Today's Transitions Summer 2011 by Today's Transitions

SUMMER 2011

Summer 2011

Contents 4 Editor’s Note

Will You See the Doctor Now?

6 Still Hard at Work

Meet three people who have happily traded retirement for employment.

12 Home is Where the Heart (and Stomach) Is

Connie Meyer talks about who puts the “home” in “homemade.”

14 Feel Better Naturally

Skip prescriptions or surgery and try these alternative methods.

20 Take a Trip

Get away this summer, no matter what your budget or transportation style.

26 4 Things Not to Miss This Summer 28 She’s on the Write Path 30 Reward a Caregiver

Meet our winner and find out how you can nominate someone for our Care Package for the Caregiver Award.

32 Make the Most of Your Next Doctor’s Appointment

Help your doctor — and yourself — with these tips to get the best possible care.

36 Medicare and Medicaid Chart 42 Caring for your Aging Loved Ones 46 Updates and Happenings 67 Cook It, Eat It, Love It

72 We Want to Know

Directory Categories 38 How to Use Directories

38 Adult Day Care Facilities

52 Home Health

40 Aging-in-Place Facilities

60 Nursing/Rehab Facilities

43 Alzheimers Care Facilities

66 Personal Care Facilities

48 Assisted Living Facilities

68 Retirement Homes

SEND Letters TO: Letter, Today’s Transitions 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307, Louisville, KY 40223

Volume 8 • Number 2 PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion cathy@todayspublications.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Anita L. Oldham anita@todayspublications.com EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todayspublications.com COntributing editor Linda Hitt Kempf COpy editing Lucy M. Pritchett EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jennifer Thompson jennifer@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Susan Allen susan@todayspublications.com SALES DIRECTOR Cheryl Suhr cheryl@todayspublications.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Teri Hickerson teri@todayspublications.com Rose Helm rose@todayspublications.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER April H. Allman april@todayspublications.com production coordinator Kathy Kulwicki kathyk@todayspublications.com PHOTOGRAPHY Melissa Donald melissa@todayspublications.com OFFICE MANAGER Jacklyn Walker jacklyn@todayspublications.com Intern Jessica Smith CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion COVER ART Silvia Cabib

Today’s Transitions

is published by: Zion Publications LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road; Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 327-8855 Fax (502) 327-8861 www.todaystransitions.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. The staff has made good-faith efforts to provide comprehensive and accurate listings in all directories. Information included in the directories is based strictly on that supplied by each entity. Zion Publications does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2011 by Zion Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC. MEMBER Greater Louisville, Inc., Metro Chamber of Commerce, Area Chambers of Commerce, Better Business Bureau.

Will You See the Doctor Now?

By Tiffany White, Editor

he act of scheduling a doctor’s appointment isn’t hard — unless you are the type of person who repeatedly places it on the bottom of your to-do list.

You’ve been intending to make the phone call for months, but somehow other responsibilities take precedence over your health. It happened to me. I had an appointment scheduled to see my physician last December, but I forgot about it — for five months. I couldn’t believe that making one five-minute phone call would be more difficult than writing this editorial. My 68-year-old mother, who is vigilant about her health, hounded me virtually every day until I relented — and I am glad she did. I am happy to report that all is well with me, but I have vowed to never disregard the importance of doctors’ appointments again. Perhaps you are raising kids, working a full-time job, and caring for a sick relative; or maybe the idea of walking into a hospital makes you uneasy because you are afraid the doctor may find something of concern. Whatever the case, know this: your health is not something you can afford to ignore. When your body and mind are in good shape, your quality of life is better. You have the freedom to do the things that bring you happiness, and you can be there for the people who need you the most. If you find it difficult to make and keep doctors’ appointments, change your ways now and follow this simple checklist (you might want to post this on your refrigerator as a reminder to yourself):

SNEAK Peek What you’ll find in the fall issue, on stands September 15:

Technology Worth Buying Gadgets that make your life simpler.

Compounding Pharmacies How can they benefit you?

Money Faux Pas

Think before you spend.

Get regular checkups — even if you are feeling well. Prevention is the key to longevity and cheaper medical bills. Before your doctor’s appointment, read Sandra Gordon’s article about how to get the most from your doctor’s appointment on page 32.

Exercise. Walk for 30 minutes. Try Tai Chi or yoga. You’ll feel energized and happy.

Restoring the Past Exploring the stories behind heirlooms.

Cook with Mary. Chef Mary Wheatley and Today’s Transitions magazine will give you some helpful insights on ways you can eat healthier. Our next event is July 19, 3-5 p.m. at Beargrass Christian Church (4100 Shelbyville Road). The fee is $10. RSVP at www.todaystransitions.com or 502.327.8855. See more details about our quarterly cooking classes on pages 31 and 67.

It’s your life. Value it and take care of yourself.

Is there something you have to say? If so, send an email to tiffany@todayspublications.com and put “feedback” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. Also, don’t forget to visit our website at www.todaystransitions.com 4

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Still Hard @

By Mary Jo Harrod Ruth Phares says working gives her a greater sense of purpose.

