Dec2013 jan 2014 senior focus by Senior Services of Snohomish County

December, 2013/January, 2014 Vol 40 No. 2 Published by

Senior Services of Snohomish County

Feature Articles…

Living Well with Chronic Conditions…

Build skills to improve quality of life By Teri Baker

Humor, compassion mark V ictor Huff ’s life Page 6

Gift ideas (for yourself ) or those on the go Page 8

End-of-life issues

Conversation campaign launched by Eldercare Locator Page 14

Federal council recognizes

Transportation … an important issue for older adults Page 4 Avoid the flood of health care scams

Page 16

Columns… BookNook....................................... 22 Elder Info........................................... 9 GetAways (Sr. Travel)..................... 12 Mr. Modem...................................... 24 Meal Times (Nutrition News)....... 18 Perspective on the Past................ 10 Pet Tails............................................ 23 Senior Spotlight............................... 6 Volunteer Connections................. 17 Where Are They Now?................... 22

For information about programs and services available to seniors, visit www.sssc.org or scan QR code with your smartphone.

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Do you have a chronic condition, or even more than one? Would you like to learn ways to better manage your symptoms, relax, reduce stress and frustration, handle the difficult emotions that arise and much more? Then, the Living Well with Chronic Conditions classes Senior Services offers throughout the county may just be your ticket to a more positive, better quality life. Developed by Stanford University Patient Education Department, the workshop sessions help people 18 years and older who have chronic conditions lead more active, fulfilling lives. Rather than addressing specific diseases, the class focuses on symptoms that are common to every chronic condition. “Fatigue, pain and depression

are part of a cycle,” says Jamie HunterMitchell, health promotion program coordinator at Senior Services. “The class gives people the tools to break that cycle and manage their lives.” Participants learn effective problemsolving, how to set Participants celebrate a successful action plan goals, how to communicate with doctors and care- Mitchell says. “We get to practice givers, how to make informed these skills, and you can see a decisions about treatment and lovely kind of confidence bloomhow to manage medications. They ing in these people as they report also learn about healthy eating, their successes.” breathing exercises, visualization Many participants have more and muscle relaxation techniques than one chronic condition. The and physical and endurance ac- class gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to tivities. “Each week we learn skills that manage their health. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 build on each other,” Hunter-

‘Gravity’ and the long-term care crisis By Chris Orestis I recently went to see the movie “Gravity.” It is a fast-paced, exciting thrill-ride from start to finish. After we left the movie, and I replayed the life-threatening events that unfolded on the screen, I could not help but begin drawing comparisons to the long-term care funding crisis currently unfolding in America today. Let’s start with the stars of the movie. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are both baby boomers and they find themselves unprepared to deal with a sudden crisis that puts them in immediate jeopardy. Most seniors and baby boomers are also unprepared for what is too often a sudden health crisis through which they must safely navigate. In space, an unexpected collision with a satellite or other ob-

ject is disastrous. For a family, an unexpected fall or rapid decline in health can also be disastrous. The astronauts in “Gravity” had to contend with limited oxygen and how they could conserve this precious resource long enough to find sanctuary. For families confronting the costs of long term care, money is like oxygen. It is a

precious resource in limited supply that must be conserved. The biggest fear of the young is not living long enough, and the biggest fear of people in long-term care is living too long and outliving their “oxygen” supply. Once disaster strikes in the movie, Bullock and Clooney are CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sign up today … The Senior Focus is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October and December) as a community service by Senior Services of Snohomish County. We are committed to educating and entertaining readers with information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. To receive the Senior Focus in the mail, phone 425.290.1277 or send an e-mail to srfocus@sssc.org (please include “subscription” in the subject line). Donations to cover the costs associated with publishing and mailing the Senior Focus are welcome and appreciated.

Bob Knowles (l), President of Verdant‘s Board of Commissioners, and Alison Sing, President of Senior Services‘ Board of Directors, prepare to cut the ribbon that officially opened the Center for Healthy Living in Lynnwood. The Center, located at 4100 Alderwood Mall Blvd., will offer a variety of services and classes for seniors and adults with disabilities. For information visit adrhelp.org. Photo by Larry Star

December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Celebrating 40 years of serving seniors This year Senior Services celebrates its 40th year of service in Snohomish County. We offer hope, encouragement and quality of life to more than 38,000 seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them. From safe and accessible transportation, to affordable housing, to good nutrition, to help finding the right service at the right time – Senior Services is here to help. Call us at 425-355-1112 or visit www.sssc.org

YOU CAN HELP “Enclosed is my donation for the Senior Focus. I really appreciate the feature articles and interesting stories.” writes Ken from Everett. “It’s a great newspaper filled with information that I can use ….” Through the Senior Focus and Senior Source Resource Guide – we keep you informed of issues, events, programs and services that are important to you. And as a non-profit organization, we do this on a self-supporting basis. While advertising covers 70 percent of our costs, we rely on reader donations to make up the difference. So, we are asking for your help. Your donation will ensure these important publications remain leading voices in our community providing news and information about the things you care about. Please complete this form and send with your gift to: Senior Services, 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B, Everett WA 98204

My check for $

payable to Senior Services is enclosed

Name Address City, State, Zip

Phone

To make a donation with a credit card, visit www.sssc.org and click on the Donate Now button or call Sharon at 425-290-1277. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Thank you for caring Focus on Philanthropy Dear Friends and Supporters The holiday season is a special time to get together with friends and family to share a Thanksgiving dinner, or trim a tree, or usher in the New Year. But, the holidays can also be a difficult time for people in our community who are alone and struggle to remain independent. We know that in times of crises – seniors, the disabled, and those who care for them – need a place to turn. Senior Services is that place. We know that many of our frail and homebound seniors do not always have enough to eat and Meals on Wheels is sometimes the only thing that stands between them and days without food? We know that freedom and independence for people with disabilities often begins with a ride on a bus – and that bus is called DART. We understand that every senior deserves a safe place to live. Senior Services doesn’t just house people – we give them a home. But, our work would not be

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possible without the tremendous support of our donors, volunteers, community partners, community leaders, and friends. The holiday season is a time of giving and we are blessed to have so many caring people in this community who provide their time, talent and treasure to make sure our elderly and disabled neighbors have the resources they need to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. The needs of our elderly and disabled neighbors do not go away when the holiday season is over. We hope you will continue to join us throughout the year as a partner, a donor, a good neighbor and a friend. Your support can put a meal on the table for someone who is hungry. Your support will help transport someone to the grocery store or to life saving dialysis. Your support will help someone live in housing that is safe and affordable. Your support will provide a reassuring voice at the other end of the phone that says, “We can help.” Your support says, “I can help.” We wish you and your families the very best during this holiday season and the coming year. Sincerely, Jim Steinruck, CEO Janet Duncan, Development Director

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LIVING WELL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Isabel I. signed up for the class because of several chronic conditions, including fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel and arthritis. She also has had hip and knee replacement surgeries and undergone chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, for which she still takes medication. To keep herself from having to use a wheelchair or cane, she regularly does hydrotherapy exercises because of a serious accident that tore both rotator cuffs. “I wanted to see how to improve on my own,” she says. “For the most part, I refuse to be on drugs or medications. Doctors may know medicine, but we know our bodies. God and I are in charge of my body.” Isabel, who has her own physician she describes as good and caring, speaks for herself and is not suggesting people stop taking their medications. She knows the program is designed not to replace, but to enhance existing programs or medical treatment. “Be aware,” she says. “Wake up

to the reality that you have this condition. Finding the right doctor makes a tremendous difference.” The class spurred her to make a chart of how medications and foods affect her. “I looked at what I could do, including exercise and changing eating habits,” she says. “In this country our palettes have been trained to put sugar or salt on everything.” She avoids those substances, but admits, “If I want an ice cream sandwich, I have one – but I have to pay the consequences.” For someone like leader Audrey C., ice cream would not be worth the price. Classes are not taught by facilitated professionals but by two trained lay leaders who have chronic conditions themselves, and who have gone through the workshop, love it, have done well building their skills and confidence and are ready to help others succeed. Audrey, who has diabetes, and her sister, who suffers from celiac disease, went through leader training together and now co-facilitate a workshop. They do their best to lead by example. Class members set goals and

Upcoming workshops Living Well with Chronic Conditions Location: The Everett Clinic Thursdays, 1-3:30 p.m., Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13 Living Well with Chronic Conditions Center for Healthy Living, Lynnwood Tuesdays, 1:30-4 p.m. Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 Living Well with Diabetes The Everett Clinic Fridays, 9:30-12 noon, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 Living Well with Diabetes The Community / Senior Center, Stanwood Wednesdays mornings, March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16 Living Well with Chronic Conditions The Community / Senior Center, Stanwood Fridays mornings, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6 For more information and/or to register for a class, contact Jamie Hunter-Mitchell at 425-265-2283.

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Published by Senior Services of Snohomish County 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B Everett WA 98204-8714 Editor Sharon Ostant  425.290.1277 Advertising Account Manager Dale Bohm  425.263.1868 Published bi-monthly with a readership of 38,000+, the Senior Focus educates and entertains readers (seniors, family caregivers, service providers and other interested persons) with news and

information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of Senior Services or the Senior Focus. Distribution: 20,000 papers are mailed to households and senior-friendly businesses in Snohomish, North King and Island and counties; 3,500 papers are distributed at drop-off locations including senior centers, retirement communities, hospitals, medical clinics, etc. Advertising: The existence of advertising in this publication is not meant as an endorsement of the product, service or individual by anyone except the advertiser. Associate member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

create an action plan each week, and so do the leaders. Audrey says, “If we didn’t succeed, how do we expect participants to succeed?” “Success for me is getting control,” she says. “Diabetes is a tough disease. I kept having to bump up my insulin, so my main goal was to be off insulin by the end of the year. And I am. I’m also losing weight!” Audrey says she loves that the class is interactive and includes a couple of sessions on nutrition. “It’s a self-management course,” she says. “People bring their own information. Perhaps we’ll review food labels to make people more aware of what they eat and why some food is better for them than others. Homework is to keep a food diary.” Because she is disabled, Audrey can’t do conventional exercises. “But I can walk my cat in the front yard,” she says. “I’m moving around, going to school, keeping my brain active and doing housework. I’m taking charge of myself. I want to interact with my grandchildren.” Interaction with others is a big plus for participants, who almost invariably cite camaraderie as their favorite part of the class. Sharing successes and encouraging each other helps them to maintain a positive attitude and set achievable goals. “Participants set their own

Diabetic workshop Senior Services also offers a workshop for people with diabetes. It’s a separate class altogether because diabetes involves elements other chronic conditions don’t, such as monitoring blood sugar and understanding how insulin works. Call Jamie Hunter-Mitchell at 425-265-2283 for information. goals according to what they know they can accomplish,” Audrey says. “It’s something they want to do, not something we want them to do.” And it pays off. Stanford found that those who participated in Living Well with Chronic Conditions classes reported increased cognitive ability, better communication with doctors, improved function and better overall health. They also had less stress and fatigue, spent fewer days in the hospital and had fewer outpatient visits than their peers. Workshops, which are two and half hours once a week for six weeks are without charge and include a free copy of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. Family members, friends and caregivers are also welcome to participate. For more information, call Jamie Hunter-Mitchell at 425-2652283.

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December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Transportation an important issue with older adults By Cheryl M. Keyser Every spring for some 10 years, John H. drove from Everett to Spokane so he could spend time with family. For all those years he drove himself until, at the age of 90, he finally had to concede that the drive was too much for him. He was able to drive locally, but long-distance was now beyond his capability. This is the moment every older adult dreads. Giving up the car keys is a major symbol of losing independence.

