orizons ENLIGHTEN t ENRICH t ENGAGE
Inside
Issue 12
Thrill Of The Dance Lures Retirees Back To The Floor
Invigorating Pastime Promotes Joyful Living
You & Your Health Doctors now cautious prescribing once-popular hormone therapies . ......... 3
Life At The Heritage ............ 4 Community Events ................ 4 Sudoku . ............. 4 Crossword Puzzle ................ 5 What Makes A Full-Service Retirement Community? Three key factors to look for . ........ 5
Reading The Signals For Deafness When a spouse’s hearing starts to go, his wife is the first to notice . ... 6
There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.
combination of social activity and exercise. Time To Dance John McCraw, owner of an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, —Michel de Montaigne has seen the enthusiasm his older 16th century French author students bring to learning (or relearning) dance. s in so many things, Socrates “You’re exercising all your may have been well ahead of muscle groups at one time,” he his time. The points out. “Plus, it New Engprovides the extra land Journal aspect of the menof Medicine tal challenge: the published a man has to lead, study a few and the woman folyears ago low. There’s a lot which found more going on than that “Parjust exercising.” ticipation John says his in leisure older students are activities has prompted by a been associnumber of motivaated with a tions to come to his lower risk studio. of demen“For empty tia” … and nesters couples, no leisure it’s something they activity had didn’t do when a stronger they were raising association with mental clarity children,” he explains. “They’re than dance. doing something to renew interest Researchers aren’t yet sure in each other. Dancing is a great dancing provides protection opportunity to just have some fun against Alzheimer’s, but the together. study’s results are encourag“In many cases, it’s something ing. And whether or not dance he’s always wanted to do for years is specifically good at staving as much as she has. They just off dementia, it’s clearly a great SEE “DANCE” ON P. 3
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Free Subscription To GRAND Magazine . ......... 6
Financial Advisors Help Clients Navigate Turbulent Times
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ith the economic downturn of the last couple of years, and with so much more financial complexity and turbulence today than before, the world can be a confusing place for the average retiree trying to make the best of his or her nest egg. Where’s the best place to go for help? “The number one most confusing thing I see seniors trying to deal with is knowing from whom to accept advice,” says Greg Gann, president of the investment firm Gann Partnership. Trust Is Not Enough “I’ve seen a lot of CPAs and accountants who have gotten involved in selling investments to their clients,” he continues. “They have a built-in trust and understanding of their clients’ finances, but many seniors have learned the hard way that accountants are not really investment specialists. They don’t have the systems in place or the time to make changes with their client when the market changes.” True financial advisors offer investment skills to their clients that accountants lack, Greg says. This can be particularly helpful for older people with little experience in financial matters. A wife (and occasionally a husband) may have relied entirely on a spouse to handle the couple’s money matters. They may feel adrift when that spouse passes on. “They’re overwhelmed with the situation,” Greg explains. “They want to rely on someone, but they SEE “ADVISORS” ON P. 2
House M.D.
Warm Up With Wine A decadent recipe ............. 7
Discover The Heritage Full-Service Retirement Living................ 8
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Tradition Vies With Modernity In ‘Wine’s World’
umanity’s love affair with wine began centuries ago. Some seem to enjoy talking about it almost as much as they do drinking it. Here is a roundup of stories about the beloved beverage:
In The Beginning, There Was … The Grape?
Wine is older than most religions. An Associated Press story noted that the earliest known intact winery has recently been discovered in an Armenian mountain cave, and is estimated to date from 6,000 years ago. Complete with a vat, fermentation jars, drinking bowl and cup, the archeological site
provides clear proof that its inhabitants were onto something with long lasting appeal.
Wine Goes Hi-Tech
Today, some people are so enthralled by the wine-making process that adult camps are offered. On the trendy east end of Long Island, both well-heeled aficionados and novices can enjoy local vintages with gourmet food and discuss the secrets of wine and food pairing. Participants take tours of vineyards (getting their hands dirty if they want) and classes on the SEE “WINE” ON P. 2
The Heritage of Green Hills 200 Tranquility Lane Reading, PA 19607
Ill-tempered doctor at the heart of popular TV drama . ....... 7
Horizons
Page 2
The ‘Veritas’ About ‘Vino’
FROM “WINE” ON P. 1
wine making process. There are even computer applications which use Global Positioning System technology to help plan wine touring adventures and conveniently provide pertinent information on wineries, events, local hotels, inns and restaurants. The Long Island Wine Council sponsors a free Long Island Wine Country smartphone app, which is compatible with the iPhone, Blackberry and Android (www.liwines. com). No doubt these clever
February 2011
The ‘Death’ Of Chardonnay Is Greatly Exaggerated
the type of wine you should be drinking.”