Photos by Melissa Donald

eet three people who have traded in the comforts of retirement for the benefits of full-time employment. continued on page 8

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“I am happier when I am busy. With my job, Mary Ruth Phares, 69, of Jeffersonville, works I have a reason to get up in the mornings,” says at the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a prosEvelyn Taylor of Corydon. “On my days off, I pect research analyst in the General Assembly mope around the house and watch television.” Mission Council. In 2007 when budget cuts Taylor, at age 85, works 32 hours a week as caused Phares to lose her job, she applied a greeter at the Harrison County Hospital in for other jobs and worked at the U.S. Census Southern Indiana, where she has worked for the Bureau. She has been working in her current past 45 years. position with the church since October 2010. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, Though she is at an age at which she could advances in medicine and other economic factors retire, Phares continues to work 40 hours a have contributed to the growing number of people week. Her three children are happy that their age 65 and over who are working. People continue mother is able to work and enjoys it. to work past retirement age for many reasons. For “I envisioned retirement as going out with some, it is to keep their health insurance, which friends and doing things, but it turned out that is costly but necessary. Others I read books and watched want the social contact. But television, which was not for a large number of retirethat great,” she says. “I work ment-age workers, having a for the money because I have “[When I full-time job is a financial never been well off enough to necessity. The cost of gasoline, save for retirement. I tried to retired,] it food, and other consumer collect my Social Security but goods continues to rise. told that I could collect turned out that was the widow’s benefit and work to save money in my own Money matters I read books account. When I reach 70, I Taylor works for financial will continue to work and stay reasons, the prescription and watched at my job indefinitely. I work coverage that her health television, for the money, for my sense of insurance offers, and her own self-worth, and to feel needed enjoyment. She uses the addiwhich was not by others.” tional funds to do things with Though Phares looks forher grandchildren or take that great.” ward to going to work, she trips, such as the 14-day bus has other interests. In her free trip to Alaska that she took — Mary Ruth Phares, time, she enjoys playing Bunco, two years ago. Other interests 69 clogging, reading, shopping, include gardening, baking, and her sorority. She and her cooking, and reading. friends are Clay Aiken fans and “I love my job because I travel to Chicago, Nashville, meet so many nice people,” Dayton, Atlanta, and other major cities to attend says Taylor, whose six children encourage her to the singer’s concerts. work. “I use my best customer service to greet people in the lobby and direct them for outpatient Working for fun services or to other areas of the hospital. It makes Louisville resident Donald L. Miller, known people more comfortable when you walk them to as “the Colonel,” is a senior financial consultheir destination. I will work or volunteer for as tant and senior vice president with the MKCC long as I can.” Group at Hilliard-Lyons. A retired lieutenant Studies have shown that most people do betcolonel with the US Army, Miller has four years’ ter, both intellectually and physically, when active duty and 25 years in the Army Reserves. they continue to work. In many cases, when He served as a recruiter for West Point for eight mature people stop working — whether they years, calling on 22 local high schools, and also have been laid off or retired voluntarily — they worked at the Pentagon for two weeks each year. are likely to gain weight, become depressed, or develop high blood pressure. continued on page 10 8

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Louisville resident Donald L. Miller, aka “the Colonel,” is a senior financial consultant and senior vice president with the MKCC Group at Hilliard-Lyons.

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From October 1973 until September 2008, Miller, 66, worked for Merrill Lynch before going to his present job. He and his wife, Mary, are members of Hunting Creek Country Club and enjoy playing golf and traveling. Miller routinely audits American history classes at his alma mater, the University of Louisville. So why does a person with so many interests — including a passion for driving cars — continue to work? “There are several reasons why I have not retired,” Miller explains. “I absolutely love my job. It’s fun, and I look forward to going to work to talk to our clients and help them with a financial plan. I like the interaction with my coworkers, too. “The money is very attractive, and it’s tough to walk away,” he continues. Miller’s wife works three days a week, and it is a possibil10

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ity that starting in January, he might also work three days a week. “That way, I could still work with my team and recruit special clients,” he says. “The four of us on the team have been together for seven years, and these have been the most fun years. I feel that I want to be needed, and I need companionship from my job.” Miller believes that most people continue to work for the money or for a larger retirement. He says there is “a lot of scariness for people who quit work.” As a financial advisor, he suggests that if you have a lot of debt, such as a mortgage or home equity debt, you should continue to work. “People should be more financially frugal when they reach retirement age because I have seen too many cases of people with heavy debt at a time when they want to retire,” he says. t o d a y ’ s

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Home is Where the Heart (and Stomach) Is By Connie Meyer

y cousin Jean cooks like my mother did. One taste of her cooking makes my taste buds explode, and my sense of smell pulls aromas from the memories of my mother’s kitchen. The similarity in their cooking comes from the fact that both are “country cooks.” Cracker Barrel has successfully exploited this idea, but it is not the same. The last time I ate at my cousin Jean’s house, she cooked enough food to feed a small third-world country. She did not cook merely one main entrée. She prepared a smorgasbord that would make Paula Dean’s buffet look like the dollar menu at McDonald’s by comparison. Jean fried country ham and fried chicken. She made homemade biscuits that could be topped off with one of a multitude of her homemade jams and jellies. She mashed potatoes to go with the chicken. She crafted salads and cooked vegetables too numerous to name. Much of Jean’s cooking comes directly from her garden, making the offerings not just the latest green trend but bursting in a multitude of other colors that scream “fresh.” During the summer, nothing can compare to green beans and tomatoes fresh from the garden. Nothing can compare to Jean’s culinary achievements, except for the memories from my mother’s recipes. My mother had a garden every year, and she cooked “green” when Kermit was still struggling with the difficulty of such a color. Being green might not have been easy for Kermit, but for my mother and my cousin Jean, cooking comes as naturally as the tomatoes picked off the vine from the garden. The meal itself is only the beginning. I eat piggishly with one eye on the desserts ahead. Jean never makes just one dessert. She has pies AND cakes and often homemade candies. The last meal of hers I had included homemade apple dumplings. Every year, Jean and my cousin Bobby are in Louisville for a farm convention in December. How lucky for me. Jean never fails to bring me one of her homemade jam cakes with caramel icing that makes Christmas come alive for me. My mother made her homemade jam cake with caramel icing every Christmas. 12