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As Therese McMillan of the Department of Transportation noted, “nearly one in five Americans over the age of 70 does not hold a driver’s license,” making getting around a major problem for many. Transportation affects every area of life, from health to housing, employment to social activities. Even if older individuals limit their driving, they still need some form of mobility and cannot always depend on family or friends to take them where they need to go. Not unaware of the issue, the federal government, along with state and local government, is examining how to improve the situation and provide resources for the some 70 million baby boomers who will age into dependence. Statistics show the need for new ideas on how to provide transportation. “In 2012, 14 percent of the U.S.

population was 65 years or older,” said Grant Baldwin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible. But the majority of those homes are in suburban areas where life depends on a car, whether it be shopping for food, going to the doctor, or meeting with friends. According to Baldwin, “nine out of 10 trips by older adults are made in personal vehicles.” Despite this, many people in planning for retirement do not think to make plans for a day when they may not be able to drive. Eleven federal agencies are working on this problem sharing a mouthful of a name, the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, better known as CCAM. This entity has developed a strategic action plan which focuses on the latest twist –

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how transportation affects health which explains the involvement of the CDC. In addition, the CDC is working with Medicare to include questions on transportation in its beneficiary survey. This is a whole new way to think of transportation. Virginia Dize of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) noted that lack of adequate transportation affects health in many ways. “Data suggests that too often people cannot access preventive services, may stay in the hospital longer than necessary or rehabilitate in an expensive institutional setting due to lack of transportation,” Dize says. Areas where CCAM concentrates its efforts are the integration of transportation and social services and clarifying policies on vehicle sharing. This is all being done in the name of ensuring that older adults can reach necessary health and other services and to ensure that they remain connected to their communities. As Dize related, one AAA director called transportation “the service with the greatest unmet need of anything we do.” And she added the number one reason that older adults call the Eldercare Locator, which operates nationally with an CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014

TRANSPORTATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

800 number, is for information on transportation, outranking financial matters or home care questions. There are, of course, the usual things that continue to be done to assist drivers, no matter their age. As McMillan noted, these range from revised highway designs to larger fonts on signs, to improving roadway crossings, reviewing driver licensing, and even “medical review of at-risk drivers.” There is even discussion of a “Silver Car Rating System for Older Occupants,” to help people find vehicles which provide greater safety. But, probably the most productive of all the opportunities being discussed is the work being undertaken by ITN America, or the Independent Transportation Network. This is a private, non-profit organization which is spreading across the country from a startup in Maine. It uses no taxpayer dollars and works with a combination of paid and volunteer drivers to provide rides for older adults. Its founder and president, Katherine Freund, refers to this as a “social enterprise that uses efficient business practices to address a social issue – sustainable senior transportation that will scale with the aging of the popula-

Volunteers needed Providence Hospice & Home Care of Snohomish County is looking for licensed barbers and/ or beauticians to cut hair for patients in their homes. No chemical processing, no sets. You can choose the days/times, as well as the geographic area of the county that you are willing to travel to. You must have a valid Washington state barbering license; atSenior Information and Assistance Answers Questions – Explores Options

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tion.” The services of ITN have already spread to 25 affiliates in 20 states. Rides can be either paid for directly or with an account that is set up. In some areas, arrangements have been for stores or health care providers to pay for the rides.

The majority of the rides are for health care reasons, followed by personal needs and shopping, work, or recreation. Relying on modern technology, rides can be arranged on short notice as a record is kept on the location of a vehicle and driver. Freund calls this a transportation service that will take people “where they want to go, on their own terms.” If ITN continues on its successful path, it may well be a model for the future. The alternative, according to Sen. Bill Nelson (DFla,), Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee is a national cost of “between $572 billion and $2.2 trillion by 2030” to provide transportation for older adults alone. For additional information, contact the Senate Aging Committee at aging.senate.gov. tend a 4-hour orientation session; have TB testing (provided at no charge); complete an application, background check, and other required paperwork; and provide a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. Volunteers are also needed to visit patients, deliver supplies, work in the office, help with events, etc. Information sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Our patients and their families welcome your caring hearts! For information, please call Joanie at 425-261-4815.

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literally tethered together and entirely dependent on each other for survival. Spouses and their family also experience a similar “tethering” effect where they become very reliant on one another to make it through a long-term care crisis. The feeling of being overwhelmed can be helped by sharing the burden, and focusing on the ultimate goal of making sure a loved one will be able to receive the best possible care. In the movie, the astronauts are prepared for every contingency and have dedicated support systems in place to get them through each phase of their mission. Nonetheless, when disaster strikes things quickly spin out of control. In life, too few people have made plans for how to handle long-term care. A future long-term care patient may have close loved ones, but those family and friends may not be able to drop everything in devotion to a patient’s care. Families should put in time now to

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December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Humor and compassion mark V ictor Huff ’s life Senior Spotlight Someone We’d Like You to Meet …

By Teri Baker Victor Huff is one of those guys that just make you smile. His sense of humor is evident the moment you meet him. He likes to introduce his black and white cat as soon as possible with the announcement that, “He’s a sweet cat, but I named him Al Kaida because he’s also a holy terror.” That sense of humor, along with his compassion and desire to help, makes him popular with the people he sees as a volunteer for Minor Home Repair (MHR).

Victor, 85, says, “I get along well with people, and they’re happy to see me come.” He first learned of MHR four years ago after seeing one of its repair vans at the Lynnwood mobile home park where he lives. He discovered that MHR was there to fix a neighbor’s door and learned that this Senior Services program helps low-to-moderate income senior and disabled homeowners with health and safety related repairs they are unable to do because of physical inability or lack of funds. Victor was impressed. “I became a volunteer because I liked what Minor Home Repair does, and how eager and happy everyone at Senior Services is to help,” he says. “It’s remarkable.”

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Victor Huff (l) meets with Paul Bulger to complete a home assessment for the Minor Home Repair Program. The assessment allows MHR volunteers to discuss the type and scope of repair(s) and determine if other services are needed.

Victor does home and health assessments to identify client needs. He says most of the people he sees are women who live alone. He tells of a Granite Falls woman who was without running water for a year due to a broken well pump. “She was the neatest lady,” he says. “There was a litany of things wrong, but she continued to laugh and smile the whole time.” He mentions a 94-year-old man whose hobby was making chocolate. “It was a good visit,” Victor says. “All he really needed was batteries for his smoke alarm.” All too often, Victor walks into heartbreaking situations. He has seen people become ill because a furnace isn’t working, or broken windows and doors allow in the cold. He has seen faulty plumbing lead to dangerously unsanitary conditions, and tells of hazardous situations such as holes in the floor, broken stairs and exposed wires. Victor might go to a home because someone has called about something such as a broken light switch. During his assessment, he may observe that client Mary is unsteady on her feet; there are

no grab bars in her bathroom, no railing on her porch, no smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors anywhere. Bill may have called because his furnace is acting up. Victor’s assessment shows there are other problems where MHR could address by repairing a splintered cabinet door or installing locks on windows to deter thieves. “There is a lot the staff can do,” he says. He also looks for other things where one of Senior Services’ many programs could make a difference. “It’s a very good feeling to know you’re helping,” Victor says. “It’s hard to leave because you want to stay and help more.” Victor’s background helps him connect with people struggling with circumstances beyond their control. He and his three older sisters were reared by a single mother, a seamstress, who had no one to help her. “I don’t know how she did it,” Victor says. “We ate, we had clothes, we had a place to live.” His family moved back and forth many times between Seattle’s rural and urban areas. He atCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014

Health insurance – knowyour rights andoptions Thousands of consumers who buy their own health insurance have received notification from their insurance company telling them their old health plan is no longer offered and they will have to pick a new plan. Knowing your rights and options will help you get the best plan to meet your needs. If you’ve received a notice from your insurer about picking a new plan and you do not take action, your insurer will automatically move you to the plan that most closely resembles what you have

today. This new plan could cost more, but it’s not your only option. “Companies are required to give you notice if they’re replacing your plan,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “But, unfortunately, they may not include all of your options – including your right to pick a new plan from a different company or buy through the new exchange, wahealthplanfinder.org.” Under health reform, all health insurance plans must include new consumer protections including paying at least 60 percent of medi-

cal costs and covering 10 essential health benefits, such as prescription drugs and maternity. Currently, most plans in today’s individual market have high deductibles, cost-sharing limits of up to $10,000 a year, do not cover many crucial benefits, such as prescription drugs, and only pay for 40 percent to 50 percent of medical costs – leaving the rest to the consumer to pick up through high deductibles and large costsharing limits. For years, people who purchased their own health insur-

VICTOR

He went on to volunteer at Edmonds Senior Center, where he mended furniture and took on small repair jobs for those who couldn’t afford to hire professional help. His efforts were especially appreciated by someone in particular. “One day there was a lady whose garden lights weren’t working,” Victor explains. “This little rascal came into my life, we became friends, and I kept finding things to fix. I call her Lady Edwina. We fell in love, and I’m still fixing her garden lights.” Helping is part of Victor’s nature. He’s always fixing something for a friend or neighbor. Until recently, he was program director for Mill Creek Lions Club. He’s active in his church where he says he and some other folk help young ladies and old people who can’t afford the cost of moving. “We call ourselves Huff and Puff,” he says, then explains his ability to do such heavy work at his age is because “The Lord has been really good to me. I’m blessed with good health.” Victor has been active all his life and still works out at the gym. He took up golf 40 years ago and still walks the course. “It feels good when I’m out there,” “he says. “I still play with old high school friends, and we talk about the good old days.” Asked if he has a handicap, he shoots back, “Yeah – me!” Golf is more to him than friendship and exercise. “It involves integrity, honor and discipline,” he says. “If every citizen adhered to those, we’d be much better off.” He also skied for six decades, but gave it up three years ago. “My skinny body’s not good for skiing,” he says. “Skiers ski alone and are more aggressive than I care for. Golfers are usually nice, mellow people who make friends

easily.” Talking about golf, skiing, advertising in the good old days, travel, driving a bus, military service, friendship, bragging about his three children and three grandchildren give him things in common with MHR clients. “I enjoy meeting them and helping them,” he says. “And of course the pay is pretty good.” Content with his salary, which is exactly zero, he quips, “They’re going to give me a raise. They’re going to double my pay.” Victor thinks that’s great since he says his pay comes in the form of satisfaction in helping others and getting to meet some incredible people.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

tended four different high schools before entering Seattle University. Victor laughs at himself as he relates an experience at the college. “I took singing lessons from a professor who insisted he could teach anybody to sing,” he says. “After a few weeks of sour notes, he told me this wasn’t my strong suit, and that perhaps I should try something else.” “Something else” turned out to be “Greetings from the President.” Draftee Huff soon found himself carrying a rifle in the Army Infantry and climbing the hills of Korea. After serving his country, he earned a bachelor’s degree in radio and television at the University of Washington. “I never went into TV. I wanted to be an advertising executive and become rich and famous,” he quips, adding, “I’m creative. I was always writing little stories and realized that would fit into the advertising business.” He was an ad executive with United Grocers for eight years before turning to freelancing in the direct mail and printing businesses for several years. “One of the printers I designed flyers for asked me to work for him,” Victor says. “He told me I would make a lot of money.” He pauses and then deadpans, “He lied.” Eventually Victor and a partner opened Jenkins-Huff Advertising Agency, but after a few years, Victor wanted to do something new. In 1990 he retired and spent the next two years traveling around the United States. Bored with retirement, he went to work as a Metro bus driver for the next 10 years. “That was a lot of fun,” he says. “I laughed a lot, I liked driving, it was easy to do.”

