The Best of Times April 2008

-ANY CANCER CENTERS TREAT CANCER /NLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THEM PROVIDE THE COMPREHENSIVE CARE AVAILABLE AT 7ILLIS +NIGHTON #ANCER #ENTER #ANCER IS AMONG THE MOST DREADED DIAGNOSES 4HE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER SOME OF THEM RIGHT HERE IN 3HREVEPORT AT THE 7ILLIS +NIGHTON #ANCER #ENTER 4HIS FACILITY WAS AMONG THE lRST SIX SITES TO USE 4OMO4HERAPY IMAGE GUIDED RADIATION THERAPY AND IT HAS BEEN NAMED A 4OMO4HERAPY #ENTER OF %XCELLENCE 0HYSICIANS IN THE 2ADIATION /NCOLOGY $EPARTMENT CONTINUE TO BE A RESOURCE FOR OTHER CANCER CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD 4HE 7ILLIS +NIGHTON #ANCER #ENTER OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES IN A SINGLE LOCATION 2ADIATION /NCOLOGY -EDICAL /NCOLOGY 'YNECOLOGIC /NCOLOGY )NFUSION 4HERAPY 0%4 3CANNER

,ABORATORY 0HYSICAL 4HERAPY %DUCATION AND 3OCIAL 3ERVICES 4HIS BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES SUPPORTS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF CANCER 0HYSICIANS REGULARLY DISCUSS CASES AND COLLABORATE TO SEEK THE BEST POSSIBLE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS 9OU DON T JUST HAVE A DOCTOR TO CARE FOR YOU YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TEAM

7E HOPE YOU WON T NEED CANCER CARE BUT IF YOU DO

CHOOSE 7ILLIS +NIGHTON #ANCER #ENTER "ECAUSE WHERE YOU ARE TREATED MATTERS

WWW WKHS COM  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008 

Make Your Choice...

Retirement • Rehabilitative Services • Long-Term Nursing Care s 3TATE OF THE ART REHABILITATION lTNESS CENTER s NEW FULLY lNISHED GUEST QUARTERS s %LEGANT INTERIOR DESIGN WITH THE lNEST FURNISHINGS s 3ETTING A NEW STAND IN LUXURY EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND CARE

"AIRD 2OAD \ 3HREVEPORT ,!

 April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

This issue caught me totally off-guard.

There I was, busily editing as the deadline approached, making sure everything was correct and in its assigned place, when I found myself crying for no apparent reason. Stopping to gather myself, I thought about the issue and its importance and suddenly realized that this issue is exactly what I needed when my own mother grew seriously ill at 65. How valuable this issue would have been to my family back then!

How much easier that caregiving could have been had we known even half of what we are now presenting here!

I thought about the families this issue is going to directly help and I find myself growing emotional at the enormity of the need and the quality of this response.

We are so proud of this issue; you have no idea.

But 30-some pages of CAREGIVER’S GUIDE & DIRECTORY isn’t enough for us here at THE BEST OF TIMES. Oh no, we must also wrap an entire regular issue around the Caregiver’s special section, and fill it with all the usual great content you’ve come to expect.

The May issue is all about WEEKEND GET-AWAYS, all of which are within a quick drive of the Shreveport/Bossier area. (Guess how the staff is “recovering” from publishing this month’s 72-pager, the biggest and most colorful issue we have ever produced? Yes, we all took off in different directions for a quick retreat to unwind and refresh. Next issue, Amanda Newton is going to tell you how to do the same thing and have a great time doing it.)

Plus we’re already planning the JUNE issue which will feature our first ever recipe contest. For details about this exciting opportunity to share your best recipe and to win a valuable prize, check out the promo on page 50.

But before we busy ourselves with the MAY and JUNE issues, take a look at this APRIL edition and let us know what you think. Did we forget anything? Your good suggestions will make next year’s CAREGIVER’S GUIDE even better.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008 

 April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Al Bolton, Suzy Cohen, Judge Jeff Cox, Mirabai Holland, Ted Kooser, Lisa M. Petsche, Gerry Robichaux, Betsy Williams

40 34 58 24 40 19 16 16 56 42 14 56 55 72

25

65

15 59 68

31 3

56 54

15 32 28 52 33

AARP Acadian On Call Accents – Your Personal Chef AGAPE Hospice Care All About Care Home Services Alzheimer’s Association ArkLaTex Home Health, Inc. Azalea Estates Assisted Living Balentine Ambulance Barksdale Federal Credit Union Better Hearing Systems Bible Correspondence Course BluePrint Louisiana Boomtown Casino and Hotel – Bossier City Boone Funeral Homes and Crematory Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Hockey Team Brentwood Hospital Senior Care Center for Hand Surgery Centuries Memorial and Hillcrest Certified Limb and Brace Community Hospices of America

Cruises, Inc. Don Huguley – Financial Consultant Dr. Bryan Vekovius Dr. Gary Booker Family Care Services Family Health & Safety Fair First Response Medical Supply & Equipment

58 Fix My PC 20 George Mills, Attorney 34 Ginger’s 55 Gutter Helmet 60 GWS Mortgage, LLC 50 Home Assistance Services 68 Imperial Wok

14 IV Plus Pharmacy 62 Jayne Marie on Cross Lake 70 Joe Gilsoul, Attorney 68 Judy Holland, realtor 43 Kingsley Place Shreveport 69 KWKH 1130 AM 27 Leslie Lakes Retirement

Center 29 LifePath Hospice 9 Live Oak 44 Louisiana CareTenders 37 LA SenioRx Aging and

Disability Resource Center 13, 30 Northwest INCS, Inc. 41 New Horizons Independent

Living Center 46 New Horizons Community

Education Center 19 New Medicare Advantage

Plan 35 NurseCare of Shreveport 63 Pierremont Eye Institute 50 Pilgrim’s Pride 45 ReBath 10 Rejuvenation for Life

– Stop Smoking 46 ResCare Home Care 6 Senior Health & Fitness Fair

56 Seniors Club 61 Serio Investments

57 ShoeBooty’s Restaurant 48 Showcase Kitchen and

Bath Remodeling 11 Shreve Hearing Aid Service 54 Shreveport Little Theatre 64 Shreveport Symphony

Orchestra 57 Shreveport Opera 61 Skin Technology 65 Southwood Square

Apartments 48 SpinalAid Centers 20,41 Spring Lake Assisted Living 18 Steen Hall Eye Institute 71 Sterling Health Plans 47 Stonewall Hospital 11 Susan Mead 44 Synergy Home Care 15 TES Regional Healthcare

Federal Credit Union 4 The Bradford, LLC 12 The Center for Families 42 The Scooter Store 59 The User Friendly Phone Book 13 The Waterford at Shreveport 36 Thompson Home Health 65 Town & Country Total

Wellness 39 Walk-in Tubs of Louisiana 26 Westwood Mental Health 2 Willis Knighton Cancer Center 38 Willis Knighton Hospice of

Louisiana

THE THEBEST BESTof ofTIMES TIMES   April April2008 2008  

Medicaid Scams on the Rise

This just in

l Health spending in the United States will double by 2017, growing by 6.7 percent annually, three times the projected inflation rate over the next decade, according to a study released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“Health Spending Projections Through 2017: The Baby-Boom Generation Is Coming to Medicare,” Health Affairs, February 26, 2008). l An analysis of data from the National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS) revealed that the prevalence of chronic disability among Americans age 65+ decreased from 26.5% in 1982 to 19% in 2004/2005. (“Changes in Chronic Disability from 1982 to 2004/2005 as Measured

by Long-Term Changes in Function and Health in the U.S. Elderly Population, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 28, 2006). l The 2007 Society of Actuaries’ examination of claim experience from 1984-2004, under long-term care insurance policies, shows a significant change in the types of services received as compared with their 2002 report (claims experience 1984-2001). Nursing home only claims dropped from 80% of all claims in the 2002 report to 55% in the current one. Home care only claims increased from 15% in the earlier report to 26% in the current one, while claims with both nursing home and home care rose from 5% to 19% of all claims. (“1984-2004 Long-Term Care Intercompany Study,” Society of Actuaries, November 2007) l Between 1950 and 2005 the 65+ population increased from 12 to 37 million, while those age 75+ grew from 4 to 18 million in number. (National Center for Health Statistics, November 2007)

 April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

The Department of Health and Hospitals is alerting Medicaid recipients to be on the lookout for people posing as Medicaid workers in a scam to steal personal information. Instances of this type of fraud, in which elderly citizens are frequently the target, are being reported in at least nine parishes.

Scammers have reportedly been telephoning and going door-to-door posing as Medicaid workers and requesting recipients’ Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare numbers.

Reports also say scammers use the pretense of updating their Medicaid files. They do not leave their names or they give false names and phone numbers. Many have been reported to have foreign-sounding accents.

It is also believed the fraudulent Medicaid workers could be seeking out people who are recipients of both the Medicaid and Medicare programs. These recipients

are lucrative targets to people who receive a large fee each time they convince a recipient to change their Medicare prescription drug plan.

Medicaid Field Operations Director Don Gregory advises citizens to use caution when being asked for personal information over the phone or by someone at their door.

“People receiving these calls should not only contact us, but they should also call law enforcement,” said Gregory. “When in doubt, or when a call is received from someone other than the usual caseworker, clients should ask for the caller’s name and phone number and call the person back to verify they are Medicaid employees.”

Individuals who feel they have been contacted by someone posing as a Medicaid representative can contact the Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-800-488-2917. For more information, visit www.dhh.louisiana. gov/medicaid.

Medicare will cover part of the cost of outpatient physical, speech pathology and occupational therapy. In order for Medicare to cover these services, they must be medically necessary, your doctor or therapist must set up the plan of treatment and your doctor must review the plan from time to time. In general, Medicare will only cover therapy if it improves your condition or prevents further deterioration.

Medicare sets a limit on how much outpatient therapy it will cover, although coverage is allowed for medically necessary therapy over the cap, particularly for complex cases.

In 2008, Medicare will cover up to $1,810 worth of outpatient physical and speech-language therapy combined, and another $1,810 for occupational therapy. After you have paid your annual Part B deductible - $135 in 2008 - Medicare will cover 80% of the Medicare-ap-

proved amount for each service, and you are responsible for the rest. After you’ve reached the limit, you are responsible for 100% of the cost.

The limits apply only to outpatient therapy you receive in certain facilities - at therapists’ or physicians’ offices, at outpatient rehabilitation facilities, and at skilled nursing facilities if you are an outpatient or a resident whose stay is not covered

by Medicare. Limits also apply to therapy received at home when they are not part of a Medicare-covered home health benefit.

The limits do not apply if you are receiving outpatient therapy at a hospital’s outpatient department. And exceptions to the limits are allowed if your doctor says more therapy is medically necessary.

To learn more about outpatient therapy caps, log onto www.medicarerights.org/ help.html. Medicare Interactive Counselor is a resource provided by the Medicare Rights Center, the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare.

Medicare Coverage of Outpatient Therapy

.AJ=< G> D9OF E9AFL=F9F;=

@GMK= MHC==H 9F< =PH=FK=

KL9AJK

:=AF? 9DGF= !CTIVE ADULTS AT ,IVE /AK HAVE AN INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE WITH BENElTS THAT MAKE THE LIVING EASY #HOOSE THE CAREFREE LIFESTYLE IN ONE OF THE NEWLY REMODELED APARTMENTS AT ,IVE /AK AND GET THE FOLLOWING BENElTS u /NE 3TORY 'ARDEN !PARTMENTS 7ITH 0ARKING .EAR 9OUR $OOR

4HIS IS A TIME IN LIFE WHERE YOU SHOULD BE DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO

NOT THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO

u $ELICIOUS 2ESTAURANT 3TYLE ,UNCH $AILY IN /UR "EAUTIFUL $INING 2OOM OR $ELIVERED TO 9OUR 2ESIDENCE u %XCEPTIONAL #ULTURAL %DUCATIONAL AND 3OCIAL %VENTS AND /PPORTUNITIES u -ULTIFAITH 7ORSHIP 3ERVICES u 4RANSPORTATION TO -EDICAL !PPOINTMENTS u !ND -UCH -ORE 4HESE AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU WHEN YOU LIVE AT ,IVE /AK 7ITH OUR 7ILLIS +NIGHTON AFlLIATION WE ARE ENJOYING MORE AMENITIES AND RENOVATIONS THROUGHOUT 4HERE S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE PART OF THE ACTIVE ADULT LIFESTYLE AT ,IVE /AK 0LUS ,IVE /AK RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIORITY STATUS FOR ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

#ALL THE BEST of TIMES ï&#x192;¼ April 2008 ï&#x192;¾

Age not necessarily a factor in having ACL knee surgery

Health care update l Most patients who undergo total knee replacement are between the ages of 60 and 80. Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots after knee surgery may be a safe and effective alternative to currently recommended treatments that are often costlier and riskier, according to preliminary results from a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The study found that patients taking aspirin had less risk of developing blood clots than patients taking other blood-thinning drugs.

They also faced a similar risk compared to patients receiving injectable drugs. l Researchers report finding a new blood biomarker that enables close to 98% accuracy in predicting the spread of prostate cancer to regional lymph nodes. When cancer spreads beyond a solid tumor, it often does so at a microscopic level that typically cannot be identified by imaging methods such as CT scans. The new blood test measures levels of endoglin, a plasma biomarker that has been previously shown to predict the spread of colon and breast cancer. In this study, researchers concluded for the first time that endoglin could help predict whether a patient’s prostate cancer would spread beyond the solid tumor site into their lymph nodes.

10  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Baby boomers and weekend warriors are staying active well into their later years, making them susceptible to injuring those aging frames-especially vulnerable to tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A new study presented at the 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), found that “boomers” who undergo ACL surgery are about as likely to return to pre-injury levels of activity as much younger people. These encouraging findings have led researchers to conclude that age itself should not be a factor when determining candidates for the increasingly common knee-ligament surgery.

New ‘thin pill’ could replace surgery

A new generation of diet pills that could achieve the same dramatic weight loss as surgery could be available for use within the next 5 to 10 years. A team at University College London is working towards developing a weight loss pill that makes people feel they are full after eating a small amount of food. The weight loss pill would work by preventing the stomach from expanding, thus giving the sensation of fullness. The pill could offer an alternative to stomach stapling - gastroplasty - in which a band or surgery is used to reduce the size of the stomach. Although effective for weight loss, surgery can be risky. Researchers describe the pill as a chemical gastric banding. If the gastric bypass surgery is anything to go by, there may be side effects to taking the pill such that high fiber foods and foods with a more dense, natural consistency can become very difficult to eat relative to highly refined foods. There can be vomiting and severe discomfort if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten too quickly.

However, the UCL team believes that any possible side effects of chemical gastric banding are likely to outweigh the adverse health consequences of obesity. The potential new drug is described in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Although it’s too soon to sound the death knell for the “senior moment,” it appears that memory loss and thinking problems are becoming less common among older Americans. A new nationally representative study shows a downward trend in the rate of cognitive impairment among people aged 70 and older.

