NOVEMBER 2012
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SINCE 1980 — VolUME 32 • NUMBER 11
A Piece of Florida History By Bonnie L. Quick
REFRACTIVE CATARACT SURGERY
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Calling All Senior Voice Readers
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here is something magical about driving around Babcock Ranch Preserve looking out the window of a converted school bus, affectionately called a “swamp buggy.” The 90-minute Babcock Wilderness Adventures Eco-Tour puts you right in the middle of natural Florida, passing from the lush undergrowth of palmetto bushes, wild flowers and grasses to the cypress swamplands. The swampy area is filled with amazing wading birds and alligators sunning themselves along with many other animals indigenous to Southwest Florida, including herds of “Cracker Cattle.” Babcock’s Crescent B Ranch encompasses a 90,000+ acre area. The ranch is considered an inland, upland, fresh water eco-system. It includes a variety of habitats such as: oak hammocks, pine woods, pastures, wetlands and the 10,000 acre Telegraph Cypress Swamp, so named because telegraph communication lines had to be routed around the swamp. Ranch land extends into Charlotte and Lee counties in a 153 square mile contiguous block — six times
Creating a Potentially Tax-Free Retirement By Robert Harwood
WHO SAID FLORIDA WAS A SWING STATE? RESULTS OF OUR ELECTION SURVEY
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the size of the island of Manhattan. The Crescent B ranch is “old” Florida at its natural best. “Cracker Country” is raw and harsh, yet at the same time gentle. Exotic birds and animals live together with humans in a carefully orchestrated dance of mutual respect. Real life, modern-day cowboys on registered quarter horses work the cattle herds much the same as they have for the past 100 years. Horses and dogs are still used today because cattle often roam into areas inaccessible to jeeps and trucks. Originally E. V. Babcock See Babcock, Page 13.
Roth IRAs started getting a lot of “press” back in 2010 when tax codes were changed to allow anyone to fund a Roth using their IRA accounts in what is called a Roth Conversion. Roths are potentially an important tool because the funds in a Roth will grow, tax-deferred, and when you take money out of a Roth it is tax free after the required holding period. Roths also do not have a requirement for minimum distributions when you turn 70½. Unfortunately, I have seen all too many cases where people are not taking advantage of these important accounts. There are primarily two ways to fund a Roth, either through an annual contribution or by way of a conversion from an IRA. To make a Roth contribution you must have earned income (be working), and contributions are limited to
a maximum of $6,000 per year, depending on your age. The earned income requirement takes the ability to make a Roth contribution away from retirees, although anyone that has an IRA, retired or not, can choose to convert funds from their IRA to a Roth. You are not required to have earned income to do a Roth conversion. This means that a conversion may be a good option for retirees who want to avoid future tax liabilities that their IRAs may cause. I believe a Roth conversion can be a home run, especially if we believe taxes will be higher in the future. The problem arises when you take money from your IRA to convert it into a Roth and you have to pay taxes on that money. A person who wants a $300,000 Roth, for example, will have to move $300,000 from a traditional IRA or an employer plan. The tax bill for See RETIREMENT, Page 25
Senior Voice America…in print, on the web and on the air with Health, Wealth & Wisdom. Tune in to AM 1250 WHNZ Monday thru Friday, from 4 to 5 p.m. as Publisher Evan Gold brings you the information to live an active mature lifestyle. Visit our new website, Tampa Bay’s leading news source for seniors, www.seniorvoiceamerica.com.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Health Roundup
Are you one of the 1 Million People Affected by VTE every year? Submitted by Brandon Regional Hospital Venous thromboembolism (thrahm-bö-EMbö-lizm), or VTE, describes two related conditions: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a more serious complication called pulmonary embolism (PE), which is an emergency. Both are blood clots in the veins and highly preventable. There are ways to prevent and treat VTE, but you can help identify the warning signs of VTE to save lives. DVT is a blood clot that usually forms in the veins of the lower leg or calf, and can extend to involve the large deep veins of the upper legs or thighs. Only rarely does DVT occur in an arm and usually occurs because of intravenous (IV) access lines, or in athletic individuals due to repetitive injury. Your legs and arms have two major types of veins: superficial and deep. The superficial veins are near the surface of the skin where they are sometimes visible, whereas the deep veins are located near the bones and are surrounded by muscle. Contraction or squeezing of the muscles around the deep veins sends blood back to the heart. A blood clot that develops in a deep vein can block this flow of blood and may or may not cause symptoms. DVT is not usually life threatening, but it can be if the blood clots break loose and go into the lungs. This condition is known as pulmonary embolism (PE) which can be fatal if the traveling clot, called an “embolus,” clogs the main lung arteries. Many people die in the first hour from a PE, 100,000 in the United States each year, making it the third most common cause of vascular death.
Symptoms of DVT Half of all DVT cases cause no symptoms. If you do have any of the DVT symptoms below -- especially if they occur suddenly -- call your doctor right away: • Swelling in one or both legs • Pain or tenderness in one or both legs, which may occur only while standing or walking • Warmth in the skin of the affected leg • Red or discolored skin in the affected leg • Visible surface veins • Leg fatigue
Symptoms of PE • Sudden shortness of breath • Chest pain, which may become worse with deep breaths, coughing, bending , or stooping. • Cough — often bloody or blood- streaked
What’s my risk? Many factors can put you at risk for VTE. Some of these factors seem obvious—lengthy surgery (especially orthopedic), pregnancy, being over age 40 and not exercising, cancer, obesity, use of birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, family history of DVT, long distance
travel (especially on airplanes) and spinal cord injuries. Others may not be as obvious such as heart failure, some types of lung disease, kidney disease, infections and other inflammatory diseases increase your risk. Smoking increases clotting risk as do obesity and inherited clotting conditions. These risk factors are additive: The more you have, the greater your risk. If you have several risk factors, such as a planned or a recent surgery, a fracture, been on bedrest, or will be immobilized for any length of time, you may want to discuss VTE with your health care provider and develop a plan for preventing blood clots.
How Great is the Risk for DVT and Air Travel? A number of recent reports have linked blood clots with air travel, especially long flights of over four hours, but the overall risk appears to be very low. In one research study, only one in 200,000 persons had any signs and symptoms of serious PE diagnosed within one hour of arrival. In addition to the primary risk factors for DVT, there is an increased risk for developing blood clots in persons with heart and lung disease. Conditions increasing the risk for DVT include prolonged immobility, possible concentration or “thickening” of the blood due to dehydration, and increased clotting due to reduced oxygen levels in the cabin.
Preventive Measures For most people, the risk for clots appears to be low, so reasonable preventive steps include drinking plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration. Stretching and flexing the leg muscles, moving the feet and walking in the aisles during a long flight is encouraged. Compression stockings are helpful to decrease leg swelling and help the venous circulation to return blood to the heart and may prevent DVT. For those with risk factors for known DVT, especially with flights of more than about 3,000 miles, it would be wise to consult with a physician.
Fast Facts • More people suffer from DVT annua- lly than from heart attack or stroke. • Each year up to one million Ameri cans are affected by DVT and up to 600,000 are hospitalized. • Approximately one-half of those with a DVT never have recognized symptoms. • DVT affects men and women, all ethnic groups and all social levels. • It is seen most often in adults over the age of 40, and more frequently in elderly patients, but can occur at any age. You can find out more by visiting www. brandonregionalhospital.com.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Whose Money is it Anyway?
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Senior Voice America, Inc. 8406 Benjamin Rd., Ste. G Tampa, FL 33634 Phone (813) 444-1011 • Fax (813) 422-7966 www.seniorvoiceamerica.com Staff Publisher: Evan Gold evan@seniorvoiceamerica.com Associate Publisher: Timm Harmon timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com Managing Editor/Broadcast Producer: Deb Goldman deb@seniorvoiceamerica.com Editor: Julie Heidelberg julie@seniorvoiceamerica.com Creative Director: Lourdes Sáenz lourdes@seniorvoiceamerica.com Circulation Manager: Sharon Altman sharon@seniorvoiceamerica.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES • (813) 444-1011 Timm Harmon timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com Glenn Bornemann glenn@seniorvoiceamerica.com Ricardo Rincon ricardo@seniorvoiceamerica.com Join our sales team. For information about opportunities throughout Florida and North America, email timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com.
Contributors
“I can’t believe my parents. They are traveling all the time and just blowing through their money. When they pass, there will be nothing left for us.” “Hide all of mom’s money so that when she needs care, the state will have to take care of her.” Do you know how many times I have heard these sentences uttered from grown children desperately seeking access to their parents’ wealth, or keeping their parents from enjoying their lives or receiving the care they need or should be entitled to? While it is important to protect one’s assets and not spend our money foolishly, there seems to be a greater and greater expectation from adult children that they are just supposed to get everything we have and we are supposed to make sure we have as much as we can to give them. And, no doubt, in today’s economy there is a greater need from our children for access to money. Banks are not lending, credit card companies have become stricter and credit lines have been reduced. News stories of grown children murdering their parents for access to their parents’ money has increased. So what are our responsibilities to our children? First and foremost is to have a quality financial advisor or estate attorney who can guide you through certain steps. You should take the time to interview different professionals to find the right one. Second, I believe, is to have open and frank discussions with your grown children. They need to understand what your plans are and they need to realize, with your help, that they too will be seniors one day. Third (and this might not be needed for every parent/child relationship), is for them to understand that it is YOUR money. You worked for it and you earned it. You may even want them to remind their children of this. I believe that as Americans we have lost a little bit of the plot. Children are harboring anger towards parents who have done nothing more than try to enjoy their retirement and the fruits of their labor. But more importantly, parents are not receiving the care they deserve when children get access or control of their parents’ finances. And the latter can be devastating when the elderly do not get the care they need to sustain a level of healthy living. Our job as parents should be to raise children to be productive members of society who can depend on themselves, not us or the government, to take care of themselves and their family. And don’t be surprised when even the ones who have done well are looking forward to their inheritance. Taking time to have these conversations with our children may offer them a unique perspective and prepare their own children’s expectations a little bit better for the future.
Evan Gold
Henry Adams • Abne M. Eisenberg Ruth Fanovich • Judith Sabghir Gannon James Salvatore Giardina • Robert B. Harwood Audrey Hawley • Diane Houser • Ro Martinez
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dr. John Michaelos • Eric Pfeiffer • Joe Pippen Maria Posani • Bonnie Quick • Kathleen Stasia Bohdan O. Szuprowicz • June Hurley Young Would you like to write for Senior Voice America? Please email editor@seniorvoiceamerica.com
Senior Voice is a Proud Member of Better Living for Seniors The Guardian Association of Pinellas County The Florida Assisted Living Association Senior Voice America is published monthly and is distributed free of charge, courtesy of its advertisers. Distribution area includes Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Articles and advertising contained in this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion or endorsement of the publisher, who does not verify advertiser claims and reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertising.
