FEBRUARY 2015
H
alen eʻs D a y pa py V ti n
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SINCE 1980 — VolUME 35 • NUMBER 2
How small increases in Social Security Cost of Living payments can adversely impact lower income beneficiaries LAUGHTER YOGA
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ARE YOU HIDING A GENIUS?
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CAN YOUR MARRIAGE SURVIVE MEDICAID?
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Having worked with seniors on Social Security and Medicare for the past 30 years, I am familiar with the various “Extra Help” programs and specialize in helping low-income seniors access benefits to which they are entitled. These programs also affect younger persons on Social Security disability who are receiving Medicare. Any increase in Social Security may cause a beneficiary who is receiving “Extra Help” benefits to lose those benefits. A small increase of as little as $1.00 in Social Security benefits may cause the loss of thousands of dollars in “Extra Help.” The impact on married couples is even greater. It is therefore only fair to allow Social Security recipients to refuse or defer any increase in Social Security payments. Married couples are more severely affected in qualifying for “Extra Help,” as the incomes are blended and not considered individually. For instance: In order to qualify for LIS RX, the income limit is $1459 monthly for an individual and $1967 monthly for a married couple living together. Again, the $104.90 monthly deduction for Part “B” medical benefits must be counted in the gross income for both persons. Any amount greater than the limit will disqualify a beneficiary from obtaining or continuing benefits. The two basic “Extra Help” programs are (1) LIS (Low Income Subsidy) through Social Security to lower and/or eliminate Part “D” RX premiums, co-pays and the dreaded “Donut Hole,” and (2) the “Medicare Premium” program through the Department of Children and Families that eliminates the Part “B” $104.90 monthly Social Security deduction and opens eligibility to Special Needs Medicare Advantage programs which eliminate most medical copays (Medicaid). Both programs are income- and asset-based to qualify and use gross income to calculate eligibility. Another egregious injustice in qualifying for “Extra Help” is the use of gross income from Social Security that includes the automatic See BENEFITS, Page 27
The Truth About When to Take Social Security By Edward G. Rizzotto With so many Americans reaching the early retirement age of 62, the question of when to begin taking Social Security benefits has never been more on the mind of “sixty-somethings.” Many online calculators exist that attempt to give simple, pat answers to this pressing question, but the truth is there are too many factors to consider for any “online calculator” to provide a meaningful answer. It is frequently stated in mass media that you can get a “risk-free” return of 6 percent to 8 percent for every year you delay beginning to take Social Security benefits up to age 70. While that’s roughly correct (the increase from year to year varies between 6 percent to 8 percent), it’s shortsighted, because it ignores so many other potentially equally important factors. Important Factors to Consider in Determining When to Begin Taking Social Security Benefits: 1. The Social Security Surrender Penalty. 2. Do you currently need the in come from Social Security benefits? 3. How are taxes on Social Security benefits calculated? 4. Will you want or need to See SOCIAL SECURITY, Page 27
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 7 to 9 p.m. as Publisher Evan Gold brings you the information to live an active mature lifestyle. ime T w e N ot! Visit our new website, Tampa Bay’s leading news source Sl for seniors, www.seniorvoiceamerica.com.
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Senior Voice America
febrUARY 2015
Health Roundup
Stay Healthily Hydrated This Winter When the mercury drops, it’s more important than ever to stay properly hydrated. During the winter, people may not seem to sweat as much as in the summer, but that doesn’t lessen one’s risk of dehydration. “As a hospital physician, I’ve seen far too many people succumb to dehydration-related health scares, stemming from high-elevation ski trips to travel to simply forgetting to drink water because it’s cold outside,” said Dr. Ralph E. Holsworth, director of clinical and scientific research for Essentia Water and medical physician at Southeast Colorado Hospital. “Staying properly hydrated can help ensure good health through the winter, reduce dry skin and even help you flush toxins out of your body to reduce the chances of getting a winter cold or flu.”
agree that disease and infection have a hard time thriving in an alkaline environment. High-pH water can help neutralize acid levels and restore your body to a natural state. Functional water, such as Essentia Water, the top- selling alkaline water, can help you avoid or fight winter colds and flu, hydrate your skin and re hydrate someone who is showing Boost your body’s hydration signs of dehydration. Roughly 75 percent of the North American population is chronically de- • Pack the H20. From carrying a hydrated. By the time you feel thirsty backpack to wearing a special (and sometimes when you don’t) you hydration pack, it’s important to may already be getting dehydrated. bring water with you during Whether you’re skiing or just taking a walk on a brisk day, the experts at Es- winter outings. If you simply can’t sentia Water provide these simple tips to bring it with you, be sure you have help you stay hydrated throughout the a list of stores that offer bottled winter season and beyond. water, and keep a supply of it in • Set a daily water intake goal. A good rule of thumb for daily water your car’s trunk for emergencies. intake from food and fluids is 2 While you may not feel it, your body liters for females and 2.5 liters for is in need of proper hydration even on males with moderate physical the coldest winter days. For more tips activity levels. Adjust your personal goal to account for for staying well, visit www.essentiawater.com. climate and activity level. Start your day by filling a tumbler or setting out bottles of your favorite water totaling your goal. Supple- ment with healthy foods that have high water content like soup, salad and pears. • Winter it up. During cooler weather, chilled water isn’t very enticing. To make it more ap- pealing, warm a mug of water or add a burst of flavor from your favorite winter fruit like oranges, tangerines or cranberries. Drop in a cinnamon stick for an added flavor kick and enticing aroma. • Check the mirror. A tried and true way to know if you’re getting enough water is to check your mirror. If your skin appears dry and flaky, it’s time to drink more fluids. electrolyte-enhanced • Drink alkaline water (also called func- tional water). Wellness experts
febrUARY 2015
Senior Voice America
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Health Roundup
Winter Eye Care Tips: Ways to Avoid Dangerous Foggy Conditions When the cold of winter settles in, it can bring a wide range of problems—especially for individuals who wear glasses. Having a prescription that addresses vision issues is critical, but equally important are the glasses you wear to correct those problems. Without properly considering how certain lenses will perform as you go about your daily activities, you may encounter new vision challenges that are bothersome and sometimes even hazardous. Activities as ordinary as entering warm to cold environments or simply experiencing the winter weather outside can fog up your lenses. Foggy glasses are more than a simple annoyance—they cause temporary blindness and can lead to truly dangerous situations.
Other conditions Beyond the exposure to cool winter temperatures, there are many other everyday situations during which fog can be annoying or even dangerous, such as:
• • • • •
Walking or running outdoors Getting out of the shower or bath Preparing food over the stove Walking down the stairs Playing sports or exercising
Optifog lenses with the Optifog Activator Cloth provides long-lasting protection against fog.
Keep your lenses free of fog You don’t have to avoid your daily activities to fend off fog from your lenses. Here are three ways to minimize or avoid the fog this winter: • •
Dress less. While outdoors, be careful not to overdress. Wearing too many layers of clothing can cause your body to overheat and sweat more, creating fog on your lenses as your body heat rises. Talk to your eye doctor. Ask about lenses specially designed to protect against fog, such as Optifog lenses, which have patented fog-repellent properties on both the front and back side of the lens. Simply cleaning
• Wear a headband. When involved in physical activity, condensation can build up on your lenses. Wear a headband to absorb any sweat produced by your body to potentially help reduce fog. The problem of fog can be minimized or even eliminated by choosing lenses that are specially designed to correct common problems and can help your vision regardless of the season. Learn more about how to protect your eyes and eyewear from fog and other annoyances at optifogusa.com.
TMTM
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Senior Voice America
febrUARY 2015
FROM THE PUBLISHER
TM TM
Senior Voice America, Inc. P.O. BOX 1379 Lutz, FL 33548-1379 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: Lauren Potts lauren@seniorvoiceamerica.com Creative Director: Lourdes M. Sáenz lourdes@seniorvoiceamerica.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES • (813) 444-1011 Timm Harmon timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com Join our sales team. For information about opportunities throughout Florida and North America, email timm@seniorvoiceamerica.com.
Change Can Be A Good Thing For some of you, I am sure you think of me as a youngster. This year I will turn 52. And if there is one thing I have learned, it’s that you just never know what is around the corner next. You are probably laughing now, thinking, “Oh, he doesn’t know the half of it.” But if you would have told me 20 years I ago that I would be a radio talk show host, I would have laughed too. Four years ago our company started a radio talk show targeted at the 45+ marketplace. Our goal was to bring the issues of aging to those that live in the Bay Area while bringing a positive outlook on life. I know the word aging is probably not the best word since we age from the day we are born, but I think you know what I mean. Hopefully, some of you have tuned in and gleaned a few things from our show. We have hosted some great guests and covered some important topics that have hit home with many of our listeners. Many of our guests have given me plenty to think about in my day to day life. As I was saying earlier, you just never know what is going to happen next. It was a year ago that we were forced to move to a new time slot at 1250 WHNZ. Evenings was not a time we were looking to work. But before we knew it we found our listeners following us and we have built quite a following. I feel very fortunate that we can bring you the paper each month, along with our nightly radio show. And fortunately, for me, I get to do it with my wife and best friend. I want to thank all of those readers who have supported our advertisers, read our paper, contributed information and supported what we have done for 35 years. And for those of you who have followed our show, thanks to you too, and if you haven’t done so yet, please tune in and give us your feedback. We do take requests so if you have an idea for a topic on air or in the paper please feel free to share it with us. We hope you’ll tune on, Monday thru Friday from 7-9 p.m., at 1250 AM for Health, Wealth & Wisdom, and enjoy our new two-hour format. Thanks for your support and we wish all of you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Evan Gold
Contributors Abne M. Eisenberg • Jon Lynn
FROM THE EDITOR
Carolyn Shockey • Nick Thomas • Evelyn Levin Ruth Fanovich • Peggy Buchanan Jean Mlincek • Joyce Holly • Edward Rizzotto Rosa Carlisle • April Adams • Louis Guzzi Barbara Cronin Harrington 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.
Tune in to 1250am WHNZ. Monday – Friday From 7-9pm
“Valentine’s Day is a day to remember to give more, to love more; it is a day to behave like a heavy rain.” — Mehmet Murat ildan
febrUARY 2015
Senior Voice America
Health Roundup
Coping with Cold Sores Those pesky cold sores on the lips and around the mouth always seem to pop up at the most inopportune times. Not only are cold sores painful, but dealing with their appearance can be frustrating! But you’re not alone in dealing with this nuisance. In fact, more than half of the U.S. population carries the herpes simplex virus 1, the virus that causes cold sores, by the time they reach their 20s, according to the National Institutes of Health. While the causes of breakouts aren’t fully understood, some triggers have been identified, including sun exposure, stress, menstruation and fever or illness. They can also be brought on by other infections or even certain foods and drugs. For many, cold sore outbreaks can be unpredictable. The first symptoms of a cold sore may include pain around your mouth and on your lips, a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands in your neck or other parts of the body. After the blisters appear, the cold sore usually breaks open, emits a clear fluid, then crusts over and disappears after several days to two weeks; sometimes they can be very painful. Naturally, having a cold sore may make you feel self-conscious. And, while no product can cure a cold sore (as in remove the virus from one’s system), there are many tips for managing cold sore outbreaks: Ask your doctor about anti-viral prescription medications to limit the virus’ growth. • Live a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep and avoid stress. • Avoid long exposure to the sun. • Keep your lips moisturized. Cold sores can be linked to dry or cracked lips, so keep them moisturized with a lip balm that contains sun protection. • A variety of treatments can alleviate symptoms. One new product that may help you feel more comfortable and confident while managing a cold sore outbreak is new Carmex Cold Sore Treatment. It works on contact to block pain and itch with 10 percent benzocaine, and ingredients in the formula smooth and fill to make the cold sore appearance less noticeable. More tips for managing a cold sore outbreak can be found at www.carmexcoldsore. com. While there may be no cure for a cold sore, there are steps you can take to look and feel better faster.