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Jean also makes homemade peanut butter fudge that brings back the memory of Mother dropping a small ball of fudge in a cup of water before taking it off of the stove and pouring it on a plate. She never owned a cooking thermometer, yet her fudge was always perfect. The same was true for her homemade chocolate fudge. Along with the food comes a hospitality that draws people quicker than a roadside accident. You cannot stay away. Jean makes you feel so welcome and so at home that you momentarily forget all of the work this 70-year-old woman got up at dawn to produce. When I sit at her table, I feel like I am young again and taking for granted the cooking my mother provided on a daily basis. We never ate out growing up. The only restaurant I was ever in as a child was White Castle. We didn’t eat there, but my father and I picked up the white bags with the amazing aroma that was such a treat at the time. This happened only on the rarest of occasions and made my mother’s cooking seem mediocre at the time since it was all I knew. Thinking my mother’s cooking to be inferior to White Castle fare was a childish view to say the least. I came to realize just how good I had it once I married and tried to duplicate the delicacies I had taken for granted. Of course, true appreciation only comes after the one providing is gone and memory makes its own memorial — never to be surpassed in real time. Jean prepares for a meal like an athlete in training. Once seated, you feel like you have crossed the finish line in victory with her. Her cooking is that good, filling not just your stomach but your soul. No matter where you have been or where you are going, when you sit down to eat a meal cooked by my cousin Jean, you feel like you are home. Connie Meyer writes regularly for Today’s Transitions. You can reach Connie at cmeyer@todayspublications.com. t o d a y ’ s

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F e el i n g

B e t t e r

Naturally Prescription medications aren’t the only option available for dealing with your health problems. By Cheryl Stuck

fear of needles, a reluctance to have surgery, and numerous sports injuries led Edwin Hopson to his profession.

“When I was 16, after about four months of pain and at the last second before having surgery, my mother’s friend suggested a chiropractor. And after one visit, I was pain free,” Hopson says. “That had a huge impact.” Dr. Hopson is now a chiropractor, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and the clinical director of the MultiCare Centre for Integrative Medicine. Hopson takes pride in considering how the parts of the body integrate with one another and uncovering clues to the cause of pain, not just treating the symptoms. He came to this approach after noticing over the years how many specialists only work on one area of the body. But Hopson doesn’t like to refer to his profession as alternative therapy. He thinks a more appropriate description is “complementary adjunct therapies” or “supportive therapies,” which can include a multitude of approaches, such as continued on page 16 14

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When Supportive Therapy May be the Right Choice Dr. Edwin Hopson says he’s had tremendous success treating migraine, tension and sinus headaches; neck pain; lower back pain; and hip, knee, and shoulder pain. “It’s a matter of rebalancing the body,” he says. “Often a shoulder goes out and the person thinks they have to get to the ER or get a muscle relaxer or something, but 99 percent of the time, I can get the person upright and on the mend almost immediately. And that’s not necessarily a joint manipulation.” There are muscle activation techniques and spinal stabilization techniques that consistently work. If someone gets up in the morning, bends over to pick up a shoe, and suddenly has a back spasm, and the person can’t move, it’s scary, he says. Sometimes he or she must be carried to the car or must crawl on hands and knees. Or, the person might try a hot pack, which Hopson says is a mistake. “But in that scenario, if they come into the office, we can [usually] stop the actual mechanism that caused it,” Hopson says. “We give them a program of self-care that shows them how they can stop that from happening again and 16

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how to get better on their own. We can send someone home without the need for painkillers or muscle relaxers.” But Hopson doesn’t dismiss the need for physician care, and he likes to work in conjunction with medical doctors.

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acupuncture, mind-body techniques, chiropractic methods, and many other conservative, non-narcotic, non-surgical approaches. Describing it as a “first line of defense,” Hopson suggests, “If they fail, then turn to surgery. Don’t get surgery first.” Hopson says the exception is when symptoms of a stroke, heart attack, muscle wasting, drop foot, or bowel or bladder dysfunction are present. In those instances, the patient should seek immediate care from a physician. Brenda Wallover, age 60, has suffered from chronic back pain since she was thrown from her horse as a teenager. After childbirth, she says, “My back was always going out and I would be in bed for a week.” Over the years, she tried continued on page 18

Selecting the Right Therapist To find a good therapist, Hopson suggests asking someone with a similar problem who has had successful treatment. Then ask the doctor if he or she has had success with your particular symptoms.

Paying for It Chiropractic care is covered by insurance. Some other types of supported therapies may also be covered, but you need to ask up front.

