Today's Transitions MOTIVATION Fall 2023 Issue

Motivation

ILLUMINATE YOUR HOME + MEAL PREP RECIPES + CAREGIVER COMFORTS

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MOTIVATED BY JOY

Funny how motivation is defined by where we are in our life.

When we were young, we were motivated by ice cream cones and candy. My dentist’s office was above a pharmacy with a soda fountain. If we behaved during our visit, we were given a coupon for an ice cream cone which we quickly redeemed as we ran down the steps. I was one of the few who actually liked going to my dentist.

As we grew up, that morphed into money for good grades. And as we phased from our teens into adults, we soon realized we were motivated by how much we made in our jobs.

As we grow older and, hopefully, wiser, we realize what motivates us are things that are less tangible. In this issue, we explore ways that motivate others:

• Music can certainly motivate a person suffering from dementia who hasn’t spoken in months but can recall all the words to his/her college fight song. p.10

• Saying “Yes” to new opportunities as we become less afraid of failure and more motivated to learn something new without judgment. p.16

• The thing that motivates me most is volunteering. It gives me such satisfaction to see how my efforts are helping others as I work with Hosparus Health and the American Lung Association. Even our fourlegged animals as I work with Friends of Metro Animal Services. You can devote as much time as you like. Just get involved in a nonprofit that has touched you. p.18

• Those who have survived a serious health issue are often motivated to join a support group where they share their good days and bad and even help others facing the same diagnosis. p.30

Wherever you are in your life, I hope you are motivated by what brings you joy.

— Cathy Zion, Publisher

FALL 2023 | VOL. 20 | NO. 3

PUBLISHER

Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com

CREATIVE DESIGN DIRECTOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com

CAMPAIGN MANAGER Jessica Alyea jessica@todaysmedianow.com

EDITORIAL/CONTENT MANAGER

Lindsay McDonald lindsay@todaysmedianow.com

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com

Kate Tew kate@todaysmedianow.com

COVER PHOTO Almaje

Today’s Transitions is published quarterly by: Zion Publications, LLC 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 108 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysTransitions.com

The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Transitions magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2023 by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

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What’s New at TodaysTransitions.com:

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FALL LUNCH

OUTING

Visit Paristown, a neighborhood where modern and historic blend beautifully.

Read this story and more at TodaysTransitions.com by scanning the QR code.

CONSIDER VISITING OHIO

If you are looking for ideas that don’t require much preparation or travel time, consider Ohio as a place to go. Whether you seek adventure, wish to learn more about Ohio’s rich heritage, or want to catch a ballgame, there is plenty to do and see in the Buckeye State.

DOWNSIZING: LIVING LARGE IN A SMALL SPACE

Downsizing can be scary for some, but read how you can make a space functional with fewer things.

Savor A Bite Of Fall: Baked Apples

Stay Connected

A trip to the apple orchard on a crisp day alerts your senses that fall is here. Consider these tasty recipes for a celebration of fall. Sign

Choose the news you want the most — Beautiful Living, Caregiving and Health, Local Happenings, Digital Edition, or all.

Find a directory of options for retirement living on page 57. Care community and home caregiving directories start on page 72. Search our directories online for caregiving and living options in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio at TodaysTransitions.com.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY

By Tonilyn Hornung

PASSIONS LET THE MUSIC PLAY

Music has the ability to stir our emotions and awaken deep memories. Have you ever noticed that listening to your favorite song, singing in the shower, or drumming along on the dashboard just makes you feel good? Research shows that listening to music can give you a positive emotional boost while improving memory and mental alertness. The relationship we have with music is powerful and musical experiences offer many benefits for your emotional and mental wellbeing.

Studies show engaging in musical experiences (including listening to music or playing an instrument) releases that “feel good” hormone, dopamine. Part of the “brain’s reward system,” dopamine allows us to feel pleasure. “So, when we’re listening to a song we really love, that euphoric feeling comes with a hit of endorphins,” says Elizabeth Barone, board certified music therapist (MA, MT-BC, CCLS). Music therapy is the use of music to meet nonmusical goals, explains Elizabeth. Music therapists use the power of music as a tool to help clients work through emotional or mental difficulties, manage stress, or enhance memories.

“The thing about music is that it's processed in all areas of the brain and not just in one area like speech or memory recall,” Elizabeth says. This explains why somebody who might not have access to language (in the case of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia) can still sing songs and have moments of clarity because music is being processed in other areas outside the speech zone. Elizabeth reveals that listening to music can also assist with better sleep and a reduction in the stress hormone, cortisol. So, if you’re wondering how to get a little more music into your life, we spoke with three Louisvillians who are making music a priority.

SING, SING A SONG

At the age of 64, Ruth-Ann Bode is singing her song out loud and strong as a member of the Cathedral of the Assumption Choir in Louisville. “I’ve been singing in the traditional choir for around 15 years now, and I love it,” Ruth-Ann says. Her love of music started in her childhood when she began piano lessons at the age of 4, French horn at age 7, and started singing in her church choir at the age of 6. Through career changes and motherhood, she played in community and church-related orchestras. “But singing is something I love to do. I love singing a cappella, and I love singing in small groups,” says Ruth-Ann.

One aspect of the musical experience that keeps Ruth-Ann going back is a sense of shared community. “You develop friends who share a similar passion for making good music,” she says. Ruth-Ann hopes the songs her choir sings during Mass bring someone a sense of peace for the day, a smile, or maybe make them think of a happy memory. “Music is definitely a mood lifter,” Ruth-Ann says.

CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING

Married couple Rhonda and Jerry Day have been going to concerts since they were teenagers. Rhonda’s first concert was seeing Fleetwood Mac when she was 13 years old. “So, how do you top that, right,” she says. Rhonda went to all kinds of shows growing up, and when she and Jerry started dating, concert-going was a love they shared. Jerry’s first concert was the band Grand Funk Railroad with REO Speedwagon as the opener at 14 years old. But a big highlight was seeing Elvis in 1977. “Since I’m originally from Memphis, that was just a treat to get to see him perform live a few months before he passed away,” Jerry says.

Rhonda and Jerry still make attending live music events an important part of their lives, and Jerry adds, “We’ve always enjoyed live music and try to get out when we can.” Whether it is seeing a bigname group coming through town, a local band, or planning a trip to watch a favorite solo singer, they both agree that seeing their favorite bands live or listening to music while driving improves their mood and keeps them feeling good. “It’s definitely a mood changer for sure, and it just makes any situation feel better,” Rhonda says.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

At 76 years old, Shirley Sappenfield recently started taking cello lessons. “I just picked up the cello and I love the deep resonance of it,” Shirley says. But Shirley’s not resting there because she’s taking piano lessons, too. Shirley grew up with a deep appreciation and love of music. “My mom always had music playing in the house: Cole Porter or concert music,” she says. When she was 8 years old, she started piano lessons but wasn’t able to continue. Still, that didn’t stop her from playing, and she adds, “I gave myself lessons.”

Today, Shirley enjoys the challenge of her piano and cello lessons. “I rewrite the music a lot,” she jokes, but quickly encourages anyone to take up lessons in any instrument if interested. “You’re going to wish that you had taken lessons,” Shirley explains, “and if you take piano lessons now, in five years you could be playing really well.” Shirley suggests if you don’t like the first instrument you choose, well… don’t stop there. Go out and find another you could love. It’s true, Shirley certainly isn’t stopping because as she says about her musical endeavors, “I like to participate, not just be a spectator.”

WALKING

ON SUNSHINE

If you’re looking for a simple way to turn up the volume on the music in your daily life, Elizabeth encourages you to share a song with someone you love. “Then dig a little deeper and talk about when was the first time you heard this song,” she says. This sharing can bring a deeper connection between you and your loved ones. Music in all its forms is a powerful tool for boosting our well-being and keeping our brains sharp, because as Elizabeth says, “At the end of the day, our first musical experience is hearing a heartbeat, and that’s rhythmic and musical.”

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR FIRST MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IS HEARING A HEARTBEAT, AND THAT’S RHYTHMIC AND MUSICAL.”

By Vanessa Hutchison

What We’re...

...Reading

The Whispers by Ashley Audrain

In alternating points of view, The Whispers follows the lives of four women through a week that changes their lives in unexpected ways. The novel is replete with enough twisty reveals to keep the reader hooked, while also cleverly exploring what it means to be a wife, a mother, and indeed, a woman. Audrain manages to find humanity in our biggest flaws in a way that makes even the most antagonistic character understandable, if not relatable. The Whispers is a perfect fall read for cozy nights by the fire.

Old Friends: Endless Love by William McDonald

Released in April 2023, this book is a collection of short stories that explore love and loss in beautiful, poignant prose. Its characters are crafted in a way that makes them feel extremely real, ethereal, and holy, while each individual narrative feels more important than the last. This book will absolutely make you smile and cry, while experiencing every emotion in between.

...Listening To

Olivia Rodrigo: Guts

In June, the lead single Vampire on Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album Guts was met with universally positive reviews. The song layers Rodrigo’s beautiful, lilting vocals over simple piano chords with a distinctly vintage feel to tell the story of a toxic relationship. When the song breaks down into its harder, faster, angrier riffs, it comes from a somewhat unexpected place. This shift alone suggests that the full body of work in Guts will delight and surprise listeners.

Willie Nelson: Bluegrass

It is hard to understand how something as familiar as Willie Nelson’s most popular songs could manage to feel fresh, but somehow on this album, the artist succeeds in recreating his work in a way that makes it feel new and alive. On Bluegrass, Nelson has selected 12 of his songs to rework with a bluegrass vibe, and in the process created something that his old and new audiences will enjoy.

...Watching Lessons In Chemistry (Apple

TV+, October 13)

Based on the novel by the same name, Lessons in Chemistry is set in the 1950s and will inevitably make viewers ask if it is based on a true story. It is not. But the story, which follows scientist Elizabeth Zott (played by Brie Larson), will feel very real–especially to those who lived through that era in history. Zott dreams of being a scientist, but when she is fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show and sets out to teach her fans about chemistry in a whole new way.

All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix, November 2)

This long-awaited series is based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel by the same name, and stars Mark Ruffalo as an unexpected hero when he flees Paris during World War II to save a legendary diamond from the Nazis. Written by Peaky Blinders’ writer Steven Knight, this four-part series is expected to be what everyone will be watching this fall.

Step Into History At This Inn

He is a land-use attorney with an interest in historic preservation. She left a job in advertising and wanted to explore her dream of opening a small inn after a pleasant experience staying at the historic Golden Lamb Hotel in Lebanon, Ohio. The combination of their two interests resulted in Steve and Devona Porter opening 1840 Tucker House Bed and Breakfast in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Originally built in 1840 and owned by Hazael and Nancy Jane Tucker, the house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, after 24 years and many, many guests greeted and breakfasts served, their undertaking has proved to be successful. They bought the house in 1999 and then spent 10 months renovating it and turning it into, not only an inn with four bed chambers, a parlor, dining room, and outdoor spaces, but their living quarters as well.

During the time the remodeling and construction was going on, Steve says they spent many weekends traveling to estate sales and antique shops on the lookout for furniture and accessories that befitted the period of the house. They both had family heirlooms they

were also able to use, including a sideboard that belonged to his great-grandparents and now stands in the dining room. (He admits this is his favorite room in the house.) There is also a corner Kentucky cherry cabinet that displays the china that belonged to Steve’s mother, and the silver napkin rings that adorn the breakfast settings were used at his grandparents’ wedding.

The inn’s opening weekend was Derby 2000 and their new venture was off! They had taken reservations for that weekend and had two rooms ready. By the next weekend, the inn was reserved for a wedding party and luckily all the rooms were completed and prepared to accommodate guests, Steve says.

The Porters have created such a comfortable and hospitable environment that they have made friends with guests who come to Louisville and stay often. There is the group of six who, for years, attended the Jane Austen Festival here and even though that event is no longer being held, Steve says they still come every year.

And let’s not forget that there have been famous guests, including Abraham Lincoln and Elvis Presley — all character impersonators of course, but still…

Then there is the food. “Devona does most of the cooking for our Kentucky-gourmet breakfast. I am in charge of fixing the bacon, the sausage, and setting the dining room table,” Steve says. The table, with its bright yellow tablecloth sporting colorful birds and flowers, has room to seat eight — or more in a pinch, he says.

One of the inn’s bed chambers, that today is called The Traveler’s Room, historically served as a room for a lone traveler who might stop by the house looking for a place to stay for the night. This room still has its own separate outside stairway. Locust Grove and Farmington both have traveler’s rooms, Steve says.

Although occasionally, someone might show up at the door looking for a room, Steve cautions with a smile that reservations are a safer way to go.

By Lucy M. Pritchett | Photos by Patti Hartog

Kirby Adams: Going With The Flow Of Life

When it comes to being motivated, some days we’re ready to take big risks and move forward, and other times, well…the couch is way too comfortable to leave. Stress and life changes can contribute to us feeling stuck in those couch cushions, and this is when it’s helpful to reassess what motivates us. Reestablishing your personal goals and seeking inspiration and guidance from those around you are ways to create new momentum. If you want to move yourself to a more motivated space, local on-air host and features reporter Kirby Adams is ready to give you her report on a subject in which she’s well-versed.

Kirby Adams’ earnest curiosity and willingness to step out into the unknown has motivated her career and fueled her day-to-day life.

“I’m a big believer in the flow of life,” Kirby says. Stepping into life’s flow and being aware of the positive opportunities that surround you is a perspective Kirby can see guiding her career path. “When I look back, all these little things stacked up to my advantage,” she says. From working behind the camera to reporting in front of it, many of her career transitions came about because of one little word: Yes.

When Kirby started out in journalism, she was prepared for a life behind the scenes. While working as the director of a noon newscast in San Antonio, she was asked to step out of the studio and into the field. “They had a PM Magazine there, which was a huge show back in the 80s,” Kirby says. This new job would ask her to do the interviews, shoot the video, write the stories, and edit the version set to air. “I had no background in that,” she begins, “but I said I’d try it.” And with that big yes, Kirby had switched career callings.