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Senior Voice America
febrUARY 2015
in the community Laughter Yoga By Rosa Carlisle The world’s 65-andolder population is projected to triple by mid-century. In the U.S. alone, the seniors in that age bracket may increase by 40 percent in five years. This alarming growth in senior population, coupled with rising stress, paucity of time and emotional wearing down, has led to the crumbling of social and family structures to a large extent, leaving a much larger population of senior citizens longing for emotional comfort and solace. Seniors who find themselves alone in aged care facilities yearn for their family. They are prone to frequent bouts of depression that often lead to a debilitating condition. Their mental and physical faculties decrease. All they need is to talk to someone and find friends to share their emotions. To further understand the needs of the aging population, we must also include the active, independent seniors who exercise regularly, enjoy social contacts and keep up with the latest health incentives. They, too, may have health issues related to aging.
Research shows that most people benefit from laughter. As far as laughter goes, one finds that, as we grow older, our capacity to understand humor may decrease. While humor is an intellectual phenomenon, there is a new exercise called Laughter Yoga that’s based on laughing without any reason. Being a physically oriented process, Laughter Yoga does not require mental abilities. Most people believe that one must have a sense of humor to laugh. Laughter Yoga has proven otherwise. Laughter exercises are like child’s play. Children laugh without using mental or cognitive ability. These exercises allow people to laugh without any reason, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group, but with eye contact and a childlike playfulness that soon turns into real and contagious laughter. It has been scientifically proven that the body does not know the difference between real or fake laughter, and the health benefits are the same. This brings hope to seniors who want to improve their health as well as make social connections. It’s a win-win scenario. While seniors are having fun laughing, they are reaping health benefits. The benefits of Laughter Yoga are amazing. Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing, which brings in more oxygen to the body and brain, making one feel more energetic and healthy. Due to lack of
proper breathing, seniors don’t get much oxygen, which is the root cause of many ailments. Laughter Yoga is a powerful cardio workout, bringing changes to the body. One of the changes is the elevation of mood, which helps decrease depression. Laughter is one of the best muscle relaxants, alleviating pains and aches due to different types of arthritis. It reduces the risk factors for cardiac diseases and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Laughter Yoga breathing provides exercise to the lungs and circulatory system, pushing the heart rate up to a level comparable to aerobic exercise. Whether exercising seated in chairs or moving in a group, all seniors can gain health benefits from Laughter Yoga. In India, a majority of Laughter Club members over the age of 50 have significantly benefited from daily practice of laughter exercises since 1995, when Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor, and his wife, a yoga instructor, founded Laughter Yoga in a park. Their ultimate objective is to bring good health, joy and world peace through laughter. Laughter is universal, with no language or cultural barriers. Laughter Yoga has spread to more than 72 countries with thousands of Laughter Yoga clubs all over the world. It is non-political, non-religious and non-profit. In the St. Petersburg, Fla. area, Laughter Yoga sessions are held for seniors in the Gulfport Senior Center and Terrace Park of Five Towns. If you are interested in joining a group or would like to bring Laughter Yoga to your area, organization or church, please call Rosa Carlisle, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, at (813) 731-6529.
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Senior Voice America
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humor
Not Buying Into the Cupid Myth My sentiments towards Valentine’s Day are similar to those that aren’t exactly excited about Christmas: “Bah, Love Bugs!” You would think that Cupid, after a near half-century of archery practice, could come up with that special someone for me, but I’m still sitting in restaurants as one person at a table for six. Do you know how humiliating that is, especially when the waitress asks, “Are you waiting for someone?” Um, yes—for 43 years, to be exact. Sure, dating opportunities have improved, especially for seniors, and that‘s a good thing. I’ll be the first to confess that my eyes glaze over every time I get on the Internet and see the photos of men “50 and up” who are “available” in St. Petersburg. My, are they a handsome bunch! And they MUST be available, because I haven’t seen any of my friends with one of these hunks on their arm! Oh, trust me, there was a day when I, along with every young lady in my generation, anticipated marrying Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome (Gregory Peck would have been perfect!), but now, at my age, I’ll settle for anyone who cleans up pretty well. Oh, I have friends who still cling to great expectations and have a “qualities wanted” list about nine pages long. I want so badly to tell them, “You know that God is not in the running, don’t you?” Oh, I know I probably sound like a bitter old crank, and readers probably think that I look like a prune, but neither is true. In fact, I am a bona fide romantic who finds life utterly ah-mazing. But, really, darlings, so much of this romantic stuff just seems so silly. It is, nevertheless, quite entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoy reading the Senior-To-Senior personal ads in various publications. In fact, I once tried to place a personal ad, but the editors wouldn’t let me create a new heading that would have read “Woman Seeking Man Who Doesn’t Fart or Belch In Public.” But back to the personal ads and their entertainment value. It seems that most “Woman Seeking Man” ads want someone for walks on the beach and dinner by candlelight. I mean, how many times a year does the average person actually go to the beach to watch a sunset? Heck, I live near several beaches here in Florida and have probably strolled on the sand twice in 25 years—alone! And candlelit dinners? The only time I remember my mom and dad eating by candlelight was when the electricity went out. Maybe a few folks have candlelit dinners, but I think most of us eat carry-out
By Jean Mlincek
under 60 watt bulbs. It is interesting to me that men actually state, “No full-figured women need apply,” which is a polite way of saying no chubs or fatties. Hmm. A full-figured woman at 29 has a “bombshell” figure, but apparently it becomes a dud after age 50. The words “slim” and “petite” pop up everywhere in the “Man Seeking Woman” ads. Is it mere kindness that women don’t put, “No beer bellies or nose-pickers, please?” There are always those—both men and women—who say they are 70 “but look 40.” Hey! Life is short! If that’s true, don’t do a senior listing. I mean, age is one thing you can fudge. No one would dare try, for example, to fudge on his or her weight: “Weigh 240, but look 130.” Gotta love an ad I read a couple years ago from a lady who did not state her age, but said she was looking for a male between the ages of 70 and 100. Bless her heart, that should have been doable. Well, carry on, you seekers of romance, soul-mates and long-term relationships. As for me, this Valentine’s Day, I will remain my usual “Woman Seeking Chocolates.”
Jean Mlincek is a freelance writer who resides in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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Senior Voice America
TINSELTOWN talks
Rich Little Still Impresses At 76, veteran comedian and impressionist Rich Little is still zigzagging the country doing one-man shows. Impressions have been Little’s stock and trade since his school days in Ottawa, Canada. “I would answer teachers’ questions in their own voices,” Little said. “Pretty soon, they stopped asking me questions!” That was more than 60 years ago. Today, crowds still flock to see the man who claims a repertoire of more than 200 voices. Unlike ordinary comedians, Little said impressionists have double-duty on stage. “You’ve got to do a convincing impression and also tell jokes in that character,” Little said. “It’s really all about concentration when you do impressions and becoming the person. Sometimes when I really get into Johnny Carson, I’ll come off stage and find myself writing out an alimony check!” While Little’s performances focus mostly on deceased actors, celebrities and politicians such as John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, George Burns and Ronald Reagan, he also tackles more contemporary personalities. “You have to keep it topical,” Little said. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, but if Hillary becomes president, I may be in big trouble!” Although Little does some female impressions, such as Dr. Ruth, Carol Channing and Jean Stapleton, he says Clinton is tough to mimic. “She needs to develop a lisp or a rasp or twitch to make her a little more distinctive.” While he does a convincing Jack Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Willie Nelson, George Bush and Bill Clinton, impersonating today’s younger stars is challenging due to their lack of distinguishing voices and body language. “So many of the stars of the silver-screen era had distinctive voices, walks, hand gestures and facial mannerisms,” Little said. “But how do you do Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp or Leonardo Dicaprio? Their voices just aren’t that distinctive. Even Robert Redford is near impossible to do.” In addition to his vocal talents, Little also draws sketches of celebrities. “I’ve dabbled in art all my life, charcoal portraits mostly,” Little said. “I’ve done hundreds of sketches over the years. I guess I have these people in my head, and I can put that down on paper as well as voice. I’ve also done people other than the ones I imitate, like Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. I did a pretty good portrait of Tom, but it wasn’t easy because he kept bouncing up and down on the sofa!” Despite the strain impressionists place on their See LITTLE on Page 23 PHOTO provided by rich little
By Nick Thomas
Little as guest star in “The Muppet Show.”
febrUARY 2015
MOFFITT.org |
www.facebook.com/MoffittCancerCenter |
twitter.com/MoffittNews |
youtube.com/user/MoffittNews
Your Life Matters
Moffitt Cancer Center Helped a Local Patient Beat Lung Cancer Tiffany Garber, a wife, mom of two young kids and former model was enjoying the happiest moments of her life when a simple pain interrupted everything. In February 2013, Tiffany Garber discovered that her back pain was much more serious than what she initially thought was just a pinched nerve. Physicians discovered a mass in Garber’s lung and diagnosed her with stage III lung cancer. “Cancer definitely robs you of ever feeling like you’re 100 percent okay,” Garber says. “But there’s also the gift within that of realizing how important the present is.” Garber turned to the doctors, nurses and support staff at Moffitt Cancer Center for treatment. Located in Tampa, Moffitt is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida. Moffitt is also one of the top-ranked cancer hospitals in the Southeast, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our multispecialty team works together to help patients and families find the right diagnosis, treatment and support – all in one place. Garber knows this firsthand. The cancerous Pancoast tumor was precariously positioned in her lung near her spine, which made surgery hazardous. A team of experts at Moffitt decided on a personalized treatment plan for Tiffany that involved surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. “When I met my team of oncologists, I knew I was going to be ok”, she said. Dr. Lary A. Robinson, Garber’s thoracic surgeon, teamed up with a Moffitt neurosurgeon, Dr. Frank Vrionis, to perform the removal. “If I didn’t have the support of other Moffitt physicians, I wouldn’t have been able to offer surgery like that,” Robinson says. “Perhaps the most important factor that patients can bring to their cancer treatment is a positive attitude. Mrs. Garber exemplified this trait with an amazing outlook and an extraordinary focus on being cured. She’s the “poster child” for positive attitude… and I’m certain treatment success and long life are her rewards,” he continues. Tiffany is currently living in Sarasota with her family and enjoys sharing her new outlook on life. Moffitt’s experienced team, personal commitment, and quality care give every patient the support and resources necessary to beat cancer. Garber has been cancer free since December 2013. The center, a national innovator in patient care, is transforming outcomes and offering quality of life. “Moffitt is saving lives,” Garber says. And it’s not just my life - my children are going to have their mother.” Early detection of lung cancer saves life Dr. Robinson states that “an often
overlooked fact by the public and many healthcare professionals is that lung cancer strikes a large number of life-long nonsmokers and minimal smokers, commonly early in life…particularly women like Mrs. Garber. Of the 221,200 new lung cancer cases this year in the U.S., 21,000 non-smoking women will get lung cancer.” Based on national recommendations, lung cancer screening for high-risk current and former smokers can save lives. Moffitt offers a comprehensive lung screening program which includes an assessment of your low-dose CT scan by a team of multispecialty medical experts. Why select Moffitt for your lung CT scan? • All scans reviewed by our team of lung cancer experts. • Surveillance and prompt treatment decision-making for all abnormal findings. • Access to our free Smoking Cessa- tion and Tobacco Treatment program. • Immediate access to world renowned support and clinical services. How do I know if I am eligible? • You are between the ages of 55 and 80. • You are a current or former smoker with a 30 pack year smoking history equivalent to: v One pack a day for 30 years or, v Two packs a day for 15 years or, v Three packs a day for 10 years • You are a former smoker who has quit within the last 15 years. Where would I go for my screening? Moffitt’s comprehensive lung screening program is available at two convenient locations: Moffitt Cancer Center 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612 Monday – Friday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza 4101 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607 Monday – Friday | 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moffitt has received distinction by the Lung Cancer Alliance as a Screening Center of Excellence. The Lung Cancer Alliance is a non-profit organization devoted to improving the lives of those diagnosed, the people who love them and those at risk. For those at risk, we know that screening saves lives. If you or someone you know has a concern, call 1-888-MOFFITT or visit MOFFITT.org
febrUARY 2015
Senior Voice America
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future planning
Pre-Need Planning with National Cremation Society ® There are many advantages to arranging your cremation services in advance with National Cremation Society®. With National Cremation Society®, everything is included, and nothing is left to chance. With pre-planning: • You protect your family from having to make such decisions at a difficult time. • You make your wishes known to your loved ones. • You make your own decisions about the type of service, merchandise and price. • You prevent emotional overspending by family members who can only guess what you might have wanted. • Your funeral or cremation prearrangement moves with you, whether traveling or relocating. • You lock in today’s prices for services that may not be needed for many years. National Cremation Society® offers the Personal Planning Guide. A completed Personal Planning Guide provides a personal plan of action that helps relieve families of many of the decisions that must be made at the time of a loved one’s death. It also documents additional family information, such as military history, family heritage, estate information, insurance coverage and an inventory of personal property. National Cremation Society® provides this important reference document to all families free of charge. In order to make an informed decision when you pre-arrange cremation services, a family needs to have answers to the following six questions: • Are merchandise and services guaranteed? • What price range is affordable? • What do I want? • What if I move or travel? • What are the tax consequences, if any, to funding my arrangements? • Will this benefit my loved ones and family in the future? The staff at National Cremation Society® welcomes any questions you have. They want to be your source of information and help make your decisions as informed, intelligent, rational and caring as possible. Essentially, cremation pre-planning is a three-step process: (1) Having your plan paid for in advance, (2) Gathering and organizing your documents with the pre-planning guide, and (3) Making a decision about where your cremated remains will be placed.