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various methods to control the pain, including visits to a In a nursing home, music can help someone with chiropractor and an orthopedic surgeon. dementia stay oriented to reality. Dr. Wheeler says, Brenda says, “I had gotten to the point I couldn’t “Sometimes, music can reach people who have not been do yoga. I love yoga, but all the muscles on one side able to be reached by other means.” would cramp up, and then I would get a migraine Music therapy can be used to help with cognitive, headache. So I quit yoga, and I couldn’t garden. But social-emotional, or physical goals. Wheeler says it is the final straw was at my daughter-in-law’s trying to often appropriate when other therapies have not been play cornhole — I felt like I was getting to where I successful and/or when a person responds particularly to couldn’t do anything.” music. “At other times, it is provided as part of the stanBrenda began going to the MultiCare Centre and finally dard therapies that one is receiving,” she says. “Different found the combination that works for her. Dr. Hopson people respond to different ways of reaching them.” identified the source of the problem as muscular and She gives an example of a patient in rehabilitation worked on exercises with Brenda to strengthen her core who didn’t like to stand because he was fearful of fallto support the other muscles. Now, at ing. Wheeler says, “We involved him home, she does a series of four differin singing music that he loved, and ent exercises daily. he paid attention to the music and “If [supportive Brenda also sees Patrick Douglas, apparently forgot to focus on his fear therapies] fail, a certified specialist in muscle actiof standing. He was able to stand for then turn to vation techniques who works on a much longer period of time using specific muscles that give her probthe music than without the music.” surgery. Don’t get lems. “When he gets done, I feel like She says she has also seen instances surgery first.” everything is loose and has been of a patient not being able to focus lubricated, and there’s no discomfort attention on reality. In one case, an — Edwin Hopson anywhere, nothing catching anyolder gentleman was playing a resoChiropractor, certified strength where, and everything is functionnator bell, and when Wheeler cued and conditioning specialist, and ing properly,” she says. In addition, him with a hand signal, she said, “He clinical director of the MultiCare Centre for Integrative Medicine she applies an ice pack to problem stayed focused, played at the correct areas every morning and every night time, and did not talk about all of the to prevent inflammation. Brenda unrelated things.” also gets massages from Karen Tyson, a licensed masG. Reeves Hitch, 75, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s sage therapist, and says that between the three of them, disease about five years ago. His career before retirement her back is stronger than it’s ever been. was in sales, so he was accustomed to talking to people, Brenda went to weekly therapy for a little more than but the disease made him anxious. Reeves also says that a year to get to this point. Now she goes occasionally when he speaks, he feels like he’s using a loud voice, yet for maintenance. others say he is almost whispering. He used to sing with “I used to sit on the porch talking to someone and the local chorus, Joyous Singers, so someone suggested when I stood up, my back would go out,” she says. “I he might benefit from music therapy. would never know what would cause it, and it doesn’t In his music therapy, Reeves mostly sings with a do that anymore. I am the caretaker for my 10-monthgroup of other Parkinson’s patients, focusing on old granddaughter four days a week, and I never thought projecting his voice and accentuating words and I would be able to do that, but I’ve been just fine.” sounds. The group also does facial exercises, such as puckering and frowning. “The therapy has to be oneon-one, even though it’s in a group,” Reeves says. “But Integrating the mind and body nobody is embarrassed that they aren’t singers. It lifts Music therapy is “the use of music and a therapist your spirits. It’s fun, and it gives us creativity.” to help a person with nonmusical goals — they may Reeves’ wife, Sharon, says she has seen a difference not be emotional, physical, or medical. The music is used only in his speech but also in his movement. When he to achieve the goals — the goal is not making the leaves the therapy session, she says he walks better. music,” according to Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D., MT-BC Reeves says, “The mind is trapped in a body and at the University of Louisville School of Music. can’t get out, but I think physically being with the She says there are many different approaches to other people and the more you push yourself, the music therapy that can include improvising, performbetter off you are.” ing, composing, and listening.

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TRIP

TAKE a By Cheryl Stuck

o matter what your budget, you can have some fun this summer. Whether you travel by car, bus, train, or air, and whether you get away for a few hours, days, or weeks, you can enjoy something new.

By RV “People love to travel in their RV,” says Tom Stinnett, owner of Tom Stinnett Derby City RV in Clarksville, Ind. “You have your own bed, your own bathroom, your own food in the fridge — it’s a convenience, and with the cost of everything going up, like fuel prices, it’s still a more affordable way to go on a regular basis.” So instead of flying or driving your automobile and eating out every meal, you can stock your RV’s kitchen and prepare your meals as you travel. You can take a shower when you feel like it — no worries about finding a clean bathroom. Stinnett says, “You have

the flexibility that you don’t have with any other means. Another perk is people can take along their grandchildren and their pets.” Road trips are a popular option because you can go at your own pace and see anything near or far, from Mammoth Cave to the Grand Canyon to the sunny beaches of Florida. Stinnett says popular destinations include Branson, Mo; Texas; the Florida Gulf Coast; Lake Cumberland, Ky; and Gatlinburg, Tenn. In the summer, some like to travel north to the lakes in Michigan because of the cooler weather. Park directories found on the Internet or written directories found at RV dealers describe parking facilities, amenities, and prices. Stinnett says some RV parks offer cable and Internet access. continued on page 22

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By Train

Whether it’s a Canadian Rockies trip or railing around Kentucky, a train trip on a scenic railway can offer plenty of sightseeing with the luxury of someone else behind the wheel. If you enjoy the railway experience but don’t have the time or the money for a long trip, you can choose a nearby train excursion like the one offered by the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven, Ky. If you want additional entertainment, you can opt for the Murder Mystery Theatre and enjoy dinner and a play at the Sherwood Inn, then board the train along with the actors and enjoy solving a mystery as the play continues on your journey. www.kyrail.org • 800.272.0152 continued from page 20