At first, Kirby says she was really bad at her new job, but that didn’t stop her. Kirby’s openness in accepting the guidance the crew at PM Magazine offered allowed her to perfect her craft. She says she had amazing real-life training and the best teachers. “I remember the photographer who taught me how to shoot. He cried when I left because he said, ‘You taught me more than I ever taught you because

you weren’t afraid to learn.’” This is where Kirby adds that letting go of fears of failing and instead focusing on being open to learning is an important component of staying motivated. “Don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s where your best learning comes from, and it opens you up to life.”

It was this same belief in her untapped abilities that brought Kirby to Louisville. While working in Seattle on a television program called Evening Magazine, she was asked to come to WHAS and “breathe some life” into their own evening show. However, there was a slight difference in format between these two shows — the program in Louisville was live. “And I thought, ‘You know what? That’s really scary. I want to go do that,’” Kirby says. Again with zero training, she said yes to the live on-air opportunity, auditioned, was hired, and moved to Louisville for what was originally going to be a yearlong job. The show lasted over seven years. “In that amount of time I met my future husband, got married, and had two kids,” says Kirby.

A love of storytelling continues to propel Kirby forward in her career, and she says, “What motivates me is a curiosity about the world and wanting to share that with people.” The need to share stories about the world and the people around her led her to her present-day job. “The Courier-Journal had an entertainment opening, and I applied for that, even though I had never written print,” she says. Despite her lack of print journalism experience, she was curious and up to the challenge. She has been working at the CJ going on nine years.

Kirby’s curiosity stems from her childhood where she spent a great deal of time playing and exploring outside. The sense of wonder she cultivated during this time has led to other passions like running and bicycling. “I was sent out to cover a bicycle race when I was working for PM Magazine, and I fell in love with cycling,” Kirby says. Again, she didn’t know how to do it, but she loved everything about the sport. Not one to stay in the slow lane, Kirby ended up being one of the fastest women in the United States. “I went to the Olympic Trials and finished eighth,” she says.

Kirby discovered running in college and still loves her runs today. She started one of the first organized running groups in Louisville where she witnessed novice and skilled runners come together to achieve their goals. “Seeing people succeed motivates me,” Kirby says. It’s this “team player” mentality that has supported Kirby throughout her career and is the foundation for advice she passes on to her kids: “Let people coach you. I tell my children that all the time.” Allowing people to contribute to your learning provides you with opportunities for growth.

By Tonilyn Hornung |

Photo by Melissa Donald

“WHAT MOTIVATES ME IS A CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD AND WANTING TO SHARE THAT WITH PEOPLE.”

If you’re looking for ways to feel more motivated, Kirby says to look for what excites you. “Keep trying different things,” she advises, “because you have to find the thing you find an element of joy in and then commit to that.” Another motivational tip Kirby gives is to “stay moving.” She says if you’ve found that you aren’t moving, walk five minutes outside. “Tell yourself I’m going to walk five minutes out my front door because you have to turn around and come back, and now you’ve automatically done 10 minutes.” Walking has been proven to ease joint pain and improve immune

function, and Kirby adds, “You’ll hear birds, and it might be raining or sunny, but you’ll feel alive.”

Remaining open to that all-important “flow of life” has allowed Kirby to take risks when new and exciting opportunities came her way. Fear of failure hasn’t been a barrier when it comes to achieving her goals, and studies show risk-takers are more content with their lives. So, if you’re looking for ways to add a little risk and motivation to your life, Kirby reminds you, “Find things that bring yourself joy and never stop moving.”

Continuing A Legacy Of Volunteerism

Amanda, her brother Bill Wade, and sister Mary Wade Ayers are all active volunteers at WBG and share their late mother’s commitment to seeing the organization thrive and grow. In 2017 Amanda and Mary won the Dot Wade Volunteer of the Year Award, illustrating just how dedicated the family is to WBG.

Amanda officially started volunteering for WBG in 2016 as one of the first members of the newly formed Volunteer Committee.

“I’m really a volunteer at heart. Being retired I have a lot of time now, and I want to be involved in the community as long as I can,” she says.

WHAT DO YOU DO AS A WBG VOLUNTEER?

I was in the first group of volunteers trained to be a Garden Guide. Our job is to greet visitors as they enter the Gardens. We are available to answer questions, provide directions, and help with any other needs.

I’ve also helped with adult education classes and am a Youth Education volunteer, helping with school field trips, scout groups, and other tours for children. I love being with children as they explore the Gardens!

IN WHAT WAY DO YOU THINK YOUR EFFORTS HAVE IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY?

For 72-year-old Amanda Wade Schmitt, volunteering is in her blood. The Iroquois High School and University of Kentucky College of Education graduate grew up volunteering with her parents around Louisville. She said they led by example, showing her the importance of giving your time and talent to help the community.

“Our parents taught my siblings and I that we were fortunate to be people who had what we needed, and it was our responsibility to share and to help others,” says Amanda.

Her mother, Dot Wade, was a true inspiration as one of the original supporters of Botanica, which would later become Waterfront Botanical Gardens (WBG). Dot worked on the creation and development of a community botanical garden for over 30 years. She was able to help choose the architects who developed the WBG master plan and see the chosen site on Frankfort Avenue prior to her passing.

WBG has given the community something unique: a garden in the heart of the city. It’s a lovely place to just be in nature and learn about plants and how important plant life is to the Earth. Plus, it’s free to visitors!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER SENIORS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

There are so many places that need hands to do meaningful tasks. Just find something that you enjoy or want to learn about. Volunteering keeps you involved. You don’t think about yourself and your problems (large or small) as much when you’re doing for others. It’s hard to be lonely when you’re involved with a group of volunteers.

Renaissance Woman Rising

If you purchased a new household appliance during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, local artist Linda Erzinger may have used the package’s shipping straps to create one of her works of art. By collecting common materials that would otherwise find their way to the landfill, Linda creates pieces that are not only visually stunning, but also invite viewers to consider the toll our consumerism takes on the planet.

“The idea to use plastic shipping strap came to me as a tumbleweed outside the studio one day,” Linda says. “It was blowing down the alley and the idea rather literally knocked into me.” With the seed of a plan in mind, Linda called around to local stores and connected with a man at Bargain Supply who saved the straps for her instead of throwing them out.

“It was interesting to be part of that flow of consumerism. Purchases of home appliances skyrocketed during COVID. Then, when the supply chain crashed, I couldn’t get any more,” Linda continues. Today, a magnificent piece created from those discarded plastic straps hangs in the main room of the Art Sanctuary on Shelby Street in Louisville. Other recycled items that have found new life in Linda’s hands include old trophies, bubble wrap, and styrofoam — just to name a few.

Before working full time as an artist, Linda was an art therapist. She is also an environmentalist, a community activist, and a strong advocate for women. Each of these combines to bring Linda the passion to create work that explores the historical and presentday experience of life as a woman. In recent years, she began to reflect upon the medical system in our society, not only due to the pandemic but because of her own aging process, particularly as she entered menopause.

“In the winter of 2019, I was experiencing the hormonal shift into menopause. I wasn’t sleeping; my emotions were all over the place. One night, while talking to a friend, I said, ‘My hormones are like gnomes running around in the yard. They’re sneaking around, doing things I don’t understand,’” Linda describes. With those words, the essence of a new passion project was born.

Soon, Linda was creating her first female gnome out of plaster she had in her studio. “I didn’t know what I was doing, but I took some advice from friends and prepared my first mold. She came out with many imperfections, and I was hating on her,” Linda says. “I wanted to hide those imperfections, much as I try to do in myself. I decided to paint those spots gold in recognition that our imperfections are grand.”

The gnome project, named somewhat controversially, the Whore Gnome Project (a play on the word hormone), is aimed at connecting women across the country and the world. Women who receive a gnome are encouraged to write a message detailing a resource that has helped them to improve some aspect of their lives. Linda is tracking and categorizing those responses with the hope of creating a single site where women may be able to go for assistance. “As the gnomes get around and women respond, it just multiplies our voices,” Linda says. “It is only as we work in community, supporting one another, that we rise.”

SHE LOVES HER…

“I love my grandmother’s teapot. It’s well loved and kind of beat up, and every time I use it, I think of her. It tells her story. And it is a part of the story of who she was.”

Story

WELLNESS MEAL PREP RECIPES

When the long summer days fade into autumn, it can be difficult to get motivated to do even the simplest of tasks, especially when it comes to cooking. Planning, preparing, and cooking meals on a daily basis can be exhausting, especially after a full day of activity. An answer to this common issue is preparing your meals ahead of time. The reward? Meals that are ready to eat when you are! No additional work needed!

Need some meal prep motivation? We’ve prepared a few easy, delicious, and nutritious meals to get you started by modifying the recipes listed. We’ve even included an awesome breakfast muffin which can also be served as a dessert! So who is ready?

GLUTEN-FREE CARROT CAKE MUFFINS/CUPCAKES

Carrot cake, to many, is the epitome of fall. And for those who avoid gluten, whether due to an allergy or preference, cake of any kind is usually avoided. Until now. Try this perfect gluten-free carrot cake that we modified into a breakfast muffin, and frosted to make a yummy dessert!

Recipe inspiration: wellplated.com/gluten-free-carrot-cake

Our version: We combined 1/3 cup brown sugar with two very ripe bananas to make about ½ cup mashed mixture. We substituted virgin cold-pressed and unrefined coconut oil for canola oil, and used 2 1/3 cups almond flour and 2/3 cup coconut flour. Walnuts were added into the batter, and we sprinkled chopped pecans on top of the frosted cupcake. The batter was baked in a 12-cup muffin tin lined with unbleached paper baking cups at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.

For added flavor, heat slightly in the microwave and ice with frosting before serving.

Instead of prosciutto, we used our favorite sausage, and added roasted broccoli to complete this delicious meal.

PASTA WITH PUMPKIN SAUCE Pumpkin and pasta? Yes, please! We got daring and modified a butternut squash sauce over noodles recipe to create a tasty meal: pumpkin sauce over bow tie pasta.

Recipe inspiration: halfbakedharvest.com/creamy-roastedgarlic-butternut-squash-pasta

STUFFED SWEET POTATO WITH GROUND TURKEY AND KALE

Who doesn’t love a loaded baked potato? We’ve created a healthy twist on this fall staple.

Recipe inspiration: runningtothekitchen.com/ turkey-sausage-stuffed-sweet-potatoes

Our version: We used ground turkey, 1 large chopped Vidalia onion, chili seasoning, and 1 large bunch of kale (stems removed and leaves torn into bite sized pieces). In a skillet, we cooked the ground turkey, onion, and chili seasoning. Once the turkey was nearly cooked, we added kale and continued cooking. When ready, we added the turkey mixture into a baked, sweet potato. Enjoy!

GARLIC SAGE ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS

One of our favorite ways to cook chicken thighs is stuffed with greens. We purchased boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, which are perfect for stuffing. We added mixed power greens by placing a handful in the middle of the underside of the thighs, sandwiched the two ends together, and secured them with a toothpick. We substituted the lemon for 2 tsps of apple cider vinegar and followed the rest of the recipe as noted. Because the chicken thighs are boneless and skinless, we reduced the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and cooked for 25-30 minutes. Save the drippings from this dish and add them to the roasted butternut squash recipe linked below.

Recipe inspiration: simplyorganic.com/recipes-by-course/entrees/ chicken/roasted-chicken-thighs-with-sage-thyme-and-garlic

These chicken thighs pair nicely with this roasted butternut squash recipe: southernliving.com/ recipes/roasted-butternut-squash.

Prep Tips:

There are several items in these meals that are roasted. To save time, prepare the items to be roasted first and roast at the same time (butternut squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and whole heads of garlic). They can all be roasted at the same temperature — you’ll remove each item at different times. First the broccoli, then the garlic, then the sweet potatoes, and lastly the squash.

To save time, plate your food prep meals in storage containers so you can just grab a meal, heat, and eat, with no fuss! For longer storage times, consider freezing the meals in a freezer safe container.

Motivated To Live A Healthy Life

Fitness inspiration JEANNE BALLARD, age 70, has enjoyed a healthy fitness routine for several decades, but a cancer diagnosis at 53 took her workout routine in an unexpected direction: rowing on the water with a team of strong women.

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE?

My fitness routine is pretty regimented. I do a one-hour strength and weight class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I row in the dragon boat with my team of cancer survivors on Tuesday and Saturday. I also have a large vegetable garden that is a tremendous workout to maintain in the summer, and in winter I do a lot of water aerobics and swimming. I also walk.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE DRAGON BOAT TEAM.

My dragon boat team, better known as my pink sisters, are a tough bunch of ladies who have all been diagnosed with breast cancer. We support each other when times are bad and celebrate when they are good. Dragon boating was started quite a few years ago to help with lymphedema (swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under the skin). Rowing the boat helps us get stronger and also reduces the side effects of a mastectomy. We race numerous times a year in Dragon Boat Festivals and are actually going to France for an International Breast Cancer Competition where we will compete in 500-meter races.

WHAT IS YOUR DAILY DIET?

We eat primarily from the garden in the summer. I also eat a lot of chicken and fish, but not much red meat. I have been known to sneak in some sweets! A typical day of eating is coffee first thing in the morning, and a very late breakfast or early lunch. Dinner is usually salad, veggies, and some protein. I do eat a lot of eggs. My daughter would laugh and say that I left out the fact that we eat cottage cheese and tomatoes every day in the summer.

WHAT ABOUT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT?

I use my dragon boat team and my family to bounce things off of. The girls in the boat have all had breast cancer so we know the fear that comes with that yearly mammogram or MRI. I was never one for the typical sit-in-a-room support group. It just wasn’t my thing to sit and talk about my cancer.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GET FIT?

If you are just starting a program, I’d say walk, and then walk farther, and keep adding on to the distance. Then start building your strength. Practice getting off the floor without holding on to something. Just keep moving!

By Lindsay McDonald | Photos by Melissa Donald

“HAVING HAD A MAJOR ILLNESS REALLY MAKES YOU LOOK AT THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL. I CAN’T CONTROL CANCER, BUT I CAN CONTROL HOW I LIVE.”

Is Your Mobility Hanging In The Balance?