Why make the pre-arrangements? If you have ever made cremation arrangements after the death of a loved one, you already know the answer to that question. Funeral planning is difficult and emotionally exhausting while struggling with grief and shock. With the help of National Cremation Society’s® qualified staff, planning in advance gives you the ability to make informed, insightful decisions that will spare your loved ones from this task. Why pay ahead of time? Pre-funding protects your family from emotional overspending. There are funding options and payment plans to meet almost any situation. When funding the pre-
arrangement, your cremation contract will identify the person selling the contract and the person purchasing the contract. The contract will contain complete descriptions and current prices of merchandise and services that are purchased. And, you lock in today’s prices, avoiding inflation.
What if I prearrange with National Cremation Society® and then move? That’s fine; your prearrangements will move with you. National Cremation Society® has a growing network of offices to serve your needs. This transferability benefit is included in our cremation plans. If, for any reason, National Cremation Society® can’t perform the service, your money is safe, and your designated beneficiary will receive it. There is no additional charge for this benefit. Here are some commonly “misguided” thoughts about cremation pre-arrangements: • Who cares what happens to me when I depart? Maybe you don’t care, but your family or loved one will have to. Decisions made by them may be influenced by grief, not by reasonable thinking, and can result in emotional over-spending. • I don’t want to think about it. No one wants to think about his or her own death. You don’t want to think about a car accident or your home being destroyed either, but you probably have insurance on your car and home. • My insurance will take care of it. Insurance does not tell your loved ones how to plan your cremation services, which crematory to use or how much to spend. Often, the policy is not enough to cover the expenses, and sometimes the cover age has been canceled or has expired. Cremation services must be paid before cremation, and insurance assignments are not accepted. Insurance provides dollars only and does not give your family the information they need when they receive that phone call, usually in the middle of the night. • I can’t afford it. With the different payment plans, it may be more affordable than you think. National Cremation Society® offers payment plans for every budget. • My friend, attorney or family will arrange everything. Many decisions must be made, possibly by someone that you don’t trust or agree with. • My decisions are noted in my will. Do you even have a will? If so, does someone know where it is? Most wills are not read until after the cremation has taken place. • I don’t know what crematory to choose; I may be moving in the future. Our cremation plans are transferable, allowing your plans to move with you. • The family knows what I want. Discussions about death with your family are rarely taken seriously and often avoided or put off. • The government will take care of it; I’m a veteran. The government will take care of the expenses only if you are on active duty at time of death. • Social Security pays for my funeral. Social Security only pays a “survivor benefit” of $255.00 if there is an eligible spouse or dependent child. National Cremation Society holds seminars monthly. To register for a seminar or for more information, please call National Cremation Society® at (727) 536-0494.
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self help ARE YOU HIDING A GENIUS? By Professor Abné M. Eisenberg According to Dr. Allan Snyder, a world-famous neuropsychologist, we all have some degree of genius hiding inside our brains. Snyder has spent years studying a unique mental phenomenon called savant syndrome. It is a rare condition in which individuals with an autistic disorder, or some other form of mental disability, possess an extraordinary skill. Their skills are typically confined to five areas: art, music, calendar calculating, mathematics or mechanical/spatial skills. They have an incredible ability to recall unconnected details without understanding what they mean. Many can read a page from any book, magazine or encyclopedia and instantly, from memory, recall and recite each and every word on the page. For those unfamiliar with this mental phenomenon, here are some examples of the symptoms they exhibit. Savants are individuals who, without any previous experience in math, music, art and memory are able to perform some inconceivable feats. Their brains are not bigger or better than ordinary people’s, only different. Dr. Snyder explains that savants are able to access raw material before it is packaged into understandable units of thought. They are imitative, not creative, and focus on parts, rather than the whole. They see the trees, not the forest. The savant views the world literally, before what they see or hear is rendered in context. Their memories are literal representations of the past. The normal mind unconsciously places a fact or event into a context. Here are some examples of famous savants and their extraordinary gifts. As a result of a childhood brain injury, Alonzo Clemons was left with an IQ between 40 and 50. However, despite this very low IQ, he displayed an extraordinary gift. He was able to sculpt animals out of clay with great detail, at great speed, having seen the animal for less than a minute. Neurologist Oliver Sacks observed autistic twins who instantly guessed the exact number of matchsticks that had just fallen on the floor. In unison, they both called out, “One hundred and eleven!” Kim Peek was the real “Rain Man” that Dustin Hoffman played in the 1988 film. He was severely disabled, couldn’t button his shirt and tested between 40-50 on a general IQ test. Doctors told Peek’s father to put him in an institution and forget about the boy, but his father disregarded the doctors’ advice. Peek has read some 12,000 books and remembers everything in them. He can read two pages at once—his left eye reads the left page, and his right eye reads the right page. He can recall everything he has ever read. Tell him the date of your birth, and he can tell you the day of the week it was. He also remembers every piece of music he ever heard. Leslie Lemke was born with severe
birth defects that required doctors to remove his eyes. A nurse named May Lemke adopted him when he was six months old. At 16 years of age, Leslie Lemke bloomed. Once, in the middle of the night, May woke up to find Leslie playing Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.” Leslie, who has no classical musical training, was playing the piece flawlessly after hearing it just once earlier on the television. Like the Tchaikovsky piece, he has to hear music only once in order to play it again perfectly. Before his health started to deteriorate, Leslie gave many concerts around the world. Jedediah Buxton, born in Derbyshire, England, in 1707, could not read nor write. For him, everything was numbers. He associated everything he saw or experienced with numbers. He could measure the area of the village in which he was born by simply by walking around it. When watching a dancer, he was able to count the exact number of steps the dancer took. At a play, he could count the number of words uttered by the actors. Stephen Wiltshire was born mute. He was diagnosed with autism and sent to a school for children with special needs. There, he discovered a passion for drawing— first animals, then London buses, then buildings and the city’s landmarks. Throughout his childhood, his only means of communicating was through his drawings. Wiltshire had this particularly striking talent: He could draw an accurate and detailed landscape of a city after seeing it just once! He drew a 33-foot-long panorama of Tokyo following a short helicopter ride. Ellen Boudreaux is a blind autistic savant with exceptional musical abilities. She can play music perfectly after hearing it just once, and has such a huge repertoire of songs in her head that a newspaper reporter once tried to stump her by requesting that she play some obscure songs. He failed. Boudreaux knew them all. Boudreaux has two other savant skills. Despite her blindness, she is able to walk around without bumping into things. As she walks, she makes little chirping sounds that act like a human sonar, or echolocation. Boudreaux is also a human digital clock. She knows the exact hour and minute any time of the day, without ever having seen a clock nor having the concept of the passing of time explained to her. Dr. Snyder believes that we all possess some latent savant skills. By applying low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation to certain areas of a normal person’s brain, he was able to induce a savant-like ability. In one of his experiments, he enabled subjects to solve arithmetic problems they were previously unable to solve. While he succeeded to only a modest degree, he was confident that future studies will yield a major breakthrough in releasing some latent level of genius in us all.
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Senior Voice America
self help
10 Tips to Independent Living In 2009, almost 40 million Americans were age 65 or older, representing almost 13 percent of the population. By 2030, that number will almost double to more than 72 million, and about one in every five Americans will be a senior. According to a survey from AARP, almost 90 percent of seniors want to live independently, remaining in their own homes as they age. Even among those who require daily assistance, the vast majority (82 percent) want to receive that care while still living in their homes. It’s understandable that you want to remain active and independent for as long as possible, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t create a careful plan to ensure your safety and that adequate care will be provided in the event you can no longer care for yourself. Creating such a plan now is insurance against unexpected changes in the future. Here are 10 tips for creating a smart, actionable plan to remain independent safely. Maintain up-to-date medical records. Be sure records of your medical history, any medical conditions, recent hospitalizations and pertinent insurance information is accurate and current. Keep your records in a place where others can access it in the event of an emergency. You can also maintain your health records electronically for easy access and organization. Maintain up-to-date legal documents. Make sure your will is valid and current. Consider drafting a power of attorney or medical directive document in the event your children will have to make important decisions for you. Keep these legal documents with other important papers, such as medical records. Keep a current address book. If there is an emergency, someone else will need to call important contacts, such as medical professionals, lawyers and accountants. Be sure your address book is current, accessible and complete. Tell others about your prescriptions. Be sure children and friends know what prescriptions you’re taking, including daily dosages, and keep a list of this handy and available. This could be important in the event you’re incapacitated. Build a support network. You might not need help or a caregiver now, but that could change in the future. Living alone shouldn’t mean being socially isolated. Family and friends can provide a much-needed lifeline if you become ill or injured. Don’t depend solely on any one person. It’s good to have a trusted friend or child who lives nearby and helps you with your daily tasks, but bear in mind that something could happen to that person to prevent them from helping you in the future. Be sure you have a backup plan in case your primary caregiver is no longer able to help. Educate yourself about senior care management. There are trained professionals called geriatric care managers who can help you organize and coordinate all the services related to aging. Educate yourself about geriatric care services in your area in the event you need this kind of help in the future. Stay active, physically and mentally. When you are living alone, it’s tempting to sink into a sedentary lifestyle. Keep active physically by taking walks and visiting friends or your local senior center. Stay active mentally through involvement in volunteer activities, hobbies and other interests. Establish routines to monitor your health and fitness. It’s easy to lull yourself into complacency that all is well, even as your health or mental fitness deteriorates. Create a list of warning signs that signal that things might not be right. Everything from significant changes in your diet or appetite to moodiness to frequent minor accidents like falls can be indicative of a larger problem. Invest in a medical alert device. Even if you’re currently in excellent health, you could experience a serious fall that would make it impossible for you to reach a phone. A medical alert device will let you contact medical help at the push of a button. Some are even equipped with fall detection technologies that will signal that you are incapacitated if you can’t call out for help. Americans are living longer and healthier than ever before. The vast majority of seniors want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. You can continue to enjoy an independent lifestyle without risking your health or safety if you take adequate precautionary measures to prepare for whatever changes occur in the future.