Grief Is heaviest burden for caregivers

The hardest part of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s-type disorders is not the everyday practical challenge, but rather the emotional impact of losing the patients’ support and companionship as the disease robs them of their faculties, according to new research at the University of Indianapolis. More than 80% of caregivers interviewed touched on a common theme: “letting go of the person we used to know,” as one person wrote, or “watching your loved one slip away and forget who people are.” The comments illustrate two previously noted but seldom-studied phenomena seen in those caring for the terminally ill. “Anticipatory grief” is the pain of losing a loved one, felt in advance of the patient’s death. “Ambiguous loss” is the discordant feeling that comes from interacting with a patient who is physically alive but no longer seems present socially or psychologically.

Preventive steps can help to preserve your sight Poor vision is a serious problem for many older adults. In fact, 1.65 million older Americans have macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans aged 65 and older) and more than 2.2 million Americans 40 or older have glaucoma, which leads to blindness by damaging the optic nerve.

Take these steps to help save your sight: • Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins A, C and E can prevent damage to tissues such as those in the retina.

Be sure to get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (especially spinach) every day to keep eyes healthy.

• Recognize the signs. Do straight lines (such as telephone poles) look wavy?

Does written text appear blurry? Is there a dark or empty spot at the center of your vision? If so, seek treatment.

• Get vision screenings. Medicare will cover a glaucoma screening once every 12 months for people at high risk for the disease - those with diabetes or high blood pressure, those with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans age 50 and older and Hispanic Americans age 65 and older. Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount after you have met your $135 annual Part B deductible.

Get into shape without leaving the house

Don’t have the time, money or the desire to sign up for a gym membership? By purchasing the right equipment, adding creativity to your workouts, and keeping your motivation up, you can start an exercise program that will last. Consider these tips: l Get a fitness assessment by a personal trainer to help you decide what your goals should be. Be sure to check with your doctor to ensure that your new routine will be the best and safest for you. l Purchase equipment that is right for you. Don’t get something that is just going to end up a coat hanger. Do you need the cardiovascular exercise? Buy a cardiovascular machine. Do you need some strength training? Purchase hand weights. l Be creative. If you have a can of soup, you’ve got a dumbbell. l Embrace the outdoors. There are many activities that people can do outside. l Maintain a support system. Whether you need a friend to work out with or someone who will help you stay motivated, other people can greatly aid in making your commitment a reality. l Change up your routine. Not only can adding a mix to your workouts prevent injuries, it can also add some “spice” to your routine. The more fun you make exercise, the more likely you are to sustain it. l Realize that weight loss won’t happen overnight. A one- to two-pound weight loss per week is a realistic expectation. Instead of only paying attention to the numbers on the scale, focus on how your clothes are feeling, how your resting heart rate is dropping and how you have more energy overall.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  11

Can drinking diet soda cause you to gain weight?

Food news

l According to recent findings by the American Institute for Cancer Research, consuming more than 18 ounces, of red meat (pork, beef, lamb and goat) each week can significantly increase a person’s risks for developing colorectal cancer. In addition, every ounce and a half of red meat a person eats over 18 ounces increases their risks by 15%. l You’re a giant step ahead of pancreatic cancer if you eat loads of veggies daily.

In fact, eat enough (nine servings instead of five) and you could cut your risk in half. l The trouble with green tea is that 80% of the catechins (the antioxidants famous for lowering the risk of chronic disease) in green tea are never absorbed and do not make it to the bloodstream. The solution to boosting absorption, researchers recently found, is as simple as flavoring green tea with freshly squeezed and strained lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit juice. More green tea news - It may help you lose weight, keep your knees young and strong, help your skin look great and help you stay mentally sharp. l Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users.

12  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

According to a recent study done at the University of Minnesota, drinking diet soda is linked with developing metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is an increase in risk factors toward cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This includes a larger waistline, high blood pressure and higher levels of fats found in the blood.

The study took place over nine years and

included approximately 10,000 participants.

The study showed that people who drank one can of diet soda every day were 34% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, but those who drank one can of regular soda were only 10% more likely to develop it.

Older people who eat plenty of protein may be protecting themselves from the loss of skeletal muscle that accompanies aging, a new study shows.

While many people may think Americans have no problem getting enough protein, about 40% of US adults 70 or older get less than the recommended 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Older people may cut down on their animal protein intake due to cost, difficulty chewing, or concerns about the high

cholesterol or fat content of these foods.

People tend to lose lean body mass as they age, which can increase the risk of disability and mortality. According to a study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, those who consumed the most protein lost 40% less lean mass than those who consumed the least. Among those who had lost weight during the course of the study, low protein intake was associated with greater lean mass loss.

Omega-3 fish oils may benefit lupus activity as well as cardiovascular effects for patients with lupus, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called SLE or lupus) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin,

joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body. Patients with lupus may also develop premature cardiovascular disease.

The research study found that participants who had been taking omega-3 fish oil showed significant improvement in all areas of measurement, including improved blood vessel function and a reduction in cell damaging molecules - resulting in potential cardiovascular benefits. There was also a significant improvement in a number of the symptoms of active lupus.

Low protein tied to muscle loss

Fish oils may benefit lupus

Fix bad breath with food

When your breath has turned toxic because of smelly foods, you need an air freshener for your mouth. Because brushing constantly is impossible, try countering breath-busting foods with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely to be handiest: other foods.

1. Suck on a lemon wedge or nibble on the rind. Lemon-flavored hard candies also work well.

2. Chewing on parsley sprigs releases parsleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breath-freshening oils. Fresh basil and rosemary work, too.

3. Apples and other crisp, fresh foods (firm pears, carrots, jicama) are high in fiber, and all that chewing acts like a scrubbing rinse for your mouth.

4. For a more exotic solution, mix equal parts of anise, cardamom, coriander, and fennel seeds in a small covered bowl.

Chewing on a few seeds will release enough oil to sweeten afterdinner breath.

5. Mint sprigs or cinnamon sticks will squelch the scent of onion and garlic. Plus, an essential oil in cinnamon kills a nasty type of oral bacteria, discouraging it from setting up house in your mouth. Cinnamon or mint gum is just as effective. If you pick a gum sweetened with xylitol, it will freshen breath and help reduce cavities.

6. Consuming half a cup of plain, sugar-free yogurt twice a day can lower oral levels of hydrogen sulfide which causes a rotten egg smell.

Berries, melons, oranges, and other fruits high in vitamin C also deter stinky mouth bacteria.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Wanted an Affordable Retirement Lifestyle...

Where I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bothered with responsibilities of home maintenance. I wanted a spacious apartment where I could relax in solitude. I wanted a community where I could invite my family to join me for meals and outings.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I found everything I wanted at The Waterford.

My family even celebrated my birthday in the private dining room. Best of all, my pet is welcome here.â&#x20AC;?

Call today for more information

2222 E. Bert Kouns (Industrial Loop) Shreveport, LA 71105

318-524-3300

t 'BNJMZ BUNPTQIFSF t $MPTF UP NFEJDBM PGmDFT BOE IPTQJUBMT t 5ISFF UPQ OPUDI NFBMT QFS EBZ t 8FFLMZ IPVTFLFFQJOH t .POUI UP .POUI Rental Community t &NFSHFODZ $BMM 4ZTUFN t $PNQMJNFOUBSZ transportation t 4BGF GSJFOEMZ environment t "SPVOE UIF DMPDL TUBGmOH t %ZOBNJD SFDSFBUJPO XJUI PQQPSUVOJUJFT UP UBLF EBZ USJQT UP FYDJUJOH EFTUJOBUJPOT MVODI PVUJOHT BOE NVDI NPSF

A Capital Senior LivingÂŽ Community | www.capitalsenior.com

THE BEST of TIMES ď&#x192;ź April 2008 ď&#x192;ž 13

UPDATE Dear Marci, Are there any hospitals or health care facilities that will treat patients at a reduced cost? --Klaus Dear Klaus, People with Medicare can receive services from Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which are also known as Primary Health Care Service Delivery Sites. FQHCs are health care facilities located in what is defined as “medically underserved areas” and provide Medicare-covered medical services as well as some preventive services that are not covered by Medicare. FQHCs waive the Medicare Part B annual deductible, and clinics may waive the 20 percent coinsurance for Medicare-covered benefits for people with an annual income at or below the federal poverty level ($10,400 a year

Marci’s Medicare Answers Medicare, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Cancer Screenings, and Extra Help for individuals and $14,000 a year for couples). To find the FQHC nearest you, call 888-ASK-HRSA or go to http://ask. hrsa.gov/pc/. ~Marci Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover the cost of screenings for cancer? --Carol Dear Carol, Yes. Medicare covers screenings for several types of cancer - breast, cervical, vaginal, colon and prostate. Talk to your doctor about which screenings you should get. Early detection of cancer can increase the chances that treatment will be successful, and in some cases, can identify precancerous conditions that can be treated and cured before cancer develops.

To learn more about risks, screenings and coping with cancer, visit the American Cancer Society’s web site at www.cancer. org or call its hotline at 1-800-ACS-2345. ~Marci

Dear Marci, After I retired last year, my income decreased significantly, and I’m now having trouble paying for my Part D drug plan—both the copays and the premium.

I heard there are programs that might help me, but could I be ineligible because I own a home? --Sarah Dear Sarah, No. If your monthly income is below $1,301 for singles ($1,751 for couples) and your assets are below $11,990 ($23,970 for couples), you may be eligible for Extra Help, a federal program that helps you pay for some or most of the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). You may still qualify even if your income or assets are above the limit, because certain types of income and assets may not be counted. For example, you do not need to state the value of your home or your car when you apply.

You can apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration, using either the agency’s print or online application (available at www.ssa.gov). If you are enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you automatically qualify for Extra Help, so you do not have to apply for it.

You may also be able to get some help from a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program if one is available in your state.

Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to find out. You can get the number by calling 800-MEDICARE. ~Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www. medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org. To learn more about cancer screenings, FQHCs and Extra Help, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicarerights. org/help.html.

14  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  15

Al Bolton

Weather Facts for Thought

The tornado season is upon us. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year but they occur more frequently during the months of April, May and June. More occur on the average during the month of May than any other month. Tornadoes can occur at any hour but the most favored time is between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. during maximum daytime heating. Tornadoes usually move from the southwest to the northeast. When a tornado watch is issued, it means that there is a possibility of one or more tornadoes developing in or close to the watch area. The outline of the watch area is shown on television weather broadcasts. A tornado warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted or indicated on radar. The warning will give the location of the tornado and its direction and speed of movement.

Here are some tornado safety rules. In homes, a basement usually affords the best protection. If there is no basement, take shelter in an interior closet or bathroom on the first floor.

Surveys of tornado damage to homes have shown that first floor bathrooms and closets are often left standing. Stay away from windows. Do not open doors or windows. Abandon mobile homes even if they are tied down.

In buildings, go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor or to a designated shelter area. If in open country, move away from a sighted tornado at a right angle to its path. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the nearest depression such as a ditch or ravine using your arms and hands to protect your head.

Here are some interesting April numbers. The average daily normal high temperature is 77°. The average daily normal low temperature is 54°. Normal April rainfall is 4.42 inches. Last April the total rainfall measurement was 1.64 inches. The highest temperature was 87° on the 29th and 30th. The lowest temperature was 39° on the 8th. Our wettest April of record was 11.19 inches in 1957. Our hottest April temperature of record was 96° on the 29th in 1987. Coldest of record was 31° which was recorded three times...on the 11th in 1989 and on the 4th and 5th in 1987.

[Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Al Bolton and his wife, Sandy, on the birth of their beautiful new granddaughter, Ella Sophia Bolton, who was born on January 4, 2008. Welcoming her to the family are proud parents Ryan and Angela Bolton and big brother, Walker.]

Al Bolton, a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, began reporting with KSLA-TV in February, 1954.

16  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Nursing Home Care

Social Security

Will Medicare cover my father’s care in a nursing home?

While Medicare does not pay room & board fees for one actually “living” in a nursing home, there are portions of nursing home care that are covered. Medicare covers 100 days of skilled nursing care when the doctor feels that either nursing or rehabilitation services for Medicare Part A insured persons are needed following a recent hospitalization of 3 or more days. Additionally, Medicare Parts B & D may pay for your father’s medications and physical, speech or occupational therapies ordered by a physician whilehe is in a nursing home. Depending upon the financial situation, nursing home room & board is generally paid by the individual, Medicaid, or Long Term Care Insurance.

Vicki Ott

It’s not my fault that Social Security paid me too much money.

Do I still have to pay back an overpayment?

If you were not at fault in causing the overpayment, you may not have to repay it. You may request a waiver of repayment of the overpayment at any time by completing Form SSA-632 and returning it to your local office or you may call us at the toll-free number shown on your overpayment notice or visit your local office. If you no longer have your notice, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213. In addition to showing that you were not at fault in causing the overpayment, you must show that repayment of the overpayment would deprive you of income needed for ordinary living expenses or that repayment would be unfair for another reason.

Neurosurgery

Hospice

Dora Miller, Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration 318-676-3173; fax 318-676-3141 dora.miller@ssa.gov

NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place; Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 Please see our ad on page 35.

Who are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty to relieve back problems?

The best candidates for balloon kyphoplasty are those who have new (within a few days or a couple of weeks) fracture. Fractures are most common in older patients with osteoporosis and the typical symptom is severe, immediate onset back pain. Kyphoplasty has to be one of the most satisfying procedures - there is practically immediate relief in most cases, and people go home with only 2 tiny needle incisions. We treat other back-related problems which affect pain down the legs of ‘fatiguing” down the legs, and not every patient needs surgery - just an honest assessment.

Dr. Ravish Patwardhan

If my father’s illness is deemed terminal and we qualify for hospice services, do we need to get him to change his living will?

It is not a requirement one change their living will to forgo life--prolonging measures when admitted to hospice. After a patient has been told that they have a limited life expectancy they may begin to reevaluate their end-of-life care and wish to die peacefully in the comfort of their home surrounded by their loved ones. Patients have a right to revoke a living will at any time and hospice will continue to provide education, support and end-of-life care throughout this time.

Agape HospiceCare

The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Drive, Suite 970 Shreveport, LA 71115; (318) 797-5543 www.neurosurgery.ws; www.theins.net

318-861-2150 Toll Free - 866-405-2100 Please see our ad on page 24.

Opthalmology

Orthopaedics (Bone and Joint)

I have heard of a new lens implant for cataract surgery that will eliminate glasses. Does Medicare pay for it?

This is an exciting time to have cataracts. There is a new Multifocal Lens Implant called Restor that allows a wide range of vision without glasses. 80% of patients who have received the lens never have to use glasses, ever! Medicare and/or insurance covers part of the lens and surgery, the rest will have to be paid out of pocket. If you think you have cataracts and would like to learn more about the Restor Lens, call us at 212-3937.

What are the symptoms and treatment of torn cartilage?

Meniscus tears are the most common surgical condition involving the knee. Medial meniscus (inside) tears are 3 - 4 times more common than lateral tears (outside). The meniscus support 50% of the body weight with the knee extended and 90% with the knee flexed 90°. Because the meniscus supports body weight every attempt should be made to repair or maintain as much meniscus tissue as possible. Popping, giving way, locking, tenderness at the joint line, stiffness, and swelling are some of the signs/symptoms of cartilage tears. Arthroscopic surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis and recovery is from a few days to a weeks.

John J. Ferrell, M.D.

Christopher Shelby, MD

Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr., Shreveport, LA 1105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com Please see our ad on page 63.

Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive, Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400

Numbers?

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  17

FINANCIAL

Save Money on Medications

Don’t let your health care suffer because of high medication costs Jason Alderman

Between skyrocketing prescription drug prices, rising insurance copayments and an aging population, it’s not surprising more and more people are having difficulty paying for their medications.

If that sounds like you or someone you know, here are a few money-saving tips: Go generic. Unlike generic cereal or soup, where quality varies, generic drugs by law must conform to strict Food and Drug Administration guidelines for quality, strength, purity and stability. Generics usually cost a fraction of brand-name counterparts, and many insurance plans assign them significantly lower copayments. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if generic equivalents exist for your medications.

Bulk up. Many insurers encourage ordering routinely taken drugs in larger

18  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

quantities from mail-order pharmacies.

For example, a 90-day supply of bloodpressure medication might have the same copayment as a 30- or 60-day supply.

Multiply that by several drugs over a year and savings could really add up.

Shop around. Because prices often vary widely, call or check Websites of several pharmacies, including online-only chains, to find the best deal. Two cautions: In addition to your doctor, make sure at least one pharmacist is aware of all medications you take (including overthe-counter) to prevent accidental drug interactions; and use only online pharmacies certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (http://vipps.nabp. net/verify.asp.)

Pill splitting. Many drugs come in double-dosage tablets that cost close to or the same as a lower dosage. By splitting the larger dosage in half, you essentially get two doses for the price of one. Caution:

Many pills should never be split, including time-release and coated medications, so always ask your doctor or pharmacist first.

Drug assistance programs. Most pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) that provide uninsured and low-income people access to prescription drugs they couldn’t otherwise afford. There’s lots of paperwork, but you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars if you meet their eligibility requirements.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist or health clinic how to proceed, or visit Partnership for Prescription Assistance (www.pparx. org), which has enrollment information on over 475 public and private PAPs, including links to Medicaid programs. Also helpful are RxAssist (www.rxassist.org), NeedyMeds (www.needymeds.com) and Consumer Reports, which explains how PAPs work (at www.crbestbuydrugs.org,

click on “Prescription Drug Assistance Programs”).

Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage through dozens of plans offered by private insurers. Monthly premiums, copayment amounts, out-of-pocket limits and drugs covered under the plans vary considerably, so you’ll need to be very careful when choosing the best plan for your situation.

Read the information at www.medicare. gov/pdphome.asp for guidance on choosing the right plan. Another good resource is AARP’s comprehensive guide to Medicare at www.aarp.org/health/medicare.

Note that extra assistance with premium payments is available to low-income people. And, unless you turn 65 or otherwise become eligible for Medicare during the year (for example, through a qualifying disability), you’ll need to wait for next year’s open enrollment period in mid-November to join.

Tax advantages. If your employer offers a health care flexible spending account (FSA), sign up. You can use pretax dollars to pay for prescription and overthe-counter medications, as well as other healthcare-related expenses, reducing your taxable income and thereby lowering your taxes substantially. To learn how FSAs work, visit Visa’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life (www.practicalmoneyskills. com/benefits.)

Bottom line: Don’t let your health suffer because of high medication costs.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To participate in a free, online Financial Literacy and Education Summit, go to www.practicalmoneyskills.com/summit2008.

Anyone who’s retired or living on a fixed income knows how difficult it is to keep up with skyrocketing health care, fuel and food costs. And, with today’s longer lifespans, many of us will need to keep our eye on the ball for much longer than our parents’ generation did.

Here are a few strategies to rein in spending and make better use of the money you do have: The No. 1 rule is to make a budget and stick to it. Know exactly how much money is coming in every month and how much is going out. First, add up all income sources including pensions, 401(k) or IRA payouts, savings account interest, stock dividends and so on. Then, tally all expenses, large and small: groceries, medications, insurance premiums, rent or mortgage - even coffee to go. You’ll be surprised how much you spend each month.

If your expenses outweigh your income and you don’t have sizeable savings to rely on, you must either increase your income or cut spending; otherwise, you’ll run out of money. If you’re not sure how to create or stay within a budget, visit Practical Money Skills for Life, Visa’s free personal financial management site (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/budgeting). It features My Budget Planner, a comprehensive interactive calculator, as well as many other budgeting tools and tips.

Here are a few other suggestions that can save hundreds of dollars a year: • You can lower your auto and homeowner/renter’s insurance premiums considerably by raising deductible amounts. Also, rates typically go down when you reach age 50 or 55, especially if you take a defensive driving course, so be sure to ask.

• Many health insurers offer deep discounts if you order several months’ worth of routine medications at once or order by mail. Also, online pharmacies often charge less than walk-in drugstores and may provide free shipping, so comparison shop.

• Weatherproof your home and buy energy-efficient appliances to drastically reduce your utility bill. Go to www.energystar.gov for more information and check with your utility for rebate offers.

• Ask if your utility offers senior or low-income household discounts or THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  19

LEGAL

Advice for Home Sellers and Buyers Lee Aronson

In last month’s column, I told you about a couple, the Jeffersons, who were about to sell their house to Mr. Bentley. You, a real estate agent, had entered into a dual agency agreement with both the Jeffersons and Mr. Bentley. This means that not only were you the agent for the Jefferson’s but that you were also the agent for Mr. Bentley.

I also told you that you had received three different phone calls from three different neighbors asking if the Jeffersons’ home used to be a mobile home. When you asked the Jeffersons about this, they told you that “there was a mobile home there when they bought the land but it is now gone” and that their home is a “custom home.”

And the question I asked was, do you tell Mr. Bentley about the phone calls?

Well, this situation is based on an actual case that happened right here in Louisiana.

20  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

In that case, the real estate agent did not tell Mr. Bentley (not his real name) about the phone calls. Mr. Bentley ended up buying the house but he soon discovered that the home was not a custom home. He hired an inspector who found that “the house was a combination of a site-built home and a mobile home…that about 25% of the home consisted of mobile home components… [and] the thicker part of the home was the existing mobile home with added standard stud walls and a frame added around the entire outer part of it.”

Mr. Bentley thought about suing the Jeffersons, but due to the fact that their dry cleaning business wasn’t making any money, the Jeffersons had declared bankruptcy. So Mr. Bentley decided to sue the real estate agent instead.

The case went to trial and the agent argued that she was relying on what the Jeffersons had told her. She admitted that she had her suspicions but that she did not tell Mr. Bentley about the calls from the

neighbors because she was satisfied with the Jeffersons response. She also said that did not tell Mr. Bentley about the calls because “anything the seller says must be kept private unless the seller specifies that it may be disclosed.”

The Judge completely disagreed and held: the real estate agent seems to think that she is “entitled to rely on the denials of the [Jeffersons], who filed for bankruptcy and are long gone. With one call [from a neighbor], the court might agree; with two, it’s doubtful; but, three? Absolutely not. Any reasonable person would have become sufficiently alerted to understand that the dual agency obligation required a disclosure.” The real estate agent, as a dual agent, “had a fiduciary obligation to [both] the buyer and seller. If it was something [she] had to keep asking the seller about, it was something [she] needed to tell the buyer. It is not up to the realtor to choose who to believe. People lie. The [Jeffersons] must have been really good at it. When the realtor chooses to believe a dishonest seller and fails to disclose, he will be liable for making a choice that was not his to make.”

My bottom line: stay away from dual agency agreements. If you’re selling a house, make sure that your agent is working for you and you alone. And if you’re buying a house, get a buyers agent who will represent you and only you.

Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.

Throughout this special section you will find columns of good, practical advice on topics rarely discussed in the media.

We figured it was about time.

Additionally, we’re presenting the 2nd Annual Caregivers Resource Directory.

We dedicate this issue to those who give care and those who receive it.

Bless you all.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  21

Dealing with the diagnosis

Making caregiving easier

• Use a draw sheet (half sheet) to help move the person in bed.

• Replace buttons, zippers, and snaps with Velcro® fasteners (available at local yardage or craft stores) or purchase clothing made with Velcro® fasteners or with elastic.

• Use a hand towel (which is larger than a washcloth) for sponge-bathing a bedridden person.

• Add foam padding or use foam curlers to increase the size of handles on toothbrushes, razors, combs, and utensils.

• Maneuvering a loved one with limited mobility in and out of the car can be a difficult task, especially on fabric seats.

Try placing a plastic bag on the seat, have your loved one sit down on it with their feet outside the car, and swivel them more easily into place sitting forward.

• If the care recipient’s hand shakes have them use a Chinese soup spoon to avoid spilling food and straws for drinking from a glass.

• Make audiotapes or CDs of your loved one’s favorite music so that you or they can play it easily. Listening to music can lift the spirits and take the mind off pain.

• Talk to a pharmacist about the best way to organize medications, and be sure that you purchase something specifically for the purpose of managing medications.

• Dementia patients may not remember where the bathroom is. Use signs (with illustrations) to indicate which door leads to the bathroom 22  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Finding out that a loved one has a long-term, chronic disease can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming. You can help your loved one come to terms with the diagnosis and then move on together to gather information. As you begin to take stock of the situation, here are some tips that may help: • Ask the doctor any questions you may have about the disease. Find out what treatment options are available and what the treatment will accomplish. Understand what side effects to expect and what the benefits of treatment are.

• Contact organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society for more information about the disease, treatment options, and caregiving resources. Some community groups may offer classes to teach caregiving, problem-solving, and management skills.

• Study your day to see if you can develop a routine that makes things go more smoothly. For example if there are times of day when a person with Alzheimer’s Disease is less confused or more cooperative, plan your routine to make the most of those moments. Keep in mind that the way the person functions may change from day to day, so try to be flexible and adapt your routine as needed.

• Consider using adult day care or respite services to ease the day-to-day demands of caregiving. These services allow you to have a break while knowing that the person is being well cared for.

• Geriatric care managers can be life savers. Services vary but may include explaining Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance programs, coordinating medical care among doctors with different specialties, developing an overall care plan, securing and monitoring in-home care, and helping the family understand options.

• Begin to plan for the future. This may include getting financial and legal documents in order, investigating longterm care options, and determining what services are covered by health insurance and Medicare.

Caring for someone can sometimes be overwhelming. It can be physically demanding, emotionally draining and cause stress when combined with other major responsibilities. So, it’s critical for the caregiver to take care of their own physical and mental health -- first.

• Identify the biggest stressors in your caregiving routine. Think about what situations or tasks are the most frustrating and plan healthy ways of coping.

• Break large demands into small, manageable parts. Work through one task at a time.

• Stand back and take a look at your situation - what is working well and what isn’t - and look for ways to make changes for the better.

• Practice stress management techniques daily – deep breathing exercises, meditation, guided imagery, physical exercise, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation may be helpful.

• Maintain healthy habits. Get as much rest as possible. Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals. Get adequate physical exercise even if it’s just going for a walk as aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety up to 50%.

• Think positively. Positive thinkers see problems as challenges to be mastered. They tend to feel less stress when facing problems directly and looking for solutions.

• Get support from family and friends.

You can and should ask other family members to share in caregiving. A family conference can help sort out everyone’s tasks and schedules. Friends and neighbors also may be willing to provide transportation, respite care, and help with shopping, household chores or repairs.

• Plan for leisure time away from caregiving even if it’s reading a book or listening to your favorite music.

• Retreat, regroup, and revitalize when you’ve lost patience or become resentful.

Coping with stress • Establish limits. Yes, you can say no.

• If possible, have someone help you with the morning and bedtime routines, if the care receiver needs a lot of assistance, since getting up and going to bed often are the most challenging times of the day.

• Do what needs to be done first, leaving other things for tomorrow.

• Take advantage of community services such as adult day care, respite care or in-home companion services to care for your loved one while you take a break.

• Seek help. You are not failing as a caregiver by asking others for assistance.

If none of these things relieves feelings of stress or burnout, ask a health care professional for advice.

Taking care of yourself while caregiving

When you are a caregiver, finding time for positive, nurturing interactions with others might seem impossible. But you owe it to yourself to find time for you.

Without it, you may not have the mental strength to deal with all of the emotions you experience as a caregiver, including guilt and anger. Give yourself permission not to be perfect…you’re doing the best you can.

• Incorporate activities that give you pleasure even when you don’t really feel like it. Listen to music, work in the garden, engage in a hobby…whatever you enjoy.

• Pamper yourself. Take a warm bath and light candles. Find some time for a manicure or a massage.

• Eat balanced meals to nurture your body. Find time to exercise even if it’s a short walk everyday. Do the best you can to sleep at least 7 hours a night.

• “Laughter is the best medicine”…buy a light-hearted book or rent a comedy video. Whenever you can, try to find some humor in everyday situations.

• Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts and feelings. This helps provide perspective on your situation and serves as an important release for your emotions.

• Arrange a telephone contact with a family member, a friend, or a volunteer so that someone calls each day to be sure everything is all right.

• Let go of guilt. Realize that you just can’t be everything to everyone all of the time. Acknowledge your limitations, and focus on what is most important. Tell yourself that you are doing a good job at a very difficult task • Try to set a time for afternoons or evenings out. Seek out friends and family to help you so that you can have some time away from the home. And, if it is difficult to leave, invite friends and family over to visit with you. Share some tea or coffee. It is important that you interact with others.

• Find a support group where you can share your feelings and concerns.

Members of support groups often have helpful ideas or know of useful resources based on their own experiences.

• Find someone to talk to who can give you emotional support.

• When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.

• Watch for signs of depression and don’t delay in getting professional help.

Going along for medical Here are some tips for going to see the visits doctor with your care recipient: • Write down questions you need to ask or things you want to tell the doctor.

• Keep a folder of your loved one’s health information and bring this folder to each visit.

• Bring all the medicine bottles with you, or keep a list of the names and doses.

Bring this list to each visit.

• Let the doctor know if your loved one has had changes or new symptoms.

• If you don’t understand an answer or need to know more, ask.

• Take notes.

• Before you leave the visit, make sure you know what the next steps are for your loved one’s care.

• Larger medical practices and hospitals may have a social worker on staff. She or he may have valuable information about community resources.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  23

Taking steps toward safety

24  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

• Keep a cordless telephone or a cellular phone nearby in case of an emergency.

Keep handy a list of emergency phone numbers, including the nationwide Poison Control Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Purchase a personal emergency response system which will summon help with the push of a button if you leave your care receiver alone at times.

• If your care receiver is bed ridden, install an intercom or room monitor that will alert you if your loved ones is having problems while you are in another room.

• Ensure that all rooms have a clear path, that rugs are nonskid, that there are no raised room dividers or electric cords to trip over, and no slippery floors.

• Consider installing all weather carpeting in the bathroom to prevent falls.

• Ensure your loved one has a pair of non-skid slippers or shoes that fit snugly and offer good support to prevent falls.

• If needed for balance and support, ensure the care receiver always uses a cane or walker.

• If your loved one uses a wheelchair, make sure that wheels are securely locked when doing transfers.

• Position your relative in the middle of

the bed so that he/she can turn over without falling or install guardrails.

• For those who cannot get in and out of the tub alone and who do not feel safe in the shower, install grab bars next to toilets, bathtubs, and showers to prevent falls.