By Boat

Cruises are popular for mature travelers, according to Roger Boyd, director of public affairs at AAA. He says, “They’re taking those trips they’ve always wanted to take. They like cruises because everything is taken care of for them.” He says Alaskan or European cruises are especially popular because of the history and heritage that comes along with the beauty and splendor. “Alaska whale watching is very popular,” Boyd says. You can fly to a port of call on the northern West Coast, board a cruise ship, cruise along the Alaska coast, see the whales and the majestic beauty of Alaska, and have plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and enjoy the local flavor. And the most popular part: “Eat, eat, and eat,” Boyd says. “That is what everybody loves about a cruise. Plus, there’s plenty of entertainment, from piano players to stage shows.” Another plus for a cruise is that you can see a lot of different places, but you only have to pack and unpack once because your room goes with you. For example, Boyd says, “You can fly to Greece, see the entire peninsula, tour historical monuments, ruins, and other landmarks, and return to your cabin at the end of each day.”

By Bus

Several companies in the Louisville area offer bus trips that last a few hours or can take you to a destination for several days. You can choose a local tour that explores your interests, from foodbased themes, to neighborhood tours, to landmarks, to a distillery tour along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Bus tours can take you to Amish country in Central Indiana, where you can enjoy home-cooked food and handmade crafts. Taste the fresh fruit and vegetables or sip wine from the vineyard at Huber’s Orchard, Winery, and Vineyards in Starlight, Ind. You can pick your own strawberries in the spring or pumpkins in the fall. Brown County in Nashville, Ind., features nature, history, shopping in boutiques and galleries, and a hub of artists and craftsmen. Tour the Georgian-style Federal Hill Mansion, known as My Old Kentucky Home, made famous by Stephen Foster’s ballad. Watch the Stephen Foster Story musical drama in Bardstown, Ky. Horseshoe Southern Indiana offers casino gambling, comedy, and concerts along with great restaurants. If you have a few days to spend, Branson, Mo., is a popular destination for those who love live entertainment. Called continued on page 24

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Both boats are handicap accessible. You can choose an excursion, luncheon, dinner, or dance cruise ticket. Check the schedule for available cruises and be sure to make a reservation. www.belleoflouisville.org • 502.574.2992

Check out one (or more) of Louisville’s great museums. • The Frazier History Museum offers historical interpretation performances and exhibits of suits of armor, weapons, and American and international artifacts from the past 1,000 years. www.fraziermuseum.org • 502.753.5663

• See the world’s biggest baseball bat and watch as baseball bats are manufactured at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. You can leave with your very own souvenir slugger. www.sluggermuseum.org • 502.588.7228

• At the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill continued from page 22

the “Live Music Show Capital of the World,” Branson hosts more than 50 live performance theaters, plus championship golf courses, a theme park, museums, and three lakes. Or if you want to experience big city life, opt for a bus tour to New York City, where you can watch a Broadway show, see the Statue of Liberty, and pay homage to the Firemen’s 9/11 Memorial.

Staying Put

Staying at home? You can still escape the daily routine and enjoy what Louisville has to offer. • Take a leisurely stroll along the Ohio River and linger at Louisville Waterfront Park. Pack a picnic basket and find a bench, then sit and watch the barges and pleasure boats travel the river. Special events such as free concerts or festivals and other activities are offered throughout the year. www.louisvillewaterfront.com • 502.574.2992

• Get your exercise and enjoy the world of animals at the Louisville Zoo. Daily activities are available March 1-October 31, weather permitting: feed giraffes or Lorikeets, watch elephant aerobics, and see the seal and sea lion training demonstrations and tiger training. www.louisvillezoo.org • 502.459.2181

• Board the Belle of Louisville or the Spirit of

Downs, you can visit a live Thoroughbred racehorse and his sidekick miniature horse, Winston. See the paddock and grandstand and learn fun facts along the way. The museum is filled with interesting memorabilia, and you can take advantage of a behind-thescenes tour or the barn and backside van tour. www.derbymuseum.org • 502.637.1111 ext. 220

• Visit the Muhammad Ali Center for a cultural and educational experience based on the famous boxing champion and Louisville native, Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay). The center not only explores his life but also historical issues, and it serves to motivate others based on his core values: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and spirituality. www.muhammadalictr.com • 502.230.4188

• Fascinating exhibits at the Louisville Science Center allow hands-on activities with more than 40 activity stations in problem solving, creativity (such as designing your own bicycle), the chemistry kitchen, and many others. You can play all day as you learn. The World Within Us exhibit offers facts about our bodies and our health. The BodyWatch Gallery shows visitors how seven body systems work in an easy-to-understand, visual way. www.louisvillescience.org • 502.561.6100 ext. 6111

Jefferson steamboats for a cruise up the Ohio River.

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Life After Dad Derby Dinner Playhouse

After 41 years of marriage, Dad finally gets the courage to tell Mom he loves her. The only problem is he dies before he gets the chance to do so. Now he’s back as a ghost with a mission, only to find out that his widow has embarked upon the dating game! Some of the best of the best of DDP’s perennial performers are in this cast, making it reason enough to attend; namely, Bill Hanna, Tina Jo Wallace, David Myers, J.R. Stuart as Dad, and Rita Thomas as Mother. WHEN: through June 26, various matinée and evening performances. WHERE: Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville TICKETS: $34-$43. *Group discounts for 20 or more. CONTACT: www.derbydinner. com or 812.288-8281. Convenient parking and drop off. Handicapped accessible. Buffet featuring classic American cuisine.

