October 2010 “Celebrating Age and Maturity”
IS IT AN
EMERGENCY? Priceless Presort Standard U.S. Postage Paid Shreveport, LA 71103 Permit No. 6
Know Where to Go
You need to see a doctor. Willis-Knighton is the right choice – but which choice at Willis-Knighton is best for you? Selecting the right point of care will improve your experience.
—Your Doctor— Your doctor knows you best and is your first-line partner in healthcare for routine health, illnesses, accidents and preventive care. During regular hours, choose your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call Health+Match at (318) 212-9562 for a referral or search Find a Doctor at wkhs.com. Care here is provided by appointment. Hundreds to choose from in Shreveport, Bossier City and the area. Hours vary.
—Quick Care— Quick Care is a great source for minor illnesses and accidents when your primary care doctor is not available. o Minor illness with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, cough, congestion or sore throat o Minor fall, bump, bruise, sprain o Skin rash, sunburn, minor burn o Fever or cold symptoms o Urinary tract infection o Minor cut or animal bite (when bleeding is controlled) o Eye infection Care here is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
—Emergency Room— Serious illnesses and accidents can be life-threatening. Choose a WK Emergency Room to address a serious condition as quickly as possible. o Symptoms of heart attack or stroke o Chest pain o Loss of consciousness o Difficulty breathing o Uncontrolled bleeding o Seizures o Broken bones o Severe, uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea o Fever in infants 6 months old and younger
Two Locations:
o Poisoning
Shreveport 1666 East Bert Kouns Industrial Loop (318) 212-3520
o Coughing up or vomiting blood
Bossier City 2300 Hospital Drive (318) 212-7520 Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Save time, register online! wkquickcare.com
o Fainting, dizziness, weakness in limbs, confusion o Severe headache and/or change of vision o Serious neck or back accident, unable to move o Serious burn Care here is prioritized by a triage system. That means the most serious problems are treated first. All Four WK Hospitals Open 24/7
Experience Matters 2
October 2010
TheBestOfTimesNews.com
louisiana-stylE luxury and grandEur A new concept in active, healthy living
ExpEriEncE living in affordablE luxury 24/7 security and staffed gatehouse Choose from 17 apartment floor plans, many with lake views Dining options including bistro, fine dining and al fresco dining on the terrace Housekeeping and linen service Concierge and private transportation services Cultural, educational and social programs Spa & Wellness Center with heated indoor saltwater pool
Call today to schedule your private appointment 600 E. Flournoy Lucas Road Shreveport, Louisiana
(318) 212-OAKS (6257) www.oaksofla.com The Best Of Times
October 2010
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For additional information about the event call (318) 221-1983. The event is sponsored by
and
NurseCare of Shreveport
AM 1130 KWKH will air this live broadcast of the Best of Times Radio Hour from NurseCare of Shreveport . Please be in your seat by 8:45 a.m. Gary Calligas, host of Best of Times Radio Hour will be asking the run off candidates YOUR questions on issues relevant to those of us 50+.
Door Prize Registration
Attend the broadcast at NurseCare of Shreveport and meet the candidates. Tours of the facility will also be available.
Name: __________________________
FREE ADMISSION and FREE PARKING.
Address: ________________________
Location: NurseCare of Shreveport, 1736 Irving Place (corner of Irving Place and Wichita Street), Shreveport
You must be present to win.
City: ________________ State: ____ Zip: ________________ Phone: _________________________ email:* _________________________ *optional
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Saturday, October 30, 9 a.m.
October 2010
Date and Times: Saturday, October 30, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 ♦ Exhibits ♦ Door Prizes
♦ Refreshments ♦ Give-Aways
♦ Health Fair with FREE medical screenings TheBestOfTimesNews.com
October 2010 • Vol. 19, No. 10 Founded in 1993 as Senior Scene News ISSN Library of Congress #1551-4366 A monthly publication from TBT Multimedia, LLC P.O. Box 19510 Shreveport, LA 71149 (318) 636-5510 TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Publisher Gary L. Calligas Gary.Calligas@gmail.com Editor Tina Miaoulis Calligas Editor.Calligas@gmail.com Account Executives William B. Combs Carol Danielson Philip Maxfield Stephanie Poole Design & Layout Jessica Rinaudo Katherine M. Branch Webmaster Jason P. Calligas Writer Lizzie Lyles Contributors Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Tina Calligas, Suzy Cohen, Judge Jeff Cox, Randall Franks, Andrea Gross, Mirabai Holland, Ted Kooser, Dora Miller, Linda Mullican, Terri Schlichenmeyer Council of Advisors Terri Brock, Senator Sherry Smith-Cheek, Clara Farley, Dora Miller, Raymon Owens, Mary Anne Rankin, and Mary Alice Rountree THE FINE PRINT: All original content published in THE BEST OF TIMES copyright © 2010 by TBT Multimedia, LLC, all rights reserved. Replication, in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication, TBT Mulitmedia, its publishers or staff. Always consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with all matters financial, medical, legal or emotional. We cannot accept liability for omissions or errors and cannot be responsible for the claims of advertisers.
INA’s URN
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F
all is definitely my favorite time of year. The hot days of summer are finally over, football season has started, and the air is crisp. Perhaps because I associate Fall with the beginning of the school year, there’s a sense of starting fresh and looking forward to all sorts of interesting activities. Speaking of activities - in addition to providing what we believe is the best magazine in the ArkLaTex, we are helping to sponsor a host of fun things to do this month, including Senior Day at the State Fair on October 21 and a Mayoral Forum on October 30. You don't want to miss all of the excitement, so be sure to save those dates. This issue also features a place we all hope to avoid - the emergency room. This month Lizzie Lyles fills us in on the signs and symptoms that constitute an emergency, and those better suited for treatment at an urgent care center or with your primary physician. And keep sending in those photos for our upcoming Friends and Family Photo Feature. See page 53 for the details. Until next month, ENJOY! ~Tina
ATTENTION BUSINESS MANAGERS Do you know that
71.2%
of our readers frequently select services and/or
purchase products based upon ads seen in The Best of Times*. Contact Gary about advertising (318) 636-5510 or email gary.calligas@gmail.com *Source: Independent readership survey by CVC
The Best Of Times
Radio Hour
Hosted by Gary Calligas Broadcasting every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on AM 1130 KWKH, A Townsquare Media Radio Station in Shreveport, LA. OCTOBER 9 “Shreveport Symphony Orchestra Season 2010-2011,” Michael Butterman, Musical Director, Leah Escude, Executive Director www.shreveportsymphony.com OCTOBER 16 “Where should I go for medical care?” Area professionals to discuss this important topic OCTOBER 23 “Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Surgery, ”Dr. Tim Talbert, Lynne Rhodes, Patricia Sprott, and Charlotte Jones of Minden Medical Center www.mindenmedicalcenter.com OCTOBER 30 “Shreveport Mayoral Candidates Forum” LIVE REMOTE BROADCAST from NurseCare of Shreveport (see page 4)
SPECIAL BROADCAST
NOVEMBER 6 “Volunteer Opportunities in NWLA,” Teresa Micheels, Director of Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Neva Jones, Director of Foster Grandparents Program. Streaming live at KWKHonline.com
Previously aired programs are available at www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com Do you have a question for one of our guests? Call 320-1130 during the broadcast or email Gary.Calligas@gmail.com prior to the show. October 2010
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October 2010
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October Table of Contents
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COLUMNS 36 Southern Style by Randall Franks Doing Nothing is an Action, Too 38 Moving Free with Mirabai by Mirabai Holland Stretching and Aquacise Help with Arthritis 40 Traveltizers by Andrea Gross 8 Ways to be a Texas Cowboy 42 Volunteer Salute by Linda Mullican Honoring Bill & Atlean Snow IN EVERY ISSUE 43 Answers from the Experts
BRIEFLY 8 In the News
44 What’s Cooking? Supercharge Soups
10 STAT! Medical News
46 American Life in Poetry by Ted Kooser Night Flight
ADVICE 12 Marci’s Medicare Answers Medicare Part D, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Federally Qualified Health Centers 14 From the Bench by Judge Jeff Cox Keep Prescription Medications in their Bottle 16 Laws of the Land by Lee Aronson May I Drive Your Car 18
Money Matters by Jason Alderman Final Credit Card Law Provisions
20
Dear Pharmacist by Suzy Cohen Super Charge Your Electrical System with Coconuts
48 Get Up & Go! A Full Month of Fun 50 Our Famous Puzzle Pages Crossword, Suduko, and Word Search 52 Gold Pages 54 Parting Shots
40 20
FEATURES 23 Branson: Something for Everyone by Tina Calligas 27 Is it an Emergency? by Lizzie Lyles 35 Photo Featurette: Honoring All Who Serve
The Best Of Times
October 2010
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in the NEWS
Grandparents Are Growing in Number Census Bureau data show a steady increase in the number of grandparents in the U.S. since the mid-1990s, growing from 51.5 million in 1995 to 62.4 million in 2005 and a projected 69.6 million in 2010. Today's grandparents are also younger than ever before. Whereas in 1985 most grandparents were age 65 and older, in 2010 those ages 45 to 64 are expected to make up the majority of the grandparent population. (The Grandparent Economy: A Study of the Population, Spending Habits and Economic Impact of Grandparents in the U.S.)
Booklet Explaining Medicare and Medicaid Now Available The MetLife Mature Market Institute® has a new guide, The Essentials: Medicare and Medicaid, available FREE to the public. The publication is a concisely written how-to guide for older Americans and their families, which answers basic and in-depth questions about both health care programs, including the most common: “what’s the difference between the two?” The Essentials: Medicare and Medicaid can be downloaded from www.maturemarketinstitute.com; on the home page, see “In Focus.” It can also be ordered by e-mailing maturemarketinstitute@metlife.com or by writing to: MetLife Mature Market Institute, 57 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880.
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October 2010
You're First in Line When You Go Online By Dora Miller, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Applying for benefits is easier and more convenient than you think. Especially if you do it online at www. socialsecurity.gov. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyonline to apply online for retirement benefits from the comfort of your home or office in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. Regardless of when you plan to retire, you should consider doing it about three months ahead of time so your payments will make it to you on time. If you are not quite ready to retire but are thinking about doing so in the near future, you may want to visit Social Security’s website to use the convenient and informative retirement planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. Here you can find out just how close you are to meeting your financial goals and then “bookmark” the website to file for retirement benefits when you are ready. From there, you can use the Retirement Estimator to get an instant, personalized estimate of your retirement benefits.
FREE Amplified Phone for the Hearing Impaired The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf will provide a free amplified phone to Louisiana residents who are hard of hearing. You must have the following required documentation with you to qualify: • Louisiana driver's license or ID card (if none, may use utility bill AND birth certificate) • Social Security card (number will be kept confidential) • address and phone number of a family member who does not live with you • your physical address (not a P.O. Box) and phone number • if not a Council on Aging client, bring hearing test or doctor's note, stating hearing loss. For an appointment or for additional information, call The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center, 601 Jordan (at Creswell) in Shreveport, (318) 425-7781.