Mobility can be impacted significantly if balance issues arise. “Decline in balance can be attributed to several things, but while there can be decline, falling is not a normal aging process,” says Kristen Luttrell, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Masonic Homes of Kentucky. Deficiencies in strength, visual or cognitive changes, or nerve damage could lead to balance issues. Medicines can also play a role. “Taking multiple medications, and how they react with each other, can cause problems. Medicines that come with a risk of dehydration or drops in blood pressure can also cause balance issues,” says Kristen.

Mobility is key to staying healthy and living independently. You should monitor signs of balance issues. “Close call falls are an indicator that you may be having issues and should not be ignored,” says Kristen. Signs of balance issues include reaching for solid surfaces to walk, feeling dizzy when standing or moving, decreasing activity levels for fear of falling, or tripping or catching your toes when walking. If you notice these signs, share them with your doctor.

SOLUTION 1: STAY SAFE AT HOME

Stay active and keep your muscles strong to stay mobile. Proper hydration is also key. “Some people will limit their fluid intake because getting to the restroom becomes harder, but dehydration can lead to further balance issues. It can become a vicious cycle,” says Kristen.

If you notice changes in balance or mobility, modify your environment to keep it safe. Reduce clutter, have adequate lighting, and wear the appropriate footwear. “Bathrooms are the most common spots for falls that lead to injury,” says Kristen. She suggests adding grab bars, adjusting the height of your toilet, and adding nonslip strips to increase safety. “Dry off as much as possible in the shower to prevent getting water on the floor that can create an additional fall risk,” advises Kristen.

SOLUTION 2: PARTNER WITH YOUR DOCTOR

“Talk to your primary care physician right away if you have balance concerns,” says Kristen. Your doctor can help pinpoint the reason for your issue, and if needed, refer you to a physical or occupational therapist. “A physical therapist can work on ankle and hip strategies which will strengthen the appropriate muscles to allow you to react quicker and find your center of mass,” says Kristen. At your annual physical, request a balance assessment so that you can track changes over time.

Hesitant About The Hospital?

These Tips Can Help.

Speaking up for ourselves and our personal needs can be challenging for some, even in the best of times. When we must engage with the health care system, as all of us must inevitably do, that difficulty can increase exponentially. Whether we are seeking medical care for ourselves or for a loved one, we come to the situation with a mixed bag of feelings. We are aiming for hope, trust, and relief but those may be overrun by fear, worry, confusion, exhaustion, and skepticism. Our need is simple: we don’t feel well, and we need help to feel better. While the medical options to relieve what ails us may not be as simple, we should be able to find compassionate care that helps us find a path to greater wellness. Even a seasoned medical professional recognizes the complexity that comes along with the necessity of an inpatient or outpatient hospital stay. Hospitals are behemoths — so much so that even entering the building in the appropriate spot can seem an impossible task. Fortunately, hospital providers and administrators are aware of how intimidating a hospital can be, and many are working hard to make the patient experience more userfriendly. Our local care systems want to be more than a labyrinth one must enter at their own peril, but instead a compassionate partner providing care to all who need it in the community. That sounds great, you may say, but how do they intend to do that?

Like most of life’s relationships, it’s a two-way street. Making a hospital stay easier is dependent on both parties working in tandem. Charlotte Ipsan, senior vice president and chief hospital officer of Norton Healthcare, explains the fundamentals of Norton’s All Together philosophy: “We need to get back to the basics; we are here to care for the community — to build trust and help everyone be comfortable walking through our doors. We must go the extra mile to provide exemplary care. Patients or their loved ones must speak up, advocate for themselves, and ask questions when they don’t understand. We have to work in partnership,” she says.

“I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO THE WISEST THING I CAN DO IS BE ON MY OWN SIDE, BE AN ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF AND FOR OTHERS LIKE ME.”

— MAYA ANGELOU

Tips For Preparing For A Hospital Stay

Charlotte offers the following list of active steps that patients or their loved ones can take when preparing for a hospital stay.

Hand hygiene is the #1 preventer of infection. It’s the top factor in keeping each person safe. Make sure that you and your visitors know the importance of hand hygiene. Everyone needs to wash their hands thoroughly. If you don’t see your care staff wash their hands, feel comfortable to ask them if they did so.

If you see something, say something. If you are concerned about anything you see, hear, or experience while in the hospital, ask for an explanation. For example, some patients express concern that their caregivers are talking on the phone while caring for them. In fact, they are most likely communicating information to a doctor, specialist, or another member of the care team related to the patient’s needs. Many in-room staff wear hands-free devices so they can care for their patient while communicating information about that patient to a doctor, a specialist, or a lab technician as well.

Actively participate in your care. Ask questions about everything you don’t understand. If you can’t speak for yourself, have a loved one do it.

A care conference can be convened upon your request. This conversation with you, your family, and medical personnel will help clarify any confusion you may feel or help you confirm that everyone agrees with your wellness plan.

Carry a list with your medications and dosage amounts. Don’t just assume that those records can be found electronically. Along with this list, it is wise to include the names and phone numbers of those with whom you are willing to share information about your medical condition. (Tip: Put this in your wallet today — you never know when you’ll need it.)

Are you coming in for a scheduled surgery? You will not be allowed to drive yourself home. If you don’t have transportation, don’t be bashful about letting someone know. The hospital may have community resources they can connect you with to assist with transportation.

Before coming to the hospital or immediately upon arrival, confirm who can stay with you and what the policy is for visitors. You will also want to set a password to share with loved ones. Medical staff will only share information with those who have the code. Make sure the hospital knows the names of those individuals.

Every hospital room has a specific phone number. Make sure you know it and have shared it with your loved ones. If at anytime they can’t reach your room, they can call the nurse’s station to obtain information. Make sure they have the nurse’s station number as well.

Advocating for yourself (or your loved one) is a critical component to getting the personalized care you need. Do you want the lighting in the room adjusted? Would you like to listen to soothing music? Are you cold? Ask for what you need. Charlotte teaches her staff to always go the extra mile when caring for patients. “I tell them I don’t want them to have a Little Debbie moment. When I was a nurse years ago, I learned of a story of a young man with terminal cancer who had asked for a Little Debbie cake. We had many different treats available; we just didn’t have Little Debbie’s. We never want to regret not doing everything we can to provide special touches for everyone. I committed to never have another Little Debbie moment when it comes to caring for our patients, and I want that to be the model of care we show every day,” Charlotte says.

Most hospitals offer a valet service that is free of charge and typically found at the main entrance. If there is no valet service, don’t assume a wheelchair is available for use at every entrance. It’s a safety hazard to have them stored in doorways. The ER entrance will always have a wheelchair available to assist when a patient is entering the building. If you need help getting into the building, it may be helpful to call the hospital operator. Have that number handy.

If financial concerns leave you reluctant to get the care you need, know that hospitals provide care regardless of one’s ability to pay. Be up-front with hospital staff; they will work with you on a suitable financial plan.

Upon discharge, read your aftervisit summary thoroughly to make sure it’s correct and that you understand it. This is critical for posthospital care. Don’t leave the hospital without being clear about those instructions.

Learn about your medical options and select the ones that align with your personal values. Make sure your loved ones and caregivers are aware of your preferences.

Finding The Fullness Of Life

How do we find the fullness of life? How do we learn to join the dance and sing the songs of life in all of its fullness? It seems to me that there are five essential steps that can be taken in order and each builds on the other. The more deeply these five elements are realized, the more we are able to find the fullness of life.

1. To accept ourselves. People who are fully alive accept and love themselves as they are. Fully alive people are sensitively aware of all that is good in themselves, from the little things, like the way they smile or walk, through the natural talents they have been given, to the virtues they have worked to cultivate. The wellsprings for the fullness of life rise from within a person.

2. To be ourselves. Fully alive people are free by their self-acceptance to be authentic and real. Only people who have joyfully accepted themselves can take all the risks and responsibilities of being themselves. “I gotta be me” and “To thine own self be true” are their life principles and mantras. Authentic individuals can think their own thoughts and make their own choices. They have risen above the nagging need for the approval of others.

3. To forget ourselves in loving. Fully alive people learn to go out of themselves in genuine caring and concern for others. The size of a person’s world is the size of his or her heart. Fully alive men and women escape from the dark world of egocentricity, which always has a population of one. They are filled with an empathy that enables them to feel deeply and spontaneously with others. Do-gooders merely use other people as opportunities for practicing their acts of virtue, of which they keep careful count. Loving people learn to move the focus of their attention and concern from themselves out to others.

4. To believe. Fully alive people discover meaning in their lives. They have a specific vocation and mission in life. It is a matter of commitment to a person or cause in which one can believe and to which one can be dedicated. This faith commitment shapes the lives of fully alive individuals, making all of their efforts seem significant and worthwhile. Devotion to this life task raises them above the pettiness and paltriness that necessarily devours meaningless lives.

5. To belong. The final component of the full life would no doubt be a “place called home,” a sense of community. A community is a union of persons who share in mutuality their most precious possessions — themselves. They know and are open to one another. They are “for” one another. Fully alive people have such a sense of belonging — to their families, to their church, to the human family. Butterflies are free, but we need the heart of another as a home for our hearts. Fully alive people have the deep peace and contentment that can be experienced only in such a home. Bob Mueller is a Bishop of the United Catholic Church. bobmueller.org

AN AUTUMN OUTING TO OWENSBORO

Story and Photos by Patti Hartog

Pickin’ Parlor at The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Visit Owensboro, Kentucky and you will find The Bluegrass Capital of the World. The Western Gate of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Legendary Barbecue. Award winning parks, restaurants, performing arts, and fine arts. Fall festivals…all this and so much more! Just a two-hour drive from Louisville, Owensboro is a community of 60,000, big enough to offer plenty of excitement while keeping a warm and friendly small town vibe. You can plan your day with a little help from the friendly folks at Visit Owensboro, visitowensboro.com, or get a head start with some of our suggestions below.

It’s Fall, Y’all, and The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Company looks forward to bringing visitors in for a season of fun activities. The Cottage is a charming breakfast and lunch spot in western Owensboro, located in a 100-year-old restored home on the Knight family’s 300-acre farm. Menu offerings and gift shop items are farm-to-table and feature locally sourced ingredients, from roasted coffee beans and honey from the Knight’s own hives, to produce from nearby farms. Specialty coffee drinks, signature mini muffins of assorted varieties, and the original Owensburger are favorites among the locals, but the menu is large and varied with plenty to satisfy any craving. Owner Marlene Knight is the visionary behind The Cottage. Sunflower fields in summer bring in visitors for free photo ops and $1 sunflower stems of your choosing. Come in the fall and enjoy pumpkin picking, as well as a corn maze and special seasonal foods. The highlight of the upcoming season is the 3rd Annual Pumpkin and Pickle Festival held on October 21-22 with entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and fall activities for the whole family. cottagefarmstand.com

Smothers Park and Lazy Dayz

Children’s Playground are at the heart of the beautiful riverfront in downtown Owensboro. The waterfront park, which spans a spacious 6 blocks, features three stunning fountains, a cascading waterfall flowing into the Ohio River, swinging metal benches, an open air pavilion, and the world-renowned Lazy Dayz Children’s Playground and Spray Park. The playground is completely handicap-accessible and was named “Best Playground in the World” by Landscape Architects in 2015. owensboroparks.org/parks/smothers-park

Owensboro is also home to ROMPFEST, a four-day Bluegrass music festival held in June at beautiful Yellow Creek Park. Past headliners have included Bluegrass legends such as Alison Krauss, Steve Martin, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs and more. rompfest.com

Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens is open year-round. Born from a vision in the 1990s by the local Master Gardeners and brought to fruition with donated acreage owned by Dr. Bill and Susie Tyler, the gardens opened to visitors in 2002. The Tylers’ most recent donation, the historic 1840s Weatherberry Home, serves as the Welcome Center. Its wide front porch (complete with rocking chairs) makes for a welcoming entrance into the gardens. Guests are invited to wander both on and off paths and explore the koi pond, greenhouse, meditation center, as well as the many established garden areas. Through an ongoing capital campaign, WKBG has been able to enhance its Children’s Garden with a meandering path featuring 12 glass ribbons to memorialize the 12 most diagnosed cancers of 2021. A highlight of the path is a beautiful butterfly feature which has become a symbol of the gardens. wkbg.org

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum brings in visitors from all over the world to experience the history and rich culture of Bluegrass music. Relocated 4 years ago to its current riverside location, the museum houses curated exhibits on all things Bluegrass, invites guests into the Pickin’ Parlor to try out instruments, and stages live shows in its indoor and outdoor concert venues. bluegrasshall.org

Along with bluegrass and bourbon, Owensboro is well known for its barbecue, proudly boasting the title, Best BBQ in the World. Old Hickory Bar-B-Que, a family owned restaurant since 1918, is a local favorite offering traditional barbecue fare such as chicken, turkey, pork, beef, mutton, and ribs for dine in, take out, and drive-thru. Old Hickory also offers custom cooking; bring in your own meat and they will barbecue for you using their own award winning methods. oldhickorybar-b-q.com

Green River Distillery is The Western Gate of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Founded in 1885 and still located on its original site, Green River is the 10th oldest distillery licensed in Kentucky. The distillery survived an early 1900s fire and prohibition to become known as “the whiskey without regrets.” Visitors are offered a variety of experiences, including a distillery tour, a sit and sip tasting room, a behind the scenes rack house tour (including tastings directly from the barrel, known as barrel thieving), and a hands-on cocktail class where guests learn how to make two specialty cocktails. greenriverwhiskey.com

facebook.com/ OldHickorybarbecue

Step Into The Light

Tips for Illuminating your Home

It’s that time of year when we need to adapt to shorter days, which means less amount of time enjoying what we’re instinctively drawn to — natural light. This wonderful, organic source that illuminates our outside world and indoor environments is greatly motivating. It’s what gets us out of bed in the morning, and keeps us going throughout the day.

So during the fall and winter seasons, how can we best enhance this natural source into our homes and duplicate its capabilities? We spoke with interior designer Joan Waddell of J. Waddell Interiors for guidance on enhancing home spaces with natural and artificial light.