By April Adams
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Health Roundup
From the Hospital to Your Home: First-Aid Solution Offers New Hope for People With Thin Skin and Those Who Bleed Easily Whether it’s in the kitchen, in the backyard or on the go, accidents happen. For active seniors who bleed easily or have thin skin, the slightest bump can cause bleeding that lasts for hours or even days. As a doctor specializing in critical care and senior health, I know that, for many of them, caring for a bleeding wound with traditional first-aid products is a frustrating experience. Bandages or gauze don’t stop bleeding quickly (or at all), and the adhesives and tape can rip the skin to cause re-bleeding when changing a bloody bandage. While doctors, nurses and medical professionals have the technology to control bleeding in the hospital, there hasn’t been an over-the-counter solution to do the same in the home…until now. After several successful clinical studies and nearly a decade’s use in hospitals, WoundSeal Powder is now available at your local pharmacy for use in the home or wherever life takes you. When treating a bleeding wound in my office, time is critically important to stop the bleeding and seal it from contaminants. That’s why we use WoundSeal. What took patients hours or days to stop bleeding now takes seconds. Instead of using four or five products to treat a wound, now it just takes one. WoundSeal’s innovative technology works by creating an instant scab once it is poured and pressed onto a bleeding wound. The scab seals and protects the wound and falls off naturally as the wound heals. The easy-to-use topical powder works successfully for any type of external bleeding wound. For active adults, WoundSeal empowers them to get back into life’s pursuits quickly. “When you get older, your skin becomes so thin that the slightest bump can cause a cut that can bleed for hours,” said Jim Simpson, 65, of Port Charlotte, Fla. “Bandages don’t stop it, and it’s messy to constantly change them. “Then I tried WoundSeal, and, in just a few steps, it did what nature and traditional first-aid products can’t do: stop bleeding instantly. If it works for me, it will work for anyone.”
By Louis M. Guzzi, MD
In fact, as someone who uses it regularly in the hospital, I’m so confident of this product that I’ve given it to my mom and grandmother. For active adults and seniors alike, WoundSeal has been life changing, as it helps them regain control and confidence. “We carry it everyplace, and I’ll never be without it again,” Simpson said. WoundSeal Powder is now nationally available over the counter at Walgreens, CVS, Supercenters and other retailers near you. Please visit www.woundseal.com for more information, store locations and testimonials. Louis M. Guzzi, MD, is a prominent Orlando, Fla. critical care physician with clinical expertise in senior health. He graduated from Georgetown University College of Medicine, completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, and furthered his training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He currently practices critical care medicine in Orlando and lectures both nationally and internationally.
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Senior Voice America
around the home Four Tips to Make Home Maintenance Easier
Some home maintenance jobs require a significant investment of time and specialized equipment, but there are many projects you can accomplish efficiently with basic tools and the right approach. Follow these tips to get started: Update your toolbox. Take inventory to ensure your collection is complete, and replace damaged or rusted tools. Your toolbox is also a good place to store common repair items such as adhesive. For quick, fuss-free fixes with no dry time, ditch traditional glue for Glue Dots. The double-sided adhesives bond instantly to virtually any surface with no mess and IF YOU let you skip using clamps. Get ahead of potential problems. For example, have a plunger on hand to prevent clogged sinks and toilets from causing water damage, and keep gutters and filters clean to prevent structural damage or fire. You can also protect your home and valuables from damage by using adhesive to secure precious items from getting knocked over, and protect floors from traffic damage by securing rugs and felt pads to furniture. Take a helping hand. Most phones have levels and flashlights that can help with minor jobs, and your phone’s calendar can be set with recurring reminders so that you’ll never miss a maintenance date. In addition, find creative ways to make tasks easier. It can be tough to keep items in place while nailing or screwing into walls or ceilings, or installing features such as under-cabinet lighting. Glue Dots are a handy solution that won’t damage the surface, don’t expand and won’t make a mess. Get organized. Daily home maintenance tasks like cleaning are easier when they are done along the way rather than letting them pile up, creating a bigger job. Store everyday needs in each room, or on each floor. For maximum efficiency, keep cleaning supplies in both the bath and the kitchen, and a broom and vacuum on each floor. Making sure you have the right tools on hand and taking preventive steps to get ahead of potential problems will make minor home repair jobs quick and easy so you can get back to enjoying the comforts of your home.
HAVE
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For additional DIY home repair tips, visit www. GlueDots.com.
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Senior Happenings available at participating Southern Ford dealers through Feb. 7. Show starts at 7:00 p.m. Price: $15-$40. Ramond James Stadium is located at 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL. For more information (800)745-3000 or www.monsterjam.com. Raptor Fest
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve February 7
Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade
Ybor City February 14
A night-time parade featuring more than 100 illuminated floats, marching bands, krewes and their royalty. Tampa’s Egypt Shriners serve as this year’s grand marshals. Starts at Seventh Avenue and Nuccio. 7:00 p.m. Free. For more information (813) 241-6554 or www.knightparade.com.
This festival celebrating the birds of prey includes WWE Live trained birds in flight, live bird exhibits, music, dissecting owl pellets, raptorial dinosaur talk, environmental exhibiAmalie Arena Florida State Fairgrounds tors, bird walks and children’s activities. 10:00 a.m. Free February 14 February 6 - 16 (donations appreciated). World Wrestling Entertainment draws big stars for one Boyd Hills is located at 1101 Country Club Way S., St. New theme, “A Timeless Tradition”, new look and feel, a of the last match-ups leading to the Wrestle Mania. Supernew carousel made entirely of balloons, a one-of-a-kind Petersburg, FL. For more information (727) 893-7326 or stars scheduled to appear include John Cena, Randy Orton, www.stpeteparksrec.org/boyd-hill-nature-preserve.html. midway created exclusively for the fair, additional “comfort Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, the WWE Divas and more. stations”, free concerts in every genre ranging from headCard subject to change up until bell time. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: Localtopia liner, The Charlie Daniels Band, to the Fifth Dimension and $20-$95. Beatlemania Live, plus the Country Gold Tour which will Williams Park Amalie Arena is located at 401 Channelside Dr., Taminclude an additional concert on February 10 and 11. MiliFebruary 7 pa, FL. For more information www.amaliearena.com. tary, law enforcement, firefighters and first responders reMore than 100 St. Petersburg area independent busiceive free admission opening and closing day. Senior days nesses present “A Community Celebration of All Things LoCortez Commercial Fishing Festival are February 9 - 12, including special senior seminars. cal” with representation of arts, culture, shopping, food, Florida Maritime Museum Country Gold Concert Tour on the 10th and 11th at 2:00 drinks, health and wellness. 10:00 a.m. Free. February 14 p.m. Price: $9 advance, $7 seniors advance, ages 6-11 $5 Williams Park is located at Fourth St. and First Ave. N, Endorsed by famed ocean-explorer Jean-Michel Cousadvance, ages 5 and under free. Ride armbands additional. St. Petersburg, FL. For more information (813) 500-7708. teau, the annual festival in the historic waterfront fishing (Advance senior admission $7, ages 55+, $9 if purchased at village location includes live music and dancing, marine the gate and only good on specified dates) Senior Excursions life displays, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, The FL State Fairgrounds are located at 4802 U.S. 301 St. Pete Beach Community Ctr. & Horan Park beer and plenty of delicious seafood. Benefits the FISH N, Tampa, FL. For more information (813) 621-7821 or Preserve. 10:00 a.m. Price: $3, 11 and younger free. February 7, 14 & 21 www.floridastatefair.com. FL Maritime Museum is located at 4415 119th St. W, The excursions are a great way for local seniors to travel Wine Weekend St. Pete 2015: Cheers to 50 Years with their friends and make new ones. Cost covers trans- Cortez, FL. portation. 10:00 a.m. Price: $12 for residents, $15 non-resiMuseum of Fine Arts Animal Lovers dents. February 6 McGough Nature Park Departure point is 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete The Museum of Fine Arts celebrates its 50th anniversa- Beach, FL. February 14 ry with this over-the-top weekend for wine lovers including A family oriented Valentines Day picnic with food, premium food, wine, auctions and artwork. Black tie gala Busch Gardens Serengeti Night Safari drinks, crafts and animal programs. 12:00 p.m. Price: $7, with guest of honor, Jean-Charles Boisset, of the Boisset Busch Gardens $5 children. Family Estates, and six course French dinner paired with McGough Park is located 11901 146th St. N, Largo, FL. February 7, 21 & 27 wines chosen by Boisset himself. 7:00 p.m. Price: $100 Travel through the park’s Edge of Africa in the dark, brunch, $285 wine auction, $2,500 weekend for two. Valentine’s Day Tea The Museum of Fine Arts is located at 255 Beach Drive viewing the active nighttime behaviors of lions, hippos, giTilted Teacup Tea Room raffes, rhinos and more, then cozy up around a bonfire. BeNE, St. Petersburg, FL. For more information (727) 753fore and after the safari, drinks, appetizers, nightcap and February 14 9463 or www.wineweekendstpete.org. desserts are provided in the Safari Club. Guests must be 21 The Paris themed “A Beau-Tea-Ful Romance is BrewBrooksville Native American Festival and up to participate. 7:30 p.m. Price: $69 per person. Park ing” Valentine’s Day high tea with candlelit tables, a strolladmission not required. ing violinist and carriage rides down cobblestone roads. Florida Classic Park Bush Gardens is located at 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Sittings available at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. with 15-minFebruary 7 & 8 Tampa, FL. For more information (813) 987-5600. ute carriage rides beginning at 5:00 p.m. Price: $24.95 The festival features music, dance, primitive skills dem(tea), $10 (carriage ride). onstrations, native American food vendors and more than Keep That Heart Beating Lecture The Tilted Teacup is located at 200 W. Fort Dade Ave., 20 other vendors selling native American and native AmerBrooksville, FL. Palm Harbor Library ican-inspired arts and crafts. Performers include Little Big February 12 Mountain and the Big Mountain Dancers, Chipa Wolfe, Bay Area Renaissance Fest.: Wine, Chocolate & Romance Dark chocolate, strawberries, and red wine this ValenShelley Morningsong and Fabian Fontinelle. A familyMOSI friendly event starting at 10:00 a.m. both days. Price: tines Day? “Oh, yes!” is the response made by Cynthia WitFebruary 14 & 15 kowski, Certified Diabetes Educator and Dietician. Ms. Adults $7; ages 5-12 $4; 4 and younger free. Wow your significant other and make merry with your The FL Classic Park is located at 5360 Lockhart Road, Witkowski will present “Keep That Heart Beating.” Learn Brooksville, FL. For more information (352) 238-7308 or the top five dietary changes you should make to achieve the friends during a weekend full of Wine, Chocolate & Rogoal of a healthy heart in 2015! Registration is required on- mance! This weekend is destined to satisfy your sweet www.brooksvillenativeamericanfest.com. tooth with our Chocolate Festival and decadent wine tastline or at the Adult Services desk. Clearwater Beach Uncorked The Palm Harbor Library is located at 2330 Nebraska ing. Prove that you’re the king or queen of the kitchen in Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Ave., Palm Harbor, FL. For more information kathy@ our Cupcake Crusades baking competition, or the best fencer if Florida in our 4th Annual Fencing Championphlib.org or (727)784-3332. February 7 & 8 ships. There is something for everyone this weekend, so Sip, savor and be seen at paparazzi-filled festival for Alzheimer’s Caregiver Training don’t miss out! 10:00 a.m. both days. Price: $16.95, $8.95 foodies; indulge in creations from local top notch chefs, ages 5-12 (advance); $19.95, $15.95 seniors/students, $11.95 PTAK Orthopaedic and Neuroscience Pavilion world class wines and spirits, craft beers and micro-brews, ages 5-12 (at the gate); $10 dogs. February 13 at the Grand Tasting Village that transforms into a beachFestival is located at 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL. This five hour course covers the disease, behavior man- For more information (800) 966-8215 or www. side epicurean oasis. Portion of proceeds benefit hospitality student scholarships. Starting at 1:00 p.m. both days. Price: agement, driving and dementia and communication strate- bayarearenfest.com. gies. 8:00 a.m. Free. $45-$55. Event will take place at 430 Morton Plant St., The Hyatt Regency is located at 301 S Gulfview Blvd., Wild at Heart Clearwater, FL. For more information (954) 960-6083 or Clearwater, FL . For more information (727) 953-6877 or Lowry Park Zoo www.baycareevents.org. www.clearwaterbeachuncorked.com. Florida State Fair
Monster Jam
Raymond James Stadium February 7 & 17
Giant custom-designed trucks crush lesser cars and even school buses in competition. From 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., fans can tailgate and the Party In The Pits, can also get up close for pictures with the trucks and drivers in Parking Lot 5 outside the stadium. Free Pit Passes are
Swing Dance Friday
February 13 & 14
This one’s definitely not for the kids. Here’s a Valentine’s Day event for ages 21 and older including a romantic setLargo Community Center ting, cocktails under the stars and dinner with stories February 13 about the pairing, partnering and mating habits of the Savoy Swing provides the music to keep you swingin’ zoo’s residents. There may even be some live hanky panky around the dance floor. Come early for a pre-dance lesson. going on. This event usually sells out, so get your tickets 7:00 p.m. Price: $8, $7 with rec. card. fast. 6:30 p.m. Price: $75, $65 members. Largo Comm. Center is located at 400 Alt Keene Road, The Lowry Park Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Largo, FL. Tampa, FL. For more information (813) 935-8552 or www.