Beware of Calls from 414 Area Code Senior Medicare Patrol programs in Texas, Louisiana and California have received complaints regarding calls from 414 area codes. The caller says he/she is with a medical equipment company and offers the senior free diabetic supplies or mobility equipment. These calls are SCAMS. The phone number appearing on your caller ID is spoofed, which means it is a stolen number that does not belong to the caller. The caller often has part of the senior’s Medicare number and asks the senior to “verify” the rest of the number. The caller asks for the senior’s doctor’s name and phone number. The calls appear to be legitimate, but the companies that the callers represent do not exist. They want Medicare numbers, which they then sell to scam artists. Once given, Medicare can be billed time and again with your number for services you do not want and have not authorized. Never give your Medicare number to anyone who calls on the phone, even if the caller already has a portion of your number. If you have mistakenly given your Medicare number to a telemarketer, please contact Louisiana SMP immediately at 877-272-8720. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
The Best Of Times
October 2010
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STAT!
Your Brain on Fruit Reaching for the fruit bowl might keep your brain sharp as a tack when you get older. Blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries and may serve as a detox elixir for the brain and may help your aging mind stay sharp, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Scientists say they've discovered the first solid evidence that these foods essentially cleanse the brain, activating what's known as its "housekeeper" function and ridding it of toxic proteins which cause age-related memory loss and other mental deterioration.
High Rate of At-Risk Drinking Among Older Adults
A new study has found that more than a third of drinkers 60 years old and older consume amounts of alcohol that are excessive or that are potentially harmful in combination with certain diseases they may have or medications they may be taking. (Journal of General Internal Medicine)
Retinopathy in Older U.S. Diabetics Nearly 30% of U.S. adults with diabetes over the age of 40 are estimated to have diabetic retinopathy, with about 4% of this population having visionthreatening retinopathy, according to a study in JAMA. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among adults 20 to 74 years of age in the United States.
Don't Flush Old Medications It is not uncommon to have expired or no longer used medications and prescriptions in your medicine cabinet. The FDA warns that medications should not be flushed down the toilet. The best way to dispose of them is in the household trash. The medication should be removed from its original containers and mixed with another “undesirable substance” such as used coffee grinds that will make it less appealing to children, pets or people who might intentionally go through your garbage. You should also seal them in a closed bag or container to ensure that they do not leak or fall out of the garbage bag.
Common Osteoporosis Drugs Associated with Decreased Breast Cancer Risk Women who take some types of bone-building drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis may be at lower risk of breast cancer, according to a study by U.S. researchers published in the British Journal of Cancer. The study found that women who used bisphosphonate drugs, such as Fosamax, Boniva and Zomita, for more than two years had a nearly 40% reduction in risk as compared to those who did not. The protective effect was observed only among women who were not obese.
Depression Increases Risk of Dementia A new study shows that having depression may nearly double the risk of developing dementia later in life. At the start of the study, participants were free of dementia and were tested for depressive symptoms. A total of 13% were classified as having depression at the start of the study. The participants were followed for up to 17 years. At the end of the study, depression was associated with a 70% increased risk for dementia. The results were the same regardless of a person’s age, sex, education and whether they had the APOE gene that increases a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers stated the inflammation of brain tissue that occurs when a person is depressed might contribute to dementia. Certain proteins found in the brain that increase with depression may also increase the risk. In addition, several lifestyle factors related to long-term depression, such as diet and the amount of exercise and social time a person engages in, could also affect whether they develop dementia. (Neurology®)
Migraine May Be Linked to Heart Disease “We Provide indePendent Medicare SolutionS”
call: 318-213-6432 for More inforMation or See uS online WWW.redriverinSuranceGrouP.coM
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October 2010
People with migraine may be at an increased risk of heart attack and other risk factors for heart disease, according to a study published in Neurology®. While the overall risk of heart problems in people with migraine is small, these findings are consistent with other studies showing people with migraine are more likely to suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease. The study found that people who had migraines were about twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to people without migraines, or 4.1% of people with migraine compared to 1.9% of those without migraine. The risk was nearly three times greater for people who experienced migraine with aura, or sensations such as seeing flashing lights that come before the migraine headache, compared to people without migraines. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Free Admission for THOSE OF US 50+ Free Admission to the State Fair Midway Free Parking
PROUDLY PRESENTS
JOIN US for lots of fun & entertainment MANY Door Prizes + Grand Door Prizes
Thursday,
October 21, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE Health Care Screenings & Information Contests! Giveaways! Entertainment!
Informative Exhibits / Educational Presentations
To exhibit or become a sponsor, email Gary.Calligas@gmail.com or call (318) 636-5510 by October 14, 2010 (Exhibit space subject to availability)
Employment Opportunity Information
Flu and Pneumonia Shots (Medicare card required for FREE
shots t . For all others, payme ent is required.) shots. payment Your Em Y cee is the publish her of The Best of Times and host of Emcee publisher The Best of Times T R adio Hou Radio Hour, Gary L. Calligas
Hirsch Coliseum
at the Louisiana State Fair Grounds
The Best Of Times
n.) (You must be present to win.)
DOOR PRIZESS
M REGISTRATION FORM
3701 Hudson Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana
BRING THIS WITH YOU TO THE 2010 SENIOR DAY AT THE STATE FAIR Call My Name! ______________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City _____________________ State ______ ZIP ______________ Phone ___________________ Email _______________________
October 2010
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medicare ANSWERS
Dear Marci, I am going to turn 65 in a month, and have drug coverage through my employer’s plan. Should I enroll in Part D? --Kurt Dear Kurt, It depends. If you have drug coverage from a current or former employer or union, you should consider quality of your employer coverage and whether or not it will work with the Medicare drug benefit (it often will not).
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October 2010
Medicare Part D, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Federally Qualified Health Centers If you have coverage that is as good as or better than Medicare’s drug benefit (“creditable”) and you like it, you can keep it. You will not pay a penalty to join a Medicare private drug plan later as long as you have not been without your creditable coverage for more than 63 days. Find out from your employer whether your coverage is as good as Medicare’s drug benefit. You should get a notice from your employer every year letting you know how your employer benefits are changing, whether or not your drug coverage is creditable, and if enrolling in a Part D plan would affect your current coverage (for both you and your family members who receive that coverage). If you want to keep your employer benefits, and are considering joining a Medicare drug plan, make sure you ask your employer if you can have both types of coverage. Many employer plans do not work with the drug benefit. You could lose
all your employer benefits (both health and drug) if you join a Medicare private drug plan. ~Marci Dear Marci, Will Medicare pay for substance abuse treatment? --Lorrie Dear Lorrie, Yes. Medicare will help pay for substance abuse treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings under the following conditions: • You receive services from a Medicareparticipating provider or facility; • your doctor must state that the services are medically necessary; and • your doctor determines your treatment plan. Substance abuse treatment is classified under mental health services. For substance abuse treatment, Medicare will pay 55 percent of its approved amount for mental
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health services, and you or your supplemental insurance are responsible for the rest. For inpatient care, Medicare Part A helps pay for your care if you are hospitalized for substance abuse treatment. Your out-ofpocket costs are the same as for any other type of hospital stay. For outpatient care, Medicare Part B helps pay for outpatient substance abuse treatment services from a clinic or hospital outpatient department. Covered services include, but are not limited to: • Psychotherapy • Patient education regarding diagnosis and treatment • Post-hospitalization follow-up • Prescription drugs administered during a hospital stay or injected at a doctor’s office ~Marci Dear Marci, What is a Federally Qualified Health Center? A friend suggested I look into them because of my limited income. --Marylou Dear Marylou, Federally Qualified Health Centers are located in “medically underserved areas” and provide low-come health care. People with
The Best Of Times
Medicare are eligible to receive services from these government-funded health centers. They provide Medicare-covered medical services as well as some preventive services that Medicare does not cover, and they may also waive the Medicare Part B deductible. Additionally, the clinics may waive or reduce the 20 percent coinsurance for Medicarecovered benefits for people with an annual income at or below the federal poverty level ($10,830 for an individual, $14,570 for a couple in 2010). Some government-funded health centers may also provide dental services. ~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 speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.
Let HealthGuide: * Educate you on management of your disease * Provide tools that will enable you to organize healthcare information * Assist you in establishing goals for optimal health * Guide you through the complicated healthcare system * Empower you to be in control of your own healthcare
For Information, Call
318-780-4307 www.healthguidenurse.com
October 2010
13
from the BENCH
Keep Prescription Medications in their Bottle When Away from Home
I
n just the last few months, I have seen several cases involving the above referenced subject. The title of this article sounds like common sense to most of you Judge reading this article. To Jeff Cox others of you reading this article, you may think, “What’s the big deal? or Why do I need to keep prescription medications in the prescription bottle?” Others of you reading this article may not know the laws regarding this subject. This article will attempt to give you the law in this area and explain why you need to keep your medications in the
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bottle in which they were prescribed. In recent years, the courts have faced a rash of drug problems. Laws have been passed regarding prescription medications and these laws have been strictly enforced regarding these prescription medications. Prescription medications are considered to be narcotics as defined by the criminal code dealing with drugs. Possession of prescription medications, without a valid prescription, is a felony. Any person found guilty of possession of narcotics is subject to spending up to five years at hard labor in a penal institution with additional fines and court costs being imposed. Persons who are prescribed medications are to be in control of their medicines and are not allowed to let any person have access to them. In some instances, persons prescribed medications will give some of their medications to other family members who are suffering from symptoms that the medications can help
alleviate. If the family member is found to possess the medication without a prescription, that person can be charged with possession of narcotics. The person who gave the medication can be charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Distribution of controlled dangerous substances is considered to be a felony punishable with up to thirty years at hard labor in a penal institution and fines and costs being imposed depending on the type of medication that is found on the person who was not prescribed the prescription. In some cases in the courtroom, people will have a prescription for the medicine they are taking. However, they will carry the medicine in their purse or will put the medicine in a pill container divided out by the days. Some have even put their prescribed medication in with non-prescription medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol. If the person is stopped, for example
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for a traffic stop, and the prescribed medication is discovered, the person can be arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance without a valid prescription. This can easily be avoided by carrying the prescribed medication in the medicine bottle which came from the pharmacy. Usually, the case will be dismissed against the person once the person has shown their prescription. However, when the controlled dangerous substance is found, the police can arrest the person and take them to jail, the person arrested will have to post bail, will be fingerprinted and photographed, and will have to face the embarrassment of coming to court to show their prescription. By just simply carrying the prescription bottle with the prescribed medicine in it when leaving the house, the person can avoid the costs and embarrassment associated with a charge of possession of controlled dangerous substances. In addition, do not share your medication with other persons. If the person given the medication tells where they got the medication from, the person giving the medication can be charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Drugs out of the prescription bottle have become a constant problem. They are tying up the court system and wasting valuable time for the court and costing thousands to the person who has to appear and show prescriptions. There is no problem with using pill containers at home, but please remember to keep your prescriptions in the bottle when leaving the house or you could possibly face a night in jail and spends thousands of dollars defending yourself. Judge Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C.