The first step Joan takes when working with a client is asking how that room is going to be used. She then creates a space that is functional, comfortable, and promotes a sense of well-being. “Humans are drawn to light and we need to create environments that will make us happy and healthy, and lighting plays a huge role in this,” says Joan.

Natural Light In The Foyer

Joan helped redesign this foyer, which has a dual function purpose in this home. It is used as an entry and a transitional space between several other areas on the first floor of the house. The natural and artificial light in this space help when transitioning from room to room, which creates a safe space, and a sense of well-being.

Home Office

In addition to having a home office, Joan’s client wanted to create an intimate sitting area where she could comfortably visit with a friend. The cushioned chairs were deliberately positioned close to the large windows in order to take advantage of the natural light and to offer a view of nature outside. A tall lamp is situated between the two chairs for additional light when visiting with friends and/or reading.

Take into consideration the color of the walls and ceiling in this room. Light bounces everywhere, even off the ceiling. Light-colored walls and ceilings help spread natural and supplemental light throughout the room.

Window treatments, such as drapes, blinds, and shutters, not only add aesthetic value to a room, but also help control natural light.

DESIGNER TIP:

As illustrated by the height of the lamp on the table between the two chairs, Joan notes that light fixtures, especially for reading, need to be positioned close to eye level for ample reading light.

Entryway

An entryway into a home should provide a welcoming atmosphere and create a sense of feeling good upon entering. Natural light glows into this area through leaded glass, French doors, as well as the artificial light from the chandelier and table lamp.

“A ROOM IS NOT A ROOM WITHOUT NATURAL LIGHT.”

— LOUIS KAHN, ARCHITECT

Mirrors are wonderful additions to a room. They are functional and aesthetically pleasing, but they also reflect and disperse light back into a space. This mirror is positioned along the wall directly across from this small, single sitting area.

TIPS FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCES:

Verilux Happylight Lamps & Boxes — These lamps and light boxes are helpful for those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder. Joan says Verilux has task lights, which are very helpful and functional for reading and other activities.

General Lighting For Lamps — Joan recommends switching to LED lighting. They are cool to the touch, more efficient, and long-lasting. She suggests a light color temperature around 2,700-3,000 K (a warmer/yellow tone on the Kelvin scale) for general lamp light. Bump this lamp light up to 4,000-5,000 K (a cooler/bluer tone on the Kelvin scale) for reading, for example a lamp on a bedside table or desk. A Kelvin scale of 5,000 K mimics daylight, and when coupled with an LED bulb of 2,600-2,800 lumens (equivalent to a 150 watt incandescent bulb), this creates the ideal light for reading.

Keep the Kelvin scale light temperature in a room consistent for a more comfortable and inviting space. A mix of different color temperatures in one room can throw a space off-balance. A dedicated reading light with a different color temperature is an exception.

This window from the far side of the space adds more natural light into the room, and is the perfect space for an additional sitting area.

A Man Who Knows How To Shine

Art has the ability to shift perceptions and inspire. It connects us in ways that transcend language and we’re permanently changed by the creations that move us. If you’re ready to be forever transformed by an artist and his poignant work, then meet tapestry-quilter, “Sunshine Joe” Mallard, who has been breaking down barriers and building up hope for over 50 years.

Sunshine Joe is a masterful storyteller, using pieces of brightly colored fabric and embroidery floss to speak his truth. Joe’s tapestry-quilts are created with thousands of tiny stitches and hand-tied knots and, he explains, “It takes me four to five years to make one piece, and it’s my passion.”

As a child growing up in Summit, Mississippi, Joseph Mallard didn’t set out to become a quilter. When Joe was a young boy, his friend group teased him because of his smaller stature and then excluded him from their basketball and football games. Feeling rejected by his peers, Joe went home to confide in his great-great-grandmother, Mandy Greene, a woman born into slavery. “I’d tell her that no one wanted to play with me, and she’d pull me close and say, ‘Don’t worry about what people say you cannot do, but find something you can do.’” Then she would let him thread her quilting needles, and that’s how Joe got his start.

While Mandy was there to sew Joe’s first threads of quilting inspiration, there are others who helped. In his twenties, Joe saw the famous former defensive tackle of the Los Angeles Rams, Rosey Grier, on television doing needlepoint as a stress reliever. Witnessing a man doing needlework was a pivotal moment for Joe. “It took me back to my childhood days, and I started stitching,” Joe begins, “The ideas flowed, and I was really excited.” That moment solidified that in the world of sewing, there was room for men and masculinity — a world that had been primarily populated by women. “In my quilts and my tapestries, every one of them has neckties — which symbolize masculinity,” Joe says.

Joe stepped undaunted into the world of quilting and hasn’t looked back. At 80 years old this year, he stitches four to five hours a day — a task that never becomes tedious. Joe says patience has little to do with completing a piece as it’s more to do with harnessing the passion that guides him. “I’m obsessed,” he says. Sunshine Joe’s enthusiasm for his art not only shines from his colorful and elegant tapestries but also radiates from him. The fifth-grade student who gave Joe the nickname “Sunshine Joe” must’ve been witness to this when the student remarked, “The sunshine brings light, and you do, too.”

Joe pays his knowledge of craft and life forward through speaking engagements and working in the classroom with kids, and explains: “I have the children embroider a square to show the need to work as an individual, and then we put it together

to show the need to work together as a group. Then we leave the quilt at the institution, and it’s amazing how they really get involved.” For close to 30 years, Joe has volunteered with We Survive, an organization that helps those who live in poverty or are susceptible to poverty, hunger, and homelessness. While working with We Survive, Joe shared motivational thoughts and helped underprivileged children create one-of-a-kind pieces. This year Joe was acknowledged for his contribution with a congressional commendation.

Through his work in textile arts, Joe has learned one must do what it takes to follow his or her dreams. “I’ve been a waiter, scrubbed floors, and washed toilets so I could do my artwork,” Joe says. Some of the highlights of his career have been creating art for President Jimmy Carter, Sammy Davis Jr., and President Barack Obama. “I think back to my great-great-grandmother saying, don’t worry about what other people say you cannot do, and that’s how I live my life,” Sunshine Joe says.

A Nostalgic Life In Nancy

For seven months of the year, Priscilla and Jim Taylor live the life they had always dreamed of on eight wooded acres in Nancy, Kentucky. After retiring from two demanding careers (Priscilla as the dean of nursing at San Bernardino Community College and Jim as a high school athletic director and football coach), the slow pace of their second home in Appalachia is a welcome contrast from their former busy life in the San Bernardino region of Southern California.

Nancy, Kentucky sits close to Cumberland Falls and Somerset in Pulaski County and was where the couple honeymooned in 1966. The Taylors were high school sweethearts at Manual High School in Louisville, so the nostalgia of Kentucky has always pulled at their heartstrings. Now living in Nancy, the couple is pulled back to their beginnings, free from the stress of their productive years in California, and finally free enough to spend long summer days in one another’s company.

Each morning they sit on their wide front porch and watch the animals go about their business — deer graze, butterflies flitter, birds lilt, and their labrador relishes rolling around in the scenic landscape of their property. They venture into town on a one lane road to work out at Planet Fitness three times a week. They take day trips down long country roads or to Gatlinburg or Berea; they meet high school friends for lunch in Lexington. They work the land together and talk to neighbors, trade fresh green beans, tomatoes, and zucchini at harvest time. They take their dog on long walks and enjoy the simple pleasures that surround them.

“My husband coached for so long and [football] was always on his mind, even in the summer. He can relax now — he knows the names of flowers and birds, he feeds the deer which eat us out of house and home! We call him the Martha Stewart out here,” Priscilla says.

It is a life motivated by togetherness, nature, and simplicity that they celebrate from April to November 2 each year, a firm date dictated by the end of the pumpkin harvest and their beloved deer. On November 1, after the Halloween pumpkin picking frenzy closes for the season, Jim and a neighbor collect all the leftover pumpkins from a nearby farm — sometimes 50 or more pumpkins — and haul them out to Jim’s land where the neighbor cuts a few open with an ax throughout the winter for the deer to feed on in their “deer haven.” After the annual pumpkin haul, the Taylors pack up and head back home to winter in their Southern California homestead where they spend five months reconnecting with their children and grandchildren.

Priscilla and Jim Taylor

Calimesa, California home

Nancy, Kentucky home

The Taylor’s other life in the beautiful farming region of Yucaipa, California is filled with football, soccer games, and family time. Their three children live on the West Coast, so Priscilla and Jim keep their primary residence in California so they can maintain their home and watch their grandchildren grow. They participate in all the families’ activities, events, and athletics — watching the growth of the next generation. “We have five grandchildren in California and two in Vegas, so we can’t make a complete cut. In November, it’s time to go home and be back in California with the kids for the holidays.”

Upon Jim’s retirement, the Taylors downsized to a smaller, single-level residence in a 55+ community in Calimesa, in the town of Yucaipa. There, neighbors water their plants and their children check on the place and gather their mail while they are in Kentucky. They rent a storage unit to keep the California home minimal with easy upkeep. The Bernardino Valley has suffered widespread wildfires for the past few summers, but so far, the Taylor’s home has been spared. “The piano I had since I was 4 is there and my family knows that is the first thing they need to get out if the fires come. Forget the pictures and clothes, I want that piano,” says Priscilla.

While away from their Kentucky home, a neighbor walks the property and stays in close contact throughout the winter months when there isn’t as much upkeep on the property. But come spring, as the grasses begin to grow and flowers begin to bud, it is time to head back to Nancy and tend the land.

“We always said that when we retire we want a piece of Kentucky,” Priscilla says. Now, their two lives, despite the 2,000 mile chasm between them, are quite similar. “We joke that you could pick up Nancy and put it in Yucaipa and it would fit right in.” Both are farming communities with cattle, wide wooded spaces, clean air, and good neighbors. One, a connection to the past, and the other, their future.

“WE ALWAYS SAID THAT WHEN WE RETIRE WE WANT A PIECE OF KENTUCKY.”

— PRISCILLA TAYLOR

The Taylors enjoy the simple life of their Nancy, Kentucky home.

By Lucy M. Pritchett | Illustration by Dan Kisner

Chandra Gordon: What I Know Now A

course with the Southern Empowerment Project after college inspired Chandra Gordon to seek a career specializing in fundraising and community organizing with nonprofit organizations. To Louisville’s benefit, she has been with The Library Foundation since 2007 and now, since 2016, has served as its executive director. The Foundation oversees efforts to fundraise and advocate for the needs of the library. Chandra says she got a terrific introduction to Louisville’s diverse neighborhoods through visiting the library branches and meeting their patrons.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION?

We get to support an organization — a tool for the community — that can do everything from help get a child ready to read to help people develop skill sets for jobs. It offers positive programming for teens and adults and so much more. All for free.

PASSION FOR…

The Library! This is an institution over 100 years old. There is every crazy idea on our shelves. What is in these books is loud and amazing.

DURING COVID?

I had tried journaling on and off for years, but had never been successful in keeping a consistent practice going. I found that during COVID, writing things out helped me work through a lot, and I have kept going. It has been very helpful in getting out of that loop thinking.

A GUIDING PRINCIPLE?

It’s important to determine our values and trust in ourselves to move forward in the world with integrity. To practice who and what you want to be.

WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU?

Persistent.

I HAVE…

Too many books. I enjoy reading fiction. If I have a good book, I’ll just read and read. I also read on social justice issues. I belong to a book club. We are reading My Old Kentucky Home by Emily Bingham.

CAN’T QUITE GET THE KNACK OF…

Consistently going to the gym four days a week.

WITH 15 FREE MINUTES…

I would write in my Moleskine journal. I’ve created a calm journaling space in my house. I have fresh flowers, candles, maybe a little music.

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

My children — Brynn is 28, Rylee is 22, and Jack is 21. They’re all very artistic and intentional in how they live their lives. I like hanging out with them.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET…

Michelle Obama. She’s the one who talks about how to practice who you are. I’d want to ask: “How did you keep yourself and your family so classy and together while you were in the White House?”

RESISTING RIGHT NOW?

Doom scrolling. Negativity all around.

LEARNED FROM MY MOM:

Absolute unconditional love. I never questioned her love for me. It’s a powerful thing for a child.

HOW HAS LIFE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY THAN PLANNED?

Actually, I didn’t have a plan, but I had a vision. I have everything I’ve dreamed of in terms of family, friends, opportunities, this job. I feel like I can make a difference here.

THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE…

…if we really loved ourselves. If we valued who we are enough that we could let go of our defenses that cause us to judge and blame and act in ways that separate us. That takes a lot of honesty with ourselves and with others. Today, I see a lot of acting out of fear.

LIVING OPTIONS:

WARM UP WITH FRIENDS

Do the shorter days make you feel like you are more alone? Perhaps it’s time to move to an active community of like-aged individuals? These living options allow you to stay active and independent without the regular maintenance of a house.

Some communities offer gyms, artistic rooms, and food options. Others might be located in an area that allows for accessibility to the local community. Whether you are actively looking for your next home or making plans for the future, our Living Options directory lists local apartments, condos, independent living communities and other specific living situations available.

See more on pages 58 and 60. Also search online at TodayTransitions.com by scanning the QR code.

FEATURED LISTING

Harmony at Tucker Station

12523 Taylorsville Rd

Louisville, KY 40299

(502) 694-4673

HarmonySeniorServices.com

Harmony at Tucker Station is designed so residents can live the lives they choose in a beautiful, enriching, and supportive environment. Our stylish community provides the ideal springboard to all the pleasures of our picturesque city, with spacious, maintenance-free apartment homes, restaurant-style dining, and plentiful resources for staying fit and feeling good. This is the place to live your best life.

Cost: $3350+

Owner: Harmony Senior Services

LIVING OPTIONS

Looking for a new place to call home? This directory of low-maintenance housing options includes condos, garden apartments, retirement and independent living communities. Find more at TodaysTransitionsNow.com/searchliving. All costs are per month.

The Altenheim

The Altenheim has apartment suites for independent living. Apartments have an efficiency kitchenette, full bath with shower and spacious living quarters with a separate bedroom. All apartments have emergency call cords to pull in case of emergency. Linen service, housekeeping, personal laundry service and meals are provided at no additional charge. Recreational, educational, social, and religious services are also available.