The Foreigner Bunbury Theatre

First presented in Bunbury’s 1996-’97 season , The Foreigner put Bunbury Theatre on the map. Winner of two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production, original 1983 NYC reviews for this inspired romp included: “I laughed start to finish at one comic surprise after another” The New Yorker, and “…a constant invitation to relax and laugh at the foolishness of life” - The Village Voice. On a personal note, if Bunbury’s The Foreigner turns out to be on the same par as their production of Crimes of the Heart this past April, then I will hands down recommend buying season tickets to Bunbury’s 2011-12 season! WHEN: through June 26, evening and Sunday matinée performances. WHERE: the historic Henry Clay Building, 604 South Third St. TICKETS: $21 general admission, $18 seniors (over age 62) CONTACT: www.bunburytheatre.org or call 502.585.5306. Group rates for 10+. Light refreshments available. Handicapped accessible. 26

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WAKY Radio Rock ‘N’ Roll Reunion Concert Louisville Zoo

Get ready for a trip back in time as the best of the 1960s and ‘70s Louisville rock ‘n’ roll bands get together for one huge concert at the Louisville Zoo’s Oasis Field (the former site of the Louisville Orchestra’s ROARchestra series). This second WAKY Rock ‘N’ Roll Reunion brings together Sherry Edwards, Doo Wop All Stars, Epics, Crushed Velvet, Soul Inc., Cosmo and the Counts, and Butch Kaufman & Friends. WHEN: 2 p.m. June 25, rain or shine. WHERE: Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevillian Way TICKETS: Free with zoo admission; Adults $12.95, seniors (60+) $9.50 CONTACT: 502.459.2181 for further information. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. No tents or canopies allowed. No alcoholic beverages permitted, but concessions will be available. Handicapped accessible.

Quilts from Kentucky and Beyond: The Bingham-Miller Family Collection

Speed Museum

This exhibition will include more

Dianne Allison Age 62 • than 30 outstanding quilts to explore Retired Registered Nurse,

the visual art of American quilting from the 1830s through theVolunteer 1940s. at Kosair Children’s Hospital Kentucky-made quilts, the core of the Bingham-Miller Family Collection, will receive special attention. See the vibrant, star-patterned quilt in red and blue made in 1832 by Hannah Huxley of Covington and a 1940s example inspired by Native American blankets from the Southwest. The distinctive quilting traditions of Pennsylvania’s and Ohio’s Amish and Mennonite communities will add another aesthetic and cultural dimension to this extraordinary exhibition. WHEN: June 19-September 18 WHERE: Speed Museum, 2035 South Third St. TICKETS: $10 adults, $8 seniors (65+) CONTACT: 502.634.2700 or www.speedmuseum.org. Museum closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Handicapped accessible. Parking conveniently located in adjacent garage. t o da y ’ s

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She’s on the

Write Path Charline Kimbell

By Jessica Smith

harline Kimbell of Louisville has a mind for mysteries. She says she has always been intrigued by mystery stories, and now at age 81, she is writing her own.

Charline’s new murder mystery novel will be her second book after she authored Snowbirding: A Guide to Warming Up Your Winter in 2009. “It got me so fired up about being able to write something that I could look at in the form of a book that I just had to continue,” she says. In her new novel, Charline tells the story of Leah Osborne, a librarian who lives in a town where nothing ever happens. After a murder takes place in her usually calm, quiet neighborhood, Leah must join together with her friends and neighbors both to cope with grief and solve the murder. As she wrote, Charline realized she shares several attributes with her main character. “Leah is a wannabe investigator like me, and she’s always been able to solve the mysteries about ‘who done it,’ so it’s a natural thing for her,” says Charline, who enjoys solving John Grisham stories and TV mystery shows. Charline was interested in writing from a young age. She would plunk out short stories and poems on a typewriter and write club reports for newspapers. She says that although she knew she loved writing, she never dreamed of writing a book. One day her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, discovered a folder on Charline’s computer where she kept articles and tips about her snowbirding experiences. Charline and her husband have migrated south each winter for 17 years. Elizabeth convinced her to turn the information and her experiences into a book, which became Snowbirding. Now, Charline diligently writes two or three hours a day. She says her work is clean and fulfilling, and her family, 28

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especially her husband Jim, is a huge inspiration for her. “He encourages me to do what I want to do, and that really is helpful,” she says. Another inspiration is her faith. “It’s so clear to me and helps me with so many things, even in my patience for writing,” Charline says. “I’m just encouraged in every way to do whatever I’m doing.” Charline is certainly a doer: When she’s not writing, she spends time with her four children and nine grandchildren, plays bridge, is involved with her church, and exercises regularly. She walks two miles each morning, five days a week, which she says helps her think clearly and creatively as well as keeps her healthy. As Charline continues to work on her murder mystery, she says doing what she loves is her main motivation. “The most important thing is not to do it thinking this is going to be world-known and really successful,” Charline says. “Do it because you enjoy it, and you feel like you’re expressing yourself on paper in a way you might not be able to any other way.” t o d a y ’ s

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Meet our “Care Package for the Caregiver” Contest Winner!