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INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE The Best Of Times
October 2010
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Here’s what the law says: “In Louisiana, owners of motor vehicles are ordinarily not personally liable for damages that occur while another is operating the vehicle.” So Bobby should be safe. However, there are some exceptions to obby has a this rule. For example, daughter who if Bobby had told his l i ve s o u t o f daughter to take his state. His daughter car and go to the store comes to visit him and get him some ice about 3 or 4 times a cream, then Bobby year. And when the could be sued because daughter comes to visLee “when the driver is it, Bobby lets her use Aronson on a mission for the his car. Unfortunately, the last time the daughter was in owner of the vehicle,” the owner town, she got into an accident. can be personally liable for damThere was no doubt that the ages that occur while another is daughter was completely and operating his vehicle. Here’s another exception: if totally at fault. Can Bobby be sued? His daughter was driv- you own a company and let one ing and Bobby wasn’t even in of your employees use a compathe car, but it was his car that ny owned car, then the company was in the accident. And will can be liable for damages that Bobby’s auto insurance cover occur while the employee is driving the company owned car. this accident?
LAWS of the land
May I Drive Your Car?
B
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And here’s another exception: let’s say that Bobby’s daughter occasionally suffered from uncontrollable seizures. Because of these seizures, her doctor told her that it was not safe for her to drive. But Bobby’s daughter told Bobby that she thought that the doctor was wrong and that because she had never had a seizure while driving before, she thought it was perfectly safe to continue to drive. Louisiana law says, “under the theory of negligent entrustment, the lender of a vehicle is not responsible for the negligence of the borrower unless he knew or should have known that the borrower was physically or mentally incompetent to drive; if the lender knew or should have known of the borrower’s incompetence, then he is responsible for the harm resulting from the incompetent operation of the vehicle.” In Bobby’s case, his daughter told him all about her seizures. He knew that a doctor had told her it was not safe for her to drive. He knew she shouldn’t be driving but he lent her his car anyway. And as a result, he can be sued. But will his insurance company pay? Louisiana law says that if you have auto insurance, then the insurance will usually cover “any other person” who uses your car
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with your permission. So if Bobby lends his car to his daughter, Bobby’s insurance will probably have to pay. But if Bobby’s daughter had stolen his car, then his insurance would not pay for the damage she caused in the accident. (However, if the daughter had stolen the car, although the insurance wouldn’t pay, Bobby wouldn’t be responsible for damages anyway because his daughter was not on a mission for Bobby, was not an employee of Bobby’s and even if she suffered from seizures, Bobby did not lend the car to her; she stole it.) Finally, although an insurer will usually cover “any other person” who uses your car with your permission, sometimes a car owner and an insurance company will agree that certain people will not be covered when they drive your car. For example, let’s say that you have a teen-age child. You will be able to get a much lower insurance rate for yourself if you sign an agreement whereby there will be absolutely no coverage at all if your child drives your car. Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.
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can be charged for late credit card bill payments: • Generally, the first late payment fee cannot exceed $25. • However, if someone makes more than one late payment in a six-month period, the fee can rise to $35 for every subsequent offense. • Late fees can no longer exceed the minimum amount owed. So, for example if your minimum payment due is $15 and you miss the deadline, your late fee for the month cannot exceed $15. Other changes include: Consumers cannot be charged multiple f you've ever paid a penalty fees for any single transaction. So, for penalty for sending example, if your payment check bounces, you in your credit card cannot be charged both a returned payment late, the folcheck fee and a late fee. lowing news might spark Cardholders can no longer be your interest: On August charged an "inactivity fee" for Jason not using the account for new 22, 2010, the Federal Alderman Reserve Board implepurchases. mented the third and final stage If your credit card issuer increases your of the Credit Card Accountabil- card's annual percentage rate (APR), ity, Responsibility and Disclosure it must spell out why. Plus, if your (CARD) Act of 2009, which fun- APR has been increased since damentally changes how credit card January 1, 2009, the issuer agreements now operate. must review that decision Probably the most significant of after six months and, if these latest changes is that the Fed appropriate, reduce the rate has placed caps on amounts that within 45 days – or provide
Money MATTERS
Final Credit Card Law Provisions Go Live
I
written notice why the increase should still apply. Other CARD Act changes that already went into effect earlier in the year include: • The APR on new credit card accounts cannot be increased during the first year unless: A clearly disclosed introductory period (teaser rate) ends; it's a variablerate card tied to an index that has increased; you enter a debt repayment workout plan and don't comply with its terms; or you're over 60 days late making at least the minimum monthly payment. • Card issuers must provide 45 days' advance notice before raising the APR on new transactions or making other significant account changes. Also, you're allowed to cancel the card before these changes take effect and pay off the balance at the old rate. • Credit card statements
©2010 HARveSt mAnAgement SuB, LLc 0331
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must be mailed at least 21 days before the balance is due. Also, payments must be credited as on-time if received by 5 p.m. on the due date. • When one card carries balances at different interest rates – such as one rate for purchases and another for balance transfers – payments must be applied to the highest-rate balance first. • Over-the-limit fees cannot be charged unless you have previously agreed (opted in) to allow charges over your credit limit. • Card issuers may no longer factor in average daily balances from a previous billing cycle that wasn't fully paid off when calculating current interest charges (known as "double-cycle billing"). For further details about CARD Act provisions, visit www.federalreserve.gov. They also have a great guide that explains how credit cards work (www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard). A final suggestion: Always read all mailings from your card issuers to ensure you're up-to-date on any account changes.
If you are age 65 or older… and experiencing symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), you may be interested in a research study that is evaluating an approved medication for OAB. For a phone screening, call toll-free:
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In order to qualify you must: • be 65 or older • have experienced overactive bladder symptoms for at least 3 months • have strong, sudden urges to urinate • have frequent urination • experience frequent wetting episodes • have health problems related to aging Qualified participants: • receive study-related care at no cost • receive study medication or placebo (inactive substance) at no cost • may be compensated for time and travel for the required 5 doctor visits over 14 weeks
Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney
S h r e v e p o r t l i t t l e t h e at r e
laSt oF the reD hot loverS September 9 - 19, 2010 i love YoU, YoU’re perFeCt, NoW ChaNGe November 4 - 14, 2010 a StreetCar NaMeD DeSire January 6 -16, 2011 little Shop oF horrorS March 3 - 13, 2011 pippiN April 28 - May 8, 2011
The Best Of Times
BroaDWaY BelterS: A Benefit for SLT’s Phoenix Project x2 June 25 - 27, 2010 piNKaliCioUS December 4, 2010 a ChriStMaS Carol This Holiday Season!
leS MiSeraBleS July 22 – August 1, 2010 reNt October 14 - 24, 2010 pippiN
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19
You may be wondering what exactly is an electrolyte? It’s just a charged particle called an “ion” which generates electricity in your body. You didn’t realize you were an electric being did you? Well, you are, and all healing takes place on the energetic level. Ions are the spark to keep your electrical circuit running. Electrolytes make your heart beat in rhythm, your hands move, your muscles work (without cramping) and in fact, all of your nerve impulses flow smoothly! Dear Pharmacist, Dehydration is dangerous. My son is a lineman who It can happen to athletes, those climbs a lot in heat of the desert with the stomach flu or people here in California. He sweats so Suzy with malabsorption issues (think much with all the equipment he Cohen, RPh Celiac, Candida, IBS, colitis). wears that it makes him cramp. It can happen to people like your son He drinks plenty of water and Gatorade. who sweats from the heat. Having lived Besides foods high in potassium, can he in Florida 35 years, I hear you loud and take a supplement? --L.S. Palm Desert, clear! California Now, my secret: Cramping happens down the road after Coconuts! The water other symptoms of dehydration occur. We extracted from coconuts is isotonic, and should all be mindful of our electrolyte it’s so close in chemical status, rather than wait for our body to composition to human yell at us with a nasty cramp. blood plasma that Gatorade (and similar beverages) are it has been used for popular because they quickly help to intravenous hydrareplenish electrolytes. Another one is tion in emergencies. Pedialyte, the option recommended by Seriously, look that pharmacists for youngsters who get sick, up. Today, coconut although adults can use it too. These are water is available as a extremely popular, and in a moment, I’ll drink at health food tell you a secret about another option to stores. It’s the quickest restore electrolyte balance, and it grows and cheapest way to on trees! I bet many of you reading this are short improve electrolyte balance in your body, on electrolytes and don’t even realize.
dear PHARMACIST
Super Charge Your Electrical System with Coconuts
Q A
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Did You Know? A study just proved that habitual chocolate intake was associated with a lower rate of heart failure. it tastes nice, plus it’s free of chemicals and unnatural sweeteners. Coconuts are famous for their anti-Candida properties and have about 15 times the amount of potassium compared to a leading sports drink and more potassium than two bananas. You can crack your own “young coconuts” like Sam does for me, they are white, not brown and hairy. Or keep it simple and buy commercially prepared “coconut water.” There are about a dozen brands, so make sure yours is 100 percent pure coconut water, without added sweeteners. Pulp is great, if you like to chew. I always have coconut water in my house, and drink it or cook with it daily. Substitute coconut water (for plain water) as your base for cooking soup, making smoothies and steeping tea. This information is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose your condition. For more information visit www. DearPharmacist.com. ©2010 Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.
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October 2010
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TAKE A TRIP TO BRANSON!
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*Advertised public charter fares are one-way, do not require a round trip purchase, and include Federal Excise Tax of 7.5%. Fares are capacity controlled and some advertised airfares not be available on all seats on all flights. Airfares do not include September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person per enplanement, Federal Flight Segment Taxes of $3.70 per person per flight segment, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person each way. Advertised fares cost $11.25 more per person each way when booked by calling 1-888-FLY-BKG1 or through BransonAirExpress.com. Tickets purchased at the airport are not subject to this increase in price. Fares are subject to availability at the time of booking, and are subject to change. A $15.00 checked baggage fee will apply for the first checked bag and $25.00 for a second checked bag per person. Each checked bag weighing over 51 pounds will be assessed a fee of $40 in addition to the checked bag fee.
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Branson
Something
for Everyone
by Tina Calligas
ravel is cited as one of the top retirement goals by those middle aged and beyond. They typically look for places with diverse attractions in scenic, easy-toget-to locations. The most popular areas provide outdoor activities, shopping, great restaurants, spas, and a wide variety of entertainment opportunities. Lots of cities claim that they offer something for everyone, but few can back that claim like Branson, Missouri. At first glance, Branson looks like any other small town in the scenic Ozark Mountains. The downtown area features a main street that is lined with quaint shops like Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 and the House of 1000 Clocks. But take a closer look and you will find one of the hottest family vacation destinations in the country. Billed as “The Live Music Capital of The World” with its 100+ shows in 50 theatres, the city also boasts museums, an amusement park, eight championship golf courses, three pristine lakes, shopping, and nature trails.