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ance “have been paying more and getting less,” said Kreidler. Now there are “new and better plans to choose from, with limits on out-ofpocket costs and the possibility of tax credits to help pay the monthly premium.” Kreidler’s advice, “Don’t just take what your insurance company says, make sure you shop around. You have the right to buy any plan inside the new exchange or in the outside market.”

GETTING HELP Washington Healthplanfinder, the health benefit exchange for the state of Washington, is a customer-friendly online marketplace. At wahealthplanfinder.org, you can find, compare and enroll in the health plan that best fits your needs and budget. You can also call the Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 855923-4633.  Senior Services of Snohomish County can also provide free, unbiased help. To speak with an InPerson Assistor who will answer your questions and help you enroll, call 425-740-3788.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE NOTE: wahealthplanfinder.org is the official website for Washington State. Do not be confused by other websites that have similar names but are managed by companies that sell insurance.

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December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus tion call 877-714-7444 or log onto sharperimage.com.  Anyone heading for a country where they don’t speak the language is sure to get a lot of use out ease of packing, perfect for family of an electronic translator. Frankor friends heading for colder desti- lin Electronic Publishers offers an nations. array of compact, lightweight de Women’s zipper jackets with vices ranging in price from a basic handwarmer pockets ($80-$90) Spanish-to-English model ($10) to are designed to provide an excel- a deluxe 17-language translator lent warmth-to-weight ratio. On ($180) that includes both the mathe other hand, items like zip pull- jor languages plus some that are over jackets ($40less widely spoken $50) are designed to like Korean, Farsi offer what the comand Hindi. pany describes as The words and “exceptional pricephrases are both to-warmth ratio.” displayed on the For more informascreen and spoken, tion call 800-426and it’s even pos8020 or visit eddie sible to enter some bauer.com. words and expressions into the da  Orvis makes gift tabase that the giving convenient. traveler expects to Among choices on need. For informaits website are links tion call 800-266to pages listing Travelon Garment Hideaway 5626 or visit frankpresents for men, lin.com. women, fly fishermen and even dogs. What frequent  Then there’s Hammacher Schtraveler wouldn’t welcome a 12-in- lemmer, which has been selling 1 Multi-Flashlight ($25) that casts “the unexpected for 165 years.” a super bright beam and includes That company’s annual holiday two screwdrivers, two knives, a gift catalog is fun to peruse even can opener, scissors and other at- if you have no intention of ordertachments? ing, for both its product claims A four-dial Brass Word Lock and some items themselves. ($12) replaces the usual number For example, “The World’s combination with an easy to re- Smallest Automatic Umbrella” member word that is set by the ($35) measures only 8 inches user. At the higher end of the price when closed, small enough to spectrum is a compact Bushnell fit in many purses and pockets. Backtrack GPS ($89) that guides How have your traveling relatives people back to their starting point and friends lived so long without whether they’re driving, riding a a Flat Fold Travel Mirror ($50) bike or walking in the woods. For which expands from 1-1/2 inches information call 888-235-9763 or thick when closed to a height of 16 visit orvis.com. inches? It has 1X and 10X magni Sharper Image promises fication for both close-up and full“Gadgets Galore” on its website, face viewing, and each mirror is and lives up to that pledge. A min- surrounded by a fluorescent light. iscule, light weight Travel Razor The traveler who uses the Pow($40), which is smaller than a er Nap Head Pillow ($100) to catch smartphone, charges from a com- 40 winks in an airport or elseputer and provides 30 minutes of where appears to have a pumpkin shave time when at full power. A on his head. The cocoon-like head multi-voltage four-port Universal rest is designed to block out both Charger (also $40) allows four de- sound and light, while leaving an vices to get juiced up at the same opening for the nose and mouth. time, and (the catalog claims) The soft cushion collapses for easy packing. “works in over 150 countries.” Light sleepers should welcome The question is whether the a Travel Sound Machine ($90) opportunity to get some sleep is that offers 17 soothing sound op- worth the risk of attracting attions which drown out unwanted tention from fellow passengers or noise. Among choices are pleasant passers-by. For information call sounds of ocean waves, rain and a 800-321-1484 or visit hammacher. gentle brook. For more informa- com. – Senior Wire©

Gifts ideas (for yourself) or those on the go By Victor Block With Christmas fast approaching, have you written a gift list, checked it twice and finished your shopping? Or do you still have presents to buy? If you need ideas for what to get for folks (or yourself) who travel for pleasure or business, a “gift of go” can be the perfect solution. Whether you are buying for someone who visits a different Caribbean island every winter or for Aunt Matilda who’s planning a trip to Hawaii next spring, the selection is long and varied. If you can’t decide what makes the best present, a gift certificate is a welcome alternative. And if you cannot get out to a local store, you can peruse catalogues or websites of companies that specialize in items that make travel more convenient, comfortable or safe. Here are just a few ideas.  Magellan’s claims to be “Your Trusted Source for Travel Supplies,” and offers a number of nifty ideas. Luggage scales (analog $12.50, digital $25) can quickly pay for themselves by avoiding overweight airline baggage fees. An inflatable Back Buddy Pillow ($28) provides comfy lower back support in otherwise uncomfy airplane seats, as well as on a train, in a car and even at home. Security-conscious travelers may opt for a Cash Safe Belt ($16) which protects paper money in a hidden zippered pocket. More protection is provided by VaultPro tote bags ($50-$90) made of slash-

proof mesh with a cut-resistant carrying strap and locking zippers. There’s even high-tech protection against cyber identity thieves who scan credit card chips remotely to steal the data they contain. For more information or to order a catalog, call 800-962-4943 or visit magellans.com. Safety also is the goal of some merchandise sold by TravelSmith Outfitters. It covers all aspects of trips from packing to in-flight and hotel comfort. A set of four transparent Smart Pouches ($29) is transparent for easy viewing and made with a spill-proof lining. They’re great for organizing and packing shoes, soiled or damp articles, toiletries and any number of other things. In the safety line, the imaginative Travelon Garment Hideaway ($25) offers a place to conceal valuables where would-be thieves are least likely to look. Styled to resemble a woman’s tank top, the ersatz garment has eight concealed pockets for hiding jewelry, documents and other things you don’t want to lose. For information, call 800-770-3387or log onto travelsmith.com. Eddie Bauer has been selling quality outdoor clothing since it was established in 1920, and it’s still the go-to place preferred by many outdoor lovers and travelers. With winter here, the choice of fleece jackets, coats, pants and other outer wear for men and women offers something-for-everyone variety. Light weight, quick drying fabrics combine warmth with

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Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014

Simplify your giving …

Gift suggestions for a limitedbudget your friends and family members. They may have ideas for free activities.

Elder Info Have a Question? We Have an Answer!

By Cynthia Nowowiejski Senior Services of Snohomish County

The holidays are coming up and I’m having a difficult time financially. I am trying to find new “ways to give” to my family and friends. Do you have any gift ideas for people with a limited budget?

The key is to simplify your giving. It’s okay to do less! You may also decide to discontinue giving gifts to friends and family members. Family gift You may choose to buy or make a gift for your adult children and their family members. For example, you could purchase a game or puzzle for the family to enjoy during the holidays. You could make a “snack mix” or “treat” for a family evening. A special hot chocolate mix and marshmallows, a holiday tea, or special blend coffee, could also be a treat for them. Family members may prefer one of your homemade items. A small tin of homemade fudge or cookies or a loaf of bread would be welcome in most homes. You might share one of your “secret recipes” – for example, your special chicken soup or meat loaf. You could also make a special dish or recipe honoring your ethnic background. Celebrate the season Find a free activity to enjoy with family or friends. You might attend a holiday concert at a nearby junior high or high school or go to a special program at your local library, church, or senior center. You may learn more about free activities from the Everett Herald, Seattle Times, church bulletin or senior center newsletter. Talk to

Now Open!

Letter or poem Write a letter or poem. You might describe a special time that you shared with your friend or family member. Share your feelings about his/her role in your life. You might consider writing a brief autobiography of your life for your adult children or grandchildren. Your words will be treasured. Photo or artwork Make a print of a favorite photograph. Enclose it in a special card or frame. If you have artistic talents, give a drawing or collage. A simple tree ornament with a beautiful ribbon can be a nice addition to a Christmas tree. Gift of service Offer your special talents to the important people in your life. For example, you might spend time with a grandchild, go with a friend to a medical appointment to provide support, assist a family member with gift wrapping, or help a friend make phone calls or organize paperwork. If you enjoy sewing, you might offer your sewing skills. Sharing your treasures You may wish to give away a special item. You may want to give a vase with fresh flowers, a classic book, or a favorite watch or bracelet. Sometimes a family member may have shared his/her love for one of your special treasures – for example, an antique music box, an old family photograph, a wood carving. Pass it on now. Enjoy your holidays ... simplify your giving … give from the heart. Senior Information and Assistance is the gateway to access services for older adults in Snohomish County. To speak with an I&A Specialist who will listen to your concerns, answer questions and explore options, phone 425-513-1900 or 800-422-2024.

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10 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

The more things change… the more they stay the same Perspective on the Past By Louise Lindgren At one time or another we have all been inundated with mailed advertisements for everything from cure-all health books to concoctions designed to bring back faded youth. So it might provide perspective, and perhaps comic relief, to see how similar pressure was put on customers back in the 1920s. Thanks to Forrest Johanson for loaning me the book Sales and Advertising Letters for Druggists by Frank Farrington for the Mul-

tigraph Co., a manufacturer of office printing equipment. In that non-computer age, the techniques for attracting and keeping customers were not that much different from today. The Multigraph machine could be set up for hundreds of printings of a form letter, but with certain lines left blank so that the salutation and a personal message, directed toward a target audience, could be added by typewriter, giving the appearance of a custom letter for each recipient. Our computers offer a variety of writing and addressing software programs to achieve the same thing. The U.S. Mail was the main means of getting the message out,

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Owl Drugs, Everett, ca. 1940s Ellis photo from the Jack O’Donnell collection at Everett Public Library

prompting the author’s question, “Shall your letters and circulars be sent out sealed or not?” The difference was penny postage if unsealed, twice that if sealed. Mr. Farrington’s advice is based on class differences: a sealed envelope (with form letter, personalized) was deemed a necessity if it were “… going to business men and to people who give little attention to mail advertising – society women, for example.” The rest of us rated the lowly penny. Tricks of the trade included having store employees send a letter while the boss was on vacation with the plea that they needed to make a big showing in sales while he was away. Implication? They might lose their jobs if we don’t come through. Do we recognize

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the sympathy sale? Targeting children was popular, as in this advice: “Send letters to children with information about items they might want. This will get them started asking their parents for the things named. Children get so few letters that they will be especially impressed.” Another ploy was to send an offer to the children “… promising them a certain gift if they will bring in the name of some relative who they may know is considering a purchase.” One pharmacy clerk was to be assigned to keep track of the birthdays of all children in the community so a special card could be sent. I suppose that clerk would also be the one instructed to watch newspapers to keep track of weddings, graduations and funerals so letters could be sent “… offering some line you carry as suited for a gift ….” After this sort of general advertising advice the book includes a series of sample letters that could be customized as the proprietor wished. It is clear that a properly stocked drugstore of 1920 carried an amazing array of goods, from CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 11