Purity Popular (But Potentially Pricey)
Another trend to watch for is the rise of organic lated that many recommen- emerged. Because of the promotions will spread to wines. Europe already has other wine producing locals. dations are self serving. economical costs of land a Agriculture Biologique Refuting the hypothesis and labor in South America, logo, indicating that a wine Wine Is Hip that Chardonnay is dead, the Australia and Portugal, was made from organic The online newspaper column suggests that this these regions are able to grapes which were grown Huffington Post (www.huffcategory is merely in a state offer good wines at excepwithout chemical fertilizers, ingtonpost.com) recently of experimentation, with tionally low prices. At under genetically modified organdecried all the hoopla surmany vignerons moving $15 a bottle they present isms or synthetic pesticides. rounding the annual January to the unoaked style wine. real value. At $25, they are Several very prestigious predictions of which wines The dry white wine will still competing against a league European vineyards have will be a hit in the upcomattract new fans. of discounted wine from successfully made the ing year. The article postuAlthough Pinot Noir’s around the world. switch to organic growing, popularity was undoubtJoanne Levengood of returning to the old pracedly boosted by the movie Manatices, such Sideways, credit for its suc- tawny as using cess must largely go to the Creek French and Italian compost. triumph of relatively young Winery Domaine wines’ popularity U.S. vintners finally scalin Pennde la ing a steep learning curve sylvania is secure, though Romanéeand producing fine wine is skepticompetitive regions Conti from this capricious grape. cal of the (DRC), The Huffington Post article idea that have emerged. which does allow that the movie wine consells its encouraged more plantings sumers 2005 of the grape, which will are motivated by trendiness. vintage for $16,000 a bottle, lower prices, and in turn, “We have not seen any and has been organic since increase its popularity. trends this past year that 1985, has even reverted to In spite of what naysayare different from any other horses instead of tractors (to ers predict, the Huffington year; people buy and drink keep the ground loose) and Post piece expresses conwhat wines they like no applying natural products fidence that French and matter what anyone tells on its crop based on a lunar Italian wines’ popularity is them and I think that’s fancalendar. Organic proposecure in the American con- tastic,” she says, noting that nents argue that chemicals sumer’s favor, pointing out she doesn’t anticipate any have weakened the soil and that these vintages comprise big changes in the coming depleted it of natural minfully half of the U.S. wine year. “Life’s too short to erals — elements that are market. drink wine you don’t like critical to a grape’s taste. Competitive regions have because someone says that’s SEE “CONNOISSEURS” ON P. 7
Financial Advisors Offer Guidance On Prudent Investing panies. We put a don’t know who to rely on.” ‘stop’ in place so “Many turn to their children, but many of if the stock goes those have been spendthrifts themselves. The down a certain widow doesn’t know who to get advice from percentage, we because someone else has been taking care of sell it off.” things,” he continues. “The husband may have Taxes ‘Wagging been confused, but now that he’s out of the picThe Dog’ ture, she feels completely clueless. Clients also “I can’t tell you how many people have told have tax-free me, ‘My spouse has no interest, he or she relies IRAs that they on me. They gloss over it, it bores them.’ haven’t adjusted “ ‘This is out of my domain,’ they think.” for fear of the Plagued By Lack Of Interest tax implications Today’s markets pose considerable challenges of doing so. for seniors who have limited or non-existent “They’re so opportunities to increase their income outside of afraid to cretheir investments. ate a protective “Seniors today need income, but interest rates strategy because are so low,” says Gann. “The question is, where of taxes, they do they get this income, while still having secu- let the tax tail wag the dog,” he explains. “They rity of principal? don’t make good investment decisions. They “We seek to mitigate loss by using a variety should look at the investment first, then the tax of different strategies that create income and side. If 90 percent of your account goes out the also preserve principal, regardless of whether window [due to a bad investment], the taxes are the market trend is up or down,” Gann explains. a very small portion of the game. “We do a lot of individual issues that provide “We are today at very low tax rates, relative fixed interest rates, but to historical rates,” with short term matuGreg reminds us. rity, so that if interest “That’s a good thing. “They should look at the rates do go up, you can Tax rates on dividends investment first, then the tax capture that new rate and capital gains are and not have a major at historically low side. If 90 percent of your negative impact on levels. And with the account goes out the window, what you own.” Bush tax cuts still in One situation Greg place, we remain in a the taxes are a very small sees fairly often is a clivery generous estate portion of the game. ” ent with a large concentax environment.” tration of stock in one Accountants acting company, often a legacy as financial advisers of holdings from where the client used to work. may overemphasize the focus on taxes, Greg “I had a client who had worked for a comsuspects. pany and had a large position of company “An accountant is really a historian looking at stock,” Greg says. “So we created a strategy to what happened in the past, and at how to arrange protect that value and minimize the downside everything to maximize an account’s return risk of having concentrated assets in a few com- given those taxes. They look very closely at FROM “ADVISORS” ON P. 1
what can be written off,” he points out. “That’s very different than looking to invest in pharmaceuticals, silver, or commodities! They typically just use a static asset allocation model, generally with mutual funds, that over an 80-100 year span may produce wealth. They’re not set up to move clients nimbly in real time.” Tackling Problems Face To Face Finding a financial advisor you can trust can be a challenge. The Internet does offer clients a relatively easy way to check to see if a particular advisor has had complaints, Greg points out, adding that the FINRA website (www.finra.org) is a particularly good resource for individual investors. “Trust is different than just knowing what kind of results someone’s had,” Greg explains. “So many businesses have moved to the web and have no personal contact. When it comes to your finances, it’s good to have a deep personal connection with the person and sit eyeball to eyeball with them to discuss your account, and determine if your values are in line with the other person’s values. “It’s tough to get trust if you haven’t met the person,” he concludes.