THE BEGINNING Although many believe Branson’s popularity began with country music, it actually started with a cave. In 1894 Marvel Cavern, which is just outside of the city, was purchased by William Henry Lynch. This geographic wonder became such a popular destination that in 1960, Silver Dollar City became a reality. This pioneer village theme park, which sits over and around the cave, is a delightful step back into another era. The park includes 60 shops which showcase the talents of master glassblowers, basket weavers, potters, blacksmiths, and many other craftsmen. For the young at heart there are over 30 thrill rides, live musical performances, and production shows. VARIETY Well known for its musical performances that range from pop to rock-and-roll, Broadway to country, and gospel to bluegrass, Branson has also become home to world-class comedy, theatre, magic, acrobatics, and religious-themed entertainment. Many of the theatres offer several shows a day so in one day you can be thoroughly entertained by the seemingly ageless Paul Revere and the Raiders, the glamour of the musically talented Shoji Tabuchi, and the side-splitting humor of Yakov Smirnoff. For good old-fashioned fun take a dinner cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle on beautiful Table Rock Lake. Following a three-course dinner, cruisers are treated to fast-paced entertainment featuring singing, dancing, and the comedy of Todd Oliver and His Talking Pets. Or visit the Sight and Sound Theatre for Noah, The Musical. This spectacular production retells the Old Testament (continued on page 24)
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story and includes a 300-foot wrap around stage, elaborate costumes, and live and animatronic animals. Branson’s newest production has an international flair. Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu combines the ancient martial arts with the agility of Cirque-style acrobatics to produce a dazzling spectacle that has previously wowed audiences around the world, as well as entertaining spectators at the Beijing Olympics. SHOP TIL YOU DROP Throughout the Branson area, visitors can find outlet malls, unique galleries focused on arts and crafts, boutique and specialty stores, flea markets and antique shops. Anchored by Bass Pro Shop, the Lake Taneycomo waterfront in the historic downtown area features Branson’s Landing which offers a shopper’s paradise, restaurants to suit every palate, and a spectacular $7.5 million water fountain spectacular that synchronizes light, sound, music and fire. AND THERE’S MORE The average visitor to Branson may overlook the area’s unique museums. Within a few mile radius, visitors can wonder at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, honor those who served at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum, greet lifelike celebrity figures at the Hollywood Wax Museum, and remember childhood memories at the World’s Largest Antique Toy Museum. Perhaps the most interesting and entertaining is the Titanic Museum. This interactive experience, housed in a replica of the front of the ill-fated ship, allows visitors to become passengers on that tragic voyage. Be sure to greet King Charles Spaniels, Molly and Carter, that have been added to the museum as mascots to represent the dogs that were onboard the ship when it sank. The area is also an outdoorsman’s paradise. Just outside the city you can hike, rock climb, kayak, canoe, fish, bike, horseback ride, waterski, play golf or tennis, or go parasailing. LET’S EAT Branson dining options include a wide range of American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and Mediterranean cuisine. For a truly memorable casual fine dining experience, 24
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Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar is a jewel. This spacious contemporary restaurant features a deliciously diverse menu that includes such delights as Baby Octopus Tempura, Chicken “Cordon Bleu Olive”, Prince Edward Island Mussels, slow braised Australian Lamb Shank, and Spanish Paella. For those craving a bit of American fare, you can’t beat Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant in Branson’s Landing. Be sure to ask for a table on the patio with views of Lake Taneycomo.
Singing Praises WHERE TO STAY There is no shortage of area accommodations that will appeal to all tastes and pocketbooks. Chief among these is the Branson Hilton Convention Hotel which is conveniently located downtown and across from Branson’s Landing. The hotel offers a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 24-hour business center. Their Level 2 Steakhouse offers 28 day aged beef that is brought in from Kansas City. For those looking for a more natural setting, the award-winning Chateau on the Lake is one of the most popular resorts among tourists. Located on Table Rock Lake, it has its own marina, spa, an award-winning restaurant, tennis courts, nature trails, pool, movie theatre, and child daycare. HOW TO GET THERE Because it is conveniently located within 750 miles of nearly 50% of the population of the lower 48 states, Branson is ranked as one of the top auto destinations in the country. But beginning in 2009, the area opened its doors to travelers from around the globe with the opening of the nation’s first privately built commercial airport. The Branson Regional Airport brings budget fares and nonstop service from many major cities. To sum up, Branson has something for everyone….the hard part is deciding what to do first. (For more information about Branson, visit www.explorebranson.com) The Best Of Times
At Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics, we often hear praises from patients and members of the medical community alike. But rarely are those praises sung so beautifully as when Eddie Mae Montgomery bestows accolades upon us. You see, music is an important part of Eddie Mae’s life, and for more than forty years she has ministered to others through her music at St. Mary Baptist Church in Shreveport. Together she and her husband direct the church’s choirs. “I wouldn’t want to go to anybody else,” says Montgomery. “They take the time necessary to understand their patients’ needs, and work hard to exceed expectations. I always recommend Snell’s to anyone who has needs similar to mine.” When you have a special orthotic or prosthetic need, it pays to work with a team that has the experience and long-term commitment that we do. We believe that while biomechanics, technology, and mathematical precision play a large part in the services we provide, the true heart of our work is based on humanity rather than science. Which is precisely why compliments from those we serve are always music to our ears.
Returning independence to our patients since 1911
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1833 Line Avenue • Shreveport • (318) 424-4167 • Toll-Free 1-800-219-5273 8730 Youree Drive, Building A • Shreveport • (318) 795-0953 211 Hall Street • Monroe • (318) 388-3126 • Toll-Free 1-800-685-2268 1404 Jackson Street • Alexandria • (318) 443-6391 • Toll-Free 1-800-289-3260
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October 2010
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A terrible incident happened a few years ago. We were with some family friends on a Friday night. The husband didn’t look like he felt well. He said that he was fine, but I wasn’t convinced. We were with the same couple the next day and the husband still didn’t look good to me. He admitted that he didn’t feel well, but assured me that it was nothing specific and he would go to the doctor on Monday. He died that Monday at age 53 from a massive heart attack. As it turned out he was having symptoms of a heart attack, but chose to ignore them. Unfortunately this is a true experience. But medical emergencies including heart attack do not always have to end in tragedy. Knowing the signs, calling for emergency aid and being prepared paired with modern medicine and maintaining good health can have lifesaving results for adults 45 years old to seniors. Subtle but Severe Not all medical emergencies are as evident as bleeding, choking, vomiting or broken bones. Some warning signs of an emergency may go unnoticed at first or may be passed off as Oh, I’m just getting older. Knowing the more subtle signs, particularly those of heart attack and stroke, can increase your chance of getting to an emergency room within a few hours of symptom onset to receive crucial emergency aid that can prevent permanent disability or death. Some major warning signs that lead to medical emergencies include severe stomach pain and vomiting, prolonged fever, changes in stool or bowel habits or any unremitting pain. Chest pain lasting greater than 15 to 30 minutes and ongoing chest pain should be seen in an emergency room. The Best Of Times
October 2010
27
where emergency physicians can treat stroke and administer clot buster drugs, or tPAs (tissue plasminogen activators), intravenous drugs given to break up blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body. Anything after that time frame, the damage is done and the doctor can only do rehabilitative work. Even more subtle are emotional emergency warning signs that an adult 45+ may experience without evident physical indications: thoughts of suicide, any decrease in mental status, especially a sudden decrease; emotional changes, severe despair or overwhelming feelings of guilt that could lead to self harm. Such signs should be treated with the same acuity as other medical emergency situations and should be seen in emergency care, which may lead to a psychiatry facility. Jacobson warns that seniors have a very high rate of suicide: “people over the age of seventy have the highest rate of completion of suicide of any group.”
Chest pain, shortness of breath related to exertion or performing simple daily activities and rapid decrease in the ability to walk a certain distance can indicate heart attack or lung processes that are not functioning properly. Richard Jacobson, MD, Director of the Christus Schumpert Emergency Department, cites chest pain and shortness of breath as symptoms most ignored by adults 45+ that should lead them to the emergency room. He adds stroke symptoms – severely slurred speech, loss of movement on one side of the body, sudden vision changes in one eye – as an acute emergency whose symptoms are also often neglected. “Most people will go to the emergency room for chest pain or stomach pain. It’s amazing how long people will wait for a stroke to go away,” Jacobson says. Sometimes up to ten hours. Stroke symptoms and heart attack should be taken immediately to the emergency room. The National Institutes of Health - Senior Health also warns that subtle stroke symptoms – like transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), “mini-strokes” where warning signs are experienced briefly – may go unnoticed or could be mistaken for mere confusion. In the case of stroke, or “brain attack,” heeding the symptoms and calling for emergency aid is critical. There is a three to four and a half hour window from stroke symptom onset
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What next? 911, Ambulance and ER “If you feel that you have any symptoms of a heart attack or of severe abdominal emergency; if you have symptoms of shortness of breath; if you have any symptoms of stroke, those are things you should come to the emergency room for. Period,” Jacobson says. For symptoms that may seem less severe, call an emergency room (ER) or your primary care physician anyway. No one will fault you if the situation is less severe than expected. “The probability is high [with older adults] that if they call there is something wrong with them severely.” “Anytime you think you are having a medical emergency you should always call 911 or an ambulance service,” says Casey McBeath, Director of Communications at Balentine Ambulance Services, Inc. “If you’re having chest pain or difficulty breathing, you should call an ambulance immediately because those are situations that could change drastically or dramatically in a small amount of time.” Seniors in particular are encouraged to use ambulance services and should avoid driving themselves to the emergency room. They will receive medical care in the ambulance before they even arrive at the ER. “Paramedics and EMTs have different skills they can perform in the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital. [We are] basically starting the job of a hospital in the field,” McBeath says. Private ambulance services generally receive more medical calls than 911 and are more discreet about using lights and sirens when transporting emergency patients. Call takers triage calls taking more urgent calls first and ask a caller for information about the emergency situation and patient, their location, medical history and medical insurance billing. In urgent situations a medic unit is sent immediately to the emergency location. The use of lights and sirens in an emergency depends on the ambulance service and. “With private ambulance services like Balentine, patients TheBestOfTimesNews.com
are not transported with lights and sirens unless the patient needs it. But other services in town have protocols where they transport with the lights on all the time [in order to] get the patient to the hospital. So if lights and sirens are on, that does not mean that the patient is critical. It’s just another safety feature that crews use to make sure they get to the hospital safe.” When 911 is called, a communication officer will ask questions about the emergency situation and give first aid or lifesaving instructions. With Enhanced-911 the caller’s name, address and telephone number are automatically found through a computer system. Ambulances and fire trucks are immediately dispatched with lights and sirens to emergency locations. A patient transported in an ambulance will first see a stretcher, a movable and adjustable cot. If a patient suffers a fall and has a fracture, then a spine board will be used to secure the back and neck. After the patient is loaded into the ambulance on a stretcher, paramedics begin their work. Paramedics are
the main emergency care providers in an ambulance. They are highly trained medics who use cardiac monitors, administer cardiac drugs and use automated ventilators in the case that a patient stops breathing. A Continued Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask may be used on a patient with congestive heart failure. A CPAP mask helps to push fluid and air out of the lungs and can dramatically help breathing. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) transfer more stable patients and are trained with lifesaving skills, but do not push drugs or use cardiac monitors. Police officers and fire fighters are also be involved if an emergency patient needs to be rescued. Emergency nurses, physicians and registration technicians are specially trained to handle emergency patients and situations in the ER. In general, seniors that arrive at the ER by ambulance are immediately placed in a room, triaged and seen by a physician. Triage determines which patients are treated first based on the severity of their illness, condition and vital signs. A patient’s driver’s license, Medicare card or medical insurance card, list of medications and medical history will need to be presented at the ER. Emergency or urgent care? For minor conditions that do not qualify as a medical emergencies, a walk-in urgent care clinic is an option. Willis Knighton provides two Quick Care urgent care clinics in Shreveport and in Bossier to treat patients for minor illnesses, minor fractures, cuts, lacerations, sore throat, coughs, colds, flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, sprains and abscesses. A patient can pre-register online or walk in for an appointment and should bring a list of their medications and their medical insurance information with them. Patients showing severe symptoms like stroke or heart attack should not go to Quick Care or any urgent care clinic. Such patients waste time because urgent care clinics cannot treat their symptoms. Patients with severe or life-threatening conditions will be put on an ambulance and taken to the ER. Catherine Speights, MD, at Quick Care Bossier, has had patients with some misunderstandings. “The main thing that people misunderstand is that we don’t treat chronic conditions. That’s what your internists and family physicians are for. We don’t treat chronic problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. Chest pain, stroke symptoms, abdominal pain, those all need to go to the emergency room. Another misconception is that we have a direct line to the ER. If [patients] come here they can bypass everybody in the ER. That’s not true. It’s done by triage, the sickest patients go first.” In Advanced Care Over the past ten to twenty years emergency rooms have seen a tremendous increase in the number of emergency visits in the United States. With this increase, emergency medicine has “come light years,” Jacobson says. “Today, if a primary care physician sees a patient with a severe problem – hemorrhage, chest pain, abdominal pain – they’re going to send you to the emergency department because we can work it out much more rapidly and effectively. That’s our niche. We take care of the acute problems.”