Cost: $1856

Owner: The Altenheim

936 Barret Ave, Louisville, KY 40204 (502) 584-7417 • thealtenheim.org

Christian Care Communities — Middletown

Our active seniors live very independently in lovely garden home and spacious apartments. Take advantage of all a senior living community has to offer, including maintenance-free homes, wellness programs, spiritual care and security. Our serene setting is close to shopping and dining, yet offers a private park-like feel in a close-knit community with plenty of delicious food and fun, engaging activities. Assisted Living suites available.

Cost: Prices vary depending on floor plan • Min. Age: 62

Owner: Christian Care Communities, Inc. (since 1884)

11530 Herrick Ln, Louisville, KY 40243 (502) 254-1799 • Middletown.ChristianCareCommunities.org

Everlan of Louisville

Everlan of Louisville combines the perfect balance of modern luxury with southern charm. Strategically designed with abundant recreation space and an impressive array of amenities, you can enjoy an afternoon at the spa, take in a movie in the theater room, or relax in the courtyard while catching up with family and friends – all from the comforts of your new home. Our Boutique Senior Living community was designed to meet your individual needs while providing the freedom and flexibility you desire.

Cost: $3100-$5850

Owner: Everlan by Dominion

5900 Hunting Rd, Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 812-1558 • everlanliving.com/louisville/

Brownsboro Park Retirement Community

Family owned & operated since 1986, several spacious floor plans, located on 14 beautiful acres with a park, walking trail and fishing pond. Warm, friendly residents, spacious apartments with great closets, activities to keep your mind entertained and your body in shape, housekeeping, extensive shuttle program that runs 7 days a week and excellent chef-prepared meals. All-inclusive pricing (includes all utilities, phone, cable, internet & personal alert pendant).

Cost: $2300-$3600 • Min. Age: 62

Owner: Bunker Hill Assoc. III, LLC

2960 Goose Creek, Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 429-7700 • brownsboropark.com

Dudley Square Patio Homes at Episcopal Church Home

Enjoy friends next door, nicely landscaped grounds, and medical assistance with a reputation for quality care right on campus, should you need it. Take part in a book club, Bible study, bridge, social hour, exercise group, or dinner and a movie at the neighborhood clubhouse. Or stroll through the neighborhood on our 22-acre campus. Also, see our newest patio homes with open floor plans that are available this Spring!

Min. Age: 65

Owner: Episcopal Retirement Services

7504 Westport Rd, Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 736-7800 • episcopalchurchhome.org

Forest Springs Health Campus

Steps away from our full-continuum of care, villa patio homes offer housekeeping; lawn maintenance; fitness center and clubhouse; medical alert pendant, a full calendar of activities and excursions; Villa Lifestyle Director; pet-friendly.

Cost: $3147+ • Min. Age: 55

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

4120 Wooded Acre Ln, Louisville, KY 40245 (502) 694-7092 • forestspsringshc.com

LIVING OPTIONS

Looking for a new place to call home? This directory of low-maintenance housing options includes condos, garden apartments, retirement and independent living communities. Find more at TodaysTransitionsNow.com/searchliving. All costs are per month.

The Forum at Brookside

Everything you love and need — a beautiful forty acre gated senior living community! People walk into our community feeling a sense of warmth and welcome. A place that feels like home. The Forum at Brookside is about hospitality, and a carefree lifestyle. Amenities include chef prepared meals, room service, housekeeping, social activities,indoor heated pool, pet friendly, transportation, security, an experienced management staff,and support with medical care as needed.

Cost: $2550-$4930 • Min. age: 55

Five Star Senior Living, Inc.

200 Brookside Dr, Louisville, KY 40243 (502) 245-3048 • theforumatbrookside.com

The Grand Senior Living

Resort style living, luxurious apartments, spacious closets, extra storage available, garage & golf cart garage rental, utilities & appliances included, patios/balconies, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge, pet spa, salon & barber shop, fitness center, indoor heated pool, sun deck, putting green, club house, recreational activities, theater, cocktail lounge, terrace, shuttle service, continental breakfast, chef prepared gourmet meals, easy access to dining, shopping, entertainment, & health care, Signature Passion Program.

Cost: Starting at $4010+ • Min. Age: 55

Owner: Management, Civitas Senior Living

9300 Civic Way, Prospect, KY 40059 (502) 289-8370 • thegrand-sl.com

Harmony at Tucker Station

Harmony at Tucker Station is designed so residents can live the lives they choose in a beautiful, enriching, and supportive environment. Our stylish community provides the ideal springboard to all the pleasures of our picturesque city, with spacious, maintenance-free apartment homes, restaurant-style dining, and plentiful resources for staying fit and feeling good. This is the place to live your best life.

Cost: $3350+

Owner: Harmony Senior Services

12523 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 694-4673 • HarmonySeniorServices.com

Sacred Heart Village Apartments

Secured 540 sq. ft. 1 BR efficiency units located in both the Clifton & Cane Run Road areas. Dining room, meeting rooms, library and sitting areas and on-site laundry, appliances, walk-in shower, individually controlled heat and A/C, pets accepted with restrictions. Handicapped accessible units if available. Water & electric included. Income limitations apply. Call for details.

Cost: income based • Min. Age: 62

Owner: Mercy Housing

2110 Payne St, Louisville, KY 40206 (502) 895-6409 • facebook.com/SacredHeartVillage

Treyton Oak Towers

Retirement is a time to enjoy life to the fullest. For many people, that means setting aside all the duties and responsibilities that come with maintaining a home, and spending time simply enjoying all life has to offer. Choose from 14 different one-, two-or three-bedroom plans, all available with wall-to-wall flooring options, window treatments and completely equipped kitchens. Our comfortable apartments allow residents to find the perfect balance between vibrant community life and a high degree of privacy.

Cost: $3820-$7600 • Min. Age: 62

Owner: Third & Oak Corporation

211 West Oak St, Louisville, KY 40203 (502) 589-3211 • treytonoaktowers.com

The Village at Wesley Manor

Nestled on 35 acres, The Village at Wesley Manor blends traditional living with the harmony of nature and 21st century conveniences. Our community provides two and a half miles of walking trails weaving through mature trees, lawns and natural meadows. Tucked into this picturesque setting, The Village at Wesley Manor offers three floor plans to satisfy your retirement needs and dreams — all with a new, relaxed, carefree independent living lifestyle.

Cost: Approx. $600 monthly maintenance charge upon entrance fee payment • Min. Age: 65

Owner: Methodist Retirement Homes of Kentucky, Inc.

5012 E Manslick Rd, Louisville, KY 40219 (502) 964-7498 • wesman.org

COMFORTING THOSE WHO COMFORT

By Cheryl Stuck

Chances are pretty good that you know someone who is a family caregiver. According to the AARP, in 2020, more than one in five Americans were providing care to someone with an illness or special need.

Family caregiving is usually an unpaid position, done out of love or necessity. In addition to attending to the needs of a loved one, many caregivers still hold down a job while maintaining their own households. They may have financial or personal health issues to deal with, adding to an already difficult situation. The “job” of a caregiver can be frustrating, costly, and stressful — so what can be done to help?

FAMILY SUPPORT

Karen Stobbe was a caregiver for both of her parents before they died. She was a long-distance caregiver for her father, who had Alzheimer’s disease, then one year after he died, her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Karen became the primary caregiver to her for 17 years.

Karen was lucky to have a strong support system from her husband and daughter. “I think it’s very important to have somebody who’s not blood related [to help out]. My husband did not have the baggage that I have because I wanted Mom to be Mom. You need someone who just accepts the person as they are, not wanting them to be someone they used to be,” says Karen.

If Karen’s husband was out chopping wood, he would say to her mom, “Come on and sit out on the back deck and give me some advice.” That gave Karen a break to do her work. Plus, Karen says, “Mom didn’t see him as the enforcer of rules. He was the fun guy. And if he did have to enforce anything, she didn’t care because he was the good guy without family baggage.”

Karen’s daughter was 4 when her grandma was first diagnosed. “She would sit with her and color. Play dolls for hours and do it again the next day. At the age of 12, she would sit with her and do homework,” says Karen.

Karen enjoyed taking her mom to the grocery. “But to go by yourself and just be, and get away from the house for a few hours to get your head straight and just breathe…it makes such a huge difference for someone to say, ‘I can come and be with your mom for a while to give you a break.’ Start slow, maybe half an hour to an hour,” Karen advises.

After about three years, Karen began sending her mom to adult day services. “That made a huge difference for us.” She started going about one day a week and eventually got up to five days a week. “It was good for her to be around people her own age, and she was seeing herself as a volunteer in that setting. She would help people in wheelchairs; she was very physically able. Even if they didn’t need help, she would help them. My mom was ambulatory and she could speak, so if you looked at her, you couldn’t tell until she started repeating herself over and over, or didn’t understand what you were talking about,” says Karen.

Despite the dementia, Karen appreciates the time she had with her parents. “You can still have a great relationship and great moments of joy. If my dad had died (suddenly) with a heart attack or stroke, I wouldn't have had some really good years with him. It’s hard though, losing your life. That’s why you need respite and help. A lot of caregivers really love what they do, and are happy to do it, but they need to be able to do other things besides caregiving.”

“A LOT OF CAREGIVERS REALLY LOVE WHAT THEY DO, AND ARE HAPPY TO DO IT, BUT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO OTHER THINGS BESIDES CAREGIVING.”

— KAREN STOBBE

CAREGIVER CONNECTION

Jackie McCulloch cares for her mother in her mother's home due to numerous medical issues, including blindness, which requires around-the-clock care. Jackie has a brother who helps out, relieving her on Friday evenings through Saturday afternoons. However, his work obligations sometimes interfere with their caregiving schedule, which means Jackie may not get a break for two weeks. When she does get that break, she goes back to her own home. Jackie does receive help from Hosparus Health, an organization that provides hospice or palliative care to patients in their own home, but sometimes even that can be difficult because Jackie’s mother is particular about who comes into her home. Fortunately, there is one particular nurse that Jackie's mother really likes, and she is happy to see her on a regular basis. The connection her mother shares with this nurse is a comfort to Jackie, and to her mother.

HOSPARUS HELP

Terry Patterson cares for her fiance, Ron Warner, who has coronary heart disease. His medical history includes open heart surgery in 2004, 10 stents, a pacemaker, and diabetes. He also has ministrokes and neuropathy. “The hardest thing is watching him go through this,” says Terry. Last year, the doctor told Ron there wasn’t anything else they could do. “I told Ron I would be here for him, and if he wants to be at home, I'm not going to put him in some hospital; this is where he’s going to stay.”

Terry and Ron then decided to get help from Hosparus Health. “They’re God’s angels,” Terry says. Various professionals visit Ron at home through Hosparus: a nurse, a social worker, a chaplain, and a doctor. Terry continues, “All I have to do is pick up the phone and call them. Whatever nurse is on call will be here. It gives you a sense of relief because you know you’re not by yourself.”

Early one morning Terry called Ron’s nurse, Tammy, because he had been sick with chest pain and anxiety. “She told him to take some deep breaths and told me to put a little fan right there beside him and let the air just blow across him and that would help him calm down,” says Terry. “When he got off the phone, I set up the fan and he calmed down and went to sleep.”

CAREGIVER COPING TIPS

Caring for a parent or loved one at the end of life is not an easy task. It can bring a unique set of problems to the caregiver. According to Amedisys, a provider of agingin-place home health care, some problematic symptoms may include: despair, loneliness, guilt, regret, anger, sadness, fatigue, weight loss, and insomnia. Amedisys offers these tips for dealing with caregiver related issues.

• Don't suppress your feelings. Accept and express them.

• Maintain a strong support network and don't be afraid to reach out.

• Consider joining a hospice support group.

• Consider caregiver counseling to get professional advice on dealing with your feelings.

• Spend quality time with your loved one, reminiscing, looking through old photos, listening to music, reading aloud, and don't forget the importance of touch. Give a massage to reduce pain or stiffness.

• Make time for yourself.

• Stay organized.

• Share caregiver responsibilities with family and friends.

• Recognize and prepare for grief symptoms that may occur even before a loss or death.

Helpful Resources:

Manage Your Health Remotely

As technology advances, it continues to open up new opportunities for us to take charge of our health and stay connected with health care providers from the comfort of our homes. Used effectively, these innovative devices and easy-to-use applications can enable us to track our health and communicate important information to providers remotely, significantly improving health outcomes.

HEALTHTAP

A leader in the growing telehealth space, HealthTap provides telehealth visits with medical professionals at a relatively low cost: $44 a visit or $15 a month membership fee. The app offers medical consultations, personalized health information, and symptom assessment tools, catering to the needs of aging adults. Virtual doctor visits eliminate the need for long wait times and transportation to a physical office. These online doctors can provide personalized treatment plans just like their in-person counterparts. The app also features a Q&A with medical professionals to inform and educate patients in common areas of concern.

WITHINGS BPM CONNECT

Withings BPM Connect is a smart blood pressure monitor that allows the user to measure their blood pressure accurately and monitor trends over time. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and can automatically sync data to the free Withings Health Mate app. The app enables users to share the recorded blood pressure data with medical professionals for remote monitoring and adjustments to medication or treatment plans if necessary, making it easy to provide vital data to your doctor both in-person and online. At around $130, the Withings BPM Connect is comparably priced to other health-tracking devices.

LIVONGO BLOOD GLUCOSE METER

OMRON HEARTGUIDE

For those who need to monitor their blood pressure more closely, the Omron Heartguide provides a discreet solution via a wearable wristwatch. Made for all-day wear, this blood pressure monitor accurately monitors and transmits vital data to the Omron connect app which can be installed on any smartphone. At $499, this device is priced similarly to the smartwatches that its design mimics, but the advanced technology makes it an invaluable health care tool.

CALMERRY

Source: livongo.com

Tracking our blood sugar as we age — particularly for those with diabetes — is important. Livongo offers a blood glucose meter that allows diabetics to easily monitor their blood sugar levels. The device automatically sends readings to the Livongo app, which can share the data with health care providers or nutrition specialists for personalized guidance and adjustments to insulin or dietary plans. In addition, Livongo works with your insurance carrier to provide the meter and test strips to patients with no out-of-pocket costs, making it an ideal solution.