• Get a stool for the tub or shower or put a sturdy lawn chair right in the tub on a nonslip rubber mat. Help the person to step carefully into the tub, to sit on the chair, to shower, then to stand up and step out. A hand-held shower attachment is helpful.

• Obtain an identification bracelet for the older adult with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, containing name, address, and telephone number. If the person wanders off or gets lost, an ID bracelet will ensure that they can be identified. If there is a special medical problem, get a Medic Alert Emblem (necklace or bracelet) engraved with the recipient’s condition.

• Install night lights in hallways and bathrooms.

• Have a fire escape plan. Let the fire department know if a person with a disability lives at your address.

• Learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in case it is needed.

Easier mealtime with Alzheimer’s patients A person with Alzheimer’s may not remember when he or she ate last or even why it’s important to eat. Alzheimer’s can affect taste and smell, so food may not be as appetizing. The key to making mealtimes easier is to approach eating meals with patience, planning, and flexibility.

• Your loved one may not respond to hunger or thirst so offer meals at regular times. Have them drink 7 or 8 glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration.

• If an entire plateful of food is overwhelming, offer small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than 3 large ones.

Cut food into bite-size pieces.

• Be careful when serving hot food.

Your loved one may not recognize that a food is too hot to eat.

• Limit distractions. Turn off the television or radio to help your loved one focus on the task of eating.

• People with Alzheimer’s eat as much as 25% more when their food is served on brightly colored plates. Researchers believe it’s easier to distinguish between the plate and the food when there’s more visual contrast.

• It may be easier for your loved one to use a bowl rather than a plate. Largehandled spoons often are easier to use than are forks.

• Give your loved one plenty of time to eat. To avoid choking remind him or her to chew and swallow carefully.

Health care reminders

• Find ways to make your care recipient laugh. Laughter helps to relax muscles and relieve pain, and boosts the immune system.

• Tell the doctor about any unexpected new symptoms experienced while taking medicine. A change of medicine or a dose adjustment may be needed.

• Nonfat dry milk is a good protein supplement in soups, milk shakes, and casserole dishes, or mixed with water for reconstituted milk.

• Periodically go through all medications and appropriately discard ones no longer taken or beyond expiration dates.

• Make sure your care recipient

wears sunscreen as well as a hat and protective clothing when going out, whether the sun is shining or not. Some medications increase the likelihood of skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

• Ask your care recipient’s physician or physical therapist to recommend a stretching routine to promote flexibility in joints and muscles. Also ask about regular exercise which can improve gait, strength, muscle tone and coordination - all important in preventing falls.

• As people age they tend to lose their feeling of thirst. Encourage drinking more water to avoid dehydration.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  25

Finding community support Many organizations assist caregivers through support groups, home visitors, respite care, transportation services, and other in-home and community services.

Information may also be available about benefit and assistance programs for older persons with limited incomes.

• Call your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) {See page 49 for contact information and a listing of support services offered by the Caddo and Bossier Councils on Aging}, parish information and referral service, university gerontology department, or hospital social work unit for contact suggestions.

• If your care recipient is a Veteran, home health care coverage, financial support, nursing home care, and adult day care benefits may be available. Some Veterans Administration programs are free, while others require co-payments,

26  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

depending upon the veteran’s status, income, and other criteria.

• Fraternal organizations such as the Elks or Moose lodges may offer some assistance if your care recipient is a longtime dues-paying member. This help may take the form of phone check-ins, home visits, or transportation.

• Centerpoint Community Services serves as the source of information on human services and operates the 2-1-1 Information & Referral program, which serves 11 parishes in northwest Louisiana.

Anyone seeking assistance can dial 211 from a land-line telephone and connect to the Call Center. The database of agencies contained on their website site at www. centerpt.org. provides free access to the

public searching for referral to a wide range of services including counseling, support groups, transportation, personal necessities, and disability assistance.

• Advisors at The National Eldercare Locator, funded by the Administration on Aging, can direct you to agencies and organizations that can assist you. When calling 1-800-677-1116, please provide the older person’s address and ZIP code.

• In collaboration with LSUHSCShreveport, Willis-Knighton is hosting a community Caregiver Support Group meeting on the 4 th Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. at Kingsley Place, 7110 University Dr., Shreveport. The objectives are to provide accurate information and supportive resources to assist caregivers.

Contact Rhonda Feldt at 675-6142 or Melissa Palmer at 212-4828.

• If your loved one is well enough, consider the possibility of adult day care. They serve older persons with serious mobility limitations, dementia, or medical conditions that require daily attention.

• Hospital or Nursing Home Discharge Planners can refer you to home care agencies and workers.

Coping with holidays and family gatherings Holiday time can be stressful even in normal family situations, but it can be especially difficult for caregivers. The happy memories of the past contrast with the difficulties of the present, and extra demands on time and energy can seem overwhelming.

• Recognize that things will be different, and have realistic expectations about what you can do.

• Don’t try to do everything you used to do for the holidays. Keep or adapt those family traditions that you enjoy the most.

• Include the chronically ill person as much as possible. Focus on their remaining abilities and try to find small tasks that will make them feel useful.

• Decorating is an important part of most holidays. Make the home festive but try to minimize clutter. Extra decorating may also mean additional electric cords.

Secure all cords or run them along walls to reduce the possibility that your loved one will trip over them.

• Encourage friends and family to visit but limit the number of visitors at one time.

Try to schedule visits during the time of

day when the person is at his or her best.

• Do your best to enjoy yourself. Try to find time for the holiday things you like to do, even if it means asking a friend or family member to spend time with the person while you are out.

• At larger gatherings such as weddings or family reunions, try to have a space available where the person can rest, be by themselves, or spend some time with a smaller number of people, if needed.

Dealing with incontinence Incontinence, or the inability to control the bladder and/or bowels, can be upsetting to the person and difficult for the caregiver.

• Have a routine for taking the person to the bathroom and stick to it as closely as possible. Don’t wait for the person to ask.

• Watch for signs that the person may have to go to the bathroom, such as restlessness. Respond quickly.

• Be understanding when accidents occur. To avoid skin irritation ensure good hygiene by helping them wash afterwards and to change into dry clothing. Stay calm

and reassure the person if he or she is upset or embarrassed.

• Various products are available to help the care receiver feel more comfortable, including waterproof bedding and incontinence pads.

• If you are going to be out with the person, plan ahead. Know where restrooms are located, and have the person wear simple, easy-to-remove clothing. Take an extra set of clothing along in case of an accident.

• Discuss ways in which your loved ones incontinence may be improved with their health care provider.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  27

Consider home care services

28  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Home care typically refers to a wide variety of services that assist individuals with activities of daily living. These services are typically available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Home care workers may work by themselves or as a team on a shift, part-time, hourly, live-in, or on an as-needed basis.

Home care providers may be independent or hired through an agency. Agencies, though more expensive than hiring privately, are typically easier to use, since the agency finds and places the provider, handles payroll and any problems that may arise, and usually provides coverage for sick or absent providers. Agencies that are licensed and bonded are generally a good choice, although there are always exceptions. You have avenues of recourse (complaints, legal action) when dealing with agencies that are liable for problems.

There is no real recourse (except firing) when dealing with independent providers.

Types of services available include: • Homemaker Services – Can include help with cooking, light cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and other household chores.

• Personal Care – Assistance with

a daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, toilet use, grooming and eating.

• Skilled Home Health Care – Skilled care can include nursing; speech, occupational, physical, or respiratory therapy; home health aides, and social work or psychiatric care. These services are usually ordered by a physician and may be covered by insurance.

• Respite Care - A trained volunteer or para-professional stays with the loved one and takes over the caregiving role, whether for several hours or several days.

These brief reprieves from a caregiving situation are healthy for the caregiver and also for the care recipient…a change of daily routine for both.

• Live-in Help - Home care best suited to long-distance caregiving or other situations in which the primary caregiver can’t be there in person and the care receiver needs round-the-clock support. Room, board and a salary, is provided in exchange for meal preparation, light housekeeping, and other non-medical services.

• Hospice Care – Medical, social, and emotional in-home services for the terminally ill and their families. Care may also be available in a free standing facility.

Tax tips and information for caregivers As more and more people find themselves caring for an elderly parent or relative, it is important to know the rules governing taxes and caregiving. Make sure to keep good records (including mileage and supplies) and consult a tax professional. Keep these tips in mind when preparing your tax return: • In order to qualify for tax deductions as a caregiver, you must provide more than half the support for food, housing, medical, transportation, etc. for the care recipient. If the person lives with you, include a reasonable percentage of your mortgage, utilities and other household costs in determining your level of support.

• The person you care for must be a relative or have lived with you for the past year and must be a citizen or resident of the United States, Canada or Mexico.

• The income of the care recipient cannot exceed the personal exemption of $3,400 (in 2007) excluding Social Security and tax exempt interest. This does not prevent claiming the medical expenses paid on their behalf, however.

• The person must not have filed a joint

tax return with his or her spouse.

• Construction expenses and modifications to your home for the person (i.e., adding a wheelchair ramp, widening doors, railings, etc.) may be deductible as medical expenses as long as the main purpose of the work is to provide a medical benefit.

• If you itemize your taxes, unreimbursed medical and dental expenses can be deducted as an itemized deduction.

However, the expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. According to IRS Publication 502: “Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. They include the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes. They also include dental expenses. Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They do not include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation. Medical expenses include the premiums you pay for insurance that covers the expenses of medical care,

and the amounts you pay for transportation to get medical care. Medical expenses also include amounts paid for qualified longterm care services and limited amounts paid for any qualified long-term care insurance contract.”

• You may be able to claim a Dependent Care Credit if you pay someone to care for your love one. To qualify, you must pay these expenses so you can work or look for work. The credit can be up to 35% of your expenses. IRS Publication 503 contains information and worksheets.

• If several adult children are helping to care for the person, the one who is providing more than 50% of the support is entitled to claim the dependent.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  29

Must have documents and information

Effective caregiving depends on keeping a great deal of information in order and up-to-date. The existence of these document can relieve some of the stress or conflict that otherwise might arise if

30  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

family or friends have to decide on their own what the patient would want done if they are unable to speak for themselves.

Keep documents in a secure place that is accessible to family members at all hours (not just during normal business hours).

• Durable Power of Attorney provides a designated person control of legal and financial matters should the care recipient be unable or unwilling to handle such affairs on their own. The powers may be limited or broad. The language in the document controls the agent’s power and authority.

• Medical Power of Attorney allows the designated person access to all medical information relating to the patient’s condition and, when necessary, to make medical decisions for the patient based on knowledge of the patient’s wishes should they be incapacitated or unable to make medical decisions.

• A Last Will and Testament expresses the care recipient’s desires for the distribution of his/her estate and names an executor who is in charge of making sure all is handled as instructed. It must be signed and witnessed. Keep the original copy of the will in a fire-proof location,

such as a bank safe deposit box or fire proof safe.

• Living Will states the care recipient’s advanced directives about end-of-life medical treatment.

• List of the care recipient’s doctors, addresses, phone numbers, appointment schedule and the reason that doctor is being seen.

• List of medications should include all medications being taken by the care recipient (including over the counter medication, herbal treatments, and vitamin supplements), when each is taken, dosage, and the reason the recipient is taking that medication.

• Other information - Caregivers should keep track of previous health problems, past allergies and drug reactions.

They should have access to private insurance policies (including major medical and Medigap) and all cards relating to insurance, prescription plans, Social Security, and Medicare. Keep a list of names and telephone numbers for their insurance agent, clergy, attorney and accountant.

Identify what hospital you want to go to in case of an emergency and keep the phone number for ambulance service handy.

Choosing a nursing home For many caregivers, there comes a point when they are no longer able to take care of their loved one at home. Choosing a residential care facility - a nursing home or an assisted living facility - is a big decision, and it can be hard to know where to start.

• It’s helpful to gather information about services and options before the need actually arises. This gives you time to explore fully all the possibilities before making a decision.

• Determine what facilities are in your area. Doctors, friends and relatives, and hospital social workers may be able to help you identify specific facilities.

• Make a list of questions you would like to ask the staff. Think about what is important to you, such as activity programs, transportation, or special units for people with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

• Make an appointment to visit the facilities that interest you. Talk to the administration, nursing staff, and residents.

• Observe the way the facility runs and how residents are treated and if they are clean and well groomed. You may want to

drop by again unannounced to see if your impressions are the same. Ensure that the facility is clean, smells fresh and has safety and security features.

• If the patient suffers from AD, find out what kinds of programs and services are offered for patients and their families.

Ask about staff training in dementia care, and check to see what the policy is about family participation in planning patient care.

• Check on room availability, cost and method of payment, and participation in Medicare or Medicaid. You may want to place your name on a waiting list even if you are not ready to make an immediate decision about long-term care.

• Once you have made a decision, be sure you understand the terms of the contract and financial agreement. You may want to have a lawyer review the documents with you before signing.

• Moving is a big change for both the ill person and the caregiver. A social worker may be able to help you plan for and adjust to the move. It is important to have support during this difficult transition.

We wish to thank our sources of valuable information.

• National Institute on Aging and U.S. National Institutes of Health (www.nia. nih.gov) • National Family Caregiver Support Program of the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on A g i n g ( w w w. a o a . gov) • Helpguide (www. helpguide.org/ elder/caring_for_ caregivers.htm) • AARP (www.aarp. org/family/caregiving/)

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  31

ADVICE

Navigating the Steep and Bumpy Caregiver Road Caregiving is a side trip on the journey of life Betsy Williams

When most of us think of the “caregiver,” we think about people like Florence Nightingale or Mother Teresa who extraordinarily dedicated themselves to caring for those in need. In real life, caregivers are the neighbor next door, the person you speak to in the grocery store, you, and me. We come from all walks of life, we cry, we hurt, sometimes we get mad, and sometimes we even jump up and down and yell at whomever is listening.

Caregiving is a side trip on the journey of life. And with side trips, we need a good navigation system. Below are five suggestions for assisting us in navigating through our road of caregiving.

1) As caregivers, it is difficult to put our health and well being above others.

However, we do have limits especially when it comes to our level of stress we can endure and our personal patience. The road is less bumpy when we recognize our limits, accept them and recognize that we can rarely change them.

2) When we are navigating through our days as caregivers, we find our emotions can move from frustration, to anger, to sadness, to happy, to love, and back to frustration. At times, we can feel like we are on a roller coaster ride. It helps to just stop the ride once in a while by acknowledging what emotion we are feeling and that it is okay to cry and to laugh, even at the same time.

32  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

3) When a person takes a journey, it is important to eat the right foods and get enough sleep to stay on the right path.

However, as caregivers, we become so busy making sure that our loved ones eat properly and get enough sleep that we may skip a meal or two, and try to function on three to four hours of sleep. We need to remember that we are the navigators on this side trip, and we have to take care of ourselves in order to keep everyone safe during the journey.

4) Sometimes, we encounter others on our journey that want to help us navigate on this side trip of caregiving. It is hard to let others take the wheel for a while.

However, it allows you time to let go, sit back, and maybe, even get a fresh look at life. Going on a journey alone is really not fun. By allowing others to go with us, we can enjoy the next path with a new set of eyes, and renewed energy.

5) It is important to take a side trip from the side trip. As caregivers we find ourselves giving up our own needs and interests so that we can make sure our loved one’s needs and interest are met. We forget that we once enjoyed a good book, a bubble bath, or a trip to the mall. If we take the time for a few detours of our own, we will feel refreshed and ready for whatever is around the next corner.