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There has also been an increase in research of emergency medicine specifically trended towards seniors. “The percentage of our patients that we see that are of that age population has increased markedly,” says Patrick McGauley, MD, with the Emergency Department at LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport. “We have better understanding of the physiology of aging and we’ve modified our treatment modalities to that. We’ve modified our training. More emergency physicians are emergency medicine trained and residency trained. Our board certification has become more arduous and strenuous and a lot of it is dealing towards issues of senior
stroke, heart disease. A lot of the big strides in disease prevention and modification have been in those arenas.” As of ten years ago, treatments and procedures can now be performed at symptom onset. Clot busters can be given for stroke within three to four hours of symptom onset and can reverse stroke. “It dissolves the clot. And outcomes have been improved,” McGauley says. “The other is cardiac catheterization or ballooning and stint placement in acute heart attacks. We can absolutely modify the outcome with those.” Today in emergency rooms, physicians have the ability to rapidly diagnose most medical emergencies, Jacobson says, and to treat at some level almost every medical emergency. “If not, if we need help diagnosing or treating, we have surgeons on call and essentially every specialty on call to help. If you have an acute problem then we treat the patient here and then we get other specialists involved to continue care in an in-patient or out-patient setting.” At the Level 1Trauma Center at LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, McGauley also has every service available to him at any time to treat any emergencies. He treats injured patients from major car wrecks, any penetrating trauma, gunshot and knife injuries; traumatic injuries to long bones and other severe injuries. Be Prepared It is suggested that adults and seniors have an emergency plan, emergency contacts and a few simple medical documents
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ready in case of an emergency. A typed or neatly written sheet of paper with the following information can help emergency personnel better understand and treat you: an up-to-date list of medicines and study drugs taken, allergies and medical problems such as diabetes or hypertension; the name and phone number of your primary care physician and a list of contact numbers of family or friends. If you have a stroke or experience chest pain and cannot talk, this sheet of paper will communicate the necessary information your emergency nurse or doctor will need to know. Keep a copy of it in your wallet and at home. Give copies to family members and caretakers. McBeath suggests putting an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact in your cell phone. Medics and emergency personnel can call an ICE contact from your phone to inform a family member or friend of your emergency situation. In any emergency situation communication is key. If you are worried about falling or other emergencies, carry a phone with you around your house, place phones within reach if you happen to fall in certain areas of your home or keep a cell phone with you when you are away from your home. You may also consider getting a personal emergency response system. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers by a phone in your home or in your cell phone: ambulance services, phone numbers to the hospital and ER where your primary care physician practices, your doctor’s phone numbers and 911. Remember that it is best to call 911 for most emergencies. National organizations like the American Red Cross and the
The Best Of Times
“It is suggested that adults and seniors have an emergency plan, emergency contacts and a few simple medical documents ready in case of an emergency.�
October 2010
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National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) suggest that seniors and their family and friends set up support networks to check on each other, their health and wellbeing occasionally and in emergency situations. N4A stresses the importance of having medical information and an emergency plan ready for more fragile seniors and elderly loved ones who may respond less quickly in emergencies due to decreased mobility, eye sight or hearing. Good Health Practices Medical emergencies may be unavoidable, but there are steps that seniors can take to better recognize, decrease or possibly prevent the chance of a medical emergency. McGauley suggests having regular medical screening exams like colonoscopies; avoiding modifiable risk factors like smoking or excessive alcohol; knowing your blood pressure and baseline blood sugar if you are diabetic; and being religious
“...diet and exercise are a proven way of decreasing emergency visits...”
about taking your medications. Jacobson highlights diet and exercise as a proven way of decreasing emergency visits and improving overall health. “We talk a lot about diet and diet is important, but really exercise is the main important thing. The biggest problem is our lack of exercise, particularly as we approach midlife. Everyone should be active.” In the case of falls, not performing physical activity like daily tasks and light exercise causes muscles and bones to weaken more and makes a senior even more vulnerable to falling. Taking an interest in your own health or the health of a loved one; noting and being more in tune with subtle warning signs such as a decrease in ability to walk a certain distance or perform daily activities, shortness of breath and any decrease in mental state are simple and effective ways of taking care of yourself. When emergency does strike, remain calm and call for emergency aid immediately. Recognizing emergency symptoms and prompt timing can prevent the worst outcomes.
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East Texas Eye Doctor Helps Legally Blind to See Again Diplomate in Low Vision Care trains Dr. Larry Chism to help those with macular degeneration to keep reading and driving. By Elena Lombardi Freelance Writer
Donald Paquette, 72, a former assessor from Anaheim, California thought that his driving days were over. “I could not read the street signs soon enough and I couldn’t pass the vision test at the DMV office.” Gonzalo Garcia, 74, Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanted to be able to read and write more easily. He wanted to see the nails and screws when he tried to use them in home repairs. He wanted see his grandchildren singing in the church choir. But he thought those days were over when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. California Optometrist, Dr. Richard J. Shuldiner and East Texas optometrist, Dr. Larry Chism, are using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions. “Some of my patients consider us the last stop for people who have vision loss,” said Dr. Chism, a low vision optometrist who has just completed training with Dr. Shuldiner in California. “Amazing!” says Donald. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before and even see the television better!” Dr. Shuldiner also provided special prismatic reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read. Macular Degeneration is the most common eye disease amongst the senior population. As many as 25% of those over 65 have some degree 34
October 2010
Carole Buckels wearing bioptic telescope driving glasses. of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images. When it degenerates, Macular Degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision making it impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the drivers vision test. The experts do not know what causes macular degeneration. But major factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, and improper nutrition. Vitamins can help. The results of two studies, AREDS and LAST demonstrated a lowered risk of progression by about 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins. A new, proprietary supplement based on the scientific studies is available from these doctors. Nine out of ten people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. There is no medical treatment except for vitamins. The wet type involves leaky blood vessels that can sometimes be sealed with hot or cold laser. Unfortunately it’s a temporary fix. Newer treatments, such as Macugen injections try to prevent leakage. “Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Chism. “Whether it’s driving, reading, watching television, seeing faces,
playing bridge…we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list”. Even if it’s driving. Louisiana and Texas allow the use of telescopic glasses for safer driving. Carole Buckles, 71 of Arcadia, California came on the advise of a friend. “I wanted to be able to keep driving and do the fun things in life.” One of those fun things is baseball. “I love going to baseball games and now I can see those close plays again,” she says. Bioptic Telescopic glasses were prescribed to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. As Carole puts it, “These telescope glasses not only allows me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. Definitely worth the $1975 cost. I don’t know why I waited two years to do this; I should have come sooner.” “Telescopic glasses usually cost over $2000”, says Dr. Shuldiner, “especially if we build them with an automatic sunglass”. Not all low vision devices are that expensive. Reading glasses start at $500 and hand magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires. Dr. Chism also provides special prismatic reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read. Dr. Larry Chism speaks to every patient on the telephone before scheduling the one hour low vision evaluation appointment.
Call Dr. Chism, toll free, at 1-888-243-2020 for a FREE telephone interview. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Elmo Norton
L to R - Robert and Gwenda Snyder; Nelwynn and Edgar Lentz; Jo Ann Grantham with her father Marvin Graham Congressman Fleming thanks Marvin Graham for his service
One of the largest events in the nation to honor military veterans was held on August 27th at Hoban Hall at Barksdale Air Force Base with over 600 attendees. The luncheon was held in honor of veterans from all branches of military service. The highlight of the event was the Parade of Heroes led by bagpiper Vernon Love. After the veterans walked through the Honor Guard Saber Arch, they were greeted with handshakes and words of thanks from base leadership and other dignitaries.
Aubra Bunn proudly marches through the honor guard Air Force Colonel Tim Fay greets British Naval Veteran Donald Webb Colonel Steve dePyssler goes through honor guard
Joe Craig and Ottis LittleJohn
L to R State Representative Jane Smith and US Congressman John Fleming thank Lester Brosset
L to R -- Jane and Clyde Benson with The Best Of Times
Jere and Thomas Roberts
Paul Glanville proudly joins the Parade of Heroes
L to R - Hugh Moseley and James Vanderberry October 2010 35
Summer should be a time of wonder. I remember fondly my childhood summers - endless hours of play after completing my chores around the house. Of course, as I got older, I took on odd jobs like mowing neighbors’ yards to earn a little money. In my neighborhood, we had a great group of children. We all would gather to play was out waterand race our bikes ing the yard a down suicide hill. while back when I’ve had two bikes a blonde headed boy in my life; my first rolled up on his blue bike was small and mountain bike and green and well suitasked if we needed ed me. When I got Randall our yard mowed. big enough to earn Our yard had just Franks my own money, I been covered with a did odd jobs to earn enough brand new batch of fescue sod. I told the boy it was not ready money to buy a 3-speed red to cut just yet but he could English racer. Buying that bike meant a lot to me. check back in a few weeks. On one of our trips down suiHe reminded me of myself at cide hill, the new racer decided his age, trying to find every odd it wanted to go one-way and job I could.
southern STYLE
Doing Nothing is an Action, Too
I
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me another. The accident sent me flying through the handlebars and sliding down the pavement for 20 feet or more. That still hurts just thinking about it. I had sores all over me from that adventure. My friends and I would get in our share of disagreements with each other. Those would lead usually to some hurt feelings and some rolling around on the ground till someone would say “Uncle.” We always seemed to come through it. There really were no children who caused trouble in my age bracket. A few older ones sometimes got into mischief, but we always managed to keep out of trouble. Do not get me wrong there were bullies. We were just blessed not to have them on our street, at least for very long. I remember when I was about seven there were two brothers who took great pleasure in picking fights with me. At least, it seemed that way at the time. A boy my age named Chris Sands moved in. His parents had
TheBestOfTimesNews.com
just divorced, and at that time it was not as usual as it is now. I’ll never forget one meeting with those brothers that had me at the bottom of a wrestling match that I just could not win. Chris was the new guy in the neighborhood, and saw that I was being unfairly targeted for this fight and stepped in to pull the other boys off me. From that moment on, he was my friend — that is until he later moved away, and I lost track of him. While time has erased many of the memories of the time we spent together hanging out as kids, that one action by the new boy on the block sticks in my mind. He saw something that was not right, and he did something about it. Not knowing the social lay of the land and the dynamics of the neighborhood hierarchy, he stuck his neck out for me. That is bravery. Now I’m not advocating fighting as a way to resolve issues for children or adults. I was
The Best Of Times
taught that it takes much more courage to walk away than to actually fight. However, when they jump on you, there are just a few hurdles you have to get over before you can walk away. It is hard to walk away when you are at the bottom of the pile I learned a valuable lesson from Chris that day. Folks often do not like to stick their neck out to help other people, but when someone does, it makes our community a better place. Randall Franks is an awardwinning musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” on TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” now on WGN America. His latest CD release, “An Appalachian Musical Revival,” is by www.shareamericafoundation.org. He is a member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. He is a syndicated columnist for http://randallfranks. com/ and can be reached at rfrankscatoosa@gmail.com.