While our physical health is vital to our wellbeing, it is important to remember that our mental health is just as important. Fortunately, teletherapy has been improving over the past several years. One of the leading apps in this space in Calmerry. With subscriptions that start at just $50 a week, Calmerry offers a free assessment to match patients with the most suitable therapist based on their specific needs and concerns. The app also provides 24/7 support and crisis intervention services, making it a great option for managing mental health from the comfort of our own home.

Hydration And Health… What You Need To Know

Depending on where you were this past summer and how high the temperatures climbed, you may have had dehydration on your mind. It’s easy to remember the need to drink enough water when the sun is shining and the head index is 90 degrees or more, but getting enough fluid is always important, regardless of the weather. As we grow older, changes in our bodies require that we be more intentional about staying adequately hydrated.

AGING’S IMPACT ON HYDRATION

As you age, you become used to your body changing in ways that you can see, such as wrinkles and thinner skin. But our bodies undergo many changes we can’t see, and some of those impact our ability to hydrate. Dr. Rangaraj K. Gopalraj, a geriatric medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates, says, “About 66% of the body is made up of water, [but] as we age we can have less content of water, down to almost 40%, and that makes it easier to get dehydrated.”

The medications we may require can also impact our hydration. Some diabetes medications that help control A1c levels can have dehydrating side effects. Diuretics for heart conditions and laxatives can require more care and intention when it comes to getting enough fluids. Even allergy medications can make it harder to stay hydrated, which is especially bad news for those of us in the Ohio River Valley. Not only can medications impact hydration, but the opposite is also true: “The water in our body can determine how the medication works or impacts our body. Being dehydrated can complicate or impact the medications’ benefits,” says Dr. Gopalraj.

WHAT IS ADEQUATE HYDRATION?

You may have heard the adage of “eight glasses of water a day,” but like so many things related to health, this is a simplified notion.

Hydration refers to total fluid intake, not just water intake. So if you begin your morning with two cups of coffee or hot tea, you’ve contributed to your total fluid intake even if you

didn’t drink plain tap water. While clean water is the best option, there are some people who don’t like and just won’t drink plain water. Dr. Gopalraj says, “Lemonade, orange juice, coconut water, something more than just plain water can help add a variety of nutrients to our bodies.”

And the amount that you should drink? Eight glasses is probably about right, although Dr. Gopalraj notes that a person with kidney disease or heart problems may not require as much water, even as they age.

A word of caution about how you hydrate: not all fluids are created equal, especially when it comes to sugar or hydrating power. “Drinking liquids with too much sugar can cause side effects like cramping or diarrhea. It is important to think about your choice of drinks. Alcohol usually dehydrates people more,” Dr. Gopalraj says.

The food you eat also contributes to your hydration. Obviously, watermelon is hydrating, but so are strawberries, cucumbers, lettuce, cantaloupe, peaches, and plenty of other fruits and vegetables. As we move into fall, many of us start adding back warm soups to our diet, and the broth contributes to our overall fluid intake.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR FLUID INTAKE IS ADEQUATE?

This seems like it would have an easy answer, but it may be more complicated than you think. If you feel thirsty, you obviously need to drink something. But here’s the catch: sometimes we’re not so good at recognizing our thirst signals, especially when the temps aren’t blazing. And aging plays a role in our thirst. Dr. Gopalraj says, “As we age, the sensation of thirst doesn’t kick in as fast as when we are younger. So people are at more risk for dehydration at an older age.”

It isn’t uncommon for people to think they are hungry, when their bodies really just need some fluid. If you’re trying to be better about hydrating, you might consider drinking a glass of water when you begin to feel hungry to ensure you’re meeting whatever need you have.

“ABOUT 66% OF THE BODY IS MADE UP OF WATER, [BUT] AS WE AGE WE CAN HAVE LESS CONTENT OF WATER, DOWN TO ALMOST 40%, AND THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO GET DEHYDRATED.”

Another good indicator of adequate hydration is the color of your urine. Pale yellow is the color you’re looking for that suggests you are getting the “Goldilocks” level of fluid: just right. Some people think that if pale yellow is good then clear urine would be better, but this may mean that you’re getting a little too much water, which could lower your salt and electrolyte levels. Urine that is honey-colored or darker is your body’s way of saying, “Drink up, now!”

DANGERS OF DEHYDRATION

Dehydration, even slight, can impact our memory, mood, and digestion. It can affect our blood pressure and heart rate. Not getting enough fluids over a longer term can increase one’s risk for urinary and kidney infections, which are especially problematic for older adults. “There is clinical evidence that by staying hydrated you can reduce the risk of a UTI because you are flushing out the bacteria,” Dr. Gopalraj says. While such infections might be easily treated in younger people, they can be harder to treat or even life-threatening among the elderly. Sometimes they aren’t caught in a timely fashion because their symptoms are often behavioral (delirium), and family members think their parents are experiencing senility rather than an infection.

Get A Boost With Water Candy

Individuals with dementia may forget to drink or refuse to drink, but Jelly Drops might be a helpful solution to add additional fluid to a loved one’s diet. They are small, sugar-free treats that are colorful and fun to hold, but they pack a fluid wallop: they are 95% water and also contain electrolytes.

New Program Helps Elderly Remain At Home

It’s no secret most of us want to remain in our own homes as long as we can. According to a new AARP survey, 77% of adults 50 and older say they want to stay home for the long term. This number has remained consistent for more than 10 years.

For older Kentuckians, remaining at home just got a little easier thanks to PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This federalstate program operates in more than 300 locations nationwide and in July opened its first site in Louisville at 960 S 4th Street. Senior CommUnity Care of Kentucky is the Louisville PACE provider.

WHAT IS PACE?

PACE provides centralized care for older adults who may need nursing facility type support but would rather remain in their own home. All Medicaid and Medicare covered services are included in PACE.

Some of the options patients may access include physician and nursing services, physical or occupational therapy, personal care, social services, dentistry, adult day care, emergency services, meal delivery, prescription medications, and specialty medical services.

PACE participants receive comprehensive care from an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals and staff, including physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, and therapists. This team is responsible for assessing a patient’s needs, developing a comprehensive care plan, and coordinating delivery of services. The team meets regularly to review and discuss the patient’s treatment and works together to provide for their medical and social needs. Care may be given in the individual’s home, at the PACE organization center, or an area health care facility depending on the service and patient’s need.

PACE simplifies care for older adults, allowing them to receive the support they need to remain safely at home. Participants enjoy a better quality of life and are able to retain their autonomy which is of benefit to both the patient and their family. Maxine Myler-Cook, a PACE participant, appreciates the impact the program has had in her life. “We’re all dealt hands that we didn’t expect, and we didn't want. But you've just got to take that hand, sit down at the poker table, and play that hand the best you can. And that's what PACE helped me to do.” PACE also provides support for caregivers by removing some of the daily burden of caring for an older loved one.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR PACE?

According to the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living, to qualify for PACE, individuals must:

• Be 55 or older

• Meet nursing facility level of care as defined in 907 KAR 1:022

• B e able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment

• Live in an area covered by a PACE organization

HOW TO APPLY

Contact the PACE provider in your area who can help you through the process. Information you should have on hand include, full legal name, date of birth, social security number and card, medical diagnosis, and other medical treatment records.

Other PACE providers in Kentucky include Bluegrass Care Navigators for participants in Fayette, Franklin, Anderson, Jessamine, and Woodford counties, and Horizon PACE for those in Estill, Madison, Barren, Clinton, Jackson, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Warren, and Wayne counties. Hosparus PACE will open early in 2024 in Elizabethtown to serve that area. For more information, to apply, or to find PACE services in your area, visit: chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/pace.aspx

HOME CAREGIVING DIRECTORY

When you need help caring for someone you love, trust is important — you are trusting the caregiver with someone you hold dear. Whether it be skilled nursing care or companionship, care by people who have been vetted and trained, and are backed by a reliable company allows for peace of mind.

Search more directories online at TodaysTransitions.com

FEATURED LISTING

Search more home caregiving services online by scanning the QR code.

Senior Helpers – Louisville/Southern Indiana

4043 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40220 (502) 690-2648

seniorhelpers.com

Locally Owned, licensed and insured with excellent service and compassionate caregivers trained how to keep SENIORS SAFE AT HOME! Call today for a FREE Life Profile consultation — the first step in reducing risks and hospital admissions!

Services: Flexible schedules helping with personal care, companionship, transportation, errands, med reminders, meal prep, housekeeping, Dementia care, end of life support.

Accepting private pay, LTC ins., VA, ABI and HCB Medicaid Waivers.

Price per hour: $25-$30 | Min. time required: Flexible

Type: Non-medical Home Care Services

Owner: Nancy Galloway

BrightStar Care

406 Blankenbaker Pkwy, Ste G Louisville, KY 40243

(502) 893-4700

louisvillehomecare.org

CareBuilders

at Home

2210 Goldsmith Ln, Ste 209

Louisville, KY 40218

(502) 458-2273

carebuildersathomelouisville.com

Caring Excellence Personalized Home Care Services

1169 Eastern Pky, Ste 1134, Louisville, KY 40217

(502) 208-9424

caringexcellenceathome.com

Joint Commission Accredited. High quality skilled & non-skilled in home care for people of all ages. All care is overseen by a Registered Nurse and is available 1-24 hrs/ day with Guaranteed Caregiver Compatibility. Compassionate care, excellent service. Services: personal care, homemaker, transportation, errands, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, Parkinson’s, ALS, respite, med reminders, meal prep, end of life care, RN/geriatric case management, skilled nursing.

Price per hour: $32-$36 | Min. time required: 4 hrs

Type: Non-medical, skilled nursing | Owner: Christian & Leslie McCutcheon

Compassionate, customized, coordinated care; State Certified Personal Service Agency, Help at home for independence, post-rehab recovery, Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care, Parkinson’s, respite, sitter service any location; 1-to-1 for med appointments, companion Services: personal care, homemaker, transportation, errands

Price per hour: $28-$32 | Min. time required: 3 hrs

Type: Non-medical | Owner: Laura Curry and Michael Coffey

Locally owned, Consistent Caregivers, Caregiver Matching and RN Case Management. Senior Care, Parkinson’s Care, Alzheimer’s Care and After-Hospital Care in your home. All care directed by Registered Nurse and Master Level Social Worker.

Services: All personal care, all mobility needs, meal preparation, homemaking, medication reminders, exercise assistance, errands, transportation, respite care.

Price per hour: $23-$24 | Min. time required: Flexible up to 24/7

Type: Non-medical | Owner: Kayla Cook, RN, Elisabeth Knight, MSSW

“Aging well is a reality for many seniors! Home care services make it possible for seniors to receive the care they need in the place they call home. Just a little help from a professional care aide can make life so much easier. Since home is where the heart is, call Senior Helpers to learn how we support aging in place!” – Nancy Galloway, Owner

ElderCare 4 Families

10503 Timberwood Cir, Ste 101

Louisville, KY 40223

(502) 244-8446

eldercare4families.org/

Helping Hands Companion Care Services

2301 Hurstbourne Village Dr #100

Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 426-9783

home-companions.com

Home Instead Senior Care

4101 Taylorsville Rd, Ste 200, Louisville, KY 40220 (502) 515-9515

louisvillehomecare.com

Homewatch CareGivers

2001 Stanley Gault Pkwy, Ste C Louisvillle, KY 40223

(502) 244-1212

hwcg.com/Louisville

Hosparus Health

6200 Dutchmans Lane Louisville, KY 40205

(502) 456-6200

HosparusHealth.org

Kentuckiana Home Care

126 S. Sherrin Ave Louisville 40207

(502) 897-6547

kentuckianahomecare.com

Malone Home Care

2932 Breckenridge Ln, Ste 1

Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 637-5474

malonehomecare.com

Our services include personal care, companion care, homemaking services, 24-hour care, respite care, Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory care, transportation, and much more. ElderCare 4 Families provides compassionate, dependable, and professional elderly care designed to preserve independence and improve the quality of life for our clients.

Services: transportation, house cleaning, bathing & dressing assistance, eating help, laundry, meal prep, errands, 24-hr care

Price per hour: Based on Level of Care. Services start at $25/hr.

Type: Non-medical | Owner: Nova Leap Health

Personalized loving care available in home, assisted living, nursing home or hospital; scheduling up to 24 hours 7 days a week; trained and experience caregivers; free assessments; serving Kentucky and Southern Indiana since 1996.

Services: personal care, home making, transportation, errands, respite, med reminders

Price per hour: $24+ | Min. time required: Flexible

Type: Non-medical | Owner: Terry Graham, RN; Dawn Smithwick, BSW

We have proudly provided Home Care Services to the Louisville Community for over 22 years. We are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to seniors. To us, it’s personal! Call today for a complimentary consultation.

Services: Available 24/7; our CarePros provide personal care, post-rehab support, companionship, transportation, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, and end of life support. EVERY client will be assigned a Case Manager directed by Nursing Leadership.

Price for Service: Based on Level-of-Care. Services start at $29/hr.

Type: Non-medical Home Care Services | Owner: CEO, Steve Hendricks

Fully trained and experienced CNA’s/Caregivers, on-staff Certified Dementia Practitioners, complimentary evaluations, customized care plan, company with 30 years of home care experience, Alzheimer’s/Dementia expertise, Five Star reviews

Services: personal care, homemaker, transportation, errands

Price per hour: $27-$32 | Min. time required: 4 consecutive hours

Type: non-medical | Owner: Steve and Trish Kochersperger

For over 45 years Hosparus Health has been helping patients and families dealing with a serious illness to live life to the fullest. Our patient-centered care means a better quality of life.

Services: hospice and palliative services, pain and symptom mgmt, social workers, spiritual care, CNA’s, grief counseling services, and volunteer program

Price: Medicare accepted rate | Min. time required: N/A

Type: Medical | Owner: Hosparus Inc.

Customized Care by reliable and experienced caregivers. Total scheduling flexibility and a tailored care plan, including integral client communication. Free assessment!