When we are caregivers, time is precious, and we cannot always remember

a lot of words or phrases to help us along the way. If that is the case, below are some bullet points that can assist us in caring for our loved one.

• You are a valuable human being, not just for the person you are giving care to, but for yourself.

• It is okay to cry, laugh, feel joy and pain. Sometimes you need all these emotions to shake out the cobwebs.

• Asking for help and accepting help is good.

• Acknowledge your personal interests. They exist to give you peace of mind and body.

• Love yourself. Eat the right foods, get plenty of rest, and do something special for yourself, even if it is just sitting quietly with your favorite author.

Caregiving is a bumpy road, sometimes, steep and narrow. However, with any road on our life’s journey, we can make it through, as long, as we take care of our own navigational systems.

Betsy Williams, MA, BCPC, CGC, is a board certified pastoral counselor, grief counselor, and clinical chaplain. Her present position is Clinical Director for the Center for Families. Betsy holds a masters degree in Counseling from Louisiana Tech, and a masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. In May, she will receive her Doctor of Psychology from the Graduate Theological and Psychological Foundation in South Bend, IN.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  33

LEGAL

Beware of Whom You Trust Be selective and check credentials of those individuals you select to handle financial matters Judge Jeff Cox

Newspapers and television news abound with stories about people across the country who have allegedly exploited the elderly and have taken their life savings and/or property. These stories usually sadden and anger me at the same time.

They sadden me because the elderly person who has been exploited usually loses all of his/her life savings and the stories usually anger me that a person would do another person this way. Unfortunately, stories of financial exploitation of the elderly are not an isolated incident in our society today.

Included in this article are few tips to hopefully prevent you, the reader, from being harmed by someone attempting to take care of your finances and/or business.

First, it goes without saying, know the person you are trusting to handle your financial business. If the person is in the

34  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

financial sector, check his or her credentials. Find out if any complaints have been registered against the person with the Better Business Bureau or the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also, if you can find clients of the person seeking your business, find out how other clients rate the person and whether they would recommend his or her financial services.

If you are being helped by an individual, know the person’s background. Some questions that may need answering are: Does this person have an arrest record?

Have they been convicted of any type of crimes? What experience do they have in investing money? Have they helped other people with their finances? If you feel you need the help and do not know the person

or their background, it is a good idea to have them thoroughly investigated, even by a private investigator. Also, if you feel uneasy around the person, trust your “gut” feeling as the old saying goes.

Second, be careful of health caregivers who want to get into your personal business.

Many situations started because the person was a health caregiver. If possible, try to keep health care needs separated from the person who helps you with your finances. It is very easy to fall in the trap of trusting someone who spends a great deal of the day with you caring for your physical needs.

Third, if you feel you are being financially exploited, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.

The quicker the agency is contacted, the quicker they can investigate and stop further losses if losses are occurring. You can also contact Elderly Protective Services if you feel you or someone close to you is being exploited by any person.

Being careful in choosing persons to help you with your finances can help eliminate some of the risks associated with losing your life’s savings. You need to make sure that your best interests are being cared for by the person who is helping you.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial District Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  35

Issues

10 Tips for Supporting Family Caregivers Your caring can help prevent burnout Lisa M. Petsche

In approximately one-quarter of American households, care is provided to someone age 50-plus. In most cases, no formal support services are in place, meaning that family members and friends provide all assistance.

These unpaid helpers provide practical assistance and enhance the quality of life for ill older people who might otherwise require placement in a long term care facility.

Typically, they are spouses or offspring, many seniors themselves.

The loved ones they care for have physical or mental impairment (perhaps both) caused by one or more chronic health conditions, stroke and dementia being most common.

The caregiving role involves physical, psychological, emotional and financial demands. It can also be one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

The caregiving journey is often a long one, though, and particularly challenging when the elder has heavy hands-on needs, a demanding personality, or mental impairment. Burnout is common.

The following are some things that you, as a friend or relative, can do to help prevent a caregiver you know from wearing down.

1. Keep in touch, recognizing that you may have to make most of the effort in maintaining the relationship. If you live

36  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

at a distance or otherwise can’t visit often, regularly call to see how they’re doing or send cards or letters to let them know you’re thinking of them.

2. Educate yourself about the care receiver’s disease, to help you understand the kinds of challenges the caregiver might be faced with.

3. Listen non-judgmentally, demonstrate compassion and don’t give unsolicited advice.

Provide words of support and encouragement.

4. Offer to accompany the person to a caregiver support group meeting if concurrent care is available or they can make in-home respite arrangements; otherwise, offer to be the respite provider so they can attend a group.

5. Encourage the caregiver to practice self-care by eating nutritiously, exercising and getting sufficient rest in order to maintain good health. Do whatever you can to help make it possible. For example, bring over a meal or offer to sit with the care receiver while the caregiver exercises or takes a nap to catch up on lost sleep.

6. Ask, rather than guess, what kind of practical help you can provide. Perhaps it’s dusting and vacuuming, doing laundry or running errands. If your assistance is declined, continue to express your desire to help. Meanwhile, take it upon yourself to

deliver a casserole or muffins or, if you’re a neighbor, sweep both walks or bring in both sets of garbage cans. Encourage the caregiver to ask for and accept help rather than go it alone.

7. Surprise the caregiver with a treat, such as a rented movie, fresh flowers or a plant, gourmet coffee or tea, or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant that has takeout and delivery service.

8. When it comes to special occasions, keep in mind that the most valuable gift you can give a caregiver is the gift of time. Offer to sit with the care receiver for an hour while the caregiver goes to a hair appointment or to a religious service, for example, or for a longer stretch so he or she can attend a social event.

9. If the caregiver is planning to host a party or dinner, offer to help with preparations or cleanup, or to attend to the care receiver during the event so the caregiver can concentrate on hosting duties and mingle with guests.

10. Offer to get information about community support services if none are in place, and encourage their use as appropriate.

Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  37

Alzheimer’s Disease Study Dr. J. Gary Booker 851 Olive Street Shreveport, LA 71104 (318) 227-9600 Conducting research studies sponsored by major pharmaceutical companies relating to Alzheimer’s disease. Qualified participants will receive study-related medical evaluations and investigational medication at no cost. For more information, call (318) 227-9600.

Assisted Living Kingsley Place of Shreveport 7110 University Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 524-2100 Assisted living with dementia care suites, courtyard suites, rehab and therapy services. Offers weekly housekeeping services. Small pets are welcomed. Scheduled transportation available for appointments.

For more information, please call (318) 524-2100.

Spring Lake Assisted Living and Retirement Center 8622 Line Avenue Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 861-2366 Newly renovated and remodeled. Assistance as needed for all activities of daily living which allow for continued independence. Nurse on-call around the clock. Full time companion staff on duty 24 hours a day. For information, please call (318) 861-2366.

Banking Services Barksdale Federal Credit Union (318) 549-8240 Offering checking, savings, home loans, auto loans, personal loans, Visa Credit and Debit Cards, IRA’s, Money Market, Certificate Accounts, Direct Deposit, ATM Network, Internet Account Access, Free Internet Bill Payer, and 24-hour account access by phone. For information, call (318) 549-8240

Care Management Louisiana CareTenders 1747 Bayou Drive Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 868-3983 Providing in-home care solutions for your loved one while assisting you with planning ahead for elderly care. We can assist in providing all of the necessary care and management skills to keep your loved one safe in the comfort of their own home. Contact us at (318) 868-3983 for information about our services.

According to estimates from the AARP Public Policy Institute, 30-38 million adult “family caregivers” provided care to adults with a limitation in an activity of daily living. On average, caregivers provide 21 hours of care per week or 1,080 hours of care per year.

38  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Chiropractic/Rehab Spinal Aid Center/Balance Unlimited 460 Ashley Ridge Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 865-2225 – Spinal Aid (318) 869-3255 – Balance Unlimited Our dedicated staff of chiropractors, occupational therapist, and medical director allow us to use innovative new technology such as spinal decompression and the latest balance diagnostic equipment to treat your chronic and severe conditions such as disc bulges/ herniations, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, dizziness, vertigo, BPPV. Live without the fear of falling! For more information, please call (318) 865-2225 or (318) 869-3255.

Community Education New Horizon Community Education Center 8510 Line Avenue, Suite B Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 671-8131 Addressing the needs of providers, direct service workers, and individuals with disabilities through community education.

Offering a variety of training programs for caregivers and others. For more information, please call (318) 671-8131.

Emergency Response Acadian On Call (800) 259-1234 Acadian On Call provides medical alert systems to over 13,000 subscribers. Our service launched in 1991, provides peace of mind to subscribers and their families knowing that if needed, emergency assistance is available at the push of a button.

Call us today for more information at toll free 800-259-1234.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  39

Home Health Care

Funeral Home

Boone Funeral Homes 2156 Airline Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 742-5361 Boone Funeral Home was established in Bossier City in 1972 and has expanded by operating North Louisiana’s only Crematory as well as two full service florists. The Boone Funeral Home name is synonymous with dignity, care and service.

The Boone family is concerned, of course, with the dignified preparation and burial of the deceased. But even more than that, Boone Funeral Home is concerned with the emotional healing of the living, supporting the bereaved during their time of grief and helping them to enter into a satisfying and fruitful life. Call (318) 742-5361.

40  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

All About Care Home Services 1953 East 70th Street Suite 6A Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 797-2100 (318) 423-2233 All About Care is more than the name of our company it is our passion. Our goal is to supply superior care for our clients and to provide the quality of service that we would want for our own families. Our entire staff is thoroughly screened and reliable. We only hire those with a superior work history and a caring heart. We are available from a few hours or up to 24 hours a day with rates low as $11 hour.

Let our staff be more than just a sitter. For more information, call (318) 797-2100.

Family Care Services 7623 Pines Road Shreveport, LA 71129 (318) 671-1799 Since 1992, catering to the needs of others by providing companionship, understanding and experienced care for persons in their homes. Providing assistance with dressing, cooking, light

housekeeping, errands, and doctor appointments. Insured, licensed, and bonded.

Serving all of North Louisiana. For more information, call (318) 671-1799 Home Assistance Services, Inc. 2533 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Suite119 Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 682-8182 Since 1987, providing care to persons living in Northwest, Northeast, and Central Louisiana. Accepting Private Pay, Long Term Care Insurance, Workmen’s Compensation, Medicaid Programs. For additional information, please call (318) 682-8182 New Horizons Independent Living Center 8508 Line Avenue, Suite D Shreveport, LA 711106 (318) 671-8131 (877) 219-7327 New Horizons has provided independent living services since 1986. Though no one lives at our center, the staff provides both group and individual services in the homes of consumers and in the community. Independent Living Specialists

provide four basic services to consumers: advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, skills training. In addition, New Horizons provides other programs including Personal Care Attendants, durable medical equipment, assistive technology services and devices, and home modifications. For additional information, call (318) 671-8131.

Northwest INCS, Inc 4111 Metro Drive Shreveport, LA 71109 (318) 636-0390 (877) 808-4627 Northwest INCS is an agency which believes in taking a holistic and person centered approach to servicing individuals.

We provide an array of services, focused on developing well rounded individuals with and without disabilities. We aid and assist individuals with the skills and confidence needed to live productive lives and become a meaningful member of society.

As well as provide companionship services to the elderly population. All individuals have the right to live their life according to their choices and dreams, without having to base their life on their limitations. We

make this possible through our supervised independent living program, as well as all other services. For more information, please call (318) 636-0390.

ResCare HomeCare 820 Jordan Street, Suite 390 Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 678-1890 ResCare HomeCare, the nation’s largest non-franchised home care provider, is proud to offer flexible, affordable, dependable services including personal care and support; homemaking, companion services, and non-skilled private duty care. Accepting Private Pay and insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, Veterans Benefits, and Workmen’s Compensation. For information call, (318) 678-1890.

Synergy Home Care 2533 Bert Kouns, Suite 117 Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 550-0285 As a leader of home care services for more than a decade, we set the pace for innovation by offering a variety of specialty and disease management programs that go above and beyond the minimum standard

of home care. Medicare certified home health care services to persons in their homes, including skilled nursing care; physical, occupational and speech therapy services; home health aides services and medical social worker services. For more information, call (318) 550-0285.

Thompson Home Health 2529 East 70th Street, Suite 110 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 797-9392 If you need healthcare at home, remember, you have a choice. You can choose any agency you want, but we hope your FIRST choice is Thompson Home Health.

We realize the importance of recovering in the friendly environment of your home, with your family. We offer HomEd, a system to monitor your vital signs at home every day. For more information, please call (318) 797-9392.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association and National Alliance for Caregiving, 8.9 million caregivers (20% of adult caregivers) care for someone 50+ years who have dementia.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  41

a variety of apron fronts for you to choose from. For info, call (318) 635-8881.

Showcase Kitchens and Baths Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 393-7361 Specializing in the conversion of existing bathtub into a step-in shower without the need to buy a new tub or install a new shower. For info, call (318) 393-7361.

Home Modification Rebath of NW Louisiana 4023 Greenwood Road Shreveport, LA 71109 (318) 635-8881; (800) BATHTUB ReBath Bathtubs are custom manufactured to fit perfectly over your old ugly bathtub. Professional installation is completed in just a few hours and your new bath is ready for use the next day! ReBath’s patented installation technology and unmatched inventory of 850 cataloged bath tub molds, guarantee a perfect watertight fit. Each Re-Bath tub is manufactured with our proprietary DuraBath SSP™. This special product will not fade, chip, peel, rust or mildew. We feature designer colors to match any bathroom decor, plus we offer

Walk-in Bathtubs of Louisiana 2961 East Texas Street Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 746-1440 Offering hydrotherapy bathtubs for restorative therapeutic care for people who may suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, back/hip/knee problems, neuropathy, osteoporosis, poor blood circulation, and many other ailments. Tubs have a built-in seat for safety and comfort, plus a low wide door and non-slip floor. For more information, call (318) 746-1440.

28% of caregivers who provide more than 40 hours of care per week are 65+ years. (Partnership for Solutions, Johns Hopkins University)

FREE Mobility Consultation Imagine regaining your independence with a new power chair or scooter.

Call today to find out if you pre-qualify for Medicare and supplemental insurance to cover your cost.

Licensed in the State of Illinois

Call Toll Free

1-866-267-4306 Please mention code: MG0308

America’s #1 Power Mobility Provider

42  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Hospice Agape Hospice Care of Shreveport 806 Brook Hollow Drive Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 861-2150 Serving all North Louisiana with the highest standard of palliative care. Personnel have over 30 years of combined experience in providing comfort care when cure is no longer possible. Commitment to holistic approach. No out of pocket expense for patients or families.

For additional information, please call (318) 861-2150.

LifePath Hospice Care Services 1500 Market, Suite B108 Shreveport, LA 71107 (318) 222-5711 Providing end of life comprehensive, coordinated comfort care at a home or in a nursing home. A comprehensive approach to care, the goal of which is to help people with a serious illness live life fully, maintain their dignity and keep personal control over their lives. For more information, please call (318) 222-5711.

Willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana 3300 Albert Bicknell Drive, Suite 3 Shreveport, LA 71103 (318) 212-4697 (800) 766-6050 Hospice of LA-WKHS provides skilled services and compassionate support from a team of professionals that includes the attending physician, registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, and volunteers. This team works with the patient and the family to provide the best care possible. We at Hospice recognize that the journey of life is transition. We focus on the quality of life rather than the quantity of life by letting the patient live at home surrounded by loved ones and familiar possessions and letting the patient live life his or her own way. For more information, contact us at (318) 212-4697.

Medical Supplies

First Response Medical Supply 1701 Old Minden road, Suite #32 Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 746-7774 Offering products and services for Medicare and non-Medicare patients including all types of wheelchairs, stools, walkers, diabetic shoes, patient care beds, canes, and much more. For more information, call (318) 746-7774.

The Scooter Store 866-267-4306 Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 300,000 people with limited mobility. Over 100,000 physicians have trusted us to provide expertise and quality service for their patients. Today, we have locations to serve you in 47 states.

Whether you’re looking for a power

chair, mobility scooter, lift, ramp or accessories, we’d love to work with you, please call for more information, toll free, 866-267-4306.

Mental Health/Counseling Stonewall Hospital 960 Hwy 171 South Stonewall, LA 71087 (318) 925-6660 (877) 925-6660 Stonewall Hospital is a 22 bed inpatient acute-care adult psychiatric hospital located in the private and serene setting of North Desoto Parish. We offer the best care available to the mentally ill consumer ages 18 and up. Serving in a professional, dedicated, caring manner, Stonewall Hospital is committed to attending to the ever-changing mental health needs of the community it serves. Our facility offers a unique, holistic, individualized program targeted to the specific needs of the patient and transitioning them back into their community. Extensive psychological testing is done upon admission so that the therapy remains individualized identifying realistic long-term goals tailored to meet the individual’s social and emotional needs. The intention of this program is to provide the best possible help for the patient. If you or a family member need help and want to be treated like family, call us today at (318) 925-6660 or toll free 877-925-6660.

Westwood Mental Health 1 Westwood Circle Shreveport, LA 71109 (318) 635-4444 If someone you love is suffering from one or more mental health symptoms, please contact Westwood Mental Health for us to conduct an assessment to

determine if our facility can be of any help. Transportation is provided for most services. Snacks and meals are provided for most services. Accepting Medicare and Private Insurance. For more info, call (318) 635-4444.

Nursing Home/Rehab Leslie Lakes Retirement Center 1355 Sixth Street Arcadia, LA 71001 (318) 263-9581 (800) 850-5505 Professional staff provide quality care 24 hours a day. Offers full range of nursing services and therapy services.

Spotless and sanitary are watchwords throughout the entire facility. Experienced staff prepare quality meals and provide special diets daily. An independent living apartment complex is located next door to nursing facility to provide private living accommodations in a community atmosphere. For more information, call 800-850-5505.

(Additional Nursing Home/Rehab listings on page 44.)

While caregiving can be a very stressful situation for many caregivers, studies show that there are beneficial effects, including feeling positive about being able to help a disabled spouse, feeling appreciated by the care recipient, and feeling that their relationship with the care recipient had improved. (“Negative and Positive Health Effects of Caring for a Disabled Spouse: Longitudinal Findings from the Caregiver Health Effects Study”. Psychology and Aging)

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  43

Nursing Home/Rehab (continued) NurseCare of Shreveport 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 NurseCare of Shreveport is a newly renovated center with a very loving, caring, clean environment in which to recuperate or live. It is a nursing and rehabilitation center where persons can come to get well whenever possible and return to their community and where people come to “life” when they need to be at a home. The services provided by our center include some services, including but not limited to – Certified IV therapy, trach care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care including wound

44  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

vac and wound debridement, contracture management, ultrasound, e-stim, restraint reduction, bowel and bladder training, secure behavioral unit, stroke and fracture rehabilitation unit, registered dietitian services, daily activity program, transition program to transition back into the community. Some of these services are not provided by other nursing facilities in the area. NurseCare of Shreveport is “Caring Like Family” for you or your loved one. Call today for information at (318) 221-1983.

Prosthetics/Orthotics Certified Limb and Brace 3227 Portland Avenue Shreveport, LA 71103 (318) 636-9145 Complete orthotic and prosthetic services to persons living in Shreveport, Bossier City, Ruston, Minden, Natchitoches, Coushatta, and Mansfield. Fully credentialed award winning staff. Spacious, clean, and easily to find office location with easy parking. Courtesy followup visits after the sale; with no fees for evaluation, consultation, or adjustments.

Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, VA

Workmen Compensation, and Insurance.

For more info, call (318) 636-9145

Senior Resources AARP of Louisiana 301 Main Street, Suite 1012 Baton Rouge, LA 70801 866-448-3620 AARP of Louisiana is a non-profit nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for all people as they age. AARP focuses to assist people 50 and older to have the independence, choice, and control in their lives that they need to benefit themselves and society. To accomplish this purpose, AARP focuses on four primary areas: information and education, advocacy- legislative, judicial, and consumer; opportunities for community services; and a broad array of member products and services. For more information, call toll free 866-448-3620.

Nearly half of caregivers provide fewer than eight hours of care per week, while nearly 20% provide more than 40 hours of care per week. (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP)

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  45

Senior Resources (continued) Caddo Council on Aging â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Disability Resource Center 4015 Greenwood Road Shreveport, LA 71109 (318) 632-2090 (800) 793-1198 Louisiana SenioRx Aging and Disability Resource Center for Northwest Louisiana can assist persons 60 and older as well persons who are 21 years of age or older with a long term disability in finding services to help them improve their health, independence, and quality of life. For additional information, call (318) 632-2090 or toll free 800-793-1198.

TBT Multimedia P. O. Box 19510 Shreveport, LA 71149 (318) 636-5510 www.thebestoftimesnews.com The Best of Times is an award winning monthly newsmagazine for persons 50+ living in NW Louisiana. Each issue is available for free pick or through subscription, and is available for viewing and/or downloading from our website at www. thebestoftimesnews.com.

Silver Pages, published by The Best of Times, is NW Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier senior resource directory and is widely acknowledged as an indispensable source of comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information to help older adults and their families locate a wide range of businesses, organizations, and agencies. The current edition is available for downloading from www.thebestoftimesnews.com The Best of Times Radio Hour airs at 9 a.m. every Saturday morning on AM 1130 KWKH, a Gap Broadcasting Station in Shreveport with guests discussing a wide variety of topics of interest to senior citizens and their family members. This program is also available LIVE streaming

A member of the ResCare family of companies

Call us today at: 318.678.1890 Shreveport, Louisiana Branch

Helping you live life on your own terms ResCare HomeCare, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest non-franchised home care provider, is proud to offer flexible, affordable, dependable services including:

Experience the Difference!

t 1FSTPOBM $BSF 4VQQPSU t )PNFNBLJOH t $PNQBOJPO 4FSWJDFT t /PO TLJMMFE 1SJWBUF %VUZ $BSF Call for a free consultation!

"DDFQUJOH 1SJWBUF 1BZ *OTVSBODF] -POH 5FSN $BSF *OTVSBODF 7FUFSBOT #FOFmUT ] 8PSLFST $PNQFOTBUJPO

820 Jordan Street, Suite 390 | Shreveport, LA 71101

www.ResCareHomeCare.com

46 ď&#x192;ž April 2008 ď&#x192;ź THE BEST of TIMES

on the internet at www.kwkhonline.com.

Previously recorded radio broadcasts are available for listening and downloading from www.thebestoftimesnews.com

Web Resources

Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) A service of NIA, the ADEAR Center offers free publications and information on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education and training, and research related to Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. Phone: 1-800-438-4380 (toll-free). www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov Administration on Aging (AoA) AoA provides funds and communitybased services for programs that serve older adults. Phone: 202-619-0724. www. aoa.gov.

Use of caregiver support services has been shown to have clinically significant outcomes in improving caregiver depression, anxiety and anger. (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dementia Caregiver Intervention Research: In Search of Clinical Significance.â&#x20AC;? The Gerontologist)

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  47

Eldercare Locator This nationwide service helps identify local resources for seniors. 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free). www.eldercare.gov Family Caregiver Alliance Provides information, education, services, and advocacy for caregivers. 1-800-4458106 (toll-free). www.caregiver.org

Web Resources (continued) Alzheimer’s Association The Association offers information and support to patients and families. 1-800-2723900 (toll-free). www.alz.org ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center Provides resources and information, including a respite locator program. 1800-473-1727, ext. 222 (toll-free). www. archrespite.org BenefitsCheckUp Provided by the National Council on Aging, this program allows people to find programs that can help them meet health care costs. www.benefitscheckup.org

48  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Helpguide Empowerment to understand, prevent and resolve health challenges, including the special changes that come with aging. www. helpguide.org.

Hospice Foundation of America Promotes hospice care and education about caregiving, terminal illness, loss, and bereavement. 1-800-854-3402 (toll-free). www.hospicefoundation.org National Alliance for Caregiving Supports family caregivers. www.caregiving.org National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers The Association offers information and

referral services. 520-881-8008. www. caremanager.org National Family Caregivers Assn.

Supports family caregivers and offers education, information, and referrals. 1800-896-3650 (toll-free). Website: www. nfcacares.org National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Association for hospices has resources and information for the public. 1-800-6588898 (toll-free). Website: www.nhpco.org National Institute on Aging (NIA) NIA offers free info on a variety of subjects related to aging. NIA, in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine, produces www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov, an easy-to-use website designed for older people. 1-800-222-2225 (toll-free); TTY: 1800-222-4225 (toll-free). www.nia.nih.gov Partnership for Prescription Assistance Helps qualified people who lack prescription coverage get needed medicines.

1-888-477-2669 (toll-free). www.pparx. org

Bossier Council on Aging Bearkat Site (741-8302), 706 Bearkat Drive, Bossier City 8 AM - 4:30 PM Plain Dealing Site (326-5722), 101 E. Oak Street, Plain Dealing, 9 AM - 1 PM Transportation - Vans available to seniors 60+ who have no means of transportation for medical appointments, grocery store, drug store and other necessary stops.

Wheelchair accessible. 3 day notice required. $3 round trip suggested. Also provide medical transportation through referrals from Medicaid.

Outreach - Home visits are made to help qualify seniors for services.

Homemaker - Trained employees will come to your home to provide light housekeeping for those seniors having difficulty maintaining their homes. $3/visit suggested.

Information & referrals - Call us if a senior needs assistance in any way. 741-8302

Caregiver - Support services are provided for family caregivers including in-home respite care for the caregiver, education for the family, and material aid and personal care for the patient.

Legal Services - Education on elder legal issues provided at the sites. Counseling for individuals is accessible monthly with a local lawyer or by referrals.

Congregate (Site) Meals - Hot, nutritious meals served at 11:30 AM at the sites, Mon - Fri . $1.25 per meal is suggested.

Home Delivered Meals - Meals provided 5 days per week for elderly homebound in Bossier Parish, $1.25/meal suggested.

Personal Medical Response System With a referral from BCOA, an auto dial unit is available for installation on your phone.

Necklace, wristband, or pocket clip styles provided. Just press the button for immediate help. $20 fee per month.

Senior Centers - Fun and fellowship for the active senior! Enjoy recreation, crafts, educational seminars, and health information. Also provided: day trips, extended trips, exercise and dance classes, bingo, cards, dominoes, health screenings, exercise equipment room, Senior Games and Thursday night dances with a live band.

Medication Management - Seminars, brown bag services provided by pharmacists and programs provided by health care providers so seniors know about their prescriptions and the proper way to take them. Drug plan assistance available.

Medicaid Applications - We are an application center and provide assistance to seniors in filling out the forms. By appointment only.

(AARP) Money Management - BCOA provides financial assistance to seniors: bill paying, balancing checkbooks, etc.

Caddo Council on Aging 4015 Greenwood Road, (318) 632-2090.

Website-www.caddocouncilonaging.org Email-ccoa@caddocoa.org Info & Referral - 632-2090 Outreach/Individual Needs Assessment632-2090 - Visits are made to the home to explain services available and to enroll the elderly in our various service programs Home Delivered Meals - 632-2090 - Each week 5 meals can be delivered to homebound seniors. Suggested donation $1.25/day.

Homemaker Services - 632-2090 - Personal care and household tasks provided for homebound persons unable to perform these tasks without assistance. $5/month donation requested.

Personal Care - 632-2090 - Personal care provided to homebound person by trained staff once a week. $5/month donation requested.

Family Caregiver - 632-2090 - Sitter and respite provided for full time caregiver of a senior. Donation requested.

Telephone Reassurance - 632-2090 - Volunteers make regular phone calls to seniors to offer comfort and support.

Medical Alert - 632-2090 -Emergency response system that protects sen iors in case of accident or falls in the home. $20/month fee SenioRX Program - 632-5900 or 1800-793-1198-Assists seniors applying for pharmaceutical aid programs.

Nursing Home Ombudsman - 632-2090-

Professional weekly visits to nursing home to investigate and resolve issues made by the elderly resident or the resident’s family.

Covering 7 parishes in NWLA. RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) 632-2113 - Provides volunteer opportunities in the community and nutrition sites for persons 55 years of age or older.

Foster Grandparents (FGP) - 632-2199Seniors serve as mentor, tutor and caregivers to youth with social needs. FGPs that meet special requirements may serve 20hrs/wk and receive a stipend.

Legal Services - 632-2090- Referrals for individual counseling.

Emergency Blinking Light - Flashing light installed in your porch light by the Caddo Sheriff Dept. to help guide emergency medical personnel to the house during lifethreatening emergencies. No charge.

SOS Program - Sheriff’s Operational Safeguard. Helps identify and reunite lost, memory-impaired persons with families. Participants are given a bracelet engraved with the name and phone number of the Sheriff’s Office and an ID number that corresponds to personal information. Confidential Call 681.0875 to register. No charge.

Senior Centers and Meal Sites - 6322080-Area sites located in Caddo Parish that offer fun activities, recreation, wellness, exercise, safety programs, sewing, crafts, bingo, and just plain old fun. Lunch served at all sites for a $1.25 donation. Transportation is provided to sites, call 632-2080 to sign up

for a meal or transport to the sites.

• Myrtle B. Pickering Senior Center4017 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm.

• Blanchard Cross Roads Church - 356 Warriner, Blanchard. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00am-12noon.

• Broadmoor Methodist Church - 3715 Youree Drive, Shreveport. Open 9:30 12:30.

• Canaan Towers Apartments - 500 North Dale, Shreveport. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm.

• Cooper Road Community Center - 1422 MLK Blvd, Shreveport. Open MonFriday 9:30am-12:30pm • Greenwood Library - Hwy 80, Downtown Greenwood. Open Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 12:30pm • Mooringsport Community CenterLattimer Street, Mooringsport across from the school. Open Tue-Wed-Thurs 9:30am to 12:30pm • Morning Star Baptist Church 5340 Jewella, Sport Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm • New Hill CME Church - 8725 Springridge Texas Line Rd, Keithville Tue & Thurs 10am-1:00pm • Oil City Community Center - Savage Street, Oil City Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9am to noon • Vivian Community Center - in the City Park 522 E. Tennessee Open Mon-Fri 9am-12noon THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  49

50  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  51

52  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

The best drive-in movie ever was “Forbidden Planet.” While sprawled on my Boy Scout sleeping bag in the back of my mother’s 1957 Ford station wagon, pajama-clad and all of 12, I ogled the skimpy skirts of the calmly beautiful Anne Francis [see sidebar below] while cringing at the attack of the monster from Dr. Morbius’s id.