THINGS CHANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

health pills and potions to cleaning supplies and even items for the larder. Our contemporary food co-ops would appreciate the fact that customers were encouraged to bring their own bottles to be filled, as in this paragraph concerning flavoring extracts: “You save money by buying the best you can get, but if you buy them put up in thin, flat, paneled bottles that are mostly glass and label, you get the least extract and the most bottle for your money.” Another item that was bought in bulk for filling the customer’s empty fruit jar from home was a concoction for preserving eggs. The lady of the house was admonished thus: “An egg is an article of real value. You wouldn’t throw a good egg at a bad actor at present prices. Invest your surplus provision money now in eggs for next winter’s use. Liquid glass, water glass, solution of silicate of soda or whatever you choose to call it, will keep eggs in absolutely perfect condition … keep 12 dozen eggs for only 25 cents or so. Just put the eggs in a jar and pour the stuff on them after mixing it with water.” Scare tactics were often used to encourage buying patent medicines of various sorts. As in “The longer a cough sticks, the harder it is to get rid of it. You know the rather gruesome old jingle: ‘First a cough to carry you off, then a coffin to carry you off in.’ … Our famous White Pine and Tar is one of the best family cough remedies, pleasant to take and effective.” Have aches and pains? The pharmacist’s letter had the answer: “We don’t want to say that all the ills flesh is heir to can be cured by our Red Horse Liniment, but we feel like promising almost that. We have had so many people come in and tell us of the almost magical way in which pain has disappeared under the influence of the external application …. Use it for any kind of pain that comes from the causes listed above (bruises, sprains, breaks, wrenches, rheumatics, neuralgia). It is as near a family panacea as you can get.” And, if the magical liniment does fail, well, there’s always the plaster. “A plaster goes on the outside and does not upset the diges-

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tion. Use a plaster for that obstinate cough, for the lameness that hangs on in spite of liniments, for congestion anywhere, as a counter-irritant, as a strengthener for a weak back. “Plasters help kidney troubles of the simpler sorts. Use one for neuralgia, for stitch in the side, for lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism, sprains, bowel complaints, pleurisy, heart palpitation, convulsions, weak muscles, liver complaint.” By golly, I feel better just from reading about it! An appeal to vanity was often used with women. For example, “Nowadays women retain their good looks, their youthful complexions years longer than they did in the days when there were no cold creams. Because one has a naturally beautiful complexion is the more reason for taking care of it. Facial Cream – it drives away freckles, prevents pimples and blackheads, and makes the skin soft and attractive. Of course it does not grow hair.” No woman wants facial hair, right? With the cleaning products available at the time, a woman surely did need those creams. She used hard, yellow lye soap and often a spot remover such as the one advertised in this way: “A constant need in every household is a preparation for cleaning all sorts of spots from all sorts of fabrics. It ought to be non-explosive. “Nothing is better than Kleeno. It cleans gloves better than gasoline or benzene or anything you ever used.” And again, you can use it “… by a stove or lighted lamp, or anywhere without fear of explosion.” Back to the fear factor for sales – some things never change. So, we have the multiple “personalized” mailings; the targeting of children or anyone with a vulnerable spot; the appeal to frugality, sympathy and vanity; and the fear factor. And finally, advertisers count on human nature with its amazing willingness to hold out hope that promises will be kept and cures for life’s ailments exist. In our defense we often hold a healthy skepticism. That, accompanied by a decent sense of humor, may help us navigate the ads that really change only by product and the way the message is delivered (twitter that!). Good luck, folks!

Newcenter announces classes, workshops With the opening of the Center for Healthy Living in Lynnwood (4100 Alderwood Mall Blvd.) a variety of classes and workshop are planned. They include:  Peer Support Group focuses on friendly discussion, shared support and gathering information on how to manage and embrace changes. Class meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday, 1-2:30 p.m., beginning January 16. Topics include losses and changes, loneliness, depression, stressful relationships, staying independent and healthy aging. Call Karen deGuzman, 425-265-2287, to register.  Caregiver Support Group offers unpaid caregivers support, resources, and ideas to help them have a quality caregiving experience. Class meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m. Call 425290-1268 to register.  Living Well with Chronic Conditions is a six-week workshop that provides tools for living a healthy life with chronic health conditions

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(diabetes, arthritis, asthma and heart disease). Through weekly sessions, the workshop provides support for continuing normal daily activities and dealing with the emotions that chronic conditions may bring about. The class will meet on Tuesdays, 1:30-4 p.m., starting January 21. For information or to register call Jamie Hunter-Mitchell at 425-265-2283. For more information about programs and activities, call Ruth Egger, site coordinator at 425290-1268 or visit adrhelp.org.

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12 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Madison, Wisconsin…

City a far cry from cheese and beer Get Aways Adventures in Travel

By Marlene Fanta Shyer Madison, Wisc. – While the folks in this state capital can be proud of its cheese, university and ubiquitous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, much of the city’s pride bears fruit in its farmer’s market that wraps itself around the state capitol. It’s more than a display of the variety of cheeses for which Wisconsin is famous. There’s bagged curd, home-baked breads (gluten-free, too) scones and muffins, gourds that look like museum sculptures, seasonal dewy greens, fresh radishes the size of babies’ fists, and tiny tasty strawberries usually seen only in specialty markets. Everything has been grown or produced within the borders of the state. Third-party vendors and resales are not allowed. The booty is here every Saturday morning April to November (it goes indoors in winter) and Wednesdays during the summer months, displayed in

stalls along the sidewalks that circle the capitol building. Capping the 265-foot-high historic structure is the only granite dome in the country. Giving an appearance of reaching higher is a gilded bronze woman, Daniel Chester French’s “Wisconsin” perched atop the dome. Free hour-long tours are a must. You can sink into the elegant seats of the governor’s conference room while the grandchildren are having fun tracking down items within the building in a mini treasure hunt. (“Can you guess what the statue at the top of the rotunda is holding in her hand?”) Stretching west from the capitol to the University of Wisconsin campus is State Street, a pedestrian mall crammed with cafes offering every conceivable choice of international or American food, funky shops with artisanal wares, musicians, museums and outdoor seating. The street’s character is influenced by the college crowd. In this city of 250,000, the university population is 42,000 during the school year. Just off its western end is the Chazen Museum of Art. It houses

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The capitol building in Madison, Wisc., is capped by the only granite dome in the United States. Marlene Fanta Shyer photo

20,000 works that encompass a global overview of art history. A collection of 80 small-scale sculptures done by well-known 20th Century artists accompanied by their initial sketches is a highlight of the permanent collection. On the other side of the capitol building looking onto Lake Monona is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center that was completed in 1997. Since the archi-

tect died in 1959, his original vision was adapted to accommodate current materials and functions. Wright’s typical oak-and-stone look gives way to modern, lightand-bright interiors. For the more-authentic Frank Lloyd Wright, drive about a halfhour east to Taliesin, his childhood home and base each summer in the nearby town of Spring Green. (His winter headquarters are in Scottsdale, Ariz.) The complex includes his home, studio and farm. Considered Madison’s bad boy because of his three wives and eight children, some locals called him Frank Lloyd Wrong, both for his private as well as his professional life. His designs were forward thinking for his time. His trademark style was a combination of rough-hewn rock, cherry, oak, glass and varying ceiling heights, vaulted here and lowered there. He geared ceiling heights to accommodate a 5-foot-8-inch adult. They were much lower in his children’s playroom. Back to the capitol. It’s the only one in the country built on an isthmus between two lakes – Monona and the larger Mendota, which forms the northern edge of the university campus. A good place to eat up the Mendota shoreline a ways is Captain Bill’s in suburban Middleton. There’s no sign of a Captain Bill, but plenty of crab cakes and coconut shrimp, the top favorite here. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 13

Grandparents caring for grandchildren

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio in Spring Green, near Wisconsin’s state capital, exemplifies his trademark combination of rock, wood, and vaulted ceilings. © Pedro E. Guerrero, courtesy Taliesin Preservation, Inc.

WISCONSIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Other dining options include the BYO (Bring Your Own) lunch or dinner to the Capital Brewery. You can eat it outside in its Bier Garten during the summer. Throw a pretzel in any direction around here and you’ll hit a craft brewery. The Ale Asylum “brewed in Madison, fermented in Sanity,” moved to a bigger two-story home on the north side of Madison after seven years downtown. Craft-beer lovers followed for its favorite “Hopalicious” brew and creative pizzas. The brewery not to miss is the Great Dane to sample its “nitrogenated” lager Devil’s Lake along with such menu items as Innerwarmth Peanut Stew. But beer, cheese, architecture and the capitol may not be the biggest tourist draws to Madison. The House on the Rock in Spring

Altered pet program The NOAH Center is pleased to announce a new program to help older adults with their pets. Limited to Snohomish County seniors, the Love My Altered Pet program, offers a spay/neuter voucher for $5 per pet. Pet overpopulation is a serious problem that results in thousands

Green, a short drive from the heart of the state capital, can stake a claim. It’s stunning, amazing, overwhelming, silly, baffling, vast, tacky and jam-packed. Now part of a complex that includes a resort and golf course, it was given birth in 1959 by entrepreneur Alex Jordan Jr., who started filling it with stuff. Just when you think you’ve seen it all in old-town-themed villages, tea sets, dolls, models of sea life, aerial balloons, organ grinders, stuffed zoo animals, and historical figures, and gone up and down several ramps and stairs – three parts of the building are wheelchair accessible – you’ll still stop and take a breath when you stumble onto a carousel. Complete with 20,000 lights, it’s the largest indoor carousel in the country. It takes no passengers but keeps rolling round and round in time and tune with its endless merry-go-round music. – Mature Life Features ©2013 of animals being euthanized in Washington shelters every year. Spay/neuter helps prevent unwanted litters of puppies or kittens. For information or to schedule an appointment, call NOAH at 360-629-7055 and mention this notice. The NOAH Center is located at 31300 Brandstrom Rd., Stanwood. Vouchers are limited.

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“Older adults raising grandchildren alone may be the most vulnerable residents of California,” maintains a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Although the report is based on information from California, the results apply to the rest of the nation as well. The phenomena of grandparents returning to their role as parents is countrywide and becoming more common. It consists of more than babysitting or picking up the

children from school. This refers to cases where grandparents are the only adults who have supervision over a child or children. In many cases, they are living on limited income and, as the report sites, their limited mobility also impedes their access to public assistance for these children. “We preach the importance of keeping families together,” said Susan E. Smith of the Insight Center, “yet deny grandparents essential assistance because they are family.” For additinal information, visit healthpolicy.ucla.edu. – CMK

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14 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Modest benefit increase The good news for 2014 is that beneficiaries will receive a cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security checks in January. It is a modest benefit of 1.5 percent, but as someone said, it buys a few more groceries or a tank of gas. In addition, the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax or FICA will increase from $113,700 to $117,000 in 2014. The best part of this COLA is that it is not offset by any change in Medicare. In the past, COLAs were often gobbled up by an increase in the Medicare Part B pre-

mium. For this coming year, the premium remains the same at $104.90 a month. Similarly, the Part B deductible will also remain the same at $147. This is important because half of all people with Medicare live on annual incomes of $22,500 or less, according to the Medicare Rights Center. Furthermore, “the average Medicare household spends 15 percent of annual income toward health care costs,” the Center confirmed. For additional information, visit the Medicare Rights Center at medicarerights.org. – Cheryl Keyser

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Eldercare Locator launches conversation campaign Washington, DC and Cambridge, Mass. – Eldercare Locator recently launched its 11th Annual Home for the Holidays campaign to encourage families to take time this holiday season to discuss critical end-of-life issues with their loved ones. A national survey by The Conversation Project this fall found that 9 in 10 Americans want to discuss their loved ones’ and their own end-of-life care, but only approximately 3 in 10 have actually had these conversations. The campaign, which includes the release of a new guide that covers everything from how to initiate conversations to the right questions to ask is available for download at eldercare.gov. The publication seeks to eliminate the “conversation disconnect” by providing the topics, tools and information you need to discuss planning for the future and end-of-life issues. “This holiday season, we encourage families to spend time asking each other some basic questions about end-of-life goals,” said Kathy Greenlee, administrator, Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary for Aging. “Starting the conversation tends to be the hardest part, but once that happens, all parties involved feel relief that these important issues are being addressed.” The new guide prepares families for the conversation, offering helpful tips and topics for consideration. Topics include all things health and legal related, such as lists of doctors, health conditions, medical records, durable power of attorney trusts, advance directives, wills and how to research and locate important financial documents. End-of-life topics for discussion include naming one person to make final decisions, values and ideals around quality of life and care, and the types of medical treatment that may be available. “Planning in advance saves time, energy and money, and allows everyone to think about what they want for the future,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area

