By Hollie E. Chrusniak
◘ Healthy Eating
◘ Plan Now for Summer Cruise Options
By Alan L. Hougum
◘ What to Do After an Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
By Dr. L. Voigt Smith
◘ Moving Health Care from a Commodity to a Value-Based Industry
In this Issue...
Happy Saint Patrick's Day
Free March 2016
Senior Review
A Senior Magazine for Living a Healthier, Smarter and More Active Life in Wausau
National Frozen Food Month
Thawing Frozen Foods
• Freezer burned foods are safe, but likely unappealing. Make sure that packaging is airtight to reduce freezer burn. Cut freezer burned portions off of foods prior to cooking or serving. • Always thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave. Place meat and poultry products in the refrigerator 1-2 days before you’re planning to use them. Large items will take longer, so be sure to plan ahead! You can also use the defrost setting on the microwave, but this should only be used immediately before cooking. • Never leave foods on the counter to thaw! Food thaws unevenly, so while some areas may remain frozen, others may be at the right temperature for allowing bacterial growth.
M
arch has been designated as National Frozen Food Month! Frozen food is a valuable resource in our climate; it becomes very hard to find fresh foods at this time of year. Don’t forget that frozen foods can be more affordable when compared with fresh options!
Freezing Foods
• Buy meat and poultry in bulk and freeze it raw in freezer-grade ziptop bags within 48 hours of purchase. • Make sure food is safe to eat prior to freezing; do not freeze outdated food. • Properly stored food (i.e. safe at the time of freezing and kept at or below 0° F) will always stay safe when frozen. However, food kept in the freezer too long can become unappetizing in other ways, such as undergoing changes in texture and color. The table to the right lists how long foods can maintain their quality when frozen. • Don’t forget to take inventory from time to time! It’s easy to forget what you’ve frozen and how long something has been in there. To help, clearly label everything prior to freezing by writing a label including the date of freezing on
Eating Frozen Foods
Food
Optimal Length of Freezing
Ground meat
3-4 months
Roast 4-12 months Chicken or turkey
9-12 months
Cooked meat or chicken
2-6 months
Casserole, soups, and stews
2-3 months
masking tape. Consider keeping a list of what’s in your freezer on a whiteboard or piece of paper on the freezer; cross off items as you remove them.
• Include frozen fruit in smoothies with milk, yogurt, and fresh spinach. • Keep a variety of frozen vegetables on hand to mix into pasta dishes, soups, and casseroles. References Freezing and Food Safety. United States Department of Agriculture, 15 Jun. 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2016. <http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/ topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safetyfact-sheets/safe-food-handling/freezing-and-foodsafety/CT_Index> Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Web. 14 Jan. 2016. <http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/ storagetimes.html>
Senior Review | 1
MARCH 14-20, 2016
Keep Your Drugs Cool Your medicines are sensitive to the temperature. It doesn’t matter which one it may be. They can lose their potency and not work as well. Most drugs should be stored at room temperature, which is usually between 68 and 77 degrees. As this is the temperature your body is most comfortable at, it is fairly easy to tell. When running around town picking up this and that, make your stop at the drugstore the last one. That gives you less time for the medicine to become susceptible to any temperature. When you get home, put the pills in a place where they will not get hot (steamy bathrooms or super hot kitchens.) Let your common sense take over on this one.
Celebrate BAW with this ten question quiz, prepared by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. Questions? Contact the BAW Headquarters at +1 (212) 401-1689 or BAWinfo@dana.org. 1: About how many nerve cells are in the human brain? A. 1 Billion B. 10 Billion C. 100 Billion 2: What does the eye’s lens do to the orientation of the visual image? A. Rotates it right B. Rotates it left C. It turns it upside down. 3: Holding a memory in mind while we think about it is called
4: During what period of sleep do we dream? A. Stage IV sleep B. NREM sleep C. REM sleep 5: Name the contact points where one neuron communicates with another. A. Somas B. Synapses C. Axon terminals 6: What do you call it when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or suddenly becomes clogged? A. Stroke B. Aneurysm C. Aphasia
Older adults need more calcium and vitamin D to help maintain bone health. Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt each day. Other calcium-rich foods include fortified cereals and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables and canned fish with soft bones. If you take a calcium
Editor/Publisher: Arwen Rasmussen Offices: 3315 Nimitz Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701 P: 715-831-0325 F: 715-831-7051 E: seniorreviewnewspapers@gmail.com
Senior Review | 2
10: To the closest pound, how heavy is the average adult brain? A. Three pounds B. Two pounds C. One pound
also can help lower your risk for heart disease, control your weight and prevent type 2 diabetes. Eat wholegrain breads and cereals and more beans and peas. Fruits and vegetables also provide fiber.
Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults:
Calcium and Vitamin D
9: Name the disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disturbances of thought and emotions. A. Manic-depressive disorder B. Huntington’s chorea C. Schizophrenia
7: What do you call an involuntary, fixed muscle response to a particular stimuli? A. Spasm B. Reflex C. Dystonia
March is National Nutrition Month Eating right and staying fit are important no matter what your age. As we get older our bodies have different needs, so certain nutrients become especially important for good health.
8: Name the part of the brain that is important for emotional learning and memory and its dysfunction is related to anxiety disorders. A. Amygdala B. Thalamus C. Hippocampus
6: A 7. B 8: A 9: C 10: A
what type of memory? A. Procedural memory B. Working/short term memory C. Momentary memory
Answers: 1: C 2: C 3: B 4: C 5: B
Balanced Living
Tips and ideas for a healthy and balanced life
Potassium
supplement or multivitamin, choose one that contains vitamin D.
Vitamin B12
Many people older than 50 do not get enough vitamin B12. Fortified cereal, lean meat and some fish and seafood are sources of vitamin B12. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian if you need a vitamin B12 supplement.
Fiber
Eat more fiber-rich foods to help stay regular. Fiber 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
Increasing potassium along with reducing sodium (salt) may lower your risk of high blood pressure. Fruits, vegetables and low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt are good sources of potassium. Also, select and prepare foods with little or no added salt.
Know Your Fats
Foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol help reduce your risk of heart disease. Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Check the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels for total fat and saturated fat. 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) 8457010 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. Contact 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 Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Contact Sue at 715-8455968. 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 March 9 2:00-4:30 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, March-December at the Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1000 Lakeview Drive, Wausau, WI. Time of Meeting is 1:30 p.m. for about an hour. Because of the weather, no meetings in Jan. and Feb. 2016. For more information call Steve 715355-4918 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.
United Way RSVP Offers Free Technology Classes United Way RSVP of Marathon County has a new technology tutoring program classes include sessions on using Windows 8, iPads, tablets, smart phones, basic Internet/email, Internet security and identify theft and other classes of interest. All classes are held from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the United Way office at 705 S. 24th Ave., Suite 400B in Wausau. Class size is limited and registration is required by calling 715-298-5721. Medication Mondays
3rd Monday each month Professional assistance for those who: • Want to understand and organize medications better • Take four or more medications, or have multiple health conditions • Get medications at multiple pharmacies or by mail-order • Want to reduce medication expenses: Call 715.847.2380 or 1.800.847.4707 for appointment.
Deer Proof Gardening Rob Zimmer, Garden and Outdoor Author April 4, 2016; 6pm to 7:15pm; $5.00 per person 212 River Drive, Rm. 5, Wausau To register online go to: http://goo. gl/forms/4y4RNoNjDX. To register by mail, send a check for $5.00 per person, payable to UW-Extension. Mail to Marathon County UWExtension, 212 River Drive, Suite 3, Wausau WI 54403. More information at http://fyi.uwex.edu/ marathonmg/
Planning and Starting a Vegetable Garden March 7, 2016; 6pm to 7:15pm; $5.00 per person 212 River Drive, Rm. 5, Wausau
Wausau Community Theatre, Briq’s Soft Serve & AbbyBank proudly present
At The Grand Theater
Thurs., March 10 at 6:30pm Fri., March 11 at 7:30pm Sat., March 12 at 7:30pm
Thoughtful Thursdays Two Thursdays each month at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau Manor or Mount View Care Center. We help you complete a Power of Attorney for Health Care, a legal document that expresses your wishes for medical care in a crisis. For information and to register call the Aspirus Information Center at 715.847.2380 or 800.847.4707 from 8:00am - 5:30pm, M-F. Great Wausau Area Stroke Club 3rd Monday of even numbered months (Feb, April, June, August, October, Dec. ) 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.