That hometown drive-in, opened in 1950, was closed and demolished in 1985.

Such is the state of drive-ins currently. I am sad to report that not a single drive-in movie theater is operating in the state of Louisiana.

The idea of drive-in movies was the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, a young sales manager at his dad’s Whiz Auto Products in Camden, NJ. He loved movies and he loved cars, so he created one of the most successful “mash-ups” ever. His vision was to create a theater where parents could bring children in their pajamas, avoid baby-sitters, and

relax in the comfort of their own car while watching a movie.

And that’s exactly what happened. Oh, and he single-handedly helped spark a post-war baby-boom, if you catch my knowing wink.

Hollingshead mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car, projected onto a screen he had nailed to trees in his backyard, and used a radio placed behind the screen for sound. After much tinkering, he achieved the perfect layout and workings, which he patented (#1,909,537) on May 16, 1933.

With an investment of $30,000, Richard opened the first drivein on Tuesday, June 6, 1933. Admission was 25 cents for the car and 25 cents per person, with no car paying more than $1.00.

In 1958 Hollingshead’s patent was declared invalid, which, coincidentally, was the same year drive-ins reached their peak at 4,063 across America.

TV, the VCR, DVDs and now downloading movies all conspired to kill the drive-in. But I still miss going! l

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  53

PlAces2GO

Get Up & Go!

With the Grandkids Chimpanzee Discovery Days - Saturday, April 12. Chimp Haven, Eddie D. Jones Nature Park, 13600 Chimpanzee Pl., Keithville. 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Free and open to the public. Donations welcome.

Concert Shreveport Symphony presents “Shakespeare & Company” - Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.. Riverview Theatre, 600 Clyde Fant Prkwy., Shreveport. Local actors from The Company Repertory Theatre will join the Symphony for this magical evening. Selections include Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite,” Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture.” $10; $20; $30; $36; students, $5. 318-227-TUNE (8863).

54  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Exhibit

Senior Art Show

Women’s History Month Exhibit at Spring Street Historical Museum - Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and the staff of the Spring Street Historical Museum are celebrating women’s history with an exhibit featuring the women’s club movement which began in the late 19th century. The Women’s Club Movement and Women’s Suffrage in Shreveport exhibit showcases the achievements of local women through artifacts, documents and photographs, including the museum’s costume collection.

The Spring Street Historical Museum captures what Shreveport looked like after the Civil War. Its cast iron grillwork is the only surviving example of New Orleans-style architecture in the city.

Today, the museum’s collection depicts the development of northwest Louisiana since the 1800s including Indian artifacts, firearms, period clothing and military uniforms.

The public is invited to view the exhibit through Wednesday, April 30 during regular museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about the Spring Street Historical Museum, visit our Web site at http://www.sos.louisiana. gov/museums or call 318-424-0964.

27th Annual Shirl Shanhouse Morris Senior Art Show - Caddo Council on Aging will hold its annual Senior Art Show on Friday, April 18 at 2 pm at the MBP Senior Center, 4017 Greenwood Road.

Senior artists 60 years of age or older will display their work beginning Wednesday, April 16 th. Awards Reception will be held April 18th at 2pm and the public is welcome to attend. Prizes and ribbons will be given for 1st and 2nd place winners in Acrylics, Oils, Watercolor and other mediums. If you are interested in displaying your work please contact Rhonda Howard at 632-2080. Entries must be delivered to the Senior Center by Monday, April 14.

Driver Education

AARP Driver Safety Program - An 8 hour classroom refresher course for drivers age 50+ which may qualify participants for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount. Where two days are listed, participants must attend both days. Call to preregister. Fee: $10 Apri 8 - 8am to 5pm (One Day Course).

Springhill 50+ Group (Formerly Senior Friends), 1120 Doctors Dr, Springhill.

Contact: Cathy (318) 539-1040; Instructor: Leroy Parker April 14 & 15 - 8am to 12noon. Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Dr, Bossier City. Contact: Robin Williams (318) 746-5349; Instructor: Ray Branton.

April 18 - 8:30am to 5:30pm (One Day Course). Lakeside Recreation Center, Milam St, Shreveport. Contact: Walter Laney (318) 688-8278; Instructor: Malcolm Parker.

April 21 & 22 - 8:30am to 12:00pm. Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Drive, Shreveport. Contact: Sue Meredith (318) 868-6552; Instructor: Malcolm Parker.

Fundraiser What’s Up Doc? - The LSU Health Sciences Foundation’s 9 th annual fundraiser. April 21 at Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel. The silent auction and cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m.

This signature event brings together 40 faculty members from the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport with members of the community in an informal dinner setting. Guests will have the opportunity to engage in an intimate dinner conversation with a physician or researcher on a pre-determined topic of interest.

Open to the public, with reservations required. Individual tickets may be purchased prior to the event for $125 per ticket.

A portion of each contribution is tax deductible. For more info or to purchase tickets, call the Foundation at (318) 675-5002.

Tour Thursday Night Trolley Tours - Thursday, April 17.

4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Artspace at the West Edge, 710 Texas St., Shreveport. An “explosion” of culture! Come and discover the Downtown Arts District.

Enjoy a narrated tour, live music, and art. Third Thursday of each month. Free.

318-673-6500/6535.

Opera Shreveport Opera presents “La Traviata” - Saturday, April 26. 7:30 p.m. Riverview Theatre, 600 Clyde Fant Prkwy., Shreveport. “La Traviata,” by Giueppe Verdi is an Italian opera and tragic love story, often compared to “Camille” and “Moulin Rouge.” $75, $50, $30, $15; students $10. For more information or to buy tickets call 318-227-9503 or visit www. shreveportopera.og

Louisiana ranked least healthy state in the United States* *United Health Foundation

=dl adc\ Yd lZ aZi

]ZVai] XVgZ hj[[Zg4

It’s time to give our uninsured patients first-class access to health care. Blueprint Louisiana, with input from people like you, has developed a plan that improves access to local care and strengthens doctor training. And we need your help. Spend five minutes at www.blueprintlouisiana.org to learn how you can make a difference in improving not only health care, but ethics, education and roads, too. Together, we will make it happen. lll#WajZeg^ciadj^h^VcV#dg\ Paid for by Blueprint Louisiana

>i¼h i^bZ id XgZViZ i]Z hiViZ lZ YZhZgkZ#

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  55

56  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

There are those who belabor under the misapprehension that “caregiving” is all morning dew on the roses and lemonade on the veranda. It ain’t. If you’ll pardon my French, it’s damned hard work, frustrating as hell, and all too often goes unappreciated. Or so I’m told.

However, like so many of us, I happen to know a couple of full-time caregivers and a care receiver, so I pointedly asked them if caregiving, to use a word popular among the kids today, sucks.

Fred, quoted below, is a C6 quad, the result of a traffic accident. He was philosophical and understanding: “I know for a fact that my wife, who is bitter about being forced to give up her career and having to take on all the extra work that I now can’t help with, doesn’t get into the “Caregivers as Saints” thing. But there she is every day, doing for me what I can no longer do for myself.

“Looking at it from her side, I’d definitely have to agree that care giving is a pain in the behind.

“A lot of people who are forced into becoming care givers through no fault of their own have to give up careers, lose the vast majority of their social lives and end up working two or three times as hard as anyone has any right to expect them to. So unless you are an unpaid 24/7 care giver who’s trying to run a house (and possibly a family) with little or no help and support, I doubt you can have any real appreciation of the difficulties encountered by many, many people.”

In a separate conversation, Pat, Fred’s wife, admitted to being unhappy with giving up her career and income and social life, but went on to say this: “I have wonderful moments with my husband, and I have those moments when I want to curl up and cry. The hard thing about being a caregiver it that if you are honest about the bad moments, people think you are a bad person. I am a wonderful wife. I love my husband more than anything in the world...but, there are hard moments. If someone were to say that caregiving is easy or fun, they would be lying.”

Finally, an old friend who’s been doing it for as long as I’ve known him had this to add: “Yeah, caregiving sucks, but you do what you gonna do?!

Family comes first in my book. I’ve been my brother’s caregiver since 1982 and wouldn’t have it any other way!”

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  57

PHARMACY

“Dear Pharmacist” Food is not the enemy; Prempro and cancer

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

I’ve been trying to lose 40 pounds for six years. I’ve watched “The Biggest Loser” and seen people lose hundreds of pounds. I have been taking phentermine and using Alli to lose weight with no luck. What else should I do? – A.M., Boise, Idaho I wish I could tell you that you’re doing everything right, but you’re not. We shouldn’t have to pop pills to eat. Phentermine is a prescribed stimulant similar to amphetamine (yes, that’s speed) and once you stop taking it, you’re hungry like a horse again. Alli won’t speed the heart, but as a fat-snatcher, it has its own limitations.

The obvious answer to losing weight - and making your man want to spoon with you again - is to get moving. When you exercise, your cells need fuel which

comes from your butt and thighs, so to speak. Exercise like a tortoise - slow and steady. An easy to moderate pace burns fat most effectively, plus it’s easier on your joints and tendons. Now, if you’re like my friend, sweating at a gym dredges up memories of past failures. Still, I think working out in a group setting is ideal for two reasons. One, attempts to exercise at home are sabotaged by chores, potato chips and children. Two, gym classes offer great visuals, like some size-1 stick figure who you’d like to deck. If skinny girls aren’t motivation, I don’t know what is.

Now, who went and made food the enemy? I can’t figure out why people starve themselves on purpose. It makes no sense because your body thinks, “Uh oh, I’m going to die without food, so I’ll stop burning all these calories and hold onto the fat cells I have.” Diet foods and sodas won’t work either; just look at the expanding size of our population. Besides

“diet” foods contain artificial sweeteners, which according to a new study could actually fatten you up. I hate to say I told you so - but I told you this years ago.

Eat more, not less. But eat more of smaller servings of nutritious snacks throughout the day rather than one all-youcan-eat buffet. Choose ‘living’ foods like fruits and vegetables, along with grains and nuts. Fewer ‘dead’ foods, please. I know it tastes delicious with melted cheese on a bun, but nutritionally-void fast food lowers your ‘vibration’ and makes you crave more junk food. Avoid white foods (like white bread, white sugar, etc). Easy on the milk too; mamma cow makes it so her calf grows to a whopping 600 pounds within seven to nine months! Drink fresh water, fruit juice, tea or coffee. Sauté greens every day. As for supplements? Yes, so long as the ingredients work. For example, good fats help dissolve bad fats, that’s why omega 3 fatty acids are helpful. Formulas with L-carnitine, choline, betaine and inositol rid your body of nasty fats. And most important, take digestive enzymes (like lipase) because they help you break down food, and fat. I also devoted a whole chapter on losing weight in my book, The 24-Hour Pharmacist I used to take Prempro, but shortly after that scary study years ago my doctor stopped all my hormones. He said it could increase my risk for breast cancer or a heart attack. It’s been four years since I’ve been off hormones. Does this mean I don’t have to worry anymore? – L.K., Bethesda, Maryland That scary study you refer to is the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which was halted in 2002 when certain parts of the trial suggested a greater risk for cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. The medications used in the study contained equine estrogen and synthetic progestins (i.e. Premarin, Prempro).

A new JAMA study found that once women stop these types of drugs, their risk for heart attack and blood clots does go down, although the risk for cancer still remains slightly higher than women who

58  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

did not take these drugs. Now, the development of cancer depends on many, many things - your genes, your weight, how long you took these drugs, your liver and kidney function, whether you exercise and what you eat. I wouldn’t ‘worry’ because this type of negative ‘meditation’ only frightens you. But it’s completely within your power to take action and make changes to help yourself. Some cancers are driven by estrogen - any kind of estrogen, even the bio-identical sort, and the type used in birth control pills. So just remember: Estrogen has to do its job in your body and then leave. When the harmful by-products of estrogen linger, rather than clearing your body, your risk for cancer increases.

So I always tell my patients that if you take (or have taken) estrogen-containing hormones of any sort, it’s time to focus on ways to ‘unglue’ the harmful estrogen by-products that are wedged in your cells waiting for the right set of circumstances to start multiplying.

If overweight, you should exercise because fat cells hold onto estrogen and when you lose weight, the estrogen burden lessens. What you eat matters too. So simple, but true. Foods rich in a

compound called I3C (indole-3-carbonal) turns aggressive estrogens into meek ones that leave the body easily. Guys, I3C can confer protection to your prostate too. You could supplement with I3C (200mg twice daily) or you can eat foods naturally rich in I3C such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green leafies like kale, turnip and mustard greens, spinach and chard.

Oatmeal helps unglue poisonous cancer-causing globules that hide deep inside the crevices of your colon. Kick it up a notch and sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal on your oatmeal, or any meal, to help normalize estrogen levels.

Also, iodine-rich foods (like seafood) or supplements may help because iodine is needed for healthy breast and thyroid tissues. Research these for yourself and speak to your doctor to make sure this is right for you. Everything you do now, matters later.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist.” For more information, visit www.DearPharmacist.com) © 2008 Suzy Cohen, RPh. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  59

Marian Poe, 74, of Haughton, is a “regenerating writer.”

She has been a writer since her childhood in Dallas, Texas. Her first publications came about 50 years ago.

She was getting paid for her writing, “but on a lower scale.” In the 1980s she had a paperback novel published.

60  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

“Family of Strangers” was a historical romance set in Galveston, Texas.

“I have had a lot of comebacks and a lot of stops and starts,” she said.

Fifteen years ago, William McCleary approached her about helping him teach a writing class as part of Centenary College’s senior adult education program. She agreed and the classes were so popular that they extended them from four to six weeks and even offered them in the summer. Today, Centenary no longer offers senior adult education classes, but Poe’s group is still going strong.

“I call us the group that won’t go home,” she said.

After Centenary ended the program, the group got permission to continue having meetings at Centenary. Poe said they are grateful for that. There are no fees to attend and no age restriction, though it is mostly seniors, said Poe. The only requirement - “just if you are interested writing.”

The group, which usually averages 15 people in attendance, has gone by many names.

But, whether they are called Adult Writers, Centenary Writer’s Class, Authentic Writers or Senior Scribes, they all enjoy writing and sharing their work with each other.

During the meetings, those who have written something they want to share will read it to the group. There are opportunities for the group to offer critique, if that is what the writer desires.

Not everyone has something each time

and that is fine, said Poe. “We share our writing and you can’t really call Bill and me the teachers.

The class just kind of teaches itself. We bring what we want to share. I seldom bring anything unless it is something just for them I have been inspired to write.”

After 15 years, the group has been through a lot together. Poe said it has been very helpful to her. Four years prior to the inception of the class, her husband passed away. Her mother passed away less than a year later. When she started the class she was still reeling from her losses.

“They have been a very good support group, not meaning to be, but they have,” she said.

“We have had a lot of tears in there.

They helped me get back on the writing path, because I couldn’t write at that time. I barely could read and I am a devoted reader.”