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Senior Happenings February 19
lowryparkzoo.com 31st annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras Celebration
Lake Wales February 13 & 14
5K race with live music playing during and after the race at the Beer & Wine garden 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Applications at www.lwmardigras.com. Registration 5:00 p.m., race begins at 6:30 p.m., awards ceremony at 8:00 p.m. $25 before Feb. 7, $30 after. Walkers welcome. 2 free beers per registered runner and free t-shirt. February 14th is the 31st Lake Wales Mardi Gras parade and celebration. Food, arts, & craft vendors and children’s activities from 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Live music all day in the Beer & Wine garden. Both events are located at 200 E Park Ave. Lake Wales, FL. For more information (863) 676-2455 contact Bill Ouellette or www.lwmardigras.com. Valentine’s Dinner: An Evening of Vintage Charm
Bok Tower Gardens February 14
Experience the ambiance of an elegant night of southern charm with romantic acoustic guitar music inside the 20room Pinewood Estate mansion. Full-course dinner, cocktails and romance included! 7:00 p.m. Reservations required. Call (863) 734-1222 for pricing. Bok Tower Gardens are located at 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL. For more information (863) 6761408 or www.boktowergardens.org. Mardi Gras Dinner Dance
Banquet Masters February 14
The dinner dance also features performances by Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band. Price: $35-40.
Banquet Masters is located at 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, FL. Pancake Festival
Tigertown Hanger 2 February 14
It’s the Citrus Center Kiwanis 57th Annual Pancake Festival! This year we are “Flipping for Charities”. Sponsored by the Detroit Tigers Found. of FL. Fun activities and community information for children and families, breakfast including sausage and juice... and of course, PANCAKES! 7:00 a.m. Adults: $8.00, kids ages 2-12: $4.00, family pack: $20.00 – 2 adults/2 kids. Tigertown is located at 2220 N. Lake Ave., Lakeland FL 33805 For more information (863) 646-6683 or www. sbs727.com/kiwanis/cckc/pancakes.htm. Saturday Night Rodeo
Westgate Resort River Ranch February 14
The longest-running Saturday night championship rodeo in the U.S. takes place at this 1,200-seat rodeo arena. A thrilling rodeo that boasts bull riding, calf roping, trick riding and barrel racing! Also features a hilarious “calf scramble” for the kids. After the rodeo, take a spin on our new mechanical bull, or get your feet moving to the lively dance party just outside the River Ranch Saloon where you’ll hear music and games from a lively DJ to end a perfect day. Westgate Resort River Ranch is located3600 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch, FL. For more information (863) 692-1321 or www.westgatedestinations.com. Pasco County Fair
Pasco County Fairgrounds February 16 - 22
Giant midway and an array of fair food, livestock shows, racing pigs, talent shows and pageants, parade. rodeo, plant show, Butterflies and Blooms Exhibit presented by Pasco County Master Gardeners, and much more. Price: $8, $5 ages 6-12, five and younger free. $3 admission Tuesday. Unlimited midway ride wristband: $20 (plus admission) Mon.-Thur., $25 (plus admis.) Fri.-Sun. The Pasco County Fairgrounds are located at 36722 State Road 52, Dade City, FL. For more information (352) 567-6678 or www.pascocountyfair.com. Author Talk with Barbara Shoup
University of S. FL Tampa Campus Library
rently battling, or have battled, cancer. Benefits pediatric Author Barbara Shoup will discuss her latest novel cancer research. 6:00 p.m. Price: $100. Tampa International Jet Center is located at 4751 Jim Looking For Jack Kerouac. A book signing follows. 2:00 Walter Blvd., Tampa, FL. p.m. Free. Univ. of S. FL is located at 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Chinese New Year FL. Mood, Memory & Alzheimer’s Class
Nature’s Food Patch February 19
Dr. George Springer will explore the common physiological links between mood, memory and Alzheimer’s, what you can do to assess your situation and how to bring these metabolic factors back into balance. 6:30 p.m. Free. Nature’s Food Patch is located at 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL. Lights on Tampa 2015
Curtis Hixon Park February 20
The award-winning display puts the spotlight on Tampa with light-based art displays. Look for the new installation near Kiley Gardens that will light up the seawall. As pedestrians pass by, motion sensors will change the color of the lights. 6:00 p.m. Free. Curtis Hixon Park is located at 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL. Gasparilla Distance Classic
Downtown Tampa February 21 & 22
One of Tampa’s best known road races regularly attracts elite runners and first-timers alike. The chief attraction is the 15K on Saturday, which takes runners along an out and back course from downtown Tampa, out just across Gandy Blvd. and back again alongside the mansions and water views of Bayshore Blvd. The 5K and 15K is Saturday, and Sunday features an 8K and a half marathon. Starting at 6:40 a.m. Races starts at the intersection of Twiggs and Tampa streets, Tampa, FL. For more information (813) 254-7866 or www.tampabayrun.com. Taste of Winter Haven
Downtown Winter Haven February 21
Largo Central Park February 21
Try your hand at traditional Chinese crafts and activities while you enjoy food samples and colorful Asian performances. 9:00 a.m. Free; wristbands required for some activities. Largo Central Park is located at 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL. Clearwater Sea Blues Concert Festival
Coachman Park February 21 & 22
This year’s line-up for the two-day festival includes Amos Lee, Otis Taylor, Jarekus Singleton, Sena Ehrhardt and the Flood Brothers on Saturday, with Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Robben Ford, Joanne Shaw Taylor and AJ Ghent Band on Sunday. 12:30 p.m. Free general admission; $25-$45 reserved seating; $120-$130 VIP. Coachman Park is located at 301 Drew St., Clearwater, FL. BayCare Free Health Screenings
Mease Countryside Hospital February 21
Community health screening teams offer free tests for blood pressure, blood sugar/glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI), and cholesterol. The screening team will also answer questions and offer tips that can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and help prevent heart disease. 8:00 a.m. Free. Mease Countryside Hospital is located at 3231 McMullen Booth Road, Safety Harbor, FL. Florida Strawberry Festival
Strawberry Festival Grounds - Plant City February 21
The Florida Strawberry Festival rolls out the red carpet to welcome visitors from throughout the Sunshine State and the world. Guests from near and far can enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. The traditional midway rides and topname entertainment this year including Alabama, Mell The event takes place at 401 Ave. B NW., Winter Haven Tillis, Sawyer Brown, The Oakridge Boys, Loretta Lynn and FL. For more information Jennifer Romberger (863) 293- Reba! Adults $10, children $5, under 5, free. Festival grounds are located at 303 N. Lemon St., Plant 2138 or www.communityfestwh.com. City, FL. www.flstrawberryfestival.com. Coastline Festival
Attendees will have the opportunity to taste local cuisine, specialty beers, wine and listen to live music. Look forward to excellent cuisine from a wide selection of first class eateries from in and around Winter Haven. Event follows the CommUNITYfest and runs from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Ticketed event with limited number.
Vinoy Park February 21
A year ago, Tampa hosted the inaugural festival. Now, it returns to St. Petersburg with performers, the Flaming Lips, the Airborne Toxic Event, Young the Giants, Future Islands, Echosmith, The Ghost of Saber Tooth Tiger, MisterWives, Knox Hamilton, Colourist and more. There will also be a craft beer corner, a food frontier and an isle of the art with local beer, food and culture. 1:00 p.m. Price: $29.50-$60. Vinoy Park is located at 501 Fifth Ave. NE., St. Petersburg, FL. For more information www. coastlinefestival.com. Fashion Funds the Cure
Tampa International Jet Center February 21
Carson Kressley (How to Look Good Naked, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) hosts the annual fashion fundraiser featuring a runway fashion show with young models who are cur-
Email Your
Senior Happenings to: Lourdes@Seniorvoiceamerica.com The Deadline for the March Issue is February 15th
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k l a T et’s
L
No Plan By Nurse Ruth Fanovich I recently became involved with a family who was in crisis regarding an elderly person with dementia, or if you’re more comfortable with another term, Alzheimer’s disease. The problem? Her family jumped into the situation without a definitive plan. While it’s noble of the family to want to care for their loved one, know that love is not enough. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can cause stress and other emotional difficulties. It is a 24/7 commitment. Before you can help someone, you need to know your limits, and, if others are going to be involved with care, everyone needs to understand there will be changes in the household schedule/peoples’ lives, and the person you are caring for will need, at some point, constant supervision and assistance. Financial concerns will also arise.
How is that going to work??? Not well, unless you have a plan! You MUST communicate with each other about who’s going to do what (i.e. be sure meds are taken, provide nutrition, provide transportation to appointments, handle bathing, etc.). AND, how’s that going to work with everyone’s “outside schedule?” Alzheimer’s disease requires the family to make adjustments, which can be difficult, and some may not want to make the necessary changes in their lifestyles. You need to discuss alternatives and solutions. Perhaps the person with Alzheimer’s disease could go to daycare. Maybe a friend could lend a hand by sitting with your loved one or picking up things from the store. Another consideration and discussion which needs to be addressed is SLEEP. It is important to recognize the person with Alzheimer’s disease may not sleep well and may be up all night. With that comes the risk of wandering. How is the family going to cope with losing sleep and yet still manage to get up and joyfully go to work? Also, remember the loving person with Alzheimer’s disease could have personality changes or develop other medical problems, making their care more difficult. The stress to a family is very real. However, it can work if a realistic care plan is developed with the help of an outside professional, such as a nurse case manager. Use the support groups and counseling that are available. Call the help line at the Alzheimer’s Association: 1-800-272-3900. If you don’t, just like the family I was asked to help, eventually you will have a family crisis on your hands. This family did not plan and did not discuss, and everyone was not on board. The young adult children didn’t realize that they would have to give up personal time, and the husband thought his wife would do it all. It does take a village to care for someone with declining health, but there is help out there…just ask me. Let’s Talk. Provided by Ruth Fanovich, RN, LHRM, Owner, Care Placement Home Health Agency, Inc. and RMF Care Management, Inc. www.CarePlacementHH.com.
