True Living Spring 2009

your guide to

SPRING

2009

True Living Tips, news and fun facts for active senior adults

Inside...

The Neighborhood “Doc” Returns

An Afternoon Phillies Game: A Flurry Of Activity In Your It’s a Date Backyard t h i s p u b l i c at i o n i s m a d e p o s s i b l e b y s h a n n o n d e l l at va l l ey f o rg e

Entertainment

Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write

By Marlys Styne Edited from Amazon.com Seniorwriting is a manual for senior adults who seek to record their valuable experiences and memories for themselves, their families, or posterity.

It covers journaling and the benefits of personal writing to discover, to heal, and to reinvent. The book offers short writing samples by the author based on her writing suggestions.

Finally, it describes various methods of organizing, revising, editing, printing, self-publishing, and sharing life stories.

Angels & Demons A controversial yet entertaining film, now in Theaters Director Ron Howard wants you to know that his new murder mystery film, Angels & Demons, based on the popular novel by Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown, is fiction.

The film has stirred controversy over its depiction of the Vatican.

According to Reuters news service, Howard posted a blog at The Huffington Post website saying that neither he nor his new movie Angels & Demons, which stars Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks (pictured above, in character), are anti-Catholic. “And let me be a little controversial: I believe Catholics, including most in the hierarchy of the Church, will enjoy the movie for what it is: an exciting mystery, set in the awe-inspiring beauty

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Living

Summer Reading

of Rome,” Howard wrote.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, wrote an opinion piece in the New York Daily News in which he accused Brown and Howard of “smearing the Catholic Church with fabulously bogus tales.”

Donohue “has not called for a boycott,” Variety magazine reported, “but has requested Catholics inform others about alleged anti-Catholic sentiments in the story.” “My goal... is to give the public a big FYI: Enjoy the movie, but know that it is a fable,” Donohue says.

About the Author: Marlys Marshall Styne, a retired college English teacher, rediscovered the joys of writing at age 73, when she wrote Reinventing Myself: Memoirs of a Retired Professor (Infinity, 2006). That book won First-Place in the 2007 Illinois Women’s Press Association Communications Contest.

FPO

The Catholic Church refused to let Angels & Demons be filmed in churches in Rome because of the Vatican’s outrage over The Da Vinci Code.

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It’s A Date Whether you’ve lost a spouse or you’re simply looking for fun activities to do with a new friend, there are many opportunities to get out and about in the Philadelphia area this spring and summer.

Senior dating can even be more fun than in the younger years. At your age, who’s fussy about gender politics or who calls whom? And who else has such a welldefined sense of humor but a senior with many years of experience in various walks of life? And keep in mind, dating doesn’t have to be about romance. Fun and companionship are all you need for a successful date. And local options abound. Following are just two:

3 Dating Tips

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Remember, you’re both going out on a date to have a good time.

Be positive.

You’ll likely get along best with others who share your interests and hobbies. As such, keep initial outings focused on those personal characteristics.

While it can be comforting to ask additional friends to tag along on first dates, experts caution that they can do more harm by openly judging your compatibility. Invite them to join you later.

Give Chaddsford A Whirl You won’t find Chaddsford Winery, consistently ranked as one of the country’s top wineries, in Napa or Sonoma, CA. You will find it – surprise – right down the road in Chadds Ford, less than an hour’s drive from Audubon.

Catch a Phillies Game Your 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies are looking for a repeat –– and you could be front-and-center for the action at Citizens Bank Park this summer.

To avoid peak traffic and weekend crowds, try a weekday early afternoon game: Thursday, June 18, 1:05 p.m., vs. the Toronto Blue Jays

Located on a small country estate in the heart of the Brandywine artist community, the winery is housed in a charming colonial barn that is open year-round.

Wine tastings, fun festivals and outdoor summer concerts offer something for everyone.

For an updated listing of summer events, tasting room hours and directions, visit chaddsford.com or call 610.388.6221.