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Agencies on Aging (n4a). “The more information people have, the more confident they are in raising these issues with family members and we hope that by launching this campaign, we can help more Americans start 2014 with an end-of-life plan in place.” The Conversation Project survey found a host of reasons why Americans haven’t had discussions about end-of-life, including that they think it’s not something they need to worry about at this point in life (29%); they aren’t sick yet (23%), the subject makes them feel uncomfortable (21%); and they don’t want to upset their loved ones (19%). One-fifth of Americans who haven’t broached the subject are waiting for their loved ones to bring the topic up first. Yet anxiety over initiating the conversation is unnecessary, as nearly half (48%) of Americans say that if a loved one asked them about their wishes for end-of-life care, they’d welcome it and be relieved to discuss it. “These talks with loved ones need not be grim or frightening. In fact, they can be among the richest and most intimate conversations families can have. What a better time than when people are together during the holiday season?” says Ellen Goodman, Founder of The Conversation Project. “Americans now overwhelmingly agree that it’s important to talk with our loved ones about how we want to live at the end of our days. Yet, we still find it hard to begin those conversations. That’s where we hope to close the gap and encourage Americans to discuss these important issues.” To learn more about community resources in Snohomish County that may be of assistance to older adults, caregivers and their families call Senior Information and Assistance at 425-513-1900. In King County call 206-448-3110; outside of Snohomish and King counties, visit eldercare.gov or call 800-677-1116. For information about The Conversation Project visit theconversationproject.org.

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Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 15

Dear Savvy Senior …

How a divorce affects your Social Security By Jim Miller

Am I entitled to my former husband’s Social Security benefits? I was married for 12 unpleasant years and would like to know what I may be eligible for. Ex-spouse

Dear Ex-spouse, You’ll be happy to know that, for the most part, Social Security provides divorced spouses benefits just like they do spouses if you meet the government’s requirements. Here’s how it works. Divorced spouses can collect a Social Security retirement benefit on the work record of their exhusband (or ex-wife) if they are at least age 62, were married at least 10 years, are unmarried now, and are not eligible for a higher benefit based on their own work record. In order to collect, however, the former spouse must also be at least 62 and eligible for Social Security benefits, and you must have been divorced for at least two years. But, he/she doesn’t have to be receiving benefits in order for you to collect benefits. Even if the ex has remarried, it won’t affect your right to divorcee benefits, nor will it affect your ex’s retirement benefits or his/her current spouse’s benefits. Benefit amount Divorcees can receive up to 50 percent of their ex-spouses’ full Social Security benefit, or less if they take benefits before their full-retirement age – which is 66 if you were born between 1943 and 1954. To find out your fullretirement age and see how much your benefits will be reduced by taking them early, visit ssa.gov/ retire2/agereduction.htm. Keep in mind… if you qualify for benefits based on your own work history, you’ll receive the larger of the two benefits. You cannot receive benefits on both your own record, and your ex’s work record. To find out your retirement benefits based on your earnings history, visit ssa.gov/myaccount. And to get an estimate of your divorced spouse benefit, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. You’ll need you’re ex’s Social Security number to get it. Getting remarried Since three-quarters of U.S. divorcees get married again, it’s important to understand that remarrying makes you ineligible for divorced spouse’s benefits un-

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less the later marriage ends. And, for those who have been married and divorced twice, with both marriages lasting more than 10 years, you can collect using the ex-spouse with the larger Social Security benefit. Divorced survivor You also need to know that if your ex-spouse dies, and you were married for 10 or more years, you become eligible for divorced “survivor benefits,” which is worth up to 100 percent of what your exspouse was due. Survivor’s benefits are available to divorced spouses as early as age 60 (50 if you’re disabled). But, if you remarry before 60 you become ineligible unless the marriage ends. Remarrying after age

60 will not affect your eligibility. Also note that if you are receiving divorced spouses benefits when you ex-spouse dies, you will automatically be switched over to the higher paying survivor benefit. Switching strategies Being divorced also offers some switching strategies that can help boost your benefits. For working divorced spouses, there’s an option that lets you file a “restricted” application with Social Security (at full retirement age) to collect a divorced spousal benefit, which is half of what your ex gets. Then, once you reach 70, you stop receiving the ex-spousal benefit and switch to your own benefit, which will be 32 percent higher than it would have been at your full re-

tirement age. Divorced widows (and widowers) have even more options. If, for example, you are currently collecting Social Security retirement benefits on your own record, and your ex-spouse dies, you can switch to survivor’s benefits if the payment is larger. Or, if you’re collecting survivor’s benefits, you can switch to your own retirement benefits – between 62 and 70 – if it offers a larger payment. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

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16 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Avoid the flood of health care scams steal from trusting victims across the country. “There’s been a rapid increase in scams exploiting the confusion over health care reform” confirmed Jim Quiggle, the spokesman for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. “People are uncertain what it means to them and swindlers are going wild on the telephone, calling seniors and

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be putty in their hands. To avoid their lies, you need to know what the scams are. Here are some of the most common.  A caller may say, “We are calling about your need for Obamacare coverage. If you don’t have it, you could go to jail.” Sound pretty bold? Thieves do tend to be bold. Quiggle says to be wary of anyone who tries to sell you a policy related to Obamacare. (By the way, the real name is the Affordable Care Act.) It is not true, said Quiggle, that people will be jailed for not having coverage. But U.S. citizens and legal residents will be required to have coverage which qualifies according to the law, or face an income tax penalty. This does raise a question about people in the country who are not citizens or legal residents. How will Obamacare figure into their lives? This seems to be one of those questions nobody can answer with certainty. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Whomcan you trust? The Food and Drug Administration offers the following clues to look for or to determine whether you can trust a website or not. Signs of a trustworthy website include it:  is located in the U.S.  is licensed by the state board of pharmacy where the website is operating. A list of these boards is available at the website of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.  has a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.  requires a prescription for prescription medicines from your doctor or another health care professional who is licensed to prescribe medicines. provides contact information and allows you to talk to a person if you have problems or questions. Another way to check on a website is to look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal, also known as the VIPPS® Seal. This seal means that the internet pharmacy is safe to use because it has met state licensure requirements, as well as other NABP criteria. Visit the VIPPS website to find legitimate pharmacies that carry the VIPPS® seal. Questionable and/or unsafe websites will:  send you drugs with unknown quality or origin; give you the wrong drug or another dangerous product for your illness;  not provide a way to contact a representative by phone.  offer prices that are dramatically lower than the competition;  offer to sell prescription drugs without a prescription (This is against the law!); and may not protect your personal – Senior Wire © information.

Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 17

SCAMMER ALERT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot warns seniors to be alert to people posing as Medicare officials. The motive, he said, is to steal a person’s identity. In a consumer alert, his office reported identity thieves are calling seniors and claiming to be affiliated with the federal Medicare program. The caller falsely tells the senior that the Medicare program’s current identification cards – well known for the red, white and blue stripes across the top – are being phased out and that replacement Medicare cards must be obtained in order to continue receiving benefits. The thief then say the only way to get a replacement card is to confirm your Medicare and bank account numbers over the phone. Of course, your Social Security number is used on your Medicare card, and this is the prize he/she is after. Be aware, a scammer will call and make polite conversation, asking questions designed to make him/her sound interested in your life. “What senior center do you go to?” The scammer might even offer a story or two about his/ her grandparents, or claim to have something in common with you to further cement the “bond” he/she is creating to win your trust.

Medical condition scam Another type of health care scam relates to specific conditions. Scammers will target people likely to have cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and more. With prescription drugs costing so much, the scammer may make you a free offer in exchange for your Medicare ID number. The Food and Drug Administration warns consumers about the dangers of buying medicines online. Number one, you don’t know what you are getting. Some drugs are dangerous and not thoroughly tested or may have the wrong active ingredients (too much or too little), yet websites will sell them. Example: The FDA bought sev-

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For example, “Your name is Lucinda? That was my grandma’s name!” Once the scammer feels he/she has your trust, they go in for the kill, asking your personal information, said Quiggle. No one is really immune from getting these calls. A prime target may be a lonely senior who wants to chat and is flattered by the attention. Scammers go after people in all walks of life, levels of income and education. Keep in mind, major federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, Medicare and Medicaid, will not call or e-mail you to ask for personal information. If they need to contact you, it will likely be with a letter through snail mail. Therefore, if you get such a call, hang up… loudly. If the caller asks you to push a button on the phone, such as “press 1 to talk to an operator,” don’t do it. Pressing certain buttons may be part of the scam and you may be giving your consent to charges or opening your phone line to long distance charges. Don’t fall for the sweet voice on the other end of the line which reminds you of your granddaughter. And, if you get an e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government agency, don’t click on any links, just delete the message. – Senior Wire © eral products online to analyze and test, such as Tamiflu. One of the orders arrived in an envelope mailed from India. It contained unlabeled white tablets. When the tablets were analyzed, they contained talc and acetaminophen, but none of the active ingredient of Tamiflu. Other drugs which the FDA says are being ordered online are: Ambien, Zanax, Lexapro and Attivan.

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Volunteer Connections John McAlpine RSVP Program Recruiter

RSVP exists to help adults 55+ find fulfillment in volunteer work and will match your lifetime of skills and experience to the organization of your choice. If the jobs listed here are not close to where you live, call me. Maybe I can find the perfect opportunity for you. There is something to do in every city in the county. This column lists only a few of the hundreds of opportunities available through RSVP in Snohomish County. Each column I focus on one of our volunteers or community partners to bring you a bit more news and information about them. This month, the spotlight shines on: Tutors! Thanks to all volunteers everywhere who work in (or after) school to help young students master their lessons. Education is vitally important to success nowadays. Thank you for helping the upcoming generation.

EVCC ESL – Tutors are needed for the Everett Community College Volunteer Literacy program. You will be matched with a person wanting to learn English. The course runs in a series of steps or levels and ideally you and the student will advance together until completion. There is some training involved and then you and the student decide what schedule works best for you. Red Barn Community Farm – The RBCF, a coalition effort of several community groups and agencies, seeks volunteers who want some fresh air, exercise and the satisfaction of being part of the solution to the problem of hunger through their efforts. The Farm supports the VOA food bank, and some others by providing fresh, organic produce.

Academic Link Outreach – Academic Link Outreach is a program that works with mostly middle-school-aged students, getting them ready for high school. If a student falls behind in high school, it often makes his/her chance of getting to college impossible. You will be mentoring in one-on- one and small group settings.

If you have questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies listed above, contact John McAlpine at 425-374-6374 or send an e-mail to johnm@ccsww.org. RSVP, a program of Catholic Community Services, is located 1918 Everett Ave., Everett.