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Evan: Great article that you wrote for the September issue of Senior Voice America!! I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s funny, but before I ever saw your article, several of us were sitting around discussing the very issue you wrote about. I, too, miss the old school news reporting that included Tom Brokaw and Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. I too “am so disgusted with the lack of balanced information.” You hit the “nail on the head.” Great article! Also, the letter from Frank Krantz of Tampa could not be more accurate as well! I get so sick of hearing all the mudslinging going on, that I can’t wait for the elections to be over. The state of our political process only causes me to ask “why would ANYONE want to run for any public office?” Sincerely, David Cox, Clearwater, FL Thank you for your article in Senior Voice. This is the first time it has been available in our building of seniors. I have been caring for my husband for about 5-6 years and have gotten to the point that I realized I could not carry on. He is on the waiting list at a VA nursing home in Port Charlotte. I expect it won’t be until the first of the year before we get the call that a bed is ready. I only get one days notice. I am looking for a place to live down there so that I will be near. I don’t know anyone there and have only been there once to make the arrangements. Can’t tell very much on computer. I had thought all along that I could keep him home until the end. This is a second marriage for both of us and we have been together for 20 years. I attend a caregivers group once a month and it has been very helpful. He attends the county day care and that is the only way I have been able to hang on. He has 6 children and only one calls and comes to see him. I guess it bothers me more than him. Again, thanks for the article. It is nice to know someone knows what we are going through. “ Karlyne”
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Health Roundup By Suhail A. Khoury, Phd., M.D., F.A.C.P. Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone density affecting millions of people around the world. In the United States, 10 million people have osteoporosis and 34 million have low bone density, just not severe enough to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. It is a silent disease. Patients are not aware of their bone deterioration until a fracture occurs. Women are more affected than men with a ratio of four to one. More than 1.5 million osteoporotic bone fractures occur in our country annually, but with our current knowledge, we have the ability to diagnose, prevent and treat osteoporosis. Consequences of osteoporosis may be devastating physically, emotionally, and socially. These include pain, physical limitations, loss of independence, changes in physical appearance, depression and increased mortality. The financial impact is also significant. The annual estimated cost in the United States is around $15 billion.
Risk factors for osteoporosis are many, including : • Genetics (such as baseline bone mass)
• Race (Caucasian and Asian) • Gender (female) • Age (over 50) • Life Style (sedentary) • Smoking • Excessive Alcohol • Excessive Caffeine Osteoporosis may also occur as a result of other illnesses (thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, some cancers, celiac disease and others), or it may occur due to medications (cortisone, thyroid supplements, anti-seizure drugs, immunesuppressants). Bone is an active tissue being constantly repaired from continuous wear and tear. Two types of cells are involved in this process: one cell dissolves the injured tissues, while the other makes new bone to replace the dissolved bone. These two cells do not work at the same rate. At a young age, the building cells work faster and lead to increases in bone mass. Later in life, the dissolving cells work faster and lead to net bone loss. Many factors contribute to the numbers and metabolism of these cells. Sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone),
among other factors, decrease the population of dissolving cells and increase the number and activity of the rebuilding cells. Hence with low estrogen levels, which occur at menopause, dissolving bone is accelerated and leads to net bone loss and eventual development of osteoporosis. Women lose about three to five percent of bone mass annually in the first five years after menopause. This adds up to 25 percent of a lady’s skeleton lost during this period. This is in addition to the slower loss that occurred previously as well as future bone loss. Conventionally, the best test for diagnosing osteoporosis is through measurements of bone density at the lumbar vertebrae (lower back) and at the hip. This is a simple test that takes a few minutes, is inexpensive, has very low radiation exposure, and does not require disrobing. The good news is that we have the tools to diagnose, prevent, and treat osteoporosis. Numerous drugs are now available. These drugs either slow down the rate of dissolving bone or increase the rate of building bone; hence interfering with the disease process. Calcium supplements of about 1200 to 1500 mg
©bigstockphoto.com
Don’t Ignore the Silent Threat of Osteoporosis
daily are essential for rebuilding bone, and vitamin D supplements of 800 units daily are necessary for calcium absorption and for calcium loss prevention. Approximately 70 percent of people with low bone density are not aware of their condition and have not been diagnosed by the medical community. Remind your physician to evaluate your skeletal health on a regular basis.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Health Roundup
REFRACTIVE CATARACT SURGERY Ophthalmic innovations helping you see more clearly.
Traditional cataract surgery, once considered advanced, is being replaced by a generation of precision technology. In today’s world of hi-tech innovations, cataract surgery gives rise to a new era called Refractive Cataract Surgery. About the time baby boomers approach retirement, they will be able to acquire quality vision results from a variety of technologies developed in their generation. A pathway of precision innovations have lead to the development of new tools, processes and procedures, helping ophthalmologists refine vision with highly reproducible accuracy. Having the ability to choose ones vision has been revolutionized by developments in intraocular lens implants (IOLs). Surgeons are now able to accomplish with vision outcomes what was seemingly impossible just a few years ago; rendering a patient even less dependent on glasses or contacts after surgery. Various IOL designs offer good vision for distance, intermediate, and/ or up close. Depending on your lifestyle, the lens you choose should accommodate the things you enjoy doing most. A new surgical technique for removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an IOL using smaller instrumentation is called micro-incisional cataract surgery, or MIC. It is the result of the development of phacoemulsification, a process that breaks up the hardened lens using ultra sound technology and gently evacuates it from the capsular bag that supports the lens. This process has benefits for both the surgeon and patient alike. Before, incisions in the
cornea needed to remove a cataract were 12 to 14mm wide. With the advent of phacoemulsification, incisions are now as small as 1.5mm, hence the evolution of the MIC procedure. IOL manufacturers have designed lens injection systems to accommodate the smaller incision, which make the process of getting in and out of the eye even quicker and smoother for the surgeon. Benefits of MIC - no stitches, reduced healing time, and a lower risk for infection - assure patient a speedy recovery. Ophthalmologists across the U.S. are just beginning to adopt the advanced MIC procedure. By traditional methods, surgery is performed using either a metal or diamond blade to make entry incisions into the cornea. However, newly FDA approved femtosecond lasers replace some of the key manual steps typically performed by hand. Also known as bladeless laser cataract surgery, femtosecond lasers offer precision and accuracy not attainable by other surgical methods; and each eye is custom treated to more exacting, individualized specifications. In addition to providing precise incisions, the laser is able to reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism, create a more perfect opening in the capsular bag, and soften the cataract so less ultrasound is required to remove it. By adding computer controls to key steps of cataract surgery, the femtosecond laser ensures the highest precision of surgical incisions and astigmatism correction while maintaining a safe and comfortable patient experience.
Another relevant development helping surgeons achieve optimal outcomes is the wavefront aberrometer - a refraction device that measures visual acuity. By traditional methods, a refraction is done manually in an office setting prior to surgery. For the first time, developers have created an operating room version called a wavefront aberometer, placing better quality measures in the hands of the physician during surgery. Wavefront aberrometry delivers crucial information surgeons use to compare pre-operative data with a real-time refraction during surgery to strengthen their decisions about lens power, placement and astigmatism correction. For IOLs such as the toric implant, placement of the lens is vital to reduce the effects of double vision and ghosting caused by astigmatism. For previous LASIK or PRK patients, wavefront aberrometry is nearly essential for determining the precise implant power needed for optimal vision results. With over three million cataract surgeries performed each year in America, laser refractive cataract surgery will soon become the standard of care in the U.S. Matching the right surgical plan with each patient is a matter of using the right technology pre- and intra-operatively to ensure the goal is met. With newer technologies for cataract surgery,
Photo Courtesy of eye institute of west fl
By David Jeffery, Marketing Director, Eye Institute of West Florida
patients are closer to regaining the vision of their youth. How much value do you place on your vision? What is the economic benefit of refractive cataract surgery over your lifetime? Learn this and more in next month’s editorial in Senior Voice. “At the Eye Institute of West Florida our practice philosophy has always been that our patients come first. As we look towards the future, we will provide any innovation, technique, or technology that provides a better outcome for our patients.” – Dr. Stephen M. Weinstock, CEO and President
DID YOU KNOW
Free Emergency Cell Phones for Senior Citizens Every day, we hear reports of senior citizens who are victims of crime. Senior citizens appear to be easy victims. Robbery, abuse, random violence and even peer confrontations are as much a part of the urban landscape as graffiti. Imagine if every senior citizen owned an emergency cell phone and knew how to use it. Senior Citizen’s Services, a local non-profit organization, strives to keep senior citizens safe each & every day, and will provide an emergency cell phone for free. In this modern world of imminent danger, it is imperative that senior citizens have access to immediate communication and help when in need. The Senior Victim Advocate Program provides free cell phones for use in emergency situations, which can be obtained at Senior Citizens Services of Clearwater. Examples of 911 emergency calls include fire or smoke in a building, car accidents, trespassers, imminent medical need, downed power lines as well as other
situations that require immediate call to action. All details will be explained to assure that seniors understand how the program works and how to use the free emergency phone. Senior Citizens Services of Clearwater is located at 1204 Rogers Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756 (off of South Missouri Avenue & next to McDonald‘s). We are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For more details, call us at 727.442.8104. Senior Citizens Services of Clearwater is a not for profit organization, long recognized for its tireless advocacy and action for the senior community. We are dedicated to providing exceptional quality of life forums, classes, activities and alternatives for all senior citizens, and striving, always, to make each day just a little nicer for seniors.
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
Health Roundup
tI c h
Relief Basics ©getty images
From bug bites and dry skin to poison ivy and chronic skin conditions, itching makes life very uncomfortable. And it’s an annoyance that gets under just about everyone’s skin. Sixty-five percent of U.S. adults have suffered from some kind of itch in the past 12 months; and for 26 percent of those polled, the itch was bad enough to see a healthcare professional, according to a recent poll conducted online by Harris Interactive for TriCalm, a new antiitch gel. The natural response to an itch is to remove the irritant — so the scratching begins. The scratching sensation interrupts the itching sensation because it tells your brain that the irritant is gone. While this may give some initial, immediate relief, scratching ends up irritating the nerve endings in that spot even more — and can open up the skin, exposing it to more irritants. And more itching.
Itch Treatments It’s important to make sure you know the cause of the itching so you can take appropriate measures to stop it. There are some things you can do to help reduce itching and soothe irritated skin: • • • •
Avoid scratching — Cover the area with bandages or dressings if you can’t stop scratching. If needed, trim your finger nails and wear gloves to bed. Apply cool, wet compresses. Apply a topical anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Moisturize your skin with a high- quality cream at least twice a day.
“Some anti-itch creams work by reducing inflammation, but that’s not always enough,” says Dr. Vishakha Gigler, a San Diego based dermatologist. “TriCalm, a steroid-free anti-itch gel, binds to a subset of nerves called Type C fibers. These are the nerve cells that send the signals of itching, stinging or burning to the brain. By binding to these nerve cells, TriCalm works to inhibit the transmission of those signals. This results in a rapid reduction in itching, stinging and burning.” Learn more, and request a free sample, at www.tricalm.com.
When is an itch more than just an itch?
It’s obvious when an itch is caused by a bug bite or poison ivy. But what if you’re not sure what’s causing the itch? • Dry Skin — Itching that doesn’t come with obvious skin changes, like a rash, is most often due to dry skin, also known as xerosis. Dry skin usually results from environ- mental factors like hot or cold weather with low humidity, and washing or bathing too much. • Skin Conditions — Eczema, psoriasis, scabies, hives, and chickenpox can cause itchy skin. The itching is usua- lly accompanied by other symptoms such as bumps, blis- ters, and red, irritated skin. • Internal Diseases — These include liver disease, kidney failure, thyroid problems, celiac disease and some cancers. Typically the itching affects the whole body, not just one area. • Allergic Reactions and Irritations — An irritation can come from wearing wool, or coming in contact with soaps, chemicals or other substances. Sometimes the substance can cause an allergic reaction, such as poison ivy or some food allergens. • Nerve Disorders — Multiple sclerosis, diabetes mel- litus, pinched nerves and shingles are conditions that a ffect the nervous system, and thus can cause itching. • Drugs — Some antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications can cause rashes and itching. It’s important to understand and treat the cause of itchy skin, so always seek medical advice before choosing a treatment.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
CANCER ANSWERS IN THE FOREFRONT OF ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY: While minimally invasive surgeries have become standard in today’s hospitals, the adoption of laparoscopic techniques has been restricted to a few routine procedures. This is mostly due to the limited capabilities of traditional laparoscopic technology, including standard video and rigid instruments, which surgeons must rely on to operate through small incisions. More recently, robotic-assisted technology is extending even the most skilled surgeon’s capabilities, offering better visibility and increased precision. Use of the da Vinci® Surgical System is allowing Moffitt surgeons to perform even more complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision. With this robotic-assisted technology surgeons use a computer that remotely controls very small instruments attached to a robot. Every surgical maneuver is performed with direct input from the surgeon. The system translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of special instruments during the surgical procedure.