Horizons
February 2011
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idely embraced by doctors Any score lower than and their patients in the latter -2.5 indicates osteopopart of the 20th century, hormone rosis. This condition can replacement therapy (HRT) and increase the risk of bone estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) fractures and breaks, are far more controversial today. back pain, spine curvaThough still considered valuable by ture (with resulting proconventional doctors, enthusiasm truding abdomen), loss for the treatments dimmed consider- of height, and decreased ably when the National Institutes mobility. of Health released the initial results Too Good To Be True? from its Women’s Health InitiaMany women choose tive (WHI) studies a few years ago. to use HRT or ERT Both therapies were found to pose because of symptoms significant risks for patients. that may accompany “Forty years ago, the Western perimenopause and world thought that medicine had menopause, such as night discovered the Holy Grail in the sweats, vaginal dryness, itching, form of supplemental oestrogen burning, discomfort during inter…. By 2001, HRT was the number course, and hot flashes. Since the one prescription drug in the world,” hormone therapies were known notes Gillian Sanson, a staunch to have the side benefit of helping critic of these therapies and author prevent bone loss, HRT and ERT of The Myth of Osteoporosis: What were seen as multi-faceted remedies Every in the past. Woman Doctors Doctors now advocate using Should and their Know the lowest effective dose for the clients About must now minimum time period. Creatwrestle ing Bone with the Health. question of “The promise that a single pill whether their negative side effects could prevent age-related chronic outweigh their benefits. diseases had led vast numbers of In response to the WHI findhealthy women to take medication ings, doctors now prescribe reduced for diseases they didn’t have, and doses of hormones that still appear may never have developed. We to be effective, yet lower the risk of now know they also were exposing unwanted side effects. themselves to serious harm.” ERT is used for women who Fewer Fractures … But More have had a complete hysterectomy Strokes (removal of the uterus and ovaries) According to the Ohio State Uni- or an oophorectomy (removal of the versity Medical Center, the WHI ovaries). Because ERT can increase studies found that both long term a woman’s risk of developing canHRT and ERT regimens increased cer in the uterus, it is not given to participants’ risk of stroke and patients who have not had a hysblood clots, while reducing risk of terectomy. A doctor may prescribe fractures. In addition, a long term ERT for those who have had a hysHRT regimen was found to increase terectomy, or for those who will be risk of heart attack and breast taking estrogen for less than a year. cancer while reducing the risk of ERT only replaces estrogen, colorectal cancer. Studies continue while HRT replaces both estrogen to evaluate the hormones’ other and progesterone. Progesterone potential risks and benefits. is added to HRT to stem the rapid The findings complicate the growth and thickening of the utermedical approach to older women ine lining and help reduce the risk facing the risk or reality of osteoof uterine cancer. porosis, a reduction in bone density HRT has side effects that should that can lead to increased risk of be taken under consideration before fractures. initiating use. Some medical profesThe onset of osteoporosis is sionals prescribe the estrogen and symptomless to the patient, but can progesterone separately or in varibe detected with a DEXA scan, a ous forms (such as cream, patch or dual energy X-ray that measures pill) in order to allow for fine tuning hip and spine bone density (BMD). dosages depending on effectiveness
and side effects. at Helen Hayes Hospital and profesTo reduce added risks, doctors sor of clinical medicine at Columadvocate using the lowest effecbia Hospital in New York, notes tive dose for the the minimum time that “We’re not using hormone period. Dosage can be kept lower therapy for women in their 60s. by choosing the most direct delivThat’s where you see the increased ery method. For example, estrogen risk of heart disease, blood clots, applied directly to the vagina is and strokes, enough negative side more effective for vaginal-only effects that you don’t want to start symptoms than a lower dose of women in their 60s and 70s on horestrogen in pill or skin patch form. mones anymore.” The protective benefits of these It is recommended that only therapies may outweigh the risks women who need relief from menofor women who reach menopause pausal symptoms take HRT or ERT, prematurely. in the smallest dose possible and for the shortest time necessary. Looking For Alternatives There are alternatives to combat The U.S. Food and Drug Adminosteoporosis: Eat a healthy diet, do istration recommends that postregular weight bearing exercises, menopausal women discuss other and take calcium and vitamin D osteoporosis medicines with their supplements. Refrain from smokphysician before taking ERT or ing and excessive drinking. If you HRT to prevent bone loss. In cases of severe osteoporosis in postmeno- do have osteoporosis, be sure to get your doctor’s recommendations pausal women when other treatfor the most effective medical and ments are unsuccessful, they may lifestyle approach. be the best solution. In other cases, alternaEarly detection can often keep a minor tive medications physical problem from turning into a semay be more rious medical issue … which is why the appropriate. residents of The Heritage of Green Hills Dr. Felicia appreciate the regular office hours that the Cosman, mediassociates at Green Hills Family Medicine cal director of hold on-site. the clinical research center