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MOVING free
Stretching and Aquacise Help with Arthritis Recently, I got a question from a woman who said, “The arthritis in my hips has progressed to the point where I’m really feeling it after my half hour walks. I want to stay mobile as I age. Are there any exercises that will help me do this?” It so happens, my husband also has osteoMirabai arthritis in his hips and I have been helping him with a couple of gentle stretches after his Holland treadmill workouts. Here are two exercises that flex and extend the hip as well as stretch the front and back of your thigh muscles.
1.
Lie on your back with one knee bent with your foot firmly on the floor to help support your back. Wrap a
towel around the arch of your other foot. Hold the ends and pull back as you extend the leg towards the ceiling flexing your foot. Hold for 10-30 seconds. Feel the stretch in the back of the thigh (hamstring) and in your hip. Repeat on the other leg.
2.
Lie on your side with both knees bent Take your top hand and grab your top foot at the ankle. Tilt your pelvis forward and pull in your abs as your bring the ankle towards your buttocks. Hold 10-30 seconds. Feel the stretch in the front of your thigh (quadriceps) and in your hip. Turn over and repeat on the other leg. Also, if you have access to a pool light aquatic aerobics or swimming is great. Your buoyancy in the water will help take the pressure off your joints and allow you to work on increasing your range of motion. The warmer the water the better. If the water seems cold to you, invest in a neoprene shorty weight suit. You can find them in a sporting goods store or dive shop. Of course always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. legendary fitness pioneer, is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist 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. www.movingfree.com. Send your Ask Mirabai questions to: askmirabai@movingfree.com.
North Louisiana’s Oldest Hospice
318-212-2170 38
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October 2010
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2. Learn the ropes from vaqueros.
Vaqueros, the Mexican ranch hands who tended cattle in early Texas, are often called America’s first cowboys. They entertained themselves and the ranch owners [charros] with impromptu competitions that showcased their horsemanship. Over the years these competitions became full-scale Mexican rodeos. We saw one in San Antonio; there are also performances in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth. (210/846-8757; www. sacharro.com)
3. Chase the flies.
Thousands of longhorn cattle were driven over the Chisholm trail.
Ways to be a
Texas Cowboy
Story by Andrea Gross — Photos by Irv Green
exas trail drovers took three months or more to ride the Chisholm Trail. Now the old dirt road has morphed into one of the busiest Interstates in the country, I-35 between San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. My husband was planning to drive it in four-and-a-half hours. It took a bit of friendly persuasion, but he finally agreed to slow down, and we spent several days pretending to be Texas cowboys. Here’s how:
1. Drink at the Menger.
Now part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Menger Hotel opened in 1859 and soon became a favorite with San Antonio ranchers. While rough-and-tumble cowboys hustled cattle up the trails, the men who stood to profit from their labor downed drinks at Menger’s bar. A free brochure gave us directions for a selfguided tour. (800/345-9285. www.mengerhotel.com)
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Cowboy hats are molded into shape with hot steam.
Cowboy hats are multi-use items. On the trail they were far more than sun-shields; they also served as water holders, fire-fanners, seat cushions, bed-roll pillows, horse whips and fly-chasers. Texas Hatters is one of fewer than 40 hat-making establishments in the United States where hats are sized, shaped and steamed on the premises. The shop has made hats for a host of film stars and five presidents (LBJ, Reagan, Clinton, and both Bushes). It looks as if trail necessities have become fashion luxuries! (Lockhart; 512/398-4287; 800-421HATS. www.texashatters.com)
4. Ride the range.
What fun to ride the open range of a working cattle ranch, leading the horse over pastures originally settled by Stephen Austin’s men. Nearby is a grove where ranchers gathered cattle before leading them off to join the Chisholm Trail. Texas Ranch Life, near Austin, has abundant wildlife as well as one of the country’s largest herd of longhorn. What’s more, buffalo hang out around the lake, whitetail deer dash across the trail and bald eagles roost in the trees. (866/TEXASRL; www. texasranchlife.com)
5. Uptmor Saddlery
Walking into Uptmor Saddlery, I’m overwhelmed by “Texas perfume,” the distinctive smell of leather, wax and saddle soap that some folks call “Texas perfume.” Expert leather craftsmen Lynn and Dan Uptmor have assembled a team of artisans who custom make everything from belts to boots, chaps to saddles. Bootmaker Greg Carmack, who’s spent 30 years honing his craft, integrates tooled silver into his handmade boots; other craftspeople do intricate inlaid leatherwork. Prices are reasonable considering the quality of the work but, best of all, watching is free. (254/848-9934; www. uptmorsaddlery.com) TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Top: A re-enactment of a cattle drive takes place in the Forth Worth Stockyards. Bottom Left: Mexican rodeos are filled with pageantry. Right: Wannabe cowboys ride the open range at Texas Ranch Life.
6. Listen to ‘em sing
Billy Bob’s Texas is a place where the action doesn’t stop. Professional rodeo cowboys ride fearsome bucking bulls on weekends, but “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk” jumps all week long with other types of entertainment, from video games to dancing and country music concerts. The list of folks who’ve performed there is impressive and includes Willie Nelson, LeeAnn Rimes, Garth Brooks and Gloria Estefan. (Fort Worth; 817/6247117; www.billybobstexas.com)
7. Stare down a longhorn
In Western movies Longhorn look ominous as they move up the trail, southern cattle stampeding towards northern markets, their horns sharp as spears, spreading six to eight feet point-to-point. To see the famed cattle up close, we watched a re-enactment of an old Chisholm Trail herd drive. Twice daily, costumed wranglers prod a dozen or more longhorn down the streets around Fort Worth’s old stockyards. (817/336-HERD; www.fortworth.com)
8. Watch ‘em wrestle bulls.
Nothing beats sitting in an arena filled with brave cowboys and bucking bulls, to say nothing of fast horses and riders in dazzling garb. We finished our trip with a night at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth (weekends, year-round, 817/625-1148; www.cowtowncolliseum.com). During the summer the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, 15 minutes east of Dallas, has equally good performances. (972/285-8777; www.mesquiterodeo. com) The Best Of Times
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 October 2010
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Volunteers of the Month: Bill & Atlean Snow
By Linda Mullican Bill & Atlean Snow are the essence of what good volunteers are. They are very involved in all aspects of the Shreveport/ Bossier community and both have the heart and soul of a true volunteer. As a couple they signed on as volunteers with the Caddo/Bossier RSVP in April of 2002 and to date have not slowed down. They both have volunteered with over 40 of Caddo/Bossier RSVP’s stations including Senior Olympics, Caddo Council on Aging, LA State Exhibit Museum, and Friends of the Municipal Auditorium. Atlean has volunteered over 1,800 hours and Bill over 1,600 hours. Both are very involved with their church, The Church of Christ on Russell Road, where they travel with their church for functions and Bill is Director for Personal Evangelism with the church and Atlean assists him. Not only do they volunteer as judges for the Senior Olympics but they love to participate as athletes in the washer pitch, darts, accuracy throws, bean bag baseball and golfing events. Mr. Snow is the team captain for the Caddo Council on Aging Chunkers bean bag baseball team which won the Gold medal year before last. Both love to support the Shreveport Captains baseball team. Mr. Snow also served on the Caddo/Bossier RSVP Advisory Council for 6 years and was President for 2 years. Bill and Atlean have 3 daughters, 4 grand children and 5 great-grand children that also keep them very busy. They are very much appreciated by the RSVP program for not only their volunteering, but in bringing in door prizes and getting their bean bag baseball team sponsors to help defer the cost of registration for their team in Senior Olympics. If you would like to volunteer please e-mail Linda Mullican at lmulliccoa@yahoo.com or call the RSVP office at (318) 676-5187.
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ANSWERS FROM THE EXPERTS Ophthalmology
Nursing Home Care
My mother is in her 70s and over the past few months has had extremely dry eyes. We are concerned that she is overmedicating with over-the-counter eye drops. What could suddenly cause dry eyes and should she see an eye doctor before it gets worse? Dry eye syndrome is very common among the elderly. It generally develops and worsens over time. There are some diseases and medications that cause dry eyes. Over-the-counter medications are fine to use up to 4 times a day. If your mother is having to use tears more than 4 times a day she needs to see an Ophthalmologist. There are treatments to relieve the symptoms and restore ocular health. Call today at (318) 212-3937 to find out more.
How can people partner with healthcare centers to make them a better place to live? Visit, visit, and visit. Choose a healthcare center and indicate your interest to the Administrator, Activities or Social Services Director. Indicate if you have any special talent or gift, or if you just want to befriend someone. They can likely find a need you can fill that will give some residents a smile and a sense of gratification for you.
Chris Shelby, MD
Pierremont Eye Institute 7607 Youree Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com See our ad on page 30.
Vicki Ott
NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 See our ad on page 6.
Orthopaedics
hospice
My shoulder hurts. Should I play through the pain? Over 12 million people visit a doctor’s office for a shoulder problem annually. Athletes are particularly prone to shoulder injuries due to repetitive, cumulative stress/injuries. Injuries occur during sports, as well as every day home and work activities. Most shoulder problems involve muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments and can be treated effectively with exercises, medications, physical therapy, etc. Steady pain, limitation of motion, difficulties with work activities of daily living or difficulty with sleep should alert you to seek an orthopedic surgeon for help in diagnosing and treating your shoulder pain.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first? The most frequent comment hospice agencies hear from their patient’s and families is “I wish I would have known about ‘it’ sooner.” In 2008, 35.4% of those served by hospice died or were discharged in seven days or less - a timeframe way too short to realize the full benefits of hospice care. Ideally, discussions about adding the benefits of hospice services to an individual’s care regimen should begin when it appears that a cure may not be possible for a life-limiting illness and within the context an individual’s goals for treatment. It would not only be appropriate, but also prudent to initiate the conversation with your physician about hospice services.
John J. Ferrell, M.D. Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive; Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400 The Best Of Times
Rick Bauer
LifePath Hospice Care Service 8720 Quimper Place, Ste 100 Shreveport, LA 71105 318-222-5711; 1-866-257-5711 www.lifepathhospicecare.com See our ad on page 33. October 2010
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Supercharged Soups
A
Family Features
s the weather turns cooler, soup is a delicious and healthful way to warm up. From homemade to prepared varieties, nourishing soups also can satisfy your hunger by making you feel full longer. Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of “The SuperFoodsRx Diet,” recommends choosing soups packed with flavorful “SuperFoods” like beans, lean chicken or turkey, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes - and especially spices and herbs. “Using spices and herbs does more than just add flavor to your favorite soups without added calories or sodium. They are also concentrated sources of natural antioxidants, with levels comparable to fruits and vegetables, including many of the SuperFoods,” says Dr. Bazilian. Find more flavorful and healthful soup recipes, as well as tips for pairing spices and herbs with canned or prepared soups, at www.spicesforhealth.com.