Advantages For The Patient “Our extensive experience with laparoscopy and the addition of robotic-assisted technology provides our patients with state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery,” says Julio Pow-Sang, M.D., who directs the Moffitt Institute for Robotic Cancer Surgery. Dr. Pow-Sang also serves as chairman, Genitourinary Oncology, and chief, Surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center. Patients benefit from robotic-assisted surgery because they experience smaller incisions and less noticeable scars. They experience faster healing and recovery time as well as shorter hospital stays. Pain is decreased. Additionally, less blood loss during surgery reduces the need for blood transfusions, Dr. Pow-Sang notes.
Institute Team Is Largest In Southeast Located at Moffitt’s main campus in Tampa, Fla., the Moffitt Institute for Robotic Cancer Surgery is one of a select few multispecialty robotic programs in the United States and the largest in the Southeast. Moffitt’s team of cancer surgery specialists is dedicated to providing innovative treatments, educating tomorrow’s surgeons, initiating and publishing ground-breaking research and developing new technologies and surgical techniques. This team of Moffitt surgeons is among an exclusive group of highly skilled specialists across the country performing robotic-assisted and minimally invasive cancer surgery. The team includes four gynecologic cancer surgeons, two thoracic cancer surgeons, four genitourinary cancer sur-
courtesy of moffitt cancer center
Moffitt Team Of Experts Expand Use Of Minimally-Invasive Technology
Julio Pow-Sang, M.D., directs the Moffitt Institute for Robotic Cancer Surgery. geons, two head and neck surgeons and three gastrointestinal cancer surgeons. These 15 cancer surgeons are nationally recognized in their specific fields, and they are experts in the use of robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgery. Together, they have successfully performed more than 2,000 robotic-assisted surgeries. Dr. Pow-Sang says the Institute is developing educational programs to train the future generations of surgeons in robotic procedures, and surgeons from around the world are coming to Moffitt to train on roboticassisted surgeries.
Surgeries available at the Moffitt Institute for Robotic Cancer Surgery Moffitt offers more robotic and minimally invasive cancer surgeries than most other programs in the country. The team has completed several first-ever robotic-assisted cancer surgeries; for example, the Whipple procedure for cancers on or near the pancreas. Moffitt also performs the highest volume of robotic esophagectomies in the Southeast. Moffitt surgeons are using roboticassisted surgery to perform the following types of surgeries: • • • • •
Gastrointestinal Cancer (esophageal, colon, rectal, pan- creatic, stomach) Genitourinary Cancer (prostate, bladder, kidney, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer) Gynecologic Cancer (cervical, uterine, ovarian) Head and Neck Cancer (base of the mouth) Thoracic Cancer (lung, mediastinum)
“Not all patients are optimal candidates for robotic-assisted surgery,” says Dr. Pow-Sang. “Moffitt’s physicians can help patients to weigh the risks and benefits and to help select the best cancer treatment for each patient’s situation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about our robotic and minimally invasive surgeries, please call 1-888-MOFFITT.
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Grief
By Jean Mlincek
Senior Voice America
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POETRY CORNER
Grief, when it comes, will be unlike any other consoler. It will put its arm around your shoulder, and sit with you for seven days, or, if need be, indefinitely-until the terrible sadness subsides, or the heart mends itself with cathartic memories, or until tears have allowed the soul ample lamentation. Grief is wordless comfort that somehow conveys, “I know. I know.” So lay your head in its lap, and let it stroke your hair, and give ear to your muffled cries. Let Grief drink the cup of suffering with you, for it surely knows how loss can overwhelm and wound-how confused emotions flood both reason and understanding. And that’s why Grief will walk through troubled waters with you, squeezing your hand so you sense a presence there in your deepest and most intimate sorrow.
©bigstockphoto.com
Grief
NOVEMBER 2012
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Health Roundup
WHO WILL TAKE
My Call?
By Nurse Ruth Do you ever stop to think about the what-ifs? For example, this weekend, I received and answered multiple calls from my friend and client who has memory impairment and medical issues. I answered with as much compassion and understanding as one could (considering the calls started at 6am and it was my day off) but it made me think....Who will take my call or calls? Will they understand I don’t remember that I just called, or will they get annoyed? You may already be receiving “the call” and not realize it. You may think a friend or loved one is just pesky or perhaps lonely. Think about it; does your caller repeat conversations? Not remember conversations? Are they worried about something that should not be worrisome or perhaps something that is not true at all? You may be dealing with someone who has memory impairment. Stop and listen, REALLY listen. Talk to the person’s family and loved ones. Do they suspect there’s a problem? Memory impairment creates anxiety in the person with the impairment
because they don’t remember -- in some cases from moment to moment. So the person on the other end who is receiving the call has to have patience, empathy and recognize the individual isn’t absorbing what they are being told. It’s tough and can be frustrating.
What can you do? Be kind, for one thing. Each life affects another. Is healthcare involved? Can you assist in getting the caller to the doctor? Which brings me back to who is going to take my call? I am scared because I don’t think my family will REALLY get it. Sure they love me BUT will they have the time and patience to take my call? Think about it....make a decision to have this conversation with your loved ones and health care surrogate because you will need someone to take your call. If you have a concern, viewpoint or comment with regard to this subject matter, Let’s Talk! Provided by Ruth Fanovich, RN, LHRM, Owner, Care Placement Home Health Agency, Inc. and RMF Care Management, Inc. www.CarePlacementHH.com.
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Health Roundup
Health Roundup
Proven Powder Stops Bleeding Instantly For People On Blood Thinners Or With Thin Skin
What’s Going On With My Legs?
By Louis M. Guzzi, M.D. For people who bleed easily, such as those on blood thinners or people with thin skin, it can take hours or days to stop even small cuts from bleeding. While doctors, nurses and medical professionals have the technology to stop bleeding instantly in the hospital, there hasn’t been an over the counter solution to do the same in the home… until now. After many successful clinical studies and years of use in leading hospitals, WoundSeal is now available at Walgreens and CVS for use in the home or wherever life takes you. Unlike bandages or gauze that don’t work effectively for people on blood thinners, WoundSeal is proven — and guaranteed — to stop bleeding through the creation of an instant scab. In a popular retirement community in Southwest Florida, Jim Simpson, 65, knows the frustration of being an easy bleeder all too well. “When I get a small cut, it’s really disruptive for me and my wife because nothing works. Bandages don’t stop the bleeding and it’s messy to constantly change them.” “We can’t go anywhere when I’m bleeding and it’s frustrating to miss our grandchildren’s birthday parties, dinner with friends and golf outings.” In just a few steps, WoundSeal does what nature and traditional first aid products can’t do: stop bleeding instantly. The topical powder works by creating an instant scab once it is poured and pressed onto a bleeding wound. The scab — which is waterproof — seals the wound and helps prevent infection. WoundSeal doesn’t interact with existing medications and works for all ages. I trust it so much that I gave it to my mom and grandmother to use at home when I can’t be there to help. For active adults and seniors like Simpson, my mom and grandmother, WoundSeal has been life changing as it helps them regain control and confidence in their lives. “WoundSeal works! We have multiple packs to carry it everyplace: in my pocket, in my car, in my wife’s purse, in my golf bag,” says Simpson. “I’ll never be without it again.” WoundSeal is nationally available at Walgreens, CVS and other retailers near you. For more information, please visit www.woundseal.com for medical facts, store locations, clinical studies, and testimonials.
Deb Goldman, Co-Host — “Health, Wealth & Wisdom” I was listening to an interview on Health, Wealth & Wisdom and I heard Dr. Izzo describing symptoms that I was experiencing. My legs were aching and would sometimes swell if I was on my feet for a long time. I would get uncomfortable at night when I tried to sleep. I kept trying to stretch out my legs or adjust the position. I continued to feel restless and uncomfortable at night. The interview said that venus vein disease was sometimes brought on by multiple pregnancies. I just kept thinking they couldn’t be talking about me. I don’t have any visible veins just under the skin in my legs. I wear a size 4 and my legs look great. I teach 6-8 Jazzercise classes a week and have for 28 years and through all four pregnancies. I never gained more than 28 lbs. in a full term delivery and I taught class up until the day I delivered. I don’t even have cellulite. How could I have vein problems? Finally, this summer, I set an appointment with Dr. Izzo & Alkire’s office. The staff members were so welcoming and addressed all my concerns. It was determined that I should have a sonogram of my veins to see how they were working. The sonogram looked at both legs, front and back, and the doctor measured the diameter of the vein and studied the flow from the body back to the heart. The right leg had noticeable factors. She continued to examine my left leg, when I thought to say that it was just my right leg that bothered me. She laughed and said, “That’s good because your left leg is very healthy.” You don’t even have to have symptoms in both legs. They filed my insurance and now my appointment for treatment is set for Monday, Nov. 5. I’ll have the procedure done during a live remote broadcast of Health, Wealth & Wisdom on 1250 WHNZ at 4:00 p.m. Listen in on Nov. 5 and you’ll hear the rest of my story.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
veteran’s day
a special note...
Local Art Studio Celebrates the Art of Military Personnel and Supporters
To All Senior Voice America Readers By Timm Harmon, President, Senior Voice America
Just in time for Veteran’s Day, Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance (TBVA) is teaming up with local fine art printer and studio, Canvas Zoo, to celebrate the Art of Military Personnel and Supporters. Open to the public between Nov. 9 - 12, this show will feature the personal art created and collected by local veterans to raise awareness of The Florida Veterans Memorial, a project of the TBVA to celebrate veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, and The Cold War era. The memorial, designed by architect and deputy mayor of Belleair,
Steven Fowler, will be located within Clearwater’s Crest Lake Park and visible from Gulf-to-Bay/Route 60. The exhibit will be held at Canvas Zoo, located at 1750 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater, Fla., 33765. Exhibit times are Sat. and Sun., Nov. 10 & 11, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Mon., Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information please contact Jerri Menaul at Canvas Zoo (727) 797-1199, CustomerService@ canvaszoo.com. Or visit, www.canvaszoo.com/tampabay-veteran-artexhibit or www.facebook.com/ canvaszoo.
For all of you that have enjoyed this paper for the past 32 years, we hope we have helped by educating, entertaining and enlightening you. Today, we’re asking you to consider helping us do the same for boomers and seniors across the country. As you well know, today’s economy and government policies have not been friendly to small businesses. In recent years, many companies have struggled to stay in business and find it hard to grow. The red tape involved with expansion is challenging, especially considering the pullback instituted by banks for commercial loans. These are tough circumstances, but because of your loyalty and interaction throughout the Tampa Bay region, we know the information we provide to you would be just as valuable to a senior in Seattle, Detroit or Des Moines. So we intend to share our information with other seniors with the help of our friends and families. The numbers don’t lie, there are many markets across the U.S. that have double and triple the population of boomers and seniors we have in Tampa Bay. We feel we can serve those markets with meaningful, helpful information just like we do in Tampa Bay, not to mention that we will create employment opportunities and stimulate local economies, helping other small businesses grow everywhere we go. So, we’re not holding back. We’ve found a path to reach other U.S. markets, and we’re going for it. But we need your help. Frankly, we are facing huge expenses in legal costs, fees to the Federal Trade Commission and registration fees for every state we enter. So, we have enlisted in a capital raising program called KickStarter. It’s a website where supporters like you can pledge your financial support for our project. You can find it online at www.kickstarter.com. At the top of the page there is a box that says, “Search projects.” Simply type in the words The Franchise Project and hit enter. There, we have posted a short video explaining our project and how you can help! Please watch it and share it with your friends and families through email, Facebook, You Tube, Twitter and any other communication means you have. We only have 45 days to meet our goal, and if we do not succeed, our project will not be funded. We need as many helpers as we can generate to make this a success. In exchange for your backing, we have assembled a variety of trades that we suspect will be attractive to you. We only need a small amount of support from a large number of people to make this work, so please do not consider this an expensive proposition for you, personally. We have set our goal to help us move from serving Tampa Bay to serving many cities across the country, and if your support and receptivity to our work is any indication at all, then we know our newspaper will be welcomed and successful in other markets as well. Your letters, phone calls, emails and Facebook posts have convinced us that we can make this work. Please help fund our project with a trade as small as even $15 because it will make a very large impact on our goal to pass on intelligent, insightful information to people just like you across the U.S. Many thanks for your ongoing support, and we appreciate your help! Visit www. kickstarter.com to view our trade offers. We hope you will give us your vote of confidence and demonstrate your belief in our vision to become the “Voice” of Senior America. Sincerely, Timm Harmon President, Senior Voice America
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Continued From Page 1 bought the land for its stand of longleaf pine and cypress, as a logging operation. What is now ranch headquarters was at one time the logging town of Rouxville — population of approximately 200. The railroad ran through the ranch to provide shipping for the logging trade. Railway boxcars, with the wheels removed, provided homes for many of the residents. Today Babcock Ranch serves as an important base for agricultural companies. Tenant farmers harvest a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, squash, zucchini, beans, lettuce and watermelons. Bahia and Floratam sod farming is a large part of the agricultural operation. In the tour area is a small museum featuring Florida history, Babcock operations, and natural history artifacts. The museum is actually a part of a movie set that was used by Warner Brothers in the 1995 film “Just Cause” (starring Sean Connery), portions of which were filmed on Babcock Ranch. The “Country Store” Gift Shop features items of special interest to Babcock Ranch, the Wilderness Tour and Florida wildlife.
