Montana 55 Winter 2021

Winter 2021

Quarterly Guide for Seasoned Montanans

Keep it local Flexibility will be key to planning summer travel

Pandemic pets

Budget basics

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Pandemic pets

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Budgeting essentials

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Copyright 2021.

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Winter 2021

Senior pets bring companionship in pandemic times

MICHAEL MERLO Montana 55 Pet adoption has become something of a trend for all ages beset by the loneliness that came with COVID-19 precautions nationwide.

“Certainly, across the country there has been an uptick in adoptions,” said Humane Society of Western Montana Executive Director Marta Pierpoint. “I think that people are really recognizing the value of having a companion animal in their lives.”

A concern accompanying such high adoption rates is the potential for abandonment, but Pierpoint said she is looking more at the silver lining.

“These pets have had such a great opportunity to bond during this time,” she said. “And pets did perfectly well when people went to work and came home before the pandemic. I think with the right sort of adjustment process, they’ll do

perfectly after the pandemic.”

While adoptions are high, Pierpoint said, so is the amount of people giving away pets because of economic struggles caused by the pandemic.

“We are seeing the hardships of people needing to surrender animals because the economic uncertainty that they’re facing and we try very hard to help people who are in that situation,” she said.

One option to adopt and help match the difference is the Seniorto-Senior program, a program at the Humane Society of Western Montana offers people 65 and older adopt a senior pet for free.

People don’t have to sign up for the program. The only thing they have to do is show interest.

“We find that those adoptions are just really special and we like to adopt out our senior pets,” Pierpoint said. “A lot of times those senior pets may need a little extra

support and the seniors are able to provide that extra support.”

The right pet usually depends on the owner and the pet so people should be thinking about if they want a more active dog or one that spends it’s time napping on the porch, or maybe a lap cat to watch Netflix with.

“We really try to make good matches no matter what people want,” Pierpoint said. “Some of the more senior pets have less energy than a puppy obviously or a kitten, and that’s better for a senior who might not be out and about as much.”

That companionship is mutual, Pierpoint said. She’s seen that pets are happier with a person and it works the other way too. In the pandemic, Pierpoint said it is impossible to underestimate the loneliness and isolation people are feeling and a pet can make a difference in that situation.

“Just the mere act of caring for a pet and petting an animal can lower someone’s stress and improve their health,” she said. “We find that having a companion pet has many benefits that aren’t talked about and some of those are direct health benefits.

The Humane society is scheduling both visits and adoptions by appointment. People interested in adoption can go to the Humane Society of Western Montana website and fill out a pets-and-people profile to give a sense of what they are looking for in the adoption process.

After submitting that profile, people should expect a call from the society.

“I think companion animals are a great source of comfort for everyone and I think seniors can be the most isolated group,” Pierpoint said. “I’m very grateful for those facilities (apartments) that allow pets.” MT55

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Budgeting essential after tumultuous 2020

MICHAEL MERLO Montana 55 Budgeting became more of a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those looking to retire or who are retired.

“COVID is the ultimate kind of wake-up call,” said Bob Seidenschwarz, a financial adviser with SG Long Financial. “The predictable part of all this is the unpredictability.”

Seidenschwarz said that while the basic questions and principles regarding financial security have not changed over the years, what has changed is what ‘comfortable’

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Winter 2021

means. There are principles that define that comfort.

“They are unique to you,” Seidenschwarz said. “They are dependent upon a set of circumstances that are your circumstances. People are going to be different.”

Pandemics throughout the years have often been game-changers in terms of the thinking and direction that drives society, whether those changes be cultural, political or economic.

“The pandemic is a changeagent that has accelerated some secular trends,” he said.

Consider working from home.

While some people thrive off that kind of environment and lifestyle, others who are in the latter stage of their career may not want or know how to work with such technology. Some of those trends may have cost people their jobs or extra income.

“If we lost a major source of income…what would that do meet your monthly needs that may be fixed,” he said. These are questions people should be asking themselves.

Another thing that has changed over the years is longevity. People are living longer, he said, so they have to put away more money to

cover their post-career years The pandemic has called for hyper-awareness in every individual financial situation. While some may be more in a bind then others, Seidenshwarz advised that people pay attention to who they are taking financial advice from as well as the fixed costs in their life.

If they haven’t budgeted during the pandemic then maybe that is something they should look at.

“Don’t let fear drive indecision,” he said. “We live in an age where information is ubiquitous.

The problem is if you don’t have training or insight to separate information into various places

Tom Bauer/MT 55

of what is relatively accurate and thoughtful and what is not, it can be overwhelming to people.”

He also said that while about 40 percent of retired workers are receiving income from Social Security, plenty of them may be worried about the federal retirement program’s future.

“I’m not worried for Social Security currently,” Seidenschwarz said, adding that it may be an issue for younger generations because of debt and inflation.