To register online go to: http://goo. gl/forms/1rOy1d5Alt. To register by mail, send a check for $5.00 per person, payable to UW-Extension. Mail to Marathon County UWExtension, 212 River Drive, Suite 3, Wausau WI 54403. More information at http://fyi.uwex.edu/ marathonmg/
Advance Tickets
$21 Adults $18 Sr. Citizens, College, Active Military $14 Youth (High School to age 7) $7 Children under age 7
$3 MORE PER TICKET AT DOOR
Purchase Tickets at
Wausau Community Theatre 136 Summer Street, Schofield Book, Music & Lyrics by Meredith Willson Story by Meredith Willson & Franklin Lacey
or by Calling 715-359-3972
www.WausauCommunityTheatre.org
ROADREADY TRANSFER SERVICE WW W.ROADR EADYTRANSFE R.COM
Senior Review | 3
Moving Health Care from a Commodity to a Value-Based Industry By Dr. L. Voigt Smith, PT, DPT, OCS, CredMDT
H
ealth care has become extremely politicized and will undoubtedly continue to be a source of ongoing debate. Many are alarmed by how costly and ineffective it has become. To optimally deal with this complex issue, consider the words of Albert Einstein: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” He’s known for brilliant words and equations. In this spirit, I would recommend we stop thinking of skilled health care as a commodity and focus on it as a value-based system. So what is the difference? Dr. Jeff Hathaway, DPT explains a commodity is a product (i.e. a pencil) which has little if any qualitative difference across suppliers of the service. For example, the pencil you buy at the Dollar Store is the same as the one at Office Max; the value is static and the price is determined by market demand. In terms of some health care, one could argue the flu shot you get at Walmart is just as good as the one you get at the hospital and is cheaper; that does make sense! In this scenario, looking at the flu shot as a commodity (same thing across the board) is fiscally sensible. Everyone loves a bargain! Unfortunately, many politicians have come to view reimbursement of all health care this way. Skilled health care is not a “thing” which is the same everywhere you go. How many people want an average physician to do their heart surgery? It’s a good time to challenge how we view this component of the industry. Quality of care must be considered to determine the true value of services rendered; an equation for this is: “value= quality/ cost.” The discrepancy in value is more evident when considering upstream and downstream total costs. For example, a physician seeing someone for back pain typically prescribes
medication, radiographs and/or MRIs, and later refers them for physical therapy; the typical cost of all this could quickly reach $5,000$10,000. Ironically, expensive diagnostics usually reveal little or no correlation to clinical presentation (Jensen, M.C, et al., New England Medical Journal 1994) and high radiation is not good for you. If the patient has a $10,000 deductable that would be complete out of pocket expense! Ultimately, the huge financial burden often adds more stress to the patient who may or may not improve. In contrast, consider if the same patient went directly to a physical therapist for early intervention and was seen at a cash-based clinic requiring only four treatment sessions (with a bundled evaluation/treatment cost of $100/hour). Under most circumstances, the treatment is highly effective, the conditions are within the scope of PT practice, and the individual is pleased with the cost savings and outcomes. The total cost for this path would be $400 and the compared cost savings would be $4,600 or more! Because the doctor of physical therapy provider is not preoccupied with jumping
through endless insurance hoops, the individual receives more one-on-one time and attention, more care options, and more education and empowerment to self treat; the best care emphasizes helping others to help themselves! Great research (by Fritz J Spine 2013) backs up just how much consumers can save with early physical therapy care. PT innovations like the patented Backsmith Selective Stabilization Support also can be very effective! This unique device compliments care for individuals with chronic pain and instability, empowering them to improve pain control and strength while increasing exercise and activity tolerance (backsmithsupports.com). Obviously, not all health care is the same and to achieve good value one must consider upstream and downstream costs, as well as the quality of care. Cash-based (bundled) care can be a tremendous bargain option which is completely consumer-driven. Our ill health care system needs a heavy dose of this option! Dr. Smith is the owner of Backsmith Advanced Physical Therapy in Weston and inventor of the patented Backsmith Selective Stabilization Support, backsmithadvancedphysicaltherapy.com.
Aspirus At Home Compassionate Support
• Nursing/Therapy • Laundry/Housekeeping • Bathing/Personal Care • Oxygen, CPAP/BiPAP • Break for caregiver/Respite care • Crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters • Beds, Bathroom aids, Wound supplies • Hospice Care • Lifeline Medical Alert
For more information call 715.847.2600 AAHADS-001
Senior Review | 4
C OPPER L EAF M A N A G E M E N T
G R O U P
A Better Place A Better Life Assisted Living and Memory Care Convenient Locations in Schofield and Marathon
C OPPER L EAF
Please call Eve at (715) 498-9514 to learn more about our extraordinary care M A N A G E M E N and T to G schedule R O U Pa tour today!
What to Do After an Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis By Alan L. Hougum
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to take immediate steps to ensure that end-of-life care is as comfortable as can be.
T
here is a common myth that people with Alzheimer’s are completely incompetent and cannot be trusted to make their own decisions. It is not true as the early stages of the disease are relatively mild. People who are diagnosed with the disease early enough can still make their own decisions. However, as the disease progresses most do eventually lose the ability to make their legal decisions as NorthJersey.com points out in “Planning becomes vital following Alzheimer’s diagnosis.” The article suggests that people who receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
should get a general durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and a living will. The powers of attorney will allow the person to appoint someone else to handle financial and medical affairs, respectively, when the Alzheimer’s patient is no longer able to do so. The living will is used to give advanced directives about what type of treatments doctors should employ to keep the patient alive.
Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, Probate, and Asset Protection.
These are important documents to have. Getting them after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is solid advice. However, even better advice is not to wait until after receiving such a diagnosis. All three documents are part of general estate planning. There is no need to wait until you know you will need them to get them. Plan ahead and get them now before an issue of competency is
raised. For assistance with these documents you should contact a qualified estate planning attorney to help you create the appropriate incentives for your unique circumstances. In Wausau and surrounding areas, Alan L. Hougum is a respected Elder Law and Estate planning attorney. He can be reached at (715)843-5001 for a free consultation. Reference: NorthJersey.com (Dec. 27, 2015) “Planning becomes vital following Alzheimer’s diagnosis”
You are cordially invited to Bell Tower Residence’s
st. patrick’s day Corn Beef Cabbage
DINNER
Attorney Alan L. Hougum 715-843-5001 www.hougumlaw.com
thursday, March 17 4:30-7 p.m.
BELL TOWER RESIDENCE • Bathing Assistance • Dressing Assistance • Assistance with Walking • Medication Reminders • Errands • Shopping
• Light Housekeeping • Meal Preparation • Friendly Companionship • Flexible Hourly Care • Respite Care for Families • Live-In Care
1500 O’Day Street, Merrill
Price is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 6 The menu - corned beef, cabbage, carrots, red skin potatoes, rye bread, dessert, green beer, soda, milk or coffee.
For more information please call (715) 536-5575 Lexie Schremp • 425 Orbiting Drive, Suite A - Mosinee 715-693-3777 • Fax 715-693-3771 Surrounding Areas: 877-955-8777 lschremp@visitingangels.com
1500 O’Day St., Merrill, WI 54452 www.belltowerresidence.org A Ministry of the Holy Cross Sisters since 1990
Respect, Community, Compassion and Excellence
Senior Review | 5
SENIORS PREPARE – Don’t Be Scammed
appearing official, to arrange for a reassessment of your property or to have you provide the perpetrator title to your property in exchange for other money or fake property.
By Mary Machmueller Gunther, Preplanning Specialist/Helke Funeral Home
I
t seems every week in the news we hear of a new scam targeting seniors. Why you ask? One answer is that seniors are thought to have significant amounts of money. A second reason is some of these financial scams go unreported or are difficult to prosecute, so they’re considered a low risk crime. After the death of a spouse or loved one, be aware that you are vulnerable to strangers trying to scam you. But not only seniors are targeted by scammers. Lower income adults or persons with disabilities are also at risk of scams or abuse. Some of these crimes are perpetrated by strangers while others could be committed by some friends or family members. As in any difficult situation, the best prevention is to become aware and prepared to take action on any potential scams. This past week I received a phone scam claiming the IRS was taking legal action against me and I was to return the call to VA. I did not. NEVER give out personal information or return calls or emails to numbers or people that appear suspect. Think first, before you react. Here is a list of some potential scams: (Remember new scams are being discovered and perpetrated every week.) 1. Property: Be sure someone watches your house and property when you attend your loved one’s funeral. Obituaries are posted in the paper and online. Perpetrators assume your home will be empty during the hours of the visitation and the funeral.
against you if you don’t quickly provide information. They may claim there is a life insurance policy the deceased had naming you the beneficiary that you know nothing about. Do not ever give out any personal information on the phone or to strangers at your door. The IRS and insurance companies do not call or visit. They typically send you letters through the mail if they need to provide information, have questions, or need paperwork completed. 3. Funeral or cemetery scams: Perpetrators read obituaries and call or attend funeral or cemetery services as strangers and may come up to you claiming the deceased had a debt with them that needs to be paid soon or they will take legal action.
information (like the IRS or about a tax refund or bank account). 6. Investment schemes: Beware of pyramid schemes or Nigerian princes looking for a partner to claim money, or watch for complex financial products claiming to help safeguard your finances. Each schemer is trying to engage with you to provide them your personal and financial information so they can steal money from you. 7. Homeowners/reverse mortgage scams: Perpetrators may claim they are from the County Assessor’s Office, sending personalized letters,
4. Telemarketing scams: Perpetrators use fake telemarketing calls to prey on people. They may pose as a lawyer, banker, or winner of prize drawings to split. Or, they may pose under the pretext that your relative is in the hospital or jail and needs money wired immediately. Perpetrators may also pose as representatives of fake charities.