In 1999, Poe decided to challenge herself and set out to submit a haiku for publication every month for a year. She heard a speaker give a talk on haiku 40 years ago when she lived in Ohio. The fact that the poems are, by design, only three lines long appealed to her.

“I had three children at the time, one a baby, and thought I might be able to type something up that was only three lines long. Fiction is my true love, but I didn’t have time.”

From April 1999 through February 2006, she had a haiku published every month in “Haiku Headlines.” She said it was a challenging endeavor and she credits the Centenary group for much of her success.

Poe’s family was her career, she said.

She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in speech and a secondary teaching certificate. She and her husband had three children that she set about raising. Her husband was in the Air Force and was stationed at Barksdale for his last year in the service.

Poe, a grandmother of four, may have

made a career of raising a family, but has often carved out the time through the years to teach others.

She has worked as a substitute teacher and tutored children with disabilities. For several years she worked for Shreveport Regional Arts Council and traveled to area schools to give writing workshops.

Poe considers herself a compulsive writer and is constantly submitting poems and fiction for publication.

She has a long list of publications that have published her work and that list is sure to grow. Writing for a publication requires meeting a deadline, and Poe admits that can be difficult.

“The Centenary class… I envy them in many ways because they are better writers than I am and it just pours out of them. They are born storytellers. Now I am getting to the point of learning it is not work if I am enjoying it.”

Poe spent the last year rewriting a book she wrote a while back. It is an inspirational, Christian romance. She said she doesn’t know if it will ever see the light of day, but it is now better than it was.

While the writing class at Centenary has helped pull Poe through some difficult times, she is quick to point out that is also just a whole lot of fun. A group of people with a common love and varied interests get together and laugh. Sometimes they shed a few tears too, but Poe says they have gotten those all out and it is mostly laughing these days.

The group that wouldn’t go home is still having a great time on the Centenary campus.

If you are interested in attending the writer’s group, they meet the second Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. at 2910 Centenary Blvd.

The building is directly across from Meadows Museum. There is no fee to attend and no age restriction.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  61

Gerry Robichaux From the golf course to the bocce ball courts. From the bowling lanes to the runners’ lanes. The Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics marks its Sweet 16 Year, beginning April 25 in ShreveportBossier City.

“The District Olympics has established itself as a staple for entertainment for older individuals since the local YMCA started it in 1992,” said Doyle Blasingame, who oversees the competition. “Senior Olympics promotes physical fitness and an improved quality of life for people over 50 through sports and physical training. At the local level, we also provide activities that all fitness levels can enjoy.” The golf tournament, to be staged April 25 at Meadowlake Golf Club in Keithville, opens the district calendar. A full card stretches over the next 23 days, capped

62  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Northwest Louisiana Senior Olympics Celebrates “Sweet 16” by the track and field competition May 17 at Bossier High School track.

A Senior Health Fair May 7 in Bossier Civic Center will act as the official opening ceremony for the Senior Olympics. The Fair is conducted in conjunction with The Best of Times magazine.

Local competition in golf, discus, shot put, javelin, table tennis, shuffleboard, bowling singles, team dance and horse shoes acts as qualifying for the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games in Baton Rouge later in the year.

“I’d encourage anyone to get involved in Senior Olympics,” said Bertie Smith, a 77year-old track participant from Haughton.

“You don’t have to be an accomplished athlete to enjoy the games. They provide fun and fellowship. And there is just about something for everyone, from table games to track, bowling, golf or table tennis.”

Modification in the golf tournament will

include a four-player scramble. Golfers can opt for that or for a try at a qualifying score for the state competition.

Entry forms are available at the parish councils on aging, at Caddo and Bossier parish library branches, at YMCA branches and at selected sporting goods stores. They are also available at www.nwlsog.org, the district’s website. These forms also include a complete schedule and participant information.

Schedule for 2008 NWLA District Senior Olympics

(Entries should be sent in by April 21.

Entries sent after that date will be subject to availability.)

April 11 - Senior Residence Bean Bag Baseball 9 a.m. @Southern Hills, 1002 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.

April 18 - Senior Residence Washer Pitch 9 a.m. @Southern Hills, 1002 Bert Kouns

Industrial Loop, Shreveport.

April 25 - Golf, 8 a.m., Meadowlake CC, 5730 Meadowlake CC Road, Keithville. $30.00 additional facility fee applies.

April 26 - Bean Bag Baseball Opening Games, 9 a.m. K.C. Hall, 5400 East Texas, Bossier City.

April 27 - Biking Time Trials, 5K and 10K, 2 p.m., Crossroads of Ellerbe Road and Friarson Road, Shreveport.

May 1 - Bocce Ball, 9 a.m., Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport.

May 5 - Washer Pitch, 9 a.m., Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road, Bossier City.

May 7 - Senior Health Fair and Opening Ceremonies 9 a.m., Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Rd., Bossier City.

Note: Arts & Crafts voting from 9 a.m. to noon. Awards and Final Prize Drawings 3 p.m.

• Dance Team 9:30 a.m.

• Accuracy Throws 10 a.m.

• Darts 10 a.m.

• Senior Residence Beanbag Finals 10 a.m.

• Bean Bag Baseball Finals 1 p.m.

May 8 - Marksmanship, 9 a.m. Shooters

USA 357 Magnum Drive, Bossier City. .22 rifles and pistols. Use own weapons.

May 8 - Miniature Golf, 6:30 p.m. at Party Central, 4401 Viking Drive in Bossier City. $3.50 facility fee.

May 9 - Chess, 8:30 a.m., Randle T. Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport.

May 9 - Bowling Mixed Doubles, 1

p.m. All Star Lanes, 9130 Mansfield Road, Shreveport. $6.00 facility fee.

May 9 - Table Tennis, 5:30 p.m., Parkview Baptist Church, 2307 Samford Avenue, Shreveport.

May 10 - Horseshoes, Recreation 8 a.m.,

Advanced 9 a.m. KC Hall, 5400 E. Texas, Bossier City.

May 10 - Red Neck Golf, 10 a.m., KC Hall, 5400 E. Texas, Bossier City.

May 12 - Shuffleboard Singles, 8 a.m.

Advanced, Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City.

May 13 - Shuffleboard Doubles, 8 a.m.

Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City.

May 14 - Bowling Doubles, 1 p.m., All Star Lanes, 9130 Mansfield Road, Shreveport. $6.00 facility fee applies.

May 15 - Table Games (Skipbo, Pinochle, Dominos, Phase 10, Checkers), 9 a.m. BCOA, 710 Bearkat Drive, Bossier City.

May 16 - Recreation Walk, 9 a.m.

Southern Hills Park, 1002 Bert Kouns Loop, Shreveport.

May 16 - Bowling Singles, 1 p.m. All Star Lanes 9310 Mansfield Road, Shreveport. $6.00 facility fee applies.

May 17 - Track and Field, 8:30 a.m.

Bossier High Field, 777 Bearkat Drive, Bossier City.

May 17 - Celebration of Athletes, 6 p.m.

Southern Hills gym, 1002 Bert Kouns Loop, Shreveport.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  63

FITNESS

Moving Free® with Mirabai Easy Exercises To Prehab Your Tennis Game

Mirabai Holland, MFA My friends say I’m like a broken record when I tell them “An ounce of Prehab is Worth a Pound of Rehab”. But with the rising number of baby boomers and beyond taking to the tennis courts, this phrase rings true especially if you’re interested in staying literally, in the game!

For general tennis conditioning, start with easy aerobics like cardio interval walking/jogging.

Alternate three minutes of brisk walking with a minute of faster walking or jogging. Build up to 8 sets (32 minutes) each session, at least 3-5 days a week.

Also, if you have the space, try stepping laterally several steps to the right and then to the left during the 1-minute intervals.

This will help build your stamina for those bursts of speed you need on the tennis court.

The following 6 site specific exercises can help you warm-up your racquet arm and strengthen key muscles to help avoid injuries but improve your game.

• Figure-Eight

64  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Warm-up - With your racquet in your hand perform an overhead serve (without the ball) and follow through with a figure eight motion. Start slowly and increase your speed as you feel your arm, shoulder and core muscles getting warmed up.

Repeat 12 times.

• Ball Grip Strengthener - Squeeze a tennis ball in the palm of your racquet hand.

Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 6 times.

Strengthens grip.

• Forearm/Wrist Exercise Holding a can or hand weight, place your arm edgewise on a surface for support.

Using just your wrist, curl all the way to the right and then to the left. Strengthens the forearm and wrist and helps to prevent tennis elbow. Repeat up to 12 times.

• Rubber Band Grip Strengthener - Stretch rubber band while extending fingers of your racquet hand. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 6 times. Strengthens the opposite muscles from ball grip.

• ¾ Push-up - On all fours, bring your hips forward, keeping your back straight, abs contracted, and slowly lower your body as close as you can to the ground.

Then slowly push back up. Works chest, arms,

wrists, and core muscles. Start with as many as you can do comfortably. Work up to as many as 20, over time.

• Walking Lunge - Lunge forward with one leg while bending other leg with heel off the ground.

Pause for 1 second.

Switch legs and repeat. Strengthens leg muscles. Do up to 16 times.

Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work. Mirabai can be reached with questions and/or comments at www.movingfree. com.

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  65

Care by any other name....

Administer

Interest

Alertness

Minister

Assistance

Nurse

Attend

Nurture

Attention

Protect

Cherish

Safekeeping

Comfort

Service

Concern

Solicitude

Consider

Tenderness

Devotion

Treasure

Encourage

Warmth

Endearment

Watchfulness

Sudoku

The Old Miser

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column, and 3 x 3 box includes all digits 1 through 9. (Solution on page 68) 66  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

There was an old man who had worked all his life, had saved all of his money, and was a real “miser” when it came to his money. Just before he died, he said to his wife... “When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me.”

And so he got his wife to promise him, with all of her heart, that when he died, she would put all of the money into the casket with him.

Eventually he died. He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting there dressed in black, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, and just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said, “Wait just a moment!” She had a small metal box with her; she came over with the box and put it in the casket. Then the undertakers locked the casket down and they rolled it away.

So her friend said, “Girl, I know you were not fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband.”

The loyal wife replied, “I cannot go back on my word. I promised him that I was going to put that money into the casket with him. “You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!?!?!?”

“I surely did,” said the wife. “I got it all together, put it into my account, and wrote him a check. If he can cash it, he can spend it.”

ACROSS 1 Relative of CHiPs 5 Merchant’s goal 9 Rustler’s rope 14 Finnish bath 19 Jacob’s twin 20 Israeli

statesman 21 Key above G 22 Not yet

hardened 23 Hebrew month 24 Two-lane road feature 26 “Common Sense” writer 27 Dispersed 29 Man of old Rome 30 Nine: pref.

31 Actress

Garson 33 Lower digits 34 Make no mistakes 36 Quit messing with 38 Garr of “Mr. Mom” 39 Cato’s eggs 40 Mil. welfare org.

41 Father of France 42 Vasco __ de Balboa 43 Exclude 47 Forewarning 49 Geom. figure 50 Instruments of title 52 Former

Turkish title 53 Steno’s

writings 57 Caen’s

neighbor 58 Mr. Serling 59 Socrates’ pupil 62 Initials in want ads 63 Espy 65 Brain areas 67 Portuguese cape 68 Spouted

dispenser 71 Paraphernalia 72 Breakfast-time serving

74 Neurological test letters 75 River island 76 Cloys 77 Start of a verse?

78 Hot times in Aix 80 Very soon 83 Tre x due 84 __ diem (seize the day) 86 Last of a log 87 Wide shots 91 Camera holder 93 Surfers’

shopping place 95 Wage-slave’s refrain 97 Mai __ cocktail 98 Gold in the Sierra Madre 99 Some NCO’s 100 One way to jump in 102 Subway current

sources 106 Islands off Ireland 107 Iroquois tribe members 108 Starbucks jumbo-size 109 Thai’s

neighbor 110 Broken 112 Longfellow character 113 Insect eater 115 Salamander 118 Performing 119 End of the small intestine 120 Singer Ed 121 Adam’s grandson 122 Sports pages’ figs.

123 Observers 124 Actress Ward 125 Dance

movement DOWN 1 Christopher or Pinky 2 Silent

communi- cation, briefly 3 Break because of

PLAY BALL

By Alan P. Olschwang, Huntington Beach, CA; Edited by Wayne Robert Williams

(Solution on page 68) 4 Sweet-

sounding 5 Religious denomination 6 Lookout man, for example 7 Pole position 8 Main course 9 Fat 10 CIO’s partner 11 Split into

splinters 12 Disinfects 13 Cheri of “Saturday Night Live” 14 Overseer 15 Man who died from lying 16 Calling into play 17 Singer Cherry 18 Bothered 25 Some M.I.T. graduates 28 Plains tribe

31 Oversupply 32 Hebrew letter 34 O.T. book 35 Rug rat 37 Apollo’s

mother 38 Blinkers 42 Long or

Peeples 44 Relative of the toucan 45 Greek malls 46 Detection devices 48 Abbr. on a cornerstone 49 Reduce the air intake 51 Blah, blah, blah...

54 “Misery”

director 55 AT&T part 56 NYPD

investigator 59 French writer

Marcel 60 Repair-shop car 61 End of many plays 64 Online

currency 66 Holy smokes!

68 Bullfighter 69 Vegetable sphere 70 Make haste 73 Tapes 76 Bloodhound, at times 79 In particular 81 French designer’s monogram 82 Leave off the list 85 Worker 88 Shrill 89 Become less intense 90 Poses, as for a

portrait 92 Omen 94 Michaels and Hirschfeld 95 I’m open to instruction 96 Elegantly stylish 100 Noisy quarrel 101 Castle and Dunne 102 Boob tube spots 103 Athenian slave 104 Type of ink 105 Classic Michael Caine film 106 Garfunkel or Buchwald 110 Kinship grps.

111 Sky bear 114 Mongrel 116 Misfortune 117 Abbr. in a recipe

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  67

Have you made prearrangements for your family, or do you still have that to do?

Leaving these decisions to your children on the worst day of their lives is a terrible emotional burden.

Call Today To Receive a FREE Family Planning Portfolio

Centuries Memorial 8801 Mansfield Shreveport, LA 71108 (318) 686-4334

Hill Crest Memorial 601 Hwy. 80 East Haughton, LA 71037 (318) 949-9415

68 ď&#x192;ž April 2008 ď&#x192;ź THE BEST of TIMES

Puzzle Solutions {pages 66 - 67}

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  69

70  April 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  April 2008  71

Grab Your Stretchy Pants $9.99 Nightly Buffet

Leave your belt at home, but don’t forget your [gQV]WQS card. For a limited time, it’s your ticket to a dinner buffet for only $9.99 any night of the week including our trio of tempting theme nights.

• Prime Rib Wednesdays • Cooked-To-Order Sizzlin’ Steak Thursdays • Surf, Turf & More Surf Featuring Hot Crab Legs Fridays & Saturdays All your buffet favorites. Now just $9.99. Doesn’t that just feel right?

A;

It just feels right .

SM

boomtownbossier.com • 1.866.GO 2 TOWN

Must be at least 21 to enter the casino. Must be a member of mychoice; see mychoice for details.

No purchase necessary. Valid photo ID required. Promotion subject to change or cancellation. ©2008 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 800.522.4700