Come face to face with amazing wildlife; listen to the thunderous roar of calving glaciers.
Senior Voice
JOIN AMERICA 7 Days • 2013 Senior Cruise on Holland America’s Westerdam August 17 • Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan & Victoria, BC EXCLUSIVE SVA SALE! Reduced Deposit & Onboard Value with Nov. Booking Inside staterooms starting at $1,099.00 per person
Enjoy these special amenities:
Reservations are REQUIRED for all tours. All Tours Are Subject to Availability. 1-800-500-5583 (leave a message after 2:00 pm) • www.babcockwilderness.com
Reserve your stateroom by contacting Nancy Clark your Cruise, Land & Tour Consultant at Cruise Planners at (813) 527-6574, Toll Free (855) 222-SAIL. nclark@cruiseplanners.com www.ACruiseForMe.com
* Enjoy reduced deposit of $100 per person and an Onboard Value Booklet when you book in Nov. * Senior Voice America welcome cocktail party with radio host Evan Gold – you won’t want to miss! * Exclusive Senior Voice America Senior Prom * Special speakers, fitness and educational classes designed specifically for SVA guests
Prices per person, double occupancy; port charges included; gov’t fees, taxes and fuel surcharges additional; service fee of $19.95 may apply; limited availability. Prices shown are min. fares for departure date. Price subject to change. Cancellation fee may apply. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this ad. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply. Ships Registry: The Netherlands and SOT to T154785
Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
SELF HELP
Are We a
TOUCH-STARVED Culture?
©bigstockphoto.com
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By Professor Abne M. Eisenberg
A
re we a touch-starved culture? Is direct physical contact on the decline? Today, millions of people use email, texting, smartphones, cell phones, Skype, and a collection of other space-age gadgets to communicate with one another. Touch brings certain people comfort, reassurance, pleasure and selfgratification. Not only do they hug themselves when they feel joy, they also wrap their arms around themselves when they are afflicted with feelings of desperation and despair. Touch has a healing quality. When we accidentally hit an elbow or stub a toe, we instinctively reach for the injured part, rub it, and press on it to relieve the pain. There are two types of people in the touching world, touchophiliacs and untouchables. Touchophiliacs love being immersed in crowds and seem to derive a sense of belonging. In ordinary conversation, they can’t keep their hands to themselves. A familiar example can be seen on the television show, “Family Feud.” The hosts, while contestants are answering questions, routinely put their arm around their shoulder. Former host, Richard Dawson, used to kiss most of the female contestants.
Untouchables abhor crowds. They routinely resist getting on an overcrowded elevator or bus. They become unnerved by having their “personal bubble” invaded. The importance of the human touch cannot be overemphasized. All branches of medicine, with the exception of psychoanalysis, involve touching patients. Without the therapeutic touch, the medical profession would be seriously hampered. Touching goes well beyond the realm of massage and the relief of physical woes. It has been proven that a hug instead of a handshake--and a kiss on the forehead in place of a smile--can psychologically enhance a person’s mood and produce a sense of inner tranquility. Every culture has unspoken rules about touching. In Thailand, and some Asian cultures, patting a child’s head is considered offensive because the head is viewed as the seat of the soul. In Saudi Arabia, India, and Egypt, two men holding hands is a sign of friendly affection. In America, they would be perceived differently. If there is someone in your life about whom you care a great deal, if it is at all possible, reach out and touch them. Follow the healing practice described in the bible of “laying on hands.” It has been revered as a very deep form of devotion and love.
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Health Roundup
How to Stay out of the Gaping Donut Hole By Joey Romanik, Owner, Canadian Meds of St. Pete
Their Strategy – You Lose Money
The high cost of prescription drug prices are a concern to everyone. And as you know, Medicare and private insurances only cover a portion of those costs. Plus, it doesn’t help when every dollar Medicare spends on your medication goes towards the socalled “Donut Hole.” You will enter the Donut Hole when the retail value of your prescription drugs reaches $2,930. Keep in mind, this sum is reached based on what the drugstore charges if you are not a member of Medicare Part D. It is not based on your co-pay. You will exit the Donut Hole at $4,700. Therefore, you will be responsible for $1,770 worth of prescription drugs while you are in the Donut Hole. Obviously, what you really want to do is avoid the Donut Hole all together. And fortunately, there are a few ways to do that. As a discount drug supplier, we recommend that you buy your expensive medication on your own, outside of your Medicare plan, at a discount pharmacy such as Canadian Meds of St. Petersburg, and save your Medicare Part-D/Private insurance money for less expensive generics and the medication that you cannot wait 30 days to get (such as antibiotics). If this seems counterproductive at first, let’s look at some examples.
Let’s say you are taking Plavix. With a typical Medicare Part-D plan, you will pay about $40 per month for your plan and then a co-pay of $105 for a 90-day supply of Plavix. For Plavix, you will pay $105/90 days X four quarters = $420 a year. Plus, add in the annual total of your $40 premium X 12, and your yearly out of pocket cost for Plavix would be $900. But here’s the unfortunate trick. At this point, instead of reflecting a $900 expense, your Medicare account will show you have used $2,372 towards your total allotment of $2,930. Why? Because the retail price of Plavix is being reported to Medicare and applied towards your total plan value. Do not be misled into thinking they are only applying your deductible to the Medicare allotment. If you fill even a few more prescriptions during the year, you will reach the maximum value of your plan ($2,930) and you will be responsible for the next $1,770 for any other prescriptions you may need filled. Now, let’s look at our strategy and see how it plays out.
Our Strategy – You Save Money
Our recommended strategy is to purchase your
expensive drugs at discount pharmacies such as Canadian Meds of St. Pete. Here’s how you’ll win. If you purchase generic Plavix at Canadian Meds of St. Pete, your cost will be roughly $105 for a 100 day supply. Multiply that by four quarters, and you’ve spent $420 for the entire year and you have not used any dollars of your Medicare insurance plan maximum ($2,930), thereby leaving you the ability to order other meds through the plan. There will be no charges applied against your $2930 plan limit. You can purchase all your other, less expensive medicines using your Medicare Part-D plan and never reach the Donut Hole. If you take more than one med-
See CANADIAN, Page 29
You Live an Active Life. Is your Health Plan Keeping Up with You? Tired of molding yourself into a health insurance plan that doesn’t fit your life? It doesn’t have to be that way. Medicare is not a “one size fits all” program. Our consultants represent a variety of health insurance providers and will work directly with you to design a Medicare benefits package that molds to you – instead of the other way around.
Medicare Open Enrollment is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7.
If you’re new to Medicare (turning 65) or need to make changes to your coverage, now is the time to make informed decisions. Free yourself from the overwhelming burden of random choices and murky information. With one phone call, we’ll make sure your choices are the right ones for you. After all, it’s your life.
Matthew V. Muratori Licensed Agent
Hilary Zaragoza Licensed Agent
David M. Demus Licensed Agent
Call us today for a FREE consultation and let us explain all of your options… not just one company’s!
1-877-864-0263
for more information fill out and mail to: 8406-G, Benjamin rd.,tampa fl 33634 or fax to: 813-422-7966 name _________________________________________________ address ______________________________________________ city _______________________________________ zip ________ phone ____________________ Best time to caLL ___________ e-maiL ________________________________________________
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Happenings er positions are also available. Visitors will discover what it’s like to spend time in the peaceful enclave of Old Florida surrounded by native pine woods and more than two dozen historical structures that tell the tale of bygone days. 10am. For information about volunteering or the orientation call (727) 582-2125 or email heritagevillage@ pinellascounty.org. Heritage Village is located at 11909 125th St., Largo 33774. NOVEMBER 10
Sandhill Crane Conservation Booker Creek Preserve A member of Clearwater Audobon will describe the breeding population of Florida’s Sandhill Cranes, including their habitat and life cycle. Also to be disNOVEMBER 9-12 cussed will be Sandhill Cranes in urban areas and what we can do to protect them. 10:30- 11:30am, Florida Veterans Memorial FREE advance registration required. Canvas Zoo For information call (727) 453-6800. Brooker The Florida Veterans Memorial is a project of the Creek Preserve is located at 3940 Keystone Rd., TarTBVA to celebrate veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, pon Springs 33468. Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, and The Cold War era. Art is submitted by Veterans, family memNOVEMBER 10 17 24 bers and those with remembrances and are both traSwing Dance Saturdays ditional and nontraditional pieces of art and Largo Community Center memorabilia inspired by the military experience. There will also be a chance to meet the artists and Come enjoy an evening of dancing and socializing hear their stories, as well as become a part of this in- every Saturday night. Free lessons from 7- 8PM and a spirational showcase. DJ dance from 8 -11PM. Our resident DJ is Savoy For information call (727) 797-1199. The Canvas Zoo Swing. Don’t miss out on our 5,600 square foot is located at 1750 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater 33765. sprung hardwood floor. For information visit LargoCommunityCenter. NOVEMBER 9-JULY 31 com or call (727) 518-3131. The Largo Community Dunedin’s Green Market Center is located at 400 Alt Keene Rd. Largo 33771.
Pioneer Park
The Green Market offers a nice change from your average grocer. Each market day is a different market experience with different vendors. A wide variety of vendors will be selling items including: organic produce, cheeses, artisan bread, plants and herbs, local honey, all natural pet treats, pickles, Alaskan Salmon, Florida seafood, olive salad, pastries & orchids. Free entertainment and parking is available. Friday’s & Saturday’s 9am-2pm. For information call Richard Kendler at (727) 692-5353. Pioneer Park is located at 420 Main St. Dunedin 34698. NOVEMBER 10-MAY 25th
Open-Air Market Largo Community Center
NOVEMBER 10
Community Health & Wellness Expo & 5K Run Our Lady of Lourdes Community Center We will have Walgreens Pharmacy from Patricia Ave. Dunedin giving flu shots, mini-classes for Alzheimers support, Fall Prevention, Medication Management, Yoga for all ages and Diabetes Education. Our Health Professionals will perform BP screenings and diabetic accue checks. FREE, class are 10:30am & 11:00am. 5K Run from 8am-12pm. FREE vendor samples and fabulous raffles! For information call Tricia Colin (727) 238-2382 or Lynn Fegadel (727) 744-7021. Our Lady of Lourdes Community Center is located at 750 San Salvador Dr. Dunedin 34698.