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Senior Voice America
self help
A “Re-Life-Styling” Approach to Vitality and Well Being Research suggests that our brains are a combination of rational and emotional processing centers, and that there is a limit to how much each side of the brain can handle at a given time. When one side of the brain is “full,” the other side is going to take over and make the decisions, even when we don’t want it to. For example, if the rational part of the brain is taken up processing something like a challenging and complex issue at work, there is no rational brain left when it comes to issues like deciding the appropriate foods to eat or when to exercise. The emotional brain will then take over and eat whatever foods it wants to and/or lie down on the couch. That said, I find behavior changes far more successful using a “Whole Person Wellness” approach, as opposed to “going on a diet” and/or jumping on the “exercise bandwagon.” Think about your overall lifestyle rather than your spare tire or your flabby thighs. Look at your “whole” rather than your “parts.” Ideally, all Six Dimensions of Wellness should be incorporated in your lifestyle where and whenever possible: Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social, Vocational and Physical.
By Peggy Buchanan
Emotional: Taking Care of Your Heart The emotional dimension emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings. This dimension involves the capacity to manage feelings and behaviors, unconditionally accept the self, assess limitations, develop autonomy and cope with stress. Seek out special people to share your private feelings and difficulties with and look for opportunities to have a good laugh at yourself.
Intellectual: Taking Care of Your Mind The intellectual dimension promotes the use of one’s mind to create a greater understanding and appreciation of oneself and others. It involves one’s ability to think creatively and rationally. Try taking classes, workshops and/or engaging in memory stimulation games and puzzles.
Spiritual: Taking Care of Your Values and Beliefs The spiritual dimension involves seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. It involves developing a strong sense of personal values and ethics. Consider meditation, religious studies and/or connecting with nature.
Social: Taking Care of Your Relationships and Community The social dimension is humanistic, emphasizing the creation and maintenance of healthy relationships. It enhances interdependence with others and nature and encourages the pursuit of harmony within the family. Get involved with friends, family, group activities and/or cultural traditions.
Vocational: Serving Others and Engaging in New Life Experiences The vocational dimension emphasizes the process of determining and achieving personal and occupational interests through meaningful activities. It encourages goal setting for one’s personal enrichment. Start mentoring, volunteering and/or taking on a new hobby.
Physical: Taking Care of Your Body The physical dimension promotes participation in activities for cardiovascular endurance, muscular strengthening and flexibility. The physical dimension encourages participation in activities contributing to high-level wellness, including personal safety, medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system. Peggy Buchanan is the director of fitness, aquatics and physical therapy at Vista del Monte Retirement Community in Santa Barbara, Calif.
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opinion
BECOMING “We become what we behold,” Marshal McLuhan said, in 1964, and to which I would add, we become what we are told to be. Before the pervasiveness of the media, in particular, television, we put our faith in “journalism,” which, at one time, referred almost exclusively to the written word. “Extra, extra! Read all about it!” The newsboys, hawking their papers on the street, would cry out the headlines of the day from the newspaper for which they worked. We understood that the large, bold type on the front page related to the major story of the day—major in the opinion of the publisher of the newspaper. Okay. We could read it or not as we chose and could discuss the story with family or friends, if it was of sufficient interest. We were not analysts or critics and might base our beliefs on what we considered to be solid evidence, or maybe just on who had the kindest face. Simplistic? Perhaps, but we were all thinking machines in those days—some more rusty and ineffectual than others—but good, bad or indifferent, we put the little gray cells to work (as Poirot would have said), and the gray cells were a reflection of our own beliefs. Flash forward to the new world, the world where one picture is worth a thousand words, but we get not only the picture—we also get the thousand words. We now have the bearer of dispatches (Job 1:14), also called the messenger, from the Greek, “angelos,” and synonymously, in English, the “intelligencer.” I take issue with the derivations of the
By Evelyn Levin
word, “messenger.” The individuals who have taken it upon themselves to pre-chew and digest the information that is presented to us electronically, and who then, birdlike, push it into our mouths based on what they think we need to know, in whatever form they think we can absorb, are not angels. They are not sent from on high to inform us, unless “on high” refers to the political machinations of management. They are sent to bedevil us, to confuse us and to influence us, to act as thought police who tell us how to interpret what we see and hear. Who are these messengers, these intelligencers, these gurus who have the temerity to call themselves analysts and interpreters and who often are without credentials, save having been serendipitously attached to some news media by a fortuitous event? I can observe a political convention or listen to a
speech without benefit of ad nauseam analysis more based on opinion than on fact. I read prodigiously, as do many of us who are growing older disgracefully, and we don’t wait breathlessly for a TV commentator to tell us whether we liked, agreed with or disagreed with what was said. We don’t want to watch an event which is being televised and for which the armchair analysts arbitrarily pick out what we may watch. We resent having political commentary take place while we are trying to listen to a speech which we don’t consider minor and which the analysts do, and so we must surf the channels to find someone who respects our right to choose. A hint to our fellow sufferers –public broadcast stations are usually more respectful of their viewers’ preferences. We want to know what’s going on in the world. Report the news, televise the speeches, don’t be decision makers. Just be the reporters that you are meant to be. Most of us don’t want information to be selectively revealed to us. Be straight with us, or we may be tempted to deal with messengers, in the way of rulers of old, when confronted with bearers of unpleasant news.
See more at www.grrouch.com (growing older disgracefully).
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Senior Voice America
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self help
Step Out in Love
In her book, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” author Margery Williams wrote, “You only become
By Carolyn Shockey real when your fur has been rubbed off.”
We’ve all had our favorite stuffed animals as children, the ones that were our constant companions through thick and thin. Mine was a brown teddy bear. After a few years, it became threadbare, with only one eye. Yet being fur-less with limited vision never diminished its worth. It was just a sign of being used for its intended purpose: its love and companionship, “someone” that was there for me always. That made it special and endearing regardless of how it looked. Hopefully we have since become more skilled at living and interacting successfully with others, have set aside our furry friends and progressed to reaching out and risking as we tread through life. When we do this, we open ourselves up to letting our true selves show through, both the good and bad sides. What we do and how we react when there is conflict or disagreement is directly proportionate to how much fur we lose. Most of us have lost count of how many times our fur has been rubbed off in the process of living and loving. How many times have we put ourselves out there and been taken advantage of or hurt by an employee, friend, family member or loved one? Many of those times it felt like our skin was rubbed off, too, or even burned to the point that we have the scars to prove it. Yet as we look back on those times, we see that some positives came from each of the experiences, that we triumphed over it all, and that we became more real through our vulnerability and risk-taking. Loving is not always safe, and many times we feel we have been taken advantage of. Being used can be a positive or negative, as it is our choice how we respond to it and realize when enough is enough. We get real when we step out in love to be used for a higher purpose than ourselves, to do some good in the world. Moving out of our comfort level to try to help others is one way, be it volunteering for a charity of your choice, feeding a shut-in neighbor or tutoring children. Many retirees feel that this is their time to do as they wish and want to live their lives unencumbered, without added responsibilities and feeling emotionally safe. Certainly, that is their choice, but reaching out in love in some way makes the world a better place, for others and ourselves. We are being used, and, yes, in the process, we may lose a little fur, or maybe a lot, but it’s tradeoff for love and appreciation, and that is not too high a price to pay. Have you ever noticed the feelings that come over you when you pick up a stuffed animal? Especially the soft, cuddly ones out these days. That’s what it feels like to be on the receiving end of love. Why would you not want to share it? Tell someone you love them. All the world needs is love!
Sail roundtrip aboard the fun Carnival Paradise to Cozumel!
October 8, 2015 (4 nights)
Invites you for the
Sign up by free tick February 15 a n ets to th e Florid d get two a Orche stra
2015 Senior Cruise
on Carnival’s Paradise from Tampa Special amenities: b HEALTHY LIFE SEMINAR b FITNESS SEMINAR b COCKTAIL PARTY WITH RADIO HOSTS EVAN & DEB b FITNESS CLASSES b $50.00 ON BOARD CREDIT PER STATEROOM Appreciate everything this ship has to offer including the relaxing Serenity Adult Only Retreat & Spa Carnival, Vegas style Majestic Casino, enjoy a cocktail by the resort style pool or at one of the many lounges aboard. Take in a Broadway style show or enjoy many other wonderful activities aboard this exciting ship! In Mexico, take an excursion to the Mayan ruins, relax on the beach, or do some shopping. It’s your choice! Rates starting from $269.00 per person, double occupancy — Taxes and fees: $70.67 per person Deposits are $150.00 per person ($300.00 per stateroom) & final payment is due on 8/10/15. Cabins are limited, so book early! Reserve your stateroom by contacting: Nancy M. Clark, A.C.C. - Cruise Planners/American Express (813) 527-6574 • Toll Free (855) 222-SAIL nclark@cruiseplanners.com • www.ACruiseForMe.com
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finances
Can Your Marriage Survive Medicaid? In a separate article (“Medicaid Liens on the Family Home,” Senior Voice America, January 2015), we discussed how Medicaid, by recording and executing on liens on real property after the deaths of recipients, constrains the capacity of those recipients to keep a family residence in the family. Here, we discuss how Medicaid, by instituting a rule of planned spousal impoverishment, has encouraged people to alter their marital commitments. This is manifested in two patterns: seniors living together without benefit of marriage and strategic divorce. The details vary from time to time and may vary by jurisdiction, but, in general, Medicaid has a rule that if a married person receives benefits, then not one but two peoples’ assets and income are required to meet stringent dollar restrictions. It is not just the recipient spouse who cannot own more than a certain dollar amount of assets, but the community (nonrecipient) spouse—even if not ill nor in need of Medicaid—must also “spend down” assets to meet a stringent dollar limit. This is the rule of planned spousal impoverishment. One pattern whereby couples have successfully evaded the rule is by avoiding marriage. Consider the case of this couple: “Laurie,” whose assets and earnings were ample, and her sweetheart, “Boone,” who was her business co-partner. Boone was older than Laurie, had lower earnings and assets, and suffered from an indolent (slow-growing) form of cancer. Laurie and Boone were interested in marrying. However, assuming that Boone would eventually need Medicaid, they forbore from marrying and lived together unmarried. Boone eventually progressed in his illness and did receive Medicaid benefits. Upon his death, Laurie was left financially intact because, not having been married to Boone, she was not required under Medicaid rules to restrict or spend down her assets. The second pattern whereby a married couple may evade the rule of planned spousal impoverishment is to get a strategic divorce. We are acquainted with the case of a married couple, “Ady” and “Franklin,” who suffered a catastrophic situation when Ady became too disabled to continue living at home. A care facility’s costs threatened to wipe out the couple’s assets. Franklin then took recourse of an allowed legal strategy: With the advice of a lawyer, he filed for divorce. As a matter of course, the court ordered a property settlement, and, in so doing, the judge di-
By Joyce Holly
vided the joint assets of the marriage, including the anticipated value of Franklin’s eventual retirement. When the cost of institutional care wiped out Ady’s share of the assets, she went on Medicaid. Franklin, on the other hand, retained his half of the family assets because he was no longer married to Ady when she started receiving benefits. Moreover, he was able to rebuild financially to some extent, because he was not yet retired, but still working. He was left financially much better off than had he remained married to Ady. The federal government plays down the reality of its encouraging immorality in marital relations by the rule of spousal planned impoverishment. People who prefer not to have the government have a say in their marital relations do well to plan their financial lives by starting early to save, to invest, to acquire long-term care insurance, and otherwise to minimize the likelihood of ever having to rely on Medicaid assistance.
Joyce Holly is a retired attorney and the author of “Ten Stupid Things Aging Americans Do to Mess Up Their Lives and Financial Situation.” She is also the author of the novel, “An Inconvenient Old Woman.” Holly’s books are available for purchase on www.Amazon.com.
Health, Wealth & Wisdom
The Leading Information Source for Seniors in the Entire Tampa Bay Area ! Looking for medical or financial information? Relevant news for seniors or mature adults? Or just a healthy perspective on life & intelligent discussion?
Tune in as Evan and Deb bring the experts that will enhance your everyday life and bring a smile to your face.
Monday - Friday from 7-9 pm on 1250am WHNZ radio We want to hear your Voice…Call-ins welcome!
follow us on Facebook and Twitter www.seniorvoiceamerica.com Deb and Evan
febrUARY 2015
Senior Voice America
travel advisory Chikungunya Traveler Alert Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Chikungunya disease rarely results in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most people who get sick feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may last for months or years.