Wednesday, July 22, 1:05 p.m., vs the Chicago Cubs For tickets ($16-$60 and up) call 215-463-1000 or visit http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com

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Spotlight on The Main Line Health Center at Shannondell Where the best care is right in your neighborhood.

M

ost of us have memories growing up of a caring “doc” who lived just down the street – with a stethoscope dangling around his neck or hurriedly stuffed in his coat pocket.

This neighborhood doc was a friend who, with a single call from a concerned neighbor, would open his home and his little black bag any time of day or night for a child or spouse in need. And if you couldn’t make it to him, he came to you … always arriving with a smile and expressing sincere concern.

Well, this is one memory that hasn’t faded away. Not for residents of Shannondell.

Personalized neighborhood

climate-controlled walkways.

So, the doctor’s literally just down the hall.

health care is not only steps from residents’ front door, it’s also topquality. The Main Line Health Center at Shannondell, located within the Ashcroft clubhouse, is connected to all residences via

The Main Line Health Center at Shannondell is part of Main Line Health – nationally recognized for the outstanding care offered by more than 1,200 board-certified physicians at its distinguished hospitals Bryn Mawr, Lankenau, Paoli, Riddle Memorial and Bryn Mawr Rehab. Physicians and specialists from Main Line Health are consistently recognized as the “Best” in annual polls conducted

by Philadelphia Magazine and Main Line Today.

“What really separates the Center is the quality of care you receive

Exercise Benefits All Ages As an avid cyclist, I enjoy knowing that riding is helping my body.

Regardless of age, it’s never too late to start an exercise program and it doesn’t have to be vigorous to be helpful. Even a walk can improve the body and mind.

There are numerous benefits of following a regular exercise program4

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from everyone,” resident Ann Marie Garraty notes. She goes on, “The staff, nurses, and doctors all take the time to care about you before they care for you.”

Whether it’s primary care, audiology, physical, occupational and speech therapy, podiatry, cardiology or other on-site services, Shannondell residents and their families enjoy peace of mind knowing that the medical care they receive is second-to-none.

Dr. David Galinsky, medical director of the Main Line Health Center at Shannondell and renowned geriatric medical expert, sees to that. “We Continued on page 8 ...

even for individuals who are challenged by joint pain, back pain, arthritis, or osteoporosis - or those who are recovering from an injury or surgery (i.e., joint replacement, arthroscopy).

Exercise can benefit people of all ages, as it helps to lower blood pressure, lower the risks of falls and serious injuries, and slows the body’s loss of muscle and bone mass. In addition, exercise helps to:

• increase flexibility, improving mobility and balance

• boost self-image and live a longer life.

• relieve stress and insomnia

Before starting any exercise program, be sure to consult with your physician to make sure the program that you choose is designed with your health and wellness in mind.

• reduce joint and muscle pain • control appetite and maintain a healthy weight • increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (the “good” cholesterol) • reduce the risk of disease (i.e., diabetes)

Yours in Good Health!

Shannondell Medical Director

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Outdoors

Technology

Is It A Hawk or A Kestrel?

Discover “Birding” At The John James Audubon Center Did you know that 47.8 million people, including many in the Philadelphia area, take part in Bird watching or “birding” activities every year?

Located near Valley Forge Park, the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove (JJAC) celebrates one of America’s most famous naturalists.

From 1803 to 1806, Mill Grove served as the first home of artist and naturalist John James Audubon.

4 TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1

Learn which types of feeders and birdseed attracts which types of birds. It matters.

2

Provide clean water, for drinking and bathing. Water attracts birds that feeders don’t.

3

Plant foliage that produces seeds, nuts and berries to enhance your feeders year-round.

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Don’t forget Hummingbirds and Orioles are nectar feeders: 4 parts H20 to 1 part sugar.