Savory Turkey Sausage and Lentil Soup
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings 1 Tbs. olive oil 2 cups chopped onions 1 cup diced celery 4 oz. turkey kielbasa, chopped 2 tsp. thyme leaves 1½ tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. paprika ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth 1 can (14½ oz) no salt added diced tomatoes, drained 1 cup red or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed 1 package (5 ounces) baby spinach leaves Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onions and celery; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add kielbasa; cook and stir 3 minutes longer or until kielbasa is lightly browned and vegetables are softened. Stir in thyme, garlic powder, paprika and red pepper; cook and stir 2 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in broth, tomatoes and lentils. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in spinach. Simmer until wilted. Ladle into soup bowls to serve.
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Roasted Cauliflower & Mushroom Soup
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings 6 cups cauliflower florets (2-inch pieces) 2 Portobello mushrooms, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. olive oil, divided 1 Tbs. thyme leaves 1 tsp. ground cumin 2 cups chopped onions 4 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth ¼ tsp ground black pepper Toss cauliflower, mushrooms and bell pepper with 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with thyme and cumin. Toss until evenly coated. Spread in single layer on baking sheet. Roast in preheated 450°F oven 15 to 20 minutes or until cauliflower is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in large saucepan on mediumhigh heat. Add onions; cook and stir 5 minutes or until softened. Add vegetable mixture, broth and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender, stirring occasionally. Ladle into soup bowls to serve.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings 4 cups reduced sodium 1 ½ tsp. rosemary chicken broth leaves, crushed 1 pound boneless skinless 1½ tsp. thyme leaves chicken thighs, cut 1 tsp. garlic powder into 1-inch pieces 4 tsp. butter, divided 1½ cups frozen pearl onions 1 package (8 oz.) 1 cup frozen peas mushrooms, sliced 8 thin bread slices 1 cup sliced carrots 1 tsp. oil ½ cup flour Mix rosemary, thyme and garlic powder in small bowl. Reserve ½ teaspoon. Heat 1 teaspoon butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add mush rooms, carrots and remaining seasoning mixture; cook and stir 3 minutes. Remove from saucepan. Set aside. Melt remaining 3 teaspoons butter in saucepan on medium heat, stirring to release browned bits from bottom of skillet. Sprinkle with flour; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until flour is lightly browned. Gradually stir in broth until well blended. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Add vegetable mixture, chicken, pearl onions and peas; simmer 8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cut bread into rounds with 3-inch cookie cutter. Place on baking sheet. Brush bread with oil and sprinkle with reserved seasoning mixture. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 10 minutes or until toasted. To serve soup, ladle into soup bowls and top each with 1 crouton. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
SUPER SOUP Flavor-Ups n Give canned chicken soup an Asian flair. Stir 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder into 2 cups soup. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, if desired. n Turn tomato or potato soup from dull to delicious. Stir 1/2 teaspoon curry powder into 2 cups soup. n Top off your broccoli or tomato soup with a spicy crunch. Heat 1/2 teaspoon olive oil in small nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, and 1/8 teaspoon each ground cumin, oregano leaves and chili powder; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until nuts are fragrant and lightly browned.
“A Resource You Can Trust” 6425 Youree Drive, Suite 585 Shreveport, LA 71105 318-213-5483
www.elitehealthsolution.com
Our medical staffing business provides clients the companionship and assistance to live independently no matter where they call home. Caregiver services are provided from just a few hours a day to 24 hour care, any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.
n Add a dollop of color and flavor with spiced yogurt. Stir favorite spices and herbs into low-fat plain yogurt, about 1 tablespoon for each serving of soup. Try turmeric for lentil or split pea soup, oregano for black bean soup and ground cinnamon or ginger for butternut squash or pumpkin soup. n Popcorn makes a fun garnish for soup. Try sprinkling hot popcorn with spices such as curry powder, paprika or ground red pepper.
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American Life in Poetry By Ted Kooser, U.S. Poet Laureate (2004 - 2006) Love predated the invention of language, but love poetry got its start as soon as we had words through which to express our feelings. Here’s a lovely example of a contemporary poem of love and longing by George Bilgere, who lives in Ohio.
Night Flight I am doing laps at night, alone In the indoor pool. Outside It is snowing, but I am warm And weightless, suspended and out Of time like a fly in amber. She is thousands of miles From here, and miles above me, Ghosting the stratosphere, Heading from New York to London. Though it is late, even At that height, I know her light Is on, her window a square Of gold as she reads mysteries Above the Atlantic. I watch The line of black tile on the pool’s Floor, leading me down the lane. If she looks down by moonlight, Under a clear sky, she will see Black water. She will see me Swimming distantly, moving far From shore, suspended with her In flight through the wide gulf As we swim toward land together. American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2009 by George Bilgere, whose most recent book of poems is Haywire, Utah State University Press, 2006. Reprinted by permission of George Bilgere. Introduction copyright © 2009 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 20042006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
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The Best Of Times
October 2010
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Ge t Up & Go ! bike tour
The Tour de Goodwill Annual Tour De Goodwill on Saturday, October 23 in support of Goodwill Industries® of North Louisiana and Make a Difference Day! Cyclists from all over the South are invited to participate. The 2010 Tour de Goodwill has four routes: approximately 30, 45, 65, and 90 miles, geared for riders of all levels. All routes will proceed north from the Bossier Parish
Courthouse in Benton, LA. Start-time is promptly at 8:00 am. All participants will be treated to a celebration cookout after they cross the finish line. Registration for the Tour de Goodwill is $30 and includes a gift bag, a ticket to the Tour Kickoff Party on October 22nd, the post-Tour celebration cookout and a t-shirt. To register please visit www.goodwillnla. org/tourdegoodwill or call 318-629-5916.
Driver Safety
AARP Driver Safety Program - A 4 hour classroom refresher course for drivers age 50+ which may qualify participants for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount. Participants must preregister. $14 for non-AARP members; $12 for AARP members (AARP card required at registration). • October 4 - 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Cyprus Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road Benton. Contact: Sherry Bell - 318-965-2296; Instructor: James Smith. • October 27 - 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Live Oak Retirement Community, 600 E. FlournoyLucas, Shreveport. Contact: Denise Hiller – 318-212-2111; Instructor: Ray Branton
festival
Springhill Lumberjack Festival - October 8 & 9. Food, fun, and entertainment. Starts at noon on Friday and continues through Saturday night at Frank Anthony Park, 301 Church Street, Springhill, LA. The Festival Parade will be held on Main Street on Saturday starting 10 a.m. at the South end of the South Main Mall. For more info call Roxie Colvin 318-578-0764 or Cliff Carter @ 318-539-2071.
flu shots
The American Red Cross will offer Flu and Pneumonia Vaccination Clinics. Cost: FREE for
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those bringing their Medicare Part B card, or $25 for flu vaccines and $30 for pneumonia vaccines. • Thursday, October 7th - First Baptist Church - Shreveport, 543 Ockley, 11am-3pm, • We d n e s d a y, O c t o b e r 20th - Christ the King Catholic, 425 McCormick, Bossier, 8am-12pm, • Tuesday, October 26th - Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Drive, 7am-1pm, (with Health Fair) • Wednesday, November 3rd - LSUS University Center, One University Place, 9am-1:30pm
Genealogy
The Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Association, Inc. 1 PM, Saturday, October 9. Randle T Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport. Featuring: Ann Middleton, Director of the Bossier Parish Historical Center speaking on “Bossier History in Slices”. Free. For more information call 318-746-1851.
Krewe of Elders
Halloween Party - Sunday, October 31, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the American Legion Hall,5315 S. Lakeshore , Shreveport. Entertainment provided by Crossroads. $7/person. Food available for purchase. Cash bar, door prizes, 50/50 raffle. Open to public. Info 635-4901, 752-9175.
Les Boutiques de Noel
Make plans to attend the 36th annual Les Boutiques de Noel hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Opera Guild on November 17 - 20 at the Bossier Civic Center, 820 Benton Road. One of the best holiday shopping events in the South with holiday shoppers coming. For more info, call (318) 227-9503 or visit www. lesboutiquesdenoel.com
luncheon
Better Business Bureau TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Torch Awards Luncheon - Friday, Oct. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at East Ridge Country Club. Guest speaker will be radio show host and motivational speaker Moon Griffon. For reservations or additional info call (318) 2227575 Ext. 100.
Mayoral Forum
The Best of Times Radio Hour will host a Shreveport Mayoral Candidates Forum on Saturday, October 30 from 9 - 10 am at NurseCare of Shreveport, 1736 Irving Place in front of a live audience. This forum will allow the runoff candidates to answer questions and concerns of senior citizens. In addition, NurseCare of Shreveport will host a health fair from 9 am to 12 noon. The public is invited. Light refreshments. For more info, please call (318) 221-1983. FREE.
movie
Silver Screenings Matinee and Luncheon for Seniors - "An American in Paris". Tuesday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas in downtown Shreveport. $5.75 for the film only; $14 for film and lunch. Call (318) 459-4122 to RSVP.
senior day
The Best of Times and The State Fair of Louisiana will proudly present the 2nd annual “Senior Day at the State Fair” on Thursday, October 21 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Hirsch Coliseum, 3701 Hudson Ave. in the Louisiana State Fair Grounds in Shreveport. Persons 50 and older are invited to attend this event with FREE parking, FREE admission to the event, and The Best Of Times
FREE admission to the State Fair midway. There will be lots of fun, entertainment, and information -- including State Fair Midway performers, health care presentations, free health screenings, flu and pneumonia shots (limited number will be available; a Medicare card is required for “no charge” flu and pneumonia shots), giveaways, exhibits, door prizes, and games.
the Caddo Courthouse, located at 501 Texas Street. Tour begins by the Confederate Memorial at 7:00 p.m. Price for each walk is $10.00 per living person. Children 12 and under, $5.00. Tours are cancelled during inclement weather.
volunteer
The Foster Grandparent
Program is looking for volunteers age 55 and older who want to share their experience and compassion with a child. As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, mentor, tutor, and friend. Volunteers may qualify to earn a stipend. 20 hours per week. Year round program. For more information call (318) 676-7913.
speaker
Mrs. Eva Kor, a holocaust survivor, will be presenting at the LSUHSC-S Community Alliance in Research Excellence Conference on Friday, October 22 at the LSU-Shreveport Student Union Building from 11 am to 12 noon. Non-conference attendees will be able to hear this inspiring story about her experiences of being an unwilling human subject in Dr. Mengele’s experiments on twins at Auschwitz. For more information, please call 318-813-2056.
When you go to a festival,
ALL LOUISIANA
DANCES.
style show
St. Pius X Style Show and Luncheon and Style Show Oct. 2 at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, 3820 Mooringsport Rd from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Fashions will be provided by Dillards St. Vincent Mall. Tickets are $20. To reserve your ticket call 4240936, 309-2058, or 210-1099.