Who is at risk? Travelers who go to islands in the Caribbean or Central American countries are at risk of getting chikungunya. In addition, travelers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk, as the virus is present in many of these areas. As of January 9, 2015, local transmission had been identified in 42 countries or territories in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, or North America. The mosquito that carries chikungunya virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.
What can travelers do to prevent chikungunya? There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent chikungunya. The only way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites. Preventing bites can be difficult, but it is important as you can get sick after just one bite. Follow steps to reduce the chances that you will be bitten by mosquitoes during your trip; cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats and use an appropriate insect repellent as directed and reapply as directed. If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Stay and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
If you feel sick and think you may have chikungunya: A total of 4,462 chikungunya virus disease cases were reported to ArboNET from U.S. territories in 2014. Of these, 4,416 were locally-transmitted cases reported from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The remaining 46 cases occurred in travelers returning from other affected areas in the Americas (N=45) or Asia (N=1). With the recent outbreaks in the Americas and the Pacific, the number of chikungunya cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States from affected areas will continue to increase. These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in the continental United States. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever. Tell them about your travel. Use acetaminophen or paracetamol to treat fever and pain, get lots of rest, and drink plenty of liquids and avoid spreading the disease by preventing more mosquito bites. Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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SENIOR WRITERS
It’s Never Too Late I always loved to write, but only for myself. I was in awe of authors and wanted to write a book, but the thought of writing a couple hundred pages was daunting. I had no special education in writing and was a high school dropout. But when I was involved in a murder in 1982, my friends said I had to write the story. I wanted to, but was doubtful that I could write an entire book, until a friend said, “Could you commit to writing one page a day? Because if you can, you’ll have 365 pages in a year.” I knew I could commit to one page a day, and in one year, I had written “Give Him Back to God” and sold almost 5000 copies the first year. I was now 53 with a new career in writing. At that time, I started working on feature films, such as “Cocoon,” and “Absence of Malice,” as an assistant casting director, where I began to love reading scripts and dialogue. I started a group of screenwriters that developed into Florida Screenwriters and Actors. Most of the members were retired and had the time to devote to their earlier passion for writing. A few years ago, I decided to make my own short films, so I started a newer group, Actors, Screenwriters and Crew Productions, and produced my first film at 82. I’m still going strong at 85, with four other short films to date. ASACP has flourished to a membership of more than 120 members, 80 percent of whom are not-so-retired retirees. The meetings are free but valuable, and we welcome anyone interested in making films. The screenwriters submit pages of their scripts, which are then read by the actors and critiqued by the group. Although members say that the meeting is “fun,” I run it with a heavy hand on a gavel. We have also formed a smaller group, Serious Screenwriters, to perfect our scripts and keep up with the latest formats and changes in screenwriting. ASACP meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the new, state-of-theart production company, SUITE 4K STUDIOS, located at 126th Ave. and 62nd St., Largo, Fla. (727) 247-8900. So, you see, it’s never too late to do anything you want to do. If you are interested in working in films and/or making movies, contact Barbara Cronin Harrington at (727) 572-6345 or email bharrington2@tampabay.rr.com.
By Barbara Cronin Harrington
Senior Voice America can be found at over 1,000 Bay Area locations.
HILLSBORO, PINELLAS & PASCO COUNTIES
HILLSBORO & PASCO COUNTIES
febrUARY 2015
Senior Voice America
vocal chords, Little said his voice has held Rich Little and Carol Channing up well over the years. He has never taken voice lessons or studied the science of speech, relying on natural talent and hard work. “I just listen over and over again to a new voice and practice until I get it right.” And no, his voice is not insured. “I once contacted Lloyds of London, but they wanted something like $50,000 a year to insure my voice,” Little said. So has Little ever been tempted to use his talents to mimic a celebrity for personal gain? Well, sort of. “Years ago when I was starting out, I ordered room service as Gary Grant—and found he got much faster service than Rich Little usually did. When the food arrived, and they asked for Mr. Grant, I just took the food and said he was in the shower.” Of course, not all his impressions commanded the same respect. “I once ordered a cheeseburger as Richard Nixon,” Little said. “I’m still waiting for it.” From LITTLE Page 8
Visit Rich Little’s web site at www. richlittle.com. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University in Montgomery, Ala. and has written features, columns and interviews for more than 500 magazines and newspapers.
Rich Little and Friends - Provided by Rich Little
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Entertainment RENT
Straz Center February 5 - 12
Rent, winner of the Tony award for Best Musical and Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is an inspiring rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson and is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème. Our production features music direction by Peter Belk and Kyle Goyens and direction by 2014 Broadway World Tampa Best Director nominee, Anthony Paul Gilkinson. 7:30 Th., Fr., Sat., 3:00 p.m. Sun. Tickets: $18 - $25. St. Olaf Orchestra
Palladium Theater February 6
The orchestra’s national tour will feature Dvorak’s brilliant Carnival Overture, Tchaikovsky’s lively Dance of the Jesters from The Snow Maiden, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s masterful Scheherazade. Price: $10; free for students with ID. The Palladium is located at 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL. First Date
Straz Center - Jaeb Theater February 6 - April 19
A blind date newbieand serial-dater’s casual drink turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner as supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversation land mines. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $40. Footloose
St. Petersburg City Theatre February 6 - 8
Based on the 1984 movie, the musical about a city boy who shakes up a small Midwestern town features forbidden dance, romance and music such as Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Holding Out For a Hero and I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man). 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $24, $10 students. St. Petersburg City Theatre is located at 4025 31st St. S, St. Petersburg, FL. Piano Concert Series: Rebecca Penneys
St. Pete. College Music Center February 6
Performances by a variety of accomplished pianists. Penneys teaches a keyboard technique that allows pianists to avoid physical strain or injury. She will hear students and teachers of all ages and levels in performance and discuss and answer questions. 7:30 p.m. Price: $10, free for SPC students and staff with ID. St. Petersburg College of Music Ctr. is located at 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL. Les Miserables
The Barn Theatre at Winthrop February 7
The Showcase Players with the Florida Academy of Performing Arts, more than 70 middle and high school students, present the musical about love, loss and redemption in early 19th century France. 2:00 p.m. Price: $10-$20, $30 Valentine’s Day dinner
special. The Barn Theatre at Winthrop is located at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview, FL. Chicago
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 7
This is the second longest running American musical in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down! Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids. 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets $35 - $100. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the performance for only $25 per person (includes tax). Doors open two hours prior to the performance. Due to limited seating, we suggest advance purchase. The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Van Wezel Perf. Arts Hall February 9
One of the most influential figures in jazz, if not all American music, Duke Ellington produced an astoundingly rich body of music. In addition to leading his orchestra for more than 50 years, Ellington also composed movie scores, stage musicals, and toured the world over. Now led by his grandson, Paul Mercer Ellington, The Duke Ellington Orchestra continues to thrill audiences with its signature style of ground breaking jazz. 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $40 - $55. Under the Streetlamp
The Lakeland Center February 11
With the mantra “Retro never sounded so now!”, the dreamy voices of the four lead singers of UNDER THE STREETLAMP are poised to bring the repertoire of The American Radio Songbook of the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and 70’s to a whole new audience! Specializing in doo-wop derived hits, along with old-time rock ‘n’ roll, Motownera soul classics and exquisite harmonies. UNDER THE STREETLAMP breathes fresh new life into standards and proves that great music is timeless. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $36 - $65. 106 Years of Broadway
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 13
Once again, Neil Berg brings us an all-new musical revue with five Broadway stars and a great New York band, re-creating magical moments from the best that Broadway has offered over the past hundred years. This performance sells out every year! 7:00 p.m. Tickets $18 - $35. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the performance for only $25 per person (includes tax). Doors open two hours prior to the performance. Due to limited seating,
we suggest advance purchase. Harry Connick Jr.
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 13
The actor-singer has spent plenty of time in Clearwater filming the Dolphin Tale movies, but he performs as a pianist and vocalist for the first time since a sold out November 2013 show. 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $50 - $125. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the performance for only $25 per person (includes tax). Doors open two hours prior to the performance. Due to limited seating, we suggest advance purchase. Diana Ross
Van Wezel Perf. Arts Hall February 13
The Legend... The Music…The Voice… Live! Diana Ross has had a profound influence on American popular culture and has become an icon in the entertainment industry. Her music became the sound of young America in the ‘60s soon after she signed with Motown Records in 1961 with The Supremes. She embarked on her extraordinary solo career in 1970, and has not stopped since. Diana Ross sings the soundtrack of our lives, a true music legend. 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $85 - $95. Ana Popovic
Capitol Theatre February 13
The Blues Music Award nominee who blends electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instruments and a blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals will return to the Capitol stage. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 - $30. Valentine’s Romantic Pas De Deux
Tampa Ballet Theatre February 15
Tampa public is invited, to the first ever, Romantic Pas De Deux performance to celebrate some of the best love stories in ballet. There is a limited amount of tickets available for $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased by calling (813) 814-0587. The Romantic Pas De Deux performance is going to be an intimate setting where guests will experience chocolate fondue, hors d’ oeuvres, and an afternoon enjoying some of the most famous romantic pas de deux of classical ballet, including Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake. 3:00 p.m. The Tampa Ballet Theatre is located at at 12720 Dupont Circle, A6, Tampa, FL. Sinatra Centennial Celebration
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 17
Considered the “World’s Most Recorded Orchestra” having recorded with legendary performers, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra is currently directed by Nelson’s son Christopher and will be joined by Bryan Anthony for a centennial celebration of the musical collaboration of Sinatra and Riddle. The performance will include songs that Sinatra made into worldwide classics with the Nelson Riddlie
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Entertainment Orchestra such as I’ve Got The World On A String, All The Way, Chicago, The Way You Look Tonight, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Summer Wind, Night and Day, My Kind of Town (Chicago Is) and many more. Ruth Eckerd Hall show 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $18 $35.
pre-show dinner doors open. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the performance for only $25 per person (includes tax). Doors open two hours prior to the performance. Due to limited seating, we suggest advance purchase.
America
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 22
The Lakeland Center February 19
The year 2014 marks the 44th Anniversary of perennial classic-rock favorite, AMERICA. Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960’s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” AMERICA became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, including “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $32 - $41. Dancing Pros Live
Van Wezel Perf. Arts Hall February 16 The Lakeland Center February 17 Ruth Eckerd Hall February 19
The world’s finest dancers will battle it out on stage in DANCING PROS: LIVE!, and the audience will choose the winner! Starring “Dancing with the Stars” pros Karina Smirnoff, Chelsie Hightower and Edyta Sliwinska, this unforgettable live dancing competition is hosted by Alan Thicke, star of the hit TV show “Growing Pains.” For the first time together on stage, see professional dancers from “Dancing with the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and dance champions from around the world compete with one another for top prize! Van Wezel show 8:00 p.m. Tickers: $50 - $65. Lakeland show 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $36 $44. Ruth Eckerd show 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $52.75 - *150.00. *$150.00 Dinner Package includes a premium seat, pre-show dinner and a voucher for free valet parking. Valet service begins 15 minutes before
Midtown Men
As original cast members of Broadway’s Jersey Boys, they took the world by storm. From the development of Jersey Boys, through their historic three season run on Broadway, The Midtown Men are together again, doing what they do best: “Sixties Hits With A Modern Twist.” The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high–profile Broadway show. 2:00 p.m. Tickets: $35.75 - *$125. *$125 Dinner Package includes a premium seat, preshow lunch and a voucher for free valet parking. Valet service begins 15 minutes before pre-show dinner doors open. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the performance for only $25 per person (includes tax). Doors open two hours prior to the performance. Due to limited seating, we suggest advance purchase. Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band
Van Wezel Perf. Arts Hall February 24
The legendary drummer will appear backed up by an “All Starr” lineup of topnotch musicians, including: Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Gregg Rolie (Journey, Santana), Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bissonette and Warren Ham. This incarnation of the All Starr band is the same line up Ringo has played with since 2012, with whom he loves performing. The night will include classic Beatles tunes, as well as notable songs which brought acclaim to the various members of the All Starr Band. 8:00 p.m. Maroon 5
Amelie Arena February 25
Multi-platinum selling and Grammy Award®-winning rock band kicks off a 27 cities tour throughout North America. Capturing their first of three Grammy Awards as “Best New Artist” of 2005 and going on to sell more than 17 million albums worldwide, Maroon 5’s releases have gone gold and platinum in over 35 countries. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $26.25 - $121.75.