PHOTO: MELISSA DONALD

Deborah May is the winner of our Care Package for Caregiver

Deborah May

which includes two passes to Derby Dinner Playhouse, four hours of sitter service from Right at Home, and two round trips within Jefferson County from Able Care, Inc. Why She Won: For the past four years, Deborah May has devoted all of her time to caring for her 81-year-old mother, who has diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and a host of other illnesses. When asked how she copes with the responsibility, she says, “She is my mother… this is my coping method, and I would do anything for her.” Her friend, Wanda Fitzpatrick, says Deborah’s loyalty to her mother is commendable. In her nomination letter, she writes: “[Deborah] sleeps in the room with her so she will be able to hear and see if she is in need of something. Deborah changes her soiled clothing and cuts and keeps her hair well groomed. She is the daughter that sees the sunshine as part of her aspirations and realizes she might not be able to reach it, but she can look up and see the beauty and blessing from God to have her mother and to be in her presence one more day.”

Nominate someone for our Carepackage for the Caregiver contest by filling out the form below.

Nominate him or her for our Care Package for the Caregiver contest and tell us

what makes this person stand out. The winner will receive gifts from our sponsors and be featured in our next issue. The care package will include:

◆

Four hours of sitter service donated by Right at Home

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$25 gift certificate to A Taste of Kentucky

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Two tickets to a Derby Dinner Playhouse production.

DEADLINE TO ENTER IS JULY 14. S U M M E R

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Make the Most of Your Next Doctor’s Visit By Sandra Gordon

hen you think you’ve come down with something, simply telling your doctor you don’t feel well won’t provide enough information to help.

Regarding him or her as the authority on medicine can keep you from taking an active role in your own health care. To get the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment, it’s crucial to adopt a “team player” attitude. Your doctor may have the specific scientific knowledge to analyze your condition, but it’s your job to provide the story. Here’s what you can do as a proactive patient to help yourself move faster from diagnosis to recovery. Learn the rules of your healthcare plan. “Become informed about how your health plan works,” says James Underberg, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at NYU Medical School in New York City. Some health plans, for example, require members to obtain a referral from a primary care physician before seeing a specialist. Knowing the ins and outs of your particular plan can keep you from putting your doctor in the precarious position of having to bend the rules — a situation that can later affect your partnership. It can also help you avoid paying out of pocket for medical services that you otherwise wouldn’t be required to cover. Be on time and come prepared. Although the medical profession has a reputation for keeping patients waiting, “you’ll now find more 32

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physicians on time for appointments,” says Dr. Underberg. “So don’t be late for your appointment anticipating that your doctor will be, too. If you do, chances are, he or she will be on time and your appointment will be rushed.” Be specific about your symptoms. Besides promptness, you’ll need to be clear about your symptoms and when they started. To gain clarity, before the visit, make a detailed list, putting the main symptoms at the top. Bring the list with you so you won’t forget anything. Include on it the following information: • How bad the pain or the symptoms are on a scale of 1 to 10. • Whether the symptoms bother you every day or flare up only occasionally. • Whether the symptoms are related to a specific action such as only when you lift something heavy or only when you go outside. • How the symptoms interfere with your daily life. For example, do they keep you from going to work, or are they keeping you awake at night? continued on page 34 t o d a y ’ s

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continued from page 32

Know your health history. Keep a notebook containing your medical history. This is especially helpful to bring with you on a first-time visit. Your notebook should include dates and reasons for previous doctor visits, test results, immunizations, childhood illnesses, past medications you’ve taken and those you’re now taking, their doses, and any reactions they’ve caused. In addition, list any chronic conditions you have and the current health status or cause of death of your parents and grandparents. If you’ve spent time in the hospital, include a copy of your lab work and records of tests or surgery. Medical office staff can help you obtain copies of these documents. Also, bring a list of all the prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you’re taking, including medications you don’t necessarily take all the time, such as Zantac, Pepsid, Motrin, Tylenol, St. John’s Wort, and gingko. Know what you’re taking them for, what the dose is, and how often you take them. Bringing your medication list to all of your appointments can also help coordinate your care and prevent overdosing if you’re seeing more than one physician. “Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdoses, for example, are on the rise because the drug is hiding so many products,” says Matt Grissinger, RPh, director of error reporting programs at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, in Horsham, Pa. Besides straight Tylenol, it’s in cold medicine and prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Percocet, and Darvacet. If you take a combination of these products, it’s easy to take too much acetaminophen (more than 4 grams/ day), Grissinger says. Over time, an acetaminophen overdose can lead to acute liver failure. Speak up. The goal of a visit to the doctor is to get your condition, issues, and questions out in the open. Even if a subject or question is embarrassing, if it’s relevant to the reason for your doctor’s visit, mention it. The information you provide about your condition or your lifestyle could be a key element to your treatment. To overcome any shyness, you might want to practice at home what you need to say to your doctor. Also, be sure to ask questions, such as: • What are the risks and side effects of the recommended treatment? • What are the odds of experiencing a bad outcome? • Are there any alternate treatments to consider?

A good question to conclude your appointment with is: • If you were in my position, what questions would you ask to understand the situation better?