Retirement isn’t just about comfort. It’s also about passing on assets and those principles that helped people initially get to a position where they could retire comfortably.

While certain habits have changed to protect livelihood, he said, people should have been budgeting more carefully during the pandemic. That’s what people have done historically in previous pandemics, resulting in traditions such as the frugal habits of families who endured the Great Depression.

“The United States since its origins has experienced periods of economic and political upheaval,” Seidenschwarz said. “And we will continue to, but we are not going away as a people and as a country.” MT55

Bob Seidenschwarz, a financial adviser with SG Long Financial, said said the pandemic was a wake-up call for budgeting.

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Houseplants warm up socially distant homes MICHAEL MERLO for Montana 55

Stay-at-home orders prompted many people to forego community gardens, so they have turned to houseplants and micro-greens to fill that void for their green thumbs.

The Garden Barn employee Allison Grainer said that winter of-

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Winter 2021

ten brings plenty of seniors to the Bozeman garden center looking for things to do with their time.

“I would just recommend people stick to something fairly simple to learn from and set you up for success so you’re not killing a new plant,” Grainer said. “I think it helps a lot.”

People differ with experience

and while some may be coming into stores to look for fully grown plants, others may want to start from scratch and watch them grow.

Houseplant love has been growing for years. Sales records from the National Gardening Association show increases of 50 percent between 2016 and 2019. But the

2020 pandemic really drove the trend. British online plant seller Patch saw its sales skyrocket 500 percent during Great Britain’s lockdown period in 2020 according to industry analyst Supply Compass.

“Some people want a big one to start with,” she said. “A lot of people go the vegetable route and

grow sustainable things inside their house. There are so many different options of ways you can use plants to help you out.

“In the summertime and in the spring, we get huge orders of seeds,” she added. Any gardening store can give advice to people seeking something appropriate for their interests.

The winter brings houseplants sales. Many people lack the space for their own garden in spring or summer, so inside plants are a good option whether it be for food

or fragrance.

“I would say some of the easiest classics are Zz plants or snake plants and then African violets are easy, Grainer said. “There’s a lot of stuff that’s getting popular in the houseplants world right now.”

Houseplants typically take a little longer to grow than outdoor varieties. On the other hand, it allows people to start small with a fun activity.

“It’s really common for people to do like micro-greens that are quick to grown and quick to

harvest and use in the house,” Grainer said. “We have a lot of people who try to grow eucalyptus. A little later in spring, people will start their tomatoes and things outside.”

Cloning is another option used in homeplants where people cut a leaf from their plants and then nurture them into a new plant.

It’s not only for aesthetics or food. A plant is like a pet and folks have to take care and think about them, Grainer said.

“A lot of house plants are well

known for releasing oxygen at night so they take in carbon dioxide that we breath and then they release oxygen,” Grainer said. “I would say it’s great to have them in your bedroom and in your house. The more you have, the more they do it. The mental health benefit is much greater than that.

Just to have something in your house and to not be bored is a great benefit. People always are scared to get into it. I recommend people just take the jump and try it out.”​ MT55

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Social isolation among seniors is widespread, but these resources can help seniors cope Brandpoint

(BPT) - Because of the pandemic, we’ve all experienced social isolation - the loss of close contact with family and friends. We’re feeling that isolation even more acutely during the winter season, when we typically get together with those we love.

For older adults who have had to take extra isolating precautions against exposure to COVID-19, these losses have been magnified, and in many cases, they’re layered on top of longstanding disconnections.

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With 36% of adults in America age 50 or older and 17% over 65, it’s reasonable to assume that social isolation is widespread. A recent survey of U.S. adults conducted by AARP Foundation and the United Health Foundation confirms it: The study found that two-thirds of respondents are experiencing social isolation, with nearly that number feeling more anxiety because of the pandemic.

The consequences are disturbing.

“Social isolation has reached epidemic proportions during the pandemic,” says AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson.

“Decades of research on prolonged

social isolation and loneliness show that it’s worse for health than obesity, and as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”

The survey also reveals that most isolated older adults are not asking others for assistance, perhaps because they don’t realize help is available.

If you or a loved one are experiencing social isolation, whether it’s COVID-related or a daily reality that was already present, here are some important facts to know based on the AARP Foundation/United Health Foundation survey - followed by tips that can help increase social

connection.

Few have sought help about their feelings. Of those reporting social isolation during the pandemic, 50% say it has affected their motivation, 41% report greater anxiety and 37% have experienced feelings of depression. Yet only 11% have turned to medical professionals to help address these concerns, and nearly a third haven’t sought help from anyone.

Women are more susceptible than men. Women 50 and older are more than twice as likely as men to feel overwhelmed as a result of the pandemic. Forty-six percent of women in that age bracket have felt anxious

(compared to 36% of men), and 50% have felt stressed (compared to 40% of men). Twenty-nine percent of women 50 or older have gone for as long as three months without interacting with others outside their homes or workplaces.