Swan Lake
Ruth Eckerd Hall February 28
A classic battle between an evil sorcerer and the power of true love is told through the silent beauty and grace of dance accompanied by the magical music of Tchaikovsky. Follow Prince Siegfried on his journey to manhood and authority to reign over his kingdom. As he leaves the carefree whims of youth behind and the time is at hand for him to choose a bride, evil is afoot and temptation lurks. Will love triumph over the sorcerer’s curse? The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the late 1980s. In 1994, the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Elena Radchenko was selected to assume the first permanent artistic directorship of the company, upholding the grand national tradition of the major Russian ballet and developing new talents throughout Russia. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35 - $75. Disney Live! Mickey’s Magic Show
Amelie Arena February 28 & March 1
In a captivating combination, Master Magician Mickey Mouse and the alwaysdazzling Minnie Mouse join forces with professional illusionist Zach Williams for a magical production on stage. Disney Live’s Mickey’s Magic Show, presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, features grand illusions and Disney favorites including Donald Duck and Goofy; Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother; Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and beloved Disney princesses Jasmine, Belle and Snow White. Feb., 28 4:00 p.m., Mar. 1, 1:00 p.m. Tickets $16 - $50. After selling more than 15 million albums, scoring 28 No. 1 hits, earning three GRAMMYs and more than 40 Dove Awards, Christian music icon Michael W. Smith is back with a new album, tour and message. Michael W. Smith
The Lakeland Center March 5
On Sovereign, Smith’s first worship album since 2008, he deliberately steps into a new creative chapter to craft a vibrant collection of vertically focused songs with a fresh sense of musical innovation. Smith has always had a gift for delivering songs that capture the hearts of the listener and give voice to their thoughts and feelings. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $27.50 - 47.50.
VENUE ADDRESSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION FL Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 366-9000 www.floridastudiotheatre.org Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre 4802 N. US Highway 301 Tampa, FL 33610 Telephone: (813) 740-2446. www.midflorida.com/amphitheatre The Historic Capitol Theatre 405 Cleveland Street Clearwater, FL 33755 Telephone: (727) 791-7400. www.rutheckerdhall.com The Lakeland Center — 701 W. Lime St. Lakeland, FL 33815. Telephone: (863) 834-8100 www.thelakelandcenter.com The Mahaffey Theater — 400 1st. St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Telephone: (727) 892-5798. www.themahaffey.com Ruth Eckerd Hall — 1111 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater, FL 33759. Telephone: (727) 791-7400. www.rutheckerdhall.com The Straz Center — 1010 North Macinnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602. Telephone: (813) 229-7827. www.strazcenter.org Amelie Arena 401 Channelside Dr. Tampa, FL 33602. Telephone: (813) 301-6500. www.ameliearena.com American Stage Theatre 163 3rd Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Telephone: (727)823-7529 www.americanstage.org Van Wezel Perf. Arts Hall 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 953-3368 www.vanwezel.org
When It Comes to Entertaining Get out from behind your mask and list your Event for Free right here on the SVA 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 S W F NS ND looking for M NS 58-65, likes to walk, flea markets, dining, relaxing at home. Only sincere reply, I’m 55+, 5’3”, 125 lbs., LTR. Feel free to leave a message. Pasco County (813) 782-7174. Petite J widow from NY in search of NS ND gentleman for LTR. 5’5” to 5’8”, 72-78. Dinner, movies, the arts, travel etc. Let’s make music together. PO Box 4513, Seminole, FL 33775. Philippines is seeking a German or C M, 60-66 yrs. old, 5’11” tall and 6’ plus a must. Funny, nice looking gentleman. I am 63 yrs old, 113 lbs., 5’4”. Kids are grown and gone. (813) 240-2688. W F NS ND 55 ISO a good sincere man to go out, enjoy each others company and not ashamed to hold hands, enjoy life or stay home and cuddle. If this is you, call me. Tampa (813) 802-5640. WD W F 70+, 5’6”, 50, SD, slim, attractive, Canadian background, seeks healthy, intelligent gentleman for sports, dining and travel. Largo (727) 588-2627. S W F ISO S W M, 5’7”+, 65-75, for dancing, travel, lets enjoy life together. Largo (727) 247-9253 or cooperrose8@aol.com. S W NS F 65, with 2 kayaks ISO S W NS M capable of kayaking, nature walks and friendship. Respond by mail: P.O. Box 171, New Port Richey, FL 34655. W WD C F 70 yrs. old with 40’ motorhome ISO M C SOH with motorhome too to travel, sightseeing, walking, bike, read, tv, dining out, movies. bzbel@icloud.com. My wish for new year, 71 Christian, good figure, ISO NS ND LTR, seek intimacy, for the right man, possible marriage, reply sincere only. Largo (727) 754-4195. D W F NS young 70 ISO healthy NS Christian man, honest, SOH who likes books, movies, walks, holding hands. Age 65-75. Tampa (8138) 340-6878. D W F ISO NS Christian 54 yrs. old, dining, holding hands, 55-65. Live in tampa, do drive for walks, boat rides, etc. Tampa (813) 260-6467. W WD F C smoker ND ISO M C 62-67 for friendship/conversation only. Occasional dating, honesty SOH a must. Likes cats, Christian values, intellectual, not sex-
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
(727) 831-9966. S W M 66 yrs. old, 5’10” 155 lbs., handsome, healthy, smoker, dancer, romancer, seeks S W F, tall, slim, dancer, romancer. Lets talk and meet soon. Clearwater (727) 331-0700.
friend Seeking friend
Meet that Someone Special with a FREE listing in Senior to Senior ually minded. Largo (727) 533-9704. S W F NS SD Brunette 5’4”, 130 lbs., looking for well groomed M, 58-69, good health. Travel, dancing, companionship, dining, nice person, music, beach walks, allergic to cats, waterfront home. Treasure Island (727) 363-6875.
man Seeking WOMan S W M tall, slim, active, healthy 60s ISO attractive honest sincere NS lady for friendship, phone conversation nature walks, etc. Friendly personality a plus. Please call St. Pete (727) 322-6197. Retired 63 WD M NS SD ISO F NS SD for travel, fun, dining near Apollo beach, lets talk. (813) 480-3200. S M 54 down to earth ISO a S W F with a good SOH for a LTR. New Port Richey (201) 294-7579. S W M ISO F 50 plus. Enjoy life, laughter and time spent together. Affectionate, active, good SOH. Largo
S W M ISO M/F LTR 35-60, likes many, dislikes few. Looking for friendship/relationship. Open-minded, will try anything & everything new. Very passionate. St. Pete (727) 642-4229. M ISO F interested in a very good future and a possible LTR. Must be able to run a home. No charge for housing, utilities or food. Will have her own bedroom and bathroom. May leave home to make money elsewhere. For further information call (813) 938-3556. S W M 58, 5’8” 180 lbs., in search of active, NS, healthy M/F interested in friendship and conversation. Largo (727) 644-8087. I D W M like to get to know someone to be very good friend. I am very honest, sincere and good SOH. I live in NW St. Pete for 36 years. Call me, lets talk. (727) 200-9977. Hello I’m M in good shape that likes to have fun ISO W/M in shape, 40-60s. Please be discreet, I am the best and very talented. Tarpon Springs (727) 550-7928. F NS SD SOH 5’8”, 70 yrs. old, animal lover, especially cats, old movies and music, water gardens, seeks friend, maybe with view to share large home, near golfing, watch out for each other. Tampa (813) 9337224.
Senior to Senior™ Mail to: Senior Voice America
P.O. BOX 1379, Lutz, FL 33548-1379 Email: sr2sr@seniorvoiceamerica.com Fax: (813) 422-7966
Senior to Senior is sponsored by
EMAIL: sr2sr@seniorvoiceamerica.com
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Senior Voice America
deduction of the Medicare Part “B” premium of $104.90. This amount is automatically deducted from a beneficiary’s Social Security check in order for part “B” medical benefits to be covered. In addition to a financial burden on low-income seniors, these qualifying limits prevent Medicare beneficiaries from getting married. Ironically, single unwed mothers, now representing approximately 40 percent of all new births, get all the benefits, while hardworking retired seniors and the disabled must live on meager incomes and an artificially low savings interest rate. In future issues, “Senior Voice America” will become more active in addressing the needs of our senior population. The aforementioned issues will be brought to light through political action and community awareness. The Senior Voice will be sponsoring a petition drive to bring awareness to this important matter affecting low-income seniors and the disabled. If you would like to get involved, please call (813) 441-1011 or email us at editor@seniorvoiceamerica.com. From BENEFITS Page 1
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great food in tampa bay 5901 Sun Boulevard St. Petersburg, FL 33715
(727) 867-8000 At Boardwalk Pasta & Seafood in St. Petersburg, you can be sure of enjoying fabulous food at fantastic prices. More than just pasta and seafood, you are sure to enjoy our family-friendly atmosphere and live entertainment too!
Senior Special: Mon. – Wed. from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Choose one entrée from Beef-Chicken-Pasta & or a Fish dish. All meals include entrée, salad, a side and a non-alcoholic beverage for $8.00. Located in the Isla Del Sol Shopping Center, behind Regions Bank at Sun Blvd. & Pinellas Bayway. www.boardwalkpastaandseafood.com
From SOCIAL SECURITY Page 1 continue working after you begin to take Social Security benefits? 5. What impact will IRA Required Minimum Distributions have on your taxable retirement income? 6. Longevity – What is your family history? What’s your health history? Many people don’t realize that when you opt to begin taking Social Security at age 62, you are surrendering 25 percent of your full Social Security retirement benefit (Primary Insurance Amount or PIA). In what other financial account would you be willing to eat a 25 percent surrender charge? Since Social Security is one of the most powerful financial assets you have, does it make sense to eat that kind of loss? And, bear in mind, the power of Social Security goes beyond the mere benefit. It’s a tax-favored income, it’s guaranteed for life, indexed for inflation and can never be reduced. Are you sure you want to take a 25 percent surrender? If your financial advisor hasn’t discussed the Social Security surrender penalty with you yet, it’s not surprising. The vast majority of “financial advisors” aren’t Social Security benefit planning specialists. Their bread and butter are selling stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Social Security planning is a specialty just like cardiology, orthopedics or laser eye surgery. After giving you just a few tidbits of information about the truth of when to take Social Security, you would probably agree that this is a complicated enough planning area that it makes sense and is worth your time to visit with a competent professional who is well versed in advising people and takes into account all of the factors relevant to your specific situation. The money you save in unnecessary taxes and in the achievement of your maximum wealth will make it well worth your time. It will also give you the peace of mind that will come from knowing that you didn’t do it on your own and overlook or miscalculate something critical. To receive a complimentary one-hour Social Security and tax consultation contact: Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group — Offices – Largo & Trinity, Fla. (727) 683-9119 • www.rizzottotax.com *As a bonus you will also receive a 12-page white paper, “The Truth About When to Take Social Security,” detailing all of the important factors in determining when to begin taking Social Security benefits.
The Art of Fine Italian Cuisine 232 N. Dale Mabry Hwy • Tampa, FL 33609
813.875.6660
www.donatellorestaurant.com
Tampa’s Authentic Italian Restaurant since 1984
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