Services: Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Light Housekeeping, Companionship, Meal Prep, Laundry, Errands & Transportation, Alzheimer’s care, Fall Prevention, Med Reminders, Respite Care for Families, Transitional & Rehab Care, Overnight Care, End-ofLife and Specialized Care

Price per hour: $23-$30 | Min. time required: Flexible

Type: Non-medical | Owner: Andy Block, locally owned & operated

Flexible Scheduling, No Contracts, 24 Hour Coverage, complimentary in-home assessment and Care Plan provided by a Registered Nurse. We help clients maintain independence in the comfort of their own home.

Services: Licensed Private Duty Nursing Agency providing skilled nursing services (RN/LPN) and Personal Care Assistants (PCA) to help with activities like meal preparation, bathing and grooming, housekeeping, and medications.

Price per hour: RN/LPN $47+, PCA $22+

Type: Medical and Non-medical | Owner: Locally owned and operated

CARE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Today’s Transitions seeks to help you find the right care you need for a loved one whenever you need it. The Care Communities Directory contains both short- and long-term carerelated resources. More details can be found at TodaysTransitions.com.

For Home Caregiving Directory, see page 72. For retirement Living Options Directory, see page 57.

Find Help By Location

Search the Location Chart (on the right page) for specific types of care by location. The Map (right) coordinates with the Zone column. More details for all care communities listed in the chart can be found in the full directory listing starting on page 68.

If you are interested in a listing, call 502.327.8855 or email Advertising@TodaysMediaNow.com. *Published rates are given by company.

Payment Options: These definitions can help you navigate the payment options in each directory:

Private – consumer pays out-of-pocket.

Private Ins. – could include Medicare supplements or HMOs/health insurance.

LTCi – long-term care insurance; helps cover the cost of services for people who have an extended physical illness, extended disability, or cognitive impairment.

VA – Veterans Administration; provides financial assistance to retired veterans needing medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care.

Search

Rehabilitation Services

Barton House 6830 Overlook Dr, Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 423-7177 • bartonlouisville.com

Price Per Month: $7100 all-inclusive

Designed for Alzheimer’s & memory impairments. Dignified & individualized care, from meals to the activities they participate in, and how their room is decorated. Pets to love & care for, frequent meals promoting socialization, tree-filled backyard with a patio and walking path. Staff trained in dementia. Medical care by our nurses, therapists, psychiatrist & doctor.

The Altenheim

936 Barret Ave, Louisville, KY 40204 (502) 584-7417

thealtenheim.org

Price Per Day: $100-$315

Number of Beds: 32 (N/R, MC), 30 (PC)

Enjoy our beautiful Highlands park-like setting with updated furnishings no matter your living arrangements – independent, assisted, personal care, memory care, nursing/rehab or short-term stay. Our selective menus with salad/cold bar offer a ton of variety. Staffing levels are above expectations and truthfully make us what we are today! Our Aging-in-Place community offers an above average staff-to-resident ratio, allowing time for visits with residents as well as necessary care. Hosparus care supports our staff when requested. We have a secure Memory Care unit, specializing in activity programs for residents offered by trained staff and volunteers. Our Personal Care option provides the independence of living at home.

Owner: The Altenheim

Payment: Private, LTCi

Features and Services: Laundry, 24-Hour Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Tours/Trips, Medication Given, Pets Allowed, Chef on Staff

Owner: Goodworks

Payment: Private, LTCi

Features and Services: Showers, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical/ Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Chef on Staff

BeeHive Homes of Goshen/Prospect

12336 US Hwy 42, Goshen, KY 40026 (502) 292-3200 • beehivehomes.com/goshen

Price Per Month: $4200

Your loved one will be safe 24/7 with our trained, caring staff.

Owner: Eric and Catherine Sherrard

Payment: Private, LTCi, VA

Belmont Village St. Matthews

4600 Bowling Blvd, Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 721-7500

belmontvillage.com

Price Per Day: $140-$340

Anthology of Louisville

1105 Dorsey Ln, Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 653-8111

anthologylouisville.com

Price Per Month: $3750+

Number of Beds: 98

Anthology of Louisville is situated in a quiet, picturesque suburb rich in history, brimming with southern hospitality and sophisticated country charm. The Personal Care apartments provide the stability and safety needed for the independence our residents desire. We also feature a Memory Care neighborhood specially designed for those transitioning through Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Anthology of Louisville was designed with purpose to embody the impeccable southern style of Louisville with all the comforts of home. The spaces and furnishings have been artfully created as a nod to Louisville’s rich heritage and easy elegance. Stop in for a tour experience that will exceed your Senior Living expectations.

Owner: Anthology Senior Living

Payment: Private, Private Ins., LTCi, VA

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

The Community Built for Life – Belmont Village St. Matthews offers a variety of senior living options. Our residents enjoy an environment that allows as much independence or assistance that they may need. Our Community is designed inside and out to complement the style of the area and create a comfortable, familiar space for our residents. Private apartments are available in a variety of floor plans, and as a licensed Personal Care Community, our residents don’t have to move if care needs change and couples with differing care needs can stay together. We have been recognized for our award winning memory care programming, including our Circle of Friends® program designed to address mild to moderate cognitive impairment and varying stages of dementia. Founded in research and developed by experts, our memory care activities are therapeutic and engaging, with attainable goals that allow our residents to stay involved, maintain function and have happy fulfilling days.

Owner: Belmont Village, L.P.

Payment: Private, LTCi, Private Ins.

Features and Services: Chef prepared meals, Transportation, Housekeeping, Laundry, on-site Therapy services, Entertainment and Happy hour, Medication management, Bathing, dressing, toileting assistance, Activities and outings, Pet friendly.

Christian Care Communities – Christian Health Center, Friendship House and Chapel House

920 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40203 (502) 583-6533 • ChristianCareCommunities.org/Louisville

Price Per Day: Varies by Level of Care

We offer affordable and recently renovated apartments in Old Louisville. Easy access to nursing and support services at Health Center next door.

Owner: Christian Care Communities, Inc.

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Cooper Trail Senior Living

325 Lincoln Way, Bardstown KY 40004 (502) 572-4329 • coopertrailsl.com

Price Per Month: $3187-$5121

Compassionate staff, activities, respite & outpatient services on-site.

Operated by: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi

Creekside on Bardstown

3535 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40218

(502) 919-7715

creeksideonbardstown.com

Price Per Month: $3500-$5500

At Creekside on Bardstown, we are committed to providing the best care and community at affordable, all-inclusive prices. We tailor each individual’s care to their unique abilities and strengths, which as proven to be extremely beneficial for dementia-related illnesses.

Family/home like atmosphere that is all inclusive. We provide scheduled transportation to and from doctor appointments, telephone, cable, wifi, compassionate caregivers to assist with toileting, and more. We also provide 3 home-made meals per day with 3 snacks.

Owner: Elmington Senior Living

Payment: Private, VA, LTCi

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Creekside on Whipps Mill

9701 Whipps Mill Rd, Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 919-8470

creeksideonwhippsmill.com

Price Per Month: $3450-$4500

At Creekside on Whipps Mill, we are committed to the all-inclusive experience at an affordable cost. We take time to provide individual assistance, outstanding therapy, and a family environment unlike any other.

Family/home like atmosphere that is all inclusive. We provide scheduled transportation to and from doctor appointments, telephone, cable, wifi, compassionate caregivers to assist with toileting, and more. We also provide 3 home-made meals per day with 3 snacks.

Owner: Elmington Senior Living

Payment: Private, VA, LTCi

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/ Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Pets Allowed, Chef on Staff

Dominion Senior Living of Louisville

6000 Hunting Rd , Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 812-1556 dominionseniorliving.com/louisville/

Price Per Month: $4600-$5850

We believe our Dominion Lifestyles should enrich the minds, bodies, and souls of our residents. Our person-focused approach allows each resident to choose how they spend their day enjoying our fun activities. Our personal care and memory care lifestyles come with top-notch amenities for residents. From private apartments to home-style meals, assistance with daily living, and housekeeping. It’s covered in our allinclusive pricing.

Personal care is perfect for seniors who enjoy independence but need help with the activities of daily living and medication management. Our team provides person-centered care that meets the individual needs of each resident. Team members are available 24-hours a day to support residents with activities like dressing, bathing, medication reminders, and coordination of transportation and health services.

Owner: Dominion Senior Living, LLC

Payment: Private, VA, LTCi

Features and Services: Transportation, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Management, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Chef on Staff

Episcopal Church Home

7504 Westport Rd, Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 736-7800

episcopalchurchhome.org

Price Per Day: Varies by Level of Care

We provide the options while you make the choices. We offer high-quality support, services, and amenities as you age and your personal care needs change. Experience our spacious patio homes in a neighborhood where your neighbors are your friends. Enjoy our intimate and luxurious dining and life-enrichment spaces, or relax on the outdoor patio and seating areas that overlook our new garden. Our Personal Care neighborhoods including memory care support provides a place where you can enjoy the highest quality of life possible in a safe, fun, and enriching environment no matter what level of assistance you may need. We have options for those who may only need intermittent support, or offer additional services for those needing more help with their daily routines or health needs. We have on-site nursing care with a high staff-to-resident ratio that can provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Owner: Episcopal Retirement Services

Payment: Private, Medicaid, Medicare, VA, LTCi, Hospice, Private Ins.

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Management, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Chef on Staff

Forest Springs Health Campus

4120 Wooded Acre Ln, Louisville, KY 40245 (502) 694-7092 • forestspringshc.com

Price Per Month: $3100-$4750

Full continuum of care, short-term care, therapy services on-site.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, LTCi

AT TODAYSTRANSITIONS.COM YOU WILL FIND:

• A list of all local caregiving communities: nursing home care, home caregiving, assisted living, memory care, and living options.

• Comprehensive directories of care communities and resources complete with features, photos, and reviews.

The Forum at Brookside

200 Brookside Dr, Louisville, KY 40243

(502) 245-3048

theforumatbrookside.com

Price Per Day: $165-$247

Number of Units: Ambassador Suites, 24 Apts

There are 24 apartments in Personal Care Ambassador Suites. Newly renovated Alcove and One Bedroom residences. Elegant restaurantstyle dining room and a private landscaped courtyard with gazebo. Personal Care is a licensed “step-up” from typical assisted living, since Personal Care permits the administration of medication by licensed professionals.

We partner with Ageility, a national leader in developing specialized rehabilitation and fitness training solutions. Through our onsite Ageility clinic, we provide easy-to-access outpatient rehab and fitness training. If you’re recovering from injury or surgery, you’ll appreciate our physical and occupational therapy that focuses on prevention and wellness.

Owner: Five Star Senior Living, Inc.

Payment: Private, Medicaid, Medicare, LTCi, Hospice, Private Ins.

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Water/Aquatic Exercise, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Franciscan Health Care Center

3625 Fern Valley Rd, Louisville, KY 40219 (502) 912-9041 • franciscanhc.com

Price Per Month: $3150

Full continuum of care, short-term care, therapy services on-site.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi

Glen Ridge Health Campus 6415 Calm River Way, Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 272-4739 • glenridgehc.com

Price Per Month: $4150

Full continuum of care, short-term care, therapy services on-site.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, LCTi

The Grand Senior Living

9300 Civic Way, Prospect, KY 40059

(502) 289-8370 • thegrand-sl.com

Price Per Month: $4810+

In house Medical Director, Licensed nurse 7 days a week, 24-7 professional care services, dedicated staff trained in dementia care. Signature Passion Program with family care services and support group.

Restaurant dining with 3 chef prepared meals a day, assistance with all activities of daily living, 24-7 care staff, medication management, emergency pendant system, in-house therapy program with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, house cleaning and laundry services, transportation, pet friendly, full service salon, indoor heated pool, movie theater, putting green, bocce ball, and walking trails.

Owner: Management, Civitas Senior Living

Payment: Private, LTCi, VA

Harmony at Tucker Station

12523 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 694-4673

HarmonySeniorServices.com

Price Per Month: $3350+

Our Louisville, Kentucky, senior living community offers a range of senior living options to provide as much or as little assistance as you may need. Choose from Independent Living, Personal Care and Memory Care to get the right level of support from our caring, expert team. We are committed to serving our residents in a way that provides comfort and enrichment in your life. Harmony stands out among senior living communities for our uniquely engaging calendar of events, enriching activities, and world-class care services.

Owner: Harmony Senior Services

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Laundry, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Heartsong Adult Day Health Care

9260 Stonestreet Rd, Louisville, KY 40272 (502) 935-3300 • heartsong-mc.com

Price Per Day: $75-$80 | Type: medical

Activities to promote cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.

Owner: Heartsong Memory Care, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicaid, VA, LTCi

Heartsong East Adult Day Health Care

10720 Plantside Dr, Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 935-3300

Price Per Day: $80 | Type: medical

Activities to promote cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.

Owner: CJL Group, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicaid, LTCi

Heartsong Memory Care

9260 Stonestreet Rd, Louisville, KY 40272 (502) 935-3300 • heartsong-mc.com

Price Per Month: $5600-$5900

Geriatric psych specialist & primary MD/NP visits. SHORT TERM STAYS.

Owner: Heartsong Memory Care, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi

The Legacy at English Station

13700 English Villa Dr, Louisville, KY 40245 (502) 495-3276 • legacyatenglishstation.com

Price Per Month: $6200

Memory care honoring unique life stories, highly trained caregivers.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi

Magnolia Springs Louisville Senior Living

8225 Whipps Mill Rd, Louisville, KY 40222

(502) 716-5160

mslouisville.com

Price Per Month: $3600-$8000

Number of Beds: 20 (MC), 66 (AL)

Memory Care: Home-like setting with all private apartments. Our specialized program, Heartfelt CONNECTIONS, enhances the lives of our residents by providing a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for your loved one with dementia. Secured outdoor courtyard, daily activities, salon.

Assisted Living: More than a place to live, Magnolia Springs represents a place to celebrate life with purpose. Specializing in food, family, friends, and fun. Onsite: salon, restaurant style dining, laundry, activities, movie theatre, personal garages, PT/OT/Speech Therapy, Long-tenure staff, 24 hr on-site staff, access to different care levels.