5. Internet Fraud: Beware of pop-up browser windows simulating virus-scanning software to fool victims into downloading fake anti-virus 2. Medicare/IRS/Insurance Fraud: Perpetrators may pose as programs (costly) or to create a virus to obtain your personal insurance representatives calling information. Or, it may be an or visiting you in an attempt to Funeral Home appears to be from have you give them your personal email that a legitimate company asking information. They may claim you to update or verify personal they are even taking legal action Guidan c e with Tru st
Senior Review | 6 Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Funeral Home and Cremation Services
8. The Grandparent Scheme: Perpetrators place a call and when you pick up the phone say “Hi Grandma/Grandpa, do you know who this is?” You guess the name saying your grandchild’s name and now they have a fake identity/your grandchild’s name. Next they will claim some type of unexpected financial problem (overdue rent, car repairs, etc.) with money to be paid via Western Union or MoneyGram. They may end by saying “Please don’t tell my parents.” If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a scam or abuse, don’t be embarrassed to talk about it with someone you trust. Don’t keep it a secret. Keep phone numbers handy of the Wausau Police (715-849-7798), your bank/financial institution, and the Marathon Co. Aging and Disability Resource Center (715261-6070).
Ten Signs of Alzheimer’s
5. Challenges with Visual Images and Spatial Relationships ■ Vision issues can indicate Alzheimer’s ■ Reading difficulties ■ Judging distance or color contrast
A
lzheimer’s brain disease is characterized by a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. Here are the ten most common signs and symptoms, though individuals my exhibit only some of these and may exhibit them in varying degrees. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone you love, please tell a doctor.
6. Speaking and Writing Challenges
■ Following a conversation ■ Repeating themselves a lot ■ Struggling to find the right word, making up words
7. Losing things and Not Being Able to Remember Where You’ve Been
1. Memory Loss That Affects Daily Life
■ Placing things in odd locations, not remembering where ■ Accusing others of hiding or stealing things
■ Especially of recently learned information ■ Of important dates or events ■ Asking the same thing repeatedly ■ Asking about things that person used to handle on his/her own
8. Worsening Judgment Abilities
■ Handling money less carefully ■ More trouble making decisions ■ Less grooming and personal care attention
2. Difficulty with Problem Solving
■ With following a plan or a recipe ■ With working with numbers, paying bills ■ Taking longer to do things than used to ■ Harder time concentrating
3. Challenges with Doing Familiar Tasks at Home or Work
■ Driving to a familiar location ■ Remembering the rules of a familiar game
when home is where you want to be
9. Social Withdrawal 4. Time and Place Confusion
■ Losing track of dates, seasons, time passage ■ Harder understanding things in past or future ■ Forgetting where you are or how you got there
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■ Discontinuing with hobbies ■ Withdrawing from social interactions ■ Harder to follow favorite sports team
10. Mood and Personality Changes
■ Becoming more confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful ■ Upset more easily
The Choice is Yours The AseraCare Hospice team’s goal is to help you and your family make the most of your time together. We pride ourselves in focusing on the entire family, not just the individual. We focus on dignity and quality of life with unparalleled support, truly individualized care plans and dedicated clinical teams.
This is our life’s work. This is our promise. For more information on our services, please call ...
AseraCare Hospice North Central WI 4107 Barbican Ave., Ste. 220, Weston, WI 54476 Phone 715-355-4797 or 877-234-8571
THE CHOICE IS YOURS of NCWI (877) 234-8571 (715) 842-2805 Senior Review | 7 www.AseraCare.com
Equal opportunity provider of healthcare services. AHS-06833-11-EI
Digesting and Transforming Through Transitions By Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, Certified Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist
C
hange in our life comes in many different ways. Sometimes we plan for the change. A retirement, moving, or taking on a new project or cause are examples of things that we often consciously choose. Other changes blow in like a strong wind that destroys any sense of order and stability. We may experience the loss of a spouse or partner or close friend, be forced into retirement, or have a major health crisis. There are many teachings in the ancient tradition of yoga for transforming through life’s inevitable changes. The teachings most helpful center on our relationship to attachment and aversion, understanding what causes suffering, and how to free ourselves from it. A key action is staying centered in regular yoga practice that is suitable for us as individuals. A first step in practice might be to find your roots and a sense of stability in the midst of feeling fear, uncertainty, or anxiety around the change. Yoga postures, especially postures that engage the feet and legs can be used to create a rootedness in your body. Postures and breathing practices (pranayama) can be profoundly useful in helping us build our prana shakti or vitality so that we are strong and stable in body, physiology (especially our nervous and immune systems) and mind. Our vitality helps
Postures and breathing practices (pranayama) can be profoundly useful in helping us build our prana shakti or vitality so that we are strong and stable in body, physiology (especially our nervous and immune systems) and mind.
us work with the more difficult aspects of change including thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviors that create suffering. In any change, there are times of “stuckness” and times of flow. As you gain some sense of rootedness and stability, you may begin to feel that there is some flow in your life again. That flow helps us open to creative action around the change. Major life changes require that we walk through the fire of transformation. It’s in this fire that we digest the experience and work with our thoughts, emotions and behaviors around the change. We can be well served by examining our deepest values and priorities so that our decisions come from those values and priorities instead of our fears and insecurities. Yoga methods like meditation and journaling are profoundly useful at this stage. As we become clear and discriminative, we also need a sense of our own personal power to propel forward. An inevitable and beautiful step in the process is opening to grace, love, compassion for self and others, and gratitude for what remains. Opening to the transformation also opens us to the possibilities and opportunities that present themselves. Living a full life means that change and the inevitable suffering around it will come our way. While most transformational processes
Staying in your home isn’t as easy as clicking your heels and wishing you were back home.
