.

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Healthy Living

Ride for Your Health Walking to and from the bus stop every day can burn

Taking the bus instead of driving a car cuts average daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds a day or

calories a year.

pounds a year.

22,600

4,800

Bus-related

Opting for public transit just two days out of five will cut personal greenhouse gas emissions by

accidents

have 1/20 the passenger fatality rates of car-related accidents.

25%

Riding the bus and not having a car can save a family an average of

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Those who use public transportation get 3 times more physical activity than those who don’t.

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Buses use

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Sources: American Public Transportation Association; BCMedicalJournal.org; National Safety Council; www.greenerjourneys.com; www.greenworld365.com; State of Delaware website.

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Aging News

Medicaid Myths

However, there are other ways to protect your home, maintain control, and avoid Wisconsin’s estate recovery program.

ccording to recent studies, approximately 70 percent of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of longterm care during their lives. The average nursing home cost for central Wisconsin is roughly $8,000 per month or $96,000 per year. Most of us will not be able to afford this cost. We will deplete our entire life savings and need to rely on Medicaid or Medical Assistance to help pay for some or all of their nursing home costs. Unfortunately, there are numerous misconceptions about the Medicaid rules and requirements.

MYTH: “If my spouse needs nursing home care, I am only allowed to have $52,000 and I must use all my money to pay for their care before I can get Medicaid.” TRUTH: Many people believe that $52,000.00 is a fixed number that it is black and white, and doesn’t have any variations. In reality, this is rarely the case. The Medicaid rules are difficult to understand, so it’s important to seek advice from an elder law attorney who specializes in Medicaid eligibility in order to protect your assets.

under Medicaid Law. Actually, the gifting amount has changed to $14,000, for federal purposes. However, Wisconsin Medicaid law penalizes a person one day for every $243.49 given away.

MYTH: “I can only give away $10,000 per year under Medicaid rules.” TRUTH: This is a rule under federal estate and gift tax law, not

MYTH: “I have to wait 3 years after giving anything away, to qualify for Medicaid.” TRUTH: As of 2009 there is a 5 year “lookback period” for gifts to children and others. However, in many cases that does not mean you have to wait 5 years after giving something away to qualify for Medicaid. MYTH: “I can transfer my house to my children and keep a “life estate” on my house. This way I get to protect my house for me and my family.”

TRUTH: In 2014, Wisconsin made significant changes to the estate recovery program. Now, if you or your spouse transfers your home and keeps a life estate so you can continue to live there, and you later receive Medicaid for nursing home care, Wisconsin can claim the value of the life estate after the death of both spouses.

Qualifying for Medicaid is a legal matter and almost always requires some form of legal advice. Contact an elder law attorney who specializes in Medicaid eligibility to protect the assets you’ve worked so long to save. If you are interested in scheduling a complimentary meeting to discuss Medicaid eligibility, how to protect your assets from possible future nursing home care, or the new Wisconsin law changes and how they may affect you or your loved ones, please contact us at 715.843.5001. HOUGUM LAW FIRM, LLC Attorney Alan L. Hougum 305 S. 18th Avenue, Suite 200 Wausau, WI 54401 Call 715.843.5001 Email info@hougumlaw.com

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Aging News

Insurance Questions That Seniors Should Ask

1. If I am hospitalized, how much will my insurance plan (or plans) cover and how much will I have to pay? At present, most individuals will be responsible for some out-of-pocket expenses for hospitalization. This can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. 2. If I have to go to a nursing home for rehabilitation services, will my insurance plan cover these services? And, how many days will be covered? Nobody wants to go to a nursing home, so many people simply assume that it will never happen. But when an individual suffers a stroke or other serious medical problem, it is highly likely that they will need some period of time in a skilled nursing facility. There is a general misunderstanding that “Medicare covers 100 days in a nursing home.” Not only is this false, but an increasing number of seniors have “Medicare replacement plans” and each of these plans has its own rules about what they will cover for rehab services in a nursing home. 3. Does my insurance plan Senior Review |‌ 14

cover home health services and/ or hospice care? Most insurance plans will have some level of home health coverage, but the services you can receive will have limits. It is likely that you will only be able to receive a few hours of services per week. Home health care is not an “around the clock” service.