NOVEMBER 11 The Open-Air Market returns to the Community Center every Saturday through May 25th from 9amCity of Largo to Honor Veterans 2pm. Browse through a variety of fresh local produce Largo Central Park and food vendors, crafters, and jewelry artists. There The City of Largo will honor all veterans and active will be entertainment and plenty of family fun. duty personnel in a Veterans Day Ceremony on SunFor information call (727) 518-3131 or go to our day, November 11 at 7pm. This event will be held at website at LargoCommunityCenter.com. The Openthe Military Court of Honor in Largo Central Park Air Market is located at 400 Alt. Keene Rd. 33771. and will feature special music and a color guard preNOVEMBER 10 sentation. For information, visit LargoEvents.com or call New Volunteer Orientation (727)587-6775. Largo Central Park is located at 101 Heritage Village Central Park Dr, Largo 33771. Time is the most valuable thing a person can NOVEMBER 12 spend, and Heritage Village is offering the perfect opportunity for you to share yours. Learn about volunGobble Gobble Games Galore teering at a new volunteer orientation planned for Southwest Recreation Complex adults interested in becoming docents/tour Guides, Tom the Turkey invites you to his party. Play historic house caretakers and museum greeters. Oth-
games, create a craft, enjoy a snack and listen to a traditional holiday classic. Don’t forget to bring your camera! Registration required no later than Nov 5. 6-7pm. For more information visit PlayLargo.com or call (727) 518-3125. The Southwest Recreation Complex is located at 13120 Vonn Rd. Largo 33774. NOVEMBER 13
Not just a Senior Moment Memorial Hospital
“Is your memory loss normal aging or something more” is presented by Dr. Susan Steen, board certified psychiatrist and neurologist and on staff at Memorial. Come to the Memorial auditorium for a light lunch and this important seminar. FREE, 12-1pm. For information call (813) 342-1313. Memorial Hospital is located at 2901 Swann Ave. Tampa 33609. NOVEMBER 17
Farm City Day Heritage Village This is the kickoff event for Farm City Week, celebrated nationally each year during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. It was created to educate citizens about agriculture and to enhance links between rural and urban dwellers. Hands-on activities include making butter and ice cream from milk, squeezing fresh orange juice, playing old-time games and making agriculturally themed arts and crafts. 10am-2pm, FREE. For information call (727) 582-2123 or visit www. pinellascounty.org/heritage. Heritage Village is located at 11909 125th St., Largo 33774. NOVEMBER 17
Bachelors & Bells Friday Night Dances “Thanksgiving Dinner” Zenda Grotto Join us on the largest wooden floor in Tampa! Come with friends or meet someone new! For information call Bud Collins (813) 971-0817. The Zenda Grotto is located at 4450 W. Ohio Ave., Tampa 33614. NOVEMBER 20
Grief Support Group St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay Join us the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2 – 3pm for a time to come together and share experiences regarding loss, gain support and learn about the grief process. For information call Briana (813) 632-2443 or Linda (813) 632-2396. St. Joseph’s John Knox is located at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33613. NOVEMBER 21
Genealogy Show and Tell Faith Lutheran Church The monthly meeting of the West Pasco County Genealogical Society will be held at the Faith Lutheran Church at 2pm and will be “Show and Tell”. Some topics a few of the members will be discussing are: Saxon Germans in Transylvania, clan gathering, Wales and Wisteria Vine. Prior to the regular meeting, a mini seminar will be held at noon on “Source of Reference for Genealogy” presented by Debbe Hagner. There is a $5 member and $7 non-member charge for the mini-seminar and reservations are suggested.
NOVEMBER 2012
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Senior Happenings For information call (727) 271-0770. The Faith patient comes down to answer questions from the auLutheran Church is located at 5443 Sunset Rd., New dience about the surgery. If it sounds spectacular it is! For information and to RSVP call (727) 581-8706. Port Richey 34652. The Eye Institute of West Florida is located at 148 13th NOVEMBER 27 St. SW, Largo 33770.
Medication Checks Memorial Hospital
The last Tuesday of each month; bring your medications in and speak with our pharmacy staff about the medications you are taking, possible side effects or interactions and other drug-related questions; blood pressure and glucose screenings. Meet the team in Classroom 109-B. FREE, 9-10am. For information call (813) 342-1313. Memorial Hospital is located at 2901 Swann Ave. Tampa 33609. NOVEMBER 28
Caregiver Support Group St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay
DECEMBER 9
The Hot Club of San Francisco “Cool Yule Holiday Show” Largo Cultural Center
Fire up your holidays with a swinging gypsy wagon trip to the North Pole featuring many of your favorites DECEMBER 2 and some rarer seasonal gems. This dazzling holiday offering has something for everyone. Make this seaConcert with Eleonora Lvov, “Pianist” son bright with flames of gypsy jazz! Cabaret seating. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church 7pm, Tickets $26.50 or $29.50 at the door. St. Andrews Fine Arts Concert Series presents EleThe Largo Cultural Center is at 105 Central onora Lvov. Tickets $10 at the door and can be prepurchased at the church reception desk Monday Park Dr., Largo 3377. For information call (727) 5876793 and online at LargoArts.com. through Friday. For information call (813) 634-1252 or Judy Voothees (813) 642-8125. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is located at 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W., Sun City Center 33573.
DECEMBER 5 If you are caring for a spouse, close friend or sibling, please join us each last Wednesday of the month Parkinson’s Support Group from 6 – 7pm for a support group to help cope with St. Joseph’s John Knox Tampa Bay the stress and receive support from other caregivers. Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month from For information call Michele (813) 632-2306. St. 1– 2 pm for educational, emotional and social support Joseph’s John Knox is located at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., for those living with Parkinson’s. Family, friends & Tampa 33613. caregivers are welcome. For information call Briana (813) 632-2443 or NOVEMBER 30 Linda (813) 632-2396. St. Joseph’s John Knox is locat“Christmas in the Americas” Concert ed at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33613.
St. Stephen Catholic Church
The Christmas Holiday is an ecclesiastical holiday revered in the hearts of every Hispanic –American. It is steeped with traditions dating back hundreds of years, and is greeted every year with such anticipation, careful planning, and mystical symbolism that it’s become a celebration like no other. Set aside some time this holiday season to reflect on what this time of the year really means. Come and celebrate this holiday and join us in concert and travel thru eight Latin American countries (Argentina, Peru, Columbia, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico). Celebrate the ever beautiful Hispanic Christmas Customs and traditions, and singing of Traditional Christmas songs in Spanish and English. 7:30pm, tickets $12 or $15 at the door. For information call George Miecyjak (813) 5411690. St Stephen Catholic Church is located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico 33596. NOVEMBER 30
“Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery & Eyelid Cancers” Memorial Hospital
Presented by Dr. Geoffrey Kwitko, board certified ophthalmologist and on staff at Memorial Hospital. Join us for a light lunch and this informative presentation. FREE, 12-1pm. For information call (813) 342-1313. Memorial Hospital is located at 2901 Swann Ave. Tampa 33609. DECEMBER 3
“Live” Cataract Surgery Seminar Eye Institute of West Florida At our “Live” cataract seminar guests will learn about the decisions they may have to make when faced with having cataract surgery. These “Live” events are quite unique. A live signal, in 3-D, is fed from our OR to a viewing audience wearing 3-D glasses. The surgery is over in minutes. Afterwards, the
DECEMBER 8
A Big Band Christmas “ The 10 O’Clock Swing Band” Largo Cultural Center Come see the best 18-piece big band in the area perform a special holiday show in swinging style. Your toes will tap and hands will clap as this band plays swinging holiday music for dancing your listening enjoyment. Cabaret seating with dance floor. 2pm, tickets $24.50 or $29.50 at the door. The Largo Cultural Center is at 105 Central Park Dr., Largo 3377. For information call (727) 5876793 and online at LargoArts.com. DECEMBER 8
Santa-Comes-to-the-South Holiday Antique Show Catherine Hickman Theater Winter weather elsewhere may be frightful, but in Florida it can be SO delightful, especially when enjoying an antiques and collectibles show highlighting vintage Christmas décor and memorabilia! Exhibitors will be selling old Christmas décor (everything from old ornaments to vintage aluminum Christmas trees) and other vintage fun holiday stuff, there will be screenings of oldie holiday flicks, and even a presentation on Collecting Vintage Christmas to get you started on your own collection! 10am5pm, $5. For information call (727) 421-0441. The Catherine Hickman Theater is located at 5501 27th Ave. S. Gulfport 33707.
Happy Thanksgiving from
Senior Voice America,
From Our Family to Yours!
Email Your Senior Happenings to: Happenings@Seniorvoiceamerica.com
The Deadline for the December Issue is November 14th
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Monday-Friday From
4 to 5 pm on 1250am WHNZ
Ask the Experts: Attorneys, Physicians, Financial Planners and more! with Your Host
Evan Gold
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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AROUND THE HOME
By Ro Martinez An accident or serious illness may leave you partially or completely disabled, taking away your independence. Simple activities such as opening a door or picking up something off the floor may become an impossible task. Lack of independence can take away your dignity and leave you feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or even depressed. Service dogs, such as therapy dogs, sugar dogs or guide dogs, can provide the assistance needed to live independently and can enrich your life. Service dogs are truly “man’s best friend.” They provide security and companionship. Health benefits include:
• Controlling blood pressure
• Extending your life
• Relieving stress
• Giving unconditional love
• Improving your mood
• Encouraging walking
• Providing opportunities to
meet others on walks
My own 6-pound Yorkie does the above and more as part of our family. Elizabeth Scott, M.S. wrote for About.com Guide, “It’s important to realize that owning a pet isn’t for everyone. Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks. Having a furry best friend can reduce stress in your life and bring you support when times get tough.”
Special Offer Paula, owner of Sugar Dogs International, Inc., offers wellness coaching for diabetics and disabled persons. Together with Florida Poodle Rescue, Inc., Paula offers a Seniors Helping Seniors program placing older poodles with seniors. “If Senior Voice readers apply for a poodle via their website, please list Sugar Dogs International, Inc. as the source of information. Sugar Dogs International, Inc., will offer readers an opportunity to win Sugar Dog training, their internationally trademarked training course valued at $7,500.00. For more information, send
email to MySugarDogs@ gmail.com and reference Senior Voice in the subject line. We’ll respond with an application. A “frequently asked questions” page is available on our website at www.SugarDogs.org.” Check out available poodles at www.FloridaPoodleRescue.org. Diane Houser, Wyatt’s owner (dog photographed), shared, “Wyatt is a volunteer therapy dog for Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People), a nonprofit organization which promotes the use of therapeutic dogs and cats in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Wyatt had to undergo a comprehensive screening to make sure he displayed a good temperament in order to receive his certification. Wyatt makes the rounds to residents who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes & crutches and enjoys providing affection and comfort to those who are ail-
©Angela Mann Photography
Service Dogs
ing.” For information about volunteering with your pet, please go to www.projectpup.net.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Who Said Florida Was a Swing State? Not Senior Voice America Readers By Timm Harmon First, let us thank all of you for the number of survey responses we received, and for the passion many of you have for this very important election. I think we all will agree this has been one of the most contentious campaigns we can remember. Another thing I would hope we could all agree upon is that it would be nice to see a change in the political scene where politicians would campaign on their own merits as opposed to tearing down their opponent. It would be refreshing to see both sides share their vision for the future. What our survey shows us is surprising, given what we see on TV. It would appear our readers are not being counted by the major pollsters, as Governor Romney received a landslide victory in this poll.