Dr. Louis Voigt Smith PT, DPT, OCS, CredMDT
Physical Therapy Services Including: ▪ Land-based ▪ Aquatic ▪ Industrial ▪ Manual ▪ Home Health
Your care designed to meet your needs. • Errands, Shopping • Blood Pressure Checks • Transitional Care • Companionship • Affordable Care • Day or Night Care • And Much, Much More!
Seniors are an important and involved piece of our community and we appreciate them and all they have done! Thanks from all of us!
(715) 359-8l60 • (7l5) 432-09ll Senior Review | 8
H BA T I C KS M
PT
Advanced
So Stay Home With Us!
A 1 Home Health Care
Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, CYT is a Certified Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist with 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness, 2220 Sherman St, Wausau, WI and River Flow Yoga Teacher Training School. She provides yoga therapeutic and senior classes, workshops, webinars, and yoga teacher training as well as individualized Yoga Therapy.
“Where Quality Physical Therapy Movement Produces the Best Medicine.”
There’s No Place Like Home
We Provide: • Daily Living Needs • Housekeeping • Laundry • Meal Preparation • Supportive & Personal Care • Medication Reminders • Transport
feel pretty messy at times, ultimately doing the work of deep inner practice will help us grow and transform.
Physical Therapy LLC
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. Russell, D.O. • Scott R. Murch, MD
3409 Schofield Ave., Suite E, Weston, WI 54476 Location also in Tomahawk
715-298-5888
backsmithadvancedphysicaltherapy.com
Plan Now for Summer Cruise Options
Y
es, it’s the middle of winter but if you’re thinking about going on a cruise this summer, now is the perfect time to start planning your trip. Cruises continue to be a popular choice for travelers. Caribbean cruises are the top international vacation “destination” booked for 2016, according to the annual survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group of its travel agency owners, managers and agents. European river and Mediterranean cruises are also in the top 10. And an Alaska cruise is in third place among 2016’s top domestic vacation destinations. That popularity translates into more choices for consumers – newer and bigger ships sailing to more destinations, as well as new excursions and onboard activities and a wider range of accommodations to meet the needs of couples, families and solo travelers. Booking early means getting the best fare and choice of accommodations. The first few months of the year have traditionally been known in the cruise industry as “wave season,” when cruise lines offered their best deals to entice passengers. While the industry has shifted toward year-round marketing, winter remains an excellent time to look for the best deals and
availability. Depending on the cruise line and voyage, there may be offers covering accommodations, potential upgrades on cabin types, specialty dining and excursions, as well as on the price of the total package. Passengers who book trips on Royal Caribbean can save up to several hundred dollars on cruises scheduled for June, July and August that sail to numerous locations throughout the Caribbean, along the Mediterranean and to Alaska. Special offers for European and Alaskan cruises include up to $300 in onboard credits, a buy one, get
$775
one for 50 percent off deal, and discounts for friends and family. Princess Cruises is offering savings on trips to all of its destinations, with more than 700 voyages to choose from, including throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, northern Europe and Hawaii. Special offers include discounts on staterooms and for the third and fourth guests, as well as double the amount of onboard spending money. Holland America Line is offering free stateroom upgrades and discounts on shore excursions for select trips. Among the cruise line’s trips are 7- and 14-day Alaska voyages, as well as land and sea journeys that include a visit to Denali National Park. Alaska is definitely a place where you want to take a shore excursion, to view the state’s spectacular wilderness and glaciers up close. Crystal Cruises, which has 60 itineraries visiting 77 countries, is offering its best fares on all 2016 voyages to passengers who book by the end of February, including the luxury line’s unprecedented 32-day trip from Alaska to New York through the Northwest Passage. Special offers include some 2-for-1 cruise only fares, and a complimentary evening of dining at a specialty restaurant onboard. Whether it’s your first cruise or your 10th, the number of choices can be overwhelming. A travel agent has the expertise to help you sift through the options and book a trip that meets your interests and budget.