Low-income adults have seen greater impact. People 50 and older

Few have sought help about their feelings. Of those reporting social isolation during the pandemic, 50% say it has affected their motivation.

in income brackets of lower than $40,000 a year have been more affected by isolation than those with incomes of $75,000 or more. Forty percent of lower-income respondents report having trouble accessing various resources, 20% point to problems getting food and about 20% have struggled to secure health care services.

Steps you can take. AARP Foundation launched Connect2Affect to address the growing problem of social isolation. Connect2Affect offers helpful tools and resources.

Here are some steps you can take to help yourself or a loved one combat social isolation: • More medical professionals are now attuned to the physical and emotional toll social isolation can take. Discuss with your primary care doctor how you’re feeling and that it might be related to social isolation.

• Connect2Affect lists health care, food assistance and other community services available to seniors.

• Request a supportive phone call from one of AARP’s Friendly Voice volunteers. This program is available free of charge, and you can arrange for ongoing check-in calls.

• If the holidays or winter season have made social isolation worse for you or a family member, take the 3-minute test on the Connect2Affect site to assess your level of connectedness, then check out some practical (and safe) tips for interacting with others.

• AARP Foundation offers free chatbots to the general public and in some senior living communities that can provide the comfort of daily conversation.

Social isolation can affect anyone.

Find more helpful information at AARPFoundation.org. MT55

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Backyard adventure Flexibility will be key to travel during second pandemic summer

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National park access rolls with pandemic MICHAEL MERLO Montana 55

Outdoor adventure saw a huge boost in 2020, and the new year can expect even more tourists seeking to shake off cabin fever.

Managers of popular destinations like Montana’s Glacier and Yellowstone national parks are reviewing how their pandemic crowd policies worked and what might need to be

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repeated this year.

Glacier National Park Public Information Officer Gina Kerzman said that park employees are hoping for the best and planning for the worst during the upcoming tourist season.

“Last season, there were a lot of limitations in place for COVID and we followed the management plan and we aren’t gazing into any crystal balls,” she said. “We’re hoping that

things with COVID relax, but we’re going to do whatever is safest for people.”

Kerzman said that Glacier National Park is planning to run its shuttle service around the park this year and hoping to bring back some of last year’s cancelled tours. The decisions depend on the status of the pandemic restrictions.

“Anybody planning to come to Glacier should really start

looking closely at national parks around the country and check in on our website to see if tours are being booked,” Kerzman said. Unless the park is asked to close because of COVID-19, the park is planning on being open. Most likely, masks will be suggested.

“The East side of the park is still closed for protection of the Blackfeet Reservation population and we’re not quite sure

what that’s gonna look like either,” she said.

Blackfeet tribal officials closed all public access to the eastern half of Glacier as well as the Blackfeet Indian Reservation for most of 2020 to reduce the risk of outsiders bringing coronavirus infections to their communities.

The policy kept COVID cases successfully low for most of the spring and summer. However, the reservation experienced a severe spike in infections and deaths in September when some of the defenses lapsed.

The Tribe has not yet finalized plans for the 2021 tourist season.

Inside Glacier Park, Kerzman said that there may be some construction on the Going-tothe-Sun-Road and that travelers should be aware of highway construction delays. They should also make reservations early if they want to camp or stay at any lodges. Service information is available through the park’s website nps.gov/glac/ index.htm National Park Service guidelines suggest wearing masks on congested trails while hiking.

On the other side of the state, Yellowstone National Park spokeswoman Linda Veress had similar sentiments for travelers.

“The best thing to do is be flexible on travel plans,” Veress said. “As we have more information about what’s going to open and what’s going to close, we’ll post it on the website or update the website.” https:// www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm That is where people can look for lodging, camping and tours.

Veress said most of the park restrictions in the winter were weather-related. Masks are required inside of buildings and are strongly recommended where social distancing is not possible.

“Check for the updates, know that the services are limited and check the roads,” she said. ​All national parks will have six fee-free days this year. They include Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Saturday, April 17 – First Day of National Park Week Wednesday, August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act anniversary Wednesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday

Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day New rules granting veterans, Gold Star Families and fifth graders free access to all national parks, wildlife refuges and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior will remain in place for 2021.

Veterans and Gold Star Families will have free access forever, while fifth grade students were granted the reprieve through this academic year as some of last year’s fourth graders may have been unable to make full use of the Every Kid Outdoors Annual Fourth Grade Pass due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Active duty military and

fourth grade students will continue to have free access with discounted passes also available for senior citizens. For other visitors who love visiting our public lands, the annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is a great option, which allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks.

Other federal land management agencies offering their own fee-free days in 2021 include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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