Foxtrot Or Tap, Dance Bestows Renewed Vitality On Senior Students FROM “DANCE” ON P. 1
didn’t have the time.” You don’t necessarily need much money to learn how to dance. Nitzi, a resident at The Heritage of Green Hills in Pennsylvania, enjoys taking weekly tap dancing lessons at her community with her neighbors. “We do it for a whole hour, though we take a couple breaks. (Remember, we’re senior citizens!)” she explains. “The instructor is very good at keeping us moving. People stop and watch us. “The instructor brings along her own records,
mostly familiar tunes. At Christmas time we even tapped to Christmas music!” Nitzi is no stranger to tap dance, having taken it when she was a child. Getting back into it as an older adult was appealing. “I thought I would like it for the exercise it would give me,” she says. “I like to dance. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, I danced the jitterbug and stuff like that. “I was never tossed up in the air,” she chuckles. “I just used the floor.” Singles And Couples John points out that his older clients are interested in a variety of dances, especially “your more traditional dances, like the foxtrot and the swing. Many are very interested in learning Latin American dances, like the cha cha’s and the tangos. “In this day and age, with everything up in the air, people love to see the structured approach to something; they feel more comfortable with it,” he explains. “A lot more couples are taking lessons who aren’t necessarily married. They recognize the binding force of sharing things
and doing something each person likes. Dancing provides that.” You don’t have to be part of a couple to get into dance, he says. In fact, learning dance can be a great boost for singles as well. “For a single person dealing with a change of life, where their significant other has passed on, it’s not the easiest thing to deal with at that age,” he continues. “There can be a lot of self doubt.” Singles clubs can be a particularly harsh environment for older people. “There’s some negativity there,” he says. “Everybody gets labeled. “Learning dance is a positive way to meet other people,” he continues. “There’s self improvement, and it’s all positive. Everybody is enjoying a common bond of learning and getting fun from the pursuit of learning to dance. Dance does wonders to help someone develop a more confident self image.” There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. —Edwin Denby American dance critic
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February 2011
Have You Visited The Heritage At Green Hills Yet?
If you haven’t, you owe it to yourself to stop by and see the beautiful apartment homes and villas at the area’s premier active 55+ retirement community. You’ll enjoy envisioning the many floor layout possibilities that await you at The Heritage as you stroll through our gorgeous model apartment home, tastefully appointed with furnishings from David’s FurniThe Heritage of Green Hills ture. Fall is an Sales Office Hours excellent time to appreciate The Appointments recommended. Heritage’s lovely Monday through Friday wooded campus. Call Laura 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zartman at 484Saturday 269-5090 today for a personal 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. appointment Sunday (by appointment, only) with one of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. our retirement specialists.
Community Events Here are some highlights of recent or upcoming activities at The Heritage of Green Hills.. For more information, contact us at 484-269-5143. ON CAMPUS Monday in the Art Studio: Mondays at 1 p.m. February 7: Fresh Flowers with Gene. $10 February 21: Charcoal Sketching with Mary Lou. February 28: Beginner Calligraphy with Joanne. Tuesday, February 1 Resident Survey Results: Join Rita and the management team to review results of the resident satisfaction survey taken in December 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Literary Dinner Club: Fly Away Home, Jennifer Weiner 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 2 Groundhog Day Celebration: Start the day with Heritage residents
watching to see if Heritage Hank will see his shadow. Lunch Specials in the Tavern and Groundhog Day the movie playing. 7 a.m. Alvernia Breakfast: Dr. Kulp returns with a talk in Heart Health and CoQ10. 8:30 a.m. Sunday, February 6 Super Bowl Party: Join the Heritage fans to cheer on your favorite team. Food and bar available. Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay. 5 p.m. Thursday, February 10 Berks Youth Group: Local children come to visit with a special Valentine’s Day program for all in The Tavern. 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 11 Valentine Party: Celebrate this special day in the company of your friends. Music and dancing with Wahl Street. Drink specials and munchies. 3 p.m. Monday, February 14 “Singles” 3rd Annual
Answers on page 5
Valentines Day Party: Singles social in The Brandywine. Enjoy the day in the company of other residents with a special lunch and accordion music by Mickey. 11:30 a.m. $7. Wednesday, February 16 The Great Backyard Bird Count: Introduction video & learn how it works. Count birds for the Heritage team as little or long as you want. This can be done outside or from your window. Let’s help scientists document their movement. (Fri., Sat., Sun., & Mon. all day long.) 2 p.m. Thursday, February 17 Great Decisions Discussion: Sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. Read an article, meet for a 30 minute video and a discussion of the topic. Must pre-register. 10:30 a.m. $25. Wednesday, February 23 Incredible India Trip: Journey with Rita to the 7th largest country in the world located in South Asia. Native lunch. 11:30 a.m for $7. Program 1 p.m.