Applegate Terrace Assisted Living and Wausau Manor
Free Central Air/Heat New Flooring & Appliances
$875 LIMITED TIME OFFER
$250
“The staff at Wausau Manor always gave excellent care, 24 hours a day, and was great with our family. The staff at Applegate Terrace administer good care and pay special attention to our needs. We feel safe here. Both facilities meet all of our expectations. We enjoy activities offered at the facilities such as bingo, trivia, and entertainment. Truly, everything you need is under one roof. We definitely would recommend this place to our friends and family!” — Jack (Wausau Manor Rehab Graduate) & Betty Marciniak, Residents at Applegate Terrace
Please call us to schedule a personal consultation and tour of our center today!
SECURITY DEPOSIT
3001 Westhill Drive • Wausau, WI 54401 715.849.1514 www.applegateterraceassistedliving.com
3107 Westhill Drive • Wausau, WI 54401 715.842.0575 www.wausaumanorcare.com
www.ahmcproperties.com
Senior Review | 9
Fire Prevention Tips for Older Adults All U.S. homes should have working smoke alarms. Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life! • If you're hearing-impaired, install smoke alarms with flashing lights or vibrating signals. • Make an escape plan. Ask your family, building manager, or neighbors to help you practice your plan. • Consider sleeping on the ground floor to make escape easier. • Install ramps or widen doorways, if needed, to
Beat the Winter Blues
M
any 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 carbohydrates), weight gain, fatigue, a drop in energy level, irritability, and a tendency to oversleep. Not everyone who has SAD has the same
every 10 years. Never overload outlets or extension cords. • If you have a disability, are hard of hearing, or have vision problems, ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
Older Adults and Home Fires Facts
make escape easier. • Keep a phone and emergency numbers nearby so you can call for help. • Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy, using alcohol, or taking medications. • Cook safely. Use a timer, and if you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take along a pot holder or dish towel to remind you to go back to the kitchen. • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from beds, blankets, furniture, and curtains. • Have an electrician check your home's wiring
• Older adults (ages 65 and older) are twice as likely as any other age group to die in a home fire. • Older adults are also at higher risk of injury from fires. • The fire death rate for people 85 and older is five times the national average. • Careless smoking accounts for nearly one third of fire deaths among adults over age 70. • One third of all adults ages 70 and older have some form of hearing impairment.
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 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’.
Walter Wick
Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic
Locally Owned Celebrating Years of for20 Over 22 Years! Service
Caring for You in Your Home SUPPORTIVE CARE Home Health Care
SKILLED CARE▪ Nurses ▪ Therapists Meals ▪ Bathing ▪ Light Housekeeping HOSPICE CARE & PALLIATIVE CARE Hospice and Palliative Care
Assisted-living homes in Schofield & Marathon City
We’re there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
O n v ie w through M ay 29
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715-842-7707
2402 Grand Ave., Wausau
Franklin & 12th St. / Wausau, WI 54403 715.845.7010 / www.lywam.org Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm First Thursday of each month 9 am - 7:30 pm Saturday - Sunday Noon - 5 pm Closed Monday and holidays, including Easter
Source: http://www.firesafety.gov/media/tips/older.shtm
Assisted Living for the One You Love • Affordable Rent • 1-Bedroom Private Apartments • Walk-In Showers • Storage Units • Midday Meal Provided • Utilities Included • Overnight Security
• Convenience Store • Beauty/Barber Shop • Lifeline Service Provided • Guest Room Available • Many Planned Social Activities • Current Availability
Always FREE Admission Follow Us
Weekly blog Woodson Wanderings Walter Wick, Sky High from Can You See What I See? Dream Machine, 2003 Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic was organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut.
Senior Review | 10
WI-5001733997
interimhealthcare.com
EOE
540 E.Thomas Street, Wausau, WI 54403 715.261.6687 www.riverviewterracewi.com
Healthy Eating By Hollie E. Chrusniak, RN, WCC
“He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything”.
L
-Arabian Proverb
et’s begin with food. We all love food, don’t we? Whether you already have a heart condition or not, the principles of heart-healthy nutrition are the same. Changing your eating habits can be tough but diet is extremely important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Small changes can mean big changes to your overall health.
2. Choose healthy foods:
Shoot for four servings of fruit and approximately seven servings l. Control your portions: of vegetables. Always choose Look at your serving sizes and whole grain and low-fat when shoot for healthy portions for your possible. Check labels, as foods energy needs. Use your hand to may appear healthy, but when determine serving amounts. Your reading the actual nutritional palm indicates a portion of meat. facts, you may find otherwise. A thumb could be an ounce of Also, choose healthy oils and stay cheese. Your fist is the serving away from trans-fats. Lastly, limit size of a cup of fruit or vegetables. red meat and concentrate on fish A cupped hand is what you should and poultry for protein. use to measure your snacks. Your 3. Keep hydrated: Yes, drink objective is to feel satisfied, but water! We all hear this advice not stuffed.
time and time again, but it is key to our overall health. Dehydration can be extremely dangerous for the elderly and is preventable. Try to drink a glass of water upon waking, at each meal, and in-between meals as well. If you have an exercise routine, you should be drinking even more to rehydrate.