Asking good questions and being informed will help you be adequately prepared for a medical crisis or care needs that you did not anticipate. You never want to wait until you NEED services to know if they will be covered or not. And by all means, do not assume that the coverage will be

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1. Will the plan cover an assisted living facility? And, if so, how much will the plan pay on a daily basis? This same question should be asked for nursing home services and home health services.

3. Will my plan pay for “custodial care” and/or “companion care”? These terms refer to services that are non-medical in nature. Some plans will only pay for “skilled services” that are prescribed by a physician (such as physical therapy, nursing, and CNA services).

Tim Moe is an Advance Practice Social Worker who works for Kennedy Park Nursing and Rehab in Schofield Wisconsin. He has 22 years of experience in social work and has spent the past 15 years working in hospital and nursing home settings.

‘‘

If you have Long Term Care Insurance, these are the questions you need to ask:

2. Will the plan pay for services as soon as they begin, or is there a waiting period? My experience is that many long term care insurance plans will not begin paying until you have been in a facility for 90 days. This can be a source of frustration for many consumers.

there if you have not asked these simple questions first.

‘‘

have worked in hospitals and nursing homes for the past 15 years and in that time I have learned a few things about the needs of seniors and how their insurance plans may, or may not, cover these needs. Therefore, this article is intended to help seniors be prepared and to ask questions that they may otherwise not think to ask. Nobody plans to be seriously ill or to need long term care. Therefore, seniors often do not think about “worst case scenarios.” Thinking in this way is the starting point for asking good questions. Everyone should ask these questions about their insurance plans:

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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

id you ever wonder why a ground cover like an evergreen juniper, or any other pine evergreen ground cover starts to look dead in the middle first? It is because at some point the main taproot dies off. Why does it die off? Because every living thing has a pre-determined age at which it will die. Everything has a lifecycle, including evergreen groundcover. This does not, however answer the question of how do seeds survive for thousands of years buried under the ground and then on day germinate after being dormant for so long? Well, getting back to the groundcover evergreen that doesn’t look so green any more. Mostly because of age, the main tap root dies, sometimes because of disease or other reasons, you then have to deal with what to do next. You will never get the main taproot to come back to life, once the dying process starts it cannot be reversed. So, the best thing you can do is to revitalize the outside roots. I have had to do this process several times over a number of years. The process I am referring to is this — the evergreen ground cover in question usually is dead in the middle and growing nicely on the outside. The idea is to dig out the middle part that is dying, and turn the outer parts into a nice big ground cover that looks good again without leaving a big dead space in the middle. Great idea, but a long and lengthy process I guarantee you. I have had to do this one myself. Here goes. First try to dig, chop, or cut out the dead parts. Next, after getting those dead and deceased parts out, you will have to spray for funguses that might have been killing off your plant in the first place. Big tip — many kinds of evergreens do not like just any kind of fungicide. The ones that work best are fungicides that are made out of evergreen pine boughs, like red

“It’s Not Work, It’s Fun, Bobbie Bud*s for Life, Let’s Talk waUSAa, Ride the Planet 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 WAATV 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 is 715-551-5194. GOT A GARDENING OR HEALTH or BEAUTY AIDE QUESTION? Just Call 715551-5194 and leave a message and we’ll call you back and answer your question.