Saturdays: Bridge 1 p.m., Movies 7 p.m.
artists in their studios and demonstrations. 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 15 Sundays: Bridge 1 p.m., Movies 7 p.m., LCR Lauer’s Park School Dice 7 p.m. Tour: Visit the school and children the Heritage volunteers at on Tuesdays. OFF CAMPUS 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 2 Friday, February 18 Energy Victory/Dr. Jasper String Quartet: Robert Zubrin: WorldFriends of Chamber Music renowned engineer and present this delightful author lays out a bold plan group. 7:15 p.m. for breaking the economic stranglehold of OPEC. Saturday, February 19 5:30 p.m. Met at the IMAX in Thursday, February 3 HD Live: “Iphigenie en Tauride” 11:30 a.m. Philadelphia Sports, Fitness & Golf International Auto Show: Expo: The ultimate event Philadelphia’s premier car for all sports enthusiasts show, with some of the at Reading Expo Center. worlds finest automobiles 11:30 a.m. $9. at the convention center. 10 a.m. $6. Sunday, February 20 Saturday, February 5 Reading Planetarium: Main Street Cruisers: A The Dark Star Adventure. night of good old time rock 12:30 p.m. $5. & roll at the Friday, February 25 Sunnybrook Ballroom. Arts at RACC: Walnut 7:15 p.m. $25. Street Theatre presents The Wednesday, February 9 Glass Menagerie. 7:15 p.m. $27. A Common Heart: Dialogue surrounding the Saturday, February 26 sacred books of the Jewish, Reading Express Muslim and Christian Football: Reading’s own faiths. 6:15 p.m. indoor football team. 6 p.m. Thursday, February 10 $15. Fryberger Gallery/ Sunday, February 27 ONGOING ON CAMPUS Judy’s Lunch: See the Reading Planetarium: works of Tim Prentice, Light Years From Mondays: Meditation kinetic sculptor and Ray Andromeda. 1:30 p.m. $5. 11 a.m., Art 1 p.m., King, sculptor using the Wii Games 1 p.m., Monday, February 28 phenomena of light at Penn Needlework 3:30 p.m. Mark Twain Onstage: State Berks’. 11:30 a.m. Brand new one man show Tuesdays: Meditation Saturday, February 12 starring Tom Teti at Peoples 10:15 a.m., Dancing Flapjack Fundraiser: Light Theatre. 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. Support Berkshire Baseball Wednesdays: Bridge at this all you can eat 1 p.m., Wii Games pancake and sausage 1 p.m., Needlework breakfast at Applebee’s in 3:30 p.m., LCR Dice Exeter. 8 a.m. $7. 7 p.m. Met at the IMAX in HD Live: “Nixon in China” Thursdays: Computer 11:30 a.m. 3:00/3:30 p.m. Sunday, February 13 Fridays: Pickle Ball 2nd Sunday @ 2 p.m. Goggleworks: Tour the galleries, meet the
Horizons
February 2011
Page 5
With so many activities just a short indoors stroll away, residents at full-service retirement communities like The Heritage of Green Hills find their ‘evenings out’ become much more frequent.
New Category In Retirement Living Makes It Easy To Pursue Healthy, Active Lives M
odern retirement communities have evolved into something never before seen in the retirement living industry. These new “full-service retirement communities” can be identified by three key indicators. 1. Full-service retirement communities feature a vibrant community lifestyle supported by all-season, climate-controlled walkways. Social integration and good social networks are important factors for successful aging. These valuable social connections are much easier to keep when people are not at the mercy of weather, sunlight, and safety — which is far easier to do with all-season walkways. At central Pennsylania’s premier full-service retireent community, The Heritage of Green Hills, visitors will find over 50 activities a month, on average. Because residents can easily walk to any of the on-campus locations without ever having to go outside, many of these activities can take place in the evening, since there are no impediments like driving in the dark, bad weather, or personal safety concerns. Research shows that social activities may be as good for us as keeping physically fit. James S. House, chair of sociology and a researcher at Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, published a review of the medical research into the effects of keeping up with friends and engaging in social activities. He found that a lack of good social relationships was a major risk factor for poor health, similar to other factors like blood pressure, blood lipids, obesity and physical activity. At the University of California, Irvine, doctoral candidate Dara Sorkin surveyed 180 elderly men and women and found that those who were lonelier had a higher risk of heart disease. Just a small increase in perceived emotional support resulted in a large reduction of disease risk, her study found. In a 13-year study of nearly 3,000 retirees published in the British Medical Journal, social activities such as playing cards or going to church were found to be as important to health as regular exercise. The results led the authors to conclude that social activities that involve little or no enhancement of fitness lower the risk of death as much as fitness activities do (although both are even better). Isolation can often creep up on people in their later years, and it can rob the mind of the stimulation it needs to stay in tip-top form. A study of 2,812 people aged 65 years or more found that not taking part in social activities was associated with mental decline in later years.