4. Get up and move: Now
that your nutrition is spot on, it’s time to get up and move. Probably the most important thing to remember is keeping a
routine. Block at least 30 minutes a day for some sort of movement concentrating on endurance, balance, and strength. Maybe break your exercise up throughout the day? Ten minutes doing light weights while sitting, ten minutes stretching, and another ten minutes walking. The point is to get moving! Lastly, see your doctor annually or as recommended, as well as before starting a new diet or exercise routine. Keeping a journal with any concerns you have about your health can help you remember what you would like to discuss at your next visit. We all get a little nervous with those white coats and tend to forget some pretty important questions. Your doctor is there to help you maintain your health the best that he or she can, but you have an equal part in that. Ultimately, you must love yourself enough to make good choices for a healthy lifestyle. For more information about healthy eating during rehabilitation and what Wausau Manor can do for your health, please contact Hollie Chrusniak, RN at (715)-842-0575.
Planning for surgery?
Plan Ahead for Recovery. When George had hip replacement surgery, his family wanted to make sure he recovered well and returned home quickly. They called Mount View Care Center for their short-term rehab needs. A caring team helped them plan a successful road to recovery.
Successful outcomes begin with successful planning.
Reservations are required as space is limited. Please call 715-845-6900 to register. Athens Edgar Marathon Wausau East Wausau West
Providing the Most Extensive Continuum of Care in Wausau
www.norcen.org 2400 Marshall Street, Wausau • 715.848.4300 Senior Review | 11
Mou
skilled nurs
Be Seen on this page!! $50/month in full color! Call 715-831-0325 seniorreviewnewspapers@gmail.com
James Ogurek
Be Seen Here! Call Us Today! 715.831.0325
Working for You! Call 715-574-4759
National Board Certified Hearing Aid Specialist State License #298
www.debsmithsells.com DebSmith@coldwellaction.com
Deb Smith
Hearing Solutions, Inc. 330 Grand Avenue • Wausau, WI 54403 715-842-9882 or 1-800-236-4060
For all your real estate needs, count on professional, friendly service from an experienced agent.
Senior Apartments For Rent
Providing Quality, Personal Care for the Elderly
DRACH ELDER LAW CENTER Jeffery J. Drach,
The Marathon Housing Association is accepting applications for efficiency, 1- & 2-bedroom apartments
• 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
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!
(715)355-8246 or (715)241-8807 2480 Terrebonne Drive Mosinee, WI 54455
Family Owned and Operated
WMCaffordablehousing@wimci.com
WMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Beste Funeral Home
B
3 Generations Serving Our Community Since 1934
465441-01
• Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services • Monuments Curtis Beste, Owner/Licensed Funeral Director 611 3rd Street, Mosinee (715) 693-2450 465441-01
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A New Option for Care
Turn Memories into Memorials Norde Memorials
Working together to meet the needs of patients and caregivers. 715.847.2004 or toll-free 866.236.1573 Oh, you say you haven’t had one of these lately? GREAT! You may qualify for our Supreme Auto Plan! Life • Farm • Home Auto Insurance Call Clay at Resch Insurance Today!
Senior Review | 12
715-298-3392
Since 1914 715-842-3545
MEMORY CLINIC 2720 Plaza Drive, Ste 1400B, Wausau
101 S. 3rd Ave., Wausau
GREETING CARDS BETTER CARDS PARTY HEADQUARTERS!
47 47
BASICS Balloons ★ Decorations ★ Gift Wrap ★ Gifts SUPPLIES Napkins ★ Plates ★ Cutlery ★ Table Rolls
¢
Ea.
EXTRAS Mardi Gras Beads ★ Pinatas ★ Leis ★BETTER Bulk Toy Favors PRICE
Phone: 920-929-8500 661 W Schofield Johnson St Fond du lac 1512 Ave. • Schofield
FACTORY OUTLET WI-SPAD110622_105111_1
American Senior Benefits Joseph Kobart Agent/Advisor
GREETING C
Better Cards
Hours: M-F 9 - 9; SA. 9-8; SU. 10-5 715-355-4647 www.5050factoryoutlet.com
Celebrating 100 years of service
ARDS LIFE, HEALTH, RETIREMENT
¢
Better each Price
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS
Cell 715-212-5361
2620 Stewart Ave., Ste 14, Wausau, WI 54401 FREE CONSULTATION ◆ email: jkobart@yahoo.com