Owner: Life Care Services, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi, VA

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Morning

Pointe of Louisville Senior Living Campus

4701/4711 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40291 (502) 212-5199 and (502) 873-3800

morningpointe.com

Price Per Day: $119+

Number of beds: 44 (MC); 73 (PC)

Morning Pointe of Louisville Senior living campus featuring two specialized communities — one dedicated to providing assisted living and the other tailored for Alzheimer’s Memory Care.

At Morning Pointe of Louisville Senior Living, loved ones receive tailored care in a familiar city they cherish. Our home-like campus ensures seniors’ comfort and easy accessibility. We prioritize exceptional care, aiming for a joyful life for our seniors while upholding their independence.

Location: Perfectly positioned near Fern Creek and Jeffersontown on the south end of Hurstbourne Parkway, our single-story campus is conveniently located.

Owner and Operator: Morning Pointe Senior Living

Payment: Private, LTCi, VA

Features and Services: Transportation Available, Showers Available, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing Assistance, Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/ Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Chef on Staff

Park Terrace Health Campus

9700 Stonestreet Rd, Louisville, KY 40272 (502) 909-0583 • parkterracehc.com

Price Per Day: $280

On-site skilled nursing, memory care services, private/semi-private.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private, Private Ins.

Nazareth Home – Clifton Campus

2120 Payne St, Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 895-9425

nazhome.org

Price Per Day: $185-$525

Number of Licensed Beds on This Campus: 113

Nazareth Home was established in 1976 as a healthcare ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Today, Nazareth Home is an award-winning, 5-star rated long-term care and rehabilitation organization that provides person-centered health and wellness services for adults and families. With two campuses in Louisville, Ky., Nazareth Home enriches the lives of its patients through personal care, memory care, recovery to home, and long-term care programs.

Owner: Nazareth Home, Inc.

Payment: Private, LTCi, Medicare, Medicaid

Features and Services: Showers Available, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing Assistance, Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hour Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Chef on Staff

Nazareth Home — Highlands Campus

2000 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 (502) 459-9681

nazhome.org

Price Per Day: $215-$595

Number of Licensed Beds on This Campus: 168

Nazareth Home was established in 1976 as a healthcare ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Today, Nazareth Home is an award-winning, 5-star rated long-term care and rehabilitation organization that provides person-centered health and wellness services for adults and families. With two campuses in Louisville, Ky., Nazareth Home enriches the lives of its patients through personal care, memory care, recovery to home, and long-term care programs.

Owner: Nazareth Home, Inc.

Payment: Private, LTCi, Medicare, Medicaid

Features and Services: Showers Available, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing Assistance, Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Open Kitchen, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Chef on Staff

The Pinnacle of Louisville 10451 Linn Station Rd, Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 423-8776

thepinnacleoflouisville.com

Price Per Month: $5000-$6000

Our mission is simple, “to provide an environment that promotes and supports independence, purpose, and dignity by enhancing the ‘spirit’ of our residents through engaged team members and community partners.” We provide premier personal care services that empower residents to live their life with dignity. As one of Louisville’s first stand-alone memory care communities, our renowned memory care program sets us apart.

Our care is supported by leading-edge research — that people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia can grow and flourish, regardless of where they may be on their journey. Our exclusive memory care program provides therapeutic activities that focus on cognitive, creative, community, motivation, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. We offer furnished, move-in ready suites for immediate residency. All-inclusive care is provided: medication administration, bathing, dressing, grooming, housekeeping and meals (cueing provided), a spacious courtyard, weekly bus outings, on-site therapy services (Physical, Occupational, and Speech Pathology), in-house therapy gym, with 24-hr medical and psychiatric staff available. Transportation to physician appointments with escort services offered.

Owner: The Pinnacle of Louisville

Payment: Private

Sanders Ridge Health Campus

119 E Sanders Lane, Mt. Washington KY 40047 (502) 251-4184 • sandersridgehc.com

Price Per Month: $3950-$5250

Full continuum of care, short-term care, therapy services on-site.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, LTCi, Private

Shelby Farms Senior Living

100 Williamsburg Dr, Shelbyville KY 40065 (502) 257-9485 • shelbyfarmssl.com

Compassionate staff, activities, respite & outpatient services on-site.

Operated by: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, LTCi, EFT

The Springs at Oldham Reserve

2000 East Peak Rd, LaGrange, KY 40031 (502) 516-2824 • springsatoldhamreserve.com

Full continuum of care, meals, activities, gorgeous surroundings.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, LTCi

The Springs at Stony Brook

2200 Stony Brook Dr, Louisville, KY 40220 (502) 632-3283 • springsatstonybrook.com

Price Per Month: $2450-$5850

Full continuum of care, meals, activities, gorgeous surroundings.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private

Treyton Oak Towers

211 West Oak St, Louisville, KY 40203 (502) 589-3211

treytonoaktowers.com

Price Per Day: $130-$450

We provide the highest quality of individualized service with dignity and respect while honoring our faith-based tradition.

Everyone’s needs change as the years go by. Treyton Oak Towers is designed specifically to meet those changing needs, so you can continue to live in the same warm, caring environment, regardless of how your circumstances may change.

We provide what is known as a continuum of care — additional levels of care available should the need arise in the future. Our caring staff will make certain you are receiving the appropriate level of care. Our mission is to plan so that you don’t have to. Dignity, Respect, Faith

Owner: Third & Oak Corporation

Payment: Private, Medicaid, Medicare, VA, LTCi, Hospice, Private Ins.

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Water/Aquatic Exercise, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication

Given, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Trilogy Health Services

303 N Hurstbourne Pkwy, Ste 200, Louisville, KY 40222

12 campus locations locally to serve you (502) 785-9188

trilogyhs.com

Price Per Month: Varies depending on levels of care

Trilogy Health Services offers a full range of senior living options, and with over 12 locations in the Louisville area, you’re sure to find a location near you that meets your needs.

Cooper Trail Senior Living • Forest Springs Health Campus • Franciscan Health Center • Glen Ridge Health Campus • The Legacy at English Station • Park Terrace Health Campus • Sanders Ridge Health Campus • Shelby Farms Senior Living • The Springs at Oldham Reserve • The Springs at Stony Brook • Westport Place Health Campus • The Willows at Springhurst — Learn more about each campus in these directory pages.

Trilogy senior living communities offer luxury Independent Living villas and apartments, compassionate Assisted Living services, a full range of Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, and even Memory Care services for those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Every level of care we provide, from basic assistance to round-theclock clinical care, is delivered by people who will take the time to learn your story, and who will act in your best interests, always.

That’s The Trilogy Difference.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Twinbrook Assisted Living

3525 Ephraim McDowell Dr, Louisville, KY 40205 (502) 452-6330

twinbrookassistedliving.com

Price Per Month: $3250-$4700

Private apartments with emergency call system, planned activities, medication reminders, assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, three meals daily, transportation to shopping, charges for additional services may apply. Staff on duty 24 hours. Family owned & operated. Catholic mass 3 days/week.

Twinbrook is owned and operated by the McCoy family members who are on site regularly. We are not owned by a large out of state company like most assisted living facilities. You can talk to the owners whenever you have a concern or suggestion. We do not require an endowment or large deposit and rentals are on a month to month basis. We work with families and residents to accommodate their needs and desires.

Owner: Bryan S McCoy, Inc.

Payment: Private, VA, LTCi

Features and Services: Transportation Available, Showers Available, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing Assistance, Dressing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hour Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Chef on Staff

UofL Health — Frazier Rehab Institute

200 Abraham Flexner Way, Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 582-7400 • UofLHealth.com

Price Per Day: $1000

Inpatient/stroke/brain injury/spinal cord injury/cancer rehab; PT/OT/ST.

Owner: UofL Health

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private ins., LTCi, VA

Vitality Living Springdale

4501 Springdale Rd , Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 412-0222

vitalityseniorliving.com/senior-living-locations/ kentucky/springdale/

Price Per Month: $3500-$4850

VITALITY LIVING SPRINGDALE IS REDESIGNING SENIOR LIVING IN KENTUCKY WITH YOU IN MIND.

Vitality is your premier choice for senior living in Kentucky. We are committed to ensuring that every service and amenity helps create the enriched, active life you or your loved one deserves.

Vitality Living Springdale specializes in assisted living and memory care that allow adults to experience a lifestyle with vitality at any age.

Owner: Vitality Senior Living

Payment: Private, VA, LTCi

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing Assistance, Laundry, Meal Prep, 24-Hr Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Happy Hour, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Garden, Pets Allowed, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Vitality Living St. Matthews

120 S Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 896-1759

vitalityseniorliving.com/senior-living-locations/ kentucky/st-matthews/

Price Per Month: $3000-$3600

As the premier independent living and assisted living community in the St. Matthews area, we are conveniently located in the unique St. Matthews neighborhood, with easy access to shopping, dining, festivals and the arts, Vitality Living St. Matthews offers independent living and assisted living in the heart of Louisville, KY. This vibrant senior living community offers all the comforts of home with none of the day-to-day obligations of owning one.

After a morning meditation workshop, enjoy good conversation over breakfast. Take a stroll through the tree-lined streets nearby or meet neighbors for an afternoon shopping spree. At Vitality Living, the choice is always yours.

Whether you are ready now or are just beginning to think about senior living, we invite you to stop by or call to schedule a tour at your convenience. We are here to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Owner: Vitality Senior Living

Payment: Private,LTCi, VA

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, House Cleaning, Laundry, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Outdoor Spaces, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Vitality Living Stony Brook

3451 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40299

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(502) 383-1574

vitalityseniorliving.com/senior-living-locations/ kentucky/stony-brook/

Price Per Month: $2650-$5000

Vitality Living is your premier choice for senior living in Louisville, whether you need assisted living or memory care.

Vitality Living Stony Brook offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. We support our residents’ needs as well as their interests with a calendar filled with a variety of activities to keep our residents as engaged, social, and independent as possible. Families will find peace of mind by knowing that their family members are well taken care of and enjoying life.

You’ll find plenty of comfortable common spaces to spend time with friends and family, whether it’s in the spacious family room, furnished sitting areas, front/back porches, or the large dining room. Large windows throughout our community give it an open and airy feel.

Owner: Vitality Senior Living

Payment: Private, LTCi, VA Aid & Attendance Benefits

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, Meal Prep, Errands, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Exercise Facility, Game Night, Tours/Trips, Emergency Assistance, Medication Given, Outdoor Spaces, Movie Room, Chef on Staff

Wesley Manor Retirement Community

5012 E Manslick Rd, Louisville, KY 40219 (502) 969-3277

wesman.org

Price Per Month: Varies depending on level of care.

Wesley Manor offers a Life Plan retirement community (full continuum of care services), including all levels of senior living on one campus: independent living, assisted living, personal care/memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. This gives seniors the advantages of living in one location, even as their health care needs change over time. This is especially helpful for couples who may have varying levels of needs, yet wish to live on the same campus. For all individuals, it means you only need to move once!

You’ll find a wonderful sense of community felt throughout the 35-acre campus. Located near the Gene Snyder Freeway in Louisville — a city convenience with a country feel. Both residents and family members often speak as being part of an extended family — the Wesley Manor family. Living here feels like home. Wesley Manor is a faith-based, non-profit; independently owned and operated since 1963.

Owner: Methodist Retirement Homes of Kentucky, Inc.

Payment: Private, Medicaid, Medicare, LTCi, Hospice, Private Ins.

Features and Services: Transportation, Showers, Separate Units, House Cleaning, Bathing & Dressing Assistance, Eating Help, Laundry, 24-Hr Care, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy, Dining Room, Game Night, Tours/Trips, Medication Given, Pets Allowed

Westport Place Health Campus

4247 Westport Rd, Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 883-7092 • westportplacehc.com

Price Per Month: $5100

Full continuum of care, short-term care, therapy services on-site.

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, LTCi

The Willows at Springhurst

3101 N Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 413-2282 • willowsatspringhurst.com

Price Per Month: $3050-$5850

Licensed RNs, skilled nursing, short-term care, therapy services on-site

Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC

Payment: Private, Medicare, Medicaid, LTCi

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Contact us at 502.327.8855 or email info@todaysmedianow.com. You may also visit business.todaystransitions.com to claim and/or update your listing.

Do This!

Labyrinths may bring to mind Greek mythology and angry Minotaurs, but they are an ancient symbol and structure that can, if walked, have some pretty cool effects on one’s health and mindset. The slow pace that a labyrinth walk requires can be meditative, offering an individual the opportunity to relax, refocus, and tune in with their unconscious mind.

While you can find labyrinths at Chartres Cathedral in France and other far-flung places, you can also find many of them within 10 miles of your home. Labyrinthlocator.com is a resource for finding these hidden pathways in Kentuckiana (and elsewhere in the world). There is a Contemplative Garden at 828 South 4th Street next to Spalding University, another at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and several others sprinkled throughout the area. Spend a little time when the weather cools walking some of these paths for reflection.

Make This!

Sure, we think about pumpkins and gourds when fall rolls around, but nothing says fall quite like apples. The recipe below, modified from cookieandkate.com, is a perfectly healthy way to welcome in a new season.

INGREDIENTS:

Salad

• 5 cups spring greens salad blend

• 1 large Granny Smith apple

• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

• ¼ cup pepitas*

• 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Vinaigrette

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1½ tbsps apple cider vinegar

• 1½ tsps honey

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

• Freshly ground pepper to taste

*If you purchase raw pepitas, you may want to roast them: In a medium-sized skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they begin to golden on the edges and make little popping noises. Transfer the pepitas to a small bowl to cool.

Make the dressing: In a cup or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt until well blended. Season to taste with pepper.

Just before serving, chop the apple into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place your greens in a large serving bowl. Top with sliced apple, dried cranberries, and toasted pepitas. Use a fork to crumble the goat cheese over the salad.

Drizzle the salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves once tossed (you probably won’t need all of it). Gently toss to mix all of the ingredients and serve.

By Carrie Vittitoe

Take This!

To prepare for wintery viruses, be sure to stay up to date on all your preventative vaccines for influenza, coronavirus, and RSV, but also consider taking supplements of vitamin C and D for their immune-boosting properties. Getting enough vitamin D can be a little tricky for older adults since they may not venture out as much in winter, so adding a supplement at least until the sunshine is more plentiful might not be a bad idea.

Spalding University’s Contemplative Garden rendering