The good news is that stimulating activity can protect against such declines! Researchers studying American women aged 60-72 years Researchers have found that staying socially active is as found that important as staying physically active to maintaining good contact with health. It’s easy for Heritage residents to enjoy lunch with friends and friends and neighbors since their local restaurant is just down relatives and the hall! keeping up social activities had a significant effect in protecting against mental decline in those women who lived alone. 2. Full-service retirement communities feature on-site physicians and health care professionals working on site. This benefit is key to helping seniors protect their current active lifestyle and keep them out of expensive assisted living and nursing care options. Many less-than-full-service retirement communities only employ a nurse. This is a very different offering. Experts suggest asking if a doctor holds regular office hours and has a fully equipped medical center AT the community. Ask to see the medical center and meet the doctor. In most cases, when really pushed, the answer is less than desirable. 3. Full-service retirement communities offer its residents multiple entrance deposit options. This important financial freedom allows potential residents to pick the financial scenario that works best for them and protects their estate. The Heritage at Green Hills is proud to be the first full-service retirement community in the area to offer a 100% refundable entrance fee, preserving the estates of its many residents. Current fees range from $165,900 to $367,800. The community also offers a declining balance and a 75% refundable entrance plan which begin at $101,000. Remember, it’s not one benefit that makes a fullservice retirement community. It’s everything working together.
Even many full-service retirement communities don’t offer amenities like the heated indoor pool at The Heritage of Green Hills. Staying active year-round has never been more fun!
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Indian groom 5 Kipling hero 8 Accounting (abbr.) 12 Amalekite king 13 Individual retirement 14 Mule 15 Phil. island 17 Impair 18 Camel hair cloth 19 Kind 21 Recommended daily allowance (abbr.) 22 Punjab inhabitant
23 Yahi tribe survivor 25 It. marble 29 Devil 32 Jewish month 33 With (pref.) 35 Ten (pref.) 36 Eagle’s nest 38 Splendor 40 Gael 42 Eth. prince 43 Her Royal Highness (abbr.) 45 Cataract 47 Honey-eater bird 50 Birth a lamb 52 Dance company
54 Alleviate 55 Son of, in Arabic names 56 Byron poem 57 Corner 58 Shelter 59 Seed coat DOWN 1 Muttonfish 2 “Arabian Nights” dervish 3 Sayings (suf.) 4 Signed (abbr.) 5 Lively 6 Persia today 7 N.Z. Polynesian
8 Hardwood 9 Graces, aka 10 Ribbed fabric 11 Theme: music 16 Bedouin headband cord 20 Noun-forming (suf.) 22 Pretty (Fr.) 24 Hell 25 Council for Econ. Advisors (abbr.) 26 Island (Fr.) 27 Buy 28 Name (Fr.) 30 Perform 31 But also 34 Naut. line 37 Sprite 39 Swiss card game
41 Dravidian language 43 Rain (pref.) 44 Raise 46 Leaf division 47 Jewish month 48 Air (pref.) 49 Elliptical 51 Maiden name lead-in 53 Guido’s note (2 words)
Answers on page 6
Horizons
Page 6
February 2011
GRANDparents Corner
Hear And Now
A Family Challenged By Deafness by Lily Dawn Robertson
I
met my husband, Allan, 15 years was angry with her or in a bad ago. We dated for a few months, mood. but it wasn’t until I saw him with Both grandchildren had begun his 4-year-old grandson, Brandon, to use me as an intermediary that I fell helplessly in love. between Allan and them. Was Brandon had been deaf since he “Papa” grumpy, bored — or maybe was 2 from complications of menhe didn’t like being around them ingitis. When I came on the scene, anymore? None of these reasons his family was learning how to was true — but Allan did become communicate with him. But when I stressed easily when the children saw Allan crouch down to Brandon were around, and it became all he at eye level and, with patience and could do to stick around during love, gesture and point … well, as their birthday parties and other speRenée Zellweger says (sort of) to cial events. Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, “You His relationship with Brandon had me at the crouch.” was even more affected. As a deaf person, Brandon had developed a Happy Walks And Long Phone highly tuned ability to read emoCalls tions and facial expressions. He Allan and Brandon took long recognized frustration and distracwalks in the forest, gardened, tion in Allan, but he did not interplayed games. They had their own pret these emotions correctly. He, special communication: lots of eye contact, gestures and instinct. (Over like Brittany, felt his grandfather did not care to be around him, and time, Allan learned some sign lanso he, too, began to withdraw from guage, but he did not master it.) my husband. When Brandon’s little sister, Allan was exhibiting other signs Brittany, was 4, she and Allan loved of hearing loss as well as putting to talk on the phone. She told him off his grandchildren. At times, he long stories about her day and her did not respond appropriately to school life. Eventually, their talks questions. He showed up late for grew shorter and less frequent. I meetings or showed up at the wrong assumed it was because she was place. He no longer enjoyed outings now a very social creature and where there might be loud backhad expanded her world to include ground school noise. friends. But the Children are very forgiving, Then, most seriabout but it took time and effort on ous con10 years sequence all our parts to change our after we that married, listening and speaking habits. was the beauty Allan’s loss of his of hearing relationbecame apparent. (More than a third ship with his grandkids, the characof all hearing loss is attributed to teristic that first kindled my love for noise: loud music, working condihim, was