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What we found interesting was the change from the way our readers voted in the 2008 election versus their plans for this year. While the percentages for Mr. Romney are higher in 2012 than they were for Senator McCain in 2008, the surprise was the lost ground for President Obama. 20% of Obama supporters from 2008 will instead cast their votes for Romney in this election. 5% of the 2008 Obama supporters will instead vote for “Someone Else” this election. Also interesting, was the trend amongst nonvoters in the 2008 election. While President Obama did pick up supporters who were unable to vote in 2008, it was not enough to make up for Mr. Romney receiving two and a half times as many votes from voters that did not vote in 2008. The fact that Mr. Romney picked up 20% of voters who reported they voted for President Obama in 2008 is consistent in the answers to some of our other questions. Here are some specific examples. On Foreign Policy, President Obama’s highest
mark, only 31% of the respondents approve of the President’s handling of U.S. affairs abroad, while 62% disapproved a great deal. The view on the overall economy is where we saw our biggest surprise. In our poll, 25% stated they thought the economy in the country today was actually better than in 2008. Needless to say, that went along party lines, but we were surprised none the less.
President Obama’s handling of the economy in general seems to be his biggest stumbling block amongst voters, with 65% of the respondents showing they “Disapprove a great deal” and only 30% saying they approved at all. So, based on our reader survey, President Obama, while receiving 30% of the votes, could not garner that high of a percentage in approval of the Obama economy or his handling of Foreign Policy, which was viewed slightly better than he handled the money. Clearly, in this poll readers responded with their pocket books. Whether you agree or disagree with the poll results, the readers of Senior Voice America let their voices be heard. If our readers are any indication of how the election turns out, it will be a much different election night for President and Mrs. Obama. With the senior population growing faster than any other group in the U.S., politicians are going to have to start paying closer attention to what you want and deserve. Again, we want to thank all of you for participating and we encourage you all to get out and vote, because it is what makes the United States of America the greatest nation on earth.714-0600
Need a ride to the polls? Call today…
Democrat Republican Hillsborough (813) 837-1600 (813) 657-6499 Manatee (941) 761-8385 (941) 756-0577 Pasco (727) 844-3367 (727) 863-5400 Pinellas (727) 327-2796 (727) 539-6009 Polk (863) 450-2175 (863) 940-2833 Sarasota (941) 330-9400 (941) 677-8633
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
SENIOR DATING for the holidays
Love List
How to Build Your By Kathleen Stasia
As the holiday season approaches with the sounds of shoppers bustling through the stores, do you find yourself still waiting in line for LOVE?
Hoping??? Wishing??? Waiting??? Step Out Of Line For The Love Of Your Life. Step out, stand up, and make your love life fit your wildest dreams. There are many places to meet senior singles – through relatives and friends, local bars, clubs, on-line dating, work, place of worship, and professional dating services. Kathleen, a professional and personal matchmaker with Tampa/Sarasota/Naples Singles asks, “Are you endlessly searching and constantly being disappointed?” She suggests you give yourself a gift for the holidays. Take action, activate your imagination, call Tampa/Sarasota/Naples Singles, and experience the difference in dating eligible, screened and qualified senior singles who like to have fun – no games, no one-night stands and no drama. The company does all the work for you, screening for drug and/or alcohol problems and conducting criminal background checks for felonies and anti-social behavior Here are Kathleen’s helpful hints on how to build your love list, but don’t forget to check it twice. 1.
Vision – choose carefully; know what you like and what you do not like. 2. Define your realistic desires and dreams. 3. Start writing your list. Cut out words and pictures from magazines and newspapers and paste them on your list. 4. Contact & Share your list with Kathleen 5. Celebrate – let your heart be open to the warmth and compassion for that special someone.
Your meaningful, committed, long-lasting relationship and the love of your life all begin with one phone call at 813-753-8230. The company offers complimentary interviews with a professional and personal matchmaker and a stocking filled with holiday cheer. Don’t forget your love list, and you can share the beauty, peace and joy of this holiday season with the love of your life!
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
FINANCES
Debt Relief for Seniors, Veterans and Disabled Who Have Student Loans Even though student loans are rarely discharged by bankruptcy, Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled has been successful in helping many seniors, veterans and disabled individuals with their own student loans or with student loans they co-signed. Generally speaking, there are two categories of student loans: government backed student loans (federal loans) and private student loans. Prior to 2005, private student loans could be discharged in bankruptcy, but since the 2005 changes to the bankruptcy code, bankruptcy does not automatically discharge either type of loan. However, in some limited circumstances, private and federal student loans can be eliminated or forgiven due to hardship or permanent and total disability. Private student loans are very profitable for lenders. Due to current bankruptcy laws, they are virtually guaranteed to be repaid, even if it takes
the student (or co-signer) his or her whole life to repay the debt. The interest rates and fees on private student loans can be as financially burdensome as credit card debt. Since there is little government regulation of these loans, there is no limit to the amount a student can borrow. Imagine charging a college education on a credit card with no spending limit! Private loans are similar to just that, except that consumer credit card debt can be discharged when a debtor files for bankruptcy. If you’re wondering if there is debt relief for private student loans that does not involve bankruptcy, the answer is yes, especially for DCSD clients. You can learn more about addressing both private and government loans by calling DCSD at 800-992-3275 or visiting www.debtcounsel.net.
Šbigstockphoto.com
By James Salvatore Giardina, Supervising Attorney, DCSD
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
ASK OUR ATTORNEY
Discuss These Instructions with Successor Trustees
By Joe Pippen So, you’ve taken all the necessary steps to develop a living trust. What a great idea! But, your work is not yet finished. It’s important to provide instructions to your successor trustee to make sure they understand what should happen upon your death. There is no exact list of the duties of the trustee upon the death of the grantor. The basic duties of the successor trustee are to collect the assets, to pay the bills, and to distribute the assets. The following is a brief checklist of some items to consider: 1. Assist as needed in funeral arrangements, etc. 2. Inform family and other beneficiaries of your position and send them copies of the trust. 3. Order enough certified copies of the death certificate to transfer assets and advise fi- nancial institutions that you are now the trustee. 4. Consult with an attorney to insure all procedures are being carried out correctly. 5. Visit the bank of the deceased and provide a death certificate so that you may begin writing checks on the trust account. 6. Apply for tax ID number for the estate. 7. Notify Social Security, retirement plans, and insurance companies of the death and make arrangements to collect death benefits. 8. Make a complete inventory of the estate. 9. Collect all bills and start a ledger of accounts payable. 10. Start ledger of accounts receivable. 11. Make arrangements for the final income tax and estate taxes, if any, to be paid. 12. Transfer or make arrangements for the sale of any real estate in the trust. 13. Coordinate the transfer of any assets from the will to the trust. 14. Make a final accounting record of all assets, receipts and disbursements. All beneficia- ries should receive a copy. 15. Pay remaining bills and taxes. 16. Distribute the assets in the trust. Once all the assets have been collected, all the bills and taxes have been paid, all the assets have been distributed, and all the beneficiaries have signed a final release, the trust is dissolved and the successor trustee’s job is complete. Although this is something you might not want to think about now, assisting with this process before your death will serve as a final gift to the one you’ve selected to serve in your stead one day in the future. For more information on trusts and other estate planning matters, call Joseph F. Pippin, Jr. & Associates at 727-586-3306 x216
Ask Our Attorney! This is a Regular Feature in Senior Voice America.
Do you have a legal question or concern? We are here to help.
Attorney Joe Pippen will answer your questions right here every month.
You can send your questions to us two different ways. Email: editor@seniorvoiceamerica.com or mail to Senior Voice, 8406 Benjamin Rd., Suite G, Tampa, FL 33634
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Continued From Page 1 such a conversion could be well over $100,000. The good news is that there is a program that you can use to help minimize any tax liabilities over your lifetime. It is called a Roth Roll-Out and it can be very helpful if you are concerned about future tax rates or if you want to create what could be an Income TaxFree retirement. Unfortunately, not many people have heard about this valuable tool. A Roth Roll-Out is a program that can potentially minimize the amount of taxes you will pay over your lifetime. It does so by converting funds from an IRA to a Roth at a specific amount each year. The program is key to formulating the amount of money that should be converted and how much to convert. In my opinion it is seldom prudent to convert your entire IRA to a Roth, but there is a “right” amount based on several factors such as your age, income and amount of money in your retirement accounts. For example, let’s say you have $650,000 in a 401(k) or an IRA and you are 68 years old. You have a pension of $2,000 a month and you and your spouse have a combined Social Security of $30,000 per year. You are retired and living on $75,000 per year. In this situation you would be receiving $54,000 a year from Social Security and your pension. Let’s say you are taking the additional $21,000 from your IRAs or from non-IRA accounts (recognizing you will have to take minimum distributions from your IRA accounts when you turn 70½). The income from the IRA, combined with the other income, could put you in a 25 percent to 28 percent tax bracket, causing a significant tax each year. If you chose to do a Roth Roll-Out by converting funds from the IRA to a Roth, any funds taken from the Roth in the future would be income tax free (there is a 5-year waiting period for Roths). In this case, your taxable income would be simply your pension, $24,000 per year. Since a couple that makes less than $32,000 per year in reportable income does not have to pay taxes on their Social Security, your only taxable income in this case is $24,000 a year. Your actual income is $75,000 but your reportable income for income tax purposes is only $24,000 and you and your spouse will pay little or no income tax. You have gone from a potentially high tax bracket of 25 percent to 28 percent down to an essentially income tax free retirement! And the other good news is that your children will not have to pay taxes on your Roth as beneficiaries of that account, which is not the case with an IRA or 401(k). The key here is converting your IRA’s to a Roth in a manner that will help minimize your lifetime taxes, and this is where the Roth Roll-Out comes in. If you have questions on the Roth Roll-Out program or the advantages of a Roth IRA, just give us a call and we can help you analyze your situation. A Roth Roll-Out is not for everyone, but it certainly is worth considering! If you would like to receive future articles from Robert Harwood or schedule a free second opinion to review your retirement portfolio, please call our office at (727) 524-1427 and ask for Celine, or email us at Info@HarwoodFinancailGroup.com and we will schedule you at one of our four convenient locations in the Tampa Bay area. To learn more about Robert and his company, please visit our web site at www.HarwoodFinancialGroup.com. You can also listen live to Robert weekly on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. on Senior Voice America’s “Health, Wealth & Wisdom” radio program on 1250 AM radio, WHNZ. Harwood Financial Group is an independent firm with securities offered through Trustmont Financial Group, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Trustmont Advisory Group, Inc., 200 Brush Run Road, Suite A, Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-468-5665 Harwood Financial Group is not affiliated with Trustmont Financial or Trustmont Advisory Group, Inc.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
FINANCES
BE PROACTIVE FOR A SUCCESSFUL
Active Senior Living Community In the Heart of Downtown St. Petersburg
RETIREMENT
Bayfront Physicians Associates Health Fair & Luncheon November 16th at noon RSVP 727-894-6788
All Inclusive...Three Chef Prepared Meals Daily • Housekeeping Services Life Enrichment Programs • Bring Your Pet: New Dog Park Wellness Center OnSite Non-Evacuation Community • Heated Pool and Sun Deck • On-Site Art Studio Community Garden & Garden Club • Transportation Available Walk to Museums and Cafes • State of the Art Media Center/Game Room
411 First Ave. N • St. Petersburg, FL 33701
RESULTS
By Jon Lynn
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
(727) 894-6788 • www.theprincessmartha.com
In America today, only five out of every 100 people beginning their employment will be able to retire at normal retirement age without suffering a drop in lifestyle. Why is this so in the world’s wealthiest nation? The sad truth is that we are not proactive in our retirement planning; we are generally passive and rely on others. This is not surprising. When, in our academic careers, are we taught to understand and manage the money we will earn over our working careers? Generally, the answer is never. Over the years that my daughters were in school, I taught at parent teachin day from elementary school through high school. Invariably, at the end of the session the teacher would let me know how much they had learned from the discussion. There are several factors that dramatically effect successful retirement planning and implementation.
TIME TIME is the most critical factor. To retire securely, you must begin taking action early in your career when time is working for us rather than waiting until time is working against us. The problem is that, when we are young, retirement is decades away and we have plenty of time. Since people tend to live monthly, I explain time in months rather than years. This makes saving for retirement less daunting.