For help identifying the birds in your yard, visit www.whatbird.com

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Today, the Center exhibits and interprets a large collection of

Audubon’s art, including his highly celebrated Birds of America – 435 life-sized images of birds.

Additionally, the Center boasts a number of engaging museum, outreach and educational programs, including the popular Birds of Prey show. Guests can also explore the 175-acre grounds, including a leisurely stroll along Perkiomen Creek.

For more information and volunteer opportunities, call 610-666-5593 or visit http://pa.audubon.org.

Internet Hoaxes: How to tell a rumor from the truth The good news is that senior adults are one of the fastest growing demographic segments of Internet users in the U.S. The bad news: Cyber-crooks have them in their sights with an array of online scams and hoaxes.

Backyard Attraction Spring has sprung, and as such, Pennsylvania’s thriving migratory bird population is returning to summer homes. Many of these birds have journeyed from as far away as Central and South America. In May, in and around Audubon, be on the lookout for ruby- and golden-crowned Kinglets, Warblers, Vereos, Grosbeaks, Sparrows, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles and arrivals of Indigo Buntings and Rubythroated Hummingbirds.

Did you ever get an email from someone in a far-off land who says he or she has a check for you, if you’ll just reply with your bank account, and address? Or, what about the American nun who’s stranded in Nigeria conducting mission work after her money and passport were stolen.

All she needs is $2,300 to get home.

Or, maybe you’ve received the chain email that requests you forward the message to everyone in your address book with your efforts being rewarded by a fat check from Bill Gates.

While these hoaxes might be easier to spot, what about other so-called rumors that you’re not sure about?

First, it can’t hurt to ask friends and family, particularly your children (and grandchildren). They might be familiar with the email you’ve received or similar messages. Second, if you have access to the internet and want to verify information in an email that doesn’t quite seem right, check with these three popular websites.

Snopes.com – probably the most popular reference site when researching possible scams. More than 6 million people visit this site every month. A Top 15 Legends, easy to find categories and robust search function make checking the validity of emails quick and easy.

Hoaxbusters.org – an alphabetical list of internet hoaxes, scams and chain letters. If it’s on the list, it’s a hoax.

Urbanlegends.about.com – David Emery’s site provides a more entertaining slant of hoaxes and legends. Writes David, “On this site we’ll debunk, deconstruct, and, wherever possible, simply enjoy the strangest, scariest, funniest, most popular tall tales, rumors, and hoaxes people see fit to share, both online and off. I’m pleased to have you join me in a constantly entertaining, ever-enlightening exploration of the folklore of the digital age.”

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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 30304 PERMIT No. 2550

1 0000 sh atrue n ncommunity o n d e l l SMd r The only audubo n , pa 1 9 4 0 3

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith 1234 Main Street Audubon, PA 12345

Continued from page 5 ... work hard keeping aging adults independent and active so they can enjoy all that Shannondell offers. ” Dr. Galinsky boasts.

Judging from all the residents spotted recently walking, gardening, golfing, playing bocce and enjoying the Aquatics and Fitness Center, we’d have to concur that the neighborhood doc tradition is not only alive and well, but also healthy at Shannondell.

Shannondell: A Smart Step Reallocating part of your home’s equity to a secure 100% refundable entrance fee* while also providing more control over your monthly living expenses has likely never been a smarter step for senior adults than now. If current conditions have you contemplating changes to your future plans, we invite you to visit the only true community – Shannondell. You’ll discover an affordable, award-winning lifestyle including on-site access to top quality long-term care and some very timely peace of mind.

• Main Line Health Center • Two 110,000 square foot clubhouses • Aquatics & Fitness Centers • 6 dining venues • 18-hole golf course • Neighborhood shopping • Performing Arts Theater • Two Movie Theaters • Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing

For more information, call 610.728.5211 or 1.800.669.2318 today.

Or, visit www.shannondell.com

* In accordance with the Residence & Care Agreement.

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