in jeopardy. I felt helpless tions, home tools and recreational as the bond deteriorated, and I worequipment — and baby boomers ried that these were perhaps the first like Allan grew up with all of the signs of early dementia. It was time above [see info at MayoClinic. to discuss the problem openly. com]) Making Adjustments A Familiar Problem A hearing test confirmed my He began to complain that Britsuspicions. Allan’s hearing loss was tany was impatient with him on mostly at the level of the “normal” the phone and that she mumbled. I became suspicious. I had grown up human voice — at a decibel level somewhat lower than the average with a father who was very hard of voices of women and children. He hearing. With Allan, I had inadverwas told he would not need a heartently fallen into using the skills I ing aid yet, and we were given hints had developed as a child to comand suggestions to help enhance his municate with my father. I noticed hearing. My further study into alterwhen we visited our grandkids in native medicine uncovered herbs their home, Allan spent more time and supplements that are known to watching TV than joining in the improve some hearing loss. fun. Brittany said that when she At first, Allan’s hearing loss was talked to him in the car, he would diagnosed as not severe enough to sometimes reach over and turn on need devices such as hearthe radio. She ing aids, or special thought phones or he alerts (e.g., alarm clocks and doorbells). Later, he had a special amplify-
ing device made to wear with his hard hat at work. It improved his hearing to such a degree he was far less stressed at work. This success eventually wore out his reluctance (and fear of the “stigma”) to invest in a hearing aid. The Family Adapts To say Allan’s relationship with our grandkids changed overnight would not be true. Children are very forgiving, but it took time and effort on all our parts to change our listening and speaking habits. Brittany probably had the biggest adjustment to make, as she was now a bubbly, socially active tween. In time, she learned to slow her speech and to face Allan when talking to him in the car instead of gazing out the window. She learned to turn the radio off when she wanted to talk. (Talking on the phone was no longer an issue: She was so past long telephone calls to her grandparents.) When we visited, the children learned to turn off the television, lower the music and take turns talking rather than having free-for-alls. If we had to repeat things to Allan,
A N S W E R S
we learned to try different words. When we went to a restaurant, we sat farthest away from noisy customers and preferably by a window or bright lighting so he could see our mouths. We were conscious of not covering our mouths or talking with our mouths full. We stopped assuming and questioned first. Allan’s loss of hearing changed the dynamics of our family, but what seemed, at first, to be a loss of closeness with the grandchildren proved to be a positive experience: We took the journey with him, learned to be more considerate and developed relationships deeper in respect, understanding and patience. Lily Dawn Robertson is a natural health practitioner in Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, where she facilitates workshops on health, mental, emotional and spiritual subjects. This article originally appeared in the July 2009 issue of GRAND Magazine. Reprinted with permission of GRAND Media, LLC, copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.
Horizons
February 2011
Page 7
Gruff Eccentric At Center Of Popular TV Medical Drama, “House M.D.” ©2010 FOX BROADCASTING CO. CR: ADAM TAYLOR/FOX
H
e’s an arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, deceitful, and sarcastic drug addict. And Americans have loved him for seven years. “He” is Dr. Gregory House, the brilliant and acerbic physician who heads up the Department of Diagnostic Medicine at New Jersey’s fictional Princeton-Planesboro Hospital on the hit Fox drama, “House M.D.” Each week, he and his crack team delve into the enigmas of the human body and psyche to help cure whatever mysterious ailments afflict the unfortunate patients seeking their help. It’s no mystery why patients seek his care: House is one of the best there is at solving baffling medical mysteries. Somewhat more mysterious, though, is what keeps so many viewers tuning in to spend time with a man many would find insufferable in person. How can such an unpleasant persona be the center of one of the longest-running dramas currently on the air? Brilliant American … Is British Our first clue would have to be Hugh Laurie, the extraordinarily talented actor who portrays House. Many Americans might be surprised to learn that, before becoming House, Laurie earned fame in British households as half of the comedic duo Fry and Laurie. Laurie’s mastery of the American accent was so complete that the producer casting for the House lead was unaware that Laurie was, in fact, British. Laurie has garnered several awards for his performance as House, including two Golden Globes and numerous Emmy nominations. Laurie is backed by a talented supporting cast who play his hospital compatriots, though only Omar Epps (playing Dr. Eric Foreman)