HOW MUCH HOW MUCH you put aside when you are younger for the older retiree you wish to become is crucial. As we know, life tends to get in the way of all our plans. We start families, encounter setbacks and tend to be reactive rather than proactive. We are prone to spending money on what we want rather than what we actually need. Adhering to a budget becomes more like going on a diet or a New Year’s resolution.
INVESTMENT RESULTS, whether positive or negative, have dramatically effected a successful retirement, as we have seen over the past “lost decade” in the stock and real estate markets. When we retire, it is imperative that we get more defensive with our investment strategy. The Rule of 72, as understood by America’s first millionaire, Ben Franklin, called compound interest plus time “the eighth wonder of the world.” Simply divide the number 72 by the interest your investments learn to determine how long it will take for your money to double. For example, if you earn eight percent, 72 divided by 8 equals 9 years to double. Today, money in a bank earning one percent takes 72 years to double!
TAXES TAXES also impact a successful retirement plan. Income taxes on most qualified retirement plans, like IRAs and 401(k)s, must be accounted for. Although contributions are tax deductible over time, taxes are due at retirement after the accounts have grown to substantially larger amounts. With children grown and homes paid off, deductions are limited at retirement. Usually, the government recovers the total taxes saved over 40 years in only four to six years and you continue to pay until the accounts are expended. If you are financially successful, estate taxes can significantly reduce what you pass on to your heirs, many times reducing what you have accumulated by 50 percent, truly a “success tax!” Just as one has to be proactive medically to ensure good health; you must be financially proactive to provide good wealth. Jon Lynn is a resident of the Florida since 1950 and a veteran of the US Navy. He worked in social services for 10 years and then in financial services since 1983. He has conducted numerous seminars for retiree organizations.
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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MEDICARE ENROLLMENT
WILL YOU ACT NOW OR ACCEPT YOUR FATE? It sounds dramatic, but consider this: If you don’t review your Medicare coverage during open enrollment this year – at a time when the program is at its most critical turning point yet – you are setting yourself up for 12 months of passive acceptance to changes and surprises you’ll never see coming. Working your way through Medicare choices is never something you should attempt alone, but it’s even more critical that you consult with an industry insurance expert as the changes from the Affordable Health Care Act come into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. These changes are already locked down, and are coming no matter who is sitting in the White House, so you really need to understand what is happening to your coverage, your formularies and your wallet. We cannot express the urgency enough. You have until Dec. 7 to get help, make your choices and secure your coverage for 2013. If you do not heed these deadlines and avoid reviewing your policy, we can almost guarantee you will pay more for coverage and get less for it. As informed Insurance agents, we spend hours each week reviewing and studying the changes to the plans as well as how the changes will affect you, our clients. The complexities of Medicare options can be confusing and to receive
©bigstockphoto.com
By Hilary Zaragoza & David Demus, Insurance Advisors, American Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor
the coverage that works best for you contact us today! Make your call today. Do not wait. Hilary Zaragoza, David Demus and their team of licensed insurance agents at American Senior Benefits, Palm Harbor can be reached at 1-877-864-0263.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
From Pg. 17 ication on a daily basis, you can see how quickly those costs can add up. So, in the end, with our strategy, your out of pocket expenditures for Plavix (generic) for the entire year -$105 every 3 months times 4 quarters -will equal $420. This yearly out of pocket cost is the same that you will pay using a Medicare Part-D plan since your co-pay to purchase Plavix equals a copay of $105 times four quarters, or a total yearly expenditure of $420, but if you purchase prescriptions outside of Medicare, you will prevent applying any money towards the Medicare Part D donut hole, therefore saving that money for other needed medications. If you keep your out-of pocket expenses under $1,770, you’ve beaten the donut hole, and even if you get there eventually, you’ve still dramatically increased your buying power and the quantity of prescriptions you can fill without allowing Medicare to bill against your policy at the full retail price for the most expensive drugs.
How We Keep our Prices Low Canadian Meds of St. Pete is a facilitator for people to order drugs safely and legally, directly from the manufacturer, at a 30 to 70 percent discount off the U.S. price. Our medications are shipped directly to the customer from the place of manufacture, usually England, Pakistan, Singapore, India, or Turkey. While some of our medications are made in Canada and here in America as well, people may be surprised to know that the vast majority of meds they take are made overseas. Because of that, there’s no difference between our medications and what you would purchase locally. Everything we sell is safe, legal, and FDA approved. We can order name brand as well as generic medications, and your purchase is dictated by what your doc-
Tune in to 1250 am WHNZ Monday-Friday from 4 to 5pm. As Publisher Evan Gold brings you information to live an active mature lifestyle.
Senior Voice America tor has written on your prescription. We do not and cannot order anything without a prescription. The average delivery time for our orders is 2-5 weeks, depending on customs, so we ask that patients have their doctor write their script for a 90-day supply plus refills. That keeps patients from constantly having to re-order their medications and ensures that they don’t risk running out before their next order arrives. Our company has been in business for over 10 years with multiple locations
throughout Florida. Our goal now is the same as when we started, which is to help people save money on the high cost of medication. That includes Medicare patients, private insurance patients, and those with no insurance at all. Canadian Meds of St. Pete is located at 5545 Park St. North, St. Petersburg, in the Eagles Park Shopping Center next to Publix. 727-498-6432.
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Senior Voice America NOVEMBER 2012
Entertainment LEGALLY BLOND the MUSICAL
Eight O’ Clock Theatre November 2-18 College sweetheart and sorority star Elle Woods doesn’t take no for answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone serious, Elle sets out where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law School. Based on the hit movie, Legally Blonde The Musical was nominated for 7 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards and winner of Best New Musical at the 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards in London. This all singing, all dancing feel good musical is about knowing who you are and showing what you’ve got! It’s one Elle of a show! Thur-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm, $25.50. The Eight O’ Clock Theatre is located at the Largo Cultural Center at 105 Central Park Dr., Largo 3377. For information call (727) 587-6793 and online at LargoArts.com. FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 November 9 10 11 Immerse yourself in Vaughan Williams’ touching prayer and plea for peace, Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace), with its angelic and gossamer hymn-like moments contrasting with the surging and percussive passages reflecting the threats of the world around us...on a program with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7. Featuring The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Gerard Schwarz conducts. For locations and ticket information call (727)892-3337 or (800) 662-7286.
whose lyrics and melodies still seem fresh and right. 2pm, tickets $12-$15. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 791-7400. AGATHA CHRISTIE’S “THE BBC MURDERS”
Capital Theatre November 12 Lost during the London Blitz and post-war reconstruction, four rediscovered Agatha Christie gems from the BBC Mystery Series come to life for the first time on a Florida stage. 8pm, tickets $40-$55. The Capitol Theatre is located at 405 Cleveland St. Clearwater 33755. For information call (727) 441-2863. REGINA SPEKTOR
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 15 Regina Spektor is on tour in support of her latest release “What We Saw From The Cheap Seats.” Since emerging on the NYC café circuit in 2001, this Russian-born, Bronx-bred artist has been hailed as a truly special talent. With an uninhibited imagination and acute sense of detail both in music and words, Regina Spektor has gone from practicing on an out of tune piano in the basement of her local synagogue to hypnotizing small crowds in NYC’s lower East Side to selling out venues like New York’s Radio City Music Hall worldwide. 8pm, tickets $39.50-$49.50. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 7917400.
GLEN FRY
The Odd Couple
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 10
Loca Lee Buckner Theatre November 15-December 2
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Frey delivers an enticing mix of Eagles hits, solo hits and selections from his sixth and most recent solo album, After Hours, a collection of classic love songs. 8pm, tickets $59.50-$125. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 7917400.
“The Odd Couple: Female Version” is a tongue-in-cheek tale of two utterly mismatched roommates – Florence Ungar and Olive Madison. This estrogenfilled spinoff of Simon’s original, comic masterpiece elaborates the inevitably riotous drama that arises when a slob and neat-freak embrace. 7:30pm The Loca Lee Buckner Theatre is located at Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland 33801. For information call (800) 2744131.
CLEARWATER CHORUS: GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 11 Join us as we remember and celebrate Irving Berlin the American giant, the gifted composer who wrote the patriotic song for WWII that set America singing for more than 80 years and
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTmas
Wezel Hall November 16 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favor-
ite holiday celebration for over 25 years. Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Don’t miss this ultimate holiday tradition from the #1 Christmas music artist in history! 8PM, tickets $60-$85. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. LOU GRAMM
The Lakeland Center November 17 Powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Lou Gramm can be heard each and every day, all over the world, on Radio, iPods, CD players, television commercials, music videos, and of course… jukeboxes. He has become the voice of a generation. Among the most distinctive and powerful voices to emerge from Rock and Top 40 radio, Gramm – the lead vocalist and co-writer of the multi-platinum band Foreigner – as well as a successful solo artist in his own right – remains one of the most recognizable performers in music today. 8pm, tickets #31-$43. The Lakeland Center is located at 701 West Lime St., Lakeland 33815. For information call (863) 834-8111. AARON LEWIS
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 18 Aaron Lewis received rave reviews for his inaugural country music project, Town Line, a solo EP that debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart last year. In addition, his debut single, Country Boy, was certified gold and had multiple award nominations. Now, Lewis hits the road in support of his upcoming album release, The Road, due next month. 7:30pm, tickets $27.50-$135.50. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 7917400. A Musical Compass
Branscomb Auditorium November 19 Explore the far reaches of the globe with the Florida Southern College Chamber Singers as they present music from Iceland, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Directed by Beth
Gibbs, this concert will take you in many directions as it introduces the varied musical heritage and performance traditions of our world. Come enjoy the ultimate in “armchair travel.” 7:30pm, tickets $18. Branscomb Auditorium is located at Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland 33801. For information call (800) 274-4131. ASIA
Capitol Theatre November 20 After more than 30 years in the recording industry, the original lineup of progressive rock supergroup Asia brings their latest tour to the Capitol Theatre in the Cleveland Street District in Downtown Clearwater. The band will perform their debut album Asia, in it’s entirety. Asia’s self titled debut release became the biggest selling album of 1982 spawning several Top 10 singles and sales exceeding 7 million copies. 7:30pm, tickets $69-$85. The Capitol Theatre is located at 405 Cleveland St. Clearwater 33755. For information call (727) 441-2863. DAVE KOZ and FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR
Van Wezel Hall November 23 A cherished holiday tradition marking its 15th anniversary, is an uplifting, high-energy show the whole family will love. Get into the holiday spirit as some of music’s biggest and brightest names jam on fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites, led by multiGRAMMY® nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz. 8pm, tickets $30-$65. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. FLORIDA ORCHESTRA “POP SERIES”
Magical Movie Music November 23 24 25 Experience the drama, excitement and thrill of fabulous film favorites performed live from both silver screen classics and more recent blockbusters... Casablanca, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Harry Potter and more. Jeff Tyzik conducts. For locations and ticket information call (727)892-3337 or (800) 662-7286.