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18 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Oral health andnutrition – is there a link? Meal Times All the Nutrition News You Can Use

By Martha Peppones Senior Services of Snohomish County

If it’s true that you are what you eat, it’s particularly true for your teeth and gums. What you eat and how often you eat are important factors in maintaining good oral health. Your oral health is important because the first step in digesting food occurs in the mouth. The process of chewing, or mastication, starts the digestive process with a mechanical breakdown of the food. Saliva, from the salivary glands, moistens the food and contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch in the food. Further digestion occurs as the food travels down the intestinal tract. Older adults are particularly susceptible to problems with oral health. Approximately one-third have untreated dental caries (cavities), 40 percent have periodontal (gum) disease, and those who are poor are twice as likely to be toothless when compared to those with higher incomes. Older adults have higher rates of chronic diseases and take more Martha Peppones, MS, RDN, CSG, CD is director of Senior Services Nutrition Program. For information about Senior Nutrition, call 425-3471229 or 800-824-2183.

medications, many of which cause dry mouth. All of these increase the risk for oral health problems. Nutrition is important for many oral health issues including tooth development in infants and children, response to infection and inflammation by gingival (gum) and other oral tissue, contributing critical nutrients for the bones that provide the supporting structure for teeth, and helping to prevent and manage diseases of the mouth such as dry mouth and tooth loss.

Dental cavities (caries)

There are three major types of cavities; those that are located on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, recurrent decay that forms around existing fillings and crowns, and root cavities which are of particular concern to older adults. As we age, gums can recede leaving part of the roots exposed. Because they do not have a protective enamel covering, they are more susceptible to decay. Tooth decay is a result of many factors, including how well we take care of our teeth, the presence of fluoride in our water and toothpaste, and the foods we eat. Fermentable carbohydrates (sugars and starches) in foods produce acids that break down tooth enamel. The best foods to eat for dental health are those that do not contribute to decay. These include protein foods such as cheese, chicken and other meats, nuts and milk. Even though milk does contain some carbohydrate, the calcium and phosphorus in

milk and cheese has a protective buffering action and helps to remineralize teeth. Other foods that make good choices are firm and crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and those with high water content such as melons. The water dilutes the sugar in these foods and stimulates the flow of saliva. Fresh crunchy vegetables are also a good choice. Acid-containing foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes are best consumed with meals to reduce the effects of the acid. The best beverages are water (preferably fluoridated), milk and unsweetened tea. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soft drinks, lemonade, coffee or tea with sugar, or energy drinks should be limited. Even diet soft drinks are not safe; they have other components that erode tooth enamel. Limit high-sugar foods like candy, cookies, pies, cakes and foods that stick to the teeth like chips, breads, pretzels, and dried fruits. They provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause decay. The more often you eat, the more often you expose your teeth to the potential of cavities. Eating three meals with minimal snacking is better than smaller, more frequent meals and snacks. Sugarless gum can be beneficial because it helps remove food that is stuck in the teeth and also stimulates saliva production, a natural defense against tooth decay. Chewing gum containing xylitol

Mon: Tossed salad, cheese pizza w/ veggies, peaches, pudding. Tues: Tossed salad, swedish meatballs on noodles, spinach, fruit cocktail. Weds: Vegetable soup, hot seafood sandwich, fresh vegetables & dip, pears. Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey pot roast, mashed potato w/gravy, carrots, fresh fruit. Fri: Coleslaw vinaigrette, mandarin chicken, barley rice, vegetable, mandarin oranges.

DECEMBER 9 – 13 Mon: Hearty lentil soup, egg salad sandwich on wheat bread w/lettuce, apricots, brownie. Tues: Fruit salad, chicken parmesan on spaghetti w/sauce, green beans, garlic bread stick, sherbet. Weds: Potato salad, hamburger on wheat bun w/lettuce & tomato, baked beans, fresh fruit. Thurs: Coleslaw, fish & chips, tropical fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, meatloaf, mashed potato w/gravy, brussels sprouts, fruit.

DECEMBER 16 – 20 Mon: Tossed salad, vegetable lasagna, vegetable, applesauce. Tues: Coleslaw, salmon burger on wheat bun w/lettuce & tomato, fiesta salad, apricots. Weds: Taco salad w/ beef, cheese & rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour cream, mandarin oranges, flan. Thurs: Chef’s choice. Fri: Holiday Menu. Tossed salad, baked ham, roasted sweet potatoes, vegetable medley, dessert.

DECEMBER 23 – 27 Mon: Tossed salad, chili w/shredded cheese, tortilla chips, pineapple, pudding. Tues: Beet salad, salisbury steak, mashed potato w/gravy, peaches. Weds: Closed for Holiday. Thurs: Tossed salad, hot turkey sandwich, mashed potato w/gravy, peas & carrots, fresh fruit. Fri: Roast pork w/sweet & sour red cabbage, stuffing, green beans, fresh fruit.

DECEMBER 30 – 31

Mon: Tossed salad, macaroni & Notice: Check with your meal site to cheese, green peas, fresh fruit. confirm day the holiday meal will be Tues: Pea salad, french dip, potato wedges, fruit cocktail. served.

2 cups romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 1 cup mixed salad greens (from 10-oz bag) 1 oz. blue or Gorgonzola cheese crumbles 1/4 cup walnut halves, toasted 1/2 red apple, cut into bite-size pieces Light balsamic dressing In large bowl, gently mix salad ingredients. Just before serving, pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately. To toast walnut halves, spread on cookie sheet; bake at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Serves 2. has been shown to actually reduce cavities and dry mouth.

Dry mouth (xerostomia)

The risk of cavities increases if older adults suffer from a lack of saliva production. Dry mouth makes all aspects of eating difficult, can cause pain, and increases the risk for cavities and infection. Dry mouth can be caused by illness, including poorly controlled diabetes, medications, radiation or chemotherapy and can be eiCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Meal site menu – what you need to know Meal includes milk (1% or buttermilk), roll or bread and margarine. Fresh produce is subject to availability. Substitutions may be made without notice. Suggested meal donation is $3 (non-eligible person, $6). For information, call Senior Nutrition, 425-347-1229 or 800-824-2183.

JANUARY MENU

DECEMBER MENU DECEMBER 2 – 6

Apple, Cheese and Toasted Walnut Salad

JANUARY 1 – 3

Fri: Coleslaw vinaigrette, teriyaki chicken, yakisoba noodles, vegetable, mandarin oranges.

Weds: Closed for the Holiday. Thurs: Tossed salad, spaghetti & meat sauce, zucchini, garlic bread, peaches. JANUARY 20 – 24 Fri: Coleslaw, BBQ pork on whole Mon: Closed for MLK Holiday wheat bun, potato salad, fresh fruit. Tues: Fruit salad, chicken parmesan on spaghetti w/sauce, green beans, JANUARY 6 – 10 garlic bread stick, sherbet. Mon: Citrus salad, spinach & mush- Weds: Broccoli salad, grilled chicken room quiche, broiled tomato, pudding. burger w/lettuce & tomato, sweet poTues: Dilled cucumber salad, lemon tato fries, fresh fruit. pepper pollock, baked potato, beets, Thurs: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tarpineapple. tar sauce & ketchup, tropical fruit. Weds: Tossed salad, baked chicken Fri: Tossed salad, meatloaf, mashed w/gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, broc- potato w/gravy, brussels sprouts, fresh coli, pears. fruit. Thurs: Spinach salad, grilled tuna melt, chips, fresh fruit. JANUARY 27 – 31 Fri: Tossed salad, salisbury steak w/ Mon: Tossed salad, vegetable lasagravy, mashed potato, parslied carrots, gna, vegetable, applesauce. fresh fruit. Tues: Coleslaw, salmon burger on wheat bun w/lettuce & tomato, fiesta JANUARY 13 – 17 salad, apricots. Mon: Tossed salad, cheese pizza w/ Weds: Taco salad w/beef, cheese & veggies, peaches, pudding. rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour Tues: Tossed salad, swedish meatballs cream, mandarin oranges, flan. on noodles, spinach, fruit cocktail. Thurs: Broccoli salad, chicken ala Weds: Fish taco w/shredded cabbage, king on baked potato, beets, fresh tomato, cheese & salsa, rancho beans, fruit. tropical fruit. Fri: Chinese New Year. Coleslaw Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey pot vinaigrette, sweet & sour chicken w/ roast, mashed potato w/gravy, carrots, stir fry vegetables, fried rice, fresh orfresh fruit. ange, fortune cookie.

Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 19

Legislative reception

Winter speakers series

For over 60 years, the Arc of Snohomish County has been a family-focused grassroots organization. The organization is considered to be the leading resource for media, business and government about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Arc extends an invitation to attend its annual Legislative Reception, December 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Everett Station, Weyerhaeuser Room, 3201 Smith Ave. Attendees will have the opportunity to share the challenges they face in their quest to be fully included in their community. For more information contact the Arc at 425-258-2459.

Sustainable gardening

ORAL HEALTH

take of whole grains, fruits and vegetables which provide critical nutrients for health. Often when people are unable to chew these foods, they rely on soft foods typically high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sugar. To help counter this, the knife and fork can be used as “teeth” to cut foods, including fruits and vegetables, into small pieces. This is especially important with new dentures and will minimize biting and chewing functions to allow a more varied diet. Sticky foods such as soft white bread, caramel, gum, chewy candy, and foods that are easily dispersed in the mouth such as rice, should be avoided. Dentures can also decrease a person’s ability to taste foods, affecting appetite and nutritional adequacy of the diet. And if the dentures do not fit properly, pain and sores may result and opportunities for infection increase.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

ther temporary or permanent. Eating moist foods and increasing fluids may be necessary.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is a bacterial gum infection that destroys ligaments and bone structure that support teeth and is one of the most common infections in the U.S. Reports of periodontal disease range from 40 percent to 75 percent of the adult population. If left untreated, it can result in bad breath; gums that are red, swollen and bleeding; and eventual tooth loss. Perhaps more importantly, the American Academy of Periodontology stated there is an association between periodontal disease and other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, respiratory infection, aspiration pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s disease. It was previously thought that bacteria linked periodontal disease to these conditions; recent research has demonstrated that inflammation links them. Treatment of periodontal disease may help with management of other chronic inflammatory conditions. Bacterial plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease so treatment to reduce plaque is a must. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and regular dental care are important to prevent plaque buildup. A wellbalanced diet with fruits and vegetables, protein, and unsweetened dairy products helps maintain gum tissue and enhances the immune system to reduce inflammation. There is little data to suggest any benefit from supplements. Whole foods are the best choice.

Tooth loss

Thirty-two percent of older adults in Snohomish County have lost at least five natural teeth; many have no natural teeth at all. Tooth loss and/or having dentures generally has a negative impact on food choices because of a decreased ability to chew. Difficulty chewing limits the in-

The Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation recently announced its 11th Annual Winter Speaker Series. This popular sustainable gardening series features Northwest garden personalities during eight sessions on alternate Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., starting January 3. Sessions are held in the social hall at the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, 4515 84th St. S.W., Mukilteo. A pass for the complete series is $85; single sessions are $20 at the door. For a list of speakers, topics and information about registration, visit gardenlectures.com.

Diabetes

Poorly controlled diabetes may result in burning mouth syndrome, periodontal disease, fungal infection (candidiasis), cavities, and dry mouth all of which negatively affect the ability to eat. Because nutrition plays a critical role in the treatment of diabetes, people with diabetes should request a nutrition consult from a registered dietitian, nutritionist or certified diabetes educator. In summary, there are some basic things that can be done to reduce the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Brush your teeth regularly, use toothpaste containing fluoride, floss and use a fluoride mouth rinse daily, visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning twice a year, and eat a variety of foods to maintain health. Minimize foods with sugar and starch between meals; instead choose foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or firm fruit for snacks.