was likely familiar to many viewers from his pre-House role on E.R. (One supporting actor, Kalpen Modi, was lured away from the show to work for a very different ‘House’: namely, the White House, where he serves as Associate Director at the Office of Public Engagement.) But the show has drawn a number of very recognizable guest stars over the years, including James Earl Jones, Cynthia Nixon, Mira Sorvino, Candice Bergen, Andre Braugher, Amy Irving, and Joel Grey, among many others. House (seated) and his team examine a patient on the popular Fox Sharply Drawn Characters drama which airs 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT. No doubt many of the actors more factual than you might have away with doing things that we were enticed to the drama by its guessed. According to the Yale ordinary folks could only dream of. extremely strong writing. In lesser Daily News, Sanders’ “Diagnosis” He dispenses with the dutiful deferhands, the column in ence to superiors that most of us show’s the New have to cope with as our ordinary premise House limps through the York Times workplace obligation. His scath— patient Magazine ing assessments of the idiocies of hospital halls tormenting with inspired the modern life skewer the diplomatic mysterious patients and co-workers alike. hit series. niceties of the ‘politically correct.’ ailment “You never And, almost in spite of himself, we “Everybody lies” is his lessseeks help, out of see House struggling to live by an symptoms than-sunny personal motto. run stories, honorable moral code. throw the because There have been some bright team for this is what doctors talk about all spots for House. After years of a curve until House can pierce the contentious flirting, he’s finally gotcomplexity at show’s end — would the time,” Sanders reportedly told Laurie. ten involved with his boss, Dr. Lisa have exhausted viewers’ interest Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), a woman Mean But Loveable? long ago. he’d fallen quite strongly for in Then there is House himself. The writers have kept the show previous seasons. With one leg permanently injured fresh by creating believable and But will it last? Can the romantic and always in pain, he limps intriguing characters engaging in relationship withstand the pressures through the hospital halls popping sharp dialog. As of this writing, Amber Tamblyn is House’s current Vicodin and tormenting patients and of the constant work conflicts? Will he find the inevitable give-and-take co-workers alike with his all-toofoil. She plays the young Martha of family relationships to require Masters, a woman perhaps House’s accurate assessment of their real too much compromise of his own intellectual equal who is as idealis- intentions. “Everybody lies” is his odd devotion to blunt exchange? less-than-sunny personal motto. tic and honest as House is cynical. For all his faults, though, House Will the refreshing idealism of his The cases themselves provide young protege Martha Masters represents something that many their own fascination. Real life win out over his own hard-bitten viewers envy. By dint of his taldoctor Lisa Sanders is the show’s cynicism? medical consultant, and reports that ent and brilliance, he manages Stay tuned. — sometimes just barely — to get some of the medical storylines are
Scientists Join Wine Connoisseurs In Search For The Perfect Grape FROM “CONNOISSEURS” ON P. 3
In Connexion, a French news journal in English, Gault Millau director Bertrand Clavières says, “Organic wine had a bad reputation in the early days — it was unstable and did not keep well — but as vignerons have learnt more about what is needed, the wine has become much better. You cannot say a vineyard like Domaine de la Romanée Conti is not producing world-class wines and it has been organic for decades.” Some areas in the U.S., while not required to be organic, have local restrictions on pesticides. Charles Moussand, who owns and manages the award winning Paumanok Vineyards on Long Island, asserts that “Long Island is already perhaps the most restricted place on earth for pesticide use. “Today we have new classes of pesticides ... known as ‘low risk, fast track pesticides’ that are
ing, improved canopy management, a solar energy system, postemergent herbicides, and natural phosphorous acid products in an attempt to reduce its environmental impact.
Science To The Rescue?
There is also on-going scientific research into the possibility of developing a naturally disease resistant grape, one that would be pleasing to the wine drinker’s palette. The Economist noted that Riccardo Velasco and his team at the Agricultural Institute of San Michele all’Adige, in Italy, recently published the first full far more environmentally genetic sequence of friendly than even some a grape variety (Pinot Noir) organic treatments,” he in the Public Library of adds. “We like to use these Science. in preference to any others.” A Cornell/Stanford team Another manifestation of has also created genomic this trend is the sustainable maps of over 1,000 samples, farming practices utilized at indicating which genetic Manatawny Creek Winery. markers link to a trait (such The winery uses compostas disease resistance, acid-
ity, etc.), according to the National Academy of Sciences. Instead of waiting three to four years for hybrids to mature, harvest the grapes, make wine, and then sample and analyze the results; scientists can now test the first sprouting leaf and determine if it has the qualities they are looking for by studying its DNA. * * *
Italian artist and genius, Leonardo da Vinci, (14521519) presciently noted, “The discovery of a good wine is increasingly better for mankind than the discovery of a new star.” While wineries innovate, connoisseurs will no doubt continue to expound the virtues and pitfalls of certain vintages, and wine lovers will continue imbibing. Cheers!
A Wine Recipe To Warm You Up Manatawny Creek Winery offers a wide range of delightful wine recipes on their website (http://www.manatawnycreekwinery.com/Recipes/index.aspx). Here’s a sinfully delicious one that’s sure to dispel the can’t-wait-for-spring blues: Cherry Hot Chocolate 1/2 cup Cherry Wine 2 cups milk 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate 1/4 cup sugar Heat the milk in saucepan. Break the chocolate into bits and add, stirring until chocolate is melted. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add cherry wine, mix and serve.
Horizons
Page 8
February 2011
These Retirement Villas Come With Maintenance-Free Living
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