Take notes. A visit to your doctor can be stressful, which can impair your ability to listen and think clearly. That’s why it’s a good idea to jot down the 34

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details of your condition that your doctor mentions during the post-examination discussion. If your illness is particularly complex, you might even consider recording this part of your visit (but first ask your doctor for permission). Or bring your spouse, a family member, or a friend along to get the facts for you. Having as much information as possible can help you ask appropriate questions on subsequent visits so you can make the most informed decisions regarding your healthcare. Don’t leave the doctor’s office or hospital without knowing what to do. In your excitement to go home, don’t forget to get the following instructions: • How long you should take any prescribed or over-thecounter medication. • Whether there are any foods or beverages that you should avoid that might interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. • How long it will be before you should start to feel better. • When to call your doctor if you don’t feel better as expected. • When to schedule a follow-up appointment.

It’s generally acceptable to call your doctor when you get home if you later don’t understand a medical concept or have a question that didn’t occur to you at the time. But because doctors only have so much time to spend on the phone, try to avoid calling your doctor about an issue that’s unrelated to your initial visit. If a new problem plagues you, “make another appointment,” Dr. Underberg says. Do your homework. Although it might sound like a lot of effort, researching your medical condition can enable your doctor to discuss the matter in more detail. You can also educate yourself about issues related to your condition that your doctor may not have time to discuss. Furthermore, Underberg says, “Patients who have time to research can bring issues to the doctor’s attention.” To better understand your diagnosis, consult medical books such as The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide or The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. Both are written for consumers and are available at local bookstores and public libraries. The Internet can also be a useful tool. If you run across an article that mentions a new study related to your condition, you might want to present it to your doctor. To save time, make a copy so your doctor can read it later. All told, although having an illness can be a frightening experience, taking a more active role in your health care can give you a feeling of control. More importantly, says Dr. Underberg, “well-informed patients who are involved in their healthcare and recovery may take less time to get well.” t o d a y ’ s

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Tt R R A a N N S s II Tt II O o N N S s

KNOW

By Ruby Thomas

We Want To

What is your favorite childhood memory? uple weeks ashington for a co od cook, and W to l ve tra to d “My mom ha was a really go arge of us. Dad nnamon and left Dad in ch she was gone, he made more ci and I ks ul, in those two wee uld believe. They were wonderf eak a sn co ld rolls than anyone he would put them away, I wou later. n fo he d W r my be r loved them. plastic bag unde rolls were a to in em th t re all the few and pu didn’t know whe e was He kept saying he Just before Mom got back, ther ht d. ug ile ca going. I just sm hole house cleaned, and I was tting w ge e th th t or ere w a push to ge on rolls. They w am nn out it.” ci ab t of or g sp ba g with a bi was a good ad D d an , er ov le lor into a little troub ployment counse em ed tir re , 62 , Sandy Wheeler

agic “Seeing m r the first fo d e m r fo per ol is my high scho r io n ju or y. It time in ood mem h d il h c e orit e I did single fav e, becaus was m to e is r I p was a sur t a magician was. a h ed to w id not know hen I dec w s t’ a th rted nd excited, a . A friend and I sta ic ar y learn mag to the libr g in o g y ks.” learning b ading boo e r d n a r togethe nder, 76, Bill Alexa agician retired m ntis t and scie

“My favo rite childhood memor y winning a is spelling b ee contes at the fai rgrou t third grad nds when I was i n e. I was o n children who par t e of 50 icipated.” Donald F ranz, 76, s en ior comp

anion

“My favorite m emor y is spen summer s alon g with my brot ding grandmother’s her on my big farm. One night, and whe of m y un cles w n he and all the child ’d get up in the morning, he orked at ’d ren would follo grandmother’s w him down th come for us, pasture where e road to my we’ our own bases made out of co d play softball. We even ha ncrete blocks. d was over, he’d W take us down farm. He’d sit to a river that hen the game ran be on the shallow end of bank and let us play and co hind the ol of f in the the water. We had a wonderf Charline Kimbe ul time.” ll, 81, housew ife and author

“My favorite childhood memory is playing barber shop “My favorite childhood m emor y is and cutting off my sister’s going to the park and sk ateboarding hair when I was five years in the Portland area wh old. Our mom would spend ere up. Back then ever ybod I grew hours rolling her hair, but y kn our dad, who was a barber, one another and I had lo ew ts would always cut mine off. of friends.” I guess I got jealous. Jim Moore, 64, senior co My sister reminds me of mpanion this every time I see her. I still like to jokingly ask ig r and I had b te s si her if she wants to play in tw y s. n “M as celebratio tm s ri barber shop.” h C , d n n a so a birthdays Christmas se e th g n ri u Evelyn Franz, 86, d s ’d wa into one. We d Our birthday e ll ro senior companion s a w n bratio eat at

out to so the cele vie, then go o m a h tc ca and cards go out and the big cakes r e b m e m re I . y members White Castle visiting famil s a ll e w s a toys.” “I lived in a wonderful neighborhood full of kids. ive us lots of g ld u o w o h to w We used to walk everywhere together. We used r companion

68, senio walk to The Cozy Movie Theater every Saturday. Idell Milan, It cost 15 cents to get in, and my parents usually gave me a quarter, so the big decision was whether to get popcorn with the remaining 10 cents or two pieces of candy for a nickel each. We used to ride our bicycles up to the Speed Museum and to play tennis when we were older. All the neighbors would sit What makes you laugh? on the porch and watch us go by and made sure we all got back Post your comments on our Facebook page home safely. It was a great feeling of security and friendship and a at www.facebook.com/todaystransitions wonderful experience.” Shirley Topmiller, retired public relations assistant and get connected with other readers.

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