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Edmonds Senior Center

NATURAL MEDICINE CLINIC WITH BASTYR UNIVERSITY

Provides naturopathic medicine to seniors and all ages. Treatments may include dietary and lifestyle counseling and education, hands-on physical therapies, and herbal and nutritional supplements with products offered free of charge by Bastyr University. Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Call for an appt. ENHANCE WELLNESS PROGRAM

Under the guidance of a nurse and social worker, design an individual wellness plan and have your progress measured over six months. A wonderful way to take control of your health. Call for an appt. or drop in. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Funded by the Verdant Health Commission.  Fitness, yoga, tai chi  Trips, classes, games  Nutritious lunches  Music groups  Computer lab  Coffee bar  Facility rentals

Senior Information and Assistance

 Surprising Thrift Store

Answers Questions – Explores Options

425.513.1900 or 800.422.2024 www.sssc.org a nonprofit organization

Stop by or call for more information about activities and services offered at the Edmonds Senior Center 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds  425-774-5555 or visit http://edmondssc.org

20 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Thank You! Individuals Eddie & Ellen Abellera Kamal Acharya Dwight Achtenberg John & Nancy Adams Martina Aguinaldo Leanne Aleia Patricia Anderson Ann Anderst Anonymous Leanne Arnold Janinna Attick Denney Austin Jan Barnes Vicki Battista Vicki Baunsgard Linda Beecher Paul Berendt Joan Bernhardt Bill Beuscher Irina Bikbov Barbara Black Joanne Blanchard Daniel Blatter & Susan Wilson-Blatter Julie Bogue-Garza Debra Bordsen Maria Boyer Thomas Braaten Paul & Gale Brandstetter Jenifer & Jim Brawner George & Sharlene Bressler James & Maureen Britt Lynn Brittingham Tony & Mikki Brower Doug Buell Donna Bugge Gigi Burke Jim Calderon Sharilyn Campbell Alicia Campo Kristen Cane Estee Carton-Bozzi Candice Cavalier Karin Christianson-Hart Tim Chrobuck Jim Church Terry L. Clark Larry Clement Brad Conz Bill Cook Sandra Cook Karen Cooper Sandra Coulon-Hanlin Tim Coulter Teresa Cox Katharine Cramer Kristi Cuddy Jason & Kim Cummings Marshall & Katherine Cymbaluk Bud Darling Ralph & Julie Davis Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Dawson Rowena DeFato Clara Dickerman Thomas & Kim Dietz Van Dinh-Kuno Linda Divina Larry Dolan Rick Dorris Karl Duitsman Janet Duncan Sarah Duncan Thelma Eggleston Barbara Ellingson Dorothy G. Elway

Janice Emery Nancy Emory - Hall Mark Ericks John Espinola Annie Fall Ronald Fanning Beth Featherstone Brigitte Fisher Keith Foote Norm Frampton Cassie Franklin Michelle Frye Nancy Garrison Mona Gedney Paul & Elizabeth Gilbert Randy & Laura Glover Gary Goldbaum Pat Good David Gossett Kristi Govertsen Mary-Anne Grafton Christine Gray Janice Greene Peter Grodt Dennis Grote Daniel Gualtieri Michael Hall Janet Hammerman Judy Haner Shaun Hansen Larry Hanson Louise Hanson Steve & Christina Harrison Cecil Harsh Patricia Hart Kevin Hassan Emmett Heath Tom Hebner Paul & Mary Heneghan Rick Henshaw Jean Hernandez Edith Herndon Lolita Herndon Michael Hickey Madeline Hicks Vicci & John Hilty Dennis & Laura Himple Gloria Hirashima Richard & Linda Hjelle Kristine Hoeflin April Hogan Patrick Hogan Jingzhu Hu Emily Hughes Roy Isaksen Marcia & Michael Isenberg Peter Jackson Richard & Elizabeth Jelinek Greg Jensen Katie Johansen Donna Johnson Chris & Eileen Jowell Tad Kasuya Arnold & Martha Kegel Kelly Kiepke Barbara Kindness Lisa King Sean & Rebecca King Marilyn J. Kliman George Kosovich Lynne Kramer Steven & Sonya Kraski Christina Kulhanek Jeff & Virginia Kynaston Mike & Marjorie Langton Ms. Larsen Dan & Shannon Leach

Senior Services held its 8th Annual Fundraising Luncheon on October 16 at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett. This event raised more than $87,000 and will directly support the work of Senior Services. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, 35,000 seniors benefit from services that include nutrition, housing, transportation and social services. We are honored to have so many sponsors, friends and colleagues come together to make a difference in this community.

James & Heather Lee Sumi Lee Pam & Patrick LeSesne Susan Levison Marko Liias Staci Lindstrand Gail Lockwood Ashley LommersJohnson Kim Love John & Karen Lovick Greg Lowe Steve & Rhonda Lowry Tony & Barbara Lozano Pat & Claudia McClain Troy McClelland Kathleen McCormick Bryan McDonald Steve & Michele McGraw Miriam McHardy Karen McKeen Gerald & B. C. (Lani) McKinney Martha Mee Julie Mellick Bill & Nancy Menard Thomas Messick Jeanne Metzger Maddy Metzger-Utt & Randy Utt Jane Meyers-Bowen Norma Middleton Larry & Sandy Miller Marci Miller Toraya Miller Dan Minton Caroline Misener Marcia Mitchell Arnold Molano Linda Molina John & Christine Monroe Linda Moody Jeff & Renee Moore Chuck & Cecile Morrison Ryan Mortenson Steven & Karen Motenko Judith Muench Joy Munkers Kristin Myers Pamela Nagel Jitsuo & Patricia Nakahara Nettie Nelson Dave & Cynthia Nowowiejski Alicia Nygard Heather Odegaard Denise Ohlfs John & Pam Olah Jeffrey Olsen Ken & Sharon Ostant Dolores Pace Dale Parnell Roger & Gail Pawley Jeff & Amanda Payne Wanda Pehrson Meghan Pembroke Clemente & Lubov Penco Martha Peppones Kristine Petereit Strom Peterson & Maria Montalvo John Petosa David Phillips Kaye Phinney

Dottie & Don Piasecki Char Pike Jennifer Piplic Frank Podany John Policar Vahida Polovina Tony & Nita Porciuncula Roger & Cindy Portmann René Porubek Charles Powers Harry Proud Gail S. Rauch Joe & Sandra Reed Rodney Reed Madeline Renkens Rick & Kastle Resseguie Herbert Reynolds James Reynolds John Reynolds Dave Richards Paul Roberts Kathy Robinson Sandi S. Rodenbough Mark Roe & Lisa Paul Delores Rohrich Jen Rosenbrook & Tyler Roush Janet Ross Kathy Ross Sue Rowell Mary Ann Sande Peggy & Ralph Sanders Harry Sankey Michele Sayko Ralph & Shirley Schapler Greg Scully Mike Sells Frances Sevela Myle Shaffer Vaughn & Janice Sherman Shirley Shular Lynn Silsbee Anita Simonton Roberta Simpson Robin Simpson Alison & Claudia Sing Nicola Smith Teresa Smith Tracy Smith Dave Somers Leslie Somes Leonard Sorrin Louise Stanton-Masten Ken Stark Susie Starrfield Claire Stauffer Jim Stephanson Ray & Vikki Stephanson Pam Stone Raymond & Judith Strand Sean Straub Bill Stubbs Rose Sullivan Nadiya Svyatenka Bonnie Tanis Linda Tatta Bernadine Terry Bob & Mimi Terwilliger Dana Thompson Jerrald & Astrid Thompson Joshua Thompson Laura Thompson Bob & Anne Timm Kristin Timm Thomas Tocher Janine & Scott Tomlinson Robert & Paula Trimble

Event Sponsors Emerald

Union Bank Total Outdoor Whidbey Island Bank

Sapphire

Home Street Bank The Boeing Company Puget Sound Energy

Ruby

Adams & Duncan Lawyers Coast Group of Companies EK Coaches Food Services of America Group Health Cooperative Premera Blue Cross Synergy The Everett Clinic Tulalip / Quil Ceda Village

Topaz

Alexander Printing  Airline Catering Puget Sound Kidney Centers Providence Regional Medical Center Quail Park of Lynnwood RJ Painting  Shawn’s Quality Produce Unity Group Kirstin Tyner Mark & Michelle Valentine Victoria Van de Griend Roland Van Haeften Paul & Alison Vijgen Ann Vining Donnetta & Fred Walser Todd Wanke Robyn Warren Laura Washabaugh Kazuko Watanabe Cynthia & James Weaver Gary & Carolyn Weikel David Weinrod James & Tiffany Welton Ted Wenta Carol Wheeler Richard & Brenda White David & Linda Whitesell Don Whitfield Betty Width Dean Width Ron Wikstrom Wendy Wilkins-Russell Deb Williams Jamie Williams Donna & Gary Wright Karen Wuerch Jerold Wynne Steven Yago Roy & Barbara Yates Emily Yim & Vinn Nguyen Ben Young

Businesses/ Organizations D.D.& L., Inc / Whitfield’s Auto Licensing Filipino-American Seniors Assoc. of Snohomish County Garden Court Retirement Community Haight Carpet & Interiors Hainsworth Laundry Hansen, McConnell & Pellegrini PLLC Home & About LLC Homewatch Caregivers J.H. Brawner & Co. Light Doctor Meier Appraisal Service Mosaic Insurance Alliance Mukilteo Chiropractic Clinic PLLC Non Profit Insurance Program Refugee & Immigrant Services NW ResCare HomeCare Shockey Planning Group Simmons Construction The Daily Herald

Learn about the programs offered by Senior Service. Visit www.sssc.org

Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 21

Dread, drama andthe drill By Saralee Perel Panic kicked in like a lightning bolt. The team in white coats swarmed through the office as medicinal odor encircled me. Yes. I was at the dentist’s office. “It’s so hot in here.” My face was red from a hot flash. I was given water. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t see the needle. Then came the spine-chilling sound of the drill. Terrified, I asked, “Are we almost done?” “Well, we just started,” Dr. Robert Lynch said. Here’s the thing: It was my husband, Bob’s, appointment. I was in the room while he was having a cavity filled. I was there to comfort Bob, who happened to be asleep. I’ll tell you; if he could give birth, he’d sleep right through it. I also had the notion that I could desensitize myself from my fear of the dentist by watching the procedure. Hah! Bernadette was assisting that day. As always, she treated me like I was her best friend. “Do you like your work?” I asked her. “I do. I love the people.” And I love her. Which leads to what I believe is one core of anxiety: isolation. The antidote? Connection. When I’m at my dentist’s office, I am frail and frightened. I tell the staff that. Therefore what brings down my panic is that they care equally as much about me as they do about my teeth. I’m not just a patient; I’m a human being who is afraid. Once I saw a dentist for a root canal. I told him I was very anxious. He said, “You’re old enough to stop being a baby.” My terror then soared. So I did something that I’m still surprised I did. As he was about to proceed, Senior Information and Assistance Answers Questions – Explores Options

425.513.1900

I removed his equipment from my mouth, stood up from the chair – and abruptly left. I sent him a letter to which he never responded. Who could relax when being dealt with the way this fellow dealt with me? As I’ve said before, “If someone doesn’t treat me well because I’m afraid, whose problem is that?” Recently, without knowing that I had asked Bernadette the same question, I asked Lisa, a hygienist at Robert’s office, “Do you like your work?” She said, “Oh yes. I love the people.” Lisa and I don’t socialize but when we’re together at the office, it’s as genuine a bond as any other. How I am feeling is priority to her. Just as it is with Robert and Bernadette. In all parts of my life, it is the connection I give and receive that helps settle my angst. Ruminating to myself makes nothing better. Instead it fuels my isolation and anxiety. “We’re done now, right?” I asked Robert. “Just about,” he said. It was hard to hear over Bob’s snoring. I put my head between my knees so I wouldn’t pass out. Bernadette offered me a cool towel and more water. Then Robert said, “All done.” I didn’t realize he was talking to Bob when he said, “You did great.” “Oh thanks,” I said. “It was pure hell but I made it through.” As we left the office, I said to my husband, “You’re my inspiration.” He tenderly kissed my forehead and said, “And you’re a doofus.” “Well, I’m perfectly calm now.” We got into our car. I gave him a big hug, told him how relieved I was it was over, put on my seatbelt and passed out. Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, can be reached at sperel@sara leeperel.com or via her website sara leeperel.com

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22 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Stories toldthroughletters The BookNook

taining the home front. Includes a few war-time recipes.