cedar or blue evergreen junipers. You would think that all evergreens are fungus resistant, however, they are not. When the moisture content gets high underneath these big branches it lets the door open for fungi to come in and settle down. If you would like to purchase a fungicide from the store make sure it says on the label “will not harm evergreens”. This next fungicide tip is my favorite one to use. I pour a little gin into my sprayer to fight the fungus off on my evergreens. I like to make my own evergreen fungicide by also adding water from a five gallon bucket, that has had red cedar pine boughs marinating in it for about 10 days. Most people who read this last tip would also take the gin, without the red cedar boughs, mixed with something else in a glass. I don’t, I

never have, and I never will. Beer? Wine? Now that is a different matter. After choosing whatever fungicide you want, a product from a store, or your own, poke some holes into the ground where you dug up the dead evergreens, and spray your fungicide in those holes that should be about six inches apart, one inch wide and 6-8 inches deep. Then when you finally are ready for the third step, you can purchase new evergreen ground covers and plant them in the middle, to fill up the spaces left by the old dug up ones. You can also choose to let the fresh growth grow into the older dug up area, which can take a few years, or transplant some of the fresh new growth into the old space. The latter takes way less time to fill in than the former. Trust me I have tried this both ways, and I can tell you putting in newly purchased evergreen ground cover is expensive, and can wind up looking strange because you will inevitably have 2 to 3 different types of evergreen ground covers growing in the same space. Some people like this and some don’t. It is up to you, choose wisely, cuz’ if you don’t it may look funny for a long time. When you can’t seem to find an answer to your gardening question read my column in this magazine and then call 715-551-5194, ask your question, leave a message and then I will call you back and answer your question. When you are listening to WNRB 93.3 FM on Friday mornings between 8:30-10:00 AM, call 715842-8900 to get ahold of me while I am on the air and ask your questions. I am still working in my year ‘round greenhouse, and boy does

it get hot in there. I am already preparing it for the winter season. By the time you read this article my greenhouse will be blessed and dedicated by Pastor Phillip Schnieder of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. A huge thank you goes to Bruce Olbrantz and the Olbrantz Family Foundation for the donation of the Fraser Family Foundation Greenhouse. Happy Growing. To write: F F F P.O. Box 5161, Wausau, Wisconsin 54402. LIKE us on Face Book. To get the program’s “It’s Not Work, It’s Fun” and Bobbie Bud*s for Life go to the website waac. pegcentral.com and watch them at any time. My email has changed. You can e-mail your gardening questions at: mgbdelonay@gmail.com or mgbdelonay@yahoo.com, either one works.

And now… BOBBIE Bud*s for LIFE…

When you clean those spaces that are hard to get at, make your own tool. Here is an idea for reaching into those areas that are underneath, or too small to get your hand or arm into. Take a pair of tongs, long ones, to reach underneath or into, for instance blinds, with some type of cloth secured with rubber bands on each arm. Then clean away. Try drinking a non-alcoholic beer one hour before bed to get to sleep. Until Next Time, Master Gardener Bernie De Lonay, and Bobbie Bud’s for Life. The sponsors for the Fraser Family Foundation are Vicor Security Audio and Visual, 715-355-5706. Wausau Spring and Alignment, 715-842-0522. Associated Banks of Marathon County, 715-845-4301. County Market Grocery Stores, Wausau 715-845-8846. Area Metro Ride, Wausau, 715-842-9287. St. Pauls United Church of Christ, Wausau, 715-842-3733. Mc Donalds Corporation, Wausau, 715-675-2376. WAAC Television, Wausau City Hall, 715-261-6550. WNRB Radio, Wausau, 715-824-830. This publication, Senior Review, Eau Claire, 715831-0325. Paul E. David, Attorney at Law Wausau, 715-845-1151. Mount View Mobil, Rib Mountain, WI. Highway 51 and NN. 715-845-1149. McDonald’s, Hardee’s, and Culver’s Corporations. 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.

Senior Review ‌| 15

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• Furnished Room With Free Cable • Homecooked Meals • Medication Monitoring • 24 Hour Staffing • Respite Care Offered

Certified Elder Law Attorney

500 Third Street, Suite 202 Wausau, WI 54403 Nursing Home Planning, Estate Planning, Probate, and Estate Tax Avoidance Planning

(715) 842-0606 or Toll Free 1-866-353-3352

Don’t wait until you get kicked for a loss...