NOVEMBER 2012
Senior Voice America
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Entertainment DAVE KOZ and FRIENDS CHRISTMAS
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 24 An uplifting, high-energy show for the whole family. Saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz, pianist-composer David Benoit, winner of The Voice Javier Colon, and drummer/percussionist/ vocalist Sheila E. jam on fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites. Introducing Margo Rey. 8pm, tickets $48-$85. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 7917400. CLAY AIKEN’S “JOYFULL NOISE TOUR 2012”
Van Wezel Hall November 24 This concert is full of holiday classics and backed by a 20 piece orchestra. Clay first made waves in 2003 as the first runner up on American Idol, winning over the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. Since then, Clay has become a top-selling recording artist, starred on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot, released numerous hit CDs, and was the runner the first runner-up on NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice. 8pm, tickets $30-$60. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. TFO: MAGICAL MOVIE EXPERIENCE
Ruth Eckerd Hall November 25 Experience the drama, excitement and thrill of fabulous film favorites performed live from both silver screen classics and more recent blockbusters... Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, Pink Panther, Dr. Zhivago, Rocky, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Harry Potter and more. 7:30pm, tickets $17.50-$47.50. Ruth Eckerd Hall is located at 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 33759. For information call (727) 7917400. MICHAEL BOLTON
Van Wezel Hall November 30 An unforgettable evening with Michael Bolton – the multi-Grammy award-winning, iconic voice on over 53 million records sold, with hits like “When a Man Loves a Woman”, “How am I Supposed to Live Without You”, “Time, Love and Tenderness,” “How Can We be Lovers”, “Georgia on my Mind”, and many more! 8pm, tickets
$30-$100. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
Brahms’ Double Concerto November 30-December 12 The dynamic duo of Karen Gomyo and Christian Poltéra perform Brahms’ dramatic and virtuosic Concerto for Violin and Cello on this program with Brahms’ delightfully bouyant Academic Festival Overture and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, overflowing with an insistent, driving and dramatic panorama of orchestral rhythms, colors and themes. Joshua Weilerstein conducts. For locations and ticket information call (727)892-3337 or (800) 662-7286. THE OAK RIDGE BOYS CHRISTMAS TIME’S A COMING TOUR
Van Wezel Hall December 4 This show combines classic hits and holiday favorites, is sure to spice up your holiday season. The Oaks’ infamous four-part harmonies have spawned dozens of country hits, including Elvira, Bobbie Sue, Gonna Take A Lot Of River and many others. The Oaks bring four decades of charted singles and 50 years of tradition to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere! 8pm, tickets $35-$55. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676. THE KINGS of SWING
Van Wezel Hall December 5 Over recent years Swing music and the big band sound has become extremely popular with the public. The Kings of Swing is a live concert featuring the Kings of Swing Orchestra and presenting some of the best swing vocalists currently performing throughout Europe today. A contemporary swing show that celebrates all things swing! 8pm, tickets $30-$45. Van Wezel Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 955-7676 SAWYER BROWN
The Lakeland Center December 7 Known for such country top ten classics as “Some Girls Do,” “The Dirt Road,” “Hard To Say,” “Step That Step,”
“This Time,” “The Boys & Me,” “Thank God For You” and “The Walk,” Sawyer Brown has come a long way from their hometown of Apopka, Florida. To date, Sawyer Brown has released twenty studio albums with several achieving gold record status. 8pm, tickets$25.50-$50. The Lakeland Center is located at 701 West Lime St., Lakeland 33815. For information call (863) 834-8111.
When It Comes to Entertaining
FLORIDA ORCHESTRA
Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 December 7, 8, 9 Xavier Phillips performs Prokofiev’s landmark cello work Sinfonia Concertante contrasting its fiendishly difficult soloist passages with hauntingly eloquent interplay with the orchestra...in an evening that also features Schubert’s noble and majestic Symphony No. 9, The Great. Julian Kuerti conducts. For locations and ticket information call (727)892-3337 or (800) 662-7286. ANNIE
The Players Theatre December 6-16 It’s 1933 and the always hopeful, 11 year old Annie and her dog Sandy are off on an adventure to find her parents. This delightful and heartwarming musical with Music by Charles Strous, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan opened in 1977 and was nominated for 11 Tony awards and 35 years later is just as inspiring and clever as ever! $25 per ticket. The Players Theatre is located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. For information call (941) 365-2494. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS “THE CHRITSMAS GALA”
Branscomb Auditorium December 8 Join the FSC Music Department as students and faculty ring in the holiday season with the traditional Christmas Gala, aptly named “Home for the Holidays.” Interspersed with a full array of student ensembles and soloists, special guest performers will include alumni returning to their FSC home. Also featured will be the uniquely beautiful FSC rendition of “O Holy Night.” 7:30pm, tickets $18. Branscomb Auditorium is located at Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland 33801. For information call (800) 274-4131.
Get out from behind your mask and list your Event for Free right here on the Senior Voice ENTERTAINMENT PAGES! Email your event information no later than the 15th of the month for the following month listings to: entertainment@ seniorvoiceamerica.com
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Senior to Senior Woman Seeking Man European born widow, 65 yrs. old, 5’4” smoker, good looking, good shape. Seeking tall gentleman for fun, friendship, going out, movies, and travel. Holiday (727) 505-3137. Lady seeks active gent 70 yrs. young. WD W C F NS ND 5’2”, swims, dancing, hikes, movies, holistic. Palm Harbor (727) 947-2191. I am a single widowed 62 yrs. woman, looking for a serious relationship. Down to earth, love dancing, enjoy outdoor living. Serious and honest man. Hispanic preferred. Tampa (813) 842-8240. W WD H Petite, 82 yrs. old, younger looking, sincere, affectionate. SOH ISO good nature, playful man of substance (Hispanic) and presence. Late 70’s+, aries, aquarius, or Capricorn. Largo (727) 392-4086. Youthful, slender, and happy seeking the best man God has for me, 55-80, young at heart, looking to have a happy life together, no rent to pay, dance a little, and be happy. Largo (727) 584-8926. I am 62 yrs. old, attractive, WD W C. I’m very energetic, bowling, movies, walking, exercise, biking. Looking for male with similar interests. Ages between 58 & 65. No games. Oldsmar (727) 687-9061. Very fit, young 73 yrs., WD B F ISO gentleman, 62-70, 5’9” or taller who enjoys life, very positive, active, retired, financially secure and enjoys traveling. Wesley Chapel (813) 994-3432. Must like Jacuzzi, swimming, NCIS, wheel of fortune, day trips and sr. center. Ages 70-79, would like to go to the dog track. From Ireland and England. 5’6”, blonde hair, uses walker. St. Pete (727) 368-7151. WD W Lady 4’7”, 108 lbs. ISO Gentleman, 78-85 yrs. old, who likes movies, dining out, music, walking, and has a SOH. Tampa (813) 397-0417. F W D 65, 5’2” ISO gentleman, 65-75 for friendship and
Senior to Senior™ Mail to: Senior Voice America 8406 Benjamin Rd., Ste G, Tampa, FL 33634 Email: sr2sr@seniorvoiceamerica.com Fax: (813) 422-7966
Meet that Someone Special with a FREE listing in Senior to Senior
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companionship. Someone to go out with, travel, etc. Life is too short to stay alone. Palm Harbor (727) 786-7263. D W F seeking gentleman 50’s to 60’s who is outgoing with a great SOH. Enjoys dancing, travelling and must be financially secure. I am a very attractive petite lady with a vivacious personality. Clearwater (727) 474-5040. Life is too short, single Latin lady 64 yrs. young, looking for Jewish gentleman for serious relationship. I am fun to be with, active, loyal, and no games. Clearwater (727) 480-7700. Very attractive B S F C, long hair 5’8” 176 lbs. very active ISO S C M NS white or black who wants romance and passion in his life. No games, 58 to 65 yrs. old, please be honest. Tampa (813) 390-0727. Lady C W S NS 5’5” 140 lbs., 69 yrs. old. ISO LTR with C W S M NS 70-75 for dancing, church, flea markets, travel, beach. Email @ cooperrose8@aol.com, Largo (727) 247-9253. I am 64 yrs. old, 5’2”, weigh 153 lbs., want to meet an honest man. Like to enjoy life, and doing things like bowling, dancing, movies, dining out, and even going to flea markets. (727) 560-1201. Healthy S J F, 69, ISO J M 65-75. I’m an unencumbered NS, homeowner looking for same. Email me at BKLE68Z@tampabay.rr.com. Romantic, slim, long hair lady ISO NS ND love bird. LTR to do everything together, like go to church, cooking, walking, travelling, grocery shopping, wash car. 58-63. Largo (727) 488-7420. F WD W LTR, love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go. If you are all above me, call me. In love with life, love nascar, baseball, and the beach. Life is too short to waste. Largo (727) 481-4842.
man Seeking WOMan
EMAIL: sr2sr@seniorvoiceamerica.com
I am looking for you. Be 65+, height-weight proportioned and triple S if you know what I mean. I am 5’9” and 170 lbs. You must also be romantic and a good dresser. Thank you. Tarpon Springs (727) 992-2342. Looking for a lady to take care of my home and prepare my meals. Must live in house, call for information. Sun City (727) 724-4424. I am a S W M, upper 50’s ISO sexy lady, ages 35-55. I am 5’7”, 130 lbs. Tampa (813) 644-4729. Quality guy, fun, fit, educated and never married ISO LTR. Way too much to share in 30 words. Lets talk at length via phone. Call, you won’t be sorry. Tampa (813) 273-8127. ISO sincere attractive NS lady, romantic, affectionate, honest, for friendship and dating. I’m S W M, 60’s tall, slim, active and sincere. Please call. St. Petersburg (727) 322-6197.
Senior to Senior Abbreviations M: Male F: Female S: Single D: Divorced WD: Widowed W: White B: Black H: Hispanic J: Jewish
C: Christian ISO: In Search Of LTR: Long Term Relationship NS: Non-Smoker ND: Non-Drinker SD: Social Drinker SOH: Sense of Humor
S W M 72 ISO F NS SOH 65-72 who is active. I like to walk, bicycle, take road trips and travel abroad. Clearwater (727) 458-5793. D 65 Italian man ISO good lady for LTR. I will love, respect, and honor you for life. House and financially secure is a plus. Please no mobile home, condo, or apt. St. Pete (727) 498-6995. I am M D C NS ND ISO an 85 L, walk every day, fish and hunt here, boat, must like dogs. 5’6” 170 lbs. Zephyrhills (813) 395-5183. East Indian Male, tall, 65 yrs. young seeking a W F petite, a soul mate, Blonde, blue eyes, between 55-65 yrs. (If you have a disabled child, that is fine with me.) ISO LTR in St. Petersburg. Call me in the A.M., (727) 623-9532. I am a Hispanic seeking a good lady friend to go to movies, slow dancing, tired of lonely nights. Clearwater (727) 400-2336. 71 American W WD retired, 5’7” 155 lbs., eye pleasing, ISO F for LTR. I like walks, talks, etc. New Port Richey Area (727) 271-4996
friend Seeking friend ISO M cruise partner , S W M to share a cabin on a cruise. Young at heart, charming, easy to get along with. Late dining, color, race, gay bi or straight, is not a problem. Weight and height in proportion. St. Pete (727) 322-3536. Message to Martha w/ MH near Lake Seminole. Please call again. Had very short disappointing conversation. New thoughts and possibilities will explain. Thanks, David. St. Petersburg (727) 545-4148. Everyone needs friends. I am an outgoing petite D W F from New York and new to the area. Let’s talk and become friends. Clearwater (727) 474-5040. S W M seeking M between 58 to 65 unconditional friendship for get togethers, fun and companionship. Tired of being alone & physically lonely. You need to be honest, loving & caring. Possible LTR. Please call me. St. Pete (727) 347-5522. English questing free spirit slim fit healthy, S W M 74 into natural living, massage, nature. Enjoys classical music/films, candlelight dinners, ISO M/F friend to explore and enjoy. St. Petersburg (727) 384-4908. S W M 63 5’8” 170 lbs. seeking M/F friend to go places and do things together, possible LTR. Lakeland (863) 5940446. Looking for a friend, male or female that enjoys life. I’m 57 yrs. old W F love to talk and listening. Riverview (813) 802-0239. Individual to share my house in historic neighborhood. $500/mo. and 1/3 utilities. Deposit and good references required. St. Petersburg (727) 520-7903. Someone to be friends with and to go places with, that’s not a continuous talker. Can drive, somewhere in there 50’s, early 60’s. Lakeland (863) 816-6020. Slender, active love music, dancing, beach, travel, exercise ISO an active male that can take to do all that. 57-65 If bilingual good. Must be tall, physically fit and financially secure. Tampa (813) 326-7071. I am looking for a friend for a LTR. Maybe you are the one for me, give me a call, let’s see. You can be overweight. Pinellas Park (727) 623-2599.
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