Settle In and Enjoy

The Lawgiver by Herman Wouk

By Bonnie Gerken While preparing my annual Christmas letter, I realized how seldom I sit down and write any other personal letters (actually never). With all the technology these days, written communication takes so many more forms – texts, email, blogs, tweets, posts, etc. No wonder the post office is in such bad shape. Although I love to receive letters from friends and family, I never quite get around to actually writing any myself. Creating an interesting letter is hard. Creating an interesting story through letters is even harder because the author must convey emotion and plot without dialogue in delayed time. Officially, books written in letter format are called epistolary novels. Although they can be a challenge to write, there are many of them. So, this year’s challenge to myself is to write as engaging, creative, interesting, insightful, and satisfying Christmas letter as the letters in the stories below. We’ll see if I succeed.

An eccentric and hilarious cast of characters (including the 87-year-old author and his wife) communicate by letters, emails, faxes, memos, etc. during the writing of a screenplay for a movie about Moses. A romp through Hollywood.

Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer

A novelist and a poet meet at a writers’ retreat in 1957, and spend the next 11 years exchanging letters that explore work, spirituality, sanity, love, and friendship.

Correspondence by N. John Hall

New Yorker Larry negotiates with the staff at Christie’s London office about auctioning a treasure trove of inherited letters from Victorian novelists to his English bookseller great-grandfather. Everyone gets an education.

Homeland by Barbara Hambly

Two friends – Cora in Maine and Susanna in Tennessee – correspond to sustain each other while surviving the horrors and deprivations of the American Civil War.

Getting the Picture

I’ll Be Seeing You By Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan

By chance, Rita in Iowa and Glory in Massachusetts become war wife pen pals in 1943. With nothing in common but husbands in the service, they grow to be supportive friends while main-

by Sarah Salway

After 40 years of writing unsent letters to his true love about his life and his love for her, Martin moves into the senior home where her widowed husband now lives. Martin continues to update Mo as he becomes part of her husband’s and children’s lives.

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Where are They Now?

V ikki Carr By Marshall Kaplan Vikki Carr may have been known for her voice and music, but these days the beautiful Ms. Carr uses her talents to help raise money and awareness for numerous charities and foundations. Carr was born as Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona on July 19, 1941 in El Paso, Texas. She began singing as early as four years old and was offered her first recording contract from Liberty Records in 1961. In 1962, Carr’s single, He’s A Rebel, became a hit in Australia. Her next single, It Must Be Him, was a hit in England. One year later, it made its way to the U.S. charts and earned Carr four Grammy nomination. Dean Martin called her “the best girl singer in the business.” A string of hits followed including Pen In Hand, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You and The Lesson. Carr talks about why her songs were successful, “I’m telling a story with my music. And a lot of people may identify with the songs. I cannot begin to tell you what it feels like when you see people just start to smile while you perform.” Overall, Carr had 10 singles

and 13 albums which made the U.S. charts. Carr became the “darling of the White House” performing for Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. President Ford called her “My favorite Mexican dish.” Carr was also the darling of major television networks, appearing on dozens of shows from Ed Sullivan to Carol Burnett to Perry Como, Dean Martin and The Tonite Show. She also proved to be a strong actress, acting in film, television or on the stage. Fourteen years ago, Carr stepped out of the limelight, when she got married. “I married into a family that had two little grandkids. I always wanted to be a grandma. I wanted to stay home and I loved being at home. I then got to the point where I was saying to myself, ‘Now, it’s time to get back and start performing again.’ So, I perform sporadically.” More importantly to Carr is the work she does for numerous charities and foundations. “My voice is a gift and a gift is nothing unless you can share it. Foundations and charities are ways that I am able to share my gift.” She devotes her time and talents to such charities as the United Way, American Lung Assn., St. Jude’s Hospital and Muscular Dystrophy Assn. She also established The Vikki Carr Scholarship – offering college scholarships to Hispanic students. To date, more than 280 scholarships have been awarded.

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Senior Focus  December 2013/January, 2014 23

Whoneeds a cat anyway? Pet Tails… The ‘Paws-itive’ Approach

By Laura Boro Recently my beloved 20-yearold male cat, Sparky, went to kitty heaven. I soon realized that my other three cats (all females) really missed Sparky’s loveable swagger and “male-ness.” The thought crossed my mind, “Hmm, maybe I should look for a nice new little boy kitty,” but I quickly came to my senses. Really… who needs another cat, when you already have three? Well, fate stepped in to answer that question. As luck would have it, I volunteer at a local rescue facility, and they had just taken in a homeless mother cat and her litter of five kittens. Part of my job was to help socialize the kittens and get them ready for adoption. Well, we all know what happened. As the weeks passed, I watched as one little male was passed over, while the others in the litter went home to new families. By now, he had been living in a small cage for four months, his entire life. He had been my secret favorite from birth, so it really wasn’t even an option. Yes, he came home with me. His name is Scooter Little Scooter is a beautiful Siamese mix with huge blue eyes (just like Sparky). He is affectionate, mischievous and full of life. He really has the three old “girls” on their toes with his kitten antics, which include running up

and down the halls at full speed in his own “Kitty Indie 500.” Tess, my dog, is very patient with Scooter as he uses her as a convenient launch pad to jump onto a couch or chair. Scooter is shameless in his affection for Tess and is convinced that the thing attached to her backside (her tail) is strictly there for his amusement. As I write this, Scooter is hunkered down in my lap, purring loudly. It’s almost as if he knows I am writing about him. Every once in awhile he will look up at me and soften his sweet eyes as if to say, “Thank you… I love it here.” If you’re like me, you may have been debating whether to get a cat (or maybe add another). As a longtime cat fancier, I know I’m biased, but I encourage you to take the plunge. The love you give to a cat will be returned to you a hundredfold, even if it does come with an occasional dose of that unique feline attitude. Love those ‘catitudes’ It’s often said that dogs come when called, but cats just have you take a message. It’s true. Realize that your cat may refrain from coming when YOU call him, but he will always come running at the sound of an electric can opener. Your cat will love laundry day, taking every opportunity to sabotage your attempt to pair socks, fold towels or layout blouses/shirts. Know that EVERYTHING in your house will be viewed as a cat toy. This includes any moving fingers (or feet), cords, anything dropped on the floor, wadded up paper, wrappers, paperclips, chap-

stick, rubber bands etc. (Note: be cats just love to walk across your mindful that your kitty will con- keyboard. sider all these things as “fun,” but Despite all their mischievous antics, it’s a some may not be fact that our fesafe.) line friends can Cats are cerlower our blood tain that they pressure, ease will be welcomed our anxiety and in your lap at reduce our loneall times. So be liness. I think warned! They cats are probwill jump up to ably the only be loved when “medicine” that you are putting brings so much on your makeup joy, laughter, or eating your fun and combreakfast. panionship, They also with so few side have a great deeffects. sire to assist in So why not any computer work you might Scooter is mischievous and full of life visit your local shelter or cat be doing. Whether you’re writing to a friend, plac- rescue and bring home a new feing an order or doing research, line friend. Learn about programs, services available to seniors and family caregivers.…

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24 December 2013/January, 2014  Senior Focus

Transmitting super-large files Ask Mr. Modem Helpful Advice for Computer Users

By Richard Sherman

I have approximately 100 pictures from a vacation that I’d like to send to others. Any suggestions for a program I should use for this?

“Sending” photos to me means transmitting them, in which case it would be via email. One word of caution, if I may: Unless you know your intended recipients VERY well, that’s a lot of photos to inflict upon anybody. In photographic circles, 100 vacation photos equal 400 nonvacation photos to anybody who

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did not accompany you on the trip. It’s been my experience that the level of viewer interest is in inverse proportion to the number of photos being shared. Caution is advised. The best thing to do is to compress (ZIP) those 100 photos into one humongous file, then use a service such as TransferBigFiles. com or MailBigFile.com. You then upload the file to a secure area. The site will provide a link to your designated recipients that they can click to download your file, thus circumventing any ISPbased file-size restrictions. Both sites offer free and paid services, so be sure to read about each one on their respective sites. To compress (ZIP) all your photo files into one huge file, click to select (highlight) all the files you want to ZIP. Right-click the highlighted files and select Send To > Compressed (zipped) Folder. A ZIP file containing all your photo files will be created. It is this ZIP file you will send. Your recipients will simply need to right-click, select Extract and select a location for the files on their computer. If, however, by “send” you mean you would like to share your photos in an online album that your invitees can peruse until their respective heads explode, any of the popular online album-hosting sites such as Snapfish.com, Shutterfly.com or Flickr.com – and there are countless others – will serve that purpose quite nicely.

I always use the BCC field when sending mail to multiple recipients. When I later want to review the folks to whom I sent an email, my Outlook 2007 Sent Items folder only shows the To: recipient, but not the people I sent BCCs to. Is there some way to check BCCs after sending?

Double-click to display the message full size in the Sent Items folder in Outlook 2007 and you will see the BCC recipients in the header of each message.

Why, when I try to type “char map” (for Character Map) in Start > Run, do I get a message saying that Windows cannot find it? How can I get to the Character Map?

Typing “char map” is close, but no cigar. There should not be a space in the command line entry, so type “charmap,” not “char map,” without the quotes. You can also get to it (depending on the version of Windows) by clicking Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map.

Why is it that sometimes I need to type www when visiting a website and for others I have to type http, without the www?

In a “Net” shell, a website name is converted (using a DNS or Domain Name System server) from alpha to numeric format. In other words, the word(s) you type as the address of a website are translat-

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I know there is a great deal of medical information available on the web, but do you know if there is anything online that can test for color blindness? Thanks, Mr. M.

Before sharing information of this type, I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend seeking appropriate medical evaluation and consultation for definitive answers to health-related questions. I am not a doctor, nor do I portray one on TV, though I did play one on radio back in the ’70s – well, until an unfortunate Cease and Desist Order was issued. With that caveat, there is a color blindness test located at the appropriately named colorvisiontesting.com website. The default font on this website is refreshingly large and easy to read.

Mr. M’s DME (Don‘t Miss ’Em …) Sites of the Month The Dorcus Collection A collection of men’s fashion photography from the ’50s, ’60s and polyestered ’70s. Caution: some of the language on this site is a bit on the coarse side so sensitive readers, or those subject to chafing, should proceed at their own peril. http://bit.ly/TIy0t Skillshare An unusual site that helps visitors connect with educators in order to learn whatever skill they are interested in learning. There may be a fee associated with some classes, so be sure to review the Frequently Asked Questions in the Help area. skillshare.com

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ed into a series of numbers called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. This address tells your browser where on the internet the website can be found. (It’s a bit more technical than that, but that’s close enough without lapsing into geekspeak.) Some website DNS records are configured to allow you to type just the SiteName.com while others are configured in such a way that it requires the www prefix.

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Song Facts Song meanings and music trivia. The trivia is quite interesting and links are provided to view a song’s lyrics, purchase the song or obtain the sheet music. songfacts.com For information about Mr. Modem’s award-winning, weekly computerhelp newsletter featuring personal answers to your questions by email, visit MrModem.com. – Senior Wire©

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