Providing Quality, Personal Care for the Elderly

Family Owned and Operated

Turn Memories into Memorials Norde Memorials Since 1914 715-842-3545

101 S. 3rd Ave., Wausau

(715)355-8246 or (715)241-8807 2480 Terrebonne Drive Mosinee, WI 54455

465441-01

James Ogurek National Board Certified Hearing Aid Specialist State License #298

Celebrating 100 years of service

Hearing Solutions, Inc. 330 Grand Avenue • Wausau, WI 54403 715-842-9882 or 1-800-236-4060 465441-01

Be Seen Here! Call Us Today! 715.831.0325

Senior Apartments For Rent

The Marathon Housing Association is accepting applications for efficiency, 1- & 2-bedroom apartments Eligible applicants are 62+ years or disabled.

Rent is based on 30% of your adjusted gross monthly income!

WISCONSIN MANAGEMENT CO., INC. A better way...of living! Call 877-784-1643 for applications!

GREETING CARDS BETTER CARDS PARTY HEADQUARTERS!

47 47

BASICS Balloons ★ Decorations ★ Gift Wrap ★ Gifts SUPPLIES Napkins ★ Plates ★ Cutlery ★ Table Rolls

WMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Essential Foot & Nail Care, LLC

FACTORY OUTLET

For an appointment

Services provided: assess the feet, give relaxing soak, foot massage and lotion, trim nails, reduce calluses. Cost: $40.00 for in home nail services in Merrill/Wausau area.

1-877-848-0650

• Electrical Stimulation Ankle Braces

Preferred provider with Medicare/Medicaid

Senior |‌ 16 WAUSAUReview STEVENS POINT

MINOCQUA

2600 Stewart Ave. Wausau, WI 54401

301 Elm St. Minocqua, WI 54568

2926 Post Rd. Stevens Point, WI 54481

1-877-848-0650

FREE Consultation & Evaluation

661 WSchofield JohnsonAve. St Fond du lac 1512 • Schofield Hours: M-F715-355-4647 9 - 9; SA. 9-8; SU. 10-5 www.5050factoryoutlet.com

• Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services • Monuments

Call 715-581-7410

Shoes/Inserts Wausau• ·Diabetic Stevens Point · Minocqua · Medford FREE Consultation & Evaluation

each

3 Generations Serving Our Community Since 1934

RN, CFCN Certifed Foot Care Nurse Insured

High-Tech Myoelectric Arms Electrical Stimulation Ankle Braces • Computerized Knees Diabetic Shoes/Inserts • High-Tech Myoelectric Arms

Beste Funeral Home

“Caring for your feet for a lifetime” MARY HINSON

Computerized Knees NEW BUSINESS IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN!

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EXTRAS Mardi Gras Beads ★ Pinatas ★ Leis ★BETTER Bulk Toy Favors PRICE

WI-SPAD110622_105111_1

Preferred provider with Medicare/Medicaid

Better Cards

Phone: 920-929-8500

WMCaffordablehousing@wimci.com

NEW BUSINESS IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN!

GREETING C

Curtis Beste, Owner/Licensed Funeral Director 611 3rd Street, Mosinee (715) 693-2450

American Senior Benefits Joseph Kobart

Pink Ribbon

Mastectomy Boutique and Gift Shop

• ABC Certified Mastectomy & Lymphedema Fitter • Beautiful boutique setting PROOF O.K. BY: _____________________________ O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY:_ • Large Inventory - Low Prices! LIFE, HEALTH, RETIREMENT providerONLINE with Medicare/Medicaid • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTSPLEASE READ CAREFULLYPreferred We do all the billing for AT: you!! SP_50 50 FACTORY OUTLET PROOF CREATED 6/29/2011 4:46 PM Cell 715-212-5361 ADVERTISER: SALES PERSON: SHARP PROOF DUE: - (U-GO-PINK) 845-2800 or 1-877-846-7465 SPEC ADS NEXT RUN DATE: 06/30/11 2620 Stewart Ave., Ste 14, Wausau, WIPUBLICATION: 54401 1108 S. 17th Ave, Wausau Agent/Advisor

SIZE: 3 col X 2 in

FREE CONSULTATION ◆ email: jkobart@yahoo.com

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