Tours. S h re v e p o r t Mu n i c i p a l Haunted Tours - Municipal Memorial Auditorium of Shreveport. Tours are held the 4th Thursday of the month Through Thursday, December 16 at 6 p.m. Shreve Town Ghost Walk - Saturdays. Hear tales of Shreveport's history and haunted places. Each walk lasts approximately 90 minutes. Walks are conducted in the downtown area, covering half a mile in total length, starting and ending at
Did you know tourism generates more than $850 million in state taxes annually? So why not invite your friends and family to Louisiana for the Festival of Lights in Natchitoches, Contraband Days in Lake Charles, the Red River Revel in Shreveport, or the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans? When you do, the whole state benefits. For a complete calendar of events, visit our website.
LouisianaTravel.com
© 2010 The Louisiana Department off Culture, l Recreation & Tourism
October 2010
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Across 1 Railroad foundation 8 Short chat? 14 Destroys 20 Philosopher's term 21 Portugal's second-largest city 22 __ reason 23 Response to "What's a six-letter answer for 'Silent performer'?"? 25 Superficiality 26 Memo opener 27 Spots for seaside strolls 28 Professor's end? 30 Spot for seaside strolls 31 Agnus __: Mass prayers 32 Poolroom array 33 Loud bird 35 The whole shebang 36 Bermuda hrs. 37 Five-time NBA championshipwinning coach 40 Shah's land, once 42 Manhattan cooler? 43 Siskel or Shalit 44 Sleeveless garment 45 Dinghy pair 47 Mountainous region in Genesis 50 Seaside vacation disappointment? 52 Sub in a tub 53 Actress Lupino 55 Being, to Augustus 56 Corn remnants 60 Prison performer? 66 Full of team spirit 68 Different 69 Picture cards? 70 Capital of Nord, France 71 Super Bowl honoree 72 Palindromic
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October 2010
"before" 73 Agitated state 75 Team in an agricultural allstar game? 78 Roller on a Rolls 79 Rhein tributary 82 Worked (up) 83 Pair at the altar 84 Station that exclusively plays rapper MC's hits? 90 Sci-fi psychic 92 Declared 95 Powerful energy-market gp. 96 Abbey titles 97 Mex. title 98 Bench-presser's pride 99 "Risky Business" co-star 101 Flightless bird, nowadays? 104 IdŽe source 106 French wine region 108 Heads or tails, e.g. 109 Repentant one 110 Wrap-up 112 Program file suffix 113 Relief agcy. founded in the U.K. in 1942 115 NFL ref, in slang 116 Sacred birds 118 Like steak cooked by an enchanting chef? 121 Bistro, informally 122 Comes up 123 Unisex 124 Yellowstone attraction 125 "Candid Camera" bits 126 Name of earthshaking importance? Down 1 Inn crowd option 2 Musical works 3 It's exposed many times during the singing of "YMCA"
Mal de mer
By Damien Peterson; Edited by Rich Norris & Joyce Nichols Lewis
(Solution on page 53)
4 40% of quarters? 5 Transvaal settler 6 Make a misstep 7 Argument 8 Like good arguments 9 Phone abbr. 10 "__ the time!" 11 Not to 12 Hotel courts 13 Amazing, in dialect 14 Hulk Hogan's '80s-'90s org. 15 River inlets 16 __ Sketch 17 Hardly orderly 18 "All Summer Long" singer, 2008 19 Cold signs 24 Theater section 29 '40s-'70s Coliseum team 32 Sugary complaint? 33 It's not true 34 More cordial
old-timer? 37 Stew veggie 38 Cow country 39 Part of many a mtge. payment 41 Marlins' div. 43 Trig. prerequisite 46 Mus. ensemble 47 Become lenient, as on crime 48 Offer to a dishwasher 49 Boss 50 Counterfeit 51 Kentucky college or its city 54 Operations mgrs. 57 Food company named for two states 58 1956 star of Vadim's "And God Created Woman" 59 "Yikes!" 61 "Les __"
62 Modify 63 Bethesda-based research org. 64 Largest OH airport 65 Santa staffer 67 Car loan abbr. 71 M.'s partner 74 Grape soda brand 76 P-like letter 77 Makes a drink last 80 "Cocoon" Oscar winner 81 Fenway souvenir 85 Dada co-founder 86 Used taxis 87 Big klutz 88 JFK, but not LAX 89 Case-breaking words 91 When moms are honored 92 Guitar's secondlowest
93 Hotel soap, say 94 Easy Street's metropolis? 96 Stop in photography? 100 Engine sound 101 Lease prohibition 102 Unruffled 103 Wall Street worker 105 Facilitates 107 India's prime minister before Shastri 109 Wealthy, in Weimar 111 Fille's father 113 Roughly 114 Marvel Comics heroes 115 Suffix with Paleo117 Half of the UAR 119 Thames islet 120 Sch. in Troy, NY TheBestOfTimesNews.com
SUDOKU - 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 53)
Bats Black cat Boo Broomstick Cobwebs Cornstalks Costume The Best Of Times
Fall Full moon Ghosts Goblin Halloween Haunted House Leaves
Mask Pumpkin Scarecrow Skeleton Spider Vampire Witch October 2010
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G
old
Ambulance
Balentine Ambulance Service (318) 222-5358
Artificial Limbs and Braces Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (318) 424-4167
Associations and Organizations Better Business Bureau (318) 222-7576 BluePrint Louisiana (866) 483-3920 Bossier Council on Aging (318) 741-8302 Caddo Council on Aging (318) 676-7900
Pages
Goodwill Industries (318) 629-5916 Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources (877) 319-1368 Sci-Port Louisiana’s Science Center (318) 424-3466 Shreveport Little Theatre (318) 424-4439 Shreveport Symphony (318) 2227496 The Robinson Film Center (318) 424-9090 The Best of Times (318) 636-5510 Webster Council on Aging (318) 371-3056
Sam Stroope Hair Replacement Specialist and Hair Stylist
Care Providers
Comfort Keepers (318) 934-0090 Elder Kare (318) 469-1711 Elite Health Solutions (318) 213-5483 Family Care Services (318) 671-1799 Interim HealthCare (318) 741-3776 Louisiana CareTenders, LLC (318) 868-3983
Casino DiamondJacks Casino and Resort – Bossier City (318) 678-7777
Cemeteries/ Funeral Homes Centuries Memorial (318) 686-4334 Hill Crest Memorial (318) 949-9415
Clinical Research Studies Clinical Site Services (800) 817-4009 Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600
Counseling Services HealthGuide (318) 780-4307 The Center for Families (318) 222-0759
990 Quail Creek Rd. (Inside Element Fitness)
Shreveport
318-868-8708 52
October 2010
Educational Courses
Home Infusion Services
Bible Correspondence Course (318) 797-6333
IV Plus (318) 683-5139
Emergency Response Systems Acadian OnCall (800) 259-1234
Financial & Estate Planning/Legal Services Serio Investments – Phillip Serio (318) 221-0889 The Law Practice of Joseph Gilsoul (318) 222-2100
Cemetery Upkeep and Flowers Flowers Forever, LLC (318) 925-2323
Hearing Care Services Better Hearing Systems (318) 747-9191 Shreve Hearing Aid Service (318) 797-7733
Home Health Care (Medicare Certified) Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Inc (318) 747-6180 Medistar Home Health (318)742-4026
Hospice Providers LifePath Hospice (318) 222-5711 St. Joseph Hospice (318) 222-8723 Willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana (318) 212-4697
Hospitals Brentwood Hospital (318) 678-7500 Minden Medical Center (318) 377-2321 Willis Knighton Medical Center – North Shreveport (318) 212-4000 Willis Knighton Medical Center – Bossier (318) 212-7000 Willis Knighton Medical Center – South Shreveport (318) 212-5000 Wilis Knighton Medical Center – Pierremont (318) 212-3000
Insurance Cornerstone Financial Services (318) 861-8607 Humana (800) 833-0632 Red River Insurance Group (318) 213-6432 Vantage Health Plans (888) 823-1910
Medical Supplies and Equipment Medtronics – XSTOP Spacer (866) 580-5242
Physician Services Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600 Mid South Orthopaedics (318) 424-3400
Pierremont Eye Institute (318) 212-3937 Vision – Source Dr. Larry Chism (888) 243-2020
Radio Stations AM 1130 KWKH Townsquare Media Radio Station (318) 688-1130
Restaurants Cupcake Gallery and Coffee Shop (318) 752-2253
Senior Living Options Azalea Estates Assisted Living (318) 797-2408 Horizon Bay Assisted Living (318) 747-2114 Kingsley Place of Shreveport (318) 524-2100 NurseCare of Shreveport (318) 221-1983 Summerfield Estates (318) 688-9525
Skin Care/Hair Care Jeany Mitchell’s Skin Technology (318) 347-3567 Sam Stroope, Hairstylist (318) 868-8708
Travel Services Fly Branson Airline Services (888)359-2541
Telephone Book User-Friendly Phone Book (318) 865-1280
Please remember to thank our business partners, for without their support, this priceless magazine would not be possible. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Send us happy photos of YOU with friends, family, and/or pets ď‚„ Email your high resolution photos (maximum 2 per person), along with the names of those in the pictures to Editor.Calligas@gmail.com or mail to The Best of Times. Dept. FFF, P.O. Box 19510, Shreveport, LA 71149 (include a SASE if you would like your photos returned).
r.
HURRY! Deadline is November 1 Your photo could be chosen to be on our cover
The Best Of Times
October 2010
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Ribbon cutting Grand opening celebration of the new RSVP office President Claudia Lyles, guest speaker Johnette McCrery, and event chairman Roxanne Bosserman
(L to R) Linda Mullican, Mary Alice Rountree, Teresa Micheels
(L to R) Carolyn Moore, Nan Baker, Cecilia Ketchum, Diane McDonaold, Anne Cox, Carol Dickson, and Nancy McCune
ALTAPL Luncheon A ladies luncheon was held in association with the ArkLaTex Association of Professional Landmen/ Shreveport Geological Society Golf Tournament on September 10 at East Ridge Country Club.
A Stonewall Homemakers Club meeting on Sept 9 at the Stonewall Library
Joye Gamble ran into actor Nicholas Cage at Chianti’s
(L to R) Patricia Smithey, Wanda McDonald, Sherry Shockley, Carolyn Franklin, Fannie Collins, and Pat Brown
Living Well Expo on September 14th at the Bossier Civic Center
(seated) Cathy Robichaud & Vicki Franks (standing) Cathy McHugh and Joye Gamble
(L to R) Doris Bowman, Mary Porter, Annie Adams, Michael Russell, and Kenneth Layton The Krewe of Elders Coronation XIII was held on August 28 at the American Legion on beautiful Cross Lake to a capacity crowd. The 2011 royalty are (L to R) Duchess and Duke of Wisdom Julia Collins and Jerry Warner, Co-Captain Jay Prudhomme, Queen Celia Frazier, King George Kalmach, Captain Gail Cascio, Duke and Duchess of Longevity George and Jimmie Brazzel
Centaur King XX Joe Duhon with Queen and King of Elders XII Sue and Jay Prudhomme
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October 2010
Celia Frazier with Margaret and John Schmidt
King XIII George Kalmbach and Queen XIII Celia Frazier TheBestOfTimesNews.com
The Best Of Times
October 2010
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